The Narendra Modi thread

[Texan]

didn't he claim he was going to put the black money stashed abroad in the accounts of the poor ?

Is that part of the Pradhanmantri Jan-Dhan Yojana? I would like to see where he made that claim.

[Precambrian]

How Narendra Modi turned Parliament House into a rockstar's stage You got the sense there was something about Modi when world leaders had their official handshakes with Tony Abbott at the G20 summit. While the other leaders offered brief handshakes and stiff smiles, India's Prime Minister strode out of the wings to greet his Australian counterpart with an exuberant hug. You got the same sense about Narendra Modi when he was later mobbed by chanting fans at the unveiling of a statue in Brisbane and then tweeted about how touched he was. And again when thousands of Indian Australians spent a day dancing, drumming and partying in anticipation of his speech in Sydney. But when Modi began to address the parliament in Canberra on Tuesday, we knew for sure there was something about the Indian Prime Minister. It wasn't just that he acknowledged Indigenous Australians when Mr Abbott did not. Or that he wondered how MPs were surviving a third address to parliament by a world leader in as many days. "Maybe this is Prime Minister Abbott's way of shirtfronting you," he suggested with the hint of a wink. It wasn't even the fact that – although he had an autocue – he appeared not to be speaking from prepared notes. He was eyes up all the way through. It was because as soon as Modi got stuck into the substance of his address, he had the normally rowdy House of Representatives hypnotised. "I come to you with the greetings of 1.25 billion people … and today I have come to unite in spirit, as we once were in geography," he declared. In cadences befitting of someone who is a published poet as well as a politician, Modi spoke of how democracy offers "the best opportunity for the human spirit to flourish" and loaded praise on Australia, whose cities are "alive with [the] richness of this world's diversity". But his stylish words also carried a serious message: India is open for business. There are 800 million Indians under the age of 35, "eager for change, willing to work for it because, now they believe that it is possible". "Young Indians want energy that "does not cause our glaciers to melt," cities that are "smart, sustainable and liveable" and villages that "offer opportunity". And they want Australia's help to get there. "India will be the answer to your search for new economic opportunities … your source for world class skills at home or for a manufacturing location abroad," he said with all the polish and confidence of a new car salesman. As he concluded with a simple "thanks a lot," the chamber rose in a standing ovation. They were not just being polite. If Madam Speaker had let them, they would have whistled, whooped and charged the stage. That's what you do when you see a rockstar perform. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/how-narendra-modi-turned-parliament-house-into-a-rockstars-stage-20141118-11p4qn.html#ixzz3JOwkcQ9c

[Malcolm Merlyn]

He takes every platform as his election rally. That is what happens when you keep doing campaigning for years. Somebody should tell him that he represents India' date=' not himself.[/quote'] No.He is telling people that he is trying to change the way India works. Atleast he has brought them into the system.1st step towards making sure that all subsidies and money for diffeŕent schemes go directly to tge accounts of the poor and not through babus and patwaris who end up swallowing half that money.

[coffee_rules]

http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Modi-is-like-a-brother-Australian-PM-says/articleshow/45192639.cms Modi is like a brother!

[Yoda-esque]

http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Australian-PM-Tony-Abbott-returns-11th-century-stolen-idols-to-Modi/articleshow/41807643.cms

[moniker]

didn't he claim he was going to put the black money stashed abroad in the accounts of the poor ?

That's a populist measure if true. I'd rather have the money used for creating jobs, building infrastructure etc than simply doling out to the poor. Maybe he meant the money would be loaned to the poor.

[BeautifulGame]

The problem with Jan Dan Yojaya was lack of clarity when the scheme was launched . And due to poor info about the details of insurance etc initially even people who already have account have large no opened accounts under this scheme .So u have to take these 6 crore figures with a pinch of salt . Only in the last month or so clear instructions about the scheme is available . Also its not some revolutionary idea from Modi. Congress had been implementing it under the financial inclusion process .BJP has just rebranded it and presented it under a different name As for the zero balance accounts these accounts are opened to bring govt benefits directly to people .Not as regular savings accounts ATM.So that's hardly a fair criticism .

[BeautifulGame]

didn't he claim he was going to put the black money stashed abroad in the accounts of the poor ?

That was a figurative speech and not to be taken into literal sense . How would u even classify which account are poor in the first place

[Sachin=GOD]

He is telling them that he can and will override the bureacracy if need be and that he can make the infamous Indian bureacracy work as it shouod work.

He should certainly tell that to them but in private. Ridiculing them publicly on a foreign tour is not the way to do it.

[RedFever]

Tony Abott and Modi looks like long lost friends.

[Texan]

That's a populist measure if true. I'd rather have the money used for creating jobs' date=' building infrastructure etc than simply doling out to the poor. Maybe he meant the money would be loaned to the poor.[/quote'] No sir, that is not true.

[Precambrian]

Spoke in fluent English. Wonder why he uses translators.

[diga]

Subramaniam Swamy made a comment in Barkha's show today.. that the PM was also an RSS pracharak and Hindutva is one of his agenda.. Hope Modi steers clear of controversies for some time. He can rule for next 10 years if his minions allow him to

[diga]

GST Bill may be tabled in this session of parliament...petrol prices have helped

[bulbul]

GST Bill may be tabled in this session of parliament...petrol prices have helped

Jaitley can take some credit if it tabled. Still states like WB not ready to join...

[bulbul]

Looks like Petroleum products may not be involved in GST for few years....still something is better than nothing

GST needs a constitutional amendment passed with a two-thirds majority by both houses of parliament and at least 15 states. Agreement has always seemed round the corner, but at the last minute has proved elusive so far

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/gst-bill-set-to-be-tabled-as-states-key-demands-met-114121600038_1.html

[scorpio90]

Christians not in favour of anti-conversion law: Archbishop Anil Couto http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/christians-not-in-favour-of-anti-conversion-law-archbishop-anil-couto/

Delhi Archbishop on Thursday said the Christian community was not in favour of any anti-conversion legislation and called the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ campaign of certain RSS-linked outfits a “threat†to peace and harmony. “Conversion is a matter of choice and is guaranteed by the Constitution. Why do we need a separate bill for ensuring ‘Freedom of religion’ or banning conversions? Christians are not in favour of any such law,†Archbishop Anil Couto said in New Delhi. “The fact that people are being offered Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and other privileges within the domain of government adds to our fear that these elements enjoy patronage from certain quarters,†he said. Under fire from Opposition parties for allowing RSS and its affiliates to push ahead with their conversion and “ghar wapsi†campaigns, the government had last week told Lok Sabha that it was in favour of anti-conversion laws in all states and at the Centre too. Five states including Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha — currently have anti-conversion laws. John Dayal (the former NAC supremo), former National President, All India Catholic Union alleged that the proposal for a law against conversions was targeted at minorities. He also said that the Christians are disappointed on the government’s move to ‘enforce’ Good Governance Day celebrations on December 25, when Christmas is celebrated. The Delhi Archbishop said that they had submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajanath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “listing the discriminations†being faced by the Christian community across the country.

So they want conversion to be a one way street.

[someone]

The double standards over conversions The million-dollar question that begs for an answer is: Why is it that an amateurish attempt to convert a handful of Muslims by fringe Hindu elements garners so much attention while large-scale systematic attempts to subvert Hinduism go unnoticed or are deliberately overlooked, asks Vivek Gumaste. The vociferous, high decibel, holier than thou protestations in Parliament against the alleged forced/induced conversion of 57 Muslim families in Agra by the Dharam Jagaran Samiti, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh affiliate, stands out as a classic case of malignant obfuscation; an ersatz expression of secular ethos. It is a manufactured smoke screen that deliberately clouds the picture, distorts the reality and allows for wild accusations to be bandied about -- in short a deceptive jamboree orchestrated by beleaguered political factions facing political extinction and serves the interests of parochial proselytising religious groups who fear more active scrutiny of their hitherto unhindered nefarious activities from the new dispensation in power. At the crux of the current controversy is the charge that the Muslims belonging to a clan of indigent rag-pickers were lured, tricked or intimidated into changing their faith. Let us test the validity of this accusation by applying the principles of simple logic and plain common sense. For one, Agra is not a tribal enclave in the middle of nowhere, cut off from all civilisation -- it is a bustling city of 18 lakh people with at least a 13 per cent Muslim population. Second, I would credit even these lowly rag-pickers with a modicum of street sense in this era of ubiquitous media presence (published reports indicate that at least the leader of the group did possess a television). Third, Ved Nagar where the conversions occurred, has a Bahujan Samaj Party MLA and Agra is in Uttar Pradesh which has a Samajwadi Party government -- both inimical to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the RSS. So, in this milieu, it seems highly implausible that a group of over 200 Muslims could be coerced, bribed or conned in broad daylight. A telling photo in the Times of India depicting Muslims with bright red tikkas and boldly holding up an idol of Shri Hanuman, negates the conjecture of force. In addition, a BBC report avers: 'Another resident Mumtaz, however, said that no one had forced her to attend the ritual and that all those who attended had done so voluntarily.' (Analysis: Geeta Pandey, BBC News, Delhi, December 11). A more likely scenario is that these Muslims, after having voluntarily converted, backtracked under immense pressure from Muslim clerics and strong-arm tactics of local political leaders after a controversy erupted post the conversions. The sanctimonious posturing by political parties has hypocrisy and double standards written all over it, when analysed objectively: Christianity and Islam both have long track records of luring people into their fold by dubious means. The Church-sanctioned violence was central to Christian conversion in the Middle Ages: brutal Inquisitions in Europe and closer to home in Goa and the blood-drenched rampage of Spanish Conquistadors in South America are testimony to this. In deference to modern times, the Church has changed tack, using crafty strategic planning, subtle deception and monetary inducement instead -- as outlined in an excellent expose conducted by Tehelka (February 7, 2004) which is no admirer of Hindutva. Aggressive Christian proselytisation in India is not a fantasy of hardcore Hindutva elements but a reality. An array of ambitious projects titled AD2000, Joshua Project and Operation Agape have been conceived to Christianise India that involve a meticulous mapping of India’s terrain by pincodes and demography to identify vulnerable areas ripe for exploitation to effect this master game-plan. In an essay titled, Preparing for the Harvest, (Tehelka, February 2004) V K Shashikumar writes: 'Religious expansionism has not witnessed this scale, scope, and State resources in a long time. Detailed investigations by Tehelka reveal that American evangelical agencies have established in India an enormous, well-coordinated and strategised religious conversion plan. At the heart of this complex and sophisticated operation is a simple strategy -- convert locals and then give them the know-how and money to plant their own churches and multiply.' Elaborating on these dubious tactics, another article in the Tehelka expose, Those That Shall Deliver, states: 'The modus operandi for evangelical activities is simple, even if scary: Channel exorbitant funds… circumvent the Indian law banning registration of new missionaries by sending ‘men of God’ on tourist visas; use Indians already converted to convert fresh faithfuls.' Review of FCRA filings indicate that a whopping $1.2 billion (about Rs 74,000 crore) finds its way to Christian NGOs every year to harvest Hindu souls. Between 2006 and 2013, one single NGO alone, Harvest India, a Christian missionary organisation based in Andhra Pradesh, received Rs 33 crore. Despite claims of soft Sufi evangelism, the sword was undoubtedly the dominant facilitator of Muslim proselytisation in the middle ages. In the current era, money funneled in from Arabic countries has replaced the sword, as was evident in the Meenakshipuram conversions: a sentinel event that saw 1,000 Hindus convert to Islam in 1981 and led to a Hindu reawakening of sorts. Even Christophe Jaffrelot, a French Indologist and well-known Hindu baiter, attests to the use of material benefits and exploitation of Hindu fault lines in his book, Religion, Caste and Politics in India. Referring to the Meenakshipuram conversions he writes: 'This chain of conversions was approved by Muslim political leaders, who did not hesitate at times to patronise or supervise conversion ceremonies, the building of mosques etc' (The Hindustan Times, July 22, 1981). Reports in newspapers which could not be suspected of Hindu nationalism were also primarily interested in the amounts which would have been paid to those who had converted (as much in some cases, it was said, as Rs 500), the money supposedly having come from Arab countries (The Times of India, July 18, 1981). Thus arose the convictions to an international conspiracy, illustrated in an article which appeared on the front page of The Times of India, entitled ‘International Islamic conspiracy for mass conversion of Harijans’ (March 21, 1981). The author referred to an account published in the Arab Times (Kuwait) regarding a report from the Islamic Cultural Centre (London) which announced the conversion of 80 to 120 million Hindus thanks to Gulf money and to the so-called appeal by the president of the Jamaat-al-Islami, made during its February session in 1981 to double the demographic strength of the Muslim community. The million-dollar question that begs for an answer is: Why is it that an amateurish attempt to convert a handful of Muslims by fringe Hindu elements garners so much attention while large-scale systematic attempts to subvert Hinduism go unnoticed or are deliberately overlooked? If this is not double standards, then what is? Regardless of the merits or demerits of this specific case, it would be a gross miscarriage of justice if the Hindu community was browbeaten into silence; a double dose of injustice in the light of continued Muslim and Christian infractions. But neither should the Hindu community pursue a path of violent confrontation in the larger interest of the nation. In a pluralistic country like India which boasts of diverse religious communities, mutual understanding and cooperation are vital to the maintenance of secular harmony with the onus being equally distributed among all religions. All parties should take up the government call for a debate on banning conversions, which is logically and morally a robust panacea for this seemingly intractable dilemma. The right to convert is not explicit in the Constitution as the Supreme Court of India explains. In a landmark judgment on September 2, 2003, the court said it must be remembered that Article 25(1) '…postulates that there is no fundamental right to convert another person to one’s own religion because if a person purposely undertakes the conversion of another person to his religion, that would impinge on the freedom of conscience guaranteed to all the citizens of the country alike.' But banning conversions is not synonymous with abrogating the right to freedom of religion. An individual can still change his faith but of his own volition without succumbing to propaganda, monetary inducement or fear. Mahatma Gandhi, the conscience of modern India, called conversions the ‘deadliest poison that ever sapped the fountain of truth,’ and declared: “If I had the power and could legislate, I should stop all proselytising.” Will we heed the Mahatma’s advice or pay mere lip service to his sayings? Vivek Gumaste

It's a big challenge in India, our media and Congress party has been fooling our people for long time. It's about time these issues gets debated and a reality check with facts and figures be presented. There is a big business out there which deserves urgent attention and correction.

[Sachin=GOD]

One after the other there are hate speeches/statements by BJP MPs/MLAs but no action is being taken against any of them for spreading hate. To me this seems like a strategic thing being done in the run up to the Bihar/West Bengal and UP elections in the next 2 years.

[bulbul]

One after the other there are hate speeches/statements by BJP MPs/MLAs but no action is being taken against any of them for spreading hate. To me this seems like a strategic thing being done in the run up to the Bihar/West Bengal and UP elections in the next 2 years.

Too much "seems" from you in last 1 year in this thread :giggle: