In another blow to Indian National Congress, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested former Karnataka Congress minister Roshan Baig for his alleged involvement in the infamous multi-crore I-Monetary Advisory (IMA) ponzi scam.
CBI spokesman R K Gaur was quoted saying in IANS report that “Baig was arrested after questioning him in the ongoing ponzi chit fund scam investigation and a competent court sent him to judicial custody for further interrogation,”.
Baig is one of the most important political leaders from the Congress in Karnataka and is a former 8-time legislator from the Shivajinagar assembly.
“Baig was summoned for interrogation to our office earlier in the day and taken into custody on the evidence collected against him in the scam that rocked the state in 2018-19,” a CBI source said earlier.
The CBI has also conducted a search and seizure operation in Baig’s house in the city earlier in the day.
When the I-Monetary Advisory (IMA) scam was unearthed, jewellery kingpin Mohammed Mansoor Khan alleged that he gave Baig Rs 400 crore ahead of the state assembly elections in April-May 2018 which Biag has strongly refuted.
The IMA scam is estimated to be Rs 4,000-crore ponzi chit fund scam that ruined the savings of many people when it was uncovered in June 2019.
Trouble began when hundreds of investors complained to city police that the chit fund firm stopped returning their deposits, including gold jewellery, cash and interest.
The then ruling Janata Dal-Secular-Congress government was forced to set up a special investigation team (SIT), however, when the BJP came to power, it initiated a CBI probe into the scam July 2019.
Mansoor Khan is currently lodged in the central jail on the city’s outskirts along with about 30 accused, including seven directors of the company. Khans as been booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for allegedly transferring funds to overseas banks through the hawala route.
DMK chief MK Stalin’s son and the party’s youth wing secretary ‘actor’ Udhayanidhi Stalin openly issued a threat to the police officer who arrested and prevented him from campaigning as the former did not have legal permission.
Udhayanidhi Stalin on November 21, had gone to Akkaraipettai in Nagapattinam district for campaigning, supposedly upon the invitation of local fishermen. He was stopped by Special DGP (Law & Order) Rajesh Das IPS as there were no prior permission obtained for the campaign.
The police officer in order to prevent crowding had told Udhayanidhi Stalin that he does not have the permission to campaign and that proceeding further would warrant arrest. After a brief altercation between the DMK men and police, the police took Udhayanidhi Stalin, K.N. Nehru and other DMK men into custody and were later released.
Following this, speaking at a meeting, the DMK chief’s son issued a threat publicly to the officer saying that ‘he remembers his name well’ and that ‘there are only 5 months’ implying that the officer would face the heat after the DMK comes to power.
“…. This is being done by Edappadi Palaniswami government, this slave government only.. But there is a person who is doing it.. That man.. Special DGP Mr. Rajesh Das… We remember your name well.. Only 5 more months to go.. ”
This video of Udhayanidhi Stalin issuing threats to the police officer who arrested him is now going viral on social media.
Udhaynidhi Stalin is hurling threatens to Spl DG of police. He says he remembers his name well & after they come to power in 5 months, that police will feel the heat. Imagine the situation of common public. pic.twitter.com/Y5JAxhzBzO
Netizens immediately took to remind about how the police officer who carried out the midnight arrest of Karunanidhi in 2001 was targeted. When the DMK came to power in 2006, Muthukaruppan was suspended for 4 yeas and had to battle several odds before he retired as the DGP (home guard and civil defence) in 2015.
2001 இல் கலைஞரை வீடு புகுந்து கைது செய்த அதிகாரி முத்துக்கருப்பன் திமுக ஆட்சி வந்தவுடன் காத்து இருப்போர் பட்டியலில் வைக்கப்பட்டு, கும்பகோணம் போக்குவரத்து கண்காணிப்பாளராக பணிக்க பட்டார். (நாங்க பார்க்காத போலீஸ் ஆ) https://t.co/po4tkgSTs1pic.twitter.com/qAZrltLQu3
Indian Navy is scheduled to host the 27th edition of India – Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise SIMBEX-20 from 23 to 25 November 2020 in Andaman Sea.
The SIMBEX exercise between Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy, being conducted annually since 1994, are aimed at enhancing mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices from each other. The scope and complexity of these exercises has increased steadily over the past two decades to include advanced naval drills covering a wide spectrum of maritime operations.
The 2020 edition of SIMBEX will witness participation by Indian Navy ships including destroyer Rana with integral Chetak helicopter and indigenously built corvettes Kamorta and Karmuk. In addition, IN submarine Sindhuraj and P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft will also participate in the exercise.
RSN will be represented by the ‘Formidable’ Class frigates ‘Intrepid’ and ‘Steadfast’ with integral S70B helicopter and ‘Endurance’ Class Landing Ship Tank ‘Endeavour’ in the exercise.
The exercise, being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the high degree of mutual trust and confidence, synergy and cooperation in the maritime domain between the two friendly navies and maritime neighbours. SIMBEX-20 will witness the two friendly navies participate in advanced surface, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare exercises including weapon firings, over three days of intensive joint operations at sea.
SIMBEX series of exercises exemplify the high level of coordination and convergence of views between India and Singapore, particularly in the maritime domain, towards enhancing the overall maritime security in the region and highlight their commitment to a rules-based international order.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of rural drinking water supply projects in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts of Vindhyachal region of Uttar Pradesh today (November 22) via video conference.
The projects, for which the foundation stones were laid by the Prime Minister today will provide household tap water connections in all rural households of 2,995 villages and will benefit about 42 lakh population of these districts. Village Water and Sanitation Committees/ Paani Samiti have been constituted in all these villages, who will shoulder the responsibility of operation and maintenance. The total estimated cost of the projects is ₹5,555.38 crore. The projects are planned to be completed in 24 months.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said during the last one and half years from the start of Jal Jeevan Mission more than 2 crore 60 lakh families have been provided piped drinking water connection to their homes including lakhs of families in Uttar Pradesh as well. He added under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the life of our mothers and sisters is getting easier due to easy water access at the comfort of their homes. He said a major benefit of this has also been reduction of many diseases like cholera, typhoid, encephalitis caused by dirty water of the poor families. The Prime Minister lamented that despite having a lot of resources, Vindhyachal or Bundelkhand regions became regions of deficiencies. He added, in spite of having several rivers, these regions were known as the most thirsty & drought-affected regions and forced many people to migrate from here. He said now water scarcity and irrigation issues will be resolved by these projects and it signifies rapid development.
The Prime Minister remarked when piped water reaches thousands of villages in Vindhyanchal the health of children of this region would be improved and their physical and mental development will be better. He said when one gets freedom to take decisions and work on those decisions for the development of your village, it increases the confidence of everyone in the village. He added that self-reliant India gets strength from self-reliant villages.
The Prime Minister complimented the Uttar Pradesh Government for providing a responsive governance during the time of pandemic and keeping the pace of reforms going. Shri Modi outlined the development works in the region. He pointed to provision of LPG cylinder, electricity supply, Solar plant at Mirzapur, completion of irrigation projects and solar projects on uncultivable land to provide steady extra income to the farmers.
Referring to the Swamitva Scheme, the Prime Minister informed that verified ownership deeds for residential and land properties are being delivered to the owners leading to stability and certainty of titles. This is leading to an assurance against unlawful encroachment of the property of the poor segment of society and improving the possibility of using the property as collateral for credit.
Speaking about the efforts for the upliftment of the tribal population of the region, Shri Modi said that schemes are reaching the tribal regions under special projects. Hundreds of Eklavya Model schools are operating in such regions, including in Uttar Pradesh. The aim is to provide this facility to every tribal majority block. Projects based on forest-based products are also being implemented. The District Mineral Fund has been established so that there is no dearth of funds for tribal regions and thinking behind such a scheme is that a part of resources generated from such areas are invested locally. In Uttar Pradesh, 800 crore rupees have been collected under the fund and more than 6000 projects have been sanctioned.
The Prime Minister urged the people to remain alert against Corona as the danger still lingers and asked the people to maintain basic precautions with great sincerity.
The Prime Minister also interacted with Village Water and Sanitation Committee/ Paani Samiti Members during the event. Union Jal Shakti Minister, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Governor Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath were also present on the occasion.
Following the complaint filed by Legal Rights Protection Forum, another organization has filed a complaint against India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (IREF), a Christian evangelical organization based in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh run by Mr. Rebba Emmanuel.
The latest complaint filed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), a legal activism organization working for human rights of tribal communities has petitioned for the cancellation of IREF’s FCRA license and an investigation into the misuse of funds.
“While scrutinizing the activities of India Rural Evangelical Fellowship, we have come across many distressing facts which point out to the deliberate misuse of funds received by it via FCRA donations”, LRO told The Commune.
LRO in its complaint, accessed by The Commune, drew attention to the by-laws stated by India Rural Evangelical Fellowship Inc. in the State Of Illinois Office Of Secretary Of The State under Article III – Purposes and Policies which states
“to promote, with the help of God, the gospel message of Christianity within the state of Andhra Pradesh, South India; to print and publish Christian literature; to establish and maintain individual churches until they are able to stand alone; to establish and maintain Christian schools; to establish and maintain homes for poor and destitute children; to provide financial assistance in supporting medical services for the rural poor; and to encourage human development through the creation of self-help projects.”
LRO told The Commune that this blatant declaration seems as if an agreement has been entered into between the corporation and its Indian NGO to evangelize Andhra Pradesh. It also stated that the said NGO seems to have obtained registration in USA.
LRO added that this in itself was violation of India laws as India does not officially subscribe to any religion. It also stated in its complaint that it was in violation of Section 23 of the Indian Contract Act.
“The matter to be noted is that this NGO has been running shop in India for 45 years right under the nose of the laws of the land on the basis of this illegal agreement!”, LRO in its response said to The Commune.
The complaint also drew its attention to another appendage of IREF in United Kingdom with registered Scottish Charity Number SC033100 which said
“The advancement of the Christian faith amongst the people of Andhra Pradesh, India, through the support of Indian pastors and evangelists and in other ways charitable in law; b) the advancement of education amongst the people of Andhra Pradesh, India, through the support of Indian children and teachers, and in other ways charitable in law; c) the relief of poverty and sickness amongst the people of Andhra Pradesh, India, through the provision of medical teams and supplies and in other ways charitable in law; d) the general benefit of the people of Andhra Pradesh, India, in whatever ways are considered appropriate and charitable in law.”
“This is another such agreement with the Indian pastors and evangelists for proselytization of Andhra Pradesh which again contravenes Section 23 of the Indian Contract Act. The fact to be noted is that the object clause openly states that it aims at ‘the advancement of the Christian faith amongst the people of Andhra Pradesh, India, through the support of Indian pastors and evangelists and in other ways charitable in law’ that is to state that mere existence of charitable laws in India and/or their lacunae will be used/misused to evangelise Andhra Pradesh in particular and India in general”, the LRO said in its complaint.
The LRO also submitted proofs of unlawful activities indulged by the said NGO. Here are some of them:
1)Slandering other religious communities: The website of IREF give a clarion call for conversion to Christianity through which states “As Christians in India experience increased persecution, join us in continuing to spread the love of God and praying for protection.” It also goes on to say “The transforming power of God is underneath all that we do at IREF and evangelism is at the heart of our mission. But Christians are facing aggression from Hindu organizations who believe that India belongs to Hinduism.”
The LRO said that such mission or vision statements and proclamations warranted severe action under Sections 295A, 298 of the Indian Penal Code, provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act apart from the cancellation of FCRA license.
“The purported hunted is the hunter who unabashedly goes to every nook and corner of Andhra Pradesh to hunt down and eliminate the ethnic and tribal minority religions by ripping them off of their rich cultural and religious diversity. It fails to lead by example the principles of tolerance and is always conniving to go against the secular principles of this country, by ruthlessly preying on tribal and rural people and making them its sacrificial lambs!”, LRO told The Commune.
It is to be noted that in the Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh And Others the Supreme Court held that Article 25(1) guarantees ‘freedom of conscience’ to every citizen, and not merely to the followers of one particular religion, in turn, postulating that there is no fundamental right to convert another person to one’s own religion.
“…If a person purposely undertakes the conversion of another person to his religion, as distinguished from his effort to transmit or spread the tenets of his religion, that would impinge on the ‘freedom of conscience’ guaranteed to all the citizens of the country alike….It has to be appreciated that the freedom of religion enshrined in the Article 25 is not guaranteed in respect of one religion only, but covers all religions alike, and it can be properly enjoyed by a person if he exercises his right in a manner commensurate with the like freedom of persons following the other religions. What is freedom for one, is freedom for the other, in equal measure, and there can therefore be no such thing as a fundamental right to convert any person to one’s own religion”, the Supreme Court in its judgement said.
The LRO stated in its complaint that the IREF conspires to create a fully Christian population in Andhra Pradesh.
2)Church planting: The website of IREF says “The seeds planted by our evangelists often grow into new churches. New believers begin gathering in a home in the village for fellowship. They share teachings and read the Bible together. As their community grows, IREF helps to construct a thatch-roof church, and eventually a church building. We have seen congregations as small as five grow to more than 100, with many people being baptized each week.”
It also openly invites other people for planting churches in ‘unreached villages’. “Let us know if you are interested in planting a church in an unreached village.”, the website states. This LRO has alleged that is violation of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as can be ascertained from the face of it!
“This interference with remote and far flung area dwelling indigenous tribes and their practice of religion is in violation of the Human Rights as well as the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to them under Articles 25, 21 as it intervenes with the liberty to lead their personal lives in all its freedom by coercing and force feeding its Christian belief.”, LRO noted in its complaint.
3)Proselytization: The organization has more than 200 evangelists and Bible ladies who travel into remote villages in India to proselytize. The IREF scouts for poor and gullible people in villages and entice the families with “free education with boarding and lodging”. However, the children of many of these non-Christian families are put through rigorous Christian education. They are trained to become missionaries in their villages.
IREF in partnership with ‘Subhavaartha’ (Good News) TV runs a programme called ‘Jeevaharam’ (Bread of Life) which it terms as an effective tool for sharing the Gospel in India. It even mentions about “crusades” to convert tribal and indigenous people of Andhra Pradesh in large numbers.
4)Fraud: This NGO’s parent organisation is a registered non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code, USA. Check financial statements of the parent organisation at USA here and here.
It is to be noted that the India Rural Evangelical Fellowship with FCRA No.: 010190026 reported a whopping amount of ₹6,44,94,796 crore inflow from foreign contributions in the year 2018-2019 all of which have been contributed by IREF(USA) and IREF(UK) mostly to satisfy the conditions of the agreement for evangelisation of whole of Andhra Pradesh.
Though Annual Returns for the year 2019-2020 have not been filed yet, the Quarterly Returns from April to 2019 to March 2020 are available.
April to June 2019 – ₹11,425,762; July to September 2019 – ₹14,074,542; October to December 2019 – ₹11,135,199; January to March 2020 – ₹12,054,977 rupees, which when summed up shows an amount of 4,86,90,480 rupees all of which have been channelized only from IREF(USA) and IREF(UK). There is no mention of any other donors. It has spent a total amount of rupees ₹67,05,320 alone for creation of immovable assets in the year 2018-2019.
In the light of these serious offence, LRO has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately cancel its FCRA license, investigate its financials and take serious action against the organizations and its pastor Rebba Emmanuel.
“This is neither the first nor the last NGO in India working at cahoots with foreign organizations, conveniently misusing the charitable laws in India to systematically eliminate the rich religious demography of India. A revamp of such Acts which pose threat to the tribal and indigenous cultures of our country is the need of the hour to mitigate future cultural loss!”, notes LRO.
The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has received the Governor’s ascent for the controversial amendment to the Kerala Police Act that paves way for punishing individuals with 5 year jail term for ‘offensive’ social media posts.
The newly inserted section 118 (A) of the Kerala Police Act states that “any person creating or sharing a social media post which is offensive or is intended to offend or threaten another person, through any means of communication, is liable to face imprisonment of five years or a fine of ₹10,000 or both.”
The Communist government has claimed that this law is necessary to fight crimes, hate speech fake propaganda on social media. However, this has led to apprehensions that the state could become a North Korea and China using the law for silencing critics of the Communist party and government.
The opposition parties in Kerala have already raised the banner against the draconian move allegeing that this amendment will give more power to the cops and curtail freedom of expression.
On a sultry Saturday afternoon, BJP and AIADMK cadres flanked either sides of the GST road unmindful of the heat to put up a rousing welcome for Home Minister Amit Shah.
Home Minister Amith Shah arrived in Chennai on Saturday to inaugurate several developmental projects and also to interact with the BJP Tamil Nadu office bearers ahead of the State Assembly elections that will happen in a few months.
Several senior BJP and AIADMK leaders had assembled at the airport to receive Amit Shah.
However, Vanathi Srinivasan who recently became the National President of BJP’s Women’s Wing stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow women cadres of the party and even shared a meal by sitting on the footpath as they awaited Amit Shah’s convoy to pass through.
பாஜகவில் மட்டுமே சாத்தியம்… மத்திய உள்துறை அமைச்சர் திரு.அமித்ஷா ஜி வரவேற்பு நிகழ்ச்சிக்கு இடையில் தொண்டர்களுடன் தொண்டராக வீதியில் அமர்ந்து மதிய உணவருந்திய அக்கா திருமதி வானதிசீனிவாசன் @VanathiBJP@MorchaBjppic.twitter.com/XyFcyhSB4g
நேற்று சென்னை வந்த மத்திய உள்துறை அமைச்சர் ஸ்ரீ.அமித்ஷா அவர்களை வரவேற்க, தொண்டர்களோடு தொண்டராக கையில் வேலுடன் நின்றிருந்த பா.ஜ.க மகளிரணி தேசிய தலைவர் திருமதி.வானதி சீனிவாசன் அவர்கள்…@VanathiBJP@BJP4India@blsanthoshpic.twitter.com/Oqq8A1c6D8
Just a day before, Vanathi Srinivasan upon assuming her role of National President of the party’s women’s wing had gone to her native Uppilipalayam in Coimbatore district where she sought blessings at a temple by prostrating before her village women who belonged to the Dalit community.
பா.ஜ.க மகளிரணி தேசிய தலைவராக பொறுப்பு ஏற்ற பின் தனது சொந்த கிராமமான கோவை – உப்பிலிபாளையத் திற்கு சென்ற வானதி சீனிவாசன்.
அந்த ஊரே சேர்ந்த தங்கள் தோட்டத்தில் வேலை பார்த்த பட்டியல் சமூக பெண்களிடம் காலில் விழுந்து ஆசிபெற்றார்..#RSS ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/HaPslpJrDz
DMK IT wing head PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, a fourth generation dynast politician, got publicly insulted after he picked fight with ‘neutral’ political analyst Sumanth C Raman who tweeted that BJP and DMK are ‘two sides of the same coin’.
In a series of tweets Sumanth C Raman had stated that ‘BJP and DMK are two sides of the same coin’ as both the parties ‘seek an other as the enemy’ and say that ‘sins of ancestors must be paid for by their descendants’.
He said that for 80 years a divisive narrative was unchallenged which demonized a minority (Brahmin community) and abused a faith (Hindu faith).
“What the Brahmin was for decades the Muslim & Christian is now becoming. That is just wrong. Two wrongs do not make a right.” Sumanth said in his tweet.
He went on to say that he was ‘deeply secular’ and believed in an idea that India belongs to all equally that provides better life for all especially for those less fortunate. It is pertinent to note here that Sumanth C Raman opposed the CAA 2019 and abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, moves that paved way for a better life for the religiously persecuted minorities from the three neighbouring Islamic states living in camps in India and to the Dalits and women of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh respectively.
Sumanth said that he shares no animosity towards those accusing him of anti-BJP and anti-Modi. He continued further stating that DMK and the DK practices the same othering which he does not approve. “Social justice can be achieved without hate/abuse. Being demonized is no fun when you are the victim.”, Sumanth said.
“I want equality for all and yes that includes all castes as temple priests. I do not insult anyones faith. Why should my faith be insulted? If that sounds biased, good luck to you. We see things from which side of the fence we sit. The view from afar may be quite different.” Sumanth concluded his tweet.
I oppose any ideology that divides society. That is why,as I have said many times before,to me BJP and DMK are 2 sides of the same coin. Both seek to divide.Both seek an other as an enemy.Both say sins of ancestors must be paid for by their descendants.
In response to this series of tweets, DMK IT wing head Palanivel Thiagarajan who is also the Madurai Central MLA resorted to personal attacks and called Sumath C Raman a ‘pseudo-intellectual who is given space that far exceeds any vestige of competence’.
Irked by this, Sumanth C Raman dissed the DMK IT wing head with a stinging rebuttal stating that generations of wealth, dynastic wealth and foreign education did not give him the grace of public discourse. The DMK IT wing head is known for being a heavy head who quite often keeps flaunting his dynastic privilege, his wealth and even his GRE/GMAT score.
“No wonder your own partymen say what they do about you. Maybe you should hear what they openly say behind your back. Arrogance is never a virtue.” Sumanth said.
Generations of great wealth, a foreign education and dynastic privilege have not given you grace in public discourse. No wonder your own partymen say what they do about you. Maybe you should hear what they openly say behind your back. Arrogance is never a virtue. https://t.co/gcbfzpZnZQ
28 projects, with project costs of ₹320.33 crores, supported with a grant of ₹107.42 Crores by MoFPI, were approved under the CEFPPC Scheme by the Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) meeting chaired by Shri, Union Minister, FPI. These projects spread over 10 states are likely to generate employment for nearly 10,000 people.
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the IMAC meeting through video conference to consider projects under the Scheme of Creation/Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) (Unit Scheme) under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for necessary Grants-in-aid. Shri Rameswar Teli, MoS FPI, was also present in the meeting. Promoters of the scheme attended the meeting virtually.
These 28 projects will create a processing capacity of 1237 MT daily and are spread across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharastra, J&K, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Manipur. These 28 projects include 6 projects of north Eastern states with project costs of ₹48.87 crores supported with a grant of ₹20.35 Crores by MoFPI.
The Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today called upon the world community to come together to isolate nations that sponsor terrorism and impose sanctions against them.
Expressing his concern over the increasing scourge of terrorism, the Vice President appealed to the United Nations to complete the deliberations and adopt India’s long-pending proposal of the ‘Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism’.
Observing that no country was safe from the scourge of terrorism, He said that the days of platitudes were over and it was time for concrete action. “There is also a need to reform the UN and create a more inclusive and equitable world order,” he added.
Virtually addressing the gathering at an event organised to present Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence 2020 to Smt. Sudha Murty, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation for her philanthropic work by the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Shri Naidu stressed on the need for all the nations, particularly those in South Asia, to come together to promote peace, eradicate poverty, improve socio-economic conditions of the masses and wipe out the menace of terrorism.
The Vice President while paying rich tributes to Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, said that he was a great son of India who rose from a humble beginning to the pre-eminent position of the Prime Minister of India and yet he always maintained simplicity, humility and humanitarian outlook. “He displayed a statesman-like dignity, impeccable integrity and served the nation without ever compromising on high moral values,” he added.
Highlighting one of the important aspects of the personality of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Vice President said that he had the remarkable ability to communicate effectively and negotiate skillfully. “One of the secrets of his extraordinary success as a negotiator was his ability to see the other man’s point of view. He was always ready to make maximum allowance for another person’s feelings,” he added.
Shri Naidu said that it was due to former Prime Minister’s push to the green revolution and white revolution that the farmers were able to ensure food security and India became the largest producer of milk.
Complimenting the frontline warriors from various fields, the Vice President said, “In spite of the restrictions during the lockdown, our farmers acted as frontline warriors and rose to the occasion to produce enough food grains. Unmindful of the risk to their lives, doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, security forces, sanitation workers and media personnel too have been working with dedication in these testing times. My compliments to all of them!”
The Vice President said that while the centre and various state governments were taking a series of measures to help people, it was time that all Indians extended a helping hand to those who were adversely hit by the pandemic. “The concepts of ‘Sarvejanasukhninobhavantu’ and ‘share and care’ have underpinned Indian philosophy since ancient times and we should always remain committed to the larger humanitarian cause,” he emphasised.
Shri Naidu said that even the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ spoke of the importance of charity. He said the concept of “Daana” was ingrained in the Indian way of life and the ancient scriptures mention it too. “From kings to well-to-do landlords to individuals, communities to companies, there have been benevolent acts of charity, donations and taking up of projects for the public good,” he added.
Well-known philanthropist and prolific writer, Smt. Sudha Murty was awarded the 21st Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Philanthropic work. Shri Naidu congratulated her and the Insofys Foundation for the immense support they extend to underprivileged sections through various projects in healthcare, education, public hygiene and rural development, among others.
Conveying his appreciation to Smt. Sudha Murty, the Vice President said, “Smt. Sudha Murty richly deserves all the accolades, honours and awards that came her way as she is the moving force behind the Infosys Foundation. She inspires people by her exemplary service.”He further said that the felicitation of Smt. Sudha Murty is to inspire others. Describing her as a role model, he asked women to read and follow her life and teachings.
Emphasising on inculcating the ancient Indian values such as ‘share & care’ and ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’, Shri Naidu appealed to the youth to work for the welfare of the people. “Happiness doesn’t come from materialistic achievements alone, but it comes from service”, he added.
The Vice President expressed his happiness that the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence, instituted by LBSIM upheld the vision of Shastri Ji and honoured people with outstanding accomplishments in various fields. “These awards are not only meant to acknowledge the excellent work done by various people but are also aimed at inspiring and motivating others to take up philanthropic work,” he added.
On this occasion, Shri Naidu also called upon the governments to make the life and teachings of great personalities such as Lal Bahadur Shastri part of school curriculum.
Smt. Sudha Murty, Chairman, Infosys Foundation, Shri Anil Shastri, Chairman of Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management and the institute’s Director, Prof. D.K. Srivastava, eminent diplomats, faculty, staff, students of Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management were among those who participated in the virtual event.
