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Power of Thoughts

DEADLY

VIRUS

NOT INFECTED BUT AFFECTED

OUTLOOK 2020

TOURS & TRAVEL

BIG LOSS IN MUTUAL FUND SIP? KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

INVESTMENT

DEFENCE

Letter from the

Power of Thoughts

Editor

Seeking Permanent Seat in UNSC, No More Significant

Editor in Chief HARIOM TYAGI

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For how long will we be kept away from the decision-making structures of the United Nations? These were the words of PM Modi during the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, observed on October first week. Four, out of the five, permanent members like: United States, Russia, Britain and France, out of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) are willing to expand the Security Council by including India as the permanent member. But the ill-will and reluctance of China has marred their positivity. It was the tactical approach of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, who in the 1950’s had insisted on China, getting a permanent seat of the United Nations. It was, actually, the part of his ‘moral’ imperative in foreign policy as well as his analysis over cold war calculus. Then the American suggestion and support for India’s inclusion was widely recognized. India, somehow, missed the golden opportunity as it did not want to be dragged into hegemonic power struggles and envisaged it as a ‘moral power’ that stood for non-aligned and developing world. At present, the morality in international affairs has been unabashedly replaced by realpolitik and China is the apogee of realpolitik. The ongoing frustration for the Indian cause with this backstabbing history is justifiable. Now it is equally significant to question whether getting a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is as powerful and necessary as it was earlier. The answer, in a terse, seems in negation as the Security Council gradually losses its relevance. Recently, Israel emerged as a powerful, persuasive and progressive power that has made significant gains for the country. The forty-six anti-Israel UN resolutions in the last 46 years, has only strengthened the core of the unconcerned Jewish state. Despite not having a permanent seat in the United Nations, Germany emerged as another successful narrative of a more ‘moral’ dimension. It contributes more to the United Nations budget than Great Britain, France or Russia, yet it is denied its rightful place. Countries like Israel, Germany, Japan and India have had very different compulsions, journeys and trajectories to still emerge as a global power. Obviously, the creative multiple options like ‘Quad’ (United States, Japan, Australia and India) have the necessary ‘bind’, ‘bite’ and economic-substance to emerge as a counterpoise on the global platform. Noticeably, India has to continue seeking its rightful place in any expanded United Nations Security Council without unnecessarily vesting all its hopes, plans and ambitions in the quest for such a status, as the changed world offers examples like Germany, Japan and Israel that have stitched alternative arrangements that could be multilateral, bilateral, regional or creatively/strategically relevant ‘Quad’. As a matter of fact, seeking a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council is more significant from the perspective of sovereign pride, rather than any meaningful lever of national transformation. And of course, India has won the moral and functional requirements for a permanent seat at the UNSC. As such, the denial of the same, only underscores the illogical stranglehold of an insecure and dishonorable state.

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BRIEFING COVER STORY

NATIONAL

BARC Stops Viewership Ratings of News Channels for 12 Weeks

INDIA

THE GLOBAL INFLUENCER WITH OR WITHOUT

UNSC

INTERNATIONAL

OPINION

Sweden, Finland & Estonia to Assess Information on 1994 Ferry Sinking

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

Complex ‘Caste Equation’ Forces Chirag to Quit Nitish, Look for Saffron

IN-DEPTH

Indian Youths Witness Rise in Wealth, Despite Coronavirus Pandemic

November 2020

Climate Change is more Dangerous than ‘Deadly Coronavirus’

OBSERVER DAWN

BRIEFING

46 8

DEFENCE Chinese Prez Xi Jinping, PM Modi to Come Face-to-Face Next Month

BUSINESS TIPS Starting Out as an Entrepreneur? Here’s What You Will Need

INT’L BIZ Tourism Operators in Thailand Welcome Special Visa for Foreigners

HEALTH Arrhythmia: The Way Ahead

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

TOUR & TRAVEL Know What Slow Tourism is and Where You Can Enjoy It

LIFESTYLE Why Celebrating Men's Day is Need of the Hour

National

BARC STOPS VIEWERSHIP RATINGS OF NEWS CHANNELS FOR 12 WEEKS

ndia’s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has paused the measurement of television viewership ratings of news channels for a period of twelve weeks. It will cover all Hindi, Regional, English News and Business News channels with immediate effect. The Council will not publish the weekly individual ratings for all news channels during this period. However, it will release weekly audience estimates for the news genre by state and language.

“In view of the recent developments, the BARC Board has proposed that its Technical Committee will review and augment the current standards of measuring and reporting the data of niche genres to improve their statistical robustness and to significantly hamper the potential attempts of infiltrating the panel homes”, the BARC authorities said in a statement. Entire activities would take around 8-12 weeks including validation and testing under the supervision of BARCs Tech Comm, the statement reads.

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA), which represents the news broadcasters, believes that the suspension is an important step in the right direction. The NBA President Rajat Sharma has said, "Recent revelations have brought disrepute to the measurement agency and by extension the broadcast news media. The corrupted, compromised, irrationally fluctuating data is creating a false narrative on What India Watches and has been putting pressure on our members to take editorial calls that run counter to the journalistic values and ideals of journalism”. He said that the current atmosphere of toxicity, abuse and fake news was no longer tenable and NBA as the custodian and guardian of Indian broadcast media believes a bold step of putting ratings of news genre on hold will help in improving the content. For many years, NBA has been highlighting its concerns about the veracity of TV viewership data, which have been prone to irrational fluctuations. Recent events have shown that there is much more at stake than just the measurement of news channels' popularity.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

RAILWAYS TO REPLACE SLEEPER COACHES FROM TRAINS RUNNING 130 KM/H AND ABOVE

he Indian Railways is all set to replace its sleeper class coaches with Air-Conditioned (AC) coaches in the trains that are capable of running at a speed of 130 kmph and above. The Ministry of Railways took the decision in a bid to upgrade its high-speed network. “The non-AC sleeper coaches will be replaced by AC coaches for the trains that will be running at a speed of 130 kmph or beyond. Track on golden Quadrilateral and Diagonals are being upgraded to cater to a speed of 130 km to 160 km per hour. Non-AC sleeper coaches would be replaced by AC coaches only for such trains which will be running at 130 or 160 kmph”, The Railway Ministry's Spokesperson, DJ Narain. He added that the AC coaches were essentially a technical need for trains running on 130 or 160 kmph. As per the reports, the coaches will be evaluated and experience gained from the running of these coaches will lead to further progress. “It will be ensured that while the price of tickets of the modified AC coaches remains very affordable for the passengers, the comfort and conveniences increase manifold and there is a substantial reduction in travel time”, the Ministry added. They said that currently only Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi – Howrah sections are getting geared up for that. A prototype of AC coach is being designed at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and is likely to be ready in the coming weeks. Presently, an 83 berth coach is being designed compared to the 72 berth that Railways usually has in AC coaches. According the reports, the Railways is aiming to have 100 such coaches this year and 200 by 2021. This is to be noted that the non-AC coaches will continue to run in trains running at 110 km/hour.

INDIA MUST PRIORITIZE HEALTHCARE, PROTECTIONS OF VULNERABLE POPULATION: IMF

mong other major announcements, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that India’s top priority should be to protect the most vulnerable people in the country through well-targeted support and also building a solid healthcare system. In a statement released in the name of the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, said that India should also prioritize supporting and protecting small and medium-sized enterprises so they do not collapse as the country continues to battle the raging pandemic. During the ongoing annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank, Georgieva said India's top priority should be to protect the vulnerable population and improving healthcare.

National

LA NINA COULD MAKE THIS WINTER SEASON COLDER: IMD

ndia’s Meteorological Department (IMD) Chief, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, has said, “This winter is likely to be colder than previous year due to prevailing La Nina conditions. Mahapatra said that the country could face a chilly winter, if the prevailing conditions last. Mohapatra clarified that there should not be any impression the climate change leads to rising temperatures. On the contrary, it leads to erratic weather, he told the news agency. A drop in temperature may not be a good sign in the wake of the Covid-19 situation in the country. “As weak La Nina condition is prevailing, we can expect more cold this year. The El Nino and La Nina conditions play a dominant role if you consider the large scale factor for the occurrence of cold wave conditions”, Mohapatra said.

This winter is likely to be colder than previous year due to prevailing La Nina conditions

cold wave conditions, while El Nino conditions are unfavorable for it”. Mohapatra went on to say that Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are among the states which mostly witness deaths due to intense cold waves. The IMD Chief stressed that regions along the north and northwest such as Punjab, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are also prone to cold waves, which result in deaths. It may be noted that the IMD released a winter forecast every year in November where it gives predictions on the severity of the winter season, starting from December to February. La Nina is related to the cooling of the Pacific waters, while the El Nino is linked to its heating. Both factors are believed to have an impact on the Indian monsoon.

Mohapatra’s statement came while he was addressing a webinar on ‘Cold Wave Risk Reduction’ organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He added, "La Nina conditions are favorable for

“What needs to be done? Well, clearly protecting the most vulnerable people, well-targeted support, protecting small and medium-sized enterprises/firms so they do not collapse, and using what the government is now aiming to do, a further injection of support in a way that gives a better chance to turn a corner”, Georgieva was quoted as saying in the news report. “Like everywhere else, until we have a durable exit from the health crisis, we will be faced with difficulties, uncertainty, and uneven recovery”, she added. Georgieva then described the coronavirus pandemic as a humanitarian crisis and said it is a far more serious problem in countries like India where the death toll has crossed over a lakh. “Therefore, focusing on protecting people and on the health of the population remains a priority," she said. Georgieva went on to say that India has taken measures within the capacity of the country, but has not announced any direct fiscal measures yet. Many economists had earlier asked the government to announce direct stimulus measures to revive the economy. “India has taken measures within the capacity of the country, two per cent fiscal measures, plus four per cent in forms of guarantees, not direct fiscal measures”, Georgieva said.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

International

he topnotch tech companies - Google and Oracle, are clashing at the Supreme Court in a copyright dispute worth billions and important to the future of software development. The case before the justices has to do with Google’s creation of the Android operating system now used on the vast majority of smart ph ones worldwide. Google says that to create Android, which was released in 2007, it wrote millions of lines of new computer code. But it also used 11,330 lines of code and an organization that’s part of Oracle’s Java platform. Google has defended its actions, saying what it did is long-settled, common practice in the industry, a practice that has been good for technical progress. But Oracle says Google “committed an egregious act of plagiarism” and sued, seeking more than $8 billion. The case has been going on for a decade. Google won the first round when a trial court rejected Oracle’s copyright claim, but that ruling was overturned on appeal. A jury then sided with Google, calling its copying “fair use,” but an appeals court disagreed. Because of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, only eight justices are hearing the case, and they’re doing so by phone because of the coronavirus pandemic. Oracle, for its part, says the case is simple. “This case is about theft,” Oracle’s chief Washington lobbyist, Ken Glueck, said in a telephone interview ahead of argument. He compared what Google did to plagiarizing from someone else’s speech. When you plagiarize one line from a speech, he said, “That’s a plagiarized speech. Nobody says, ‘Oh, well, it was just one line”. But Google’s Kent Walker, the company’s chief legal officer, said in an interview that Google wrote “every line of code we possibly could ourselves”.

SWEDEN, FINLAND & ESTONIA TO ASSESS INFORMATION ON 1994 FERRY SINKING

ountries like Sweden, Finland and Estonia have decided to jointly assess what they termed fresh information’ in connection with one of Europe’s deadliest peacetime maritime disasters, the sinking of a ferry in the Baltic Sea in 1994 that killed 852 people.

Recently a video report revealed that there was a hole in the hull measuring 4 meters (13 feet) on the starboard side. However, the three countries said that they “rely on final conclusions” of a 1997 report that concluded that the ferry sank after the bow door locks failed in a storm. It flatly rejected the theory of a hole, which has long been the focus of speculation about a possible explosion on board. “It cannot be ruled out that the damage was important for the sinking process,” Joergen Amdahl, professor of marine technology

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

CHINESE APP, TIKTOK, NOW BANNED IN PAKISTAN

fter a series of similar steps taken by the various other countries against China, now Pakistan has blocked the Chinese social media App, TikTok, on October 9, 2020. In a statement released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), it has been said that the department took the step after receiving complaints against ‘Immoral and Indecent’ content on the video-sharing platform. The authorities have also said that the App Company completely failed to comply with the instructions to develop an effective mechanism to control unlawful content. The PTA said that keeping in view the complaints and nature of the content being consistently posted on TikTok, the company was issued a final notice and given considerable time to respond and comply with instructions and guidelines. “But TikTok ‘failed to fully comply with PTA’s instructions. However, the authorities concerned decided to ban it in Pakistan. Shortly, after the ban, the app began to show a blank interface with no text or images loading”, the PTA statement reads. Pakistan has close relations with China. The telecommunication authority kept the door

International

BOSNIAN CRACKDOWN: MIGRANTS FACING UNPRECEDENTED MISERY

naccessible timbers, deserted run-down buildings and roadsides in northwestern Bosnia are steadily filling with makeshift camps where migrants and refugees from the Mideast, Asia and North Africa are bracing themselves for more misery as autumn’s chill and rains set in.

open for a return of TikTok, saying “it is open for engagement” and would review its decision if TikTok develops a mechanism to moderate the content.

After a series of similar steps taken by the various other countries against China, now Pakistan has blocked the Chinese social media App, TikTok, on October 9, 2020

It has been a target of several complaints and court petitions calling for its ban in Pakistan. The PTA had in July this year said it had issued a ‘final warning’ to TikTok to remove “obscene and immoral content”. The video-sharing app, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, is the third-most downloaded app over the past year after WhatsApp and Facebook and has been downloaded almost 39 million times in Pakistan. The App was earlier banned by India and the United States for violating guidelines.

in Trondheim, said in the five-episode documentary to be aired. Ann Linde, Pekka Haavisto and Urmas Reinsalu — the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland and Estonia — said in a joint statement that they have agreed that verification of the new information presented in the documentary will be made in accordance and full respect of a 1995 agreement to protect the wreck as a final place of rest for victims of the disaster.

A sense of desperation hangs over the hundreds of men and boys who have been forced to build tents from sticks and black plastic tarps in the forests after local authorities in Bosnia's Krajina region decided last month to start pushing them away from town centers, even kicking them out of UN-run reception centers there. Krajina shares a highly porous 1,000 kilometer (620 mile) border with European Union member Croatia, making it a major draw for migrants crossing Bosnia. Local authorities say they are bearing the brunt of Europe's lingering migration issues and other parts of impoverished Bosnia are failing to help out. The EU has provided Bosnia with 60 million Euros ($70 million) in emergency funding, most for seven migrant centers, including five in Krajina, which can house more than 7,000 people. However, Krajina authorities have begun emptying the reception centers and driving the migrants into desolate areas to fend for themselves with no access to medical care or sometimes even food. In response, the police forces of adjacent regions have started blocking migrants from walking back to their areas. Aid organizations and volunteers helping migrants in Krajina warn that the situation is shifting quickly into a crisis as the number of migrants scavenging the forests for food and bathing in the frigid rivers keeps growing. Bosnia, which has never truly recovered from its brutal 1992-95 war, became a bottleneck for thousands of Europe-bound migrants three years ago when other nations closed their borders and disrupted migration paths through the Balkans.

Some 758 bodies remain entombed on the car ferry, which rests on the seabed 80 meters (265 feet) below the surface. The wreck is considered a graveyard, which gives the area protection under the law, and the agreement criminalized activities that would disturb it. However, Finnish and Swedish coast guards cannot stop any diving endeavor because the wreck lies in international waters. In 2019, the production team behind the documentary sent an underwater robot to film the wreck. Jessica Linnman, head of communications for Discovery Sweden, said "the film crew found that it was journalistically justified to dive to the wreck using a robot”.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Business Outlook

INDIA IS ALL SET FOR POST PANDEMIC RECOVERY

he Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Governor Shaktikanta Das, said that the country was at the doorstep of the revival process. Das added that confident policymakers will be able to overcome challenges due to the deadly Coronavirus and at the moment, both fiscal and monetary policies are accommodative. Speaking about the bank reforms, the RBI Governor further said that governance reforms are most important in the bank and non-bank sectors and the bank governance reforms are ownership agnostic. He underlined that RBI has deployed instruments that were not in the toolkit and it is looking to innovate on instruments to respond to the pandemic. The RBI Governor termed the government’s effort amid the pandemic and said that the government has undertaken prudent and well-calibrated measures so far. However, he added that the government will have to spell out a fiscal roadmap post-Covid. He highlighted that both fiscal and monetary policies are countercyclical. In the address today, Shaktikanta Das apprised that he has asked the banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to build buffers

to be more resilient. He added that banks need to boost capital in the coming months. The banks and NBFCs are also asked to take stress tests in the context of Covid. The RBI Governor further said that the central bank has impressed the need to proactively build capital buffers to ensure credit flow is maintained. Meanwhile, the Reserve bank today announced to conduct ‘On tap Targeted Long-term Repo Operations’ of up to three years tenor for a total amount of up to Rs 1 lakh crore at a floating rate linked to the policy repo rate.

INDIAN YOUTHS WITNESS RISE IN WEALTH, DESPITE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

ven as the country went through a prolonged phase of nationwide lockdown, Indian youths witnessed an increase of 0.7% in their wealth in the first six months of the calendar year 2020. The wealth per adult in India rose from $17,300 at the end of the calendar year 2019 to $17,420 at the end-June 2020, according to the Global Wealth Report 2020 by Credit Suisse. Wealth growth is expected to be strong through the remainder of 2020 and 2021, the report added. The survey estimated that the average wealth in India may rise between 5–6% in the full year 2020 and 9% in 2021.

The annual growth of wealth per adult averaged 9.7% over 2000–19 using current exchange rates, and 12.1% with constant exchange rates. However, 73% of adults in India had a net worth less than $10,000 at the end of 2019

Over the last two decades, India’s wealth has grown impressively, despite a setback in 2008 due to the global financial crisis and some currency fluctuations. While household wealth in India is dominated by property and other real assets, the financial assets have grown over time, now forming 22% of gross assets. With an adjustment for survey underreporting, Credit Suisse said that the average debt was $1,080 at the end of 2019, which is just 6 per cent of gross assets. It has been underlined that overall household debt is relatively low in India although indebtedness is a severe problem for many poor people in the country.

Meanwhile, the annual growth of wealth per adult averaged 9.7% over 2000–19 using current exchange rates, and 12.1% with constant exchange rates. However, 73% of adults in India had a net worth less than $10,000 at the end of 2019, compared to only 19 per cent in China. Consequently, it was found out that wealth inequality remained quite high in India and there is considerable poverty in the country.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Business Outlook

INDIA, CHINA TURN WEALTHIER DESPITE PANDEMIC

he Coronavirus that caused to more than 1 million deaths across the world has also led to a decline in individual wealth, yet household wealth largely held up and even increased in China and India. “Given the damage inflicted by Covid-19 on the global economy, it seems remarkable that household wealth has emerged relatively unscathed”, said economist Anthony Shorrocks, one of the report’s authors, adding as a caveat that the findings are based on provisional household balance sheets for the second quarter issued by few countries. Global wealth creation is expected to rebound next year as the economy recovers. The “main outlier” is North America, the report says, where the economy is hobbled by the “continued weakness due to the high prevalence of Covid-19” in the U.S. The region’s wealth per adult is projected to drop 5% this year, and remain near that level in 2021. Only China and India saw gains in household wealth in the first half of the year, growing by 4.4% and 1.6%, respectively. Latin America suffered the most, with a 13% plunge, as currency devaluations aggravated losses in gross domestic product. Wealth per adult slipped to an average $76,984 from $77,309 at the start of the year, the report found. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Taipei and Hong Kong saw gains, while Norway and the U.K. posted the biggest declines. The number of millionaires remained stable after soaring to 51.9

WORLD ECONOMY WITNESSING LONG CLIMB: IMF

he IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, said that global economic activity suffered an unprecedented fall in the spring when 85% of the global economy was in lockdown for several weeks. The situation currently is “less dire” with many

million last year, while the club of the ultra-high net worth individuals with more than $50 million in net assets lost only 120 members to 175,570. In the U.S., which has the most people in the top 1% wealth group and 39% of the world’s millionaires, the inequality gap has narrowed, according to the report. The findings come as wealth gains, especially in the U.S. tech world, have been increasingly scrutinized as millions lost their jobs due to the coronavirus hit. Amazon.com Inc.’s Jeff Bezos -- the world’s richest person -- has amassed more than $73 billion this year, taking his fortune to $188 billion, according to the Bloomberg billionaires Index.

countries experiencing a better-than-expected rebound in recent weeks. “We continue to project a partial and uneven recovery in 2021”, Georgieva said in a speech previewing next week’s fall meetings of the 189-nation IMF and its sister lending agency the World Bank where the IMF will release its updated economic outlook. While there has been some improvement, downside risks remain high, Georgieva said in a video-conference speech to the London School of Economics. “The global economy is coming back from the depths of the crisis. But this calamity is far from over”, Georgieva said.

The IMF has done what it can to provide support to 81 poor nations by making more than $280 billion in lending commitments, Georgieva. And the agency is prepared to do more with more than $1 trillion in total lending capacity

The global economy has stabilized because of extraordinary policy measures that established a floor, with governments providing around $12 trillion in support of households, Georgieva said. She also noted that central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, helped millions of firms stay in business by taking unprecedented monetary actions to provide emergency loans. The support prevented an even deeper downturn, but also widened the gap between wealthy and poorer countries, Georgieva said. The IMF has done what it can to provide support to 81 poor nations by making more than $280 billion in lending commitments, Georgieva. And the agency is prepared to do more with more than $1 trillion in total lending capacity.

New IMF research suggests that increasing public investments by just 1% of GDP across advanced and emerging nations can create up to 33 million new jobs, Georgieva said. One of the key topics to be debated at next week’s meetings will be how to deal with the debt of low-income countries.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Opinion

COMPLEX ‘CASTE EQUATION’ FORCES CHIRAG TO QUIT NITISH, LOOK FOR SAFFRON By Sidharth Mishra

he preface to the unfolding Bihar 2020 poll story has become very intricate with first the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) walking out of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and then its leader Ram Vilas Paswan walking out of the world. However, the loss of patronage from the first family of Dusadh community (not to be confused with another Dalit community identified as Pasi) of Bihar may not necessarily paint an abysmal picture for state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Those who follow the politics of the country’s politically most convoluted state, would recall that Nitish Kumar had initiated the social engineering process to create the voting vertical of Mahadalits to counter the influence of comparatively powerful communities of Chamars, aligned for a longtime with Congress and now with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Dusadhs, where Ram Vilas Paswan’s influence was taller than anybody else. Kumar’s suspicion of Paswan and vice-versa is not about personal preferences but embedded in the socialcaste structure of the state. To illustrate the point, one could recall the infamous Belchchi massacre of 1978, which proved to be a turning point in the revival of the fortunes of then ousted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Congress party. She had taken an elephant ride to reach the village where Dalits had been killed by landlords. Belchhi was among one of the severest massacres of Bihar's history of social conflict. It was fallout of the resistance by the group of agricultural labourers belonging to the Dusadh community to the ways of the Kurmi landlords.

Nitish Kumar made no bones about 'empowering' these castes and reaped a rich electoral harvest with Paswan's party, which had emerged as a force in 2005 polls, being completely routed

Belchchi falls in Nitish Kumar's home district of Nalanda and he knows well that Dusadh-Kurmi electoral union is next to impossible given the history of social conflict between the two communities. Nitish himself comes from a Kurmi landowning family and enjoys a loyal vote base among his caste voters. Dusadh community is given to the rebel ways as they had found early employment with the British regime as village chowkidars (watchmen) and messengers. They had also found employment with the army of the East India Company. Given their traditional vocation of pig rearing, Dusadhs could never reconcile to the presence of Muslim elements in the company army. Thus, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes an appeal to the chowkidars, somewhere he also identifies with the members of the Dusadh community whose electoral presence in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is well-established. Keeping on the history of social conflicts in Bihar, the Dusadhs, while remaining averse to the Kumris, have broken bread with the other powerful intermediary castes like the Yadavs in their struggle against the upper-caste landlords. The Naxalite uprising of Bhojpur in 1960s had Dusadhs and Yadavs as the main cadres with Ramnaresh Paswan and Rameshwar Ahir as leaders.

In 2007, soon after he had consolidated his position as Chief minister, Nitish Kumar set up the State Mahadalit Commission to recommended inclusion of extremely weaker castes from the list of Scheduled Castes. Dusadhs and Chamars were kept out of the list of castes recommended by the commission to be categorised as Mahadalits. The political design of this social decision beacme known ahead of the 2010 assembly polls, with a slew of government schemes announced to woo Mahadalit voters. Nitish Kumar made no bones about 'empowering' these castes and reaped a rich electoral harvest with Paswan's party, which had emerged as a force in 2005 polls, being completely routed. Till date, despite the Mahadalit Commission coming out with two more recommendation, Dusadhs are still to find place in the Mahadalit list, though Chamars have made it. Nitish Kumar took this social structuring further by enforcing prohibition in the state after the 2015 polls. Belonging to the Kurmi caste, as mentioned earlier, which despite being part of the other backward castes (OBC) mosaic is not populous enough to hold a leader on its own strength, Nitish Kumar in the past 15 years has worked out creating newer vote verticals as Mahadalits.

In another infamous caste massacre, Senari (1999), the Maoists had used blunt weapons to kill 34 members of the land-owning Bhumihar

community. Those convicted in the brutal murder, including the 10 who were awarded death sentence, belonged to the Yadav and Dusadh communities. Even in the infamous Bhagalpur riots (1989), while the main perpetrators were the rioters from Yadav community, they had tacit support of the Dusadh community. To put the other way round, none from the community rose to defend the victims from the minority community. Given the social structuring and their impact on the voting patterns, Nitish Kumar right during his first term as the Chief Minister created the electoral vertical, as mentioned earlier, of the Mahadalits.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

(The Writer is a Senior Journalist and President, Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice, New Delhi)

Opinion

LEADERLESS, RUDDERLESS DELHI UNIVERSITY By Sidharth Mishra

he much delayed admissions to various colleges and courses of Delhi University have begun. Soon, there is going to be a big rush for admission seekers and for some days headlines would be talking about the high cut-off marks. Soon the admissions would get over and Delhi University would be conveniently forgotten especially as far as any good news is concerned.

as Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia claims that the crisis has been Tyagi’s making. A vice chancellor of Delhi University functions in council that is through a team of senior academicians designated as Deans, Directors and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. For administrative matters s/he is assisted by Registrar and Finance Officer. Delhi University all through Tyagi’s tenure has not seen a fully-functional team and the people who have even been appointed to these crucial positions, they are holding charge in addition to the work of their existing office.

Thereafter, it would be about candidates splurging during the students’ union elections and the teachers being perennially in agitation mode over one issue or other. Though the desire and will of the teachers’ association is also under doubt as they in past years are not known to have fought a do or die battle over any issue. Their agitations is largely in blackmail mode and gets withdrawn as soon as they are placated The issue of nonpayment of salary with individual favors; or how else would have the should have been non-payment of salary to the teachers and staff of taken by the the 12 Delhi University colleges dragged on for so Vice Chancellor long without any solution in sight. Finally the starving with the Delhi Government but teachers went to court, which has given them relief.

Can a university be governed in this ad hoc manner without facing academic setbacks? Delhi University in the past few years has been living just on its traditions and the past laurels. Several colleges are functioning under officiating principals, in most of the colleges the teaching-learning work is being done by ad hoc faculty members and since their appoint is ad hoc many a times he has shown proper scrutiny of their credentials are given a go by. least concern During Vice-Chancellor Tyagi’s tenure, for the first time While the teachers and employees have face the brunt despite the fact we heard of students agitating lack of teaching-learning of the unjustifiable action of the Delhi Government, the that all these infrastructures. Courses in Delhi University are being fact also remains that the situation has arisen because 12 colleges are run on out dated syllabi. The honors course in journalism Delhi University in past five years has remained constituent is a case in point. While most of the journalism schools completely leaderless and rudderless. The present Vice colleges of Delhi University in Delhi affiliated to Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha Chancellor Professor Yogesh K Tyagi has been more University (GGSIPU) have embraced newer and larger conspicuous by his absence from public than delivery topics of mass communication and digital media, DU is stuck on of any good on the campus. age-old syllabus. The issue of non-payment of salary should have been taken by the An education institution is not known only by its heritage buildings Vice Chancellor with the Delhi Government but he has shown least and age old laurels. To remain relevant, they need to make consistent concern despite the fact that all these 12 colleges are constituent progress and update regularly. With Professor Tyagi having ensured colleges of Delhi University and governed as per the university five years of adhocism, there is no doubt about Delhi University acts and ordinances. Any Vice Chancellor in his place would have staring at a very gloomy future. defended his teachers and taken up the matter with the Central government but Tyagi has not even paid heed to the matter even (Courtesy: Capital Khabar)

November 2020

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Opinion

‘PANDEMIC’ MAY TURN BOON, IF PARENTS ACT POSITIVELY FOR CHILDREN If the academic institutions, particularly the schools, are opened and attendance gets stabilized properly, the government must take on a focused 100-day program when at least in primary schools, we put aside grade-wise curriculum and focus entirely on re-building foundational skills. By Rukmini Banerji

ctober 15, 2020 was stipulated as the date after which gradual reopening of schools could be considered in a graded manner. A detailed set of recommendations and points to consider in the reopening decision has been provided, which places safety and security of children and teachers as the highest priority. Unlike our usual academic documents, concern with children’s social and emotional well-being features prominently. The entire country – not only children, teachers or parents, but all the family members and communities, everyone wants their kids – ‘every child’ in school with immediate effect. Everyone wants this to happen safely. Once children start going to school regularly, it will herald a return of “normalcy” in a way that no other event can. But designing the process of school-reopening well could provide new opportunities that can be tested in the next few months to see if they have the potential to become enduring features of our school system.

First, school systems are often centralized and hierarchical. Many key decisions related to the functioning of the school are taken at a level that is far from ground realities. Yet, in today’s context, local conditions and community perceptions are going to play a decisive role in when and how schools can open. The current situation

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Opinion Third, once teachers agree and parents consent, children can begin to return to school by rotation. Activities can be planned in a way that teachers can reconnect meaningfully, one by one, with children. If children come in rotation, whether by grade or within the same class, there will be fewer children at any one time in school. This means that teachers can give more individual attention to each child. Finding out how the child has been, how the child’s family has coped in this crisis, is as important as finding out whether the child has had any “learning loss”. Available data from years of the ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) indicate that at least in rural areas, for many children, basic skills of reading and arithmetic are worryingly low. The ASER figures, which are widely quoted, state that even after five years of schooling, of the children in Standard V, almost 50 per cent could not read a simple short story (at Class II level of difficulty) or do a simple two-digit numerical subtraction problem with borrowing (a skill expected from Class II level children). After six months or more of school closure, children who were just learning to read or getting the hang of arithmetic operations may have forgotten how to do so. Teachers need to quickly understand the child’s level and suggest activities. If activities are simple and explained clearly, parents can do similar activities with children at home. Starting as early as Standard I, curriculum expectations move at a fast pace. Teachers are expected to teach from textbooks prescribed for the class.

As we think about a gradual phased plan to bring children back, it is possible to visualize a “warming up” period, to enable children and families to get “ready” for school

provides a valuable opportunity for local inputs to be absorbed. If done well, the process of school reopening can bring the community closer together. Local support can go a long way, well beyond the crisis, in bringing in new resources and investment into schools. Second, in a normal year, schools open all at once. On a given day, gates are unlocked, doors open and children and teachers arrive all at once. But this year is different. In many states, villages and cities, teachers have been going to school already. As we think about a gradual phased plan to bring children back, it is possible to visualize a “warming up” period, to enable children and families to get “ready” for school. Teachers can set up individual meetings with parents in rotation, to find out how the family has been coping and to suggest “school readiness” activities that can be done at home. Parents, especially those who do not have much education, have often not been involved in their child’s school life. During this period of school closure, parents have had to take the responsibility of children’s learning through whatever was possible at home. Their efforts and initiatives need to be recognised and celebrated by schools and teachers. Gradual school re-opening can be a good time for parents and teachers to interact and form a closer relationship.

And so, if a child is not at the level of the class textbook, instruction, however good, goes over her head and the child gets left behind. Nobel prize winning professors, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, call this phenomenon “teaching to the top of the class”. The ASER data clearly shows that in Standard V, only 20-30 per cent children gain from teaching at the class level. Clearly, something needs to be done to help all other children “catch up”. This “catch up” was needed even before COVID. But now may be the best time to get this done. Reading and basic arithmetic are key building blocks for the foundation of any child’s educational journey. Pratham’s ASER reports for the last 15 years have pointed to the need across India to build these foundational skills. The National Education Policy 2020 also underlines the importance of foundational skills that must be built in primary school. For over two decades, Pratham has evolved an approach called “Teaching-at-the-Right-Level”. In this model, children who have reached Standard III or higher but have not learned to read or do arithmetic operations are helped to acquire these skills in a short period of time without using too many extra resources. The approach has been tried and tested by communities and governments and found to be effective. Once schools are properly open and attendance has stabilized, the government must take on a focused 100-day program when at least in primary schools, we put aside grade-wise curriculum and focus entirely on re-building foundational skills. The goal must be to ensure that all children, in Standard III and higher, are able to read fluently and do basic arithmetic with confidence. Positive energy is unleashed by children’s progress; it is vital in rebuilding. Learning to read is very visible. Children enjoy their own progress. Children’s progress gives teachers and parents the confidence of being able to together take the next steps in the educational journey of the child. Instead of being a crisis, COVID can turn out to be a boon, if we do the right things for children and with families, as we reopen schools.

November 2020

(This report was first published in the print edition of the Indian Exp under different title. The writer is the CEO, Pratham Education Foundation.)

OBSERVER DAWN

In-Depth

The pandemic has muted the U.N. meeting, with world leaders speaking not from the podium in New York but via video from home.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN ‘DEADLY CORONAVIRUS’

ections of world leaders, in the year of cataclysm, during the annual United Nations meeting on September 25, 2020 took a long view warning: If COVID-19 doesn't kill us, climate change will do it. As Siberia witnessed its warmest temperature on record this year and enormous chunks of ice caps in Greenland and Canada sliding into the sea, countries are acutely aware there's no vaccine for global warming. “We are already seeing a version of environmental Armageddon,” Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said, citing wildfires in the western U.S. He added that the Greenland ice chunk was larger than a number of island nations. This was meant to be the year “we took back our planet,” he said. Instead, the coronavirus has diverted resources and attention from what could have been the marquee issue at this U.N. gathering. Meanwhile, the U.N. global climate summit has been postponed to late 2021. That hasn’t stopped countries, from slowly sinking island nations to parched African ones, from speaking out.

“In another 75 years, many ... members may no longer hold seats at the United Nations if the world continues on its present course,” the Alliance of Small Island States and the Least Developed Countries Group said. The main goal of the 2015 Paris climate accord is to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, but scientists say the world is on track to soar past that.

A new study found that if the world warms another 0.9 degrees Celsius, the West Antarctic ice sheet will reach a point of irreversible melting. It has enough water to raise global sea levels by 5 meters. The Pacific island nation of Palau hasn’t had a single COVID-19 infection, but President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. warns it’s the rising seas that will bring the country down. “The momentary drop in (carbon) emissions this year cannot be allowed to generate any complacency about global progress,” he said, referring to the sparkling skies that followed lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus around the world. Pollution has crept back up as restrictions ease. World powers cannot shirk their financial commitments to fighting climate change during the pandemic, Remengesau said, even as economies are battered. But few pledges have emerged at the

U.N. gathering, aside from China's announcement that it aims to have carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The pandemic has muted the U.N. meeting, with world leaders speaking not from the podium in New York but via video from home. Amid concerns that the world is distracted, it was perhaps no surprise that the student-led movement for Future returned to the streets this week for the first major demonstrations for climate action in months. The prime minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, delivered his U.N. speech with a vista of turquoise waters and swaying fronds behind him that instantly fired the imaginations of house-bound viewers. But the prime minister quickly shattered any dreams. While Tuvalu is free of the coronavirus, the pandemic struck as the island nation was recovering from a pair of tropical cyclones — storms that scientists say are likely to become wetter as the planet warms. Tuvalu's highest point is just a few meters (yards) above sea level. The pandemic's effect on the movement of goods exposed food insecurity as local agriculture becomes more difficult with rising sea levels, Natano said. From the Marshall Islands, also free of COVID-19, President David Kabua used the virus’s example to plead for more help now. “Change relies on protecting the most vulnerable, because those on the frontline – whether healthcare workers battling the pandemic or small island nations sounding the alarm on climate change – are critical to the survival of us all,” he said. Urgent pleas also came from Africa, which contributes least to global warming but stands to suffer from it the most. “In favoring solutions based on the respect for nature, we're also preserving the health of our peoples,” said President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

In-Depth

FREE TRADE AGREEMENT LIKELY BETWEEN EU AND UK

he European Union and Britain said that wide gaps remained in their fraught talks on a rudimentary trade agreement following the Brexit divorce and called for intensified negotiations before the deadline set in the first week of November. The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had a video conference recently on the first week of October to chart the way forward, but the EU's top official relied more on hope and perseverance than rational analysis. Where there is a will, there is a way, she said in an assessment of the state of play two weeks before an EU summit to specifically address the post-Brexit trade issue. Von der Leyen said, “We should not forget that we have made progress on many, many different fields. But, of course, the most difficult ones are still completely open”. The EU negotiator Michel Barnier backed her up, saying that even if there was positive news on minor issues after another week of talks, there remained persistent serious divergences on matters of major importance for the European Union. These include state aid rules, fishing rights and regulations on business to ensure British firms can't gain an unfair advantage in the vast EU market by undermining the bloc's social, labor and environmental rules. His British counterpart, David Frost, concurred.

Still, the EU and the U.K. recognized talks had to continue if only because too much was at stake economically for both sides if there would be no deal at the end of the year.

On the highly symbolic issue of fisheries and the sharing of catch quotas and fishing grounds, Frost said that the gap between us is unfortunately very large and, without further realism and flexibility from the EU, risks being impossible to bridge. Further, highlighting the divisions, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Britain’s plans announced this month to breach the legally-binding withdrawal agreement it signed with the EU to regulate trade on the island of Ireland and make sure peace is preserved there was a big blow. “We have suffered a certain setback with the breaching of the agreement we reached on Northern Ireland. I have to say simply, that’s bitter. Barnier insisted it had made negotiations on the trade deal even more difficult. An efficient governance of any trade deal is already a major sticking point. This

is naturally even more important following the U.K. government’s introduction of the Internal Market Bill, which breaches its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement”, he said.

The EU opened legal proceedings against Britain and EU Council President Charles Michel said after an EU summit that the 27 leaders were united that the Withdrawal Agreement must be implemented in full. No question about that. Still, the EU and the U.K. recognized talks had to continue if only because too much was at stake economically for both sides if there would be no deal at the end of the year. “We want a deal, because we think it is better to have a deal as neighbors — also, on top of these COVID times with devastating impact on the economies, but not at any price," von der Leyen said of the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement came as their negotiators were winding up another weeklong session of detailed negotiations on issues from fisheries rights to state aid rules that should come in force once a Brexit transition period ends Dec. 31. Little progress has been made on such a deal since the U.K. left the bloc at the end of January. Johnson has said he is prepared to walk away from the negotiations if there is no agreement by the time of the next EU summit on Oct. 15. Johnson urged the EU to show some flexibility and grant the U.K. the kind of trade deal it already has agreed with Canada. “I hope that we get a deal. It’s up to our friends," he told the BBC. "We’re so near.

November 2020

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In-Depth

WIDESPREAD JOBLESSNESS ENDANGERS SURVIVING-KITS IN US

In a worrisome trend, a rising proportion of job losses appear to be permanently gone

Magdalena Valiente was expecting this spring as her best year as a Florida-based concert promoter. But, now she wonders if the career she built over three decades is over. Back in March, Valiente had been planning five tours for Latin Grammy winners Fonseca and Andrés Cepeda and more than 20 for Miami Latin pop band Bacilos. Earning well into six figures during good years, Valiente was hoping to help her youngest son, a high school junior, pay his way through college.

s per the report, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 7.9% in September, but hiring is slowing and many Americans have given up looking for work. With live events canceled, things have turned bleak. She is relying on unemployment benefits and Medicaid and has applied for food stamps. She has lost hope that the crisis will end soon.

The government reported that employers added 661,000 jobs in September, normally a healthy gain. Yet it marked the third straight monthly slowdown in hiring. The nation has regained barely half the 22 million jobs that were lost to the pandemic and the widespread business shutdowns it caused in March and April.

People who have been jobless for six months or longer — one definition of long-term unemployment — typically suffer an erosion of skills and professional networks that makes it harder to find a new job

A single mother in Fort Lauderdale, Valiente, said, “I worked up from the very bottom when I started in this business in my twenties”, said. “There weren’t many other women, and it was hard. It’s not easy to let it go”. Myriads of Americans in the industries hit hardest by the viral pandemic face a similar plight. Their unemployment has stretched from weeks into months, and it's become painfully unclear when, if ever, their jobs will come back. In the entertainment field where Valiente worked and in other sectors that absorbed heavy job losses — from restaurants and hotels to energy, higher education and advertising — employment remains far below pre-pandemic levels. These trends have raised the specter of a period of widespread long-term unemployment that could turn the viral recession into a more painful, extended downturn. People who have been jobless for six months or longer — one definition of long-term unemployment — typically suffer an erosion of skills and professional networks that makes it harder to find a new

job. Many will need training or education to find work with a new company or in a new occupation, which can delay their re-entry into the job market.

In a worrisome trend, a rising proportion of job losses appear to be permanently gone. When the virus erupted in March and paralyzed the economy, nearly 90% of layoffs were considered temporary, and a quick rebound seemed possible. No longer. In September, the number of Americans classified as permanently laid off rose 12% to 3.8 million. And the number of long-term unemployed rose by 781,000 — the largest increase on record — to 2.4 million. “We have a real chance of there being massive long-term unemployment,” said Till Von Wachter, an economics professor at UCLA. The nation now has 7% fewer jobs than in February. Yet the damage is far deeper in some sectors.

The performing arts and spectator sports category, which includes Valiente's industry, has lost 47% of its jobs. It hasn't added any net jobs since the coronavirus struck. Hotels are down 35%, restaurants and bars 19%, transportation 18%. Advertising, one of the first expenses that companies cut in a downturn, is down 9%. Higher education has lost 9% of its jobs. Many classes have been delayed or moved online, reducing the need for janitors, cafeteria workers and other administrators. Normally during recessions, the education sector adds jobs to accommodate people returning to school to seek marketable skills or education. Not this time. Ashley Broshious took years to develop skills that now seem much less in demand. A manager and sommelier at a Charleston restaurant, Broshious is one of just six

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

In-Depth certified advanced sommeliers in South Carolina. Still, she was laid off in March. And when the restaurant owner reopened one of his two establishments, she wasn't rehired. Now, Broshious receives about $326 a week in unemployment benefits. That's not nearly enough to pay the $2,400 monthly rent on her home, as well as student loans, car insurance and credit card debt from a trip to Hawaii she took while still working. Broshious said, “it's hard to start over”. Some economists note hopefully that this recovery has progressed faster than many analysts expected and may keep doing so. Matthew Notowidigdo, an economist at the University of Chicago's Booth School, and three colleagues predicted in a research paper that the rapid recall of temporary workers will lower unemployment to 4.6% a year from now. That would suggest a much faster recovery than the previous recession. Three-quarters of the temporarily laid off aren't bothering to look for work, Notowidigdo said, based on an analysis of government data, apparently because they're confident of being recalled. And while the number of job openings has declined by about 17% compared with a year earlier, according to Glassdoor, it remains far higher than during the Great Recession.

Some economists, like Sophia Koropeckyj of Moody's Analytics, see rising cause for concern. Koropeckyj estimates that 5 million people will struggle to find work even after the virus has been controlled. Jobs likely won't return to pre-pandemic levels until late in 2023, she said in a research note. Even among some people who have managed to land new jobs, the pandemic recession has upended their financial lives.

Angela Grimley worked her way up through several Marriott Hotels in Philadelphia to become an event manager, only to have the recession kick her back down the ladder. After months of unemployment, Grimley, 38, found a partSome economists, like Sophia time job answering customers’ calls and emails for Koropeckyj the Pennsylvania General Store, which sells food and of Moody's souvenirs found only in Pennsylvania. She loves the Analytics, see work. rising cause for concern. Koropeckyj estimates that 5 million people will struggle to find work even after the virus has been controlled

In July, the most recent month for which government data is available, there were 2.5 unemployed workers, on average, for each job opening. That's much better than the six unemployed per job opening during the depths of the Great Recession. “There are still a lot of people finding jobs fairly rapidly”, Notowidigdo said. Still, more than one-third of workers who have been laid off or furloughed now regard their job loss as permanent, according to a survey by Morning Consult. That's up from just 15% in April.

And she feels fortunate that her boyfriend, whom she lives with, is still working. But before the pandemic Grimley had received a new job offer as a conference and event manager at a marketing company involved in healthy parenting products.

The job would have paid much more that she could pursue as a part-time. But the offer vanished in the pandemic. The damage to her finances “keeps me up at night,” Grimley said. Having had to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, she's discovered that some of her doctors won't accept her new insurance. For Valiente, no concerts are scheduled until August 2021. Yet she's no longer confident that the public will be ready even then for packed concerts of thousands of people. At 52, she said, it’s hard to contemplate a career change. “By the end of the year, if things look worse, I’ll have to come up with a plan B, but I don’t know what that will be in the music business”.

November 2020

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In-Depth

SWITZERLAND VOTERS REJECT NATIONALISTS’ PROPOSAL TO LIMIT EU CITIZENS’ JOB

he Swiss citizens strongly rejected a nationalist party's proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens being allowed to live and work in their country. The Swiss public broadcaster, SRF reported that the measure was rejected by 61.7% of voters, with 38.3% in favor. All but four of the country's 26 cantons, or states, likewise opposed the plan —- proposed by the Swiss People's Party — to give preferential access to jobs, social protection and benefits to people from Switzerland over those from the 27-nation bloc that surrounds it. The government had warned that the measure could further strain the rich Alpine’s country’s deep and lucrative ties to the EU. It could also have triggered reciprocal disadvantages for millions of Swiss citizens if they want to live or work in the EU. Welcoming the result of the voting, Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said, “Especially at this time, during the difficult economic situation caused by the corona crisis, good relations with our neighbors and with the EU are important”. Switzerland would continue to pursue a “bilateral path” with the EU, eschewing membership of the bloc while seeking close economic ties with it, she added. In a nod to the misgivings many Swiss have about the country's big neighbor, Keller-Sutter acknowledged that “freedom of movement doesn’t just have benefits”. The Federal Council only wants as much immigration as necessary, she said. That continues to be our goal. Roughly 1.4 million EU citizens live in the country of about 8.6 million, while around 500,000 Swiss live in EU countries. Some are dual citizens and wouldn't have been affected by any restrictions. In a similar referendum in 2014, the Swiss narrowly voted in favor of limiting EU citizens' freedom to live and work in Switzerland. Lawmakers, however, refused to fully implement that referendum fearing a hefty impact on Swiss society and businesses, prompting the People’s Party to get the issue back on the ballot again this year.

The Federal Council only wants as much immigration as necessary, she said. That continues to be our goal. Roughly 1.4 million EU citizens live in the country of about 8.6 million, while around 500,000 Swiss live in EU countries

Since the last vote, Switzerland has witnessed the turmoil that Britain's 2016 referendum to leave the European Union has caused, especially for EU citizens in the U.K. and Britons living on the continent. Britain left the EU in January, but is in a transition period until the end of the year with prospects for a deal on future relations between London and Brussels still uncertain. Voter Yann Grote in Geneva said he didn't approve of further limiting freedom of movement. "I am not at all in favor, and even more now, because it’s not a time to isolate Switzerland,” he said. Fellow voter Elisabeth Lopes agreed. “I am a daughter of immigrants, so it is a matter that touches me. If Switzerland had to withdraw or reduce these agreements

(with the EU), I think we would be the real losers. In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result of the referendum, calling it a positive signal to continue to consolidate and deepen our relationship”, she said. Further, she urged Switzerland to approve a series of agreements negotiated between the country and the EU in 2018, but not yet ratified. The freedom-of-movement measure was being considered alongside nationwide votes on several other issues. SRF reported that a majority of voters backed plans for paid paternity leave and for the purchase of up to 6 billion francs (about $6.5 billion) worth of new fighter planes by 2030. Voters rejected measures on the right to hunt wolves to keep their population down and on increasing tax breaks for child care. Turnout was higher than in most recent referendums, almost 60% of voters going to the polls or casting their ballots by mail.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

In-Depth

FIRST COVID PATIENT OF ITALY JOINS RELAY RACE

and Vo', the first two communities hit, are united today in hope”, said Patrizia Baffi, a Lombardy region councilor who was on hand for the start of race. Maestri spent nearly three weeks in intensive care and weeks more hospitalized during which his own father died of the virus. Soon after Maestri was released, his wife gave Mattia Maestri, birth to their first child, Giulia. Maestri has since a 38-yearrecovered fully and said he felt well enough to old Unilever participate in the race. manager, in

he Patient number 1 of Italy, whose case was confirmed as one of the world’s deadliest outbreaks, participated in a 180-kilometer relay race as a sign of hope after he recovered from weeks in intensive care. Mattia Maestri, a 38-year-old Unilever manager, in the two-day race between Italy’s first two virus hot spots. It began in Codogno, south of Milan, where Maestri tested positive on February 21, 2020. The race that started on September 26, 2020, ended on September 27, 2020 in Vo’Euganeo, where Italy’s first official COVID-19 death was recorded the same day. Wearing a dark face mask, Maestri said the race was a “beautiful initiative” uniting the two virus-ravaged towns and the hard-hit swath of territory between them. He said he was thrilled to even be alive to participate.

the two-day race between Italy’s first two virus hot spots. It began in Codogno, south of Milan, where Maestri tested positive on February 21, 2020

At first Maestri had gone to the hospital in his hometown of Codogno with flu-like symptoms, but was sent home. He returned the next day after deteriorating and the doctor on duty, Dr. Annalisa Malara, decided to test him for the new coronavirus even though doing so went beyond the protocol for testing set by the Health Ministry at the time: Maestri hadn't traveled to China or been in contact with a known positive case. His positive result was the first confirmed case of domestic transmission in Italy. Within days, Italy would become the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe, where it still has the second-highest number of COVID-19 deaths after Britain. The Italian government immediately quarantined Codogno and 10 nearby towns and imposed a lockdown in Vo’Euganeo, where on the same day as Maestri’s positive result authorities confirmed the first death of someone who tested positive post-mortem, Adriano Trevisan. “United first by the suffering and pain, Codogno

A marathoner and avid soccer player before he got sick, Maestri is taking the final leg of the relay and is scheduled to cross the finish line in Vo'. Maestri expressed concern about continued surge of infections in Europe — on Italy added another 1,869 infections and 17 deaths to its official COVID death toll, far fewer than in neighboring countries. He urged Italians to observe the three rules of social distancing, face masks and frequent hand washing to keep the virus under control.

He said, “I think if we observe those two to three simple rules they have given us, we will continue to see results in Italy," he said. “Let’s hope this is the right way to go”. Maestri still marveled about his recovery — he said the experience was “like a movie" — and how his case became the wake-up call for Europe, and now the world, of the virus’ ability to spread. “You live in a normal world, all is peaceful, then it all happened, and I didn’t even know at the time," he said of his infection. “I found out only a month later when I got out." He said one day he’ll tell his daughter how her father became known as Patient No. 1. He said that she would read about it and then she would get to know about his achievements. “I will tell her what happened”, he added.

November 2020

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Cover Story

INDIA UNSC

THE GLOBAL INFLUENCER WITH OR WITHOUT

By Aditya Venketesh

CAN CHANGING THE MEMBERSHIP OR PROCEDURES OF THE

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Cover Story

Despite the vehemence of big powers in blocking the largest democracy of the world, India, as a permanent security council member of UNO

and strategies, P-5 should think twice an changing the membership about acting alone. Making better use of or procedures of the United the Security Council in its current form— Nations Security Council indeed, of the UN system more broadly— improve its credibility? In is usually in interests of the entire world the controversy surrounding a possible and should remain the preferred policy inclusion of India as a permanent member option. Else very soon, UNO would be of the Security Council, the debate over the heading towards the process of irrelevance council's credibility shifted from the question if the proper representation of the largest of adequate representation to whether the democracy like India is not considered. group can constrain the power of P-5. Now, There were several initiatives that were the obstacles to Security Council credibility taken at certain interval of time, but it go beyond issues of the process—exclusive was never concluded as the permanent membership and shadow of P-5 has always been the right to veto—to include Despite the a blocker in large scale reforms the rising aspiration of many vehemence in the UNO. Big powers are developing countries led by of big powers always in favor of non-relevant India. The aspiration of many in blocking reforms in the other five main emerging powers including the largest organs of UNO, as, they India on the global landscape democracy want to keep the permanent is considered a direct threat of the world, membership club intact as to P-5, hence, accommodation India, as a touching the permanent base of these emerging powers permanent of five influential powers seems highly unlikely and the security could curtail the power and relevance of UNO is always council emerging power could reduce under the suspicion. member the leverage that they used of UNO to take. There are hardly a few occasions when UNO has Despite the vehemence of big powers seen constructive expansion and those few in blocking the largest democracy of the occasions does not tell the story of UNO's world, India, as a permanent security credibility. It only adds suspicions & casts council member of UNO: India's rise & doubt on the functioning of UNO. influence has been steady & well crafted. UNO has recognized India's influence Except for the 1965 expansion from 11 to and its democratic credential many times, 15 members, efforts at Security Council however, UNO has also been forefront in reform since the organization’s inception in criticizing India on the Kashmir policy and 1945 have repeatedly proved implausible; in the pretext denied a key position in the today, uncontested powers of P-5make six main organs of UNO. In the meanwhile, such efforts largely irrelevant. At the same India has been so consistent in its global time, in choosing among available tactics

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IMPROVE ITS CREDIBILITY?

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Cover Story outlook and continued its unstinted support to the various global causes and was the part of many peacekeeping mission of UNO and her role was lauded by UNO and its main member many times. India has been the non-permanent member of the UNO Security Council record eighth times, and recently, India has elected again as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term on 17th June 2020, with an overwhelming majority. It garnered 184 votes in the General Assembly that consists of 193 members. This reflects India's acceptability among members of UNO as rising power and capacity to unleash cooperation to its members in times of unprecedented need. The Coronavirus pandemic has proved that India is ready

to help the countries who have less health infrastructure and are dependent on others and it was well applauded by many major countries like the USA, Brazil, Mexico, and others for supplying hydroxychloroquine and PPE kits in time of huge global crisis. Despite India's global influence, economic climb, and strong democratic credential, why India has been denied permanent seat for Security Council, it is still a most debated issue worldwide, and its roots lie in UNO's inability to bring perennial reforms and take it to the conclusion. Although, the UNO brought reform pedestal many times, but these were mostly inconclusive. It is not only India, there are more countries in the queue to secure this prestigious membership to influence the world community, Brazil has been forefront in such a discourse

and made much effort to secure the permanent membership in the security council. However, like India, Brazil has met the same fate. To raise their voice for the permanent seat at UNSC, Brazil, India, Germany, and Japan had formed the G4 cohorts as a pressure group to the UNSC in 2005, however, they have not been able to exert so much influence. Recently, G4 proposed an expansion plan for UNSC by extending six permanent members and four non-permanent members in the big club. Though, the visible impact of this move is still awaited. India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has made a strong case for a permanent bid to UNSC on basis of its track record in the journey of UNSC and claimed that India can't be deprived of its right.

INDIA'S BID TO UNSC: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

espite being the lead in establishing UNO, the journey of India in the world order has been wishy-washy. India was among the 51 original members of the UN when the organization was formed in 1945. Delhi’s first major conflict with the UNSC occurred over Kashmir in 1948, following an invasion by tribal forces backed by the Pakistani military. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru referred the matter to the UNSC, hoping for a favorable result. Though, he was extremely disappointed, particularly by the western powers, which treated the matter more as a dispute between two states rather than the invasion of one’s territory by the other. Our leaders concluded from this experience that the Security Council was a strictly political body and that decisions were taken by its members based on their perspective of their national interest and not on the merits of any particular case. However, the case of Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in1990 simply contradicts the approach of UNO vis-à-vis India on the issue of Pakistan. India was first elected as a UNSC member in 1950 with a strong approach to establish peace through its civilization credential and shun hatred & violence in resolving the global dispute. And this reflects India's approach during the Korean conflict, where India focused on a peaceful resolution. India emphasized through its votes and statements the need for the UN to bring about a peaceful, that is, non-military, a resolution to the conflict. In the event, the UNSC voted for armed intervention. Instead of troops, Delhi contributed a field ambulance unit to the UN effort, a modest if elegant

gesture given its position on the conflict. Following the war, India played an active role in the repatriation of prisoners-of-war and refugees. In subsequent years, India consolidated its reputation as a champion of peaceful conflict resolution in the UN, variously contributing troops, senior officials, military observers, and humanitarian assistance to a diverse set of UN operations in West Asia, Africa, and Asia. This position of India was in complete contrast to

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India was first elected as a UNSC member in 1950 with a strong approach to establish peace through its civilization credential

UNO's official position and this created a sense among the powerful countries under the UN umbrella that India cannot be accommodated due to its adamant position on certain global issues and that consistently put the blockers into India’s possible bid to UNSC. In 1962, when the accession of GOA was in progress, the aggressive modus operandi adopted by India was severely criticized by western power

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backed by then USSR's veto, and this led to the weakening position of India in UNO. In 1965, during a conflict with Pakistan, UNO diplomatically under pressure from Russia, forced India to halt the conflict. In 1967, India returned to the UNSC member again. Owing to heightened tensions in West Asia, notably a military conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbours. In keeping with its staunchly pro-Arab policy and Third World identity at the time, India criticized Israeli aggression, stressing the need to protect the sovereignty and rights of the Arab countries and peoples involved in the conflict. India’s tenure also coincided with the advent of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), which it strongly opposed on grounds of fairness and the sovereign equality of states. All this unfolding of new events put blockers in the way of India’s ambition for permanent membership in UNO. India’s inclusion into UNSC as a non-permanent member was not a cakewalk. This stint of India has been a roller-coaster ride amid huge tension in West Asia. India’s pro-Arab policy in West Asia was major blockers so far as glitch in international diplomacy is concerned as Western power found this hobnobbing of India with Arabs untenable and such a move was seen in the complete diversion of its previous policy.P-5 was never in favour of such policy shift of India as Israel was their lovable baby. So, India's position on major global issues has been flipflop and this exposed India's weak foreign diplomacy vis-à-vis the actual situation in world politics. Afterward, several events brought India's foreign policy exposed and proved its approach towards global scenario immature & ham-fisted. In 1971, India's intervention into East Pakistan was not taken into good account, however, Prime minister Indira Gandhi was one of few fearless leaders who hardly cared for global opinion when it came to protecting her national interest. In 1974, she showed exemplary courage

in conducting a public nuclear test against reasons to deny India a permanent position vehement opposition from P-5 nations, at UNSC. Post-cold war had completely however, she was diplomatically very changed the global equations and brought clever and defied any sanction with the India's foreign policy vis-à-vis UNSC into help of Russian veto. Despite being elected complete shambles and domestically, India as a Security Council member, India has has seen so much upheaval in the economy continued with its pro-Arab policy while and its domestic politics. This was also the antagonizing Israel despite, Israel tacitly beginning of a new era in Indian politics as helped it in designing its nuclear ambition. the time of majoritarian government had India adopted a tough stance against ended and the era of coalition politics had Israel, notably on its actions connected started and this also led to the weakening of Indian position in global politics with the terrorist attack on due to its weak leadership at Israeli athletes at the Munich home. So, India’s reclaiming Olympics. In 1974, this was This stint of status could be seen in the a very conflicting signal to India has context of many new situations the world community and been a rollerthat arrived post-cold war and despite India’s 5th term as coaster ride changing the equations among a non-permanent member amid huge P-5. A major visible result of of the UNSC, It could not tension in this change was Iraq’s forcible wield enough influence for West Asia. expulsion from Kuwait in early permanent membership. India’s pro1991 by a widely subscribed Arab policy coalition operating under a Despite this impasse, India in West Asia strong UNSC mandate, it returned to the UNSC in 1977, was major was only possible owing to co-sponsoring a resolution on blockers the new equation among P-5. the withdrawal of Israeli forces While some of the wreckage from Lebanese territory; a resolution condemning South Africa's of the cold war (for example, conflicts in involvement in Angola's civil war; and central America and Indo-China) proved three resolutions strongly condemning the amenable to UN ministrations, new intraminority white regime in Southern Rhodesia state conflicts came to dominate the UNSC’s (Zimbabwe). Delhi joined in the unanimous agenda. During this period, India was recondemnation of apartheid in South Africa elected as a member of the UNSC again, but and in the imposition of an arms embargo India's domestic situation and middle-east on the South African government. Following conflict cast its shadow on its ambition for a period of five years marked by the US- permanent membership in UNSC. Iran hostage crisis, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the beginning of the Iran-Iraq During re-election in 2011-12, India won the war, further armed conflict between Israel non-permanent seat with the highest number and Lebanon, and the Falklands/Malvinas of votes in the General Assembly showing its war, India was elected to its fifth term on the impressive electoral popularity. It needs to UNSC in 1984. So it's not India's inability to be recalled that in 1996, India had lost the articulate its ambition alone for a permanent elections to Japan by a wide margin for a place in UNSC vis-à-vis several global non-permanent seat. So, the Seventh win for crises and the cold war between Russia India was very crucial and India performed and the USA that have divided the entire reasonably well, however, P-5 was never world into two blocks has been one of the satisfied due to political reasons.

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ARGUMENT FOR INDIA'S UNSC BID THROUGH, LENS OF INEVITABLE REFORMS if it is in the review process. So, India’s position on veto is more flexible under the Modi.

he UN Security Council reforms became a global agenda with the UN General Assembly adopting in 1992 the Resolution 47/62 entitled "The Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council." In 1993, the Assembly set up an open-ended Working Group that would facilitate a full and frank exchange of views. However, the reform council has not able to bring the required changes due to pressure from P-5 and India's initiative proved nowhere near to its ambition of getting enough representation for UNSC. The Indian attempts at reforming the Council date as back as 1979, when India's ambassador to the UN Brajesh Mishra along with other NAM countries submitted a draft resolution to the General Assembly calling for an increase in the non-permanent membership from 10 to 14, arguing an increase in the UN membership as the principal reason. In 1990, India has also pushed for UNSC reform, but it was also an inconclusive agenda and met no real objective. Just after attaining power at the center, Prime Minister Modi initiated well-crafted actions in the UN and set the ball rolling in. The 69th UN General Assembly decision of September 2014 was truly historic & pathbreaking in all parameters and it set the full 360-degree view of the Indian side and matter was recorded in the text.

On the question of regional representation, India has forcefully argued for equitable geographical representation and the urgent need for mitigating the non-representation and under-representation of some regions in both the permanent and the nonpermanent categories. Making the case, India has pointed to the increase in the number of states to 193 at present from 51 when the UN was founded, and the un-tenability of whole continents not being represented at all in the permanent category. The Council in its existence of more than 70 years also does not represent India's bid was hugely the geopolitical and economic emb o l d en ed b y va rio u s realities. India's military and Just after membership groups including economic clout have increased attaining 2 permanent members in the manifold despite, regional power at the UNSC. The agenda was to balances in representation center, Prime reforms based on an increase looks biased & prejudiced, Minister in the number of members hence, reform becomes one Modi of UNO and its fair & equal of the key agendas. In this initiated representation in the various regard, India has adopted well-crafted body of the UNO. a multi-layered strategy to actions in assume the highly coveted the UN and permanent seat in the Security The two largest groups set the ball Council. The Indian strategy of including Africa with 54 rolling in “revisionist integration” into members and L.69 with 42 the Security Council consists members and CARICOM, G4, of two components: Maximizing support in and another 233-Member state including the UN General Assembly and Minimizing 2 permanent members, France and UK resistance in the UN Security Council. have supported expansion in both India’s continued leadership of various categories. India claims that around 85% Global South forums such as G 77 and NAM, of total submissions that are part of the it hopes would garner the much-needed text and the annex have supported numbers in the UNGA. India’s proximity to expansion in both categories. P-5 reflects India’s multipronged strategy in securing permanent membership at UNSC, On the most important question of veto, but China is the real blocker. China has Indian position is fully aligned with the G4, consistently been blocking India's inclusion L69, and Africa who have called for the in the various body of UNO. NSG is one of abolition of veto and till it exists, it needs the highly significant institutions for India, to be provided for all members of the where its entry will remove the pariah permanent category of the Security Council status in some of the key groups of UNO which should have all prerogatives and and help to increase its self-sufficiency in privileges of permanent membership in the civil nuclear technology and help India to permanent category including the right of have energy security through clean energy the veto. However, India has shown further source. China twice blocked India’s entry flexibility on new permanent members of into NSG despite overwhelming support the UNSC that new members will show from its group member. maturity & restraint in exercising the veto

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MODI, AN EMERGING POWER WIELDER IN FOREIGN DIPLOMACY

he rise of Modi in 2014 was not of inclusiveness & aggressiveness that a surprise, he took years to build Modi has adopted in foreign affairs is himself & the party's image. The more inclusive than the one on display year 2014 was the culmination of in domestic politics. Third, India's his smart and scaled effort, he brought his foreign economic policy has adopted a party to the Centre Stage of Indian politics distinctly nationalist tone, i.e. India first with a thumping win and helped the BJP approach. Fourth, Modi has signaled to form its first-ever majority aâ&#x20AC;&#x153;neighborhood first" focus in government and break the era foreign policy. Finally, despite of coalition politics in India. The attempts at imparting his To understand reverberation of his victory personal stamp, India's foreign India's rising was felt across the world with policy towards major partners, influence congratulation pouring from and in most issues, he wields at the global the most powerful nation strong influence, power, and landscape, including organizations like equitability and wants to put one needs to UNSC. the national interest ahead of understand all issues. Modi's The impact of his persona doctrine has reflected in the inclusive In early days, before his in shaping foreign policy with a new victory it was assumed by foreign outlook. Prime Minister Modi many that it's not the kind diplomacy has undeniably put a personal of foreign policy, that he stamp on foreign policy, as is going to pursue, that is a result, substantive changes have been mired in the hangover of colonial visible. The first significant change lies in tinge, rather, a policy that will enhance the centralization of foreign policy decision- I n d i a ' s p o w e r - s h a r i n g c a p a b i l i t y making in the Prime Minister's Office that is based on its democratic credential and largely because he could personally track increasing economic clout. foreign affairs. Soon after his election, there was clear Second, while his style of diplomacy evidence of an emerging Modi Doctrineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; played an important role, the version one focused on building India's regional

as well as global power status through a greater focus on economic diplomacy and more muscular foreign policy. IndiaUS relation was the testimony to the Modi doctrine where he put his all energy with his newly found approach, even though, he was initially denied a US visa twice before becoming the Prime Minister of India. Recently India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership sailed through with huge victory and got its eighth term in UNSC as a Non-permanent member and this clearly reflects India's strong positioning at UNSC under the strong leadership of Modi. To understand India's rising influence at the global landscape, one needs to understand Modi's doctrine in shaping foreign diplomacy and how he has been wielding uncheckered influence on many blocks of global politics and giving the impression that India could not be deprived of playing a larger role in UNO and other big forum.

Prime Minister Modi has undeniably put a personal stamp on foreign policy, as a result, substantive changes have been visible

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MIDDLE-EAST FOREIGN POLICY

ost of the laureates on foreign policy change argue that it is difficult to identify and weigh the causal influence of singular personalities. It is equally challenging to distinguish rhetorical innovation from substantial and long-term changes in Modi's Middle East policy. Finally, the contours of the Modi government's managed to balance the conflicting powers. These changes have generally emphasized Modi's public overtures toward Israel, including the unprecedented 2017 visit to Tel Aviv, as public signs of a break with India's traditional pro-Arab and pro-Palestine approach that put blockers in the way of India's ambitions of becoming a permanent member of UNSC. It is being said that Modi's cognitive and ideological predispositions have indeed encouraged him to make public overtures to Israel and to suggest the elevation of a transactional relationship to a more mature political relationship during his first year in the office. However, Modi also acted as a more rational policy entrepreneur, taking advantage of regional developments in 2015 such as the deterioration of links between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the Iran nuclear deal to push for increased cooperation with regional actors other than Israel

MODI’S “ACT EAST POLICY”

odi’s Act East policy, however, is not only designed to improve trade relations with the states of East and Southeast Asia but also to address India’s concerns about China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that much of India’s efforts have been focused on bolstering ties with Japan and Vietnam, the two states that are probably most concerned about the growing Chinese assertiveness that may threaten their sovereignty & freedom. Even before assuming his present office, Modi had evinced a keen interest in those countries. At the time, his principal concern had been to attract investment to the state of Gujarat from Japan. Once in his present position, he found a kindred spirit in the current Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Both of these individuals are staunch nationalists, they are keen on developing their respective country's military capabilities, and they share common misgivings about the role of the PRC in Asia. Consequently, individual, national, and regional interests neatly converge in this

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Cover Story In the meantime, many others have interpreted Modi's successive visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar as indicators of a novel outreach to all relevant actors in the region. But have these overtures and visits clearly signaled a substantial foreign policy change? policy toward the Middle East is still in flux but started to show the symptoms of change as Modi comfortably sitting in the driver's seat, India. India's bilateral relation with Saudi Arab has improved dramatically. There is a substantive shift happening in India's approach to the Middle East policy and his visit at the far end of 2019, further reinforced those trends. Since coming to office in 2014, Modi has pushed an aggressive strategy of partnering with key regional powers like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel in a bid to attract investments and forge deeper security partnerships. In doing so, he has largely ignored Iran and broken with India's Cold War-era legacy in the region of merely "balancing" between key players. It is not that flip-flop in his diplomacy was not there, there are few blocks led by Turkey which kept annoying voices against India floating. Though India's influence in the Middle-East has dramatically increased and the role the USA was also incredibly significant, the US helped India to mend fences with Saudi Arabia and UAE. And This has also helped Israel to sign a historic pact with UAE. Undoubtedly, Modi's smart move in the middle-east helped to bargain its position as a power wielder in other powerful bodies around the world including UNSC.

Indian cabinet cleared the way for the sale to Vietnam of a first supersonic missile, the Brahmos, a missile developed in a joint venture with Russia. Indo -Vietnamese ties were further strengthened in recent years as Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) sought to develop gas fields off the coast of Vietnam. These attempts at joint exploration ran aground of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansive maritime claims. Initially, India, wary of offending China, had chosen to withdraw from its investments. However, under Modiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regime, India has returned to the contested areas despite Chinese objections and this shows the strong resolve of Modi to maintain a very cordial relation with most Asian countries who are strongly opposed to China's dictate in the South China sea and also its aggressive behavior with The ties with neighboring countries.

burgeoning bilateral relationship. India, of course, had long enjoyed cordial ties with Vietnam harking back to the Cold War era. Both Nehru and Ho Chi Minh were anti-colonial nationalists, and so they had shared a common bond. Subsequently, with India's unyielding opposition to the US war in Vietnam, Indo-Vietnamese

ties had prospered. These links, in turn, were bolstered by their common strategic nexus with the Soviet Union.

Vietnam under Modi may now go beyond their historical and economic dimensions and include a strategic component

The ties with Vietnam under Modi may now go beyond their historical and economic dimensions and include a strategic component. In June 2016, the

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The recent spat with China at LAC where China suffered a big blow in the hands of the Indian Military has significantly changed the dynamics of Asian power politics where China dominated the entire stage, however after, Pandemic, China's volte-face with its neighboring countries and highly violent stand-off with India at Galwan led to the conclusion that Modi's act east policy is very much in play in containing China and has been able to enhance the outlook of India at the global stage.

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INDIA-EU RELATION UNDER MODI

INDIA & US CAMARADERIE

rime Minister Modi's strategy is to make India the economic focal point, while India maintains its geo-political relevance in the South Asian and Indo Pacific region by standing along the want to be power. He is a tough bargainer and never compromises on the national interest. There were some initial hiccups when the Trump administration terminated India's preferential trade status, part of a program dating back to the 1970s that allows products from developing countries to enter the U.S. market dutyfree. Trump says India has not provided “equitable and reasonable access” to its own market. Weeks later, India slapped

on nuances like FTA and human right issues, strategic partnership between yes, these issues are stumbling block in EUIndia and the EU is governed by India relations. India's contribution towards the 1994 EU-India Cooperation climate change was duly acknowledged Agreement. The EU is India's by the EU who became the part of the largest trading partner, accounting for trade International solar alliance founded by in goods worth 80 billion Euros in 2019, on India in 2018 and considered this alliance par with the US and ahead of China. But as India's gift to the world community. despite so many engagements, India-EU Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, relation has been so elusive and complicated the strategic relationship was one of the key despite having the tag of two largest sharing focus. The defense cooperation between democracies in the world. FTA, Human the two countries has hit the headlines rights, and India's power politics have most often, mostly due to the controversy been the key issues of conflict. With the around Rafael negotiations. coming of Modi at the helm The new Modi government in 2014, Modi quickly grabbed has renegotiated the deal and this opportunity and tried The new Modi decided to purchase only 36 to resolve some of the key government aircraft in a government-toissues that were confronting has government deal. There are both democracies for a long renegotiated many other defense deals time. Problem-solving has the deal and are on the cards including been one of the trademarks decided to Rafale that provides the pivot of Modi's foreign policy, the purchase only between these two powerful other distinguishing feature 36 aircraft in a nations. France & India have has been the determination governmentalso pushed the climate change to put Indian diplomacy agenda and they have played firmly in the service of India's to-government an instrumental role in forming developmental goals. He deal the International Solar Alliance just focuses on the strategic (ISA). President Macron shares interest of India and the rulespecial relations with PM Modi and France based world order that reminds the key openly supported India's bid for permanent normative principles of the EU. The membership at UNSC including the UK. So, EU-India summit which happened in July India's relation with EU under the Modi's 2020 virtually due to pandemic has been leadership has managed to leap forward so encouraging and Prime Minister Modi and such positive nodes in India-EU relation underlined the fact that the EU has been helps India to wield influence at global fora one of the largest trading partners as well including UNSC, and India under Modi’s a huge investor of India barring some drift leadership stands a better chance to claim in the relationship. So, his focus was on its permanent membership at UNSC given positives that both democracies can deliver its vibrant relationship with EU. to each other rather than focusing too much

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tariffs on twenty-eight U.S. products in response to U.S. duties on steel and aluminum imposed in 2018. Despite such a hot & cold in the relationship, Modi gave a new vision to this relationship and his style of diplomacy was clearly accepted by the Trump administration. Defense and military cooperation under Modi has seen a new high especially due to China's belligerent approach in the South China Sea and the recent spat at LAC. Giving QUAD to a new direction and holding the nerve at a crucial juncture vis-à-vis China, India's emergence under Modi has brought a new vista and raised the global expectation. ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston where Modi showcased the power of Indian-Americans for the American political establishment, it was a new taste of politics for the Americans, completely different from its predecessors, it just surprised them. A superpower like the US understood the power of new India under Modi& valued it and was ready to collaborate under new circumstances and back India's bid to UNSC as a permanent member.

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CONCLUSION

ndia under the leadership of Modi in UNO. Modi has been convincingly managed the world looking for respective help equilibrium through his new approach from these countries for to foreign diplomacy and brought a new India's UNSC application. perspective in global power play through his UK has clearly supported unconventional style of engaging the world India's bid to UNSC many order, be it his approach to the Middle East times. France who is a where it maintained fine balance and dumped permanent member of the the hackneyed policy where India supported UNSC also an important the pro-Arab agenda, rather by visiting Israel ally of India extended as a first prime Minister ever, he surprised his full support to India. the many. However, he continued India's France reiterated the need position on Palestine. He also streamlined for urgent reform of the priorities in India -EU relations and helped United Nations, including Brussels to be more comfortable in trade i t s S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l , and other strategic issues. International Solar through an expansion Alliance was a gift to the world community in both categories of by India, where India pushed the climate membership, to make it change issue from a new perspective. more representative of EU's joining hands with India as a member the contemporary world. France reaffirms its support of the International Solar for India's candidature for Alliance in 2018 was a wow Modi has permanent membership of moment and a step forward in been looking the UN Security Council containing carbon emission by for respective without further delay. China promoting renewable energy help from also in principle attaches great through such a huge alliance. these importance to India's status Modi also conveyed a veiled countries for in international affairs as a message to the UNSC that India's UNSC large developing country and in case of persistent denial of application. understands and supports key global platforms to India, UK has clearly India's aspiration to play a India is ready to use its global supported greater role in the United diplomacy and resources to India's bid to Nations including in the create more such a relevant UNSC many Security Council, However, institutions sans UNO as India times such a verbatim by Xi Ping is capable of dealing with such is merely a ploy among the a situation arising out of its deliberate neglect by the world's top international community, and, it was never institution, and, it can make her way with translated into action instead China always put blockers in India's way of becoming a or without UNSC. permanent member of UNSC. The recent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has been standoff with China at LAC does not augur making a calm yet decisive push for a well for Modi but it is equally worse to permanent seat for India in the United Xi Ping. Modi put its high pitch agenda in Nations Security Council (UNSC) in front of securing a permanent seat at UNSC since the UNO. In his aggressive & frequent visit to his taking over New Delhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throne in 2014 abroad in his first tenure to friendly nations and such regional conflict may be a spoiler like UK & France who wields huge influence in the ambition of getting a permanent

UNSC berth. Yes, certainly, Wuhan spirit failed between two giants of Asia, but Modi made sure that China is the ultimate loser& globally pays for it& the message was tersely conveyed to the world communities. Despite China's blocker, all other members from P-5 support the idea of India at UNSC and willing to make changes in the UNO's functioning. India was again re-elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term on 15th June, winning 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly. It is India's eight-term in UNSC with such a thumping win under Modi's leadership. This reflects India's growing influence & ambition across the globe under the Modi administration. The global architecture of power is still driven a lot by what was created by people who were in power at different stages of time, but Prime Minister Modi's thought process in wielding power is driven by the strength of its own 1.3 billion people behind and he always exerts his this power speech wherever he goes. He knows very well that a permanent seat at UNSC is still far away, however, this does not deter him from displaying his ambitions and he knows well as how to balance it through his power game and well-crafted stratagem. The foundation of the International Solar Alliance was one of the most calculated strategic moves, on the one hand, he globally placed India's outlook as one of the big serious players in the game of climate change, on the other hand, he took the confidence of EU as India is committed to fighting for global warming. Modi simply silenced his critics through this unprecedented move on the global platform. (The writer is the former board member, adviser and mentor to tech-startup also a strategic thinker on geo-political issue)

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CHINESE PREZ XI JINPING, PM MODI TO COME FACE-TO-FACE NOVEMBER 2020

rime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Chinese President, Xi Jinping, are all set to come face to face, virtually, during the 12th summit of the BRICS meeting that has been scheduled to be held on November 17, 2020.

Summit will be the jewel-in-the-crown event of the Russian BRICS chairmanship, which will provide impetus for further strengthening cooperation together with our partners to ensure well-being of BRICS countries,” he said. Russia has focused on multifaceted cooperation between the BRICS countries in order to contribute to raising living standards and quality of life, the official statement This will be the first virtual multilateral meeting to be joined by the said. During 2020, the five countries in the grouping continued their two leaders since the border standoff in Ladakh became public in close strategic partnership on three major pillars, peace and security, May. India’s foreign ministers and defence ministers have participated economy and finance, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, it in other meetings that featuring their Chinese counterparts in recent added. Russia has also helped facilitate meetings between the Indian weeks. The BRICS Summit will focus on further strengthening and Chinese sides, such as the meetings of the foreign cooperation among the member states -- Brazil Russia, and defence ministers on the sidelines of SCO meetings India, China and South Africa -- amid the Covid-19 “Despite the in Moscow last month. crisis, according to a formal announcement from Russia, current global the current chair of the grouping. The theme for the situation due to meeting will be “BRICS partnership for global stability, The meeting between external affairs minister S the spread of shared security and innovative growth”. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the coronavirus Moscow led to a five-point road map for taking forward infection, the activities disengagement and de-escalation along the Line of In May, Russia postponed that the BRICS Summit, which under the Actual Control (LAC). Former ambassador Vishnu was to have been held in St Petersburg along with a Russian BRICS Prakash said the presence of the Indian and Chinese meeting of the heads of state council of the Shanghai chairmanship leaders at the virtual summit would be more about Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during July 21-23, due in 2020 are “keeping the show going and ticking the box”. The to the spread of the coronavirus disease. Russia was carried out in summit will be more of symbolism than substance. A keen on hosting the leaders of the five BRICS countries a consistent virtual BRICS summit will have the limited purpose of but several members expressed apprehensions about manner,” the leaders making statements and going through the the holding of an actual summit in view of the risk of motions. During summits held in person, the actual infections, people familiar with developments said on business happens on the margins. With a virtual summit, there will be condition of anonymity. no business on the sidelines. With so much of tension in India-China relations, the possibility that the BRICS summit will produce anything “Despite the current global situation due to the spread of the meaningful – I don’t see that happening. A meeting of the BRICS coronavirus infection, the activities under the Russian BRICS foreign ministers last month expressed concern at violence and chairmanship in 2020 are carried out in a consistent manner,” conflicts in different parts of the world and said such situations should said Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin be resolved peacefully through political dialogue. The joint statement and executive secretary of the organising committee, to prepare issued after the virtual meeting of the foreign ministers didn’t refer and support Russia’s SCO presidency in 2019-20 and BRICS to any particular conflict, and the grouping has a convention of not chairmanship in 2020. “Since January 2020, more than 60 events taking up bilateral issues between its members. have been organised, including via videoconferencing. The BRICS

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Defence

IAF STEPS UP TO STRENGTHEN AIRCRAFT, ORDERS 21 MIG-29 JETS

Noticeably, India and Russia have been in talks for the purchase of more MiG-29 jets since last year. The Mig-29 airframes have been lying with Moscow since the late 1980s but have never been flown. The sources said a study conducted on the airframes had found them in good condition. Sources said, quoting, “The airframes are in good quality. They will now fit all the equipment and other systems as part of the deal”. The decision to purchase the aircraft comes amid dwindling fighter aircraft strength in the IAF and budgetary constraints that make it difficult for the force to get new aircraft in the numbers it wants. While the sanctioned strength of the IAF is 42 squadrons of fighters, the current strength is 30. At his annual press conference, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria said even if all acquisition plans are he Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to place an order put in motion with strict timelines, he would be happy if the of 21 twin-engine MiG-29 jets to Russia by strength reaches 36-37 squadrons in the next decade. December 2020. He was also very candid about the challenge of With the budgetary constraints, saying their effect may not be felt new air-toimmediately but will be in the future. He added, “The Of the 1980s vintage, the jets are no longer in air refueling feature, an budgetary constraints will be there. It is not affecting us production but 21 airframes built then remain in upgraded MiGtoday. It will have an effect in due course if we don’t put Russia. The top sources, from the security and defense 29 can cover the contracts in place”. establishment of the IAF, said the jets purchased by larger distances India will be upgraded to the latest version before compared to the they arrive here. The purchase comes as the IAF faces India currently has three squadrons of the MiG-29 — a previous Aircraft something the depleting force strength due to its fleet of legacy aircraft twin-engine single-seat air superiority fighter aircraft. IAF is keen on, and budgetary constraints. According to the sources, One squadron comprises 18 aircraft and all of them are keeping in mind the IAF will first place orders for the MiG-29 and currently being upgraded in-house by the IAF. the possibility of then go in for another 12 Su-30 MKI, which are being a two-front war manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited The aircraft is undergoing structural as well as avionics scenario (HAL) under license from Russia. upgrade, besides being equipped with a new weapons package. With the new air-to-air refueling feature, an The IAF is also expected to soon place a long-pending order for upgraded MiG-29 can cover larger distances compared to the the indigenous 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A. “We previous Aircraft something the IAF is keen on, keeping in mind the have completed the discussions with Russia. We are getting the MiGpossibility of a two-front war scenario. The upgraded MiG-29s have 29s at a very good price. We will soon finalize it. Soon after this, all the latest features, including a glass cockpit with digital screens. another order for the 12 additional Su-30 MKI will be placed with The upgraded aircraft can also do air-to-ground, air-to-air and even HAL, sources said without revealing other relevant details about it. anti-shipping operations.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Defence

UNITED STATES ARMY CONDUCTS ITS UNIQUE EXERCISE FOR STRATEGIC WARFARE

he United States Army’s fresh strategic information warfare unit has conducted its first training exercise in October 2020. This warfare is mainly dedicated to mature the concepts of formation and tactics. Army Cyber Command had in 2019 officially created the 915th Cyber Warfare Battalion. It consists of 12 expeditionary cyber and electromagnetic (CEMA) teams (ECT) that are solely meant to support brigade combat teams or other tactical formations with cyber, electronic warfare and information operations capabilities.

the first opportunity for the ECT to serve as the primary training audience working to refine tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as concepts and gunnery tables for future certification exercises. “We have not ever before performed a collective training validation/ assessment or figured out what that needs to look like that we need to put an ECT through before we send them off to support another unit”, Capt. Richard Grue, assistant S3 for the 915th Cyber Warfare Battalion, told C4ISRNET in an Oct. 12 interview. This type of event would precede deploying teams to a [combat training center rotation] because the problems that we run into The sprawling when we go train a CTC are that we are not the training facility provides audience — it’s the maneuver unit. This provided the a robust opportunity to focus training specifically on the ECT”, digital training Grue added. The event was primarily focused on the environment equipped with technical aspects of training for the ECTs such as on-net infrastructure operations. Grue said there was no physical or technical that can be opposing force.

These “fly away ” teams, as some officials call them, would help plan tactical cyber operations for commanders in theater and unilaterally conduct missions in coordination with deployed forces. The CEMA Team 1, or ECT-01 participated in the training event that took place in early October at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana. The sprawling facility manipulated provides a robust digital training environment equipped in the cyber with infrastructure that can be manipulated in the cyber Despite, the cyber moniker, these units must not only realm without damaging realm without damaging actual operational systems be proficient in the technical realm but also be able actual used by the military or civilians. While this unit and to maneuver with the units they support. This means operational its predecessor through the CEMA Support to Corps being able to keep up in formation and avoid being systems and Below pilot at Fort Irwin, California, previously compromised when marching on a particular objective. augmented brigades during training events at the Though ECTs previously did this at Fort Irwin in support National Training Center, the ECTs were not the primary training of brigades conducting a training rotation, this type of physicalunit. They were there solely to augment the brigade that was training. specific training for the ECTs is something that is slated down the Priority one is the ECT’s training proficiency and having a scenario road, Grue said. constructed around them as a training audience. The drills took place Oct. 1-12, 2020. The ECTs will also have to The second purpose is to develop a training plan for how we are be fully cognizant of the totality of the information environment, going to train ECTs as we build them. The event at Muscatatuck was as senior leaders call it. This includes the internet as well as other

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Defence

Units supporting the ECT could use this open social media environment to conduct surveillance of a potential target.

key members. Machines that could be attacked were mediums such as social media and traditional media. Teams have also part of the virtual environment, allowing the Grue said these teams must not only be capable of previously ECT to perform cyber operations and use the larger conducting tactical cyber operations as a standalone demonstrated environment for information purposes, Grue said. In capability, but must conduct operations in and through the ability to conduct another drill, the ECT identified a house with a virtual the entire information environment. Part of the over-the-air machine inside as significant to the team’s objective. exercise tested concepts and operations within this operations, As part of the robust environment at Muscatatuck, environment using a simulated internet. The teams targeting Withis house was equipped with devices on the Internet tied together publicly available information via social Fi nodes and of Things, with physical and virtual machines run media to inform operations in both the physical and gain access to closed-circuit wirelessly or connected directly to a network. Using virtual environments at Muscatatuck, which included television feeds publicly available open-source tools, the team was targets' workstations, servers used to push propaganda, to allow greater able to target the identified system in the house and and physical recruiting meetings, Amanda Lockwood, intelligence gain information to enable more physical operations, solutions architect at IDS International, told C4ISRNET value Lockwood said. Teams have previously demonstrated in an Oct. 12 interview. It provides a simulated social the ability to conduct over-the-air operations, targeting media and internet environment that includes virtual machines. The virtual machines allow participants and simulated Wi-Fi nodes and gain access to closed-circuit television feeds to allow users to send and receive emails as well as surf fake websites greater intelligence value for commanders planning urban operations. Due to the sensitivities involved, Grue declined to offer specifics that include malicious links that infect the entire network. regarding the capabilities and equipment the teams were using. Units supporting the ECT could use this open social media environment to conduct surveillance of a potential target. Lockwood The teams will eventually be outfitted with tactical cyber equipment explained that in one scenario, forces examined the public social including the C4ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards manmedia account and website of a human rights group that was acting packable chassis, as well as Modular Open Radio Frequency as a front for a terrorist group to find addresses and locations of Architecture-compatible radio heads. These will allow team members to plug into brigade organic assets to leverage their capabilities. There are no prototypes for this system planned, according to Mark Adams, the vice president and general manager of wireless solutions for L3Harris Technologies. The system’s contractor told C4ISRNET via email that the company expects to deliver initial units in mid-2021. He also said the firm is regularly engaged with units for feedback. As the Army will build 11 more ECTs, feedback and lessons learned from this first-of-its-kind event were “priceless”. The lessons learned from the will build on our current and future capacity. Constantly focus on the future and adapt to make expeditionary cyber better, with every operation and every lesson learned. Grue noted that Muscatatuck is probably the best area for this type of training. As such, he noted one of his biggest takeaways from the event was that the service needs a very robust team and environment for training to be effective, given all an ECT does. He said, “There really needs to be a robust exercise support cell in order to create an environment or create a scenario that trains everybody from the fires operators to the electronic warfare practitioners. It’s a very robust team that has to come together to make an event successful and valuable for the ECT”.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Int’l Biz

TOURISM OPERATORS IN THAILAND WELCOME SPECIAL VISA FOR FOREIGNERS Hotels and Restaurants, apart from the tourism operators in Thailand have welcomed the government’s new visa rules. This visa will allow the foreign visitors a special long-stay visa amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

he special tourist visa or STV is expected to become available from October to Sep 30 next year. Its holders will be able to stay in Thailand for 90 days and to extend the visa twice at a cost of 2,000 Baht (US$63) each time. The scheme was approved in principle by the Cabinet on Sep 15 as part of the government’s efforts to boost the sluggish economy and tourism sector battered by the global health crisis. The general manager of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Daniel Simon, said, “Any and all visitors coming to Thailand will help to stimulate the hotel sector that goes beyond just brick and mortar in an industry that supports suppliers from fisherman and farmers to tour guides and small businesses”. “The Thai government’s planned special tourist visa program is a step in the right direction, but we look forward to more measures which will quickly, but safely, open the kingdom to international travelers once again”, he added. The new visa targets tourists with spending power who are willing to undergo 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Once the country reopens, the Thai government expects to welcome 1,200 foreign tourists per month from one to three international flights each week. It also hopes the scheme would inject 12 billion baht into the economy in a year’s time. “Obviously, there is no magic bullet to opening the country immediately. So, the

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Int’l Biz The special tourist visa or STV is expected to become available from October to Sep 30 next year

business did not receive any help from the government amid the ongoing health crisis, she added. “I want the government to come here and take care of us. I want them to establish provincial units that specifically manage the COVID-19 impact on entrepreneurs, especially small ones”, She said. Foreign tourists wishing to apply for the special tourist visa are required to do so with a travel agent, which will work with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in obtaining approval from the Thai foreign ministry. Applicants will have to indicate in the application form an Alternative State Quarantine hotel in Thailand for the compulsory 14-day quarantine upon arrival. According to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, there are 74 such hotels nationwide, including 69 in Bangkok and five others in Burirum, Chonburi and Phuket. To complete the application, foreign tourists will also need to provide flight details, identify their postquarantine accommodation, and purchase medical insurance for their stay in Thailand with a minimum coverage plan worth USD100, 000. If successful, they can collect a Certificate of Entry (COE) at the Thai embassy in their country. They are also required to obtain a fit-for-travel health certificate and a medical certificate stating they are not infected with COVID-19, issued no longer than 72 hours before departure. Upon their arrival in Thailand, foreign tourists will have to undergo health screening. If they test positive, they will be transferred to a hospital. If not, they will be granted a special tourist visa and proceed to the quarantine facility of their choice. Once the quarantine is over, STV holders can travel in Thailand. But they will need to install a COVID-19 contact tracing app. Despite the 14-day quarantine requirement, hoteliers are hopeful the stimulus would benefit the accommodation sector, given the potential for long-stay visitors from Europe. According to Bruno Huber, general manager of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, European tourists tend to spend a few months at a time in Thailand and are thus likely to be fine with the quarantine period. However, the fact that they will need to arrange their own trip to Thailand, either by a chartered plane or a private aircraft, could dampen the interest and affect the revenue target. Private or purpose-chartered flights would be too prohibitively expensive and greatly reduce the number of potential guests. A functioning and attainable commercial flight solution is integral towards any success. If commercial flights return, he added, the revenue number projected by the government is “attainable”. Thailand has reported more than 3,500 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak started, with 59 deaths. Currently, 117 remain in hospitals. But once the country reopens for foreign tourists, the situation could change.

STV scheme is one step forward with many more to come. It also allows the residents of Thailand to get accustomed to the idea that there is a way to start bringing tourists back to the country safely, albeit with a rather challenging application process”, said Nick Downing, the General Manager of Siam Hotel. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Thailand hard, especially its tourism and hospitality sectors. It’s GDP contracted by 12.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, with the total revenue from tourism dropping by 97.1 per cent, according to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Last month, NESDC revised the expected contraction of the Thai economy in 2020 to between -7.8 per cent and -7.3 per cent due to various factors, including as a sharp decline in number and revenue from foreign tourists, and “the severe recession of global economy and merchandised trade”. Although the STV scheme is broadly welcomed, small tourism operators doubt that revenue from foreign tourists could reach them. The

“I believe this scheme would help improve the economy because tourists are one of the factors that help circulate the revenue in Thailand. But I’m also concerned,” said Pichanan Kongchana from Roastary Lab, a café in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Before the pandemic, most of her customers were foreign tourists. So when the international travel ban kicked in, the cafe lost most of its clients and was forced to close for three months. Although it has recently reopened to local customers, the business still suffers from a major drop in revenue. “We want tourists to visit,” Pichanan said. “But I want the government to issue them some sort of document they can show to us. This way, we won’t have to be worried”. As of Sep 25, Thailand has carried out 977,854 COVID-19 tests nationwide, according to Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson of the COVID-19 Situation Administration Centre. He said in a press conference on September 28 the country needs to relax its disease control measures in order to allow the economy to recover before urging the public to remain vigilant. "Although our country needs to relax, people must be disciplined”, Taweesin said. "If each person is disciplined, the relaxation will continue to work and our economy will grow stronger”.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Biz

CONGRESSIONAL STAFFS GET PREVIEWS OF TRUMP TAXES THROUGH AUDIT This is one of the most incomprehensible functions of Congress, hardly known or understood by the lawmakers across the globe. But, it may have once put staffers in possession of one of the most enduring mysteries of the Donald Trump era- his tax data that was recently exposed by the New York Times. The matter was however spread across the world.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Int’l Biz work. And they know not to communicate any of it to outsiders”. Former JCT staffers would not comment on whether they remembered the dispute with Trump, citing confidentiality rules. Unauthorized release of tax return information can mean a felony conviction and a prison sentence of up to five years. Former JCT staffers would not comment on whether they remembered the dispute with Trump, citing confidentiality rules

he report published by the New York Times during the last wekk of September included a series of bombshell revelations about Trump’s finances, including that he paid only $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and that he carries $421 million in debt. Trump has long refused to release his tax returns, blaming an IRS audit. The report by the media group has been held up for more than four years by staffers for the Joint Committee on Taxation, which has 30 days to review individual refunds and tax credits over $2 million. When JCT staffers disagree with the IRS on a decision, the review is typically kept open until the matter is resolved. The upshot is that information on Trump’s taxes, which Democrats are now suing to see, has almost certainly passed through the JCT's hands, putting it tantalizingly close to lawmakers. Key members of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee defended the JCT after the Times report and were emphatic that the panel does not have copies of tax forms pertaining to Trump. “They are not sitting at JCT”, said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass. “I see no evidence that they’re sitting on those forms”. But lawmakers did not say whether the JCT has reviewed any tax refund involving the president. Neal and top House Republican tax expert Kevin Brady of Texas said the panel typically completes its reviews in a month or two, at most. Brady, who has previously chaired the panel, said, “The vast majority of JCT refund reviews are processed quickly and very rarely does JCT express concerns with the IRS audit findings”. “Contrary to the Times’ reporting, I think the longest time JCT has ever had a case pending is one year. I think we should focus on the facts as much as possible”, he added. The topic went unmentioned in a House oversight hearing featuring IRS Commissioner Charles

Rettig, who reminded lawmakers that “every taxpayer in this country is assured of confidentiality and privacy with respect to their tax matters”. Lawmakers on Joint Tax are provided summary information on the categories of cases handled and how long it takes to process them, but the information is not made public. Even, acknowledging that Trump's taxes were before the panel is verboten. “That gets too close to talking about potential tax return information, which is protected under the internal revenue code,” Joint Tax chief of staff Thomas Barthold said in declining to comment about the Times’ Trump story.

Kenneth Kies, a tax attorney who served as chief of staff on the committee from 1994 to 1998, said the committee typically handled a “couple hundred” cases year. And usually the JCT — which includes former IRS staffers — ratifies the IRS’s decision. A lot of them were fairly straightforward. Those were no drama, Kies said. “Only occasionally we would get one where there was an interpretation of the law we didn’t agree with.”

While the Joint Committee rarely makes headlines, it plays a crucial role in policymaking, delivering cost estimates that can be make-or-break for proposed tax legislation. It was instrumental during the creation of both the Obama administration health care law and the GOP tax overhaul in 2017. The office is overseen by chief of staff Barthold, a Harvard Ph.D. economist who has worked on the panel for more than 30 years. As the JCT’s top staffer since 2009, he is among the very few who might know whether Trump’s audit was reviewed. Representatives for the Trump But he is legally barred from While the Joint Organization did not respond disclosing most information Committee to messages seeking comment related to the committee’s rarely makes and confirmation that the audit work. Left unresolved headlines, Joint Tax Committee had is a full accounting of Trump’s it plays a reviewed Trump's taxes. How finances, which Democrats crucial role in the process works: When an predict will illustrate numerous policymaking, individual refund or credit over conflicts of interest between his delivering cost $2 million is approved, the IRS businesses and his presidency. estimates that is statutorily required to notify They point to Trump’s reported can be makeCongress. A designated team $421 million in debt, which or-break for at the IRS prepares a report ethics experts say raises serious proposed tax for the JCT on each individual national security concerns. legislation case that contains taxpayer Neal, the lead force behind a information, spreadsheets and Democratic lawsuit to expose technical data and analysis. Trump should Trump’s taxes, said the Times’ reporting is have been sent a letter disclosing that his proof that the documents should be given case was sent to the JCT for review. Even to Congress. The existence of the audit also when the JCT was sifting through Trump's strengthens their legal case, he said, since tax information, it should have remained the Democratic investigation is focused on beyond the grasp of the five Democrats that very issue. and five Republicans on the committee. The reviews are performed by the panel’s tax “That’s what this case has been about — experts and attorneys, typically working in have the IRS tell us how auditing is done”, dedicated space in an IRS facility. Lawmakers Neal said. That has always been our case. don't participate. It is believed that this obscure function of Congress may have once put President, George Yin, an emeritus University of Donald Trump's tax information in the hands Virginia law professor who was JCT chief of of congressional staff. But even if it did, that staff from 2003 to 2005, said, “It is held quite doesn't mean staffers can give access to tightly in the hands of just a few lawyers in Trump's tax returns to lawmakers, at least the staff who are dedicated to doing this not legally.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Food

VEGANISM all you need to know

orld Vegan Day is celebrated on 1 November across the world. Do you know about the vegan movement, how are vegans different from vegetarians, when was Vegan Society established, etc? Let us find out! World Vegan Day encourages people to follow the vegan lifestyle. According to several prominent vegans, the lifestyle of veganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits human health, protect the well-being of animals and also helps in protecting the environment.

World Vegan Day: History Donald Watson on 1 November, 1944 called a meeting of 5 people to discuss about the non-dairy vegetarian diets. They established a new movement known as the vegan lifestyle to focus and promote the lifestyle of vegans and their importance. Over the years, they clarified the definition of their vegan diet and it became a charity in 1979. Louise Wallis, the President of the Vegan Society, in 1994 promotes the vegan lifestyle to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vegan Society. Since then, World Vegan Day has been celebrated and promotes worldwide vegan lifestyle.

Who are Vegans? Nowadays, Veganism is becoming popular. The Vegan term was coined in 1944. Vegan people choose not to consume dairy products including eggs and other products of animal origin. Also like vegetarians they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat meat. It is said that the vegan term is chosen by combining the first and last letters of 'vegetarian'. In other words, we can say that veganism is a way of living life in which they exclude all forms of animal products, avoid exploitation of animals and cruelty whether it be for food, clothing or for any other purpose.

How are vegans different from vegetarians? We can say that vegans are environmentalists than vegetarians. Vegetarians don't eat eggs, meats, etc. while vegans additionally avoid eating all dairy products and other animal products like eggs, gelatin and honey. You will be amazed to know that vegans, in fact, don't use soaps, clothes, beauty products which consist of animal products. So, we can say that living like a vegetarian is easy as they can consume some animal products that are an important source of nutrients, protein, vitamins, etc. But vegans usually don't eat them and have to find out an alternative for it.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Health Benefits Studies show that vegans have better heart health and lower odds of having certain diseases. Those who skip meat have less of a chance of becoming obese or getting heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Vegans are also less likely to get diabetes and some kinds of cancer, especially cancers of the GI tract and the breast, ovaries, and uterus in women. Going vegan might even help you live longer, especially if you also cut down on your daily calories. Better weight control may be one reason for all of these health benefits. Vegans have a lower body mass index (BMI) than people who eat animalbased products. Good nutrition is another perk. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts are staples of the vegan diet. These foods are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and compounds that help protect against diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Food Risks A vegan diet is healthy overall, but avoiding animal protein can shortchange you on a few nutrients, like protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin B12. You need protein to power all the chemical reactions in your body. Calcium strengthens your bones and teeth. Omega-3 fatty acids keep your cells healthy and protect your heart by shielding against heart disease and stroke. These nutrients are especially important for children's growing bodies and for pregnant women. You can find substitutes for most of these essential nutrients in plantbased foods like: Protein: nuts, soy, beans, quinoa Calcium: soy milk, fortified orange juice, tofu with calcium, broccoli, kale, almonds

Omega-3 fatty acids: flaxseeds, vegetable oils, plant-based supplements Iron: tofu, soy nuts, spinach, peanut butter, fortified cereals One nutrient that's impossible to get from plant sources alone is vitamin B12, which your body uses to make red blood cells and DNA. You'll only find B12 in animal products. If you go vegan, you may need a supplement to make up for what you don't get from your diet. Keep in mind that a vegan diet is only as healthy as you make it. Products like "vegan" ice cream, cookies, and candy are tempting, but you don't want to overdo. If you eat high-fat and processed foods and supersize your portions, you'll gain weight and might end up with many of the same health problems you'd have on a meat-based diet.

Your doctor or a dietitian can help you choose the right foods as you start a vegan diet. It's very important to get help from an expert if you have a long-term condition or you're pregnant, to make sure you get the right mix of nutrients in your new eating plan.

How to Go Vegan Does the idea of a vegan diet interest you, but you're not sure how to start? If you want, you could plunge right in and cut out all poultry, meat, eggs, and dairy at once. Or, take a more gradual approach and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat at each meal. If removing all animal products from your diet feels overwhelming, try a less strict approach. Some diets focus on plants, but still leave wiggle room for other types of foods: Pescatarian: no meat and poultry, but you can still eat fish Lacto-ovo vegetarian: plant-based diet, plus dairy and eggs Flexitarian: plant-based diet that on occasion includes animal products. Your doctor or a dietitian can help you choose the right foods as you start a vegan diet. It's very important to get help from an expert if you have a long-term condition or you're pregnant, to make sure you get the right mix of nutrients in your new eating plan.

November 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Health

ARRHYTHMIA

THE WAY AHEAD An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm. When a heart beats too fast, the condition is called tachycardia. When a heart beats too slowly, the condition is called bradycardia.

rrhythmia is caused by changes in heart tissue and activity or in the electrical signals that control your heartbeat. These changes can be caused by damage from disease, injury, or genetics. Often there are no symptoms, but some people feel an irregular heartbeat. You may feel faint or dizzy or have difficulty breathing. The most common test used to diagnose an arrhythmia is an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Your doctor will run other tests as needed. She or he may recommend medicines, placement of a device that can correct an irregular heartbeat, or surgery to repair nerves that are overstimulating the heart. If arrhythmia is left untreated, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. This can damage the heart, the brain, or other organs.

Causes Arrhythmia is caused by changes to heart tissue. It can also occur suddenly as a result of exertion or stress, imbalances in the blood, medicines, or problems with electrical signals in the heart. Typically,

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

Health

Relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, may help to reduce palpitations. Stress can have many ill effects on a person’s health. It can induce palpitations or make them worse

an arrhythmia is set off by a trigger, and the irregular heartbeat can continue if there is a problem in the heart. Sometimes the cause of an arrhythmia is unknown.

Signs, Symptoms, and Complications An arrhythmia may not cause any obvious signs or symptoms. You may notice something that occurs only occasionally, or your symptoms may become more frequent over time. Keep track of when and how often arrhythmia occurs, what you feel, and whether these things change over time. They are all important clues your doctor can use. If left untreated, arrhythmia can lead to life-threatening complications such as stroke, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest. You may be able to feel a slow or irregular heartbeat or notice pauses between heartbeats. If you have palpitations, you may feel like your heart skipped a beat or may notice it pounding or racing. These are all symptoms of arrhythmia. More serious signs and symptoms include: • Anxiety • Blurred vision

You may feel like your heart skipped a beat or may notice it pounding or racing. These are all symptoms of arrhythmia

• Chest pain • Difficulty breathing • Fainting or nearly fainting • Foggy thinking • Fatigue • Sweating • Weakness, dizziness, and light-headedness

Ways to stop heart palpitations Heart palpitations can cause a sensation of a pounding heart or a racing pulse. Palpitations can also feel like a fluttering feeling in the chest or like the heart has skipped a beat. While medical attention may be necessary, some home remedies can help to stop palpitations. Lifestyle factors can cause heart palpitations. Less frequently, an underlying medical condition is responsible. Palpitations can result from the following conditions, and they require a doctor’s care: • thyroid problems • abnormal heart rhythms, known as arrhythmias • atrial fibrillation • heart failure, in rare cases

HOME REMEDIES TO RELIEVE HEART PALPITATIONS 1. Perform relaxation techniques Relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, may help to reduce palpitations. Stress can have many ill effects on a person’s health. It can induce palpitations or make them worse.

November 2020

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Health

A person can boost the number of electrolytes in their body by eating foods rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium. A normal diet usually provides a sufficient source of sodium

It may help to try the following relaxation techniques • meditation • deep breathing • journaling • yoga • spending time outdoors • exercising • taking short breaks from work or school • using a method of guided imagery, these are available to purchase online

2. Reduce or eliminate stimulant intake Symptoms may become noticeable after using a stimulant. Not all stimulants will cause palpitations in everyone. The following contain stimulants: • tobacco products • illegal drugs • some cold and cough medications • caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda • appetite suppressants • marijuana • some mental health drugs • some high blood pressure medications

3. Stimulate the vagus nerve The vagus nerve connects the brain to the heart, and stimulating it can help to calm palpitations. A person can do so by: • holding the breath and pushing down, as if making a bowel movement • coughing • placing ice or a cold, damp towel on

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020

the face for a few seconds • gagging • splashing cold water on the face • chanting “Om” • taking a cold shower Before trying this method consult a doctor, who can advise on the best technique.

4. Keep electrolytes balanced Electrolytes are molecules found throughout the body that help to transfer electrical signals. These signals play a significant role in regulating the heart rate. A person can boost the number of electrolytes in their body by eating foods rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium. A normal diet usually provides a sufficient source of sodium. The following foods have high potassium contents: potatoes, bananas, avocados, spinach. Dairy products and dark, leafy greens are rich in calcium. Magnesium is also found in these vegetables, as well as in nuts and fish. It may be tempting to attain these nutrients by taking supplements. A person should consult a doctor before trying any supplements, particularly if they are also taking prescription medication.

5. Keep hydrated When the body is dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to circulate blood, which can cause heart palpitations.

Health

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. The recommended amount will vary, depending on age, sex, and whether a person is pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A person should drink a full cup or glass of water when: • their urine is dark • their heart rate increases • they have dry mouth • they feel thirsty • they have a headache • they feel dizzy • the skin is dry or pruny

6. Avoid excessive alcohol use Alcohol is a depressant and does not typically raise the heart rate. While drinking in moderation is not necessarily problematic, some research indicates that even one drink per day can increase the risk of developing atrial

fibrillation. A palpitating heart is just one symptom of this condition.

7. Exercise regularly Walking can help to strengthen the heart and reduce palpitations. Exercise can improve overall cardiovascular health and restore the heart’s natural rhythm. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. Cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen the heart, which can prevent or reduce palpitations. Beneficial exercises include: • walking • jogging • running • biking • swimming However, exercise may trigger palpitations in some people, and it is important to identify and avoid problematic exercises. Consult a doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Exercise can improve overall cardiovascular health and restore the heart’s natural rhythm. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. Cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen the heart, which can prevent or reduce palpitations

When to see a doctor See a doctor if heart palpitations tend to last longer than a few seconds. A doctor can determine whether an underlying condition is causing the palpitations. These conditions commonly include: • heart disease • thyroid issues • anxiety • heart failure • heart valve disease

A doctor can determine whether an underlying condition is causing the palpitations.

November 2020

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Business Tips

STARTING OUT AS AN

ENTREPRENEUR? HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL NEED

ENTR

EPRE

NEUR

When you choose to hack your own path through the workplace jungle, you’re taking on a lot of risk and uncertainty. No matter your industry, you’ll face financial risk. Even freelancers struggle to find clients from time to time. You’ll also have to adapt to the varying demands of your business—you’ll have to be good at both forward-facing client communication, and head-to-the-books labor.

As an entrepreneur, if you want to succeed, you must be ready to pay the cost in late hours, tight deadlines, and trash bins full of empty coffee cups

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Business Tips And just because you’re in charge doesn’t mean you don’t still conceptually have a boss. There will always be commitments to customers and business associates. There will always be deadlines. But the benefits are numerous. Your business is your ship, and you set the course. You choose your own hours. You choose your goals. No one can say no to a day off, and nobody makes you wear a tie. But most of all, you directly receive the rewards of your labor. There are many methods of entrepreneurship—from working as a freelancer out of a coffeehouse to building up a large venture backed entity. The choice is yours. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most important things you’ll need to know if you intend to make this life-changing decision. Don’t choose your industry because it seems easiest or like the quickest way to fill a vault with gold. That method will burn you out much quicker than you think.

Research

Follow your dreams Many entrepreneurs have a fanciful vision of the powerhouse startup—the business journey paved with gold, where a single tweet or app concept will make them millions of dollars. This road is a myth. As an entrepreneur, if you want to succeed, you must be ready to pay the cost in late hours, tight deadlines, and trash bins full of empty coffee cups. It will be challenging and test your determination at times. That’s why the single best way to keep your spirits high and stay motivated is to work in a realm that matters to you personally—one that allows you to believe you’ll be able to leave your mark on the world. Do you enjoy writing? Perhaps there’s a place for you in content curation, or even freelance blogging. Are you passionate about social justice? Maybe consider working in the realm of nonprofit. Be specific in your choice. You don’t need to be all things to all people. Niche selection is the place most people feel they made a mistake. Remember, Amazon was a bookstore before it moved on to dominate the sales of, well … everything.

Many entrepreneurs have a fanciful vision of the powerhouse startup—the business journey paved with gold, where a single tweet or app concept will make them millions of dollars. This road is a myth

November 2020

“Don’t play games you don’t understand, even if you see lots of other people making money off of them.” Before you work a single day in your industry, you need to put a lot of labor into research. Be certain your business concept is viable and you can do so by defining the following: Clarity of purpose: Summarize your company in two to three sentences Rich Customers: Target customers who will move fast and pay a premium for a unique offering Focus: Customers will only buy a simple product with a singular value proposition Pain: Pick the one thing that is of burning importance to the customer and delight them with a compelling solution T h i n k d i f f e r e n t l y : Constantly challenge conventional wisdom. Create new solutions. Outwit the competition. Team DNA: Choose your first few hires wisely Agility: Stealth and speed can help you beat slow incumbents Resilience: Hone your ability to bounce back and keep trying Frugality: Focus spending on what’s critical. Spend only on the priorities and maximize profitability. Inferno: Start with only a little money. It forces discipline and focus. Especially important during this phase, don’t just read books and online articles (I mean, read a lot of online articles, but do more, too). Find successful experts in your field and drill their brains for the precious oils of information and experience. Ask them what their early setbacks were, what were the best choices they made, and how they would go about it differently if they had to start over.

Develop a business plan That genius business idea you have? It’s not worth a counterfeit dollar if you don’t pair it with a functional plan. You may think you don’t need a business plan because you’re the only one initially involved in your project. That’s incorrect.

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Business Tips As an entrepreneur, the road ahead will be laborious at times, even extremely difficult at others. That’s why you must be ready to navigate all potential obstacles. You have to carry a map, and your business plan is that map.

In your first year, you’ll mostly handle the logistical necessities and survival will be your primary goal. It’s rare that young businesses launch into success and entrepreneurial stardom, so don’t worry if it’s a little rocky at first. That said, the first year is also dangerous if you make mistakes so you’ll want to plan intricately.

But even moreso, you need a business plan to approach investors or to acquire bank loans. Your business plan should put together a reliable and realistic model for the future of your company. Many young entrepreneurs place too high a value on their businesses. Don’t make this mistake. Investors will see right through deceptive optimism.

Your business plan should include: Company purpose: Start here. Define your company in a single declarative sentence. This is harder than it looks. It’s easy to get caught up listing features or services instead of communicating your mission. Problem: Describe the pain of your customer. How this is addressed today and what are the shortcomings to current solutions. Solution: Explain your why. Why is your value prop unique and compelling? Why will it endure? And where does it go from here? Why now? The best companies almost always have a clear why now? Nature hates a vacuum—so why hasn’t your solution been built before now? Market potential: Identify your customer and your market. Some of the best companies often even invent their own markets. Competition / alternatives: Who are your direct and indirect competitors. Show that you have a plan to win. Business model: How do you intend to make money and thrive? Team: Tell the story of your founders and key team members.

Your business plan should put together a reliable and realistic model for the future of your company. Many young entrepreneurs place too high a value on their businesses. Don’t make this mistake.

Financials Vision: If all goes well, what will you have built in five years?

The 10-year overnight success Rome wasn’t built in a day.

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Go into your first year with goals established, and clearly delineated steps to reach them. Be optimistic but reasonable in these steps and ask your expert sources if they’re doable. When your first year is up, you’ll have the benefit of hindsight. You can see where you underperformed, where you over performed, and adjust your expectations going forward.

A five-year and 10-year plan Obviously, the ultimate plan for your business is to do more than just exist. You want to thrive. To do this, you should have a set of goals established every five years along with a series of milestones to reach them. When you’ve gotten beyond the first year, your five- and 10year plans are critical to your success.

Have an exit strategy Along with your mid-range plans, you’re going to want to establish your endgame early. Dream big here. Ask yourself, in the best case scenario, how do you want to leave your business? What goals should be met before you string up that “mission accomplished” banner? You have options in this area. Maybe you want to run the business all of your life. Or maybe you plan on retiring and would like to leave your business to your children— or if you don’t have children, maybe to an orphan with a golden ticket. You’ll always have the option of selling your business as well. Will you sell to the highest bidder, or the buyer who is most capable of carrying on your legacy? Whatever your goal, you should establish it early and make plans to reach that point down the line. Starting a business is rough and most fail. Your best chance to thrive is to find the right community, the right partners, and the right network of support from the very beginning. I love nothing more than meeting founders during their first days starting a company.

Fashion

HAIR SCARF

From the 1990s to the early 2000s, scarves were extremely popular as hair accessories and after that they are occupying the fashion market in a big way. Colored scarves are now back in style and you can tie your long hair with them or use them as a chic bandana to cover the top half of your hair.

OVER-SIZE HEADBAND

Over-head headbands became extremely popular in the 1990s through shows such as Gossip Girl and many films. Currently, Chrissy Teigen, Kate Middleton and many celebrities use it as hair accessories. Over-size headbands can help give many hairstyles a very good look. For example, using it with a low bun or a high ponytail would seem awe-inspiring.

OLD HAIR FASHION ACCESSORIES

THAT ARE BACK IN TREND Like the changing season, fashion trends also change and nowadays everyone, from children to old people, is aware of them. Generally, people do not like old fashion trends, but there are many old fashion trends which are coming right back in trend.

BIG PUFFY RUBBER BAND

The big puffy rubber band that dominated fashion in 2010 as hair accessories continues to dominate even today. There is a variety of puffy rubber bands present in the market these days to give a beautiful look to the braid, and which can help to complement your hair look and make them more beautiful. So you can feel free to make them part of your hair accessories.

HAIR PINS

Hair pin has also not been out of hair fashion till date and it has retained its place in fashion as hair accessories since the 90s. Nowadays hair pins of many colors and different designs and patterns are available in the market. You can also make hair pins a part of your fashion with great ease and use them regularly for grooming your hair.

November 2020

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Career

GOAL

TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR ACHIEVING

YOUR GOALS By Shrishti S. Nagar

ne of the most effective skills you can have in life is powerful and effective time management. If you're not managing your time well, there's no way you're going to reach your goals at work and the life outside of it. Sure, you might make some progress. But your time management will be an uphill battle if you don't take your time seriously. For people who squander and waste the precious little time they do have, they know all too well how difficult achieving even mildly difficult goals can be. The truth is that time is the greatest equalizer in life. No matter who you are, your age, income, gender, race or religion, you have the same amount of time as the next person. Whether you're filthy rich or dirt poor, your time is the same. It's not about how much time you have. It's about how effectively you manage your time. So if you're serious about achieving your goals, not only do you need to set those goals the right way, but you also have to get serious about avoiding distractions and becoming too immersed in the bad habits that you know you need to quit. Time-wasters need to fall by the wayside, and serious grit-and-bear-it hard work needs to take its place. The trick? Find a good time management system and work it. There are many. It's entirely up to you on which one to choose. But if you don't want to become part of the 92% statistic of people who fail to achieve their long-term goals, then you need pay attention to how you use the precious little time you do have in this world. One of the biggest problems that most entrepreneurs have isn't just in how they can get enough done in such a demanding market, but also how they maintain some semblance of balance without feeling too overworked. This isn't just about achieving and going after goals around the clock. This is also about quality of life. Balance is the key. If you lack balance in your life, you're going to feel stressed out. Even if you're able to effectively juggle your responsibilities, without proper balance you're going to eventually reach your breaking point. So, it's important to not only follow a system that will help you get things done, but also one where you prioritize personal and family time. Don't forget to do things like take a walk in the park or just sit and listen to your favorite music with headphones on, or paint a picture, go on a date night and so on. That's more important than you can think. And when you do that, you achieve some semblance of balance. Life is short. So don't ignore those things while you reach for your bigger goals. With that said, here are 15 crucial time management tips for getting the proverbial job done.

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Career

1 SET GOALS THE RIGHT WAY

here's a right and wrong way to set goals. If you don't set your goals the right way, then you'll lack the proper targets, which will force you to fall off track. But when you set them the right way, the sky is the limit. Use the SMART goal setting method to help you see things through. And when you do set those goals, make sure you have powerful deep down meanings for wanting to achieve them.

AUDIT YOUR TIME FOR SEVEN DAYS STRAIGHT

pend seven days straight assessing how you spend the time you do have right now. What are you doing? Record it in a journal or on your phone. Split this up into blocks of 30 minutes or an hour. What did you get done? Was it time wasted? Was it well spent? If you use the quadrant system, circle or log the quadrant that the activity was associated with. At the end of the seven days, tally all the numbers. Where did you spend the most time? Which quadrants? The results might shock you.

3 MAKE TO-DO LISTS IN THE EVENING FOR THE NEXT DAY

SPEND YOUR MORNINGS ON MITS

ark Twain once said, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." Tackle your biggest tasks in the morning. These are your most important tasks (MITs) of the day. Accomplishing those will give you the biggest momentum to help you sail through the rest of the day.

7 TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS WHEN WORKING

ne study suggests that you should work for 52 minutes and break for 17. You might not have the luxury to do that. But you should take frequent breaks. If you're an entrepreneur working for yourself, this is crucial. It's easy to run on fumes and not even know it. Keep your mental, emotional and physical states at peak levels by breaking frequently.

MEDITATE OR EXERCISE EVERY MORNING

8 Y

ou might not think that this will help to better manage your time, but meditating and exercising every single morning gives you balance. Cut the toxins out of your life and get serious by doing this and watch as your energy, stamina and mental focus takes a drastic shift.

very single evening before bed, make a list for the next day. Look at your goals and see what you can do to help move you closer. This doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. But by making to-do lists, you're effectively setting goals for the day. Daily goals are easier to achieve while helping to move us towards the longer and bigger goals. But that happens by creating to-do lists.

9 SCHEDULE EMAIL RESPONSE TIMES

ELIMINATE BAD HABITS

ne of the biggest time-wasters we have are our bad habits. Whether it's Netflix binge-watching, excessively surfing social media, playing games, going out frequently to drink with friends, or so on, and those bad habits take away the precious little time that we do have. Use your time wisely by eliminating your bad habits if you're serious about achieving big goals in life.

DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE

tudies have determined that clutter in our environment helps us to lose focus. When we lose focus, we lose time. If you want to avoid that, declutter and organize. Don't do it all at once. Start small. Start with one drawer today. A shelf tomorrow. Maybe a closet the next day. Just one per day. You build momentum and eventually find yourself turning into an organizing warrior.

urn off your email throughout the day. When your email is pouring in, it's easy to get distracted. Schedule time to read and respond to emails. If there's something urgent, someone will call or text you. But when you have your email open, those distractions interrupt your thought flow and it's harder to get back on track.

TURN OFF SOCIAL MEDIA APP ALERTS

ncessant social media app alerts aren't helping you with your time. It's definitely hurting you. Turn them off. You don't need alerts every moment or to know everything happening with your friends. It's not important. What's most important is to have some peace of mind and be better able to focus on the task at hand.

November 2020

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Tour & Travel

Travel trends have completely changed in the year 2020, the industry is adapting itself according to the 'New Normal' and slow tourism is developing. Slow tourism is a concept of travel that allows tourists to learn about a place and connect with food, culture, nature and the atmosphere. Now travelers want to get closer to nature, have a local experience, walk around and spend some moments of peace.

WHAT IS SLOW TOURISM? Slow tourism is based on the concept of speed. It involves travelling for a prolonged period of time at a slow pace, allowing the tourist a deep, authentic and cultural experience. An alternative tourism form, slow travel is typically associated with sustainable practices, taking into consideration the impacts of travel on the

environment, society and economy. Slow travel can be undertaken in any destination, but is particularly popular amongst traditional backpacking routes in destinations such as South East Asia, Central America or Australia. It is also commonly identified in popular road trip areas, such as Canada, Australia or the United States.

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Tour & Travel

Enjoy Northern Lights in Fairbanks,

ALASKA

ere you can spend one or two nights comfortably in the northern lights and enjoy the beautiful views of the Aurora Borealis. Great light shows are held in Alaska's second largest city of Fairbanks, located in an elliptical location around the North Pole. A 2-hour drive from Fairbanks to Denarli National Park and Preserve is one of the best places in the US where you can relax between dancing aurora views. December to March is the best time to enjoy this natural view. You can enjoy these Northern Lights in different places in the USA such as Idaho Panhandle National Forest (Idaho), Arroostook National Wildlife Refuge (Maine), Cook Country (Minnesota) and Michigan Apne Peninsula.

Enjoy Wine Sitting In Willamette,

OREGON

ou will definitely like the idea of spending time in the largest wine region of the Oregon. You will find beautiful vineyards and farms here, where the world's best grapes and fresh fruits are grown. Here you can enjoy delicious cuisine. You can also enjoy cycling along the charming bikeway of the Willamette Valley. Vineyards and gardens are the main center of attraction throughout the Valley. Willamette Valley is known worldwide for its mountain peaks and interesting waterfalls.

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Tour & Travel

3 Enjoy Music in Nashville,

TENNESSEE

he music of Nashville will definitely tempt you. Here you can enjoy everything from country music to rock, pop and hip-hop; you can listen to music according to your mood. Country Music Value, Grand Oli Opry and the world-famous Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum make it a tourist attraction. In Johnny Cash Museum, fans of Johnny Cash can learn about the interesting aspects of his life. There is an extensive collection of artifacts associated with John Cash.

Enjoy Delicious Cuisine in Baton Rouge,

LOUISIANA

ew Orleans is known for its delicious cuisine in Louisiana, while Baton Rouge is one such destination. Here you can enjoy Cajun cooking, fresh local seafood and craft beer. Tony Seafood Market in Baton Rouge is a favorite destination for fresh seafood. At Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar you can enjoy more than 50 types of Oysters from across the country. If you want to bring the taste of Louisiana to your home, and then go to the Red Stick Spice Market, buy high quality spices from here. You can also take part in a kitchen classroom session, which is where many popular cooking classes run.

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Tour & Travel

5 Relax in Hot Spring National Park in

ARKANSAS

here are 47 hot water springs in this National Park, which are found under the surface of the earth in Central Arkansas. This 180-year-old park still attracts tourists for thermal baths, the minerals present in this water are considered very beneficial for health. You can relax in this hot water comfortably. You can also take this water in a bottle and take it to your home.

BENEFITS OF SLOW TOURISM: • Inculcate is what it wants you to do. Yes, we are full of something non-existent. That certain something drives you on a schedule. Strains you mentally and physically. Stress is what we call it. The daily fast life of ours gives a heavy dose. Slow tourism motivates you to live slowly. • Taking in the experience, and living it fully is essential. Get involved by living like a local. Eat local, shop local, stay local. Talk to the residents, make friends and leave with memories. The only things you take back with you are memories. • Time is what it wants you to give. You could only get familiar with you locality after living in a place for quite long. So how to you expect to get to know a different locality in a minimum amount of time? No one likes to only take a bit of something delicious and leave the rest of it. • Slow tourism is all about giving time to a place. Destinations have a lot to offer: many loving and warm people, elegant and pleasing views, ancient traditions and superb food. But only with time at your hand, can you witness them all. For time is the only

real currency we pay in. What a location can give you, only time can tell. • Slow tourism has certain norms. These are to enjoy your experience of your stay. Take a long off from your schedule when you are planning slow tourism. You may live at a place and grow fond of it. If you have a spare week, utilise it to enjoy even more. • Opt to live in rentals and houses. This is also cost-effective and lets you submerge in the local culture. • Start by exploring the areas nearest to you. Once you are done, visit location of interests around you. Find out about more places where you can go from the locals. • Choose this time to go organic and eco-friendly. Indulge in buy from local farms and shops. You can go work towards the development of the area around your temporary home. • Meditate. It will help you absorb the vibe and keep yourself refreshed. If you are not in the habit of it, you’d get the hang. New places always help you learn things better.

November 2020

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Lifestyle

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Lifestyle

Men are just as much in need of celebration and support as other more ‘obvious’ groups

Men are diverse

On November 19 it will be International Men’s Day. Many people will be left wondering why men need a special day, when every day could be considered pretty much male. These types of official days tend to acknowledge and celebrate the ‘underdog’, and so this November celebration may raise an eyebrow. However, men are just as much in need of celebration and support as other more ‘obvious’ groups.

Men, like women, are diverse. Whilst an overriding stereotype of the buccaneering cowboy may persist in some minds, most of us can see from a cursory glance of social media that we now run the full array - from super alpha to super beta and all levels in between and around. Indeed, gender fluidity challenges more and more the very notion of binary gender divisions and what a ‘man’ is supposed to be. At one end of the spectrum, men are still trapped by stereotype threat. Conforming to society’s idea of what a man should be, some people refer to this as toxic masculinity. In some situations, this is obstructive as it can perpetuate the association between toxicity and some male traits that aren’t toxic. The notion that identity comes from an extreme form of supposed masculine traits from defensiveness to violence.

Everyone needs to belong Much identity theory comes from notions of the ‘other’, the idea that in the absence of self-confidence, or indeed as a result of fear, we find it easier to define what we are not than what we actually are. That can allow men to ignore feelings and avoid admitting vulnerability. Because boys don’t cry. Some men believe they are ‘not feminine’, definitely not a sissy, and emphatically not perceived to be gay. This ‘othering’ can provide temporary and superficial self-confidence to people who are actually fearful. As long as there is some ‘other’ perceived to be ‘less’ than them, it provides artificial security. Yet there remains a genuine and fundamental human need to find our own identity and to define our place in the world. Men, women, all of us.

November 2020

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Lifestyle

It’s far harder for men to be vulnerable because that is acting outside their prescribed gender role

More empathy please We need to extend empathy to those who appear to least need it. Men need to fulfil society’s expectations (or the perceived expectations others have) just like women do. Yet we need to ask ourselves why it is that boys are struggling academically, prisons are full of men and the most common cause of death for men under 50 is suicide. It’s far harder for men to be vulnerable because that is acting outside their prescribed gender role. So, it’s good to have a day that celebrates male diversity and that reminds us all that men don’t have to be imprisoned by stereotypes in the way that women don’t either.

If International Women’s Day is to celebrate women’s success in the face of sexism, International Men’s Day can celebrate men challenging stereotype threat

attention they deserve. It could offer an alternative to the growing movements that are being hijacked by the far right and polarizing gender politics.

Challenging male stereotypes and gender tropes Celebration of International Men’s Day can also offer a challenge to other narratives. Assuming all men should reject masculinity could be as equally unhelpful as assuming all men need to build houses and become fathers. Men do have parenting rights, do suffer domestic abuse and do have unmet mental health needs. Many men are leading lives of quiet desperation. Confusing toxic traits with genuine needs doesn’t help.

We need to provide alternative versions, kinder versions, more liberated versions that can act as genuine role models for young boys to aspire to.

We should be able to celebrate differences rather than demonising them. As Obama has recently pointed out, piousness is not helpful. “Casting stones” is not activism and does not lead to change. It actually contributes to further polarization.

Overcoming Stereotype threat

Providing role models and offering choice

According to Philip Tanzer, a Men’s Rights Activist (MRA) from Germany, three things make you a man - building a house, planting a tree and becoming a father. He is a figure in the ‘Manosphere’, the underground online male rights movement.

If International Women’s Day is to celebrate women’s success in the face of sexism, International Men’s Day can celebrate men challenging stereotype threat. Men are just as lonely, just as vulnerable, but far less likely to admit it.

He is driven by anger at men who lost their children in custody battles. Colleagues of his point out that women raping men is not a crime under UK law. And whilst the majority of domestic violence is still conducted by male towards female, and women make up a tiny percentage of rapists, there is a sense that male victims are not properly acknowledged.

In the book Stories for boys who dare to be different we discover a plethora of role model men we can aspire to – guys who have achieved success without bashing women or polarizing communities. International Men’s Day can be less about ‘othering’ women and justifying misogyny and more about celebrating male diversity to give vulnerable men a real choice and positive hope for the future.

The ‘othering’ for a lot of MRA activists is to blame feminism. But celebration of International Men’s Day could draw attention to issues of genuine concern that are often not given the

So, answering the question: Should we be celebrating International Men’s Day? Hell, yes.

OBSERVER DAWN November 2020