Epidemics and natural calamities part of the modern day world and when they strike, the damages are phenomenal. Recently, the city of Vizag saw the devastation caused by the Hudhud cyclone. While the restoration efforts are on, something bigger is happening far away in Africa. 

The Ebola virus has been plaguing countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone and other places of West Africa and so far 5000 have died. As a result, efforts are on to combat it and the social media giant Facebook has put his hands. They have actually come up with a ‘donate’ button on its users profiles. The proceeds of this donation would go to three major organizations working at the ground level in Africa to deal with Ebola.

A $25 million was made by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan already for prevention of Ebola and they are also setting up 100 satellite communications to enhance the internet connection and phone services. This is truly a commendable effort.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is never short of throwing surprises. In offering yet another surprise to many, Modi has inducted a former plumber into his cabinet as part of the cabinet reshuffle. BJP’s leader from Dalit community in Punjab Vijay Sampala has been accorded with Minister of State. It’s a rags to riches story. 53-year-old Vijay started off his career as a plumber in Saudi Arabia soon after he completed his matriculation. He later returned to Punjab and proved himself as a successful businessman. Subsequently, Vijay forayed into politics and joined BJP decades ago.

He has contested to Lok Sabha from Hoshiarpur constituency in Punjab and finally landed into Modi’s cabinet. In fact, Sampala had no clue that he would be inducted in Modi’s cabinet. And when he first got the call, he even doubted the caller. He only believed when Modi personally telephoned him and invited him to Rashtrapathi Bhavan. “That’s the greatness of BJP. A tea seller’s son can become the prime minister and a plumber can become a minister. I am grateful that Modi ji and Amit ji took me into cabinet,” Sampla said. That’s the beauty of democracy folks.

TTD currently owns assets worth Rs 10000 crores and the Temple management owns properties not only across India but also in Nepal. TTD management in a report submitted to Endowments Minsiter P.Manikyala Rao said it owns assets in Telangana, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Haryana and Odisha but also in Nepal.

Most of the properties have been donated by devotees but some of them in Tirumala have been encroached. Minister in question hour in Assembly informed that the market value of properties owned by TTD is around Rs 9,800 crores. He said 4,657.51 acres of land belonging to TTD in the then undivided Andhra Pradesh, and another 125.75 acres outside Andhra Pradesh including Nepal and other states in India. 

Opposition party YSRCP differed with the minister saying TTD properties are worth Rs 50000 crores and officials are failing to protect the properties of the Lord Balaji. On opposition’s encroachment charges Minister said 163 acres of TTD land in Tirupati is under encroachment and the government is pursuing it legally to take back the land. Another 150 acres land has been given to Mahila University, and in return the government has given 150 acres at a different place. 

TTD officials are estimating that the assets are worth Rs 35 crores and lands alone are worth around Rs 10 crores. Mor then 1342.4 acres are given on lease for short and long term operations. Many times TTD gave notices to 12.5 acres land that is encroached in Reddy Reddy Colony, Doddapuraveedhi, Kota Kommula Layout all worth 100 of crores.

From the time Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, a lot of activity and hustle bustle is being noticed not just in Delhi but throughout the nation. He is on a whirlwind tour to different countries striking deals and bringing investments. At home, he has launched the ‘Swachch Bharat’ campaign and making everyone clean their neighbourhood. 

As part of that, Modi has reportedly been working a lot on the Hindu Dharma and its preservation. His initiatives such as Cleaning Ganga and others have inspired many. The effect of that is now being seen in Hyderabad where the Koti Deepotsavam is happening. Last year it was done for 1 day but this time it is being done for 15 days. 

Everyday huge crowds are coming and it is also being graced by holy Gurus and Swamijis. Those who are visiting the venue are stating this impact and response came from Modi effect. He has been doing things to prevent Cow slaughter and establishing Goshalas. So, unknowingly, the Modi impact has fallen on people strongly.

There are many complications and controversies that have risen post the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and many key issues are still in a deadlock situation. As if that is not enough, the Telangana government was insisting on changing the registrations of all vehicles from AP to TS. But here is a logic being given by the intellectuals. 

They are stating that the AP registration vehicles in Telangana state once they become old will anyhow lose their presence. As it is, any new vehicle coming out right now is getting a TS registration. As for the existing vehicles with AP registration, after few years they will anyhow be discarded. And they would get rid of the AP tag if they go to another state. 

So, the point is, they will eventually reduce and after a decade and half almost all vehicles would be seen with TS registration only. So, the authorities could just let it be and automatically the change will happen.