Agenda for India: Textile and Fashion Industry
TwoCircles.net presents “Agenda for India”. Series editor is Charu Bahri.
According to Aboobacker Siddique Moosa, Founder of Wahid Exports, a leading fabric and clothing manufacturer in south India, “The greatest challenge facing the textile and fashion industry is labor.”
Bogey of indigenous identity fuels Assamese militancy
By M. Burhanuddin Qasmi,
The Census 2011 has begun nationwide on 1st April 2010. Though the Schedules for Census of India 2011 and National Population Register have no columns to enrol one’s language or religion this time, yet it had fuelled past differences of Assamese and Bengalis in Assam. Following is an historic account of this language dispute in Assam, a north-eastern state of India.
‘Eichmanns’ with Z-class security propel repetitive terror
By NM Sampathkumar Iyangar
Adolf Eichmann, the genius scientist who invented the gas chamber for the Nazis as a ‘perfect solution’ to end the ‘Jew menace’, remained incognito for 15 years after Nazis fell. When he was captured in a covert act by the Mossad in Argentina, Argentina and even UN initially said it as “violation of the sovereign rights of the Argentine Republic.”
The Modi Sarkar: Initial Symptoms
By Ram Puniyani,
It is already over two months that Narendra Modi has taken over as the prime minister of the country. While some may call it as a ‘honey moon period’ others will say that its actions during last few months are an indication enough of shape of things to come. It goes without saying that Modi is the Pracharak of RSS, which is aiming at converting the secular democratic India into a Hindu Rashtra. Modi came to power with many planks, many factors went into his victory, one of that was the catchy phrase’ “Acche Din Aane Wale hain” For the people, who have been restless due to rising prices and inflation, there has been no respite and many of them have started feeling the regret of being taken in by the propaganda of Acche din… As such this was a major propaganda point so a large section of people are disgruntled.
IMRC’s health camp in Kozhikode kicks off, 1,000 people provided free treatment in two...
By TCN News
Kozhikode: The seventh annual India Health Initiative, a social outreach programme by the India Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) to provide free...
Osama and the Prophet
How would Osama explain himself before the Prophet? : A fictional dialogue
By Asghar Ali Engineer
Osama: Holy Prophet I most humbly submit to you and ask you how do you view the jihad I am waging against kafirs and western imperialists including America and Satanic powers in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan who are against Islam and are slaves of American imperialism. This is the only way we can destroy the Satanic and imperialistic designs of the west and their collaborators in the West.
Fascist war against humanity
By Vidya Bhushan Rawat,
The slaughtering of over 140 children by the Pakistani Taliban is a grim reminder of how religious rights have no faith in democracy and its order. That they can kill anyone at their own will and the authorities are left to react once they have done their ‘duty’ shows how powerful have they become so far. Further, this reflects that the war on terror has failed on all counts. Just a day before this incident, we saw the infamous Sydney siege where a gunman kept hostage to so many visitors of the café keeping the authorities guessing his motives and resulting in killings of a few of the hostages. The killing spree of the gangs and thugs in the name of religion continues world-over and it is a matter of great concern as at the end of the day as it is the common person who is becoming the victim of their hate mission.
Is Javed Ahmad Ghamidi phenomena a New Fitna?
By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander
Recently a book release function was held in Kashmir Valley in which a book Fikr e Ghamidi: Ek Tajziyati...
Jamia Nagar: Very Muslim, very cosmopolitan
By Kashif-ul-Huda,
Jamia Nagar may be under a shadow after the terror attacks in Delhi that left 24 people dead and 124 injured. However, few know that the overwhelmingly Muslim area in south Delhi is as suave as any other middle class neighbourhood in the Indian capital.
It’s time to be united against COVID-19 to save the country and countrymen
Ibrahim Ahmad
With over 15 lakh positive cases and almost 89000 deaths as of today April 9, the devastation from Covid-19 is growing exponentially. India...
Why not a uniform, complete Muslim Family Law Act for entire India?
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Do you think there is a Muslim family law act in India that covers all familial issues and that is applicable on all Muslims living in any part of the country, be it Gujarat, Goa or Jammu & Kashmir? If you think so, you are, sorry to say, absolutely wrong.
Will federal auditor’s report on nuclear watchdog open a Pandora’s box?
By Dhirendra Sharma, IANS,
Camelot or estrangement: US-India relations in Obama era
By Harold A. Gould, IANS,
Hillary Clinton, America's Secretary of State in the Obama administration, made her pilgrimage to India (July 17-21) for the purpose of determining the nature of the relationship which the world's two largest democracies will pursue with each other now that the George W. Bush administration has run its course.
There is a touch of almost romantic irony in the fact that for the first time in US history the country's foreign policy has been conducted in sequence and across successive administrations by women secretaries of state.
Wanted: a 73rd-like amendment to Constitution
By Parveen Qamar,
India is included among developing nations. Of course, there are areas where we have achieved much better results than expectations but there are areas which, even after 68 years of Independence, remain neglected.
Needed: Revamp of national security apparatus
By C. Uday Bhaskar, IANS,
The multiple terrorist attacks that ravaged Mumbai with the death toll overshooting 180 have led to a justified outpouring of anger and anguish across the length and breadth of the country. India is outraged. Period. This is not the first terrorist attack that India has experienced - Mumbai alone recalls 1993 and 2006 with bitter memories. And tragically this may not be the last, given the ruthless determination of the extremist groups ranged against the idea of India.
Modi-Obama summit: A new way of doing things?
By Saroj Mohanty,
Personal relations between leaders have a long tradition in international diplomacy. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi readies to take part in his first summit with US President Barack Obama, pundits and the media have focused a good deal of attention on their encounter, billed as one that would seek to detangle the relationship and reenergize the strategic partnership.
Governance over democracy?
By Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam
Whatever the result of this Lok Sabha election, this much is sure that the country has finally reached a watershed where established democratic procedures are openly being rejected in favour of a business administration model of governance, which is not in evidence anywhere else in the democratic world.
RBI is inflating the Indian Economy
By Syed Zahid Ahmad,
The recession in the US and prevailed uncertainty in the petroleum producing nations had provided an opportunity for India to pull capital resources from the US and Gulf countries, but the practical approach of RBI has converted the opportunities into challenges as the liquidity and inflation are certainly not under the control of the RBI which is attempting to freeze the liquidity by increasing the interest rate and cost of credits. FICCI and the corporate sector have already criticized RBI’s recent announcement to increase the rate of interest.
When Kalki returns as a modern avenging angel in a racy thriller (Book Review)
By Madhusree Chatterjee,
Book: The Krishna Key
Publisher: Westland Ltd
Pages: 464
Price: Rs.250
Perfecting the science of shoe-throwing: New course for media schools?
By Mayank Chhaya, IANS,
Throwing shoes during news conferences is an extreme form of editorialising which professional reporters must refrain from, especially those who are a poor shot.
Yoga is ok, yoga politics is not!!
By Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam
On its own, yoga is like other systems of exercise that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. Despite its origins...
The Makkah Conference on inter-faith dialogue: stirrings of a new beginning?
By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net,
The recently concluded three-day international conference on interfaith dialogue organised by the Muslim World League at Makkah marks a major step towards promoting bridges of dialogue and understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths. This comes at a time of mounting Islamophobia the world over, when negative stereotyping of Muslims and their faith has become deeply ingrained in large sections of the international media and also in policy-making circles in many countries.
A movie, a musician and a needless controversy
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
On August 31st, Raza Academy, a Mumbai-based organization of Barelwi sect, had issued a statement asking Maharashtra and Central Government to...
The Politics of Communal Balance
By Abdul Rashid Agwan,
There is a talk in the air regarding proscribing some agitationist organizations in the wake of forthcoming Babri masjid judgment. The expressed cause seems to control public sentiments in consequence to this emotive issue. Vishva Hindu Parishad(VHP) and some Muslim organizations are showing their anxiety on the probable fallout of one of the longest and most controversial litigations of the country. The question arises how far it is justified in a democratic country like ours to ban organizations which are otherwise working within a democratic framework?
Pink, Akira and ten years of police reform in India
By Pushkar Raj for TwoCircles.net
Pink and Akira, two recent Bollywood hit films, depict an ugly reality of the police in India. It seems...
Sony hacking: Cyber vandalism or cyber terrorism?
By Monish Gulati,
As South Asia was watching the terrible tragedy at Peshawar unfold another drama was coming to head in Hollywood. At the eye of the storm was ‘The Interview’, a comedy by Sony Pictures Entertainment that depicts a fictional assassination of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un.
Film Review: From Hindu to Hindutva
By Ram Puniyani,
Kandhmal violence has been the most ghastly communal violence in the Adivasi areas in India. Close to two years after the violence the tragedy of the area continues, the victims of violence, the rehabilitation, the justice to victims, most of these are no where close to what they should be.
Sir Sayyed Awareness Forum organises Seminar on ‘Sir Sayyed and Tolerance’
By TCN News
Aligarh: Sir Sayyed Awareness Forum organised its eighth National Seminar on 'Sir Sayyed and Tolerance' at Muktakash Manch, Aligarh on Wednesday, March...
An opportunity for ‘nouveau’ chapter in India-France collaboration
By Rajendra Shende,
AS Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a visit to France, the first stop of his three-nation tour, it's worth bearing in mind that the country's hexagonal geography and its multi-dimensional policies and technology skills have the potential to match India's 21st-century aspirations. At the same time, the French are looking at India as a land of technology-savvy youth with diverse abilities and a multicultural mass base that poses extraordinary opportunities for business and cultural exchanges.
Bakrid and the fight over choice of food
By Kouser Fathima for Twocircles.net
As if we don't have enough reasons to fight.
Food wars seem to be the new trend especially during the...
निदा फ़ाज़ली, जिसकी कविता भी जैसे कोई जादू
महेंद्र कुमार 'सानी'
हालांकि किसी शायर को शहर का शायर, गांव का शायर या जनता का शायर जैसे खानों में विभाजित करना शायर के साथ...
Will Zardari wield authority over the army?
By K. Subrahmanyam, IANS,
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, who has taken over as the president of Pakistan, will not be a ceremonial head of state. The widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto will be armed with the powers to dissolve the National Assembly and to appoint Supreme Court and high court judges as well as the chiefs of staff, and will be the supreme commander of the armed forces.
As president, Zardari will also preside over the National Security Council and National Command Authority of nuclear weapons.
Kanhaiya is more ‘deshbhakt’ than BJP: Nitish
Patna : JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is more of a 'deshbhakt' (patriot) than BJP leaders who have dubbed him anti-national, Bihar Chief...
Profile: Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi
By Manzar Imam Qasmi
“See when I talk of secularism, I do not mean that only Muslims are secular. In fact 90 percent of Indians are secular”, this is how Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi defines the secular Iindia during an interview with CNEB news channel on 21 May 2009.
The newly-elect Member of Parliament from Kishanganj constituency of Bihar, Maulana Qasmi may be a little less known figure in Indian politics. But for the people of Kishanganj he has always been the man who has stood for their cause.
Opening address at the World Conference on Dialogue
By King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, CGNews,
In the name of God, most merciful, most compassionate.
Praise be to God Almighty, who revealed in his Holy Book: "O mankind! We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of [God] is (he who is) the most righteous of you."
And peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and on all the prophets and messengers.
Your Majesty, my friend, Juan Carlos, King of Spain:
Talibans: Thugs or torch-bearers of Islam?
By Dr. Shah Alam Khan,
The news of beheading of two Sikh youth in the Peshawar region of Pakistan has not come as a surprise to the world. What more can we expect from a rabid race of Talibanis, born and brought up on the fodder of hate and violence. The news in fact brings to light the hollow rhetoric of the Pakistani establishment when they claim to have contained the menace of Taliban.
बिन ईंधन का सिलेंडर, फ्लॉप साबित हो रही है मोदी की उज्ज्वला योजना
जावेद अनीस, TwoCircles.net के लिए
मध्य प्रदेश के शाजापुर ज़िले के कांजा गांव की निवासी मंजूबाई का प्रधानमंत्री उज्ज्वला योजना के तहत मिला गैस...
Middle East rhetoric obstructing US interests
By Richard Murphy and Ethan Chorin, CGNews,
It would be naive to assume that Undersecretary of State William Burns' presence at the recent EU-Iran nuclear talks has opened the door to a rapid improvement in US-Iranian relations, or that the US administration has abandoned its military option. But this recent tilt towards diplomacy offers a pause in which to take note of the unsung economic and political costs of hyped-up rhetoric.
India’s ambivalence on China can derail regional groupings
By Subir Bhaumik,
A senior diplomat recently told a seminar in Kolkata that India joins too many regional groupings, some of them overlapping, and then not doing anything worthwhile to carry forward their intended agendas. The message from this former ambassdor to three countries was clear: Only when convinced it will benefit India should we join a grouping - and that with a clear roadmap and leveraging it for Indian interests.
Modi accomplished the impossible, real test starts now
By Ashok Tandon,
Narendra Modi has proved in letter and spirit what Napoleon Bonaparte said: "Impossible is a word to be found only in the...
बिहार में ज़मीन का हक़ अल्पसंख्यकों को क्यों नहीं?
अफ़रोज़ आलम साहिल, TwoCircles.net
बिहार में भूमिहीन दलितों को ज़मीन देने की नीतिश सरकार की पहल अब अगड़े तबक़े के भूमिहीन गरीबों तक भी...
Fighting Fascism
By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net,
Last month, the New Delhi-based human rights' group Anhad, along with some 90 other organizations, held a two-day national convention on the theme, 'Countering Fascism: Defending the Idea of India'. It was attended by scores of social activists from various parts of the country. Predictably, it received hardly any mention in the so-called 'mainstream' Indian media.
Countering Fascist Forces
Countering Fascist Forces
लाठियां खाते छात्र और दक्षिणपंथी बाजारू शिक्षा की समस्याएं
By अफ़रोज़ आलम साहिल, TwoCircles.net
9 दिसम्बर की इस घटना की रिपोर्ट शायद ही पाठकों तक पहुंच पाई हो. जब संसद मार्च को निकले विभिन्न...
The state cannot legislate on a citizen’s sexual preferences
By Mayank Chhaya, IANS,
India's Additional Solicitor General P. P. Malhotra, who supposedly represents the Indian government's views on all socio-legal matters, has called gay sex "immoral and perverse." There could not be a more egregious example of medieval obscurantism.
As quoted by media reports Malhotra's views are so fundamentally out of sync with social reality that it begs the question whether the Indian government continues to live in the 18th century while the rest of the country may have moved in to the 21st century.
Selective ban by Britain and US
By M Ghazali Khan
Some of the well known international figures who have undergone tough and humiliating body search for boarding US airlines, detention at the American airports and sometimes deportation, include former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan and British singer Yusuf Islam. Similarly known figures banned from entering into Britain include Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Indian televangelist Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik.
Saudi Haj management needs toning up
By Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood
On 11 and 24 September 2015 two incidents occurred in the Muslim sacred Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia causing death...
NIA seeks special powers to go undercover: Is it a tough call for the...
By A. Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: The apex anti-terrorism investigative agency of India – the National Investigative Agency (NIA) – recently applied to the government for grant of special powers for conducting undercover operations in terrorism-related investigations.
Of the freedom to revel and to abstain
By Shobha Shukla, CNS,
The Supreme Court of India has ordered a closure of all slaughter houses and eateries serving non vegetarian food for nine days, starting 15th August, all over the country. This has been done in deference to the wishes of the Jain community during the holy period of their Paryushan Parva.
Chopra fuels dreams of an Indian touch at the Ryder Cup Golf
By V. Krishnaswamy, IANS,
A fair number of Indian sports fans these days are tuned to Wimbledon, Euro 2008 or the Asia Cup cricket, but there is also a band of fans, who stay up late in the night to catch up on the Indian connection on the US PGA Golf Tour and one who could give us that unimaginable dream of seeing an Indian touch in Ryder Cup golf.
SC upholds amendment to Haryana Panchayati Raj Act
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld an amendment to the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act providing for educational qualifications and other eligibility...
Atali village: Muslims back, not welcome
By Rahul Vaishnavi
Atali (Haryana) : The eerie calm in violence-torn Atali village in Haryana's Ballabhgarh district at the edge of Delhi threatens to explode...
Fitoor in the Bollywood
By Anayat Ali Shah,
Fitoor, released on February 12, an Indian adoption of Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, set amidst in the disputed territory of Kashmir....
Why Arrest of Dalit activists-‘Urban Naxals’?
By Ram Puniyani
The violence in Bheema Koregon is still reverberating. We recall that on January 1st, thousands of dalits returning from Bheema Koregaon were...
For NRIs, India has now arrived
By Kul Bhushan, IANS,
"Oh nooooo!" groan many non-resident Indians (NRIs) as they stood in long queues for immigration after arriving at Delhi airport. Battling jet lag after a long-haul flight and then waiting in an almost immobile queue becomes their first experience of coming to their motherland. No more.
Muslim women in the slums: poorest of the poor
A study of the maternity care and births in Mumbai slums
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
A large number of Muslims of India live in poverty and they are the majority of the poorest of the poor living in slums. This is according to a study conducted in 2006 in Mumbai. The details of the study were published earlier this month.
Disabled in Odisha yet to benefit from Swachh Bharat: Study
Bhubaneswar : Despite the much hyped Swachh Bharat Abhiyan underway across the country, the disabled people in Odisha were yet to reap its benefits,...
विपक्ष को भाजपा से उसके मैदान में उसकी तरह ही लड़ना होगा
दिवाकर, TwoCircles.net के लिए
नगालैंड और त्रिपुरा, ख़ास तौर से त्रिपुरा के चुनाव परिणाम से साफ़ है कि भाजपा की हिन्दुत्ववादी राष्ट्रीयता से निबटने...
Long wait for acquittals: stories of the innocents
A series of blasts on February 14, 1998 in Coimbatore killed 58 and injured over 200 people. Ever since that serial blasts Muslims of...
Can Modi really take on the Hindu hawks?
By Amulya Ganguli ,
The sudden cancellation by the saffron hotheads of the religious reconversion programmes to welcome the minorities into the Hindu fold suggests...
How about apolitical Yoga Day next year?
Now that the brouhaha over International Day of Yoga is over, it is time to think of how a yoga day for all can...
An overview of winning prospects of major alliances in Tamil Nadu
By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman for TwoCircles.net,
Gen. Jacob, don’t twist the reality of Bangladesh
By Major General (Retd) Sheru Thapliyal
Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob - or Jake as he is popularly known - is a delightful person. Intelligent, witty and eccentric, one has to be fully alert to keep in step with him. Of late, however, whenever one meets him, usually in the library of the United Services Institute, one is dismayed to note that he is so full of himself and obsessed with his role in the liberation of Bangladesh.
Ousting democratically elected leaders in Ukraine and elsewhere
By Chandra Muzaffar,
If Ukraine is on the brink of a catastrophe, it is mainly because the present regime in Kiev and its supporters, backed by certain Western powers had violated a fundamental principle of democratic governance. They had ousted a democratically elected president through illegal means. President Viktor Yanukovich who had come to power through a free and fair election in 2010 should have been removed through the ballot-box.
One night at the Taj Mahal hotel – survivor narrates terror ordeal
By Mukesh Berry, IANS,
We started our evening casually at The Taj Mahal Palace at the Crystal Ball Room. I got there at 9.35 p.m. Wednesday with my brother Manish for our friend's wedding reception. We hadn't been there 15 minutes when we heard sounds we dismissed as construction work or crackers. When the 'boom boom' went on and got nearer, it was apparent they were gunshots.
Al-Ameen Mission in West Bengal: Glorious 25 Years
A Year-long Series on Education, Sponsored by The Aligarh Forum : - A Mirror on our Efforts, our Successes & our Shortcomings ; Stories...
क्यों गुजरात के निकाय चुनावों में भाजपा को हार का सामना करना पड़ा?
By सावजराज सिंह,
नरेंद्र मोदी के गुजरात से दिल्ली जाने के बाद गुजरात में यह पहला चुनाव था. और 3 दिसम्बर को आये चुनाव...
Book Review: Islamisation of Pakistani Social Studies Textbooks
By Yoginder Sikand,
Book Review:
Name of the Book: Islamisation of Pakistani Social Studies Textbooks
Author: Yvette Claire Roser
Publisher: Rupa & Co
Price Rs. 195
Pages: 109
ISBN: 81-291-0221-8
Reviewed by: Yoginder Sikand
Triumphant Shireen steps into Aliah University without veil
By Adnan Alavi,
Shireen Madiha has finally stepped into the university on her conditions. She had refused to bow down to the union's diktat that every woman teacher will have to wear a burqa on campus.
Now she has succeeded and the union is forced to accept its defeat. Shireen [her name wrongly appeared as Sirin Middya in some newspapers] had invited the ire of the students' union in Kolkata's Aliah University, where she taught Bangla literature, for not wearing the veil.
Bihar to initiate moves to ban liquor
Patna : The Bihar government will soon take steps to impose a ban on liquor in the state, Excise and Prohibition Minister Abdul Jalil...
Rahul banking on perpetuating poverty to revive Congress?
By Amulya Ganguli,
From being caught snoozing in parliament to spending time in a mysterious hideout to the current photo-ops with tillers of the soil, Rahul Gandhi has been acquiring a whole range of political experience. The problem with his present frenetic pace, however, is that the question is bound to be asked as to how long he can keep it up, not the least because any slackening will provoke sceptics to reiterate the charge against him of being a part-timer.
Break the silence: Ending gender-based violence is a human rights imperative
By Shobha Shukla
"There is a global epidemic of violence against women - both within conflict zones and within societies at peace - and it...
Seven challenges before Narendra Modi
By Ilma Afroz for TwoCircles.net,
1. Make In India: Zero Defect, Zero Effect?
NarendraBhai announced this initiative from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort during his maiden Independence Day address. He wore a colourful turban and asked the community of nations to “Come! Make in India!”
Dhoni’s abrupt good-bye stunning, mystifying
By Kishen Datta,
The suddenness with which Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket “with immediate effect” is as stunning as it is mystifying. Cricket captains who have led their country for as long as Dhoni has – 60 Tests, to be exact – don’t bid good-bye as unceremoniously and as instantly as he did at Melbourne on Tuesday. The words “immediate effect” say it all. After missing the first Test, did he have to go all the way to Melbourne to announce his decision? What if under him India had not lost the Test and, with it, the series against Australia. There is one more match to go before the four-match series ends.
Is BJP fishing in choppy waters of communally sensitive UP?
By Mohit Dubey,
Lucknow: Is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fishing in choppy waters for electoral gains in Uttar Pradesh? Activities of the saffron leaders...
The toilet test
By Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam,
On the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, on October 2, 2019, nobody will defecate in the open anywhere in India. By then every one of us will have a toilet to go to. This is the target of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan that the Prime Minister launched earlier this month to mark the mahatma’s 145th birth anniversary.
Miscarriage of Justice in Hashimpura
By Vidya Bhushan Rawat,
One of the most famous lines on the official All India Radio news bulletins during communal disturbances used to be ‘Sthiti tanavpurn lekin niyantran me hai’ (the situation is tense but under control) and police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the ‘sensitive’ areas. It was well known to us as what is ‘samvdansheel kshetra’ or sensitive areas. Most of these ‘sensitive areas’ were the Muslim localities in the walled cities, almost ghettoised in the aftermath of each ‘riots’ much to the comfort of the fanatics on both the sides, who wanted to see such polarisation to happen.
Ram Vilas Paswan’s village still in lantern age
Khagaria (Bihar): Believe it or not, there is no electricity in Lok Janshakti Party's chief Ram Vilas Paswan's native village.
Although Paswan is rubbing shoulders...
Lisbon Treaty Referendum: Is the European Union an example for the Islamic World?
By Yamin Zakaria
Lisbon Treaty established on 13th of December 2007, is another step towards cementing European unity. Almost all the member states of the European Union have ratified the treaty through the parliamentary process. Ireland is the only country to have done this through a referendum. Once the treaty comes into effect, Europe will have its first President, Tony Blair looks set to occupy that position.
Why BAPSA’s support to Muslim Right is problematic: Part Two
Intro: This is the second in a three-part series on how Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Organisation (BAPSA) has, while effectively countering Savarna...
Vajpayee and Modi: Scarred inheritance
By Tarun Basu,
Over a decade after Atal Bihari Vajpayee relinquished power -- and in many ways withdrew from public life -- after an electoral defeat that his party never foresaw but he seemed to have, the present government is seeking to appropriate his legacy by hailing him as an icon of good governance -- and may even confer on him the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest honour.
Jaswant Singh committed ideological heresy
By Amulya Ganguli, IANS,
Just as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) idea of India is that of a Hindu nation and not a multicultural one, Jaswant Singh's interpretation of Mohammed Ali Jinnah's pre-1947 role is at odds with the widely held perceptions in India.
By arguing that the founder of Pakistan has been unfairly demonised for partitioning the country, Singh not only went against the BJP's views, which has now expelled him, but also against an overwhelming majority of public opinion in India.
Logic of women’s reservation
By M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
It is an unfortunate fact that in a democracy nothing is achievable without united agitations. This time again the Muslim social and political leadership in India is failing to unite strongly against a very genuine demand and clear hypocrisy against them in guise of women empowerment.
Dr. Rehana Sultana — The Iron Lady of Hyderabad
TCN series on Muslim women empowerment
On International Women's Day on 8th March, TCN is bringing great stories of Muslim women empowerment from different states of India -- Editor
Prepare youth to be the leaders of tomorrow
By Nathan Render, CG News Service
What do religious extremists and interfaith youth organisers have in common? A lot more than one might think.
College students begin their search for summer internships with enthusiasm and excitement at the opportunity to make an impact. Unfortunately, many end up doing busywork, unable to share their skills and talents. Still, these overworked, underpaid students are motivated to find meaning in their jobs. Most are trying to find purpose in their lives as they transition from childhood to adolescence, and ultimately adulthood.
Will Narendra Modi prove as strong as Advani?
By Soroor Ahmed,
Notwithstanding tall promises by Narendra Modi that the BJP would provide strong and powerful government, which will deal with enemies head-on, the record of the six-year rule of the National Democratic Alliance (1998-2004) does not inspire much.
100 years of Jamia Milia Islamia: Why the university is not ‘anti-national’?
By Md Mustafa
This year Jamia Millia Islamia University is celebrating 100 years of its founding (1920 to 2020) and in all these years, it...
Straightening the pictures
By Aygül Cizmecioglu, CGNews,
Perfect weather in Berlin – the sky is a brilliant blue, and it is pleasantly warm. Rather than enjoying the sun at one of the street cafes, however, dozens of camera people, photographers, and politicians push their way through Saxony's State Mission.
India must be wary of Tamil extremism in Sri Lanka
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins to build a relationship with Sri Lanka's new leadership, the one thing he needs to...
Settlement in Afghanistan: back to 1997?
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov) - Pakistan has started talks with the Taliban in the northwestern province of the country bordering on Afghanistan. Kabul authorities fear that Islamabad will stop military operations, thus giving the Taliban a chance to become more active in Afghanistan.
The two proposals on stabilizing Afghanistan, which Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made during his visit to China in mid-April, do not look surprising in this light.
राष्ट्रगान : क्या ये अनिवार्यता सिर्फ़ आमजन के लिए है?
नैय्यर इमाम सिद्दीक़ी
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने सिनेमाघरों में फ़िल्म से पहले राष्ट्रगान के संबंध में एक विशेष निर्देश जारी किया है कि पूरे देश के...
Amidst reconciliation efforts, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind factions continue dispute over claim of cases defended
By A Mirsab,TwoCircles.net
Mumbai: Raising evident doubts over the genuineness of the reconciliation efforts between the two factions of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, led by uncle-nephew...
Budget ignores welfare of the minority community: E. Ahamed
By TCN News,
New Delhi: E. Ahamed, Member of Parliament and President of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has criticized NDA government’s third budget presented...
Triple Talaq un-Islamic, inhuman and unconstitutional: Armed Forces Tribunal bench
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Lucknow (UP): In a significant decision, the Lucknow Bench of Armed Forces Tribunal has ruled that the declaration of oral...
‘Protest becomes necessary when the oppressor is an outsider’
By Mohd. Ismail khan, TwoCircles.net,
Debating Elections, Debating Development
By Ram Puniyani,
The ongoing elections have created turmoil and churning in the society at an unprecedented level. Media, social sites and whatever platforms are there, are full of the intense debate about the so called ‘Gujarat Model’ the failures of the UPA II and related issues. While there may be few who are sitting on the fence, a large numbers has made up their mind one way or the other. To ensure that most people vote Election Commission wrote to all the educational heads to appeal to their students to vote.
Security and safety is a core issue of Muslims in India
By Abdul Hannan Siwani Nadvi for TwoCircles.net
SIO-BHU Conference: Why I don’t need to apologise to SIO and its apologists
By Mahtab Alam
On June 13, I received an email from Thouseef Madikeri, a national secretary of the Students’ Islamic Organization (SIO) of India, with...
BJP now wants to rule Haryana
By Jaideep Sarin ,
Chandigarh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana had always played second fiddle to regional players in the state. But with...
राहुल की वापसी कितनी असरदार
By जावेद अनीस,
किस तरह राहुल गांधी की वापसी कांग्रेस को उसके पुराने स्वरूप की ओर ले जाने में कारगर हो सकती है....
यह राजनीति में ब्रांडिंग और ‘निवेश’ का युग है, जहां ब्रांड ही विचार है और विज्ञापन ही सबसे बड़ा साधन है. मोदी ने 2014 की गर्मियों में इस बात को साबित किया था और अब राहुल गांधी इसे दोहराने के लिए कमर कस रहे हैं. समस्या यह है कि आभासी दुनिया के बल पर गढ़ी गयी छवियों के बनने और बिगड़ने में ज्यादा वक्त नहीं लगता है, अब नये मतदाता को लम्बे समय तक वफादार भी नहीं बनाये रखा जा सकता है. उसे तो अपने वोट (निवेश) का कम समय में रिटर्न चाहिए या कम से कम इसकी फीलिंग तो होती ही रहनी चाहिए.
Can Modi at helm be a blessing in disguise?
By Khalid Kamal Rumi,
The thumping victory of Narendra Modi led NDA in the general elections for the 16th Lok Sabha is “potentially” poised to be the best thing to have happened to the Muslims of India in the last one decade. The emphasis, in bold, is on potential here! Now it is up to the community to invest and reap richly by turning imminent challenges into opportunities. I stick my neck out here taking cue from Winston Churchill who once remarked: “a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Modi wave or media hype ? Media must not lose credibility
By Kavita Bajeli-Datt,
Is there a wave for the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi? Certainly yes, if you watch television channels that day-after-day and...
Politicising the military: A strategic blunder
By Admiral Arun Prakash (retd)
India's armed forces, apart from their role of safeguarding the nation, provide a bright strand in the national fabric,...
A trial of 11 years and counting
Unheard & Unspoken: Terror stories from Madhya Pradesh: Part 2
By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net
Janata Parivar: A group of opportunist provincials
By Amulya Ganguli,
The so-called Janata "Parivar" comprising remnants of the old Janata Dal has been severely jolted in its first trial of strength although...
We must not vote for those with self-declared criminal cases
By Jagdeep S. Chhokari,
The final episode of Satyamev Jayate, the popular Sunday TV show hosted by actor Aamir Khan, on March 30 focussed on criminalization of politics. It presented data from the Lok Sabha elections of 2004 and 2009. What shocked many viewers was that the number of people elected to the Lok Sabha and who had criminal cases pending against them, as declared in their affidavits, had increased from 125 in 2004 to 162 in 2009.
Gaza violence: India’s parliament must reflect on Gandhi’s words
By C Uday Bhaskar,
After considerable vacillation that brought little credit to the world's largest democracy, the Indian parliament is now set to discuss the violence and bloodshed in Gaza on Monday, July 21.
The Mainstreaming of Asaduddin Owaisi
By Tariq Hasan
The Majlis-e-Itehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM) was established in the Southern state of Hyderabad in the year 1927. It's agenda was limited: to protect the...
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan rips through traditional views about women in Islam
By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net,
Director of the New Delhi-based Centre for Peace and Spirituality, editor of the monthly Al-Risala journal and author of almost two hundred books, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is one of India’s best known Islamic scholars. In this interview with Yoginder Sikand, he talks about issues related to Islam and women.
You have written extensively on the issue of Islam and women. Contrary to many traditional ulema, you argue the case for gender equality in Islam. How does your approach differ from that of most traditionalist scholars?
Muslims must work with other marginalised communitie to counter RSS propoganda
By Mukhtar Ahmad for Twocircles.net
The BJP’s spectacular victory in India’s largest state has swept away any remaining myth of the monolithic Muslim bloc vote....
India, Pakistan stumble on first step of their talks
By Amulya Ganguli, IANS,
What the unpleasant aftermath of Thursday's India-Pakistan talks showed was that cordiality cannot be forced. The trust deficit between the two countries is so high that a dialogue can only lead to more acrimony.
The reason why a tense, constrained atmosphere continues to characterise mutual relations is that some kind of watershed has been crossed in New Delhi's attitude towards its troublesome neighbour.
Interview: Malayalam daily Madhyamam’s Editor on Anna’s movement
By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net,
Rahul Gandhi prepares ground for a political future
By Gilles VerniersIANSThe election campaign in Uttar Pradesh has sunk into relative apathy, the main parties involved in the competition waiting quietly in the...
Recent development in power sector and India’s competitiveness
By Amit Kapoor,
Recent developments within the power sector merit attention.
The first of these is to do with performance of the coal sector and allocation of coal blocks. The second is about the focus on renewable energy and the benefits that can accrue to India. A third and a related point is about the structure of power institutions in the country and reasons why distribution companies (discoms) in particular and the power sector, in general, have under-performed. Also, what can be done to enhance its performance? All the three points are crucial to being understood if India is to enhance the competitiveness of its industry and the well-being of its people.
Can Assam push BJP’s northeastward thrust?
By Subir Bhaumik,
From Mamata Banerji in West Bengal to Manik Sarkar in Tripura, not to speak of Assam's hat-trick Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, a host of regional chieftains are under fire in the east and the northeast. This could make the BJP's task of penetrating the region much easier than what many would imagine.
UN Human Rights head raises issue of access to Kashmir
By Arul Louis
United Nations : UN Human Rights head Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Wednesday expressed regret that his officials were not being allowed...
PA Sangma: Sagacity was the mark of first tribal Lok Sabha speaker
By Nirendra Dev
New Delhi : It was to the sagacity of his stint as a member of parliament for many years from Tura constituency...
Bindi Yadav: From ‘bicycle thief’ to super-rich businessman
By Imran Khan
Patna : He's super rich, he's got the right political connections in Bihar and he's dangerous. Meet Bindeshwari Prasad Yadav alias Bindi,...
What pollsters say about 2014 general election?
By Syed Ali Mujtaba,
The General election 2014 is just round the corner. Everyone in the country is waiting for the Election Commission to announce the polling days. The election will be held over multiple phases starting on 16 April and running until 13 May and the 16th Lok Sabha has to be constituted before June 1.