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The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
All-party Indian delegations say terrorism must be eradicated in the interests of all humanity
During their meeting, the delegation 'reiterated India's resolve to combat terrorism on its own. They also emphasised that terror remains a threat to all nations, and therefore the world needs to eradicate this scourge in the interests of all humanity,' the High Commission of India in London said in a social media statement. In London, the delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad met Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West who told them that the UK is with India in its efforts to combat terrorism. London/Cairo/Kuala Lumpur, Jun 2 (PTI) All-party parliamentary delegations on Monday met with leaders of several countries and highlighted India's resolve to combat terrorism, which it stressed must be eradicated in the interests of all humanity. Catherine West reiterated the UK's condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attacks and hailed India's contributions to stability in the Indo-Pacific. 'She said that the UK is with India in its efforts; as a nation that has suffered from terror attacks itself, the UK believes that those who commit acts of terror must be brought to justice. All countries must work towards this end,' the statement added. The closed-door meeting followed the delegation's in-depth dialogues with representatives from some of the leading UK-based think tanks at India House in London. 'We conveyed our concern as to why we are here. We also said we are capable of handling Pakistan, which we have handled. We believe in peace and amity, but we also have to take action to save the livelihood of our people against terror. But the world has to understand this cancer of terrorism,' Prasad told PTI following the discussions. In Algeria, the delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Monday concluded its four-nation (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Algeria) visit and successfully conveyed India's message of 'zero tolerance' for terrorism, said former diplomat Harsh V Shringla, who is also a member of the delegation. 'A politically, linguistically and spiritually diverse group that spoke in one voice in the best spirit of 'India First'!' Shringla said in a post on X. The delegation members Sunday night met Mohamed Khouane, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the National Community Abroad in the Algerian Parliament, who hosted a dinner in their honour. 'A broad range of topics of mutual interest and India's commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms were discussed,' Panda posted on X. The delegation discussed the need for strong and determined measures against terrorism, the Indian mission said. 'India and Algeria to work together to strengthen global fight against terrorism,' it added. In Malaysia, the all-party parliamentary delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, emphasised India's zero tolerance to terrorism, asserting that 'water and blood cannot flow together'. They met with representatives from the Democratic Action Party led by YB M. Kula Segaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), and Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Malaysia and conveyed India's perspectives and national resolve against terrorism. 'Discussions centred on India's resolute response to terrorism under Operation Sindoor. There was emphasis on India's zero tolerance to terrorism, and the view that 'Water and blood cannot flow together',' the High Commission of India in Malaysia said. The delegation's remarks were in the context of India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack. The delegation held 'constructive talks' with the representatives of Parti Keadilan Rakyat led by YB Sim Tze Tzin. 'India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism was outlined, reaffirming our national unity against cross-border threats,' the mission said in another post. It said the delegation also interacted with Deputy Minister of Unity YB Saraswathy Kandasami during the meeting with Parti Keadilan Rakyat. The delegation also met senior representatives of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) led by President Tan Sri Dato Sri SA Vigneswaran and Deputy President YB Datuk Seri M Saravanan. 'Conveyed India's new normal of responding firmly against any act of terror on the Indian soil. @MIC_Malaysia expressed solidarity with India's position on the fight against cross-border terrorism,' it said. The delegation held an engaging discussion with leading Malaysian think tanks & academia. 'Deliberations focussed on India's new normal and new security doctrine in fight against cross-border terrorism, and also ways to enhance international cooperation on collective fight against terrorism in all its forms,' the mission said. In Egypt, the delegation led by NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule Monday held 'productive discussions' with the members of the Egyptian Senate and House of Representatives. 'The Senate reaffirmed solidarity with India and reiterated the importance attached to the close Strategic Partnership,' it said. The delegation, which arrived in Cairo after concluding their visit to Ethiopia on Sunday, will also meet Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Secretary General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit. On Monday, Spain extended its 'unequivocal support' for India's efforts to combat terrorism when an all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid. The delegation, which arrived here from Latvia on Saturday for a three-day visit in the final leg of its five-nation tour, apprised Albares of India's position and discussed India's efforts at combatting terrorism. 'Mr. @jmalbares conveyed his understanding and the unequivocal support of Spain for India's efforts to combat terrorism, and reaffirmed the importance of global peace. He emphasised that terrorism will never prevail and that Spain stood with India on this issue,' the Indian Embassy in Madrid posted on X. Earlier, the delegation reiterated India's resolve for a 'safer and more compassionate world' during a meeting with an organisation of terror victims in Spain. In Liberia, the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde conveyed India's 'united' resolve to combat terrorism in 'all its forms and manifestations' during an interaction with the Indian community in Monrovia on Sunday. The delegation reached the West African nation on May 31 for a three-day visit as part of India's global outreach to underscore its message of 'Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism'. The all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has arrived in Brazil on the fourth leg of its five-nation trip. 'After a day full of travel, our delegation has reached Brasilia, Brazil midnight now. The last week has been hectic but greatly productive. Looking forward to the next two days of work here,' Tejasvi Surya, who is one of the members of the delation, posted on X. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10. PTI AK/GRS/NSA/PY/SCY ZH ZH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Swatantra Vir Savarkar And Social Harmony
Last Updated: Swatantra Veer Savarkar spent half his life fighting for Bharata Mata's freedom from foreign occupation and the other half uplifting the downtrodden by bringing Samajik Samarasata Swatantra Vir Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's birth anniversary is on May 28. He was born in 1883 in Bhagur, a village near Nashik in Maharashtra. He was the second son of Damodar Pant and Radhabhai. Ganesh preceded him; his younger siblings were Narayan, another brother, and Mainabhai, a sister. We all know Savarkar's exploits as a school and college boy, his time at the India House in London, his arrest and the subsequent spine-tingling escape attempt from onboard a ship that was docked in Marseille in France and his days incarcerated in solitary confinement in the Cellular Jail in the Andamans. Former Prime Minister of Bharat, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in his famous speech, says, 'Savarkar means speed, sacrifice, penance, philosophy, debate, youth, strength, hitting the bullseye, sharpness, power, astonishment, a free soul, sternness, a ray of light, imagination, valuable thoughts. What a multifaceted personality he was – a great poet and a revolutionary." One facet he might have missed inadvertently is his face as a reformer and advocate of Samajik Samarasata, or social harmony. Samajik Samarasata, or social harmony, is one precious quality Bharat lost when it was under foreign occupation and a quality that Bharat is still searching for. Even today, we hear about the dual-tumbler system in the tea shops of the South and the differential treatment of people based on caste. We need to hang our heads down in shame, having allowed these inhuman practices to linger in our society well into the twenty-first century. The Sarsanghachalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Dr Mohan Bhagwat, has consistently said there shouldn't be any discrimination and all Hindus should share temples, water and shamshan (cremation ground). Samajik Samarasata is one of the five key pillars RSS wants the society to stand on, which the Sangh would practise and urge the society to follow suit during its Centenary year (2024-25). When Mahakavi Bharatiyar from the South sang, 'We're one race, one community, and everyone is a king in our country," it shouldn't be surprising that Savarkar from the western part of Bharat also felt the same way and was working towards creating an equal and fraternal society. Savarkar thundered, 'When I refuse to touch someone because he was born in a particular community but play with cats and dogs, I am committing a most heinous crime against humanity. Untouchability should be eradicated not only because it is incumbent on us but because it is impossible to justify this inhuman custom when we consider any aspect of dharma. Hence, this custom should be eradicated as a command of dharma." Source: Samagra Savarkar Vagmaya, Volume 3 On May 19, 1929, an ex-untouchable conference took place in Malvan in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. On the second day of the conference, Savarkar distributed Janeu, or sacred threads, to all the participants. The participants were then administered the sacred thread in a Vedic ceremony and collectively chanted the Gayatri mantra. Savarkar, addressing the participants on this historic occasion, spoke thus, 'A battle royal has been raging for the last seven generations over the right of studying the Vedas. Here are the Vedas. Here is the sacred thread. Take these two. Is that all? Even non-Hindus read the Vedas. Why can't the Hindu Mahars read them? It was all hypocrisy. Both yours and ours quarrel over this problem was a useless task. Let us expiate the sins we committed. We are all responsible for our political subjugation. That is the past. Now let us declare on oath that we shall rectify our past blunders and win back our wealth and glory. The people who regard untouchability which has been a disgrace to humanity as a part of their religion are really the fallen people." Source: Dhananjay Keer, Savarkar and his times. In the 1930s, the movement against untouchability was gaining traction. And so was the opposition to this movement by the regressive forces, the so-called upper castes. During Ganesh Chaturthi festivals, a group of these regressive forces disallowed the people from the oppressed community to take part in the celebrations in the Ratnagiri Vittal Mandir. Savarkar decided to create a new Ganesh Pandal catering to all walks of Hindu society, without any restrictions. A person from the oppressed community ritually installed the Ganesh Murti in the Pandal. Savarkar also conducted a Gayatri mantra reciting competition, which was incidentally won by a person from the (so-called) untouchable community. This was the time when Savarkar felt the need for a temple that would cater to all sections of society, where people from all communities and castes would come together with one feeling: Bhakti. This is where the seed for the Patit Pavan Mandir (Temple of the saviour of the downtrodden) was sown. The temple came up quickly with support from a local businessman, Bhagoji Baloji Keer. The temple opened with a Vedic ceremony on February 22, 1931. Bhagoji Keer performed the Prana Pratishta, declaring the temple open for worship. Historically, Bhagoji belonged to the Bhandari caste, who were traditionally toddy tappers and sea warriors (Bhandari comes from Bhandara or Treasury. It is also said that this community managed the treasury for the administrators). In 1938, when Savarkar was the president, Hindu Mahasabha released a press statement which read, 'Barrister Savarkar, President of the Mahasabha, even after he became the President, addressed three or four hundred meetings throughout Hindustan and exhorted not less than one hundred thousand people to remove untouchability and as a piece of public demonstration to prove how he personally held all Hindus equal, made untouchable leaders in almost every meeting offer him water or food and participated in it in the presence of all. He visited not less than a hundred habitations of untouchables and was received by them in public meetings, had organised not less than one thousand men, of whom five hundred invited untouchables participated in the anti-caste dinner last May. Even the intercaste marriages between touchables and untouchables received his public support for example in the case of the Kolhapur inter-caste marriage." Thus, Swatantra Veer Savarkar spent half his life fighting for Bharata Mata's freedom from foreign occupation and the other half uplifting the downtrodden by bringing Samajik Samarasata. On his birth anniversary, let us take a pledge to bring about social harmony by putting our hands to heart and say, 'We will not discriminate, and we will fight discrimination against any Hindu. All Hindus are equal, and we will share temples, water and cremation grounds with all my brethren. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" As Thiruvalluvar says: எவ்வ துறைவது உலகம் உலகத்தோடு அவ்வ துறைவ தறிவு. (426) Evva Thuraivathu Ulagam Ulagaththodu Avva Thuraiva Tharivu. It is part of wisdom to conform to the ways of the world. top videos View all Let the way be equality and fraternity, shunning discrimination to create social harmony, as Swatantra Vir Savarkar taught us. Raja Baradwaj is a marketing communications professional who is currently working with a leading technology multi-national company. He is an avid reader, a history buff, cricket player, writer, Sanskrit & Dharma Sastra student. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 27, 2025, 17:25 IST News opinion Opinion | Swatantra Vir Savarkar And Social Harmony
Tatler Asia
19-05-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Inside Peninsula House: The transformation of a Penang art deco landmark
Above The interplay between preserved architectural features and new interventions creates a restaurant space that respects the building's Art Deco heritage Above The hallways of India House has seen an evolution from HSBC branch to US Information Service to Peninsula House The design team responded creatively: 'We decided to create platforms to delineate spaces, as we had the volume to play with heights,' says Ken. The solution resulted in three distinct levels of dining experiences with deliberate shifts in elevation that address both client requirements and spatial dynamics. These varying planes create different perspectives throughout Peninsula House, transforming what could have been an overwhelming space into areas of visual interest and controlled intimacy. Don't miss: 7 iconic cantilever chairs that shaped modern furniture Above Varying elevations create distinct dining experiences throughout the formerly sparse interior Above Custom sliding doors honor architectural heritage while providing modern climate control Preserving the building's architectural integrity while introducing contemporary elements required precision. 'The most important elements were the facade and the details of windows and doors,' Ken explains. The team maintained the original metal framework but replaced the blue-tinted glass with a combination of textured and clear panels. Custom sliding doors were designed to allow balcony access while maintaining climate control – a practical solution that honours architectural heritage without sacrificing modern comfort. Read more: Embracing warm minimalism: Beyond austerity in interior design Photo 1 of 3 A key feature of Peninsula House was how the original metal framework was preserved with thoughtfully updated glass panels Photo 2 of 3 The original Art Deco window framework has been carefully preserved while introducing warm wooden furnishings Photo 3 of 3 This space exemplifies Wunderwall Design's approach of creating controlled intimacy within the formerly sparse interior through deliberate elevation changes and a warm, neutral palette of whitewashed timber and bone-white lime paint The material palette reveals careful consideration: bone-white lime paint, whitewashed timber, patinated wood, stone, and metal create textural contrast. The furnishings combine custom-designed pieces with vintage discoveries. 'We wanted similar contrasts in the built works and the loose pieces, hence the mix of vintage and new,' Ken elaborates. One remarkable find was a jewellery desk repurposed as a bar, exemplifying their adaptive approach. See also: VanaVasa Eco-Resort: Luxury meets sustainability in Janda Baik, Malaysia Above Custom fixtures and carefully preserved architectural elements ensure that even utilitarian spaces contribute to the cohesive design narrative Above A repurposed jewellery desk finds new life as Peninsula House's bar beneath the loft-like ceiling space Craftsmanship was central to Peninsula House's success. Ken highlights their collaboration with local stainless steel artisans who created pendant lights and candle holders using innovative polishing techniques. 'It was something new to them as well, but they were very willing to explore,' he adds. The entrance portal to Peninsula House, constructed from reclaimed Kaya timber, presented unique challenges. 'We had to navigate our design details, sizes and height with the limitations of working with solid timber,' Ken notes. 'The outcome is a majestic entrance portal.' NOW READ 7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers Ultimate Malaysian Home Tours guide: 7 stunning homes in Penang Bill Bensley: Eco-luxury hotels' design rebel Credits Best of Tatler Asia video highlights Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
Middle East Eye
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Protesters hold 'Free Kashmir' demonstration outside London's India House
Around 60 activists gathered for a Free Kashmir rally outside of the India House in London as part of a solidarity demonstration organised by a coalition of groups including the London-based World Kashmir Freedom Movement (WKFM) and a number of Muslim, South Asian, and pro-Palestine organisations. Protesters demanded an end to the 'Indian occupation of Kashmir,' and called on the international community to 'stop arming India'. Shamoley Hoque, a London-based activist and representative of WKFM told MEE that the rally was initially set up as an emergency response to recent events unfolding in Kashmir. On 22 April, gunmen attacked tourists in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 25 tourists and one local Kashmiri. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Indian law enforcement embarked on a campaign of mass detentions and punitive home demolitions in Indian-controlled Kashmir, detaining more than 2,000 people under anti-terror laws that have been described as repressive by human rights organisations. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Last week, the Indian military launched air strikes across sites in Pakistan that it designated "terrorist" facilities. It described the strikes as retaliatory measures for the April attack but the Indian government has not yet produced any evidence for a Pakistani connection to the attack. Following India strikes on Pakistani military bases, the Pakistani military launched an operation targeting six Indian military bases. After the ceasefire: What lies ahead for India and Pakistan? Read More » Indian strikes killed 36 people in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while 21 have been killed by Pakistani shelling in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The Indian strikes on Pakistan are believed to have come at a further cost with the downing of at least two Indian fighter jets, including a French-made Rafale aircraft. The two countries agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday. An unnamed Kashmiri speaker at the rally decried the lack of attention on Kashmiri voices in media narratives, saying 'no media is showing what is happening in Kashmir'. 'We are not a place to check your jets and bombs,' he added. Muzzammil Ayyub Thakur, director of WKFM, told MEE that there is a long history of Kashmir advocacy in the United Kingdom, beginning with migrants from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, who began settling in the UK in the 1970s and 80s. His organisation, he explained, has long advocated for 'the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions that guarantee our right to self-determination'. Thakur described India's treatment of Kashmir as a 'war on identity,' tying the Kashmiri struggle to the targeting of minorities, particularly Muslims, within India's own borders. 'Kashmir has been a laboratory experiment for India for many years and then they exported those trials to mainland India.' Shared Solidarity: Kashmir and Palestine Protesters also discussed solidarity between Kashmir and Palestine, with many attendees wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves associated with Palestinian liberation. Speakers brought attention to the parallels between India and Israel, and specifically the similarities between Hindutva– or the Hindu nationalist ideology espoused by India's ruling government– and that of Zionism in Israel. Umer, who preferred not to share his last name for safety reasons, spoke to MEE as an activist with Palestine Action, an organisation that uses direct action tactics to disrupt factories and companies supplying arms to Israel. Experts warn of 'impunity' amidst Indian calls to implement 'Israel playbook' in Kashmir Read More » He explained that he became vocal for the Kashmiri cause after 'discovering [that] the same factories in the UK have been supplying India with weapons'. India is the largest buyer of Israeli arms, and Israeli drones, particularly, have been used for surveillance in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Hoque told MEE that much of the student support for Sunday's action 'comes from the back of the Palestine encampments'. According to a student representative from the Indo-Pak Development Forum at King's College of London, one of the groups organising the protest, student awareness and interest in the Kashmiri cause had been increasing year after year, due to sustained political programming. During the demonstration, a UK-based Kashmiri student led a series of Kashmiri chants calling for 'Azadi,' or 'freedom'. The student, who preferred anonymity due to safety risks, told MEE 'people need to recognise that both Pakistan and India are problematic in this issue, and they need to centre Kashmiris'. The student added that she '[loves] to see the parallels that people make' between Kashmir and Palestine, and the actions of the Indian and Israeli states. 'It is very clear, it's very right," she said, but explained that "also, people need to see the violence of Kashmir, as a bit more insidious, and a bit more indirect in some ways.' Despite Saturday's ceasefire, she shared that violence persists for her family members in Indian-controlled Kashmir. 'This type of violence is very normal for Kashmiris. This is how Kashmiris have been living life for at least 30 years.'
