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Almost 1000 days ago, BJP won the election with 31% mandate and PM <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> became the prime minister. In India's largest democracy, this kind of vote share is unprecedented in last few terms. Riding above the parliamentary wave, Modi with his motto of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas’ has promised 'acche din' for the country. To know the results, we still have to wait for two more years, when he completes his term. 
 
Modi's concept of 'Digital India' also clicked well. He is among the few politicians in India who understood the power of social media long back and used it effectively. 
 
Let's have a look at Modi's Facebook story of last three years. Sourced from Facebook, this infographic covers various engagements of Modi and his government from 26 May 2014 – 16 May 2017. 
 
 
Have a look at the slideshow for more details

This is how PM Narendra Modi’s 3 Years on Facebook look like

<keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> made a bold move and declared Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes as void starting midnight. 
 In his address to the entire nation, Modi said the decision was taken to clamp down on <keyword id="6356023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Black-Money">black money</keyword>. 
 
He urged Indians to bear with temporary hardships in the implementation of the new rule. 
 
"We are No 1 in rate of economic growth. Despite some progress, India still ranks at No 76 in world rankings for perception of corruption,” said Modi. 
 
Modi said persons holding old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 can deposit these notes in their bank or post office accounts from November 10 till close of banking hours on December 30, 2016 without any limit. 
 
He also made other important points during his address to the nation. 
 
Here’s the full text of his speech 
 
 
My dear citizens 
 
I hope you ended the festive season of Diwali with joy and new hope. Today, I will be speaking to you about some critical issues and important decisions. Today I want to make a special request to all of you. You may recall the economic situation in May 2014 when you entrusted us with an onerous responsibility. In the context of BRICS, it was being said that the “I” in BRICS was shaky. Since then, we had two years of severe drought. Yet, in the last two and a half years with the support of 125 crore Indians, India has become the “bright spot” in the global economy. It is not just we who are saying this; it is being stated by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. 
 
In this effort for development, our motto has been ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas’: We are with all citizens and for development of all citizens. This Government is dedicated to the poor. It will remain dedicated to them. In our fight against poverty, our main thrust has been to empower the poor, and make them active participants in the benefits of economic progress. 
 
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, 
 
the Jan Suraksha Yojana, 
 
the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana for small enterprises, 
 
the Stand-up India programme for Dalits, Adivasis and Women, 
 
the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme for gas connections in the homes of the poor, 
 
the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana to protect the income of farmers, 
 
the Soil Health Card Scheme to ensure the best possible yield from farmers’ fields, 
 
and the e-NAM National Market Place scheme to ensure farmers get the right price for their produce 
 
—these are all reflections of this approach. 
 
In the past decades, the spectre of corruption and black money has grown. It has weakened the effort to remove poverty. On the one hand, we are now No. 1 in the rate of economic growth. But on the other hand, we were ranked close to one hundred in the global corruption perceptions ranking two years back. In spite of many steps taken, we have only been able to reach a ranking of seventy-six now. Of course, there is improvement. This shows the extent to which corruption and black money have spread their tentacles. 
 
The evil of corruption has been spread by certain sections of society for their selfish interest. They have ignored the poor and cornered benefits. Some people have misused their office for personal gain. On the other hand, honest people have fought against this evil. Crores of common men and women have lived lives of integrity. We hear about poor auto-rickshaw drivers returning gold ornaments left in the vehicles to their rightful owners. We hear about taxi drivers who take pains to locate the owners of cell phones left behind. We hear of vegetable vendors who return excess money given by customers. 
 
There comes a time in the history of a country’s development when a need is felt for a strong and decisive step. For years, this country has felt that corruption, black money and terrorism are festering sores, holding us back in the race towards development. 
 
Terrorism is a frightening threat. So many have lost their lives because of it. But have you ever thought about how these terrorists get their money? Enemies from across the border run their operations using fake currency notes. This has been going on for years. Many times, those using fake five hundred and thousand rupee notes have been caught and many such notes have been seized. 
 
Brothers and sisters, 
 
On the one hand is the problem of terrorism; on the other is the challenge posed by corruption and black money. We began our battle against corruption by setting up an SIT headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, immediately upon taking office. Since then 
 
• a law was passed in 2015 for disclosure of foreign black money; 
 
• agreements with many countries, including the USA, have been made to add provisions for sharing banking information; 
 
• a strict law has come into force from August 2016 to curb benami transactions, which are used to deploy black money earned through corruption; 
 
• a scheme was introduced for declaring black money after paying a stiff penalty; 
 
My dear countrymen, 
 
Through all these efforts, in the last two and a half years, we have brought into the open nearly 1 lakh 25 thousand crore rupees of black money belonging to the corrupt. Honest citizens want this fight against corruption, black money, benami property, terrorism and counterfeiting to continue. Which honest citizen would not be pained by reports of crores worth of currency notes stashed under the beds of government officers? Or by reports of cash found in gunny bags? 
 
The magnitude of cash in circulation is directly linked to the level of corruption. Inflation becomes worse through the deployment of cash earned in corrupt ways. The poor have to bear the brunt of this. It has a direct effect on the purchasing power of the poor and the middle class. You may yourself have experienced when buying land or a house, that apart from the amount paid by cheque, a large amount is demanded in cash. This creates problems for an honest person in buying property. The misuse of cash has led to artificial increase in the cost of goods and services like houses, land, higher education, health care and so on. 
 
High circulation of cash also strengthens the hawala trade which is directly connected to black money and illegal trade in weapons. Debate on the role of black money in elections has been going on for years. 
 
Brothers and sisters, 
 
To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the five hundred rupee and thousand rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight tonight, that is 8th November 2016. This means that these notes will not be acceptable for transactions from midnight onwards. The five hundred and thousand rupee notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become just worthless pieces of paper. The rights and the interests of honest, hard-working people will be fully protected. Let me assure you that notes of one hundred, fifty, twenty, ten, five, two and one rupee and all coins will remain legal tender and will not be affected. 
 
This step will strengthen the hands of the common man in the fight against corruption, black money and fake currency. To minimise the difficulties of citizens in the coming days, several steps are being taken. 
 
1. Persons holding old notes of five hundred or one thousand rupees can deposit these notes in their bank or post office accounts from 10th November till close of banking hours on 30th December 2016 without any limit. 
 
2. Thus you will have 50 days to deposit your notes and there is no need for panic. 
 
3. Your money will remain yours. You need have no worry on this point. 
 
4. After depositing your money in your account, you can draw it when you need it. 
 
5. Keeping in mind the supply of new notes, in the first few days, there will be a limit of ten thousand rupees per day and twenty thousand rupees per week. This limit will be increased in the coming days. 
 
6. Apart from depositing your notes in your bank account, another facility will also be there. 
 
7. For your immediate needs, you can go to any bank, head post office or sub post office, show your identity proof like Aadhaar card, voter card, ration card, passport, PAN card or other approved proofs, and exchange your old five hundred or thousand rupee notes for new notes. 
 
8. From 10th November till 24th November the limit for such exchange will be four thousand rupees. From 25th November till 30th December, the limit will be increased. 
 
9. There may be some who, for some reason, are not able to deposit their old five hundred or thousand rupee notes by 30th December 2016. 
 
10. They can go to specified offices of the Reserve Bank of India up to 31st March 2017 and deposit the notes after submitting a declaration form. 
 
11. On 9th November and in some places on 10th November also, ATMs will not work. In the first few days, there will be a limit of two thousand rupees per day per card. 
 
12. This will be raised to four thousand rupees later. 
 
13. Five hundred and thousand rupee notes will not be legal tender from midnight. However for humanitarian reasons, to reduce hardship to citizens, some special arrangements have been made for the first 72 hours, that is till midnight on 11th November. 
 
14. During this period, government hospitals will continue to accept five hundred and thousand rupee notes for payment. 
 
15. This is for the benefit of those families whose members may be unwell. 
 
16. Pharmacies in government hospitals will also accept these notes for buying medicines with doctors’ prescription. 
 
17. For 72 hours, till midnight on 11th November, railway ticket booking counters, ticket counters of government buses and airline ticket counters at airports will accept the old notes for purchase of tickets. This is for the benefit of those who may be travelling at this time. 
 
18. For 72 hours, five hundred and thousand rupee notes will be accepted also at 
 
• Petrol, diesel and CNG gas stations authorised by public sector oil companies 
 
• Consumer co-operative stores authorised by State or Central Government 
 
• Milk booths authorised by State governments 
 
• Crematoria and burial grounds. 
 
These outlets will have to keep proper records of stock and collections. 
 
19. Arrangements will be made at international airports for arriving and departing passengers who have five hundred or thousand rupee notes of not more than five thousand rupees, to exchange them for new notes or other legal tender. 
 
20. Foreign tourists will be able to exchange foreign currency or old notes of not more than Rs 5000 into legal tender. 
 
21. One more thing I would like to mention, I want to stress that in this entire exercise, there is no restriction of any kind on non-cash payments by cheques, demand drafts, debit or credit cards and electronic fund transfer. 
 
Brothers and sisters, 
 
In spite of all these efforts there may be temporary hardships to be faced by honest citizens. Experience tells us that ordinary citizens are always ready to make sacrifices and face difficulties for the benefit of the nation. I see that spirit when a poor widow gives up her LPG subsidy, when a retired school teacher contributes his pension to the Swacch Bharat mission, when a poor Adivasi mother sells her goats to build a toilet, when a soldier contributes 57 thousand rupees to make his village clean. I have seen that the ordinary citizen has the determination to do anything, if it will lead to the country’s progress. 
 
So, in this fight against corruption, black money, fake notes and terrorism, in this movement for purifying our country, will our people not put up with difficulties for some days? I have full confidence that every citizen will stand up and participate in this ‘mahayagna’. My dear countrymen, after the festivity of Diwali, now join the nation and extend your hand in this Imandaari ka Utsav, this Pramanikta ka Parv, this celebration of integrity, this festival of credibility. 
 
I am sure that all political parties, all governments, social services organizations, the media and indeed all sections of the society will take part in this with enthusiasm and make it a success. 
 
My dear countrymen, 
 
Secrecy was essential for this action. It is only now, as I speak to you, that various agencies like banks, post offices, railways, hospitals and others are being informed. The Reserve Bank, banks and post offices have to make many arrangements at very short notice. Obviously, time will be needed. Therefore all banks will be closed to the public on 9th November. This may cause some hardship to you. I have full faith that banks and post offices will successfully carry out this great task of national importance. However, I appeal to all of you to help the banks and post offices to meet this challenge with poise and determination. 
 
My dear citizens, 
 
From time to time, based on currency needs, the Reserve Bank with the approval of the Central Government brings out new notes of higher value. In 2014, the Reserve Bank sent a recommendation for issue of five thousand and ten thousand rupee notes. After careful consideration, this was not accepted. Now as part of this exercise, RBI’s recommendation to issue two thousand rupee notes has been accepted. New notes of five hundred rupees and two thousand rupees, with completely new design will be introduced. Based on past experience, the Reserve Bank will hereafter make arrangements to limit the share of high denomination notes in the total currency in circulation. 
 
In a country’s history, there come moments when every person feels he too should be part of that moment, that he too should make his contribution to the country’s progress. Such moments come but rarely. Now, we again have an opportunity where every citizen can join this mahayajna against the ills of corruption, black money and fake notes. The more help you give in this campaign, the more successful it will be. 
 
It has been a matter of concern for all of us that corruption and black money tend to be accepted as part of life. This type of thinking has afflicted our politics, our administration and our society like an infestation of termites. None of our public institutions is free from these termites. 
 
Time and again, I have seen that when the average citizen has to choose between accepting dishonesty and bearing inconvenience, they always choose to put up with inconvenience. They will not support dishonesty. 
 
Once again, let me invite you to make your contribution to this grand sacrifice for cleansing our country, just as you cleaned up your surroundings during Diwali. 
 
Let us ignore the temporary hardship 
 
Let us join this festival of integrity and credibility 
 
Let us enable coming generations to live their lives with dignity 
 
Let us fight corruption and black money 
 
Let us ensure that the nation’s wealth benefits the poor 
 
Let us enable law-abiding citizens to get their due share. 
 
I am confident in the 125 crore people of India and I am sure country will get success. 
 
Thank you very much. Thanks a lot. 
 
Namaskar. 
 
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

PM Modi ends Rs 500, Rs 1000 currency notes. Read his full address here

Snipers in the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Indian+Armed+Forces&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Indian Armed Forces</a> have come up with another duty mantra, which is boosting their morale along the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Line+of+Control&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Line of Control</a> (<keyword id="6355098" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="LoC">LoC</keyword>). "Dushmun Shikaar, Hum Shikaari" (Enemy is the target, we are the hunters) is the mantra they are following now. 
 Many boards bearing this slogan have come up in the border areas and the <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> is following with all diligence. 
 
The morale of the military has further increased post <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=surgical+strikes&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">surgical strikes</a> on terrorist launch pads in <keyword id="44062" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PoK">PoK</keyword> and are currently giving befitting answer to any ceasefire violation by Pakistan and foil penetration endeavors of terrorists and <keyword id="3738734" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="border-action-teams">Border Action Teams</keyword> (BATs). 
 Similarly, the same motto is believed in by Jawans and officers monitoring the forward post and undertake foot patrolling along LoC amid electronic surveillance put to guard the Indo-Pak border in <keyword id="3736170" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="noushera">Noushera</keyword> sector of Rajouri district, which falls opposite to the <keyword id="3740164" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bhimbher">Bhimbher</keyword> district of PoK, where the heavily armed special forces in pre-dawn surgical strike hit at terror launch pads last month. 
 
Post surgical strike defeat Nooushera sector is now a target of Pakistan Armed forces as it a region with thick coniferous woods, deep valleys, rock-cut mountains. The Noushera sector was once biggest infiltration area as there were huge launching pads and terrorist training camps in Bhimbher-Samahni-Nikyal belt across LoC. 
 
As per the reports, army soldiers are most vigilant along LoC and cannot even for a moment keep LoC out of the manual and electronic sight as Pakistan is insulted after the surgical strike. 
(image: Indiatimes)

Different slogans along the LoC are boosting morale of snipers in the Indian Army

With the arrival of new stable government, <keyword id="6355261" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Finance-minister">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> is all set to present the <keyword id="6360189" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Union-Budget">Union Budget</keyword> 2015-16. Since it is the <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi government</keyword>’s first full-term budget and they already have promised a transformational budget, expectations are high on decisions to be taken for any sector of the country and automotive sector is no different. Here is AutoPortal’s take on the automobile industry and the budget impact on it. 
 
With the increasing growth in demand on back of rising income, expanding middle class and young population base, in addition to a large pool of skilled manpower and growing technology, will propel India to be among the world's top five auto-producers by 2015. 
 A report published by Delloite says, “India is expected to become a major automobile manufacturing hub and the third largest market for automobiles by 2020”. The automotive industry in India accounts for around 22% of the country's manufacturing gross domestic product (<keyword id="35050" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="gdp">GDP</keyword>) and is one of the largest employment creators of the <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword>. 
 
However, sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market grew just 3.67% in the April-December period (mainly after the excise cuts) this fiscal in comparison with the same period a year ago and the industry went through slowdown for most of last year. 
 The situation got worsen in January 2015, after the withdrawal of <keyword id="6356916" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="excise-duty">excise duty</keyword> concessions, car sales in India witnessed major decline with main players <keyword id="44883" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Maruti-Suzuki">Maruti Suzuki</keyword> and <keyword id="596" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Hyundai">Hyundai</keyword> posting single digit growth in January, while others like <keyword id="121834" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="GM-India">GM India</keyword> and Ford saw decline in sales. 
AutoPortal’s outlook on the upcoming budget over automobile industry is: 
 
· Reduction in excise duty: In February 2014 interim budget, excise duty on small cars, scooters, motorcycles and commercial vehicles was reduced to 8% from 12% previously. For SUVs, it was cut to 24% from 30%; for mid-sized cars, to 20% from 24%, and to 24% for large cars from 27% earlier, in the hope of boosting the sector. In June2014, the new government led by Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> extended the excise duty concessions till December 2014. As a result, auto manufacturers were forced to increase prices. The auto industry SIAM, further wants to extend the relaxation in duties as this would keep the cost of ownership down for the ultimate owners and increase the interest for new buys. Further, long-term stability in excise duty structure is needed across the country, so that manufacturers can plan their products strategy for the next 3-5 years. 
 
· Inverted duty structure: The government is expected to address the inverted duty structure in the forthcoming Budget. Under the inverted duty structure, taxation of inputs is at higher rates than finished products that results in build-up of credits and cascading costs, thus favouring imports of raw material. Under the government’s “Make in India” approach, it is suggested to remove inverted duty structure to protect the interests of domestic industry. 
 
· Implementation of <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword>: Implementation and speedy action on GST will bring in growth to the economy and create a uniform tax structure across all states. Also this will persuade more exports through increased competitiveness in the international market. The auto industry is keenly looking forward to the roadmap and introduction of GST. 
 
· Scrappage Subsidy Schemes: Introduction of Scrappage Subsidy Schemes on lines of European counterparts, which will clean old cars off the road. Budget should include Policy for scrapping old cars- 15 years and above, along with the infrastructure needed to scrap. This will benefit the environment, reduce fuel consumption and also propel further demands for automotives. 
 
· Green initiatives to manufacturing of electric and hybrid cars: With the upcoming budget, Green initiatives from the government to boost sale of electric and hybrid vehicles is expected and also needed as ‘Go Green’ is the motto for all leading economies of the world. The government is expected to announce special tax incentives to promote eco-friendly vehicles and provide more sops for hybrid/ alternative fuel for vehicles, to increase the marketability and usage of these vehicles and to improve environment and economy by bringing down fuel imports. Continuation of the tax incentives from the Budget for 2014-15 like investment allowance and duty cuts for hybrid vehicles/ parts is also expected. 
 
Electric cars are an eco-friendly variant of four-wheelers. But these cars need to be charged regularly which requires a particular infrastructure (charging locations) across the country. The auto sector needs the government to help setup the charging infrastructure across cities. 
 
· Custom duty unchanged for exported cars: Fully imported cars attract a customs duty in excess of 125%. To promote “Make in India” and to provide healthy competitive platform to domestic players, the auto industry hopes that the budget will retain the customs duty at the current rate which ultimately increases the cost of imported cars. 
 
· Lowering of interest rates for financing vehicles: According to a Business World report, “Over 80% of the vehicles purchased in India are purchased with financing from banks and other institutes”. Thus, a reduction in bank <keyword id="37018" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="interest-rate">interest rate</keyword> on loans will overall reduce the cost for the consumer, ultimately improving the demand for the automobiles. 
 
Before it is too late and the auto industry is back to the days of poor demand and high taxes, it needs a big push from the upcoming Budget to be back on a growth trajectory. In the wake of the government's 'Make in India' and big expectations from the upcoming budget, Indian auto industry shall witness an unprecedented sales and demand growth. 
 
About the author: This article has been authored by Sagar Das, head-<a href="http://autoportal.com/">Autoportal.com</a>, ex-India dot com Product Management &amp; business of OnCars. 
 
Image source: Autoportal

Budget 2015: Auto sector demands tax sops

<keyword id="919" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Prime-Minister">Indian Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> saluted India’s freedom fighters in today’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Independence+Day">Independence Day</a> speech in <keyword id="6358777" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword>. He observed that there is no place for communalism or casteism in modern India. He insisted 'Jan Bhagidari' is the biggest asset of our governance model, pointing at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=MyGov">MyGov</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mann+Ki+Baat">Mann Ki Baat</a> and other such methods of communication with citizens. 
 
Modi also declared that 17 crore people have opened bank accounts under his <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Jan+Dhan+Yojna">Jan Dhan Yojna</a>, 4.25 lakh toilets were built in 2.62 lakh schools nationwide in one year and that 20 lakh Indians have given up <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=LPG+subsidy">LPG subsidy</a>. He also announced that the Coal auction would get Rs 3 lakh crores for India. 
 
Modi also touched upon Shrameva Jayate Yojana and said that dignity of labour must be our motto. He also waged war on corruption, disclosing that the CBI has registered a whopping 1800 corruption cases after he became Prime Minister. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

This is no ordinary morning: PM on I-Day

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11892747" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s commercial <keyword id="12102752" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="surrogacy" source="Orion">surrogacy</keyword> market was estimated to be worth $375 million before it was banned.</li><li>As people look overseas, the former Soviet state of <keyword id="11931393" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="georgia" source="Orion">Georgia</keyword> is emerging as a favorite option.</li></ul>Thousands of aspiring parents from around the world have turned to Dr. Nayana Patel for help.She has delivered more than 1,000 babies from surrogates at the Akanksha Clinic in Anand, in western India. Her prominence within Indian surrogacy led to her being interviewed on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW6xM2dZO3Q">The Oprah Winfrey Show</a>" in 2006.But she told Insider that she hadn't had any new work since February. The future of an industry she helped build might lie 2,000 miles away.<div type="image" title="Photo of a woman seated in a chair with her arms across her front" height="274" width="365" msid="92087109" hostid="261"></div>A law banning commercial surrogacy, passed by India's Parliament in December, has upended the sector in a nation that for years was a surrogacy capital. Surrogacy in India was a $375 million business spread across <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2021.1878674">3,000 clinics</a> before the ban, doctors, researchers, and legal experts who spoke with Insider estimated.That's almost a tenth of what Global Markets Insights estimates is a <a href="https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/surrogacy-market">$4 billion</a> global market that's expected grow by almost a third by 2027.But the ban is pushing India's chunk of that market — which relies on <a href="https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/Report_NHRC_Surrogacy_24122018.pdf">affluent Indians</a> at a time when <a href="http://www.ijstr.org/final-print/feb2020/Infertility-An-Alarming-Situation-In-India.pdf">one in six</a> urban couples struggles with infertility — overseas. The former Soviet republic of Georgia, a rare nation where commercial surrogacy is legal and relatively inexpensive, is emerging as a favored destination.Patel recognizes that this means she might soon be flying to Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, to take on cases. "It's only natural for Indian couples to now want to go there for surrogacy," she said. "And clinics there will either bring in experts like me from India or hire local doctors."<a href="https://www.artbaby.in/">ARTbaby</a>, whose motto is "Your baby, our ART," is a surrogacy center<a href="https://www.artbaby.in/"></a> headquartered in New Delhi that's pitching its <a href="https://www.surrogacycentregeorgia.com/surrogacy/georgia-a-surrogacy-in-india-alternative/">Tbilisi facility</a> as an "alternative" for Indians. When asked how it was adapting its business in the wake of the ban, another Indian service provider, Vinsfertility, pointed to its ability to offer surrogacy services in other countries, specifically mentioning Georgia, which it said in a statement to Insider offered a "guaranteed surrogacy program."The promises are working.Five months ago, Ravinder Singh couldn't have placed Georgia on a map, he joked to Insider during an interview. Since India's ban, he and his wife, Meena — who has had three miscarriages — have spent nights poring over surrogacy options outside the country.They settled on Georgia, and in February, they flew to Tbilisi to check out different centers. The couple, who still haven't told most people in their conservative family that they're contemplating surrogacy, told relatives that they were going on a holiday.Once there, they found they weren't alone. "In every single center that we visited, we either met or heard of other Indian couples interested in surrogacy," Singh said. India was the <a href="https://gnta.ge/statistics/">13th-largest source</a> of visitors to Georgia in the first four months of 2022, up from 15th in 2019, Georgian government data indicated — though it's unclear how many of those travelers were exploring surrogacy options.India's ban follows a decade-long debate in the country over the ethics of allowing people to pay women to carry their children.Before the ban, each surrogacy in the country cost about $20,000, said Amit Karkhanis, a lawyer in Mumbai who specializes in contracts between couples and surrogates. In 2012, researchers from The Lancet <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)61933-3/fulltext">estimated</a>, that about 25,000 children were born annually to surrogates in India, and that almost half of them were for foreign parents.In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government banned foreigners from using Indian women as commercial surrogates. But the substantial domestic market was left untouched — until last year.The total ban "killed" the domestic surrogate market, said Hari Ramasubramanian, the chief consultant at the Indian Surrogacy Law Centre, a legal consultancy that specializes in the sector.For Georgia, the timing of the ban couldn't have been better. Two alternatives, Nepal and Cambodia, banned the practice in 2015 and 2016, respectively. India's total ban came into effect just as Ukraine, one of the world's most popular surrogacy destinations, was invaded by Russia. And while some Indian service providers are eyeing Kenya — where Vinsfertility also has a center — it can't offer a Georgia-like legal shield for those seeking surrogates. "It's murky in Kenya. There's no law recognizing surrogacy, but officials turn a blind eye," said Sharmila Rudrappa, the director of the South Asia Institute at the University of Texas at Austin and author of "Discounted Life: The Price of Global Surrogacy in India."By contrast, couples face no legal risks in Georgia, she added. Surrogacy there costs more than in India — with one provider citing a price range of <a href="https://www.caresurrogacy.com/care-georgia-program/">$30,000</a> to $39,000 — but significantly less than in the United States, where prices average between <a href="https://www.sensiblesurrogacy.com/surrogacy-costs/">$120,000</a> and $150,000, one group estimated.Georgia legalized surrogacy in 1997. Ravi Sharma, the director of ARTbaby, cited the way Georgia's laws favored adoptive parents as a pull factor: "The surrogate mother has no rights over the child. There is no mention of surrogacy or the surrogate mother on the birth certificate. There is no requirement for a lawyer."<div type="image" title="Man sitting at a desk looking to camera with a laptop in front of him" height="500" width="750" msid="92087112" hostid="261"></div>Other legal experts who spoke with Insider agreed with Sharma's interpretation of the Georgian law — which also helped the country attract some of the international surrogacy market after India's 2015 law barred foreign couples from using Indian surrogates.Many Indians were introduced to Georgia's surrogacy clinics when Lisa Ray, a supermodel and Bollywood actress, <a href="https://www.vogue.in/content/lisa-ray-just-became-a-mother-to-twins-born-via-surrogacy">spoke publicly in 2018</a> about using a Georgian surrogate to deliver her twins. Karkhanis said parents might be vulnerable to legal challenges once they return home if their child was born through commercial surrogacy in another nation. But Georgia's clear laws eliminate that concern, Ramasubramanian said.India's ban doesn't apply to "altruistic surrogacy," where someone carries a couple's child out of goodwill, rather than for payment. But that could be a shield for coercion and exploitation in a society as unequal as India, said Shiromi Chaturvedi, a psychologist whose work and research focused on surrogates."This is going to drive the industry underground," she said. "And surrogates won't even have the little protection they previously had from legal contracts."Once again, Georgia might be the beneficiary as an attractive alternative for Indian surrogates hoping for better pay in safer conditions, said Rudrappa, adding that this could expose vulnerable women to the risks of trafficking."Their shift to Georgia is real," she said. "I'm already starting to hear about it."

India banned commercial surrogacy. Now, parents are flocking to Georgia, a rare nation where it's legal &mdash; and relatively cheap.

New Delhi, Jul 1 () Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday asked GST officers to foresee the issues faced by domestic businesses and address them proactively so that they can compete on a global scale and build a self-reliant India. In a message to tax officers on the third anniversary of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Sitharaman also said there is scope for easing compliance further for taxpayers, especially MSMEs. Asking taxmen to focus on the clarion call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', she said for this motto of self reliance tax, especially GST, administration will have a large role to play. "We must foresee the issues faced by our business community and proactively address the same to enable them to compete on a global scale. Only by this proactivity can we ensure much needed economic growth in near future," she said in the message on the occasion of GST Day, 2020. GST, which subsumed over a dozen local taxes, was introduced on July 1, 2017. Since then the GST process has been simplified and return filing made easy especially for small businesses. The GST administration has also introduced SMS-based return filing system for 'NIL' filers. Sitharaman said more efforts are required to ease tax compliance further for taxpayers and made an assurance that the government is committed to continuing these reforms in future as well to facilitate taxpayers. "We must strive to make the tax administration so simple that taxpayers find it easy to comply with all their tax obligations. This is the true essence of 'ease of doing business' as far as tax administration is concerned," she said. The Minister also said the COVID-19 pandemic has led to some disruptions in the economic activities in the country. She also congratulated Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and its officers for handholding taxpayers during this crucial time and disbursing record amount of refunds to ease their cash flow. JD ANU ANU

FM asks GST officers to proactively address issues faced by biz in tax compliance

New Delhi, May 28 () The country needs to go back to the basics and look at building an economy based on local skills and naturally available resources, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union minister Suresh Prabhu said on Thursday as he emphasised the importance of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The five pillars of Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) are economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography and demand. Speaking at a webinar organised by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Prabhu said there is a need to work in a way that people's needs are adequately taken care of and demand of the world is also catered to. Noting that each district has unique traditional characteristics, he said that if a proper study and documentation are done to make the districts self sufficient, then it would have a transformative effect on rural India. "In ancient times, India ws a large economy and its products were sought after. It didn't produce steel, cement or automobiles at that time but it produced things based on local skills. We again need to go back to the basics," Prabhu said. Prabhu is also India's Sherpa for G20 nations. Speaking at the webinar, BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a categorical call for Atma Nirbhar Bharat amid the COVID-19 pandemic and that the government's motto has been self reliance for the last six years. He said India has managed the COVID-19 crisis well compared to many other countries and attributed it to three factors. Prime minister who has taken right decisions at the right time, an efficient administrative machinery and the 1.3 billion people of the country who have shown great unity and discipline in handling the situation, he noted. Talking about post COVID-19 world, Madhav called upon people all over the country to show greater unity. Industry body Ficci's President Sangita Reddy said, "we are in a complex situation" and going forward, there is a need to build an economy that is driven by digitisation, societal collaboration and self reliance. SRS RAM RAM RAM

Need to look at building economy with local skills: Suresh Prabhu

(Eds: Adding quotes) New Delhi, Jul 1 () Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday asked GST officers to foresee the issues faced by domestic businesses and address them proactively to help them compete globally and build a self-reliant India. In a message to tax officers on the third anniversary of the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Sitharaman also said there is scope for easing compliance further for taxpayers, especially MSMEs, and simplifying tax administration for making it easier to do business. Asking taxmen to focus on the clarion call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', she said the GST administration will have a large role to play for this motto of self-reliance. "We must foresee the issues faced by our business community and proactively address the same to enable them to compete on a global scale. Only by this proactivity can we ensure much needed economic growth in near future," she said in her message on the occasion of GST Day 2020. GST, which subsumed over a dozen local taxes, was introduced on July 1, 2017. Since then, the GST process has been simplified and return filing made easier, especially for small businesses. The GST administration has also introduced an SMS-based return filing system for 'nil' filers. Sitharaman said more efforts are required to ease compliance further for taxpayers, adding that the government is committed to continuing these reforms in the future. "We must strive to make the tax administration so simple that taxpayers find it easy to comply with all their tax obligations. This is the true essence of 'ease of doing business' as far as tax administration is concerned," she said. Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur, in his message, said much more still needs to be done for simplification of tax administration and easing compliance. "Return filing process needs to be made easier and processing of return and allowing input tax credit needs to be made faster. More handholding of the trade by GST officers is required," Thakur said. Sitharaman also said the COVID-19 pandemic has led to some disruptions in economic activities in the country and congratulated the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and its officers for handholding taxpayers during this crucial time and disbursing record amount of refunds to ease their cash flow. CBIC Chairman M Ajit Kumar, in a virtual departmental GST Day programme, emphasised on assisting taxpayers and reaching out to them to resolve their grievances. JD ABM ABM

FM asks GST officers to proactively address issues faced by biz, simplify tax administration

<keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword>’s own connected car platform <keyword id="3873925" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola-Play">Ola Play</keyword>, which is its connected car platform for ridesharing, is now available for all Ola users through the Prime category. 
 
Ola Play, launched in November 2016, had been exclusively available for Ola Select customers until now and the company says that it has highly contributed Ola’s premium subscription category. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/budget-2017-china-is-still-far-ahead-of-india-when-it-comes-to-startups/articleshow/56628904.cms">ALSO READ: China is still far ahead of India when it comes to Startups</a> 
 
Ola has introduced unique innovations like OlaPlay to attract and keep users due to factors like pricing, payments, and value added services and give added competition to the global giant Uber. 
 ‘’Opening up ‘Prime Play’ category for its Select users saw hundreds of thousands of new users opt for the Select subscription, resulting in 3x growth. Beyond offering a highly personal experience for users during their rides,’’ says Ankit <keyword id="6367260" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jain">Jain</keyword>, Head of Ola Play, Ola in regards to why this category is crucial to the company. 
 Ola Play also allows various partners like <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword> Music, Sony LIV, AIB, TVF, Audio Compass and Fynd, to build a high-quality interactive experience for users. 
 
Jain also shared instances where Ola users took a longer route during their ride,’’Some riders take longer routes to make sure they finish a comedy show episode during their commute.’’ 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/budget-2017-what-india-can-take-away-from-uks-startup-friendly-policies/articleshow/56661376.cms">ALSO READ: What India can take away from UK’s startup-friendly policies</a> 
 Jain believes that for the Indian commuter Comedy and <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword> will be the frontrunner in categories on OlaPlay. 
 
To engage and entertain the rider, seems to be Ola’s motto for this year with Ola Play being available to Ola Select customers alongside exclusively bundled benefits like Free Wifi, no peak pricing and getting priority rides. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/first-anniversary-of-pm-modis-startup-india-hits-misses/articleshow/56674954.cms">ALSO READ: First anniversary of PM Modi’s ‘Startup India’: Hits &amp; Misses</a> 
 
Ola Play is currently available in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi and is expected to be extended to 50,000+ Ola Prime vehicles by March 2017.

Why you would want to take a longer route on your next Ola
Prime ride

There are things that are commercial, and then there are aspects that are purely emotional. India opened doors to liberalisation early this century and we are doing pretty well. Market is not such a dirty word anymore, since it does not just represent capitalist forces. It also holds forth a bouquet of opportunities that can be used for mutual benefit for stakeholders at different levels. 
 When Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ‘<keyword id="6354869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="make-in-India">Make in India</keyword>’ should be the motto for the next few years, he surely didn’t mean <keyword id="6375354" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="surrogacy">surrogacy</keyword>. But then, the ‘market’ if we can call it that, in surrogacy is so huge that the growth potential is simply astounding. 
 Most <keyword id="2587023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="surrogacy-clinics">surrogacy clinics</keyword> in India cater mostly to the needs of overseas couples. In the recent times, the number of Indian couples wanting to have children through surrogacy has also increased. The number of clinics offering surrogacy have increased manifold in the first half of this decade. Today, with no legal framework being present to clearly put surrogacy through a proper process, it remains a hazy area, which needs some real bright light. 
 When it comes to surrogacy, the word ‘market’ or ‘demand’ mean something else. They bring forth both poverty of the surrogate, and the buying power of the childless couple who desperately want children. But, when you consider the fact that a <keyword id="23767" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="surrogate-mother">surrogate mother</keyword> often comes or is made to enter the ‘market’ to up her economic status, ruling out the ‘benefit’ factor isn’t easy. 
 
Because, in a country like India, where poverty can force women to become sex workers, an easy prey to commodification, and somewhat unclear rights to safety and security; the economical power surrogacy vests in a surrogate is considerably higher than living an impoverished life. 
 
It is rather noteworthy that the social and biological aspect of India’s baby boomers has a pattern. Set to be the most populated country in the world, India is also home to excellent medical facilities and is in tune with dynamic technology scenario. 
 
Countries like Australia, the US, UK among others have been considering India a safe option for surrogacy considering the social security and a basic ground work that’s thorough as far as the clinics offering this facility are concerned. This is where the majority of the clients also come to have babies with a surrogate, not out of guilt, but with a lot of concern and clear negotiations on several aspects relating to the birth of the child. 
 
And, today Indians have been acknowledging the strides made in this area of reproductive sciences. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) as it is known, has been an answer to nature’s challenge that had left many couples childless in the race of time. 
 
Quite a few number of celebrities such as Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have been open about the fact that they have had one child each through surrogacy. With this kind of endorsement, without having to sign up a celebrity for the cause, surrogacy has received quite a bit of boost for its cause. 
 
But, what remains to be seen is whether this attention will turn into a boon or bane for the issue. Given the fact that caesarean sections are much higher than ever before in Indian hospitals, blaming it on the changing socio-economic conditions and anatomy of Indian women who don’t want to risk their lives by going through delivery by nature, experts are wary about surrogacy taking the same turn. Would there be a time when surrogacy would be considered ‘cool’ and ‘convenient’ just because it involves no real labour on part of the woman who wishes to be a mother? 
 
Over a period of time, with the bracket of disposable income climbing steadily, will surrogacy cost less and turn into an occupation? Experts surely assume this scientific stride should be used judiciously and not liberally as a substitute to having a child. 
 
Union minister Harshvardhan has provided an indicator about surrogacy being dealt with more seriousness than before, with his opinion where he said adoption was a better option over surrogacy. Will this mean India will stop being a ‘market’? Answers aren't forthcoming yet. 
Image: indiatimes

Rent-A-Womb In India Still Shrouded In Legal Confusions

When e-Commerce bloomed in the silent shores of new <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword>, India didn’t see it as a great leveler. The country was, at the best, very curious about where this would take people who were used to touch and feel kind of shopping experience. As the time passes by, India is realizing e-commerce could be anything in the given time frame. Sometimes, it can turn into a social leveler that even the best of minds bureaucracy couldn’t have gauged properly. Reason being, the labyrinthine lanes of Dharavi, one of the world’s biggest slums, have just turned into alleys where <keyword id="107737" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Entrepreneurship">entrepreneurship</keyword> has started its journey towards reaching its potential. 
 
The 60,000 and odd decrepit shanties with endless supply of expertise and human resources in place have turned Dharavi into a busy place that can cater to the needs of emerging markets without having to flash the bling. 
 
e-Commerce perhaps is a boon for places like Dharavi which have some stunning positives about them and also, can play a constructive role in shaping the future of their next generation. The assurance of skills and manpower can do wonders to any economy. Dharavi is still a thriving one! 
 
 
 If you enquire the young boys and girls of Mumbai, especially the middle class and lower middle class ones, they will tell you how Dharavi is a steal deal. Whatever you get at Dharavi, especially the bags and handicraft items are of top quality and at a price that’s nominal compared to buying at plush shops. Go to a mall if you must, but Dharavi is a real value-for-money kind of place. When Meghana Gupta decided to put Dharavi on the e-Commerce map, it was not exactly a cake walk. The founder of <keyword id="2495950" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dharavimarket-com">Dharavimarket.com</keyword>, had a mammoth task before her. But then, going by the persistent nature of the residents of Dharavi, the future was worth a shot. Today, <a href="http://dharavimarket.com/" target="_blank">dharavimarket.com</a> trades and transacts many products that are made in Dharavi. From having a geo-specific customer base, Dharavi is now out to claim its space in the world map. 
 
This time around, it is not for the story that would talk about the inhuman conditions the residents live in, or the lack of civic amenities and apathy exhibited by civic bodies and politicians. It is not even about the residents wanting something from the government to make their living conditions better. 
 
Dharavi has entered a new phase that would be marked by its dignity and self sustenance, remarkable grit and determination shown by the skilled workers in the place that the world recognises by the name 'slum'. 
 
Most of the residents of Dharavi work much more than average people elsewhere in the country to keep their home and hearth warm and fed with minimum food. This takes them to nearby factories that mostly employ them for meager income that can actually amount to exploitation of their poverty. Nevertheless, the men and women here work in places that also arm them with specific skills. The leather and faux leather bags at Dharavi are to die for. Ask any middle class or lower middle class family about the quality of the products in Dharavi, and you would be amazed at how genuine the claims can be, supporting the produces of Dharavi. 
 But, putting it together would have been a herculean task for <keyword id="169883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Megha-Gupta">Megha Gupta</keyword> who decided Dharavi had to find its place, to realise its potential in the e-Commerce market. When the markets opened, they also created some sort of level playing ground for all those who had wares to sell. With that, the story of Dharavi was born. 
 Being an <keyword id="242156" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-planner">urban planner</keyword>, Megha Gupta was not much aware of the alleys of e-Commerce. But, when the concept of Dharavi popped up in her head, she was most certain she would do everything to make it work. 
 
"We wanted to connect the middle class/rich to those living in slums through their skills, arts and craftsmanship. There are a lot of potential craftsmen and hardworking individuals in Dharavi whose arts and skills needed to come to mainstream. Dharavimarket.com provides a platform to them." 
 
 
 
Having created a platform, Megha has decided she won't rest right there. To make it increasingly global has been her motto. 
When working in a complex situation that a country like India throws up, the fire alone cannot suffice to meet the challenges that surface along the way. 
 
Dharavimarket.com has a mission to support individuals who want to excel in the field of creativity, art and craft and who do not have a proper platform to showcase their skills. 
 
She believes India has a lot of potential in the rural areas and technology needs to provide the appropriate platform for them, and encourage the artisans to enhance their skills turning them into important participants in the mainstream economy. "We also strongly believe in PM Modi's Make in India pitch because manufacturing and craftsmanship is our core strength and people in rural areas could provide the much needed elevation. Indian e-Commerce can grow immensely from the participation of people from rural areas on a larger scale," she adds.

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