Essay No. 5

Kashmir Issue

It’s almost been 70 long years since India and Pakistan has been fighting for land which is known as ‘HEAVEN ON EARTH’ or Kashmir.

The so-called Kashmir problem came into being almost with the independence of the country. Through 50 years have passed, the problem still remain unsolved. Kashmir still remains the most important source of friction between India and Pakistan.

The STATE OF KASHMIR on October 25, 1947 existed as an independent sovereign nation. India occupied it through manipulations and intrigues involving Maharaja Patiala initially and then slowly roping in Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir and Sheikh Abdullah, a popular leader of Kashmir. Both were hoodwinked with false promises and dream of secular India that proved to be a mirage. Hari Singh wanted Kashmir to remain independent. The growing Indian clandestine political activity sent alarm bells to the newly created independent nation of Pakistan. Very little could be done by Pakistan´s shocked Governor-General M A Jinnah whose army Chief General Douglas Gracy preferred to act on the orders received from Governor General of India Lord Mountbatten. An act in desperation by a Kashmiri Major Khurshid Anwar and Major Akbar under pseudonym General Tariq to stop India´s occupation plan lacked initial support from Pakistan army which if provided, would have put Kashmir in Pakistan´s lap lock, stock and barrel. Later Pakistan having no option had to intervene and Pakistan army stopped Indian army´s military advance any further at URI that came to be known as CEASEFIRE LINE

The British withdrew from India on 15^th august, 1947. The princely Indian states were given the option either to (a) accede to India; (b) accede to Pakistan (c) become independent. No serious difficulties arose in the case of the other states. But the position of the Kashmir is unique. It is contiguous both with India and Pakistan, so it could accede to either of them. Both desired it, for the state is not only a ‘heaven upon earth’, it is so far reaching significance from the military point of view. While it was ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, its population was predominantly Muslim. In this fact, lay the real problem, Pakistan claimed it as its own, for it has a predominantly Muslim population.

The Hindu Maharaja was still hesitating whether to join India or Pakistan, when Pakistan encouraged her-war like tribes to enter the state. They were supported by regular Pakistan army. Having no other option left to him, the Maharaja acceded to India and urgently requested for help. The accession was endorsed by the popularly elected constituent Assembly of Kashmir. Indian armies were flown over to Srinagar immediately, and the invaders were pushed out of the Kashmir valley. They could not be thrown out of the rest of the state territory, for to do so would have meant bombing of military bases in Pakistan. As India wanted to avoid an all out war, it complained to the Security Council against Pakistan. A cease-fire was declared immediately, as a result of which Pakistan remained and still remains, in illegal possession of a part of the state which is called “Azad Kashmir” by Pakistan.

The British withdrew from India on 15^th august, 1947. The princely Indian states were given the option either to (a) accede to India; (b) accede to Pakistan (c) become independent. No serious difficulties arose in the case of the other states. But the position of the Kashmir is unique. It is contiguous both with India and Pakistan, so it could accede to either of them. Both desired it, for the state is not only a ‘heaven upon earth’, it is so far reaching significance from the military point of view. While it was ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, its population was predominantly Muslim. In this fact, lay the real problem, Pakistan claimed it as its own, for it has a predominantly Muslim population.

The Hindu Maharaja was still hesitating whether to join India or Pakistan, when Pakistan encouraged her-war like tribes to enter the state. They were supported by regular Pakistan army. Having no other option left to him, the Maharaja acceded to India and urgently requested for help. The accession was endorsed by the popularly elected constituent Assembly of Kashmir. Indian armies were flown over to Srinagar immediately, and the invaders were pushed out of the Kashmir valley. They could not be thrown out of the rest of the state territory, for to do so would have meant bombing of military bases in Pakistan. As India wanted to avoid an all out war, it complained to the Security Council against Pakistan. A cease-fire was declared immediately, as a result of which Pakistan remained and still remains, in illegal possession of a part of the state which is called “Azad Kashmir” by Pakistan.

After having dealt with the problem for fifty years, it is felt that, even to-day, the problem defies any solution, at least in the near future. The situation is in reality absolutely inflammable as, Pakistan continues to send Jihadist/terrorists to wreak destruction in the State.

The plea taken by the Jehadis is that, they are fighting for their right of freedom. India has all through these years sought to find a solution to the problem, which is amicable and mutually acceptable to all the parties involved. The latest attempt to find peace with Pakistan is the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by India.

Even to this step taken by India the Pakistani reply is not a follow up of a ceasefire by them but with guns and shells.

To this sort of a situation where both parties to the struggle have their own styles of functioning, all solutions seem to obstruct any results.

The policy of 'wait and watch' can only be the keyword to the Indian policy on Kashmir, let us see when Pakistan realizes the futility of a cold attitude towards its neighbor and its cold blooded revolt against India in the process of which, only innocent people are jailed, kidnapped and hacked to death.

The net result of all this being a big zero - we remain as is where is even after fifty years of attempting for a solution.

With this situation remaining for so long a period, it does not appeal to any reason that, relations of the two neighbors will ever improve. The relations are keeping on moving down the ladder of discontent and suspicion of each other, and there is nothing - just nothing achieved.

Essay No. 4

Impact of GST

A just and viable tax regime is vital for the sustainable economic growth and fiscal consolidation of any economy in the world.

This assumes a greater importance in a developing economy like India where although we have a high demographic dividend, we are yet to convert it to the proportionate human capital, which will in turn benefit the social and economic growth of the country.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a reformatory legislation which is a single tax on the supply of goods and services, right from the manufacturer to the consumer. Credits of input taxes paid at each stage will be available in the subsequent stage of value addition, which makes GST essentially a tax only on value addition at each stage. The final consume will thus bear only the GST charged by the last dealer in the supply chain with set-off benefits at all the previous stages.

The tax-GDP ratio of a country is an important indicator that helps understand how much tax revenue is being collected by the government as compared to the overall size of the economy and unfortunately, this ratio is a dismal low for India despite having years of high growth, the lowest in BRICS countries.

From 2001 to 2015 the Indirect Tax-GDP ratio has increased from 10.28-11.6 only and therefore there is an urgent need to raise this ratio.

The burden of regressive taxes is another issue that the GST aims to redress. Direct taxes are progressive taxes as they are contingent on the ability of the taxpayer to pay.

In India, more than 60% of the total tax collected is accounted for indirect taxes, implying that the tax structure is extremely regressive and since the rich and poor are subject to the same tax rate which is unfair and therefore the indirect taxes need to be hauled.

Furthermore, the sharing of financial resources and revenue from the tax system between the Centre and the State is made simpler by the GST tax reform.

Furthermore the cascading of taxes with both the Centre and State levying taxes as the taxes levied by the State Government are not available to set off against the taxes being levied by the State Governments.

At the central level GST will subsume Central Excise Duty, Additional Excise Duty, Service Tax, Additional Customs Duty (Countervailing Duty), and Special Additional, Duty of Customs. At the State level, Subsuming of State Value Added Tax/ Sales Tax, Entertainment Tax, Central Sales of Tax, Octroi and Entry Tax, Purchase Tax, Luxury tax, Taxes on lottery, betting and gambling.

Also, the variety of VAT tax laws in the country with disparate tax rates and dissimilar tax practices divides the country into separate economic spheres thereby creating tariff and non tariff barriers thereby hindering the free flow of trade in the country.

This in turn also constitutes high compliance cost for the taxpayers disadvantageous to economic growth of a country.

Along with GST, there are a number of reforms that the Government is bringing in to strengthen the manufacturing bone of India.

GSTN, the Goods and Services Tax Network is being setup with the objective to provide the requisite IT infrastructure and services for the proper roll-out and implementation of GST.

It is a company under Section 25 which implies that its is a non government, private limited company which will not work for profit.

The division of powers is such that the Central Government holds 24.5% equity in GSTN while the states inclusive of NCT of Delhi and the union territory of Pondicherry and the Empowered Committee of the State Finance Ministers collectively hold another 24.5%, the remaining 51% vests with other Government financial institutions.

This company will work towards providing a proficient GST Eco-System. It will encourage and collaborate with GST Suvidha Providers to roll out GST applications for providing simplified services to the stakeholders.

It is also entrusted to carry out research in order to conclude better and best practices and to indulge in staff training and also consultancy to the Tax Authorities and other stakeholders.

Another very important feature of the GSTN is to develop Tax Payer Profiling Utility which is a very important aspect in ensuring efficient administration and achieve the GST goals.

This is the most important aspect of the Goods and Services Tax, in ways bigger than the GST bill too, as the entire structure of GST is contingent on this foundation.

It is an apex body headed by the Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley with the State-nominated ministers and the Union Minister of State for Finance (In charge of Revenue) as members.

It is imperative to note that the decisions of the GST Council will shape whether this ambitious tax reform will achieve its due desired effect or not.

 The present scenario of differing tax rates in different states obstructs cooperative federalism.

GST will bring uniformity and also deplete the cascading consequence of these taxes by giving input tax credit, having a comprehensive tax inclusion with minimum exceptions which will in turn help the Industry to benefit from the proposed common procedures and claim credit for the tax paid.

This will take place in two ways: (a) directly the resources available to the poorer states will increase substantially; (b) indirectly as the tax base becomes more buoyant.The common base and common rates across goods and services and very similar rates across Centre and States will result in effective administration and increase compliance while also ensuring the better management of taxes collected in the State.

Also, there is a provision to maintain the requisite fiscal autonomy to the States with the power to levy additional excise taxes on certain “sin” goods like, tobacco, alcohol, etc.

The complicated tax-levy system categorized by distortions between States and Center which divides the country into separate economic zones with the help of GST will become one common national market.

This impedes the Make in India process which will get a boost through GST as it is making tax compliance easier and removing ambiguity and at the same time as GST will be applied on imports, domestic manufacturing would be encouraged.

Tax Governance will get a positive boost through this regime, mainly, through the feature of input tax credit.

To claim input tax credit, each dealer has an incentive to request documentation from the dealer behind him in the tax chain which will ensure tax compliance. Also this would further require producers to buy materials from registered dealers and therefore will bring in more and more vendors in the taxation net.

There will be reduction in prices of goods as taxes would now be exempted from the production cost and at the same time it will put better goods and services within the reach of a larger number of the populace and as such increase the living standards of the country.

The successful implementation of GST would give a strong signal to the foreign investors about India’s increased creditworthiness, lesser compliance and procedural costs in the taxation sphere and remove the complexities faced by the foreign investors who were reluctant to invest in consonance with the existence of virtual economic zones throughout the country.

Essay No: 2

                                                        

                               India’s Changing Foreign Policy after 2014

The likely defeat of the Congress Party in India’s 16^th general election has prompted considerable debate about the impact a change of guard in Delhi will have on foreign policy. What would India’s foreign policy look like in the event of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government coming to power in 2014, either on its own or with the support of allies?

Many in India and abroad believe that India’s foreign policy is poised for a “sea change” under a BJP government after 2014, especially one headed by the strident Narendra Modi.

According to Sreeram Chaulia , professor and dean at the Jindal school of International Affaire in Sonipat , India, foreign policy under modi-led government will see greater emphasis on commercial diplomacy, “more assertive action in response to [Pakistan backed] cross-border terrorism, ”greater attention to long-term policy planning with a view to formulating grand strategy for scenarios in 2020 and beyond, “a bigger role for the military in shaping India’s national security and formulating doctrines,” and a GREATER say for the states in the government’s formulation and execution of foreign policy.

Not much is known of Modi’s foreign policy thinking. Even the BJP’s election manifesto, which is said to carry his “definite imprint,” sheds little light; just a over a page documents is devoted to foreign policy.

A controversial and polarizing figure, Modi has often poured scorn on the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s “soft” response to terrorist attacks emanating from Pakistan and Chinese incursions into Indian Territory.  This has contributed to a widely held perception that he will be tough in his response to Pakistan-backed terrorism and would not baulk at the use of force. Modi is also expected to take a tougher stand in dealing with India’s territorial disputes with Pakistan and Chine.

What “though” might mean in practice is unclear at this point, and how far Modi will go is hotly debated.

  Some have even argued that he may reserve the right to use tactical nuclear weapons against Pakistan in response to a major terrorist attack. Most, of course, don’t go that far.

 According to Chaulia, in dealing with terrorism emanating from Pakistan, modi could go for “clinical counter-strikes” and covert operations, including targeted assassinations of key figures in the Pakistan-based, anti-India terrorist network. But he “will try to avoid war with Pakistan at all costs because of the obvious danger of nuclear exchange, “he says.

While agreeing that Modi will appear tough with Pakistan, T P Sreenivasan, a former diplomat who spent 37 years with the Indian Foreign Service, argues that  “this toughness will not go beyond a point” as he will realize soon that with “war not an option anymore, a tough approach will go only so far.”

In fact, foreign policy under Modi, Sreenivasan policy under Modi, Sreenivasan says, “will not change in any significant way.” It would be “continuity rather than change, because former diplomats would be advising Modi, foreign policy not being his forte.” Changes if any will be in nuance and not fundamental in nature.

Indeed, a striking feature of India’s foreign policy is its continuity. Certainly there have been shifts, but as Manjari Chatterjee Miller points out in a recent article in Foreign Affairs, “the broad shape of Indian foreign policy has remained the same for nearly five decades.” Even when shifts do occur, they are not “sudden,” “have had little to do with the prime minister’s political ideology.

It is in emphasis and style rather than substance that the Modi government’s foreign policy will differ from that of the UPA. Modi will be less patient with Pakistan and can be expected to base his relations with all of India’s neighbours (and not just Pakistan and China) on reciprocity.

But like another BJP prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004), Modi    would try to reach a final settlement with Pakistan on Kashmir, Chaulia says.

In fact, Modi is reported to have already reached out to Pakistan by sending his emissaries to confer with its leadership.

Vajpayee was assertive in his conduct of foreign policy. Within three months of coming to power, his government conducted a string of nuclear tests, declared Indian to be a nuclear ambiguity. His government conducted a string of nuclear tests, declared Indian to be a nuclear weapon n state, and abandoned the decades –old policy of nuclear ambiguity. His government’s relations with Pakistan were often tense; the two countries fought a near-war at Kargil in 1999 and tensions sorted repeatedly over major terrorist attacks in India. Following a terrorist attack on India’s parliament in 2001, the Vajpayee government ordered a massive, year-long mobilization of the security forces along the India-Pakistan border to push Pakistan to dismantle the anti-India terrorist network on its soil.

This toughness notwithstanding, Vajpayee also set in motion a peace process with Pakistan, engage in dialogue with it at the highest level, reach a ceasefire agreement that reminds the force and initiated a direct bus service between the two countries.

Modi’s critics point out that unlike Vajpayee he is not liberal in his outlook as has not demonstrated the vision that would be required to pursue a lasting peace.

Modi is expected to allow state governments a greater say in the formulation and execution in foreign policy. He has said the states that have special links with other countries whether due to shared borders, historical links, or cultural communalities should be consulted in framing policies and crafting strategies with that country. He has spoken of India’s 30 states as partners in his governments’ execution of foreign policy and of wanting to entrust them with “The task of foreign beneficial foreign relations with at least 30 corresponding partner countries.”

Overall, Modi is likely to be comfortable with federalizing foreign policy only with regard to this state courting foreign investment. On other matters it will be his government that calls the shots.

Of course, all this assumes that Modi will be able to form a government, on its own or with allies. Should the assumption prove false, then India may wall end up with a coalition of regional and national parties.

Such a coalition is very likely to be unstable, with little in common among it’s constituents. Pre-occupied with survival and pulling in different directions, expect Indian foreign policy to be somewhat chaotic, lacking the robustness or purpose that could be expected of a strong BJP government.  

Essay No: 1

                                                                             

                                                               FREEDOM OF INDIA

Despite generally being neglected and discarded in the historiography of India’s glorious freedom movement, it has to be accepted that the Communists played a crucial role in the country’s freedom struggle, As the country commemorates its 70^th year of Independence Day, honouring thousand of stalwarts and freedom fighters who laid down lives for the vision of Independent India, only a few would acknowledge the contribution of communists in the freedom movement up to 1947.Despite generally being neglected and discarded in the historiography of India’s glorious freedom movement, it has to be accepted that the communists played a crucial role in the country’s freedom struggle.

 While the communists were ideologically at loggerheads with the India National Congress (INC), even Viceroy Lord Irwin, in his 1929 speech to the Legislative Assembly, stated that “the disquieting spread of Communist doctrines has been causing anxiety” and declared that the government would take strict measures. But the Communists believed India’s freedom could neither be achieved through British government’s reforms nor by Congress’ idea of peaceful means. For them, socialism was the only way to emancipate the masses from poverty and destitution, ones the country is freed from the imperialist rule.

During the period of 1920-29, a series of conspiracy cases had been levelled against the Communists, including the Meerut Conspiracy case (1929) which resulted in harsh prison sentences. In fact, the Communist Party of India (CPI) was an illegal party for most of the time under the British rule. It was only in 1937 when the Congress ministries came to power in several states that the ban was lifted. But it had to go underground again in 1940, and could only start functioning openly after it supported the anti-fascist allies in the World War II.

Apart from being the first to endorse socialism, the Communities were also the first to advocate complete independence and raise it before the National Congress. At the 1921 session of the INC, Maulana Hazrat Mohani and Swami Kumaranand moved the reasolution for complete independence for the first time. Signed by M N Roy and Abani Mukherjee, the manifesto called upon the Congress to adopt complete independence as its mission and render full support to the struggles of the working class and peasantry.

The year 1928 also saw the Communists succeed in forming big unions, leading plenty of strike-struggles of the working class while advocating complete independence of the country. Workers strike in Bombay, in which railway, textile and municipal workers participated when the Simon Commission reached the port of Bombay, became a part of the national movement for boycotting the Commission.

Although the Mahatma Gandhi-led Congress initially opposed the resolution and sought Dominion status till 1929, the party eventually adopted Purna Swarajya as its own Platform of Action in 1930, listing out a complete programme for achieving independence. Determined to oust the colonisers, the platform emphasised a radical change while calling for confiscation and nationalisation of all 13 British factories, banks, railways, sea and river transport and plantation. Among other outstanding demands included an eight-hour working day and improvement in conditions of labour.

Before the launch of the platform, the Communists had gradually started striking a chord among the workers, the peasants and youth. Sensing their rising power, the British government countered with a spree of case against Communists in Peshawar and Cawnpore in which stalwarts like Muzaffar Ahmed, Shaukat Usmani, S A Dange and Das Gupta were sent to prison.

Meanwhile, revolutionary Mastarda Surya Sen’s daring Chittagaon Armoury raid in 1930 saw the participation of Communist leaders, though the movement was eventually suppressed. However, it managed to send the alarm bell ringing for the Britishers.

In 1934, the Communists succeeded in organising an all-India textile strike with the help of other trade unions as the working class wave continued to surge a year before. The release of political prisoners-mostly jailed in the Andaman and elsewhere-was one of the major demands of the strike.

Later, the communists joined forces with Congress but refrained from surrendering their class outlook and there approach to the national liberation struggle. Many left leaning political activities the newly-formed congress Socialist party under the leadership of jayprakash narayan. The alliance resulted in rapid growth of the communist influence and of the communist party, which made great strides in Bengal, Andhra, Madras, the states of states of Travancore and Cochin.

The communist along with congress socialists deftly utilised the period of congress ministers to mobilise the peasants with an aim to raise anti-imperialist consciousness among them to face the impending battle imperialism. The peasant movement received a shot in the arm following the victory of the congress following the victory of provincial polls in 1937. Formed in 1936, the Kisan Sabha’s membership witnessed a jump of half a million by the time it met its second session at commmila.

When war started in 1939, the communists were the first to launch an anti-war protest strike, which witnessed the participation of then 90.000 workers in Bombay in 1940. They believed that people across the world had been dragged into a destructive war by the imperialist powers. However, following Hitler’s attack on the USSR, the communists underwent a change in their narrative and realist that the victory of anti-fascist combination headed by the USSR was in the interest of the people of the people of the world as well as of the national freedom struggle of India.

Between 1945 and 1946, the British government received a sample of the Indian mind when they put on trail of the officers (Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Sahgal and Gurubaksh Singh Dhillon) of the Indian Nationality Army. The Hindu and Muslim masses came out together despite difference and put up formidable demonstrations because of which arrested officers had to be released. In February 1946, Indian sailors of the Royal Indian Army in Bombay, Karachi and Madars launched a rebellion against Britishers with navel ratings carrying the Communist Party flag and raising slogans of the Jai Hind, Inquilab Zindabad, Hindus and Muslims Unite, and Down with British Imperialism in Bombay. While the naval rebellion was condemned by Sardar Patel, the Communist Party backed the strikers. 

Essay No. 3

Demonetization

    Demonetization of currency means discontinuity of the particular currency from circulation and replacing it with a new currency. In the current context it is the banning of the 500 and 1000 denomination currency notes as a legal tender.

The government’s stated objective behind the demonetization policy are as follows; first, it is an attempt to make India corruption free. Second it is done to curb black money, third to control escalating price rise, fourth to stop funds flow to illegal activity, fifth to make people accountable for every rupee they possess and pay income tax return. Finally, it is an attempt to make a cashless society and create a Digital India.

There is a background to the current decision of demonetization of 500 and 1000 rupee notes. The government has taken few steps in this direction much before its November 8, 2016 announcement.

As a first step the government had urged people to create bank accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana. They were asked to deposit all the money in their Jan Dhan accounts and do their future transaction through banking methods only.

The second step that the government initiated was a tax declaration of the income and had given October 30, 2016 deadline for this purpose. Through this method, the government was able to mop up a huge amount of undeclared income.

However, there were many who still hoarded the black money, and in order to tackle them; the government announced the demonetization of 500 and 1000 currency notes.

The demonetization policy is being seen as a financial reform in the country but this decision is fraught with its own merits and demerits.

The demonetization policy will help India to become corruption-free. Those indulging in taking bribe will refrain from corrupt practices as it will be hard for them to keep their unaccounted cash.

This move will help the government to track the black money. Those individuals who have unaccounted cash are now required to show income and submit PAN for any valid financial transactions. The government can get income tax return for the income on which tax has not been paid.

The move will stop funding to the unlawful activities that are thriving due to unaccounted cash flow. Banning high-value currency will rein in criminal activities like terrorism etc.

The ban on high value currency will also curb the menace of money laundering. Now such activity can easily be tracked and income tax department can catch such people who are in the business of money laundering.

This move will stop the circulation of fake currency. Most of the fake currency put in circulation is of the high value notes and the banning of 500 and 1000 notes will eliminate the circulation of fake currency.

This move has generated interest among those people who had opened Jan Dhan accounts under the Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojana. They can now deposit their cash under this scheme and this money can be used for the developmental activity of the country.

The demonetization policy will force people to pay income tax returns. Most of the people who have been hiding their income are now forced to come forward to declare their income and pay tax on the same.

Even though deposits up to Rs 2.5 lakh will not come under Income tax scrutiny, individuals are required to submit PAN for any deposit of above Rs 50,000 in cash. This will help the income tax department to track individuals with high denominations currency.

The ultimate objective is to make India a cashless society. All the monetary transaction has to be through the banking methods and individuals have to be accountable for each penny they possess. It is a giant step towards the dream of making a digital India. If these are the merits, there are demerits of this policy as well.

The announcement of the demonization of the currency has caused huge inconvenience to the people. They are running to the banks to exchange, deposit or withdraw notes. The sudden announcement has made the situation become chaotic. Tempers are running high among the masses as there is a delay in the circulation of new currency.

It has deeply affected business. Due to the cash crunch, the entire economy has been made to come to a standstill.

Many poor daily wage workers are left with no jobs and their daily income has stopped because employers are unable to pay their daily wage.

The government is finding it hard to implement this policy. It has to bear the cost of printing of the new currency notes. It is also finding it difficult to put new currency into circulation. The 2000 rupees note is a burden on the people as no one likes to do transaction with such high value currency. Some critics think it will only help people to use black money more easily in future.

Further, many people have clandestinely discarded the demonetized currency notes and this is a loss to the country’s economy.

Economists are busy in listing out many more merits and demerit of this policy. The government is saying that there are only advantages of demonetization policy and this will be seen in the long term. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is a noted economist, former RBI governor and former Finance Minister of the country, dubs the demonetization move as an 'organized loot and legalized plunder'.

However, if we compare the merits verses demerits, it will be safe to conclude that the former outweighs the latter.

Even though there is suffering and agony among the masses right at the moment but the forecast is that its benefits will be seen in the long run.

The government is taking all the necessary steps and actions to meet the currency demand and soon the trial and tribulations of the people will be over with the smooth flow of the new currency.

This is not everything about demonetization. In this “demonetization essay” or article on demonetization, we have only tried to give you an idea on demonetization. If you have any more queries please drop a comment for us. We will discuss your points in our next “demonetization essay” or article on demonetization.

Interview Story

"Generate Curiosity Among Students to Learn"

Aurangabad, 4 September, 2017:  "The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book."  Said,Mr. Prashant Dixit ( State Editor of  Divya Marathi, Aurangabad) while interviewing.
Q.What is the difference between teaching and guidence?
Ans.Well, teaching is limited only to a particular topic or a subject whereas guidence is a very vast concept. For instance, in journalism field, teaching will include how to write news, basics of reporting etc. But, guidence wil;l include why to choose journalism as a profession,hurdles in the path and how to overcome them etc.

Q. What are the factors that ditinguish between teaching and guidence?
Ans.Basically teaching and guidence are meant to be same but unfortunately in India, students are only taught bookish language which is not at all implemented in our daily routine whereas guidance is totally experience driven and prctically applicable in our daily routine.

Q.What problems did you face in your academic life?
Ans.Actully, during our time, very few career options were available, so we used to pursue whatever our techers suggested. Basically there were no major problems during my academic life. I used to read various books apart from our syllabus which lso included biographies on various journalist. There were rare journalist who had computer knowledge and only beacause i had degree of computer science.I was selected in Times Of India.

Q.Are guidence and teaching complimentary to each other?
Ans.Actually, guidence and teaching have to be complimentary to each other. Unless and until you become a guide, you cannot teach something property and unless and until you become a proper teacher, you cannot guide someone.

Q.What do you think about current scenario of students?
Ans.I feel that students nowdays are not asking questions, they don't have curiosity to learn. Maybe, they don't get proper quality of education and then they think that this topic might not be relevent to the subject. Teachers today, need to generte curiosity among students to learn.
                                                                                                     
                                                                                              As said to Priyanka Pathade.

Educationl Right

                       "Al-Hussain Education Society"

Aurangabad, 6 October, 2017: The Al-Hussain Society is an organization established to aid education of Minorities specially Muslims, in the state of Maharashtra it was established by sated litemas Hussain Jafri with a view to provide base education to Minorities. Al Hussain Education Society is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) working the field of education and literacy. It works towards the promotion of  sustainable development.

Currently it is a group of about a dozen of educational institutes. Jafri Sayed Hussain, Chief functionary of Al-Hussain Education Society was awarded with "Siksha Ratan" in 2006. In 2012 Jain Syed Hadi Hussain , and Qureshi Ghulam Jilani were awarded with "Indira Gandhi Sadhvana Award".

"Al Hussein Society strives to do the utmost for people with disabilities, from new-born babies to adults, by recognizing their civil rights and guaranteeing then their basic needs of rehabilitation, health care and education. It is our hope that this leads to better job opportunities, social and economic accessibility that would earn them respect in their community and help them to become productive, self motivated individuals and ultimately masters of their own destiny."

Al Hussain Society (AHS), established in 1971 under  directive of His late Majesty King Hussein, is a Jordanian non-governmental organization specializing in the field of physical disabilities.It initially began its services aiding governent-run orphanages, but once involved in a volunteer program, AHS became aware of the need to address the lack of services for those with physical challenges. Thus over the years, AHS has became, and is widely recognized as the ledeing organization in jorden that provide a wide range of rehabilitation and educational programs and services to people with disabilities.

Al Hussein Society (AHS) is committed to creating an indusive society by raising community awareness in cooperation with public and civil societies, promoting laws and safeguarding the rights of person with disabilities, while offering internationally accredited comprehensive rehabilitation programs and training.

In order to ensure proper integrating into the Jordanlan public school system. Al Hussain Society provides a comprehensive learning experience frrom foundation through third grade to children with physical challenges.

The school follows the curriculum of thge Ministry of Education and empowers children to practice their full civil rights and duties, preparing them for their move to mainstream schools in fourth grade.
Al Hussein Society offers specialized training opp[ortunities to people working in the field of rehabilitation in jorden and the Middle East.

Training is also offered to university students working towards degrees in the domain of rehabilitation such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, by the highly skilled staff at Al Hussein Society. 

Tourism

"Pokhara is a refreshing getaway from the crowded capital Kathmandu"

Nepal(Pokhara), 14 September,2017 : Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area.
From Kathmandu tourist buses and crowded local buses/micro buses travel the 200km journey between kathamandu and Pokhara almost every 15 minutes starting at 07:30 through late afternoon. Night buses are available, but the ride is painful. Greenline operates a convenient bus every morning between the popular tourist area of Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara. The road is winding with many bus witch backs but offers wonderful views of hills and rural Nepalese lifestyle. The drivers will generally not drive too fast but some will calmly weave in and out of the stream of opposing traffic and slam on the brakes when a stop is required, making for a scary ride if you look out the front window. During the rainy season, there may be problems with roads and flying may make more sense.
There are some Lakes and Waterfalls
 Phewa Lake. One of Nepal's most beautiful spots, Phewa Tal is surrounded by a combination of monkey-filled forests and the high white peaks. The reflections in the mirror like water in the early morning are something you must see at least once before you die. Hire a boat and row yourself across the lake.

Begnas Lake.Out of town and away from the hustle, Begnas Tal is quiet, clean and peaceful. There are a few basic hotels to stay in and the odd refreshment shop. The walk along the road leading to Begnas Tal is fascinating, the seasonal rhythms of daily life in the country make great images.

Rupa Lake.One of the more remote lakes in Pokhara with limited accessibility and hence more serene and unspoiled compared to the other lakes. A must visit for any nature lover.

Dipang Lake. Beautiful lake where you can find wild louts and wild swan.It is located about fifteen minutes walk from Sisuwa, the city centre of Lekhnath municipality.

Devi's Falls, corrupted from David's Fall after David'sb wife who died here on accidentally discovering a water-fall.

There are some Caves too
Mahendra Cave is a famous cave located in Batulechaur, he northern end of the Pokhara city.

Chamare Gufa-Bat cave. It is another cave located some ten minutes away from the bats that can be seen hanging by the cave's walls. Be aware that the exist is very narrow and a little bit of climbing is necessary.

Gupteswar Mahadev Cave. Another cave famous for it's religious importance located in the southern end of the city. Chorepatan. This cave has a famous Hindu god Shiva. It is opp Devi's Fall and on going its underground stairwell depth one comes across the water of Devi's Fall itself.

So, "if you are visiting Nepal, you must spend a day or two in Pokhara." -Jaya Divate

        "Endowed with heavenly landscape and scenery, Pokhara is truly refreshing getway from the crowded capital Kathmandu." -Nilesh Kangale

Movie Review

                         "Newton movie review"

Aurangabad, 7 October,2017 : Newton is a 2017 Indian black comedy drama film co-written and directed by Amit v. Masurkar. The film stars Natinal Award winning Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil and Raghubir Yadav. The film is produced by Manish Mundra under Dishyam Films.

Newton had its world premiere in the Forum section of the 67th Berlin International Film Festival, and is set to have its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival where it screens in the International Narrative Competition section. It was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academedy awards. At the conceptual level, the movie was reported to be similar to the 2001 Iranian movie Secret Ballot in its plot, backdrop and characterization but totally different in its tone and the treatment.

"Newton Kumar, a rookie government clerk,is send on election duty in the conflict-ridden jungles of chhattisgarh, which is under the control of the naxals. Despite the odds stacked against him, Newton Kumar tries his best to conduct a fair voting process in the region. But in the end the conclusion is we cannot change the system until we root it."  -Ashlesh Khadse

"A classic example of acting is most important part in direction if the on-camera things are considered. This movie tried to touch the problems that are still faced in India like dowry child marriage and their main goal elections held in India." -Prajakta Khiste

"Problems they have shown are said to be gone from the country but it is only on paper.  But one issue which is still one of the favourite is the electron period and the things happen in that. The location shown in the movie is controversial a as this may cause the naxals to revolt against the government. They showed just have a photo in a newspaper or news channel the drama they create. Literally a heart touching movie and could not change the society but at least lit a spark."  -Vaishnavi Malani

"Performances would ring hollow with the lack of a meaningful screenplay. Writer-director Amit Masurkar and Mayank Tewari have painfully captured the bittersweet essence of the people of an obscure jungle that's far-flung from civilization. This is also evident in the cinematography; each shot is thoughtfully structured and lovingly composed. combined with a subtle sound design that's hard to miss-this film has everything going for it. 'Newton' has dared to take on an issue that out of our blissful ignorance. Amidst laughing, it'll leave you thinking, which-and we need to be reminded of this-is what good cinema should do. Both your funny bone and your grey cells will thank you for watching it."  -Ashvin Palkar 

Environmental Issue

                    "Noise level exceeds in City"

Aurangabad, 22 August, 2017: Quasi-judicial officials such as the police and the regional transport office have failed to enforce the notification of the state environment department regarding permissible sound levels for horns and sirens of vehicles playing in the city.
This was revealed in the Environmental Status Report (ESR) released during the standing committee meeting of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Tuesday. The report said the noise levels in the city exceeded the permissible limits by about 30-40 decibels (dB). The noisiest areas were Gulmandi, Baba Petrol Pump square, cidco bus stand, Jalna road and Waluj.

The 115-page report says that the minimum permissible noise level during the day is 45 dB at night.
Noise levels above 80 dB are  health hazard.
In Gulmandi, the noise level was 80 dB at noon and touched a high of 88.4 dB at 6 pm, which was also the case at the Cidco bus stand.

It was after repeated persuasion by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) that the civic body prepared an ESR for the first time by appointing a Nashik-based agency.
"A few months back, the MPCB member secretary had issued directives to the civic body, RTO and traffic police to effectively implement the environment department notification with regard to horns and sirens," an MPCB official from the Aurangabad region said.

"The environment department's notification and the order issued by the National Green Tribunal, western zone bench, Pune, in October 2013 clearly mentions that the police and RTO should ensure compliance of the use of sirens and multi-toned horns as per the prescribed limit, these should be removed from the vehicles concerned.

The vehicles, their owners, users or public authority under which such vehicle is used should be dealt with appropriately for commiting breach of the directions as required under various laws,"the MPCB official said.

The environment department's notification also states that the enforcing authority has been directed to start testing noise levels of vehicles and forward the revised compliance certificate to the transport commissioner to enable the RTOs to register only approved vehicles.

Development story

" Dilasa NGO Committed to uplift the environmental,social and economic status of Rural people"

 Aurangabad, 17 August, 2017: Dilasa is a Non-governmental voluntary Organisation established in 1994 Dilasa works in close cooperation with 25 other smaller  NGOs in Vidhabha and Maharashtra regions it runs farmer's support centre, spreads in formation on various Government schemes meant for the benefit of the farmers and rural population, Presently Dilasa has been reached out to 59000 beneficiaries from 845 villages of Maharashtra State it has been proposed to extend its service in Andhra Pradesh state reaching out to a total of 115000 Beneficiaries from 1200 villages with 5,00,000 of population
Dilasa constructed 292 Phad Models in Vidharbha and Marathwada from 1995. This initiative helped in irrigating 11718 Acres of farm Land, benefiting more than 3906 farmers and their families.
Dilasa helped 7,000 SHG(self help Group) and 84,000 women members from from 11 networking NGOs across 7 districts of VIdharbha and Marathavada. Received credit of Rs. 46,00 Crores benefiting 46,316 members.

Dilasa helped in building temporary shelter, roofing shits, housing sheds, food material, education material in drought and hailstorm affects areas. This aid helped more than 2334 families across 71 villages from 10 districts of Marathvada and Vidharbha.
Dilasa runs a farmer support centre with help of Caring Friends. Mumbai, which assists women farmers, to economically sustainable farming. This initiative helped more than 15000 famine stricken farmers and 238 deceased farmer families.

"Truly dedicated for rural development. Such a nice organisation who working in whole Maharashtra with a good cause."   -Mohsin Jahangir

"Feel proud to have a part of such a great group whose all members working with devotion for improvement in rural part of country."  -Kunal Tadas

"Dilasa organisation is doing a very valuable job for the farmers in the drought areas."  -Pravin Nikam

"AURANGABAD NGO LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2017", presented by World CSR  Day recognise leaders who have contributed value and made change as a strategic tool for sustainable growth. 
Dilasa humbled by this prestigious award which not only makes us more responsible but also gives us the required momentum to work towards achieving our goals. This award was given to Dilasa for its outstanding work done in the implementation of CSR projects.

Water Crises

            "Aurangabad breweries face 50% water cut"

Aurangabad, 27 August, 2017: Breweries in Aurangabad region, one of the main industrial clusters of Maharashtra , have to brace for a 50 percent water cut from Wednesday, to be increased to 60 percent post-May 10 as per directions of the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court that were given considering the severe drought in the region.

The water cut will help the government save 3.12 million litres of water per day, a fraction of the overall requirement of 250 mld of drinking water in Aurangabad, for which there is a provision for the next 120 days even without an industrial cut, an official from the state waterresources department said.

Auarangabad's 11 breweries were already facing a 20 percent water cut,which was increased to 30 percent last week following protests from farmer groups and politicians opposing water supply to the liquor industry during a drought. Besides the eleven breweries and distillers, the Bombay High Court ordered a 25 percent cut for other industries in the belt, up from the current 20 percent.

As per figures from the department, breweries in Aurangabad, including major brands such as Fosters, Carlsberg and Kingfisher, together require 5.207 mld water. 

Ashish Garde, president, Chamber of Maharashtra Industries to any surrounding village in dire need. In the last 3-4 years, industries have adopted measures and invested in technology to function with less water, and a marginal reduction of 10-20 percent would have helped industries run smoothly, but such a huge water cut will have a direct impact on production."

He added that while there haven't been any layoffs till now,such a steep water cut may impact direct and indirect jobs in the coming days. Swadheen Kshatriya, state chief secretary, said, "we are facing an unprecedented situation where there have been four bconsecutive droughts. But we hope this is only traditional, and there will be a good monsoon as experts have predicted. Till then, we are focusing on making treated sewage water available for industries."

In the Aurangabad itself, the government has decided to increase sewage treatment capacity, currently at 163 mld of treated sewage water to cater to the industrial demand in the belt and is preparing to float a tender soon, a senior industries department official said. 

The breweries and distilleries in Aurangabad employ 3,560 people and pay a yearly excise duty of Rs 3,472.76 crore to the state government,with a cumulative production of 382.04 million litres, as par state government data. Besides six breweries-Skoi Breweries, Aurangabad Breweries, Fosters India Ltd, Lilasons Industries and Millennium Beer, a subsidiary of United Brewerirs-Aurangabad district has bevrrage units of Pepsico India at Paithan, IndoEuropean Breweries at Waluj, and three country Liquor manufacturing units at Chikalthana and Shendra.

Food Culture

                            "Nepalese Food Culture"

Nepal(Kathmandu), 13 September, 2017: Fast food, stick food is what  youngsters eat these days in Kathmandu.These delicacies come on hand-held sticks. They are believed to have come from Chine, where they are referred to as 'street barbecue' or shao kao. The idea with shao kao is that customers can choose from a variety of meat and seafood items and get them at a snap of a finger; vendors specialise in serving food as fast as they can. The food item a customer chooses is heavily spiced and grilled on bamboo skewers and served hot. 

 NPP(Nepal ma Pahilo patak-the first time in Nepal), was one the first eateries in Kathmandu to incorporate this shao kao cuisine into their menu, of course with a local twist.

Tej Bahadur Gyabak, the owner of six NPP outlets spread across the city, says, "My brother first experienced this food in chine and was so fascinated with the idea of stick food, he brought it here and used classic Nepali ingredients that would later come to be staples of the cuisine." 

The popularity of stick food is not to being exaggerated here; the 10-year old food service sees almost 300 people at each outlet every week and runs through over 300 kilos of food at just two outlets in Pulchowk.

At most food cafes in Kathmandu, fried mushrooms, momos, Manchurian, potatoes, sausages and even tofu, come on wooden skewers for both vegetarians

and non-vegetarians to devour. They're so popular that customers fail to leave without ordering at least one of each.

Meat items like sausages have always been well-liked among the Nepali crowed; when they are served on sticks, fried and spiced, they become the welcome snack for any occasion. And of course, potato, or aloo, never fails to make it to the diet of the Nepalis-fried alloos just tempt them even more.

I've seen how popular momos have become across the country, the same is happening with these fried food dishes;the skewers might also be one of the appealing aspects that make people keep comining back for more.

Cultural Journalism

"Poets define any Culture Well" Says Ravi Korde

Aurangabad, 12 August, 2017: City-based writer bags prestigious Sahitya Academy Yuva award winner Ravi korde, he got this precious award for “Dhoosar Zale Nasate Gav” (Poetry). “Poem is the voice of those people who does not raise their voice against their problems and sorrows”, Ravi Korde said. Poem is collection of different cultures .If we want to know our society, culture and surrounding, poem is the simplest and expressive way to express ones thoughts.

Ravi Korde said,” During school days I wrote poems for interschool competition. I love Marathi books, so I started reading it seriously. In college life I got what actually a poem is and its seriousness. After that I went to Marathawada Sahitya Parishad Aurangabad. There I met so many popular literary. After that I started to read poetry books, and then I realized poem is very serious thing. It is a very broad concept. ”Poem is straight but not narrow “, Ravi korde said.

Literature is an only medium which connects people heart to heart. Poetry makes people sensitive. It works to maintain values of society. Poetry has that much strength to kill enemies of humanity. “Now a days’ we don’t respect one’s emotions and feelings but poem gives life to a stone, wall, even hardest rock”, Ravi Korde said.

 Ravi Korde said “there were so many poets and literary who has impact on  me. Arun Kholhatkar (poet) because of his poems I got what is actually poem  and its strength. Manohar Oak (poet) he is not so popular but his poetry are  very important. Also Anuradha Patil writes the best. Shridhar Nandedkar he  is from Aurangabad, when I read his poems then I got how to make poems  more meaningful and enhance its beauty. These all are my inspiration from  initiative and still they are”.

Poems never die. And whenever we read poem, every time it gives new  angle, new vision, new start to see the world again. When we write poem, we  use new words and that’s why after every poem we make it more rich by words and powerful by meaning.

Ravi Korde said, “in Hindi poets I like Chandrakaant Devtale, also Rajesh Joshi. I like Vishnu Khare who writes on modern era and overall he writes on our modern lifestyle. Vinodkumar Shukala, Malyalam poet Kessachidanndan, Nilesh Raghuvanshi is from Bhopal, Pranjal dhar,Kumar anupam , Bijoy Barman is from Assam. All these and specially Paash a Panjabi poet I loved his ‘Bich ka raasta nahi hota’ poem. It is very sad to say that he was killed by assuming him as a terrorist. His, ”Sabse Khatarnaak” poem is so popular.

When asked to Ravi Korde, that whether all are poets or Author are pressurized, he answered, “may it be a poet or an author after all he or she is a common person, so obviously they are pressurized by society. Now a days’ if a poet writes against any wrong, bad thing or raise voice, suddenly any party or some bully pressurized by their threat. Now days’ we go through very difficult and different mentality of society. And it’s very harmful to not only people but also for poetry culture. There was a time when people respected each other’s thoughts and opinion of poets or authors but now it’s hard to express. But though there are poets and authors who face this problem and doing their duty.