A young Indian woman, a junior international chess champion to boot, had the courage and moral integrity to say no to a demand that she play with a headscarf at the Asian Team Chess Championship to be held in Hamadan from July 26-August 4. The demand was made by the Iran’s Islamic regime. Soumya Swaminathan had much at stake: prize money, to be sure, but also the possible advancement of her career to the next level. She put these considerations aside on a matter of principle with a forthright statement.” ‘I do not wish to be forced to wear a headscarf or burqa.
I find the Iranian law of compulsory headscarf to be in direct violation of my basic human rights, including my right to freedom of expression, and right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It seems that under the present circumstances, the only way for me protect my rights is not to go to Iran.’ (Times of India June 13).
That said, it does not infringe the rights of those who have no problem conforming to Iranian law on the headscarf. It is the individual’s freedom of choice one way or another. Compulsion is the issue.
Kashmir journalist assassinated
For ordinary folk in the frontline of jihadi violence, the assassination of Sujaat Bukhari, Editor of ‘Rising Kashmir’ the English-language newspaper and his two bodyguards were hardly a surprise, but breast-beating peaceniks, such as the formaly, intelligence chief of RAW turning the other cheek is the flavor of the season. A massive public turnout for the funeral of Mr Bukhari and his men should give the jihadis pause, their brutality and cowardice may alienate those who have hitherto answered their call for jihad (Times of India, Hindu June 15, 16).
Pakistan’s jihadi spots
Despite a recent ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control along the border in Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistani military indulged in heavy mortar and machine gum firing, leading to the deaths of four troopers of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) including an officer. A strong protest was lodged, as were others before it. A retaliatory strike will undoubtedly follow. The cycle of violence is likely to accelerate (Times of India, Hindu June 14).
TCS to expand Prudential deal
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) expects to generate $1.36 billion over 10 years from its partnership with British insurer Prudential Plc. India’s largest IT company said that it would get $680 million from Prudential in addition to the $690 million order it got earlier this year.
TCS extended its partnership with television ratings measurement company Nielsen in December when it won a $2.25 billion eight-year contract (Mint, Hindu June 13).
Investing in skills
A group of leading companies, spearheaded by IT firms, are engaging closely with students at school and college levels. They include Philips, IBM, Wipro, EXL Service, SAP Labs and Infosys are drivers of initiatives, such as promoting an interest in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics], creating awareness of new technologies like artificial intelligence, to ensure a skilled workforce up and running for creative employment (Economic Times June 12).
River, rice deals by India, China
India and China took a significant step forward through two agreements, the first pertaining to hydrological data that China will supply to India on the Brahmaputra river from its headwaters in Tibet as it flows down stream into the plains of Assam and Bengal. The second agreement involves the Chinese imports of Indian rice, beyond the basmati variety.
Afghanistan
India and China also agreed to move forward in identifying joint projects in Afghanistan that would help in development of the war-torn country, which has long been battling jihadi terrorism through suicide bombings, mostly by ISL, and to a lesser extent by al-Qaeda.
India, China to form Oil consumers’ bloc
India and China have also agreed to set up an oil consumers bloc against the OPEC cartel of oil producers who manipulate the market to keep oil prices exorbitantly high (Hindu June 10, 14).
Alimov commends India’s role in SCO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Rashid Alimov in Qingdao on ways in which Indian participation could strengthen the organization since it became full member (along with Pakistan) in 2017. Alimov complimented India for its contribution to the work of the SCO (Hindu June 10).
India, Uzbekistan review bilateral ties
Prime Minister Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit for talks on the full scope of bilateral relations, with a pledge to boost economic and cultural ties. Mr Modi tweeted: ‘Wonderful to meet Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Ties between our nations have their roots in history. We reviewed the full range of the India-Uzbekistan friendship, especially ways to boost economic and cultural cooperation.’ (Hindu June 14).
BEL office in Vietnam
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the first public sector defence office in Vietnam. Bharat Electricals Limited (BEL) will showcase products such as Weapon Systems, Radar Systems, Naval Systems, Military Communication Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Combat Management Systems and Coastal Surveillance Systems, and product and services to users across Southeast Asia (Business Line June 14).
Lynching disease
Lynching by mobs instigated by fake reports on social media is an affliction that must be stamped out with all the vigor available to the state and judiciary. The recent assault in Assam on two innocent students by a mob believing the young men to be child kidnappers was instigated by social media. The police have arrested 15 people. From cow trafficking to child trafficking, the scourge has gone on for much too long (Times of India, Hindu June 12, 14).
FGFA Russia deal aborted
Manohar Parriker, the previous Indian Defence Minister, a techie himself, had passed the deal with Russia for the joint venture to produce the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and submitted it to the Cabinet for final approval. The government sat on it for a year. The Prime Minister’s Office referred the subject to the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) and was told by its Director that it possessed the technology to produce the joint venture Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), which it clearly does not, judging by the delays and failures with the Tejas warplane for the Indian Air Force. Meanwhile the continuing depletion of IAF squadrons carries on regardless.
Money down the drain
The sum India invested in the Russian FGFA has simply gone down the drain. The plane is completing its tests in Russia and will join for the Russian Air Force. Foreign policy gains credibility when defence is strongest (Economic Times June 13).
President for Greek, Latin American tour
President Ram Nath Kovind is shortly to embark on a tour of Greece, Surinam and Cuba. India has had strong ties with Greece, hence the Indian President’s visit reaffirms these ties. He will then proceed to Surinam in South America, much of whose people are of Indian descent; and thence to Cuba, a time-tested friend from the days of Fidel Castro. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu had earlier visited Guatemala, Panama and Peru, where he signed a number of economic agreements. India’ outreach to Latin America was long overdue (Economic Times June 13).
Healthy Indian presence in Russia for FIFA World Cup
Thousands of Indians have assembled in Russia for the World Cup 2018, the grandest sporting spectacle on earth. The occasion is proving everything FIFA hoped it would be. The stadia are superb, built within time and a wonder to behold; a carnival of light, sounds, colour on Russian streets as supporters from every continent jostled and mingled and bonded– a disappointment, no doubt, to the British tabloids who had warned of outbreaks of Russian hooliganism. In a remarkable volte face, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who had earlier called for a boycott of the tournament, oozed Anglo-Russian friendship.
Indian media reporters spread themselves from Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi, Kaliningrad and Kazan, in the country’s Islamic province of Tartaristan. India’s ethnic and cultural diversity pales before that of the Russian Federation, the largest territorial expanse of the planet, its architecture varying from the striking domes of the Eastern Orthodox dispensation, and those of other Christian denominations, Muslim minarets, Jewish synagogues, to the totems of the forest dwellers of Siberia. The Russian language is the common tongue that binds the peoples of the Eurasian heartland.
Titanic figures
Russia’s unique cultural heritage was, as was its amazing history. The fortitude and heroism of the Russian and Soviet peoples in face of Hitler’s conquering legions in June 1944, not to speak of Tsarist Russia’s defeat of Napoleon in 1812. The titanic figures of Ivan IV the Terrible), Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Lenin and, not least, Josef Stalin, mightiest warlord above all others in the nation’s annals.
The Bengali television documentary scripted by Suman Mukherjee was outstanding, keeping audiences glued to their TV screens; hopefully English and Hindi versions will appear on our screens in due course.
