Current Affairs - 16 August 2016

General Affairs 

'India Won't Bow To Terror': PM Modi

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  NEW DELHI:  Declaring that India will not bow before terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the youth who have adopted violence to join the mainstream even as he brought up Pakistani atrocities on people of Baluchistan and PoK, saying that they have thanked him for doing so.
  
  Though Mr Modi did not make any reference to Kashmir which is witnessing violence after the killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani, he accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorists and celebrating killings in India.
  
  "From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to express my gratitude to some people, the people of Baluchistan, Gilgit and Pak-occupied-Kashmir for the way they whole-heartedly thanked me, the way they expressed gratitude to me, the way they conveyed their goodwill to me recently."
  
  This is for the first time that any reference to disturbed areas in the control of Pakistan has been mentioned by any prime minister during his Independence speech.
  
  Prime Minister Modi asked the international community to judge the behaviour of India and Pakistan in the context of terror attacks in each other's country.
  
  "When children were killed in terror attack on a school in Peshawar, there were tears in our Parliament. Indian children were traumatised. This is the example of our humanity. But look at the other side where terrorism is glorified," Mr Modi said.
  

  
  

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  "I am telling the youth that there is time left, come back and join the mainstream. Realize your parents'
  aspirations. Lead a peaceful life. The path of violence has never benefited anyone,"
  
  Hitting out at the UPA government, he said while the previous dispensation was shrouded in allegations his government is surrounded by expectations. "When hope gives rise to expectations, it gives us energy to move faster towards good governance," he added.
  
  The Prime Minister also gave details of various initiatives undertaken by his government to promote ease of doing business, tackle corruption, provide good healthcare to poor people and benefits to farmers

New Gas Deal Saves India Rs. 20 Thousand Crores: PM Modi

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  NEW DELHI:  India could save as much as R
  s. 20,000 crore after it renegotiated a long-term gas import deal with Qatar, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At present Indiabuys 7.5 million tons a year of liquefied natural gas from Qatar every year. The price formula was fixed 13 years ago and its terms were out of sync with low global energy prices.
  
   "We are dependent on other nations to meet our requirement of energy and petroleum supplies. And so long-term agreements have been entered into to get assured quantity at a pre-determined price," Mr Modi said in his Independence Day address today. With a slump in global prices, the high rates Qatar charged posed a huge burden on the economy.
  
  "What was Qatar's price, we were bound to pay. But we managed to get Qatar to renegotiate, to make possible something that people said was impossible. (Qatar) was entitled to take Rs.20,000 crore, but we renegotiated the terms because of our diplomatic ties."
  
  RasGas of Qatar supplies liquefied natural gas to India under a 25 year long term contract which was signed in 2004. The previous rate being charged by RasGar was higher than the current market price.
  
  While Prime Minister Modi said that the revision in price would help save Rs. 20,000 crore, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had recently told Parliament in a reply to a written question that the country will save Rs. 8,000 crore over the remainder of the contract, which is up to 2028.

Pak Invites India For Kashmir Talks, Says 'Obligation' To Resolve Issue

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  A day after Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit raked up Kashmir issue, Islamabad today invited New Delhi for talks on Kashmir, saying it is the "international obligation" of both the countries to resolve the issue.
  
  Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale was called to hand over a letter of invitation for talks.
  

  "The Foreign Secretary called in the Indian High Commissioner this afternoon (15 August 2016) and handed over a letter addressed to his Indian counterpart, inviting him to visit Pakistan for talks on Jammu and Kashmir dispute that has been the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan," Mr Zakaria said.
  
  The invitation was extended amid tension in bilateral ties due to the war of words between the two nations over the issue.
  
  "The letter highlights the international obligation of both the countries, India and Pakistan, to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions," the statement said.
  
  Pakistan's advisor on foreign affairs said last week that a conference of envoys of Pakistan earlier this month had agreed that Pakistan seek talks with India.
  

  
  

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  The invite came days after union home minister Rajnath Singh addressed Parliament on the Kashmir issue and said that India was willing to discuss only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with Pakistan, and that the question of discussing Jammu and Kashmir with Islamabad just does not arise.
  
  India also virtually turned down Pakistan's proposal that it would invite India for a dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir and made it clear that it would talk on "contemporary and relevant" issues in Indo-Pak relations.

Independence Not Enough, More Needs To Be Done: LK Advani

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  NEW DELHI:  Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishan Advani today said that 'being independent was not enough' and a lot more work was required to enhance India's global position. He was speaking at a flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of India's 70th Independence Day at his home.
  
  "I am very happy that India is celebrating 70 years of being independent. I was present along with my countrymen at the celebrations in the Red Fort today. A lot still needs to be done in independent India and India must enhance its prestige in the world," Mr Advani said.
  
  "Mere independence is not enough for patriots, but an important task is to transform independence into self-governance. The entire country must be dedicated to this task today and I am confident that India will earn a good name world over as a self-governed and best ruled country."
  
  On Kashmir, Mr Advani who is a former deputy prime minister said, "It is for the new government which is ruling the country to ensure that independence becomes self-governance."
  
  "These days the big crisis before countries is terrorism. I hope India will not lag behind in overcoming this crisis. We are fighting this menace and I am fully confident that we will win over it," Mr Advani said when asked about happenings in PoK.
  

  
  

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  Mr Advani also recalled how soon after India's independence he along with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was tasked with steering the Bhartiya Jana Sangh's activities in Delhi.

Indian Media 'Stirring Up' Negative Sentiments, Affecting Ties: Chinese Daily

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  BEIJING:  An article in a Chinese daily today blamed the Indian media of "stirring up" negative sentiments in people's mind about its ties with Beijing and "overstating contradictions" in the backdrop of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's recent visit to New Delhi.
  
  The Global Times opinion 'Indian media should view Beijing-Delhi ties constructively' said the press on both sides should be cautious about attempts by the West to drive a "wedge" between the two countries.
  
  "While the Indian government is treating its relations with Beijing rationally, the country's media and public opinion are busy stirring up negative sentiments. They tend to attach more attention to divergences while overstating contradictions between the two," it said.
  

  Mr Yi paid visited India last week. As a number of media outlets reported, the tour was focused on cooperation over the upcoming G20 and BRICS summits, an op-ed article in the Global Times said.
  
  "However, quite a few Indian media started to cover the tour a week ago with the eye-catching headline 'China blocked India's NSG bid, but now wants help on South China Sea'," said the article.
  
  "After negative hype over Sino-Indian ties by Indian media for a long time, it is not hard to envisage that they did it again this time. Yet while they grab all the attention they want like always, they have also caused a deterioration in the Indian public's views of China," it said.
  

  
  
  

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  The opinion piece said the critical view of the media does not fairly represent the big picture of the Sino-India ties.
  
  "Given the recent frictions between the two countries, including the NSG issue and New Delhi's rejection of visa extension requests for Chinese reporters, there are indeed certain puzzles left unresolved in the bilateral relationship," it said.
  
  The article praised the efforts being made by both the governments to address the issues in bilateral ties. "Thanks to the efforts of governments from both parties, the two nations have been enhancing collaboration and promoting more communications and mechanisms over bilateral and regional issues.
  
  The article said that words like 'invasion' or 'transgression' were often used by them to describe Beijing without naming sources, and that "the 'China threat theory' has been hyped up by them from time to time".
  
  "Clearly, the Indian media has not yet learned to see the considerable potential of the bilateral relationships with a constructive mind-set," it said, adding, "It is important for the Indian media to remember that development and prosperity are needed by both sides and they need a stable environment for that, it said.

Business Affairs 

3,000 Infosys employees in India to lose jobs post RBS contract loss

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  IT firm Infosys is set to take a hit after the Royal Bank of Scotland said it has cancelled its plan to separate and list a new standalone bank, Williams & Glyn (W&G), and instead will pursue other options for the divestment of this business.

  The bank had awarded a five-year 300 million Euro IT contract to Infosys and IBM for W&G.

  The move is likely to hit 3,000 Infosys employees and impact revenues for the year by about $40 million to $50 million, media reports said.

  In 2013, Infosys won the contract to develop applications for W&G, a bank planned to be set up in the UK.

  "Infosys has been a W&G program technology partner for Consulting, Application Delivery and Testing services, and subsequent to this decision, will carry out an orderly ramp-down of about 3,000 persons, primarily in India, over the next few months," Infosys said in a styatment.

  "RBS is a key relationship for Infosys and the company looks forward to further strengthening our strategic partnership and working with them across other strategic and transformation programmes," the Indian IT firm added.

Railways slipping into a financial morass and terminal debt trap

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  It's ironic that Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Railways, has been rated as one of the top five performing ministers of the Modi Cabinet by a popular TV channel. This at a time when the Railways is grappling with its worst ever existential crisis. Budget targets have turned out to be nothing more than building castles in the air. The entire budgetary exercise, which always enjoyed high credibility, has become a bit of a joke. In the year 2015/16, it missed gross traffic earnings (GTR) targets by a whopping Rs 20,000 crore. In fact, GTR grew by a mere 4 per cent as against budget estimate of 17 per cent, and Indian Railways barely managed to meet its operating expenses and make payment of leasing charges and dividend to the government. Provisions for Depreciation Reserve Fund (DRF) and Development Fund had to be reduced substantially.

  Slippages of last year, though, will pale into insignificance this year because in this years. Budget it has not only overestimated earnings but also understated expenses. Without any increase in passenger or freight rates, it is targeting a growth rate of 13 per cent in GTR. In the first two months of the current financial year, GTR has registered a negative growth of 8.2 per cent over the corresponding months of 2015/16. Freight earnings, the bread and butter business of Railways, have recorded a degrowth of an unprecedented 13 per cent during the same period. Furthermore, it has grossly underprovided for DRF and 7th Pay Commission payments including arrears. A provision of Rs 3,200 crore for DRF has been made on a residual basis, rather than on the basis of actual requirements of nearly Rs 20,000 crore. On the basis of current indications, reflecting negative growth in GTR, it would be safe to project that after the implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations, Railways would report operating cash loss (EBITDA loss in corporate parlance) in the current financial year.

  In July 2001, Dr. Rakesh Mohan Committee had predicted that 'Business As Usual Low Growth' of 23 per cent would rapidly drive Railways into a fatal bankruptcy. But now even Hindu rate of growth of 23 per cent has become a distant dream for Railways. For the past five years, its freight volumes are stagnating and the same at 655 BTKMs (billion tonne kilometres) in 2015/16 are lower than the figures in 2011/12 by 2 per cent. It recorded negative growth of nearly 3-4 per cent in both freight and passenger volumes last year. The trend of falling volumes continues unabated even in the first two months of the current financial year. The end of the commodities boom has resulted in a substantial fall in traffic volumes of heavy commodities such as iron ore, manganese ore, etc. But key reasons for falling volumes are neither cyclical downturn nor capacity constraints, but are far more fundamental and structural in nature. The single most important reason is the deteriorating competitive strength of Railways in a fiercely competitive transportation business. Railways mindlessly increased passenger and freight rates across the board by over 65 per cent over the past five years even in segments where it is continuously losing market share. These segments are finished products like POL, cement, steel, fertilizer and containers of freight business and all AC classes of passenger business. The second significant reason for negative growth in freight volumes is the falling lead of bulk commodities such as coal, food grains, fertilizer, etc. All these factors appear to be irreversible in the near future. Hence, Railways has no option but to attract nonbulk traffic by offering superior value, in terms of quality and price, to the customers.

  Of late, Railways has been on a borrowing spree. Its total outstanding debt including Capital at Charge (which is loan in perpetuity) would be around Rs 4 lakh crore on March 31, 2017. The decision to further increase financial leverage by signing MOUs for borrowings of $40 billion from institutions like LIC and JICA, that too for unremunerative and cash guzzling projects like bullet trains' is likely to prove to be suicidal, particularly at a time when the Railways is likely to report operating cash loss in the current fiscal year. No lessons seem to have been learnt by Railways either from the Lehman crisis in the US or the current bank NPA crisis triggered by excessive financial leverage.

  Overall, all vital operating parameters of Railways are flashing red, and it is sinking deeper and deeper into a financial morass and terminal debt trap. But the Railways, particularly the Minister, is still busy managing the headlines and posting selfies on Twitter. There is lack of direction and focus on core operating performance. The writing on the wall is clear and time is fast running out. If prompt corrective actions are not taken, the situation may spiral out of control after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission Report, and Railways may, for the first time, default in payment of dividend and debt servicing. It will be a tragedy of unimaginable proportions and a huge betrayal of the historic mandate. The wheels of the economy will stop cranking, and millions of poor and aspiring migrant labour will lose their only affordable means of transport if the lifeline of the nation is allowed to wither away like MTNL and Air India.

  The challenge before the political leadership of the country today is to meet the aspirations of an energetic new India and, at the same time, take care of poor who are no less energetic. This formidable challenge can't be overcome by rolling out capex figures of Rs 1.5 lakh crore annually nor by making high sounding shallow claims about transformation of Railways in TV studios. For success of inclusive reforms, Railways, on the other hand, has to think anew and seek new pathways. Variables like the very nature of the railways business, cost structures, revenue streams, competitive strengths, relative elasticity of price and nonprice factors, their variability and sensitivity to load and length of train have to be revisited.

  Such analysis would show that about 80 per cent of the railways' revenue streams as well as investments are not politically sensitive and can be market driven. It would also reveal that Railways, like any other transporter, is now operating in a competitive marketplace where it enjoys an edge in some profitable segments (like heavy bulk commodities and second class passenger business) and not in others (like finished products such as POL, cement, steel and all AC classes). This erosion of competitiveness is unlikely to be solved by regulation; instead, it requires offering a superior and compelling value to the customers.

  Similarly, a deep analysis of the total cost function of the Railways would show that its variability is negligible in the short term. The profitability of a train is a function of several variables including price and non-price variables such as occupancy rates, carrying capacity, load and length per train. Thus, the focus has to shift from pricing per passenger/tonne to maximising profits through yield and margins per train.

  Like in the past, it can again come out of this crisis by implementing numerator focused and scale-driven strategy: 'play on volumes, reduce unit cost, reduce prices, gain margins and market share and earn billions of dollars in profits'. The whole supply side strategy can be encapsulated in just three words, 'faster, heavier and longer trains'. The whole demand-side strategy can be summed up in another three words: 'dynamic, differential and marketdriven'. Uniform pricing across commodities, classes, seasons, routes and traffic flows has to be substituted with a differential and dynamic pricing policy.

  It has to be translated into action through five critical management strategies: setting stretched targets, leveraging resources to optimise existing assets, working through cross-functional teams, fostering alliances, adopting a deliberative and calibrated approach and chasing projects to swift completion. Railways should utilise its scarce resources strategically by adopting a systems-based approach, to optimise utilisation of existing assets. Innovation and asset optimisation, as opposed to asset accumulation, are central to such an investment strategy. So are 'low cost, short gestation, rapid payback and high returns' investments. Execution Mantra is best summed up in the words of Peter Drucker: "Great people do not do great things. They identify simple and obvious things and execute them swiftly and brilliantly."

GST to strengthen growth, make economy more predictable, says PM Modi

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  Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will replace a raft of different central and state levies, will strengthen growth efforts and make economy more predictable.

  Modi credited all political parties for passing a Constitutional amendment in the just concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament to bring a single unified value added tax system to turn the country into world's biggest single market.

  "GST (Bill), which has been passed recently, will further strengthen the way we are trying to accelerate growth and make the economy predictable," he said in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on 70th Independence Day.

  All political parties need to be thanked for that, he said.

  GST, he said, is a tax that will bring equitable regime and turn the country into one market.

  Parliament has passed the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill to make changes in the power of the Centre to levy taxes like excise, and those of states to collect retail sales taxes.

  Proposed a decade ago, GST is viewed as potentially transformative for India's economy that could add as much as 2 percentage points to the GDP, while improving the ease of doing business and encouraging investment in manufacturing.

  It is also expected to result in greater tax compliance, boosting government revenues.

  GST will replace more than a dozen central and state levies, including central excise, service and sales tax as well as VAT on sale of goods and entry tax, to make movement of goods seamless across the 1.3 billion strong market.

  Instead of the goods being taxed multiple times at different rates, under the new GST regime they would be taxed at point of consumption.

  Modi said the series of steps taken by the government to reform regulations and law as well as change in approach towards doing business has led to appreciation of India's growth story by the World Bank, IMF, World Economic Forum and credit rating agencies.

  India has made rapid improvement on the ease of doing business ranking and has emerged as a favoured destination for FDI, he said, adding that the country climbed 19 positions on the WEF ranking for logistics and infrastructure.

  In an analysis, a UN organisation has predicted that India will climb to third stop from current 10th in global ranking in two years.

Oil, gas industry to lose out heavily from GST: Icra

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  The oil and gas sector will not gain from the goods and services tax (GST) and will lose out due to compliance with dual taxation regimes and non-creditable tax costs, says a report.

  The GST law in its present form excludes a major portion of the oil and gas industry products thereby excluding the industry from most of the benefits of the one-tax-one-nation proposal.

  Not just that, the new taxation regime will impose an additional burden on the industry due to compliance to a dual tax regime, said a report by the domestic rating agency.

  Profitability of the industry could also be modestly hit because of tax-related under recoveries, Icra warned. The new tax law does not seek to include oil and gas products as well as tobacco and liquor under its purview.

  "The impact of the GST will be negative on the oil and gas industry due to the compliance with dual taxation regimes and non-creditable tax costs," Icra analysts K Ravichandran, Prashant Vasisht and Anoop Bhatia say in the report.

  Last week, Parliament passed the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill 2014. While the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on August 3, the Lok Sabha did the same on August 8.

  The government hopes to roll out the new tax regime, which will subsume several Central (central excise, service tax, special additional duty of customs etc) and state (octroi, entry tax, value added tax, purchase tax etc) taxes into a single tax, from April 1, 2017.

  The GST will mitigate cascading taxation and facilitate a common national market. For the Bill to become a law, it has to be passed by at least 19 state Assemblies besides setting up a GST Council that will make recommendations on taxes to be subsumed, exemptions, rates, date from which GST would be levied on crude, high speed diesel, natural gas, aviation turbine fuel and petrol.

  Explaining the rationale for their conclusion, the analysts point out that the present GST law does not include five petroleum items-crude oil, natural gas, motor spirit, high speed diesel and aviation turbine fuel-at present but would be included at a later date, while LPG, naphtha, kerosene, fuel oil etc are included. 

Petrol price cut by Rs 1, diesel by Rs 2 per litre

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  Price of petrol was on Tuesday cut by Rs 1 a litre and diesel by Rs 2 per litre, the fourth reduction in rates since July.

  Petrol will now cost Rs 60.09 a litre in Delhi from midnight as compared to Rs 61.09 a litre currently, said Indian Oil Corp (IOC). The price of diesel will cost Rs 50.27 per litre as against Rs 52.27.

  The price was last cut by Rs 1.42 a litre in case of petrol and by Rs 2.01 per litre for diesel on August 1.

  "The current level of international product prices of petrol and diesel and rupee-dollar exchange rate warrant a decrease in selling price of petrol and diesel, the impact of which is being passed on to the consumers with this price revision," IOC said.

  The movement of prices in the international oil market and rupee-USD exchange rate shall continue to be monitored closely and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes, IOC added. 

General Awareness

Marking the 70th Independence Day – August 15, 2016

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    Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Independence Day. Independence Day, is annually observed on 15 August as a national holiday in India commemorating the nation’s independence from the British Empire on 15 August 1947. Here are few points to remember and some events to note down on the eve of the 70^th Independence day of India.

    Tiranga March by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan

    • Marking the Independence Day, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan organized a candle-light “TIRANGA MARCH” in 100 prominent District Headquarters of several States/ UTs.
    • The Department of Youth Affairs will organize a candle-light “Tiranga March” in 100 prominent District Headquarters to celebrate the 70th Indian Independence Day. The members of youth clubs affiliated with NYKS as well as other youth will participate in the Programmes.
    • In each Programme, participation of about 1,000 youth is expected and this march will end at a venue where a cultural programme on the theme of Tiranga and Nationalism will be organized. This move will witness 40 to 50 large size National Flags being carried besides a large number of small flags. There will be chanting of nationalistic slogans and singing of patriotic songs.

    Colors of Independence – An Innovative Initiative of JCI

    A week-long “Colors of Independence” campaign has been launched by the Jute Corporation of India – JCI marking the 70^th Independence Day of India.

    • In a step towards promoting national integration and jute awareness, this campaign will provide an opportunity for general public to participate, from 70 Indian cities to celebrate 70 years of Independence.
    • This campaign is being organized by the Union Ministry of Textiles and all the paintings will be sent to the Ministry after August 15. This campaign is intended to invoke the spirit of independence and to make the present generation aware of the freedom struggle.

    Goa celebrates Independence Day with Patolleo – an Indigenous Sweet Dish

    “Our Lady of Assumption Church” of the Succoro village, near Panaji in Bardez Taluka celebrated ‘Patolleanchem Fest’, a unique salute to the jaggery-based sweet dish called “Patolleo” on the eve of the Indolence Day of India.

    • Goa Tourism department has been encouraging this alcohol-free event as a tourist attraction and says the festival is a must visit for all visitors.  Goa is the most colorful and vibrant state celebrates this unique festival paying tribute to the dish Patolleo, a Goan sweet made of jaggery and rice is wrapped in a turmeric leaf.
    • Traditionally, the festival is celebrated by preparing and distributing the Patolleos among villagers. Visitors are then treated to fabulous Goan fare and various performances by the locals and artistes. Guests are also given a share of the homemade Patolleo’s that are traditionally distributed on this day.
    • This festival provides an opportunity for local artists to display their talent. The main slogan of this fest is ‘no prizes, no sponsors, no plastics and no alcohol.’

    Union Minister launches M Venkaiah Naidu lauched the Special Version Webpage on the mark of 70^th Indian Independence Day

    I&B Minister Shri M Venkaiah Naidu have launched a special web page on the occasion of Independence Day, 2016.  This webpage is developed by Press Information Bureau and the page is also accessed from PIB’s home page.

    • The webpage showcases hundreds of archival photographs, audio and video clips, write-ups and features on leaders and events related to the freedom struggle. The webpage will host live webcast of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Independence Day Speech from the Red Fort and will also host other speeches delivered by the Prime Minister at events related to these celebrations.
    • It is noted that several organizations have contributed to the rich content being showcased on the webpage. These include All India Radio, Doordarshan, Photo Division, Films Division, Directorate of Public Relations of Ministry of Defense and Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.

    Independence Day Celebs on Wheels – Goa Tourism organizes Freedom Ride

    Goa Tourism presents an exclusive bike rally called ‘Freedom Ride’, which held on 15 August 2016. The Rally will be very enjoyable and give bikers an experience of Goa while exploring its treasures packed with churches, rivers, beaches, temples, villages and much more.

    • The experience will be very exclusive as it is not a race but just an adventure filled ride and the most interesting aspect is the Quiz Competition that would be held pre-lunch making the trip more exciting.
    • Only two riders per bike will be permitted. The charges include 800 per person for advance bookings and Rs. 1000 for spot bookings.
    • The route map will be shared with the participants on the day of the rally and well knownhistorian Sanjeev Sardesai will guide the bikers and give insights into Goa’s history, culture and traditions during the rally.

    Independence Day Film Festival unveiled by M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi

    Union Urban Development Minister, M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the Independence Day Film Festival in Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium.

    • The festival commenced today and conclude on Aug 18 and twenty films will be screened during the seven-day period.
    • The festival kick-start with Richard Attenboroughs Gandhi and famous movies like‘Sardar’ and a Tamil movie ‘Veerapandiyan Kottabomman’ which depicted the lives of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and an 18th century warrior, Veerapandiyan Kottabomman as capable of inspiring in the people an interest in the history of freedom fighters.
    • I&B Ministry has been roped in to play patriotic songs for the next three days on All India Radio (AIR) and also to air archived audio and video speeches of freedom fighters in short movies on Doordarshan (DD).

    M Venkaiah Naidu Unveils Tiranga Yatra – Indian Independence Day Theme Song

    On the eve of 70^th Indian Independence Day, Information & Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated an Independence Day Film Festival besides launching Festival of Independence theme song “Tiranga Yatra” at separate functions.

    • It is noted thatIndian Cinema not only played a vital role during the freedom movement, but also facilitated in spreading the message regarding the great deeds and velour of eminent leaders and personalities of the movement.
    • The songcaptures the patriotic fever and showcases the diversity in the country.The idea of India was being reinforced through the song and it aims to promote brotherhood and the feeling of oneness among all the citizens.

    Bharat Parv – Promotion of Rich Cultural Bio diversity on the eve of Independence Day

    As part of Independent Day celebrations, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated ‘Bharat Parv’ festival at India Gate lawns and the inauguration ceremony of the festival, which will conclude on August 18, is also attended by Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Mahesh Sharma.

    • The Ministry of Tourism has been designated as the nodal Ministry for the event, the highlights of which will include Performances by the Armed Forces Bands, a Multi-Cuisine Food Court, Crafts Mela, Cultural Performances from different regions of the country including Delhi-based cultural organizations and associations of various states and a Photo Exhibition by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
    • The prime objective of organizing the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider participation of the general public.
    • There will be 17 theme state pavilions where each state would showcase theirachievements and initiatives, tourism products and destinations.

    Indian Govt launches a commemorative postage stamp on Tourism

    A commemorative postage stamp on Tourism in Indiaon the occasion of 70th Independence Day has been released by the Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha.

    • The theme tourism was selected on account of tourism sector being an economically important and rapidly growing industry.
    • It is noted that Indiantourism is fast emerging, as one of the majors sectors of the economy and generating huge employment opportunity across the country.

    70^th Independence day gallantry Awards goes to 948 police personals throughout India

    On the occasion of the 70^th Indian Independence Day, a total of 948 central and state forces police personnel were awarded gallantry and other service medals.

    • The top honor of Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been given to three Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel for thwarting terrorist attacks at Indian Consulates at Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad in Afghanistan early in 2016.
    • President’s Police Medal for Gallantry have been awarded to 07 personnel, Police Medal for Gallantry to 170 personnel, President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service to 88 personnel and Police Medal for Meritorious Service to 683 personnel.
    • It is noted that 19 personnel have also been awarded including President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service to two personnel and Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service to 17 personnel.

    Havildar Hangpan Dada honored with Ashok Chakra posthumously

    Havildar Hangpan Dada was honored posthumously, with the government announcing the highest award to an army man during peace-time operations on the eve of the Independence Day.

    • Havildar Hangpan Dada was a Nocte tribal born in Borduria village of Arunanchal Pradesh. Dada, as he was fondly called, was recruited to the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment on 28 Oct 1997. Six years later, Dada was transferred to the Assam Regimental Centre and on 24 Jan 2008 he was taken on the strength of 4th Battalion, The Assam Regiment where he served the most. Dada’s personality had many shades. Two traits that were forever to the fore were fearlessness and righteousness.
    • From leading a patrol to leading a church service at the post, Dada always led from the front. During testing times, when threat of militants would loom large on his patrol negotiating steep slopes with knee deep snow, Dada would silently slip into the role of scout and lead the entire patrol safely back to the base. Dada didn’t stop playing with snakes, even after he had to be evacuated in a helicopter after being bitten not once but twice by one. Dada also had the courage of conviction of calling a spade a spade; though inevitably voicing politely what he thought was right.
    • Behind his trademark smile was a resolve tougher than steel and an unflinching attitude which came to the fore on the night of 26 May 2016, close to the Line of Control. The site of the encounter was at an altitude of 12,500 ft, J&K. A group of terrorists had infiltrated and it was Dada’s task to stop them before they could go deeper into the Valley. As Sabu Post Commander of Rashtriya Rifles, he was required to move out with his men to establish a stop and successfully engage them if they came his way. Even as Dada’s men detected their movements, the terrorists too perhaps found something amiss and took cover behind the snow clad boulders.
    • Dada realized that they could slip away and pose a threat to his men. Signaling his men of his intentions, Dada personally led a charge. The terrorists opened up as the men of Rashtriya Rifles closed in with Dada urging his men onwards trying to get the cross hairs of his rifle on each one of the terrorists in turn. Three of the terrorists fell as Dada pressed the trigger to deliver short bursts. However, a fourth one had taken position to a side. A burst of automatic fire from the fourth terrorist caught Dada unawares.
    • Undeterred by the gunshot wounds, Dada continued to pin down the fourth terrorist wounding him gravely. His gallant action of eliminating three terrorists in close quarter engagement and injuring a fourth one in utter disregard to personal safety not only foiled the infiltration bid but also ensured the safety of his men. Dada had always lived his life on his terms with his head held high.

    After sending a recommendation letter to Defence Minister of India, Shri Manohar Parrikar dated 9th June 2016, by Arunanchal Pradesh BJP president, Shri Tapir Gao forposthumously honoring the martyr with Ashok Chakra was accepted and was awarded to the martyr’s wife, Mrs. Chasen Lowang Dada.

    Telegana bags the highest number of Gallantry Medals

    Among the above stated award distributing ceremony, Telangana State has received the highest number of gallantry medals for police personnel in the country on the eve of Independence Day and it is noted that it was the only State unit to secure the President’s police medal for gallantry (PPMG).

    • The following two policemen, who lost their lives trying to catch two StudentsIslamic Movement of India (SIMI) operatives in Nalgonda district were the recipients of the PPMG

    1. Sub-Inspector Duddekula Siddaiah
    2. Constable Chougoni Nagaraju.

    Apart from the two policemen who would be honored with the gallantry medal posthumously, Telangana also got a President’s Police Medal for distinguished service to Fire Services Director General Rajiv Ratan. The Police Medal for meritorious service was announced for 11 police personnel.

    Key Points of Narendra Modi’s speech on 70^th Independence Day Celebrations

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the bulwarks of Red Fort in New Delhi on the occasion of 70th Independence Day today.

    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Independence Day made it clear that he has completely rerouted his policy on Pakistan with aggressive comments referring toPakistan’s human rights abuses in its large province of Balochistan as well as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
    • Speaking for over 90 minutes, Prime Minister Modi touched upon the achievements of his government over the last two years and stressed that the only way the country can move forward is through unity.
    • “Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat,” Modi reiterated, further adding that there would be no tolerance for violence in the country and that social discrimination should be ended.