Newspaper Must Read Articles of The Day – 7 September 2015

Front Page/National

• Early retirees eligible for OROP, says Modi: When announced initially OROP benefit was not extended to veterans who have taken premature retirement; ex- servicemen continued their strike; this led to defence minister to invite ex-servicemen representative for discussion. The government finally clarified that OROP will be extended to ex-servicemen who have taken premature retirement. Also, PM Modi promised to set up a commission to look into shortcomings and recommend path forward.

• Newspapers in Kashmir, PoK to share content: To create a permanent linkage and to understand each other’s problem; 12 newspapers on either side Kashmir has agreed to share apolitical content through the medium of newspaper and internet.

• G20 launches W20 to empower women: G20 meet at Ankara, Turkey saw a realisation from the group that women’s participation is essential for economic growth; also that women happiness index reflects the prosperity of any country. To give face to this realisation G20 has envisaged W20 as an outreach group aiming at increased women participation (gender inclusiveness) in economic growth.

• Floating test range for missile defence system: Challenges & limitations posed by land mass for carrying out missile tests of varying range has mad India to look for a unique solution in Floating Test Range. The system seeks to engage and destroy incoming enemy missiles at different altitudes in the endo- and exo-atmospheres to protect important cities.

• Telangana IAF officer’s strategy to curb suicides: (Need to know because, if successful, this model could be adopted across states as well.) The man behind model is 56-year-old Group Captain Gurrapu Jagadishwar Rao, a high-ranking IAF official and native of Kazipet in Warangal district. The strategy involves comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach by integrating various agencies, including health, education, revenue, legal, government and volunteers. The model lays emphasis on restricting the access to the means of committing suicide such as pesticides, acids, certain medicines and fire arms.

Opinion/Editorial

• The gag on Greenpeace: Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has come in for criticism not only for the overarching control it seeks to have over people-based movements but also for the guidelines framed around it. The MHA is now changing the rules, spelling out what NGOs are required to do, even seeking to scrutinise their social media engagement.

• ‘Us’, ‘them’ and an elusive peace: The violence in Manipur is linked to unrestrained demographic pressure by ‘outsiders’ and the cry for an Inner Line Permit system. The role of vested interests and inter-community tensions have exacerbated this.

• Emissions that will sting future generations: The author mentions delayed effect of environmental degradation caused today and asymmetrical impacts of climate change between wealthy and poor countries.

• Always crashing in the same car: There is a shrinkage in export market; China suffering because of thisl this might lead serious price cuts by Chinese producers who have deep pockets. Currency devaluation will lead to trade war with no victors. India is integrated into global economy but its poor tax laws and capital account regulation means keeping interest rate high; discouraging investment.

• From city of remembrance to city of hope: As a nuclear conscience keeper, Hiroshima can provide the world a dialogue platform to explore new thinking for lowering the risks associated with nuclear weapons and doctrines, reducing numbers of weapons to minimal levels and eventually creating conditions for abolition of nuclear weapons. Such a platform will certainly strengthen the norm against the use of nuclear weapons.