Kartik Lokhande's blog

India, a de facto competitor? Case of a paranoid Dragon By Kartik Lokhande China has been quite vocal about direction of its strategy concerning India. The latest example is an article in People’s Liberation Army (PLA) daily. As per the news reports, the daily has dubbed India’s infrastructure development in Indo-China border areas as an indication of India ‘starting to treat China as a de facto competitor’. In the light of China’s comments and actions so far, it is easy to conclude that China disapproves any move by India to strengthen her own defence infrastructure, especially along Indo-China border. However, it also raises a question – why is China concerned so much if India is strengthening her own defences? And, answer to this question is very simple – because, China started the competition. China started the competition on various fronts – market domination, area domination, diplomatic channels, defence infrastructure upgradation, reaching out to countries hostile

(Published in The Hitavada CityLine on May 27, 2013) Revenue Deptt identifies ‘issues’ with IPS officers * Issues have been identified for DM, SP rank officers’ meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister soon * SPs show disinterest in submitting suggestions for agenda of the meeting * DMs want SPs to share ‘important information’ and ‘follow protocol’, and powers to write ‘Confidential Report’ of SPs By Kartik Lokhande After a long gap, considering certain ‘issues’ that cropped up between District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers, a State-level meeting of these officers is being called soon. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has taken the initiative to sort out the issues. However, despite reminders, SPs have shown disinterest in submitting suggestions for the meeting. Sources said that Chavan has called the meeting against the backdrop of increasing number of problems cited by IPS and IAS officers in the State, while working with each other

News Analysis Where are you, human rights activists? By Kartik Lokhande Some time back, award-winning writer Arundhati Roy described Maoists as ‘Gandhians with guns’. It found echoes in pseudo-intellectual circles within India and in the outside world. It was not for the first time that such an echo was there to glorify, and to justify, the violent, subversive, and anti-national activities of Maoists. Every time when security forces kill a Maoist cadre or sympathiser, such pseudo-intellectuals and so-called human rights activists raise a cry of human rights violation. However, whenever any civilian or a representative of democratic political system of the country is killed brutally by the anti-national Maoists -- like in the ambush laid by the outlaws in which several Congress leaders and workers were killed on Saturday in Jeeram Ghati in Chhattisgarh -- the same pathetic bunch of Maoist supporters goes surprisingly missing. Probably, in such cases, it becomes too diffic

Dear friends,  After the recent Chinese incursion in Indian territory in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector, there was a new strain in the relations between India and China. Though the tension was resolved later on with pro-peace stand taken by India, it was and is difficult for Indians to forget the incident along Line of Actual Control. Against this backdrop, maiden visit of new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had aroused wide interest in India. From media reports, one can get a fair idea of what was the outcome of the meeting, but there are several aspects other than those reported in the media.  To have a detailed information and proper perspective as per one's own exposure, one needs to go through official statements. It is to cater to this aspect that I want to share with you all full text of statements issued by the Government and also the news report on www.xinhuanet.com, which carries what is considered as official view-point of the People's Republic of China.I have highlighted

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on May 16, 2013 US-based jewellery major Tiffany & Co may invest Rs 100 cr in MIHAN-SEZ * Infosys to start work after Monsoon By Kartik Lokhande  The initiatives taken during and follow-up after ‘Advantage Vidarbha’ mega industrial promotion event are yielding positive results for the region. In what could be termed as a major investment, US-based jewellery major Tiffany and Company is planning to set up a diamond processing unit in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) adjacent to Multimodal International Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN). “We have got positive feelers about the investment and we have been talking with Tiffany and Company for some time. It is a very positive development. In fact, land has been identified for the diamond processing unit and we are pretty close to signing an agreement with the company,” S Sittarasu, Senior Marketing Manager of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), told ‘The Hitavada’. The unit, whic

Published on The Hitavada CityLine on May 15, 2013 The then PM Rajiv Gandhi speaking at bhoomipujan of  Gosikhurd irrigation project on April 22, 1988 THEN ... Twenty-five years ago, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi performed bhoomipujan of Gosikhurd irrigation project at a place now known as Rajiv Tekdi. Also seen in this picture taken on April 22, 1988, are then Chimur MP Vilas Muttemwar (bearded), Saroj Khaparde, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others.  Gosikhurd comes a full circle after 25 years... By Kartik Lokhande  Dream. Disappointment. Promise. These three words can best describe the 25-years-old journey of Gosikhurd irrigation project since its bhoomipujan. It was on April 22, 1988, that the journey of this dream of a agriculturally rich Vidarbha began with the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi performing its bhoomipujan. Then Chimur MP Vilas Muttemwar (who is now Nagpur MP) had taken efforts to get the bhoomipujan done at the hands of Rajiv Gandh

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on May 15, 2013 CM announces Rs 1,200 crore package for Gosikhurd PAPs * Package will get cabinet nod soon, says Prithviraj Chavan * A separate office of 120 staffers to be opened specially for implementation of the revised rehabilitation package * Distribution of package to be done in this financial year * Package focusses on cash amount in lieu of jobs and alternative farm land, and financial assistance * Positive decision soon on fishing rights to fishermen’s cooperative societies By Kartik Lokhande  RAJIV TEKDI (GOSIKHURD), May 14: Twenty five years back, in April 1988, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi performed bhoomipujan of Gosikhurd irrigation project. He was accompanied by the then Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan. On Tuesday, after 25 years and around a month, another Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan paid a visit to the project site, and made an announcement that is likely to pave way for speedier com

Published in The Hitavada main edition on May 15, 2013 No deadline for SIT report on irrigation scam: CM * Chavan admits to ‘problems with quality’ pertaining to some works in Gosikhurd project Staff Reporter GOSIKHURD, May 14: ADOPTING a cautious stand on multi-crore irrigation scam, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan shied away from revealing details of action being taken against those guilty of siphoning off funds meant for irrigation development in Vidarbha, and said that no deadline was set for filing of report by the Special Inquiry Team (SIT) headed by water expert Dr Madhavrao Chitaley to probe into the scam. Chavan said, the SIT was appointed to go into details of various irrigation projects and suggest measures to chalk out future strategy regarding irrigation development in Maharashtra. “We have not set any time-frame to submit its report,” Chavan said. Recently, Dr Chitaley had said that the SIT had held its meeting in January 2013 and would submit i