HINDI
Monday, 30 September: Dainik Jagran says with the government banning the export of onions, there is hope that its price inflation will stop. It is unfortunate that despite adequate stock of onions, its price has skyrocketed – this shows a failure of policymakers in controlling the prices of essential commodities.
Amar Ujala tries to figure out Pakistan’s thinking on Kashmir in, “Baukhlaye Pakistan ki mansha“. It says that after diplomatic losses in Kashmir, Pakistan now wants to spread terror activities across the border. It is no coincidence that after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech at the UN, terrorists in different parts of Kashmir had mounted attacks. Imran’s speech was like a green flag for terrorists to start their activities.
Tuesday, 1 October: Amar Ujala writes on people’s mandate and their morality after the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to reduce the punishment of Sikkim’s Chief Minister and BJP leader Prem Singh Tamang. He was found guilty of corruption and given a one-year jail term – he was banned from fighting elections for six years. Tamang has completed his jail term and was made the chief minister of the state. He needs to be elected within six months of taking office. The EC has done away with the ban on his fighting elections. By doing this, it has opened itself up to scrutiny and criticism.
Dainik Jagran welcomes the anti-plastic movement being initiated by the government but advises that it should be taken forward only when alternatives to plastic are found, which are cost-effective and environment-friendly. The government should also look at recycling plastic waste and not just think of banning it.
Wednesday, 2 October: Dainik Bhaskar carries a piece by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. Gandhi, Bhagwat says, tried to give a spiritual basis to his politics. His politics were not limited to power – Gandhi worked for social transformation too. Truth, non-violence, self-reliance and freedom of humanity were his dreams. Bhagwat says Gandhi’s vision of India was based on self or ‘swa‘ and he believed in social equality and harmony, and he always practised what he preached. We should all learn, understand and implement Gandhian thought in our lives, Bhagwat writes.
Thursday, 3 October: Amar Ujala focuses on the country’s economic woes and says that the recent lowering of GST collections is an indication of a further downturn. September’s GST collection saw a sharp dip which indicates slump in consumer demand. The 2.67 per cent shortfall in GST collection might on the surface look small but ever since the tax was introduced on July 2017, this is the lowest collection ever. Also, the government is going to sustain a revenue loss of Rs 1.45 crore because of the cut in corporate tax. Together with low GST collections, this will make it impossible for the government to meet its economic targets.
Dainik Bhaskar says that BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has advised the Narendra Modi government to inculcate the habit of listening to harsh and unpleasant truth if it wants to bring the country’s economy back on track. The Modi government should allow economists to talk freely about what’s wrong with policies. There is a famous saying – when people are allowed to speak, it is freedom and when the governments listen it is democracy.
Friday, 4 October: Amar Ujala dwells on the new Shiv Sena strategy of making Aaditya Thackeray stand for elections. The paper says that it indicates how six decades after the party was set up it is at a decisive turning point. Party founder Bal Thackeray and then his son Uddhav and nephew Raj always kept themselves away from the poll game. The message of a Thackeray fighting election will hopefully energise the Shiv Sainiks and they will be able to regain ground.
TAMIL
Monday, 30 September: Dinamani’s editorial is on the probability of linking Aadhaar to social media accounts. It writes: “Individual information of digital customers is commercialised. We cannot allow these to operate in such a manner. The social media platforms that are run for the benefit of large corporations have now become a threat to our democracy’’.
Tuesday, 1 October: Dinamani writes on the spike in onion prices. It says, “Modi government has to be praised for keeping the prices of food grains under control. It is also necessary to mention that the government policies have not helped farmers at any level. With an increase in onion price, it is not just the urban-retailers but farmers too who are in tears”.
Thursday, 2 October: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi, Dinamani remembers Mahatma Gandhi’s life and philosophy. It says, “There was truth-simplicity-honesty in Gandhiji. He was very firm in his opinions and ideology. Moreover, his approaches had an element of humanity. We have a duty to carry forth his constructive approaches and not hated to our future generations.”
Thursday, 3 September: Dinamani comments on retired air chief marshal B.S. Dhanoa’s statement that motor vehicles manufactured at the same time as the engines of MiG-21 are not on the roads anymore. MiG-21, however, is still a prime possession of IAF. It writes “India is now trying to buy MiG-29 from Russia. While other countries are going for the fifth-sixth generation fighter aircraft, it is an unwise decision to buy outdated technology because of lack of funds to upgrade.