Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister approached the Indian Embassy at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia seeking to export Indian eggs to their country as Malaysia has been facing shortage of table eggs for the past few months. As chicken and eggs are part of their staple food, it is considered as a serious food security issue by the Malaysian Government. Based on the Malaysian Minister’s request, the High Commissioner of India at Kuala Lumpur shot off a letter to the Union Government on 12 December 2022 detailing the shortage of eggs in Malaysia and their interest in importing the same from India.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) expedited the certification process and facilitated trial “First ever shipment of eggs” from Namakkal, Tamil Nadu to Malaysia. Around 90000 eggs were air lifted from the Tiruchirapalli airport on 14 December 2022 which landed in Malaysia in the morning hours of 15 December 2022.
The exports are expected to continue once the trial shipment is approved and accepted by Malaysians.
On Sunday (18 December 2022), V. Senthilbalaji, the DMK Minister in-charge of selling liquor to Tamil Nadu people got personal with Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai levelling allegations about the latter’s watch.
In a social media post, the DMK Minister claimed “Annamalai, (referring him derogatorily) who claims to own just 4 goats as his property, is wearing a Rafale watch, which costs more than ₹5 lakhs of which there are only 500 wristwatches. If he can show the receipt of that watch in the next one hour, many commoners can also buy and enjoy.”
Calling Annamalai a ‘national disease’, the DMK Minister said “A ‘national disease’, sorry a ‘nationalist’ wearing a foreign watch, how come he rose to the level of wearing a watch worth ₹5 lakh?”
The Minister’s choice of words to refer to the BJP leader is indicative of the gutter level politics of Dravidian Stockists.
The rant by the DMK minister in-charge of liquor sales is indicative that he is rattled by Mr. Annamalai’s recent speech at Kovilpatti.
Annamalai’s message at Kovilpatti was loud and clear. Tamil Nadu is at the cusp of a political change. This is the age of politics by the common man, for the common man and of the common man. The space is slowly ceding away from the corrupt crocodiles of Dravidian Stockists.
Feeling the heat, the DMK seem to have stumbled Annamalai’s ₹4 lakh worth Rafale watch.
A Dare To DMK
Unlike Dravidian Stockist politicians who live a luxurious life by minting money under the table at the cost of the common man, Annamalai is a man who was a successful IPS officer, received a monthly salary and post voluntary retirement, he has been receiving a standard agricultural income.
First things first, it has been clarified by Annamalai that the watch was bought by him in May 2021, the details of which he has announced to release in the coming days.
The watch costs ₹3.9 lakh (including import duty) and is the Rafale special edition which was made when India ordered Rafale aircraft and it has parts of Rafale aircraft.
According to Annamalai, the watch was bought to commemorate the occassion of India successfully purchasing the Rafale aircrafts from France. The watch may not be made in India but it is a memento of a rising India that has successfully added more firepower with Rafale aircrafts. Unlike the defence deals of Congress era, this deal happened without the involvement of middlemen like Ottavio Quattrocchi (Bofors) or Christian Michel James (Augusta Westland). Despite the Supreme Court of India categorically giving a clean chit to the Modi government, that the DMK is still harping on to this done-and-dusted deal is testimony to their political deficiency.
But Annamalai isn’t your usual politician on whom one can sling mud and get away. As he says often and is evident from his acitivities, he gives as good as he gets. Annamalai has announced that he would be furnishing all his lifetime Income Tax statements, photocopies of his bank account records for the last 10 years with every single income accounted for, details of movable and immovable properties worth more than ₹1 lakh that he holds, and the goats and cows he owns.
“If anybody can find 1 paise of property more than what I have declared anywhere in the world, then all of my property will be given to the Govt. Now I leave it to my TN brothers & sisters to decide whether they want to seek this from the DMK party leaders as well.” Annamalai has dared the DMK.
Does Senthilbalaji or any other DMK leader for that matter have the guts and the gumption or atleast an inch of self-respect to declare their sources of income and assets publicly?
His Attachment To Noble Cause
Arvinth, a BJP sympathizer from the USA who is also the coordinator of BJP Tamil Nadu’s USA Chapter shared an interesting anecdote that happened when he got a chance to host Annamalai during the latter’s recent trip to the US.
Annamalai apparently wanted to buy a winter jacket and was suggested the brands of Nike, Adidas and Columbia by Arvinth as the state of Oregon is known for its employee stores where the latest models are available at discounted price.
But Annamalai was particular about getting a jacket of the Patagonia brand. He got the Patagonia jacket from California, where things are a little expensive.
When asked ‘why Patangonia?’, Annamalai revealed an interesting bit of information. Patagonia’s billianaire owner Yvon Chouinard has given away his company’s profits into saving the planet. As a token of gesture towards this cause, Annamalai wanted to purchase the Patagonia jacket no matter its cost.
Because our Thalaivar @annamalai_k is a man of principles and I’ve seen that first hand. When he was in US, he wanted to buy a winter jacket. Our state (Oregon) is known for employee stores of Nike, Columbia and Adidas where you get latest and greatest models/designs at https://t.co/QgyBXkFOPf
Krishna Kumar Murugan, a political researcher who also closely works with Annamalai, said that Annamalai is the typical hard-working middle-class person who saves money to spend it on something they hold dear.
“Few of us who’ve known Mr. Annamalai well and have seen him from close quarters have witnessed how protective he is of his family. He and his wife don’t attend public events together, fearing overexposure and maintaining high standards of privacy. Though they do not appear in public together, attend events together, he ensures that he spends quality time with his family amidst his packed schedule.”, Krishna Kumar said.
Annamalai’s wife who did her graduation from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore went on to do her masters from IIM Bengaluru post which she began her career with JSW Steel in 2009. She was a Business Planning manager at Hewlett Packard from June 2013 up until June 2021. She Co-Founded CoRE Talent and Leadership Development and has been running it successfully.
Few of us who’ve known @annamalai_k well and have seen him from close quarters have witnessed how protective he is of his family.
He & his wife don't attend public events together, fearing overexposure and maintaining high standards of privacy. (5/7)
A ‘Watch’ful Protector Exposing The Atrocities Happening Under DMK’s Watch
Devoid of any issues, the Congress tried to portray Prime Minister Narendra Modi as corrupt by peddling allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal. But they failed miserably as the people of India never bought Rahul Gandhi’s claims. They may have a hundred complaints against the Modi government, but not one would question PM Modi’s honesty and integrity.
The DMK is trying to do the same with Annamalai who has had a clean career and a track record. Be it the Pongal kit scam, the Deebavali sweetbox scam, the Passport scam or the BGR Energy scam, Annamalai has been exposing the irregularities happening under the DMK’s watch. Now that the DMK has picked on Annamalai’s watch, bad time seems to have started for the DMK.
The clock is ticking!
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A case of land grab complaint by Hindu family against their Muslim neighbours has come to light in media reports. As per the report, a Hindu family in Assam’s Dhin area has accused Muslim community members of grabbing their land. This led to a clash between the two families in Lahorighat, Morigaon, Assam.
The Chief Minister’s office is reported to have taken cognizance of the matter and there is increased police presence in the area to maintain peace. The Police Superintendent of the area is reportedly looking into the matter, but since the issue pertains to land the District Administration Circle Officer has taken up the case to resolve the dispute.
The SP has reportedly taken action to beef up security in the area to avoid any communal flare ups. The Circle Officer reportedly visited the area and is in the process of investigating the land ownership details, the officer would table his report and conclusion after a thorough study of the case with available documentary proofs.
It is noteworthy here that Assam suffers from decades of illegal occupation of land by illegal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants altering its demography and posing serious security threat in a border state. Islamist leaders like Baruddin Ajmal of AIUDF have been accused of facilitating illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims in Assam and aiding encroachment of Bangladeshi Muslims on Hindu Satras (Hindu monastry land) and Kaziranga National Park. Notably, Badruddin Ajamal is said to be an illegal Bangladeshi migrant and accused of destroying Assamese Hindu civilizational culture and tradition by overwhelming it with Islamic culture and demographic invasion.
The BJP government has been trying to recover encroached land from the illegal Bangladeshis by evictions and razing down illegal settlements. The Sarbananda Sonawal government amended the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 to empower the government to free temple properties and Satra lands under illegal encroachment; earlier the law only allowed the government to recover government lands under illegal occupation. Around 231 bighas and 6 kathas (76 acre) of Satra lands are reported to be encroached across the state. The BJP had promised in its election manifesto free illegal occupation of Temple properties and Satras by setting up a special task force for the same.
In June this year illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators were evicted from 120 Bighas of land (40 acre) owned by the Dhalpur Shiva Temple in Darrang district in Assam. The Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma, himself visited the Shiva Temple and urged the illegal occupiers of another 60 bighas of land there to voluntarily vacate.
(This story was originally published in Bharat Voice and has been republished here with permission.)
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A Ulema of a madrasa named Mohammad Isran has been arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year boy in Sarai Rohilla PS area of North Delhi. The accused Md Isran was earlier absconding when the matter came to light in the morning on 15.12.2022 and was later arrested late in the evening by the police search teams.
Delhi | A 12-year-old boy was raped by an Ulema of a Madrasa in the Sarai Rohilla PS area. The accused Md Isran is absconding & teams of police are on his lookout: Sagar Singh Kalsi, DCP North Delhi
Police filed an FIR under POCSO Act & 377, 506 sections of IPC. The accused committed unnatural sex with the victim several times after sedating him: Sagar Singh Kalsi, DCP North Delhi
The Delhi Police reportedly filed an FIR under POCSO Act & Sections 377, 506 sections of IPC. According to Sagar Singh Kalsi, DCP North Delhi, the accused committed unnatural sex with the victim several times after sedating him.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) headed by Priyank Kanoongo visited the madrasa soon after the news of 12 year boy allegedly raped by a Ulema in Sarai Rohilla area North Delhi came to light and inspected the place to assess the condition of the children there. In an interview to the ANI he stated that the madrasa was unrecognised and lacked basic facilities like separate washrooms for children and teachers. He stated that the teachers from UP and Bihar stay at the same place as 24 children without separate washrooms.
“We went to the madrasa after hearing that a child had been raped there. The offence was committed by a madrasa teacher. It is an unrecognized madrasa. There were 24 kids from Bihar and UP kept with teachers. They weren’t given any separate facilities, such as bathrooms”, the Chief of NCPCR, Priyank Kanungo was quoted by ANI.
Delhi | On reports of a minor's rape in a madrasa, we visited the place. A teacher of the madrasa committed the offence. It's an unrecognized madrasa. 24 children from Bihar & UP kept there along with teachers. No separate facilities like bathroom provided to them: NCPCR Chairman pic.twitter.com/2BdYpQFqh9
Kanungo lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government for not taking any action nor sending the child welfare committee to the madrasa. He also asked for the social enquiry report of the victim from the Delhi government.
“The Delhi government has neither sent a Child Welfare Committee nor taken any action. We sent the Child Welfare Committee specific instructions to visit this location as soon as possible and to rescue and rehabilitate children. The Delhi government was asked for the victim’s social inquiry report”, Kanungo said.
A 12-year-old boy was reportedly raped repeatedly by the accused Ulema after putting him to sleep by sedating him in a madrasa at North Delhi’s Sarai Rohilla area. A FIR was lodged after the parents of the boy lodged a complaint with the police. As per reports the 12-year-old boy was sedated and sodomised several times by the accused Ulema Mohammad Isran.
(This story was first published in Bharat Voice and has been republished here with permission.)
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A 70-year-old woman who begs outside the Jagannath Temple in Phulbani town of Odisha donated ₹1 lakh she saved over the years to the temple management committee.
According to reports, the woman named Tula Behera, a native of Phulbani, gave the temple ₹1 lakh on the occasion of Dhanu Sankranti on Friday (16 December 2022). She was felicitated by the temple administration for her gesture. A video of the temple authorities honouring her is being widely shared on Twitter.
She has been depositing some of the money she earns from begging in a post office savings account. She made the decision to contribute her funds to the renovation of the Lord Jagannath temple in the town after the officials informed her that they had reached ₹1 lakh in the account.
The lady has been begging on the streets of Phulbani for years along with her physically handicapped husband Prafulla Behera, who passed away a few years ago.
After her husband’s death, Tula continued asking for alms by sitting in front of the Jagannath and Sai temples and other shrines in Phulbani town. She has also adopted a girl who she found abandoned on the streets of Kandhamal. The two of them are now supported by the alms given to them by pilgrims who visit the Jagannath temple in Phulbani.
“I am on the last leg of my life. What will I do with the money, so I gave away all of it to the Almighty,” the woman said after making the donation.”, she was quoted saying in a report.
Initially the temple management was hesitant to accept the donation from such a poor person, but after she insisted, they agreed.
“We have decided to provide prasad to Tula for lifetime as recognition of her contribution to the temple.”, the temple management has announced.
Incidents of Hindu torture are happening continuously in Bangladesh. This picture has not yet changed much in November month. Throughout the month of November, there have been massive attacks, looting, vandalism, abduction, killing, rape attempt, and forced conversion to Islam in various parts of the country on the minority Hindus and indigenous communities. This report is an attempt to list the atrocities committed against minority Hindu and indigenous communities in Bangladesh during the month of November.
Hindu Persecutions in Bangladesh during November month.
Incident 1.
Dinajpur: Unknown miscreants behead Ma Kali- Shiva Vigraha
On Friday, November 4, unidentified miscreants took away the heads of Ma Kali and Shiva Vigraha from a puja mandap in Khamarpara village of Khansama Upazila of Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. A case was prepared against unidentified persons for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in this incident.
Incident 2.
Dhaka: Communal incitement promoted through HSC question paper
Controversy arose over the question paper of the HSC Bangla First Paper exam in Bangladesh. Allegations were made that the designed question paper hurt religious sensitivities. Prominent people said that this is a form of religious incitement. One of the questions in this paper was, “Nepal and Gopal are two brothers. They have been in dispute over land for a long time. Despite many arbitrations, no one could resolve their dispute. No one is willing to make concessions. Now the case regarding the distribution of the land is going on in court. The younger brother, Nepal, sells a part of the land of Bhit to a Muslim named Abdul to discipline the elder brother. Abdul built a house there and started living there permanently. He sacrifices a cow in front of Nepal’s house on Eid al-Adha. This incident broke the heart of Nepal. After a few days, he went to India with his family without telling anyone.”
Incident 3.
Comilla: Ma Kali Vigraha vandalized by unknown miscreants
There was a land dispute over the land of the “Darora Sri Sri Shamshan Kali” temple in Ward No. 1 of Darora Union No. 19, Muradnagar Police Station, Comilla District, Bangladesh. Just seven days ago, the temple committee had appealed to the Comilla Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and Muradnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer to solve this problem. On the late night of November 5, 2022, unknown miscreants entered the temple and vandalized the vigraha of Maa Kali.
Incident 4.
Khulna: Hindu woman beheaded after being trapped in Love Jihad
A Hindu woman named Kavita Rani was brutally killed after being caught in the trap of love jihad. Her dismembered body was recovered from a rented house in the Sonadanga Thana area of the Khulna metropolis in Bangladesh. RAB-6 confirmed the identity of Kavita Rani on Monday (November 7). The deceased Hindu woman Kavita Rani is the daughter of Kalipad Bachar of the Kuter Bill area of Satkhira Ashashuni. RAB arrested the killer Abu Bakkar in this incident.
Incident 5.
Naogaon: Bangladeshi Judge calls Hindus ‘Malaun’
Bangladeshi Islamists often mock India whenever they get a chance. This year also, Bangladeshi Islamists started mocking India for the Cricket World Cup. A Bangladeshi youth named Ehteshamul Imran made a Facebook post on November 10 at around 5 p.m. mocking India using a happy emoji following India’s loss to England in the semi-finals of the T20 Cricket World Cup. He wrote, “India says Chere de Ma, Kede bachi.” Lose by 10 wickets!
This time, the controversy didn’t rise for Ehteshamul’s Facebook post. In the comments of that post, a Bangladeshi Judge commented, “I got a lot of peace.” It feels good when the “Malaun” loses. Anweshan News has verified the information and found evidence that the commenter’s ID belongs to this Judge. It should be mentioned that the “Malaun” word is used by Islamists to mark and abuse the Hindu community. The word is derived from the Arabic “ملعون”, meaning “accursed” or “deprived of God’s Mercy”, and in modern times, it is used as an ethnic slur by the Islamists in West Bengal and Bangladesh region for Hindus.
Incident 6.
Kushtia: Attack on Lalon Bhakts for allegedly playing music, 5 injured
An attack took place on the saints after they gathered at the house of a Lalon Bhakt in the Laubaria area of Daulatpur in the Kushtia district of Bangladesh. At least five people were injured in this attack. The injured are being treated at the Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex. The attack took place on November 5.
Incident 7.
Naogaon: Altaf gang destroyed 60 bighas paddy of indigenous people
In Patnitola Upazila of Naogaon district of Bangladesh, the miscreants of the local Altaf gang destroyed about 60 bighas of Aman paddy farmed by indigenous sharecroppers by spraying herbicides. Paddy worth about 30 lakh taka was destroyed in this incident. The affected indigenous farmers had become disoriented due to the loss of paddy land.
Incident 8.
Lalmonirhat: 200-year-old Shiva temple attacked, vandalized and looted
Unidentified miscreants attacked the Sarvajanin Shiva Mandir in the Teesta Bazar area of Gokunda Union of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila on 18th November. The miscreants vandalized the Shiva Linga and looted money from the donation box of the temple. Expressing their anger, the local Sanatani people demanded the arrest of the culprits.
The local Hindus said that the temple is about 200 years old. The next morning, the devotees found that the three Shiva Lingas and Trishuls of the temple had been vandalized, and the money from the donation box had been looted by unidentified miscreants. After that, when the incident became known, the Sanatani people from around came and gathered at the temple.
Incident 9.
Khulna: Hindu house attacked, vandalized and looted in movie-style
On Wednesday, November 16, a Hindu family was ambushed in filmy style in Dumuria, Khulna, and their homestead, kitchen, cowshed, paddy shed, and all their furniture were vandalized and looted. This incident happened like the 1971 Pakistani atrocities at the house of Bikash Nandi in Sikdarpara village of Gutudia Union of the Upazila at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Aranghata police station had arrested the mastermind of this incident, Tuku, from the Deyana area.
Incident 10.
Tangail: Hindu houses and shrines vandalized by AL leader
10 members of a minority Hindu family were injured in an attack by a Jubo League leader over a land dispute in Bhuyapur, Tangail district, Bangladesh. A few Vigrahas in their house were vandalized. Four of the injured Hindus were treated at Bhuyapur Upazila Health Complex. The attack took place on the house of Subhash Ghosh and Pradeep Ghosh of Ghoshpara in the Koshtapara area of the Upazila on Friday morning (18th November). Accused Jubo League leader Khorshed Alam is the former president of Gobindasi Union Jubo League, which is the political youth wing of the ruling party Awami League in Bangladesh.
Incident 11.
Jhenaidah: AL leader caught red-handed while attempting to rape Hindu woman
Swecchasebak League leader Mizanur Rahman was caught by the locals while forcibly trying to rape a Hindu woman of the minority community in Kaliganj of the Jhenaidah district of Bangladesh. At that time, local Hindus caught him naked and tied him to a tree. After receiving the information, the police went to the spot, rescued him, and took him to the police station.
The incident took place at Daspara in Alaipur village of the Upazila around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday (November 27). In this incident, the victim, a Hindu woman, filed a case at the Kaliganj police station that night. The police arrested Mizanur Rahman in that case. The accused, Mizanur Rahman, is the son of Moksed Ali of Alaipur village in the Upazila and the former president of No. 1 Sundarpur-Durgapur Union Swecchasebak League.
Incident 12.
Sunamganj: Hindu family ostracized by panchayat for not selling land
Nine Hindu families were evicted for not following the decision of the Panchayat of Jamalganj in the Sunamganj district of Bangladesh. These Hindu families are left homeless due to persecution by the local panchayat. The victimized Hindu families approached the law, but the police did not help. As a result, the victim, Bharat Chandra Talukdar, and his relatives are currently homeless. It was alleged that the family of Bharat Chandra Talukdar had been ostracised for not selling the land to the local panchayat.
The family of the victim, Bharat Chandra Talukdar, alleged that the local panchayat was repeatedly pressuring their family to sell the land. The victim Bharat’a family did not want to sell their family land to the panchayat. As a result, the local panchayat kept them in solitary confinement at the society.
Incident 13.
Mymensingh: Former Chairman grabbing Hindu lands using antisocials
Former Chairman of Bhaluka Upazila Parishad Golam Mostafa and his family are at the top of the land grabbing of minority Hindus in Bhaluka of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh.
Victimized local minority Hindus alleged that the Mustafa family has become addicted to taking the land of the minority Hindus in various ways. Also, there are many allegations against former Upazila chairman Golam Mostafa of embezzling lakhs of takas from various poor Hindu families. Golam Mostafa is the son-in-law of the daughter of Sirajuddin Khan alias Suruj Khan, a registered Razakar of Bhaluka Upazila.
Golam Mustafa
Incident 14.
Savar: Hindu minor girl abducted by Love Jihadi, rescued later by Hindu activists
A Hindu minor girl was rescued after being abducted by Love Jihadists. It was known that on November 27, the victim Hindu minor was abducted by local Love Jihadist Mohammad Jahangir Rahman alias Ullas. The abducted girl (15) was finally rescued with the help of Savar police and several local Hindu activists. From the copy of the FIR filed by Mrs. Karmakar, it was known that for quite some time local Love Jihadist Mohammad Jahangir Rahman was giving various kinds of nasty proposals to her daughter. Her daughter was abducted on her way to Sri Sri Jagat Bandhu Mandir on the 27th as she did not agree to Mohammad Jahangir’s nasty proposal.
Incident 15.
Dhaka: Hindu family emigrates to escape from Islamist attacks
Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is not new. However, the number of Islamist hate attacks on the Hindu community has increased recently in Bangladesh. The family of Pintu Lal Das, a minority Hindu, was forced to leave their residential address in the face of direct and indirect threats and attacks for the past 7 years. It is believed that they were forced to take refuge in India. The family of Pintu Lal Das had reportedly been subjected to hate attacks by Islamists several times.
Incident 16.
Manikganj: 200-year-old Hindu temple vandalized
A 200-year-old Hindu temple in central Bangladesh’s Chandair area of Garhpara Union in Manikganj District had been vandalized by unknown miscreants. According to a report dated 20th November from the local police station’s officer-in-charge Abdur Rouf, the information was confirmed. The report claims that Maa Kali & Padma vigrahas from the temple were discovered in desecrated condition alongside the road.
(This article was originally published in sritiochetana.org and has been republished here with permission.)
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Recently, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, took a jibe at the Modi-led Central government during a debate on Supplementary Demand For Grants raised by the Finance Ministry in Lok Sabha, by citing several indices related to various attributes and tried to paint a picture that the current government’s performance is subpar.
Also, “This government and the ruling party coined the term Pappu. You use it to denigrate and signify extreme incompetence. But the statistics tell us who the actual Pappu is,” she said.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave a befitting response to her saying that there was indeed a ‘pappu’ in West Bengal where Central government schemes which could benefit millions of people have become a victim of petty politics.
While Mahua Moitra went on a rant about the Modi government’s perfromance on the economy, here is a look at the performance of West Bengal before and after TMC’s rule.
West Bengal’s Economic Performance
West Bengal was once the progressive state in India. Now the GDP growth rate has diminished to a great extent after TMC’s take over. West Bengal is at 30/33 place in average GDP growth rate from 2012-2019, way lower than the National Average.
Per Capita Income of West Bengal is Rs 1,21,463 which is almost half of Gujarat. It stands at 21/33 place. West Bengal has one of the highest debt to GSDP ratio. As per FY22 revised estimates, debt stands at nearly 34% of the GSDP and it is among top 5 states which are suffering with high debts.
Inflation rate is also very high in West Bengal, with 7.71%. It is among top 5 states with highest inflation rate, also higher than the national inflation rate 6.77%. When the entire world is batting with very high inflation, India managed to control the inflation rate in a better way.
Bengalis Denied Basic Amenities
As per Swachh Bharat Mission report 2021, West Bengal didn’t achieve 100% rural households having access to basic sanitation facilities, whereas 27 states in India have achieved 100% status.
As per NFHS report, only 64.7% of rural households have improved sanitation facilities. All big states have crossed 80% in the parameter.
As per Energy report, only 93.7% of households had electricity until 2016, even after 5 years of TMC rule, after continous push from the center the parameter improved.
Dwindling Investments
As per information from Ministry of Commerce and Industry, West Bengal attracted only $339.36 Million last year, which is 0.006% of total FDI inflow to India, whereas Gujarat attracted $2709 Million which is nearly 9 times higher.
Soaring Unemployement
As per CMIE report, Unemployment rate of West Bengal stands at 3.3% and Gujarat is 1.6%, when we compare it with the population quotient, it is much higher.
Dying Mothers
Maternal Mortality Ratio of West Bengal 109 per 1,00,000 live births, whereas, MMR of Gujarat is 70 per 1,00,000 live births.
No Public Safety
Public Safety in West Bengal is under doldrums. Crime rate, like Violent crimes, Murder, Rape, Kidnapping, Crimes against Children, Exortion, Robbery, Hit & Run, Drugs trafficking, Illegal Arms is very high in West Bengal and stands among top 5 states with highest crime rate.
Violent Crimes
West Bengal – 48.7/1,00,000
Gujarat – 11.9/1,00,000
Crimes against Children
West Bengal – 31.7/1,00,000
Gujarat – 21.6/1,00,000
West Bengal’s performance is subpar in all major growth indices. Without looking at West Bengal’s performance, the MP is keen in degrading the Centre. All these indices clearly showcase “Who is real Pappu”.
(Views expressed here are the author’s own)
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Thol. Thirumavalavan’s recommendation letter to the Sabarimala Sri Ayyappan Devasthanam board requesting VIP Dharshan at Ayyanpan temple for his party cadres and their friends has gone viral on social media.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Chief Thirumavalavan, who is known for his speech abusing Hindu religion and its rituals, has written a letter to the Managing Committee of Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan Devasthanam and Travancore Devaswom Board.
He wrote a recommendation letter on his official letterhead with the Indian government’s emblem, saying, “The bearer of this letter S. Kumaresan, son of K. Shankar, is my follower. He with his friends and four members intends to worship Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan on 16/12/2022. Kindly accommodate him to have a VIP darshan visit at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple.”
This letter of the Lok Sabha MP has gone viral on social media, with many wondering if this is the way to end Sanatana Dharma.
A few days ago, Thol Thirumavalavan in a Christian book launch event denigrated the Hindu religion and Sanatana Dharma and praised Christianity and Islam, saying, “There is no discrimination in Christianity and Islam, unlike Hinduism. Hinduism is the only religion that opposes brotherhood.”
His tirade against Hindu women and gods, including Lord Muruga, is well-known. In this context, many social media users and devotees have questioned VCK MP Thirumavalavan sending his cadres to Sabarimala Temple.
The famous Mandala Poojai at Sabarimalai Lord Sri Ayyappan temple is traditionally observed for 41 days. On November 16th, the Lord Sri Ayyappan temple’s temple corridors were opened for the holy occasion of Mandala Poojai. Subsequently, the devotees who carried `Irumudi` were allowed to climb the 18 steps. The temple has seen a swarming crowd of devotees from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and other southern states as the temple corridors were opened for the occasions of Makara Poojai and Mandala Poojai.
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Retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ponn Manickavel, who was also the former Inspector General of the Idol Wing, has filed a complaint with the Baluchettichattiram police, alleging that an ancient Perumal temple near Kanchipuram, has gone missing.
Ponn Manickavel stated in his complaint that there was a 1,071-year-old Nindru Arulina Uyya Konda Azhwar Perumal Temple between Govindawadi and Tirumalpur which apparently disappeared 40 years ago. It was reportedly kept off the radar of the government for more than 30-40 years after the idols were stolen. According to Ponn Manickavel’s complaint, no information about the temple theft was reported to the police as well.
Addressing reporters after filing the complaint, Ponn Manickavel said that this temple was not even known to the Archeology Survey of India. He said that 40 years ago people of Govindawadi area used to worship in this temple everyday. It is regrettable that the temple was completely stolen and disappeared without the knowledge of even the Vaishnava Archakas, he said.
He further said, “Nindru Arulina Perumal Uyya Konda Azhwar temple was extensively built during the reign of Parantaka Chozhan as evidenced by the temple inscription. In 1906, European epigraphists discovered and documented the inscriptions related to this temple. The inscription also stated that the lamp was donated by one Amanima Deviyaar, a Chozha queen who hailed from the Pandyan nation. This culturally significant inscription has now vanished.”
Another Chozha empress hailing from Kunnathur had also donated a lamp to the temple. Four inscriptions about Rajaraja Chozhan and his brother Aditha Karikalan is said to have been there.
He stated that at the time when the Manikandeswarar Temple in Tirumalpur area was renovated by the Nattukottai Chettiars, this Azhwar Perumal temple here in Kanchipuram was also renovated. It is also stated that this temple received a donation of Hanuman idol and for singing Nammalwar Prabandham by then kings. The Hanuman idol that was given has also vanished Ponn Manickavel said.
Highlighting the government’s laxity, he said “For 40 years, no First Information Report (FIR) was made regarding the stolen information. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has acted in favour of the perpetrators by not punishing the true criminals in accordance with the law.”
Memes about Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan have flooded social media after he was moved to 27th place in the Tamil Nadu cabinet pecking order, far behind first-time MLA and recently inducted Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Udhayanidhi was coronated as Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development and Special Programme Implementation with great fanfare by the DMK on December 14 at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.
The Tamil Nadu government in its official website (https://www.tn.gov.in/ministerslist) has placed first time MLA and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin at the 10th position while two-term MLA and currently the state Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has been placed at 27th place in the pecking order.
After the swearing-in ceremony, the first-time MLA and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was made to sit in the first row and the state Finance Minister PTR was made to stand in the back at a corner during a photo shoot with the Governor and Chief Minister.
Many people on social media, including some political party leaders, denounced CM MK Stalin for disparaging the state’s finance minister and endorsing his son Udhayanidhi Stalin. They added that regardless of how much PTR studies or works in prestigious institutions, at the end of the day, PTR must bow down to dynast Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Dear Double Degree and a PhD bragging TN Finance Minister @ptrmadurai !
End of the day in #DMK you will have to just crawl before dynast #UdhayanithiStalin whoever you’re..
PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, who often indulges in self-aggrandizement boasting about his dynastic privilege and flaunting his educational and professional background, finds himself in a tough situation now as he has to play second fiddle to Udhayanidhi Stalin who is just a Viscom graduate from Loyola College.
This gains significance as in a recent television debate, PTR went on a rant asking if those in the Central government are economic experts having double Ph.Ds or Nobel Prize to take advise from them.
It is noteworthy to mention that Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan has not wished Udhayanidhi from his official and verified Twitter account (@ptrmadurai). He did, however, wish Udhayanidhi from an unofficial account(@OfficeOfPTR).
மாண்புமிகு இளைஞர் நலன் மற்றும் விளையாட்டு மேம்பாட்டு துறை அமைச்சராக பொறுப்பேற்றுள்ள திரு. உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் அவர்களை சந்தித்து மாண்புமிகு நிதி மற்றும் மனித வள மேலாண்மை துறை அமைச்சர் முனைவர் @ptrmadurai வாழ்த்து தெரிவித்தார். pic.twitter.com/px8I7JKUQ0
Newly sworn-in Dynasty Politician & son of CM @mkstalin#UdhayanidhiStalin is placed 10th in the pecking order of #TamilNadu Cabinet while Double Degree & a PhD bragger @ptrmadurai is placed in 27th rank.. 😂
A ‘Watch’ful Protector Exposing The Corruption Under DMK’s ‘Watch’
On Sunday (18 December 2022), V. Senthilbalaji, the DMK Minister in-charge of selling liquor to Tamil Nadu people got personal with Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai levelling allegations about the latter’s watch.
In a social media post, the DMK Minister claimed “Annamalai, (referring him derogatorily) who claims to own just 4 goats as his property, is wearing a Rafale watch, which costs more than ₹5 lakhs of which there are only 500 wristwatches. If he can show the receipt of that watch in the next one hour, many commoners can also buy and enjoy.”
Calling Annamalai a ‘national disease’, the DMK Minister said “A ‘national disease’, sorry a ‘nationalist’ wearing a foreign watch, how come he rose to the level of wearing a watch worth ₹5 lakh?”
The Minister’s choice of words to refer to the BJP leader is indicative of the gutter level politics of Dravidian Stockists.
The rant by the DMK minister in-charge of liquor sales is indicative that he is rattled by Mr. Annamalai’s recent speech at Kovilpatti.
Annamalai’s message at Kovilpatti was loud and clear. Tamil Nadu is at the cusp of a political change. This is the age of politics by the common man, for the common man and of the common man. The space is slowly ceding away from the corrupt crocodiles of Dravidian Stockists.
Feeling the heat, the DMK seem to have stumbled Annamalai’s ₹4 lakh worth Rafale watch.
A Dare To DMK
Unlike Dravidian Stockist politicians who live a luxurious life by minting money under the table at the cost of the common man, Annamalai is a man who was a successful IPS officer, received a monthly salary and post voluntary retirement, he has been receiving a standard agricultural income.
First things first, it has been clarified by Annamalai that the watch was bought by him in May 2021, the details of which he has announced to release in the coming days.
The watch costs ₹3.9 lakh (including import duty) and is the Rafale special edition which was made when India ordered Rafale aircraft and it has parts of Rafale aircraft.
According to Annamalai, the watch was bought to commemorate the occassion of India successfully purchasing the Rafale aircrafts from France. The watch may not be made in India but it is a memento of a rising India that has successfully added more firepower with Rafale aircrafts. Unlike the defence deals of Congress era, this deal happened without the involvement of middlemen like Ottavio Quattrocchi (Bofors) or Christian Michel James (Augusta Westland). Despite the Supreme Court of India categorically giving a clean chit to the Modi government, that the DMK is still harping on to this done-and-dusted deal is testimony to their political deficiency.
But Annamalai isn’t your usual politician on whom one can sling mud and get away. As he says often and is evident from his acitivities, he gives as good as he gets. Annamalai has announced that he would be furnishing all his lifetime Income Tax statements, photocopies of his bank account records for the last 10 years with every single income accounted for, details of movable and immovable properties worth more than ₹1 lakh that he holds, and the goats and cows he owns.
“If anybody can find 1 paise of property more than what I have declared anywhere in the world, then all of my property will be given to the Govt. Now I leave it to my TN brothers & sisters to decide whether they want to seek this from the DMK party leaders as well.” Annamalai has dared the DMK.
Does Senthilbalaji or any other DMK leader for that matter have the guts and the gumption or atleast an inch of self-respect to declare their sources of income and assets publicly?
His Attachment To Noble Cause
Arvinth, a BJP sympathizer from the USA who is also the coordinator of BJP Tamil Nadu’s USA Chapter shared an interesting anecdote that happened when he got a chance to host Annamalai during the latter’s recent trip to the US.
Annamalai apparently wanted to buy a winter jacket and was suggested the brands of Nike, Adidas and Columbia by Arvinth as the state of Oregon is known for its employee stores where the latest models are available at discounted price.
But Annamalai was particular about getting a jacket of the Patagonia brand. He got the Patagonia jacket from California, where things are a little expensive.
When asked ‘why Patangonia?’, Annamalai revealed an interesting bit of information. Patagonia’s billianaire owner Yvon Chouinard has given away his company’s profits into saving the planet. As a token of gesture towards this cause, Annamalai wanted to purchase the Patagonia jacket no matter its cost.
A Working Middle-Class At Heart
Krishna Kumar Murugan, a political researcher who also closely works with Annamalai, said that Annamalai is the typical hard-working middle-class person who saves money to spend it on something they hold dear.
“Few of us who’ve known Mr. Annamalai well and have seen him from close quarters have witnessed how protective he is of his family. He and his wife don’t attend public events together, fearing overexposure and maintaining high standards of privacy. Though they do not appear in public together, attend events together, he ensures that he spends quality time with his family amidst his packed schedule.”, Krishna Kumar said.
Annamalai’s wife who did her graduation from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore went on to do her masters from IIM Bengaluru post which she began her career with JSW Steel in 2009. She was a Business Planning manager at Hewlett Packard from June 2013 up until June 2021. She Co-Founded CoRE Talent and Leadership Development and has been running it successfully.
A ‘Watch’ful Protector Exposing The Atrocities Happening Under DMK’s Watch
Devoid of any issues, the Congress tried to portray Prime Minister Narendra Modi as corrupt by peddling allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal. But they failed miserably as the people of India never bought Rahul Gandhi’s claims. They may have a hundred complaints against the Modi government, but not one would question PM Modi’s honesty and integrity.
The DMK is trying to do the same with Annamalai who has had a clean career and a track record. Be it the Pongal kit scam, the Deebavali sweetbox scam, the Passport scam or the BGR Energy scam, Annamalai has been exposing the irregularities happening under the DMK’s watch. Now that the DMK has picked on Annamalai’s watch, bad time seems to have started for the DMK.
The clock is ticking!
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