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<keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword>, who is back in India after a multination trip, spent more than a third of his time abroad, commuting from one country to another. Out of the 95 hours that he spent on the trip, the PM spent 33 hours flying in his <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> <keyword id="6357957" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing">Boeing</keyword>, sources told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/33-hours-in-airplane-mode-for-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/59343483.cms">ET</a>. In the remaining time, he attended 33 back-to-back engagements and meetings in the US, Portugal and the Netherlands, thus making it one of the busiest foreign trips by an Indian PM. Adhering to his rule of not spending a night in a country unless there is an engagement scheduled for the next day, PM Modi didn’t spend a night in either Netherlands or Portugal. The same rule was followed when he flew from Lisbon to Washington DC, thereon to Hague and then back to India. His itinerary included flying 10 hours to Lisbon from Delhi, where he had a briefing in the VVIP lounge of the Lisbon Airport itself, thus saving time that he could have spent in going to a hotel and checking in. From the airport, he left straight for Portugal’s foreign ministry. After meetings with the officials and having a working lunch, PM Modi visited the Champalimaud Foundation, held an interaction with the Indian community and flew out from the Lisbon Airport for Washington DC. After being in flight bound to Washington for nearly eight hours, he checked into the Willard Continental Hotel with his team, where he had 17 engagements over the next two days. However, instead of spending a second night in Washington DC, he flew to the Netherlands, had about seven engagements, and then flew straight to Delhi.

33 hours in flight and 33 back to back meetings! PM Modi surely had a busy trip abroad

It’s been a little over two years that <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> took his oath as the Prime Minister of India, and in these two years, he has travelled 51 times abroad to 42 countries across six continents. While one can say that it’s because of India’s increasing commitments at multilateral forums that he has to travel so much, given that several of his trips, including ones he made to Sri Lanka, Australia, Nepal, Seychelles, UAE, Canada and Fiji were strategic for bilateral pacts, the truth can’t be denied that by the time his term ends in 2019, he could well be the most travelled Indian PM ever. 
 
As per ET, Modi has travelled a total of 1,91,069 miles since he became the PM, taking 9 foreign trips in 2014, 28 in 2015 and 14 in 2016 so far. In the coming three years, he will possibly be travelling to Vietnam, China, Laos, Pakistan, Japan, Israel, China, Kazakhstan, Phillipines, Moscow, Germany, South Africa, and Shanghai for several meetings and summits, involving BRICS, East Asia Summit, G-20 meetings etc. 
 
However, it’s not like Modi is the only PM who loves to (read has to) travel. His immediate predecessor Manmohan Singh comes quite close when one counts the number of foreign trips undertaken in the first two years. Other than him, late PM Indira Gandhi was also a very well-travelled PM, having been to Afghanistan and Trinidad and Tobago in her regime. 
 
<a href="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-IK973_0515mo_M_20150514223136.jpg">Image source</a>

PM Modi set to make records as India’s most travelled PM ever

When you plan your next air travel to abroad, make sure you try a Chinese airlines, something like <keyword id="307988" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China-Southern-Airlines">China Southern Airlines</keyword> or <keyword id="141574" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China-Airlines">China Airlines</keyword>. By offering lowest fares on busy travel routes between India, the Far East, Australia, <keyword id="22501" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Zealand">New Zealand</keyword>, right up to the <keyword id="44875" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="West-coast">West Coast</keyword> of <keyword id="6378080" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="North-America">North America</keyword>, along with short transit stops at their hubs, mainland Chinese carriers are attracting Indian passengers. 
 "In the past few years we have seen a gradual increase in Chinese carriers operating in India," <keyword id="3184684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indiver-Rastogi">Indiver Rastogi</keyword>, president, <keyword id="948093" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Global-Business-Travel">Global Business Travel</keyword> at <keyword id="87184" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thomas-Cook">Thomas Cook</keyword> (India) Limited told <keyword id="6405564" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Times-Of-India">The Times of India</keyword>. "These airlines offer a combination of value-for-money fares and high quality experience that has attracted the price-conscious Indian traveller. These airlines are also popular with corporate travellers who have business interests in China or want to use the country as a hub to fly onward to the <keyword id="6355055" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="USA">USA</keyword>," he added. 
 "The fare difference varies between Rs 20,000 and 25,000 for long-haul destinations like the US and <keyword id="6356687" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="canada">Canada</keyword> compared to other carriers like <keyword id="6368386" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore-Airlines">Singapore Airlines</keyword> (SIA), <keyword id="131521" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thai-Airways">Thai Airways</keyword> and Malaysian Airlines. The competition price differential for China and <keyword id="6355311" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Japan">Japan</keyword> is from Rs 15,000-20,000," <keyword id="5149" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rastogi">Rastogi</keyword> said. 
 The limited access to the Indian market granted to mainland Chinese carriers has saved airlines like SIA, <keyword id="94768" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cathay-Pacific">Cathay Pacific</keyword>, Thai, Malaysian and even <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> from a Chinese takeover on routes to the east. At the moment, all major Chinese carriers fly mainly to and from Delhi. 
 "Under current Sino-Indian bilateral agreements, airlines of both sides can operate 10,000 weekly seats on 42 frequencies. While Chinese carriers are utilizing this fully, India uses only 1,280 seats on the five flights that AI operates every week to <keyword id="6368000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shanghai">Shanghai</keyword>. No other Indian carrier flies to China," said a senior government official. While China has been asking for enhanced bilaterals, the <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> government's stand has been that they will be hiked when India carriers utilise 80% of the rights given to them bilaterally. 
 Hong Kong-based Cathay <keyword id="54594" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pacific">Pacific</keyword> and <keyword id="3227877" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cathay-Dragon">Cathay Dragon</keyword> have 48 weekly flights to six Indian cities. While <keyword id="6504436" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="HK">HK</keyword> is now part of China, Cathay continues to enjoy its flying rights under bilaterals that India had with <keyword id="379203" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hong-King">Hong King</keyword> when it was under British rule. 
 Among mainland Chinese carriers that operate to India, China Southern has the maximum number of flights with a twice-daily on the <keyword id="3995962" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-guangzhou">Delhi-Guangzhou</keyword> (its hub) route, with both flights on the wide body <keyword id="6356166" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbus">Airbus</keyword> A-330 aircraft. Chengming Yan, China Southern head in Delhi, said: "Almost 60-70% of our flyers from India take connections via <keyword id="106384" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Guangzhou">Guangzhou</keyword> to US, Australia and New Zealand. We have a great network from our hub to those places. Indian flyers do not need to wait for more than two hours for their connections."

Save Rs 25000 on your next foreign trip by taking
these airlines

Prime Minister has been applauded for his oratory skills time and time again. After winning over hearts and minds of people in the country, he went on win hearts of people abroad. After enthralling a rapturous crowd in New York, Dubai and other countries, looks like this time London is on his list. 
 The Indian PM will address Londoners at the <keyword id="87289" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wembley-Stadium">Wembley stadium</keyword>, one of the most prestigious venues in London. During his upcoming three-day visit to United Kingdom starting from November 12 to 14, PM Modi will address the biggest diaspora so far on November 13th. The event might witness a crowd of over 55,000 NRIs, which will go beyond the diaspora meet in Dubai that was attended by around 45,000 members. 
 After the gala event, PM Modi will proceed to Turkey for the G-20 summit on November 15-16. The event has fetched celebrity NRIs including Swaraj Paul, <keyword id="91326" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Meghnad-Desai">Meghnad Desai</keyword>, Keith Vaz and Ministers of Indian origin in the <keyword id="6430216" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="David-Cameron">David Cameron</keyword> Ministry. A dinner of selected members of Indian daispora has been scheduled after the address. 
 
Unlike San Jose, Indian PM will be the solo performer this time; no celebrity singers have been invited for the gala event. 
 
Last week around 400 organisations held a meeting to discuss the arrangements including distribution of tickets, food, transport and managing the venue. The organising committee include various Indians living in England and Scotland. 
 
The main organisers include Manoj Ladwa, who was earlier closely associated with Modi's election campaign; BJP Foreign Department Chief Vijay Chauthaiwala and party general secretary Ram Madhav.

Another country added in Modi’s ‘conquered’ list and this time, it is expected to break all previous records.

<ul><li><keyword id="826" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword> Congress General Secretary, <keyword id="183632" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sankalp-Amonkar">Sankalp Amonkar</keyword> wrote a letter to the Guinness officials in the UK nominating Modi in the <keyword id="6701149" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Guinness-World-Records">Guinness’ World Records</keyword> for ‘the highest number of foreign visits’. </li><li>In a press conference on Wednesday, Amonkar said “the Prime Minister has spent more time abroad than in India”. </li><li>The government has paid an overall of ₹355,30,38,465 for his trips and the most expensive one was a nine-day trip when he visited France, Germany and Canada in one go. </li></ul>On Wednesday, the Goa Congress <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/enter-narendra-modis-name-for-highest-number-of-foreign-visits-congress-writes-to-guinness-world-records/1241065/">quizzically said</a> that it is “overwhelmed and extremely happy” to nominate Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> to the Guinness’ World Records for ‘the highest number of foreign visits’. Goa Congress General Secretary, Sankalp Amonkar, sent a letter to the Guinness officials in the UK on Wednesday via registered post and released a copy of the letter to the media as well. He had filed an RTI to get information about Modi’s foreign trips, the details of which he included in the letter. Modi has been on 41 trips to 52 countries in his tenure of four years. The government has paid an overall of ₹355,30,38,465 for his trips. Amonkar stated in a press conference that Modi has correctly used Indian resources and had become a role model for the future generation. However, everyone was left questioning if he meant it because he further added that he wants “to highlight the ridiculousness of the Modi regime, where the Prime Minister has spent more time abroad than in India”. Modi has been abroad for a cumulative of 165 days in the past four years. Amonkar also made it a point to mention that <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/goa-congress-sends-modis-name-for-guinness-record/article24393654.ece">Indian rupee skidded</a> to ₹69.03 against the US dollar making the Indian currency most vulnerable and worst-performing currency in Asia. The government spent ₹31,25,78,000 on Modi's nine-day tri-nation visit to France, Germany and Canada. It was the highest amount ever spent for a single trip. The lowest was spent on the PM's trip to Bhutan. Modi's first ever trip<a href="https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/heres-why-goa-congress-has-recommended-pm-modis-name-for-guinness-world-records"> abroad</a> in his tenure was on 15 and 16 June 2014 and had an expenditure of ₹2,45,27,465.

Goa Congress “extremely happy” to nominate Modi for the Guinness’ World Records

Politics is India is not boring. It is packed with pompous statements, lots of action and really interesting characters. Recipe for a full-blown Bollywood flick (talk about cliches). But, this year, it is time to move beyond freudian slips, scandalous remarks and attempts to alter history by our politicians. In 2018, some our ministers and lawmakers took it upon themselves to directly challenge science—yes, believe us someone did. Here is a rundown of the six biggest political gaffes of 2018, number 6 is bound to leave you spellbound (sarcasm intended). 1. “Would you take a used sanitary napkin to a friend’s place?” 
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 <div type="image" title="efaa30db5b7de12ca0eadfc8c0eaa76c" msid="67320975" hostid="261"></div> India’s textile minister, <keyword id="6612" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smriti-Irani">Smriti Irani</keyword> while expressing her ‘personal’ opinion on Supreme Court’s judgment on allowing the entry of women of all ages into Kerala’s <keyword id="6384180" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sabarimala">Sabarimala</keyword> temple that bars women of menstruating age to enter the premises, <a href="https://m.telegraphindia.com/india/would-you-take-a-blood-soaked-sanitary-napkin-to-a-friends-house-smriti-irani-on-sabarimala/cid/1672406">asked</a>, ‘Would you like to take a used sanitary napkin, steeped in menstrual blood, and walk into a friend’s home? You would not.’ She later took to twitter to clarify her comment by citing Zoroastrian traditions. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2. ‘Mohanlal’ Karamchand Gandhi? Errr..not really 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
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 In April 2018, Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> was <a href="http://www.atimes.com/article/modi-getting-reputation-gaffes-historical-errors/">trolled </a>for getting <keyword id="6355532" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mahatma-gandhi">Mahatma Gandhi</keyword>’s name wrong - not for the first, but the third time. This time it happened while the prime minister was addressing a gathering in Bihar’s Champaran district. PM Modi made a similar slip while addressing a political rally in 2013. Mahatma Gandhi’s full name is — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, however PM Modi accidently addressed him as as “Mohanlal” Karamchand Gandhi. “Why run after politicians for job? Graduates should get cows and milk them”—said one Indian chief minister 
 
	
	
	
	
	
 
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 The controversial Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb has now been crowned as the king of gaffes in India. He seems to have been a serial offender and was even reprimanded by his party’s senior leadership for a series of brazen statements. In a bizzare comment, he suggested that graduates in India should not run after ministers and political parties to get a job rather they should get cows and milk it to earn one million in 10 years. ‘Many trips to bar. Oops, abroad’: Opposition leader <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> 
 
	
	
	
 
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 The president of Indian National Congress Rahul Gandhi was in an embarrassing situation while addressing lawmakers in the Parliament. What he aimed was for a snarky remark against his arch-political rival Prime Minister Modi. However, ended up being the butt of several jokes. D<a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pradhan-mantri-ji-bar-mai-jate-hain-i-mean-abroad-rahul-gandhi-s-gaffe-leaves-pm-modi-laughing-2639481">uring his speec</a>h in the lower house of the Parliament in July 2018, he made a faux pas by saying “the Prime Minister took many trips to BAR. Reacting to some smirks and giggles - he immediately corrected himself and said “I mean abroad…” He mixed up the Hindi word ‘bahar’, which means outside, to the english word bar - where one generally goes to loosen up and have a good time. While Gandhi promptly clarified the whole situation made several politicians including the prime minister, who burst into laughter. A light Parliamentary moment, indeed! Biplab did it again! Revisiting historical facts about Rabindranath Tagore 
 
	
	
	
	
 
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 Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb— who we earlier dubbed as the ‘king of bloopers’ once said that nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore rejected the Nobel Prize as a mark of protest against the British Empire. In fact, Tagore never declined the award that he received in 1913 for his work ‘Gitanjali.’ He further added, Tagore was awarded with “Biswosrestho” (world’s best) award for Gitanjali. ‘Ducks raise oxygen level in water bodies’ - No prizes for guessing who said that! 
 
	
	
	
	
 
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 In another major gaffe, the Tripura chief minister claimed that ducks can raise oxygen levels when they swim in water bodies. Yes, yes this is a scientific fact, but it still became news because of the bizarre comment. He said, “When ducks swim in water, oxygen level automatically increases in the waterbody. It (oxygen) gets recycled. Fish in the water will get more oxygen. They also benefit from bird droppings. Thus, pisciculture will benefit and fishes will grow faster, that too in a completely organic way,” reported NDTV.

Oops, they did it again: Here are 2018’s most memorable gaffes made by Indian politicians

Full transcript of PM Narendra Modi's TV interview

By now, it is a foregone conclusion that <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> is among the most popular politicians in the world. What makes him stand a class apart and highly regarded on the world stage? Well it is his clear cut strategy that has evolved over a period of time. Those who saw him as the Chief Minister of Gujarat have also seen the way he has moved on to different roles in the journey that has spanned across a decade and half now. 
 Modi is among those world leaders who do not wield power, but ooze the confidence and share the energy on world stage. You must believe it if reports say Modi is third-most popular person on Internet with highest number of followers on twitter, only next to Pope and American President <keyword id="15962" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Barack-Obama">Barack Obama</keyword>. No mean feat this, really. 
 
As the first anniversary of his Prime Ministership draws to a close, Modi continues to rule the roost across the world. Media isn’t his most favourite place, because he believes in being a doer, and not a mere interviewee. 
 
In a rather candid interview with none other than TIME magazine, Modi comes across as a ‘no frills’ Prime Minister who speaks of his vulnerabilities and strengths with equal confidence. That he was new to the system of federalism, and that various departments across the government structure worked like independent silos is something only Modi could have come clean on. Any other leader with a rather ‘political’ demeanor would have made an effort to appear cool and all informed about it. But, no. That isn’t Modi. He says since he did not understand it completely in the beginning, he took time to study it well and come to terms with the intricacies of a federal state. He calls it cooperative federalism. 
 
Is there another country where a leader may have had as humble a beginning as Modi’s and yet has made efforts to study things more systematically than rely on the man Fridays around? 
 
Perhaps it is an easy route for many politicians, but Modi does not believe in that. He would like to learn things by himself, so that he can ask right questions when needed. Be it his visit to the US, calling the nation as natural allies; his understanding of China, or issues that have become a thorn in the flesh of Srilanka, reaching out to Maoists and inviting them to have an exchange of thoughts – all along, Modi has proven he is here to stay for a long time. 
 
At the world stage, rebranding of Modi has happened systematically and across the board. His reaching out to Nepal soon after a massive earthquake hit that land of Buddha simply earned a lot of praise across the world. PM Modi was at his best and worked swiftly at times when the tiny neighbor needed the help. 
 
From being a Hindutva poster boy, Modi has sure come a long way on the road that leads to statesmanship. His chair may be in India, but his eyes are on the world stage. Like Shakespeare said, the world is a stage and we are all actors; Modi has mapped his next steps rather too well. 
The icon that he is, today, Modi is more approachable and highly focused. He isn’t worried about exhibiting his vulnerable side, especially when it comes to talking about his humble roots. He gets emotional, smiles and regains his composure at the blink of an eye. Modi, the statesman, is about being a ‘different’ leader who plays on the world stage. 
 
Which is why, the branding exercises have undergone a massive change. He now looms large over the horizon of world map. His trips abroad to various countries may be the butt of most jokes or criticism but Modi has a goal that is much larger than India. His ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ is a non-sectarian approach to secularism. 
 
President Obama’s high-profile visit, the second one during Obama’s term in office, has created some sort of deep confidence among Indian people about Modi’s potential to take the country on the right road. A few elections in states may have brought some damaging results, but that’s not for Modi to worry about. He has moved far from the politics of roots, such as Sangh, or VHP or for that matter, even BJP. Today, he is almost the single handed authority to arrive at decisions on what would work with people and the kind of messaging it would send on international arena. 
 
In an interview with TIME magazine, Modi spoke of bilateral relations with over 16 countries that he managed to visit during the first year in office. The clarity and the alacrity with which he has spoken on various issues make him a leader truly in charge, and a leader India would be proud of. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

Modi: The world is his stage now

<keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> took to Twitter to wish you all a good year ahead. Along with it he also announced that he would be touring Europe during the new year. 
 
According to sources, Rahul left for London on Wednesday and will stay for the New Year there. His trip, a source indicated on Friday, may last a week at least. 
 Rahul's latest trip comes after an intense period which saw him accusing Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> of personal corruption, and happens to coincide with political turmoil in UP due to infighting within the ruling Samajwadi Party and the <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> government's demonetisation. 
 
 The prior intimation of his foreign trips on social media followed the controversy that broke out after his two visits abroad last year. While his trip to South Asian nations lasting two months, which led to his absence from the first leg of the 2015 Budget session of Parliament, invited much criticism and ridicule from political opponents, his trip to <keyword id="120415" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aspen">Aspen</keyword> in September 2015 to attend a conference fell into controversy as it was timed in the midst of <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword> assembly poll campaign. He had then sought to clear the air by tweeting pictures of him attending the Aspen conference. 
 Rahul has, several times in the past, rung in the New Year as well as his birthday abroad. This time, however, given that the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> vice-president has taken the lead in bringing various Opposition parties on a common platform to slam the Modi regime's demonetisation move and also created a buzz by throwing a "personal corruption" charge at the Prime Minister, it remains to be seen how the <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> will react to his suddenly leaving the country for a private visit. 
 
Congress, on the other hand, is expected to shield Rahul yet again, saying that he is entitled, just like any other citizen, to a vacation.

Rahul Gandhi’s New Year would
arrive a bit late than rest of the Indians. Here’s why

PM <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword>’s demonetisation policy may fetch good results in the long run. But currently it’s taking a severe toll on common men who are facing difficulties in getting old notes exchanged and waiting in queue at ATM only to know that there is no cash in it. Life hasn’t been so difficult for daily wagers and software engineers alike, when there is money in account but can’t be used. The irony of money couldn’t have been worse. 
 
At such a juncture, when many daily wagers haven’t eaten ample meals in last few days because they couldn’t stand in queue at the bank fearing a day’s loss of income, things aren’t better for well offs staying abroad. 
 
For the NRIs and foreigners planning a visit to India, the fun isn’t the same anymore. Earlier they would be basking in the idea of meeting Indian friends and visiting historical monuments in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Now they can only think of how to get enough cash in hand. 
 Indian economy, apart from a few exceptions, is largely dependent on cash. Be it street snacks stores to ticket counters of railways at small stations. A few countries in the Middle East, <keyword id="6356662" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Singapore">Singapore</keyword>, <keyword id="8695" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malaysia">Malaysia</keyword>, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the countries where Indian population is a bit denser, there are options to change to Indian currencies directly from local ones. Instead of changing to USD first, this foreign exchange has two benefits. Firstly there is not much loss of money in the name of exchange rate. Also you won’t have to depend on another forex office to get the dollar changed after landing in India. 
 Travel advisors make sure people visiting India change to rupee before boarding the flight. The recent demonization has left the tourists in tension. According to <keyword id="265234" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sreyashi-Sen">Sreyashi Sen</keyword>, an entrepreneur in Singapore, all the forex offices where they would get Indian currency have stopped changing money to rupee. Leading forex like <keyword id="201800" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mustafa">Mustafa</keyword> has also put a board outside saying ‘No INR’. 
 
Sen, planning a visit to Goa early next week would have count some extra bucks when she lands in India to get currencies changed. Moreover if among the few available forex counters in Goa are non-operative, by any chance, she would be left at the mercy of god. 
 Idmantzi, a Mexican citizen on her India trip is currently halted at Darjeeling in <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>. She is a solo traveller without any acquaintance in India. She was carrying a credit card from her country, which isn’t operating in India. The cash, she carried, is in Rs 500 mostly, which has been refused by the hotel and other places there. She had to ask favour from her embassy, who rushed to Darjeeling and bailed her out. 
 If these miseries aren’t enough, an old couple from <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> who went to visit their son in Malaysia had a tough time returning home from Kolkata airport. After they landed at the airport yesterday, the pre-paid counter didn’t accept the notes they carried a month back. Forget booking taxi through apps, for they don’t own a smartphone. Finally a normal yellow taxi decided to ferry them on the condition of paying full Rs 500 without any change in return. The septuagenarians had to shell out Rs 500 for a distance of mere 10 kilometres. Possessing a great sense of humour, the septuagenarian man told the author, “We don’t have any <keyword id="6356023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Black-Money">black money</keyword>. But a note of Rs 500 at the time of economic black out.”

Not
just India, people staying in Singapore and Dubai are facing trouble over Modi’s
demonetization

All is not going well for the Indian aviation sector. It has seen reasonable growth in 2015, thanks to the GDP growth, and growing passenger and cargo numbers, but there are long pending issues biting at the legs of this loss-making industry. Here’s a list: 
 
· ATF cost: ATF or Aviation turbine Fuel basically means the fuel aircrafts run on. It’s shocking to note 50% of the running costs of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>n <keyword id="44023" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="airlines">airlines</keyword> are dedicated to jet fuel alone. The price in India is 60% higher than its neighbors in South East Asia. This often ends up in an oxymoron. A trip to international destinations like Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur can end up being at par or cheaper than flight rates to domestic holidays like Andaman-Nicobar or Srinagar. This has adversely affected tourism in India. 
 
· Maintenance cost: Experts admit that high taxes on Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) force airlines to fly empty planes abroad to Sri Lanka, Middle East and South East Asia. This causes significant losses, both to the airlines and to India’s image in the airlines business. 
 
· Fee subsidies for remote locations: All airlines are supposed to deploy around 10% of their capacity to remote routes like J&amp;K and the two island territories. The industry wants these to be subsidized. They claim that a loss making sector like airlines cannot be forced to fly half-empty planes to these locations. Add to that the uninspiring high parking charges and 20% tax on private jets and helicopters, and you know why private companies avert rural airports. 
 
Any key advice to airline companies to survive through these tough times? “Given the low flyer base in India and the government apathy towards the aviation industry, domestic carriers need to be very cautious about their cost structure. This includes fleet size, route network, aircraft leases, engineering and manpower”, says Amber Dubey, Partner and India Head of Aerospace and Defence, KPMG India. 
 
(Image credit: Chris Keegan)

3
pressing issues
in civil aviation the Modi government must address

Modi Government is about to complete one year in office and one year is a significant time for understanding the intent and to some extent the performance of any government. <keyword id="2403978" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="The-Modi-government">The Modi government</keyword> had won the election on the plank of development and its promise to bring ‘acche din’. The article tries to trace some of the promises that were made and the performance of the government during the previous year under various broad themes. 
 
Economy- The government has been helped by what a prominent editor termed ‘acche sitare’, ‘good luck’. It is no doubt true that fall in commodity prices in general and crude oil, in particular, helped the government reign in the <keyword id="6365485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="fiscal-deficit">fiscal deficit</keyword> and give it headway to make fiscal policies for the country. The fiscal deficit target for 2015-16 has been the pegged by the budget to 3.9%. While this is little above than recommendations of the Fourteenth <keyword id="74136" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="finance-commission">Finance Commission</keyword> ( which recommended it to be 3.6 percent of the <keyword id="35050" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="gdp">GDP</keyword>), the government has understandably batted for growth. The government still is slowly but surely moving towards the limit set by FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Management) Act, 2003 that pegged the target at a maximum level of 3% of the GDP. The government has also tried to help the <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> gain momentum by enabling legislation for reforms. These included trying to go in for a major reform in the indirect taxation regime as well as accepting the recommendations of Fourteenth <keyword id="25455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="finance">Finance</keyword> Commission in respect to revenue sharing with states. It was ostensibly done to ensure a spirit of ‘cooperative federalism’ between states and center, as well as greater financial devolution to states. The figure now stands at 42% of the total revenue collection up from the earlier 32%. Also, the year saw growth forecasts been revised for India by a number of International Bodies and agencies. The IMF revised its forecasts to 7.5 % In 2015 in its WEO April 2015 forecast. It was up from the 6.4 projected for 2015 in the WEO April 2014 forecast. Similarly, the Asian Development Bank in its Asian Development Outlook 2015, indicated a bettering economy with less than 5 percent core <keyword id="22195" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Inflation">inflation</keyword>. They also alluded to the new monetary policy framework according to which RBI, India's central bank is to play the role of price stabilization primarily while being mindful of growth. With the policy framework in place, the central bank will be maintaining the inflation target of 4±2 % from FY 2016 onwards. Thus with an overall bettering situation a total score of 7.5 out of 10. 
 
Foreign Engagement and Defence- Foreign engagement was by far the area where the most vigorous activity and keen intent were observed. The sphere saw initiatives undertaken by the PM himself to make India more noticeable as well as more integrated with the International sphere. It included among many things, trips to foreign countries both in the neighbourhood as well as to countries like Germany, France, Australia, US, Canada and most recently beginning May 14, 2015 his trip to China. The engagement also saw a large number of foreign dignitaries coming to India from across the world. The engagement also saw bilateral agreements as well as plans to invest in India's development by countries and companies abroad, most notably by Japan, US and China. Also, steps to resolve contentious issues have been undertaken pertaining to the border areas with neighbours. It includes the recently passed Bangladesh Land Accord Bill that envisages transferring enclaves and demarcation of the boundary along the present porous borders. Also, in the broad sphere of defence the decision to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets is a welcome step. More such acquisitions will have to be made since these 36 planes would add just two squadrons to thirty-five squadrons that IAF has. It is below an authorized strength of forty-two which will be down to twenty- five by 2022. It means we must speed up the process of defense acquisitions since there is urgent need to upgrade and modernize the armed forces and security apparatus in India. Overall a score of 8.5 out of 10 foreign engagement and 7.5 out of 10 on defence. 
 
 
Agriculture- Here the government has not been able to do that well, and it is understandable because there has been erratic weather accentuated by some mismanagement by the government. The sector is critical as most people are dependent on it for employment. Added to the weather were the issues of land acquisition and urea availability to farmers. Land Acquisition Bill though being blocked by the opposition on the farmer rights plank is linked directly to the development of clusters and employment of youth for especially rural areas. The focus of the government seems to be the development of irrigation facilities under its Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. A fund was proposed to be set up for marginalized farmers with a corpus of Rs. 25000 crores in NABARD. An overall score of 6.5 on 10. 
 
Industrial policy and power- Industrial policy saw a continuity from the previous regime. The National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) was hailed by the 'Make in India' as the 'most comprehensive and significant policy initiative of the government'. The 'Make in India' is an initiative that is critically dependent on other factors. These include availability of land, ease of doing business as well as removal of inverse duty structures that make imports of finished products cheaper than finished products. Apart from this labour policies that favour flexibility in hiring and firing are also seen to be the main bottlenecks. While the government has taken some steps to rectify, these bottlenecks outcomes are yet to be seen. Similarly, the <keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword> policy has seen incremental reforms with the opening up of <keyword id="35450" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="insurance">insurance</keyword> and defence sectors further to 49% from the earlier limit of 26%. Both these are positive steps for the economy. Greater structural changes could have been undertaken in these spheres especially with the mandate, but nonetheless significant work is been done. In the power sector, much has been achieved. It included the successful auction of the coal mines, which is slated to rope in a massive 15 lakh crore over the 30-year timeframe if all the mines are auctioned and are working at optimum output. Apart from this coal production was at an all-time high as well as the government seems on track to meet the power requirements of the country. Overall a score of 6.5 for industries and a score of 8 for power out of 10. 
 
Education- The countries' education system can broadly be classified under two broad areas- higher education and school education. There are several schemes that are operational under these. The government in the past one-year has come up with several new initiatives including the Beti-Bachao Beti Padhao Abhiyan, Swachh Vidyalaya and GIS Mapping of schools and has opened several new institutions. However, the fact remains that despite all government’s initiatives most people if given a choice, prefer private schooling since it gives their children a competitive edge later on in their careers. The governments of the past have failed in this and correcting this anomaly will take time. Also, in respect to higher education the government seems keen to have holistic development with several new AIIMS, IIM and IIT like institutions being opened in states that have a paucity of these. What remains to seen is how quality and not just quantity is pursued within these institutions while ensuring regional development. An overall score of 6.5 on 10. 
 
Infrastructure- The primary focus of the government in this sphere is up-gradation of existing and quick development of new infrastructure. The first can be observed in the push for railway up-gradation and improvement in customer service. The second can be observed more in the highways sector with the minister setting himself a target of 30 km a day by 2017. In March this year 11 km of roads were being laid. The broad ambit of infrastructure covers the development of roads, highways, ports, airport, waterways, canals, and railways. It is too early to judge the government's progress on the same however the fact that there is clearance for projects worth close to Rs. 6 lakh Crore across 10 key sectors. It shows intent on the part of government for infrastructure development. Overall a score of 7.5 on 10. 
 
Social Schemes- The social schemes of the government have been particularly impressive. These include the <keyword id="2494045" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="jan-dhan">Jan Dhan</keyword> Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana and many other social missions like the <keyword id="6562839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Swacch-Bharat-Mission">Swacch Bharat Mission</keyword> and the Clean Ganga Mission. For the Jan Dhan Yojana already around 12.5 crore accounts have been opened along with a capital infusion of Rs 10,500 crore into the system. The three recently launched social security schemes (namely the (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana ) and Atal Pension Yojana) have got nearly 6.5 crore subscriptions. It is because (PMJJBY) scheme offers Rs. 2 lakh cover for a mere 330 Rs. Per year (provided bank account holders are from age 18-50). Under the (PMSBY), renewable one-year accident cum disability cover of Rs. 2 lakh is provided for Rs.12 premium every year. The Atal Pension Yojana is aimed at those people who work in the unorganised sector and do not fall under the ambit of regular pension. The scheme offers pension under various brackets depending on the contribution made over a period. The scheme is for people in the age bracket 18-40 years. The social focus of the government is also evident from the fact the government has continued with previous schemes and linked them with technology for targeted interventions. The JAM (Jan Dhan Account, Aadhaar Cards and Mobiles) number Trinity as mentioned in the budget speech is an example of the same. The government seems to have a social focus for benefit to poor. An overall score of 8 on 10. 
 
Urbanization and Urban development- The urbanization and urban development received an increased thrust under the 100 Smart City project. The thrust of the present government is not only on up gradation of brownfield cities but also development of new greenfield cities. Traditionally, India has been slow to urbanize, and at present 32 percent of people reside in urban areas. However, the quality of urban life has seen a precipitous decline in the past few decades. The government's smart city initiative is a step aimed at understanding and absorbing the migration of people from rural to urban areas. However, the implementation of the project holds the key. Success in greenfield development is critically linked to land acquisition. Also, will the 'smart cities' improve liveability for the ever-burgeoning population remains to be seen? The project is ambitious in scope and the past year has seen some activity with the launch of the GIFT city in Gujarat and work on cities of DMIDC. An overall score of 6.5 on 10. 
 
Health and Environment- Health along with education have been two areas where successive governments have faltered. The system in India needs a drastic overhaul and increased spending by the government. Also there is a severe shortage of trained personnel in the sector. Add to this the decrepit facilities in rural areas that forces one to look at ways and means to better delivery. The activity in the health ministry was seen to be rather subdued. However, the taxation on cigarettes ensures that a majority of population reconsiders decision to buy cigarettes. The quality of air and the general pollution levels in Indian cities pose serious health issues for all residents. Disease patterns are also changing and this calls for a comprehensive approach to healthcare access and delivery. Not much has been done in this regard. An overall score of 6 on 10. 
 
<keyword id="107737" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Entrepreneurship">Entrepreneurship</keyword> and Employment- For the first time a separate ministry for entrepreneurship has seen the light of the day. This fact along with the fact that skilling are the main thrust areas of the ministry make it clear that the government is in sync with the present ground reality. A million people will enter the workforce every month over the next decade. So it becomes imperative that India produces jobs for its burgeoning workforce. That will not just come from formal and informal sector but will require a thrust for entrepreneurship. Similarly, thrust for skilling is imperative. Further, a draft policy on skill development and entrepreneurship has already been made and put out for public consultation. Though much remains to be seen in terms of its impact the direction and intent, in this case, seems to be spot on. An overall score of 7.5 on 10. 
 
Overall, in assessing the performance, the government seems to have taken cognizance of the major challenges facing India in multiple spheres and taken requisite steps. It seems to be headed in the right direction. It augurs well for India in the medium to long term. Much will depend on the speed of legislation, decision-making and implementation over the next four years. 
 
(Dr. Amit Kapoor is President and CEO of India Council on Competitiveness and Honorary Chairman of Institute for Competitiveness, India. He tweets @kautiliya and can be contacted at <a href="mailto:amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in">amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in</a>. The article is co-authored with Sankalp Sharma who is Senior Researcher at Institute for Competitiveness)

Assessing one year of Modi
Government: 6/10 leaving scope for major improvement

A day after a <keyword id="48857" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Farmer">farmer</keyword>, <keyword id="27515" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Gajendra-Singh">Gajendra Singh</keyword> shockingly committed suicide in view of thousands, the government has been under attack from what appears to be a united opposition. So much so that the <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword>, <keyword id="460622" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narnedra-modi">Narnedra Modi</keyword> was forced to speak in the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword>, following <keyword id="6000" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Home-Minister">Home Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6355121" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajnath-Singh">Rajnath Singh</keyword>’s address in the same house. Modi said that there was nothing more important than a farmer’s life, a human’s life. He has sought suggestions from all political parties to better the destitute situation the farmers are in today. 
Here are the latest updates in the matter. 
 
1) The PM said the issue of farmer suicides had been a matter of great concern for years and asked political parties to work together to find a solution. "It should be our determination to find a solution to this problem. The government will accept all suggestions," he said. 
2) The PM spoke after Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement on the issue. Lawmakers from several parties had during a discussion, demanded that the PM, who was not present in the House in the morning, make a statement. 3) In his statement, Singh backed the <keyword id="6358992" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Delhi-Police">Delhi Police</keyword>, accused by Delhi Chief Minister <keyword id="260213" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Arvind-Kejriwal">Arvind Kejriwal</keyword> and other leaders of his party of not attempting to save the farmer, who was on the tree for some time before he hanged himself. 
4) "Policemen at the spot alerted the control room and asked a fire tender with a long ladder, so that this person on the tree could be brought down," the Home Minister said while replying to a discussion in the Lok Sabha. He said he has ordered the Delhi Police to conduct a time-bound investigation into the Rajasthan farmer's death. 
5) The Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a judicial inquiry into the farmer's death, saying "police inquiry won't be unbiased because they are at fault too." 
6) During the discussion, the Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy said, "Instead of a tweet, the PM can come to the House and make a statement." Communist leader MB Brijesh said, "This isn't suicide, this is homicide... I would like to ask the PM to come out of Twitter and come see the ground reality... this is happening throughout the country." 
7) "Make farmers independent... Provide them with facilities and then there will be no need to move around the world," said Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, apparently hinting at the Prime Minister who has actively sought foreign investments during his trips abroad. 
8) PM Modi had on Wednesday tweeted, "Gajendra's death has saddened the Nation. We are all deeply shattered &amp; disappointed. Condolences to his family." This morning, he was briefed on the farmer's death by top ministers including Rajnath Singh. 
9) A discussion hasn't begun yet in the Rajya Sabha, which has been adjourned twice since morning among noisy protests by the opposition. 10) There have been protests outside Parliament; with Congress workers burning effigies of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala accused Kejriwal of "cruelty" for continuing with the <keyword id="6356115" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="AAP">AAP</keyword> rally even after the farmer hanged himself. The AAP chief has been attacked by several political parties for making a speech.

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