Greetings to India and all Indian people on India’s 76th Independence Day anniversary today.
India is a vibrant democracy, as exemplified by dozens of political parties — some local, some regional and some national — that make the Indian political scene so much interesting. The Congress Party, which dominated the Indian politics for decades after India’s independence, was almost done by the BJP’s phenomenal emergence a decade ago, as the most dominant party, may be seeing some kind of resurgence.
It is widely agreed that the BJP may have polarized the nation. An unintended consequence of BJP’s dominance may also have manifested in the polarization of Indian politics, as those dozens of political parties, which were in a disarray and squabbling with one another for decades, may have now found a common thread to come together, under an existential threat looming over them, and forged an alliance to form a formidable opposition. What else would a vibrant democracy like India demand from them? It may be that common existential threat that may keep them together for some time. Time alone knows!
Shouldn’t the country thank the BJP for recreating a strong opposition, which is the core requirement of a democracy? Like all other parties, the BJP also must, therefore, be acknowledged for playing its historic role in testing the Indian democracy to its limits. The questions is: ‘Can the Indian democracy withstand and pass the BJP tests, as it passed the Congress tests in the past?’
Only time will validate the depth, the strength and the resilience of Indian democracy. As for today, every Indian deserves to celebrate this day of independence.
Happy Independence Day, India!
© Bill K Koul [15 August 2023, Perth, Western Australia]
Copyright © Bill K Koul
Happy Independence Day.
Regional Communications Minister Bridget McKenzie has defended the federal government’s national program to fix mobile phone black spots following a Victorian exit. blacksprut net The Victorian state Labor government has announced it will go it alone in building mobile phone towers in regional areas after dumping the commonwealth’s program. The state government blamed the decision on the Turnbull government failing to properly consult over site choices and a lack of transparency. Senator McKenzie defended the national program. “We made those commitments in the federal election on areas of need for regional communities and I’m really looking forward to making sure those communities get access to that infrastructure ASAP,” she told ABC Radio. She said places like Aireys Inlet and Anglesea in Victoria see an eight-fold increase in population from tourism over summer and the infrastructure that covers 1000 people in the district can’t support the influx. The minister declined to say whether there would be a fourth round of funding for the program in this year’s federal budget. Labor frontbencher Stephen Jones said the Victorian decision was an indictment of a failed program. “In rounds one and two, 80 per cent of the locations announced were in Liberal or National Party electorates,” he said. “Critical locations in areas of Victoria, particularly bush fire prone areas, have missed out.” Mr Jones said round three funding was based on 2016 election promises not community needs.
Regional Communications Minister Bridget McKenzie has defended the federal government’s national program to fix mobile phone black spots following a Victorian exit. blacksprut площадка The Victorian state Labor government has announced it will go it alone in building mobile phone towers in regional areas after dumping the commonwealth’s program. The state government blamed the decision on the Turnbull government failing to properly consult over site choices and a lack of transparency. Senator McKenzie defended the national program. “We made those commitments in the federal election on areas of need for regional communities and I’m really looking forward to making sure those communities get access to that infrastructure ASAP,” she told ABC Radio. She said places like Aireys Inlet and Anglesea in Victoria see an eight-fold increase in population from tourism over summer and the infrastructure that covers 1000 people in the district can’t support the influx. The minister declined to say whether there would be a fourth round of funding for the program in this year’s federal budget. Labor frontbencher Stephen Jones said the Victorian decision was an indictment of a failed program. “In rounds one and two, 80 per cent of the locations announced were in Liberal or National Party electorates,” he said. “Critical locations in areas of Victoria, particularly bush fire prone areas, have missed out.” Mr Jones said round three funding was based on 2016 election promises not community needs.