The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms is truly the end of an era. His style of leadership exemplified simplicity, dignity and grace, and of seeking consensus. As Prime Minister for two terms from 2004 till 2014, he led two coalition governments but achieved a lot in terms of landmark legislations and a high economic growth. In that aspect, his tenure can be compared to that of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who too led a government with 23 coalition partners. This week marked the 100 th birth anniversary of Vajpayee. There is a telling comment that Vajpayee left in the visitors’ book after the death of Vice President Krishna Kant. Paying a tribute to Kant, Vajpayee wrote in Hindi, in his decorative impeccable handwriting, “here was a beautiful lotus flower which bloomed despite being in the cesspool of politics”. These remarks are equally applicable to Manmohan Singh—a scholar, economist, and statesman whose life embodied dignity, intellect, and humility. From humble beginnings to eminence Dr. Singh’s journey is truly inspirational. Born in a small village in undivided Punjab, he was raised by his grandparents under frugal means. His early life was shaped by the upheaval of Partition. Displaced by the chaos, Singh rose through sheer perseverance to achieve academic excellence. He earned scholarships to study at Cambridge and Oxford. At Cambridge, he topped the Economics Tripos and received the Adam Smith Prize, a rare accolade for an Indian. At Cambridge, Singh’s intellectual rigor won him admiration from renowned economists like Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor. His doctoral thesis on India’s export prospects challenged the prevalent pessimism. His book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” (1964), became a seminal work. It advocated for export-driven growth. Decades later, India’s economic trajectory would vindicate his vision. Singh’s career spanned academia, administration, and politics. He began as a professor at the Delhi School of Economics. Later, he held roles like Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. After that was as Finance Minister and then two terms as Prime Minister. His career reflected academic brilliance, administrative acumen, political savvy and governance expertise. No other economist has had such a breathtaking career and meteoric rise. Architect of economic reforms Dr. Singh’s appointment as Finance Minister in 1991 was a turning point for India. Faced with a severe balance-of-payments crisis, Singh unleashed bold economic reforms. These included dismantling the license raj, deregulating banking, and opening the economy to trade and foreign investment. In his maiden budget speech in 1991, Singh quoted Victor Hugo: “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.” That idea was the emergence of India as an economic power. He ensured that the bold reforms were supported by expert committees and consultation which gave a robust foundation. The committees included the Raja Chelliah Committee for tax reforms and the Narasimham Committee for financial sector reforms. These reforms resolved the crisis and paved the way for sustained growth. India’s GDP growth rates soared. By the end of Singh’s two terms as Prime Minister, India had joined the league of $2 trillion economies. Decency and statesmanship in leadership Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister (2004–2014) further cemented his legacy. His leadership style, marked by consensus-building and quiet determination, led to landmark legislation. These included the Right to Information Act, MGNREGA, and the rollout of Aadhaar. He also showed political courage by staking his government’s survival on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. Singh’s integrity and humility were his hallmarks. Stories abound of his simple lifestyle and ethical conduct. As Finance Minister, after devaluing the rupee, he donated the windfall to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. When he lost a Lok Sabha election and had borrowed funds for his campaign, he promptly repaid the loan. A scholar’s evolving vision Singh’s views evolved over time. Early in his career, he was a staunch advocate of free trade and market-oriented reforms. As Prime Minister, his policies leaned toward welfarism. This reflected a nuanced understanding of growing income inequalities and the need for a safety net. His balance between market liberalization and social welfare showed pragmatism and intellectual honesty. His open-mindedness echoed John Maynard Keynes’s dictum: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” Singh’s readiness to adapt ensured that his policies remained relevant. He addressed both economic crises and social inequities. Global leadership and legacy Dr. Singh’s influence extended beyond India. As Secretary-General of the South Commission, he championed South-South cooperation. This role prepared him for leading coalition governments at home. It also shaped his approach to multilateral diplomacy. Under his leadership, India became a key player in global forums like the G20. His tenure amplified India’s voice on issues like climate change and trade. His commitment to inclusive and sustainable development was evident. Criticism and the judgment of history Like any public figure, Singh faced criticism. His tenure as Prime Minister saw allegations of corruption within his coalition government. This led to a perception of weakness. Yet, even his harshest critics acknowledged his personal incorruptibility and sincerity. He often responded to detractors with silence, describing it as maintaining their dignity. Dr. Singh’s career is a testament to the genius of India’s democracy. It shows how individuals from modest beginnings can rise to power. His legacy is one of dedication, scholarship, and decency. He believed in the transformative power of ideas and hard work. As the nation bids farewell to this “gentleman leader,” his words resonate: history will judge him kindly. For in Dr. Manmohan Singh, India had a leader who symbolized quiet strength, relentless intellect, and unshakable integrity. Dr. Ajit Ranade is a noted economist. (Syndicate: The Billion Press)There Are 2 Main Ways To Stretch The One You Should Choose Depends On What You Want Your Body To Do #Main #Ways #Stretch #Choose #Depends #What #Want #Your #Body #USA #Russia #Biden #Ukraine #War #Palestine #Gaza #Israel #
On-camera Type Microphone Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030
Dow wanted to expand its Path2Zero zero-emission project from outside Fort Saskatchewan with a significant investment, but didn’t think the province’s depreciation rates were suitable. No problem: the rates were changed by the province – in seven days. The international pulp and paper behemoth, Mondi, wanted to promptly get environmental permits to move into the province. No problem: the permits came from the province in a speedy 90 days. The problem was: the province was Alberta, not British Columbia. And a bigger problem looms: Alberta is more aggressively big-game-hunting for investment now in Vancouver. It has opened an office here of the prodigious Crown corporation, Invest Alberta, and hired what it calls an “investment attraction advisor” – Brock Lalla, a former economist with PwC’s Canadian economic and policy practice. Based on its history of less than a half-decade, it would not be surprising to see some serious migration and expansion of B.C. businesses into our neighbouring province. In four years, Invest Alberta has attracted $24.9 billion in investment from around the world, counting for 33,481 jobs. Its CEO is himself a Vancouver expat appointed in 2021, Rick Christiaanse, and in keeping with the red-tape-averse culture, he reports directly to Premier Danielle Smith and not into the province’s bureaucracy. It is old news now that Alberta can put to shame most anything British Columbia might try to make for a better business and worker climate. Corporate taxes and housing prices are lower, salaries are higher, regulations are changed faster, construction permits are swifter. Little wonder an Angus Reid Institute poll earlier this year indicated more one-third of British Columbians – and half of all young people – were seriously considering leaving because of housing unaffordability. But housing costs are simply a symptom of a wider ailment, some of it tangible and some of it attitudinal. “Alberta’s claim to fame is that it can get things done,” Christiaanse told me. “We were in the wilderness for 10 years. We got desperate enough here that we had to figure out how to do this.” What it does is court investment, offering a concierge-like tailored suite of services to smooth the entry into the market – navigational assistance to streamline setup, marketing intelligence, networking leads, after-care services – in using its 17 offices worldwide to scout and secure significant investment. What it doesn’t do, though, might surprise you: It won’t write any cheques when business comes calling. It refuses to engage in the race to the bottom that many American cities and states will. “Our cheque-writing capacity is zero,” he says. “If you’re looking for a subsidy, that’s not our province.” Christiaanse, whose career includes stints as chief operating officer of the Skidmore Group and senior director of sales and marketing for Telus International, has been campaigning of late to demonstrate Alberta is not simply an oil and gas province. The province leads Canada in renewable energy growth. Amazon is building its first Canadian wind farm in southern Alberta; it already owns a solar project in the province, one of the largest in North America. Edmonton alone has four $1-billion-plus hydrogen energy plants under construction. Japanese firms Sumitomo and Itochu have extensive climate-change mitigation projects there. It is Alberta’s access to abundant energy, though, that often clinches the deal. “B.C. can’t build any more dams,” he notes. Mainly, he says though, business is saying: “I want stability.” The BC NDP government has its hands full at the moment, with a large and expanding deficit, declining per capita GDP, expensive health-care challenges, a CleanBC plan that will be costly across the province’s economy and relatively little business savvy at the helm. Even former NDP premier Glen Clark chided the Eby government to focus more on wealth creation than wealth redistribution. Christiaanse defines the challenge little differently than Clark: “We see the role as building prosperity.” What the world is saying when it takes its investment elsewhere are three things, he notes: “Bring me food security. Bring me energy security. And lately, bring me cybersecurity.” He plays down any B.C.-Alberta rivalry. “We need to be aligned,” he says. But he also notes that Alberta “had to hit rock bottom” before it initiated the changes it now offers investors as a calling card, without specifically suggesting that’s where B.C. now finds itself. “Vancouver is an incredible place to live,” he says. “But if you’re looking to take your business to a new level . . .” Kirk LaPointe is a Glacier Media columnist with an extensive background in journalism.
Other Sports Don't miss out on the headlines from Other Sports. Followed categories will be added to My News. Two sailors have died as the 2024 Sydney to Hobart took a tragic turn on Friday morning. NSW Police and Sydney to Hobart officials confirmed the two separate incidents occurred as the fleet of 104 vessels made its way down the NSW south coast. In a night of devastation and destruction, wild, windy conditions rocked the fleet with 15 race retirements overnight. The Sydney to Hobart race committee released a statement to say both people died after being struck by a sail boom. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. These are the first deaths in the Sydney Hobart since six men lost their lives at sea in the stormy 1998 race. The race’s organising body — the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) — has been forced to defend its decision to send the fleet into dangerous waters. CYC Vice Commodore David Jacobs on Friday told reporters the organisation will consider making changes to prevent further tragedies. Night time conditions on-board LawConnect. “We always want to improve safety wherever we can, so we will do an investigation,” he said. “And if there’s something that boats can do to try and prevent this happening, we will implement that.” He said the conditions were not extreme enough to warrant race to be called off. “These fleets can handle those winds easily,” he said. “They’re ocean racers. They’re used to those winds. It [is] not extremely vicious.” His comments came after Matt Allen, co-skipper of Comanche, earlier said the fleet was heading into “boat-breaking” conditions. Australian Prime Miniter Anthony Albanese addressed the tragedy with a statement on his social media channels on Friday morning. Bowline and Advantedge pass between North and South Head at the start of the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Picture: Justin Lloyd. David Jacobs, Vice commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club addresses the media. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard. “Our thoughts this morning are with the two sailors that tragically lost their lives in the Sydney to Hobart race overnight,” he wrote on X. “The Sydney to Hobart is an Australian tradition, and it is heartbreaking that two lives have been lost at what should be a time of joy. “We send our love and deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.” A crew member on the Flying Fish Arctos died after being struck as the yacht was sailing approximately 30 nautical miles east of Ulladulla. NSW Police said the tragedy occurred around 11.50pm (AEDT). “Officers from the Marine Area Command were notified by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in Canberra that a crew member on board a yacht had been struck by a sail boom,” NSW Police said in a statement. “Fellow crew members performed CPR, but they could not be revived. An image of Flying Fish Arctos from the Sydney to Hobart race website. This image is not from the race and does not represent the 2024 race crew. “The yacht has altered course to Jervis Bay where it is expected to arrive about 7am.” The second tragedy occurred around 2.15am (AEDT), police say. Sailing yacht Bowline was approximately 30nm east of Batemans Bay when a crew member was struck on the vessel, according to Sydney to Hobart race control. CPR efforts to revive the crew member were unsuccessful, according to a statement. NSW Police released a statement that said: “Officers from the Marine Area Command were advised at 2.15am today (Friday 27 December 2024) that crew members from a second yacht were administering CPR to a colleague who had also been struck by the vessels sail boom. “A short time later officers were informed that CPR had been unsuccessful. Flying Fish released an image of the vessel's final Sydney to Hobart preparations. Photo: Instagram, @flying_fish_sailing. “The police vessel ‘Nemesis’ is currently escorting the second yacht to Batemans Bay. Estimated arrival time is approximately 7am.” Race control said in a statement on Friday morning: “As these incidents are being dealt with by the Water Police and all family members are yet to be contacted, we cannot provide further details at this stage. “Our thoughts are with the crews, family and friends of the deceased.” According to a Sydney to Hobart profile, Flying Fish Arctos left Sydney Harbour with a crew of 10 plus “skipper and navigator”. Bowline, has a crew of seven plus “skipper and navigator”, race listings show. As of 9am (AEDT), 17 of the initial fleet of 104 vessels had retired, leaving 87 boats still on track to complete the 628-nautical mile race. Veteran sailing journalist Amanda Lulham reported it was “one of the most destructive – and expensive – nights in Sydney to Hobart history”, she wrote for The Australian . There was one case of good news with a small miracle unfolding in the blackwater overnight. According to Jacobs, a sailor was recovered after falling overboard on Tasmanian yacht Tasmanian entry Porco Rosso around 3am (AEDT). He said the crew member drifted more than 1km from the vessel. “This is one of the most terrifying experiences you can have,” he said. “Fortunately they are healthy and well.” The tragedies occurred as race leader Master Lock Comanche was forced into a shock retirement. Race control confirmed the supermaxi, that took line honours in 2022, was approximately 63 nautical miles off Green Cape when mainsail damage forced the crew to abandon its campaign. Bowline as featured on the Sydney to Hobart’s website. Master Lock Comanche passes between North and South Head at the start of the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart. Picture: Justin Lloyd. Comanche, the four-time line honours champion and the event’s record holder, earlier held a lead of more than eight nautical miles over LawConnect. LawConnect edged Comanche to win by just 51 seconds last year. The fleet was always expected to face dangerous conditions as it made its way towards Bass Straght. “We are seeing strong wind warnings developing through the afternoon today and getting up to gale, so about 35 knots,” meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said in the last briefing hours before the start. A strong south-westerly change would move across Bass Strait early on Friday morning, potentially bringing showers, lightning, thunder, and waves of up to 4 metres (13 feet). “It’s going to be a fast and furious first night out there on our way down to Hobart,” said Matt Allen, co-skipper of Comanche. “It’s probably going to be boat-breaking sort of conditions,” Allen said ahead of the race. “The really small boats are really going to cop it a few times in this race.” Six men died, five boats sank and 55 sailors were rescued in 1998, when a deep depression exploded over the fleet in the Bass Strait. — with AFP More Coverage Heart wrenching update on AFL flag winner James Dampney Surprise name in athlete of the year votes Ryan Morik Originally published as Two dead as tragedy rocks Sydney to Hobart Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Sport Man overboard miracle: Sailor survives terrifying ordeal A Sydney to Hobart sailor has been rescued from the ocean despite becoming separated from his boat by almost 2km in pitch-black conditions early this morning. Follow our LIVE updates. Read more News Favourite out, yachts dismasted in Sydney to Hobart drama In one of the most destructive – and expensive – nights in Sydney to Hobart history, wild winds and rugged seas have blown the race apart and sent multiple favourites into retirement Read more