Gujarat Model : A Reality Check

ADMINISTRATION

No full-time officers in 30 key posts, Gujarat relies on in-charges
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/no-full-time-officers-in-30-key-posts-gujarat-relies-on-in-charges/articleshow/58232536.cms


Gujarat govt left over Rs 15k cr funds unspent: CAG report
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-govt-left-over-rs-15k-cr-funds-unspent-cag-report/story-FwiFfUHyBf9ZkyLzsFDlZM.html



ECONOMY

Gujarat: Rs 24,000 crore of VAT/sales tax dues yet to be recovered
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-rs-24000-crore-of-vatsales-tax-dues-yet-to-be-recovered-4648561/

Big companies leave no catch for fishermen: Study
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/big-companies-leave-no-catch-for-fishermen-study/articleshow/58212230.cms

Gujarat Has Seen The Maximum Fake ₹2000, New ₹500 Notes: Report
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/04/06/gaujarat-had-the-maximum-fake-2000-and-new-500-notes-report_a_22027967


HEALTH & EDUCATION

CAG reports: Education and health spending dropped 11 per cent
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/cag-reports-education-and-health-spending-dropped-11-per-cent-4595920/

Maternal mortality rising in Gujarat, says CAG report
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/maternal-mortality-rising-in-gujarat-says-cag-report/article17760982.ece

World Immunisation Week: Guj Holds One of India’s Worst Records
https://www.thequint.com/health/2017/04/28/world-immunisation-vaccination-week-gujarat-children-worst-records

More infants dying in Gujarat’s tribal belt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/more-infants-dying-in-gujarats-tribal-belt/articleshow/58200323.cms


INFRASTRUCTURE

27,000 km of Narmada canal network incomplete
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/big-companies-leave-no-catch-for-fishermen-study/articleshow/58212230.cms


LAW AND ORDER

How cow vigilantes flourished in Gujarat under CM Modi
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cow-vigilantes-flourished-in-gujarat-under-cm-modi/story-7n0jSUlOGqTZ7ycm3usq3L.html

In 24 Hours, a Lifetime Goes Up in Smoke for Muslim Villagers in a Corner of Gujarat 
https://thewire.in/119862/gujarat-patan-communal-violence-muslims/ …

'5,000-Strong Crowd Came With Pistols, Weapons': A Gujarat Village, Seared
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/day-before-riot-gujarat-village-split-sarpanchs-term-for-muslim-hindu-1674486

Gujarat recorded 415 custodial deaths in 2010-16: SHRC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-recorded-415-custodial-deaths-in-2010-16-shrc/articleshow/57881108.cms

Bombay High Court upholds lifer for 11 convicts in Bilkis case
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/050517/bombay-high-court-upholds-lifer-for-11-convicts-in-bilkis-case.html

Denied Free Food, Gujarat Police Parade Restaurant Owner Across Town in Handcuffs, Arrest Family
https://thewire.in/128128/gujarat-palitana-police-nodia/ 


PROHIBITION

'Heavily Drunk' Son Of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Taken Off Flight
http://linkis.com/m.ndtv.com/india-new/vOwM4

Gujarat prohibition failure: Officials caught drinking in a govt office
https://newsd.in/gujarat-prohibition-failure-officials-caught-drinking-govt-office/ 


UNEMPLOYMENT

More than 80% engineers in Gujarat are without jobs
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/more-than-80-engineers-in-gujarat-are-without-jobs/articleshow/57887543.cms


WOMEN SAFETY

Ahmedabad tops state in gang-rape cases
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ahmedabad-tops-state-in-gang-rape-cases/articleshow/58605641.cms




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2. The view expressed is of respective media house. 
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Congress Social Media : Where are the Leaders??

Friends of Congress, an independent network of friends & well wishers of Congress connected through Social media, has suggested to Congress party top leadership to join twitter and lead the campaign on social media.

As per them in present scenario, when a section of media is being controlled by those with political or corporate interest, the social media has become all the more relevant. However, Congress has consistently ignored this medium. They believe that by 2019 Lok Sabha polls, relevance of internet and social media would be manifold than what was visible in 2014.

The Congress volunteers & supporters have been disappointed by the last Lok Sabha and several state assembly election results. However, they are most dejected and demotivated becase they feel that till the time the top leaders in the party wont themselves be on twitter, facebook etc. to lead the social media campaign, all efforts and initiatives would remain fruitless. Presently the Congress cyber army is fighting their own battles without any captain to lead them.

They have suggested that, ideally, Rahul Gandhi himself should be active on social media to connect with masses especially the youth. Alternatively, Priyanka Gandhi who has otherwise been refusing to join active politics could take up the responsibility of media and communication and be the voice of the party. 

Even if members of Gandhi family are not ready for the task, some other Congress leader who is vocal and ready to connect & interact with congress workers & supporters must head the social media. 

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Is Paid Media an accepted reality now?

"Paid Media" is the term most frequently used today for media establishments & personalities who can't hide their bias or tilt towards a particular party or its leaders. Even the Election Commission today acknowledges the phenomenon called "Paid News". They have not only filed cases but also penalised candidates for indulging in it.

 

Netizens on the social media won't hesitate for a moment to use the term. At times it is well reasoned but mostly it could be inconvenient reporting. The right wing supporters won't even hesitate to abuse or troll the journalists irrespective whether they are male or female.

 

As the 2014 elections are approaching, everyone is noticing a "Modified" media. The kind of prime time Mr. Narendra Modi received while he was only the Chief Minister of Gujarat was unprecedented. His programs were covered live even if they were as insignificant as an address at a school or college. No doubt a great PR & well packaged marketing campaign helped him secure the title of "Prime Ministerial Candidate of BJP". Why so much media attention? Was he "really" in "currency" at that time or was it "currency" which marketed him as "reality" then.

 

To begin with, the latest cover story of "Caravan" magazine (December 2013) attempts to provide some answers. The story suggests that "IBN Network" has begun  to tilt noticeably rightward. From an organised campaign to prop up Mr. Modi at "Think India" to putting pressure on [editors] to not criticise Narendra Modi, the hints are loud & clear.

 

Surprising, the whole TV media is silent about the "Caravan" story. The media which has exhibited unprecedented interest in the "Tehelka" case are acting ignorant to a possible "rot" that raises several questions about the credibility of integrity of well established & respected media establishments & their celebrated editors. While they declare the enthusiasm in "Tehelka" case as introspection, the TV media is yet to raise their eyebrows for an issue which warrants far greater introspection. Let us keep our fingers crossed.

 

 

Disclaimer:

1. The above is a personal opinion of Friends of Congress.

2. Friends of Congress has no affiliation with Congress Party whatsoever

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4. Feel free to send your feedback at friendsofcongress@gmail.com

5. The media stories referred above are property of respective publications. 

 

 

Congress Social Media : A SWOT Analysis

BACKGROUND:

Congress Social Media began as a genuine independent public response to well organised campaigns by opposition especially BJP. There were a few "cyber warriors" battling it all alone, facing all abuses, hoping that some day, Congress party would wake up to this medium. The #Feku Campaign (8th April 2013) & its top trending brought together a large number of congress volunteers & supporters on one platform. The power of volunteers & social media campaign was soon recognised by a few party leaders. 

STRENGTHS:

1. The fact that Congress Social Media campaign initiated as a volunteer movement & not an organised paid campaign, gives it a lot of energy, appeal & freshness.

2. For Congress everything began as a clean slate. So all they have to do is gain. And in a span of 6 months, they have registered their suitable presence over this medium, which once used to be the domain of #BJP & to an extent of the new entrant #AAP. The media has also recognised Congress as a reasonable social media player & much has been written & published about various social media campaigns.

3. Various Congress volunteer teams have now learned the art of trending. On a given day they can pick up a suitable hashtag and they are able to spread the word around, many a times they get successful in trending it.

4. The Congress Social media campaign is not only managed by official teams of Congress party & its frontal organisations but a large number of volunteer teams & handles are also contributing to it.

5. Some of the party leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tiwari, Digvijay Singh, Shakeel Ahmed, Ajay Maken, Priya Dutt, Deepender Hooda, Milind Deora, Naveen Jindal etc. remain the torch bearers or brand ambasadors of this new media. Their tweets have not only helped them to interact with public, but has also helped them to stay in news, with media tracking their every movement, every tweet. 

6. The Congress campaigns & volunteers are by and large appreciated by neutral public, media & more so females, for their being more dignified & not abusive, unlike many of the right wing tweeples on social media.

WEAKNESS:

1. The biggest youth icon of Congress party i.e. Rahul Gandhi is not on twitter, which not only tends to undermine the importance of this medium but is preventing the party leader to get connected to millions of youth, first time voters especially the neutral ones who are not linked through party cadres.

(An online petition has been recently created at www.friendsofrahul.com to request Rahul Gandhi to be on twitter)

2. Many other prominent young leaders, MPs, Union Ministers & Chief Ministers have tried to remain away from the social media.

3. Though PMO & CMs of Rajasthan & Kerala are managing twitter accounts, but they are less interactive & more like press briefings. They may be informative but lack appeal.

4. The official accounts / websites of Congress Party either need a revamp or are at nascent stage in terms of content, design & following. Given the fact that it is the ruling party & is also in power in 14 states & have well defined frontal organisations like IYC, NSUI etc, the figures should be astronomical.

5. If you google names of prominent congress leaders or put them on twitter search bars, the amount of negative content outbeats the positive content. It means that the Congress teams are not able to block & act against the negative content however defamatory it may. This tends to demoralise the Congress volunteers as it shows some kind of weakness. Secondly, if negative cannot be removed it also shows lack of Congress teams to publish enough positive content which could dilute or outnumber the negatives.

6. There are a large number of fake accounts which are time to time created for prominent Congress leaders. Congress has failed to act against these. (One such list was compiled by us in April 2013 http://friendscongress.blogspot.in/2013/04/twitter-war-gets-ugly-fake-ac-of.html)

OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Congress has already registered its presence when it remains at an initial stage. If the strengths can be properly channelised & the weakness highlighted above are improved, Congress can go manifold on social media.

2. The coming assembly elections in five assembly states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh, Mizoram can be a testing phase of the impact of social media.

3. Many of the Delhi MLAs have now created twitter accounts. However, Delhi CM & most of the Members of Parliament from Delhi should be on twitter. With a large amount of young, educated & working class, social media might have some impact on Delhi. Both #BJP & #AAP are already aggressive on this medium.

4. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Young Union Minister & incharge of Madhya Pradesh assembly campaign has launched his official twitter account (@Scindiaofficial) only today i.e. 2nd October, 2013. Hopefully, this account would be well utilised to connect with target voters from the state.

5. Congress should set up a press e-briefing centre for Social media, where whatever is the buzz on social media through out the day, is responded to, in form of a press release, replies and tweets. This would also help the volunteers & cyber warriors to defend the party on social media. 

6. Congress media cell should develop some coordination between social media teams & spokespersons appearing on TV debates. The two media & associated people should be well synchronised.


THREATS:

1. Credit Seekers remain the biggest problem in Congress. Since this new media remains the in-thing, many within the party, at all levels, irrespective of their capability & understanding would try to score brownie points, to seek credit or to hijack the campaign. Party needs to keep a check & keep them at a bay.

2. The whole campaign for Congress started as volunteer movement and there are still many volunteer groups / cells independently operating on social media. Party should refrain from directly or indirectly endorsing any particular volunteer group / cell. It would either demoralise the others or make them indifferent.

3. Congress campaign has largely been organic. But if tends to be a replica of BJP campaign managed by well organised teams directly / indirectly related to the party or managed through professional teams / agencies, it would lose the appeal, edge & spontaneity. So party run campaigns & volunteer movements should remain separate.

4. One of the recent campaigns like #BJPeed, initiated by a volunteer team, was not only in bad taste, but was in contradiction to the guidelines issues by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi at a recent workshop on social media. Whatever be the provocation, the congress campaign should remain clean & dignified. Congress leaders on social media should timely step in to regulate such campaigns. A wrong move would reflect more on party than the volunteer groups & would instantly shatter what took months to build.

5. Party should be careful in sharing platform with independent volunteers & cyber warriors or they should be prepared to own up the campaigns being run by them. Even when the umbilical cord is not visible, it is difficult to hide mother-child relation.

6. The official handles or IT cells of Congress or frontal organisations should be more interested in spread of party message rather than seeking credit. An official state unit twitter account recently sent us a message that we should only retweet their messages or not use them at all. What is more important - the message from a state cell or due credit.

Please Note:
1. The above blog should be seen only as a fair & genuine assessment & not a criticism. 
2. Friends of Congress has no affiliation to Congress Party.
3. Friends of Congress is an independent network of Friends & Well Wishers of Congress.
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Suggested agenda for #INCmanifesto

@friendscongress #INCmanifesto criminal should not be given tickets at any level in politics.Women empowerment. Safety for all

— rafik r musani (@rafikrmusani) July 22, 2013

#INCmanifesto - Create a "cold chain" & "value addition cluster" in each District to facilitate exports of fruits & vegetables.

— MANOJ HARIT (@RURALINDIA) July 22, 2013

#INCmanifesto must give some guidance for Housing Revolution & removal of slum
— Parikshit Shah INC (@PSforINC) July 22, 2013

Mandatory rainwater harvesting 4 buildings occupying more than 2400sqft.Doesnt cost much,was compulsory in chennai afewyrs ago #INCmanifesto
— Tarun B (@dejaegar) July 22, 2013

#INCmanifesto Please do something about the Population Explosion, Water - its been ages we are still stuck where we were decades ago
— It Bardly Matters (@Bardgonewrong) July 22, 2013

We hv to use SOLAR ENERGY to meet our energy deficiency. More research needed to make it a viable alternative! #INCmanifesto
— Ravinder Tyagi (@ravinderburari) July 22, 2013

@friendscongress Min 10 Industrial-cum-Education-cum Entertainment zones adjoining 3-4 states in underdeveloped parts of India.#INCmanifesto
— Aaj Ka Indian (@AajKaIndian) July 22, 2013

Remembering Rajiv Gandhi

तुम एक देदीप्यमान नक्षत्र


भारत के भाल के तिलक .


लुप्त हो गए ,जैसे तारा कोई टूटे ;


पहले चकाचौंध ,फिर नीरव,अन्धकार .

बिखरे उल्का छोड़ गए


गहरे गव्हर वक्ष पर धरा के .


लगा गए कालिख मानवता के मुख पर


हम रह गए स्तब्ध,सूख गए आंसू,

बहने से पहले ,अंतस में मुखर, मूक हाहाकार.


हे कमल लोचन -बिम्बाधर -कार्तिकेय स्वरुप.


अब कहाँ वो मुस्कान मोहिनी,

बनाएगी जो घर, जन जन के मन में

कहाँ है वो हाथ ,थाम कर जिस को


चलेगा भारत का जन


कहाँ वो दृष्टि दिखाएगी जो राह


उन्नति और प्रगति की.

या फिर मैं मान लूं कि,आत्मा तुम्हारी,


स्वप्न तुम्हारे जीवित ,रहेंगे सदा,


और करेंगे प्रशस्त और प्रकाशमान

गण जन के पथ को

हे मानवता कि प्रति मूर्ती


तुमने खंडित होकर भी,


देश को एक कर दिया.


Contributed By: Ms. Jyotsna Singh

Curious Case of Martyr Sarabjit Singh : A Tribute

Martyr Sarabjit Singh: A Back Ground

As per reports, Shri Sarabjit Singh was in Pakistani Jail since 30.08.1990. The Anti-Terrorism Court, Lahore awarded him capital punishment on 03.10.1991 for murder through terrorist acts of 4 bomb explosions in Lahore (3 blasts) and Multan (1 blast). The Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the sentence on 18.08.2005. However, lawyer and family members of Sarabjit Singh claim that he was a farmer and strayed across the border inadvertently. They also allege that this is a case of mistaken identity and the crimes were committed by a person called Manjeet Singh. In the list of Indian prisoners handed over by Pakistanon January 1 and July 1, every year, his name is mentioned as Sarabjit Singh @ Manjeet Singh.

A mercy petition to the President of Pakistan, filed in 2008, was dismissed on 19.02.2008. According to his lawyer, Shri Sarabjit Singh alias Manjit Singh had filed mercy petitions before the President of Pakistan on 19.02.2010 and on 18.06.2010. 



Lawyer of Sarabjit Singh reportedly filed another mercy petition with President of Pakistan on May 29, 2012. The decision of the President of Pakistan on these petitions was still pending. 


His advocate Awais Sheikh had also authored a book titled "Sarabjit Singh: A Case of Mistaken Identity"

"Sarabjit's lawyer highlights flaws in his trial" - Indian Express

"Sarabjit's conviction is a miscarriage of justice" - Hindu Business Line

"Sarabjit files fresh plea, seeks mercy on Pak I-day" - Hindustan Times

Sarabjit attacked, succumbs to injury

Sarabjit Singh was brutally attacked by inmates in Prison and remained in Coma thereafter. 4 members of his family including his sister, wife & daughters visited him in Hospital. Various requests were also made by Indian Government to shift Sarabjit to India or to a third country for treatment.

Sarabjit Singh finally died in a Lahore hospital early morning on 2nd May 2013 from injuries suffered in a murderous attack on him in the city's Kot Lakhpat jail last week. His funeral took place on 3rd May 2013 in his native town #Bhikhiwind. Punjab govt accords him status of martyr. Indian Parliament expressed shock & condemned the inhuman treatment.

NDA Regime: No Significant Diplomatic Efforts

Sarabjit was arrested in 1990 and at that the Central Govt was headed by 3rd Front with outside support from BJP. 

No record of any significant diplomatic efforts made up to 2004 or if the issue was even taken up during Agra Summit or Lahore / Islamabad visits.

UPA Regime: Diplomacy Failed Despite Efforts

2005: 

2005: On the request of the High Commission of India, Islamabad consular access was provided by the Government of Pakistan 

September 6, 2005: The High Commission confirmed the nationality of Sarabjit Singh, as Indian.  

Prime Minister was assured by President Musharraf during their meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that he would look at the question of clemency to Sarabjit Singh in a humanitarian way. 

Then External Affairs Minister (EAM), Natwar Singh, took up the matter with the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi. 

October 2005: EAM took up the matter with President Musharraf, during his visit to Islamabad

2006:

MEA had formally requested the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on March 17, 2006, to treat the matter sympathetically and to examine his mercy petition with compassion.  

2008:

18.03.2008: Then External Affairs Minister in a Suo Motu Statement in the Lok Sabha appealed to the Government of Pakistan to treat Sarabjit Singh’s case with clemency on humanitarian grounds. 

19.04.2008:  Pakistan Govt on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.  

April 23-29, 2008:  High Commission of India, Islamabad assisted his sister Smt. Dalbir Kaur, his wife and two daughters during their visit to Pakistan.

April 24, 2008: Govt. of Pakistan allowed the family to meet Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore. 

2009:

09.09.2009: Pakistan Govt on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.  

2011: 

April 22-23, 2011: Members of India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners met Sarabjit Singh and other Indian prisoners during their visit to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

June 2011: His sister visited Pakistan in June 2011. The Indian High Commission interceded with the Pakistan authorities for arranging her meeting with Shri Sarabjit Singh in the jail.  
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13793583)

14.06.2011: Pakistan Govt on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.  

11.08.2011: Then External Affairs Minister, while giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha remarked on the case of Sarabjit Singh stating, “it is not our case that he was involved.  We don’t share that” and, “it is necessary for them to take a humanitarian view.”  

2012:

May 24-25, 2012: Matter was raised with Pakistan at India-Pakistan Home/Interior Secretary Talks held in Islamabad
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=763953 

July 4-5, 2012: Matter was raised with Pakistan at India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary level talks in New Delhi
http://tribune.com.pk/story/403968/pakistan-rejects-state-role-in-mumbai-attacks/  

July 8, 2012: Matter was taken up by EAM with Foreign Minister of Pakistan during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of a conference on Afghanistan in Tokyo.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/act-against-2611-perpetrators-krishna-tells-hina/article3616277.ece

September 6, 2012: Government of Pakistan provided special consular access to High Commission on  During the consular access it was observed that he was in good physical and mental health.
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=774568

September 8, 2012:  Matter was discussed during EAM meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister on in Islamabad.
http://www.mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?20531/Transcript+of+the+Media+Interaction+of+External+Affairs+Minister+in+Islamabad  

October 16, 2012: Lawyer of Shri Sarabjit Singh sent a medical report dated of Home Department, Govt. of Punjab which stated that his physical health was satisfactory and all vital functions are intact.  
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-06/india/34948101_1_sarabjit-on-humanitarian-grounds-indian-prisoner-sarabjit-singh-dalbir-kaur

December 2012: The issue was again taken up with Pakistan during the meeting between the Home Minister and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik in New Delhi 

http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=783704



Post Kasab Hanging:


Some including Sarabjit's own family feared that his case could suffer a setback after the developments in India relating to Hanging of Ajmal Kasab, for involvement in Mumbai Attack (26/11). And the problems might have multiplied further after hanging of Afzal Guru, accused in Attack on Parliament.

"Fading hopes: Sarabjit’s family uncertain about his release" - Tribune 

"Ajmal Kasab's hanging could affect Sarabjeet's release from Pak prison" - India Today

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