By Newscop | INNLIVE
TOP STORY The outlawed CPI (Maoist) has for the first time released a ‘short-term vision’ document or ‘poll manifesto’ urging people to shun the ‘pseudo-democratic system’ and demanded a revamp of the Constitution of India.
In a first, CPI (Maoist) has released an ‘election manifesto’, a copy of which is in possession of this correspondent, asking the people of the country to choose between the ‘pseudo-democratic system’ prevailing in the country and ‘real democracy’ promised by the banned outfit.
Although the outfit has given a call to boycott the 16th General Elections across the country, the manifesto says, “Exercise your franchise if you support the pseudo-democratic system.”
By M H Ahssan | INNLIVE
SPECIAL REPORT The kind of federal government structure existing in India makes for very good governance if it is adhered to in letter and spirit. Apart from a few stumbling blocks, mainly sharing of revenues and some matters of internal security, the fathers of the Indian constitution had clearly demarcated the issues to be handled by the Centre and the states independently and concurrently.
This system can be, and should be, followed to have good governance in the country. But the Congress was always suspicious of its own chief ministers who did good work in the states.
By Likha Veer | INNLIVE
WEEKEND SPECIAL Genetically modified foods are crops, foods or plants that have been scientifically modified with the intention to enhance the nutritional content of the particular crop. It may also be created to develop resistance to bacteria, virus and other components that can damage the plant. Scientists claim that genetic modification is capable of creating crops with the desired output in a short span of time and with perfection, since conventional plant breeding methods consume more time and may also differ than the desired output. Genetically modified foods are being seen as the next big revolution in food technology.
By Shaddha Kamble | Nashik
ELECTION REPORT About 170 km from Mumbai, along the river Godavari, Raj Thackeray will be waging his biggest battle, one to get a firmer grip on his toehold in Maharashtra's political landscape and to grow. Mostly, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena cadre members like to think that the battle is to be waged in October, when Assembly elections are held.
But journeying into the bastion of the young party, you cannot escape the feeling that the MNS could be missing the bus in its own backyard. For the disappointment among the locals over the party's poor performance in the civic body is apparent everywhere in the little town.
By M H Ahssan | INNLIVE
OPEN EDITORIAL One of the good things that might come out of the communal polarisation in this year’s general elections is a serious examination of Indian secularism. When all parties target one man, and when communal rhetoric and innuendo – whether utilised by Amit Shah or Azam Khan – are par for the course, we have to see the Indian version of secularism for what it is: a sham.
This time it is largely the so-called secular parties that have polarised the election. Thanks to the emergence of Narendra Modi as a development icon, the non-BJP parties have gone out of their way to add horns and war-paint to Modi’s visage in the hope that it will scare Muslims. Given his perceived status as a Hindutva hardliner, this embellishment is intended to ensure a Muslim consolidation in favour of the “secular” tribes who feel threatened by Modi.
By Ramesh Reddy | INNLIVE
CONCERN With Andhra Pradesh less than two weeks away from being thrown into a constitutional crisis, the Union law and home ministries are still to come up with a solution to avert this.
The crisis pertains to the proclamation of President’s Rule in the state. President Pranab Mukherjee issued the proclamation on March 1, 2014, and as per the Constitution, Parliament should ratify it within two months. The two-month deadline ends on April 30, 2014.
However, with the general elections ending in several states and most other MPs busy campaigning in their constituencies, the UPA government is of the view that Parliament cannot be convened at this juncture. “Yes, the Union home and law ministries are trying to arrive at a solution by which the constitutional crisis can be averted without Parliament being summoned,” Union minister Jairam Ramesh told INNLIVE.
By Dr. Shelly Ahmed (Star Guest Writer)
BEST WISHES Students of Delhi University are a favourite among the India Inc and some multi- national companies, which have already given job offers - with pay packages touching as high as 8 lakh per annum - to around 850 students and are expected to offer jobs to more students in the coming few days.
University officials said that there is a huge jump in the number of job offers being made this year. While this year the number has already touched 850, last year only around 500 students were placed by the end of April by varsity's Central Placement Cell (CPC), officials said. " We are seeing a very good response this year. In comparison to last year we have seen a very good jump in terms of numbers," said an official.
By Shekhar Gupta (Star Guest Writer)
COMMENTARY This anti-Modi battle cry is lazy, illiberal and an affront to Muslims — and to Hindus. If the opinion polls turn out to be generally correct, and Narendra Modi comes to power, it will unleash an angry flurry of obituaries of Indian secularism. Last week, some of India’s most respected public intellectuals signed a joint appeal to save the idea of India from Modi.
That his rise is a crucial turn in the Hindutva project that began with the Babri Masjid demolition. That nobody and nothing will be able to resist this wave of saffron communalism. Not the liberals among the majority Hindus, not our great institutions and, least of all, Muslims.
