The rise and rise of tomorrow’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi - The Sunday Guardian Report

No politician in independent India has been demonised in such a relentless, Goebbelsian manner as Narendra Modi, and no politician has withstood it with as much resilience and courage as him, notwithstanding the entire Central government, influential sections of the media machinery and civil society arraigned against him.
His dark patch started with the unfortunate Godhra train massacre and the ensuing communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, where several innocent people lost their lives. A train carrying non-violent harmless karsewaks were set on fire and nearly 60 persons were burnt to death. Understandably, but regrettably, this provoked retaliation and mayhem resulting in many innocent members of the minority community losing their lives and suffering other indignities.
It is equally true that the desire for revenge did paralyse the will of some law enforcement agencies, including some prosecutors and judges. Serious steps had to be taken to restore the confidence of the victims of revenge in the legal and judicial system of the state.
Today, vast sections of civil society see in Narendra Modi the next Prime Minister of India. I hope he will plant more visible footprints on the international seashore. He has to speak of peace and a durable solution to the Kashmir problem with the rulers of Pakistan.
The most diabolical role was played by the Congress government at the Centre. A bogus commission was appointed to whitewash the Godhra tragedy to establish that the attack on the train was not the result of a conspiracy of some evil minded Muslims, but an accidental stove fire. This serious crime by the Congress government was fully exposed when a Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court made their own independent investigation and reiterated that the burning of the pilgrims was a concerted plan by those who must have known that it will inevitably lead to retaliation and atrocities against the minorities, a finding fortified by recent court judgments. Their evil calculations proved to be right. Obviously, the planners wanted India to get a bad name, its national unity and integrity shaken and its defence against scheming neighbours enfeebled.
The unfortunate riots were followed by the state elections, the results of which made the psephologists run for cover. One is reminded of a story, which may well be apocryphal, but is fairly apposite and bears repetition. The Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow, wanted to hold an open air reception in Simla and sought, and received, the assurance of the weather bureau that there wouldn't be any showers on that day. But while strolling on the mall, he encountered a farmer and his donkey. Proletarian as he pretended to be, he struck up a conversation with him and made the same enquiry. The farmer looked at his donkey and said, "Whenever my mate's ears shake the way they are doing now, it just pours." The Viceroy made light of the donkey signal, but his evening party was a big fiasco. In anger, he had the weather station removed to faraway Pune as punishment. I hope the media will never again mess with Narendra Modi or Gujarat elections. Modi won a landslide victory, which even he and his followers could not have imagined or hoped for. I congratulated him for his brilliant victory, but I sincerely advised him that he should wear a look of absolute humility; he should publicly own that something had seriously gone wrong and that he should loudly proclaim that India could never go forward and retain its independence and sovereignty unless Hindus and Muslims were locked in an embrace of love and mutual understanding. He must declare his firm resolve to bring back to the minorities a feeling of absolute security and an assurance of every kind of protection by the powers of the state. Modi thought out and reasoned his strategy and since then his stature has risen manifold to heights rarely attained before. Today, vast sections of civil society see in him the next Prime Minister of India. I hope he will plant more visible footprints on the international seashore. He has to speak of peace and a durable solution to the Kashmir problem with the rulers of Pakistan. He must project himself as a great democratic leader of the world and a fighter for human rights and justice the world over. On the domestic front, I am proud to see him winning Muslim hearts by presenting to them the real Hindutva, which even the Supreme Court had to acknowledge and admire. Let not the real Hindutva be confused with its counterfeit version, which unfortunately gains currency during the course of electoral battles. The policies and conduct of Narendra Modi may be compared with those of the late Rajiv Gandhi. The sad assassination of his mother led to what may accurately be described as a virtual genocide of the Sikhs. Armed bands of hooligans and murderers went around the streets and colonies of Delhi in search of innocent Sikhs, sought them out and slaughtered them mercilessly. We saw some Sikhs being burnt alive on public roads while crowds watched the heartrending scenes. Even the then Sikh President could not move a finger to help the unfortunate followers of Guru Nanak. I cannot forget those shameful days even now. All that the new Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had to say was a defiant, "When a big tree falls the earth must shake". Never did the Congress leadership apologise for the atrocities and the murders. It is the greatness of the Sikh community that they have forgiven the Congress. In a corruption ridden country where the chief source of corruption is the Congress and its leaders, Narendra Modi shines for his impeccable integrity. He has focused his entire energy on building in Gujarat an able administration and good governance. He has achieved phenomenal development and economic growth, and at the same time bolstered social inclusiveness. Through these he has worked hard to regain the confidence of the minorities, even as the relentless and pervasive hate campaign against him has continued unabated in the electronic media, among the fashionable intellectuals and civil society activists, who have become the media sweethearts.
This is the first of a two-part article on Narendra Modi
Article Credits Sunday Guardian,17th October 2013

Narendra Modi, not Manmohan Singh, gave us hope'

India If India needed to hear a speech from its Prime Minister then the one at Red Fort was surely not the one.
I for one opted for the speech at Lalan College in Gujarat. At least it gave me hope, made me optimistic and left me a little more confident of what this country is capable of. Narendra Modi surely didn't ask that national media to beam his speech live but aren't we all glad they did. In its first ever direct head on encounter, Narendra Modi has been able to show how insipid and hopeless Dr Manmohan Singh's speech was.
Those who falsely criticize Narendra Modi for giving wrong facts or spinning stories must be disappointed today. Tearing into the Food Security Bill Narendra Modi has been able to show to the country why this rushed law will do more damage than benefit. 'Modi, not Singh, gave us hope' Forget the poor, today I have clarity why the Congress led UPA only had electoral politics in its mind when they introduced the ordinance. Why should the Centre not consult those who will be the most crucial delivery agents in this program, yes I am worried about how the states will cope with pressures of an ill-designed program. It will not only leave the poor in the lurch but also put the states in a precarious position when it comes to food procurement.
I am so glad that there is a state leader of national stature like Narendra Modi who has made clear his stand, yes I support the law but not in its present form and the only way to move forward is to consult the states and arrive at a better program. What did our Prime Minister say? Just that we have introduced the Food Security Bill, that's it! Why an Indian citizen feels their trust has been broken? Look around you, tell me why you should not feel angry with the dynastic nature of everything the Congress-led UPA does. If the recent cases of corruption were not enough then now the Damad episode of Robert Vadra is surely the last nail in the coffin. Just his proximity to the first family is enough to make hundreds of crores without ever having any qualification or a business model to make so much money? Yes I am angry and disappointed that my Prime Minister did not address this and that is also why I would rather hear a Narendra Modi who helps me articulate why this present government is a liability to the nation.
Will I not want Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister? Yes I will and yes I can. The Lalan College speech will surely go down in the history books as one of the turning points in the history of India. It has for the first time provoked Indians to make a choice, decide their fate and show that they want a better and stronger India. Narendra Modi's open challenge for a debate between Delhi and Gujarat has to be taken in the right spirit. For way too long we Indians have shied away from confronting facts, there is at least someone who says debate with me on merit and facts. He is not running away, instead he is inviting an open debate. I think India is ready for it as much as it is ready for Narendra Modi. Lastly, just like Narendra Modi I am not just disappointed with the Prime Minister's speech but also angry with it. I woke up early to listen to a person who rarely speaks.
He left me more disgusted with our style of national politics as if average citizen does not matter. As if we do not need to be talked to. And look at the other speech at Lalan College, it talked of development, future plans, urbanisation, job creation, building trust and most importantly it spoke with me, the average Indian. Narendra Modi may not be liked by the Congress and those politicians who cannot deal with his straight talk.
But I do, as an Indian, an average citizen who does not care about the past but about my future. He is one leader who gives me confidence, hope and inspiration that India is for Indians First, lndia First has to be the motto and the Indian constitution the only holy text.
Sadly that the Indian Prime Minister today did not tell me that, maybe the future Prime Minister did.
Article Credits: Oneindia ,August 15, 2013

The NDA Govt.constructed nearly half the total length of national highways laid during the last 32 years.

NEW DELHI: The UPA government on Monday admitted before the Supreme Court that the NDA regime, in five years, constructed nearly half the total length of national highways laid during the last 32 years.
In an interesting affidavit filed before the apex court, the Centre said the length of national highways in the country was 29,023 km in 1980, which expanded to 76,818 km by the end of 2012. This means 47,795 km of national highways was added by successive governments in 32 years. However, the affidavit revealed that during 1997-2002 (ninth five-year plan), when the NDA was in power, 23,814 km of national highways was added to the existing NH network, or nearly 50% of the total length of national highways constructed in three decades. This remains the largest construction of national highways during any five-year period since independence. In fact, during the nearly 10-year rule of the UPA government, the total length of national highways laid was much less - nearly 16,000 km, the affidavit said.
During 2012-2017, nearly 3,000 km of additional national highways was proposed to be built but the government decided to de-notify 530 km of national highways in Madhya Pradesh and 627 km in Gujarat.
The affidavit came on a PIL filed by Sanjay Kulshresta, who sought several directions from the apex court to make highways safe for motorists including making available expeditious medical help to accident victims. India has a total road network of 46.90 lakh km with a road density of 1.43 km per square km. While national highways account for 79,116 km, state highways make up 1,55,716 km and the remaining 44.55 lakh km is classified as 'other roads'. "National highways comprise only 1.7% of total road network but carry about 40% of road traffic," the Centre said. This is as per an affidavit filed in Supreme court on July 01 2013 TOI Report

Remembering Emergency 1975 - The victory of people's power!Narendra Modi

26 June 2013, It was on this day, 38 years ago that the Indian republic faced one of its toughest test in recent history. At midnight on June 25, 1975 the Emergency was imposed thus beginning one of India’s darkest periods when a political class full of arrogance and intoxicated with power preferred to destroy the nation’s democratic fabric rather than resign when their continuing in office became untenable. Personally, I have several memories associated with the Emergency. At that time I was a 25-year-old youngster who had recently started working for the RSS but what I witnessed during those dark days remains forever engraved in my memory. Who can forget the manner in which personal freedom was brutally trampled over? Who can forget the blatant misuse of MISA to target political opponents? Can one forget the lockouts on media houses? How can we not remember the determined struggle of lakhs of people across the nation for 19 long months? Overcoming grave personal risk, so many people devoted themselves to the restoration of democracy. For youngsters like me, the Emergency gave a wonderful opportunity to work with a wide spectrum of leaders and organisations that were fighting for the same goal. It enabled us to work beyond institutions we had been brought up with. From stalwarts of our family, Atal ji, Advani ji, late Shri Dattopant Thengadi, Late Shri Nanaji Deshmukh to socialists like Shri George Fernandes to Congressmen like Shri Ravindra Varma, who worked closely with Morarjibhai Desai and were unhappy with the Emergency, we got inspired by leaders who belonged to different schools of thought. I was fortunate to have learnt a lot from people such as former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapeeth Shri Dhirubhai Desai, the humanist Shri CT Daru and former Chief Ministers of Gujarat Shri Babubhai Jashbhai Patel and Shri Chimanbhai Patel and prominent Muslim leader late Shri Habib-ur-Rehman. The struggle and determination of Late Shri Morarjibhai Desai, who steadfastly resisted the authoritarianism of the Congress and even left the party, comes to the mind. It was as if a vibrant confluence of thoughts and ideologies had taken place for a larger good. Rising over differences of caste, creed, community or religion we were working with our common objective- to uphold the democratic ethos of the country. In December 1975, we worked for a very important meeting of all Opposition MPs in Gandhinagar. This meeting was also attended by Independent MPs late Shri Purushottam Mavalankar, Shri Umashankar Joshi and Shri Krishan Kant. Organisations, parties and individuals that may not have seen each other eye to eye ideologically now closed ranks for the sake of the nation. For instance, the BMS worked together with Left labour unions for the common cause. We got to work closely with student unions of different parties. These student unions may have been fighting politically in colleges and universities but when it came to preserving democracy for the nation, they were all together. People and organisations were working with the same RSS, which was considered by many as political untouchable in the preceding years. It was as if the spirit of the 1974 Navnirman Movement in Gujarat and the JP Movement in Bihar was coming alive on the national stage! Apart from leaders and various political organisations, the Emergency gave me the chance to engage with non-government social organisations, who were also deeply concerned with what was happening in the nation. Working with several Gandhians and people of Sarvodaya Movement was extremely enriching., it was at the residence of Gandhian Shri Prabhudas Patwari that I got the opportunity to meet Shri George Fernandes on a July evening in 1975. I vividly recall a bearded George Sahib coming in a yellow fiat, adorning his trademark non-ironed kurta, covering his head in a green cloth. I had the opportunity of making him meet with Shri Nanaji Deshmukh. These were two men who could make the then Prime Minister tremble with fear. When I look back at the Emergency, I cannot but salute the far sightedness of the people of India who rejected authoritarian politics in the very first opportunity in 1977. This despite a heavily censored, biased and one sided print media and radio. Electronic media was in its pre-infant stages and there was no social media. Infact, I wonder if there was social media during that time, would the Prime Minister have imposed the Emergency at all? Or would it even have lasted for the while it did? I am sharing my book ‘Aapatkal Me Gujarat’ in which I have shared in detail my memories of the Emergency. I would like to draw your attention to Page 200 in my book where I wrote this on how different political organizations came together developing a better understanding of each other: “The gap between different political organizations largely had to do with intentional and accidental differences resulting from rejection of each other’s causes. The mindset of “if you are not with us, you are against us” had also contributed to this gap. But events had created an opportunity for every one of these Organizations to rise above their political differences and to develop a deeper understanding of each other.” Many of my young friends would not have been born during those days. I specially urge them to have a look at the book to get a broader understanding of the historical context and what is now remembered as a great victory of people’s power.

Gujarat's wind power capacity grows highest in 4 years

Achieves 36% growth in 2011-12, total installed capacity reaches 2,966 Mw
In yet another leap in renewable energy sector, Gujarat has registered highest growth in wind power generation during past four years. Installed wind power generation capacities in the state has increased by 36 per cent during 2011-12 to 2,966 megawatt (Mw), making the state second only to Tamil Nadu in India's wind energy sector. As per the Indian Wind Energy Association (IWEA) data, growth in wind power generation capacity has been highest since 2008-09. The state has outperformed the national average growth of 22 per cent for the wind power generation capacities. Notably, Gujarat's share in India's total wind generation has increased from around 15 per cent in 2011 to 17 per cent in 2012. India's total installed wind power capacities stand at 17,365 Mw for 2011-12. Installed wind power generation capacity in Gujarat rose by 915 Mw since April 2011, according to data provided by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). It further said that Gujarat's total installed wind power generation capacity stood at 3,010 Mw in 2012-13. "Gujarat has the benefit of plenty of land available for wind power generation mainly in the Kutch region. Other states have more of individual land, which makes it difficult for wind energy generation to grow," said Anil Kane, wind energy expert and former president of Indian Wind Energy Association (IWEA). A large number of private investors have entered into Gujarat's wind energy sector. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during the previous Vibrant Gujarat investors' summits. "Installation of wind energy unit is not a problem, but evacuating the power is a major concern. Many units are still not coming because of the lack of evacuation lines," said a wind power project developer in Gandhinagar. According to Kane, the industry has asked the state government to channelize the funds collected through imposition of Green Cess. "Funds worth Rs 200-300 crore collected through Green Cess, must be utilized for laying down evacuation lines. Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have good infrastructure," said Kane. As per Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), the state has installed wind power generation capacity of 7,134 Mw as on September 2012.

The nation's economy is going wayward - BJP warns in 2011

Manmohan Singh on silent mode: BJP Saturday, July 2, 2011 Jul 2: The BJP on Friday, Jul 2 criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for being on a "silent mode" on issues confronting the country saying it is under this noted economist that the nation's economy is "going wayward". The party's national spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the prime minister is always on a silent mode and has failed to speak up on burning issues such as price rise and corruption. "Even if he would have been on a vibration mode, the nation might have benefited in some manner," Rudy told reporters here. Continuing his dig at Singh, Rudy said, "The prime minister speaks when his pause button is released from 10, Janpath or the Congress Working Committee." The BJP spokesman said it was sad that "it is under this noted economist that the nation's economy is going wayward. A man who is an economist of the highest order has chosen to unleash the terror of inflation on the country". Comparing Singh with former BJP prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Rudy claimed, "Vajpayeeji's speeches inspired the entire nation. But the present prime minister chooses to be on a silent mode."

Google unveils new ultra-high speed internet

Chicago:After more than two years of anticipation, Google finally announced Thursday that the company's ultra-high speed internet service Google Fiber would become available to the residents of its test community Kansas City starting in September. Offering an internet connectivity speed of one gigabit per second, Google said the service will be about 100 times faster than the speed most Americans have with current broadband connections, reported Xinhua. Instead of a broadband connection, Google Fiber is composed of thin optical fiber lines that run directly from a person's home to a data centre, which is then in turn connected to the national internet backbone. According to Google, it is this 'direct connection' from a person's home to the national backbone that will allow users to experience such high internet speeds. Google said it was inspired to develop Google Fiber in line with the Federal Communication Commission's 2010 National Broadband Plan, which calls for making high speed internet more widely available in the US. Despite the fact that internet was invented in the US, according to content delivery network Akamai's 2011 State of the Internet report, the US ranks only 12th globally in internet connection speed, with an average connection of 5.8 megabits per second. South Korea ranks first, with an average speed of 17.5 megabits per second. In an interview on telephone, Google Fiber spokesperson Jenna Wandres told Xinhua that Google had already done advocacy work around the development of the National Broadband Plan and improving US internet connectivity, and that it set the stage for the company to do even more once the Plan was released. Wandres added Google hoped greater internet accessibility and speed could additionally lead to more technological innovation, and set the stage for the future of internet browsing. 'When we think back about the way we used to use the internet when we were still listening to a dial tone, there were all sorts of innovations that we couldn't even imagine - we were sitting waiting for it to dial in,' Wandres said, comparing how much the internet had changed since it was first developed. 'We're hoping that with Google Fiber and its higher speeds, these things will lead to new and unpredictable innovations that as a whole will move the web forward in the US,' she added. After months of laying the infrastructure and groundwork, Google Fiber will finally start home-installation after the pre-registration deadline Sep 9. The internet service is priced at $70 a month, which is competitive with most US broadband internet providers. Google also announced the new internet service could be paired with a television component, Google Fiber TV, which Google says will include regular broadcast channels and thousands of TV shows on demand. Although Google already owns video-sharing site YouTube, it will be the company's first venture into serving as a television provider. The Google Fiber project first started in February 2010, when Google announced that the company planned to build an ultra-high speed internet network in a select US city that was willing to partner with them. According to Google, the response was overwhelming. The company received invitations from almost 1,100 US communities and close to 200,000 individuals, all expressing their desire for faster internet service. Some cities even tried doing stunts hoping to attract the Google Fiber project, with one city mayor even jumping into a frozen river and posting the request on YouTube. Ultimately, the Midwest community of Kansas City was chosen as the Google Fiber launch site in spring 2011. According to Wandres, Kansas City was chosen because of its business-friendly infrastructure, community involvement, and supportive officials. MPP

UPA govt 'most corrupt' post-Independence: Narendra Modi

CHENNAI: Mounting a scathing attack on the ruling UPA coalition at the Centre, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said it was the "most corrupt" government after Independence even as there was a "lack of direction and leadership at the Central level".

"The UPA government is neck deep in trouble, owing to explicit greed for power and position. It is least concerned about consolidation and expansion of the economy. The present government is by far the most corrupt after Independence," he said at the 42nd anniversary celebrations of Tamil weekly 'Thuglaq', edited by noted political commentator Cho Ramaswamy.


Charging the Congress-led UPA with harping on vote bank politics, he said it had resulted only in "gloom and pessimism".

"Post-Independence, the Congress party's single rule of negative vote bank politics for almost 40 years has spread an atmosphere of gloom and pessimism," he said.

In 2011, the country was faced with many problems such as slowing down of economic growth, menace of terrorism, naxalism, corruption and inflation, Modi said.

Congratulation Virender Sehwag Breaks record 219 in ODI

Virender Sehwag smashed a world record 219 to become only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the 200-run landmark in ODIs as India posted their highest One-day total of 418 for five in the fourth match against the West Indies , in Indore, on Thursday.

Sehwag surpassed Tendulkar's 200 not out made from 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24 last year when he square-cut Andre Russell for a boundary in the 44th over of the Indian innings to go past the 200 mark at the Holkar Stadium.

Sehwag joined his idol Tendulkar in the record books as the only other cricketer to score double hundred in the limited overs game.

The 33-year-old Delhi marauder, who is leading the team in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also became the highest individual scorer in the 40-year-old history of One-day International.

Sehwag, who cracked his second three-figure knock against the Caribbean islanders and 15th overall in 240th matches, slammed 25 fours and seven sixes during his 147-ball blitz.

He also reached his double hundred in fewer balls (in 140 balls with the help of 23 fours and six sixes) than Tendulkar, who took 147 for his 200 not out.

Sehwag continued to plunder runs against a hapless Windies attack on a perfect batting strip, having opted to bat, as India raised their highest-ever total against the West Indies in ODIs, overtaking their previous best of 341 for three in Vadodara in January 2007.

Sehwag, who was caught in the deep straight field in the 47th over while attempting another huge heave off Kieron Pollard, also added century stands with fellow-opener Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina , who both got individual half-centuries and were both run out.

Sehwag got life twice during his masterly knock -- once on 20 when he escaped a run out chance after being stranded mid-pitch and then on 170 when rival captain Darren Sammy dropped an easy catch at extra cover.

When India commenced their innings, the decision of the Indian team management to tweak the top order paid rich dividends as Sehwag and Gambhir, who replaced Parthiv Patel after the latter had opened in the first three games, ripped apart the Windies bowling attack.

Sehwag, who said after the Ahmedabad tie that the top order needs to fire, led from the front by greeting the first ball he received from Sunil Narine and Darren Sammy for big sixes.

Flash Mob Hits Mumbai

Two hundred dancers took commuters at Mumbai’s hectic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station by surprise on Sunday, when they broke into dance accompanied by the title track from Bollywood hit Rang de Basanti.
The Mumbai Flash Mob, as it was dubbed, threatened to become a viral phenomenon in India by Tuesday evening, as videos of the performance rocketed through the Twitter universe, were posted on Facebook and liked on YouTube.

While the video looks spontaneous, the act was carefully planned.

“One of the top items on my travel to-do list, which I never got around to in Europe, was to be a part of a flash mob,” one of the organizers of the mob, Shonan Kothari, formerly a researcher for Harvard Business School, said in a telephone interview. “Since India didn’t have anything of the sort, I figured I’d do it myself,” she said.

Getting over 200 people to participate in a choreographed dance in the middle of Mumbai’s bustling central railway station required a month of planning, including visits to three different departments at the station for security clearance. Atul Rane, senior divisional operations manager at Indian Railways, helped coordinate with other departments to organize the lighting, ladders and camera placements, Ms. Kothari said.

Then Ms. Kothari had to coordinate the dancers. “I had 325 people sign up within two days of sending out the e-mail,” she said. She didn’t spread the word on any social networking Web site, fearing too many people would show up. The dancers were taught the choreography in small batches over the course of two weeks in a Malabar Hill park.

While so-called flash mobs have been popular in the United States and Europe for years, the phenomenon has not really caught on in India. That may be about to change, judging by the amount of attention the video has garnered. A video of the dancing, put up on YouTube early Tuesday morning, had already been “liked” by 1,435 people by 6:30 in the evening.

Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia's JaxtrSMS to allow free SMSes

lMUMBAI: Jaxtr Inc, founded by Sabeer Bhatia and Yogesh Patel, on Wednesday launched JaxtrSMS, a cross-platform open texting application to send SMSes to anyone in the world for free.

"We have developed this application that runs on all mobile applications in the world, including iPhones, Androids, Blackberrys, J2MEs, where one can send unlimited free text messages from his phone to any mobile phone in the world," Jaxtr Inc CEO and co-founder and co-founder of Hotmail Sabeer Bhatia told reporters here.

At present it is very expensive for sending international SMSes costing Rs 5 per message, he said.

JaxtrSMS, which was developed in the country, is expecting at least 100 million subscriber base globally, he added.

"We witnessed tremendous response to this application during the soft launch where users across 197 countries downloaded it in a few weeks and expect 100 million subscribers by end of next year," Bhatia said.

The company will generate revenue through advertisements and premium services like archiving texts, multimedia, video etc, which will be available by mid next year, he said.

The premium services will be available for the subscribers at a very nominal cost, Bhatt said.

"We are talking with advertisers," he said. The US-based company is looking at USD 10-15 million investment in JaxtrSMS in another couple of months. "We are in talks with a few investors and are looking at investing USD 10-15 million in a couple of months time," he added.

Bhatia said this application would be in accordance with the regulatory provisions of the country. Globally, there are 4.2 billion texters worldwide and it is expected to reach 12 trillion by 2015.

Use 1909 to Block Unwanted Calls and SMS on Your Mobile

Finally, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or TRAI has brought a good news for more than 800 M mobile customers of India. Indian mobile subscribers have long been waiting for this menace to end soon. However, TRAI’s earlier efforts to ban the pesky calls and SMS has not been much fruitful. But this time TRAI has taken this up in a very strict manner and has announced heavy penalties for the telemarketer defaulters. Majority of Indian mobile subscribers have been complaining about receiving unwanted commercial communication (i.e. unwanted promotional messages and calls) on their mobile phones. Many of these subscribers have been receiving such calls and messages inspite of having registered already with TRAI’s “Do Not Call” registry. However, this time, in order to curb this menace of unwanted calls and SMS, TRAI has recommended heavy penalty of up to 2.5 lacs per offence for the telemarketing companies. This also includes disconnection of telephone numbers for such defaulting telemarketing companies. TRAI had already disconnected more than 70000 telephone connections of registered telemarketing companies on account of making unwanted calls to the registered customers.

The whole process has been made quite simpler and clearer this time for an easy implementation. This includes

Registration by a mobile subscriber for the National Customer Preference Register which was earlier named as Do Not Call registry.
Mandatory registration by all telemarketing companies.
Easy identification of all unwanted or unsolicited calls and messages.
Mechanism for the mobile subscribers to enable Full or partial block of pesky calls and messages.
Procedure to log a complaint against a telemarketing company by a mobile subscriber for breaching the guidelines.
The strict implementation of the whole process of blocking calls and SMS as well as imposing fines for the defaulter will be effective from September 27, 2011. All the Indian mobile subscribers can hope to get a relief from all nonsense and unwanted calls and SMS with this. However, you will continue to receive all those calls and messages until you register with TRAI’s National Customer Preference Register. You need not register again if you had already registered with Do Not Call registry.

How to Identify the Unwanted or Pesky Calls and Messages

DoT has allotted number ‘140’ series for the fixed line and 10 digits number series of ‘70NNNNNNNN’ for the mobiles. This will ensure an easy identification of such calls and messages by mobile subscribers irrespective of the fact if they are registered or not.

Registration Process for Mobile Subscribers to Fully or Partial Block the Unsolicited Calls and SMSs
Mobile subscribers can register their telephone number with the National Customer Preference Register by dialing a toll free number 1909 and by sending an SMS to 1909. You can then set your preference either via an IVR or with the help of a customer care executive. For registering and setting up the preference via SMS, the SMS message has to be sent in the following format to the number 1909.

SMS “START 0” to 1909 for fully blocked option i.e. blocking all the calls and messages

SMS “START ” to 1909 for partial blocking. The options has to be filled up as per following;

1 -Banking/ Insurance /Financial products/Credit cards

2 –Real Estate

3 -Education

4 -Health

5 -Consumer goods and automobiles

6 -Communication /Broadcasting / Entertainment /IT

7 -Tourism and Leisure

For example, if you wish to receive messages related to only Banking/ Insurance /Financial products/Credit cards category and would like to block rest all, then you will have to send the following SMS to 1909;

Start 1

Telemarketer Registration Process

Telemarketers can register themselves through Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Portal by TRAI. Telemarketing companies can access this portal at www.nccptrai.gov.in and then register themselves by clicking on link “New Telemarketer Registration”. Telemarketers will have to pay a fee of Rs. 1000 for registration and Rs. 9000 for customer education fee.

Do you know, that now, you can not send more than 100 SMS per day as per TRAI.

Process to Register a Complaint Against Telemarketing Company for sending Unsolicited Communication
If as a mobile subscriber, you continue to receive the unsolicited calls and SMS even after seven days of registration of your telephone number, you can make a complaint by dialing a toll free number 1909 or by sending an SMS to 1909. However, please note, you should use the same telephone to make a complaint on which such unwanted calls or SMS was received. Ensure to register your complaint within 3 days of receiving such call or SMS. If you wish to make the complaint via SMS to 1909 number, then SMS message has to be in the following format;

“COMP TEL NO XXXXXXXXXX, dd/mm/yy, Time hh:mm”

where XXXXXXXXXXX is the telephone number from which you have received the unsolicited call or SMS.

Your complaint will get registered and you will receive a complaint registration number via SMS. You can hope to know the action taken on your complaint within 7 days of registering your complaint.

Aakash: World's cheapest tablet launched; to be sold for $60 in retail

"The Rs 3,000 figure is the 'maximum suggested retail price' of the commercial version of the product which we will offer with an embedded cellular modem and SIM," said Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of Datawind, maker of the world's cheapest tablet.

The $60 tablet for retail sales has an inbuilt cellular modem and SIM to access internet, which will be absent in the $35 device, supplied to the government.

As a business, we need to make a profit, and our distribution channel needs to make a profit, which is all covered in the MRP of Rs 2,999,"

Both versions of the tablet, will run on Google's Android platform, with WiFi connectivity for internet access and cloud storage. The tablets will have 256 MB of RAM, a 32 GB expandable memory slot and two USB ports.

The commercial version of the tablet would have no duty waivers or subsidy, as in the government's version. An inbuilt cellular modem and SIM card will add to the price of the commercial tablet.

The commercial version of the tablet, is expected be out within 60 days, of its launch on October 5.

Datawind adds that it is supplying to the government at a price of Rs 2200, which includes sales tax and replacement warranty. "The $35 price is achievable at higher volume levels. When we supply the product to the government at $35, then too it will allow us a margin, albeit at higher volumes," Datawind CEO added.

India trails fellow BRIC nations Brazil, Russia and China in the drive to get its 1.2 billion population connected to technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones, a report by risk analysis firm Maplecroft said this year.

The number of Internet users grew 15-fold between 2000 and 2010, according to another recent report. Still, just 8 percent of Indians have access. That compares with nearly 40 percent in China.

Some 19 million people subscribe to mobile phones every month, making India the world's fastest growing market, but most are from the wealthier segment of the population in towns.

Bharat Mehra, an expert on the use of communications technology for development, said the budget tablet could be used to deliver distance learning in rural areas and among students.

Jan Lokpal and Govt. Lokpal bills - Watch in Full Screen

Great deal of angst and anger forced Govt.to free Hazare

NEW DELHI: A nervous government suddenly capitulated on Tuesday, jettisoning its attempt to take on Lokpal activists led by Gandhian leader Anna Hazare in the face of rising criticism that it has cracked down on an anti-corruption movement.

Always a risk-laden option, the move to confront Anna and arrest him backfired on the government and Congress as after spending the day defending the police action, the ruling coalition found the civil society leader too hot a potato to keep in the Tihar Jail.

Having said that the action against Anna was taken by the Delhi Police because as it apprehended he would commit a "cognizable offence" by defying prohibitory orders at the venue where Anna was to go on fast, it is clear that legal arguments proved to be totally inadequate.

"Hazare said he was proceeding to Jaiprakash Narain Park to defy the orders. At that time, police came to the conclusion that he and his supporters would commit a cognizable offence and there could be likely breach of peace and they decided to take action under Sections 107 and 151 of CrPC," home minister P Chidambaram said.

But it was not a case of whether Anna was going to break a law. It was about the moral offensive he was launching, running down the government as an entity incapable of delivering a genuinely effective anti-corruption Lokpal. This is the issue at hand that the government's spokespersons have only partially addressed.

After deliberations, including a meeting of the cabinet committee on political affairs, and faced with a united Opposition, HRD minister Kapil Sibal and I&B minister Ambika Soni said they shared Anna's concern on corruption. "We are on Anna's side and Anna is on our side (as far as fight against corruption is concerned)," Sibal said, adding that the disagreement was over Team Anna's insistence on accepting their bill and no other bill.

Chidambaram admitted that there was "great deal of angst and anger" among people on corruption and termed the Lokpal as "not a panacea but one of the answers" to deal with the menace. The government line was shared by the Congress, which felt that tackling Anna's movement carried the inherent risk of painting the government as favouring the corrupt because the aam aadmi, suffering daily hardships, was unlikely to be drawn into legal niceties.

The tricky issue manifested itself in the form of Anna's judicial custody, with party leaders saying it was bound to be seen as another government act of persecuting the veteran leader. The ruling party was hoping that Anna would be set free after arrest. But the court decision to send him to jail gave another issue to civil society to agitate against. Anna's late night release appeared targeted at blunting this criticism that the government had to face both in Parliament and outside.

With corruption having a strong resonance with the aam aadmi, there is a realization that it will be tough to deal with Anna while not being seen to be soft on corruption. Many felt the need to act fast on anti-corruption measures, with delays proving costly. The Lokpal bill itself is set to stay beyond the monsoon session of Parliament, providing a reason for the government's opponents to rally around.

The anti-graft momentum had allies like the Samajwadi Party and the RLD and the Left too joined the BJP-led Opposition ranks to protest Anna's arrest. It showed that painting the Anna agitation with RSS was not cutting ice in the short run, with an SP leader saying it was the party's compulsion to be seen with the popular opinion. While BSP stayed away, the SP was not scared into thinking that it could cost support among minorities in the coming polls.

In a marked difference from earlier Congress attacks on Anna, Soni said the activist was a "reputed person" and the government trusted his word on the protest being peaceful. She, however, said that no one could guarantee that there would not be any problem when such large numbers of people gathered at one place as people seated on a dais do not have control on each and every person participating in an agitation.

While echoing similar views, Chidambaram said the only way a law could be made was by legislating it in Parliament. "But if laws are not to be made by Parliament but by some social activists in a maidan, however well-meaning they are, outside Parliament, then it is beyond my comprehension," the home minister said.

Chidambaram termed as "careless" lawyer Shanti Bhushan's allegation that the Delhi Police was a puppet in the hands of the Centre. "There would be different conditions for different venues, whether the restrictions are reasonable or not can be decided in a court of law," he said, adding exhorting government employees to take mass leave was a "wrong call."
Credits:TOI

Corrupt Govt. makes heavy road blocks for Anna Hazare's Fast

Govt of India behaves like Burmese Dictators Repeats the mud slugging of Baba Ramdev
Anna Hazare not so clean, say govt & Cong


NEW DELHI: The government and Anna Hazare headed for a showdown as the confrontation over anti-graft activist's proposed fast in support of a Lokpal bill scripted by his group rapidly escalated on Sunday.

In a coordinated attack, the government and Congress questioned Hazare's anti-corruption credentials while challenging him to reveal his source of funding. Stung by the charges, Hazare challenged the government to prove "even Rs 100 of corruption" against him.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari lashed out at Hazare over a report submitted by Justice P B Sawant in 2005 that cited a diversion of funds from a trust run by the Gandhian. The decision to refer to the six-year-old report was deliberate, intended to undercut Hazare's credentials as an anti-corruption crusader.

Referring to Team Hazare as "A-company", Tewari said it comprised "armchair fascists, overground Maoists, closet anarchists... lurking behind forces of right reaction and funded by invisible donors whose links may go back a long way abroad".

Govt looks to undercut Anna anti-graft edge

By upping the ante against the Anna Hazare campaign, the government seems to have decided to run the risk of being criticized of throttling an anti-corruption protest. But there is a strong consensus in Congress that Hazare should not be allowed to set the agenda.

It is now evident that the government is not ready to allow Hazare to stage his protest without agreeing to a timeline to wind it up. The ruling party seems to have steeled itself for a clash, with the protesters that might see the police arresting leaders if the Hazare group goes ahead with its plan to sit at JP Park near Feroze Shah Kotla.

Congress spokesperson Tewari claimed the "moral core" of Hazare was "ripped apart" by the PB Sawant Commission of 2003 and said, "The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal Bill. If that was the case, Hazare would have first clarified the grave charges... What is Hazare's clarification about the serious findings...The nation wants to know."




Kejriwal hits out at restrictions on Hazare's fast

A key associate of Anna Hazare on Monday accused the government of a "dictatorial attitude" for imposing restrictions on the Gandhian's fast against corruption set to start on Tuesday. Arvind Kejriwal told reporters that the restrictions betrayed a "dictatorial and arbitrary attitude" and said Hazare would not call off his hunger strike.

He said the Delhi Police, clearly with the sanction of the government, was trying to obstruct Hazare's protest meant to show the civil society's unhappiness with the government version of the lokpal bill.

The police, he said, had told the organisers that more than 5,000 people could not gather at the protest site, only 50 vehicles could be parked, no tent could be erected, no sound system put up, and only government doctors could examine Hazre when he fasts.

All these conditions, Kejriwal said, were "unreasonable, unjustified".

Kejriwal said while police were entitled to impose reasonable restrictions to maintain law and order, he wondered how a tent posed a security threat.

"It is raining now. Where will people take shelter if there is no tent?

"And why allow only 50 vehicles to be parked. Why not 100? Why not 75? How have they arrived at this figure of 50? It is completely arbitrary."

Kejriwal said a sound system was a must in case Hazre had to make appeals in the event of any trouble.

"They are creating an Emergency like situation," Kejriwal said, referring to the 1975-77 period when thousands of political activists were jailed and fundamental rights were suspended.

Kejriwal's comments came only a few hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his Independence Day speech, said that hunger strikes were no answer in the search for a lokpal bill.

Kejriwal, however, made it clear that Hazare and his supporters would undertake the fast from Tuesday as promised.

"We will definitely go there and sit peacefully." he said, and added that the option of seeking judicial intervention was not ruled out.

Maha Samadhi of Beloved Bhagawan Baba

Wed, April 27, 2011:

Puttaparthi that sung lullabies to infant Sathya, that fondled and nurtured Little Sathya to Sri Sathya Sai and that received the abundance of His love and care over and over again during the past eight and a half decade finally earned a day to grieve, though the day will be marked in the annals of Divine History as the most significant of the day, when Avatar of the age was laid to rest. ...This is definitely not of her choice, but as fate would have it, a grieving Puttaparthi had to accept this present as well, as she has been receiving over the past eight and a half decade, in abundance.

It was a Divine Script that was written by Him alone and executed in His own inimitable fashion. For all the glory, happiness and bliss that she has received over and over again, when the final moment arrived, to bid farewell to the Soul of entire creation, she grieved and so were millions upon millions around the world.

Bhagawan who left His mortal coil on the 24th April 2011 was laid to rest in Sai Kulwant Hall this morning in presence of a huge assemblage of devotees, also attended by a host of political luminaries.


Earlier, the function commenced with an aalaap bhajan by noted classical vocalist Pt. Jasraj, that was followed by an hour-long bhajan by students. A host of prayers representing various religions, that included Jewish, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism followed before a set of selected bhajans, that were so dear to Beloved Bhagawan, was rendered by students bringing tears in the assemblage, taking one and all to nostalgic happy days with their Beloved "Swami".

Among the dignitaries present were both Governor and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, EVL Narasimhan and Kiran Kumar Reddy, Senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Venkaiah Naidu, former Union Home Minister and Governor of Punjab Shivraj Patil , Karnataka Chief Minister B S. Yeddyurappa, Telugu Desam Supremo and former AP Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, veteran VHP leader Ashok Singhal, AP Ministers Geeta Reddy, Raghuveera Reddy etc.

The Divine Physical Frame that was draped in Bhagawan's favourite orange colour was lowered into the Samadhi amidst vedic chanting. In a symbolic gesture, the ceremony was marked with gifting of a cow and clothes (godhaana and buudhaana). Special water collected various holy rivers across India was also sprinkled on the Divine Frame sanctifying the occasion.

Even as the first set of rituals were completed the curtain came down for the finishing touches of the tomb where Bhagawan was laid to rest. Incessant Sai Gayathri chanting continued for the next more than half-an-hour before the curtains went up for the public to have their maiden view of the Tomb of the Avatar of the Age...


As fragrant Vibhuti smell wafted in the air granting the nostalgia of golden days when Beloved spent time amidst on the same dais, and announcement came that darshan would commence at 11:45 hrs. As is the case in Shirdi, this Tomb of the Avatar of the Age would start speaking to His chosen devotees now on...and would be the solace for grieving devotees from around the world. Puttaparthi beckons, with much more intensity as our Beloved Lord Sri Sathya Sai would speak from His tomb from now on!!!

On this first evening of Maha Samadhi of Beloved Bhagawan, there was a change in programme scheudule. One hour Vedam chanting began at 1600 hrs. followed by bhajans at 1700 hrs. to end with Mangala Arathi at 1800 hrs.

As darshan of Maha Samadhi commenced this forenoon at 1145 hrs. a continuous stream of devotees are pouring in to have a precious glimpse of the Maha Samadhi in Sai Kulwant Hall. Many faces are writ with deep emotion and suppressed feeling burst open at the site of Maha Samadhi.

At the end of Mangala Arathi, an announcement was made on the darshan schedule for the next two days. Darshan of Maha Samadhi, for tomorrow and the day after will commence at 0800 hrs. till 1200 hrs. and in the evening from 1600 hrs. till 2000 hrs.

Bhagavan Baba - Stand By for an Important announcement at 11 A.M IST

April 24 2011: An IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT to be made at 11.00 am local time

India win World Cup

Mumbai: Fulfilling the expectations of a billion hearts, India Saturday won the cricket World Cup for the second time in 28 years, showing guts and will to comprehensively beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in a pulsating final at a jam-packed Wankhede Stadium.Cricket's economic superpowers are now the number one team in the two major formats of the game --Test and ODIs. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91 not out) reserved his best for the occasion and played a truly captain's knock and the entire team swarmed the field to mob him as he dispatched Nuwan Kulasekara for a six to complete the gritty chase.

Even Sachin Tendulkar could not control his emotions as ran in to join the celebrations out the middle. The Indian players had tears of joy as the Sri Lankans stood in disbelief, not knowing what had hit them. It was the second consecutive loss for Sri Lanka in the final, having beaten by Australia in the Caribbeans four years back.

Tendulkar said this was the proudest moment for him. He did not forget to thank the support staff for their wonderful work.

The team carried Tendulkar on their shoulders for a victory lap around the stadium.

Chasing a stiff 275, India were looking down the barrel as their two greatest match-winners Virender Sehwag (0) and Tendulkar (18) were back in the pavilion.

But, they were well served first by Gautam Gambhir (97) who first revived the gasping team with Virat Kohli (35) and then joined Dhoni to put them on road to victory.

Eventually, Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh finished the job in great style.

Dhoni's invincibles have finally broke the jinx of the a host country not winning a World Cup on their home soil and the captain himself played a gem of an innings. Sri Lanka won it in 1996 as co-hosts, but in the Pakistani city Lahore. Come to think of it, they left India speechless in the semis and left them in tears in Kolkata in that edition.

There were two distinct phases when a team dominated the World Cup, first the West Indies which won the first two editions before India knocked them off the perch in 1983. Then the Australians dominated, playing four consecutive finals and winning the cup thrice.

Sri Lanka, who could not chase a revised target of 269 from 36 overs in the 2007 edition against Australia, thought they had enough to carry the day as Mahela Jayawardene took them to 274/6 with a superlative hundred.

Over 38 lakh users opt for mobile number portability

New Delhi: Over 38 lakh (3.8 million) customers opted for mobile number portability (MNP) - which allows users to switch operators while retaining their numbers - till the end of February, official data showed Wednesday.

The service was implemented across the country Jan 20, 2011 while the pilot launch of the service took place in Haryana Nov 25, 2010.

'As per the data reported by the service providers, by the end of February 2011, about 38.33 lakh subscribers have submitted their requests to different service providers for porting their mobile number,' the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said in a statement.

Out of these requests, around 3.20 lakh were from Haryana, where the service was first implemented.

In the rest of the country, Gujarat reported the maximum number of requests, at 3.65 lakh subscribers.

Karnataka led the way in southern and eastern India with 3.18 lakh subscribers opting to change their operators.

To opt for MNP, a customer has to pay a maximum of Rs.19 to the new operator for 'porting' the number and remain with the new operator for at least three months.

The customer has to send an SMS from the existing phone to 1900. Based on this, a unique porting code will be sent by existing provider. An application then has to be filed with the new service provider mentioning the code for transferring the connection.

The telecom regulator also said that it was constantly monitoring the implementation of MNP in the country. According to it, the main reasons for rejection of port request were incorrect unique porting codes, non-completion of the mandatory three-month stay and existing contractual obligations and dues.

In view of the large number of rejections and complaints, TRAI is also in the process of verifying the correctness of the port rejections by the service providers on a sample basis, the statement said.