Parrikar-opposition cross swords over surgical strikes

Mumbai, New Delhi (Oct 12 (PTI) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today rubbished Congress' claim of the army having undertaken surgical strikes under it and demanded a "major" share of credit for the military action post-Uri attack for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, escalating a bruising war of words with Congress.

Stung by the attack, Congress accused him of "blatant politicisation" of the issue and demanded an apology.

Speaking at two events in Mumbai, Parrikar said all the 127 crore people of India, including "doubting Thomases", and the army share and deserve credit for the operation as it was done by the armed forces and not by any political party.

At the same time, he said that "major share" of credit does go to Modi and the government for decision-making and planning.

He also made it clear that Congress' claims of such attacks having been carried out when the UPA was in power were wrong as those operations were undertaken by border action teams at local level "without the knowledge" of the government.

"I don't mind sharing the credit, including on surgical strike, with every countryman because it is done by our armed forces and not by any political party. So all Indians, including, those doubting Thomases, can share the credit," he said at a function in Mumbai, adding his statement will settle the nerves of many.

Parrikar's remarks drew stinging criticism from the Congress, which called them "misleading" and said by rejecting the claim that such strikes had taken place in the past, the Defence Minister had "undermined" the sacrifices made by the army.

"Mr Parrikar, Indian Army deserves all credit but why mislead the people and undermine army's sacrifices by denying earlier surgical strikes? 

"Operation Ginger in 2011 was a large-scale surgical strike. Why is Manohar Parrikar quiet on army's valour? Is (it) not blatant politicisation?" Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked and demanded an apology from the Minister.

"Converting national security into an event management exercise to polish the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is extremely unfortunate," he said.

Big B turns 74

Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Fourth National Award this year and commercial success and critical acclaim for "Pink", Amitabh Bachchan has reasons enough to celebrate his birthday in a big way but as the megastar of Hindi cinema turns 74 on Tuesday, he seems to have no special plans to ring in the day.

According to sources, he will have a low-key celebration with family.

With each passing year, Bachchan keep surprising fans with his performances. In 2016, he had three releases "Wazir", "Te3n", and "Pink", and though only one of them became a success, it made up for the failure of other two.

His father Harisvanshrai Bachchan was a renowned Hindi poet; mother Teji Bachchan was a close associate of the Nehru-Gandhi family but he had to face lot of hardships to attain stardom in his career that spans more than for four decades now.

It took Bachchan a wait of 13 flops to finally break in the film industry as a lead hero, thanks to Prakash Mehra's action film "Zanjeer".

His angry-young Vijay Khanna enthralled everyone and it marked the start of another era in Bollywood--"Abhimaan", "Namak Haram", "Deewar", "Trishul", "Kabhie Kabhie", "Sholay", "Don", the list is endless. Soon, Bachchan made his way to superstardom.

There were a few hiccups in his otherwise illustrious career, including a near-fatal injury while shooting for Coolie (1983). He returned to the big screen after a five-year absence with the box-office success Shahenshah (1988).

In 1990, Bachchan played the iconic role of gangster Vijay Deenanath Chauhan in Mukul S Anand's "Agneepath".

Despite being a box-office failure, it garnered him his first ever National Film Award for Best Actor and has since developed a cult status.

In 1996, he started his film production company Amitabh Bachchan Corporation whose first release Tere Mere Sapne (1996) was a box-office failure.

This was perhaps the lowest spell in Bachchan's career, by his own admission, and it only broke with Yash Chopra's "Mohabbatein" in 2001, where he featured alongside the reigning star Shah Rukh Khan. Bachchan maintains till today that he will always be grateful to the late filmmaker for giving him the movie when he needed it the most.

The same year, Bachchan made his television debut as the host of the game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati". Like many other things, he became a trend setter on the small screen as well.

Huge success of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" made way for stars like Shah Rukh and Salman Khan to take up hosting on television.

On the big screen, Bachchan by then had deviated towards more character-oriented parts like that of a short-tempered banker in "Aankhen", a disillusioned father in "Baghban" and a conflicted cop in "Khakee".

In 2005, he played the role of a teacher of a blind and deaf girl in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Black", for which he received his second National Award. He received another National Award for playing a progeria patient in R Balki's "Paa" (2009).

In the 2000s, one of the most notable characters Bachchan played was in Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar". His understated, nuanced performance as Subhash Nagre aka Sarkar is rates as one of his finest acts ever.

His upcoming films are Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar 3", and Aditya Chopra's production "Thugs of Hindostan" with superstar Aamir Khan.

Besides his work in India, Bachchan, who was born in 1942 in Allahabad, made his Hollywood debut at the ripe age of 71 in 2013 with Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby".

Indian government honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contributions to the arts.

India conveys to Moscow its opposition to Russia-Pak military exercise

New Delhi, Oct 11(PTI) Ahead of their annual bilateral Summit, India has conveyed its opposition to Russia over its joint exercise with Pakistan, a nation which "sponsors and practises terrorism as a matter of State policy", saying it will create further problems.

"We have conveyed our views to the Russian side that military cooperation with Pakistan which is a State that sponsors and practises terrorism as a matter of State policy is a wrong approach and it will only create further problems," Indian Ambassador to Moscow Pankaj Saran said in an interview to Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

Saran's remarks come ahead of the bilateral meeting in Goa on Saturday between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be arriving in India on October 14. Apart from bilateral Summit, Putin will attend the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa(BRICS) meet on October 16.

India has been communicating its unhappiness to Russia over its joint military exercises with Pakistan. However, these concerns have been played down by the Russins who maintain that they hold similar military drills with other countries of the region as well.

Saran also said, "There are some burning issues before the world today which the BRICS countries will certainly address and this includes the question of terrorism and the threat of terrorism faced by all the countries in the BRICS group. So this will be a major item of discussion during the Summit apart from the regional conflicts and the global situation." 

On Indo-Russia ties, the envoy said as far as India s relations with Russia are concerned, the two countries share a special and privileged strategic partnership.

"We see no change in this. On the contrary, this has only strengthened in all areas, including in the field of military-technical cooperation. This partnership is an anchor of peace and stability in the region and the world.

"We have a regular system of military exercises with Russia. We have been holding these exercises for the last few years with Russia and we will continue to do so. The plan for these exercises is drawn up between the relevant agencies of the two sides. This will continue even next year," he said.

Saran also talked about the cooperation in the field of civil nuclear sector, trade and investments. .

PM addresses gathering at Dussehra Mahotsav, Aishbagh Ramleela Ground, Lucknow

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi watching Ram Leela, at Aishbagh, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on October 11, 2016.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed a public gathering at the Dussehra Mahotsav at Aishbagh Ramleela Ground in Lucknow today. 

Greeting the people on Vijaya Dashami, the Prime Minister said, he is fortunate to be a part of this ancient tradition of Ramleela. He described Ramleela as the festival of victory of truth over falsehood; and of defeating the oppressor. He said that as we burn Ravana every year, we should all resolve to remove the ills from ourselves, our social structures and our nation. He asked the people to resolve to end ten shortcomings within themselves, each Dussehra. He emphasized that all of us have the strength to try and ward off these evils, and make this nation great. 

Describing terrorism as the enemy of humanity, the Prime Minister said that Shri Ram represents the best of humanity, and is an epitome of sacrifice and dedication. The Prime Minister said that it was Jatayu - a character in the Ramayana - who fought terrorism first. Jatayu gives us the message of fearlessness, the Prime Minister said, exhorting 125 crore Indians to be Jatayu in the face of terrorism. He said if everyone is alert, the evil designs of the terrorists can be foiled. The Prime Minister said that the forces of humanity across the world must now unite against terrorism. He added that even those who provide sanctuary to terrorists must not be spared now. 

The Prime Minister said that day is also observed as the International Day of the Girl Child. Speaking out strongly against female foeticide, he said we must strive hard to bring an end to such an evil practice. 

IIP remains in negative zone; contracts 0.7 pc in August

New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) Remaining in the negative for the second month in a row, industrial production contracted by 0.7 per cent in August due to slump in manufacturing, mining and capital goods segments.

The factory output, measured by movement in Index of Industrial Production (IIP), had slipped to 8-month low of (-)2.49 (revised) in July on account of declining output in manufacturing and capital goods sectors.

The IIP slump in August is lower than July.

On cumulative basis, the factory output in April-August contracted by 0.3 per cent, compared to growth of 4.1 per cent in the year-ago period.

The official data released today showed the manufacturing sector, which constitutes over 75 per cent of the IIP index, contracted by 0.3 per cent in August as against 6.6 per cent expansion in the same month last year.

The capital goods output registered a steep decline of 22.2 per cent in the month, against a growth rate of 21.3 per cent in last year.

The data revealed that mining activities shrunk by 5.6 as in August this year as against a growth of 4.5 in August 2015.

Power generation remained almost flat (0.1 per cent) in compared to an expansion of 5.6 per cent in the year ago period.

Output of consumer durables registered a growth of 2.3 per cent while growth in non-durables segment was almost flat.

Overall, consumer goods production recorded a growth 1.1 per cent in August compared to 6 per cent a year ago.

In terms of industries, seven out of 22 industry groups in the manufacturing sector have shown negative growth during August year-on-year.

Some important items showing high negative growth during the current month include cable, rubber insulated, sugar machinery, woollen carpets, gems and jewellery, and rice.

Some important items that have registered high positive growth include fruit pulp, air conditioner, instant food mixes, ship building and repairs, scooter and mopeds, stainless/alloy steel and boilers.

Lashker-e-Taiba suffered maximum damage in surgical strikes

Baramulla/New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashker-e-Taiba(LeT) suffered the maximum damage in the cross-LoC surgical strikes on terror launch pads carried out by Indian army with assessment reports of radio intercepts indicating that around 20 of its militants were killed.

The assessment reports available from Indian army field units which included radio conversations between various Pakistani formations showed maximum damage was inflicted on LeT, a banned terror group, at Dudniyal launch pad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, opposite to Kupwara sector of North Kashmir, according to sources in the know of details of the recent surgical strikes.

The sources said today that five teams culled out from the army division in the area were tasked to destroy launch pads of terror groups located at Kail also known as Kel and Dudniyal.

In a well calibrated operation, which started on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, Indian army moved across the LoC and smashed four launch pads that were under the guard of a Pakistani post located 700 metres from the LoC.

The sources said that the terrorists were not expecting an action by the Indian army and therefore were taken by surprise.

The terrorists, mainly belonging to the LeT, were seen running towards the Pakistani post when they were killed by the Indian troops, according to the assessment reports.

Ready to give befitting reply to sub-conventional threats:Raha

Hindon Air Base, Oct 8 (PTI) Amid frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan and terror attacks in Kashmir, IAF chief Arup Raha today asserted that the armed forces are prepared to give a befitting reply to sub-conventional threats and any other challenge facing the country.

The Air Chief Marshal said that the armed forces "are there to deliver and they are doing the job" as he refused to comment on the political slugfest over the cross-LoC surgical strikes on terror camps.

His remarks came on a day when the Indian Air Force celebrated its 84th Foundation Day with a spectacular air display at Air Force Station Hindon in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district, 30 kms from here.

For the first time, India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft performed stunts at the air show, amid loud cheers from the audience.

In his customary address at the celebrations, Raha said, "World is in a flux today. Terrorists attacks in Uri and Pathankot show the troubled times we live today."

In his message on official Facebook page of the IAF Indian Air Force, Power to Punish launched today, the Air Force chief said the force is operating some of the most modern weapons and equipments and the air warriors exercise ceaseless vigil of skies.

"We continue to train to take up any threat and are fully prepared to undertake any challenge in most befitting manner," Raha said.

Asked later about increasing threat from Pakistan, he said the armed forces are well prepared to take on any sub- conventional threats.

Sub-conventional threats refers to proxy war that Pakistan indulges in against India through the use of terrorists.

Raha said that terrorists can always get better but the armed forces can neutralise them.

"With each incident, the forces are getting smarter and learning new lessons." he said.

Replying to a query on the political war of words over the surgical strike, Raha said "the armed forces are there to deliver and they are doing the job".

Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley chaired the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting as well as the Governing Council Meeting of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), both held at IMF Headquarters in Washington D.C. yesterday

In presence of FM, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of Baroda signed an MoU on Commonwealth Small States Trade Finance Facility to make available up to US $100 million of incremental trade finance over a period of three years; India also pledged £1,022,100 to Commonwealth Fund for technical cooperation.
The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley chaired the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting held at IMF Headquarters in Washington D.C. yesterday. During the meeting, two important issues- the ‘Economics of Climate Change and Financing Climate Adaptation and Mitigation’; and ‘International Taxation-a Commonwealth Conversation around the Panama Papers’ were discussed and deliberated. In the presence of the Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley, the Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of Baroda signed an MoU on Commonwealth Small States Trade Finance Facility. This finance facility is expected to make available up to US $100 million of incremental trade finance over a period of three years. During the meeting, as part of the voluntary contributions, India also pledged £1,022,100 to Commonwealth Fund for technical cooperation.

The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley also chaired the Governing Council Meeting of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). While addressing the gathering, the FM announced that the CRA is now operational and BRICS member central banks are fully ready to carry out the transactions. Members welcomed the proposal to formalize the setting up of a network of central banks research units that will support the working of BRICS CRA. At the meeting, the Finance Minister also extended invitation to attend BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting to be held in Goa later this month.

The Finance Minister attended the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Working Dinner where discussions centered around the global outlook, key risks for the global and national economies and the proposals made by the Global Forum and the Financial Action Task Force to improve implementation of the beneficial ownership standard.

During the course of the day, the Finance Minister Shri Jaitley also held a number of bilateral meetings with British Secretary of State, US Treasury Secretary, Finance Minister of Bhutan, Finance Minister of Bangladesh, and CEO of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The bilateral trade and investment ties were the focal point of each of these meetings for ensuring greater economic cooperation.

On the side-lines of the Fund Bank meetings, Mr. Shaktikanta Das, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) also participated in a panel discussion organized by Morgan Stanley, to deliberate upon the ‘Cyclical and Structural Progress in the Emerging Market Economies’, wherein Shri Das spoke about the fiscal consolidation and economic reform path being undertaken in India.

The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley is currently on an official tour to Washington D.C. to attend the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and other associated meetings. He is accompanied by Dr.Urijit Patel, Governor, RBI, Mr. Shaktikanta Das, Secretary,Economic Affairs, Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor and other officials.

Sensex trips 115 pts as profit-booking persists

Mumbai, Oct 6 (PTI) The market continued to feel the ripple effect of lingering Brexit worries and a lacklustre Europe as the Sensex slumped 115 points, dragged down by a rush by investors to book profits in recent outperformers.

Realty, power and banking counters saw much of the losses as investors felt that the recent rally is "overdone".

Globally, it was a mixed picture. While Europe was off to a lower start, the rest of Asia closed higher mirroring an overnight rally in the US on an unexpected services sector pick-up and signs of a revival in oil prices.

"As markets take a pause ahead of earnings season, Brexit fears and shaky European markets continue to send shock waves.

Yesterday's US ADP report lent a positive bias early in the day, but market will wait for Friday data to recalibrate its expectations for a December US rate hike," said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

The 30-share index lost 114.77 points, or 0.41 per cent, to close at 28,106.21. The gauge had lost 114 points yesterday taking cues from a subdued Europe over talk of withdrawal of ECB stimulus measures and on a wave of profit-booking.

The 50-share NSE Nifty remained listless too and ended down 34.40 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 8,709.55.

In the Sensex pack, NTPC plunged the most by 2.42 per cent, followed by Cipla 2.30 per cent. Others that ended up in the red include M&M, Power Grid, ICICI Bank, SBI, Infosys and Dr Reddy's, falling by up to 1.90 per cent.

A total of 22 scrips in the Sensex team ended lower. Only 8 advanced.

Realty sector took the maximum hit as it fell 1.48 per cent, followed by power (1.18 per cent), healthcare (0.99 per cent) and IT (0.87 per cent).

Sentiment took a knock after selling picked up towards the fag end of the session, particularly in realty, power, banking and healthcare stocks, as investors rushed to lock in profits.

Broader markets were no better, with the mid-cap and small-cap indices falling 0.56 per cent and 0.48 per cent, respectively.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) purchased shares worth a net Rs 243.00 crore yesterday, showed provisional data.

Key Asian indices such as Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Japan's Nikkei firmed up by up to 0.69 per cent. Chinese market was closed for a public holiday.

Elsewhere, in Europe, UK's FTSE slumped 0.34 per cent, Paris CAC 0.33 per cent and Germany's DAX 0.36 per cent.

Parrikar rules out release of footage of surgical strikes

Agra/New Delhi, Oct 6 (PTI) Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today ruled out releasing the video footage of the army's surgical strikes across the LoC and questioned the "loyalty" of those who "doubt" the forces.

Describing the cross-LoC operation as "100 per cent perfect surgical strike", he said the borders of the country are secure under the Narendra Modi government.

Parrikar's remarks at a function organised by the BJP in Agra to celebrate the strikes came a day after Prime Minister Modi had reportedly cautioned against hysteria over the army action at a meeting of the cabinet yesterday.

Parrikar warned that one has to remain vigilant against "certain elements who do not owe their loyalty to the country completely".

"No one had doubted bravery of our forces ever, but for the first time recently some people are doubting," he said, maintaining that he would not like to take names.

Referring to a news report by a TV channel in which a Pakistani police officer has purportedly admitted that surgical strikes did happen, Parrikar said, "There is now no more reason to release video or to give any proof." 

Asserting that the operation was 100 per cent successful, he said there was no casualty on the Indian side in the attack and doubted whether even big countries had such a success in their surgical strikes.

At the briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs, its spokesperson Vikas Swarup also brushed aside demands for release of the video footage, which the army was said to have submitted to the government.

"What the government puts out or not is determined solely by national security and will continue to be so. I have nothing more to say," he said.

Swarup added that it is usual to see Pakistan's reaction of denial of terrorism sponsored from its soil against its neighbours.

"Elimination of Osama bin Laden and Mullah Mansoor was met with similar denials. But we all know the truth," he said.

He said the counter-terrorism operation on September 29 (surgical strike) was to neutralise an imminent threat of terrorists ready to be launched from across the LoC.

The Indian Army was given a task which it carried out with surgical precision. The desired result has been obtained.

The intended message has been conveyed, he said.

Meanwhile, Parrikar said that many ex-servicemen have shown willingness to fight on the border if required.

"Some ex-servicemen wrote to me and said that they are ready to fight on the border if need arises. I salute them," said the minister, adding, "our nation carries the heart and courage to carry this task out." 

He also said the forces and citizens will have to be vigilant against "frustrated" terrorists who will try and attack because of the "shame" they have been put to as a result of the surgical strikes.