India, US should go for pre-emptive strikes, destroy Pak's N-assets: Ex-US senator

News Network
September 26, 2017

Mumbai, Sept 26: Suggesting that each India and the US conduct pre-emptive strikes inside Pakistan to destroy its nuclear websites (the place weapons have both already been saved or are being made), former US Senator Larry Pressler informed on Monday that Donald Trump might turn into one of the best American president but for India as he had lately put Pakistan on discover for harbouring terrorists.

However for this to occur, Trump must get across the Pentagon, which at all times inspired Pakistan, he stated. Such encouragement emboldened Pakistan to assault India as “the mom of terrorism” and “predator” on the UN common meeting session on Sunday, he added. Trump’s description of the Pentagon as “a swamp” was a very good signal, he famous, hoping the US president would drain it quickly (as he’d promised).

A 3-term Senator and twice a member of the Home of Representatives, Pressler (75) authored the well-known Pressler Modification which in 1990 blocked US navy assist to Pakistan when the then US President George H W Bush couldn’t certify Pakistan was not creating nukes.

Because the supply of near 30 F-16 plane to Islamabad was barred, Pressler, then a Republican and head of the Senate’s arms management subcommittee, grew to become one thing of a hero in India and, in his personal phrases, “a satan in Pakistan.” His new e-book, Neighbours in Arms, engagingly tells the story of the modification and of the US overseas coverage that enabled Pakistan to develop nuclear weapons and casts a extreme highlight on the tradition of lobbying in Washington and the grip of the military-industrial state (“the Octopus”) contained in the US.

Pressler has lengthy distanced himself from the Republican Celebration — he contested Senate polls as an Impartial in 2014 and backed Hillary Clinton within the 2016 Presidential polls — however regardless of variations with Trump, he feels the president just isn’t doing half as badly as US media suggests.

Trump’s warning to Pakistan on its sheltering and export of terror, linking of US assist to “motion on terror” and his request to India to “assist us extra with Afghanistan” signalled a recasting of relations.

The ex-Senator hopes Trump will act on the discover.

“US should declare Pakistan a terrorist state, minimize off all assist and should not deal with India and Pakistan as equals. India is a democracy, Pakistan is not. And Pakistan and particularly the ISI have lied to us for many years,” he stated.

All reward for PM Modi, the Vietnam veteran stated it was good the Modi authorities was robust with Pakistan.

He referred to as the denial of a US visa to Modi when the latter was Gujarat CM “a stain” on the US. He was crucial of India, nonetheless, for allegedly handing out hundreds of thousands to lobbyists in Washington. “Pakistan began this lobbying. India does not have to do it,” he stated. He stated Pakistan could not have developed nuclear weapons if US had stopped assist.

Having labored carefully with many US presidents, he felt Ronald Reagan had been very receptive to his concepts on nuclear non-proliferation and his views on Pakistan’s duplicity however had been hemmed in by “Octopus” mandarins. And Invoice Clinton had, on his 2001 journey to India (Pressler was a part of that delegation), given the impression that he beloved the nation and its folks however had, in actuality, repealed the Pressler Modification and inspired navy provides to India’s hostile neighbour.

Pressler was criticised when, within the 1990s, he had expressed issues about an “Islamic bomb.” He stated he stood vindicated in the present day and that the expansion of ISIS and related teams led him to worry that fundamentalist organisations – and never particular person states – might create a “Caliphate.”

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

A major upgrade in safety and monitoring is planned for Haj 2026, with every Indian pilgrim set to receive a Haj Suvidha smart wristband linked to the official Haj Suvidha mobile app. The initiative aims to support pilgrims—especially senior citizens—who may struggle with smartphones during the 45-day journey.

What the Smart Wristband Will Do

Officials said the device will come with:
•    Location tracking
•    Pedometer
•    SOS emergency button
•    Qibla compass
•    Prayer timings
•    Basic health monitoring

SP Tiwari, secretary of the UP State Haj Committee, said the goal is to make the pilgrimage safer and more comfortable.

“Most Hajis are elderly and not comfortable with mobile apps,” he said. “The smartwatch will help locate pilgrims who forget their way or cannot communicate their location.”

The wristbands will be monitored by the Consulate General of India in Saudi Arabia, similar to mobile tracking via the Haj Suvidha App.

Free Distribution and Training

•    Smart wristbands will be given free of cost.
•    Training for pilgrims will be conducted between January and February 2026.
•    Sample units will reach state Haj committees soon.
•    Final devices will be distributed as pilgrims begin their journey.

New Rules for Accommodation

Two major decisions have also been finalised for Haj 2026:
1.    Separate rooms for men and women – including married couples. They may stay on the same floor but must occupy different rooms, following stricter Saudi guidelines.
2.    Cooking banned – gas cylinders will not be allowed; all meals will be provided through official catering services arranged by the Haj Committee of India.

These decisions were finalised during a meeting of the Haj Committee of India and state representatives in Mumbai.

Haj Suvidha App Launched Earlier

The government launched the Haj Suvidha App in 2024, offering:

•    Training modules
•    Accommodation and flight details
•    Baggage information
•    SOS and translation tools
•    Grievance redressal

Haj 2026 Quota and Key States

•    India’s total Haj quota for 2026: 1,75,025 pilgrims
•    70% (1,25,000) allotted to the Haj Committee of India
•    30% (around 50,000) reserved for Haj Group Organisers

Uttar Pradesh has the largest allocation (around 30,000 seats), though approximately 18,000 pilgrims are expected to go this year. States with high pilgrim numbers include Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dates of Haj 2026

The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 24 May to 29 May, 2026 (tentative).
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who meet the required conditions.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Mangaluru East police have registered a case following a sophisticated online fraud where a 57-year-old local resident was allegedly cheated out of ₹13.4 lakh after being targeted on Facebook.

The scam began in February when the complainant, while browsing Facebook reels, was contacted by a woman identifying herself as "Lillian Mary George" from London. After establishing a chat relationship, the woman claimed she would visit India in November and bring a significant sum of money.

The trap was sprung on November 15, when the victim received a call from a woman named "Sonali Gupta," who claimed Lillian had arrived at Mumbai International Airport but was detained by customs. The fraudsters convinced the man that Lillian was carrying £25,000 (about ₹26 lakh) in traveller’s cheques and 1 kg of gold (valued at around ₹30 lakh).

Under the pretense of clearing these items, the victim was asked to make numerous online transfers between November 15 and 18 for various bogus charges, including:

•    "Pounds exchange registration"
•    "Customs declaration issues"
•    "Discount charges"
•    "Money-laundering charges"

Believing the fictitious story, the complainant transferred the cumulative sum of ₹13.4 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He realised he was cheated when the culprits later promised a refund within two days but stopped answering his calls. The Mangaluru East police are now investigating the case, which highlights the continuing threat of transnational cyber fraud using social engineering and promises of fictitious wealth.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 21,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 21: The Karnataka government is facing pressure to overhaul its employment system after a high-level Cabinet sub-committee recommended the complete phase-out of job outsourcing in government offices, boards, and corporations by March 2028. The move is aimed at tackling a systemic issue that has led to the potential violation of constitutional reservation policies and the exploitation of workers.

The Call for Systemic Change

With over three lakh vacant posts currently being filled through private agencies on an outsource, insource, or daily wage basis, the sub-committee highlighted a significant lapse. "As a result, reservations are not being followed as per the Constitution and state laws. It’s an urgent need to take serious steps to change the system. It has been recommended to completely stop the system of outsourcing by March 2028," the panel stated in a document.

The practice of outsourcing involves private companies hiring workers to perform duties for a government agency. Critics argue this model results in lesser salaries, a lack of social security benefits (otherwise available to permanent government employees), and a failure to adhere to the provisions of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination.

The 'Bidar Model' as a Stop-Gap Solution

To regulate the current mode of employment and reduce worker exploitation until the 2028 deadline, the government plans to establish workers’ services multi-purpose cooperative societies across all districts, following the successful "Bidar Model."

The Bidar District Services of Labour Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Ltd., which operates under the District Commissioner, is cited as a successful example of providing a measure of social security to outsourced staff. Labour Department officials argue this society ensures workers receive their due wages and statutory facilities like ESI (Employees' State Insurance) and PF (Provident Fund), in exchange for a 1% service fee collected from the employees.

legislative push and Priority Insourcing

The recommendations, led by the sub-committee headed by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, are set to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting. The committee has proposed the introduction of the Karnataka Outsourced Employees (Regulation, Placement and Welfare) Bill 2025.

In a move addressing immediate concerns, Labour Minister Santosh Lad, a member of the sub-committee, has reportedly assured that steps will be taken over the next 2-3 years to insource workers in "life-threatening services" on a priority basis. This includes essential personnel like pourakarmikas (sanitation workers), drivers, electrical staff in the Energy Department, and Health Department staff handling contagious diseases. The transition aims to grant these workers the long-term security and benefits they currently lack under the outsourcing system. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.