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NDTV
3 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Demographic Changes In Assam, Bengal "Ticking Time Bomb": Tamil Nadu Governor
Gandhinagar: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Tuesday expressed concern over what he called demographic changes in some parts of the country, including Assam and West Bengal, as he described the trend as a "ticking time bomb" and urged stakeholders to find solutions. Amid raging language rows in some states and claims of Hindi imposition, including in Maharashtra, he noted it is not in India's character or culture to have bitterness in the name of language. "This country always managed to fight external aggression. But when it comes to internal matters, what happened in the past? In 1947, India was Partitioned because of internal implosion. People following an ideology announced they don't want to live with the rest of us. This ideology broke our nation," emphasised Mr Ravi. The Tamil Nadu Governor was addressing students and faculty members at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, on the occasion of commencement of the academic year 2025-2026. "Is anyone concerned about the changes in demography which took place in Assam, West Bengal and Purvanchal (parts of UP and Bihar) during the last 30-40 years? Can anyone predict today that in the coming 50 years, work for partitioning the nation will not happen in these areas?" he asked. "We should conduct a study on the sensitive demography growing in some regions and what will be its future. This issue is like a ticking time bomb. We have to think about how we will deal with this issue in the future and start finding solutions from today itself," stressed the former IPS officer. According to him, a country's military strength was not adequate enough to deal with internal disturbances. Mr Ravi argued the Soviet Union would not have disintegrated in 1991 if its military strength had been sufficient to handle internal problems. Amid the ongoing rows over language in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Mr Ravi said it is not India's character to have bitterness in the name of language. "After independence, we started fighting with each other. One of the reasons was language. They (those advocating states based on linguistic identity) called it linguistic nationalism," the Governor maintained. He pointed out that central leadership has time and again made it clear all Indian languages are in the same league and deserve equal respect. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said on numerous occasions that all Indian languages are our national languages and we respect each one of them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also said that at least primary education should be imparted in local languages in each state," said Mr Ravi. The Governor insisted bitterness among people in the name of language is not part of India's ethos. "It is not in the character of India to have bitterness among ourselves in the name of is not in our culture. After independence, we lost our sense of nationhood. As a result, our diversity, which was our strength, became a weakness," he added.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Linguistic division of states after Independence has created second-class citizens: Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi
While citing the example of his own state, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Tuesday criticised the 'linguistic division of states', saying it had created 'second-class citizens'. Speaking at the inauguration of the academic year 2025-26 at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, Ravi also praised Operation Sindoor, stating that it would go down in history as an example of 'how a country can achieve its political objective through military means in a short, swift manner', and how, the world over, it was 'easy' to start a war but not as simple to end it. According to Ravi, before Independence, the country was 'united' even though there was no single national central government. After Independence, he said, 'we have started fighting with each other… what they call linguistic nationalism'. He said, 'Within a decade of our Independence, there had to be a linguistic reorganisation of Bharat and this happened following violent protests in many parts of the country… people had started refusing to live with each other. When we created linguistic states, a large population became second-class citizens…' He said, 'In my own state Tamil Nadu… people of different languages — Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi… they all live together but the moment it became a linguistic state, one third of the population became a second-class citizen. It happened in other parts also.' The TN Governor said, 'Something went wrong after Independence… The rashtra (nation) was taken in a direction that created division among our people in every conceivable way. So much so that the government began accepting as if it was an inevitable natural phenomena. This is reflected in the administrative (reforms) commission report. In 2008, the central government commissioned it. It was a voluminous report on conflict management, countering terrorism and if you read it, you will see how the government viewed the country.' According to him, the creation of an 'ethnicity-based state' was 'an attack, an assault on the spirit of Bharat rashtra.' The Governor said, 'Looking at Bharat, the land that celebrated its diversity, every diversity was viewed as a difference… we must remember that the republic of Bharat was born after Independence, but as a rashtra, it has been there for 5,000 years. Unfortunately, after Independence, the consciousness of a rashtra got weakened.' Governor Ravi praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for setting up the RRU in 2009, during the latter's stint as the Gujarat Chief Minister, citing the various terror attack incidents in the country in the preceding years, and said that the institution 'has to remain aligned with his (the PM's) vision.' A former IPS officer who has served in the Intelligence Bureau with assignments in Jammu & Kashmir, the North East and Maoist regions, Governor Ravi said that until 2014 the 'entire Northeast was burning' but now it is 'far, far near normal'. 'Northeast violence has reduced to insignificance,' he said, crediting the building of infrastructure like new airports, four-lane roads, digital connectivity, Railways and so on. He said, 'Because if you understand the organising principle of rashtra, we will be able to find solutions to our internal security problems in a way that will not create more problems but you will be able to resolve them. Because what we created before the PM came, was (that) in the course of finding solutions, we created more problems.' Criticising the creation of Nagaland as an 'ethnicity-based state', he said that the violence did not end and the region started getting 'vivisected'. He said, 'They created a homeland for Mizos, another for Garo and Khasi in Meghalaya, and even within Assam, there are more than 20 ethnicity-based homelands created under statutory provisions. You kept creating homelands for ethnic groups and within them, there are sub-groups which started fighting. It was like a nuclear reaction. It was a fission reaction. Society started breaking and from a peaceful region, it turned into more than 50 armed organisations.'
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aamir Khan CONFIRMS hosting 25 IPS officers at his home: 'Got a request from Mumbai Police...
Aamir Khan recently hosted IPS officers at his Mumbai home. They were there for training and requested a meeting. This continues his connection with civil service aspirants since 'Sarfarosh'. In other news, his film 'Sitaare Zameen Par' will release on YouTube Movies-on-Demand on August 1. It will be available in India for ₹100. Aamir Khan has once again found himself at the center of online chatter—this time after a video of 25 IPS officers arriving at his Mumbai residence went viral. While social media buzzed with speculation, the actor has now clarified the reason behind the visit. From hosting civil service trainees to announcing the unique digital release of his film Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir is making headlines for all the right reasons. Clearing the air on the viral video At a recent event, the superstar addressed the viral video showing 25 IPS officers visiting his Mumbai residence. He explained that the officers were in the city as part of their training, and the Mumbai Police had requested a meeting on their behalf. Aamir said he was happy to host them at his home for an hour. Watch the video here: Team's statement A spokesperson from Aamir's team confirmed the visit, stating that the current batch of IPS trainees had requested a meeting with the actor, and he graciously hosted them at his residence. A bond that goes back to Sarfarosh This isn't the first time the actor has connected with civil service aspirants. Since his iconic portrayal of a principled IPS officer in the 1999 film Sarfarosh, he has remained an inspirational figure among police trainees. Over the years, the actor has reportedly met several batches, sharing insights from his cinematic journey and engaging in meaningful conversations on patriotism, public service, and nation-building. Meanwhile, at the same event, Aamir Khan announced that his recently released film Sitaare Zameen Par will be available exclusively on YouTube Movies-on-Demand starting August 1. YouTube release for Sitaare Zameen Par Meanwhile, Aamir has opted to bypass traditional subscription-based streaming platforms in favor of YouTube's pay-per-view model. Sitaare Zameen Par will be available exclusively on YouTube starting August 1 and will not release on any other digital platform. This heartwarming family drama, starring actor-producer Aamir Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh and featuring a powerful ensemble cast—including 10 actors with intellectual disabilities—will be available in India for ₹100. The film will also release in 38 international markets, including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Spain, with pricing adjusted for each region.
CNA
18 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
US 'non-committal' on whether level of tariffs with Singapore will stay at 10 per cent: DPM Gan
SINGAPORE: The US is not ready to discuss potential concessions to the 10 per cent baseline tariff on all goods entering the country, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Tuesday (Jul 29). But Singapore has expressed its interest in negotiating that levy, he said in an update on the tariff situation in his first public engagement after returning from a trip to the US from Jul 20 to Jul 26. Mr Gan added that the US was also "non-committal" as to whether the level of tariffs will remain at 10 per cent. He was speaking at an Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF) conference, "Global-City Singapore: SG60 and Beyond", in a dialogue moderated by geopolitics editor at The Economist David Rennie. Asked by Mr Rennie if it seems like the US is likely to disengage with the world and pull back to its own shores, Mr Gan said he did not get that sense during his trip. The US still seems keen to work with Europe and build businesses, though their priorities may vary in different periods of time, he said. While in the US, Mr Gan met with US Cabinet Secretaries, members of Congress and business and private-sector representatives. He also participated in a business roundtable organised by the US Chamber of Commerce to discuss international and regional economic developments, and opportunities for collaboration between US and Singapore companies. Mr Gan said his first question to US officials was whether they were open to negotiations on the 10 per cent tariff that Singapore is subject to, and whether it could be reduced or removed. 'I think the answer for the time being was quite obvious – they are not in the mood to discuss any discount to the baseline tariff,' he said. 'But we also want to put a place marker to remind (the US that) at any point in time, in future, if there's flexibility to discuss the baseline tariff, we are interested in negotiating.' He also asked officials if the baseline tariff will stay at 10 per cent or if it will go higher or lower. 'The answer was non-committal. They are still reviewing the tariff, and in time to come they will make an appropriate announcement, so we just have to wait and see,' said Mr Gan. Even if the baseline tariff changes, no one can tell if that will be the final rate, he added, noting that the level of uncertainty has increased. He said he did not have the chance to meet US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick when he was in Washington, and hence, did not have detailed negotiations on pharmaceutical tariffs. Mr Gan previously said that the US and Singapore had plans to discuss preferential or 'zero' tariffs on pharmaceuticals. 'I think the administration's focus now is to finish the negotiation on reciprocal tariffs, so after that, they will start to engage countries on specific sectoral tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors,' he said. There have been discussions on how to ensure Singapore's access to artificial intelligence equipment and semiconductors, but not on tariffs. LOGIC BEHIND THE TARIFFS Replying to a question from the moderator Mr Rennie, Mr Gan also said the US does have a rationale for imposing trade tariffs. 'Whether you agree or not, that's a separate issue,' he said. The three key considerations are: generating revenue for the US, balancing trade between the US and other countries, and bringing manufacturing back to the US. 'If you look at the baseline tariff, it is fundamentally for purposes of generating revenue for the US administration, partly to fund the tax incentives for the companies and other expenses,' he said. Reciprocal tariffs are country-specific and are related to whether the US buys more from a country than the country buys from the US. If the US has a large trade deficit with a country – meaning that the US buys more goods from it than it buys from the US – a higher reciprocal tariff is likely to be applied. That will discourage US consumers from buying goods from that country. When meeting congressmen in the US, Mr Gan said he tried to emphasise that the US has a trade surplus with Singapore, along with the good relationship and deep engagement between the two countries. Finally, sectoral tariffs are meant to bring manufacturing industries back to the US to create jobs. Mr Gan said inflation appears to be muted in the US, though it may be that costs go up in the second half of the year. He added that the US economy appears to be 'relatively resilient', and businesses are cautiously optimistic. Another topic that was discussed in the dialogue was whether it is worth negotiating with the US administration, with moderator Mr Rennie noting that a free trade agreement did not protect Singapore from tariffs. Mr Gan said such agreements remain important to Singapore, given that trade is three times our gross domestic product. 'If not for the free trade agreement, we may not have a baseline tariff,' he pointed out. 'This is hypothetic so it's very difficult to guess.' But he said free trade agreements are not just about removing tariffs, and Singapore has collaborated with the US in areas such as sustainability, energy and research. The process of negotiating an agreement deepens understanding between two countries. As the agreement is implemented, it builds trust and confidence as well, he said. 'I think suffice to say the FTA has a value in strengthening the trade between the two countries and to also put us in a stronger position as we negotiate tariffs with the US.'
Web Release
19 hours ago
- Business
- Web Release
LG REVOLUTIONIZES WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY WITH LAUNCH OF SMART MONITOR SWING IN GULF REGION
LG Electronics has introduced a game-changing addition to the Gulf region's technology landscape with the launch of the LG Smart Monitor Swing (model 32U889SA). This CES 2025 Innovation Award winner represents a significant leap forward in display technology, combining workspace versatility with entertainment excellence in a single, intelligent device. At the heart of this innovation lies a revolutionary flexible stand system that transforms how users interact with their displays. The monitor's unique rolling stand mechanism enables effortless repositioning, allowing the 32-inch screen to adapt from traditional desktop configurations to touch-optimized angles. This adaptability makes the device equally suitable for professional presentations, creative work sessions, or leisurely content consumption from any position in the room. The display itself showcases LG's commitment to visual excellence through its 4K UHD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, delivered via advanced IPS technology. This combination ensures exceptional image clarity, accurate color reproduction, and superior contrast ratios that enhance both productivity tasks and entertainment experiences. The generous 32-inch screen real estate provides ample workspace for multitasking while maintaining crisp, readable text across all applications. Breaking new ground for the Smart Monitor series, the 32U889SA introduces comprehensive touchscreen capabilities that transform user interaction. This intuitive interface, combined with LG's proven webOS smart TV platform, creates an ecosystem where users can seamlessly navigate between productivity applications and entertainment content without requiring a connected PC. The integration of webOS brings access to cloud-based office suites, streaming services, and remote desktop solutions directly to the display. Connectivity remains a priority with the inclusion of USB Type-C supporting 65W power delivery alongside traditional HDMI inputs. This versatile connection portfolio ensures compatibility with modern laptops, tablets, and desktop systems while providing sufficient power to charge connected devices. The built-in speaker system eliminates the need for external audio equipment, creating a complete workspace solution. The monitor's intelligence extends beyond hardware through sophisticated software features designed to enhance user experience. The Auto Pivot functionality automatically adjusts screen orientation based on content type, optimizing the viewing experience for both landscape and portrait applications. When paired with a PC, the LG Switch App unlocks additional productivity features, including customizable screen layouts, multi-device control through unified keyboard and mouse inputs, and seamless environment switching between PC and Smart TV modes. Environmental awareness comes through the Brightness Control system, which dynamically adjusts screen illumination based on ambient lighting conditions. This feature not only enhances viewing comfort but also contributes to energy efficiency throughout extended use periods. The versatility of the LG Smart Monitor Swing extends across multiple use cases, from professional environments where presentation flexibility is crucial, to creative spaces where artists and designers require precise positioning for digital work. Musicians can utilize the display for sheet music, while home users benefit from the seamless transition between work and entertainment modes. The LG Smart Monitor Swing (32U889SA) is now available at major retail outlets across the Gulf region, with a retail price of AED 3,699. The new monitor serves as an accessible premium solution for consumers seeking to upgrade their workspace technology without compromising on features or performance. To learn more about the product, please visit
