BJP is the only party based on ideology, says Amit Shah

The BJP is the only political party in India that has been consistently growing on the basis of its ideology, while others have slid into becoming “family concerns” rather than political parties, BJP president Amit Shah said on Saturday.

Addressing a National Writer’s Meet organised by the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Research Foundation (SPMRF) affiliated to the Sangh Parivar, for bloggers and writers here, he gave an overview of the growth of the BJP from its Jan Sangh days as well as his view of the political scenario of the country.

“If anyone asks me the difference between the ideology of the Jan Sangh and the Congress, it can be summed up in only sentence — Nehru’s Congress wanted a nav nirman, or creation of a new nation, forgetting everything of its past, while the Jan Sangh wanted a punar nirman or reconstruction of our country, on the basis of our common culture, knowledge base and ways of living.”

Mr. Shah said: “If you look at the trajectory of most parties you will see that they have declined due to lack of ideological growth. The socialists after the death of Ram Manohar Lohia split, some, joined the Congress, others went with Choudhary Charan Singh. Those split too, and later came to represent single caste groups and now more sadly, only particular families. The Congress too has gone down that road,” he said.

He enumerated several programmes of the government like Skill India and Jan Dhan Yojana as spawning a “humane measure of growth” rather than in the strictly economic sense.

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Protests manufactured, alleges U.P. BJP chief

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya has described reports of BJP leaders being asked to leave the public meetings of the Dharma-Dhamma Chetana Yatra, following former state BJP office bearer Daya Shankar Singh’s objectionable remarks about Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, as a manufactured event.

BJP national president Amit Shah had to cancel his appearance at one of these meetings, scheduled for Saturday, fearing a backlash. The yatra, led by Buddhist monk Dharma Viriyo, is travelling to at least 1,400 Bodh Viharas, mostly in Dalit-dominated areas of Uttar Pradesh, and is supportive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

‘Hecklers planted’

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Maurya said: “Please realise, this Dhamma-Dharma Chetana Yatra is not a programme of the BJP. Buddhist monks who are on this yatra are those to whom Behen [sister] Mayawatiji made promises, but ended up betraying. They are on a yatra to expose that. She terms herself a Dalit ki beti (daughter of a Dalit); instead she has become Daulat ki beti (daughter of wealth). If during the programme people are planted in the crowd to attack our leaders or create a controversy, it will not affect the message going out to society,” he said.

Mr. Maurya insisted that the party would be able to recover from the events of the past week. “The day this incident [State BJP leader Daya Shankar Singh’s objectionable remarks on BSP chief Mayawati] took place, the BJP took swift action, realising its responsibility as the world’s biggest political party. I apologised, in the Rajya Sabha Finance Minister Arun Jaitley apologised, the one who made these remarks was made to apologise, removed from his post and the party. “After this, the issue should have ended. Behenji, however, induced her supporters to take to the streets, and the kind of language they used was also highly objectionable. This kind of language is not acceptable to anyone, Dalits or otherwise. She has sold the votes of the poor, and traded on it, which is why she failed to win a single seat in the 2014 general elections,” he said.

“As a woman, Behen Mayawatiji has failed other women. While the BJP has punished those who said objectionable things about her, she has rewarded her party leader Nasimuddin Siddiqui, more responsibilities in the party instead of punishing him for leading protests where very objectionable things about the women in Daya Shankar Singh’s family were said. The punishment for murder is hanging, whoever dies and whoever commits the murder. She is attempting appeasement of minorities to build a Muslim-Dalit vote bank on this issue by rewarding Siddiqui. It won’t work,” he said.

Terming Mr. Daya Shankar Singh’s wife Swati Singh a Tejaswi Mahila (a woman with a forceful personality), Mr. Maurya was however non-committal whether the BJP would give her the ticket in next year’s Assembly polls in U.P.

Asked what he thought of the recently concluded Yatra by the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Maurya was dismissive. “Who the Congress chooses to project is their own business but since you ask, they have projected as chief ministerial candidate an elderly lady, Sheila Dikshitji, who I respect a lot, but is seen as being from Delhi. Raj Babbarji (UPCC chief) is associated more with Mumbai. These choices reflect a lack of alternatives in the Congress. It would have been better, since Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to be Prime Minister of this country, to try his hand at being projected as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

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Siddaramaiah’s son dead

Rakesh Siddaramaiah (in picture), eldest son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, died of multi-organ failure on Saturday at the Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium.

Rakesh, who celebrated his 39th birthday earlier this month, was hospitalised last Sunday after he developed severe pain in the abdomen that was a result of liver and pancreatic complications. He was on dialysis.

He is survived by wife Smitha, son Dhyan (8) and daughter Thanmayee (5).

Sources said Rakesh initially visited his son, who stays with his maternal aunt in Germany. He then went on a holiday with his friends, at Tomorrow land, the world’s biggest electronic music festival at the Belgium town of Boom, where he fell ill.

Sources said Rakesh had pancreatitis after suffering an injury to his pancreas in a near-fatal accident several years ago. The problem was recurrent with symptoms of severe epigastric pain. The attack in Belgium was severe, said the sources.

The Chief Minister’s family might leave Belgium with the body on Sunday.

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Mistress-dispelling is a booming business in China

When Wang, a 39-year-old woman from Shanghai, discovered texts on her husband’s phone that suggested he was having an affair with one of his employees, she was distraught but decided to take action.

She searched online for a “mistress dispeller.”

Mistress-dispelling services, increasingly common in China’s larger cities, specialize in ending affairs between married men and their extramarital lovers.

Typically hired by a scorned wife, they coach women on how to save their marriages, while inducing the mistress to disappear. For a fee that can start in the tens of thousands of dollars, they will subtly infiltrate the mistress’s life, winning her friendship and trust in an attempt to break up the affair. The services have emerged as China’s economy has opened up in recent decades, and as extramarital affairs grew more common.

With greater opportunities and incentives to be unfaithful new businesses to combat the cheating have apparently flourished.

Counselling, persuasion

A search on Baidu, a Chinese search engine, yields pages of ads and blogs that link back to mistress-dispelling companies based in cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou. After her own search, Ms. Wang decided to hire Weiqing International Marriage Hospital Emotion Clinic Group, a mistress-dispelling service in Shanghai.

Weiqing eventually ended the affair, she said, by persuading the other woman to take a higher-paying job in another city.

Weiqing said it started helping clients like Wang in 2001 in Shanghai, and has since expanded to 59 cities.

Mistress dispelling typically begins with research on the targeted woman, said Shu Xin, Weiqing’s director. An investigation team — often including a psychotherapist and, to keep on the safe side, a lawyer — analyses her family, friends, education and job before sending in an employee whom Weiqing calls a counsellor.

The counsellor might move into the mistress’s apartment building or start working out at her gym, getting to know her, becoming her confidante and eventually turning her feelings against her partner.

Kang Na, who runs a mistress-dispelling service called the Reunion Co. in the southern city of Shenzhen, said counsellors are chosen for their attractive looks and personality. While the counsellor goes to work, the mistress-dispelling service advises the wife on how to make herself more attractive to her husband. The companies say it typically takes about three months to dispel a mistress. Yu Feng, director of the Chongqing Jialijiawai Marriage and Family Service Center, said his team has dispelled 260 mistresses in the last two years.

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Tamil-American is youngest delegate to attend DNC

Sruthi Palaniappan, whose parents immigrated to the United States in 1992 from Chennai, was the youngest delegate to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) that ended on Thursday night. The 18-year-old high school graduate is set to join the Harvard University to study government. She spoke on behalf of the Iowa state delegation during the voting process for presidential nomination.

Her father Palaniappan Andiappan also attended the convention as a member of credentials committee. Ms. Palaniappan wants to run for office and thinks that politics is the best route if one is interested in public service.

Passion for politics

“I am pursuing this passion for politics that I have,” she told The Hindu. “I became involved in service and advocacy-related activities initially, and when the time came to be involved in the election process, I jumped right on board. I got into the Clinton campaign, and went door-to-door canvassing in my area. I was able to encourage people to come out and vote,” Ms. Palaniappan, a huge fan of Hillary Clinton, the first woman presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, said. She has met Ms. Clinton four times through the current campaign cycle.

She was one of the four delegates elected by the district convention directly to the national convention that allowed her to bypass the election at the state level. It was her one-minute speech at the district convention that put her on the path to DNC.

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Pak model Qandeel Baloch killed by brother

A Pakistani social media celebrity whose selfies and videos were deeply polarising in the nation has been murdered by her brother in what police suspect was a so-called "honour killing", officials said Saturday.

"Qandeel Baloch has been killed, she was strangled to death by her brother, apparently it was an incident of 'honour' killing," Sultan Azam, senior police officer in Multan, told AFP.

Baloch, believed to be in her twenties, had travelled with her family from the city of Karachi to Muzzafarabad village in central Punjab province for the recent Eid holiday.

Police were informed by her family that the killing took place on Friday night.

"The brother was also there last night and the family told us that he strangled her to death," Azhar Akram, another senior police official in Multan told AFP, confirming that officials suspected an honour killing.

Police said the brother was now on the run.

Baloch shot to fame in Pakistan in 2014 after a video of her pouting at the camera and asking "How em looking?" went viral.

Held up by many of the country's youth for her liberal views and forthrightness, Baloch -- who posed with mullahs and courted controversy in plunging dresses -- was also reviled by many and frequently subject to misogynist abuse online.

She had reportedly spoken of leaving the country after Eid out of fear for her safety.

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Thousands of Venezuelans enter Colombia for food, medicine

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans poured into neighbouring Colombia to buy food and medicine on Saturday after authorities briefly opened the border that has been closed for almost a year.

A similar measure last weekend led to dramatic scenes of the elderly and mothers storming Colombian supermarkets and highlighted how daily life has deteriorated for millions in Venezuela, where the economy has been in a freefall since the 2014 crash in oil prices.

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that at least 35,000 Venezuelans entered Colombia on Saturday, and their entry took place “in an orderly manner and under conditions of security.” The border was opened for roughly eight hours and will be opened again on Sunday, it said. Roughly 35,000 people also crossed during last weekend’s 12-hour border opening.

The opening took businesses in the Colombian border city of Cucuta by surprise since it had been announced that the border would opened on Sunday.

Colombian Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said “we have made a great effort to have sufficient supplies” for the Venezuelans expected to stream across the border on Saturday and Sunday.

Gov. Jose Vielma of the Venezuelan state of Tachira said that President Nicolas Maduro supported the opening, ordering that people “not be disturbed” when they crossed into Colombia.

Mr. Maduro blames the shortages of food, medicine and basic staples in Venezuela on his opponents, who he accuses of trying to sow economic chaos to oust him from office. His critics accuse his socialist government of economic mismanagement.

Mr. Maduro ordered the 1,378-mile (2,219 km) border shut in August 2015 to clamp down on criminal gangs smuggling over the border goods and gasoline sold at subsidized prices in Venezuela.

Before it was closed, more than 100,000 people daily used the two main crossings, according to the Venezuelan government. That has shrunk to just 3,000 a day, many of them students and sick people given special day passes, nonprofit groups working in the region say.

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Vijender becomes WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight champion

A packed Thyagraj Stadium got more than it had bargained for as Vijender Singh became the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight champion with a convincing win over Australian Kerry Hope here on Saturday even as pro boxing made a rousing start in the country.

Vijender remained unbeaten, this time by unanimous decision, even though his reputation as the ‘Knockout King’ took a backseat.

It was also his toughest fight yet, stretching to the maximum 10 rounds at the end of which he was as drained as his opponent.

Cautious start
The win also saw Vijender climb to 15th in the world in his category even as the former world number four Hope looked rusty and unable to counter Vijender’s well-timed punches. It was a cautious start from both before Vijender landed a couple of soft blows to ease into the attack.

He slipped in the second round but that was to be his only stumble. A couple of upper cuts in the third round were matched by a few lusty hits to the head by Hope but by the seventh round, both looked to be keen on conserving energy to last the distance.

The last two rounds saw both digging deep and Vijender, with his superior reach and dodge, managed to stay ahead. London Olympics bronze medallist Mary Kom received a standing ovation but there was little to excite in the build-up. The real excitement began with the bout between Australia’s Cameron and Devdarshan for the Super Welterweight category which the former, a CWG 2010 participant and unbeaten on the pro circuit so far, won to extend his winning reign.

Sanjeev remains unbeaten

Sanjeev Sahota, another boxer from the ranks of promoter Francis Warren who also manages Vijender, remained unbeaten as well in three fights with a victory against Vikas Lohan. Interestingly, the former is a British national but for the cheering crowds, he was as much a homeboy as anyone else.

A much-superior Siddhartha Verma taunted, toyed around with and pinned Dilbagh Thakran to lift the IBC Super Welterweight Championship Title fight and become the country’s first-ever professional boxing title holder.

The event was not short on the celeb factor. From films (Randeep Hooda) to sports (Mary Kom, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh) and politics (Rahul Gandhi, Vijay Goel), every area of public life was represented even though chants of Modi, Modi when Gandhi walked in must have embarrassed the organisers.

As a novelty, the event was clearly a success. As a measure of gauging a nation’s readiness for pro boxing still remains to be seen.

Vacant seats and oversold tickets

For the first professional boxing bout in the country, the organisation itself left a lot to be desired even though a capacity crowd made the entire event a success.

A day before, Vijender had exhorted people to go out and buy tickets, and clearly his appeal had worked. But vacant seats in certain sections and oversold tickets in others meant there were chaotic scenes among the audience.

People walked into restricted areas including media zone with impunity, threatening those present and forcibly occupying seats claiming to be guests of sponsors. The announcer kept mixing up the names and the weight categories to add to the confusion.

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Vijender aims for seventh knockout

Aiming for his seventh knockout win in as many fights, local favourite Vijender Singh has admitted this would be the toughest test yet when he faces off against Australian Kerry Hope for the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight boxing championship title here on Saturday.

Fighting his first bout at home since turning professional last year, Vijender is confident of continuing his reign as the ‘knockout king’.

“It’s the Asia-Pacific title — we are both fighting, so whoever wins will climb to 15th in the world. The real show starts now and it will be one more step towards the world title,” Vijender said on Friday, during the customary weigh-in ahead of the fight.

The fight would be preceded by seven under-card bouts featuring 11 Indians, including a women’s match.

Hope, though, would be no pushover and with a 23-7 record over a decade of professional boxing, knows it will be a battle of confidence versus experience. He also admitted that there would be a lot of crowd support for his opponent but insisted that his training and experience had prepared him for it.

Trash-talk
“I have been training very hard in Brisbane while he doesn’t look as if he’s been training. I have been there, done that, I know what it’s like being in your home town. The pressure is on this guy. When you can’t do what you want to do, that’s when you fall,” he said, keeping up the predicted trash-talk that accompanies every pro bout.

Vijender was measured in his response with a sense of humour. “I’ll show him, just wait for tomorrow. We’ll meet after the fight for dinner, I’ll show him around,” he said while adding that the most common question he has been asked so far is a request for passes!

“If you go for a movie you pay for the ticket. Then why not for a boxing fight,” he said.

Aware that this fight may well decide the future of professional boxing in India, Vijender was also nostalgic of the city. “It’s been a long time. The last time I fought here was during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It’s going to be a great night with lots of Indian boxers,” he said.

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Girl gives up medical seat for classmate

An act of selflessness by a medical aspirant on Monday warmed the hearts of all who witnessed it.

At the Government multi-super speciality hospital in Omandurar Estate, where counselling for the academic session 2016-17 began for special category on Monday, a candidate gave up her medical seat in Madras Medical College for her friend and classmate.

K. Varshini, with a cut-off of 199 marks and N. Janani with 198.75 marks, were ranked first and second respectively in the ex-servicemen category. Since Janani had applied under ‘Other Communities’ category and wanted to study at the Madras Medical College with her friend Varshini, the latter gave up her seat for Janani.

Varshini, who belonged to the BC category, was confident of getting a seat in MMC through general counselling and opted out of special counselling. Janani said, “I have got 1,181 marks and wanted to study in MMC. Because Varshini gave up her seat I got it. She is a good friend.”

“We follow an educational system that provides a competitive environment for students to compete with each other for marks. However, we also inculcate social values in them so as to promote harmony and tolerance. The gesture shows that the current generation of students are not inferior to anyone in giving importance to values too,” said K. Thulasidhasan, principal of SRV School in Samayapuram. Medical Education Selection Secretary G. Selvarajan said, “I am told that generally students with high scores whose chances of getting into a college of their choice are very high are approached with such requests. In this case, the candidates were known to each other,” he said.

On Monday, all the seven seats in the sports category were allotted as also the five medical seats and one dental seat in the ex-servicemen category.

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Over 250 die in failed Turkey coup

Turkish authorities wrested back control of the country on Saturday, after crushing a military coup by discontented soldiers seeking to seize power from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that claimed more than 250 lives.

After facing down the bloodiest challenge to his 13-year rule, Mr. Erdogan triumphantly addressed thousands of supporters in his home Istanbul district after Friday’ s chaos in the strategic NATO member of 80 million people.

The authorities blamed Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric who is Erdogan’s arch enemy, for the plot and lost no time in rounding up 2,839 soldiers over alleged involvement, amid concerns over the extent of the retribution.

Turks woke up on Saturday to television pictures showing dozens of soldiers surrendering after the failed coup, some with their hands above their head, others forced to the ground in the streets.

“The situation is completely under control,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said outside his Ankara offices, flanked by Turkey’s top general who had himself been taken hostage by the plotters.

Describing the attempted coup as a “black stain” on Turkey’s democracy, Mr. Yildirim said 161 people had been killed in the night of violence and 1,440 wounded.

General Umit Dundar, who stood in as acting chief of staff while Hulusi Akar was being held by the rebels, said 104 coup plotters has been killed. Mr. Akar was later rescued in an operation that marked the end of the plotters’ hopes.

During a night where power hung in the balance, large crowds of flag-waving supporters of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) defied the coup leaders’ orders of a curfew and flooded the streets to block the attempt to overthrow the regime.

“We should keep on owning the streets tonight no matter at what stage (the coup attempt is) because a new flare-up could take place at any moment,” Mr. Erdogan warned on Twitter on Saturday.

‘People are afraid’

Friday’s putsch bid began with rebel F-16 jets screaming low over rooftops in Ankara, soldiers and tanks taking to the streets and multiple explosions throughout the night in the capital as well as the biggest city Istanbul.

Parts of Parliament were turned to rubble after being hit by air strikes from rebel jets. Rebel troops also moved to block the two bridges across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, culminating in a stand-off with an angry crowd.

Turks have not seen such scenes since 1980 when the military led by General Kenan Evren ousted the government and many had no desire to revive these memories.

As protesters poured onto the streets, an AFP photographer saw troops open fire on people gathered near one of the bridges, leaving dozens wounded. Soldiers also shot at protesters angrily denouncing the coup bid at Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square, injuring several.

There was chaos in the city as angry crowds jeered the passing tanks, with much smaller numbers welcoming the troops.

U.S. President Barack Obama stressed the “vital need” for all parties to “act within the rule of law” as Turkey rounded up the coup plotters. While condemning the coup bid, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the plotters had to be dealt with “under the rule of law.”

Turkey’s General Erdal Ozturk, commander of the Third Army, has been detained while Alparslan Altan, one of 17 judges on the constitutional court, was taken into custody. Judicial authorities said 2,745 judges would also be sacked in the wake of the coup bid.

“Brothers, I must say that this is now being cleaned up,” said Mr. Erdogan said in his speech in the district of Kizikli on the Asian side of Istanbul.

‘Treason and rebellion’

The President’s critics have long accused him of undermining modern Turkey’s secular roots and of sliding into authoritarianism — but he was believed to have won control of the military after purging elements who opposed him.

Turkey’s once-powerful military has long considered itself the guardian of the secular state founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923. It has staged three coups since 1960 and forced out an Islamic government in 1997.

Mr. Erdogan immediately pinned the blame on “the parallel state” and “Pennsylvania” — a reference to Mr. Gulen, his arch-enemy whom he has always accused of seeking to overthrow him. “The United States — you must extradite that person,” he said to cheers from the supporters.

But the President’s former ally “categorically” denied any involvement in the plot, calling the accusation “insulting.”

Mr. Yildirim took aim at the United States for hosting what he called “the leader of a terrorist organisation.”

Speaking in Luxembourg, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry invited Turkey to hand over any evidence it had against Mr. Gulen. Meanwhile, Turkey demanded the extradition of eight people thought to have been involved in the putsch who landed in a Black Hawk military helicopter in Greece.

And Istanbul authorities sought to get life back to normal with the bridges reopening to traffic and Ataturk International Airport — shut down by the plotters — gradually reopening.

But the U.S. government said it has suspended all flights to Turkey, and banned all airlines from flying to the United States from Turkey due to uncertainty after the coup bid.

Turkish authorities also imposed a security lockdown at the Incirlik air base in the southern province of Adana used by U.S. and other coalition forces in the fight against jihadists in Syria, the U.S. consulate said.

The U.S. military command in Europe has ordered American forces across Turkey to take maximum protective measures.

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evisiting the golden age of Indian hockey at the Olympics

Having put up sterling performances at the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament and Champions Trophy, the Indian men's team is embarking on another Olympic voyage at Rio. India has a painfully glorious past in Olympic hockey. India has won eight gold medals at the Olympics, between 1928 and 1980. After that it has been a dry spell.

Rio is also an opportunity to prove themselves for the Indian women’s team as well. The have qualified for Olympics after a gap of 36 years, after finishing a creditable fourth in Moscow in 1980.

The Hindu has covered every moment of Indian hockey at the Olympics. Here we give you our coverage, right from 1928, of the golden moments as well as the let downs in Olympics.
1928: This is the first time India won the gold at the Olympics, after which we went on to win the next six consecutive Olympic golds. Here is The Hindu’s editorial on that historic moment:

The Indian team won the gold by defeating Holland. The Indians took some time to settle down in the first half, owing to the reconstruction of thier forward line...

1932: India defended their gold medal, this time against USA:

The felicitations poured in from various quarters for the victorious team on their mammoth victory.

1936: India completed its hat-trick at Berlin. There was tense excitement when the curtain was lifted for the final....

1940: The Olympic Games that were to be held in Tokyo that year, and later moved to Helsinki, were suspended indefinitely following the outbreak of World War II.

1948: India beat Great Britain 4-0 in the final of the London Olympics. From the opening whistle, India gave the spectators in the stadium an exhibition of intelligent and fast play...

The Hindu in its editorial paid glowing tributes to the Indian men's hockey team.

1952: India men's hockey team once again showed the world why they are supreme by outclassing Holland in the finals. Out of six goals in the finals, Balbir Singh scored 5.

Glowing tributes from various quarters poured in for the Indian team's classy performance. The Hindu Editorial

1956: India defeated Pakistan 1-0 in the finals of the Melbourne Olympics and secured their sixth consecutive title.

In its editorial The Hindu appreciated the Indian hockey team.

1960: Only men competed in field hockey at the Rome Olympic Games. Pakistan won the gold medal, defeating India in the final and ending India's run of six successive gold medals. Spain won the bronze medal.

1964: India wrested back the Hockey crown from Pakistan in a thrilling game. This was the seventh gold for the Indian men's hockey team at the Olympics.

President Dr. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri congratulated the win and conveyed their wishes...

The Hindu editorial said, "The hockey of today however — and alas, too — is far cry from the hockey of the Dhyan Chand era.

At the concluding ceremony of the 18th Olympiad at Tokyo, only the Indian hockey team participated.

1980: After three more Olympics, India won their eighth hockey gold at Moscow.

The Bhaskaran-led Indian hockey team was given a warm welcome at New Delhi.
After the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Indian hockey team witnessed a downward trend and has not won a single medal till 2012. India finished 12th in the 2012 London Olympics.

This time around, Indian men's hockey team led by Sardar Singh has displayed some scintillating performances and has won matches against stronger sides.

India finished second, below Australia, in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Champions Trophy. According to Indian coach Roelant Oltmans, the Indian team has a very good chance of finishing at the podium at the Rio Olympics.

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Usain Bolt’s torn hamstring raises Rio doubt

Usain Bolt confirmed suffering a grade one hamstring tear at Jamaica’s Olympic trials on Friday but the star sprinter expects to secure his place at the Rio Games by proving his fitness at the London Anniversary Games later this month.

Bolt withdrew from the final of the men’s 100 metres after Friday night’s semifinals as Yohan Blake went on to win the trial in 9.95 seconds. Bolt had clocked 10.04 seconds to win his semifinal after a poor start.

“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night (Thursday) and then again in the semifinal tonight (Friday) I was examined by the chief doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear,” Bolt said on his official Facebook account.

“I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships.

“I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio,” the two-time Olympic 100m and 200m gold medallist said.

His withdrawal does not mean he will miss the Rio Olympics, where Bolt is expected to defend his 100 and 200m titles.

Unlike the United States, where the first three finishers in the trials win Olympic berths, Jamaica’s selection policy allows medical exemptions.

His coach Glen Mills told Reuters that efforts were made since Thursday night to get Bolt ready for Friday’s semifinal and final.

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Connectivity aims to spur travel, airport usage

The civil aviation ministry released the draft regional connectivity scheme on Friday in a bid to make flying affordable and to revive dormant airports.

Once the scheme is implemented, passengers will be able to fly an hour’s journey (of about 500 km) for an all-inclusive fare of Rs 2,500. The passenger service fee and user development fee will not be applicable on this fare.

However, the cap on the airfares will be applicable only to a limited number of seats in an aircraft and the passengers will be eligible for subsidised fare on a first-come-first served basis.

Only routes covering a distance of 200-800 km connecting a ‘less connected or unconnected’ airport will qualify for the regional connectivity scheme and the airfare cap will be proportional to the air distance travelled.

Airfares will be capped in the range of Rs.1,700-Rs.4,070 and will be revised every quarter based on the prevailing inflation rate.

Hinterland effect
While the scheme will be applicable to airports with no flight connections in the previous two flying seasons, the government has identified 16 airports, receiving seven flights a week, which will also fall under the scheme.

Some of them are: Agra, Allahabad, Pantnagar, Diu, Shillong, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Kullu, Tezpur, among others.

“As the Indian economy grows, consumption-led growth in populated metros is expected to spill over to hinterland areas. This is also expected to be on account of factors of production (land, labour, etc.) becoming costlier in the densely populated metro cities. In this scenario, air connectivity can provide required impetus to the economic growth of such regional centres,” said the draft regional connectivity scheme document. The document has been uploaded on the civil aviation ministry’s website for purposes of receiving public comments till July 22.

“We feel regional connectivity is going to boost air traffic growth tremendously, Now, the Centre should collaborate with states and offer last-mile connectivity to passengers,” said D. Sudhakara Reddy, national president of Air Passengers Association of India.

Subsidy
While the Centre will provide 80 per cent subsidy to airlines for three years to fund the losses they incur, to enable them to charge lower airfares to passengers, the remaining 20 per cent will come from the states.

The Centre will set up a regional connectivity fund, to be be financed by a cess charged to airlines flying on metro or trunk routes for each departure.

The cess, which will likely be levied beginning August 1, may marginally increase airfares on such routes.

“If an airline is not able to develop a route within three years even after (our) giving viability gap funding, then we will give a cooling off period of two years before the route can again qualify to become a part of the scheme,” Minister of State, Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said.

Seat occupancy
He said if the seat occupancy of the airline on a particular route exceeds 90 per cent, the subsidy will be reduced by 50 per cent in the subsequent year. Mr. Sharma said subsidised fares will be applicable only on nine seats (for 12 to 18-seater plane) and 40 seats (for aircraft with 80 or more seats).

The government may provide higher subsidy to the airlines if the cost of aviation turbine fuel goes up in future, Civil Aviation Secretary RN Choubey said.

The airlines will be mandated to fly at least three flights every week on such regional routes and the subsidy will be provided for maximum seven flights per week.

“There are around 30 inactive airports which are low-hanging fruit and can be revived immediately,” Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said.

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Gold prices likely to remain high in the current year due to Brexit

Gold prices likely to move up further in the current calendar year owing to uncertainties in the global markets as U.K. voted to exit from the European Union.

Gold prices shot up to its highest level in three years, in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum, on last Friday, as investors rushed to grab safer assets, leaving equities and other risk assets, which were already facing selling pressure.

Sluggish purchases

The prices of gold hit a three-year peak at around $1,355 per ounce on June 23, and hovering between $1310 and 1,320 per ounce in the international market currently. Earlier the highest price recorded was at around $1,900 per ounce in 2012 which moved down to $1,100 per ounce in the subsequent period, mostly attributed to the sluggish purchase by the central banks

“Later it recovered to US$1300 levels in the beginning of 2016 due to weak U.S. data. Last Friday it touched a three year high of around $1,355 per ounce on Brexit news. It is expected to go up to $1,400 per ounce in the coming days,” said James Jose, Secretary, Association of Gold Refineries and Mints, a national body for gold refiners.

On the previous day of the referendum in U.K., the gold price was at $1,265 per ounce and the Dollar index was at 93.87 and on Thursday, June 30, the Dollar index was at 95.75 and gold price was at 1315.65 per ounce. “As dollar strengthens, the price of gold is likely to rise,” said Hariprasad M.P. Senior Vice President and Head of Treasury and Banknotes, Centrum Direct Ltd.

Prices to rise

“Global commodities like Gold don’t overnight change the main trend. Gold is expected into a large sideways market having resistance at Rs 33500 - 34500 and at lower end Rs 25000 in the Indian market,” said Jimeet Modi, CEO, SAMCO Securities

The risk to reward ratio currently is not favourable for long trades. However in the short term there is possibility for higher levels but soon the gold price will try to catch up with the lower end of the trading band. However, to the extent of dollar appreciation the gold prices will rise in India, Mr. Modi added.

The disparity in the prices, he said, is due to conversion costs, which is more or less constant and will remain so. In fact the Indian price of gold is the derivative of international markets subject to currency adjustments. However Mr. Modi said during times of uncertainty gold has always found buyers. “But we believe such uncertainties don’t last forever, soon, the markets will discount the fact and move on. Therefore going with the crowd now may not be the wise thing in the gold market.”

In a statement issued last Friday, the World Gold Council (WGC) said that it expects to see strong and sustained inflows into the gold market driven by the staggering level of protracted uncertainty that investors are facing.

Small investors

WGC predicted that purchases of gold coins by small retail investors, which were already up sharply in the months running up to the vote (Brexit), should accelerate further. According to the world body, gold is a high quality and liquid asset and will provide investors with a hedge against market uncertainty, economic, political and intervention risk.

“The intermediate trend in Gold has turned positive from negative,” said Birendrakumar Singh, AVP , Systematix Shares & Stocks.

Upward trend

Time wise, he said, beginning from December 2015, the present upward trend would remain intact for a minimum time period of 6 months or it can even extend up to 18 months.

“Price wise the upward projection could be up to $1,509 or higher, it is the 61.8 per cent retracement level of the down trend,” Mr. Singh added.

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Eleven dead, 17 missing as heavy rain lashes Uttarakhand

At least 11 persons were killed and 17 went missing when heavy rain triggered landslips and flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts on Friday.

Several people were buried in sleep, under the debris of collapsing houses, when disaster struck in the early hours.

After the deluge, eight bodies were recovered from Pithoragarh’s Didihat and Thal tehsil, where at least 12 families were affected.

While three persons who were severely injured were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital in Pithoragarh by helicopter, 11 persons in the district were missing till Friday night.

According to the State disaster management department, three persons died in the heavy rain and landslips in Chamoli district, and six had gone missing.

Meanwhile, the Dehradun Meteorological Centre has issued an alert for heavy rainfall for 72 hours. “We have issued a warning for areas in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Almora, Nainital, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar district since there is possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall over 72 hours [starting Friday morning],” Dehradun Meteorological Centre Director Bikram Singh said.

Within the 72-hour alert period, there could be heavy rainfall in isolated areas across the State as well, Mr Singh said. Due to the alert, people residing in areas in the vicinity of rivers have been asked by the respective district administration to shift to safer places.

Teams of the NDRF, the ITBP, the State Disaster Response Force, the Sashastra Seema Bal, the State Disaster Management Department and the Revenue Department were sent to the affected areas in Pithoragarh and Chamoli to undertake rescue and relief operations, Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) C. Ravishankar said.

Bad weather and damaged roads delayed the rescue operations in Pithoragarh, where the district administration could only reach by the evening. However, in the absence of the needed assistance, the locals undertook the rescue work.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, “Instances of landslips caused by heavy rains are increasing day by day. It is an issue that is of great concern.”

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President inaugurates smart model village pilot project

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday inaugurated a smart model village pilot project at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President said in the last four years of his presidency this was the first time that he was having the privilege of interacting with several sarpanches and village-level functionaries at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He called it a landmark initiative to replicate the experience in transforming the President’s estate into a smart model township in five selected villages in Haryana. He complimented and thanked all stakeholders — the central ministries, the government of Haryana including district and village-level administration, local bodies and governmental and other organisations.

Since assuming office, the President had been emphasising on the opening of Rashtrapati Bhavan to the people. “However, today he felt that Rashtrapati Bhavan had been truly opened to the public since the village representatives were present there,” a release from Rashtrapati Bhavan stated.

Expressing confidence that this initiative would not remain confined to these five villages but spread to the entire country, the President said it is only the representatives of the villages who can transform this country.

“Our progress and development can be achieved at the desirable speed only in partnership with these decision-makers in the villages,” he said.

Mr. Mukherjee also urged the empowerment of women and youth.

The five villages which will be developed into smart villages under this pilot project are Dhaula, Alipur, Harichandpur and Taj Nagar in Gurgaon district; and Rojka Meo in Mewat district of Haryana.

The President had announced this pilot project on the occasion of the inauguration of the Intelligent Operations Centre (IOC) at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the launching of a Mobile App ‘Monitor’ for transformation of President’s Estate into a smart township on May 19.

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Dhaka restaurant siege — As it happened

Bangladeshi police stormed a restaurant in the capital Dhaka and rescued up to 10 hostages on Saturday, one official said, after an attack claimed by Islamic state.

Gunmen attacked the upscale cafe in the diplomatic area of Dhaka late on Friday and had been holding about 20 hostages, including foreigners, before police poured into the building to try to free those stuck inside. At least two police were killed.

Live updates

10.40 am: According to sources more than a dozen civilians are rescued alive, their identity is not disclosed. Many however are feared dead. All television channels, which were stopped, are going live now.

10.25 am: The commanding officer of Bangladeshi commandos says at least six of the militants have been killed and 13 hostages rescued after security forces cleared the main restaurant building at the end of the 10-hour standoff.

Lt. Col. Tuhin Mohammad Masud told The Associated Press that some militants were captured.

About 35 people were taken hostage, including about 20 foreigners, when gunmen stormed the Dhaka restaurant on Friday night.

Lt. Col. Masud says the rescued include a Japanese, who was injured, and two Sri Lankans.

10.21 am: Bangladesh hostage crisis ends after a commando operation, PTI says quoting media reports.

10.12 am: Bangladesh official says main building cleared; at least 6 militants killed, 13 hostages safe.

9.30 am: The U.S. has said it cannot yet confirm the Islamic State’s claim owning responsibility for the hostage crisis in a restaurant in Dhaka’s high security diplomatic area. “We have seen ISIL (ISIS) claims of responsibility, but cannot yet confirm and are assessing the information available to us,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

According to U.S. media reports, IS has claimed responsibility of the attack at Holey Artisan Bakery.

But according to CNN, senior U.S. officials believe that the attack has been probably carried out by al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent, which was declared as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. only a day earlier.

“You can say we are aware of these reports but refer to Bangladeshi authorities,” a senior administration official told PTI when asked about the news reports.

9.10 am: 2 big explosions heard inside Dhaka restaurant; police official says 5 bodies found, reports AP

8.20 am: 10 people, including two foreigners, are rescued from Dhaka restaurant, Reuters reports quoting a TV channel.

8.10 am: An AFP photographer at the scene said he could hear a massive gunfight as security forces launched the rescue operation more than 10 hours after militants seized the hostages.Five Bangladeshi hostages were rescued in the first few minutes of the operation, a security official told AFP. "They are rescued unharmed," he said.

8.03 am: Bangladesh police say one foreigner, probably Japanese, escaped in operation to free hostages

7.51 am: Bangladesh police say more than 100 commandos fighting gunmen at Dhaka restaurant to free hostages, gunmen retaliating

7.41 am: Bangladesh police storm restaurant to rescue hostages

Bangladeshi police stormed a Dhaka restaurant on Saturday to free 20 hostages, including several foreigners, that were trapped inside after gunmen had launched an attack on the upscale eatery late on Friday night, an official said.

“Our commandos have stormed into the restaurant. Intense gunfighting on,” Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, a deputy director at the Rapid Action Battalion force, told Reuters.

4.00 am: Seven Italian nationals among hostages, Italian state television said quoting the Italian ambassador to Bangladesh.

3.35 am: "Deeply saddened to know that Assistant Commissioner of Police Robiul Islam has been also killed in the exchange of gunfire at the Holey Artisan. He was a meritorious student of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Jahangirnagar University," wrote Shahab Enam Khan, a commentator on politics and diplomacy, on Facebook.

More comments poured on social media throughout the night.

3.00 am: The U.S. State Department says it has seen the claims of responsibility by the Islamic State group for the hostage-taking in Dhaka but cannot yet confirm it.

A White House official said President Barack Obama was briefed on the attack by his chief counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco. The president asked to be kept informed as the situation develops, said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the president’s meetings.

State Department spokesman John Kirby says the U.S. is in contact with the Bangladesh government and has offered its assistance to bring those responsible to justice.

1.38 am: Sri Lankan nationals suspected among hostages in Dhaka restaurant.

"Hon Ruwan Wijewardene informed us of two possible Sri Lankans among hostages inside restaurant in Dhaka. We are urgently looking in to it. Our Deputy Cheif of Mission in Dhaka in touch with Police regarding the two individuals suspected to be among the hostages in the cafe," tweeted Harsha de Silva, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

1.26 am: Islamic State claims responsibility for Dhaka attack, reports PTI.

Reuters reports: A news agency run by Islamic State said the militant group's affiliates were responsible for an attack on a cafe in Bangladesh on Friday, where gunmen were holding hostages as police laid siege to the building.

1.20 am: Out correspondent Suvojit Bagchi reports from Kolkata:

Dhaka residents told The Hindu that few thousand alleged militants were arrested over last few weeks but security was not beefed up in the city anticipating a retaliation. "Any body could enter the Airport's secured area till Friday without showing identity card or ticket," said a eminent film producer of Dhaka.

1.10 am: More than two dozen members of police

12. 59 am: U.S. President Barack Obama has been briefed about the attack, the White House said. “The president asked to be kept informed as the situation develops,” a White House official said.

12.58 am: Reuters reports:

The U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby, could not confirm whether private U.S. citizens were caught up in the “hostage situation.”

“We have accounted for all Americans working for the chief of mission authority” in Dhaka, Kirby told a press briefing. “We're still accounting for private Americans.”

12.55 am: At least 15 injured in the situation, while two police officers are dead.

12.53 am: Security heightened at Dhaka airport, but airport not closed.

12.51 am: Dhaka attack has traces of Mirpur incident and smaller terrorist incidents, say Rapid Action force in Dhaka.

12.48 am: Rabiul Alam, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Detective Department is shot and fighting for life according to SATs official sources, reports our Kolkata correspondent Suvojit Bagchi.

12.45 am: Dhaka restaurant waiters say eight individuals have attacked the restaurant.

12.45 am: Initial reports say the Ansarullah Bangla team has been blamed for the attack on Dhaka restaurant.

12.40 am: Gulshan is one of the most highly guarded areas of Dhaka as many foreign missions are located in the area.

"So it is a surprise how so many militants could enter such an area and took hostage," Mr Dutta said. "It is alarming for us, the minorities. It took place on a day when a Hindu priest was killed in the country."

12.10 am: Shyamal Dutta, Editor of a leading Bangladeshi newspaper, Bhorer Kagoj told The Hindu that an Indian girl is also among 20 hostages. "Her father claimed so on television. However, her name was not disclosed," Mr Dutta said. "Police operation is expected to start but has not started inside the bakery."

11.50 pm: A Bangladesh security officer has appealed to television channels to stop live broadcast of the situation.

11.40 pm: Associated Press reports Benazir Ahmed, director general of the elite anti-crime force Rapid Action Battalion or RAB, as saying that security forces were working to save the lives of the people trapped inside. Several foreigners are believed to be among the hostages inside the restaurant.

“Some derailed youths have entered the restaurant and launched the attack. We have talked to some of the people who fled the restaurant after the attack. We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers, we want to listen to them about what they want,” Ahmed said.

“Some of our people have been injured. Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside.,” he said.

11.30 pm: Reuters reports Bangaldeshi policemen as saying that there are around eight or nine gumen involved in the situation.

11.25 pm: All Indian High Commission officials safe, reports our correspondent Suhasini Haidar. The Indian High Commission is monitoring the situation, says the Ministry of External Affairs.

11.22 pm: Our correspondent from Dhaka, Haroon Habib writes:

Police and suspected criminals traded gunfire for hours on Friday night in Dhaka’s Gulshan area that houses the diplomatic zone.

The shooting started near Holey Artisan Bakery, Lakeview Hospital and Nordic Club at Gulshan-2 around 9:15pm on Friday, the police said.

Police also believe that several people including foreign nationals are believed to be trapped at the restaurant. Local media outlets said the armed miscreants took at least 10 to 12 foreigners as hostages. At least 30 people, including policemen, have been shot.

TV channels, reporting the incident live, said about five assailants entered one Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant on Road 79 of the Gulshan diplomatic zone and opened gunfire. A number of policemen and elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members cordoned off the area but no details were available. Assailants also hurled bombs, according to police.

TV reports said several people including policemen were believed to injured in the yet unexplained shooting in a sensitive area. Sumon Reza, a member of the kitchen staff of the Bakery who managed to escape, told journalists that several armed assailants entered the restaurant and first took the chief chef hostage.

A member of staff of a diplomatic mission who lives close to the place said that he had also heard shooting but did not know what really was happening there. Police have barricaded the streets leading towards the area.

11.20 pm: Bangladesh media reports: Police negotiator appeals "we are requesting the ones who are inside the restaurant to talk to us., relay us your demands" (ANI)

11.15 pm: The Dhaka Tribune reports that several police officials have been wounded with at least 20 civilians, mostly foreigners taken hostage.

11.10 pm: Too early to say who is involved or motivation for hostage situation in Dhaka: U.S. State dept. spokesman — Reuters

11.10 pm: Reuters reports that the hostage situation in Dhaka is 'still fluid', all U.S. citizens working under chief of mission accounted for: U.S. state dept

11.00 pm: Several foreigners are feared to have been taken hostages inside the restaurant, police said.
11.00 pm: A large number of policemen and Rapid Action Battalion cordoned off the restaurant.

10.55 pm: The attackers hurled bombs and were firing intermittently, injuring some policemen and people.

10.50 pm: A kitchen staff of the bakery, who managed to escape, said several armed men entered the restaurant around 8:45 PM and took the chief chef hostage, local media reported. “They set off several crude bombs triggering panic,” he added.

10.50 pm: According to police, about five armed men entered Holey Artisan Bakery, a restaurant popular with foreigners, and opened gunfire around 9:20 PM (local 

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New Taliban leader tells U.S. to end Afghan 'occupation' in first message

New Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada tells U.S. on Saturday to end its "occupation" of Afghanistan in his first message since being appointed the militant group's chief in May.

"Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle... and put an end to the occupation," Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

"Our message to the American invaders and her allies is this: the Afghan Muslim people neither fear... your force nor your stratagem. They consider martyrdom in confrontation with you as a cherished goal of their life," Akhundzada added.

"You are facing... not a group or faction but a nation. You are not going to be a winner [if Allah willing]."

The message is the first by Akhundzada since his predecessor Akhtar Mansour was killed during a U.S. drone strike in neighbouring Pakistan in May.

The leader's statement comes two days after twin Taliban bomb blasts killed at least 32 Afghan policemen and wounded 78 others on the edge of Kabul.

"Our message to the supporters of the invaders is that it might have been dawned on you during the past 15 years that you are being used for realisation of American goals," Akhundzada said, adding that "your support and siding with invaders is like the work of those abhorrent faces who in our past history supported the Britons and the Soviets," he added.

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Hillary’s automatic green card proposal to benefit Indian students

Indian science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students in the U.S could be the biggest beneficiaries of a proposal in Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s ‘Initiative on Technology and Innovation’ released this week.

Ms. Clinton has promised automatic ‘green card’ or permanent residency to students who complete a master’s degree or a PhD from a U.S university.

Indian students mostly in STEM

 There are 1,32,888 Indian students in the U.S currently, second only to the Chinese. There are 3,04,040 Chinese students. Indian students are mostly graduate students, and mostly in the STEM category. Of all the international undergraduate students, 30 per cent are Chinese, where as Indians make only three per cent of the pool.

Immigration experts who are familiar with the trends approximate that as high as 80 per cent of the Indian students could be in the STEM category and therefore in a position to benefit from Ms. Clinton’s policy.

Proposal around for a while 

Automatic green card for STEM graduates has been a proposal that has been around for a while, and Republican Mitt Romney promised it during his presidential campaign in 2012.

For decades, foreign students who come to the U.S on F-1 visas could be employed in the country under what is called the Optional Practical Training (OPT). In 2008 the Bush administration allowed STEM students to stay as long as 29 months, and in 2015, the Obama administration extended it to 36 months.

 “Indian students stand to benefit a lot if this policy [Ms. Clinton’s] comes through. As of now, a STEM graduate can continue to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of three years after the course. If they have not got an H-1B visa by then, they either go back to India or go back to a student visa. This uncertainty leaves them in a state of flux immediately after graduation,” said Aparna Dave, an immigration lawyer based in Washington.

Always in demand

Applications for H-1B visas exceed the stipulated quota by several times every year. For several years now, annually, there are 65,000 H-1B visas that are in the general category and an additional 20,000 meant for STEM graduates from American universities under the category ‘advanced degree exemption.’

Ms. Dave pointed out that while IT companies are aggressive in using the H-1B visas, companies in other sectors are usually lukewarm to the programmed. “Many companies that are not primarily in IT are averse to getting involved in the immigration process,” she said. As a result, a mechanical, chemical or environmental engineering graduate has lesser chances to continue in the U.S, even if a corresponding job may be available with a company. If STEM graduates are automatically eligible for a green card, they could compete in the open job market and companies will find it easier to fill vacancies or expand with fresh talent, said Ms. Dave.

Move to tap top talent

Ms. Clinton explains her policy proposal as a move to “attract and retain the top talent from around the world.”

“As part of comprehensive immigration reform, Hillary would “staple” a green card to STEM masters and PhDs from accredited institutions, and support visas that allow top entrepreneurs from abroad to come to the U.S., build companies, and create jobs for American workers,” the document said.

Controversial topics, in poll year

But OPT and the number of extra STEM talent that the American job market requires every year remain controversial topics, more so in an election year. Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, has made vague remarks about retaining international students who come to the U.S, but his politics remain anti-immigration.

“The STEM OPT extension program masquerades as a mentoring and training program for foreign graduates with STEM degrees from U.S. universities; in practice it is a large temporary work-visa program for foreign workers with virtually no rules …There are no enforceable wage standards or protections for the foreign students in the OPT program or for the U.S. workers with whom the OPT workers compete. Employers are permitted to deeply undercut locally prevailing wages for jobs in STEM fields. Employers are not required to first recruit U.S. workers or even publicly advertise jobs to them before hiring OPT workers, meaning that employers do not have to establish the existence of a labour shortage before hiring workers through OPT,” Ronil Hira, Associate Professor of Public Policy at Howard University, Washington DC told the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year.  Automatic green cards to STEM graduates is not a proposal that will go unchallenged.

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