Margshirsha Krishna 2, Vik. Samvat 2073. Yugabda 5118: November 16, 2016
1. FESTIVALS: CHHATH PUJA CELEBRATED WITH FERVOUR: On Sunday the 6th November evening, after keeping fast for the whole day without accepting even water, women reached Har-ki-Pauri and other Ganga ghats, descended in waist-deep water and offered prayers to the setting sun for the welfare of their families. In a religious cum festive mood, they sang devotional Bhojpuri songs and burst crackers after the sunset. The women had earlier walked to the ghats in procession singing songs carrying on their heads fruits in baskets and other material for worship. On Monday, November 7 before the sunrise, women assembled at the ghats again to pay obeisance to the rising sun as the final ritual of the festival. Chhath, which falls on Kartik Shukla 6, is observed mainly by people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Besides Haridwar, Chhath Pooja was celebrated in all parts of the country with people going to the riverbank in their towns paying obeisance to Lord Surya.
Over 600 Bharatiya-Americans celebrate Chhath in U.S.: They gathered on the banks of the historic Potomac River in the suburbs of Virginia to celebrate the festival of Chhath, making it the largest gathering in the last nine years.
"This was the largest gathering for Chhath Puja," said Kripa Singh, an eminent Bharatiya American community leader in Virginia, who has been solely organising the event for the past nine years now.This year, people came from as far as Chicago, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in addition to those from Maryland and Virginia.
2. RASHTRAPATIJI ANNOUNCES ASSISTANCETO PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE: Bharat will help Nepal for the upgradation and renovation of holy Pashupatinath temple of Nepal. While visiting the Pashupatinath temple during the official visit to Nepal, Rashtrapati Pranab Mukherjee announced that Bharat Sarkar will also assist in renovation and upgradation of the Ghats adjoining the Temple area.He also said that Bharat is happy to assist in the establishment of the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupatinath Dharamshala project, which is in the implementation stage. --goTop
3. NATION IS HONOURED TO HAVE 501 SIGNAL UNIT AND 30 SQUADRON, AIR FORCE: RASHTRAPATI: Rashtrapati Pranab Mukherjee awarded Standards to 501 Signal Unit and Squadron at Air Force Stationin Ambala on 10th November. Rashtrapatiji expressed his honour saying,"501 Signal Unit and 30 Squadron have distinguished themselves through their selfless devotion, professionalism and dedication to service while serving the Nation."
Rashtrapatiji said that on completing 52 glorious years of service to the nation, 501 Signal Unit has performed its role with utmost determination and single minded dedication, both in peace and in war. The unit has been the pioneer of air defence in the Northern region since its inception as an air defence ground station at Barnala.
30 Squadron or 'Rhinos' was formed on 1stNovember 1969 in Tezpur. It was then equipped with the MiG-21 FL aircraft.
Whether flying the MiG-21 or the formidable Sukhoi-30 MKI, the Squadron has an enviable operational record. Its personnel have contributed selflessly and set high standards of professional excellence for others to emulate.Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor of Haryana; Manohar Lal, Chief Minister of Haryana and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff were present during the occasion. --goTop
4. SAMITI PRERANA SHIVIR: Bharatiya way of life is the only option left for the world, saidRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarasanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, inaugurating a 3-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarta Prerana Shivir of Rashtra Sevika Samiti in New Delhi on 11th November. Samiti, the largest women's voluntary organisation of the world, is celebrating its 80thanniversary this year.
"We can guide how to progress without exploitation. Bharat is an example of unity in diversity, which the world can't manage. We don't talk about tolerance but live the ideal of acceptance and respect. Sabki unnati ke liye kaam karta hai (We work for everyone's progress). Also its kutumb vyavastha (family system) has caught the attention of the world," Dr Bhagwat said, stressing on the strength of "matru shakti".
Jain muni Jayant Kumarji, Dr.Mridula Sinha - Rajyapal Goa, Rashtra Sevika Samiti's Pramukh Sanchalika V Shantha Kumari, Pramukh Karyavahika Annadanam Sitaand others were present during the inaugural Ceremony. More than two thousandsevikas from Ladakh to Kerala and Saurashtra to Arunachal Pradeshattended the Shivir.
Paralympic Silver Medalist Deepa Malik, eminent scientist Dr V Shubhajiof National Aerospace Laboratories and others graced the valedictory ceremony of the shivir on November 13.
Well coordinated musical pathaka yog (Dhwaj yog) on a beautiful gangajala stotra and spectacular physical exercises by sevikas attending the shivir were special attraction on the occasion.
Akhil Bharatiya saha karyavahika Alaka Inamdar gave report of the shivir.
Paralympic silver medalist Deepa Malik said "I am privileged to be invited for this shivir. I came here as an inspiration to the shivirarthis but seeing the galore here I'm inspired." Deepa shared though with her physical challenges, she never gave a reason to stay back at home idle. She mentioned that it is this zeal of inner strength and power in a 'stree' that makes her unique. --goTop
5. Dr MOHAN BHAGWAT LAYS STONE FOR NEW RSS BUILDING: A massive seven-storeyed complex, spread over 3.5 lakh square feet, will come up at Keshav Kunj in Jhandewalan, New Delhi, replacing Sangh's old building. The Rs 70-crore complex is likely to be completed within three years. "The new building is a matter of joy for us," Bhagwat said, adding that the building would become the "Sangh Karyalaya only when we convert it into a centre of sanctity, inspiration, purity for Swayamsevaks and the society". "In that sense, the new building brings upon us new responsibilities," Bhagwat added. --goTop
6. A STRONG SAMAJ CAN SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE NATION - DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat stressed on punitive action against the forces inimical to national cause. Addressing RSS swayamsevaks (Ekatrikaran) of the state at Parade Ground at Jammu on 13th November, Dr. Bhagwat called for stern action against those forces who create trouble in the nation and try to harm peace.
Sarsanghchalakji said a strong Samaj (society) can solve all the problems being faced by the nation and to lay the foundation of a strong samaj Dr. Hedgewar had laid the foundation of RSS on the day of Vijay Dashami in 1925. He said law, constitution and administration are helpful in this regard but all of this is not enough and Samaj has to take basic responsibility of transformation.
He said the government can't ignore the opinion of a conscious Samaj and it can make the Government as it likes. He said Samaj can play a great role in this regard. While warning those forces who are inimical to national unity and integrity Sarasanghachalakji said this country is not merely a piece of land but it is the motherland of millions and millions of Bharatiyas and its unity and integrity is of paramount importance.
He said Sangh is wedded to imbibing such character among the people who will live and die for nation and only then Bharat will emerge as Vishav Guru. This task is tough but this is a selfless service and only through Shakhas of Sangh foundation of such individuals is made.
Those present on dais were, Uttar Kshetra Sanghchalak Dr. Bajrang Lal Gupta and Prant Sanghchalak, Brig. (retd.) Suchet Singh. --goTop
7. BHARAT AT 70: DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT AND DISSENT was the theme of a 3-day annual conclave of thinkers, writers, intellectuals and policy makers, India Ideas Conclave: 2016 which was held in Goa from 4th to 6th November. 81-years old Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama, in a video message, said that he was son of Bharat and a messenger of its ancient thoughts. "For 57 years, this body is survived by rice and dal from Bharat," he said. "Essence of democracy is consensus and we need dialogue on issues. Even after 7 decades of Bharat's independence, we could not arrive to consensus on concepts such as nation, nationalism, dharma etc.", said Dattatreya Hosbale, Sah Sarkaryavah, RSS at the Conclave. Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah said while it is alright to criticize politicians and even the prime minister, targeting the country under the guise of freedom of expression is not acceptable.
The 3-day Conclave 2016organized by India Foundation, was inaugurated on November 4 by Swami Tejomayanand of Chinmaya Mission, who stressed that one can learn a lot on good governance from the scriptures.
Railways minister Suresh Prabhu, who chaired a session, also felt that dissent is required in a democratic country but one shouldn't restrict oneself to dissent alone. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said, "Dissent is not only safeguarding of democracy but also vanguard of development." Former Army Chief General V P Malik, the hero of the Kargil war, said, "Throughout service, I have always believed that man behind the gun is more important. We have to look after that man." --goTop
8. VIRTUAL REALITY BRINGS ALIVE THE STORY OF 'IRON MAN OF BHARAT': Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated a special exhibition to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary at the National Science Centre, Delhi on October 31.Designed and conceptualised by the National Institute of Design, the show had around 30 exhibits and featured about 20 interactive and media experiences that allowed visitors to engage with various digital installations explaining Patel's role in post-independence Bharat.
"We have produced four curated films and a number of multimedia terminals where layered information is given to the public about the life of Sardar Patel," said Anurag Kumar, the curator of the exhibition.Rama Sarma, director of the National Science Centre, added that the technological innovations employed at the exhibition were unique for an event of this sort in the country. --goTop
9. THROUGH THE PAGES OF HISTORY: "The British destroyed Bharat's traditional industries like the textiles, ship building and steel and a large number of weavers were thrown out of work. Bharat, which was strong in steel wood, was pushed out of the business. Bharatiya steel wood was so famous that even the Arabs took it", said Shashi Tharoor in a conversation with veteran journalist Karan Thapar after the launch of his book, 'An Era of Darkness: British Empire in India' on November 4 by Upa-Rashtrapati Mohammad Hamid Ansari.Tharoor, a parliamentarian from Kerala, in the book, portraits the ill-effects of the British rule, how it made Bharat an outlet of goods for Britain and how the country could evolve to parliamentary democracy even in the absence of the colonial rule.
On asked if there is any exact figure on how much the British extracted wealth, Tharoor said that it could be four billion which is a whopping amount now. Tharoor said that when people died of famine the British held the view that the land didn't have the capacity to bear them. "The British even acted against the officials who were soft to famine victims". "The British taught English to a minority only to use them as translators", he said. --goTop
10. RSS PATH SANCHALAN ACROSS DAKSHIN TAMILNADU AFTER HIGH COURT DECISION: 6898 swayamsevaks participated in RSS Path sanchalan held in seven districts (Kanyakumari, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Trichy, Tiruppur and Coimbatore) of Dakshin Tamilnadu on November 13. Permission to take out Vijaya Dashami (Foundation Day) Path Sanchalan was denied by respective police and district administration citing the disruptive activities during the Hindu Munnani activist murder recently and local body elections to be held in Tamilnadu on October 17 and 19. RSS moved the Court for justice.
The Madras High Court allowed the RSS Path Sanchalan in the requested 14 places in Tamilnadu on November 6 or 13.The single judge of Madras HC said that RSS cadre should follow a proper dress code during processions and should not indulge in any unlawful activities during the rally and that no slogans affecting the sentiments of others be raised. These Path Sanchalans were taken out as per the Madras HC decision.--goTop
11. PAKISTAN BRIDE ARRIVES IN RAJASTHAN, THANKS TO A 'WEDDING GIFT' FROM SUSHMA SWARAJ: Jodhpur lad Naresh was engaged to Priya of Karachi for the past three years and had scheduled their wedding in Jodhpur on November 7.But delays by the Bharatiya embassy in Pakistan in granting visas for the bride and family had cast a shadow over the function. Finally, with the date drawing near, the groom tweeted a request to Videsh Mantri Sushama Swaraj to intervene and arrange visas for 35 members, including the bride, of the Pakistani family to attend the wedding."We are thankful for the quick response of the minister.All the 35 members got their visas to come to Jodhpur, though, in two parts," said Naresh.Priya and her family reached Jodhpur on November 6 and were engaged in ceremonies ahead of the wedding. --goTop
12. BHARAT IS MY HOME, SAYS BANGLADESHI WRITER TASLIMA NASREEN: "I have been living in exile since 1994. I know I have no other alternative but to live inexile for rest of my life. I feel I have nowhere to go or country to return to. I say now Bharat is my country, Bharat is my home," the 54-year-old writer of a much-acclaimed book 'Lajja' told the gathering at the "India Ideas Conclave 2016", on November 5 in Goa."People must know that Islam must not be exempted from the critical scrutiny thatapplies all other religions as well," further added the writer.--goTop
13. FIVE BHARATIYA-AMERICANS MAKE IT TO US CONGRESS, SENATE SEAT FOR KAMALA HARRIS: Kamala Harris was elected from California to the Senate defeating fellow-Democrat Loretta Sanchez.Pramila Jayapal from Washington, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois and Ro Khanna from California will join Ami Bera, who was re-elected from California, in the House of Representatives.Tulsi Gabbard, who is a Hindu by faith although not of Bharatiyadescent was re-elected to the House from Hawaii.All Democrats, they range in age from 35 years to 52 years and represent the emerging class of leaders.
The victory of Harris is significant because senators are elected by the entire electorate in their states and California is the most populous state in the nation with 18 million voters.The 52-year-old Harris, who traces her family roots to Chennai, is a lawyer by profession and was twice elected Attorney General in 2010 and 2014.
Bera, a 51-year-old doctor, had come under a cloud after his 83-year-old father, Babulal Bera, was found guilty of illegally funding his son's election campaign and sentenced to a year in prison. Prosecutors, however, cleared Ami Bera of involvement in his father's crime and he beat the odds to defeat his Republican rival Scott Jones.
A financial analyst by profession, Jayapal51, defeated fellow Democrat, Brady Wilkinshaw. A civil rights activist involved in immigrant and women's rights causes, she was born in Bharat. She received the endorsement of Bernie Sanders, the insurgent socialist who ran against Hillary Clinton in the party primary.
Krishnamoorthi, 43, who had advised President Barack Obama on economic issues when he was a Senator, received a personal endorsement and a promotional video from Obama. He defeated Republican Peter DiCianni in a constituency that comprises Chicago suburbs.Born in Bharat, he is a technology entrepreneur heading two companies and has also served as Illinois state DeputyTreasurer and an Assistant Attorney General on special assignment to fight corruption.
Khanna, a former federal Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary, won from the heart of Silicon Valley on his second try. With the endorsement of former President Jimmy Carter, he defeated sitting Congressman Mike Honda in a bitter rematch.
Harris has a dual identity: She is also counted as an African American as her father is a Jamaican of African descent and she follows the Baptist faith.After her parents divorced, Harris was raised by her mother Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer specialist from Chennai, giving her equal claim to Bharatiya heritage.
Gabbard's Republican rival Angela Kaaihue launched bigoted attack on her with anti-Hindu statements and called her a "pathetic Hindu 1,000 gods leader." Republican Party leaders condemned Kaaihue and withdrew support to her.--goTop
14. BHARATIYA LAWYER ELECTED TO ILC: 33-year-old Supreme Court lawyer and PhD student Aniruddha Rajput has been elected to International Law Commission (ILC) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a record number of votes. Established by UNGA, the Geneva-based ILC encourages promotion of international law and its codification. Rajput got 160 votes, topping the Asia-Pacific group in the election which was held through secret ballot. "This is a real honour for me and I want to thank the ministry of external affairs (MEA), especially Bharat's permanent representative to UN Syed Akbaruddin, for their support," Rajput said. This was the first time that the MEA did not nominate anybody from its pool of lawyers for the membership and instead decided to go with an outsider.
Analumnus of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Rajput was a member of an expert group appointed by the Law Commission of Bharat to study and comment upon the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty 2015 of India. He has written several books, chapters, articles, conference papers on diverse legal subjects.The newly elected members will serve five-year terms of office with the Geneva-based body beginning January 2017. --goTop
15. AMERICAN HINDUS CONGRATULATED DONALD TRUMP ON HIS HISTORIC WIN: The United States Hindu Alliance (USHA) and the 3 million strong American Hindu community have congratulated President-elect Donald J. Trump, the 2016 Republican Presidential candidate, for wnning the presidency of the United States. USHA has also congratulated the winners of this year's election to both houses of Congress, as well as state and local body elections, including Senator Kamala Harris, Congressmen Raja Krishnamurthy, Ami Bera, Ro Khanna and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Pramila Jayapal. USHA invited the newly elected President, members of Congress, as well as the leadership of state and local bodies to expand their outreach to Hindus in America and improve the ties between America and the Hindu world, especially the largest democracy, Bharat. Hindus and Bharat could be effective resources that the new President can utilize to create a better America and a more peaceful and prosperous world.--goTop
16. 13TH-CENTURY RELICS FROM MAJAPAHIT KINGDOM FOUND IN MALAYSIA: Relics possibly dating back to the 13th-century Majapahit Empire are believed to have been found along a 2km stretch beneath the Malacca river. A group of professional divers apparently discovered parts of a Hindu temple and a fort-like structure. They believed that these ancient finds could point to a submerged city that existed even before Parameswara founded Malacca in 1400.Chief Minister Datuk Seri IdrisHaron, when contacted, acknowledged that he had received a report about the sighting of the relics."But we have yet to get an in-depth report.
"The finding is still vague until archaeologists from the Heritage Department make their conclusions," he said.
The Majapahit Empire was centralised in east Java and was a vast archipelagic kingdom during its peak between 1293 and 1527.
Malacca was once an important town for Majapahit's palace officials and soldiers who made the town their maritime headquarters. --goTop
17. BRITISH PM THERESA MAY WEARS A SAREE DURING BHARAT VISIT: British Prime Minister, Theresa May, visited Bharat for three days to discuss post-Brexit Britain's relations with Bharat, and the way forward. On the final day of her visit, while in Bengaluru, May visited the century-old Sri Someshwara Temple clad gracefully in a saree.Taking time off her hectic engagements in the city, May, accompanied by two priests went around the temple at Halasuru, donning a gold and green saree. --goTop
18. DIWALI CELEBRATED WITH FOOD DRIVE AT BLOOMINGTON: Half a dozen charity-driven organizations will have food to hand out, thanks in part to 135 youths who participated in the 11th annual Diwali food drive in Bloomington-Normal on November 6.More than 1,000 boxes or bags of food were collected and distributed, said Babu Lal Gupta, the local chapter president. "We pick out six charities that will distribute this food to the needy," he said. "Our youth are really the ones behind this. It's because of them that 1,000 families in our community will benefit from this food drive. We care about those in the community who are in need." The distribution started at 10 a.m. on 6th November at the McLean County YWCA in Bloomington.
Sewa International USA is an organization mostly run by dedicated volunteers, working together to serve humanity, said media coordinator Gove Galpalli. The Bloomington-Normal chapter organizes several activities throughout the year. --goTop
19. SRI SRI OFFERS TO REBUILD BURNT-DOWN VALLEY SCHOOLS: On November 1, a generous offer was posted on the official Twitter account of Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the wake of the spate of arson attacks on schools in the Valley over the past four months.His tweet, "I offer to rebuild the 27 schools burnt in Kashmir", had got 5,300 retweets and nearly 5,700 likes showing the online community's appreciation for his gesture.
According to a statement from the organisation, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Art of Living director working in Bihar and Kashmir, has been assigned the responsibility of identifying and rebuilding the schools. "He will work on an assessment report. On November 22, a conference has been planned with prominent Kashmiri leaders in New Delhi," it added. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will also meet project leaders that day.
Rebuilding schools comes under the Free Schools Project run by the foundation, which provides free holistic education to over 50,000 students in 20 states. It has also opened schools in areas affected by Naxalism and natural calamities, among other issues. --goTop
20. IN A TEMPLE IN KALPETTA,PEOPLE WORSHIP MOTHER MALAYALAM: There exists a temple in Kalpetta situated in theWayanad district of Kerala where the preached deity is named after the mother tongue ofthe state, Malayalam. The deity is named Malayalathamma which means MotherMalayalam.The deity of this temple on Rattakoli road close to the Kalpetta bypass has multiple storiesowing to the explanation for her naming.
Legend says that Malayalathamma rescued the folks of the northern district of Wayanadsharing its limits with Tamil Nadu from smallpox.The locals believe that the goddess reciprocates offerings by blessing the women whoare anxious about their marriage. After the establishment of Lord Shiva's idol in the temple itbecame known as the Shiva-Bhadrakali temple now looked after the Kalpetta AyyappaKshetram Trust. --goTop
21. LINE OF CONTROL VILLAGES SEND 4 BOYS TO IITs: Four boys, aged between 17 and 19, from two villages barely 16km from the Line of Control in J&K's Poonch district have made history by making it to IIT. Poonch has now become a 'battleground' for the Bharatiya Army and Pakistan-based and sponsored militants.
Nineteen-year-old Shahid Afridi (his real name) can't hit a six, but became the first person from Shindra village to bag a seat in IIT Kanpur. The backward region of Gujjar Muslims erupted in joy when Aqib Mujtaba (18), Usman Hafiz (17) and Hilal Ahmad (19), all from village Kalai, also made it to the elite engineering school.
Shahid is studying computer science at IIT Kanpur, Aqib mechanical engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar, Usman electrical engineering at IIT Delhi and Hilal computer science at IIT Patna. --goTop
22. HINDU SPIRITUAL AND SERVICE FAIR-2016 FROM DECEMBER 14 TO 18 AT BENGALURU: This will be the second edition of Hindu Spiritual and Service Fairin Karnataka, the first one was held at same venue from December 9 to 13, 2015.
Eminent economist and founding organiser of HSSF, S Gurumurthy said in a press conference in Bengaluru, "Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair intends to provide a platform for spiritual and service organisations and also to motivate, involve the public to be part of the process of social transformation." This mega 5-day conclave will have more than 250 Hindu Socio-religious Service institutions from across Karnataka showcasing their various service activities. Various cultural and spiritual programs, vandanas and seminars are planned on all 5 days. The fair is expected to attract over 3 lakh citizens of Bengaluru and nearby districts. For more details Contact: www.hssfbengaluru.in or HSSF-2016 Coordinator Arakali Venkatesh - 8971422566, arakalivp@gmail.com --goTop
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Ravikumar, sahasamyojak Vishwa Vibhag will visit Thailand, Shyam Parande, Secretary Sewa International is visiting Bali, Thailand and Myanmar. Visitors: Ma Deoroop Teemal, Trinidad & Tobago, --goTop
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: An aggregate or a congregation of men does not make a nation nor do the geographical area and duration of time qualify a society to be known as a nation. A government formed on such a basis can be called a state but not a nation. It is common goal or mission that make a nation. All the constituents strive collectively for something noble… … Service with a spiritual orientation results in man making which is invariably and inseparably connected with nation building. It is the core of all our thoughts behind this organization (Vivekanand Kendra). - Ekanathji Raanaade. --goTop
JAI SHREE RAM
BOLDEST ATTACK ON BLACK ECONOMY
S Gurumurthy
The nation owes a standing ovation to the Prime Minister for taking this unprecedented and high-risk political decision which is a game-changing multidimensional effort to take on corruption, black money, protect national security and prevent capital flight out of the nation by hawala. The stunning announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that from the midnight of November 8, 2016, the presently circulating currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denominations will cease to be legal tender is the boldest attack on the scourge of black money that has been devastating the Indian economy for decades.
The measure called for secrecy at all levels, and the government must be first congratulated for ensuring confidentiality despite the fact that it would have involved consultations at various levels.
Now look at some data. The total currency with the public is close to Rs 16 lakh crore now. It was a little over Rs 4 lakh crore in 2006. Cash with the public has risen phenomenally in recent times.
The proportion of the two high denomination notes in the total currency in circulation is over 85 per cent. It means that Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes account for over Rs 13.5 lakh crore.
The extraordinary rise of the cash economy through high denomination notes was powered by generation of black money in real estate, stocking of gold, bribery and corruption.
While the high denomination notes made illegal businesses, including hawala transactions to transfer money out of India, easy to execute, it facilitated huge tax evasion even in otherwise lawful businesses.
High-denomination notes have made it easy for the bribe taker to handle huge bribes with ease.
The hardest hit by the Modi missile against black money are the corrupt - particularly the political class and the bureaucracy which accounted for bulk of corrupt money. He has fatally hit at both bribery and black money.
It is not that those who have Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes will lose their money represented by the cash on hand in the two denominations. They will have to deposit cash in the two denominations in banks and post offices. They have the time to do so till December 30, 2016.
The Prime Minister has said that the people's money in the two high denomination notes will be theirs and they will not lose it - actually what is cash in their hands in the two denominations will transform into bank deposits in their names.
But those who have the two denominations cannot use them as currency notes after midnight on November 8.
Common people who have limited and legal amount of cash with them will not be affected in any way.
But what about the buccaneers who have sacks and sacks of cash in Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes and deposit it in banks?
They will have to pay tax on the black money they possess. It will not be too surprising if the government rakes in lakhs of crores of tax from the fraudsters. The corrupt who have sacks of cash may have to lose their money as they will not be able to deposit it in their names or in the name of the near and dear.
It is not just a surgical strike against black money. It is also a significant measure to protect national security as high value currency notes in circulation also consist of substantial fake currency printed by Inter Service Intelligence, which will all go up in smoke.
No one can deposit those notes and get genuine currency in return. Yes, as the Prime Minister said, for a couple of days, there will be discomfort for people, traders and others who use cash on a daily basis. But for a huge national effort against black money of this scale, that is a small price to pay. With a substantial part of the Indian economy being transacted in cash it is not an easy decision to take and execute.
The nation owes a standing ovation to the Prime Minister for taking this unprecedented and high-risk political decision which is a game-changing multidimensional effort to take on corruption, black money, protect national security and prevent capital flight out of the nation by hawala. (The New Indian Express, 9th November 2016)
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com
