Intellectuals come out in support of Modi government

NEW DELHI: With the intolerance debate taking centre-stage in the wake of outrage expressed by a section of intelligentsia and return of awards by writers, filmmakers and historians, a set of intellectuals on Thursday issued a detailed statement in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the protests were "much ado about the declining clout of a pampered section". 

The signatories appealed to people not to be diverted by the false narrative and rather focus on achieving unity, progress and growth under Modi's leadership.

The statement - 'Intolerance in Contemporary India' - was signed by 36 intellectuals by Thursday evening. The signatories include many prominent names associated with top institutions across the country.

It said, "India has witnessed a curious spectacle these last few weeks. A section of the nation's intelligentsia has expressed outrage at a perceived mounting intolerance in society. In the forefront are the usual pallbearers of Indic civilization -- Congressmen of various hues, Marxists, Leninists, even a handful of Maoists.

"The target is clear and explicitly stated -- none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who much to their dismay led his party to a clear majority in Parliament. Failure in the elections is now sought to be avenged by other means; it helps if the media (or sections of it) serve as cheerleaders."

Signatories included ICCR president Lokesh Chandra; author, novelist and Sahitya Akademi national fellow S L Bhyrappa; former Pro-VC JNU and chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Antar-rashtriya Hindi Viswavidyalaya, Wardha Kapil Kapoor; professor emeritus at University of Cambridge and ICHR member Dilip K Chakrabarti; and K Gopinath of IISC, Bengaluru.

The signatories appealed to people not to be diverted by the false narrative and rather focus on achieving unity, progress and growth under Modi's leadership.

Though these intellectuals expressed anguish over what happened in Dadri, they questioned how the central government was responsible for this.

"The murder of a resident of Uttar Pradesh, allegedly because he consumed beef, is certainly condemnable, but how is the central government to blame? Uttar Pradesh is a state infamous for violence of every kind. Had the Centre intervened and dismissed the state government under Article 356 of the Constitution, for failure to uphold law, the protest brigade would have found another stick with which to beat it. The murders of Dabholkar and Kalburgi happened in states not ruled by the BJP, yet loose language is bandied about," the statement said.

Referring to the intellectuals who have been vocal recently over the Dadri killing, the statement said, "This same intelligentsia chooses not to remember that there has been no justice for victims of the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984 and the farmers killed in Nandigram in 2007 under Congress and Left governments respectively.

"In fact, when the CPM-led Left Front government, professing to serve the 'proletariat', fired upon and killed innocent farmers, it was a constituent of UPA-1 at the Centre and a close partner of the Congress party. A similar silence followed when in 2010, the hands of Professor T J Joseph, in then CPM-ruled Kerala, were chopped off, simply because of his belief and articulations. There are other sins of commission, too many to list."

Without taking Irfan Habib's name, the statement added, "But the equation of the RSS with the terrorist Islamic State by an AMU scholar is simply breathtaking, it embarrassed intellectuals from his own community. As an eminent scholar of Islam, he would be aware of its own recorded history and the IS's self-documented abuse of human rights, including beheadings and wanton killings, not to mention rape, enslavement et al."

Archaeologist claims human civilization has risen and collapsed countless times since Earth was formed

Archaeologist discovers huge, mysterious pyramid in Bosnia, claims human civilization has risen and collapsed countless times since Earth was formed

October 27th, 2015, by Julie Wilson

The governments of several powerful countries including the United States are trying to discredit what may just be the world’s greatest discovery – the largest and possibly oldest pyramids ever uncovered, and they’re not located in Egypt.

Archeologist Dr. Sam Osmanagich, 55, says he unearthed the largest pyramids the world has ever seen in Visoko, a city in central Bosnia-Herzegovina. Osmanagich, who’s been excavating the site for years says the massive structures were covered by at least a meter of soil and vegetation, leading many to believe they were simply natural hills.

Fascinatingly, Osmanagich said they discovered fossilized leaves atop the pyramid that date back 34,000 years ago. The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, which was believed to be the largest pyramid before Osmanagich’s discovery, dates back less than 5,000 years ago.

“For thousands of years locals have considered those hills to be natural phenomenon because they were cover by one metre of soil and vegetation,” Osmanagich said.

“However, when I first saw their triangular faces, obvious corners and orientation toward the cardinal points, I knew that they had to be constructed by intelligent hands,” he added.

Among his discovery includes the Pyramid of the Sun, standing 220m high, easily dwarfing the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The archaeologist told the Daily Star that he’s discovered a valley of five pyramids, naming them the Sun, Moon, Dragon, Mother Earth and Love.

While critics argue the discovery is hoax and that the hills are just a natural part of Bosnia’s geography shaped into pyramids by wind and water, Osmanagich says that’s impossible as he’s discovered a network of secret underground tunnels that run for more than 10 miles.

“Mega ceramic sculptures have been discovered in the underground labyrinth with a mass of several tons which make them the largest found so far in the ancient world,” Osmanagich said.

“Under every original old pyramid (Shaanxi in China, Giza and Saqqara in Egypt, Teotihuacan and Palenque in Mexico) underground tunnels were built as a part of construction. Same goes for the Bosnian Pyramids.

Similar to other pyramids, newly discovered Bosnian pyramid emits electromagnetic fields from its point

“A Network of tens of kilometers in pre-historic underground tunnels, intersections and chambers are located under the pyramid valley,” he added.

“Our scientific conference on Bosnian Pyramids held in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 have concluded that tunnel complex is pre-historical ingenious construction where electromagnetic fields with high concentration of negative ions have been present.”

Osmanagich says everything we’ve been taught about ancient history is wrong, including the origin of man, civilizations and pyramids. The archaeologist believes that “Our development is not linear but cyclical,” a concept largely supported by unexplained uses of technology throughout ancient history.

The perception that today’s civilization is far more advanced than previous civilizations is incredibly vain, especially since science tells us otherwise. Based on evidence left behind by ancient Egypt, the Mayans and the Sumerians, experts suggest ancient civilizations used electricity, electrochemistry, electromagnetics, metallurgy, hydrogeology, medicine, chemistry and physics.

“Civilizations reach their peaks and global catastrophes wipe them out from the face of the planet. New beginning follows,” Osmanagich says, adding that “We live only in the last civilizational cycle.”

Were pyramids used as modes of communication by ancient civilizations?

“Original pyramids (Giza, biggest Shaanxi in China, Teotihuacan, Bosnia) were used as huge energy machines: they were emitting electromagnetic fields, creating ultrasound and more energy phenomena.

“Most probably they were receivers, as well. Communications between the continents existed tens of thousands of years ago,” says Osmanagich.

Threatened by the public learning a history different than what was originally taught, the “cultural establishment of Bosnia, but also Europe, the U.S. and Egypt, have been doing everything to stop the excavation, writing petitions to Bosnian governments, trying to discredit us on internet sites,” Osmanagich says.

But the truth is still prevailing he added, saying that skeptics have failed to test the site for themselves, offering no evidence to counter his claims.

Osmanagich says 50 years from now that his efforts will be recognized by the scientific majority, and mainstream scientists and their lack of knowledge will be the ones who are laughed at.

The Bosnian pyramids are an “energy device for rejuvenation, regeneration, improvement of the air, water, and food molecular structure,” says Osmanagich.

http://prophecy.news/2015-10-27-archaeologist-discovers-huge-mysterious-pyramid-in-bosnia-claims-human-civilization-has-risen-and-collapsed-countless-times-since-earth-was-formed-2.html

Rahul Gandhi left embarrassed by Bengaluru students,

Rahul Gandhi fumbles for answers to queries from Bengaluru students, left embarrassed


The first outreach programme of Rahul Gandhi, a year-and-half after the Congress was thrown out of power and he occupied opposition benches, at Mount Carmel College in Bangalore left him hugely embarrassed.

By the time the over-an-hour interaction - his opening statement and a question and answer session ended - it was clear that the Congress vice president, who kept on stressing on one word “conversation” with all concerned and position of women in society at large, was clearly out of sync with the popular pulse, at least those in this metropolis.


]Image courtesy: Twitter

The questions were so pointed that Rahul for the first time accepted that GST was a good reformist bill and the Congress would support it if the government was inclined to engage with them and address “three concerns” including capping of taxes proposed in the bill.

Rahul seemed ill-prepared to handle questions which came from the young girls. It was part of the format of the programme. Unfortunately for him, the big embarrassing moment came when responding to his question whether the Swachh Bharat campaign was working the students responded with a loud “Yes”.

Surprised by the response, he said he would ask a different question: “You think Make in India is good”? Again there was a loud “Yes” for answer. Rahul was clearly stumped not just by their approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India programme but also the ferocity with which the students responded. “You think so!” he said. Then he asked: do you think youth are getting jobs in India? The answer was a mix of ‘Yes' and ‘No'. But Rahul heard 'No' for all the three questions he asked. He then added that BJP idea had not worked.

This session must be particularly revealing to Rahul and the Congress because for the better part of his opening statement he had blasted the prime minister, the BJP and the RSS. He kept on targeting Modi, saying the government at the Centre was being run by one man and the PMO was controlling it all. By contrast, he (Rahul) stood for dialogue, discussion conversation. He also said in the early part of his life he had been mostly in the company of women - grandmother, mother and sister - and realised that problem in this country was that the women did not get the respect and position they deserved.

But the kind of questions that came indicated that the most girls were not convinced with Rahul's argument on goodness of the Congress party and evilness of Modi and the BJP.

Interestingly, after he came out of the convention hall, he told media persons that he got no clear view on Swachh Bharat. “Half of them said nothing has happened, some said something has happened.” On Make in India, he said most said “No”, some said ‘'Yes”. The Congress vice-president was perhaps unmindful of the fact that his interaction was broadcast live on all national channels, apparently on feed provided by his party itself.

Sample the questions that came to Rahul from young girl students. The first question from a girl from North-East was: Why no conversation was held with Iron Sahrmila during her years long fast?

Second, you talk about Suit Boot (Modi) government but what's wrong with that if it brings development and achieves economic growt?

Third, GST, an important economic reform bill was piloted by the Congress but why is the party stalling it when it is moved by the BJP?
Fourth, why is the opposition stalling Parliament merely for opposing the government?

Fifth, why the youth was going either to the BJP or to the AAP and not to the Congress party?

Sixth, does aligning with the RJD in Bihar not mean that the Congress is compromising with corruption?

Seven, why after several years of Congress rule both at the centre and in states, North-East has been left neglected (the girl asking question referred to a particular stretch in Assam).

Such questions continued. Rahul response was not very coherent. He blamed Modi government for all the prevailing ills. For N-E alienation, he blamed the Modi government for withdrawing special status category to these states. For aligning with Lalu he deviated to say prime minister was killing RTI and to Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He did refer to Digvijaya Singh about half a dozen times.

He obviously had a rough landing at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, a place which could have provided him an ideal launching pad to set the “intolerance” agenda against the Modi government in motion for the Winter Session which starts on Thursday.
http://www.firstpost.com/politics/rahul-gandhis-embarrassment-in-bengaluru-is-food-for-thought-which-he-can-consume-at-leisure-2521066.html

4 Lesser Known Ways to Save Tax

4 Lesser Known Ways to Save Tax

Gain from Permitted Tax Strategies not Evasive Loopholes

Every year, when the time comes to file taxes, it’s an itchy interlude, when most of us are filled with anxiety about the deductions that are going to burn a hole in our pockets.

Here are five subtly obvious ways you can save tax.

#1: Gain from capital losses by balancing it off

Did you know you could balance short term losses against long term capital gains? Short term capital losses such as that incurred from investing in stocks can be set against long term capital gains like that gained from debt funds or sale property.

For instance, you've paid off the home loan and sold the property for a profit of Rs. 40 lakh. At 25%, the amount of tax payable is Rs 10 lakh. In the same year, however, if you have sold stocks at a short term loss of Rs. 4 lakh, then your taxable amount will be Rs. 36 lakh.

Proof Required - Ensure you keep the statement of your trading account, including the details of transactions for which you have incurred losses.

#2: Learn More to Save on Educational Expenses

Increasing cost of education is a major concern for parents. In the case of education, the taxman is relatively favorable.

Under Section 80C and 80E, interest on educational loans for children as well as spouses (excluding relatives and siblings) is deductible from taxable income for the first eight years.

Proof Required – For claims on interest paid on education loans, you need to present your loan account statement as proof.

#3: Lighten the weight of medical expenses on illness of dependants

The taxman understands that in circumstances where a dependent is chronically ill, medical expenses can weigh down taxpayers. Therefore, under Section 80DDB, an annual deduction of INR 40,000 or INR 60,000 for senior citizen dependents can be claimed.

Deductions can be claimed on only certain diseases, some of which include, advanced stage of AIDS, hematological disorders such as hemophilia, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, dementia, chorea, and chronic kidney failure.

To be eligible for a claim, dependents (parents, children, spouses and siblings) should not have claimed for deduction separately.

Proof Required – For claims on medical expenses on illness of dependants, you need a medical certificate and details of the illness from a certified medical professional in a government hospital.

#4: Politicians are not the only ones to gain – Benefit from deduction on political contributions and charitable donations

Being socially responsible and politically inclined seems to be the current trend. Whether you contribute to a recognized political party, volunteer to donate money to a NGO or charitable organization, you are eligible for a tax deduction.

Under Section 80GGC (80GGB for corporates), donations to registered political parties (excluding contributions to individual) or electoral trusts can be entitled for a deduction. A fascinating point to note is that there is no upper limit on the amount that can be claimed as a deduction.

Under Section 80G, 100% or 50% of your donation to a charitable organization and up to 10% of your income is entitled for deduction.

Proof Required – For claims on contributions to political parties, you need a stamped receipt from the party or trust. For claims on donations made to charitable organizations, a tax exemption certificate or receipt is required.

Remember: It’s not about avoiding taxes. It’s all about reducing your tax liability

11 Tax-Saving Options

No more excuses! 11 Tax-Saving Options that Save Tax and Grow Your Wealth

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”- Benjamin Franklin.

If you are reading this, you are likely to be someone whose income exceeds the threshold of Rs 2.5 lakhs for paying taxes. 

There are some legitimate ways of saving taxes and the good thing is that most of them also help you grow your wealth. 

These options usually have a lock in period and vary in the nature and amount of return they provide. You must also remember that each of these alternatives also serve specific purposes and tax saving is not the purpose but an ancillary benefit of that.

Comparing the different optionsSummary: 

The best way to look at the various 80C investment options is to see what is pre-determined and what is optional. 

Investment	Lock-in Period	Pre-Tax Returns	Tax Applicable
ELSS	3 Years	14-16%	No tax
5 Year Bank FD	5 Years	9.50%	Interest is taxable
PPF	15 Years	8.50%	No tax
NSC	5 or 10 Years	8.50%	Interest is taxable
Life Insurance	5 Years	0-6%	No tax

Based on your risk appetite and expected returns, you can choose a product that’s best suited for your situation.

What does Scripbox recommend?

ELSS Mutual Funds – For people who want superior returns and also have higher risk appetite

PPF – For people who want returns at par with inflation and have very low risk appetite.

For a more detailed understanding of the most popular tax saving investment options, please read our detailed review below.


ELSS Tax Saving Mutual Funds

ELSS or Equity Linked Saving Schemes, are a kind of equity linked mutual funds. As they invest in equity or stocks, ELSS funds have the ability to deliver superior returns - 14-16% over the long term. That’s a full 6-8% above inflation.This return is not guaranteed though but historical evidence suggest that these returns are achievable over the long term.

ELSS funds have a lock in period of only 3 years – the lowest amongst the options available. The return from ELSS funds is also tax free.

You can investup to Rs 150,000 in ELSS funds either as a lump sum or on a monthly basis (SIP) thereby spreading your investments over the course of the year. The latter also helps in reducing volatility that’s typical of equity linked products.

You can invest in these mutual funds through an advisor or an online portal like Scripbox.

Public Provident Fund

PPF is a good option if you are looking for an option with certain returns.

Your PPF investments earns interest at a rate announced every year – currently 8.7%. PPF return is therefore mostly at par with inflation. However, it is tax-free and you can do a lump sum or small regular investments.

The duration of a PPF account is 15 years which is extendable by 5 years at a time. You cannot withdraw money from your PPF account except under certain conditions but not before 5 years.

You can invest in PPF through a bank or Post Office. Ability to invest online is limited.

5 Year Bank FDs

This is a variant of the regular Bank FD with a 5 year lock in. They offer slightly higher interest rates compared to normal FDs (0.25-0.5% higher) but does not offer liquidity option-even premature withdrawal with penalty is not possible.

The amount you can invest is limited to Rs 1,50,000. 

The interest you earn on your 5 year bank FD is fully-taxable and you will have to pay taxes on a yearly basis for the interest you earn for that period. TDS typically collected by banks is only 10% (20% in case you have not submitted your PAN) and if you happen to be in the 20 or 30% tax bracket, you need to pay the remaining interest while filing your IT returns.

Post-tax, 5 year bank FDs are not particularly attractive- especially for people in the 20 and 30% tax brackets since the post-tax returns (6-7%) are typically lower than other tax saving investment options.

National Savings Certificate (NSC)

NSC interest rates are fixed in April every year. The current rate is 8.5% for 5 year lock-in NSCs, and 8.8% for 10 year lock-in NSCs.

The interest accumulated is fully taxable. However, one key difference here is that the interest amount is not paid out to the investor. Instead, it’s re-invested in NSC and therefore can be considered as your investment in NSC for the subsequent year. Needless to say, this is complex.

Investments up to Rs 150,000 are eligible. You can invest in NSC via your local post office.

Life Insurance Premium

This was almost the default tax saving option for years. However, over the last few years, most informed investors have learnt the perils of choosing this option

There are 2 kinds of Life Insurance Policies:

Pure risk also called term life which ensure a risk to the life of the insured

Risk+ investment: which pay you back money over time. While pure risk life insurance is something everyone with a dependant must have, it’s not an investment. 

Life insurance is an expense-something you pay to ensure that your dependents are not left stranded should something unfortunate happen to you. 

Term life insurance is cheap and for a sum of about Rs 10000, you can purchase a cover of Rs 1 Cr

The returns from and costs of investment oriented insurance policies are not transparent and usually not attractive. We won’t go into length on this topic but suffice to say that you should not consider Life Insurance as a tax saving investment option.

National Pension Scheme

National Pension Scheme is a lot like investing in mutual funds with its Safe, moderate and Risky options. The returns are not guaranteed.

You cannot withdraw until 60 and the corpus amount must necessarily be invested in an Annuity. The withdrawals are also taxable.

Contributions up to Rs 150,000 are eligible for deduction under Sec 80C. You can invest via the specified list of NPS fund managers with points of presence operated through banks.

However, given the restrictions that come with NPS, it’s not a recommended option.

Pension Funds

Pension funds are designed to provide you an income stream post retirement. They come in two flavours: Deferred Annuity and Immediate Annuity.

For deferred annuity plan, you invest annually until your retirement. Once you reach your retirement, you have can withdraw up to 60% of your accumulated corpus and have to re-invest the remaining in an annuity fund which will give you a monthly pension.

When it comes to immediate annuity plans, you invest a bulk amount one-time and get monthly pension from the next month itself. You would typically use these to invest your retirement corpus.

Pension funds are not very popular because of the sub-par returns (around 6%) that they give and the restriction they come with. That’s less than India’s inflation rate and not even half of what ELSS funds provide in the long run.

Pension funds are offered by a number of providers. Contributions up to Rs 150,000 are eligible for deduction.

Senior citizens savings scheme

The senior citizens savings scheme is a product aimed at senior citizens to save tax. It can only be opened by people who are above 60 years old.

There is a maximum cap of 15 lakhs and a lock-in period of 5 years. You may withdraw the money before subject to penalty as follows

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years – 1.5% of deposit amount
• More than 1 year but before maturity – 1 % of deposit amount.This scheme is offered via the post office. Investments up to Rs 150,000 are eligible.

EPF (Employee Provident Fund)

For salaried employees, this is not necessarily an optional thing. You will need to follow your company’s policy with some leeway available. 

However, a lot of people forget that the amount contributed to EPF is also eligible for 80C deduction.

EPF is typically deducted from your salary every month and it includes 12% of your Basic salary + DA up to a maximum limit of INR 6500 per month (inclusive of the optional matching employer contribution).

You can withdraw EPF when you change jobs. However, your accrued amount will be taxed as other income. If you withdraw EPF after 5 years, you do not attract any tax. Withdrawal after 5 years is based on qualifying criteria.

The interest rate varies every year (for e.g. interest rate in 2010-11, was 9.5%, while in the previous five years it was 8.5%). For 2014-15, the interest rate is fixed at 8.5%.

Other Tax Saving Investments & Expenses

Apart from voluntary contributions we make, there might be some forced savings/ expenses that already qualify for tax saving.

Tuition Fees for Children: Tuition fees for up to 2 children are covered under section 80C. Please note that it covers tuition fees only and not development fees or donations.

Home Loan Principal Repayment: You are eligible for tax exemption for the repayment you make towards your home loan principal. Do note that the interest component is not eligible for tax benefits.

The scripbox recommended portfolio of tax saving ELSS funds will help you invest in the ELSS funds with the best prospects and also provide you the convenience of online investing and tracking.

Please note that this article does not attempt to be a comprehensive tax saving guide, only a listing of the most common alternatives. Other alternatives include Infrastructure bonds, PO deposits etc. It’s also recommended that you get proper tax advice for your situation.

ELSS funds-80C investment options to save income tax

Comparing popular 80C investment options to save income tax

There are various options to save tax under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. But,one of them is better than the others.

Comparing some of the most popular 80C investment options.



What are ELSS funds?

They are open-ended equity mutual funds that are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Indian Income Tax Act. They have the dual advantage of growing your wealth in addition to saving tax.

ELSS funds provide the best combination of

1. Potential for Long term inflation beating returns (14-16%)
2. Lowest lock in period (only 3 years) among all 80C investments and
3. Zero tax on your income from investment

Like all equity funds, the returns on ELSS funds are not guaranteed but this is the historical average for long term investments in ELSS funds.

How to invest in ELSS funds?

At Scripbox, using our scientific algorithm, we carefully select ELSS funds with the best long term prospects for you.

How will my money grow by investing in ELSS funds?
Careful ELSS fund selection can help you grow your wealth quickly compared to other 80C investment options.



ELSS funds potentially give you inflation beating returns (14-16% historical long term average), which help you grow your wealth in addition to saving tax.

6 most common financial planning mistakes

The 6 most common financial planning mistakes people make (and so might you.)



Effective financial planning is about building your wealth gradually and consistently. It entails setting specific goals, saving regularly, investing those savings, and protecting your assets. There are, however, some worryingly common financial planning mistakes that can keep you from doing any good to your money.

Here are those 6 mistakes that you should avoid:

#1. Ignoring inflation

When planning finances, the time value of money, or how money loses its value over time is usually ignored by the vast majority. While incorporating increase in income with time, it is vital to consider the increase in expenses and the drop in the value of money thanks to the annual overall increase in prices of common goods and services.

Being over-dependent on “safe” investments such as saving accounts, Bank FDs, and government bonds will lead to your portfolio giving returns at a rate lower than the inflation rate.

Ignore inflation and you might just see your savings slowly erode away while your financial plan goes haywire.

#2. Undervaluing long term expenses when considering retirement

When investing and saving for your retirement, the most important point to consider is the correct valuation and estimation of health care and other long term expenses, owing to the process of aging.

Health care and other long term costs increase with age, and incorporating these expenses correctly is necessary for an effective retirement plan. Not doing so would compromise your savings and finances during your years of zero income.

#3. Not saving enough or investing when you are young

The initial years of your investing life must be focused on savings. The rate of savings during that time should be more than the rate of returns.

An effective investment plan can be made, gradually, once you are saving consistently and as much as you can in those initial years. Remember, the earlier you start, the more time compounding has to double or triple your money.

Savings should be made not just by controlling daily expenditures, but also by considering the money paid towards taxes. Figure out a good plan to maximize your savings during the initial years of your investment life. If you are in a higher income category, tax savings (through the correct choice of investments) should be important.

#4. Investing too aggressively or too conservatively

A common financial advice is that people falling into the age group of 20-40 yearsshould invest aggressively. Although this idea makes sense, it is necessary to invest using reasonable logic and not to be blind towards risk. Exposing yourself to more risk than your goals allow for may end with you losing too much and, move you completely away from investing in the future.

Just as being too aggressive is not recommended, being too conservative when investing has its downside too. Being too conservative when investing can lead to loss in the value of your money. Stocking up cash in your savings account will bring down its value over a period of time. Rs 100 today would be practically worth half its value, in less than a decade, if it stays just in your bank account.

It is important to invest across investment options with varying degrees of risk, to make your money grow at a consistent and an increasing rate.

#5. Making financial planning all about investing

It is a common mistake to believe that financial planning is all about investing. It must be noted that investing is just one part of an ideal financial plan that you must make to meet your long term goals.

It is important to focus on day-to-day budgeting, appropriate insurance cover (for everything of real value to you, including your health) and smart tax decisions, to make an effective and appropriately long term financial plan.

#6. Thinking that Insurance is about saving tax

Far too many individuals make this common mistake in India. Insurance of any kind is an expense and not an “investment”. Buying insurance (life or health) just to save tax is one of the worst ways you can spend your money, unless you actually need the insurance.

Health Insurance in today’s expensive healthcare scenario is a must. Life Insurance is a must only if you have dependents. Think about the utility of the insurance first before you think about the tax benefits.

Charles Martel vs Prithviraj Chauhan

ONE MAN SAVED EUROPE FROM ISLAM, ONE MAN LOST INDIA TO ISLAM

ONE MAN SAVED EUROPE FROM ISLAM, ONE MAN LOST INDIA TO ISLAM
v.s.gopalakrishnan.


Charles Martel was one man who in history saved Europe from Islam. European nations,England not excluded, perhaps would have been Muslim countries today but for this single man Charles Martel. Christianity could have vanished from Europe from the 8th Century AD but for him! Fascinating, is it not?

How many of us know about it? Thanks to bland history writing, such facts of “macrohistorical” significance stay hidden from the common man. I should be expectingEurope to be running amok with the statues of Charles Martel, in every town and village, for having saved Christianity from Islam in Europe! Oddly, most Europeans themselves are not aware of Charles Martel and his critical deeds.

In contrast, one man in India is eminently responsible for the surrender of India to Islam, and to the beginning of Islamic rule which lasted nearly 800 years, and that is Prithviraj Chauhan.

We must study these two contrasting men.

CHARLES MARTEL:

Before talking about Martel, we must talk about Islam, and quickly trace its beginnings and history. We all know something about the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammad who died in 632 AD. His followers, the illiterate Arabic tribal hordes, made Islamic conquests, by the sheer power of the sword, of vast lands inhabited by men who belonged to very rich civilizations. Certainly the sword was mightier than the pen.

In less than a Century after the passing away of Prophet Mohammad, the Arab Islamic tribes, with the help of the sword, conquered what constitute parts of the present-day Iran,Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, and crossing the Gibraltar, took over nearly the whole of the Iberian peninsula, now consisting of Spain andPortugal. Thus Spain came under Islam, and the Islamic rule lasted nearly 700 years there, until the Reconquista (Restoration of Christianity) was complete in 1492 with the fall of Granada from Muslim rule.

Charles Martel’s fame consists in stopping the Islamic hordes from running into France and into the whole of Europe by his famous victory in 732 AD, exactly 100 years after the Prophet’s demise, at “the battle of Tours” ( also called “the battle of Poitiers”, since the fighting really took place in between Tours and Poitiers).

It is interesting to read Charles Martel’s life history. But a very brief sketch will do here. He was born around 688 AD in the then Frankish Realms, son of Pippin the Middle (lovely sounding, right?) and his concubine Alpaida (you can’t get closer to Al-qaida!). The boy Carolus (Charles) became a great soldier and a General in due course of time. He adopted a unique military strategy, unknown in those days. His strategy had three elements. One, attack where the enemies don’t expect you. Two, attack when the enemies do not expect you. Thirdly, pretend retreat (an Oriental tactic) and then make a surprise attack!

Leading the Frankish army, General Charles Martel hammered the Islamic forces lead by Abdul Rahman, the Emir of Cordoba (Incidentally, I have had the good fortune of visiting the lovely town of Cordoba in Spain.) Thus, the violent Islamic forces were stopped from crossing the Pyrenees mountain ranges. France and the rest of Western Europe were thus saved from Islam.

Charles got the cognomen Martel which means “hammer” due to the hammering he meted out to the Islamic forces. Charles Martel established the Carolingian dynasty, and his famous grandson Charlemagne (meaning Charles the Great) became the Emperor of Western Europe.

In my view, history text books do not do enough justice to the name of Charles Martel. His grandson Charlemagne consumes much more historical writing than him, most unfortunately.

PRITHVIRAJ CHAUHAN:

Closer to home, we are very familiar with this Rajput hero, the second-last Hindu King (the last was Hemu, his son) to rule from Delhi.

Prithviraj (also known as Rai Pithora, hence Pithoragarh) was a powerful ruler from Delhi. His reign has been chronicled by his court poet Chand Bardoi. As per the latter’s account, Prithviraj was infatuated with Samyukta, the beautiful daughter of the rival king Raja Jaichand of Kannauj, and abducted her on horse-back (in cinematic fashion) further raising the utter enmity of Raja Jaichand. Samyukta was also party to it as she fancied Prithviraj. The intricacies of this love-lore should be read by each of us as they are so fascinating.

The Afghan ruler of Ghazni, known as Mohammad Ghori (who succeeded “Mahmud Ghazni”, the Gujerat invader and sacker of Somnath) invaded Punjab and conquered his way up to very close to Delhi. However, his forces were defeated by the forces of Prithviraj Chauhan in the first battle of Tarain in 1191 AD. Ghori was badly wounded and his army was thrashed. It is said that Raja Jaichand gave military support to the Chauhan king, and the combined forces were too strong for the Muslim enemy.

It is stated that Mohammad Ghori was brought in captivity to Delhi. King Chauhan’s advisors suggested that he be beheaded. But in the magnanimous Rajput tradition, Prithviraj allowed him to go away scot-free. The very next year, in 1192 AD, Ghori came back with an attack. This time Raja Jaichand refused to support Chauhan with his forces. (Hence, the clubbing of Jaichand and Mir Jaffar as our national traitors!).

Chauan lost to Ghori in the second battle of Tarain in 1192 AD. Delhi came under Islam. (It is stated that Chauhan was taken to Ghazni, his eyes were gouged out, and he was eventually buried there).

I would think that the naivety of Chauhan caused the downfall of Delhi which went under Islamic rule for nearly eight Centuries. His letting off of Ghori scot-free was a totally thoughtless action. If only Chauhan had beheaded Ghori or at least kept him incarcerated,India’s history could perhaps have been different. I will not accuse Raja Jaichand forIndia’s Islamic conquest. Not in any case as much as I would accuse Chauhan.

One man saved Europe from Islam. One man lost India to Islam.

Every Single Terrorist Attack In US Was A False Flag Attack

US Intelligence Officer: “Every Single Terrorist Attack In US Was A False Flag Attack”
May 15, 2015 by Arjun Walia



Apart from documents that have outlined supposed terrorist threats, like Al-Qaeda, and their connection to US intelligence agencies, like the CIA, there are a number of whistleblowers that have come out adding more fuel to the fire. 

Because not many are even aware of these documents, letting people know about a truth that can be hard for people to accept, let alone ponder the possibility is very important. It’s just one aspect of the veil that’s been blinding the masses for quite some time now.

The latest whistleblower is David Steele, a 20-year Marine Corps intelligence officer, and the second-highest-ranking civilian in the U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence. He is a former CIA clandestine services case officer, and this is what he had to say:

“Most terrorists are false flag terrorists, or are created by our own security services. In the United States, every single terrorist incident we have had has been a false flag, or has been an informant pushed on by the FBI. 

In fact, we now have citizens taking out restraining orders against FBI informants that are trying to incite terrorism. We’ve become a lunatic asylum.”

What Is A “False Flag Attack?”

A great example of a false flag attack is 9/11, something that many people believe to be a creation of US intelligence agencies, or some entity above the government (one that controls what Eisenhower called “the military industrial complex”). 

The idea is that these so called terrorist attacks are created by this group, in order to justify the infiltration of other countries, and to justify a heightened state of “national security.” As a result, in the eyes of the citizenry, war and mass murder are justified, when the intentions behind these actions are something the citizenry has no idea about. 

This is why we see a false sense of patriotism programmed into many people, especially in the United States. 

Men and women join this massive military machine with good hearts, thinking that they are serving their country and fighting terrorism, when they are doing the complete opposite. They are only participating in a fabricated war based on lies and misinformation.

“The truth is, there is no Islamic army or terrorist group called Al-Qaeda, and any informed intelligence officer knows this. But, there is a propaganda campaign to make the public believe in the presence of an intensified entity representing the ‘devil’ only in order to drive TV watchers to accept a unified international leadership for a war against terrorism. The country behind this propaganda is the United States.” – Former British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook

Today, we might be seeing the same thing with ISIS. Although there are no verified documents like there are when it comes to Al-Qaeda, given what that information shows us, combined with Wikileaks documents and statements from insiders, we could be looking at the same thing.

Not long ago, FBI whistleblower stated that:

“The US is reviving terror scare with ISIS to promote the terror war industry.”

You can read more about that story here

Again, 9/11 is a great example and you can find out more information about that here.

Award winning journalist Ben Swann shares a number of facts regarding the origin and creation of ISIS, the supposed terrorist group that seems to have replaced Al-Qaeda and, according to former FBI translator and founder of the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC) Sibel Edmunds, has revived the “terror war industry.”

When it comes to supposed “terrorist” attacks, it’s no secret that the government or the “powers that be” are involved in some way, shape, or form. We’ve seen this with Al-Qaeda, and various documents that have tied them to U.S. intelligence agencies like the CIA. We’ve also seen a lot of shady circumstances surrounding the “terrorist” attacks that occurred on 9/11; the evidence alone has approximately half of the American people believing it was an inside job – a simple Google search of the polls will show you that, and for the evidence we are referring to, you can access our articles on that topic here.

“All three buildings were destroyed by carefully planned, orchestrated and executed controlled demolition.” – Professor Lynn Margulis, Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and National Academy of Science member, one of many academics who has been very outspoken regarding 9/11


All of this activity continues to be used as more justification for a heightened national security state, one in which citizens are being forced to give up their freedoms and privacy in order to be “protected” from such attacks. The entire national security state would crumble if people found out that it was their own government perpetrating these attacks, and this realization is finally beginning to leave the realm of conspiracy and enter into the realm of reality in the minds of the masses. It’s about time.

The “terrorists” we are pointing our fingers at (or so I believe, along with many others, after having done careful research) are a creation of Western intelligence, used to justify the infiltration of other countries for ulterior motives. 

Those who usually do not believe that, almost one hundred percent of the time have not actually done any research, or examined the information for themselves. 

This is the power mainstream media has over us – if something is depicted on television, it’s instantly believed without question. 

Any other explanation which does not come from a major mainstream media outlet (like CNN, for example), or fit the framework of accepted knowledge, seems to be met with harsh resistance. 

This resistance comes despite the fact that a tremendous amount of evidence is available in the form of videos, documents, and whistle-blowers, yet a large majority of people still refuse to do any research for themselves, or again, believe something contrary to what Western media is telling them.

Putin Reveals 4O Countries That Are Funding ISIS

Putin Reveals 4O Countries That Are Funding ISIS At The G20 Summit
November 16, 2015 by Arjun Walia.

“The statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception.” – Mark Twain

On more than one occasion, Russian President Vladamir Putin has revealed information that Western media won’t air. Two months ago he provided information illustrating that ISIS is funded by the West (you can watch that video here), and now he is making more noise at the G20 summit that’s currently taking place in Turkey, where he has supposedly shared intelligence data on Islamic State financing with his G20 colleagues.

As RT News reports:

[During the summit] I provided examples based on our data on the financing of different Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) units by private individuals. This money, as we have established, comes from 40 countries and, there are some of the G20 members among them.

He also voiced his concern regarding the illegal oil trade by IS, stating that he has seen photos taken from space and from aircraft that demonstrate the scale of the illegal trade in oil and petroleum products.

I’d also like to mention that I am aware that RT news is sponsored by Russia, but the fact remains that Putin has said that Western nations are funding ISIS before. Here is one of multiple examples.

At the summit he also stated that:

“The motorcade of refueling vehicles stretched for dozens of kilometers, so that from a height of 4,000 to 5,000 meters they stretch beyond the horizon. “

Again, it’s not the first time Putin has stressed that people who are going after ISIS and invading other countries (U.S. and their allies) are the very same people who funded and created ISIS in the first place.
His thoughts aren’t as outlandish as you might first believe. If we take 9/11, for example, you may be surprised to learn that approximately half the population of the United States does not believe the official story provided to them by their government. Many people think that 9/11 was an inside job, a ‘false flag’ terrorist attack in order to justify the infiltration of Iraq for ulterior motives, some poles even show that it’s half the American population. They believe this, not by blind faith, but because there is a tremendous amount of evidence that points in this direction.

The trend appears to continue with the recent attacks in Paris. A Canadian Economist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa recently called them “9/11 French Style.” 

He also recently stated that the global war on terrorism is based on fake premises, and that the Western world is going after a fictitious enemy, the Islamic state, when in fact the Islamic state is fully supported by the Western military alliance.

As you can see, Putin isn’t alone in his thoughts, and even some celebrities have been trying to emphasize the same thing. Russell Brand is one, who touches on the topic on this video, and Steven Seagal is another, doing the same in this video.

That being said, when it comes to politics and the ‘hidden hand’ that controls it, I never really know what to believe no matter who is saying it, and who knows all of this could just be one big elaborate plan towards a New World Order, but when it comes to matters where the truth seems so clear to many (‘false flag terrorism’), it’s hard to not lend an ear.

The world is waking up, and it’s not easy to come to grips with the fact that the version of reality which is presented to you via your television might be completely false. 

If the so-called ‘terrorists’ we are going after are nothing but the creation of the same countries who are attacking them, what is really going on here? 

Why is it so hard to believe that Western media would be lying to us? Why do we instantly believe what a person is saying on the television, without ever questioning it? Why do we experience such a harsh resistance to the simple questioning of these matters?

I did not go into detail regarding false flag terrorism with this article because we’ve written about it in detail in the articles below, so if you would like to learn more feel free to check them out.

Below is a video of award winning journalist Ben Swann that goes into some detail about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6kdi1UXxhY

Related CE Articles:

US Intelligence Officer: “Every Single Terrorist Attack In US Was A False Flag Attack”

Professors & Politicians Gather To Warn Us About The New World Order (NWO)

Award Winning American Journalist Exposes The True Origin Of ISIS & The “War On Terror”

FBI Whistleblower: “U.S Is Reviving Terror Scare With ISIS To Promote The Terror War Industry”

The Black Beauty

The Black Beauty
Published on November 4, 2015
written by GISKAA



Royal, traditional and natural are just few of the many characteristics associated with Longpi black pottery, from villages in the district of Ukhrul, Manipur. Ukhrul is also home to the Siroi Lily, an exotic lily species exclusive to this region.


Women folk carrying rocks (used in making black pottery) from the gorge below @ Nungbi Khullen village in Ukhrul District, Manipur

In the far eastern land of the Indian sub-continent rests a small and quiet village, which goes by the name of Nungbi Khullen in the Ukhrul district of Manipur. The distance between Imphal, capital of Manipur and Ukhrul town is 85 kms and a tedious 3 hours journey by local buses. With a distance of about 35 kms, only a small mud road connects Ukhrul town to Nungbi Khullen. The only means of public transport through this hilly terrain between Ukhrul and Nungbi Khullen is a ‘Mahindra’ Jeep which runs only once daily and takes about 2 hours. Due to lack of proper roads and very scarce availability of modes of transportation, commuting from one place to another becomes a daily struggle for the villagers of Nungbi Khullen.


Nungbi Khullen is a small sleepy village in the remote hills of Ukhrul district, Manipur

There are about 250 houses and around 1,500 people dwell in this village, an average household income being a meager Rs 10,000 a month. The tradition of making black pottery has been preserved by every family from immemorial times, however there are only a handful of skilled craftsmen left today. Homi, Somi, Tuishem, Ishak and Worshang, to name a few, create beautiful pieces of artifacts with relentless dedication and detail. The rest of the villagers engage in related secondary tasks like carrying raw materials and pounding of the rock. Nungbi Kachui is a nearby village that has more than 50 pottery makers who only specialize in making only cooking pots.


The rocks are pound into fine powder using traditional tools


An artisan painstakingly moulding the mud to create a tumbler

A very significant part of making black pottery is to assemble and prepare the rocks that make up the raw material for the product. These serpentine rocks are collected from the mountainous regions and carried downhill on foot for about 5-6 kms. They are then pounded and broken in a wooden & bamboo pounding vessel known as “Sumban”. What is amazing and inspiring is that the transporting and pounding of the rocks is mostly done by women folk of the village. To preserve from mass commercialization the trek is reserved and prohibits any kind of commercial vehicle.


Unfinished tumblers just before polishing and subsequent burning

Because of challenging and harsh weather conditions in these mountainous regions there is very limited agriculture, whether for personal consumption or commercial purpose. Therefore, alternative means of living are extremely limited and the people travel to surrounding villages to earn daily wages.


Beautiful and exquisite pots and other kitchen items


Absolutely beautiful cooking pots, casseroles and bowls

Gorgeous as they are, this black pottery goes beyond tradition and culture. Painstakingly handcrafted, it adds an ethnic beauty to your home. Whether you’re hosting a party or serving dinner, do it in royalty with Longpi black pottery. Preserve this unique art. Buy them now @www.giskaa.com.

Article 370: The untold story

Article 370: The untold storyBy Maj Gen Sheru Thapliyal
Issue: Vol 26.1 Jan-Mar 2011 | Date : 03 Mar , 2015


It is often not realized that among the causes of Kashmir problem – inclusion of plebiscite in the Instrument of Accession, reference of Kashmir to UN, halting Indian offensive when it was poised to drive out the invaders from Kashmir, Article 370 has played no less a part in preventing J&K from becoming an integral part of the Indian Union. 

Not many people are aware as how and why this Article was formulated and included in the Indian Constitution despite grave misgivings of Sardar Patel and indeed a large number of the members of Congress Working Committee and Constituent Assembly.

Article 370 was worked out in late 1947 between Sheikh Abdullah, who had by then been appointed Prime Minister of J&K by the Maharaja and Nehru, who kept the Kashmir portfolio with himself and kept Sardar Patel, the home minister, away from his legitimate function. Hence Nehru is answerable to all acts of commission and omission, consequences of which we are suffering till date as far as J&K is concerned.


“Why should a state of the Indian Union have a special status? It conveys a wrong signal not only to Kashmiris but also to the separatists, Pakistan and indeed the international community that J&K is still to become integral part of India, the sooner Article 370 is done away is better.”

While it was Mountbatten who persuaded Nehru to take the J&K issue to the UN, it was Sheikh Abdullah, who, driven by his ambition to be ruler of an independent Kashmir and his hatred for the Maharaja, persuaded Nehru to give special status to J&K. 

Among his reasons were – occupation of one third of J&K by Pakistan, reference to the UN and plebiscite.

The most sinister aspect of proposed Article 370 was the provision that any changes could be brought about in it only by the concurrence of J&K assembly. 

Nehru’s promise that Article 370 was a temporary provision and will get eroded over a period of time has turned out to be a chimera. 

The first thing that Sheikh Abdullah got done was to abolish hereditary monarchy and redesignate him as Sadar-e-Riyasat who was to be elected by the Assembly. The accession of J&K State into Indian Union was approved by J&K Assembly only in 1956.

Dramatis Personal

Jawahar Lal Nehru The handsome Harrow educated aristocrat who gave up a life of luxury to join the freedom movement. 

Babu’s choose heir and darling of the masses, he had a fatal flaw. He cared for personalities rather than issues and institutions, be it selection of Lord Mountbatten as the first Governor General of free India, retaining a senior British officer as the Commander-in-Chief of India Army or backing Sheikh Abdullah to the hilt – his choices were unfortunate. Finally the Chinese aggression of 1962 shattered his image of a world statesman.

Sardar Patel The Iron Man of India — silent, strong and pragmatic with a complete hold on congress party organization — rightly credited with creating a unified India by integrating 565 princely states in it — he would have included Kashmir also in it if allowed to do so by Nehru. 

The only blot on him was the insinuation that he failed to protect his beloved Bapu. The slur only hastened his end in Dec 1950.


Nehru’s promise that Article 370 was a temporary provision and will get eroded over a period of time has turned out to be a chimera.

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Charismatic Kashmiri leader who never let go of his dream of ruling an independent Kashmir even while masquerading as a secularist — architect of Article 370 along with Nehru. 

He must share with Nehru the grave consequences. Lion of Kashmir brought Nehru under his spell from 1938 onwards to the extent that in May 1947 when he was arrested by the Maharaja for sedition, Nehru represented Sheikh as his lawyer and was even arrested in Jun 1947 by the Maharaja while trying to enter J&K. 

Finally Nehru had to eat the humble pie by arresting Sheikh Abdullah for sedition on 9 Aug 1953.

Maharaja Hari Singh The Maharaja saw an opportunity at the end of British Raj to keep Kashmir as the Switzerland of the East. 

Trying to repeat history when his ancestors – Maharaja Gulab Singh and Ranbir Singh gained handsome dividends by keeping aloof during the Sikh War and Great Mutiny, Hari Singh tried to sign a standstill Agreement with India and Pak at the time of independence, Pakistan signed, India declined. Maharaja died a lonely man, forced to abdicate and exiled from his beloved land.

The Drama Unfolds

Having finalized the text of Article 370 with Sheikh Abdullah, Nehru brought in Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, IAS, as a minister without portfolio to help him deal with Kashmir portfolio and plead the case of Article 370 in the Constituent Assembly. 

Gopalaswamy Ayyangar had been prime minister of Kashmir for six years with Maharaja Hari Singh. When Sardar Patel expressed his misgivings, this is what Nehru had to say on Dec 27, 1947.

“Gopalaswamy Ayyangar has been especially asked to help in Kashmir matters. Both for this reason and because of his intimate knowledge and experience of Kashmir, he had to be given full latitude. 

I really do not know where the States Ministry (Sardar Patel’s ministry) comes into the picture except that it should be kept informed for the steps taken. All this was done at my instance and I do not propose to abdicate my functions in regard to matters for which I consider myself responsible. May I say that the manner of approach to Gopalaswamy was hardly in keeping with the courtesy due to a colleague.”

It speaks volumes of Patel’s loyalty to a colleague that despite his own and others misgivings, he managed to convince the members of Constituent Assembly and Congress Party Executive. But to V Shankar he said “Jawaharlal Royega”.

The Sardar thereupon resigned and the matter fell in Gandhiji’s lap to bring the two colleagues together. During this period, V Shankar, IAS was the personal secretary to Patel and had maintained a record of all events. 

It is clear from these records that Nehru finalized the draft of Article 370 along with Sheikh Abdullah without even informing Patel. Thereafter it fell to Gopalaswamy Ayyangar to get the draft passed in the Constituent Assembly discussions. The proposal was torn to pieces by the Constituent Assembly and also Congress Party Executive.

Nehru, who was abroad at the time, swallowed his pride and rang up Patel and requested him to get the Article 370 approved. It speaks volumes of Patel’s loyalty to a colleague that despite his own and others misgivings, he managed to convince the members of Constituent Assembly and Congress Party Executive. 

But to V Shankar he said “Jawaharlal Royega”. V Shankar, in his record has described the meeting of the Congress Executive Committee “The meeting was one of the stormiest I have ever witnessed barring the party meeting which discussed the proposition relating to Rajaji becoming the first President of Indian Republic. 

The opinion in opposition to Gopalaswamy’s formula was forcefully and even militantly expressed and the issue even brought in the sovereignty of the Constituent Assembly to draw up the Constitution without being tied down to the apron-strings of the Kashmir State Constituent Assembly. In such a situation even Maulana Azad was shouted down.

The Party was in uproar. The Sardar had to plead that because of the international complications, a provisional approach alone could be made leaving the question of final relationship to be worked out according to the exigencies of the situation and mutual feelings and confidence that would have been by then created. 

Once the Sardar had taken charge, all opposition to the draft was silenced” And how Nehru responded to this great act of loyalty on part of Sardar? On 24 July 1952, after Sardar was no more, Nehru made a detailed statement on Kashmir in the Parliament on slow integration of Kashmir into India Union and mentioned that “Sardar Patel was all the time dealing with these matters.” 

Even Gopalaswami Ayyangar was dismayed at this blatant lie and mentioned to V Shankar “It is an ill return to the Sardar for the magnanimity he had shown in accepting Panditji’s point of view against his better judgment.”

Consequences of Article 370

Article 370 has been the biggest impediment to integration of J&K State into Indian Union. That it was incorporated in the Indian Constitution by the machination of two individuals – Shiekh Abdullah and Nehru is all the more regrettable. 

Nehru had to eat the humble pie when he had to arrest the Sheikh for his divisive and anti national stance on 8 Aug 1953 but he did not let go of his concept of keeping J&K a separate entity. In 1957, some top leaders of National Conference led by Mr Qasim split the party and formed a group called Democratic National Conference (DNC).


Article 370, included in the Constitution on a temporary provision should have been gradually abrogated. This has not happened in sixty years.

It had abrogation of Article 370 on its agenda. Nehru would not brook any opposition to his policy of keeping J&K a separate entity. He told the leaders that a new threat (China) is emerging and it is an inopportune time to raise this issue and forced them to drop their demand. Nehru thereafter decided to withdraw the Kashmir conspiracy case against Sheikh Abdullah. This case had been going on since May 21, 1958. The formal orders however were issued by Govt of India on 8 April 1964.

It is often forgotten that J&K state is not a homogeneous entity. Apart from Valley Muslims, Jammu has a predominantly Hindu population while Ladakh has a mix of Buddhist and Muslims. Then you have the Gujjars & Bakarwals. 

Why is Article 370 detrimental to the full integration of J&K state into Indian Union. Firstly the Central Govt can make laws only with concurrence of the State govt, practically giving it the Veto power. Article 352 and 360 for declaration of national and financial emergency respectively cannot be applied in Kashmir. While a citizen of India has only Indian citizenship, J&K citizens have two citizenships. Anti Defection Law is not applicable to J&K. No outsider can buy property in J&K state.

The beneficial laws such as Wealth Tax, Gift Tax & Urban Land Ceiling Act and intermarriage with other Indian nationals do not operate in J&K State. 

Even Article 356 under which President of India can impose his rule in any state cannot be enforced in J&K without consent of the Governor who himself is an appointee of the President. State of J&K can refuse building of any cantonment on any site or refuse to allot land for defence purposes.

Article 370, included in the Constitution on a temporary provision should have been gradually abrogated. This has not happened in sixty years. 

In fact whenever someone mentions this, vested interests raise an outcry that legitimate rights of Kashmiris are being trampled upon. Stated agenda of National Conference is return to pre 1953 status. 

Why should a state of Indian Union have a special status? It conveys a wrong signal not only to Kashmiris but also to the separatists, Pakistan and indeed the international community that J&K is still to become integral part of India, the sooner Article 370 is done away is better.

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Article 370 of the Constitution of India

Temporary Provisions with respect to the State of Jammu & Kashmir

1. Notwithstanding anything in this constitution:

(a) The provisions of Article 238 shall not apply in relation to the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

(b) The power of Parliament to make laws for the said state shall be limited to

(i) those matters in the Union List and the Concurrent List which in consultation with the Government of the State, are declared by the President to correspond to matters specified in the Instrument of Accession governing the accession of State to the Dominion of India as the matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature may make laws for that State and

(ii) Such other matters in the Said Lists as, with the concurrence of the Govt of the State, the President may, by order specify.

1. Explanation. For the purposes of this Article, the Govt of the State means the person for the time being recognized by the President as Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir acting on the advice of the council of Ministers for the time being in office under the Maharaja’s Proclamation dated the fifty day of March 1948.

(c) The provisions of Article (1) and of this Article shall apply in relation to this State;

(d) Such of the other provisions of this Constitution shall apply in relation to that State Subject to such exceptions and modifications as the President may by order specify;

Provided that no such order which related to the matters specified in the Instrument of Accession of the State referred to in paragraph (i) of sub clause (1) shall be issued except in consultation with the govt of the State.

Provided further that no such order which relates to matters other than those referred to in the last proceeding proviso shall be issued except with the concurrence of the Govt of the State.

(2) If the concurrence of the Govt of the State referred to in para (ii) of Sub Clause (b) of Clause (1) be given before the Constituent Assembly for the purpose of framing the Constitution of the State is concerned. It shall be placed before such Assembly for such decision as it may take thereon.

(3) Notwithstanding the anything in the foregoing provisions of the article, the President may, by public notification, declare that this Article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may notify.

Provided that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the State referred to in Clause (2) shall be necessary before the President issues such a notification.

=======================================================================
References
India Betrayed – The Role of Nehru -Brigadier BN Sharma
Lost Decades -Nani Palkhiwala
Atish-E-Chinar -Sheikh Abdullah
Partition Plan -Alan Campbell Johnson
Correspondence of Sardar Patel -Durga Das
Kashmir 1947 - Rival Versions of History -Prem Shankar Jha
My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir -Jagmohan
My Reminiscences of Sardar Patel -V Shankar
Appendix A – Article 370© Copyright 2015 Indian Defence Review
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