What is IP (internet protocol)

Every device connected to the public Internet is
assigned a unique number known as an Internet
Protocol (IP) address. IP addresses consist of four
numbers separated by periods (also called a
'dotted-quad') and look something like 127.0.0.1.
Since these numbers are usually assigned to
internet service providers within region-based
blocks, an IP address can often be used to identify
the region or country from which a computer is
connecting to the Internet. An IP address can
sometimes be used to show the user's general
location.
Because the numbers may be tedious to deal with,
an IP address may also be assigned to a Host name,
which is sometimes easier to remember. Hostnames
may be looked up to find IP addresses, and vice-
versa. At one time ISPs issued one IP address to
each user. These are called static IP addresses.
Because there is a limited number of IP addresses
and with increased usage of the internet ISPs now
issue IP addresses in a dynamic fashion out of a
pool of IP addresses (Using DHCP). These are
referred to as dynamic IP addresses. This also
limits the ability of the user to host websites, mail
servers, ftp servers, etc. In addition to users
connecting to the internet, with virtual hosting, a
single machine can act like multiple machines (with
multiple domain names and IP addresses).

How to hide whatsapp "last seen at" time and profile picture.

How to hide
WhatsApp ‘last seen
at’ time and Profile
Picture?
The Popular Smartphone messaging
application WhatsApp version
2.11.169 will provide you more ability
and control over privacy options i.e.
Hiding ‘ last seen at’ time, Profile picture,
status updates from others, which are
currently visible for all WhatsApp users.
Currently, these options are set
to ‘everyone’ by default, that allows any
WhatsApp user to find out exactly when
you used WhatsApp for the last time, also
reveals your image and Status message.
Most of the times we don’t want it to be
shown to anyone or to non-contact users.
How to hide WhatsApp ‘last seen at’
time and Profile Picture?
WhatsApp now allows you to Modify your
Privacy settings in three ways:
1. Show to ‘Everyone’
2. Show to ‘My Contacts’
3. Show to ‘Nobody’
To Apply, Open your WhatsApp Settings -
> Account -> Privacy and here you can
set your Privacy settings as you wish.
So, if you set all the options to ‘ My
Contacts‘, then only your phone contacts
can see your ‘last seen at’ time, profile
picture and Status, and no one else would
have these visibility available.
The WhatsApp’s Founder said in a
statement:
There would have been no partnership
between our two companies (Facebook and
Whatsapp) if we had to compromise on the
core principles that will always define our
company, our vision and our product. “
How to Get the latest version before
official release?
It is not known that the same has been
released for other platforms or not, at the
time of writing the article. The Latest
version update has not yet rolled out
via Google Play Store, but users can
manually download and install it
from WhatsApp’s Official website .

HOW TO ENABLE MANY COOL FEATURES ON ANDROID!!!!

------------------------------
----------------
ONLY FOR ROOTED PHONES!!!!
------------------------------
----------------
1.Download this software called Xposed installer to
your device.
http://dl-count.xposed.info/modules/
de.robv.android.xposed.installer_v25_36cbbc.ap
k 2.Transfer it to your phone( if you've download in
PC)
3.Install it
4.Open it, and grant it superuser access if it asks.
5. First go to install update, And click on install/
update button.
6.Reboot device
7.Now again open it. and go to downloads section.
in here you can download many special apps and
update existing special apps. you can search here
for many cool apps. For example search for XHALO
Floating module or Xmultiwindow. below is a list of
the apps that i use:
1. Xblast tools(provides you with a lot of tweeks
like changing the status bar colour etc.)
2.Xhalofloating window( provides HALO like
interface. in other words, it can open new apps
above existing apps but in a small window.)
3.Wanamkit (more tweeks)
4.Xmultiwindow ( provides multiwindow apps like in
samsung galaxy grand 2 etc.)
8. now after youve download some of these apps
and have installed them, you need to go back
where there are other options.
9. now select Modules
10. check the module which you want active.
11. now reboot the device to enable these cool
features
Enjoy!!!!

3d printer now available

www.technologyvista.in: World’s First 3D Carbon
Fiber Printer Available Soon for $5K
All the wildest dreams of auto and motorcycle
enthusiasts will soon come true, as they will be
able to 3D print custom carbon fiber parts for
their rides.
Mark One, the 3D carbon fiber printer developed by
MarkForged, could open a new world for
manufacturers of aftermarket parts for cars and
motorcycles. Its capabilities and uniqueness are
not the only things that set it apart from the
other 3D printers out there, but also the fact that
it’s incredibly affordable.

Micheal jackson.. the wonder

Born Michael Joseph Jackson
August 29, 1958
Gary, Indiana , U.S.
Died June 25, 2009 (aged 50)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of
death
cardiac arrest
Other
names
Michael Joe Jackson
Net worth US $236 million (estimate as
of March 2007) [1]
Spouse(s) Lisa Marie Presley
(m. 1994–1996; divorced)
Deborah Jeanne Rowe
(m. 1996–1999; divorced)
Children Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr.
Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson
Prince Michael Jackson II
Parents Joseph Walter Jackson
Katherine Esther Scruse
Relatives Maureen Reillette Jackson
(sister)
Sigmund Esco Jackson
(brother)
Toriano Adaryll Jackson
(brother)
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson
(brother)
La Toya Yvonne Jackson
(sister)
Marlon David Jackson
(brother)
Steven Randall Jackson
(brother)
Janet Damita Jo Jackson
(sister)
Austin Brown (nephew)
Musical career
Genres Pop rock soul R&B funk
disco new jack swing
Occupations Recording artist dancer
producer actor businessman
philanthropist
Instrument
s
Vocals
Years
active
1964–2009
Labels Steeltown Motown Epic
Legacy MJJ Productions
Associated
acts
The Jackson 5
Michael Joseph Jackson [2][3] (August 29, 1958
– June 25, 2009) [4] was an American recording
artist, actor, producer, dancer, businessman,
and philanthropist. Often referred to by the
honorific nickname "The King of Pop ", [5][6] his
contributions to music, dance, and fashion,
along with his publicized personal life, made
him a global figure in popular culture for over
four decades.
The eighth child of the Jackson family , he
debuted on the professional music scene along
with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5
in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971. In
the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant
figure in popular music . The music videos for
his songs, including those of "Beat It ", "Billie
Jean", and "Thriller", were credited with
breaking down racial barriers and with
transforming the medium into an art form and
promotional tool. The popularity of these videos
helped to bring the then-relatively-new
television channel MTV to fame. With videos
such as "Black or White " and "Scream", he
continued to innovate the medium throughout
the 1990s, as well as forging a reputation as a
touring solo artist. Through stage and video
performances, Jackson popularized a number of
complicated dance techniques, such as the
robot and the moonwalk , to which he gave the
name. His distinctive sound and style has
influenced numerous hip hop , post-disco ,
contemporary R&B , pop, and rock artists.
Jackson's 1982 album Thriller is the best-
selling album of all time. His other albums,
including Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987),
Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995), also
rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is
one of the few artists to have been inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He
was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame
as the first and only dancer from pop and rock
music. Some of his other achievements include
multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy
Awards as well as the Grammy Legend Award
and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award;
26 American Music Awards, more than any
other artist, including the "Artist of the
Century" and "Artist of the 1980s"; 13
number-one singles in the United States in his
solo career, more than any other male artist in
the Hot 100 era; and the estimated sale of
over 400 million records worldwide. [7][8][9]
[Note 1] Jackson has won hundreds of awards,
making him the most-awarded recording artist
in the history of popular music. [10] In what
would have been Jackson's 52nd birthday on
August 29, 2010, he became the most
downloaded artist of all time. [11][12] Jackson
constantly traveled the world attending events
honoring his humanitarianism and the 2000
Guinness Book of Records recognized him for
supporting 39 charities. [13]
Aspects of Jackson's personal life, including his
changing appearance, personal relationships ,
and behavior, generated controversy. In the
mid-1990s, he was accused of child sexual
abuse , but the case was settled out of court
for about $25 million and no formal charges
were brought. [14] In 2005, he was tried and
acquitted of further child sexual abuse
allegations and several other charges after
the jury found him not guilty on all counts.
While preparing for his comeback concert
series titled This Is It , Jackson died of acute
propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication on
June 25, 2009, after suffering from cardiac
arrest. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled
his death a homicide, and his personal
physician Conrad Murray was convicted of
involuntary manslaughter. Jackson's death
triggered a global outpouring of grief and a
live broadcast of his public memorial service
was viewed around the world. [15]
Life and career
1958–75: Early life and The Jackson 5
Jackson's childhood home in Gary,
Indiana , showing floral tributes
after his death
Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958,
in Gary, Indiana . He was the eighth of ten
children in an African-American working-class
family who lived in a 3-room house in Gary, [16]
an industrial city near Chicago. His mother,
Katherine Esther Scruse , was a devout
Jehovah's Witness, and his father, Joseph
Walter "Joe" Jackson, was a steel mill worker
who performed with an R&B band called The
Falcons. Jackson had three sisters: Rebbie , La
Toya , and Janet , and five brothers: Jackie ,
Tito , Jermaine, Marlon , and Randy . [17] A sixth
brother, Brandon, who was a twin of older
brother Marlon, died shortly after birth. [18]
Jackson had a troubled relationship with his
father, Joe. [19][20] In 2003, Joe
acknowledged that he regularly whipped
Jackson as a boy. [21] Joe was also said to have
verbally abused his son, saying that he had a
"fat nose" on numerous occasions. [22] Jackson
stated that he was physically and emotionally
abused during incessant rehearsals, though he
also credited his father's strict discipline with
playing a large role in his success. [19] He first
spoke openly about his childhood abuse in an
interview with Oprah Winfrey , broadcast in
February 1993. He admitted that he had often
cried from loneliness and he would vomit at the
sight of his father. Jackson's deep
dissatisfaction with his appearance, his
nightmares and chronic sleep problems, his
tendency to remain hyper-compliant, especially
with his father, and to remain childlike
throughout his adult life, are consistent with
the effects of the maltreatment he endured as
a young child. [23]
In an interview with Martin Bashir , later
included in the 2003 broadcast of Living with
Michael Jackson , Jackson acknowledged that
his father hurt him when he was a child, but
was nonetheless a "genius", as he admitted his
father's strict discipline played a huge role in
his success. When Bashir dismissed the positive
remark and continued asking about beatings,
Jackson put his hand over his face and objected
to the questions. He recalled that Joseph sat
in a chair with a belt in his hand as he and his
siblings rehearsed, and that "if you didn't do it
the right way, he would tear you up, really get
you." [24][25]
Jackson (center) as a member of
The Jackson 5 in 1972
In 1964, Michael and Marlon joined the Jackson
Brothers — a band formed by brothers Jackie,
Tito, and Jermaine — as backup musicians
playing congas and tambourine. Jackson later
began performing backup vocals and dancing.
When he was eight, Jackson began sharing the
lead vocals with his older brother Jermaine,
and the group's name was changed to The
Jackson 5 . [17] The band toured the Midwest
extensively from 1966 to 1968, frequently
performing at a string of black clubs known as
the "chitlin' circuit", where they often opened
stripteases and other adult acts. In 1966, they
won a major local talent show with renditions
of Motown hits and James Brown's "I Got You (I
Feel Good) ", led by Michael. [26]
The Jackson 5 recorded several songs,
including "Big Boy", for the local record label
Steeltown in 1967, before signing with Motown
Records in 1968. [17] Rolling Stone magazine
later described the young Michael as "a
prodigy" with "overwhelming musical gifts,"
writing that he "quickly emerged as the main
draw and lead singer." [27] The group set a
chart record when its first four singles ("I
Want You Back ", "ABC ", "The Love You Save ",
and "I'll Be There ") peaked at number one on
the Billboard Hot 100 . [17] Between 1972 and
1975, Michael released four solo studio albums
with Motown, among them Got to Be There and
Ben , released as part of the Jackson 5
franchise, and producing successful singles
such as "Got to Be There ", "Ben ", and a remake
of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin ".
The Jackson 5 "became a cutting-edge example
of black crossover artists..... five working-
class black boys with afros and bell bottoms ,
and they really didn't have to trade any of that
stuff in order to become mainstream
stars." [28]
The group's sales began declining in 1973, and
the band members chafed under Motown's
strict refusal to allow them creative control or
input. Although they scored several top 40
hits, including the top 5 disco single "Dancing
Machine " and the top 20 hit "I Am Love ", the
Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975. [29]
1975–81: Move to Epic and Off the Wall
In June 1975, the Jackson 5 signed with Epic
Records , a subsidiary of CBS Records [29] and
renamed themselves the Jacksons. Younger
brother Randy formally joined the band around
this time, while Jermaine chose to stay with
Motown and pursue a solo career. [30] They
continued to tour internationally, releasing six
more albums between 1976 and 1984, during
which Michael was the lead songwriter, writing
hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the
Ground) ", "This Place Hotel ", and "Can You Feel
It ". [26] In 1978, he starred as the Scarecrow
in the musical, The Wiz , a box-office disaster.
It was here that he teamed up with Quincy
Jones, who was arranging the film's musical
score. Jones agreed to produce Jackson's next
solo album, Off the Wall . [31] In 1979, Jackson
broke his nose during a complex dance routine.
His subsequent rhinoplasty was not a complete
success; he complained of breathing difficulties
that would affect his career. He was referred
to Dr. Steven Hoefflin, who performed
Jackson's second rhinoplasty and subsequent
operations. [32]
Jones and Jackson produced the Off the Wall
album together. Songwriters for the album
included Jackson, Rod Temperton, Stevie
Wonder , and Paul McCartney. Released in
1979, it was the first solo album to generate
four U.S. top 10 hits, including the chart-
topping singles "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough "
and "Rock with You". [33][34] It reached
number three on the Billboard 200 and
eventually sold over 20 million copies
worldwide. [35] In 1980, Jackson won three
awards at the American Music Awards for his
solo efforts: Favorite Soul/R&B Album,
Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite
Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough". [36][37] That year, he also won
Billboard Year-End for Top Black Artist and Top
Black Album and a Grammy Award for Best Male
R&B Vocal Performance, also for "Don't Stop
'Til You Get Enough". [33] Jackson again won at
the American Music Awards in 1981 for
Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Soul/
R&B Male Artist. [38] Despite its commercial
success, Jackson felt Off the Wall should have
made a much bigger impact, and was
determined to exceed expectations with his
next release. [39] In 1980, he secured the
highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37
percent of wholesale album profit. [40]
1982–83: Thriller and Motown 25:
Yesterday, Today, Forever
In 1982, Jackson contributed the song
"Someone In the Dark" to the storybook for the
film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ; the record
won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children
in 1984. In the same year he won another
seven Grammys and eight American Music
Awards (including the Award of Merit, the
youngest artist to win it), making him the
most awarded artist in one night for both
award shows. [41][42] These awards were
thanks to the Thriller album, released in late
1982, which was 1983's best-selling album
worldwide [43][44] and became the best-selling
album of all time in the United States, [45] as
well as the best-selling album of all time
worldwide , selling an estimated 65 million
copies. [46] The album topped the Billboard 200
chart for 37 weeks and was in the top 10 of
the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the
first album to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top
10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It ",
and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ". [47] Thriller
was certified for 29 million shipments by the
RIAA , giving it Double Diamond status in the
United States. The album won also another
Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non
Classical in 1984, awarding Bruce Swedien for
his work. [48]
Jackson's attorney John Branca noted that
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the
music industry at that point: approximately $2
for every album sold. He was also making
record-breaking profits from sales of his
recordings. The videocassette of the
documentary The Making of Michael Jackson's
Thriller sold over 350,000 copies in a few
months. The era saw the arrival of novelties
like dolls modeled after Michael Jackson, which
appeared in stores in May 1984 at a price of
$12. [49] Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli
writes that, "Thriller stopped selling like a
leisure item—like a magazine, a toy, tickets
to a hit movie—and started selling like a
household staple." [50] In 1985, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller won a Grammy for
Best Music Video, Longform. [41] In December
2009, the music video for "Thriller" was
selected for the National Film Registry by the
Library of Congress , "Thriller" is the first (and
currently only) music video ever to be
inducted. [51][52][53]
Time described Jackson's influence at that
point as "Star of records, radio, rock video. A
one-man rescue team for the music business. A
songwriter who sets the beat for a decade. A
dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A
singer who cuts across all boundaries of taste
and style and color too". [49] The New York
Times wrote that, "in the world of pop music,
there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody
else". [54]
On March 25, 1983, Michael Jackson reunited
with his brothers for a legendary live
performance which was taped for a Motown 25:
Yesterday, Today, Forever television special.
The show aired on May 16, 1983, to an
audience of 47 million viewers, and featured
the Jacksons and a number of other Motown
stars. It is best remembered for Jackson's solo
performance of "Billie Jean" which gave him his
first Emmy nomination. [55] Wearing a
distinctive black sequin jacket and golf glove
decorated with rhinestones, he debuted his
signature dance move, the moonwalk , which
former Soul Train dancer and Shalamar member
Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three years
before. The performance almost did not happen
with Jackson originally turning down the
invitation to perform, however at Berry
Gordy's request, Jackson agreed to do the
show. Jackson's performance drew comparisons
to Elvis Presley 's and The Beatles ' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show . [56] Anna Kisselgoff
of The New York Times later wrote, "The
moonwalk that he made famous is an apt
metaphor for his dance style. How does he do
it? As a technician, he is a great illusionist, a
genuine mime. His ability to keep one leg
straight as he glides while the other bends and
seems to walk requires perfect timing." [57]
Berry Gordy said of the performance, "from
the first beat of Billie Jean, I was
mesmerized, and when he did his iconic
moonwalk, I was shocked, it was magic, Michael
Jackson went into orbit, and never came
down." [58]

Microsoft To Give Upgraded Windows For Free

CALIFORNIA: As Microsoft plans to wind up Windows 8.1 operating system next month, the firm plans to announce a free version of Windows in a bid to persuade customers to upgrade to latest versions.

A new version, called 'Windows with Bing', could be given away at a developers' conference in April, claimed media reports.

The firm is also rumoured to be considering dropping the price or even giving away its Windows Phone software.

According to media reports, "Microsoft is currently experimenting with a free version of Windows 8.1 that could boost the number of people using the operating system."

Microsoft is building 'Windows 8.1 with Bing' - a version that would have key Microsoft apps and services.

The firm has already made major changes to Windows 8 in a bid to make it more appealing to consumers.

NARENDRA MODI (NAMO)

Narendra Damodardas Modi, born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician who has been the 14th Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat since 2001. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance for the upcoming 2014 Indian general elections.

Modi was a key strategist for the BJP in the successful 1995 and 1998 Gujarat state election campaigns, as well as a major campaign figure in the 2009 general elections won by the Indian National Congress.^[1] He first became chief minister of Gujarat in October 2001, being promoted to the office upon the resignation of his predecessor, Keshubhai Patel, following the defeat of BJP in by-elections. In July 2007, he became the longest-serving Chief Minister in Gujarat's history when he had been in power for 2,063 days continuously. He is currently in his fourth consecutive term as Chief Minister.

Modi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and is described as a Hindu nationalist by media, scholars and himself.He is a controversial figure both within India and internationally. His administration has been severely criticised for the incidents surrounding the2002 Gujarat violence. He has been praised for his economic policies which are credited with creating the environment for the high rate of economic growth in Gujarat. However, his administration has also been criticised for failing to make a significant positive impact upon the human development of the state.

Early life and education

Modi was born on 17 September 1950^] to a family of grocers in Vadnagar in Mehsana district of what was then Bombay State (present-day Gujarat), India.^[14] He was the third of six children born to Damodardas Mulchand Modi and his wife, Heeraben. Whilst a child, he helped his father sell tea at Vadnagar railway station and on trains. While a teenager, Modi ran a tea stall with his brother around a bus terminus.He completed his schooling in Vadnagar, where a teacher described him as being an average student but a keen debater.^\

He began work in the staff canteen of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, where he stayed till he became a full–time pracharak(campaigner) of the RSS. After Modi had received some RSS training in Nagpur, which was a prerequisite for taking up an official position in the Sangh Parivar, he was given charge of Sangh's student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), in Gujarat. Modi organised agitations and covert distribution of Sangh's pamphlets during the Emergency. During his years in the RSS, Modi came in touch with Vasant Gajendragadkar and Nathalal Jaghda, leaders of the Jan Sangh, who later founded the BJP's Gujarat state unit. Modi remained a pracharak in the RSS while he completed his Master's degree in political science from Gujarat University

Early political career

The RSS seconded Modi to the BJP in 1987. While Shankarsingh Vaghela and Keshubhai Patel were the established names in the Gujarat BJP at that time, Modi rose to prominence after organising Murli Manohar Joshi's Ekta yatra (journey for unity). His electoral strategy was central to BJP's victory in the 1995 state elections

Modi became the General Secretary of the BJP and was transferred to New Delhi where he was assigned responsibility for the party's activities in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Vaghela, who had threatened to break away from BJP in 1995, defected from the BJP after he lost the 1996 Lok Sabha elections. In 1998, Modi was promoted to the post of National Secretary of the BJP. While selecting candidates for the 1998 state elections in Gujarat, Modi sidelined people who were loyal to Vaghela and rewarded those who favoured Patel, thus ending factional divisions within the party. His strategies were key to winning those elections.

Chief Minister of Gujarat

First Term (2001-2002)

Patel's failing health, allegations of abuse of power, corruption and poor administration, as well as a loss of BJP seats in by-elections, prompted the BJP's national leadership to seek a new candidate for the office of chief minister. Patel's position was also damaged by the devastating Bhuj Earthquake of 2001, the effects of which his administration struggled to handle.^[21][23][24]Modi, who had aired his misgivings about Patel's administration, was chosen as a replacement.^[16] L. K. Advani, a senior leader of the BJP, however, did not want to ostracise Patel and was worried about Modi's lack of experience in governance. It was suggested that Modi should be made the deputy chief minister in a government led by Patel, upon which Modi informed Advani andAtal Bihari Vajpayee that he was "going to be fully responsible for Gujarat or not at all" and declined the proposal. On 7 October 2001, Modi was appointed the Chief Minister of Gujarat and was assigned the responsibility to prepare the BJP for elections in December 2002. As Chief Minister, Modi's ideas of governance revolved around privatisation and small government, which stood at odds with what Aditi Phadnis has described as the "anti-privatisation, anti-globalisation position" of the RSS.^[23]

2002 Gujarat violence

Main article: 2002 Gujarat violence

On 27 February 2002, a train with several hundred passengers including large numbers of Hindu pilgrims was burned near Godhra, killing 58 people. Following rumors that the arson had been carried out by a Muslim mob, there was widespread Anti-Muslim violence throughout Gujarat.^[25] Estimates of the death toll range from 900 to over 2000; several thousand more were injured.^[26][27] The Gujarat administration was accused by human rights organizations, the opposition, and sections of the media of taking insufficient action against the violence, and condoning it in some cases.^[28][29][30] The Modi government imposed a curfew in major cities, issued shoot-at-sight orders, and called for the army to prevent the violence from escalating.^[29][30] In April 2009, the Supreme Court of India appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the Gujarat government and Narendra Modi's role in the incidents of communal violence.^[28] The SIT reported to the court in December 2010 submitting that they did not find any incriminating evidence against Modi of willfully allowing communal violence in the state.^[31] Modi's decision to move the corpses of the kar sevaks who had been burned to death in Godhra to Ahmedabad has also been criticized for inflaming the violence.^[32][33] However, the SIT found his decision to be justified.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2012, the SIT absolved Modi of any involvement in the Gulbarg Society massacre, one of the many riots that occurred in 2002.^[34][35] On 7 May 2012, the Supreme Court-appointedamicus curiae, Raju Ramachandran, observed that Modi could be prosecuted for promoting enmity among different groups during the 2002 Gujarat violence. His main contention was that the evidence should be examined by a court of law because the SIT was required to investigate but not to judge.^[36] The amicus report has been criticised by the Special Investigation Team for relying heavily on the testimony of Sanjiv Bhatt.^[37] In July 2013, it was alleged that the SIT was suppressing evidence.^[38]

2002 election

Main article: Gujarat legislative assembly election, 2002

In the aftermath of the violence, there were calls for Modi to resign from his position as chief minister of Gujarat. The opposition parties stalled the national parliament over the issue. Both theDravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), allies of the BJP, also asked for Modi's resignation, as did Jayalalithaa, the then-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).^[39][40] Modi submitted his resignation and the state Assembly was dissolved.^[41] In the subsequent elections the BJP, led by Modi, won 127 seats in the 182-member assembly.^[42] Modi used extreme anti-Muslim rhetoric during the campaign.^[43][44][45]

Second term (2002–2007)

During his second term, Modi's emphasis shifted from Hindutva to the economic development of Gujarat.^[23] Modi's decisions curtailed the influence of organizations of the Sangh Parivar such as the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP),^[46] which had become entrenched in Gujarat after the decline of Ahmedabad's textile industry.^[23] Modi dropped Gordhan Zadaphia, an ally of his former Sangh co–worker and VHP state chief Praveen Togadia, from the cabinet ministry. When the BKS launched a farmers' agitation, Modi ordered their eviction from houses provided by the state government.^[46] Modi's decision to demolish 200 illegal temples in Gandhinagar deepened the rift with VHP.^[46][47] Various organisations of the Sangh were no longer consulted or apprised of Modi's administrative decisions prior to enactment.^[46]

The changes brought by Modi in the period 2002–2007 has led to Gujarat being called an attractive investment destination. Aditi Phadnis, author of Political Profiles of Cabals & Kings and columnist in the Business Standard, writes that "there was sufficient anecdotal evidence pointing to the fact that corruption had gone down significantly in the state... if there was to be any corruption, Modi had to know about it".^[23] Modi instituted financial and technology parks in the state. During the 2007 Vibrant Gujarat summit, real estate investment deals worth 6.6 trillion were signed in Gujarat.^[23]

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then Prime Minister of India, who had asked Modi not to discriminate between citizens in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat violence and had pushed for his resignation as Chief Minister of Gujarat,^[48][49] distanced himself from Modi and reached out to North Indian Muslims before the 2004 elections to the Lok Sabha. After the elections, Vajpayee held the violence in Gujarat as one of the reasons for BJP's electoral defeat and acknowledged that not removing Modi immediately after the Gujarat violence was a mistake.^[50][51]

Terrorism and elections in 2007–2008

Further information: Gujarat legislative assembly election, 2007

In the lead up to assembly and general elections in 2007–2008, the BJP stepped up its rhetoric on terrorism.^[52] On 18 July 2006, Modi criticised the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, "... for his reluctance to revive anti-terror legislations" such as the Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act. He asked the national government to allow states to invoke tougher laws in the wake of the2006 blasts in Mumbai.^[53]

Around this time Modi frequently demanded the execution of Afzal Guru,^[54] a collaborator of the Pakistani jihadists who had been convicted of terrorism for his involvement in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.^[55][a]

Modi had completed 2,063 consecutive days as chief minister of Gujarat in July 2007, making him the longest-serving holder of that post.^[56] The BJP won the 2007 election, gaining 122 of the 182 seats in the state assembly, and Modi continued in office as chief minister.^[57]

As a consequence of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, Modi held a meeting to discuss security of Gujarat's 1,600 km (990 mi) long coastline which resulted in the central governmentauthorising construction of 30 high–speed surveillance boats.^[58]

Third term (2007–2012)

The Sardar Sarovar Dam, undergoing a height increase in 2006.

Modi's Government has focused on clean energy sources for meeting the energy requirements of the state, such as hydroelectric power (pictured above) and solar energy in addition to biofuels and wind energy.^[59]

Gujarat is a semi-arid state and, according to Tushaar Shah, was "... never known for agrarian dynamism" but in recent years^[when?] has improved its agricultural output substantially, in large part due to projects relating to improvement of groundwater supplies in Saurashtra, Kachchh and the north, as well as efforts to increase the use of micro-irrigation and to provide more efficient power supply to farms. Public irrigation measures in the central and southern areas, such as the Sardar Sarovar Project, have not been so successful in achieving their aims.^[60]

Development projects

Successive BJP governments under Patel and Modi supported NGOs and communities in the creation of infrastructure projects for conservation of groundwater. By December 2008, 500,000 structures had been constructed, of which 113,738 were check dams. While most check dams remained empty during the pre-monsoon season, they helped recharge the aquifers that lie beneath them.^[60] 60 of the 112 Tehsils which were found to have over–exploited the groundwater table in 2004 had regained their normal groundwater level by 2010^[61] and Gujarat had managed to increase its groundwater levels at a time when they were falling in all other Indian states. As a result, production of genetically-modified Bt cotton, which could now be irrigated using tube wells, increased to become the largest in India.^[60] The boom in cotton production and utilization of semi–arid land^[62] saw the agriculture growth rate of Gujarat increase to 9.6% in the period 2001–2007.^[63] For the decade 2001–2010, Gujarat recorded a Compound annual growth rate of 10.97%, the highest among all Indian states.^[62]

The system of supplying power to rural areas has been changed radically and has had a greater impact on agriculture than the irrigation works. While states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu provided free electricity to farms, and most other states provided subsidised power, the Gujarat government between 2003–2006 reacted to concerns that such measures result in waste of the power supplied and of groundwater itself. With theJyotigram Yojana scheme, based on ideas developed by the International Water Management Institute, agricultural supplies were rewired to separate them from other rural supplies and then the electricity used by farms was rationed to fit with scheduled demand for irrigation and consequently to reduce the amount of subsidy being paid. The farmers objected to this at first but came to realise that the outcome was that they were receiving a supply that suffered less from interruption, was of a more consistent voltage and was available when they most needed it for irrigation purposes. Other states have since begun to adopt similar, although not identical, strategies.^[60]

Debate on Gujarat "miracle"

Modi's government has worked to brand Gujarat as a state of dynamic development and economic growth and prosperity, using the slogan "Vibrant Gujarat".^[64][65][66] However, critics point out that Gujarat has a relatively poor record when it comes to human development, poverty alleviation, nutrition, and education. The state is 13th in India for poverty, 21st for education and 44.7% percent of children under five are underweight and 23% are undernourished putting the state in the "alarming" category on the Hunger Index.^[67] However, officials from the state of Gujarat claim that Gujarat outperformed India as a whole in the rates of improvement of multiple human indicators such as female education, between 2001 and 2011. Furthermore, they state that dropout rates declined from 20% in 2001 to 2% in 2011, and maternal mortality declined by 32% from 2001 to 2011^[68]

Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot states that the development in Gujarat has been limited to the urban middle class, whereas rural dwellers and lower castes have become increasingly marginalised. He cites the fact that Gujarat ranks 21st among the 28 Indian states in terms of its Human Development Index, due to the lack of development in rural Gujarat. He states under Modi the number of families living below the poverty line has increased, and that particularly rural adivasi and dalits have become increasingly marginalised.^[69] In July 2013, Economics Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen criticised Narendra Modi's governance record and said he did not approve of it, under his administration, Gujarat's "record in education and healthcare is pretty bad".^[70]However, economists Arvind Panagariya and Jagdish Bhagwati state that Gujarat's social indicator improved from a much lower baseline than other Indian states. They point to Gujarat's superior performance in raising literacy rates when compared to other states in India and the rapid improvement of health indicators in Gujarat as evidence that "its progress has not been poor by any means."^[71]

Cabinet issues

In 2010 Modi made a speech at Mangrol in which he justified the extrajudicial killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, during the election campaign in response to Sonia Gandhi's speech calling him a "merchant of death",^[72] and referred to Sohrabuddin's killing. For this speech the Election Commission of India, a constitutional body governing election proceedings in India, cautioned Modi as it considered it as indulging in an activity which may aggravate existing differences between different communities.^[73] In 2010 Amit Shah, Modi's close confidant and Home minister in his government was indicted for having ordered the killing of Sohrabuddin and two others, after spending three months in jail he was released on bail, and subsequently reelected in one of Ahmedadbad's constituencies.^[69][74] In 2012 Maya Kodnani another of Modi's former minister's from 2007 - 2009 was convicted of having participated in the Naroda Patiya massacre during the 2002 violence.^[75][76] She is the first female and first MLA to be convicted in a post-Godhra riots case.^[77] While first announcing that it would seek the death penalty for Kodnani, Modi's government eventually pardoned her in 2013 and settled for a prison sentence.^[78][79][80]

Sadbhavana Mission and Fasts

During late 2011 and early 2012, Modi undertook a series of fasts as part of a Sadbhavna Mission (Goodwill Mission), meant to reach out to the Muslim community in Gujarat.^[81] Modi announced that he believed that his fast would "further strengthen Gujarat’s environment of peace, unity and harmony."^[82]

The mission started on 17 September 2011 in Ahmedabad with a three-day fast aimed at strengthening the atmosphere of peace, unity, and harmony in the state. He observed 36 fasts in 26 districts and 8 cities.^[83] Some Muslims were unimpressed with his fasts, and one incident in which Modi refused to wear a skull cap offered to him by a Muslim cleric was deemed an insult by the cleric.^[84] When he was fasting in Godhra, the site of the train burning that sparked the 2002 riots, a number of activists were detained for allegedly planning rallies against Modi.^[85][86] Others criticized his fast as a public relations mission.^[87] Modi himself denied that the mission was about wooing "any particular community or religion".^[88]

Legislation and appointments

In 2011, the Gujarat state organisation of Congress banned the Gujarati-language TV 9 television channel from covering its events and prohibited access to its press conferences.^[89] Modi criticised this decision, saying that

Journalists on Twitter who spoke against Congress, were blocked. Here they banned a TV channel. Their crime is that they exposed cracks in the ghar nu ghar (own your home) scheme of the Congress. Yet this party talks about democracy.^[90]

On 25 August 2011, the Governor of Gujarat, Kamla Beniwal, appointed Justice R. A. Mehta to the post of Lokayukta of Gujarat, a critical anti–corruption post that had been lying vacant since 2003. Mehta was recommended for the post by the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in June 2011.^[91] Beniwal made this decision without consultation with and approval from Modi and his council of ministers.^[92] This marked the beginning of a strained relationship between Modi and Beniwal. On 25 September 2011, Modi accused the Governor of running a parallel government in the state supported by the Indian National Congress party and demanded that she be recalled.^[93]

The appointment of Mehta was challenged in the High Court by the Gujarat government. The two-member high court bench gave a split verdict on 10 October 2011. In January 2012, a third member upheld Beniwal's decision.^[94]

Modi has also accused Beniwal of delaying a bill for reservation of 50% of seats in local government for women.^[95]

Modi interacted with netizens on Google+ on 31 August 2012.^[96] The chat session was also broadcast live on YouTube.^[96] The questions were submitted before the chat, and those broadcast were mostly based on issues about education, youth empowerment, rural development and causes of urbanisation.^[97] The hashtag #ModiHangout became the most trending term in India at Twitter on the day of the session, whereas #VoteOutModi, used by Modi's opponents, became the third most trending term in the country.^[96] The event made Modi the first Indian politician to interact with netizens through live chat on the internet.^[98]

Fourth term (2012–present)

A skyscraper in the under constructionGIFT City, described as a pet project of Narendra Modi.^[99]

Further information: Gujarat legislative assembly election, 2012

In the 2012 Gujarat legislative assembly elections, Modi won from the constituency of Maninagar with a majority of 86,373 votes over Sanjiv Bhatt's wife, Shweta, who was contesting for the Indian National Congress.^[100] The BJP as a whole won 115 of the 182 seats; it has formed the government in Gujarat since 1995^[101] and has had an absolute majority throughout Modi's time in office.^[102]

Later in the by-elections for six seats, the BJP won all the seats in Gujarat which consisted of four assembly seats and 2 Lok Sabha seats. Interestingly, BJP won all these seats although Modi never campaigned for its candidates and all the seats were held by the Congress prior to the by-elections.^[103] This brought up the number of seats held by the BJP in the state assembly to 119.

Central politics

Modi and other BJP leaders after the party's National Executive Meet. Modi was named the chairman of Central Election Campaign Committee during this meet.

In March 2013, Modi was appointed as member of the BJP Parliamentary Board, its highest decision-making body, and also as a Chairman of the party's Central Election Campaign Committee.^[104][105] Modi was selected to head the poll campaign for 2014 parliamentary election, at the national level executive meeting of BJP on 10 June 2012. The party's senior leader and founding member L.K. Advani resigned from all his posts at the party following the selection, protesting against leaders who were "concerned with their personal agendas"; the resignation was described by The Times of India as "a protest against Narendra Modi's elevation as the chairman of the party's election committee".^[106] However, Advani withdrew his resignation the next day at the urging of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.^[106]

In September 2013, BJP announced Modi as prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.^[107]

Uttarakhand floods controversy

On 23 June 2013, The Times of India published a report titled Modi in Rambo act, saves 15,000.^[108]The report stated that Modi had commissioned Boeings, SUVs, and luxury buses to rescue 15,000 Gujarati victims of the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.^[109][110] The actions as reported by Times of India were widely disbelieved because of the enormity of the task.^[111] A controversy followed with allegations that Modi was attempting to create a "Rambo" image in the minds of the Indian public.^[112]Modi was criticised for giving preferential treatment to Gujaratis, and for visiting the area even though the government in Uttarakhand had discouraged such visits to prevent diversion of attention and resources from rescue efforts.^{[113][114][115]} BJP representatives denied that Modi himself had ever stated that he had intervened in the rescue operation, and conceded that perhaps BJP workers had contributed to the impression of Modi's personal involvement.^[116][117] On 14 July, Times of India published a clarification saying that Modi's government had assisted 15,000 flood victims of several states, and not rescued 15,000 Gujaratis as earlier reported.^[118] The clarification said that there was no exaggeration of facts or attempts to mislead by the BJP spokesperson, and added that The Times of India was mortified by the controversy surrounding the report.^[118][119] After the publication of the clarification, The Times of India report was called a hoax.^[118] Media outlets were criticised by the BJP for publishing editorials critical of Modi without checking facts.^[120]

2014 general election

Modi addressing his first rally after being declared as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the NDA at Rewari,Haryana.

In three opinion polls conducted by news agencies and magazines, Narendra Modi was declared the preferred choice for the post as Prime Minister in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.^{[121][122][123]} A C-Voter poll suggested that by projecting Modi as the Prime Minister candidate, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could gain a five percent increase in the vote share; it said that projecting Modi could increase NDA's seats from 179 to 220, which is 52 short of majority.^[123] In September 2013, Nielsen and The Economic Times published results of a poll of 100 Indian corporate leaders - 74 of them wanted Modi to be the next prime-minister, compared to 7 whose preference was Rahul Gandhi.^[124][125] Commenting on the polls, Political scientistAshutosh Varshney argued that a BJP Prime Minister was unlikely unless they were able to form broad coalitions with other parties, which so far they have not been able to do.^[126] In an interview, Nobel Prize laureate economist Amartya Sen, said that he did not want Modi as a Prime Minister because he had not done enough to make minorities feel safe, and also stated that under Modi, Gujarat's record in health and education provision has been "pretty bad".^[70] However, economists Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya stated "We are impressed by Modi's economics." ^[127] Spiritual leaders Ramdevand Morari Bapu have supported Modi's Prime Ministerial candidacy.^[128] Narendra Modi the Prime Ministerial Candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party ledNational Democratic Alliance will be contesting from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency for Lok Sabha Elections 2014 ^[129]

Uttarakhand floods controversy

On 23 June 2013, The Times of India published a report titled Modi in Rambo act, saves 15,000.^[108]The report stated that Modi had commissioned Boeings, SUVs, and luxury buses to rescue 15,000 Gujarati victims of the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.^[109][110] The actions as reported by Times of India were widely disbelieved because of the enormity of the task.^[111] A controversy followed with allegations that Modi was attempting to create a "Rambo" image in the minds of the Indian public.^[112]Modi was criticised for giving preferential treatment to Gujaratis, and for visiting the area even though the government in Uttarakhand had discouraged such visits to prevent diversion of attention and resources from rescue efforts.^{[113][114][115]} BJP representatives denied that Modi himself had ever stated that he had intervened in the rescue operation, and conceded that perhaps BJP workers had contributed to the impression of Modi's personal involvement.^[116][117] On 14 July, Times of India published a clarification saying that Modi's government had assisted 15,000 flood victims of several states, and not rescued 15,000 Gujaratis as earlier reported.^[118] The clarification said that there was no exaggeration of facts or attempts to mislead by the BJP spokesperson, and added that The Times of India was mortified by the controversy surrounding the report.^[118][119] After the publication of the clarification, The Times of India report was called a hoax.^[118] Media outlets were criticised by the BJP for publishing editorials critical of Modi without checking facts.^[120]

2014 general election

Modi addressing his first rally after being declared as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the NDA at Rewari,Haryana.

In three opinion polls conducted by news agencies and magazines, Narendra Modi was declared the preferred choice for the post as Prime Minister in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.^{[121][122][123]} A C-Voter poll suggested that by projecting Modi as the Prime Minister candidate, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could gain a five percent increase in the vote share; it said that projecting Modi could increase NDA's seats from 179 to 220, which is 52 short of majority.^[123] In September 2013, Nielsen and The Economic Times published results of a poll of 100 Indian corporate leaders - 74 of them wanted Modi to be the next prime-minister, compared to 7 whose preference was Rahul Gandhi.^[124][125] Commenting on the polls, Political scientistAshutosh Varshney argued that a BJP Prime Minister was unlikely unless they were able to form broad coalitions with other parties, which so far they have not been able to do.^[126] In an interview, Nobel Prize laureate economist Amartya Sen, said that he did not want Modi as a Prime Minister because he had not done enough to make minorities feel safe, and also stated that under Modi, Gujarat's record in health and education provision has been "pretty bad".^[70] However, economists Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya stated "We are impressed by Modi's economics." ^[127] Spiritual leaders Ramdevand Morari Bapu have supported Modi's Prime Ministerial candidacy.^[128] Narendra Modi the Prime Ministerial Candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party ledNational Democratic Alliance will be contesting from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency for Lok Sabha Elections 2014 ^[129]

International diplomacy

Modi speaking at the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit 2008 in New Delhi.

To attract foreign investment in Gujarat during his time as chief minister, Modi has made visits to countries such as China, Singapore and Japan.^[130]

Modi visited China in November 2006 to study the Special Economic Zones that were planned to start in Gujarat.^[131] He also visited in September 2007^[132] and later in November 2011. A month after his visit of 2011, the Chinese Government released 13 diamond traders from India who had been jailed by the Shenzhen Customs, which Modi described as being the consequence of his diplomatic efforts and statesmanship.^[133][134]

In 2005, Modi was denied a diplomatic visa to the United States. In addition, the B-1/B-2 visa that had previously been granted to him was also revoked, under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act which makes any foreign government official who was responsible or "directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for the visa.^[135]

In 2011, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, impressed with the development of Gujarat, invited Modi to visit Pakistan and address prominent business leaders. They also asked him to consider a flight between Karachi and Ahmedabad, due to the historical cultural and economic relations between the two regions of Gujarat and Sindh. Modi wishes to help Pakistan out of its power crisis, especially in Sindh, suggesting Pakistan can follow the 'Gujarat Model' in two ways — Gujarat Solar Park and Kalpasar Project.^[136]

The United Kingdom refused to deal with Modi for a decade following the 2002 violence but lifted its diplomatic boycott in October 2012.^[137] Later, in March 2013, the European Union, of which the UK is a member, also ended its boycott, saying that talking with Modi was a separate issue from that of protecting human rights and those of women.^[138]

In July 2013, BJP president Rajnath Singh visited the US and gave a speech urging that Modi should be given a visa to visit the country.^[139][140] In response to Singh's visit, 65 Members of the Indian parliament allegedly signed a letter to US President Barack Obama requesting that the policy of denying Modi a visa be upheld.^[141] However, the veracity of some of the signatures has been called into question, with Sitaram Yechury among a number of purported signatories denying that they ever signed such a petition^[142]

Personality and image

Narendra Modi meeting the South Korean ambassador in Gandhinagar.

Modi is a vegetarian.^[143] He is known for leading a frugal lifestyle and has a personal staff of three. He is known to be a workaholic and an introvert.^[144]He also writes poems in Gujarati.^[145] He is a crowd-puller as a speaker.^[146] He wears "business suits to business meetings, instead of homespun tunics. He still lampoons the urban, English-speaking elite, but he is also honing his English skills."^[28]

Modi has been labelled by the media and some articles in peer reviewed journals as a controversial, polarising, and divisive figure.^{[147][148][149]}

British economist Jim O'Neill, author of the BRIC report, wrote on his blog that Modi is "good on economics", one of the things that "India desperately needs in a leader".^[150] In August 2013, financial analyst Chris Wood, chief strategist of CLSA, wrote in his weekly Greed & Fear that "the Indian stock market's greatest hope is the emergence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate".^[150]

Awards and recognitions

• Gujarat Ratna by Shri Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on celebration of centenary year.^[151]
• e-Ratna award by the Computer Society of India^[152]
• Best Chief Minister – In a nationwide survey conducted in 2006 by India Today magazine, Narendra Modi was declared the Best Chief Minister in the country.^[153]
• Asian Winner of the fDi Personality of the Year Award for 2009 by FDi magazine.^[154]
• In March 2012, Modi appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of Time, one of India's few politicians to have done so.^[155]

References

Notes

1. Jump up^ Afzal Guru was executed on 9 February 2013. There had been BJP allegations that the government's delaying of the execution for so long was an attempt to ensure that the Muslim vote was not lost.^[55]