Home Blog Page 398

Big News: Art 370 and Art 35A scrapped from Jammu Kashmir

Vivek Sinha
-
1
Big News: Art 370 and Art 35A scrapped from Jammu Kashmir

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah proposed in the Rajya Sabha today morning to remove all provisions of the contentious and anti-people Article 370 of the Indian constitution. Article 370 was a Temporary Provision in the Indian Constitution for Jammu and Kashmir which gave it a special status. Using the provisions of this Art 370 a separate Constitutional Order was introduced on 14th May 1954, popularly known as the Article 35A.

Both these articles were responsible for the ongoing problems in Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Kashmir Valley. All welfare provisions of Indian Constitution could not be applied in the state due to provisions in these two articles. By revoking these two articles Prime Minister Narendra Modi has corrected a historical wrong which was initiated by Sheikh Abdullah and the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. Provisions of Art 370 and Art 35A were cemented by local politicians of Kashmir Valley and a section of politicians from New Delhi. These politicians and the Valley-based separatists had turned Kashmir into an “industrial enterprise” such that “Kashmir issue” continued to hog limelight across the world even as common man in the Valley, Laddakh and Jammu regions continued to suffer.

Using the provisions of Art 35A several thousand crores of rupees (billions of dollars) were sanctioned for the “welfare” of Kashmir, which never reached the common man in the state. While the politicians built palatial bungalows for themselves and settled their children aboard the gullible Kashmiri teenager was made to chant Azadi slogans and become a stone pelter or a terrorist.

All this will change now. With the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A there will be a plethora of options for employment and divisive politics will die its natural death. The welfare provisions of Indian Constitution such as relief to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) will now be implemented across the state. Big industries and services sector will now be able to set foot in the Valley which will create employment opportunities for the young and restive population.

The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order 2019 will usher in a new era of peace across Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Laddakh.

PM Narendra Modi revokes Art 370 & Art 35A

Rajeev Pandey
-
0
PM Narendra Modi revokes Art 370 & Art 35A

PM Narendra Modi revokes Art 370 & Art 35A

Right time to tackle Kashmiri separatists: Ata Hasnain

Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (retd.)
-
2
Right time to tackle Kashmiri separatists: Ata Hasnain

The trigger for this essay comes from the mounting protests in Hong Kong; an advanced society in the throes of street turbulence. Sooner than later China may throw caution to the winds and send in the People’s Liberation Army to take over the territory and quell democracy. But my focus is elsewhere, on home territory, Kashmir. Having faced street protests there for many years it’s a different ballgame to Hong Kong. I am drawn back to it because of the rumours in the air of impending changes that could act as triggers.

Kashmir usually sits on the edge and street violence, for the last ten years, has been a norm. Will we see it implode again as it did in 2008 with the Amarnath Shrine Board agitation, in 2009 with rumours connected to the Shopian rape case, in 2010 with the Machil and Tufail Mattoo incidents and in 2016 with the killing of Burhan Wani? I am not examining here anything remotely related to the merits and demerits of Article 35A, the abrogation of which is being assessed as a likely trigger.

The power of the street was realised by the separatists in 2008 taking inspiration from the Palestinian Intifada. Little known but the other inspiration for Kashmir’s street turbulence was a book called ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy’ by an American scholar called Gene Sharpe. The latter is considered the father of modern revolutions and his chapter — ‘98 Ways of Non-Violent Action’ has inspired many of them. Syed Ali Shah Geelani is known to have read it and been inspired by it.

In August 2008 when we faced the murderous one lakh strong mob which attempted to march from Sopore to Uri, there was no social media. Yet thousands of people poured into the streets. None of us, the army, intelligence services or JK Police were prepared for it. Thereafter, seasoned commanders of anti-terrorist operations were taken aback by the vehemence and passion in the streets. They had little idea about dealing with such protests.

Many a time women led the front pushing even children ahead. Over a period of time, the art of street violence was near perfected by the Kashmiri protestors no doubt with some guidance from across the LoC. Social media expansion became the means of rallying protestors, taking inspiration from Tahrir Square, the Lotus Revolution and many other such protests of the Arab Spring. As the age of the street protestor became younger we witnessed 11 and 12-year-olds take to the streets. From 2014 an innovation entered into the methods with protestors rallying in support of terrorists cornered in houses through intelligence-driven cordons. This proved a major challenge for the security forces and led to more civilian casualties. The notion that separatists support nonviolent ways of protest has been a misnomer successfully fed to human rights organisations.

In 2008-10 two recalls are of significance. First, the Indian Army held a moral sway; its young company commanders had the networking skills and courage to walk up to leaders of protesting mobs and dissuade them many times to put an end to the protest in their area. Secondly, while the police had the most uncomfortable and challenging job the protestors mastered ways of breaking up police squads, attracting them into by lanes and then targeting them, forcing them to fire and cause civilian casualties.

The ecosystem of J&K, of which much is being written and spoken about today, has been the core centre of the organisational capability to run the agitation which at one time came to be termed as ‘agitational terror’ for various reasons. Protest without money power would have ground to a halt. In the town of Baramula from where the protests really began and spread; there were fixed rates for each stone thrower. Stones were ‘imported’ by vehicles and stone-throwers came from other towns so that identification of leaders was difficult. The rallying of mobs was done by a large network of over ground workers (OGWs) armed with an information system multiplied many times over today due to social media. Manipulated video clips and rumours form the focus of the information system which the government establishment has a little answer for except the shutting down of the internet. Civilian casualties draw mass response at funerals and increase alienation manifold. The local media with more publications than those found in Delhi or Mumbai has rarely found itself under control except during periods when curfew restricted the movement of its workers.

No one is saying that we are heading towards a period of street protests but it’s always good to be wary and cautious when attempts are being to change the tack of the strategy and campaign in J&K. The security forces’ identified weakness is what the separatists consider their strength. That is the lack of a professional way of tackling mass protests. We cannot sit on a moral high horse and claim the use of minimum force when the international community throws such things in our face. Also, let us not gloat over our capability to resist international pressure. China may get away with treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and possibly even with handing over of Hong Kong to the PLA; that is because China does not claim democratic norms of functioning. Yet, even as Government of India is getting down to tackle issues which have never been tackled in the past it should ensure none of this is done in an un-smart way. It has done well to go after the ecosystem but the same is so strongly entrenched that it will take time. The money conduits and information system which help the separatists run the power of the streets must be legitimately choked completely. Let there be more transparency about this.

No doubt this seems an appropriate time to tackle the separatists when Pakistan too is under pressure and attention is more on Afghanistan. Kashmir’s stamina for resistance is also low notwithstanding formation of joint resistance committees by the separatists. There are far more smart, legitimate and humane ways of controlling violence in the streets than by just pumping in a hundred companies of armed police forces. May be good to take a cue from what the Indian Army does before it sends any troops to conflict zones. It trains them for the situation and threat that they are likely to meet. Untrained soldiers or armed policemen can be a greater liability than can be imagined. Lastly, where is our information system to counter the separatist misinformation? Rumour mongering isn’t the best way of tackling such situations.

Media’s anti-India lobby using global platforms to defame country

Narender Yadav
-
0
Media’s anti-India lobby using global platforms to defame country

India no longer buys the baseless theories of rising intolerance and lack of press freedom from dubious journalists. But these Lutyen’s leeches and self-serving media strategists have now begun to push their agenda-driven journalism on global platforms. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting have taken a strong note of it.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a strongly worded communication, has sought explanation from United Kingdom (UK) and Canada as to why they allowed their soil to host an event on ‘unfounded’ remarks on Indian press freedom. The letter refers to events that occurred on 10th and 11th July during the Global Conference for Media Freedom in London, organised by the United Kingdom and Canada jointly. Over 100 countries were represented at the conference, with 60 ministers and 1,500 delegates from all regions. “It is unacceptable and unfortunate that their governments have provided a platform where totally unfounded remarks were allowed to be made” India’s Ministry of External Affairs told the High Commissions of UK and Canada.

At this conference, the Caravan magazine’s executive editor Vinod K. Jose had made a presentation ‘Religion and Media, the Untold Story’ on the incidents of erosion of press freedom in India in the wake of rising religious intolerance. In his presentation he referred to incidents of lynching as evidence of religious intolerance against India’s minorities, at the global conference. The claims made by him in the presentation were strongly rebutted by Prasar Bharati chairman A. Surya Prakash, who was part of Indian delegation at the conference along with Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta and political analyst Kanchan Gupta, nominated and sent by the information and broadcasting ministry to represent the government of India.

After the conference also, the anti-India media lobby tried to garner support to defame the country globally. Jose wrote a letter to British and Canadian government to be ‘vigilant’ on the issue of press freedom in India. “I hope you and your office will take up these grave matters at all appropriate forums, and will let your vigilance be known to the government of India,” said Vinod K Jose in a letter addressed to Jeremy Hunt, former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Chrystia Freeland, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada and the organisers and delegates of the Global Conference for Media Freedom 2019. In the letter, also published in The Caravan, Jose wrote that after the event, a United Nations official had asked him if he needed asylum, but he refused.

Prasar Bharati chairman, A Surya Prakash, post the workshop, submitted a report to the Minister of Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar, pointing out that he took strong exception to the choice of speakers made by the organisers as the allegations made in the presentation were “a direct assault on India’s democracy, credibility and the working of the Constitution”.

A. Surya Prakash (left), Swapan Dasgupta (centre) and Kanchan Gupta (right) were nominated as delegates by the Government of India. They have taken strong exception to the anti-India tirade by other journalists at the conference.

“Those who raise a question mark about press freedom in India must be really tone deaf… In fact, (of) the present political leaders of the country from across parties, there are a large number who have fought for restoration of democracy and press freedom in the mid-1970s in this country. For them, democracy is very clear. You must see the plurality of news media in India,” he said in the report. Prakash questioned whether by allowing such a presentation, the organisers were trying to question the “massive mandate” by the people of India for the Narendra Modi government.

“I am pained by the decision of the organisers to have given a platform for such a blatantly anti-India presentation. I don’t think anyone is furthering the cause of democracy by running down the most vibrant democracy in the world,” Prakash said.

Subsequently, the matter was taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs. According to sources, the external affairs ministry has told UK and Canada that “..it is unacceptable and unfortunate that their governments have provided a platform where totally unfounded remarks were allowed to be made.” In a letter to the union minister of information and broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, Union minister of external affairs S Jaishankar said the issue of allowing “unwarranted remarks” by one of the speakers was taken up with the high commission of both the countries.

With sources of foreign funding drying up, depleting support from the opportunistic left intellectuals and academia, and pro-Pakistan lobbyists looking for a safe haven, anti-India media strategists are now looking for foreign grounds to defame the country for their own self-serving interests. Both External Affairs and I&B Ministries need to ensure that these efforts to malign the country are strongly and timely dealt with.

Kashmir: Speculative, malicious propaganda is engineering the current fear psychosis

Jaibans Singh
-
1
Kashmir: Speculative, malicious propaganda is engineering the current fear psychosis

What exactly has happened in Kashmir in the last few days that is so out of the ordinary? There has been a movement of a few thousand troops – so what? Is it the first time that troop movement has been seen in the Kashmir Valley? The government has clarified that the movement is to carry out a routine turnover, prepare for elections and also to give some respite to troops who are overworked due to security commitment for Shri Amarnath Yatra. Operationally, both reasons make a lot of sense, so why this chasing of ghosts? In any case, what difference will a few thousand additional troops make to the existing deployment that has weathered much bigger storms?  

Is this the first time that an advisory has been issued to Amarnath Yatris? Almost every year the pilgrimage witnesses a pause due to some security alert or the other. The government has clarified that the alert has been issued since some military hardware with Pakistani markings have been found on the pilgrimage route. Security protocol demands complete sanitisation of the area which takes time. Is this, by any means, out of the ordinary?

New Delhi is hyper-sensitive about safe conduct of the Yatra, especially so, since the state is under Governor’s rule. It has spent millions of rupees in technology and additional manpower to ensure fool proof security. At this point in time, when the Yatra is in its last leg, the administration is bound to be over-cautious, hence the advisory to cut short the vacation and get back home safe and sound. What is so odd in this? The Yatra has not been called off, it has been suspended, so there remains a chance of resumption once the security environment is stabilised.

In a press conference the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps has clarified that the last few days have witnessed an increase in activity from across the border. Ceasefire violations have once again started as have the sinister Border Action Team (BAT) operations. There have been a series of infiltration attempts that have been successfully thwarted. Pakistan had put a plug on such activities as a prelude to the meeting of Prime Minister Imran Khan with US President Donald Trump since he wanted the latter to agree to resumption of aid. Now that the Pakistani premier has come back empty handed, is it not logical for Pakistan to declare business as usual on the border? What is happening on the border is not an increase in activity by Pakistan; it is resumption of activity by Pakistan. What is new or extraordinary in this? Definitely the situation requires a professional response from Indian security forces and extra caution for some days is part of that professionalism.

Troops of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) reached Jammu on August 3rd, 2019. On August 2nd, Jammu and Kashmir government had asked the Amarnath Yatris and tourists in Kashmir Valley to leave the valley. The advisory, issued by the states’ home department, cited intelligence inputs about terror threats. (Photo: PTI)

The problem is that a particular political segment in the Valley has a proclivity to see demons everywhere and talk about them. The situation has given to this segment the opportunity to come out of political wilderness and the opportunity is being exploiting to the hilt. If these very political leaders had attempted to instil confidence among the people and allay their insecurities, this panic situation would not have taken place at all. Sadly, instead of showing maturity they sought to ride on the fears of the people and thus added fuel to the fire. They are least bothered about the effect on the common man and the economy of the state.

The next blameworthy element is the social media. Everybody seems to have become an alter ego of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with inside knowledge of his mind and chosen course of action. Scenarios ranging from the removal of Article 35A to trifurcation of the state are being uploaded with utmost confidence and are being dutifully forwarded by millions. With each passing hour the options are becoming more and more bizarre. The latest is that all of this is a plan hatched by the US, Pakistan and India to break CPEC and thus marginalise Chine – can it get more ludicrous than this?

Nobody is ready to give credence to the fact that senior most functionaries are denying the existence of any unprecedented reason behind the tightening of security protocols in the last few days. Governor Satya Pal Malik has categorically denied knowledge of any move by the centre to remove Art 35A or Art 370. He has stated that there is no change in the stature of these issues. Senior most security commanders have addressed a press conference to allay all fears, yet, some political leaders and the social media are not ready to relent from the endeavour to create panic.

Quite apparently, the present chaos is based only on speculation. The panic which started on 29th July came under control a day later, but because of some statements by local leaders and the social media it has once gained momentum and reached the present level. This proves that the people did not fall prey to the rumours but have been forced to do so by constant negative conditioning by those who will gain tremendously by keeping the pot boiling. 

The aforementioned argument does not imply that the government will not remove Art 370 and Art 35A. It is ideologically inclined to the abrogation and has spelt it out as a mandate during the recently held parliamentary elections. The present activities, however, do not seem to be directed towards this end due to a number of reasons. First, no government would like to take this kind of an action so close to the Independence Day. Secondly, the government would not have liked to inconvenience the pilgrims to Shri Amarnath Shrine. 

The people of Kashmir should not get swayed by malicious propaganda. They should resume their routine life without fear or insecurity. By so doing they will give a befitting response to those evil forces that are blatantly attempting to disrupt their lives and cause to them great financial loss.

Pak must show maturity in Kulbhushan Jadhav case

Farooq Wani
-
0
Pak must show maturity in Kulbhushan Jadhav case

Kulbhushan Jadhav who was allegedly arrested from the Pakistan-Iran border in Balochistan on March 3, 2016 has been accused of being a spy of India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Pakistan had alleged that Jadhav was engaged in masterminding terrorist activities in Balochistan. Jadhav was tried by a military court and after a trial that lasted just three-and-a-half months, he was awarded the death sentence on April 10, 2017.

Though the government of Pakistan had authorised its military courts to try terrorism related cases, this move had come under very severe criticism from the international legal community as in addition to serious procedural shortcomings, its trial procedure lacked transparency. Under these adverse circumstances, it would have been more the sensible for the government of Pakistan to have tried Jadhav in a civil court as this would have enhanced the legal credibility of the trial at international level. This issue has since snowballed into a flash point for India-Pakistan relations.

India moved the ICJ (International Court of Justice) in May 2017 protesting against the “farcical trial” of their 48-year-old retired Indian Navy Officer by Pak’s military court. India’s first win came when the ICJ admitted that prima facie there were legal lacunae in the trial of Jadhav by Pak’s military court. Another monumental mistake that Islamabad made was its inordinate delay in informing New Delhi that it has taken Jadhav (who is an Indian national) into custody. Secondly, by refusing to entertain New Delhi’s request for grant of consular access to Jadhav, Islamabad violated the Vienna Convention and thus weakened its own case. Thirdly, Jadhav has been awarded death sentence solely on the basis of his confessional statement, which is legally debatable since it could have well have been extracted under duress.

Pakistan Army may have succeeded in temporarily diverting public attention from its own failure to tackle home-grown terrorism by blaming R&AW for masterminding unrest in Balochistan and making Jadhav the face of what it calls ‘proxy war’ being waged by India. However, ICJ’s verdict putting a stay on Jadhav’s execution and asking Islamabad to grant consular access to him vindicates India’s stand that Jadhav is just being a scapegoat to assuage the traumatisation of the people of Pakistan.

Yet the ICJ verdict shouldn’t be viewed in terms of victory or defeat as this will only aggravate an already explosive situation and vitiate the already tense environment. Statesmanship demands that both sides be more practical rather than emotional in their approach and instead of using Jadhav issue as a means to ignite hyper-nationalist feelings, use it to mend fences. On this account, Pakistan is lucky because by it is in a position of showing magnanimity by releasing Jadhav, and should it do so, New Delhi will be in no position to show belligerence.

With Jadhav in its custody, Islamabad definitely has an upper hand today. Yet, it has to seriously think about what do with him. There’s an old saying that “bandh muthi lakh ki, khul gayi toh khaak ki” (while a closed fist is invaluable since no one knows what it holds within, it becomes worthless the moment it’s opened). Jadhav’s execution would certainly be met with great celebration in Pakistan, but besides being momentary, it will lay down the dangerous precedent for a ‘tit for tat’ policy which will see both countries ‘legally” lynching many innocent ‘Jadhavs’ just in order to pacify the collective domestic conscience.

If we really want to get out of the unending cycle of death and destruction, then both sides need to stop getting over-obsessed by hyper nationalist propaganda and instead work for reconciliation through reciprocal demonstration of magnanimity.

Pakistan should not forget that if it’s an “Indian spy” and alleged terror mastermind called ‘Jadhav’ that the ISI has caught today and sentence to death by its military court without even giving him consular access, then isn’t it possible that tomorrow the R&AW could possibly apprehend a Pakistani national named ‘Javed’, air a confessional video of him admitting being an ISI operative tasked to create unrest in Kashmir and other communally sensitive areas within India and sentence him to death?

In making Jadhav a sacrificial lamb, Pakistan is treading upon a very dangerous path and one only hopes that good sense prevails because pacifying the public by executing Jadhav isn’t a permanent solution. To cater to the public, the ISI will have to keep finding more ‘Jadhavs’ and at some stage R&AW will surely retaliate. India and Pakistan are already fighting it out on the LoC (Line of Control) and introducing this new practice of apprehending an Indian citizen, keeping him in custody incognito, denying him consular access and then sentencing him to death will always evoke a similar action from the other side. It would be good for Pakistan to reconsider its dependency on short term populist actions for the upkeep of its image, because R&AW can also do the same.

Long pending Kashmir dispute is the root cause of all problems between the two countries and has become an eye soar for neighbouring countries which took many lives in the border skirmish and also in the main land. This flash point always gave dent to relations between India and Pakistan.

The reluctance of the two countries to settle Kashmir dispute is taking its toll on the commoner in India and Pakistan. The people in India and Pakistan deserve a better deal. India and Pakistan must shun path of confrontation and join hands to usher in a new era of trust, peace and friendship in the sub-continent.

Celebrating 58th anniversary of India-Somalia diplomatic relations

Narender Yadav
-
0
Celebrating 58th anniversary of India-Somalia diplomatic relations

India was among the few countries to establish diplomatic relations with Somalia just after its independence. A year after the independence of Somalia in 1960, the Commissioner of India to Mauritius was accredited as Ambassador of India to Somalia and presented his Credentials in 1961. Later, a resident Mission was opened in Mogadishu. Since then, India and Somalia have established a time-tested and strong diplomatic relations.

The celebration of over a “Decade of Service” by the Embassy of The Federal Republic of Somalia in India organized in collaboration with Exelient Africa commemorating the diplomatic relations between Somalia and India which has been in existence for over 58 years now, was held recently at India International Centre, New Delhi. On this occasion a special magazine was launched by H.E Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam (Ambassador of Eritrea) and Her Excellency Ebyan Mahamed Salah (Ambassador of Somalia).

The Chief Guest H.E Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam (Ambassador of Eritrea to India; Dean African Heads of Missions in India – AHOM), in his address congratulated Somalia and also applauded the efforts of the Exelient Africa group “I’m indeed pleased that Africa’s youths are not only focusing on business as we have always known but are doing so with a different approach, one of a public and corporate social responsibility style. Exelient Africa is not just a brand name I believe but a family of Young Pan-Africans to reckon with and promote,” he said. Her Excellency Ebyan Mahamed Salah (Ambassador of Somalia; Former Dean Arab League, and Deputy Dean AHOM) reiterated the need of giving such an opportunity to young Leaders. She was also awarded with “The Award of Extraordinary Diplomacy” from Exelient Africa for her exemplary leadership and commitment in promoting Africa-India Relations through youths and people to people connect.

Speaking on the occasion, Ezeugo Nnamdi, Co-Founder Exelient Africa & Secretary General Africa-Asia Youth Foundation (AAYFO), said, “We hope and look forward to a more fruitful relationship between Africa and India as we continue to harness the potentials that are available in both continent and Subcontinent respectively.”

The event was attended by H.E Michael Aaron Oquaye (High Commissioner of Ghana to India), H.E Stella Budiriganya (Ambassador of Burundi to India), H.E Dr. Heba Salah Eldin (Ambassador of Egypt to India), H.E Dr. Tizita Mulugeta Yiman (Ambassador of Ethiopia to India), and H.E Deputy Ambassador of Sudan. Diplomats from The Embassy of DRC, and Somalia were also present at the event and magazine launch. The gathering was also joined by various organizations of repute including members of The Africa-Asia Youth Foundation (AAYFO), India-Africa Youth Energy Forum (IA-YEF), Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL), Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (IIGL), Human Achievers Foundation, Association of Social Media Professionals, Lions Club Veg, Delhi, and Rajasthani Academy, MSME Chamber of commerce, India Africa Today, Times of Africa and students from Africa. 

On every 1st July, the Somalis globally celebrates the anniversary of Somalia’s Independence which was attained on the 26th of June, 1960 in the Northern region of the country, but it was  on 1st of July that the unification of the South and North of Somalia was witnessed, making it a momentous day in the history of Somalia.

Indian Army goes green with E-Car initiative to combat pollution

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Indian Army goes green with E-Car initiative to combat pollution

The Indian Army in step with government policies on environmental protection has launched an ecological initiative with employing electrical cars for use of its officials in New Delhi in partnership with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a joint Venture of Central PSUs under Ministry of Power. The introduction of E-Car in Army at Delhi was visualised on World Environment Day and launched on 01 Aug 2019 with flagging off the first lot of E-Cars for Indian Army by QMG, Lt Gen Gopal R. Army plans to operate the first batch of 10 E-Cars as a pilot project and develop further on this initiative and increase the number of E Cars in Delhi to ensure economy, efficiency and minimal emissions.

Army has always been at the forefront of environmental initiatives. Indian Army has a large number of Territorial Army Battalions (ECO) which have done a yeoman service in environmental protection initiatives such as forestation. Army units posted in remote and ecologically sensitive areas from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari have been carrying out various activities in close coordination with local populace to conserve the ecological balance and protect the environment.

Air pollution has been a major challenge in Delhi. Governments across the world are investing a lot of resources in fighting this menace. Electric vehicle technology has proved to be a viable alternative by reducing the carbon emission footprint. Indian companies like Tata Motors and Mahindra have taken a lead in R&D and manufacturing of Electric Cars. EESL has been the main facilitator in providing these vehicles to various Government agencies. Army’s initiative in encouraging these electric vehicles will go a long way in further development of this technology and its adoption for the general public in near future.

Committee to explore Coastal Tourism, Cruise Tourism and Sea Sports avenues in the country

News Intervention Bureau
-
0
Committee to explore Coastal Tourism, Cruise Tourism and Sea Sports avenues in the country

India has a coast line of 7,516.6 km, which has immense potential for maritime tourism. Gujarat forms the longest coastline of all Indian states with 1600 km and Goa having the smallest coastline with 101 km. The Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) and Chemicals & Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture Prahlad Singh Patel, in a meeting, emphasised on the need to promote important tourist destinations in the coastal areas of the country through coastal tourism .

It was decided in the meeting to set up a committee of senior officials of the two Ministries to explore the avenues for coastal tourism in the country and work out ways to promote the same. It was also decided to explore  the possibilities and opportunities in the areas of  Coastal Tourism, Cruise Tourism, Sea Sports, Light House Viewing Gallery.  It was suggested that every coastal area can create a calendar of events for  tourist engagement, with activities like beach volleyball, sand art, food festivals, dances of the fishing community, to name a few.

The Shipping Ministry is promoting tourism in maritime states under the Sagarmala Programme. This is being done in convergence with the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Development Departments of maritime state governments.

These new, unexplored tourism areas will open a door to coastal communities of the maritime states where they will find many new and diverse job opportunities. In the coming years, coastal and maritime tourism will be a source for growth and job creation in the coastal states of India.

The two Ministers also underscored the need  for better coordination and synergy between their respective Ministries so that desired results can be achieved in a time bound manner.

Café Coffee Day: Successful Model with a Lonely Entrepreneur

Ashutosh Garg
-
0
Café Coffee Day: Successful Model with a Lonely Entrepreneur

“It is a lonely job at the top” is a statement that has been spoken for a very long time over the past few decades and we saw one more example of a distressed entrepreneur (Mr VG Siddhartha) taking the extreme step.

Café Coffee Day is a classic example of a successful business model with a high profile and celebrated promoter who was possibly a very lonely human being with no one to share his innermost feelings of distress, loneliness and possibly depression.

The challenges being faced by the group of companies are not over – by exiting from the scene, Mr Siddhartha has shifted the onus of resolving his challenges to his family and the board of directors of his multiple businesses. He built a very strong brand and created job opportunities for thousands of people. More importantly, he will be remembered by the millions of customers who discovered friendships, relationships, startups, business ventures and the social relationships over a cup of coffee at his stores.

A lot has been spoken and written about the financial liabilities of the group and the asset base of the business. Allegations have been traded between political parties trying to gain some political advantage out of this tragedy.

A few businessmen, possibly facing financial pressures in their own businesses, have started making allegations against the government because of the alleged undue pressures of the government agencies. Have these individuals thought of their retraction if actual financial irregularities are found?

Audits and forensic audits will be undertaken. Investigative agencies will have to do their job. The Board of Directors of the various group companies will need to do a lot of introspection and seek answers.  The Private Equity investors who have supported these businesses will have their own perspectives to offer. The answers will emerge in the next few months and it is only after that should our political and business pundits start their pontification and give their opinions.

Nothing can bring back Mr VG Siddhartha. The loss to the family and the organisation is final.

It is important at this time to sit back and think of a much wider malaise that is affecting the entrepreneurial community. Why is it that 9 out of 10 startups fail? How much money do these failed businesses lose? All this money comes from the promoters’ own hard-earned earnings, from friends and family and from Angel investors. A few startups manage to raise money from private equity investors. When businesses fail, all these investors lose their money.

For the entrepreneurs, failure of their business is a quadruple whammy.

  • First is the loss of confidence since they have not been able to deliver on their dreams.
  • Second is the loss of all the investment made by each stakeholder.
  • Third is the pressure from creditors, employees, government agencies and financial institutions who start to demand their money.
  • Fourth is the negative coverage of a failure by our revered Fourth Estate.
Family members and relatives pay their last respects to mortal remains of Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) Founder VG Siddhartha at Chikmagalur on July 31, 2019. The body of Siddhartha, who went missing two days ago, was found by local fishermen and patrolling policemen on the banks of River Netravathi near Mangaluru. (Photo: PTI)

Where does the entrepreneur go? Bankruptcy, though now available for companies, is a very cumbersome process. Personal bankruptcy commonly accepted in the developed economies is not an option to Indian businessmen. This law needs to be made more friendly for entrepreneurs in distress. Individuals need to feel comfortable to reach out for protection under this law rather than “fear the consequences”.

Entrepreneurial Depression

Entrepreneurial depression is a serious issue that confronts every Startup Promoter. Let us look at some of the reasons why Entrepreneurs reach such a challenging situation.

  • Business idea is flawed: Ideas could be well ahead of their time in a market not ready to accept it or ideas could be significantly behind the stage the market is in. If the business itself is suspect, there is really no hope for the startup. If the customer does not buy your idea, no matter how smart or good it may be, the startup is doomed from the very start.
  • Funding is Insufficient: Most startups bootstrap their early months / years till they are able to raise funding. The moment funds are received, it has generally been seen that the expenses of the organisation increase in a ratio completely out of proportion of the business of the company. Once overheads are built up, it is very difficult to pull back. A lot of time is spent trying to keep raising funding to keep the business going. When funding starts to dry up, the business starts to flounder. A common reason given for pulling down shutters is “we never had enough money in the bank!”
  • Diversion of Funds into areas not intended: This is a very common reason for businesses running out of money. No one is questioning promoters where all the funds taken from banks as loans have been used. If loans are taken and they are meant for growth of the business, why do businesses reach a situation where they cannot even pay the interest? If there is strong evidence to establish that an entrepreneur has misused, diverted or embezzled funds, the strongest possible action must be taken against such individuals. 
  • Burn Rate is too high: Most founders underestimate their “burn” rate. Burn, very simply put, is the amount of cash you are spending every month. Once the company starts to earn from its business, burn can be classified as spend minus the earnings. Therefore, if there is a constant burn in the startup, funds need to come from equity to meet cash flow requirements. The longer the period of the burn, the more difficult it is to raise new funding.
  • High cost of Acquiring a Customer: Remember that the Cost of Acquiring a Customer must never be greater than the Lifetime Value of the Customer. Most startups believe that this equation will gradually change in their favour. They also wrongly believe that Lifetime Value of a Customer is the top line earned and not the profit from the revenue.
  • Weak Management Teams: Many promoters start with friends as their team members instead of bringing in strong management teams. Weak or in-disciplined management teams have weak execution and their insecurity perpetuates the challenge faced by the startup when they bring in even weaker team members down the line. This leads to a domino effect and does insurmountable harm to the young startup.
  • Scaling Up: A big reason for losses is when a startup scales up before it has established its business plan in a smaller and more controllable environment. Conversely, startups have failed because they have not scaled up fast enough. There is really no right or wrong answer when it comes to building a startup.
  • Getting a Coach or a Mentor: Most entrepreneurs are lonely people and while they have the ability to hire a business coach who could function as a friend, philosopher and guide without any agendas, they are either not aware of this input they can seek or have a sense of “know it all” bravado. The young and abrasive energy of a startup founder needs tempering with the wisdom of an older manager. Bringing together the vision of the Startup Entrepreneur and the experience of an older manager in an unobtrusive and non-threatening manner will prove to be very helpful. In addition to watching the back of the startup entrepreneur and guiding him when the ship hits troubled waters, such individuals will also bring in strong subject matter knowledge, from their respective domains.

There is a hot new startup that is being seeded by its founder and breaking out of its incubator every so often each day and yet there is another startup that has had its place in the sun and basked in its glory and is quietly riding off into the sunset.

We need to create an environment that certainly applauds successes but does not punish failures. Otherwise, people will stop nurturing entrepreneurial dreams and this can be a serious challenge for any economy.

Unless there is a support system for entrepreneurs to handle failure, entrepreneurs will continue to take steps to mitigate their losses and save their businesses. When nothing works, we need to prevent them from taking any extreme steps.

1...397398399...464Page 398 of 464

News Intervention is the new age digital media platform that has news analysis, opinion pieces, news briefs, news videos and documentaries.
News Intervention raises all those issues that may have been overlooked by big media houses or have been deliberately buried to serve vested interests. We firmly believe that each life matters and every individual regardless of religion, nationality, race, caste or creed must have the right to live life with dignity.

Contact us: editor@newsintervention.com

© Copyright - NewsIntervention