The Evening Wrap: President Ghani flees as Taliban close in on Kabul

The Taliban fighters entered the outskirts of Kabul on August 15 as panic-stricken workers fled government offices and helicopters landed at the U.S. Embassy in the Afghan capital as the militants’ further tightened their grip on the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan as the Taliban closed in on capital Kabul. Taliban fighters were ordered to wait at the gates of Kabul and not enter the city, an insurgent spokesman said, after the complete collapse of the country’s security forces. “The Islamic Emirate instructs all its forces to stand at the gates of Kabul, not to try to enter the city,” a spokesman for the Taliban tweeted. An Afghan official tells The Associated Press that Taliban negotiators are heading to the presidential palace to prepare for a "transfer" of power. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the goal was a peaceful handing over of the government to the Taliban. Britain's interior ministry said earlier that it was working to protect its citizens and help other eligible former UK staff to leave Afghanistan. Indian consulates in Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif – two of Afghanistan’s largest cities – were handed over to local staff over the last four weeks and all Indians evacuated via special flights. India is closely monitoring the situation. An Afghan official says forces at Bagram air base, home to a prison housing 5,000 inmates, have surrendered to the Taliban. The one-time American base over to the insurgents. The prison housed both Taliban and Islamic State group fighters. It came as the Taliban entered the outskirts of Kabul. Russia is working with other countries to hold an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan as the Taliban completes its military takeover of the country, foreign ministry official Zamir Kabulov told Russian news agencies. Three Afghan officials told The Associated Press that the Taliban were in the districts of Kalakan, Qarabagh and Paghman in the capital. The militants later pledged not to take the capital “by force” as sporadic gunfire could be heard in the capital. It may be recalled that U.S. President Joe Biden had announced the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan starting on May 1 and ending on Sept.11, bringing America’s longest war to a close. Within a matter of few days the Taliban launched a major offensive on Afghan forces leading to the fall of Kabul by August 15. PM’s address from Red Fort promises inclusion and progress Marking the 75 anniversary of India’s independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for making the next 25 years (when India will hit a century of independence) a glorious one with “new thresholds, aspirations and dreams”, coining the phrase “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas” (With all, development for all, the trust of all, the striving of all). In his eighth consecutive address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Mr Modi like independent India’s first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru’s India’s Tryst with Destiny address said, “There comes a time in every nation’s life where it defines anew what development means for it, and resolves anew on how to reach its goals, that moment for our country is now,”. Modi termed the next 25 years as “amrit kaal” for achieving of these goals. The Prime Miniser recalled the services and commitment of doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers, scientists and entrepreneurs who helped fight COVID-19 pandemic assisted by the development of indigenous vaccines. He also mentioned that while celebrating independence, “Indians had taken an emotional decision to mark August 14th as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day '' for all those who had lost their lives and loved ones in the Partition of 1947. His speech, nearly 90 minutes in all, highlighted the efforts of his government to simplify laws, make government less intrusive, heavy investment in infrastructure, including the ₹100 lakh crore “Gatishakti initiative” the master plan for which would be unveiled soon. It is worth noting that the Prime Minister was only repeating the promise made in 2019 and 2020! The Prime Minister said his government was committed to the goal of 100% coverage of all welfare schemes, including the Jal Jeevan mission of tapped drinking water connections in all homes, Ujjwala cooking gas scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana for housing, Jan Dhan bank accounts for everyone and other such schemes. He also announced the admission for girls in all Sainik Schools across the country and that the use of fortified rice across all government nutrition programmes would also be undertaken ---the government had committed to both promises a few years ago. The Prime Minister, in a nod to the ongoing protests by farmers to the three contentious farm laws introduced by his government, said the majority of Indian farmers were small and marginal and his government had prioritised their interests. Giving the slogan of ‘Chhota kisan bane desh ki shaan (small farmers should become India's pride)', Mr. Modi said 80% of India’s farmers had less than two hectares of land. Stressing that he had full faith in the youth of the country, the Prime Minister said this was a “can-do generation” which could achieve every goal. The Prime Minister said that development of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh was under way as was the work of the delimitation commission in J&K, and that Assembly polls would be held in the Union Territory sooner rather than later. Sorry state of affairs, says CJI N V Ramana Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana lamented the lack of quality parliamentary debates while enacting laws, saying its absence has led to spurt in litigation in courts inconveniencing citizens, courts and other stakeholders. Calling the current situation in the context of Parliamentary debates a “sorry state of affairs”, the CJI said laws are being notified without any “proper debate”, among lawmakers, leaving many gaps and ambiguity in legislations. The CJI was speaking on the occasion of the flag hoisting ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association of India to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day. The CJI’s cryptic observations come in the backdrop of a highly disruptive monsoon session of Parliament where little business was conducted and the hurried manner in which important bills were passed in Parliament without discussion. For instance, the Tribunal’s Reforms Bill of 2021, sought the abolishment of nine appellate tribunals despite the Opposition pointing out that the move undermined the judiciary! Mohan Bhagwat reminds the Government to be swadeshi in business and spirit If dependence on China increases, we will have to bow before it, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said after hoisting the national flag at a Mumbai school on the 75th Independence Day. Swadeshi for the RSS chief means doing business on India’s terms. “We use the internet and technology a lot. Our country does not have the original technology. It comes from outside,” Bhagwat said. “No matter how much we shout as a society about China and boycott Chinese items, where does everything that is in your mobiles come from? If dependence on China increases, then (we) will have to bow before China,” Bhagwat said as quoted by agencies. Bhagwat's observations appeared to be advising the government on the vision that should guide its economic policies. He said the economic vision should be to produce more and competition should be for the best quality of produce. “We are not against international trade and commerce but our production must be in villages. It should not be mass production but production by masses," he said. News wire PTI quoting Bhagwat reported, "A controlled consumerism is necessary to ensure there is no exploitation of natural resources. The standard of living should not be decided by how much we earn, but by how much we give back,”. “We will be happy when we consider the welfare of all. To be happy, we need sound finances and for this, we need financial strength," Bhagwat said. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,22,04,315 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 4,31,482. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 15 AUGUST 2021 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( President Ghani flees as Taliban close in on Kabul The [Taliban fighters entered the outskirts of Kabul]( on August 15 as panic-stricken workers fled government offices and helicopters landed at the U.S. Embassy in the Afghan capital as the militants’ further tightened their grip on the country. [President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan]( as the Taliban closed in on capital Kabul. Taliban fighters were ordered to wait at the gates of Kabul and not enter the city, an insurgent spokesman said, after the complete collapse of the country’s security forces. “The Islamic Emirate instructs all its forces to stand at the gates of Kabul, not to try to enter the city,” a spokesman for the Taliban tweeted. An Afghan official tells The Associated Press that Taliban negotiators are heading to the presidential palace to prepare for a "transfer" of power. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the goal was a peaceful handing over of the government to the Taliban. Britain's interior ministry said earlier that it was working to protect its citizens and help other eligible former UK staff to leave Afghanistan. Indian consulates in Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif – two of Afghanistan’s largest cities – were handed over to local staff over the last four weeks and all Indians evacuated via special flights. India is closely monitoring the situation. [Taliban fighters sit over a vehicle on a street in Laghman province on August 15, 2021.]  An Afghan official says forces at Bagram air base, home to a prison housing 5,000 inmates, have surrendered to the Taliban. The one-time American base over to the insurgents. The prison housed both Taliban and Islamic State group fighters. It came as the Taliban entered the outskirts of Kabul. Russia is working with other countries to hold an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan as the Taliban completes its military takeover of the country, foreign ministry official Zamir Kabulov told Russian news agencies. Three Afghan officials told The Associated Press that the Taliban were in the districts of Kalakan, Qarabagh and Paghman in the capital. The militants later pledged not to take the capital “by force” as sporadic gunfire could be heard in the capital. It may be recalled that U.S. President Joe Biden had announced the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan starting on May 1 and ending on Sept.11, bringing America’s longest war to a close. Within a matter of few days the Taliban launched a major offensive on Afghan forces leading to the fall of Kabul by August 15. [underlineimg] PM’s address from Red Fort promises inclusion and progress Marking the 75 anniversary of India’s independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi [called for making the next 25 years (when India will hit a century of independence) a glorious one]( with “new thresholds, aspirations and dreams” , coining the phrase “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas” (With all, development for all, the trust of all, the striving of all). In his eighth consecutive address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Mr Modi like independent India’s first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru’s India’s Tryst with Destiny address said, “There comes a time in every nation’s life where it defines anew what development means for it, and resolves anew on how to reach its goals, that moment for our country is now,”. Modi termed the next 25 years as “amrit kaal” for achieving of these goals. The Prime Miniser recalled the services and commitment of doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers, scientists and entrepreneurs who helped fight COVID-19 pandemic assisted by the development of indigenous vaccines. He also mentioned that while celebrating independence, “Indians had taken an emotional decision to mark August 14th as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day '' for all those who had lost their lives and loved ones in the Partition of 1947. His speech, nearly 90 minutes in all, highlighted the efforts of his government to simplify laws, make government less intrusive, heavy investment in infrastructure, including the ₹100 lakh crore “Gatishakti initiative” the master plan for which would be unveiled soon.  It is worth noting that the [Prime Minister was only repeating the promise made in 2019 and 2020!]( [Prime Minister Narendra Modi raises slogans while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort during the 75th Independence Day function, in New Delhi, Sunday, August 15, 2021. ]  The Prime Minister said his government was committed to the goal of 100% coverage of all welfare schemes, including the Jal Jeevan mission of tapped drinking water connections in all homes, Ujjwala cooking gas scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana for housing, Jan Dhan bank accounts for everyone and other such schemes. He also announced the admission for girls in all Sainik Schools across the country and that the use of fortified rice across all government nutrition programmes would also be undertaken ---the government had committed to both promises a few years ago. The Prime Minister, in a nod to the ongoing protests by farmers to the three contentious farm laws introduced by his government, said the majority of Indian farmers were small and marginal and his government had prioritised their interests. Giving the slogan of ‘Chhota kisan bane desh ki shaan (small farmers should become India's pride)', Mr. Modi said 80% of India’s farmers had less than two hectares of land. Stressing that he had full faith in the youth of the country, the Prime Minister said this was a “can-do generation” which could achieve every goal. The Prime Minister said that development of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh was under way as was the work of the delimitation commission in J&K, and that Assembly polls would be held in the Union Territory sooner rather than later. [underlineimg] Sorry state of affairs, says CJI N V Ramana Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana [lamented the lack of quality parliamentary debates]( while enacting laws, saying its absence has led to spurt in litigation in courts inconveniencing citizens, courts and other stakeholders. Calling the current situation in the context of Parliamentary debates a “sorry state of affairs”, the CJI said laws are being notified without any “proper debate”, among lawmakers, leaving many gaps and ambiguity in legislations. The CJI was speaking on the occasion of the flag hoisting ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association of India to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day. The CJI’s cryptic observations come in the backdrop of a highly disruptive monsoon session of Parliament where little business was conducted  and the hurried manner in which important bills were passed in Parliament without discussion. For instance, the Tribunal’s Reforms Bill of 2021, sought the abolishment of nine appellate tribunals despite the Opposition pointing out that the move undermined the judiciary! [underlineimg] Mohan Bhagwat reminds the Government to be swadeshi in business and spirit If dependence on China increases, we will have to bow before it, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief [Mohan Bhagwat said]( after hoisting the national flag at a Mumbai school on the 75th Independence Day. Swadeshi for the RSS chief means doing business on India’s terms. “We use the internet and technology a lot. Our country does not have the original technology. It comes from outside,” Bhagwat said. “No matter how much we shout as a society about China and boycott Chinese items, where does everything that is in your mobiles come from? If  dependence on China increases, then (we) will have to bow before China,” Bhagwat said as quoted by agencies. Bhagwat's observations appeared to be advising the government on the vision that should guide its economic policies. He said the economic vision should be to produce more and competition should be for the best quality of produce. “We are not against international trade and commerce but our production must be in villages. It should not be mass production but production by masses," he said. News wire PTI quoting Bhagwat reported,  "A controlled consumerism is necessary to ensure there is no exploitation of natural resources. The standard of living should not be decided by how much we earn, but by how much we give back,”. “We will be happy when we consider the welfare of all. To be happy, we need sound finances and for this, we need financial strength," Bhagwat said. [underlineimg] Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The [number of reported coronavirus cases from India]( stood at 3,22,04,315 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 4,31,482. 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