Shashi Tharoor Slams Kerala's "Misplaced Generosity" For Turkey, CPM Reacts
Posting a news item about Kerala's Rs 10 crore aid to Turkey on X, Mr Tharoor said the Left Democratic Front government should "reflect on its misplaced generosity".
"I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey's behaviour two years later! Not to mention that the people of Wayanad (just to take one Kerala example) could have used those ten crores far better," his post read.
CPM's John Brittas responded immediately, saying why Mr Tharoor was questioning Kerala when the Central government had extended a helping hand to Turkey and attributed it to "selective amnesia".
"Hve great regards for Shashi Tharoor. But these comments are symptoms of selective amnesia," his post read.
"It is as amusing n puzzling why he had to belittle Kerala when he knows very well the Modi govt itself had launched Operation Dost to help Turkey. Kerala bashing is unwarranted," his post read.
Hve great regards for Shashi Tharoor. But these comments are symptoms of selective amnesia. It is as amusing n puzzling why he had to belittle Kerala when he knows very well the Modi govt itself had launched Operation Dost to help Turkey. Kerala bashing is unwarranted. https://t.co/JgWvCHnUM2
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) May 24, 2025
Turkey's aid to Pakistan in the four-day armed conflict with India has been followed by a string public sentiment against the Mediterranean nation. The civil society has promptly dropped it as a favoured tourist destination, trader associations have boycotted Turkish goods and Turkish forms operating in India have been put out of commission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Mann Ki Baat: Capital talk
Cabinet whispers: Winds of change There is an undercurrent of speculation in political circles, especially around the BJP, that a few long-serving ministers might soon see changes in their roles. The buzz—still firmly in the realm of gossip—suggests that the RSS has nudged the party leadership to rethink the positions of about six ministers who have held the same portfolios across two terms. Some are seen as having delivered little headline-worthy work in their current jobs, though that judgment is always subjective. The BJP, however, isn't keen to drop them entirely as most are considered close to the top brass. So, they may be shifted laterally into organisational roles. Allies, on the other hand, are unlikely to face any change unless they ask for it themselves. For now, the matter remains a quietly evolving story. Mann Ki Baat: Capital talk Since its launch in October 2014, Mann Ki Baat has become a monthly ritual in many Indian homes. What began as a simple radio address by the Prime Minister has grown into a multimedia platform—broadcast on All India Radio, Doordarshan, YouTube, NewsOnAIR, and even overseas through social media and OTT platforms like WAVES. It shares inspiring stories, social messages, and reflections—but beyond content, it has also proven financially successful. Official data shows it has generated Rs 34.13 crore in revenue so far. That this has been achieved without commercial advertising, with the reach and impact to boot, is remarkable. In an age defined by speed and brevity, Mann Ki Baat demonstrates that thoughtful, long-form storytelling can still resonate widely—and even pay its way.
The Hindu
8 minutes ago
- The Hindu
‘Every single day' we keep an eye on what's happening between Pakistan and India: Rubio
The U.S. keeps 'an eye' on what's happening between India and Pakistan 'every single day' as ceasefires can fall apart very quickly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. '…the only way to have a ceasefire is for both sides to agree to stop firing at one another. And the Russians just haven't agreed to that. Beyond that, I would say that one of the complications about ceasefires is they have to be maintained, which is very difficult. I mean, every single day we keep an eye on what's happening between Pakistan and India, what's happening between Cambodia and Thailand,' Mr. Rubio said. 'Ceasefires can fall apart very quickly, especially after a three-and-a-half-year war (in Ukraine) like what we're facing now, but I don't think anyone disagrees that the ideal here, what we're aiming for is not some permanent ceasefire. What we're aiming for here is a peace deal so there's not a war now and there's not a war in the future,' Mr. Rubio said in an interview to NBC News Meet The Press. In a separate interview with Fox Business, Mr. Rubio again mentioned the recent conflict between India and Pakistan that President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed he solved. 'And I think we are very fortunate and blessed and should be thankful to have a President who has made peace and the achievement of peace a priority of his administration. We've seen it in Cambodia and Thailand. We've seen it in India-Pakistan. We've seen it in Rwanda and the DRC. And we're going to continue to pursue any opportunities we can find to bring about peace in the world,' Mr. Rubio said. Since May 10, when Mr. Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a 'full and immediate' ceasefire after a 'long night' of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim about 40 times that he 'helped settle' the tensions between India and Pakistan and that he told the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that America will do a 'lot of trade' with them if they stopped the conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in Parliament that no leader of any country asked India to stop Operation Sindoor. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has categorically said there was no third-party intervention in bringing about a ceasefire with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, asserting that the halting of the military action was also not linked to trade as claimed by Mr. Trump. On the day of his summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (August 15, 2025), Mr. Trump repeated multiple times within hours his claim that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan, as well as spoke about India's purchases of Russian oil. 'Look at India. Take a look at India and Pakistan. They were shooting down airplanes already, and that would have been maybe nuclear. I would have said it was going to go nuclear, and I was able to get it done. Number one is lives, and number two is everything else. Wars are very bad and if you can avoid them, and I seem to have an ability to end them, to get people together, I use the power of the United States,' Mr. Trump had said.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
GST 2.0 tussle: Centre eyes extra duty over 40% slab on tobacco products; states push for 'significant' cut
Govt mulling extra GST over and above 40% proposed on tobacco products (AI image) The government is reportedly considering imposing additional excise or special duties beyond the proposed 40% GST on tobacco products to sustain current taxation levels, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of GST 2.0 reforms that eliminate compensation cess. Several states are requesting a "significant share" in the supplementary taxation on tobacco items to offset immediate revenue reductions, according to Economic Times sources familiar with ongoing discussions regarding sin goods taxation, particularly tobacco. "During the discussion some states asked for equal share on the additional duty to be imposed," disclosed one source anonymously. The rate rationalisation ministerial group, led by Bihar's deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary, is likely to convene once more before the upcoming GST Council meeting to address this matter, with states anticipating next-generation GST reforms. The GST Council will take the ultimate decision on this issue. Presently, tobacco and related products, including cigarette, cigars, pan masala, cigarillos and hookah, face 28% GST plus compensation cess, central excise duty and national calamity contingent duty, totalling 53% indirect tax. The past five years saw average yearly GST collections of Rs 51,000 crore from tobacco products, with additional education cess and surcharges from manufacturers reaching Rs 27,659.84 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo Finance officials, on Independence Day, proposed restructuring GST into two tiers, eliminating 12% and 28% slabs, while introducing a 40% category for select sin goods including tobacco products. The proposal maintains that overall tobacco product taxation would remain unchanged. Without compensation cess, this requires implementation of alternative additional duties. Also read: PM Modi seeks states' backing on draft GST reform proposal, promises double Diwali bonus for people Revenue considerations Various states seek either equal shares in additional duties or independent taxation rights, similar to alcohol's state excise duty system. They contend that existing indirect tax on tobacco products can exceed 53% without affecting revenue for central or state governments. "A few states suggested that either it should be a basic excise duty, divisible between the Centre and states, or a central excise duty along with state excise duty - which would be a win-win for both, giving headroom to states to generate their revenue," revealed a source involved in discussions. Kerala has formally requested compensation for revenue losses from GST reforms. "The so-called simplification of GST rates announced by Modi will be devastating for state revenues," Kerala finance minister Thomas Issac said in a post on X. "The GST rates that have already been rendered below revenue neutral rate by 2018 pre-election simplification, will now shrink further. States must be compensated for the loss." India's tobacco products remain globally amongst the most affordable, according to parliamentary standing committee's 139th report. The report indicated substantial scope for increased taxation, recommending 40% peak rate and significant excise duty increases. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
