‘OneWeb’ satellites into orbit

Gujarat reports 500% spike in burn cases on Diwali

Ahmedabad, Oct 25 (IANS) The Emergency Medical Services data on Tuesday stated that there was a 500 per cent spike in the burn cases across Gujarat on Diwali and the physical assault incidents witnessed an increase of 112 per cent. According to the medical services data analysis, Gujarat reports an average six burn cases, but on Monday (Diwali day) 30 calls were received. It is a 500 per cent jump from the normal days. At least eight burn cases were reported from Ahmedabad, which was the highest on the day in the state. The press release issued by the services also noted that the physical assault cases were 257, which is 112 per cent higher than the normal day case number of at least 121. On Diwali day, 188 persons fell from different heights, which was also an 8.05 per cent increase. At least 42 persons fell from buildings in Ahmedabad city and 24 in Surat. There was 200 per cent increase in sexual assault cases. Nine women faced sexual assault on the Diwali day, as against three per day usually reported. There was a drop in the drowning cases, electrocution, and crush injuries. But, injury due to animal attacks increased by 18 per cent from 16 cases to 19 cases.

Diwali to be public school holiday in NYC starting 2023

New York, Oct 21 (IANS) Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City starting next year, Mayor Eric Adams announced at a press conference on Thursday with state assembly woman Jenifer Rajkumar. They were joined by Department of Education chancellor David Banks. The announcement comes two days before the festival of lights, which falls on October 24. “We are going to encourage children to learn about what is Diwali,” he added. “We’re going to have them start talking about what it is to celebrate the Festival of Lights, and how do you turn a light on within yourself,” Adams said. The festival is celebrated by more than a billion people around the world, and signifies victory of light over darkness and good over evil. “The time has come to recognise over 200,000 New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights,” Rajkumar, who introduced legislation to recognise Diwali, said in the press conference. For over two decades, South Asians and Indo-Caribbeans in New York have been fighting for a school holiday on Diwali. “People have said that there’s simply not enough room in the New York City school calendar to have a Diwali school holiday,” the assemblywoman said. “Well, my legislation makes the room,” said Rajkumar, the first South Asian American woman elected to state-level office in New York. The new school schedule will still have 180 school days, as is required by the state’s education laws, Rajkumar added. Adding Diwali to the school calendar replaces the little-known BrooklynQueens Day -- which originated as a Protestant holiday celebrated in the 1800s.

This Diwali is special: Fiji PM to Indian community

Suva, Oct 24 (IANS) Wishing the Indian community in Fiji on Diwali, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said that this year’s celebration is special as the world has won over the Covid pandemic. “I thank God we live in a country where we can so openly share in the celebrations of all our fellow Fijians... Fijians of all backgrounds have been draped in colourful sarees, salwar kameez and kurtas and workplaces have been decorated,” Bainimarama said in a video message posted on Twitter. A significant number of Fiji-Indians celebrate Ramlila and Diwali with traditional rituals, and they are part of the main events held on the islands. Like their Indian counterparts, people of Fiji celebrate Diwali with elaborate lighting and candle decorations. It is also a national holiday in the country. “This Diwali is special because we celebrate with the assurance that our resilience has prevailed over the pandemic and with the happiness that our recovery is here. Light has won over darkness. Good has won over evil.” Diwali in Fiji is a five-day festival, starting with Dhanteras, then Hanuman Jayanti and Narak Chaturdashi, followed by Diwali, and then Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj celebrations. Indians make around 38 per cent of Fiji’s population and as of 2021, roughly 3.20 lakh Indians live in the South Pacific nation, according to the Union Ministry of External Affairs. They have mostly descended from ‘Girmitiyas’, or indentured labourers, brought to the islands by British colonial rulers between 1879 and 1916 to work on Fiji’s sugar plantations. The vast majority of Indo-Fijians trace their origins to Bihar and South India.

BSF, Pak Rangers exchange sweets on Diwali at IB in Jammu

Jammu, Oct 24 (IANS) The Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at the International Border in Jammu on the occasion of Diwali, officials said on Monday. “Today, on the occasion of Diwali, BSF and Pak Rangers exchanged sweets at various BOPs under Jammu Frontier in a very cordial atmosphere,” the BSF said. BSF Jammu offered the sweets to Pak Rangers and the Rangers also reciprocated. The BSF said the exchange of sweets was done all along the BoPs in Samba, Kathua, RS Pura, and Akhnoor border. “BSF has always been on the forefront in creating a peaceful and congenial atmosphere on the border while dominating the border effectively. “Such gestures help build a peaceful atmosphere and cordial relationships on border between both border guarding forces,” it said.

Tim Cook tweets Diwali image by Mumbai-based photographer

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday tweeted a Diwali image captured by Mumbaibased photographer Apeksha Makar, saying this photo truly depicts what the ‘festival of light’ is for millions in the country as well as abroad. Shot on an iPhone, the image showed a woman’s henna-coloured hands enclosing a “diya” or earthen lamp. “This photo beautifully captures why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Wishing all who celebrate a holiday full of joy and prosperity. #ShotoniPhone by Apeksha Maker,” Cook tweeted. Apeksha said: “Humbled & stoked to have #TimCook @apple post my #shotoniphone image for Diwali! Wishing you all a prosperous one.” Apeksha is the co-founder of House of Pixels, a celebrity photographer and works on bridging the gap between commercial and conceptual photography. She recently said that with iPhones, shoot as much as you can on the go, take advantage of the powerful tool in your pocket and you never know what you will create. She works on bridging the gap between commercial and conceptual photography. According to her, the new iPhone 14 series can capture life under any kind of lighting conditions. She said that to get the best shot, tap to focus and adjust your exposure by holding the tap and moving your finger up or down. “This will give you sharper images. By adjusting the exposure effectively you can make an ordinary image dramatic. Play with perspectives, move around and explore different angles,” the ace photographer noted.

Modi in Kargil to celebrate Diwali with soldiers

Srinagar, Oct 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kargil on Monday to celebrate Diwali with the soldiers guarding the borders of the country. Keeping his Diwali tryst with the soldiers alive, Modi landed in Kargil amid chilling cold to celebrate the festival of lights with the soldiers. The morning temperature was near the freezing point in Kargil. Since his days as the chief minister of Gujarat, Modi has been visiting the soldiers on national festival Diwali to identify with them and share their joy. Last year he celebrated Diwali in Nowshera border town of J&K’s Jammu division. In 2020, he shared the joys of the Diwali festival with soldiers in Jisalmer, Rajasthan. In 2019, Modi went to Rajouri district in J&K on Diwali while in 2018 he was in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with the Army and ITBP soldiers. In 2017, the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with the BSF soldiers in Gurez border town of J&K. Similarly in 2016 he went to Himachal Pradesh. Modi celebrated Diwali in Punjab with soldiers in 2015, and in 2014 he went to the World’s highest battlefield, Siachen glacier to be with the soldiers on Diwali.

In historic flight, Indian rocket puts ‘OneWeb’ satellites into orbit

By Venkatachari Jagannthan Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) Oct

23 (IANS) In a historic maiden commercial flight, an Indian heavylift rocket GSLV MkIII - renamed for this mission as LVM3 M2, successfully orbited satellites of UK-based OneWeb. The 43.5 metre tall and weighing 644 ton LVM3 M2 rocket, carrying 36 satellites weighing totally 5,796 kg or about 5.7 ton, blasted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 12.07 a.m. About 20 minutes into its flight, the LVM3 began slinging the satellites of Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) into low earth orbit (LEO). After the separation of 16 satellites, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S.Somanath said: “The satellite separation is a slow process. The remaining satellites will be separated and the data will come later.” Somanath also the Secretary of Department of Space was confident that all 36 satellites will be separated as originally planned. According to D.Radhakrishnan, CMD of NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, the rocket mission is a complex one. “The GSLV MkIII has made a remarkable entry into the commercial satellite launch market,” Radhakrishnan said. He also said that this is the beginning of many more business associations with OneWeb. Once all the satellites get separated, the total number of foreign satellites launched by India will be 381. Another set of 36 satellites from OneWeb is planned to be put into orbit in January 2023. The UK company has contracted with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) to pay over Rs.1,000 crore for both launches. OneWeb is a joint venture between India Bharti Global and the UK government. The satellite company plans to have a constellation of about 650 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) to offer communication services. According to ISRO, the OneWeb Constellation operates in an LEO Polar Orbit. The satellites are arranged in 12 rings (Orbital planes) with 49 satellites in each plane. The orbital planes are inclined to be near polar (87.9 degrees) and at 1,200 km above the Earth. Each satellite completes a full trip around the earth every 109 minutes. The earth is rotating underneath satellites, so they will always be flying over new locations on the ground. The constellation will have 648 satellites. The LVM3 is a three-stage rocket with the first stage fired with liquid fuel, the two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel, the second by liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine. The ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket has a carrying capacity of 10 ton to the LEO and four-ton to the Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO). Normally the GSLV rocket is used for launching India’s geostationary communication satellites. And hence it was named as GeoSynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The GSLV MkIII refers to the third generation rocket. As the rocket that flew on Sunday morning was for orbiting the satellites in LEO, the ISRO has renamed GSLV MkIII as LVM3 (Launch Vehicle MkIII). The rocket mission has several firsts for the Indian space sector. It is the first commercial launch of GSLV MkIII and for the first time, an Indian rocket will be ferrying a payload of about six tonnes. Similarly, OneWeb is using an Indian rocket to put its satellites into orbit for the first time. Also, it is the first commercial launch of GSLV MkIII contracted by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, and for the first time, a renamed GSLV MkIII is being used for launching satellites in LEO.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

Successful launch of OneWeb’s satellites, ISRO’s birthday present to Sunil Bharti Mittal

By Venkatachari Jagannthan Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Oct

23 (IANS) Telecom major Bharti Group founder and billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal on Sunday got a “unique birthday present” from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Indian space agency successfully launched 36 satellites of the UK-based OneWeb, of which he is the Chairman. OneWeb is a joint venture between India Bharti Global and the UK government. The satellite company plans to have a constellation of about 650 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) to offer communication services. When queried, Mittal said it was not by design the satellite launch date coincided with his birthday. It can also be said that it was Mittal’s birthday present to ISRO as OneWeb signed two satellite launch agreements for a fee of over Rs 1,000 crore. Referring to OneWeb’s planned launch of its Gen2 satellites, Mittal said that the company may need about 12-16 launches and ISRO will have a major role to play.

(Venkatachari Jagannthan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

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Biden says Sunak election ‘groundbreaking milestone’

Washington, Oct 25 (IANS) US President Joe Biden called the impending UK premiership of Rishi Sunak a “groundbreaking milestone”. Biden, as most other world leaders, is still getting used to the Indiandescent Sunak’s name. He called him “Rashi”, which was a full vowel off Sunak’s actual first name Rishi. But that slip mattered little to his audience - Indian Americans at a White House celebration of Diwali hosted by the President and First Lady Jill Biden with Vice-President Kamala Harris, the first IndianAmerican elected to that office. “We’ve got news Rashi... Rashi Sunak is now the Prime Minister,” Biden said to a cheering audience of Indian Americans, adding, “As my brother would say ‘Go figure’.” President Biden has not officially said anything yet on Sunak’s emergence as the presumptive Prime Minister - although he was aware of the next steps as he said, “I think tomorrow when he goes to see the King” - so his remarks at the Diwali event were politically astute. Sunak’s rise has been followed closely by Indian Americans, specially those who see in him - “a proud Hindu”, as he has called himself - someone who testifies and caps the rise of Hindus worldwide, more than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who rules a Hindumajority India. Sunak was born into an Indiandescent family that immigrated to the UK from East Africa. His father’s family traces descent to Gujranwala in Pakistan and he is the first person of colour to hold the top democratically elected position in the county that was once an empire that never saw the setting sun. Biden brought up Sunak at a point in his speech where he talked about hate, both speech and actions. “I used to think we could defeat hate coming out of the civil rights movement, but (it, hate) only hides,” he said, adding, “It hides under rocks until it’s given oxygen and it comes out when prejudiced people are speaking. Violent extremists are a rising threat.” Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about celebrating Diwali with her mother’s family on their visits to India. New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Even as they wonder whether Rishi Sunak will be able to steer the Conservatives and his country out of the “fiscal black hole” they have to contend with, British commentators haven’t missed the significance of his elevation to Britain’s highest political office on Diwali. The timing is particularly significant in his case because Sunak will be the first practising Hindu to preside over a nation whose King is the defender of the Church of England. Sunak made history when he swore his oath to Parliament after the 2017 general elections with his hand on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, as pointed out by ‘The Guardian’. And he was also the first occupant of No. 11, Downing Street, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer (an office that was held by the first prime minister, Sir Horace Walpole), to celebrate Diwali at the doorsteps of his then home. Recalling that moment, which happened when Britain was in the throes of its own Covid crisis, Sunak told ‘The Times’ of London earlier this year: “It was one of my proudest moments that I was able to do that on the steps of Downing Street. It was one of my proudest moments of the job that I had for the last two years.” Despite growing up in Britain and going to Winchester, Oxford University and then Stanford, Sunak has never glossed over his cultural roots, staying away from beef and keeping a statuette of Lord Ganesha on his work table. “I can proudly say that I am a Hindu and being a Hindu is my identity,” he said in a media interview, adding that his faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am.” For Sunak, therefore, this Diwali will be special in more ways than what is obvious. As Sunder Katwala of the British Future think tank told ‘The Guardian’, it was “an historic moment” that “simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago.” Katwala added: “It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This will be a source of pride to many British Asians -- including many who do not share Rishi Sunak’s Conservative politics.”

Will work day in, day out for the British people: Rishi Sunak

London, Oct 24 (IANS) Rishi Sunak, 42, a Conservative party politician who is of Indian descent, will be the next prime minister of Britain. It marks a meteoric rise in British public life, for he became a member of parliament only seven years ago. In his first, brief public statement after being elevated, he said: “I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility; and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people.” It will be the first time a non-white will occupy the position of head of government in the United Kingdom -- a major post in international affairs, since Britain is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council as well as a constituent of the G7 -- the most industrialised countries in the world. The only other contestant in the field Penny Mordaunt dramatically withdrew her cadidature only a couple of minutes before nominations closed with a tweet. Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of the Conservative Parliamentary Party and the returning officer responsible for conducting leadership elections, confirmed ‘we have received only one valid nomination’. He then declared: “Rishi Sunak is therefore elected leader of the Conservative party.” Born in Southampton to a doctor father and chemist mother, Sunak studied at the private school Winchester College, Oxford University and Stanford University in the US. His professional career was that of an investment banker and hedge fund manager. He worked as a waiter at a Bangladeshi-owned Indian restaurant in Southampton during his school holidays. While at university, he undertook an internship with the Conservative party at its headquarters in London. He was elected a member of parliament from the rural seat of Richmond in Yorkshire in 2015. His first government responsibility was that of parliamentary under-secretary of state for local government. Then Prime Minister Theresa May appointed him for this in January 2018. Another former Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who on Sunday night dropped out as a potential contender in the just concluded race -- appointed him chief secretary to the treasury in July 2019. Thereafter, Johnson promoted him to cabinet as chancellor of the exchequer in February 2020. In July 2022, Sunak resigned from the government citing differences on policy with the prime minister, thereby hastening Johnson’s downfall. Mordaunt was leader of the House of Commons in the outgoing government of Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was forced to quit on her 45th day in office -- the shortest period any premier in the UK has served. Sunak was expected to be granted an audience by King Charles III imminently to be formally invited to form a government. His immediate task will be to stabilise the British economy after the damage caused to it by Truss. However, while the new prime minister’s emergence was welcomed by markets and the British pound gained in strength, he will inherit a deeply divided Conservative Parliamentary Party. The ‘STOP RISHI’ MPs hailing from supporters of Johnson, Truss and Mordaunt could make life difficult for the new occupant of 10 Downing Street. Christopher Chope, MP representing Christchurch in the county of Dorset told The Guardian newspaper: “We have a parliamentary party which is completely riven, and its’ ungovernable.” Sunak’s shortcoming is his lack of experience in politics. But he also faces a problem from a section of the Conservative party who do not even consider him to be Indian or American (because he held a resident card in the United States). A caller to a chat show on LBC radio station over the weekend categorically maintained, ‘Rishi Sunak isn’t British’, much to the anchor’s horror. Sunak’s wife is Indian, Akshata Murthy, a businesswoman who is also the daughter of N.R. Narayana Murthy, one of the founders of the Bengaluru-based Infosys. The couple has two daughters.

‘Our Obama moment’: UK Hindu temple leader on Sunak becoming PM

London, Oct 25 (IANS) Rishi Sunak becoming UK’s Prime Minister is “our Barack Obama moment”, said leader of the Hindu temple set up by the Indian-origin leader’s grandfather. Rishi Sunak’s grandfather Ramdas Sunak, who was from Gujranwala town (now in Pakistan), set up the Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Southampton in 1971. “It’s like for the UK, it’s the Barack Obama moment, where a non-white person becomes Prime Minister for the first time, also a person from Indian origin and Hindu which is another dimension and everyone is very proud,” Sanjay Chandarana, president of the temple, told LBC News. He added that Rishi Sunak regularly comes to the temple located in Hampshire city when he is in his hometown. Rishi Sunak, who will be taking charge as the Prime Minister after meeting King Charles III, visited the temple in July, just a couple of days before he resigned as chancellor. He had offered a family prayer and had lunch at the temple. Chandarana told LBC News that he is sure that Rishi Sunak will come to the temple for prayers once he becomes the Prime Minister. Rishi Sunak made history when he swore his oath to Parliament after the 2017 general elections with his hand on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, as pointed out by ‘The Guardian’. And he was also the first occupant of No 11, Downing Street, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to celebrate Diwali at the doorsteps of his then home. Despite growing up in Britain and going to Winchester, Oxford University and then Stanford, Rishi Sunak has never glossed over his cultural roots, staying away from beef and keeping a statuette of Lord Ganesha on his work table. “I can proudly say that I am a Hindu and being a Hindu is my identity,” he said in a media interview, adding that his faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am,” Rishi Sunak had told The Times earlier this year. Chandarana said Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister showed that integration was working in the UK. “It will unite the country, because he practices Hindu religion religiously and one of the key values we have is that the whole world is our family and we believe in unity in that respect,” the temple leader told LBC News. Rishi Sunak is scripting history as UK’s first Prime Minister of colour and the first Hindu premier.

Continued from Page 1 Biden thanks Indian-Americans as he hosts Diwali event at WH

With a population of more than 4.5 million, Indian-Americans make up 1.4% of the US population and are the largest group of South Asian-Americans. Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, thanked the South Asian community across America for their optimism, courage, and empathy. “Together, South Asian Americans reflect the soul of who we are as a nation, whether helping us emerge stronger from this pandemic, building an economy that works for everyone, or serving and protecting our communities and our country,” Biden said. A record 130 Indian-Americans are in key positions of Biden administration -- the best representation from the community that makes up around 1 per cent of the American population. Biden also shared his picture on Twitter lighting the lamp at the White House with a message that “Diwali is a reminder that each of us has the power to dispel darkness and bring light to the world”. “This Diwali, may we remember that from darkness there is power in the gathering of light. That the American story depends not on any one of us, but on all of us,” the President tweeted. “To those celebrating and connecting with one another during this festival of lights: Happy Diwali,” he added. The Bidens called the reception the largest since the People’s House started celebrating the festival during the George Bush administration. The reception was also marked by cultural events, including performances by sitarist Rishab Sharma and dance troupe The Sa Dance Company.

Now that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has elevated himself to an unassailable position and etched out his name forever in the history of China as the most powerful man comparable to the hallowed status of Mao Zedong, the world faces a renewed threat emanating from China in terms of security risks, economic instability and political uncertainty. That China harbours an ambition to catapult itself to the position of a superpower is no news any longer. China may not do a Russia by indulging in direct aggression against Taiwan, and Taiwan is certainly not facing Ukraine’s fate where the international community has actually done mighty little to support it against

Russian blitzkrieg; but China will not refrain from political brinkmanship thereby stoking the flames of fear and uncertainty, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. The Russia-Ukraine war is yet to reach the climax and may rage on for an unspecified number of months, the ramifications of the war are a reminder to the entire world of the fragility that exists in the global order. Organisations like the United

Nations (UN) in the absence of a real mandate from its member countries to intervene in any war zone and forcibly bring an end to hostilities and establish peace proves the point that the UN is fast losing its relevance in the new international order in which regional coalition of countries proves more effective.

NATO promises but does not deliver to the extent it ought to given the fact the US, one of its key members, is still the only official superpower since the disintegration of the USSR in the 1990’s. China is similarly being emboldened and the stakes for the Indo-Pacific region are high where Chinese aggression is relentless creating a threat perception for the littoral nations in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Since both China and Russia do not subscribe to democratic ideology and are for all practical purposes authoritarian regimes, it all the more necessitates that the world’s real democracies should act in unison to create conditions which obviate the need for war to settle international disputes. And of course besides conventional wars that play out, there are other emerging arenas of war such as cyber warfare which can inflict irreparable damages in a highly globalised and cyber network-oriented world. Pathogenic warfare, infamously known as biological warfare, may be waiting in the wings to wreak havoc anytime given the arsenal of pathogens that most powerful countries of the world, including the

US, keep handy. In this backdrop, the recent Australia-India relationship has emerged as one of positive transformations as both the countries have thus far been confronted with common challenges internationally, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. Both the countries are liberal democracies and therefore are on a common platform ideologically, based on their shared values for rule-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific for shaping the future of this region. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to realise that the world is increasingly aiming for a multipolar order rather than a bipolar or a unipolar arrangement. This accords importance to such coalitions as Quad, which has one of its primary objectives to contain the burgeoning power of China and its possible aspiration for global hegemony, hitherto enjoyed only by the US. It is heartening to see the flourishing of Australia-India relationship since the coming to power of the Modi-led NDA government in India. Under the new Australian leadership of Prime Minister Albanese the relationship between the two nations may reach a new dimension of mutual cooperation and trust with a renewed interest between both the countries in increasing the frequency and numbers of people-to-people contact as well. The recent visit of India’s External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar to Canberra to attend the Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue, which was his second visit to this country, is a sign of the great diplomatic significance that India’s foreign policy has given to Canberra in recent times. Both the countries perceive that regional cooperation such as Quad is more pragmatic in dealing with regional challenges, rather than clamouring for assistance from big international entities. Dr Jaishankar met Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stating categorically, as all democracies ought to do to each other, India’s priorities as “freedom of navigation in international waters, in promoting connectivity, growth and security for all”. In her statement, Minister Wong reiterated the common interest that the two countries shared in the “region being stable and prosperous and respectful of sovereignty, where countries are not required to choose sides but make their own sovereign choices”. These statements have cemented Australia-India relations for the future based on a firm understanding of each other’s domestic compulsions and international positions. Democracies, nay real ones, act with transparency even in implementing their foreign policy imperatives. New Delhi’s clarion call is loud and clear; for safeguarding the interests of all countries in the Indo-Pacific region in particular and in the larger global landscape in general, Australia and India must forge and sustain very strong ties based on a shared vision between the two countries in the light of Chinese aggressive aspirations in the region. Therefore Canberra, in recognition of the significance of this relationship, accorded a warm welcome to the Indian minister with its lighting up of the old Parliament House recently. In Minister Wong’s words, who very aptly sums up the bilateral relations as “our partnership is a demonstration that we understand that this period of change is best navigated together”. By Major General S.B. Asthana

Xi Jinping, the ‘Core leader’, has unveiled his new Politburo Standing Committee inducting with four new loyalists, retiring Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, in his unprecedented third term. Elimination of four Politburo Standing Committee members, the highest decision-making body in China, from the list of members of the new Central Committee, which oversees the party’s 97 million members indicates Xi’s complete overhaul of top hierarchy. The Central Committee, with around 200 full members, reports to the 25-member Politburo (now reduced to 24 members), which is headed by the Politburo Standing Committee. All these bodies have majority of Xi’s men (No women). Historically, whenever a dictator’s ambition exceeded the bounds of worldwide toleration, it resulted in catastrophe for the nation and its people, who had given him encouragement through their mute toleration. Xi maintains tight control despite China’s economy performing relatively poorly compared to its last three predecessors, the unpopular “zero covid” policy, the failing BRI, infrastructure failures, the unfavourable international environment, and some discernible protest. He also disproves those who advocated the implosion theory for China and even imagined a coup against him. He would have naturally made some shrewd decisions in his favour to acquire the level that no one other than Chairman Mao Zedong did in China. Xi has risen, but the question remains, “Is China rising?”

Xi: An Overambitious Dictator?

Reminding China about century of humiliation, Xi began his tenure by selling dreams to lift Chinese out of poverty and toward a developed society with Chinese characteristics and set timetables. In that he pushed through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a crusader to lead global infrastructure development, with recent offer to build an ‘open global economy’. It has increased global footprints/investments of China, hoping it to serve as growth engine for his country to fulfil Chinese dream to build a “moderately prosperous society and realize national rejuvenation”. Internationally he tried to project himself as the crusader for new and just international order, to check the hegemony of West especially US (Despite junking the ruling of PCA and violating UNCLOS), and now declared ‘new choice for humanity’ based on ‘scientific socialism’ and ‘Chinese wisdom’. He did everything possible to make himself great, under the banner of ‘Making China Great’. He now promises ‘incomparable glory’ to China and seems to assume that Chinese people will accept him, without worthwhile checks and balances. Post 19th Congress of CPC, China enshrined the “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and ideas like BRI in the Chinese constitution. The 20th Congress of CPC has added “new achievements” under Xi’s leadership, as “new developments” in the past five years to it. He continues to hold all levers of power through number of crucial appointments to include Chairman of reorganised CMC, Politburo Standing Committee and the President (to be formally endorsed in March 23 in Annual Legislative Session), with his loyalists holding top hierarchy, to rein PLA for him. His anti-corruption drive was most popular amongst masses seeing powerful people in jail, besides systematically eliminating the entire dissenting elements and possible competitors.

Is the Pot Really Boiling?

Proponents of ‘Implosion Theory’ for China will like to believe that the disgruntlement stoked by economic slowdown, Zero Covid policy pressures at grassroot level, banking failures, bankruptcy of infrastructure giants triggering housing scams, coupled with the strictest possible personal surveillance measures has created a pressure cooker kind of situation with very strong lid on top. The legal system stands hostage to party leadership to give strength to the boiling pot theory. After assuming power in 2012 with a GDP growth of 7.9 per cent, Xi oversaw China’s subsequent economic decline. His detractors in the CPC believe that his actual accomplishments do not merit his ascension to the rank of Mao, but the unsatisfied elements and lobby groups are kept in control by his extensive surveillance because questioning Xi ‘The Core’ is anti-national and results in imprisonment. Dissent has no place in “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” according to Xi, who has made this clear by establishing the watchdog body “National Supervisory Commission” and putting the National Security Law into effect. Xi is aware of the internal difficulties mentioned above, as well as the fact that China has highly educated society with many of its citizens touring other democratic nations, who increasingly understand the realities of freedom. Significant internal concerns surround some of his actions, such as imposing restrictions on religious practises and forcing abortions on Uyghurs in Xinjiang, requiring Christians to replace images of Jesus Christ with those of Xi Jinping in order to receive government benefits, engaging in social engineering and mental profiling, and using force to try to suppress democratic ideas.

Smart Management of Boiling Pot!

In order to quell internal dissent, Xi has deftly constructed a narrative of himself as a crusader against Western hegemony, reminding everyone of centuries of humiliation, igniting nationalism within the country by playing the victim card to responses to his aggressive actions in the Taiwan Strait, South and East China Seas, and Himalayas, and the need to unite under his strong leadership as the national need, overriding all other concerns. In his opening statement to the 20th Congress, his overemphasis on “security” and “struggle” supports the notion that China is the victim of external aggression. It is possible to interpret Xi’s actions, forcing students to read Xi’s thoughts (the equivalent of Mao’s Red Book), as an attempt to brainwash people into blindly believing in him. His propaganda machinery has been able to build a narrative that despite certain pitfalls, the Chinese system of governance is better than more chaotic democracies which remain embroiled in protests, recording slower growth in last few decades. Dealing Uyghurs with iron hand he has also built a narrative to majority of Han Chinese staying in South-eastern half of the country that he has been able to give them secure environment with hardly any terrorist activities, unlike most democratic countries. The strict censorship of media and internet, mental profiling, electronic isolation of thoughts and the fear of harsh crackdown on dissenters has helped him to minimize unrests/ disagreements. Xi has been able to manage that the ‘Hate America’ sentiments echo more strongly than ‘anti- Xi’ sentiments in China. His military expansion and built up has also been projected as ‘Making China strongest ever’ as a lead over other predecessors since Mao’s era. In fact, Xi has pushed his country to a state where there is only one leader and rest everyone else is a worker. Future of China under over-ambitious Xi CPC’s 20th Congress applauding Hong Kong’s transition from “chaos to governance” and adding “opposing and containing Taiwan independence” to its constitution convinces Xi that his aggressive posture has paid him well and might continue to serve his interest well. His reiteration that PLA would be a world class army by centenary 2027 with a strong system of strategic deterrence and new domain forces indicates growth of strategic arsenal to improve deterrence against US led West. The Chinese dream of “Rejuvenation” and Xi Jinping’s goal of a “Prosperous Developed Society” with a “War Winning Modern PLA” by 2049 could have been achieved if he had not gone into overdrive with his aggressiveness, opening multiple fronts to oust the US as the world’s superpower by unfairly exploiting pandemic. In accordance with Xi’s plan for ‘Making China Great Again’, China accelerated its incremental encroachment strategy in its peripheral regions. This gave him the confidence to aggressively use the pandemic to accomplish all of his goals ahead of schedule without having the means to defend its international shipping outside of its eastern seaboard. Although the US did not respond to his fire power demonstration around Taiwan during Nancy Pelosi’s visit, China is still affected by restrictions on semiconductor chips, microprocessors, and other trade restrictions. With the kind of global anger he has generated against his regime in last few years, the world has realised the need for diversification of global factory, along with economic distancing from China. Xi realises it, is evident from his statement “China cannot develop without the world, and the world also needs China”. Xi appears to be advocating for capacity building to fight against economic coercion of West and desire for alternate financial system. Notwithstanding above, Xi has done well for himself, but pushed his country on a collision path with democracies, which might lead to its decline unless Chinese people wake up and shake up CPC to protect their dreams.

How does it affect India?

In CPC’s 20th Congress “Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military” was also added to the party’s constitution, making it the only leader with military term named after him in the constitution. Xi Jinping’s pitch for shaping security posture deterring and managing conflicts and winning local wars impact India and Taiwan directly. His attempt to stir up nationalism out of the Ladakh standoff was confirmed by the film about the Galwan episode being shown to all delegates, which appears to have helped him calm down domestic rage. The overplaying of the Taiwan problem follows the same logic. He will be inspired to maintain a tough posture on both fronts as a result. From Indian perspective, notwithstanding Xi Jinping’s rhetoric, this is the time when Beijing is under maximum external and internal pressure since last few decades. If Beijing continues with its arrogance, it will invite further pressure. India should push for border settlement or demarcation of LAC now, as the political cost of resolving the border/ LAC may be lesser than maintaining an active front with India for China. India should not settle down with token disengagement, because unless the LAC is demarcated the stand-offs will continue. For the time being India should not blink at the borders and continue capacity building.

(Major General S.B. Asthana is a strategic and security analyst, a veteran Infantry General. He is the Chief Instructor, United Service Institution of India. The views expressed are personal)

Sunak’s first speech shows that many challenges ahead

By Asad Mirza

The Conservative Party of the UK showed a lot of grit in finalising the name of Rishi Sunak, as the new prime minister of the country very quickly, bringing an end to Liz Truss’s short tenure as the prime minister riddled with bad decisions. Rishi Sunak has become the UK’s 57th prime minister, the first prime minister to be a British Asian, the first Hindu, and the richest person to have held the office. Former prime minister David Cameron had exuded confidence in 2014 when he had prophesied to see a British Asian taking on his role his lifetime. Lo and behold, the words came true in just eight years. The Conservative Party selected the newest British prime minister in just four days, after the previous prime minister Liz Truss’s resignation on October 20. Her shortest 44 days tenure left behind a trail of rising inflation, rising borrowing costs and predicted deficits on a massive scale, which will likely require either significant tax increases, spending cuts or both. The last chapter of Liz Truss’s tenure unfolded on the same lines as it happened during the last days of the previous prime minister Boris Johnson. In BoJo’s case the crisis was precipitated by the resignation of his then Chancellor of Exchequer, Rishi Sunak and in Truss’s case it snowballed after the resignation of her Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Rishi Sunak after getting an invite from King Charles III to form the next government tweeted that he’ll fulfil promises listed in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto in 2019, saying: “I will deliver on (our manifesto’s) promise. A stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, control of our borders, protecting our environment, supporting our armed forces, levelling up, and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit where businesses invest, innovate and create jobs.” Sunak acknowledged that in light of everything that has transpired, he still has work to do to rebuild confidence. He declared: “I’m not daunted.” He also said he understands the strain of the high position and that he’ll not leave the next generation with a “debt to settle that we were too weak to pay ourselves”. In his first speech as UK prime minister, Sunak declared that his administration would uphold integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level and pledged economic stability and increasing public’s confidence in the government. But his most important task would be to unite a governing party that is riven with divisions, apart from tackling a mounting economic crisis, a warring political party and a deeply divided country. The Conservative Party, despite having suffered a series of recent by-election defeats, still maintains a working parliamentary majority of 71, meaning that Britain’s next general election could conceivably come as late as January 2025. Apart from the demands of the opposition’s Labour Party, other voices are also increasing in intensity demanding the Conservatives to go in for a general election. In fact, Sunak has become a prime minister without the public support, as he was voted to be an MP not a PM. Meanwhile in India, the news of Sunak becoming the prime minister on the auspicious day of Diwali was greeted with joy. The social media exploded in a series of accolades for Sunak, his family and his in-laws. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030,” referring to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) struck between the two countries and which was expected to be signed and delivered last week, before Diwali. Meanwhile, India’s arch rival Pakistan’s public also laid claim to Sunak, describing him as a Pakistani, as his parents belonged to Gujranwala, now in Pakistan. Twitterati even urged the Pakistani government to lay claim to him as a Pakistani. India has high hopes from Sunak to change the dimensions of the bilateral relationship. But Indian politicians need to understand that Sunak is not an Indian by birth and his outlook is more attuned to being a British citizen. His Britishness helped him to achieve professionally as a banker and as a politician, what he is today. So his total outlook towards India would be a pragmatic one, not an emotional one. One can’t see him undoing what his predecessors had done in the past. But perhaps a new king and a new prime minister might be able to start a new chapter in the bilateral relations and may change the overall view of the British policy towards India and Indians in the UK. Only time would tell.

Srinagar, Oct 16 (IANS) The abrogation of its special status together with the downgrading of J&K to the status of a union territory in August 2019 evoked both anger and shock in Kashmir. Delhi had done with one stroke what seemed impossible to the common Kashmiri. He had prided himself on his special place in the polity of Indian states for over seven decades. While he could buy land and establish business anywhere else in the country, none from other states of India had the privilege of establishing residence or business in J&K. Indian Parliament had done away with this sense of special citizenship of Kashmiris. Pakistan believed that the development had all it needed to focus international attention on Kashmir. From the United Nations to the US, Pak Premier cried wolf. Imran Khan did his best to prove himself as the great champion of Kashmir’s secession from India. Pakistan tried its influence on China and the Muslim countries to create unease for India internationally. Internally, Pakistan believed hell would break loose in Kashmir. Delhi had put all separatist and Pro-India regional players like those of the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party under arrest. If separatism needed a bigger spark, Pakistan believed that the historic movement had come. To the pleasant surprise of the Indian government and total bewilderment of Pakistan, Kashmir did not explode after the abrogation of its special status. Cynics said that the people were under shock even to decide their reaction to the unexpected development. Pakistan tried to console itself that the recovery from the perceived shock would result in a turbulence Delhi could hardly handle. Nothing even remotely close to Pakistan’s expectations and hope happened. To keep its hope alive, Islamabad’s so-called eyes and ears in Kashmir, those were puppets on the string at the hands of the ISI said India had cracked down heavily with ubiquitous deployment of security forces and a blanket ban on Internet and other means of expression. The expected ‘upheaval’ was waiting for a breather to explode, Pakistan and its supporters in Kashmir strongly believed in this. Three years after the abrogation of its special status, curbs on the Internet are no longer there. Presence of the security forces has stopped interference with the civilian movement. A general sense of ease and normalcy has returned to the Valley. The people of Kashmir have shocked Pakistan. Secessionist violence has been reduced to a few incidents of encounters between armed militants and the security forces. Violence has moved from the centre stage to the flanks. Secessionist feelings have become an aberration. Common Kashmiri has decided to move on. Education of children, developmental activities, sports, tourism, horticulture, handicrafts, white water rafting, trekking, hiking, family outings, entertainment, cinema, music and social get togethers have returned to the Valley. Fear has been replaced by hope. Kashmiris appear to have decided that they will reclaim their special status by distinguishing themselves in civil service exams, competitive sports and entrepreneurship in business, horticulture and agriculture. Khalid, 18, belongs to a middle class rural family of north Kashmir. He played football whenever stone pelting and separatist called shutdowns permitted him to do so till 2019. In three years after 2019, the boy has been chosen to play for ‘Real Kashmir’ football club thanks to the initiative of the UT’s government. His younger brother, encouraged by Khalid’s achievement is now training himself to play for the under 19 cricket team of the country. Kashmiri youth have been making it to the coveted IAS/IPS services of the country. Students belonging to remote areas of Ganderbal, Badgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Kupwara and Baramulla have made it to the country’s top civil services. After the relaxation of the civil servants deputation rules, most of the local boys and girls allotted to IAS/IPS/IRS and other cadres of other Indian states have been deployed to J&K after abrogation of Article 370. Baramulla, Srinagar, Pulwama and some other districts have local district magistrates. For a change, Kashmiris seem to have decided to give up the perceived special status to become their own rulers and masters. Girls from Ganderbal, Bandipora, Badgam, Anantnag and other districts have distinguished themselves at national and international levels in Karate, kickboxing, Judo, Taekwondo, etc. The separatist diktat to restrict girls to veil and wall has been smashed with Kashmiri girls distinguishing themselves in sports, fashion designing, hospitality industry, music and fine arts. Retardation of over 30 years imposed by the separatists on their education and progress has been replaced by the velocity of the local girls’ desire to excel in all fields and control their own destiny. Mehvish Zargar is now the first female cafe entrepreneur of Kashmir. Yasmeena of Baramulla district has become the chef at a local restaurant and she has distinguished herself as the ‘Cake girl of Kashmir’. Rukhsana of Chanapora in Srinagar has set up the first cloud kitchen in Kashmir.A Nasreena of Sopore has opened the ‘Al-Kareem’ restaurant where local cuisine called ‘Wazwan’ is served alongside Chinese and continental food. Families have started outings on a scale that definitely indicates Kashmir’s return to entertainment with a bang. As Kashmir had an unprecedented tourist flow in 2022, locals were not left out in numbers that visited Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Doodhpathri and a dozen other tourist spots during this year. Hoteliers, taxi operators, houseboat owners, Shikarawallahs on the Dal and Nigeen Lakes, all have done good business this year because of the large number of tourists visiting the Valley now. Commerce has replaced shutdowns imposed by the separatists. Kashmir has not observed a single day of separatist called shutdown and protest since August 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated. Families are going to the multiplex cinema opened a month back in Srinagar. Small cinema halls have also come up in some other districts. The intention of the separatists and their sponsors across the border to keep Kashmiris on a tight leash has been defeated. Kashmiris have broken loose from the psychological shackles imposed on them through violence and fear. The Government of India intends to hold the Assembly elections in J&K by the spring of 2023.

Coimbatore car blast: Five arrested, NIA likely to takeover probe

Chennai, Oct 25 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Police have arrested five people in the Coimbatore car blast case in which one person was killed, said officials here on Tuesday, adding that the case is likely to be taken over by National Investigation Agency (NIA). The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Talka, Mohammed Azharuddin, Mohamed Navas Ismail, Mohammed Riyas and Firoze Ismail. Sources in the Tamil Nadu Police investigation team, which is probing the case, told IANS that the probe has been extended to Kerala. The probe team said that Mubin had been to Viyyur central jail and had met Mohammed Azharuddin, an accused in a terror related case. A team of senior officers of the Tamil Nadu Police were in Kerala for further investigation. Tamil Nadu Director General of Police C. Sylendra Babu met the investigation team led by Additional Director General of Police, Thamarakannu at Coimbatore on Monday and discussed the progress of the case. An explosion happened at 4 a.m. on Sunday near the famous Eeswaran temple at Ukkadam. The body of a 25-year-old youth Jameesha Mubin was recovered from the blast site. Ukkadam is a highly sensitive area of Coimbatore and was the centre of action in the 1996 Coimbatore blasts leading to the death of 56 people and injuring more than 200. Mohammed Talka, who has been arrested in the case, is the son of Navas Khan, who is the brother of the main accused in the Coimbatore blasts. Police said that after the recovery of nails and marbles from the accident site, it was suspected that the deceased was planning to make a low intensity device. The raids at the residence of the deceased found potassium nitrate and sulphur and this led to further investigation and probe on the involvement of other people in the conspiracy. After questioning, the police have arrested five men. Tamil Nadu Police officers told IANS that the probe was likely to be taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Opposition parties, AIADMK and BJP, have come out strongly against the failure of the state police. The AIADMK interim general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the mediapersons that whenever the DMK assumes power in the state such things happen, and charged that the law and order situation in the state has hit a new low . BJP leader and state president K.Annamalai has come out strongly against the DMK government and state police and demanded an NIA probe.

Diwali day shocker: Leopard kills 16-month-old toddler in Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 24 (IANS) In a shocking tragedy on Diwali day, a leopard mauled a 16-month-old girl at the Aarey Colony, and she died later at a BMC hospital, officials said. Confirming the incident, Sanjay Gandhi National Park Director G. Mallikarjun said it happened around 6 a.m. at the Unit No. 15 inside the forested Aarey Colony in Goregaon east. A leopard pounced on and seriously injured the victim, Eitika Akhilesh Lot, even as locals raised an alarm. The bleeding and seriously hurt child was rushed to the Seven Hills Hospital but she succumbed to her injuries soon afterwards. At the time of the incident, she was reportedly going to a local temple along with her mother. After performing an autopsy, the toddler’s body was handed over to her distraught family which completed the last rites later in the day, even as the police are probing the matter. Shaken by the tragedy, the forest authorities said they have installed 12 camera traps in the area of incident to monitor the leopard movements and patrolling has started from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park along with Aarey volunteers groups. On account of Diwali, many children would be enjoying themselves in the open spaces, lighting up crackers, and the SGNP staff are appealing to the people to exercise caution and not allow the kids to venture outside during night or early morning. This is the second incident of its kind in Aarey Colony in October and earlier this month, a 4-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a leopard during the Navratri festival, and around a dozen persons have suffered leopard attacks in the past one year.

Men make videos as injured minor cries for help in UP’s Kannauj

Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh), Oct

25 (IANS) A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped and then found dumped, drenched in blood behind the Dak Bangla guest house in Kannauj. A video of the incident that has gone viral on social media shows bystanders busy filming the grievously injured girl, instead of helping her. The girl had multiple injuries, including on her head. In the video, the girl can be seen trying to reach out for help by raising her hand, but her appeals go unanswered. The video shows a group of men with their mobile phones in their hands, filming her from different angles. The onlookers can be heard asking whether the police were informed. Another asked for the police chief’s number. But the filming continued with no attempts to help the girl. The girl had to wait for help until the police arrived. A second video, which also went viral, showed the local police outpost in-charge rushing towards an autorickshaw with the injured girl in his arms. Superintendent of Police Kunwar Anupam Singh said, “The minor girl was found injured and the local police rushed her to the hospital for treatment.” A case has been registered under the relevant sections based on a complaint by the girl’s family, he said. It is not clear if the girl was sexually assaulted. No arrests have been made in the case yet. According to the girl’s family, she had gone out to buy a piggy bank in the afternoon. When she did not return home till the evening, her parents mounted a search for her. The girl was found behind the guest house, drenched in blood and traumatised. The victim was later taken to the district hospital where a doctor examined her and referred her to Kanpur keeping in view her critical condition. The local residents alleged that the girl was gang-raped and dumped there. However, the police are denying the claim of residents. Gursahaiganj police station incharge Manoj Pandey said it was too early to arrive at any conclusion and the police were waiting for the girl to give a statement.

Kashmir a ‘separate country’ in Class 7 exam in Bihar govt school, BJP slams Nitish govt

Patna, Oct 19 (IANS) A question paper in a Bihar government school termed Kashmir as a “separate country” triggering a political war in the state. The question was asked to the students of Class 7 last week in the minority dominant Araria, Purnea and Kishanganj districts, and came to the fore after the BJP took it up. The Number 1 question of the English paper had five fill-in-theblank sub-questions. The question asked was, “What are the people of the following countries called? One is done for you.” The question had five options on China, Nepal, England, ‘Kashmir’ and India. Reacting to this, the BJP attacked the Nitish Kumar government. Sanjay Jaiswal slammed JD(U)-RJD combine and said that they are the supporters of Popular Front of India (PFI). “I have posted my comment on Facebook on Tuesday and removed it later on to respect the law of India government,” he said. The officials of Bihar believe that Kashmir is a separate country just like China, Nepal, England and India,” Jaiswal said. “Thinking and ideology of Nitish Kumar has become similar to that of Sharjeel Imam. He is desperate to become prime minister of the country and is misleading the children of Class 7 with anti-national questions. The Bihar government will soon ask questions on the PFI agenda of 2047 and its officers will ask the people to avoid highlighting the issue,” Jaiswal said. “This question was asked in Purnea, Araria and Kishanganj districts. I am leaving this question to the people of Bihar to decide where this government is heading,” he said.

Ex-Kerala Speaker mulls legal action against Swapna Suresh

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25

(IANS) Stung by the fresh revelation by the prime accused in the gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh, former Speaker and top CPI-M leader P. Sreeramakrishnan on Tuesday said he will speak to party officials and take legal steps besides dealing this politically also. In her recent revelation, Swapna said former state Minister Kadkampally Surendran, presently a legislator, and Sreeramakrishnan used to send her lewd messages and asked her to come to them, while former state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac dropped indirect hints to her. “I have not sent messages to anyone and is it possible to invite her to my official residence where my entire family and aged mother lives and not to mention several staff members. In the past also a lot of baseless allegations were aired against me and all know what happened to them. So I will deal with the present onslaught legally, after speaking to my party and also politically,” said Sreeramakrishnan. In 2020, while being in office Sreeramkrishnan was questioned by the central agencies. Sreeramakrishnan, who turns 55 next month, was a two-time legislator representing Ponnani, but did not get a nomination in the 2021 Assembly polls. After the Chief Minister retained office, Sreeramakrishnan was made the chairman of the state run RootsNorka, a body that looks after the welfare of the Kerala diaspora.