The Lalit Blog

D-Day Anniversary: Glimmer of hope, Europeans and Americans may convince Putin not to play with fire

US looks forward to Modi visit

MP Minister rapped for statement on UP rapes

MP Assembly, Monsoon session and an ex-bureaucrat's letter to Governor Ramnaresh Yadav Point-Counterpoint I read a news-item in Dainik Bhaskar (July 31) quoting at length a letter written to Madhya Pradesh Governor Ramnaresh Yadav by retired IAS officer M.N. Buch. He has emphasised that not signing on the dotted line to prorogue the Monsoon session goes against Article 174 of Constitution. Mr. Buch, by centering his entire argument on the Constitutional provision that the Governor should act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, has conveyed that he is either ignorant about the Governor’s discretionary powers or is deliberately trying to keep this Constitutional provision under wraps. Why he has done that—I don't know. I think it is relevant to quote Article 163 on Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor. It says:  (1) There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his func...

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Fluorosis strikes rural areas in Madhya Pradesh When contacted for inputs on this vital issue, a state Pollution Control Board spokesman said  that the CGWB findings are based on tests conducted a few years ago. He also pointed out that most the fluoride related tests by his organization have been conducted only in the urban and semi-urban areas. On a broad assessment, he emphasised, the situation would not have improved in the last few years as there has been a progressive increase in demand for ground water mainly for irrigation purpose and the water table has been dropping at a rapid pace.. Excess intake of Fluoride through drinking water and food crops irrigated with fluoride contaminated water causes fluorosis. In the initial stages, moderate ingestion of fluoride leads to dental mottling but long term ingestion affects the bones, body organs and some of the body's critical biological functions. Hence the control of drinking-water quality is critical in preventing fluo...

 I have something to say....Just wait and see how by 2030, the great Narmada River, which is at least 350 million years older than the Ganga, will be battling for survival as those who cry from rooftops about India's progress have been squarely responsible for vandalizing, looting and destroying the forests in the catchment of the great Narmada. By 2030 the Narmada river would be mostly dry and the process of desertification in many districts would be complete. On reading this, one might casually remark: "it is only a matter of how you look at a glass, whether you see it half full or half empty." In my opinion it is only this tendency of looking at half the picture that is responsible for most of the malaise we see around us 64 years after Independence. It is high time we bring in focus the total picture and start addressing all connected issues.   Lalit Shastri