हमारी हिंदी सजीव भाषा है। इसी कारण,यह पहले अरबी,फारसी आदि के संपर्क में आकर उनके व अब बाद में अंग्रेजी के भी शब्द ग्रहण करती जा रही है। इसे दोष नहीं, गुण ही समझना चाहिये ; क्योंकि अपनी इस ग्रहणशक्ति से हिंदी अपनी वृद्धि कर रही है, ह्रास नहीं।ज्यों-ज्यों इसका प्रचार बढेगा, त्यों-त्यों इसमें नये शब्दों का आगमन होता जायेगा।क्या भाषा की विशुद्धता के किसी भी पक्षपाती में यह शक्ति है कि वह विभिन्न जातियों के पारस्परिक संपर्क को न होने दे या भाषाओं की सम्मिश्रण-क्रिया में रूकावट पैदा कर दे? यह कभी संभव नहीं। उपर्युक्त प्रक्रियाएं स्वाभाविक हैं। हमें तो केवल इस बात का ध्यान रखना चाहिये कि इस सम्मिश्रण के कारण हमारी भाषा अपने स्वरूप को तो नष्ट नहीं कर रही - कहीं अन्य भाषाओं के बेमेल शब्दों के मिश्रण से अपना रूप तो विकृत नहीं कर रही। अभिप्राय यह है कि दूसरी भाषाओं के शब्द,मुहावरे आदि ग्रहण करने पर भी हिन्दी,हिन्दी ही बनी रही है या नहीं, बिगडकर वह कुछ और तो नहीं होती जा रही?

स्रोत- अज्ञात

Talk like a South Asian

Empowering NOTA

"NOTA" or "None of the above" in election has been described as maturing of India's democracy as it provides voters option to disapprove all the candidates in election.In the historical People's Union for Civil Liberties(PUCL) v. Union of India case ,Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right of citizens to cast negative vote in elections.Although it does not provide voters the "Right to Reject",that means even if the number of votes against NOTA is more than the number of votes secured by the candidates,the candidate who secures the largest number of votes among the contesting candidates is declared to be elected.

 In a recent judgement,Supreme Court rejected a PIL petition which asked for re-election if NOTA votes exceeds in an election.This was a major blow to the democratic sentiment.Petitioner raised a valid point that if NOTA get the highest number of votes,it would amount to an expression of public dissatisfaction with the candidates in the fray.In its judgement, Supreme Court cleared that conducting elections in our country costs money and conducting re-elections on such basis would create an extra burden on the public exchequer.

It is to be noted that Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections of 2017 recorded 5.5 lakh NOTA votes,making it 1.8% of the total valid votes.In assembly elections of 2016, Tamil Nadu recorded 5.6 lakh(1.31%) votes while West Bengal recorded 8.3 lakh (1.5%) votes.Earlier, in Lok Sabha elections of 2014, 60 lakh voters chose NOTA over all other candidates which is 1.1% of the total valid votes.

This is a small figure,of course.Merely 1-2% votes will remain symbolic instrument of expressing resentment.The way NOTA functions in our democracy, it is rightly considered as "Wastage of Vote",which is no different than absentention and boycott. However, if considered from a different and opposite perspective, it can be argued that NOTA votes are casted in a small number because it is ineffective and doesn't convert inherent resentment into outright public distrust against political class. People believe that it will not fetch anything but internal satisfaction.If they are ensured of re-election, NOTA might be proved an effective instrument of democracy.

It is not that improvement plans are not suggested for the same.Various proposals have been recommended one being re-election if NOTA receives highest number of votes. This is certainly a praiseworthy suggestion.It ,however, raise a pertinent question that disapproval is against whom:The candidate,Political Party or Manifesto of political parties?Re-election can be conducted after due deliberation between public and political class if the disapproval is against the candidate or policies.

However,if it is against political parties, much can't be changed and the result of re-election would be more or less same on the ground. Further,if the same candidate contest with same policies again,then electorate will choose NOTA until candidate or policy is changed.It is evident that in absence of a direct and clear-cut dialogue mechanism between electorate and candidate or political party, there are risks of getting into the vicious cycle of elections.However,advocates of NOTA argue that NOTA button may be disabled to avoid a series of re-election.

As part of recommendations, it is also suggested that political parties that loose to NOTA should bear the cost of re-election.It will not only solve the problem of election conducting costs and expenses upto a certain extent, but will also limit excessive expenditure in campaigning by political parties in the very first instance.

There are certainly issues with re-elections but those issues can be resolved if we look for the light bulb in the dark room with due deliberation and discussion among all the stakeholders involved in the process.Outright rejection of an idea is going to take the us nowhere that too at a time when we vehemently demand electoral reforms.

As I said earlier, barely giving a symbolic representation in the EVM does not serve the purpose at all.It can make upto the headlines at most but hardly change any situation on the ground.Need of the hour is to provide more powers to this instrument.It will ensure accountability of the political class to the people.It will also ensure cohesive and inclusive manifesto alongwith better candidatures in political arena.

Executing Marshall Plan in 21st century

China's grandiose geo-economic project Belt and Road Initiative which is proposed at such a large scale with a strategic purpose reminds scholars of Marshall Plan of 1948 initiated by the United States for the recovery of Western Europe after gruesome devastation of the Second World War.Belt and Road Initiative aims to lays down development strategy to promote economic co-operation among countries along the proposed route.It is evident that this China-centered trading network is bigger than Marshall Plan both in terms of finance as well as geographical outreach.

Unlike Marshall Plan,China's mega project comes at a time when questions on globalization are being raised and subsequently west is following a protectionist model. When Marshall Plan was introduced globalization and Free Trade was in its nascent stage which provided unrestrained implementation of the US-led initiative.Geo-political and economical equations have changed upto a certain extent in the course of time which requires a reality-check for China.

Many countries across Eurasia have praised the project. In fact 68 countries have signed up to the scheme.But the fact is that many projects across Eurasia and Africa are either being cancelled or delayed.In November 2017,Nepal cancelled $2.5-billion Budhi Gandaki hydroelectric project  citing rules violation issues. Same is the case with Hungary where High-speed railway project is delayed.

Domestic politics and economic viability of projects has been a concern in South-East Asia.In Thailand, $15-billion high-speed railway project got delayed because of environmental approval,loan terms and financing. Similarly, Indonasia's Jakarta-Bandung High speed rail project faces delays because of difficulty in land acquisition.

Tanzania has also reopened negotiations over ownership of $11-billion port in the city of Bagamoyo.Even Pakistan has cancelled $14 Billion Diamer Bhasha Dam Project citing tough financial terms imposed by China.

The message is clear.Execution of such an expensive project that too on a massive scale has its own risks. Apart from internal debt issues,there are corruption,local opposition, project delays,environmental concerns like problems which are out of Chinese control, at least for now.Slumberous implementation and frequent interruption also raise question on sustainability and longevity of the project.As seen in the past that it is comparatively easier to start an initiative than completing it successfully.At the same time, it needs to be understood that till the time project would be completed, technological upgrade will reach to a completely different level. Investment in infrastructure asset is made considering technological changes in forthcoming decades.

China also needs to revisit the history. A similar plan was rolled out by the then Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi in late 1990s. The idea was to promote Japan-funded infrastructure projects throughout Asia. But the plan was never exteriorized.

One thing which clearly distinguish between Marshall Plan and Belt and Road Initiative is the fact that Marshall Plan was implemented after a long-standing conflict across-the-board. Execution of an economic project is a lot easier in the state-of-peace than conflict-ridden situations. China knows that its enthusiastic project can never be completed without peace in the encompassing region. Middle East has been in turbulence for a long time.Security risks and Political instability in the region are hanging over and raising serious concerns.China Pakistan Economic Corridor is another example.India has not joined the project because the proposed route passes through disputed territory of PoK. Afghanistan is also willing to join the project in the near future but nothing substantial can be done without bringing peace in the region.

After taking all the calculations of economic cost and associated benefits into account, the focus goes on subterraneous geopolitical motives of China. There might be a possibility that even after loosing on economic fronts, China may gain some geopolitical advantages.It is argued that China might not be making decisions purely on the economic return from the investment.China knows how to translate geoeconomic vision into political and diplomatic influence.China has in fact increased its sphere of influence in the South Asia, South-East Asia and African region. It is evident from the fact that India has been concerned about increasing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region.

China's BRI project has the potential to lead much of the world into a Debt-Trap.Indications of the same are visible. Sri Lanka has recently handed over Hambantota Port to Chinese company on a 99 year lease. Myanmar has no different story. Maldives has recently signed Free Trade Agreement with China but by doing this the tiny island is only going to get trapped in the vicious cycle of Trade deficit.

China has been criticized by the scholars for its unfair trade practices,illegitimate gains and dubious intentions. Critics even call Chinese investment in Africa a model of economic colonialism.However, it is to be understood that a quick encirclement of territory is only possible on maps.Chinese policy of no-strings-attached investment leaves no room for such apprehensiveness, at least for now.

Balaghat: How to decentralise waste management in a small city

Balaghat: How to decentralise waste management in a small city

'Waste to Compost' Model: A sustainable solution to India's various problems

Amidst the talks of Sustainable Development at International and Regional Forums,South Africa has set an example when it comes to Waste Management. Various initiatives have been launched by the African country as part of its comprehensive National Waste Management Strategy(NWMS).One such initiative is Home Composting Research Project, which has been successfully implemented in the cities of South Africa,city of Cape Town for that matter.

The city of Cape Town has embarked on an innovating home composting program for residents. This program aimed at diverting as much household organic waste as possible. Home and Community composting kits were provided to citizens by the city administration.In total, more than 38 tons of household organic waste was recorded as being diverted from landfill at an average of 1692 Kg per household per month. Despite being conducted at a small scale in the initial phase, the results are more than satisfactory.

India faces a huge problem of garbage management.India alone generate more than 1,00,000 metric tonnes of solid waste,a significant volume of which comes from kitchen waste, every day which is higher than many countries' total daily waste generation taken together. As of now, waste management in urban agglomeration and metropolitan cities is being done in a haphazard manner where garbage of the entire city is dumped into landfills without proper segregation. The situation is such that Delhi and Bangalore like metropolitan cities are now facing acute shortage of dumping sites and sanitary landfills.Crisis is even more serious in the suburban areas and small towns where treatment plants doesn't even exist.

Can composting be a solution?

Advocates of 'Waste to Compost' model argue that aerobic compost method can drastically change the situation. Aerobic Digestion as a method for dealing with food waste has rocketed in other countries too.Aerobic Digestion is one of the most efficient and cheapest system of dealing with biowaste.Evidence suggests that there are significant potential benefits to wide-scale composting,both environment and social. Home and Community composting may divert 25% to 70% of kitchen waste. It largely depends on the participation rate of the residents and communities.

In urban agglomerations and large metropolitan cities, individual and community composting can significantly help city administration tackling landfills shortage problem. At village and suburban level, waste to compost model can be utilized in a much meaningful manner.Compost generated at large level by Community composting can be utilized by the farmers as manure and fertilizers.

The idea creates an opportunity for Start Ups which can establish a supply chain for the same. This will therefore generate employment opportunities at rural level. In fact it has been successful in South Africa.Cooperatives initiatives were started in Tembisa,Gauteng and New Castle with the assistance of local administration. Waste recycling sector has created significant employment opportunities.This is certainly a win-win situation for all the stakeholders of the supply chain.

As topsoil loss is a serious ecological issue,compost can help prevent soil erosion. It helps sandy soils retain water that normally runs through.It can also balance pH of the soil and extend the growing season by moderating soil.Since it encourages vegetation and reduce erosion,it can be used as a planting media in artificial wetlands.

Further, if applied at a large scale, increasing demand of composting products will encourage plastic and other polymer industries. As solid waste management is a global issue and the demand for sustainable solutions is increasing rapidly, India can also search markets for its exports.

In short, if put into practice, 'Waste to Compost' model will pave the way,in one way or another, for various initiatives of the government for instance, National Horticulture Mission, National Action Program to Combat Desertification, Swachh Bharat Mission, Solid Waste Management, Start Up India,Make in India and so on.

Challenges- Implementation of the model is a huge challenge that too in a vast country like India where implementational problems exists across-the-board. For adopting a model like this, decentralization of next layer is essential undoubtedly.Local administration is supposed to play a crucial role in the entire process. Municipalities,in collaboration with product manufacturing companies and suppliers, needs to initially implement the project on an experimental basis on a cluster-based-approach.

Moreover, the project requires citizen awareness programs from the government. Cape Town local administration in fact conducted mass awareness programs through educational means.City provided free compost bins to residents as part of the pilot project.

India is committed to Sustainable Development Goals.Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDG) has a bearing on Waste Management.Waste to Compost is one of the most sustainable solution to tackle the menace of Garbage crisis.

Environmentally concerned citizens and organizations are coming forward to provide simple and effective solution. Bangalore based Shudh-Labh is one such example.However,collaboration with local administration and involvement with citizens at greater level is need of the hour.

With Prices Rising Post-GST, Has the Government Taken the Public for a Ride?

With Prices Rising Post-GST, Has the Government Taken the Public for a Ride?

समय के साथ साथ परिवेश में बदलाव आना किसी भी समाज में आम बात है| परिवेश के साथ साथ भाषा के स्तर में बदलाव आना भी स्वाभाविक है| आज से पचास साठ साल पहले जो भाषा बोली जाती थी और आज जिस तरह की भाषा बोली जाती है उसमें जमीन आसमान का अंतर है चाहे वह घर में बोली जा रही आम बोलचाल की भाषा हो या संसद में प्रयोग की जा रही संवैधानिक भाषा| एक बडा बदलाव तो आया है कई बार प्रसंग के अनुसार शब्दों के मतलब भी बदल जाते हैं|

ऐसे ही कुछ शब्दों के बदलते अर्थों पर मैने भी गौर किया जैसे अंग्रेजी में एक शब्द है-“इन्टलैक्चुअल” जिसका शाब्दिक अर्थ है ‘बुद्धिजीवी व्यक्ति’, लेकिन जिस प्रकार से इस शब्द का उपयोग किया जा रहा है, इन्टलैक्चुअल  को भी खुद पर शर्म आ जाये|राजनीतिक परिचर्चा में शामिल हुए एक खास तबके के लोगों ने बुद्धिजीवी व्यक्ति की छवि कुछ अलग ही ढंग से परिभाषित की है| इनके अनुसार इन्टलैक्चुअल वो लोग हैं जो एसी कमरे में बैठते हैं और व्हिस्की पीकर अंग्रजी में विभिन्न विषयों पर टिप्पणी देते हैं|

“सेक्युलर” शब्द का तो और भी बुरा हाल है| गाली और अपशब्द की तरह प्रयोग किया जा रहा है|बेचारे सेक्युलर इधर उधर छिपते छिपाते फिर रहे हैं| उन्हें क्या पता था कि उस देश में उन की ये हालत हो जायेगी जिसकी नींव ही धर्म निरपेक्षता के आधार पर रखी गयी थी| जिसका संविधान उसे ‘सेक्युलर राष्ट्र’ घोषित करता है जिसका मतलब राष्ट्र और धार्मिक संस्थाओं के पृथक्करण से है|बहरहाल,जिन्होंने इस शब्द के मायने और प्रसंग बदल दिये हैं उन्हें कोई लेना देना नहीं है सेक्युलरिज्म शब्द के अर्थ और उसमें अंतर्निहित भावना व बोध से|

लिबरलों का हाल भी कुछ कुछ ऐसा ही है, उन्हें तो जरा भी भनक न थी कि उदारवादी होना इस कदर महंगा पड जायेगा| लिबरलिज्म का इतिहास तो बहुत पुराना है|उदारवाद ने सत्रहवीं सदी में राजनीति विज्ञान को एक नयी दिशा दिखाई थी | यह सिर्फ राजनीति या अर्थव्यवस्था के किसी सिद्धांत तक सीमित नहीं है, उदारवाद तो जीने की एक शैली समझी जाती रही है और आज हाल यूं हैंं कि पूरी कम्यूनिटी ही विलुप्ति के कगार पर  है| अब तो लिबरल पार्टियों का दौर भी गया सा लगता है|

दरअसल इन शब्दों के भाषायी स्तर पर पतन का कारण लोगों का सीमित ज्ञान और बाइनरी दृष्टिकोण है| ये तबका “या तो ऐसा होगा या वैसा” वाली विचारधारा के अधीन हैं| ये लोग मध्यमार्ग की धारा से सरोकार नहीं रखते या फिर शायद अनजान हैं| ये लिबरल और स्यूडो-लिबरल में फर्क नहीं समझते और समस्या यहीं से शुरू होती है| जब तक लिबरलिज्म को धर्म के चश्में से देखा जायेगा, उसका वास्तविक अर्थ समझ नहीं आयेगा

ज्ञान के अभाव में शब्दों का उपयोग कुछ लोगों द्वारा मनमुताबिक कर लिया जाता है और वही ट्रेंड बन जाता है|शब्दों का अबोधगम्य प्रयोग और भाषा का इस प्रकार से पतन बेहद अफसोसजनक है|

Brilliant Article.....

A Moo-Ving Interview With An Indian Cow

Best thing to read today.

Army coaching helps 9 Kashmiri students crack IIT entrance exam

लोकतांत्रिक हीनयान में गुंडागर्दी का महायान

लोकतांत्रिक हीनयान में गुंडागर्दी का महायान

3 years of NDA Government:Hits and Misses

May 16, 2014 was a day of celebration. After highly unsuccessful regime of 5 years of UPA-2 government, NDA government came to power as a rescuer in the leadership of Narendra Modi. The government ,which came into power with much vigour and strenuousness, raised some core issues and assured the masses across-the-board to bring fundamental change, is now completing its three years in the office this year.

Three years of timespan is not enough to judge intentions of the government. An analysis,however, can be done which can reflect government's performance in some core areas and issues or at least on the agendas mentioned in its election manifesto.

Economic growth:- This is one of the areas where government has lost particularly.India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world but that growth is not because of government's fiscal policies but because of its self-momentum and spontaneousness.  

Manufacturing sector is down, employment generation is all time low, agriculture sector is under crisis, private investment is low but the economy,ironically, is still on a incline. Despite demonetization, India's growth rate stays at 7 per cent. 

Now, this is not something surprising.  As private investment is down, India's growth is certainly driven by consumption. 7th pay commission,OROP and good monsoon possibly aided consumption to go up. This consumption-led growth ,however, is not going to help in a long run. Experts argue that India is going through the path China already has gone through. This path is going to take the economy nowhere if investment doesn't go up. 

Inflation and Fiscal deficit are under control. Foreign reserve is all time high. But this is not the thing government should really take credit of. As said earlier, economy is growing of its own. Having said that, it must be noted that world economy is going through economic slowdown and this has negatively affected India too. 

Demonetization :- Demonetization is the most controversial exercise of the Modi government. Controversial because of its implementation faults and tackling with those faults. Despite being controversial it has given BJP political mileage since it was lauded by the masses across-the-board. Implemented with the objective of curbing the menace of black money and counterfeit currency, this exercise was a failure and came out with nothing. 

As it was said in Economic Survey 2016-17, demonetization is going to have short term negative but long term positive consequences. It would be better to not comment on long term benefits and wait for the same. As far as short term implications are concerned, inconvenience suffered by the people doesn't need a special mention. Demonetization has badly and mainly affected unorganised sector and farmers. Apart from the inconvenience, the issue of concern remains the changing face and mood of the government. This bold exercise changed into a "digitalization campaign"overnight. Making India cashless economy became the fundamental agenda at the time when we know that we don't have that infrastructure to bring a sudden change in the payment systems. Two fancy schemes were also launched as part of its digitalization campaign. It was,however,a poor attempt towards digitalization. But these schemes justified the ability of NITI Aayog as a policy think-tank.

Political gains:- Political arena is the area where BJP has played one sided game and left its mark on.Winning election after election has proved that BJP knows the art of electioneering. Making government in Manipur and Assam,where there was no trace of BJP, is a significant achievement for the party Recent victory in MCD elections of Delhi has proved that Modi wave has not weakened. Despite the fact that BJP has a history of corruption and inefficiency in Municipal Corporation, this victory clearly indicate that people believe in Modi's vision.

These massive victories somehow restore the faith of people in the government. At least BJP thinks so. However, justifying everything with victories in election is the habit of every political party. This is something the current government must avoid. Countering valid criticism with this strategy is not going to help in any way.

Agriculture:- It is almost clear now that current government doesn't really care about agriculture. Since contribution of agriculture in GDP is significantly low and more than required people are involved in agriculture, the only way government finds to get rid of this disguised unemployment is to force farmers callously to quit agriculture, migrate and become labourers in the urban clusters.

Promises of doubling their incomes have been made but the kind of practices to achieve the same are not yet on the ground. There is no discussion about rising input cost. If government is so pro-farmer, as it claims to be one, why can't it cap sky-touching prices of fertilizers? Why there is no discussion about National Agriculture Policy?

Internal insurgencies:-

• Jammu and Kashmir:- The government which unofficially follows Doval's doctrine in Kashmir has mishandled the situation in Kashmir. The doctrine which says - "Do not overreact,it will pass of as they can't sustain beyond a point". Government has sternly adopted hardline strategy as suggested by the doctrine and quit policy of appeasement but the situation worsened. 2017 by-election had observed lowest turnout till date. It seems that the doctrine being followed by the government is not working. But there is a reason behind that. Doval told to disaggregate the problem which the government didn't do. Different people take to the streets for different reason. BJP-PDP coalition government has not addressed the issue of unemployment, lack of development, poverty etc.Government,on the other hand, saw this as a single political problem.

•  Dealing with Naxalites:- Policy of government in dealing with naxalites and maoists remains more or less same. In a TV debate BJP spokesperson said that "those who are indulged in violence will be crushed and the rest tribal civilian population will be assimilated in mainstream". Security forces are there ready to crush the violence but no significant step has been taken to make sure the assimilation of tribals in the mainstream. As far as deployment of security forces is concerned, there is no coordination between center and state .Sukma attack is example in front of us. Lack of coordination and local support and intelligence resulted into deaths of CRFP personnels.             

 Foreign Policy:- On a foreign policy front, government has certainly delivered goods. Foreign  relations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rising like never before.

If we talk about Neighbourhood First Policy, India's relations with Bangladesh are better today than any time in the past. Relations with Bhutan and Sri Lanka has also improved. Temporary volatility between India-Nepal relations was seen but that was largely because of Nepal's internal political disturbance. India has established strategic relations with Afghanistan. India,Iran and Afghanistan signed a tripartite agreement to turn the Iranian port of Chabahar into a transit hub bypassing Pakistan.

Second pillar of Modi's strategic geoeconomic vision is Act East Policy.India has strengthened strategic partnerships with Vietnam,Malaysia,Japan, South Korea,Singapore and many more. Civil nuclear deal between New India and Japan is historic.

Relations with USA has also strengthened.USA has formally recognized India as a major defence partner and multiple agreements have been signed for the same. Closeness between two nations,however, bothers Russia.India really needs to take care about that. India can't afford to let Russia move towards China that too at the time when foreign policy of USA ,if there is one, is unpredictable.

A weak point in India's foreign policy has been its lacking geopolitical vision. When we have malevolent neighbours like Pakistan and China, we can't rely only on a geoeconomic strategy. This is where government really needs to puzzle over. Indian Ocean Rim Association as a group can serve India's strategic purpose and counter China's increasing sphere of influence in the region but India,because of that lacking geopolitical vision, hasn't taken any big step. India had launched Project Mausam but what exactly is in the project remains a question till date.

Reforms and ,initiatives :- First half of three year duration was a period of initiatives and major schemes. Digital India, Make in India, Skill India, Awas Yojana, Jan dhan Yojana, Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana,Gold monetization scheme, Kaushal Vikas Yojana and many more other schemes were launched. It is too early to decide the success or failure of the schemes but government has certainly performed better on this parameter. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is laudable. Though there is lot more to be done on ground level but this mission has undoubtedly charged the people with positivity.

Niti Aayog remains the biggest failed experiment of government.Despite the fact that member are expert and specialist in their field, the commission has not done anything worth praising, It is rhetoric driven body which has no idea about the ground reality.

Technological advancement has increased in the various sectors but core issue have not been solved yet.Ill designed policies and their weak structure and framework is the result of not including all the stakeholders during the policy formulation. When the education policy was being designed, directors and controllers of educational institutes were not even invited. Farmer leaders are not consulted while making policies pertaining to agriculture. This remains a major problem.

When it comes to curbing corruption, government's stance is not clear. It constituted SIT after assuming charge in office. Lokpal act,on the other hand, is still in pending status. The reason is that this idea does not belong to BJP. Had it been BJP's idea, the party would have found loopholes to get done the same just like it cleared Aadhar Bill by putting it on the table as Money Bill.

The government,undoubtedly, is doing good and putting all its efforts assiduously. But it needs to check time to time whether it is going in the right direction. Schemes and plans are made by every government. Need of the hour is to check its implementation where the actual problem lies. 

What India Has Gained And Lost In The 3 Years Of The Modi Govt.

South Asia Satellite: A Milestone in India's Neighbourhood First Policy

South Asia Satellite(GSAT-9), much awaited product of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary and farsighted foreign policy, was launched recently. GSAT-9 is a communication and observation satellite developed by Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO).The idea of a regional satellite was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during 18th SAARC Summit held in Nepal in 2014.

This is perhaps the most significant step taken by India as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy. The policy so far has not been very effective because India did not take any evincive opening move. In three years of timespan,though India has made relations better with neighbourhood countries bilaterally, but SAARC as a regional group could not bear fruit in terms of productive outcomes.

The South Asia Satellite, though seems symbolic ostensibly, might take Indian diplomacy to the next level.Firstly, it justifies India's image of a "Big Brother" and portray a  munificent gesture vis. a vis. China.This project is completely sponsored by India and presented as a gift to immediate neighbourhood countries. China. on the other hand, believes in quid pro quo. China, through its space collaboration initiative Asia Pacific Space Collaboration Organization, helps minor countries develop space programs and serve its economic purpose in return through OBOR like initiatives. In this context, this project will counter APSCO and China's influence in the region upto a certain extent.Leaders of Bangladesh,Nepal,Maldives,Bhutan and Sri Lanka have lauded India's efforts and commitment.

Secondly, it reaffirms India's stance against Pakistan. After Uri Attack, India decided to boycott Pakistan.This time, though Pakistan had voluntarily opted out from the project but it has made one thing clear that Pakistan's absence or presence in SAARC doesn't really matter anymore for India as well as other neighbourhood countries.

With this move, India has reiterated that as far as space diplomacy is concerned, India is no less than China in Asia. Having said that, it must be noted that India's investment in space lag behind. China is far ahead in terms of investment,development and innovation.

Space diplomacy,certainly, has its own limits. India needs to look up to other immediate challenges as well.Pakistani special force team beheaded two Indian military personnel recently. Soft power can not be the answer to this kind of barbaric and inhuman act.

Also, as I said earlier, this initiative is more kind of a symbolic step. Chances are less that it will actually counter China's influence in the region that too at the time when China has so much to offer to India's immediate neighbourhood.

South Asia Satellite is an example of India's hopefulness that South Asia as a region will grow and multilateral relations will become stronger. No doubt about that this project will have positive and meaningful consequences but the time has arrived when India needs to further look ahead and bring Smart Power diplomacy into practice.