High alert over possible attacks by Pak-based terror groups

New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) The Centre today issued a country- wide alert asking states to step up vigil to foil any attempt by Pakistan-based terror groups to avenge the surgical strike on their launch pads in PoK even as Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed security situation along the Indo-Pak border.

Security agencies were also apprehending stepped up action by militants currently operating in Jammu and Kashmir targeting security forces and civilians following yesterday's surgical strike by special forces of the Army on seven terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK).

Security was strengthened at vital installations across Punjab and a high alert has been sounded at all airbases across the state while evacuation of people residing in villages along the International Border continued.

During the hour-long meeting with the country's top security brass, Singh instructed the officials to ensure that the forces posted along the border remain on alert as the situation along the Indo-Pak border continues to be volatile, official sources said.

The Army, meanwhile, trashed reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of the special forces received minor injury during exfiltration but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action.

The operation was a clinically planned one and the attack on the seven launch pads were carried out simultaneously, sources said.

The sources said it was a moonless night and total darkness helped the special forces bring in the element of surprise with total effectiveness.

It has been estimated that casualties was at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation.

Choppers also hovered over several sectors on the Indian side of the LoC to divert attention of the Pakistani security forces guarding various posts..

Public release of 8th batch of 25 declassified files relating to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on Web Portal

The 8^th batch of 25 declassified files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were released online on web portal www.netajipapers.gov.in. today by Shri N.K. Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Culture. The present batch of 25 files pertains to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), inclusive years 1951-2006.

It may be recalled that first lot of 100 files relating to Netaji, after their preliminary conservation treatment and digitization, were put in the public domain by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on 23 January 2016, on the occasion of the 119^th birth anniversary of Netaji. Subsequently, 175 files were released in 6 more batches between March and August, 2016.  In all, 275 files belonging to the Prime Minister’s Office (58 files), Ministry of Home Affairs (37 files), Ministry of External Affairs (171 files) and the Cabinet Secretariat (9 files) have been put in the public domain in the portal www.netajipapers.gov.in.

The present release of 25 files will further meet the continued public demand to access these files and this will also facilitate scholars to carry out further research on the doyen of the freedom movement.      

These files having passed the scrutiny of the specially constituted Committee having experts from the field of Archives which looks into the aspects such as:

1.      To ascertain the physical conditions of the files and carry out necessary repair and conservation wherever needed, through Conservation Unit.

2.      To verify the quality of digitization for enabling the digitized records to upload in the web portal ‘www.netajipapers.gov.in’.

3.      To check if there is any duplication in the files that are being released on the internet for use by the researchers and general public.

It may be reiterated that in 1997, the National Archives of India had received 990 declassified files pertaining to the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) from the Ministry of Defence. Further, in 2012, 271 files/ items pertaining the Khosla Commission, and 759 files/ items of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry, in total 1030 files/ items were received from the Ministry of Home Affairs. All these files/ items are already open to the public under the Public Records Rules, 1997.

India briefs envoys of 25 countries including P5

New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) India today briefed top envoys of 25 countries including the US, China, Russia, the UK and France after the Indian Army said it has carried a "surgical strikes" on seven terror launch pads across the LoC,inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar briefed the envoys in the South Block to convey the "context" of carrying out the strikes, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup confirmed.

The Foreign Secretary told them that it was "a classic counter-terrorism operation more than a military one" and that it was to neutralise terrorists who were trained to carry out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other major Indian cities.

They were also told that India has no plans for any further operation as of now but added the armed forces will not allow terrorists to carry out any attacks.

An all-party meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh was also informed about it.

Significantly, earlier in the day American National Security Advisor Susan Rice had spoken to Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and said the US wants Pakistan to "combat and delegitimise" UN-designated terrorist entities, including LeT and JeM.

Uri attack avenged: India conducts surgical strikes at Pak terror launchpads across LoC

Surgical strikes by India killed as many as nine Pakistani soldiers and 35-40 terrorists planning to infiltrate into India, TV reports said.

Indian army's director general of military operations Lt General Ranbir Singh speaks during a media briefing in New Delhi, India, September 29, 2016.

New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) Seven terror launch pads were targeted across the LoC by special forces of the Indian Army during the 'surgical strike' overnight in which heliborne and ground forces were used, defence sources said today.

The sources said the operation began at around mid-night last night and ended at around 4:30 AM this morning.

The terror launch pads targeted were in the range of 2 to 3km from the Line of Control(LoC) and were under surveillance for over one week, the sources said.

They said the operation was a combination of heliborne and ground forces.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said India carried out 'surgical strike' on terror launch pads across the LoC, inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists and those who are trying to support them.

He said "based on very credible and specific information which we received yesterday that some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launch pads along the Line of Control with an aim to carry out infiltration and terrorist strikes in Jammu & Kashmir and in various other metros in our country, the Indian army conducted surgical strikes last night at these launch pads."

The announcement of the strikes by the Indian army was made soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS).

The DGMO said he had spoken to the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations and explained India's concerns and also shared with him details of the operation.

"It is India's intention to maintain peace and tranquility in the region, but we can certainly not allow the terrorists to operate across the Line of Control with impunity and attack the citizens of our country.

"In line with Pakistan's commitment made in January 2004 not to allow its soil or territory under its control for any terrorist activities against India, we expect the Pakistani army to cooperate with us with a view to erase this menace of terrorism from our region," he said.

India climbs steadily in the Global Competitiveness Index; Improves its ranking by 16 places for the second year in a row;. Now placed 39th among 138 countries, ahead of BRICS countries other than China.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that in an extremely positive development, data released today by the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows that India’s ranking in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) has improved by 16 places for the second year in a row. According to the latest ranking, he said that India is placed 39^thamong 138 countries, ahead of BRICS countries other than China which is ranked 28^th.

The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley further said that the India’s rank has steadily improved from 71 in 2014-15 to 55 in 2015-16 and to 39 in the latest report. With this improvement in its ranking, India has covered a long distance and is well on its way to emerge as a major player in the global economy, he added.  

The Global Competitiveness Index released by the World Economic Forum is one of the major studies which indicates how a country scores in the scale of global competitiveness. The Index is calculated by aggregating indicators across 12 pillars which again are clubbed together in three broad sub-indices, namely basic requirements, efficiency enhancers and innovation and sophistication factors. The report covers both business and social indicators which, directly or indirectly, impacts the competitiveness of the country in the global arena.

The landmark improvement in the Global Competitiveness rankings India is in consequence of the structural reforms and policy initiatives taken by GOI in the last two years and should be viewed as an encouragement to us to continue with the agenda of reforms which would further streamline economic decision making and help us move up on the index of global competitiveness.

The 12 pillars underlying GCI include Institutions, Infrastructure, Macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication and innovation. India’s competitiveness has improved this year across the board, in particular in goods market efficiency, business sophistication and innovation. The macroeconomic environment also improved due to better monetary and fiscal policies and lower oil prices.

The Report analyses how India’s competitiveness score had stagnated between 2007 and 2014 till the new government took office and undertook a range of reforms including opening the economy to foreign investors and international Improvements in infrastructure which were small and faltering during most of the past decade, actually picked up after 2014 when the government increased public investment and speeded up the approval procedures. Similarly, the institutional environment deteriorated until 2014, as mounting governance scandals and inefficiencies led to a loss of trust in public administration but this trend was reversed in 2014. Macroeconomic conditions also followed a similar path and the country was able to keep a lid on inflation and reduce both the current account and fiscal deficits. India also ranks 8^th in the strength of investor protection. There is however no room for complacency and Government will continue to focus on areas which need improvement. In the coming months and years, significant improvement in goods market efficiency may be expected from the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax which will reduce fragmentation of the domestic market.     

Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan pull out of SAARC Summit

New Delhi, Sept 28 (PTI) Apart from India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan have also pulled out of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November, indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding of the meet, resulting in its collapse.

Amidst heightened tension with Pakistan over Uri terror attack in which 18 jawans were killed, India had announced its decision of pulling out of the Summit late last night citing increased "cross-border" attacks.

While Bangladesh has categorically said that "the growing interference" in its internal affairs by one country has "created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the SAARC Summit", Afghanistan pulled out citing "terrorism in the region" for its abstention.

"Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," it said.

Afghanistan has also conveyed to SAARC Chair Nepal that President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani would not be able to attend the Summit, sources said.

"Due to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan", President Ghani "with his responsibilities as the Commander-in-Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit", a communication by the country said.

Bhutan said while it is committed to the SAARC process and strengthening of regional cooperation, it is concerned over the "recent escalation of terrorism in the region, which has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016." 

"Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances." 

The decision by India and three countries of the eight- member grouping not to attend the summit would lead to its collapse since as per the SAARC charter the Summit can not be held even in the absence of one head of the government.

The Uri attack has triggered a strong response from India which has reviewed the 56-year-old Indus Water Treaty (IWT), and decided to reconsider the MFN status granted by it, unilaterally, to Pakistan.

The Foreign Secretary had also issued a demarche yesterday to Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit over the attack while confronting him with the proof of "cross-border origins" of the terror strike.

Modi not to attend SAARC Summit

New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November amidst heightened tension between India and Pakistan.

Announcing the decision tonight, India said that "one country" has created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the Summit.

"India has conveyed to current SAARC Chair Nepal that increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of Member States by one country have created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016," External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

"In the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," it said.

"We also understand that some other SAARC Member States have also conveyed their reservation about attending the Islamabad Summit in November 2016," it said.

According to sources, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan are the other countries

which have said no to attending the Summit.

In its communication to Nepal, India has said it remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in an atmosphere free of terror. .

Pakistan using international aid to finance terrorism: India

Geneva, Sep 27 (PTI) Upping the ante against Pakistan, India has said it is a "terrorist state" which for years with complete impunity has been using billions of dollars from international aid to train, finance and support terror groups as militant proxies.

Describing Pakistan as the "true epicentre" of global terror, India also said Islamabad's trust in the methods of terror are so "deep" that it does not hesitate in using them on its own people in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas.

In its Right of Reply in response to a statement by Pakistan at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council, India said, "the latest terrorist attack in Uri, where 18 Indian soldiers lost their life and over 20 injured, only underlines that the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan remains active." 

"The recovery of GPS, grenades with Pakistani markings, communication matrix sheets and equipments and other stores made in Pakistan, and patterns of infiltration and attacks, is clear evidence of involvement of terror organisations based in Pakistan or territory under its control," it said yesterday.

India also asserted that it awaits "credible action" by Pakistan to bring all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack and the Pathankot attack to justice.

India stated that in Pakistan, the region is dealing with a "terrorist state", which has for years with "complete impunity channelised billions of dollars from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours".

"Internationally proscribed terrorist entities and their leaders continue to roam the streets of Pakistan freely and operate with state support; even raising funds openly in flagrant violation of Pakistan's international obligations," India said.

It called upon the Council to urge Pakistan to engage in "honest introspection" and focus its energies on acting against perpetrators of terrorist attacks on neighbours from its own territory.

"Countering terrorism emanating from Pakistan, that has turned out to be the most acute violator of human rights, is the only way to address the risk to peace and stability of the region," it said.

India strongly demanded that Pakistan must live upto its public commitment to refrain from supporting and sponsoring terrorism against it.

It reiterated that India is not the only victim of Pakistan's preaching, practicing, encouraging and nurturing terrorism and the "deleterious" impact of Pakistan's "irresponsible and short-sighted" approach of terrorism as state policy has started showing in other countries of South Asia and beyond.

Sensex tanks 374 pts after investors turn to US Prez debate

Mumbai, Sep 26 (PTI) Equities started the week on a distinctly weak note after the Sensex tumbled 374 points on Monday -- the most in two weeks -- tracking global sell-off ahead of the US presidential debate and an OPEC meeting due this week.

The barometer closed at 28,294.28, a nearly 1-month low.

Also, the broader NSE Nifty broke below the 8,800-mark level.

Investors are also anxiously waiting for the upcoming monetary policy review on October 4, the first to be held under new RBI Governor Urjit Patel.

Sentiment was in tatters after heavy losses in Asia and a lower opening in Europe, mirroring weekend losses at the Wall Street due to lower crude oil prices.

The slide came on the heels of a global rally last week fuelled by relief that US and Japanese central banks had decided to maintain their easy-money policies.

Shares have lost their momentum after hitting their highest close in 18 months last week after valuations turned expensive, with most sectoral indices ending in the red.

The 30-share index stayed in the negative zone for the whole day and settled lower by 373.94 points, or 1.30 per cent -- its biggest single-day fall since September 12 -- at 28,294.28. This is the weakest closing since August 29 when it had closed at 27,902.66. It had lost 105 points on Friday.

The broader Nifty also succumbed to selling pressure and slipped below the 8,800-mark to hit a low of 8,715.10 before ending at 8,723.05, down 108.50 points, or 1.23 per cent.

"The market had mirrored the downswing in global equities which is impacted due to today's US presidential election debate. Additionally, the upcoming meeting on Wednesday of oil producers will be eagerly watched for any potential freeze in oil production, given the drop in oil prices," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

ONGC was the top Sensex loser, skidding 3.84 per cent to close at INR 250.50, followed by Tata Motors, which fell 3.22 per cent to INR 535.55.

Others that weighed included ICICI Bank, NTPC, GAIL, Bharti Airtel, ITC, M&M, Hero MotoCorp, Hind Unilever and L&T, falling by up to 3.16 per cent.

Coal India, however, struck a contrarian note as it topped the gainers list by rising 1.19 per cent. RIL gained 0.58 per cent to close at INR 1,109.35 after touching a 7-year high of INR 1,128.90 on the back of strong fundamentals.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) turned net sellers at INR 299.98 crore on Friday, according to provisional data.

Out of the 30-share Sensex, 25 ended lower.

Realty fell the most by 2 per cent, followed by auto 1.72 per cent, infrastructure 1.62 per cent, banking 1.56 per cent and FMCG 1.37 per cent while oil & gas and metal rose 0.08 per cent each.

Small-cap and mid-cap indices closed lower by 0.55 per cent and 0.53 per cent, respectively.

Japan's Nikkei fell 1.25 per cent and Shanghai Composite plunged 1.76 per cent while Hang Seng sank 1.58 per cent.

In Europe, most indices retreated, with London's FTSE falling 1.22 per cent, France's Paris CAC-30 1.83 per cent and Germany's Frankfurt 1.49 per cent in their early hours.

Abandon 'dream' of obtaining Kashmir: Swaraj to Pakistan

United Nations, Sep 26 (PTI) India today firmly told Pakistan to abandon its "dream" of obtaining Kashmir through terror attacks and asserted that it is an integral part of the country and will always remain so.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, while addressing the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, said, "It (Pakistan) persists in the belief that such attacks will enable it to obtain the territory it covets." 

"My firm advice to Pakistan is: abandon this dream. Let me state unequivocally that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain so," she said in her speech.

Countering Pakistan's claims that India has imposed pre-conditions on talks, Swaraj said India got the terror attacks of Pathankot and Uri "in return" for taking the initiative to resolve issues with Islamabad not on the basis of conditions but on friendship.

"We conveyed Eid greetings to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, wished success to his cricket team, extended good wishes for his health and well being. Did all this come with pre-conditions attached," Swaraj said.

"And what did we get in return? Pathankot, Bahadur Ali, and Uri. Bahadur Ali is a terrorist in our custody, whose confession is a living proof of Pakistan's complicity in cross-border terror," she added.

Her speech came just over a week after 18 Indian soldiers were killed in a deadly attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from across the border on an army base in Kashmir's Uri.

PSLV-C35 Successfully Launches Eight Satellites into Two Different Orbits in a Single Flight

In its thirty seventh flight (PSLV-C35), ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched the 371 kg SCATSAT-1 Satellite along with seven co-passenger satellites today morning (September 26, 2016) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the thirty sixth consecutively successful mission of PSLV. The total weight of all the eight satellites carried on-board PSLV-C35 was 675 kg. PSLV-C35 is the first PSLV mission to launch satellites carried onboard into two different orbits. This PSLV mission was the longest of the PSLV missions conducted till date and was completed in 2 hours 15 minutes and 33 seconds after lift-off.

After PSLV-C35 lift-off at 0912 hrs (9:12 am) IST from the First Launch Pad with the ignition of the first stage, the subsequent important flight events, namely, strap-on ignitions and separations, first stage separation, second stage ignition, payload fairing separation, second stage separation, third stage ignition and separation, fourth stage ignition and cut-off, took place as planned. After a flight of 16 minutes 56 seconds, the vehicle achieved a polar Sun Synchronous Orbit of 724 km inclined at an angle of 98.1 degree to the equator (very close to the intended orbit) and 37 seconds later the primary satellite SCATSAT-1 was separated from the PSLV fourth stage.

After separation, the two solar arrays of SCATSAT-1 satellite were deployed automatically and ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore took over the control of the satellite. In the coming days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration following which it will begin to provide weather related services using its scatterometer payload. The data sent by SCATSAT-1 satellite will help provide weather forecasting services to user communities through the generation of wind vector products as well as cyclone detection and tracking.

After the successful separation of SCATSAT-1, the PSLV-C35 mission continued. Still carrying the seven co-passenger satellites, the fourth stage of PSLV coasted over the South polar region and then started ascending towards the Northern hemisphere. A safe distance between the orbiting SCATSAT-1 and PSLV-C35 fourth stage was maintained by suitably manoeuvring the stage.

At 1 hour 22 minutes and 38 seconds after lift-off as the fourth stage was in the North polar region, the two engines of PSLV fourth stage were reignited and fired for 20 seconds. As a result of this, it entered into an elliptical orbit measuring 725 km on one side of the Earth and 670 km on the other.

And 50 minutes later, as the PSLV fourth stage was again coasting near the south pole, its engines were fired for another 20 seconds. This second firing made the fourth stage to enter into a circular orbit of 669 km height inclined at an angle of 98.2 degree to the equator.

37 seconds later, the Dual Launch Adapter was successfully separated from the PSLV-C35 fourth stage. 30 seconds after this event, ALSAT-1 was the first co-passenger satellite to be separated successfully. Following this, the NLS-19, PRATHAM, PISAT, ALSAT-1B, ALSAT-2B, and Pathfinder-1 were separated from the PSLV fourth stage in a predetermined sequence thereby successfully completing PSLV-C35 mission.

Of the seven co-passenger satellites carried by PSLV-C35, two – PRATHAM weighing 10 kg and PISAT weighing 5.25 kg – are University/Academic institute satellites and were built with the involvement of students from IIT-Bombay and PES University, Bangalore and its consortium, respectively.

The remaining five co-passenger satellites were international customer satellites from Algeria (three – ALSAT-1B, ALSAT-2B and ALSAT-1N), Canada (one- NLS-19) and the United States (one – Pathfinder-1).

With today’s launch, the PSLV’s capability to launch satellites into two different orbits has been successfully demonstrated. The total number of satellites launched by India’s workhorse launch vehicle PSLV has now reached 121, of which 42 are Indian and the remaining 79 are from abroad.

US welcomes India's move to sign Paris climate deal

New Delhi, Sep 25 (PTI) The US today welcomed India's surprise decision to ratify the key Paris Climate Change agreement on October 2.

"We welcome the news India will join the #ParisAgreement October 2," US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said.

"Congrats Prime Minister @narendramodi for your leadership to #ActOnClimate," Verma tweeted.

Earlier, in a surprise move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will ratify the Paris Climate Change agreement on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"There is one work left in the CoP21 (Conference of Parties). Ratification is yet to be done and India too is yet to do it. Today on the birth anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay, I announce that India will ratify the decisions on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," he said while addressing BJP's National Council meet in Kozhikode, Kerala.

Modi said he had chosen the date, which is next Sunday, as Mahatma Gandhi's life was an example of minimum carbon footprint.

During the Paris climate meet in December last, more than 190 nations had agreed on setting ambitious goals for capping global warming and funnelling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe.

The pact will come into force after it is ratified by at least 55 countries that account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Talking about the need to ratify the COP21 decision, Modi said there is a looming threat due to global warming to many coastal countries and cities. Even Kerala, where the conclave was being held, is also a coastal area.

While Western countries, including the US, had been supporting an early ratification of the pact, India had been seeking more time to complete its national processes as it fears that any hasty decision may impact its developmental projects.

The issue of India ratifying the Paris deal had come up for discussion between Prime Minister Modi and US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos earlier this month.

Text of PM’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme on All India Radio on 25 September, 2016

वासियो, आज 25 सितम्बर है, पंडित दीनदयाल उपध्याय जी की जन्म जयंती का आज अवसर है और आज से उनके जन्म के शताब्दी वर्ष का प्रारंभ हो रहा है। मेरे जैसे लाखों कार्यकर्ता जिस राजनैतिक विचारधारा को लेकर के काम कर रहे हैं, उस राजनैतिक विचारधारा को व्याख्यायित करने का काम, भारत की जड़ों से जुड़ी हुई राजनीति के पक्षकार, भारत की सांस्कृतिक विरासत को पुरस्कृत करने के प्रयास वाली विचारधारा के साथ, जिन्होंने अपना एक राजनैतिक दर्शन दिया, एकात्म-मानव दर्शन दिया, वैसे पंडित दीनदयाल जी की शताब्दी का वर्ष आज प्रारंभ हो रहा है। ‘सर्वजन हिताय-सर्वजन सुखाय’ अन्त्योदय का सिद्धांत - ये उनकी देन रही है। महात्मा गाँधी भी आखिरी छोर के व्यक्ति के कल्याण की बात करते थे। विकास का फल ग़रीब से ग़रीब व्यक्ति को कैसे मिले? ‘हर हाथ को काम हर खेत को पानी’, दो ही शब्दों में पूरा आर्थिक agenda उन्होंनें प्रस्तुत किया था। देश उनके जन्म-शताब्दी वर्ष को ‘गरीब कल्याण वर्ष’ के रूप में मनाए। समाज का, सरकारों का, हर किसी का ध्यान, विकास के लाभ ग़रीब को कैसे मिलें, उस पर केन्द्रित हो और तभी जाकर के देश को हम ग़रीबी से मुक्ति दिला सकते हैं। मैं पिछले दिनों जहाँ प्रधानमंत्री का निवास स्थान है, जो अब तक अंग्रेज़ों के जमाने से ‘रेस-कोर्स रोड’ के रूप में जाना जाता था। पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जन्म शताब्दी वर्ष निमित्त प्रधानमंत्री के निवास स्थान वाले उस मार्ग का नाम ‘लोक कल्याण मार्ग’ कर दिया गया है। वो उसी शताब्दी वर्ष के ‘ग़रीब कल्याण वर्ष’ का ही एक प्रतीकात्मक स्वरूप है। हम सब के प्रेरणा पुरुष, हमारी वैचारिक धरोहर के धनी श्रद्धेय पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी को आदरपूर्वक नमन करता हूँ। 

मेरे प्यारे देशवासियो, विजयादशमी के दिन ही 2 साल पहले ‘मन की बात’ की मैंने शुरुआत की थी। इस विजयादशमी के पर्व पर 2 वर्ष पूर्ण हो जाएँगे। मेरी ये प्रामाणिक कोशिश रही थी कि ‘मन की बात’ - ये सरकारी कामों के गुणगान करने का कार्यक्रम नहीं बनना चाहिए। ये ‘मन की बात’ राजनैतिक छींटाकशी का कार्यक्रम नहीं बनना चाहिए। ये ‘मन की बात’ आरोप-प्रत्यारोप का कार्यक्रम नहीं बनना चाहिए। 2 साल तक भाँति-भाँति के दबावों के बावजूद भी - कभी-कभी तो मन लालायित हो जाए, इस प्रकार के प्रलोभनात्मक वातावरण के बावजूद भी - कभी-कभी नाराज़गी के साथ कुछ बात बताने का मन कर जाए, यहाँ तक दबाव पैदा हुए - लेकिन आप सब के आशीर्वाद से ‘मन की बात’ को उन सब से बचाए रख कर के सामान्य मानव से जुड़ने का मेरा प्रयास रहा। इस देश का सामान्य मानव मुझे किस प्रकार से प्रेरणा देता रहता है। इस देश के सामान्य मानव की आशा-आकांक्षायें क्या हैं? और मेरे दिलो-दिमाग पर जो देश का सामान्य नागरिक छाया रहता है, वो ही ‘मन की बात’ में हमेशा-हमेशा प्रकट होता रहा। देशवासियों के लिये ‘मन की बात’ जानकारियों का अवसर हो सकता है, मेरे लिये ‘मन की बात’ मेरे सवा-सौ करोड़ देशवासियों की शक्ति का एहसास करना, मेरे देश के सवा-सौ करोड़ देशवासियों के सामर्थ्य को बार-बार स्मरण करना और उसी से कार्य की प्रेरणा पाना, यही मेरे लिये ये कार्यक्रम बना। मैं आज 2 वर्ष इस सप्ताह जब पूर्ण हो रहे हैं, तब ‘मन की बात’ को आपने जिस प्रकार से सराहा, जिस प्रकार से संवारा, जिस प्रकार से आशीर्वाद दिए, मैं इसके लिए भी सभी श्रोताजनों का हृदय से आभार व्यक्त करता हूँ। मैं आकाशवाणी का भी आभारी हूँ कि उन्होंने मेरी इन बातों को न सिर्फ प्रसारित किया, लेकिन उसको सभी भाषाओं में पहुँचाने के लिए भरसक प्रयास किया। मैं उन देशवासियों का भी आभारी हूँ कि जिन्होंने ‘मन की बात’ के बाद चिट्ठियाँ लिख करके, सुझाव दे करके, सरकार के दरवाज़ों को खटखटाया, सरकार की कमियों को उजागर किया और आकाशवाणी ने ऐसे पत्रों पर विशेष कार्यक्रम करके, सरकार के लोगों को बुला करके, समस्याओं के समाधान के लिये platform प्रदान किया। तो ‘मन की बात’ सिर्फ 15-20 मिनट का संवाद नहीं, समाज-परिवर्तन का एक नया अवसर बन गया। किसी के भी लिये इससे बड़ा संतोष का कारण क्या हो सकता है और इसलिए इसको सफल बनाने में जुड़े हुए हर किसी को भी मैं धन्यवाद देता हूँ, उनका आभार प्रकट करता हूँ। 

मेरे प्यारे देशवासियो, अगले सप्ताह नवरात्रि और दुर्गा-पूजा का पर्व, विजयादशमी का पर्व, दीपावली की तैयारियाँ, एक प्रकार से एक अलग सा ही माहौल पूरे देश में होता है। ये शक्ति-उपासना का पर्व होता है। समाज की एकता ही देश की शक्ति होती है। चाहे नवरात्रि हो या दुर्गा-पूजा हो, ये शक्ति की उपासना, समाज की एकता की उपासना का पर्व कैसे बने? जन-जन को जोड़ने वाला पर्व कैसे बने? और वही सच्ची शक्ति की साधना हो और तभी जाकर कर के हम मिल कर के विजय का पर्व मना सकते हैं। आओ, शक्ति की साधना करें। एकता के मन्त्र को लेकर के चलें। राष्ट्र को नई ऊंचाइयों पर ले जाने के लिये शांति, एकता, सद्भावना के साथ नवरात्रि और दुर्गा-पूजा का पर्व मनाएँ, विजयादशमी की विजय मनाएँ। 

PM warns Pakistan Uri attack will not be forgotten

Kozhikode, Sep 24 (PTI) Launching a blistering attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned its leadership that the Uri terror attack will not be forgotten and the sacrifice of 18 jawans will not go in vain.

In his first public address after last Sunday's deadly attack by terrorists from across the border, he said India will mount an all out offensive to isolate Pakistan diplomatically to expose its activities in exporting terror, killing of innocent people and spilling blood.

"Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans will not go in vain," Modi told a largely-attended public meeting on the Kozhikode beach held on the sidelines of the BJP national council meet. .

GST threshold fixed at Rs 20 lakh, rate to be decided in Oct

New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) In a big step forward on GST implementation, the Centre and states today reached an agreement on keeping traders with annual revenue of up to Rs 20 lakh out of the new national sales tax regime that will subsume all cesses.

While the two sides, at the meeting of the GST Council, agreed on the contentious issues of revenue threshold - below which traders will be exempted from GST, and sharing of administrative powers, the all crucial GST rates will be decided in the meeting to be held on October 17-19.

The newly constituted Council decided to keep the revenue exemption limit at Rs 20 lakh for all states with the exception of north eastern and the hill states where the limit will be Rs 10 lakh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said here.

Resolving issues over dual control over small traders, it decided that states will have exclusive control over all dealers up to a revenue threshold of Rs 1.5 crore in a year.

A mechanism would be worked out for traders above Rs 1.5 crore to ensure that a dealer is regulated either by the Central government or the state government and not both.

Broad principles for compensating states for any loss of revenue when the new regime is rolled out from April 1, 2017 were also discussed at the two day meeting of the panel that is headed by Union Finance Minister and includes representatives of all states.

On service tax, it was decided that in absence of expertise with states, the Centre will continue to exercise control over all the 11 lakh service tax registered dealers irrespective of their revenue levels, he said.

Jaitley said the next meeting on September 30 will finalise the draft rules regarding implementation of exemptions.

While 2015-16 will be the base year for calculating revenue compensating to states for any loss of revenue arising from rollout of GST, the final methodology will be worked out in next meetings, he said.

The exemption threshold fixed is lower than Rs 25 lakh that most states had demanded. Some states were pitching for Rs 10 lakh limit to limit their revenue loss.

The same for North-Eastern states is twice of the Rs 5 lakh that was under deliberation till yesterday.

The exemption list has also been cut down to 90 items from the current 300 goods and services. Also, the meeting decided that all cesses will be subsumed in the GST, Jaitley said. .

India-Russia Joint Military Exercise Indra-2016 Begins in Vladivostok

The eighth edition of India-Russia Joint Military Exercise ‘INDRA-2016’ has begun in the Ussiriysk District in Vladivostok, Russia. Main focus of this edition of the joint exercise is on ‘Counter-Terrorism Operations in semi mountainous and jungle terrain under United Nations Mandate’. To achieve interoperability in joint operations, troops from both sides would acquaint themselves with the respective approach to such operations. A comprehensive training programme spanning eleven days has been drawn up for the purpose.
The troops of Indian Army marched smartly alongside the Russian Army in an impressive opening ceremony of Exercise Indra 2016. Both Contingents marched in unison, past the saluting dais, exhibiting their resolve to further the Indo-Russian friendship. Brigadier Sukrit Chadah, Indian Contingent Commander addressed the two contingents and highlighted the need for jointness between the two nations to defeat terrorism. Mr Loz, Vice Governer Primosski krai Province and Maj Gen Andrei Ivanovich Sichevoe, COS 5th Army from the Russian Army also addressed the contingents.
250 soldiers of the KUMAON Regiment are representing the Indian Contingent and the Russian army is being represented by 250 soldiers from the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade. Indra series of bilateral exercises is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Russia since 2003. The Indian contingent is scheduled to return to India on termination of the Exercise in the first week of October ‘16.

India, France ink deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets

New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) India today inked a Euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000) deal with France for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons and equipped with latest missiles that will give the IAF greater "potency" over arch rival Pakistan.

The Rafale combat aircraft to be manufactured by French aviation company Dassault will come with various India- specific modifications including Israeli helmet mounted displays, radar warning receivers, low band jammers, 10 hour flight data recording, infra-red search and tracking, towed decoy systems among others.

The Inter Governmental Agreement was signed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his visiting French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian 16-months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's plans to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly away condition during his trip to France.

The contracts for the deal were also signed earlier today.

The 'vanilla price' (just the aircraft alone) will cost about 91.7 million Euros each for a single seater and about 94 million Euros for a two-seater trainer aircraft.

"Pleased to inform that India has signed an agreement for procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft with weapon systems, five years complete spares and maintenance, performance based logistics, India specific special provisions. This is an achievement which will give the IAF the required potency in terms of penetration and capability," Parrikar told reporters at the South Block.

The deal, first fighter plane contract in 20 years, comes with an immediate saving of 328 million Euros over the one struck during the previous UPA government, which was scrapped by the Narendra Modi government, besides a 50 per cent offset clause.

The 50 per cent offset clause means that Indian businesses, both big and small, will gain work to the tune of over three billion Euros.

With the Rafale deal clinched, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Tappier said the French company is ready to be part of 'Make in India' initiative and open to manufacturing the fighters in India if the plane is shortlisted for a bigger order.

These combat aircraft, delivery of which will start in 36 months and will be completed in 67 months from the date the contract is inked, comes equipped with state-of-the-art missiles weaponry that will give IAF a capability that had been sorely missing in its arsenal.

The features that make the Rafale a strategic weapon in the hands of IAF, which is currently down to 34 squadrons as against a sanctioned strength of 44, includes its Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Meteor air-to-air missile with a range of 150 KM.

Its integration on the Rafale jets will mean IAF can hit targets inside both Pakistan and across the northern and eastern borders while staying within India's territorial boundary. The Rafales will be stationed at two bases--Sarsawa in Haryana and Hasimara in West Bengal.

Pakistan at present has only a BVR with 80 km range.

During the Kargil war, India had used a BVR of 50 km range while Pakistan had none. However, Pakistan later acquired 80- km-range BVR.

Defence experts said that with 'Meteor' the balance of power in the air has again tilted in India's favour.

BSE Sensex paces up 266 pts as Fed holds fire

Mumbai, Sep 22 (PTI) Market benchmark Sensex rebounded by 266 points today to close at over two-week high of 28,773.13 and the NSE Nifty went past the 8,800-mark, tracking upbeat global cues after the US Federal Reserve left rates unchanged.

Moreover, trading sentiment got a boost after the current account deficit (CAD) narrowed sharply to just USD 300 million, or 0.1 per cent of GDP in the June quarter, driven by lower trade deficit on deeper import contraction.

The rally in domestic equities was largely in line with the upmove seen in global stocks driven by the US Federal Reserve's decision not to lift interest rates.

Aurobindo Pharma surged over 6 per cent as the company received tentative approval from the USFDA to manufacture and market Dolutegravir, used for the treatment of HIV, in the US.

However, select software exporter stocks, like TCS and Wipro, saw selling pressure following weakness in the dollar against the rupee. Software exporters' almost 60 per cent revenue comes from the US and European markets.

"Markets praised Fed's decision as the global bond yield reverted and rupee strengthened. Due to a neutral statement, the market believe that the risk for December 16 rate hike is roughly balanced adding positive sentiment," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

The 30-share Sensex after scaling the day's high of 28,871.92, closed 265.71 points or 0.93 per cent higher at 28,773.13, a level last seen on September 9, when it had closed at 28,797.25.

The 50-share NSE Nifty reclaimed the key 8,800-mark to hit a high of 8,893.35 before winding up at 8,867.45 points, up by 90.30 points, or 1.03 per cent.

Both the indices, Sensex and Nifty, posted their biggest single day gains since September 6.

Meanwhile, the government today appointed three members on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), who along with RBI nominees are likely to set the benchmark interest rate in the upcoming monetary policy review with a view to contain retail inflation at the targeted level of 4 per cent.

Broader markets too displayed a bullish trend with mid-cap and small-cap indices rising 1.39 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively, as investors widened their portfolios.

Asian stocks ended up with key indices like China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan rising by 0.07 per cent to 0.67 per cent. Europe was higher too as indices in France, Germany and the UK jumped by up to 1.65 per cent. .

Pak carrying out war crimes using terror as state policy:India

United Nations, Sep 22 (PTI) In its sharpest attack on Pakistan, India today called it a "terrorist state" which carries out "war crimes" by using terrorism as an "instrument of state policy", after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif glorified Hizbul commander Burhan Wani at the United Nations.

India also strongly rejected Sharif's call for "a serious and sustained" bilateral dialogue "without any conditions", saying that Pakistan, which "seems to be run by a war machine rather than a government", wants talks with a "gun in its hand".

Strongly reacting to Sharif's remarks at the UN General Assembly session, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar described them as full of "threat, bluster and complete disregard of facts" as he said glorification of Wani by him at the world forum is an act of "self-incrimination" by Pakistan.

He said it is "shocking" that a leader of a nation can "glorify a self-declared self-advertised terrorist" at a forum such as the United Nations General Assembly.

"We heard the glorification of a terrorist. Burhan Wani was a self-declared commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, this organisation is widely acknowledged internationally as a terrorist group," Akbar said at a briefing to Indian reporters here responding to Sharif's General Debate address at the UN.

"This is self-incrimination by the Pakistan Prime Minister. We just heard a speech full of threat, bluster and what can only be described as rising immaturity and complete disregard of facts," he said.

In his nearly 20-minute speech, almost half of which was focussed on Kashmir, Sharif had hailed Wani - who was killed on July 8 by the Indian forces resulting in tensions in the Valley - as a "young leader" and the "symbol" of the Kashmiris' freedom movement.

Exercising India's Right of Reply to Sharif's "long tirade" about the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Eenam Gambhir made a strong rebuttal.

"The worst violation of human rights is terrorism.

"When practiced as an instrument of state policy it is a war crime," she said.

"What my country and our other neighbours are facing today is Pakistan's long-standing policy of sponsoring terrorism, the consequences of which have spread well beyond our region," she added.

Gambhir said India sees in Pakistan "a terrorist state" which channelises billions of dollars, much of it diverted from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours.

In a reference to JeM chief Masood Azhar and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, she said terrorist entities and their leaders, including many designated by the UN, continue to roam the streets of Pakistan freely and operate with State's support. .

Successful Flight Tests of LRSAM

Long Range Surface to Air Missile System (LRSAM) for Indian Navy successfully flight tested against Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) on 20th Sept 2016 at 10:10 hrs and again at 14:25 hrs from Interim Test Range (ITR) at Balasore, Odisha, yesterday. The LRSAM has been developed through a joint venture between DRDO India and IAI of Israel. The naval version of the SAM system, this time was tested from land and the earlier was flight tested from Naval Ships, at ITR. Both missiles directly hit their respective targets at different ranges and altitudes. The trajectory of the flight of missiles was throughout tracked and monitored by the radars and electro-optical systems installed at ITR.

Many industries viz. BDL, MIDHANI, TATA, GODREJ, SEC, PEL, ADITYA and others have contributed towards the development of Missile systems. Both Israel and Indian scientists and technicians have been involved in the launch campaign. The Israel team was led by Mr. Boyes Levy, Vice President, IAI of Israel, whereas the Indian Team by Mr Patrick D’Silva, Project Director, Mr. MSR Prasad, Director DRDL and Dr. BK Das, Director ITR. Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, DG (MSS) & SA to RM witnessed the launches.

No separate rail budget from next fiscal; Union Budget early

New Delhi, Sept 21 (PTI) Ending 92-year-old tradition, the Cabinet today decided to merge rail budget with the general budget and agreed in-principle to advance the date of its presentation in Parliament from the usual February end.

The actual date for presentation of the general budget for 2017-18 will be decided by the government after taking into account the ensuing assembly elections, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said while briefing the media about the Cabinet decisions.

The Cabinet has also decided to do away with the Plan/ Non-Plan expenditure classification in Budget 2017-18 and replace with 'capital and receipt'.

The government, Jaitley said, was in favour of advancing the budgetary exercise to that it could be completed before March 31 and expenditure on public-funded schemes could begin from April 1.

He said: "While we in-principle are in favour of advancing the budget date and finishing the entire financial business before March 31...the actual dates will be decided after consultations depending on calendar of the state elections."

The government, he added, is keeping itself in a "state of readiness" to advance the Budget presentation.

As per tradition, the Budget is presented on the last working day of February. A separate railway budget was started by the British in 1924.

Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) will provide provisional Advance Estimates of national income or GDP by January 7 so that the data can be incorporated in preparation of Budget.

The provisional advance estimates, he hoped, would be in line with the one normally released by February 7.

Das said the government will issue Budget circular in a day or two.

Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu said the merger of rail and general budgets will not impact the functional autonomy of the railways but help in enhancing capital expenditure.

"One single budget will mean railway and general budget will work in harmony," Prabhu said, adding Railways will not have to pay dividend to the Government. .

Sensex dips 111 pts as BoJ, Fed verdicts loom

Mumbai, Sep 20 (PTI) Mirroring global weakness, the Sensex fell 111 points on Tuesday, halting its four-day winning run, and the NSE Nifty broke below the 8,800-mark as investors turned cautious ahead of key policy meetings of the US Federal Reserve and Japanese central bank.

Meanwhile, the consensus is that the Fed will leave rates unchanged, but investors are looking for commentary and the guidance for the next interest rate hike.

"Investors are widely expecting status quo on interest rate, however, any hawkish commentary from the Fed may divert the liquidity to safe haven assets and add volatility to the domestic market," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

Meanwhile, calling the reform process slow and gradual with muted private investment and NPAs posing a challenge, Moody's said it could upgrade India's rating in 1-2 years if it is convinced that reforms are "tangible".

In stock specific action, Jubilant FoodWorks plunged 6.08 per cent to Rs 944.15 following news that its CEO and Whole- time Director Ajay Kaul will resign to pursue opportunities outside the company.

The 30-share index declined by 111.30 points or 0.39 per cent to 28,523.20 after shuttling between 28,698.81 and 28,480.53. The gauge had gained 281 points in the previous four sessions on positive global cues.

The wider NSE Nifty slipped below the 8,800-mark and hit a low of 8,759.30 before settling 32.50 points or 0.37 per cent to 8,775.90. Intra-day, it touched a high of 8,816.45.

Market stayed in the negative almost throughout the day as participants were seen trimming positions to book profits in recent gainers coupled with caution across the global ahead of Fed and Bank of Japan policy meets this week.

In line with the overall trend, the small-cap index shed 0.26 per cent, while the mid-cap lost 0.09 per cent.

Other Asian markets too closed lower and European shares were down as sentiment across the globe remained muted.

Japan's Nikkei fell 0.16 per cent, while China's Shanghai Index shed 0.10 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed 0.08 per cent down.

London's FTSE was down 0.20 per cent, Frankfurt's DAX was flat, while France Paris CAC 40 was 0.30 per cent lower.