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

PS: The above compilation is based on information from various sources. It may however require some changes. If you have any update on above or any additional links which could be included in the compilation, please inform us through either of the below mentioned options.

Email: friendsofcongress@gmail.com 

Twitter: @friendscongress

Facebook: www.facebook.com/friendscongress

Blogspot: friendscongress.blogspot.com

Twitter War Gets Ugly: Fake A/c of Congress, Leaders

Congress registered its presence on social media on 8th April 2013, when hashtag #FEKU trended at the top of the twitter world. It was both unexpected & unprecedented.

Instead of matching up or surpassing social media campaign on merit, the dirty tricks department, apparently of some opposition politician / political party, have floated a host of fake handles on twitter. These misleading / personating accounts are not only misusing names & photos of Congress Party leaders but also that of its organisations such as AICC, Youth Congress, NSUI, Mahila Congress.

The proliferation of such fake handles in huge numbers with real symbols, logos, photos of leaders, is not only a sign of defeat & desperation among those behind it, but is also an indicator as to how low they can stoop. Perhaps, they don't know that they are doing more damage than benefit to their masters.

These handles have a typical modus operandi, they would first RT the tweets from Congress leaders / supporters, to increase their follower count and also to create confusion or a sense of affiliation / endorsement. And once they reach a threshold count, they start showing their true colors by issuing misleading as well as demeaning statements / comments about party & leaders.

If a cyber expert analyses the Following / Follower list of these accounts, one can get an hint of people / party, behind these Dirty Tricks Department.

As per Section 66D of the Information Technology Amendment Act 2008, "Whoever by means for any communication device or computer resource cheats by personating, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description  for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liabe to fine which many extend to one lakh rupees. These are also violative of Section 66A of the same act.
http://deity.gov.in/sites/upload_files/dit/files/downloads/itact2000/it_amendment_act2008.pdf

These fake accounts have also been created in violation of twitter policy for parody accounts. https://support.twitter.com/articles/106373-parody-commentary-and-fan-account-policy

In some of these fake accounts the profile picture displays an abusive "middle finger" symbol inscribed on the Indian national flag, which is a punishable offence, in violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971, which makes it evident that the sick mind behind these fake handles do not have any respect to the Indian National Flag.
http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/Prevention_Insults_National_Honour_Act1971.pdf

As per our sources, the efforts have been initiated, not only to block these handles but also to get the people behind these tracked for appropriate action in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile we have compiled a list of fake handles that we've noticed and are reproducing them below so that not only these #Feku handles stand exposed but any following / retweeting of these handles be done, keeping their credibility / authenticity in mind. The list would keep growing & updating.

Beware of following FAKE / FEKU TWITTER ACCOUNTS


@SirRahulGandhi

@ShriRahulGandhi

@RahulGandhiSir

@S0niaGandhiji

@ZeroSibal

@AMSinghvi

@BiharYC

@YouthCongressUP

@YouthCongAmethi

@SeniorCongress

@MuslimYouthCong

@UPYouthCong

@ORYouthCong

@PBYouthCongress

@KarYouthCong

@NSUIOfficial

@IndYouthCong

@HryYouthCongres

@DelhiYouthCong

@AsmYouthCongres

@MahilaCongress

@BiharYouthCong

@TNYouthCongress

@GujYouthCongres

@ShishuCongress

@IndYouthCongres

@ERYouthCongress

Updated on: 23rd April 2013

Reach us at

Twitter: @friendscongress
Facebook: facebook.com/friendscongress
Blogspot: friendscongress.blogspot.com
Email: friendsofcongress@gmail.com

PS: Friends of Congress is an independent network of Friends & well wishers of Congress party with no official affiliation whatsoever.

Opinion Poll 2013 : Why C Voter Must See Voter First ?

C-Voter Survey (Opinion Poll) for Lok Sabha 2014 was broadcasted on Times Now on 16 April 2013 & subsequently on Headlines Today on 21 May 2013: 

Both polls tried to suggest a major dip in seats for Congress, though no significant gain for BJP either. In short neither  UPA or NDA would be in a position to form the govt. The seat predictions made in the poll were extremely laughable. 

We at FRIENDS OF CONGRESS strongly reject the surveys. While our rubbishing the surveys could be seen as one of a politically inconvenient response.  But let us for a while go into the credibility of C-Voter and their track record in the past.

C-Voter has always had a history of significantly inflating seat projection for NDA & proving wrong every time.


2009 GENERAL ELECTION

Times of India Group : March 2009
UPA 201 (Congress 146), NDA 195 (BJP 138), Others 147
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-06/india/27996737_1_alliance-arithmetic-upa-toi-estimate

India TV-CVOTER Exit Poll : 13 May 2009
UPA 189–201, NDA 183–195, Third Front 105–121
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/14/stories/2009051457840100.htm

Actual Lok Sabha Election Result 2009
UPA 262 (Congress 206), NDA 159 (BJP - 116) 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_general_election,_2009

VARIATION: +30%, Predicted 60 Seats less for INC / UPA 

2004 GENERAL ELECTION

Star News-CVOTER Opinion Poll: 3 May 2004
NDA 267-279, Congress+Allies : 169-181
http://www.hindu.com/2004/05/04/stories/2004050407690100.htm


Star News-CVOTER Exit Poll : 6 May 2004
NDA 270-282 , Congress+Allies: 167-179, Others: 87-99 
http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/may/05exit.htm



Actual Lok Sabha Election Result 2004
UPA 218 (Congress 145), NDA 181 (BJP - 138) 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_general_election,_2004

VARIATION: -50%, Predicted 90 Seats more for NDA 

2012 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

NewsX-CVOTER Poll Surveys 

PUNJAB ASSEMBLY 2012: 

Projection: Congress win with 42% of vote share against 31% of SAD-BJP.

Result:: Comfortable win by SAD-BJP

UTTAR PRADESH ASSEMBLY 2012:

Projection: BSP ahead with 27% votes followed by SP 25%

Result: Comfortable win by SP

http://www.mediavataar.com/index.php/news/television/3300-newsx-a-c-voter-present-the-first-a-exclusive-opinion-poll-survey-on-assembly-elections

CREDIBILITY & TRACK RECORD

The above analysis clearly establishes the credibility & track record of C-VOTER predictions. They have consistently gone wrong especially when it comes to General Elections with variations in the range of 30-50% (60-90 Seats)

It is high time, C-VOTER should get its stats right. India is too complex to decipher by surveying a few hundreds or thousand respondents. They need to understand Indian Voter first before making baseless predictions.

Till then we all know the right place of such surveys. 

Compiled By : Friends of Congress (www.friendsofcongress.com)

Twitter: @friendscongress  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/friendscongress 

PS: Friends of Congress is an independent network of Friends & Well Wishers of Indian National Congress. It is in no way affiliated to the party in any official / unofficial capacity.