Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with South African President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria on Friday. PTI

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 8

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached out to South Africa on the second leg of his Africa tour and recalled Mahatama Gandhi and Nelson Mandela saying the duo connected the two nations.Defence and security co-operation was high on agenda as well as increased co-operation at international forums. South African President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to visit Goa later this year to attend BRICS Summit, an event that will provide both the leaders another chance to discuss various issues. Interestingly, Zuma did not explicitly endorse India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UNSC, but said South Africa would work with India on reforming the council. The issue of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) also came up since South Africa was among those nations that had objected to process-related procedures for India’s entry. Modi “thanked the President for South Africa’s support for India’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group”. In a joint statement issued at the end of the talks, Modi reiterated India’s commitment to comply with NSG guidelines and continued commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament. “Beyond economic ties and links of business, trade and investment, we can also partner in defence and security,” Modi said in Pretoria after holding delegation-level talks with Zuma. Terrorism was another topic discussed between the two leaders.

LEST my kin takes recourse to singing paeans of my moderate accomplishments in life, I thought it prudent to write my own obituary. History is replete with such instances: Shah Jahan got his grave constructed next to his beloved wife’s at the Taj Mahal; his successor, the cruel  Aurangzeb, a modest earthen grave at Daultabad; and Alexander the Great  kept his empty hands hanging out of the coffin. All of them were conquerers and emperors and had their wishes fulfilled, whereas I am Shakespeare’s “a poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more”. So, I prefer Ghalib’s “Hue kyon yun marke ruswa, hue kyon na gharq-e-dariya; na kahin janaza uthta na kahin mazar hota” (Why in death did I have to suffer such humiliation; why I had been not swallowed by a river, as there would have been no funeral nor a grave).Obituaries often cover up what would otherwise be worthless and embarrassing — to say only kind words even if it tantamount to being  PB Shelly’s Ozymandias “whose frown and wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command tell that its sculptor well those passions read which yet survive, stamp’d on these lifeless things, the hand that mock’d them and heart that fed”, and the pride… “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: look on my works and despair!” I am the child born just before India became free, beginning a ‘once upon riches’ story traversed long distances under fire and piercing knives from Lahore and Shimla to Chandigarh. Facing scarcity of everything, except hard work, self-respect, faith and never-say-die spirit, my parents endured hardships and put me in an English-medium school, emphasisng on character building, integrity and personal sacrifice. Mediocre at studies and sports, both in school and college, I adored some of the great personalities of that era and their profound thoughts: Gandhi’s My Experiments with Truth and the Gita; Rudyard Kipling’s If; Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you” speech; Patton’s “No bastard ever won war by dying for his country”; Churchill’s ‘victory’ sign. I continued to be realistic and dreamy; dominating but flexible; firm but angry; upright and scheming; pure and not-so-pure; virtuous and vile; but ever introspecting and trying to improve myself.In the aftermath of the 1962 defeat at the hands of China and the betrayal by Pakistan in 1965, I resolved to join the Army — for a promising, bright future. Participating in the 1971 war with Pakistan, at a place where we lost ground, though remorseful, I too joined the victory lap at the dismemberment of Pakistan. A career that had its highs and lows — nothing very creditable — but lent leadership, sincerity of purpose, selflessness and personal sacrifice.No regrets — no worthwhile social service, no castles built, no bank balance. A simple family man full of love and concern, I have nothing very substantial to leave behind except good wishes and blessings for my lineage, my admirers and my detractors;  peacefully fading away like a soldier of Douglas MacArthur.

Anwar Akhtar
A positive sign is that Pakistan is seeing a downturn in violence. If only the state would give up its obsession with ‘strategic depth’, ‘enemy is India’ and the good Taliban/bad Taliban equation.

IN SHADOW OF DEATH: Women walk past a wall with portraits of people killed in a 2013 bombing in Karachi. REUTERS

HOW do you measure social progress in Pakistan? Where to begin? The economy? Growing according to some indicators. Property speculation? Also up, especially in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.A quick look at Pakistan’s many social ills — inequality, poverty, street children, gender inequality, law and order breakdown, violence against women, corruption, weak governance — tells you to spin around Clinton’s famous line. It’s not just the economy, stupid. It’s more than that.So how do you measure social progress in Pakistan? Something a colleague has been asking me for a while, given my work on The Samosa media project on human rights and culture in Britain and Pakistan. That colleague is Michael Green, director of the www.socialprogressimperative.org. This organisation has now gone further in answering this question, for all countries, with their annual Social Progress Index (SPI).The 2016 SPI has confirmed just how bad things are in Pakistan. It defines social progress as: “The capacity of a society to meet the basic human needs of its citizens, establish… building blocks… to enhance and sustain the quality of their lives… reach their full potential.”Awful news for Pakistan. Of 133 countries in the Social Progress Index for 2016, Pakistan ranks 113th. India is 98th and Bangladesh 101st. The ranking for tolerance and inclusion is even worse — Pakistan comes 132nd of 133.As someone with family in Pakistan, who has spent a lot of time in Pakistan and has a lot of love for Pakistan, I try to take the glass-half-full scenario. Karachi is a great economic engine, a megacity of huge potential. I’m full of admiration for countless welfare and charitable networks — Edhi Foundation, the Citizen’s Foundation, Human Rights Commission Pakistan, KVTC Karachi, Simorgh Women’s Welfare Project, Azad Street Children Welfare and Care Pakistan, to name a few — that work tirelessly to alleviate poverty, provide education and justice for the poor.The message from the SPI table for 2016 is terrible. Pakistan is staring into the abyss, a perfect storm of rapid population growth, social injustice, a huge street children population (estimated by the UN at 1.5 million), gender inequality, institutionalised state violence against women and chronic lack of economic opportunities for most people. Yes there’s a growing middle class, but in a county of 200m, too many are left out. The 2016 SPI has confirmed worst fears about how bad things are in Pakistan. Its evidence-based analysis makes difficult reading for those who care about Pakistan. This has to be seen in context. It is hard to plan transport, education and health provision when the Taliban and other hate-fuelled sectarian groups are waging war across the country.There may soon come a point where it becomes impossible to turn things around unless action is taken to address the immediate risks to Pakistan’s future as a state — poverty, lack of education, sectarian hatred and so on. How do you develop transport infrastructure, national schools programme or national health provision in such circumstances?A positive sign, as recently stated, is that Pakistan is seeing a downturn in the violence. Only if the state would stop its failed strategy of ‘strategic depth’, ‘enemy is India’ and the good Taliban/bad Taliban equation. Those in power, the military, billionaire oligarchs, and politicians need to understand that Pakistan is nearing the tipping point to becoming a failed state.There is criticism of Pervez Musharraf’s period as president, including outrageous attacks on civil society and abuse of democracy that ultimately led to his failure. One thing he at least tried — and I am not sure if the current leadership is — was a plan to tackle poverty, the educational crisis and other social ills.What would such a plan entail today? I think it involves raising a most sensitive issue in Pakistan. The country’s military expenditure in 2015 was $9.5 billion. India spent over $30bn in 2016. Nearly all this money goes to the West. It is colonisation by another method. Until this Dr Strangelove madness ends and both countries focus on education, trade, social welfare and peaceful relations, the annual SPI will I fear make ever more upsetting reading for Pakistan. A huge step in the right direction would be to reduce expenditure on missiles and increase it for education, health, housing and transport. Another is for the state to stand against the hate messages against women and minorities in Pakistan, promoted by sectarian parties in Pakistan, by tackling violence against women and protecting minority rights.The writer is director of www.thesamosa.co.uk, a culture and politics site with a focus on Britain and South Asia. (By arrangement with Dawn)

7th Pay Commission Pay Calculator for Defence Personnel

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NEW DELHI: 

A big pay hike for over a crore government employees and pensioners was cleared by the cabinet on Wednesday.

With this raise, several senior government officials will draw a higher salary than lawmakers in Parliament.

Salaries and allowances will rise by at least 23.5 per cent, which had been recommended by the 7th Pay Commission – the panel that decides on government salaries.

The hike – the lowest in the last 70 years – is expected to cost the taxpayer an additional Rs. 1 lakh crore annually, or nearly 0.7 per cent of the GDP.

The move will impact nearly 50 lakh employees and 58 lakh pensioners. The changes will be effective retrospectively from January 1 this year.

The raise is built around a 14.27 per cent hike in basic pay.

Rs. 73,650 crore of the total payout will come from the general budget, while Rs. 28,450 crore will come from the railways.

The previous pay panel had recommended a 20 per cent hike which was eventually doubled when it was implemented in 2008.

Under the new scheme, the maximum salary for a government servant will be about 2.5 lakhs a month, that’s more than double the highest pay of Rs. 90,000  a month.

The move has led to the discontent among the lawmakers who allege disparity with government officers. To address their resentment, the government is also considering a hike in salaries and allowances of lawmakers.

The minimum pay recommendation is Rs. 18,000 per month. This too is more than double of the present Rs. 7,000.

Sources say Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has made provisions for the payout.

Though the government is making an effort to increase revenue by bringing more under the tax net, the payout will reduce its kitty. The Centre also needs about Rs.70,000 crore to meet the One Rank One Pension (OROP) commitment for the armed forces.

On the flipside, the huge payout will boost demand at a time the economy is sluggish.

While some believe additional cash in the market may fuel an inflationary trend, experts say that the impact of the pay hike may become a turning point for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to trigger demand that drives growth investment and profits.

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 27

The recent decision of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to acquire a new set of artillery guns is literally the first “baby step” towards meeting the Army’s artillery modernisation plans drawn up in 1999.The MoD okayed the letter of acceptance that would be delivered to the US supplier, BAE Systems, for 145 ultra light howitzers (ULH) of the 155 mm variety. This was the first formal okay for a 155 mm gun since March 1986 when the Bofors guns were purchased.The Army’s artillery modernisation has ambitious needs. Called the Field Artillery Rationalization Plan, and drawn up in 1999, it talks about acquiring 2,800 guns by 2027. The first step in that direction was taken on Saturday, but the follow-up steps are expected to be rapid.The plan talks about 155 mm guns of all types—that is 1,580 towed guns, 814 truck-mounted guns, 100 tracked self-propelled guns,180 wheeled self-propelled guns and 145 ultra light howitzers.The bulk will come through when mounted guns and towed guns are procured. International companies have been invited for this to join the “Make in India” initiative.To apply for the contract of the 1,580 towed guns, French company Nexter has teamed up with local partner Larsen & Toubro. Israel’s Elbit Systems has partnered with Bharat Forge.In case of the 814 truck-mounted guns, Nexter and L&T have bid, along with Ashok Leyland. TATA has South African gun-maker “The Denel” as its partner.The immediate addition to the artillery gun numbers could come from two separate tenders. First is a “tracked self-propelled” gun mounted on a tank-track type chassis. India plans to buy 100 pieces of this. The MoD is negotiating with the L&T-Samsung combine. The evaluation process is over and the price bids were opened in December 2015.The second will be the indigenous Dhanush gun, based on Bofors design and transfer of technology. The MoD yesterday laid down a stiff time line for the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), its maker, to be ready with six “production-level prototypes” for trials and bulk orders will follow. The Army want to acquire 114 pieces of this.

Says despite China’s objections, NSG process has started on a positive note

New Delhi, June 27

Having taken risky initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India would have to be “alert and conscious” at all times but wondered with whom in Pakistan lines can be drawn for conducting talks—with the elected government or “other actors”.He said India would have to drive home the advantage on the fact that the world has now convinced of its views on terrorism from across the border. India will have to continue putting forth its views on this matter, Modi said.“With whom in Pakistan do we draw the ‘lakshman rekha’ on talks — with an elected government or with other actors? India will have to be alert and conscious at all times. There should not be any laxity and negligence,” he told a news channel.Modi was asked define the “lakshman rekha” for holding talks with Pakistan. In 2014, the government had said talks should be only between the two countries and not with the Hurriyat.The PM said he no longer had to convince the world about India’s stand on terrorism. He has made consistent efforts with the neighbour given his Lahore visit or inviting the Pakistan Prime Minister to India, Modi said.“The world in one voice is praising India’s role. Pakistan is finding it difficult to answer. The world is watching. Earlier, the world would not buy India’s theory on terrorism and sometimes it would even treat terrorism as a law and order problem. Now, the whole world is accepting what India says on terrorism. It is accepting the loss caused to India by terrorism, the loss caused to humanity by terrorism. I believe India will have to continue putting forth its view on this matter,” the PM said. On China objecting to India’s entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Modi exuded confidence that the country would get membership of the bloc and the process for it has begun on a “positive note”.Modi said India had a number of problems with China and efforts were on to resolve them one-by-one through talks.Asked during an interview whether he was disappointed as China blocked India’s bid for membership of the NSG and how close it was to getting it, Modi only said things would move forward as per rules.The PM said successive governments had made consistent efforts for getting membership of the UN Security Council, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and NSG.“First thing is that India has taken up such efforts consistently whichever government was in power — be it membership of UN Security Council, SCO or MTCR or NSG. All of us made efforts.”“It is not only this government which has done this. This is in continuity. It is true that in our tenure, SCO has been achieved, MTCR membership has been achieved. I am fully confident that we have begun efforts in the direction of the NSG (membership), formally.”“The process has begun on a positive note. Everything is governed by its own rules. Things will move forward as per rules,” he said.  “We do not have one problem with China, we have many problems pending with China. Slowly and steadily efforts are on to find solutions to them one-by-one,” he said. — PTIModi speaks his mind on issues facing nation, BJP

BJP Hotheadss

“Heroes should not be made out of hotheads who make extreme comments… The media should also exercise self-restraint while dealing with such people. I see news channels airing statements made by people whose faces I have never seen and they end up hogging the limelight… I fail to understand why such people are encouraged. Don’t make them heroes, they will themselves stop”

Agusta probes

“There is no witch-hunt in the probe into the AgustaWestland chopper deal. Investigating agencies will do a professional job and whatever names come up, let’s see. A sin has been committed and those behind it have had a major protective cover. I can’t deny it and I believe that we have the right to doubt that people behind this are very experienced”

Foreign policys

“The biggest factor that has empowered this foreign policy is that for 30 years, we have had unstable governments without a clear mandate. The world measures a government by the situation it is in its own country. I am thankful to the people of this country that they elected this government with full majority and this has had an impact on world politics” 

Inflations

“You can’t view inflation as an issue of perception. Price rise should be seen as a reality. We will have to accept reality. The fast rate at which inflation was rising under the previous government has decelerated a lot. You can check the statistics, you will find it all”

Povertys

“The poor are the focus of my government’s economic agenda. The poor should be strengthened in such a way that they get the willingness to defeat poverty. By helping the poor make ends meet while they remain in poverty is also one of the ways. I am not saying right or wrong, but it’s one of the ways”

Regrets humourless public life

PM Modi regretted that humour had more or less disappeared from public life as newsmakers feared being misunderstood. He said he earlier used to pepper his speeches with anecdotes laced with humour. But he was now afraid of doing that. “Now I fear… It is a matter of concern,” he said

CHANDIGARH: Naik Saroop Singh, a 105-year-old retired soldier from Kalka, inaugurated integrated veterans’ complex at Chandimandir on Friday. Besides this, a multi-banking complex was also inaugurated by another nonagenarian soldier Hon. Subedar Maj TD Piplani on this occasion.

HT PHOTOLt Gen KJ Singh honouring Naik Saroop Singh (retd) at Chandimandir on Friday.

Later, Western Army Commander, Lt Gen KJ Singh dedicated the integrated veterans’ complex to the ex-servicemen of tri-services settled in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula. The complex will provide a wide range of veterans’ care and support services, and also act as a single point of contact for grievance redressal to the veterans, widows and their wards.

Integrated veterans’ complex comprises of army placement node, Directorate Regional Centre Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Veterans Sahayata Regional Centre, Directorate of Resettlement Western Zone Station, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme Cell, e-lobby and Canteen Stores Department, thereby bringing all essential services under one roof.

Lt Gen K J Singh stressed on the need to strengthen the frame work for veterans’ care and promised support to them.