Atal Bihari Vajpayee - Biography

President of India Confers Bharat Ratna on Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee 

27 March 2015

                           Picture source: http://pib.nic.in/photo//2015/Mar/l2015032763618.jpg

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Bharat Ratna on Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee this evening (March 27, 2015) in New Delhi. In a special gesture, the President conferred the Award in a ceremony held at the residence of Shri Vajpayee.

Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India; Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi; former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam; former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh; Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh; senior members of the Cabinet; several Chief Ministers; leaders of political parties; members of Shri Vajpayee’s family and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx
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24 December 2014
Vajpayee was awarded Bharat Ratna on 24 December 2014 by President of India.

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Birthday 25 December 1924





Atal Behari Vajpayee's birth took place on December 25, 1924 at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. His parents were Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and Smt. Krishna Devi,  He studies in Victoria (now Laxmi Bai) College, Gwalior and DAV College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Vajpayee holds an M.A (Political Science) degree. He also joined for legal studies along with his father. But he did not

 Shri Vajpayee participated in the freedom struggle and went to jail in 1942. He was Founder-member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1951). He became President of  Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1968-1973). He was leader of the Jana Sangh parliamentary party (1955-1977). He was detained during Emergency in 1975-77. He became a founder-member of the Janata Party (1977-1980), He became  India's External Affairs Minister in the Morarji Desai Government and performed admirably from March 24, 1977 to July 28, 1979.

Bharatiya Janata Party was formed after a split in Janata Party due to the former Jana Sangh members participating in RSS activities. Shri Vajpayee acted as  President of  BJP during 1980 to 1986. He was the leader of BJP parliamentary party during 1980-1984, 1986 and 1993-1996. He was Leader of the Opposition throughout the term of the 11th Lok Sabha.

Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee as the Prime Minister of India

Shri Vajpayee was Prime Minister of India from May 16-31, 1996.

He took oath a Prime Minister for a second time on March 19, 1998. Shri Vajpayee's 1998-99 stint as Prime Minister has been characterised as 'one year of courage of conviction'. It was during this period that India entered a select group of nations following a series of successful nuclear tests at Pokharan in May 1998. The bus journey to Pakistan in February 1999 was widely acclaimed for starting a new era of negotiations to resolve the outstanding problems of the sub-continent. India's honesty made an impact on the world community. Later, when this gesture of friendship turned out to be a betrayal of faith in Kargil, Shri Vajpayee was also hailed for his successful handling of the situation in repulsing back the intruders from the Indian soil. It was during Shri Vajpayee's 1998-99 tenure that despite a global recession, India achieved 5.8 per cent GDP growth, which was higher than the previous year. Higher agricultural production and increase in foreign exchange reserves during this period were indicative of a forward-looking economy responding to the needs of the people. "We must grow faster. We simply have no other alternative" has been Shri Vajpayee's slogan focussing particularly on economic empowerment of the rural poor. The bold decisions taken by his Government for strengthening rural economy, building a strong infrastructure and revitalising the human development programmes, fully demonstrated his Government's commitment to a strong and self-reliant nation to meet the challenges of the next millennium to make India an economic power in the 21st century. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 52nd Independence Day, he had said, "I have a vision of India : an India free of hunger and fear, an India free of illiteracy and want."

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn-in as the Prime Minister of India for the third time by the President Shri K.R. Narayanan at an impressive ceremony in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, on 13th October 1999.

With his third swearing as Prime Minister, he becomes the only Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to occupy the office of the Prime Minister of India through three successive mandates. Shri Vajpayee is also the first Prime Minister since Smt. Indira Gandhi to lead his party to victory in successive elections.

Experience as a Parliamentarian

Atal Behair Vajpayee had a long parliamentary experience. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1957. He was elected to the 5th, 6th and 7th Lok Sabha and again to the 10th, 11th and 12th Lok Sabha and to Rajya Sabha in 1962 and 1986. He has again been elected to Parliament from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time consecutively. He is the only parliamentarian elected from four different States at different times namely - UP, Gujarat, MP and Delhi.

Elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance, which is a pre-election coming together of political parties from different regions of the country and which enjoys a comfortable backing and support of the elected Members of the 13th Lok Sabha, Shri Vajpayee was earlier elected leader of his own Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party which has also again emerged as the single largest party in the 13th Lok Sabha as was the case in the 12th Lok Sabha.

Shri Vajpayee has served on a number of important Committees of Parliament. He was Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances (1966-67); Chairman, Public Accounts Committee (1967-70); Member, General Purposes Committee (1986); Member, House Committee and Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha (1988-90); Chairman, Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha (1990-91); Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Lok Sabha (1991-93); Chairman, Standing Committee on External Affairs (1993-96).


Widely travelled, Shri Vajpayee has been taking a keen interest in international affairs, upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, women and child welfare. Some of his travels abroad include visits such as - Member, Parliamentary Goodwill Mission to East Africa, 1965; Parliamentary Delegation to Australia, 1967; European Parliament, 1983; Canada, 1987; Indian delegation to Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meetings held in Canada, 1966 and 1994, Zambia, 1980, Isle of Man 1984, Indian delegation to Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference, Japan, 1974; Sri Lanka, 1975; Switzerland, 1984; Indian Delegation to the UN General Assembly, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994; Leader, Indian Delegation to the Human Rights Commission Conference, Geneva, 1993.

Literary Works 

He has many literary, artistic and scientific accomplishments to his credit. He edited Rashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun. His published works include "Meri Sansadiya Yatra" (in four volumes), "Meri Ikkyavan Kavitayen", "Sankalp Kaal", "Shakti-se-Shanti", "Four Decades in Parliament" (speeches in three volumes), 1957-95, "Lok Sabha mein Atalji" (a collection of speeches); Mrityu Ya Hatya", "Amar Balidan", "Kaidi Kaviraj Ki Kundalian" (a collection of poems written in jail during Emergency); "New Dimensions of India's Foreign Policy" (a collection of speeches delivered as External Affairs Minister during 1977-79); "Jan Sangh Aur Mussalman"; "Sansad Mein Teen Dashak" (Hindi) (speeches in Parliament - 1957-1992 - three volumes; and "Amar Aag Hai" (a collection of poems) 1994.

Shri Vajpayee has participated in various social and cultural activities. He has been a Member of the National Integration Council since 1961. Some of his other associations include - (i) President, All India Station Masters and Assistant Station Masters Association (1965-70); (ii) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smarak Samiti (1968-84); (iii) Deen Dayal Dham, Farah, Mathura, U.P; and (iv) Janmabhomi Smarak Samiti, 1969 onwards.

Well known and respected for his love for poetry and as an eloquent speaker, Shri Vajpayee is known to be a voracious reader. He is fond of Indian music and dance.

 

Vajpayee - Awards

Shri Vajpayee was conferred Padma Vibhushan in 1992 in recognition of his services to the nation. He was also conferred the Lokmanya Tilak Puruskar and the Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Award for the Best Parliamentarian, both in 1994. Earlier, the Kanpur University honoured him with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in 1993. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna Award on 24 December 2014.

POSITIONS HELD by Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee

1951 - Founder-Member, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (B.J.S)
1957 - Elected to 2nd Lok Sabha
1957-77 - Leader, Bharatiya Jana Sangh Parliamentary Party

1962 - Member, Rajya Sabha
1966-67 - Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances
1967 - Re-elected to 4th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
1967-70 - Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
1968-73 - President, B.J.S.

1971 - Re-elected to 5th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
1977 - Re-elected to 6th Lok Sabha (4th term)
1977-79 - Union Cabinet Minister, External Affairs
1977-80 - Founder - Member, Janata Party
1980 - Re-elected to 7th Lok Sabha (5th term)
1980-86- President, Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.)

1980-84, 1986 and 1993-96 - Leader, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1986 - Member, Rajya Sabha; Member, General Purposes Committee
1988-90 - Member, House Committee; Member, Business Advisory Committee

1990-91- Chairman, Committee on Petitions
1991- Re-elected to 10th Lok Sabha (6th term)
1991-93 - Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
1993-96 - Chairman, Committee on External Affairs; Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
1996 - Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (7th term)

16 May 1996 - 31 May 1996 - Prime Minister of India; Minister of External Affairs and also incharge of Ministries/Departments of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Coal, Commerce, Communications, Environment and Forests, Food Processing Industries, Human Resource Development, Labour, Mines, Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Planning and Programme Implementation, Power, Railways, Rural Areas and Employment, Science and Technology, Steel, Surface Transport, Textiles, Water Resources, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Jammu & Kashmir Affairs, Ocean Development, Space and other subjects not allocated to any other Cabinet Minister
1996-97 - Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
1997-98 - Chairman, Committee on External Affairs

1998 - Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (8th term)
1998-99 - Prime Minister of India; Minister of External Affairs; and also incharge of Ministries/Department not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister
1999- Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (9th term)
13 Oct.1999 to 13 May 2004- Prime Minister of India and also in charge of the Ministries/Departments not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister
2004 - Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (10th term)

Did not contest 2009 election.


http://pib.nic.in/profile/bajpayee.html

2013
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Is Vajpayee Sick?


What made Bharat Ratna Vajpayee an Extraordinary Leader?
27 March 2015
http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/what-made-bharat-ratna-vajpayee-an-extraordinary-leader-750011


A. B. Vajpayee: An Eloquent Speaker and a Visionary Parliamentarian
1998
Sanjay Kaushik
APH Publishing, 323 pages
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=0FQKzKEsn08C


Updated  28 March 2015, 24 Dec 2014

Educational Opportunities in Germany for Indian Students

March 2015

In 2013-14 , there were 9,619 Indian students enrolled in German institutions.

On a student visa, it is possible to work 120 full days (around 40 hours a week) or 240 half days (20 hours a week, at four hours a day for five working days, similar to USA) and earn Euros 400 - 500 per month which will be sufficient for living expenses. The minimum wage is Euro 8.5 per hour in Germany.
http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/globalindian/germany-has-much-to-offer-in-education-for-indian-students/


How Much Does it Cost to Study in Germany?
10 Feb 2015
http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/student-finance/how-much-does-it-cost-study-germany



You Can Now Go to College in Germany for Free, No Matter Where You’re From
10 Oct 2014
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/10/10/germany_college_is_free_there_even_for_foreign_students_why.html

What Does It Cost to Study in Germany
http://www.studying-in-germany.org/what-does-it-cost-to-study-in-germany/

Dr. Manmohan Singh - Biography

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting with the Chancellor of Germany, Mrs. Angela Merkel, at Heiligendamm, Germany on June 08, 2007.
http://pib.nic.in/pmvisit/phsmall.asp?phid=13635

Picture source: http://pib.nic.in/photo/2007/Jun/l2007060813635.jpg


Manmohan Singh was born on Monday, September 26, 1932 at Gah in the Punjab before the partition of the subcontinent.  He lost his mother when he was very young, and he was raised by his paternal grandmother.  He was a hard working student who studied by candlelight, as his village did not have electricity. After the Partition of India, he migrated to Amritsar, India, where he studied at Hindu College. He attended Punjab University, Chandigarh studying Economics and attaining his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1952 and 1954 respectively, standing first throughout his academic career. He went on to read for the Economics Tripos at Cambridge as a member of St John's College.

He continued with his graduate studies at Oxford University and achieved a doctorate in economics in 1962. He returned to India, lecturing at Punjab University and at the Delhi School of Economics. In 1971 he joined the Indian civil service as an economic adviser in the commerce ministry. His talents were quickly rewarded, and he was appointed chief economic adviser in the ministry of finance in 1972.

An economist by profession, Singh was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India from 1985 to 1987

Singh made the transition from bureaucrat to politician in 1991 when he was appointed a member of India's upper house of parliament (the Rajya Sabha). While a member of the upper house between 1991 and 1996, he also became the finance minister in Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao's government. With Rao's support, he initiated successful economic reforms aimed at slashing India's infamous red tape, enhancing productivity, and liberalizing the economy. His goals were to end protectionism and open the Indian economy to foreign investment so that India would evolve to a mixed economy saving it from the verge of bankruptcy. As a result the economy became reinvigorated, inflation was controlled, and Indian industry began to show signs of strength.

 the Finance Minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He is also a Rajya Sabha member from Assam, currently serving his fourth term. Dr. Manmohan Singh previously carried out economic reforms in India during his tenure as the Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996. These reforms resulted in the end of the Licence Raj system, helping to open the Indian economy to greater international trade and investment.

In 2004, he became PM of India.

He is the 14th and current  Prime Minister of the Republic of India.

2014 - Events in Life of Manmohan Singh

3 January 2014
Press Conference by Man Mohan Singh
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In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP/NDA won the majority in the Lok Sabha. Dr. Manmohan Singh gracefully thanked all employees of the Prime Minsters Office and relinquished his post. It is written in papers that he is attending sessions of Rajya Sabha more frequently now.

101th Indian Science Congress -3rd February 2014

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh  inaugurated 101th Indian Science Congress  in Jammu.

Seaking on the ocaasion he said India needs to leverage the ability of modern science to deliver value to society and our basic research must be directed to make new discoveries with innovative efforts to develop affordable solutions suited to Indian condition. He also emphasized that our science should be a driving force propelling India as a resurgent civilization which holds out both hope and opportunity for our young citizens.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said the 2013 Science, Technology and Innovation Policy reflects our ambitions and outlines our broad approach. He said we have strengthened the research and academic base of the country as a critical foundation to achieve these goals and have also taken a number of measures to make a career in science more attractive.

The Prime Minster said our ability to contribute to the world of science depends crucially on the quality and the strength of our educational system. Science education in our country requires much more attention. In the next few years, we will have the largest young population entering higher education. We must find, therefore, ways and means of encouraging them to take up the right path that will provide them not only productive employment but also excitement in their profession. He said We need to ensure that the best among our young people take up science as a career and to do this we must ensure that it is attractive enough for them to do so.

He said the five Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research we have created have added a new dimension to excellence in the cause of science education. We have also established eight new Indian Institutes of Technology and converted an existing institution into an IIT. Access to education in these high-calibre institutions has more than tripled in ten short years. This is a significant development.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said to do science, someone must pay for it. We must increase our annual expenditure on science and technology to at least 2% of our GDP. This has to come from both government and industry. In countries such as South Korea, where a high percentage of the GDP goes to science, the contribution of Korean industry is indeed very significant. He said our Department of Biotechnology has activated private public partnerships in R&D in biotechnology. He also appeal to the corporate sector to join hands with the government in realizing the goals that have been set for more our nation.

He referred to the announcement of a new scheme INSPIRE to attract talent into science studies and research made in the Vishakapattanam Science Congress and said this scheme has today emerged as one of our Government’s most highly acclaimed and recognized programmes. It has rewarded more than one million children and generated over 400 patent-grade innovations from our young Indians.

He said a major research funding organization, the National Science and Engineering Research Board, has just started functioning. This Board is managed by scientists and it has simplified funding procedures. We expect much more from it in supporting individual scientists as well as groups of scientists in creating small units devoted to crucial sectors at the very frontiers of science.

He also referred to the launch of India’s Geo-Stationary Launch Vehicle, powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, soared majestically into space a month ago. He congratulated scientists in ISRO for having mastered the technology of liquid hydrogen rocket engines and said the launches of our Moon and Mars Missions are testimony to the giant strides we are now making in Space for which our Space Scientists deserve genuine credit.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said Indian nuclear scientists are attracting global interest in their effort to develop a Fast Breeder Reactor.He expected the prototype under construction in Kalpakkam to be completed this year. It will be a great day for Indian science and technology because we will be one of the few countries in the world with leadership in a completely new area of nuclear technology that can contribute non-polluting electrical power.

He also referred to the achievements of Ministry of Earth Sciences and said We now have the ability to issue alerts within 13 minutes of a tsunami-genic event. This has established India’s scientific leadership in the Indian Ocean region.

He desired to to see continuous improvement in our monsoon prediction capability through the recently launched Monsoon Mission so that we avert the kind of calamities that we saw in Uttarakhand last year.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said recognizing the role of scientific inputs for accessible and affordable healthcare programmes Government has established a new department for Health Education and Research and efforts to discover drugs for neglected diseases are beginning to bear fruit. A Rota Virus vaccine, a new drug for malaria and many other leads emanating from collaborative research are all reassuring developments.

He said in the last ten years, several national missions have been launched in the emerging priority areas of electronics, electric mobility and solar energy. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has leveraged Open Source Innovation for discovery of drugs and found a lead for TB. CSIR has also ventured into the new world of data-intensive discovery and large data systems.

Dr. Manmohan Singh further said we have also devised several ways of supporting young scientists as well as senior scientists in the last ten years. The J.C. Bose and Ramanujan Fellowships, and other similar initiatives, are intended to ensure that science is attractive as a profession, and capable individuals get adequate support for their research work.

The Prime Minster informed that a new initiative is the institution of 25 Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships, under which eminent scientists anywhere abroad are invited to work in India for 12 months over a three year-period. The Government has already selected the first five Fellows. They are Prof. M. Vidyasagar, a distinguished computational biologist at the University of Texas, Prof Srinivas Kulkarni, a distinguished astronomer at Caltech, Prof. Trevor Charles Platt, a distinguished geo-scientist at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Canada, Prof. Srinivasa Varadhan, a distinguished mathematical scientist at New York University and Prof. Azim Surani, a distinguished life scientist at the University of Cambridge. All of them are Fellows of the Royal Society and one is an Abel medallist.

He said Government must also focus on creating new opportunities for our bright and socially conscious scientists. To ensure food security and to improve land and water productivity, we have to launch a national drive for an ever-green revolution. This will test the ingenuity of our agricultural scientists. Climate-resilient agriculture and modern bio-technological tools hold great promise. Use of bio-technology has great potential to improve yields. The Prime Minister added that while safety must be ensured, we should not succumb to unscientific prejudices against Bt. crops. He said our government remains committed to promoting the use of these new technologies for agricultural development. He urged scientific community to increase communication and engagement with society at large in explaining socially productive applications of technology alternatives and for improving the productivity of small and medium enterprises.

The Prime Minster said Government has invested in many areas to ensure that India remains at the cutting edge of science. He announced another National Mission on High Performance Computing with an outlay of Rs. 4500 crores. We are also considering establishment of a National Geographical Information System with an outlay of about Rs. 3000 crores. A National Mission on Teaching to enhance the esteem of our teachers is also being launched,he added.

He also announced that that India will partner the international scientific community in the establishment of some of the world’s major R&D projects. In the Gravitational Wave experiment, India intends to host the third detector. He said A Neutrino-based Observatory is proposed to be established in Tamil Nadu at a cost of about Rs 1450 crores. India is also joining the famous CERN institute as an associate member.

He said we must also seek global leadership in at least some research and development areas. Affordable innovations for human healthcare, sustainable agriculture, clean energy and total solutions for water-related challenges are some areas where Indian science can seek global leadership.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said science has not yet got its proper due in our value system. He expected science to be high in our value system so that our entire society provides both moral and material support for its development.

Referring to the selection of Professor CNR Rao for the highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna he said let be this only the first step in creating an environment that gives birth to many more Bharat Ratnas in the field of Indian science.

On this occasion Dr. Manmohan Singh also awarded some the scientists the ISCA Awards. Among them are: Dr. Rajender Lakshman Karandikar, Prof. S.M.Pal Khurana, Dr. G.Shrireesh Reddy, Prof. P.C.Trivedi and Prof. Abhijeet Bannerjee. He also awarded and felicitated Dr. Y.T.Lee, Nobel laureate, Prof. Yashpal, Prof. R.P.Bhamba, Prof. Krishan Pal, Prof. N.S.Dhalla, Prof. Avtaar Kishan,Dr. T.Ramasami, Prof. A.K.Sood, Prof. Avinash Chander, Prof. V.P.Kamboj. Prof. I.J.S.Bansal, Prof. Ashok Saksema,Prof. S.P.Singh and Prof. R.P.Bhamba. The Prime Mniste also released a book written by present ISC president Prof. R.C. Sobti and Dr. G.S Rautrla titled as” India’s Culture of Science- Glorious Past and Bright Future”.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102960


Biographies of Famous Indians

Updated 24 March 2015, 26 Sep 2014





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PM Narendra Modi's Homage Speech at National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala - 23 March 2015 - Hindi

प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्‍द्र मोदी 23 मार्च, 2015 को फिरोजपुर, पंजाब में हुसैनीवाला स्थित राष्‍ट्रीय शहीद स्‍मारक में लोगों को संबोधित करते हुए।
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the people at National Martyrs Memorial, at Hussainiwala, in Firozpur, Punjab on March 23, 2015.
Pic Source: http://pib.nic.in/photo//2015/Mar/l2015032363418.jpg



विशाल संख्‍या में पधारे हुए सभी प्‍यारे भाईयों और बहनों और विशेष रूप से महाराष्‍ट्र से आये मित्रों को भी नमस्कार,

बोले सो निहाल..सत् श्री अकाल! शहीदों..अमर रहो! शहीदो..अमर रहो! शहीदों..अमर रहो!

आज मेरे लिए बड़ी प्रेरक घड़ी है। एक नई प्रेरणा जिनका नाम कानों पर पड़ते ही देश के हर नागरिक को मिलती है ऐसे सरदार भगत सिंह जी, सुखदेव, राजगुरू, बटूकेश्‍वर दत्‍त और भगत‍ सिंह जी की माता जी, जिस धरती पर एक वीर माता के साथ भारत माँ के प्‍यारे लाड़ले चार वीरों की समाधि को नमन करने का मुझे अवसर प्राप्‍त हुआ है। यह पंजाब की धरती की विशेषता है। इस धरती ने, आजादी के जंग में सबसे ज्‍यादा बलिदान दिया है। देश की रक्षा के लिए सीमा पर मोर्चा संभालते हुए अनेक वीर जवानों ने शहादत दी है।..और देश को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए यहां के किसानों ने अपना पसीना बहाकर के देश के अन्‍न भंडार भर दिये। यह ऐसी धरती है, जहां आजादी के पहले भी यहां के लोग देश के लिए जिए और आजादी के बाद भी देश के लिए जी रहे हैं। मैं इस धरती को, यहां के सभी वीरों को, यहां के सभी वीर माताओं को आदरपूर्वक नमन करता हूं।

अंग्रेजों ने.. उनको भगत सिंह का भय कितना रहता था.. तय तो यह हुआ था कि 24 मार्च को भगत सिंह जी को फांसी दे दी जाएगी। लेकिन घबराई हुई अंग्रेजी सल्‍तनत ने सारे नियमों का उल्‍लंघन करते हुए, सारी परंपराओं को तोड़ते हुए, चोरी छिपे से सरदार भगत सिंह जी को फांसी दी। और इतना ही नहीं, वो शरीर उनके परिवारजनों को देने की बजाय लाहौर जेल से लाकर के यहां पर किसी भी सम्‍मान के बिना मिट्टी के तेल में और अगल-बगल से कूड़ा कचरा इकट्ठा करके उनके शरीर को जला देने का काम उस सल्‍तनत ने किया। यही धरती है, यहां पर उनका शरीर विलीन हो गया। मैं आज भगत सिंह, सुखदेव राजगुरू.. उन वीरों की उस महान परंपरा को प्रणाम करने आया हूं।

भाईयों-बहनों आज हिंदुस्‍तान में किसी एक नाम को सुनते ही हिंदुस्‍तान के हर कोने में जवान, वृद्ध सबको चेतना जग जाती है, प्रेरणा मिल जाती है, वो नाम है सरदार भगत सिंह। उस नाम में वो ताकत है, जो आज भी देश के नौजवानों को देश के लिए जीने-मरने की प्रेरणा देता है। ऐसे महापुरूषों ने बलिदान दिया, तब जाकर के देश आजाद हुआ। उनके सपनों को पूरा करना.. और उन सपनों को पूरा करने के लिए जैसा भारत उन्‍होंने चाहा था वैसा भारत बनाने के लिए हम जितना करे उतना कम है।

हमारा गांव आबाद हो, हमारा किसान खुशहाल हो, हमारे नौजवान को रोजगार हो, दलित, पीडि़त, शोषित, वंचित, गांव, गरीब, शहर के मजदूर, उनके जीवन में बदलाव आए। जब तक हम देश में यह बदलाव नहीं लाते हैं, तब तक देश के लिए बलिदान देने वाले महापुरूषों को सच्‍ची श्रद्धांजलि अधूरी रहेगी।

भाईयों-बहनों हमारा सपना भी है, हमारा कर्तव्‍य भी है कि हम इस भारत मां को सुजलाम, सुफलाम बनाए। यह भारत मां, यहां के नौजवान अपनी आशा-आकांक्षा के अनुरूप जीवन में नई ऊंचाईयों को पार कर सके, हरेक को अवसर मिले विकास का, ऐसे देश को नई ऊंचाईयों पर ले जाने का प्रयास, हम सबका दायित्‍व बनता है। तब जाकर के इन महापुरूषों को सच्‍ची श्रद्धांजलि होगी।

हमने सपना देखा है – 2022! जब भारत की आजादी के 75 साल पूरे होंगे। हमारे देश में 75 साल एक अमृत पर्व होता है। इस अमृत पर्व का विशेष महत्‍व होता है। क्‍या हम 2022 में जब अमृत पर्व मनाएं तब इस देश में कोई भी परिवार ऐसा न हो, जिसके पास रहने के लिए अपना घर न हो।

भाईयों-बहनों आज भगत सिंह जी की समाधि पर मैं आया हूं। उस महापुरूष के बलिदान को याद करता हूं और मन करता है जी-जान से जुट जाएं देश के गरीब से गरीब व्‍यक्ति को भी.. जब आजादी का अमृत पर्व मनाएं तब उसका अपना घर मिल जाए। 2019! महात्‍मा गांधी के 150 साल पूरे होंगे। महात्‍मा गांधी के 150 साल कैसे मनाएं? क्‍या हमारे देश के महापुरूषों को हम स्‍वच्‍छ भारत नजराने के रूप में नहीं दे सकते? क्‍या यह भारत के सवा सौ करोड़ नागरिकों की जिम्‍मेवारी नहीं है कि हमारी भारत माता जिसके लिए इतने लोगों ने बलिदान दिये उसे हम स्‍वच्‍छ तो रखे, साफ-सुथरी रखें इस दायित्‍व को हम निभाएं और स्‍वच्‍छ भारत का सपना महात्‍मा गांधी के 150 साल पूरा होने के अवसर पर हम पूरा करें। हर गांव, हर गली, हर गली, हर परिवार, हर कोई अपने दायित्‍व को निभाएं।

और आज 23 मार्च ! राम मनोहर लोहिया जी का भी जन्‍म जयंती का अवसर है। राम मनोहर लोहिया जी एक ऐसे राजपुरूष थे, जब वो राजनीतिक आंदोलन चलाते थे, तो अपनी विचारधारा के साथ-साथ एक बात का ख्‍याल रखते थे। वे स्‍वच्‍छता का आंदोलन अपनी जवानी में चलाए करते थे। राम मनोहर लोहिया स्‍वच्‍छता का आंदोलन लगातार चलाया करते थे। आज उनकी भी जयंती है, भगत सिंह की शहादत का पर्व है और भारत माता के लिए जीने वाले इन लोगों को जब याद करते हैं तब हमारी भारत माता स्‍वच्‍छ हो, विकास की नई ऊंचाईयों को पार करने वाला हर नागरिक को अवसर हो। इस दिशा में हम आगे बढ़ना चाहते हैं।

मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों पंजाब ने देश को भूख से बचाया है। देश को अन्‍न देने का पुण्‍य का काम पंजाब के किसान ने किया है लेकिन आज पंजाब में पानी जमीन में गहरा होता जा रहा है। Danger रेखा से भी नीचे चला गया है। पानी परमात्‍मा का दिया हुआ प्रसाद है। पानी को बचाए बिना, हम न खेती बचा सकते हैं, न जीवन बचा सकते हैं और इसलिए मैं पंजाब के किसान भाईयो-बहनों से आग्रह करूंगा कि हम फसल पैदा करे, आधुनिक विज्ञान का प्रयोग करें। Per drop more crop, micro irrigation, टपक सिंचाई हो, स्प्रिंक्‍लर हो। बहुत सारी चींजें आज विज्ञान ने स्‍वीकार की है। कभी-कभी जब तक हमारा किसान, खेत पानी से लबालब भरा न हो तब तक उसकी आंखों को चैन नहीं पड़ता। उसको लगता है कि पूरा खेत पानी से पूरी तरह भरा होगा, तभी फसल होगी।

मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों मैं भी गरीब परिवार का.. मैंने इन सारी चीजों को निकट से देखा है और इसलिए मैं आपको कहता हूं कि विज्ञान बदल चुका है और इसलिए मैं आपको एक छोटी सी बात बताऊं। अगर कोई बालक घर में बीमार रहता है, वजन नहीं बढ़ता है, चेहरे पर मुस्‍कान नजर नहीं आती है, दुबला-पतला रहता है और मां-बाप की इच्‍छा रहती है कि बेटा तंदरूस्‍त हो, वजन बढ़े, दौड़े-कूदे। मां-बाप ऐसे में बादाम, केसर, पिस्‍ता यह डालकर के बाल्‍टी भर दूध रोज, बाल्‍टी भर दूध से उस बच्‍चे को अगर नहला दें तो वजन बढ़ेगा क्‍या? चेहरे पर मुस्‍कान आएगी क्‍या? तबियत ठीक होगी क्‍या? आप भी जानते हैं नहीं होगी। केसर, पिस्‍ता, बादाम वाला दूध हो, बाल्‍टी भर दूध हो, रोज दूध से नहलाते हो, लेकिन उसके शरीर में कुछ नहीं होगा। लेकिन अगर समझदार मां-बाप चम्‍मच से, एक चम्‍मच दूध पिलाएंगे, रोज 10 चम्‍मच, 15 चम्‍मच, 20 चम्‍मच पिलाना शुरू कर देंगे, तो बच्‍चे का वजन बढ़ने लगेगा। शरीर तंदरूस्‍त होगा। जो स्‍वभाव बच्‍चे का होता है, वही स्‍वभाव फसल का होता है और इसलिए फसल को ढेर सारा पानी देने से फसल अच्‍छी होती है, ऐसे पुराने विचारों को छोड़ना पड़ेगा। बूंद-बूंद पानी पिलाना से फसल ज्‍यादा होगी, अच्‍छी होगी, कम जमीन में भी ज्‍यादा पैदावार होगी और तब जाकर के पंजाब में जो पानी नीचे चला जा रहा है, वो पानी ऊपर आएगा। मेरे भाईयों बहनों बरसात का पानी, बूंद-बूंद पानी बचाएंगे, जमीन में उसको वापस डालेंगे, तभी जाकर के पंजाब की पानी की समस्‍या का समाधान कर पाएंगे।

हमारे पास नहरों का इतना बड़ा नेटवर्क है, लेकिन जितनी मात्रा में पानी जाना चाहिए उतना जा नहीं रहा है। शुरू के इलाके में तो पानी पहुंचता है लेकिन नहर का जहां आखिरी इलाका है, वहां पानी नहीं पहुंचता। हमने एक योजना बनाई है-‘प्रधानमंत्री कृषि सिंचाई योजना’। इस योजना के तहत हमारा सपना है कि हिंदुस्‍तान के हर किसान के खेत तक पानी पहुंचाया जाए, नदियों को जोड़ा जाए, नहरों को ठीक किया जाए, नई नहरों को बनाया जाए। अगर किसान को पानी पहुंच गया तो मैं विश्‍वास दिलाता हूं मिट्टी में से सोना पैदा करने की ताकत मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों में हैं और वो हिंदुस्‍तान के आर्थिक स्थिति को बदल सकते हैं। उस काम की और हमें जाना है।

मुझे आज मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों को मेरी एक चिंता भी मुझे बतानी है और वो चिंता.. मैं देख रहा हूं कि ज्‍यादा फसल के मोह में आज हम ऐसी-ऐसी गलतियां कर रहे हैं कि जिसके कारण हमारी जमीन बर्बाद हो गई है। जमीन अपनी ताकत खो रही है। अगर धरती माता अपनी ताकत खो देगी तो इस धरती पर पलने वाले बच्‍चों का पालन-पोषण कैसे होगा। हम जिस प्रकार से Chemical Fertilizer का उपयोग करते हैं.. पंजाब का क्‍या हाल करके रखा है किसान भाईयों-बहनों हमने! कितनी मात्रा में, कौन सा खाद डालना चाहिए.. हम कैसी बड़ी गलती कर रहे हैं। वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है, विज्ञान में सिद्ध हुआ है कि जितना पोटाश का उपयोग करते हैं उससे चार गुना से ज्‍यादा नाइट्रोजन का उपयोग फसल भी बर्बाद करता है, जमीन भी बर्बाद करता है। चार गुना से कम नाइट्रोजन उपयोग करना चाहिए लेकिन हमारे पंजाब में कितना उपयोग होता है, आपको मालूम है? 57 गुना! आप कल्‍पना कर सकते हैं जैसे परिवार में दवाई देनी है, लेकिन ज्‍यादा dose दे दें तो मौत भी हो जाती है वैसे नाइट्रोजन इतना गुना डालने के कारण हमारी फसल और हमारी जमीन सबको हम बर्बाद कर देते हैं। मैं पंजाब के किसानों से आग्रह करता हूं कि आप देश को दिशा दीजिए, आप देश का नेतृत्‍व कीजिए और तय कीजिए कि जितने अनुपात में Fertilizer चाहिए उससे ज्‍यादा डालने का पाप हम नहीं करेंगे, हम ऐसी गलती नहीं करेंगे। इतना ही नहीं पोटाश से फास्‍फोरस डब्‍बल से ज्‍यादा उपयोग नहीं करना चाहिए, वरना खेती बर्बाद हो जाती है। लेकिन हम क्‍या करते हैं, पंजाब के अंदर पोटास से फास्‍फोरस का उपयोग 13 गुना करते हैं। जबकि दो गुना से ज्‍यादा नहीं करना चाहिए। मुझे बताइये मेरे किसान बहनों-भाईयों कि पंजाब, पंजाब का गांव, पंजाब का किसान, पंजाब की फसल जिस पर पूरा हिंदुस्‍तान जी रहा है अगर वही बर्बाद हो जाएगा तो पूरा देश भूख मर जाएगा और इसलिए मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों मैं आपसे आग्रह करने आया हूं कि आप विज्ञान, आधुनिक यंत्र.. और जिसमें सरकार पूरी मदद करती है.. आप इसका सही उपयोग करें। इसका दुरूपयोग तत्‍काल तो हमें अच्‍छा लगता है, लेकिन लम्‍बे समय के लिए हमारा बहुत नुकसान करता है और इसलिए मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों इससे बचकर रहना चाहिए यह मैं विशेष रूप से आग्रह करना चाहता हूं।

सरकार ने किसानों के लिए एक महत्‍वपूर्ण योजना बनाई है। इस योजना को हमने लागू किया है और आप तक हम पहुंचाना चाहते हैं और वो है – Soil Health Card. जैसे नागरिक का Health Card होता है, उसका शरीर कैसा, Blood कैसा, तबियत कैसी है, कमियां क्‍या है, वो सब Health Card से पता चलता है। वैसा ही जैसे इंसान के शरीर का स्‍वभाव है, वैसा ही जमीन का भी स्‍वभाव है। जमीन को भी बीमारियां होती है, जमीन में भी कमियां होती हैं लेकिन हमें पता नहीं होता और उसके कारण हम.. जमीन का किसके लिए उपयोग करना चाहिए, नहीं कर पाते। इस बात को समझाने के लिए गांव-गांव किसानों को Soil Health Card देने की सरकार ने योजना बनाई है। आपकी जमीन कैसी है, आपकी जमीन की तबियत कैसी है, आपकी जमीन में कौन सी कमियां है, आपकी जमीन में कौन सी फसल अच्‍छी हो सकती है, आपको अगर दवाई डालनी है तो कौन सी दवाई की जरूरत है, आपको अगर Fertilizer डालना है तो कौन सा Fertilizer डालना है, कितना डालना है यह सारी बातें Soil Health Card से पता चलती हैं और यदि किसान Soil Health Card से योजना करके चलता है तो मैं विश्‍वास दिलाता हूं मेरे किसान बहनों-भाईयों छोटे किसान को भी साल का 40-50 रुपया, जो ज्ञान के अभाव के रूप में फालतू में खर्चा होता है, वो बच जाएगा। मेरे किसान को बहुत बड़ा फायदा होगा। इसलिए यह बहुत बडा काम पूरे देश में हमने चलाया है Soil Health Card का। और मुझे विश्‍वास है कि हमारे पंजाब के किसान भी इस बात की चिंता करेंगे।

मेरे किसान भाईयों बहनों एक तो पिछले साल बारिश कम हुई। हिंदुस्‍तान के कई राज्‍यों में कम बारिश के कारण किसानों को नुकसान हुआ, कहीं पर सूखा पड़ा गया और ऊपर से अभी-अभी ओले गिरे। मैं जानता हूं कि किसानों पर कितनी बड़ी आपत्ति आई होगी। मैंने भारत सरकार के अधिकारियों को, मंत्रियों को आदेश दिए हैं, सर्वे का काम शुरू हुआ है, राज्य सरकार और भारत सरकार मिलकर के आपके इस संकट की घड़ी में आपके साथ हैं। आपको जो नुकसान हुआ है.. हमारा किसान टिक सके.. जितनी भी मदद सरकार कर सकती है उसमें सरकार किसी भी हालत में पीछे नहीं रहेगी। यह मैं आपको विश्‍वास दिलाना चाहता हूं।

मेरे भाईयों-बहनों आज जब मैं सरदार भगत सिंह जी की शाहदत के इस पावन पर्व पर, इस पवित्र धरती पर आया हूं, तब मैं.. सरकार ने बजट में घोषणा की है.. क्‍योंकि पंजाब और किसान का अटूट नाता है और इसलिए अमृतसर में किसानों के लिए उपयोगी हो ऐसी Institute for Horticulture Education इसका आरंभ किया जाएगा और आज मैं जब यहां आया हूं तब इस नये Institute को हम सरदार भगत सिंह Post Graduate Institute for Horticulture Research and Education इस रूप में निर्माण करेंगे ताकि पंजाब किसान की जो नई पीढ़ी है उसके कारण उसको लाभ मिलेगा।

भाईयों बहनों भारत सरकार की यह सोच है कि अगर देश को आगे बढ़ाना है तो राज्‍यों को आगे बढ़ाना पड़ेगा। अगर हमारे राज्‍य मजबूत नहीं होंगे तो देश मजबूत नहीं होगा। अगर राज्‍य आगे नहीं बढ़ेंगें तो देश आगे नहीं बढ़ेगा और इसलिए हमारी सरकार की हर योजना राज्‍यों को मजबूत बनाने के लिए है। अभी इस बार 14th Finance Commission की रिपोर्ट के आधार पर अकेले पंजाब को कितना बड़ा लाभ होने वाला है। पंजाब इन रुपयों का सही इस्‍तेमाल करके कितना आगे बढ़ सकता है इसका मैं भली-भांति अंदाज कर सकता हूं और मुझे विश्‍वास है कि बादल साहब के नेतृत्‍व में प्रगतिशील निर्णयों के द्वारा पंजाब के जीवन को बदलने में यह रकम बहुत काम आने वाली है। पहले पिछली पंचवर्षीय योजना में भारत सरकार की तरफ से पंचवर्षीय योजना के तहत पंजाब को 20 हजार करोड़ रुपये मिले थे। भाईयों-बहनों आने वाले पांच साल के लिए यह रकम बढा़कर के 54 हजार करोड़ रुपये कर दी जाएगी, डबल से भी ज्‍यादा। इतना ही नहीं पंचायत और नगरपालिकाओं के लिए भारत सरकार ने पहले चार हजार करोड़ रुपया दिया था, इस बार हमने वो रकम बढा़कर के छह हजार करोड़ रुपये कर दी। जिसके कारण गांव के व्‍यक्ति को भी इसका फायदा पहुंचाने में काम आ जाएगी। इस बार भी पहले की तुलना में करीब-करीब चार हजार करोड़ रुपया ज्‍यादा, अतिरिक्‍त चार हजार रुपया पंजाब के विकास के लिए भारत सरकार की तिजोरी से आने वाला है।

स्थिति ऐसी हो गई है.. एक जमाना था कि दिल्‍ली के खजाने में देश की सभी तिजौरियों का करीब 60-65 प्रतिशत पैसा रहता था। राज्‍यों के पास 35-40 प्रतिशत रहता था। हमारे आने के बाद चित्र हमने बदल दिया है। अब राज्‍यों के पास करीब-करीब 60-62 प्रतिशत राशि रहेगी और केंद्र के पास सिर्फ 38% राशि रहेगी और राज्‍य मजबूत होंगे। राज्‍य विकास की नई ऊंचाईयों को पार करेंगे। उस दिशा में हम काम कर रहे हैं।

यहां पर रास्‍ते बनाने के लिए भारत सरकार की जो योजनाएं हैं.. रेल को बढ़ाने के लिए.. आज मेरे लिए खुशी की बात है कि अमृतसर से आनंदपुर साहब रेलवे की योजना का साकार रूप हमारे सामने खड़ा हुआ है। यह गर्व की बात है। आनंदपुर साहब यात्रियों के लिए एक मुख्‍य धाम है और किसी को भी हिमाचल में भी किसी जगह जाना है तो आनंदपुर साहब से ही जाते हैं। चिंतपुरणी जाना है, ज्‍वालाजी जाना है तो यहीं से जाते हैं। इस पूरे इलाके को इसका लाभ मिलने वाला है। एक प्रकार से विकास की नई ऊंचाईयों को पार करने की दिशा में हम लगातार प्रयासरत है।

..और मैं आपको विश्‍वास दिलाता हूं, मेरे पंजाब के किसान भाईयों-बहनों, आपने कभी सोचा था.. किसान 60 साल के बाद.. उसको कभी पेंशन मिल सकता है। सरकारी मुलाजिम को तो पेंशन मिल जाता है। किसान को पेंशन मिल सकता है क्‍या? 60 साल के बाद हर महीना उसको चैक मिल सकता है क्‍या? मेरे किसान भाईयों-बहनों इस बार भारत सरकार ने एक योजना बनाई है जिसमें Public Private Partnership के modal पर.. किसान को.. 60 साल के बाद अगर वो इस योजना से जुड़ जाता है, तो उसको हर महीना पांच हजार रुपया पेंशन की राशि मिल सकती है। हमारे देश के किसान का बुढ़ापा भी सुख, शांति और गौरव से बीते उस दिशा में काम करने का एक अहम कदम इस बार हमने बजट में उठाया है।

भाईयों-बहनों इन दिनों किसान को गुमराह करने के लिए भांति-भांति के प्रयास हुए हैं। कल मैंने रेडियो पर मेरी “मन की बात” में, किसानों ने जितने सवाल पूछे थे, सारे सवालों के मैंने जवाब दिये और मैं किसानों को विश्‍वास दिलाता हूं कि अगर इस देश को आगे बढ़ना है तो किसान की रक्षा करनी होगी, गांव का भला करना होगा, लेकिन साथ-साथ किसान के बेटों के लिए भी चिंता करनी होगी। किसान के बेटे को रोजगार चाहिए। आज सेना में जितने जवान हैं वो कौन है? 80% से ज्‍यादा जवान किसान मां-बाप के बेटे हैं। किसान अपने बेटे को सेना में भर्ती करता है, युद्ध के लिए भेजता है। उसे मालूम है कि अगर परिवार में तीन बच्‍चे हैं तो तीनों का जीवन आज खेती से गुजरता नहीं है। हर किसान को पूछो कि भई आपके तीन बेटे हैं क्‍या चाहते हो? हर किसान कहता है – एक बेटा तो खेती करेगा लेकिन दो को तो कहीं भेजना चाहता हूं, कहीं नौकरी कर ले, रोजी-रोटी कमा ले, पढ़-लिख करके अपना करोबार चला ले। हर किसान की यह चिंता है। अगर विकास नहीं होगा तो किसान के बच्‍चों का क्‍या होगा? क्‍या मेरे किसान के बच्‍चे दिल्‍ली और मुंबई की झुग्‍गी-झोपड़ी में जिंदगी गुजारने के लिए मजबूर होने चाहिए?

किसान के बच्‍चों को भी रोजगार चाहिए, किसान के बेटों का भी भला होना चाहिए और इसलिए मेरे भाईयों-बहनों हमारी सरकार किसान का तो भला चाहती है, गांव का भी भला चाहती है, किसान के बच्‍चों का भी भला चाहती है। इस तरह एक लम्‍बी सोच के साथ, देश के विकास की ओर आगे बढ़ने की दिशा में हमने प्रयास किया है। आज वीर सरदार भगत सिंह जी के आशीर्वाद मिले, सुखदेव-राजगुरू के आशीर्वाद मिले, भगत‍ सिंह जी की माता जी के आशीर्वाद मिले, हमारा देश विकास की नई ऊंचाईयों को पार करे और नई ऊंचाईयों को पार करते-करते हम आगे बढ़े।

भाईयों बहनों हमारे देश को भ्रष्‍टाचार ने तबाह कर दिया, बर्बाद कर दिया। कैसा-कैसा भ्रष्‍टाचार हुआ है! मैं आपको बताना चाहता हूं.. कोयला.. जब मैं यहां चुनाव में आया था और कोयले की चोरी की बात कर रहा था तो हमारे पुराने लोग जो सरकार में बैठे थे, वे गुस्‍सा हो जाते थे। सीएजी ने कहा था एक लाख 76 हजार करोड़ रुपया, अकेले कोयले में घोटाला हुआ है। यह आंकड़ा इतना बड़ा था कि लोगों के गले नहीं उतरता था। लोगों को यह तो लगता था कि भ्रष्‍टाचार तो किया होगा इनकी आदत है, लेकिन इतना नहीं हो सकता। ऐसा लोग सोचते थे। कुछ लोग तो ऐसे थे जो कहते थे - जीरो थ्‍योरी, जीरो थ्‍योरी। एक नये पैसे का घोटाला नहीं हुआ यह कहते थे। भाईयों बहनों 204 कोयले की खदान भ्रष्‍टाचार के कारण गुस्‍से में आकर के सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने रद्द कर दी। अब हमारे आते ही यह हुआ।

पाप उन्‍होंने किया था.. बिजली कारखाने बंद हो जाने की नौबत आ गई। कारखानों में कोयला नहीं जाएगा तो कारखाने बंद हो जाएंगे ऐसी स्थिति पैदा हो गई। लेकिन हमने ईमानदारी की, पारदर्शिता की, नीतियों की योजना की और हमने तय किया कि हम सार्वजनिक रूप से Auction करेंगे, नीलामी करेंगे। और जो भी लेना चाहता है वो नीलामी में बोले पैसा, जो ज्‍यादा पैसा देगा, उसको मिलेगा। भाईयों बहनों क्‍या हुआ! 204 में से अब तक सिर्फ 20 खदानों की नीलामी हुई है, अभी तो 180 खदानों की नीलामी बाकी है। 204 खदानों में एक लाख 76 हजार करोड़ के घोटाले की बात थी। लेकिन यह घोटाला तो उससे भी बड़ा निकला। 204 में से सिर्फ 20 की नीलामी हुई है और आपको जानकर के आनंद होगा कि दिल्‍ली में आपने ईमानदार सरकार बिठाई है। उसका परिणाम यह हुआ है कि अब तक करीब-करीब दो लाख करोड़ रुपया सरकारी खजाने में आना तय हो चुका है। 180 खदान बाकी हैं। सब खदाने जाएंगी तो कितना बड़ा भंडार मिलेगा, यह रुपया किसके काम आएगा? गांव के काम आएगा, गरीब के काम आएगा, किसान के काम आएगा। देश विकास की नई ऊंचाईयों पर जाएगा।

कोयला छोडि़ए, इन्‍होंने कोई जगह पाप करने के लिए छोड़ी नहीं भाईयों। सरदार भगत‍ सिंह जी आत्‍मा दुखी होती होगी इन लोगों के कारण। LED Bulb! बिजली बचाने के लिए LED Bulb लगाने की बात है। आपको मालूम है 2014 में सरकार ने LED Bulb कितने रुपये में खरीदे। करीब-करीब 300 रुपयों में एक बल्‍ब खरीदा। हमने उसमें गहराई से काम किया, Department को लगाया, व्‍यापक रूप से काम किया। कंपनियों को भी दबाया। कोई रुपया-पैसा देने की बात बंद करो, गरीब का भला करो और आपको जानकर के खुशी होगी कि जो LED का Bulb एक साल पहले कुछ सरकारों ने 300 रुपये में खरीदा था आज उसकी कीमत 80 रुपये में हमने लाकर के रख दी। एक बल्‍ब पर दो सौ-सवा दौ सौ रुपये, चोरी होते थे। करोड़ा बल्‍ब जाएंगे तो कितने रुपये जाते होंगे। भाईयों बहनों आपने हमें ईमानदारी के लिए बिठाया है, ईमानदारी से काम करने के लिए बिठाया है और उसका परिणाम है कि आज 300 रुपये में बिकने वाला बल्‍ब.. जो भ्रष्‍टाचार के कारण रुपये खाए जाते थे, हमने उसकी कीमत 80-85 रुपया लाकर के रख दी है। सरकार 80-85 रुपये में खरीदेगी और LED का Bulb पहुंचेगा और उसके कारण गरीब से गरीब के घर में बिजली की बचत होगी। किसी का 200 रुपये बचेगा, किसी का 400 रुपये बचेगा। गरीब का हमें आशीर्वाद मिलेगा।

भाईयों बहनों ईमानदारी, देशभक्ति, अगर काम करने का जज्‍बा लेकर के.. सिर्फ देश के लिए जीना, सिर्फ देश के लिए मरना इस संकल्‍प को लेकर के चलते हैं तो कितने उत्‍तम परिणाम आते हैं यह आपके सामने मौजूद है। मैं फिर एक बार.. बादल साहब ने जितने विषय रखे हैं उन सभी बातों पर भारत सरकार गंभीरता से सोचेगी, उनके साथ भी मैं विस्‍तार से बातें करूंगा और भारत सरकार पंजाब के लिए जितना ज्‍यादा कर सकती है करने में कभी पीछे नहीं रहेगी।

मेरा तो पंजाब से अनेक रूप से नाता है। एक तो मैं यहां कई वर्षों तक रहा हूं। एक प्रकार से मेरी शिक्षा-दीक्षा, राजनीतिक शिक्षा-दीक्षा का अवसर मुझे बादल साहब की उंगली पकड़कर के सीखने का मुझे अवसर मिला है। यह मेरा सौभाग्‍य रहा है। दूसरी बात, मेरा जन्‍म गुजरात में हुआ है और जो पहले पंच प्‍यारे थे, उन पहले पंच प्‍यारों में एक गुजरात के द्वारका का था और इसलिए मेरा तो आपके साथ खून का नाता है। इसलिए पंजाब के लिए मैं जो कुछ भी कर सकता हूं, मुझे करने में खुशी होगी। यह कर्ज चुकाने का अवसर मुझे मिला है। मैं उसे चुकाकर रहूंगा।

इसी एक बात के साथ फिर एक बार मेरे साथ पूरी ताकत से बोलिये – शहीदो..अमर रहो! शहीदों..अमर रहो! शहीदो..अमर रहो! धन्यवाद।

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=117611

Smt. Smriti Irani - Biography in Hindi - स्मृति ईरानी - जीवनी

मानव संसाधन विकास मंत्री श्रीमती स्‍मृति ईरानी 23 मार्च, 2015 को नई दिल्‍ली में विश्‍वविद्यालय अनुदान आयोग के शिकायत पोर्टल का उद्घाटन करती हुईं।
Picture Source: http://pib.nic.in/photo//2015/Mar/l2015032363386.jpg

स्मृति ईरानी - जीवनी

मानव संसाधन विकास मंत्री स्मृति ईरानी का जन्म 23 मार्च, 1976 को दिल्ली में हुआ था। उन्होंने एक्टिंग के बाद राजनीति में कदम रखा|  उनके दादाजी आरएसएस स्वयंसेवक और मां जन संघ की सद्स्य थी| स्मृति खुद बचपन से आरएसएस का हिस्सा रही हैं।

स्मृति  1998 में मिस इंडिया कॉम्पीटिशन में फाइनलिस्ट रही हैं। स्मृति ने टीवी सीरियल "आतिश" से अपने करियर की शुरूआत की। 2000 में उन्हें एकता कपूर के सीरियल "क्योंकि सास भी कभी बहु थी" में "तुलसी" का लीड किरदार मिला। स्मृति ने अब तक बेस्ट एक्ट्रेस (पॉप्यूलर) के 5 इंडियन टेलीविजन एकेडमी अवॉर्ड्स, 4 आईटीए अवॉर्ड्स जीते हैं। उन्होंने कई सीरियल्स भी प्रोड्यूस किए। 2003 में स्मृति ने भाजपा ज्वाइन की। महाराष्ट्र का युवा उपाध्यक्ष बनॆ। 2004 में दिल्ली से लोक सभा के लिए चुनाव लडी। 2011 में गुजरात से राज्य सभा सदस्य बनी। 2014 में राहुल गाधीको अमेठी में टक्कर दिया।

फिलहाल वे केंद्र में मानव संसाधन विकास मंत्रालय संभाल रही हैं।

इण्डिया टी वी आप की अदालत में स्मृति ईरानी - जीवनी
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India TV

http://www.patrika.com/news/political/happy-birthday-smriti-irani-1012211/

http://www.bhaskar.com/news/CEL-smriti-irani-from-model-to-cabinet-minister-4940207-PHO.html

Smt. Smriti Irani - Biography

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smt. Smriti Irani launching the Grievance Portal of UGC, in New Delhi on March 23, 2015.

Picture Source: http://pib.nic.in/photo//2015/Mar/l2015032363386.jpg



Smriti Irani (originally Smriti Malhotra) was born in Delhi on 23 March 1976. She has  Maharastrian, Bengali and Assamese connections through her parents and grand parents. Her father's name is Ajay Kumar Malhotra and her mother's name is Shibani Bagchi. She has been a "part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from childhood." Her grandfather was an RSS swayamsevak and her mother was a member of Jana Sangh.

She studied up to class 12 at Holy Child Auxilium School and for further studies enrolled with university as well as correspondence courses. But other career has taken her away and gave her a great opportunities to prove her talent and hard work.

Smriti was one of the finalists of the beauty pageant Miss India Femina in 1998. In 1998, she appeared in a song "Boliyan" of the album "Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag" with Mika Singh. In 2000, she started her TV series acting with Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal, both aired on Star Plus. In mid-2000, she got the lead role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor's production Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus. Smriti became a famous name with the character of Tulsi. She holds the record of winning five consecutive Indian Television Academy Awards for Best Actress (Popular), four Indian Telly Awards, eight Star Parivaar Awards.  In 2001, Smriti married Zubin Irani, a Parsi businessman. She bacme Smriti Irani. Smriti Irani had differences of opinion with the producer Ekta Kapoor and she left the show in June 2007. She reappeared in May 2008 in a special episode. 

In 2001, she played the character of Sita in Zee TV's Ramayan. In 2006, Irani co-produced the show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan under her banner Ugraya Entertainment and Balaji Telefilms. and played the lead role of Uma in it. She produced some more shows for various channels.  In 2007, she produced the TV serial Virrudh for Sony TV and also portrayed the lead character of Vasudha in it. She also produced Mere Apne for 9X and portrayed the protagonist alongside Vinod Khanna. She also acted in a supporting role in Zee TV's Teen Bahuraaniyaan. In 2008, Irani along with Sakshi Tanwar hosted the show Yeh Hai Jalwa, a dance based reality show featuring celebrities  on 9X. In the same year she also produced another show on Zee TV, Waaris which ended in 2009. In 2009, she came in a comedy show Maniben.com, aired on SAB TV. She also co-produced the show in collaboration with Contiloe Entertainment. In her acting career she also appeared in some movies.

Smriti Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003. She was appointed as the vice-president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing in 2004. In the 2004 general elections for the 14th Lok Sabha, she contested  against Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi but was not elected. She was nominated as executive member of the central committee of the BJP. In December 2004, Irani threatened to "fast unto death" until then Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi resigned, as she felt his handling of Gujarat riots was responsible for BJP's electoral losses. But, she quickly made peace with the party high command as the BJP's central leadership persuaded her to see the situation more in more realistic way. 

In early 2010, Irani was appointed as the National Secretary of BJP and on 24 June, she was appointed as All India President of the BJP's women's wing, BJP Mahila Morcha. In August 2011, she became a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat. 

Irani was a star campaigner in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. She was a spokersperson for the party and came on TV channels every day and presented the party in an articulate manner and supported Narendra Modi and his policies to the hilt. In a surprise move, she was asked to contenst against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh. She made a spiritied campaign. Smt. Priyanka Gandhi refused to recongnize her by saying Irani, who?  But Narendra Modi addressed a rally at Amethi and said, Smriti Irani is my sister.  The Gandhi camp had a scare on counting day, as at some point in time, Irani was even leading. But, in the end, she lost to Gandhi by 107,923 votes, a small margin, as Rahul Gandhi is the prime ministerial candidates of Congress.  On 26 May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed her as the Minister of Human Resource Development in his cabinet. At 38, she was the youngest member of the cabinet. Her appointment was a surprise for many, but she is handling the ministry and successfully overcoming the controversies that are coming up.

Controversy about Teachers' Day - September 2014

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TheNewsHourDebate

In 2001, Smriti married Zubin Irani, a Parsi businessman.The have a son named Zohr and a  daughter named Zoish. Shanelle is Zubin Irani's daughter from his previous marriage and she is also part of her family. 

http://www.patrika.com/news/political/happy-birthday-smriti-irani-1012211/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smriti_Irani

http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/smriti-irani.html

Pictures of Smt. Smriti Irani
http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/watch-rare-pictures-of-bjp-leader-smriti-irani-11151.html

http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2180
Email: smritizirani[at]sansad[dot]nic[dot]in

Smt. Smriti Irani - Biography in Hindi - स्मृति ईरानी - जीवनी

Gangaur Festival

Gangaur is a festival in which Shiva and Parvati are main deities.

The festival commences on the first day of chaitra (Purnimanta) , the day following Holi and continues for 16 days. For a newly-wedded girl, it continues for 18 days, and they observe rituals every day. Unmarried girls also fast for the full period of the 18 days with  only one meal a day. Festivity consummates on 3rd day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra Month. Fairs (Gangaur Melas) are held throughout the 18 day period. The festival has numerous folklores associated with it and the festival is deeply ingrained into the hearts of people of Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana & Gujarat.



One of the beliefs associated with the festival is that Parvati comes home during this period, and encourages unmarried girls to marry and arranges bridgegrooms for them. At the end of the festival, Shiva comes and escorts her back to home.


http://www.kamalkapoor.com/indian-fair-festivals/gana-gour-festival.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangaur

http://goindia.about.com/od/festivalinformation/p/gangaur-festival.htm

Jual Oram - Biography

Web site  http://jualoram.com/

Jual Oram (born 22 March 1961) is a member of the 16th Lok Sabha of India.

He is M.P.  of  Sundargarh constituency of Odisha and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) political party. He was also a member of the 12th, 13th and 14th Lok Sabha of India.
He is a former Cabinet Minister in the Government of India.

He is also a Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In the State of Odisha,  he was one of two founding Legislative Assembly Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state of Orissa for more than four years.




He was born in a poor tribal family on 22 March 1961 at 'Kendudihi', a village in Odisha's Sundargarh district. Oram, a diploma holder in electrical engineering, worked for five years with BHEL and then joined. politics in 1990. He contested the assembly election from Bonai constituency in that year and won with a comfortable margin.  He has held several important posts in high-profile committees of the Union Government and in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).  He was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and began his assignment as Union Minister for Tribal Affairs on the 13th October, 1999 .  Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave him this assignment creating a new ministry, for the first time in the history of Independent India.  He wrested back his Sundergarh constituency in 2014 parliamentary election, which he lost in 2009 with a thin margin.

Oram has always been championing the cause of tribal upliftment and welfare of the poorer sections of the society. He has already taken several initiatives for the uplift of the downtrodden, weaker section of the people particularly tribal visiting extensively across the country as a minister in Government of India.


Biodata of Jual Oram from National Portal of India
http://india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/jual-oram

Vikram Samvat 2072 New Year Greetings - नववर्ष विक्रम संवत 2072 की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं

आज चैत्र शुक्ल एकम विक्रम संवत नववर्ष का महापर्व

नववर्ष विक्रम संवत 2072  की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं



Vikram Era was started in 57 BC by Emperor Vikramaditya as a commemoration of his victory upon the Shakas. This victory took place at Ujjain. Many Hindu calendars follow the Vikram era.

This new  year Vikram Samvat 2072.

The calendars followed mainly in North India are based on the Amanta and Purnimanta system. Amanta calendar is calculated from New moon to New moon. Purnimanta is calculated from Full moon to Full moon. The Amanta Lunar calendar starts with Chaitra month. Amanta is used fix all the major Hindu festivals in North India. Even those communities that prefer the Purnimata calendar use Amanta calendar for fixing festivals.


आज के दिन का महत्त्व:

1. सृष्टि का शुभारम्भ
2. श्री राम का राज्याभिषेक
३. स्वामी दयानंद सरस्वती द्वारा आर्यसमाज की स्थापना।
4. सम्राट विक्रमादित्य द्वारा अपनी राज्य को शत्रुवों के चंगुल से मुक्ति का विजयोत्सव




क्या करना है?

आम पल्लवों की बंदनवार तथा मालाएं अपने प्रतिष्ठान एवं निकास पर लगाकर नववर्ष का स्वागत करें। दीपक जलाकर नववर्ष की मंगलकामना करें।
हमारे सांस्कृतिक नववर्ष की बधाइयों एवं शुभ कामनाएं देवें ।


"Sajibu Cheiraoba" is the new year of the Meiteis of Manipur. The Sajibu Cheiraoba is a traditional festival celebrated on the first day of Sajibu month. It also follows lunar system only and coincides with the new year day celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sajibu_nongma_panba



Note the name of the Samvatsara differs in south and northern parts of India. In South (as per चान्द्रमान), from today (21.3.2015) we have the Manmatha-naama-samvatsara; in North (बार्हस्पत्यमान), following the Jovian cycle, it is the Keelaka-naama-samvatsara. There is a difference of 13 in the names of years - the year in North (42 - Keelaka) is 13 years ahead of South (29. Manmatha).

Phalguna Maasam - Festivals - Pujas - Suggested Religious Activities

Phalugna Poornima or Purnima - Holika Dahan

Holika Dahan, also known as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi, should be done during Pradosh Kaal (which starts after sunset) while Purnima Tithi is prevailing.

Holika Dahan Muhurta is decided based on following rules.

Bhadra prevails during first half of Purnimasi Tithi and all good work should be avoided when Bhadra prevails.

The first preference to get Holika Dahan Muhurta is during Pradosh while Purnimasi Tithi is prevailing and Bhadra is over.

If Bhadra prevails during Pradosh but it ends before midnight then Holika Dahan should be done after Bhadra is over.

If Bhadra is getting over after midnight then only Holika Dahan should be done in Bhadra and preferably during Bhadra Punchha. However one should avoid Bhadra Mukha and in no condition Holika Dahan should be done in Bhadra Mukha. Doing so brings bad luck for the whole year not only for individuals but for whole city and country.

Many times Bhadra Punchha is not available between Pradosh and midnight. In such situations one should do Holika Dahan during Pradosh.

In rare occasions when neither Pradosh nor Bhadra Punchha is available for doing dahan then one should do Holika Dahan after Pradosh.

Next Day of Holika Dahan - Holi Festival

Rangwali Holi

Phalguna Krishna Tritiya

Shivaji Jayanti


Phalguna Krishna Dwadasi
Annamayya Vardhanti
Annamayya Kirtanalu - Some Lyrics and You Videos

Make in India - Wellness and Health Products

INR 490 Billion wellness market.

India 2nd largest exporter of ayurvedic and alternative medicine in the world.
Ayush is INR 162 Billion industry by 2014.


http://www.makeinindia.com/sector/wellness/

Make in India - Tourism and Hospitality

Presently 6.8% of GDP (2013). Expected to grow to 7.5% in 2014

1 billion domestic travellers

6.97 million foreign tourists in 2012-13

http://www.makeinindia.com/sector/tourism-hospitality/

Tourism is third largest foreign exchange earner after  gems & jewellery and ready made garments.

India - Internet Connections will reach 500 million Figure by 2018 - Internet Based Business and E-Commerce

Transformation of India - Be a Part of It.

India to be $20 Trillion GDP Economy by 2035 - $10 Trillion GDP Economy by 2030
$7 Trillion GDP Economy by 2025 - $5 Trillion GDP Economy by 2020


In India, internet connections will reach 500 million figures by 2018

India - Internet Based Business and  E-Commerce Vision 2020

Godrej Group E-Commerce Vision 2020
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-18/news/56222250_1_e-commerce-segment-business-volumes


73% of MSMEs have their own websites. 99% use online platforms for selling and buying.
http://www.ficci.com/spdocument/20143/Grant-Thornton-FICCI%20MSME.pdf



Multimedia advertising - 2020

Multimedia technology enabling simultaneous exchange of voice, text and data would prove to be a major medium of advertisement. The multimedia advertising market would see an increase from Rs. 350 million to Rs. 120-150 billion by 2020. Around 50-75 million households are expected to be potential users of multimedia by 2020. (Tifac technology vision)


Technologies to be implemented in India by 2020
Vision created by Tifac in 2009

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Table 2

Source for Both Tables - Tifac, India
http://tifac.org.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=779:technology-vision-2020-it-in-services&catid=121:general&Itemid=1381
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Updated 15 March 2015, 25 Feb 2015

India Vision 2015

Came across a NPC report. It says $155 billion which is 12% of GDP of the year will be demand for electronic products in India in 2015.

That gives only $1.292 trillion as forecast GDP for 2015 (forecast made in 2010). But this statement and the inference may not be correct as the present GDP is above $2 trillion dollars.  But electronics demand has touched the projected figure and it is further expected to grow fast to $400 billion by year 2020.

It would be interesting to record the Vision 2015 for India made at various points of time to compare with actuals as they will be available by June 2015.


NPC report made in 2010 on electronics sector
http://nmcc.nic.in/pdf/ithardware_03july2010.pdf

Information Technology Sector - India Vision 2020 - 2025 - 2030 - 2035

IT in Services - Technology Vision India 2020
http://tifac.org.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=779:technology-vision-2020-it-in-services&catid=121:general&Itemid=1381

India - Internet Based Business and  E-Commerce Vision 2020

Godrej Group E-Commerce Vision 2020
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-18/news/56222250_1_e-commerce-segment-business-volumes


73% of MSMEs have their own websites. 99% use online platforms for selling and buying.
http://www.ficci.com/spdocument/20143/Grant-Thornton-FICCI%20MSME.pdf



Multimedia advertising - 2020

Multimedia technology enabling simultaneous exchange of voice, text and data would prove to be a major medium of advertisement. The multimedia advertising market would see an increase from Rs. 350 million to Rs. 120-150 billion by 2020. Around 50-75 million households are expected to be potential users of multimedia by 2020. (Tifac technology vision)


Technologies to be implemented in India by 2020
Vision created by Tifac in 2009

Source for Both Tables - Tifac, India
http://tifac.org.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=779:technology-vision-2020-it-in-services&catid=121:general&Itemid=1381

Telecommunication Services in India - Vision 2020

NTP-99 targeted complete rural coverage by the end of 2002 providing Village Public Telephones  in all the 0.6 million villages with emphasis on ‘availability, accessibility and affordability’ . By the end of January 2001, 0.4 million villages have been covered.



So far, the public sector incumbents have spearheaded expansion of rural telephony with very little contribution by the private sector. By the end of December 31, 2001, out of 0.4 million villages, the private operators covered only 718 villages and the rest was by the public sector.

Vision 2020 is a vision of information society and knowledge economy built on the edifice of ICT. In India, the aggressive expansion of public sector telecommunications infrastructure in hitherto uncharted territories of geographically remote locations would unleash latent economic energies and market forces, which will erode the very foundation of perceived lack of profitability of rural investment among the private investors. Once this is achieved, Vision 2020 will be a vision of wealthier and more equal society full of creativity, innovation and competition.

Thus, regulatory regime in 2020 will be overarching, based on convergence, which apart from paving the way to a full-grown information society will enhance growth and productivity of telecommunications and IT through exploitation of economies of scope and coverage.

By 2020, one would expect 3G to be within reach of wider section of Indian population.

There is need to develop deeper understanding of the evolution of new end-users in the market for the mobile multimedia services. Multimedia service providers will emerge as important shareholders in the network value chain. Countries should envision new partners, new entities, and new stakeholders in the business models. Multimedia portals will be important components of such business models.

If past trend were any guide, it would be reasonable to hope that by 2020 India would complete transition into digital switching and transmission, VoIP, broadband and 3G.

Future vision of telecom is a vision of IT. Telecom will be the springboard of future expansion of IT heralding in an information society.



2002

Indian Telecom Sector: Recent Policies

1. All the villages shall be covered by telecom facility by the end of 2002.

1. All the villages shall be covered by telecom facility by the end of 2002.
2. The Communication Convergence Bill 2001introduced in the Parliament on August 31, 2001 is presently before the Standing Committee of Parliament on Telecom and IT.
3. National Long Distance Service (NLD) is opened for unrestricted entry.
4. The International Long Distance Services (ILDS) have been opened to competition.
5. The basic services are open to competition.
6. In addition to the existing three, fourth cellular operator, one each in four metros and thirteen circles, has been permitted. The cellular operators have been permitted to provide all types of mobile services including voice and non-voice messages, data services and PCOs utilizing any type of network equipment, including circuit and/or package switches that meet certain required standards.
7. Policies allowing private participation have been announced as per the New Telecom Policy (NTP), 1999 in several new services, which include Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) Service, digital Public Mobile Radio Trunked Service (PMRTS), Voice Mail/ Audiotex/ Unified Messaging Service.
8. Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) has been introduced for providing telephone connections in urban, semi-urban and rural areas promptly.
9. Two telecom PSUs, VSNL and HTL have been disinvested.
10. Steps are being taken to fulfill Universal Service Obligation (USO), its funding and administration.
11. A decision to permit Mobile Community Phone Service has been announced.
12. Multiple Fixed Service Providers (FSPs) licensing guidelines were announced.
13. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been allowed to set up International Internet Gateways, both Satellite and Landing stations for submarine optical fiber cables.
14. Two categories of infrastructure providers have been allowed to provide end-to-end bandwidth and dark fiber, right of way, towers, duct space etc.
15. Guidelines have been issued by the Government to open up Internet telephony (IP).


Investment Policy Framework

1. Foreign Direct Investment of up to 100 percent permitted for the following:
- Manufacturing of telecom equipment
- Internet service (not providing international gateways)
- Infrastructure providers (Category I)
- E-mail service
- Voice mail service
- Call Centers and IT enabled services

2. Foreign Direct Investment of up to 74 percent permitted for the following:
- Internet service (providing international gateways)
- Infrastructure providers (Category II)
- Radio paging services

3. Foreign Direct Investment of up to 49 percent permitted for the following:
- National long distance service
- Basic telephone service
- Cellular mobile service
- Other value added service

4. Additional foreign investment through holding/investment company

5. Automatic approval for technology fee up to US$ 2 million, royalty up to 5 percent for domestic sales and 8 percent for exports in telecom manufacturing (higher amount through specific approvals)

6. Full repatriability of dividend income and capital invested in the telecom sector

7. Fiscal incentives and concessions for the telecom sector:
- Amortization of license fee
- Tax holiday
- Rebate on subscription to shares/debentures
- Scope for tax exemption on financing through venture capital
- Import duty rates reduced for various telecom equipment

Source: (i) Annual Report, 2001-2002 and (ii) Indian Telecommunication Statistics 2002 (Policy Framework, Status and Trends), both published by the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India.

Source: Background Paper submitted to the Committee on India: Vision 2020
Telecom Sector in India: Vision 2020
Manas Bhattacharya, IES (Deputy Director General (Finance), Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India)

Kanshiram - Biography

Kanshiram was son of a Raedasi Sikh ( his father converted to Sikh religion  from Chamar community, scheduled caste)  in 1934. , Kanshiramji was the eldest son and  completied..B.Sc degree. Kanshiram got his first job in the Survey of India in reserved categroy. In year 1958 he was transferred to the Department of Defence Production as a scientific assistant in a munitions factory in Pune. As a Sikh, he may not have been subject any caste discrimination. But, in 1965, there was an event in which his Scheduled Caste colleagues had to vehemently  oppose the abolition of  holiday commemorating Dr B R Ambedkar's birthday anniversary. The event might have etched in his mind ‘the power of being in the power’ that can easily abolish the interests of Underclass and he might have resolved to do something about it. He got involved in organizing his colleagues. His activism got intensified by a reading of Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste. The story is that he read the book three times in one night, going entirely without sleep.

            Kanshiramji was mesmerized by the political ideas of Dr. B R Ambedkar which he came to know through his stay in Pune. Maharashtra is Ambedkar's territory. He got instantly attracted to the political philosophy of Dr B R Ambedkar.  He and a friend,  began formulating ideas for an organization to be built by educated employees from the Scheduled and Backward castes.

            He quit the job and in 1971 Kanshi Ram and his colleagues established the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities Employees Welfare Association, which was duly registered under the Poona Charity Commissioner. Their primary object was: To subject our problems to close scrutiny and find out quick and equitable solutions to the problems of injustice and harassment of our employees in general and the educated employees in particular. He did not stop here. He was quite aware of the fact that all over India the nature of the problems of the underclass government employee are someway of similar nature.  Where would they go in order to tackle the problems that directly threaten their services or legitimate rights when they are surrounded by high intensity hostility?  His ideas were of grand scale: immediately with his friend he thought of establishing an all India underclass employee federation that resulted into formation of The All India Backward and Minority Employees Federation (BAMCEF) in 1973, and a functioning office was established in Delhi in 1976. BAMCEF was re-launched with greater fanfare on 6 December 1978, the anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar's death, with claims of two thousand delegates joining a procession to the Boat Club Lawns in New Delhi.

            The size and reach of the BAMCEF started flourishing under the visionary leadership of Kanshiramji. He had moved to Delhi and toured northern states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, etc., and spread his organization. He started a BAMCEF Bulletin to maximize the reach of federation and put together subscribers and made simple presentations of Ambedkar's teachings. The result of it was 'Ambedkar Mela on Wheels' a road-show put together in 1980 that toured, between April and June, thirty-four destinations in nine States of the north India. This was an oral and pictorial account of Dr B R Ambedkar's life and views, together with contemporary material on oppression, atrocities and poverty. Through out the tour he had appealed and educated to the Underclass community to agitate for their political rights as no one would do it for them. He had narrated it as an ultimate gift of freedom that they should present to their brothers and themselves.

               During his tours Kanshiram successfully managed to attract  many employees belonging  to numerous castes and the able and potential leaders to the federation, who later held important organizational positions after the formulation of political wing in the form of BSP.

            In 1981 he formed Dalit SoshitSamaj Sangharsh Samiti abbreviated as DS4, first novel attempt to create a radical political vehicle capable of mobilizing the larger body of Underclass.    He dissolved it in year 1984  and formed a complete political party, Bahujan Samaj Party. This caused major strains in BAMCEF ranks. After much deliberation Kanshiram announced that he will work the BSP and he took as his mission, capturing the political power leaving behind all activities. It saw the split of BAMCEF in year 1986.

            He put in a solid organizational work and his newly formed party made headway in Punjab, Kanshiram’s home State. With initial success in Punjab, he marched into  Uttar Pradesh.   The formal entry of his party into Uttar Pradesh was in a by-election in 1985 for the Lok Sabha seat of Bijinor, in which its candidate was Mayawati. Mayawati had made contact with Kanshi Ram in 1977 while she was a student, and had gradually been drawn into his organisation.  He with his staunch supporters initially worked out on weaning Chamars, the caste he belonged to, from the congress all across the state.  First of all he had won the confidence of the Chamars and instilled the divine value of being the follower of the BSP and trained them to understand to put the party’s interest above everything else. His policy worked. Then Mayawati, worked among her caste Jatavs.  He had then gradually spread the wing of his party to accommodate OBCs, Kurmis, Muslims, Tribes, Yadav, etc. in its fold. The way Kanshiram brought various communities in the party’s fold to the point that its candidate was offered a chief ministerial position was the Kanshiram effect. It came to the power four times in a decade of its formation  was something very mind-boggling for the opponents.    

            Kanshiram and Mayawati worked out and executed number of policies that would increase their party base whenever they came in to power. They formed the government with all the opponent parties that includes congress, BJP, SP, etc. They formed the governments and brought them down at will when they found they were  engaging in the activities that would harms the party’s interests. Each time when they came into power they very smartly calculated how much time that they had in this term or how long their government would last long, so accordingly they were making polices and prioritize them. They never yielded to the wishes of the partner that would dilute or pollute the policy work of the BSP. They never feared elections. Together they formulated the novel winning strategies whenever the state went in for poll. He took  his political mission to  other state such as AP, TN,  MP, Kerla, WB, etc. There he did not meet with the expected outcome but started party units and asked his party to persist with political  efforts,

            Kanshiram is a great man who fought for better tomorrow and inspired many to make the divine difference.

In every sense Kanshiram is the par excellence pragmatic edge of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) who not only shown the way to the underclass but actually led them to the centre stage of government without playing a second fiddle to the so called mainstream political parties. His message was loud and clear ‘If engaged in a political bargain do it in such a way that it would reap a bumper harvest of opportunities for the suppressed Bahujan community, as a whole and not for individuals who will remain loyal servant and burdened cattle of mainstream political parties’. He remarkably succeeded in instilling the message that the Bahujan have to be taken seriously rather than viewed as a vote bank to be exploited by their social superiors. It was as if the world could stand on its head, so that the divine bottom will rule over the self-styled top. He was political mathematician of highest degree. He coordinated his points of political moves well beyond imagination and drew them together that took the shape of considerable pragmatic value and scored exceptional points.

He died on 9 October 2006.

To offer a fitting tribute to the giant the BSP has decided to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Kanshiramji as a ‘Bahujan Diwas’. Even after his death, the BSP is progressiing and it is a credit to his leadership and ideology. His ideology is still helping the party to reach  the important milestones of success on the roads of Indian politics which are mired with the complexities and paradoxes.

Remembering Kanshiram
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DD News Upload

80th Birth Anniversary 2014
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DD News Upload

http://www.ambedkar.org/BSP/Kanshiramji.htm

http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/L6346mmJ2rPkz3gKWfoo3O/Book-Review--Kanshiram-Leader-Of-The-Dalits.html

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ambedkar-and-kanshi-ram-so-alike-yet-so-different/article3405293.ece

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanshi_Ram