National Summary:
Politics
BJP is not happy with government’s policies to improve minorities’ status in the country as BJP president Nitin Gadkari criticized the Congress for its "minority appeasement" policy saying this is a threat to the country's unity and will create a divide between the so called majority and minority. The BJP leader also hit out at the Congress for "sheltering" infiltrators from neighboring Bangladesh rising inflation.
The SP and the RJD are committed to oppose the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form at an all-party meeting convened by the government and stick to their demand for quota for Muslim women and backward classes.
Home minister P Chidambaram accepted "full responsibility" for the Dantewada massacre of a CRPF contingent by Naxalites, while all political parties condemned the incident and killing.
BJP is not happy with government’s policies to improve minorities’ status in the country as BJP president Nitin Gadkari criticized the Congress for its "minority appeasement" policy saying this is a threat to the country's unity and will create a divide between the so called majority and minority. The BJP leader also hit out at the Congress for "sheltering" infiltrators from neighboring Bangladesh rising inflation.
The SP and the RJD are committed to oppose the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form at an all-party meeting convened by the government and stick to their demand for quota for Muslim women and backward classes.
Home minister P Chidambaram accepted "full responsibility" for the Dantewada massacre of a CRPF contingent by Naxalites, while all political parties condemned the incident and killing.
Hindu Fundamentalism
The VHP once again wants to disturb communal harmony by raising Ram temple issue as the verdict is expected by year-end from the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court in the main title deed case related to the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex. Muslim community is not interested in any clash and determined to accept the court verdict.
The VHP once again wants to disturb communal harmony by raising Ram temple issue as the verdict is expected by year-end from the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court in the main title deed case related to the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex. Muslim community is not interested in any clash and determined to accept the court verdict.
Insurgency Movements
Maoist rebels killed 74 members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two policemen from the Chhattisgarh police, and destroyed an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in Dantewada district. The attack took place in the Mukrana forest, about 540 km southeast of the State (Chhattisgarh) capital Raipur when the force was returning to base camp after a three-day area domination exercise.
It is revealed by Special Investigation Team interrogation of suspected Naxalites in Gujarat that international Maoist groups are involved in the arms training of Indian Mao rebels and one such session was held in the forests of Kerala. Surat Range IGP A K Singh told that interrogation of Bharat Puwar and Sulat Puwar, who were allegedly involved in Naxal activity in Dangs district, has revealed that members of the Communist Party of Philippines (CPP) had trained a batch of 25 tribals from various parts of the country in guerrilla warfare and the use of arms, ammunition and explosives.
Maoist rebels killed 74 members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two policemen from the Chhattisgarh police, and destroyed an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in Dantewada district. The attack took place in the Mukrana forest, about 540 km southeast of the State (Chhattisgarh) capital Raipur when the force was returning to base camp after a three-day area domination exercise.
It is revealed by Special Investigation Team interrogation of suspected Naxalites in Gujarat that international Maoist groups are involved in the arms training of Indian Mao rebels and one such session was held in the forests of Kerala. Surat Range IGP A K Singh told that interrogation of Bharat Puwar and Sulat Puwar, who were allegedly involved in Naxal activity in Dangs district, has revealed that members of the Communist Party of Philippines (CPP) had trained a batch of 25 tribals from various parts of the country in guerrilla warfare and the use of arms, ammunition and explosives.
Economy
Qatar is interested to invest in Indian energy sector. According to the report, a delegation from India will soon visit Qatar to discuss prospects for investment.
Salman Khurshid, Minister of State for Corporate and Minority Affairs has said reverse brain drain to country has begun and it is a great sign of the world's confidence in India and its recognition of India's potential. Many second-generation Indians are coming back to the country. Top multinationals are sending their top Indian minds to head their companies in India.
Qatar is interested to invest in Indian energy sector. According to the report, a delegation from India will soon visit Qatar to discuss prospects for investment.
Salman Khurshid, Minister of State for Corporate and Minority Affairs has said reverse brain drain to country has begun and it is a great sign of the world's confidence in India and its recognition of India's potential. Many second-generation Indians are coming back to the country. Top multinationals are sending their top Indian minds to head their companies in India.
Foreign Relations/Geostrategic Developments
After the February 25 fruitless Foreign Secretary-level talks, India is willing to have the second round of talks but is yet to get any response from Pakistan’s side. Water issue is getting critical as India refused to accept that it is violating Indus Water Treaty by constructing illegal water reservoirs on Pakistan’s share of water resources. Indian authorities claim that fault lies with Pakistan’s poor management of water resources as it has very short water storage dams and reservoirs.
India wants to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as it is an important regional organization. The government had asked the missions in four central Asian countries, Russia and China to explore the nature of rule changes for joining the SCO that are under way. India's inclination comes amid the SCO's plan to take into its fold more countries from the near neighbourhood, including Pakistan and possibly Iran.
India seeks China’s support for permanent membership of Security Council. External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to China is focused on two issues; China’s investment in Azad Kashmir and improvement of ties with China to increase cooperation in different fields.
After the February 25 fruitless Foreign Secretary-level talks, India is willing to have the second round of talks but is yet to get any response from Pakistan’s side. Water issue is getting critical as India refused to accept that it is violating Indus Water Treaty by constructing illegal water reservoirs on Pakistan’s share of water resources. Indian authorities claim that fault lies with Pakistan’s poor management of water resources as it has very short water storage dams and reservoirs.
India wants to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as it is an important regional organization. The government had asked the missions in four central Asian countries, Russia and China to explore the nature of rule changes for joining the SCO that are under way. India's inclination comes amid the SCO's plan to take into its fold more countries from the near neighbourhood, including Pakistan and possibly Iran.
India seeks China’s support for permanent membership of Security Council. External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to China is focused on two issues; China’s investment in Azad Kashmir and improvement of ties with China to increase cooperation in different fields.
Indian Held Kashmir
A railway track was blown up in Indian held Kashmir. . An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was triggered, probably using a remote-control device, which left a three-foot crater on the tracks, police said.
Separatist leaders of Indian held Kashmir advised people to participate in census. In a shift from their past stand, separatists have not asked people to boycott the Census. On the contrary, they have asked them to actively participate in the exercise. The reason for this shift is the separatists’ concern that the Muslim majority status of J&K is being eroded. Chairman of Hurriyat’s hard-line faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani hinted he wasn’t opposed to the exercise by saying, “There are concerted efforts under a pre-planned conspiracy to reduce the Muslim majority status of the state. The Census is being carried out by the employees from outside the state and they have been tasked to erode the Muslim majority status of the state.” Geelani said Muslims were 85 per cent of J&K’s population before 1947 “but in the subsequent censuses of 1961 and 1981, it (Muslim population) was put at 69 per cent and 64.5 per cent respectively.”
A railway track was blown up in Indian held Kashmir. . An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was triggered, probably using a remote-control device, which left a three-foot crater on the tracks, police said.
Separatist leaders of Indian held Kashmir advised people to participate in census. In a shift from their past stand, separatists have not asked people to boycott the Census. On the contrary, they have asked them to actively participate in the exercise. The reason for this shift is the separatists’ concern that the Muslim majority status of J&K is being eroded. Chairman of Hurriyat’s hard-line faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani hinted he wasn’t opposed to the exercise by saying, “There are concerted efforts under a pre-planned conspiracy to reduce the Muslim majority status of the state. The Census is being carried out by the employees from outside the state and they have been tasked to erode the Muslim majority status of the state.” Geelani said Muslims were 85 per cent of J&K’s population before 1947 “but in the subsequent censuses of 1961 and 1981, it (Muslim population) was put at 69 per cent and 64.5 per cent respectively.”
Social Front
According to the Annual Flow Report released by the US Department of Homeland Security the number of Indians receiving the coveted Green Card or the Legal Permanent Residency status in the US has experienced a considerable decline in the past three years. Latest official figures released showed that the number of Indians being granted the Green Card has declined each year since 2007. In 2009, as many as 57,309 Indians received the Green Card, while in 2008 the figure was 63,352 and the previous year in 2007 as many as 65,353 Indians had received the Legal Permanent Residency Status. India was, however, among the top five countries who provided the maximum number of LPRs to the US in 2009.
Regional Summary:
According to the Annual Flow Report released by the US Department of Homeland Security the number of Indians receiving the coveted Green Card or the Legal Permanent Residency status in the US has experienced a considerable decline in the past three years. Latest official figures released showed that the number of Indians being granted the Green Card has declined each year since 2007. In 2009, as many as 57,309 Indians received the Green Card, while in 2008 the figure was 63,352 and the previous year in 2007 as many as 65,353 Indians had received the Legal Permanent Residency Status. India was, however, among the top five countries who provided the maximum number of LPRs to the US in 2009.
Regional Summary:
Central India/Hindi Heartland
Opposition parties included Congress held protest in Chhattisgarh on Thursday against the massacre of 76 troopers by Maoist guerrillas. The shutdown hit life in the five districts- Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker. Schools remained closed across the state while shopkeepers downed their shutters as a mark of protest. Chhattisgarh state Congress president Dhanendra Sahu told reporters here that the strike was called to protest the flawed policies of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) that resulted in the the killing of 76 troopers Tuesday in the biggest ever attack carried by Maoists.
Opposition parties included Congress held protest in Chhattisgarh on Thursday against the massacre of 76 troopers by Maoist guerrillas. The shutdown hit life in the five districts- Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker. Schools remained closed across the state while shopkeepers downed their shutters as a mark of protest. Chhattisgarh state Congress president Dhanendra Sahu told reporters here that the strike was called to protest the flawed policies of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) that resulted in the the killing of 76 troopers Tuesday in the biggest ever attack carried by Maoists.
Eastern States
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee announced that the state government will implement 10 per cent Muslim reservation in government jobs at the earliest. He argued that if Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can be provided with reservation, why Muslims can’t be provided the same as they are equally backward. Stressing on the overall minority development, the CM also announced that in 12 districts of the state, Rs 500 crore would be spent as Multi-Sectoral Development Fund for the overall development of minorities.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee announced that the state government will implement 10 per cent Muslim reservation in government jobs at the earliest. He argued that if Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes can be provided with reservation, why Muslims can’t be provided the same as they are equally backward. Stressing on the overall minority development, the CM also announced that in 12 districts of the state, Rs 500 crore would be spent as Multi-Sectoral Development Fund for the overall development of minorities.
Southern States
The World Bank is ready to give a massive grant to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore to develop the city traffic and public transportation infrastructure. World Bank team identifyied measures necessary to improve road network, signages, public transport, pedestrian facilities, multi-level parking et al, senior civic officials concluded that a whopping Rs. 4,128 crore was required for the same. The large-scale perspective plan was prepared for seeking funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Kerala has decided to seek Rs 165 crore as assistance from the Centre to tackle drought conditions. According to Revenue Minister K P Rajendran, the state wanted central support of Rs 115.69 crore for maintaining water supply through short-term schemes in drought-hit areas.
The World Bank is ready to give a massive grant to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore to develop the city traffic and public transportation infrastructure. World Bank team identifyied measures necessary to improve road network, signages, public transport, pedestrian facilities, multi-level parking et al, senior civic officials concluded that a whopping Rs. 4,128 crore was required for the same. The large-scale perspective plan was prepared for seeking funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Kerala has decided to seek Rs 165 crore as assistance from the Centre to tackle drought conditions. According to Revenue Minister K P Rajendran, the state wanted central support of Rs 115.69 crore for maintaining water supply through short-term schemes in drought-hit areas.
Western States
Sudhir Mungantiwar was unanimously elected Maharashtra BJP president at the party's State convention, which began at Jalgaon on Friday.
The relocation of slums from the riverfront development area spanning from Subhash Bridge to Sardar Bridge is expected to adversely impact attendance in at least 10 municipal schools. Nearly 4,000 children will feel the pinch from the coming academic session.
Sudhir Mungantiwar was unanimously elected Maharashtra BJP president at the party's State convention, which began at Jalgaon on Friday.
The relocation of slums from the riverfront development area spanning from Subhash Bridge to Sardar Bridge is expected to adversely impact attendance in at least 10 municipal schools. Nearly 4,000 children will feel the pinch from the coming academic session.
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