The Hindustan Times – Is Donald Trump better for India or Joe Biden? S Jaishankar answers

India has bi-partisan, or in a sense, non-partisan support in American politics, says external affairs minister S Jaishankar

Shishir Gupta

New Delhi – India, 30 August 2020. India’s partnership with the United States will continue to grow whether a Republican or Democrat is elected to the White House in the November elections, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has suggested.

Jaishankar’s assertion comes against the backdrop of the two sides competing to woo the 1.2 million Indian-American community that has emerged as a key constituency in battleground states that could settle the race with wafer-thin margins.

“If you look at the last four American presidents, two Republicans and two Democrats, each very different from the other. Yet, each raised the level of relationship with India further,” Jaishankar said in response to a question if Donald Trump was better for India, or Joe Biden.

“Each President has developed on the legacy of the previous one when it comes to India.

And if you follow the debates in the US now, you will find many differences between the competing candidates, but India is a common point,” Jaishankar said in an interview with Hindustan Times on Saturday.

The minister stressed that though candidates criticised each other on many policies, this didn’t happen when ties with India is the topic.

“I actually believe that India has bipartisan, or in a sense non-partisan, support in American politics.

Our footprint is very wide and so is our acceptability. Different sets of politicians who disagree on many things agree on India. And I think that is a very good place to be,” the minister said.

The approach of the two parties towards Indian Americans is seen to reflect their standpoint on India as well.

Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president has named Senator Kamala Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, as his running mate.

Donald Trump had been working on this constituency for quite some time, like when he accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi last September to the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event in Houston, a rare Democratic stronghold in Republican-dominated Texas.

Five months later, Trump flew 17 hours to India for a quick 36-hour visit, mostly to address the ‘Namaste Trump’ event in Gujarat.

A majority of the Indian-Americans voters have traditionally been seen to support the Democrats; a survey of Asian Americans suggested that 55% of Indian Americans who voted in the 2016 election held a “very unfavorable” to “somewhat unfavorable” view of Trump.

The US President has been trying to change this voting pattern. At the Gujarat event, he did hold out hopes of sealing a “very big trade” deal with India and showered praises on PM Modi who reciprocated generously.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/is-donald-trump-better-for-india-or-joe-biden-s-jaishankar-answers/story-zsH4lPeRQOxSLSuu7ZqfcK.html

Sikh24.com – Saka Nankana Sahib centenary to be marked on large scale, Pakistan offers 10 000 visas to Sikhs for participation

Amritsar – Panjab – India, 29 August 2020. After celebrating 550 Parkash Gurpurb of Sikh religion’s founder Guru Nanak Sahib, Pakistan is set to mark the centenary of Saka Nankana Sahib, a golden chapter of Sikh history related to the martyrdom of Sikhs, at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Sahib, where it took place, in February 2021.

The Pakistan government has offered the Sikhs, especially those who live in east Punjab and other states of India, 10,000 visas inviting them to the centenary functions.

Saka Nankana Sahib is the massacre that took place in Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib on 20 February 1921, at that time of British India, in modern-day Pakistan.

More than 260 Sikhs were killed, the youngest of them being a little short of eight years, Sardar Darbara Singh, son of Sardar Kehar Singh, by the Mahant and his mercenaries.

The event forms an important part of Sikh history. In political significance, it comes next only to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 1919.

The saga constitutes the core of the Gurdwara Reform Movement started by the Sikhs in the early twentieth century.

A spokesperson of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which is the government body constituted to oversee the Hindu and Sikh shrines in Pakistan, told that the country was again keen to host the Sikh sangat on the centenary which would be observed with Sikh zeal to pay tribute to the Sikhs who attained martyrdom while fighting the corrupt Mahants during the British regime.

Speaking on this, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh, “The martyrdom attained by the hundreds of the Sikhs in Saka Nankana Sahib was unprecedented in history.

So, the PSGPC with the cooperation of the ETPB and other departments of the Pakistan government has resolved to observe this centenary on a large scale and wants the Sikh sangat to ensure its participation in it with a large number.”

“We have started the planning for marking the centenary”, he added. Inderjit Singh, another member of the PSGPC, said, “Our efforts of marking this centenary will be successful only if a maximum number of the Sikh devotees visit Nankana Sahib on the historic occasion and becomes its part.

We especially appeal to the Indian government to allow the Sikhs to take part in the centenary functions. On our end, we will leave no stone unturned to host the Sikh sangat”.

Notably, the PSGPC is also celebrating Jyoti Jot Gurpurb of Guru Nanak at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, in Pakistan from September 20 to 22 this year.

This will be first Jyoti Jot Gurpurb at the Sikh shrine, last resting place of the first Sikh Guru, after the opening of the corridor, visa-free access provided to Sikhs living in India to the shrine which is only four kilometers away from the international border.

The gurdwara body urged the Indian government to allow the Indian devotees to visit Kartarpur Sahib from September 20 to 22.

Saka Nankana Sahib centenary to be marked on large scale, Pakistan offers 10,000 visas to Sikhs for participation

Gentbrugge – Gentbrugse Meersen

Gentbrugse Meersen
03 May 2020

Brem – Broom

One of these concreted paths that I do not like very much

Mooie bomen – beautiful trees

Too many nettles

This is easier to walk through

Nice, isn’t it ?

More Belgian pictures to be published
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

ANI News – DSGMC launches Bala Pritam Dawakhana at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Complex

New Delhi – India, 30 August 2020. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee launched first of its kind Bala Pritam Dawakhana at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Complex.

This Dawakhana will provide to people at much cheaper rates than pharmacy in the market. The Dawakhana was inaugurated by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management committee President Manjinder Singh Sirsa.

https://www.aninews.in/videos/national/dsgmc-launches-bala-pritam-dawakhana-gurdwara-bangla-sahib-complex/

The Print – BJP is ‘killing democracy’ by misusing investigative agencies, says Congress’ Ajay Maken

Addressing party workers in Alwar district’s Shahjahapur, Maken said Congress will protect democracy, ‘the way we fought with British and got freedom’.

Jaipur – Rajastan – India, 30 August 2020. The Congress’ Rajasthan in-charge and national general secretary Ajay Maken hit out at the BJP on Sunday, accusing it of “killing democracy” using “money power and misusing investigative agencies”.

During his first visit to Rajasthan after he was appointed the party’s Rajasthan in-charge, Maken addressed party workers in Alwar district’s Shahjahapur and alleged that the BJP “killed democracy” in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Manipur.

But when they tried doing so in Rajasthan, they faced defeat, he said.

“Across the country, they (BJP) killed democracy by using money power and misusing the CBI and ED.

The braves of Rajasthan, at least 102 MLAs have proved that no matter how much money is offered or pressure is mounted, we will not bend. We will protect the democracy, the way Congress fought with British and got freedom,” Maken said.

The senior Congress leader, however, warned that “there would be more such attack on democracy” in the days to come.

“We have to be prepared for them and by no chance should allow democracy to be defeated in Rajasthan,” he said.

Maken is also the member of a three-member central panel set up by the Congress to address issues of disgruntled MLAs including Sachin Pilot.

The panel would help evolve a mechanism to ensure better coordination between the government and the party in Rajasthan as well as among all factions.

During his visit to Rajasthan, Maken would hear out senior leaders, office bearers of the party’s state unit, former and present legislators and ex-MPs. The aim of the visit is to strengthen and reorganise the party at block and district levels.

On Monday, Maken is scheduled to meet leaders and workers of Jaipur division at state party office. Such meetings will continue for the next two days in Ajmer and Kota, in which about 50-60 leaders of every district would attend, Congress leaders said.

https://theprint.in/politics/bjp-is-killing-democracy-by-misusing-investigative-agencies-says-congress-ajay-maken/492233/

The Nation – CM vows to resolve problems of different interest groups, communities

PTI government is rectifying misdeeds of past governments as chaos created by past rulers is unimaginable

Lahore – Panjab – Pakistan, 29 August 2020. Different delegations comprising assembly members, PTI ticketholders, lawyers, traders, industrialists and party workers separately called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in Sahiwal on Friday and apprised him of their problems.

The chief minister assured them of an early solution to their problems and stated that he was monitoring progress on the development projects by visiting different cities.

He assured that all the public welfare schemes would be completed within the given timeframe with no compromise on their quality.

He announced to connect Sahiwal with motorway at Samundari Interchange through a link road saying that the line departments would be contacted soon for this purpose.

He also announced early completion of Sahiwal Link Road and provision of funds on a priority basis for the purpose.

Announcing up gradation of DHQ Hospital Sahiwal, the chief minister said that hospital and medical college would be provided additional funds for better healthcare facilities.

He also directed an early completion of repair and maintenance of city roads. He said that civic amenities improvement projects would be completed with foreign collaboration.

CM Buzdar says 13 economic zones to be set in Punjab

The chief minister also announced a degree college for girls in Kassowal and stated that he would also consider the possibility of linking Chichawatni with the motorway.

He announced division level colonies for journalists and lawyers and added that genuine problems of the legal fraternity would be solved on a priority basis.

Similarly, he added, the traders and industrialists would be facilitated and price control authority would be set up to stabilise the prices of essential items.

Usman Buzdar maintained the PTI government was rectifying misdeeds of the past tenures as the chaos created by the past rulers was unimaginable. He vowed to transform the system and the government would complete its five years tenure.

The conspirators would continue to indulge in their conspiracies but the PTI government would continue its journey of serving people, the CM added.

The parliamentarians would be given their due rights, he said. “ I have undertaken a visit to Sahiwal city in the night to review cleanliness and drainage arrangements and I am satisfied”, the CM added.

He directed that the government machinery should work relentlessly for improving civil amenities. The parliamentarians who called on the chief minister commended his humbleness.

They remarked that Usman Buzdar seemed willing to meet all and sundry to solve their problems. “The critics are following a specific agenda. We are siding with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in the journey of public service”, they further said.

Those who called on the CM included provincial minister Noman Langrial, assembly members, President PTI Sahiwal Rana Aftab, local president of good governance committee Mazhar Sheraz, President Sahiwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal Ikram, President Sahiwal Bar Raja Javaid Mehmood and others.The CM also inaugurated the committee room of the DC office.

CM alerts line departments in the wake of rains

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar directed provincial administration, WASA and line departments to continuously monitor water channels, drains and rain nullahs for safety from urban flooding.

He directed that advance measures should be taken for safety from flooding in low-lying areas.

He also directed to ensure provision of necessary resources and made it clear that strict action would be taken if the water got accumulated on roads and bazaars.

“It is intolerable that people face any difficulty due to stagnant water”, the CM added.

Only 24 people affected by COVID-19 in last 24 hours: Buzdar

Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said that during the last 24 hours, 96 people were affected from coronavirus whereas 92,421 patients have so far been recovered from virus. He said that the number of active cases of the corona is 2,020.

He further maintained that 926,113 tests were conducted in Punjab. He said that two corona patients died during the last 24 hours, which took the death toll to 2,195.

He said that 9,939 tests were conducted during the last 24 hours and 14 patients were in critical condition. The CM said that the government’s initiatives taken to deal with a corona in Punjab were yielding positive results.

He said that observance of corona SOPs were also being ensured during Muharram-ul-Haram. He said that wearing a mask was in favour of the people.

“Corona has not yet ended and therefore people should take preventive measures”, he said, adding that the anti-corona policy of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan has been encouraged at every level.

The number of corona patients is decreasing day by day due to the effective measures of the government, he concluded.

CM condoles loss of lives in rain-related accidents

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the loss of lives due to rain-related accidents in Band Road area of Lahore, Sohdra Town of Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Kot Radha Kishan and other areas.

He extended sympathies to bereaved heirs and directed the concerned administration to provide best healthcare facilities to the injured.

He further directed an expedited rescue operation for the safe recovery of people stuck under debris due to caving in of roof of a godown at Band Road by utilizing every possible resource.

Ch Parvez Elahi said there were vast opportunities for investment in energy, education, agriculture, livestock and other sectors in Pakistan and the foreign investors could adequately benefit from it.

He hoped that mutual contacts in economic and social fields between Pakistan and UAE can be further promoted.

The UAE Ambassador said that he was desirous of progress and development of both the countries. He said Pakistan and UAE should benefit from each other’s experts in all spheres of life.

https://nation.com.pk/29-Aug-2020/cm-vows-to-resolve-problems-of-different-interest-groups-communities

The Tribune – Operation Blue Star: Lessons from a tragedy

Author Ajay Sharma says through his novel Operation Blue Star he wanted to narrate the ordeals of a civilian due to the ghastly event in 1984

Gurnaaz Kaur

Amritsar – Panjab – India, 29 August 2020. Hindi author Ajay Sharma has made good use of this bent in life that came with Corona-virus. He wrote his 13th novel. Titled Operation Blue Star, it is a fictional drama that he wanted to write since long.

As the title suggests, the story has the military operation in the backdrop but brings to fore the trauma that common citizens faced due to the ghastly event at the Golden Temple in 1984.

“Being a Punjabi, I felt it was my responsibility towards the state to narrate the ordeals of a civilian who suffered at the hands of politicians,” says Ajay.

A conversation between two Sikh soldiers, who are deployed at the site before the firefight, it tells how one of them is conflicted between his faith and duty.

“At the place where he prays, worships his Guru, there comes a day in his life where he has to wear shoes and carry weapons because it is a part of his job.

It also means attacking innocent Sikhs who visit the place. He tells his colleague how he feels uncomfortable about the whole situation,” Ajay adds.

The discussion gets pensive as the two talk about the way the government could avert the whole situation.

“From time immemorial, the rulers have caused bloodshed for power and it is the innocent who suffer. In this touching story, I’ve shared the anguish of the Sikh community as a whole who till date haven’t been able to forget the tragedy.”

The wounds haven’t healed and the massacre has had no winner. But there are lessons to learn and the Jalandhar-based novelist says his novel is an attempt to highlight such learnings.

On his way to his next book Kumudni Ke Phool, which is about IVF babies, this doctor-turned-writer has three novels that are a part of the syllabus at Punjabi University, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Lovely Professional University.

He has also written serials for Doordarshan and promises that like some of his other novels even Operation Blue Star will be turned into a play.

“I am waiting for the right time, when the virus will be gone and social distancing won’t be a compulsion. Then, I will showcase this emotional tale of a Sikh soldier on stage.”

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/operation-blue-star-lessons-from-a-tragedy-133148

Gentbrugge – Gentbrugse Meersen

Gentbrugse Meersen
03 May 2020

Isn’t it wonderful !

Fern

Trees and shrubs

Flowery field

Trees are wonderful !

And so are flowers !

More Belgian pictures to be published
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

Hindustan Times – Langar on Wheels: Amid COVID-19, Anannke Foundation to donate 10 000 kg of rice every month

Anannke Foundation joins hands with Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to donate 10,000 kg of dry white rice every month and make sure no one goes hungry in the national capital amid COVID-19.

New Delhi – India, 29 August 2020. Anannke Foundation, the CSR arm of Saba Group Holdings (a commodity company headquartered in Asia) & an advocate for underprivileged, partners with Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and donate 10,000 kg of dry white Rice in the first phase amid COVID-19 response.

Anannke Foundation will continue supporting DSGMC programs with 10,000 kg of dry white rice every month and make sure no one goes hungry in the national capital Delhi while it fights the corona-virus pandemic.

In the program ‘Langar on Wheels’ trucks carrying cooked meals from Gurdwaras in Delhi are parked outside slums, government hospitals, old age homes, shelters, etc. and people queue up to get a free meal for themselves & their families.

India is the third-worst affected by COVID-19, which has claimed around 62,700 lives and infected more than 3,461,240 people so far. The pandemic affected more than 1,68,000 people and took over more than 4,370 lives in Delhi.

As per the 2015 report by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Delhi has about 6,343 slums with 1.02 million households, ‘Langar on Wheels’ is favourable for people who cannot make it to a Gurdwara or don’t have one nearby.

In the fight against the COVID-19, one of the tools is social distancing which is not feasible inside the Gurdwaras hence the food is delivered to people directly while taking necessary precautions, till now DSGMC is been able to feed more than one crore people in Delhi.

“Rich people can stay home, as they have a store well-stocked with food, the vulnerable population that does not have savings to last even for a day are completely dependent upon external help as they are the hardest hit due to the pandemic.

This is the need of the hour; where many people becoming jobless, it doesn’t matter what you have, what matters is what you give.

I am confident this partnership will help people to overcome hunger and humanitarian crisis in this medical emergency,” said Dr Malini Saba, Founder & Chairman, Anannke Foundation.

“We promise Delhi; no one should sleep empty stomach; this generous support from the group will enhance our initiative towards feeding the needy and helpless in different parts of Delhi.

We serve meals to all, regardless of caste, class, religion, gender, social or economic status or political consideration, especially at a time when it is most critical,” said Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.

Apart from the immediate response, ‘Anannke Foundation’ will continue giving long-term support for the most affected communities and help gradually move towards normalcy.

The goal of the foundation is to help at least one billion people around the world to gain access to basic healthcare, give education and opportunities that allow them to break the cycle of poverty and eradicate illiteracy about human rights issues.

To honour her father, Dr Malini Saba laid the foundation of ‘Anannke Foundation’ (previously known as Saba Family Foundations) in the year 2002, fuelled by her humanitarianism.

Since then, it has been dedicated to a single mission to give access to underserve and promoting the well-being of humanity throughout the world.

The foundation is proficient in analyzing and addresses the root causes of the emerging socio-economic challenges faced by developing and underdeveloped countries.

Moreover, they believe in creating unlikely partnerships to span across sectors and taking risks.

This inter-sectionality acts as a catalyst and helps them to achieve their vision of advancing health, re-valuing ecosystems, securing livelihoods, and transforming schools and communities timely.

Dr Malini Saba exemplifies the concept of using business to serve humanity; she is a self-made businesswoman, a psychologist, philanthropist, human & social rights activist, and a global advocate for women & girls.

She has helped millions of underserved women and children in South and Southeast Asia, South America, Africa, and the U.S. and gain access to life-saving medical, educational services and achieves economic stability.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee or DSGMC is an autonomous organization that manages Gurdwaras in Delhi state. DSGMC also manages various educational institutions, hospitals, old age homes, libraries, and other charitable institutions in Delhi.

It is headquartered in Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, near Parliament House. In 1971, the Government of India entrusted the management, through an ordinance, to a five-member Gurdwara Board.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/langar-on-wheels-amid-covid-19-anannke-foundation-to-donate-10-000-kg-of-rice-every-month/story-LylQ10yhELjIoQZniGTvvN.html

Dawn – PM seeks ulema’s support for religious harmony

The Newspaper’s Staff Reporter

Islamabad – Pakistan, 29 August 2020. A delegation of Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) led by the party chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, and discussed the changing situation in the region as well as threats faced by the country.

The prime minister sought the religious leaders support in maintaining law and order during Muharram.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Zulfiqar Bukhari and Saifullah Niazi of PTI and central leaders of MWM Syed Nasir Shirazi and Syed Asad Naqvi were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister appreciated the efforts of Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and MWM for its support in maintaining unity and supported the MWM chief’s recommendations for developing coherence and solidarity among the citizens.

Earlier on Thursday Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Ashrafi called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and lauded the strong stance taken by Pakistan over the Palestine issue.

Hafiz Ashrafi conveyed the sentiments of religious segments of the country to the prime minister the clear and firm position taken by him has been welcomed in the whole Islamic world, and the political situations faced by the Muslim world also discussed.

The prime minster reiterated the official stance of Pakistan regarding the rights of Palestinian people and the right to self determination for the people of Kashmir.

The prime minister supported the efforts of PUC to develop coherence and unity among all sects of Islam and members of all the religious communities in the country.

The prime minister said that enemies of the nation were trying to sow discord in the country through religious extremism and lauded the role of clerics like Hafiz Ashrafi in bringing various communities together.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1576871/pm-seeks-ulemas-support-for-religious-harmony