अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस - हरी राम यादव

 अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस

   योग शब्द का शाब्दिक अर्थ जुड़ना है। सांख्यिकी दृष्टि से यदि हम देखें तो जब हम दो संख्याओं को एक साथ जोड़ते हैं तो दोनों के मिलने से जो योगफल होता है वह वृद्धि लिए होता है।  योग का अर्थ हर क्षेत्र में वृद्धि से होता है। मनुष्य के जीवन में योग का भी वही अर्थ है जो सांख्यिकी दृष्टि से दो संख्याओं को जोड़ने से प्राप्त योगफल से है, अर्थात वृद्धि। योग मनुष्य को शारीरिक और मानसिक रुप से स्वस्थ बनाता है, शरीर को विकारों से रहित करता है तथा दीर्घायु बनाता है। योग एक प्राचीन शारीरिक और मानसिक अभ्यास है जिसकी उत्पत्ति हमारे देश में हुई थी।

    आज योग दुनिया भर में विभिन्न रूपों में प्रचलित है और इसकी लोकप्रियता लगातार बढ़ रही है। योग का उद्देश्य मन की शांति और आत्म जागरूकता हेतु ध्यान की आदत विकसित करना है, जो तनाव मुक्त वातावरण में जीवित रहने के लिये आवश्यक है। योग कैसे तनाव को दूर करता है और शरीर को कैसे स्वस्थ रखता है , उस महत्व को बताता है। नियमित रूप से योग करने से मोटापा,डायबिटीज, उच्च रक्तचाप जैसी अनेकों बीमारियों पर नियन्त्रण पाया जा सकता है। योग करने से कई बीमारियों को जड़ से दूर किया जा सकता है।

    सन्  2015 में 21 जून को योग दिवस मनाने का फैसला लिया गया। हमारे मस्तिष्क में यह प्रश्न आता  है कि 21 जून को ही योग दिवस क्यों मनाया जाता है? इसके पीछे जो कारण है वह है 21 जून को उत्तरी गोलार्द्ध का सबसे लंबा दिन होना, जिसे लोग ग्रीष्म संक्रांति भी कहते हैं। भारतीय परंपरा के अनुसार, ग्रीष्म संक्रांति के बाद सूर्य दक्षिणायन होता है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि सूर्य के दक्षिणायन होने का जो समय होता है वह सकारात्मक ऊर्जा से भरपूर होता है। इसी कारण 21 जून को अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस मनाया जाता है।

    संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा में वर्तमान प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी के प्रस्ताव को मंजूरी मिलने के बाद 21 जून 2015 को पहला अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस मनाया गया। इस पहले योग दिवस के दिन लगभग 35 हजार लोगों ने दिल्ली के राजपथ पर योगासन किया था । इस योग दिवस में 84 देशों के प्रतिनिधि शामिल हुए थे और 21 योगासनों का अभ्यास किया गया था।

    यदि हम वर्तमान परिदृश्य में देखें तो योग बहुत ही आवश्यक बन गया है। अब मनुष्य के जीवन से शारीरिक श्रम काफी हद तक निकल चुका है। आज की पीढ़ी सूचना क्रांति और यांत्रिक शक्ति वाली पीढ़ी है। एक जगह एक ही स्थिति में बैठकर दिन रात काम करती है और फास्ट फूड खाती है। वह दाल, चावल और रोटी खाने वाले को पुरातन मानती है। वह यह नहीं जानती है कि भारत के पुरातन व्यवहार और आदतें ही दीर्घायु का रहस्य हैं। एक ही स्थिति में एक जगह बैठकर काम करने से जो शारीरिक और मानसिक तनाव उत्पन्न होता है उससे निजात पाने के लिए कहीं भी एक स्थान पर बैठकर योग किया जा सकता है।

     तेजी से बढ़ते जनसंख्या के घनत्व के कारण खुली जमीन सिकुड़ती जा रही है। वाहनों की अधिकता के कारण सड़कें यमराज की संगिनी बन गयी हैं। पगडंडियां विलोपित हो चुकी है, अब कोई चरागाह या नदी के तीर बचे नहीं हैं जहां आप भागदौड़ कर सकते हैं इसलिए अब व्यायाम और दौड़-भाग करके शरीर को स्वस्थ रखना टेढ़ी खीर हो गया है। अब योग ही एकमात्र विकल्प है जिसे आप अपने घर की छत या किसी पेड़ के नीचे बैठकर कर सकते हैं और अपने शरीर को स्वस्थ रख सकते हैं।  

    शरीर को स्वस्थ रखना आवश्यक है क्योंकि स्वस्थ शरीर में ही स्वस्थ मन का वास होता है। आप प्रगति तभी कर सकते हैं, आप समय के साथ तभी चल सकते हैं जब आप शारीरिक और मानसिक रुप से स्वस्थ हों। अपने दैनिक जीवन में प्रातः काल ब्रम्हमुहूर्त में उठकर योग को अपनाएं और देखें कि आप का मन मस्तिष्क दिन भर कैसे स्वस्थ और तरोताजा रहता है। योग आपके तन और मन दोनों को स्वस्थ रखेगा।  

       - हरी राम यादव

         बनघुसरा, अयोध्या

         7087815074

Interview with Indian Major General Asthana About India, China, Pakistan and Counter jihad : Ralf Ostner, Global Review (Germany)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Review: General Asthana, India is celebrating its 70^th anniversary of independence. In the beginning it supported the Non-Alignment Movement, and then had close relations with the Soviet Union and after the end of the Cold War its relations with the USA are getting closer and closer. Some experts even claim that India is already part of an anti-Chinese US coalition together with Japan, Australia and South Korea. Is this reality or could this become reality?

 

Major General S B Asthana: In my opinion India has always been following an Independent Foreign Policy, and that position has not changed so far. Every sovereign country steers its foreign policy as per its own National Interest, and India is no exception. India has a strong strategic partnership with USA, because of commonality of interest in many fields, but is not forming any coalition with/for/against any country. Such perceptions as mentioned in your question come up whenever you find convergence of interest between two or more countries on specific issues. I must remind the readers that between 2000- 2016, India’s import of military hardware was approximately 64 percent from Russia in comparison to 14 percent from USA. Before meeting President Trump, Prime Minister Modi had gone to Russia. China is our next door neighbour and big trading partner. Both countries are together in BRICS, SCO, AIIB and many global and regional forums, wherever we have commonality of views/interests. In response to the last part of your question I can only say that in international relations it’s difficult to predict the future because of so many variables, but India will like to have friendly relations with all.

Global Review: Was the partition of India unavoidable? Gandhi tried to prevent it; many Hindu nationalists even say that it was a “Divide and Rule” strategy by Great Britain which then tried to incorporate Pakistan into CENTO. What was the aim of CENTO and why did it disintegrate? Pakistan became the main enemy of India in the following decades– supported by the USA, but mainly by China. Are there Chinese plans to use Pakistan as second frontier against India in the event of a conflict? Is this likely as all three countries have nuclear weapons?

Major General S B Asthana: I am not a historian hence it will not be appropriate for me to comment on Partition or CENTO. I can only say that certain historic events happen under certain circumstances, and when we evaluate them in hindsight it’s difficult to assess the actual circumstances under which concerned decision makers took such a decision, and we land up speculating. Many historic versions conform to what you mentioned in first part of the question.Central Treaty Organization (CENTO),as I understand from historic record was formed as a mutual security organization, formerly called Middle East Treaty Organization, or  Baghdad Pact Organization, dating from 1955 to 1979, composed of Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, with Iraq added later. Formed at the urging of Britain and the United States, the Central Treaty Organization was intended to counter the threat of Soviet expansion into vital Middle East oil-producing regions. It disintegrated because of pulling out of Iraq and Iran, who were oil rich significant players.

I do not subscribe to the idea of USA supporting Pakistan to become enemy of India because it did not serve any purpose for them, even in cold war era. China may/ may not have any plans to use Pakistan as second frontier against India in the event of a conflict  , that only Chinese can answer, but in all previous conflicts with Pakistan, so far, they have not done much for Pakistan except some moral and material support and some military posturing, without entering into conflict. In future, however we have to be prepared for it. Sino-Pak nexus, Chinese support in case of Masood Azhar, rolling out of CPEC, and reported presence of PLA along it, are not good signs. Pakistan is already working as frontline state of China by keeping a significant part of Indian Security forces engaged in proxy war. I do not visualise any conflict with China as we have many convergences of interest, especially in light of the potentiality of our economic engagements.

Global Review: Mohammad Ali Jinnah wanted to create a secular democratic Muslim nation Pakistan. But Pakistan was mostly controlled by military dictators. If you compare India with Pakistan—which role has the military and the intelligence (ISI) in both societies? India never faced a military coup, but Pakistan many. Why is Pakistan such an unstable democracy?

Major General S B Asthana: Mohammad Ali Jinnah wanted to create a secular democratic nation. The country was named as Islamic republic of Pakistan during the President Zia ul Haque’s tenure, who seized power after a coup. Pakistan since independence had been an unstable state, and continues to be so with sham democracy and Pakistan Army holding the reins of power. Their undue fascination for Kashmir (which had legally acceded to Indian Union), ill treatment of East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) and forced occupation of Baluchistan were some events to make Pakistan unstable. Due to internal instability, Pakistan Army could sell the narrative that they are a Force which can bind the country together and protect it against India (Indian threat theory), hence they must hold the reins of power. Repeated corruption disclosures of elected politicians further helped the Army to strengthen its hold on power, which continues till today. India on the other hand has been, and continues to be a stable secular democracy, with professional Defence Forces looking at security of the nation, and not diverting their attention towards Governance and Politics of the country.

Global Review: Under military dictator Zia ul Haque Pakistan was undergoing some sort of islamization which became breeding ground for Islamist terrorism and even the Taliban with its maddrassas and Saudi Arabian Wahhabist support. Pakistan Nobel prize winner Malala describes the Islamization of Pakistan in her book. Besides the international implications Pakistan was also becoming the breeding ground for Islamists in the Kashmir conflict and Afghanistan.India often claims that Pakistan is supporting and instrumentalizing the Islamist groups in Kashmir and Afghanistan for its own interests, but Pakistan denies an direct involvement and claims that it is fighting these insurgency groups and Islamism. What is the real story?

Major General S B Asthana: You have just narrated in the question, what is believed to be true, not only by me, but by the rest of the global community including USA and China. The new US South Asia Policy released last month totally supports this view. The real fact is that Osama Bin Laden was finally found in Pakistan near a military camp proves the nexus. Most of the terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan, India and rest of South Asia have safe sanctuaries and training camps in Pakistani territory duly supported by Pakistan Army and ISI. Almost every leader of consequence of these terrorist groups has been based in Pakistan. Even China is concerned of ETIM terrorist group operating in Xinjiang province being supported and trained there; hence they have a very tight security on their possible entry points. They are also concerned about the security of CPEC and other projects because all militants are monsters and can turn the guns towards its sponsors any time, hence Chinese policy of buying peace by appeasing militants may not work in long term. Pakistan’s claim that they are fighting militancy mainly refers to the militant groupslike TTP, which have gone against them and are killing their Army personnel and families as Pakistan tried to do ethnic cleansing by killing innocent people, not following their dictate. In Kashmir Pakistan has launched proxy war by inducting militants and supporting killings of innocent people and security forces.

Global Review: China´s OBOR initiative will change the geopolitical landscape of the world, also in Asia, South Asia and Central Asia. As India doesn´t want to participate in these New Silk roads does it perceive the maritime and continental new silk roads as a danger comparable with the German Baghdad Bahn which tried to build a German sphere of influence in the Greater Middle East and Asia against the British Empire which eventually lead to WW 1?

Major General S B Asthana: China would like everyone to believe that its One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative is purely developmental, for global, inclusive growth, as a win-win situation for the participating countries. Since infrastructure development is a dual use facility (civil and military) it will affect the geopolitical landscape. It will have serious strategic and security implications for the affected region. China wants to have ‘China Centric global communication network, which will increase China’s strategic footprints in the region affected by OBOR. It will also help China in offloading overcapacities and trade surpluses, besides exploiting mineral resources of affected countries. The construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as an extension of OBOR, violates sovereignty of India, hence India has no reason to participate in it.OBOR is of no worthwhile use to India, as India already has better sea connectivity, and the land connectivity is being worked out with our eastern neighbours bilaterally. CPEC is a concern for India with Chinese in our backyard. Joining OBOR from maritime perspective is also not in Indian interest as India has better sea connectivity with lesser choke points. Moreover joining OBOR would give a licence to Chinese entry in dangerously closer distance in Indian Ocean.

Global Review: China´s OBOR initiative also plans an economic corridor between Pakistan and China with a port in Gwadar. Pakistan claims that India tries to boycott this by all means and tries to destabilize Pakistan. As indicator it is claiming that India would support the Baluchistan separatists in Pakistan in order to prevent the Gwadar port and the economic corridor. How does India perceive the economic corridor and the Gwadar port? Will Gwadar also become a navy port for the Chinese navy? What about Sri Lanka and Bangladesh?

Major General S B Asthana: The construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as an extension of OBOR, violates sovereignty of India; hence India has boycotted it. India has no intention to destabilise Pakistan because a destabilised Pakistan under Jihadi influence is not in Indian Security interest. India is against killings of innocent people, and in my perception people of Baluchistan are suffering atrocities under Pakistani Army, hence they need global sympathy and support. CPEC is an effort by China to get warm water connectivity for its Western Region into Arabian Sea and Gulf region. It does cause certain security concerns for India, Gwadar port as military base may well be vulnerability for China in the long run as it can be blockaded. In case of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, China is looking for a foothold in the form of ports, which can be used as military bases in the long run. How far it will succeed will depend on permissibility of these sovereign countries.

Global Review: You wrote an excellent analysis about China´s new strategy in the South China Sea and the Doklam Plateau and claimed that both cases were indicators of an “incremental encroachment“. What do you mean by this phrase? Could you explain the reader China´s new strategy and what you propose to dissolve the problem?

Major General S B Asthana: China claims to have a strategy of “Active Defence”which implies protection of its sovereign territory (As China perceives it) even by pro-active defensive actions. In my opinion China has extended this strategy further by first increasing its claim line of its sovereign territory based on their unilateral historical logic and moving incrementally towards expansion of its territory by encroaching areas which have other claimants as well, create some infrastructure, and take a position to be defending its sovereign territory. This is what I mean by using the phrase      “Incremental Encroachment”. In doing so China is takes proactive actions, and when the opposition is strong, it stops just short of War, continues with its claims and waits for an opportune time to pursue it further. Taking the example of South China Sea, where China extended its maritime claims into features claimed by other countries as well, (because their EEZ’s are overlapping), by one sided interpretation of its history and started converting them into islands, ignoring verdict of ICA, causing a serious concern to other users of South China Sea. Doklam was a bilateral issue, which stands resolved. In South China Sea, I feel all other users have to get together to stop further “Incremental Encroachment” by China to preserve Freedom of Navigation, international flights and any restrictions that China may think of putting on other users.

Global Review: If you compare China´s and India´s economic and military potential, which country will become the main regional power in Asia? Is a confrontation between China and India very likely or a Sino-American conflict which draws India into the conflict? E.G. if a Sino-American conflict occurs and the USA uses TX Hammes ´Offshore Control strategy’ would India be part of this Offshore Control scenario which is a naval blockade against China?

Major General S B Asthana: I see India China relations as of “Co-operation and Competition” together, as both need each other’s consumer markets to grow further. China is a much larger economy, and India is the fastest growing economy. China’s Defence Forces are larger in numbers, but it has much larger boundaries, concerns/commitments, and its capabilities are yet to be tested after 1979, whereas Indian Forces, although smaller in numbers, have been on a winning streak since 1971. Both countries can co-exist in Asia, hence a debate that which country will become the main regional power in Asia may not be of significance. This is also certain that both countries are strong enough to the extent that none can dictate the strategic choices to another. Both countries have stable relations with each other since 1962, and I do not see the prospects of any confrontation in the near future. In this era of alliances, cold war, trade wars, I also do not see the prospects of any Sino-US conflict in near future, although some divergences like South China Sea, may lead to some strategic/military posturing in near future. In reference to the last part of your question, any military analyst will tell you by pure military calculations that US Maritime capability is much more than China and blockade of some selected points like Gwadar ( if it becomes a Chinese military base) is well within their capability. Indian Navy is capable of securing own maritime interests and is capable of operating with US Navy. Notwithstanding the capabilities, the scenarios painted in your question are unlikely in near future as all these countries are fairly mature in inter-se dealings and have major economic interests in each other.

Global Review: India has interest in the Himalaya region, especially Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. As China is pushing its new silk roads will these countries be integrated in a Chinese sphere of influence? The Tibetan exile government and the Dalai Lama are guests in India and India has close relations to Nepal and Bhutan. At the moment India is not supporting Tibetan independence. Could this change? The Tibetan Rangzen Alliance hopes that India will in future support an independent Tibet and that an Indian-Chinese war could lead to such a scenario. Especially as China wants to relocate the water resources in the Himalaya which are the dwells for many Indian and South-asian rivers to China (Heaven Channel), the Rangzen Alliance sees the water resource conflict as a possible scenario which could change the mind of India about Tibetan independence. Is such a scenario realistic? In your article about Chinese „incremental encroachment“ you wrote: The history can be interpreted by both sides to suit their claims, threat to revise policies can be from both sides (if China can talk about rethinking Sikkim/Kashmir policy/ or intervening in Nepal triangle,India can also talk about rethinking Tibet/One China policy or establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan).

Major General S B Asthana: India has excellent relations with all its neighbours including Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan. China has increased connectivity with some of them, as per their bilateral arrangements, which is not of concern to India, as they are sovereign countries entitled to take decisions as per their own national interest. Bhutan has a security arrangement with India which has not been disturbed so far despite all efforts by China. The dependency of Nepal on India is also heavy and will remain so, despite its connectivity with China. The stance taken by Bhutan and Nepal during Doklam stand-off adequately justices this argument.

India does not support any anti-China Tibetan movement or separatist activity. I do not think that this position of India will change, when India itself is a victim of Pakistan sponsored proxy war/ terrorist activities. A responsible nation like India cannot be seen to have double standards.

The line which you have quoted above from my article is in response to a provocative statement from Global Times during Doklam standoff, when China was trying to put psychological pressure on India by threatening to revise policy on a well settled border with Sikkim. It should be read as an appropriate reply to a provocation/rhetoric generated by China. Now both countries have resolved the standoff with matured diplomacy, I do not visualise India going back from any mutually agreed policy unless China does so, the possibility of which is remote.

Global Review: What do you think about Hindu nationalism? Is it good for India? Gandhi and Nehru as Congress Party supported a nonviolent, pacifistic, socialist, all-Indian, universal and anti-caste policy. Gandhi even wanted to put Mohammad Ali Jinah or a Muslim as new prime minister of all India in order to prevent the partition of India. However, the Muslim League, GB and the Hindu nationalists prevented this. The Congress Party held to the Non-Alignment, anti-caste, universal, pacifist and socialist policy for the next 30 years, only with the exception that after the Chinese aggression in 1962 they had closer ties with the Soviet Union. However Modi, born in the RSS and associated with other Hindu nationalistic groups replaced the Congress. Modi started his Hindu nationalism by burning down Christian churches and destroying Muslim temples. He was banned by the USA for entering the land of the free. But when he became prime minister, made a neoliheral economic policy, was moving towards the USA against China, everything was forgotten and he is seen as a welcomed guest of the USA. However his new identity policy is promoting a Hindu-Buddhist society, excluding Christians and Muslims, on the other side promoting World Yoga days and World Laughing Days to create the soft power of an ever peaceful India. While Modi is still promoting a neoliberal. military strong India, he is stirring up the divides within the Indian society. As Hinduism- Buddism are no religions which want to conquer the world as Christianity was and many sections of Islam still do, Hinduism-Buddhism is perceived by the West as not that dangerous. But the exclusion of Christians and Muslims in India can split and destabilise the country. Is the model of the Congress Party better than the Hindu nationalist BJP? Is the Indian army a Hindu-Buddhist army or an all- Indian army?

Major General S B Asthana:  Your Question has political overtones and off the mark from actual reality. In my opinion India stands for Indian nationalism, and is a secular, stable democracy with equal opportunities and safety to all religion, looking for “Peaceful Inclusive Growth”. If the President of India/ supreme commander of Armed Forces can be from minorities, the question has no basis. The Indian Army is a secular Army having officers and troops from all religion. The fact that we presently have a Muslim Army Commander, and had Christian, Sikh and Parsi Chief of the Army Staff earlier makes the entire narrative of the question irrelevant.

(The views expressed are of Major General S B Asthana  SM,VSM (veteran) and do not represent views of any organization.)

The General  is reachable on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Google+ as Shashi Asthana, and on website http://www.asthanawrites.org and USI website http://www.usiofindia.org )

https://www.global-review.info/2017/10/18/interview-with-indian-major-general-ashanta/

Bhagat Singh, a hero across borders: Pak observes death anniversary

Lahore, Mar 24: The civil society members and academics in Pakistan have demanded a public apology from the British Queen for the 'unjust killings' of Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev as the country marked their 86th death anniversary.

The main event was organised by the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation at Lahore's Fawara Chowk on Thursday where the three freedom fighters were hanged on March 23, 1931.

Amid high security, the participants attended the memorial ceremony and urged the British Queen to visit Shadman Chowk and tender a public apology for the murder of the trio.

Adopting a resolution, the activists also demanded the Queen should apologise to India and Pakistan and to the families of the freedom fighters, besides paying pecuniary compensation for the 'unjust killings'.

The civil society members also held a light vigil to remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters.

Some descendants of Bhagat's family, including Sardar Hakoomat Singh, Gurjit Dhat, Abhe Singh Sindhu, Kiran Jeet Singh and Sardar Sukhvendra Singh Sanga delivered telephonic speeches from Canada and India.

'We will not forget the courage and sacrifice of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his companion. Singh will be echoed against every imperialistic regime,' said Abdullah Malik, president of Bhagat Singh Foundation Pakistan.

He criticised the Punjab government for not honouring the freedom fighters and not renaming Shadman Chowk as Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk.

Foundation's chairman Imtiaz Qureshi said people such as Bhagat and his comrades were born in centuries and their great sacrifice would always be remembered.

On the order of the Lahore high court, the Lahore police provided security for the event which had faced threats from 'religious extremists'.

Taran Geet Sing, Amir Sohail and other Sikh students also spoke on the occasion and paid rich tributes to freedom fighters.

The Dyal Singh Research and Cultural Forum also held a separate function at the Dyal Singh Auditorium Lahore to pay tributes to the three freedom fighters.

Forum's director Ehsan Nadeem said the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh lit the candle of freedom that wiped out British colonialism.

Punjab University's Dean of Social Sciences Iqbal Chawla said unlike Gandhi, founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah had supported Bhagat's struggle and declared it was legal.

'It was Maulana Zafar Ali Khan who in a poem declared Bhagat Singh a martyr. All this indicated Muslims' love for Bhagat Singh and the Sikh community,' he said.

PTI

source: oneindia.com

'I told them to kill me': Indian soldier who was held captive in Pak after straying across LoC

An Indian soldier, who was returned by Pakistan after holding him captive for four months said he often prayed for death while being tortured in their custody.

"I was assaulted. I told them: Kill me. I realised that this was the end of the road for me," Chandu Babulal Chavan, who was handed over to India on January 21 , said on Friday in conversation with a Marathi channel.

The 22-year-old had crossed into Pakistan on September 29, the day India hit terror launch pads across the line of control (LoC), 10 days after an attack by suspected Pakistani militants on a camp in Uri that killed 19 soldiers.

Chavan was posted on the LoC in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Describing the scenario after he was caught by Pakistani soldiers after straying across the border, Chavan said, "they checked me, took out my clothes, put on black robes (on me) and took me away in a vehicle."

"I was put in a room which was always dark. I did not understand a thing. The bathroom and toilets were also in the same room," the soldier, who returned to his native Borvihir village in Dhule district, earlier this month, told the channel.

"When I used to bang my head and ask them to kill me, they gave me injection doses. They used to beat me. There came a time that I didn't have any more tears in my eyes," he said.

"I did not understand whether it was day or night. I remembered my family in those harrowing times. I used to pray God to end my life," he said.

Describing the Pakistani torture, he said, "They used to give me sedatives through injection. They put drops in my ear when it was bleeding."

"There was a time when I told my captors that I had crossed into Pakistan to avenge the Uri terror attacks," he said.

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सिंधू पाणी करार : भारतीय शिष्टमंडळ पाकमध्ये दाखल

माध्यमांचे प्रतिनिधी वाघा सीमेवर आले होते, परंतु त्यांना शिष्टमंडळाला भेटण्याची परवानगी देण्यात आली नाही.

नवी दिल्ली : सिंधू पाणी करारावरील वादांवर तोडगा काढण्यासाठी स्थापन करण्यात आलेल्या सिंधू आयोगाच्या

नवी दिल्ली : सिंधू पाणी करारावरील वादांवर तोडगा काढण्यासाठी स्थापन करण्यात आलेल्या सिंधू आयोगाच्या बैठकीसाठी 10 भारतीय अधिकाऱ्यांचे शिष्टमंडळ आज (सोमवार) पाकिस्तानमध्ये दाखल झाले.

पाकिस्तानचे वरिष्ठ अधिकारी आणि भारतीय उच्चायुक्तालयातील अधिकाऱ्यांनी वाघा सीमेवर भारतीय शिष्टमंडळाचे स्वागत केले. माध्यमांचे प्रतिनिधी वाघा सीमेवर आले होते, परंतु त्यांना शिष्टमंडळाला भेटण्याची परवानगी देण्यात आली नाही. तिथून कडेकोट सुरक्षा व्यवस्थेमध्ये हे शिष्टमंडळ भूमार्गानेच राजधानी इस्लामाबादकडे रवाना झाले.

इस्लामाबाद येथे ही दोनदिवसीय बैठक आजपासून (ता. 20) सुरू होत आहे. सिंधू आयोगाचे भारतातील आयुक्त पी. के. सक्‍सेना यांच्या नेतृत्वाखाली दहाजणांचे शिष्टमंडळ या बैठकीमध्ये सहभागी होणार आहे. या बैठकीमध्ये पाणीवाटप करारानुसार भारताला मिळालेल्या हक्कांची जाणीव पाकिस्तानला करून देण्याचा भारत सरकारचा उद्देश आहे.

वृत्तसंस्था

चीनकडून तीन लाख सैनिकांची कपात

बिजिंग - चीन राखीव सैनिक दलाचे पुनर्गठन करून त्यांना युद्धासाठी सज्ज ठेवण्याच्या उद्देशाने थलसेनातील 23 लाख सैनिकांमध्ये कपात करण्याचा निर्णय घेतला आहे. ही कपात करून अन्य दलातील सैनिकांची संख्या वाढविण्यात येणार आहे. चीनच्या या योजनेंतर्गत थलसेनातील तीन लाख सैनिकांची कपात करण्यात येणार आहे.

चीनच्या केंद्रीय सैन्य आयोगाच्या नॅशनल डिफेंस मोबिलायझेशन विभागाचे प्रमुख शेंग बिन यांनी सांगितले की, जगातील सर्वात मोठे सैन्य दल हे चिनचे मानले जाते. या सैन्य दलातील सैनिकांची संख्या कमी करून त्यांना अन्य सुविधा पुरविण्यात येणार आहे.

सुत्रांकडून मिळालेल्या माहितीनुसार, थलसेनातील सैनिकांची संख्या कमी करण्यात येणार असून त्या ऐवजी नौसेना, वायुसेना आणि रॉकेट फोर्समधील सैनिकांची संख्या वाढविण्यात येणार आहे.

तसेच चीनच्या लष्कराचे आधुनिकीकरण करण्यात येणार आहे.

दरम्यान, चीनचे राष्ट्रपती शी चिनफिंग यांनी 2015मध्ये तीन लाख सैनिकांची कपात करण्याची घोषणा केली होती. मात्र, अद्याप किती सैनिकांची कपात करण्यात येणार आहे, याबाबत निश्‍चित आकडा समजू शकलेला नाही.

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पाकिस्तानात हिंदू विवाह कायदा मंजूर

इस्लामाबाद पाकिस्तानातल्या अल्पसंख्य हिंदुंसाठी महत्त्वाचं मानलं जाणारं हिंदू विवाह कायदा विधेयक पाकिस्तानात संमत झालं. या विधेयकामुळे पाकिस्तानस्थित हिंदुंच्या विवाहाचं नियमन करणारा विशेष व्यक्तिगत कायदा अस्तित्वात येणार आहे. पाकिस्तानच्या राष्ट्रीय सभागृहांनी हे विधेयक एकमताने मंजूर केलं.

सूत्रांनुसार पाकिस्तान असेम्ब्लीने सप्टेंबरमध्ये मान्य केलेल्या मसुद्यात सिनेटने दुरुस्ती समाविष्ट केली. विधेयकाचा अंतिम मसुदा संसदेच्या दोन्ही सभागृहांनी संमत केला. हे नवीन विधेयक ‘शादी पराथ’ मुस्लिमांत निकाहनामा असतो त्याप्रमाणेच असणार आहे. ‘शादी पराथ’वर लग्न लावणाऱ्या पुरोहिताने स्वाक्षरी केलेली असावी आणि संबंधित सरकारी विभागात त्याची नोंदणी केलेली असावी, असा नियम करण्यात आला आहे.

या दस्तऐवजावर वर आणि वधुची वैयक्तिक माहिती लिहीण्यात येईल. या तपशीलात केंद्रीय परिषद, तहसील, गाव आणि जिल्ह्याचे नाव तसेच वर आणि वधुचे नाव, त्यांच्या वडिलांची नावं, त्यांच्या जन्मतारखा आणि जन्माची ठिकाणं असा तपशील असेल. वधु आणि वराला दस्तऐवजावर एक साक्षीदार आणि रजिस्ट्रारच्या उपस्थितीत स्वाक्षरी करावी लागेल. या कायद्यामुळे हिंदू महिलांना विवाहाचा कागदोपत्री पुरावा उपलब्ध हाईल.

 

सामना

Revised Trump travel ban gets first legal blow

President Donald Trump's revamped travel ban is facing its first major legal setback, after a federal judge halted enforcement of the directive that would deny US entry to the wife and child of a Syrian refugee already granted asylum.

In a preliminary restraining order issued Friday that applies only to the Syrian man and his family, US District Judge William Conley in Wisconsin said the plaintiff "is at great risk of suffering irreparable harm" if the directive is carried out.

The man chose to remain anonymous because his wife and child are still living in war-wracked Aleppo.

The order marked the first ruling against the revised directive, which temporarily closes US borders to all refugees and citizens from six mainly-Muslim countries.

It denies US entry to all refugees for 120 days and halts for 90 days the granting of visas to nationals from Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan.

The new order, unveiled Monday, is due to go into effect March 16. Lifting an indefinite Syrian refugee travel ban and reducing the number of blacklisted countries by removing Iraq, it replaces a previous iteration issued in January that was blocked in federal court.

"The court appreciates that there may be important differences between the original executive order and the revised executive order issued on March 6, 2017," Conley wrote.

"As the order applies to the plaintiff here, however, the court finds his claims have at least some chance of prevailing for the reasons articulated by other courts."

He set a hearing for March 21.

- 'New coat of paint' -

In another legal challenge, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint on behalf of several refugee assistance groups over the controversial executive order.

"Putting a new coat of paint on the Muslim ban doesn't solve its fundamental problem, which is that the Constitution and our laws prohibit religious discrimination," said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's immigrant rights project.

"The further President Trump goes down this path, the clearer it is that he is violating that basic rule."

The ACLU, the preeminent US civil liberties group, and the National Immigration Law Center brought the suit on behalf of the International Refugee Assistance Project and the refugee resettlement group HIAS, as well as several individuals.

The suit alleges that the new executive order violates the constitutional protection of freedom of religion in that it is "intended and designed to target and discriminate against Muslims, and it does just that in operation."

"Rarely in American history has governmental intent to discriminate against a particular faith and its adherents been so plain," the complaint says, alleging the new order will cause "irreparable harm" and asking for an injunction.

A federal judge in Maryland, Theodore Chuang, has scheduled a hearing in the case for March 15 -- the day before the measure is due to take effect.

- 'Still a Muslim ban' -

Separately, a federal judge in Seattle who issued a nationwide halt to Trump's original travel restrictions denied a motion to have the same ruling apply to the modified measures, saying at least one of the parties must first file additional court papers.

The state of Maryland said it would join Monday the suit filed by the attorney general from Washington state, which also has the support of Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Oregon.

"President Trump's second executive order is still a Muslim ban," Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a statement.

"The administration persists in an effort to implement a policy that is inhumane and unconstitutional, but also makes us less safe, not more safe."

The state of Hawaii has filed a separate complaint, and a hearing in that case on whether to impose a national restraining order is set for March 15 as well.

The White House cites national security in justifying the ban, arguing that it needs time to implement "extreme vetting" procedures to keep Islamic militants from entering the country.

Polls show American public opinion is deeply divided on the issue. Most indicate a slight majority of voters opposed, with strong support among Trump's political base.

Dailyhunt

अमेरिकेची दादागिरी रोखण्यासाठी चीनने उतरवले शक्तीशाली J-20

बिजींग, दि. 10 - अमेरिकेच्या तुल्यबळ लष्करी सामर्थ्य उभे करण्याचा प्रयत्न करणा-या चीनने पाचव्या पिढीचे J-20 लढाऊ विमान तैनात केले आहे. अमेरिकेला टक्कर देण्यासाठी चीनचा लष्कर, नौदल आणि हवाईदलाच्या आधुनिकीकरणाचा कार्यक्रम वेगाने सुरु आहे. चीनचे राष्ट्राध्यक्ष शी जीनपिंग यांनी लष्कराच्या आधुनिकीकरणाला विशेष प्राधान्य दिले आहे.

चीनचे सध्या अत्याधुनिक पाणबुडी प्रकल्पाबरोबर उपग्रह विरोधी क्षेपणास्त्रांवर काम सुरु आहे. मागच्यावर्षी नोव्हेंबरमहिन्यात हवाई शो मध्ये चीनने पहिल्यांदा जगाला J-20 विमानाची झलक दाखवली. पाचव्या पिढीच्या लढाऊ विमानांना रडार पकडू शकत नाही. रडारला चकवा देण्याची क्षमता या विमानांमध्ये असते.

रडारवर दिसत नसल्यामुळे या विमानांचा नायनाट करणे एक आव्हान असते.

अमेरिकेच्या F-22 रॅपटर, F-35 प्रमाणे J-20 विमानांमध्ये रडारला चकवण्याची क्षमता आहे का ? ते अजून स्पष्ट झालेले नाही. 2014 च्या एअर शो मध्ये चीनने J-31 स्टेलथ फायटर विमान पहिल्यांदा जगासमोर आणले. अमेरिकेच्या F-35 विमानाला टक्कर देण्यासाठी चीन J-31 विमानाची निर्मिती करत आहे. चीनने नौदलाच्या प्रगतीवरही तितकेच लक्ष दिले आहे.

लोकमत

Bill to declare Pak a terror state withdrawn in Rajya Sabha

 

A bill to declare Pakistan a terrorist state has been withdrawn. The bill, moved by Rajya Sabha member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar was withdrawn on Friday. Interestingly, this development comes just a few hours a US lawmaker introduced a bill to declare Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism.

It may be recalled that OneIndia had reported the move would be opposed by the government. The Home ministry had decided to oppose this bill stating that it would damage international relations under the Geneva Convention.

India is bound by international norms and since there are trade relations that are shared, it would not be correct to declare such countries as terror states, the Home ministry has said.

A private member's bill can become a law once it is screened by a house committee. The bill would then have to be passed by a majority vote in Parliament. The Bill moved by MP, Rajeev Chandrashekhar had sought to impose legal, economic and travel sanctions on citizens of countries which promote terror. The Bill had been discussed on February 3. The Home ministry has told the Parliament secretariat that it opposes the bill as it could jeopardise international relations under the Geneva Convention.

oneindia.com

अमेरिकेच्या संसदेत पाकला दहशतवादी राष्ट्र घोषित करण्याची मागणी

वॉशिंग्टन - अमेरिकेच्या संसदेत पाकिस्तानला दहशतावादी राष्ट्र म्हणून घोषित करावे, अशी मागणी करण्यात आली आहे. एका खासदाराने पाकिस्तानसोबतच्या संबंधांबाबत पुन्हा नव्याने धोरणे निश्चित करण्याची मागणी करत संसदेत यासंबंधिचे विधेयक संसदेत सादर केले. संसदेतील दहशतवादसंबंधी उपसमितीचे अध्यक्ष टेड पो यांनी गुरुवारी 'अविश्वसनीय सहकारी' असे शीषर्क असलेले विधेयक सादर केले.

टेड पो विधेयक सादर करताना म्हणाले की, अनेक वर्षे अमेरिकेच्या कट्टर शत्रूंची इस्लामाबादनेही मदत केली आहे. कुख्यात दहशतवादी ओसामा बिन लादेनला आश्रय देण्यापासून ते हक्कानी नेटवर्कसोबतची जवळीक, यावरुन दहशतवादीविरोधातील लढाईत पाकिस्तान कुणाला साथ देणार हे सिद्ध होत असल्यामुळे पाकिस्तान करत असलेल्या विश्वासघाताला सहकार्य देणे थांबवण्याची हिच योग्य वेळ आहे.

या विधेयकानुसार पाकिस्तानाने आंतरराष्ट्रीय दहशतवादी कारवायांमध्ये सहकार्य दिले आहे का?, याबाबतचा अहवाल ९० दिवसांच्या आत सादर करून संसेदत मांडायचा आहे. यावर, पाकिस्तानबाबत निश्चित भूमिका ठरवण्यासाठी परराष्ट्र मंत्र्यांना 30 दिवसांनंतर पाठपुरावा करणारा अहवाल सादर करायला सांगण्यात येईल. जेणेककरुन पाकिस्तान दहशतवाद पुरस्कृत राष्ट्र आहे, हे स्पष्टपणे मांडता येईल.

उत्तर कोरियाच्या क्षेपणास्त्रांविरोधात जपान व भारताची हातमिळवणी

उत्तर कोरियाने चाचणी घेतलेल्या आंतरखंडीय क्षेपणास्त्रांच्या विरोधात आंतरराष्ट्रीय सहकार्य महत्त्वाचे असल्याचे जपान आणि भारताने म्हटले आहे. जपानच्या जिजी प्रेस या वृत्तसंस्थेने ही बातमी दिली आहे.

दोन्ही देशांच्या परराष्ट्र आणि संरक्षण मंत्रालयाच्या उपमंत्री पातळीवरच्या अधिकाऱ्यांची बैठक बुधवारी टोकियोत झाली. त्यावेळी उ. कोरियाची कोणतीही प्रक्षोभक कारवाई सहन न करण्याचा निश्चय दोन्ही देशांनी व्यक्त केला.

संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघाने लागू केलेल्या मागील ठरावांची उत्तर कोरियाने अंमलबजावणी करावी, यासाठी चीनसहित आंतरराष्ट्रीय समुदायाने प्रयत्न करावेत, यावर त्यांचे एकमत झाले.

उत्तर कोरियाने सोमवारी जपानच्या समुद्रात चार आंतरखंडीय क्षेपणास्त्रे डागली होती.

ती जपानच्या ईशान्येला अकिता शहराजवळ ओगा सामुद्रधुनीजवळ पडली होती. त्यातील तीन तर जपानच्या विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्रात पडली होती.

जपानचे उप परराष्ट्रमंत्री ताकेओ अकिबा व परराष्ट्र व्यवहार खात्याचे उप संरक्षण मंत्री रो मनाबे आणि भारताचे परराष्ट्र सचिव सुब्रमण्यम जयशंकर आणि संरक्षण सचिव मोहन कुमार हे या बैठकीला हजर होते.

पाकच्या शस्त्रसंधिभंगात एक जवान हुतात्मा - पीटीआय

श्रीनगर - राजौरी जिल्ह्यातील प्रत्यक्ष सीमारेषेवर (एलओसी) पाकिस्तानी सैन्याने शस्त्रसंधिभंग केला. राजौरी जिल्ह्यातील नौशेरा भागात झालेल्या या चकमकीमध्ये एक जवान हुतात्मा झाला, तर एक जखमी झाल्याचे संरक्षण मंत्रालयाच्या जनसंपर्क विभागातर्फे सांगण्यात आले.

"सर्जिकल स्ट्राइक‘च्या मोहिमेनंतर प्रत्यक्ष सीमारेषेवर आतापर्यंत 25 वेळा शस्त्रसंधीचा भंग करण्यात आला असल्याची माहिती लष्कराच्या वरिष्ठ अधिकाऱ्याने दिली. विशेषत: पाकव्याप्त काश्‍मीरमधून शस्त्रसंधीचा भंग अधिक प्रमाणात होत असल्याचे निदर्शनास आले आहे. याच भागात दहशतवाद्यांचे तळ असल्याचाही भारतीय लष्कराला संशय आहे. पाकिस्तानच्या शस्त्रसंधिभंगाला भारतीय लष्कर जोरदार प्रत्युत्तर देत असल्याचेही या लष्करी अधिकाऱ्याने या वेळी सांगितले.

याआधी 8 ऑक्‍टोबरला पाकिस्तानी सैन्याने पूंच जिल्ह्यातील मेंधरकृष्णागती भागात केलेल्या गोळीबारात एक भारतीय जवान जखमी झाला होता, तर 5 ऑक्‍टोबरला पाकिस्तानी सैन्याने तीन वेळा शस्त्रसंधिभंग केला होता. राजौरी व पूंच जिल्ह्यामध्ये हे शस्त्रसंधिभंग करण्यात आले होते. त्याआधी 4 ऑक्‍टोबरला पाकिस्तानी सैन्याने भारतीय जवानांच्या तळावर हल्ले करण्याचे अयशस्वी प्रयत्न केले होते. या हल्ल्यावेळी पाक सैन्याने बॉंबसह इतर स्फोटके व अत्याधुनिक शस्त्रांचा वापर केला होता. या वेळी भारतीय जवानांनीही जोरदार प्रत्त्युत्तर दिले होते. या वेळी झालेल्या चकमकीमध्ये नऊ पाकिस्तानी सैनिक जखमी झाले होते.

राजौरी जिल्ह्यातील नौशेरा सेक्‍टर, झानगर, कलसिआन, मक्री भागाला शस्त्रसंधिभंगाचा आतापर्यंत सर्वाधिक फटका बसलेला आहे.

उरी हल्ल्यानंतर या भागातील वातावरण तणावग्रस्त बनलेले आहे. पाकिस्तानकडून सातत्याने होत असणाऱ्या शस्त्रसंधिभंगांचा स्थानिक नागरिकांना फटका बसत असून, जनजीवन पूर्णत: विस्कळित झाले आहे.

'सर्जिकल' बदला घेण्याचा 'आयएसआय'चा प्लॅन - वृत्तसंस्था

नवी दिल्ली- काश्मीरमधील उरी येथे झालेल्या दहशतवादी हल्ल्यानंतर भारताने पाकव्याप्त काश्मीरमध्ये घुसून केलेल्या सर्जिकल स्ट्राइकचा बदला घेण्यासाठी पाकिस्तानी गुप्तचर संघटना ‘आयएसआय‘ नवा प्लॅन करत असल्याची माहिती पुढे आली आहे.

पाकिस्तानमधील अनेक दहशतवादी सघंटनावर बंदी घालण्यात आल्यानंतर त्या निष्क्रीय झाल्या आहेत. निष्क्रीय झालेल्या संघटनांपैकी जैसे अल् उमर मुजाहिदीन, हरकत उल अंसार/मुजाहिदीन, अल बदल, इख्वाल उल मुजाहिदीन व अल जेहाद फोर्स यांना सक्रिय करण्यासाठी योजना आखल्या जात आहेत. शिवाय, या दहशतवादी संघटनांना भारतामध्ये हल्ले घडवून आणण्याची जबाबदारी सोपविण्यात येत आहे, अशी माहिती भारताच्या गुप्तचर संघटनेने अहवालाद्वारे दिली आहे.

‘काश्मीर खोऱयामध्ये 250 दहशतवाद्यांमध्ये 107 स्थानिक नागरिकांचा सहभाग आहे. सुरक्षा दलाच्या जवानांवर हल्ले घडवून आणण्यासाठी स्थानिकांची मदत होत आहे. स्थानिकांच्या मदतीने हल्ले घडवून आणण्याची योजना ‘आयएसआय‘ आखत आहे,‘ असेही गुप्तचर संघटनेने म्हटले आहे.

रशिया भारतात गुंतवणार 50 कोटी डॉलर्स

नवी दिल्ली: रशियन गुंतवणूक फंड ‘आरडीआयएफ‘ (रशियन डायरेक्ट इन्व्हेस्टमेंट फंड) भारतीय फंड ‘एनआयआयएफ‘सोबत मिळून भारतात संयुक्तरित्या सुमारे एक अब्ज डॉलरची गुंतवणूक करणार आहे, अशी माहिती आरडीआयएफचे मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी किरील दिमित्रिव्ह यांनी दिली.

या संयुक्त फंडात आरडीआयएफ आणि एनआयआयएफचे (नॅशनल इन्वेस्टमेंट अँड इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर फंड) प्रत्येकी 50 कोटी डॉलर्सचे योगदान असणार आहे. यावरुन रशियन कंपन्यांचे चिनी कंपन्यांप्रमाणे भारतीय कंपन्यांसोबतदेखील संबंध प्रस्थापित होत असल्याचे अधोरेखित होत आहे. गोव्यात सुरु असलेल्या ब्रिक्स परिषदेत या भागीदारीची अधिकृत घोषणा केली जाणार आहे. त्यानंतर सुमारे 20 गुंतवणूक प्रस्तावांचा आढावा घेतला जाणार असून 2017 मध्ये पहिला करार करण्याचे फंडाचे उद्दिष्ट असल्याचे दिमित्रिव्ह यांनी सांगितले,

"एनआयआयएफच्या स्थापनेसाठी आम्ही मदत केली आहे. यापुढे आम्ही संयुक्त रशियन-भारतीय प्रकल्पांसाठी विशेषतः भारतात शेअर भांडवलाचा पुरवठा करु", असे दिमित्रिव्ह म्हणाले.

दिमित्रिव्ह यांनी 2011 साली आरडीआयएफची स्थापना केली होती. याआधी आरडीआयएफने रशियन राष्ट्राध्यक्ष व्लादिमिर पुतीन यांच्या भारत दौऱ्यावेळी भारतीय कंपनी आयडीएफसीसोबत मिळून भारतीय वीज प्रकल्पांमध्ये एक अब्ज डॉलरच्या गुंतवणूकीचा करार केला होता. नवे रस्ते, रेल्वे आणि वीज प्रकल्पांमध्ये गुंतवणूकीसाठी भारत सध्या आंतरराष्ट्रीय गुंतवणूकदारांच्या शोधात आहे.

रशियाकडून भारतास अत्याधुनिक एस-400 ट्रायम्फ - वृत्तसंस्था

गोवा - ब्रिक्‍स परिषदेसाठी रशियन राष्ट्राध्यक्ष व्लादिमीर पुतीन हे भारतामध्ये आल्याच्या पार्श्‍वभूमीवर भारत व रशिया या दोन देशांमध्ये आज (शनिवार) दीर्घ पल्ल्याच्या "एस-400 ट्रायम्फ‘ क्षेपणास्त्र व्यवस्थेसंदर्भातील संवेदनशील करार करण्यात आल्याची घोषणा करण्यात आली. 

जगातील सध्याच्या अत्याधुनिक हवाई हल्लाविरोधी क्षेपणास्त्र व्यवस्थांपैकी एक मानल्या जात असलेल्या या व्यवस्थेद्वारे तब्बल 400 किमीच्या हवाई कक्षेत येणाऱ्या लक्ष्याचा भेद करता येणे शक्‍य आहे. या कराराची एकूण किंमत 39 हजार कोटी रुपये इतकी आहे. या नव्या क्षेपणास्त्र व्यवस्थेमुळे भारताचे संरक्षण कवच आणखी भक्कम झाल्याचे मानले जात आहे. ब्रिक्‍स परिषदेच्या औपचारिक प्रारंभापूर्वी पुतीन व भारतीय पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी यांच्यामध्ये झालेल्या भेटीनंतर ही अत्यंत महत्त्वपूर्ण घोषणा करण्यात आली.

ही क्षेपणास्त्र व्यवस्था खरेदी करण्याच्या सरकारच्या निर्णयाचे संरक्षण क्षेत्रातील तज्ज्ञ व लष्करी अधिकाऱ्यांनी स्वागत केले आहे. विशेषत: उरी येथे झालेल्या दहशतवादी हल्ल्यानंतर भारतीय लष्कराने पाकव्याप्त काश्‍मीरमध्ये घुसून दहशतवाद्यांना धडा शिकविल्यामुळे तणावग्रस्त झालेल्या भारत-पाक संबंधांच्या पार्श्‍वभूमीवर हा निर्णय अत्यंत संवेदनशील मानला जात आहे.

"सर्जिकल स्ट्राईक्‍स'चे रशियाकडून स्वागत...

नवी दिल्ली - प्रत्येक देशास स्वसंरक्षणाचा अधिकार असल्याची स्पष्ट भूमिका घेत रशियाने भारताने गेल्या आठवड्यात दहशतवाद्यांच्या बीमोडासाठी पाकव्याप्त काश्‍मीरमध्ये केलेल्या "सर्जिकल स्ट्राईक्‍स‘चे स्वागत केले आहे. सीमेपलीकडील दहशतवादाविरोधात लढण्यासंदर्भात भारतास रशियाकडून कायमच पाठिंबा दर्शविण्यात आला असल्याचे रशियाचे भारतामधील राजदूत ऍलेक्‍झांडर एम कदाकिन यांनी म्हटले आहे.

""दहशतवादी भारतामधील शांतताप्रिय नागरिकांवर, तसेच लष्करावर हल्ला करतात; तेव्हा मानवाधिकारांचे सर्वाधिक उल्लंघन होते. तेव्हा या सर्जिकल स्ट्राईक्‍सचे आम्ही स्वागत करतो. प्रत्येक देशास स्वसंरक्षणाचा अधिकार आहे,‘‘ असे कदाकिन म्हणाले. याचबरोबर, रशिया व पाकिस्तानमधील संयुक्त लष्करी सराव हा पाकव्याप्त काश्‍मीरमध्ये होत नसल्याने यासंदर्भात भारताने काळजी करण्याची आवश्‍यकता नसल्याची पुस्तीही त्यांनी यावेळी जोडली.

यासंदर्भात गेल्या आठवड्यामध्ये, "सर्व प्रकारच्या दहशतवादाविरोधातील निर्णायक संघर्षास‘ रशियाचा पाठिंबा असल्याची भूमिका रशियन परराष्ट्र मंत्रालयाकडून जाहीर करण्यात आली होती.

- - वृत्तसंस्था

India ratifies Paris climate change deal

New Delhi: India, the world's third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, formally joined the Paris agreement on tackling climate change on Sunday, taking the global pact a step nearer its enactment.

PM Narendra Modi delivers a speech during the opening session of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget, near Paris, France, November 30, 2015.

"India has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the United Nations," the U.N. said in a statement on Sunday.

The deal, agreed by nearly 200 countries in Paris last December, aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from fossil fuels to limit global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times.

But it needs to be formally ratified by countries representing at least 55 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Next week the European Union is expected to complete the joint ratification of the climate pact by its 28 member states, which will be a major milestone as it would take approvals past the 55 percent mark and put the deal into effect ahead of the next round of climate talks in November, in Morocco.

The Paris agreement received a boost last month after the United States and China, the world's two biggest emitters, submitted their approvals to the United Nations.

Concerns about the participation of the United States loom over the deal but cementing the accord before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 8 would make it harder to challenge if Republican Donald Trump, who has opposed it, beats Democrat Hillary Clinton, a strong supporter.

India had called for more work on the agreement ahead of its ratification on Sunday, with its environment ministry saying the Paris agreement laid a "broad framework" but detailed guidelines and rules were needed for it to become operational.

The ministry also criticised developed countries, saying their populations "live extravagant lifestyles with a high carbon footprint".

It said it was "very crucial" to advance key issues, including those related to finance and technology transfer, at the meeting in Marrakech next month, where India also plans to urge developed countries to do more.

"At Morocco, India will insist on a concrete roadmap from developed countries," the ministry said.

Reuters

जमीन बळकविण्याची हाव नाही- नरेंद्र मोदी

 

नवी दिल्ली - भारताने कधीच दुसऱ्या देशावर आक्रमण केलेले नाही तसेच आम्हाला इतर देशांची जमीन बळकावण्याचीदेखील हाव नाही. जेव्हा गरज भासली तेव्हा आमच्या सैनिकांनी सर्वोच्च बलिदान दिले असल्याचे सांगत पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी यांनी पाकिस्तानला अप्रत्यक्षरीत्या टोला लगावला. मोदींच्या या वक्तव्यास भारत-पाकिस्तान संघर्षाची किनार आहे.

भारताने कधीही भूप्रदेशासाठी अन्य देशांवर हल्ला केला नाही; पण दोन जागतिक युद्धांमध्ये (ज्याचा भारताशी कधीही प्रत्यक्ष संबंध नव्हता.) आमच्या दीड लाखांपेक्षाही अधिक शूर सैनिकांनी बलिदान दिल्याचे त्यांनी नमूद केले. प्रवासी भारतीय केंद्राच्या उद्‌घाटन समारंभामध्ये बोलताना मोदी यांनी हे वक्तव्य केले.

भारतीय जवानांनी पाकव्याप्त काश्‍मीरमध्ये घुसून दहशतवाद्यांच्या तळावर केलेल्या सर्जिकल स्टाईकनंतर उभय देशांतील परराष्ट्र संबंधांमध्ये तणाव निर्माण झाला आहे, त्या पार्श्‍वभूमीवर मोदींनी केलेले वक्तव्य महत्त्वपूर्ण मानले जात आहे. भारतीय जवानांनी मोठे बलिदान दिले असले तरीसुद्धा आम्ही ते जगाच्या लक्षात आणून देऊ शकलेलो नाही. मी जेव्हा परदेशामध्ये जातो, तेव्हा आवर्जुन हुतात्मा झालेल्या जवानांच्या स्मारकांना भेट देतो असेही मोदी यांनी नमूद केले. परदेशामध्ये राहणाऱ्या भारतीयांना राजकीय सत्तेत काडीचाही रस नसतो. ते अन्य समुदायामध्ये सहज मिसळतात. परदेशामध्ये राहणारे भारतीय हे पाण्यासारखे असतात, गरजेनुसार आपला रंग आणि आकार बदलतात, असेही मोदी यांनी सांगितले.

भीती दूर करा

जगभरातील असंख्य देशांमध्ये भारतीय समुदाय ताकदवान असून तेथे त्याने अन्य लोकांच्या मनातील भीती दूर करण्यासाठी प्रयत्न करणे गरजेचे आहे. आमच्या देशातील लोकांच्या बुद्धिमत्तेचा योग्य वापर झाल्यास सध्या निर्माण झालेले ‘ब्रेन ड्रेन’चे रूपांतर ‘ब्रेन गेन’ध्ये होईल असा विश्‍वासही मोदी यांनी व्यक्त केला. ज्या पद्धतीने धरणातील पाण्याचा विद्युतनिर्मितीसाठी वापर केला जातो त्याच प्रमाणे दोन कोटींपेक्षाही अधिक अनिवासी भारतीयांच्या शक्तीची भारतास प्रकाशमान होण्यासाठी गरज असल्याचे त्यांनी नमूद केले

- - पीटीआय

Pakistan summons Indian envoy to protest over surgical strikes

Islamabad: Pakistan today summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale over "surgical strikes" by India in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed.

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry "condemned the unprovoked firing by" Indian forces on the surgical strikes in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed, Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.

"These incidents are a continuation of a pattern of ceasefire violations committed by India. He (Chaudhry) conveyed that the Armed Forces of Pakistan will continue to give a befitting response to any act of aggression," the statement said.

Earlier, Pakistan rejected as "baseless" the Indian Army's claim that it had carried out "surgical strikes" inside the country.

India carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK.

While summoning Bambawale at the Foreign Office, the Foreign Secretary claimed that India has "deliberately escalated tensions" at the LoC in order to "divert the attention of the international community from the grave situation" in Kashmir.

"The Foreign Secretary condemned India's baseless accusation against Pakistan for the Uri attack, within a few hours after the incident. He recalled that it has been a practice in India to blame Pakistan for every such incident but later investigations prove otherwise," the Foreign Office said.

Chaudhry claimed that Pakistan remains a "victim of interference" and "state sponsored terrorism".

In this regard, he referred to the "confession statement of serving Indian Naval Officer, Kulbushan Jadhav", whom Pakistan has accused of "carrying out terrorist and subversive activities, especially in Balochistan and Karachi".

The Foreign Secretary also expressed Pakistan's deep disappointment at India's decision not to participate in the SAARC Summit.

For its part, Pakistan is committed to the objective of regional cooperation, envisaged in the SAARC charter, he said.

Chaudhry also conveyed to Bambawale, Pakistan's deep concerns over "life threats to Pakistan's High Commissioner in New Delhi" and urged the Indian government to ensure his safety and security and that of other officials and their families, in accordance with the Vienna Convention.

Inputs with PTI