Indian National Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi with a copy of the party's election manifesto, which it calls a 'document of justice'. EPA
Indian National Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi with a copy of the party's election manifesto, which it calls a 'document of justice'. EPA
Indian National Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi with a copy of the party's election manifesto, which it calls a 'document of justice'. EPA
Indian National Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi with a copy of the party's election manifesto, which it calls a 'document of justice'. EPA

India's Congress opposition party pledges religious freedom and jobs in manifesto


Taniya Dutta
  • English
  • Arabic

India’s main opposition party the Indian National Congress has promised higher basic wages, job guarantees, affirmative action for castes and to uphold religious and personal freedoms, as it released its election manifesto less than two weeks before the national elections begin.

Nearly a billion voters are eligible to cast their votes in the 47-day-long election season that will be held in seven phases beginning April 19. The results will be announced on June 4.

The Indian National Congress, which is known as the “grand old party” and the main challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, outlined its promises made to voters in its “Nyay Patra” – justice document.

The manifesto was released by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

“This manifesto of ours will be remembered in the political history of the country as a document of justice,” Mr Kharge said.

Political rivals and critics of Mr Modi’s party have accused the ruling Hindu nationalist government of undermining India’s democratic system and claim that the upcoming elections are a fight for upholding freedoms and democracy.

“This election is about those who are trying to destroy the constitution and destroy democracy in this country vs those who are trying to protect the constitution and protect democracy in this country,” Mr Gandhi said.

The centre-left party, which was formed before India’s independence and gave the country three prime ministers, had ruled for a decade before Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power in 2014.

Some opinion polls and media commentaries have placed BJP ahead of its rivals in the polls riding on his popularity and Hindu first agenda, despite the country reeling under massive unemployment and economic disparity.

Reducing inequality

Tackling inequality is a central theme of the Congress manifesto, which includes commitments to economic redistribution.

“Once this fight is won, we look after the interests of the vast majority of our people, ensuring that India is not run by two to three large conglomerates, that it is run by the vast majority of the people, that we're not a nation of monopolies, and that we are a nation where there is fair competition among businesses,” Mr Gandhi said.

India, which has the world’s third highest number of billionaires, has witnessed an increased economic divide under Mr Modi’s rule, with one per cent of the population owning 40 per cent of the country's wealth, the highest in six decades, according to research group the World Inequality Lab.

Many critics say the growing economic disparity is a direct result of the ruling party’s rich-centric policies and accuse the BJP of crony capitalism.

The Congress manifesto promises to set a minimum wage of 400 rupees ($5) a day for tens of millions of unorganised sector workers and introduce 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education institutions for economically weaker sections.

At present, the national minimum wage is 178 rupees ($2.5).

The Congress has also promised to provide $1,200 to poorer families annually, without clarifying exactly who would receive the handout. It also promised cashless health insurance of up to 2.5 million rupees ($30,000).

It also pledged to bring in a law to guarantee minimum prices for crops, a demand farmers have protested for years against Mr Modi’s government.

The election manifesto pledged to overturn polices and laws introduced by Mr Modi’s government, including its Agnipath military recruitment scheme, which has been criticised for recruiting young Indians on four-year contracts without the employment benefits of full-time soldiers.

Indian National Congress leaders, from left, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, at the launch of their election manifesto. AP
Indian National Congress leaders, from left, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, at the launch of their election manifesto. AP

Religious and social freedom

The party has pledged to conduct a nationwide caste census to ascertain the socio-economic conditions of people of lower status and promised to bring constitutional changes to ensure their empowerment.

Tens of millions of India’s majority Hindu population continue to remain at a disadvantage and face daily systematic discrimination due to their caste, a rigid birth-linked hierarchy system within the Hindu religion.

The party has also promised to uphold the freedom of choice in dress, food, language, and personal laws for minorities, a direct challenge to Mr Modi’s policies to culturally homogenise the diverse nation of 1.4 billion people.

Hinduism forms the majority religious group in India, with around 80 per cent of the population following the faith, but the country has significant numbers of Muslims, Christians and Sikhs.

The promise is significant given the BJP’s government’s plank of Hindutva – the Hindu hegemony agenda propagated by right-wing ideology.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election campaign rally in Meerut, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Reuters
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election campaign rally in Meerut, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Reuters

Since coming to power, Mr Modi’s government has resurrected the Hindu sentiments, pushing the majoritarian identity and capitalising on Hindu pride.

The ruling party has criminalised the consumption and slaughter of cows – an animal considered sacred by many Hindus – outlawed the Muslim practice of instant divorce and banned the hijab, the sale of halal food and faced claims of ostracising Muslims and their businesses.

Mr Modi’s party has pledged to end religion-based civil laws that govern marriage, divorce, and properties and bring a uniform law for all the communities. Muslims say this specifically targets them.

Mr Kharge said Congress offered opportunities and prosperity for Indians.

“This is not a claim or guarantee of any individual but the manifesto of a party which has a glorious history of 139 years. This will greatly accelerate the pace of socio-economic development of the country,” Mr Kharge said.

“It will open the closed doors of development for farmers, labourers, women, youth, poor and deprived sections.”

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

Innotech Profile

Date started: 2013

Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari

Based: Muscat, Oman

Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies

Size: 15 full-time employees

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now. 

Match info

Manchester United 1
Fred (18')

Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')

Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

The biog

Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home

Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big

Paltan

Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5

Pakistan squad

Sarfraz (c), Zaman, Imam, Masood, Azam, Malik, Asif, Sohail, Shadab, Nawaz, Ashraf, Hasan, Amir, Junaid, Shinwari and Afridi

Match info:

Burnley 0

Manchester United 2
Lukaku (22', 44')

Red card: Marcus Rashford (Man United)

Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vault%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBilal%20Abou-Diab%20and%20Sami%20Abdul%20Hadi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELicensed%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInvestment%20and%20wealth%20advisory%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutliers%20VC%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info

Huddersfield Town 0

Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')

Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

AL%20BOOM
%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5

Third Test

Result: India won by 203 runs

Series: England lead five-match series 2-1

THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers

PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners

Kanye%20West
%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO

Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday 

Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
​​​​​​​Princeton

Specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%20turbo%204-cylinder%20%2F%202.0%20turbo%204-cylinder%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20148bhp%20%2F%20328bhp%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20250Nm%20%2F%20420Nm%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20TBA%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
  • No need to bag the mask
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE

Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6

Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms

Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf 

MATCH INFO

What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

Arctic Monkeys

Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino) 

 

Essentials
The flights

Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing. 

Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)

Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

 

 

if you go

The flights

Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.

The trip

Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: April 08, 2024, 10:59 AM