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BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh has emerged as an important centre for terrorist activities. In the middle of last month it was discovered that a group of 9 persons in the state was supplying secret information to Pakistan's, Intelligence agency (ISI). The most sensational revelation was that some members of this group had intimate connection with Sangh Parivar. This group was getting huge sums for the services rendered by them.

India’s efforts to achieve greater connectivity with its Eastern neighbors like Bangladesh and Myanmar have made progress, as specific linkages between cities and ports get worked out. However, to sustain and maintain the present positive momentum, Delhi must address Dhaka’s growing concerns about the sharing of Teesta river waters.

The United States of America is in ferment. After Donald Trump took over the Presidentship of the country on January 20 this year, there has never been any moment of respite for him from the aggrieved sections of the US population. In the last one and half months of Trump era, the people have been on the streets in all parts of America in an unprecedented manner and the mass participation of the adversely affected people, immigrants, labour, old and students, is increasing day by day. For the first time, in the US history, the non-Democratic Party organizations are spearheading the demonstrations against President Trump and there has been an unusual coalition of forces which are outside the framework of the established political parties of US.

It is an oddity of Indian politics that both the promising non-BJP chief ministers, Nitish Kumar and Akhilesh Yadav, who are perceived to have the capability to play a larger national role, come from what is derisively known outside the Hindi heartland as the cow belt.

Seventy years ago, India and Russia established diplomatic relations. Soviet Union helped India in many ways to become more self-reliant and was a true partner of India. But in recent years India started distancing itself from Russia though Vladimir Putin continued to show his friendly attitude. Nevertheless what is significant and interesting is the two countries are gearing up to celebrate the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Russia in 2017, and pledged to make 2017 a special year in the history of their relations.

India’s Silicon Valley in Bangalore and Hyderabad’s cyber city where major IT giants are located are shivering with uncertainty about their future if the US blocks the H1-B visas as a part of curbing outsourcing. India’s software services industry, already facing pressures on profitability is braving to face the Trump administration’s protectionist policies. The National Association for Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), which represents the Indian IT industry, has been keeping its fingers crossed.

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India has strongly condemned the latest racial attacks against Indians in the USA and urged the Government of India to take up the issue with the US authorities on a priority basis.

Narendra Modi was within his rights to take out a day long roadshow in Varanasi to reach out to the voters and urge them to ameliorate his personal prestige by voting for the BJP candidates from the region. More than any other leader of any other party it is the personal stature and reputation of Modi that has been at stake in Uttar Pradesh. Basically that has been the reason that Modi has been visiting the state every day and addressing the election rallies. His electoral itinerary provides clear impression that he does not trust himself. He has no confidence on his speeches.

Under the constitution of any free country, ‘right to life’ is considered to be the most important of all fundamental rights that a State is supposed to guarantee its citizens. The Indian Constitution guarantees the right under the Article 21 that clearly states that “no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” Unfortunately, even 66 years after the Constitution was adopted, the government of India has done little to protect the life of its citizens by way of a guaranteed healthcare and minimum living income. Lately, the important aspect of healthcare of citizens has been left largely with money-making private business establishments — hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, path labs, pharma companies, devices suppliers, etc.

The Deloitte survey, Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (GMCI), 2016, forecasted India to outbid China in low cost manufacturing competitiveness in the next five years. According to the survey, while China will lose the powerhouse of low cost manufacturing competitiveness, the Mighty Five – the five Asia Pacific nations, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam – will emerge the choice for low cost manufacturing in place of China. India will be the frontrunner with four countries chasing behind, the survey said.