Indian Abroad - Nov 1-15, 2022

Tragedy strikes Gujarat as 141 people killed after Morbi bridge collapse

Morbi (Gujarat), Oct 30 (IANS) At least 141 people, including women and children, were killed and scores were missing as the hanging bridge over the Machhu dam in Gujarat’s Morbi district collapsed on the evening of October 30, officials said.

Many bodies had been fished out from the Machhu river and sent for post-mortem examinations at the Morbi government hospital while Morbi MLA and Minister of State for Panchayat Brajesh Merja confirmed the number of deaths. No break-up of the deceased was available yet.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who has cancelled all his programmes and rushed to Morbi to personally monitor rescue and medical services, announced Rs 4 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 financial help to those injured in the accident. Patel is likely to camp in Morbi till the rescue operations continue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took cognisance of the accident,

announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the dead from the PM’s Relief Fund, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

According to a tweet by the Prime Minister’s office, “PM @naren dramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @ Bhupendrapbjp and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected”.

Meanwhile, the Morbi Municipal Committee’s Chief Executive Officer S.V. Zala, in a shocking revelation, said that the bridge was opened for the public after renovation without a fitness certificate from the civic body.

On the state government’s request, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has deployed one NDRF team from Rajkot, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has instructed the Army rescue teams to rush to Morbi.

Sung-beom, head of the Yongsan Fire Station, telling a briefing at the scene that 82 people were injured, 19 of them seriously. The deaths reportedly include 22 foreigners, he said, reports the ABC. Officials are said to be telling the media that the death toll could rise. It’s believed people were crushed to death after a large crowd began pushing forward in a narrow alley near Hamilton Hotel, a major party spot in Seoul.

The rescue operation is likely to be carried out the entire night, as locals fear that children’s bodies have been swept away due to the water flow in the Machhu river.

Local authorities’ apprehension is that the bridge has collapsed right in the middle of the river, where the water level is 15 to 20 feet deep, and due to this the death toll is likely to rise.

A total of seven fire brigade teams were pressed into rescue services, and one State Disaster Response Force team, and two NDRF teams from Gandhinagar rushed to the spot. Local authorities have started a helpline number - 02822-243300 - on which people can seek help to know about their missing relatives. This hanging bridge was con structed by Morbi Dynasty ruler Sir Vaghaji Thakor some 150 years ago, and its length is 233 metres and it is 4.6 feet wide.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders across the political spectrum on Monday congratulated Rishi Sunak, who is set to take over as the first Indian-descent Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“Warmest congratulations @ RishiSunak! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and imple menting Roadmap 2030. Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partner ship,” Modi said in a tweet.

“Congratulations and good wishes @RishiSunak on becoming UK PM,” tweeted Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

“Great News. Indians setting their mark all over the globe. My best wishes to Mr @RishiSunak on becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Wishing him wisdom and strength to lead the

country successfully”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet.

“Truth is always stranger than fiction. #Sunak, only one ever 2lose #PM contest & then bcome PM in 90 days. First indian origin #PM of #UK. Reverse imperialism of nicest kind. First ever indian 2head a foreign govt on #Deepawali!!” tweeted leader Congress Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu posted: “Absolutely delighted that @ RishiSunak is all set to become UK’s new Prime Minister! I extend my best wishes to him as he prepares to steer his country ahead as its first Indian heritage PM. This is indeed a joyous moment for Indians across the globe.”

“India scored a glorious hat trick this Diwali week! After Aman

located.

Taverniti said he and the victim were visiting South Korea for vacation and were together at the Itaewon alley at the time of the tragic accident.

“I just can’t believe it. I was in the front of where it happened,” Taverniti said as he wiped away tears. “All I could see was a wall of people ... it was impossible (to save her).”

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (IANS): After a day of the Arabian Sea suddenly and inexplicably receding from the shores of Kerala’s Kozhikode, the situation returned to normal on October 30 and authorities also ruled out the threat of a tsunami.

By Indian Abroad Newsdesk/IANS

One Australian is among more than 153 people who died in a crowd crush in Seoul, the Australian Embassy in Seoul has said.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, consular officers are providing assistance to the individ ual’s family in Australia. Consular officials are also said to be assisting a number of other Australians who were present at the event, Australian media reports suggest.

An Australian man in Seoul is reported to have told the ABC news that one of his friends has died in the crush. According to him, as reported by the ABC, another Australian is in intensive care and another one who is a dual citizen is in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, the Australian national who survived a deadly stampede in Seoul’s Itaewon district the previous day, desperately searched for the body of his Australian friend on October 30.

The 23-year-old female victim, whose identity was withheld, is believed to be one of 22 foreign nationals who died in the crush in a narrow downhill alley in the famous nightlife district on the night of October 29 after tens of thousands of people visited the area for Halloween, Yonhap news agency reported.

The foreigners killed also include those from Iran, Uzbekistan, China and Norway.

“I don’t know where she is ... Next week’s her birthday,” Nathan Taverniti told Yonhap News Agency in front of Soonchunhyang University Hospital, where the bodies of some of the victims are

After crawling outside of the pile of people, the Australian survivor said he tried to pull people out and called out for help.

“People need to know how bad it was and how little help there was,” he said. “Nobody was paying attention.”

Taverniti said after seeing the body of his friend being taken away on a stretcher, he has since not been able to hear any information on the whereabouts of her body.

“I can’t find any info, phone number for missing people .... the (Australian) consulate doesn’t know where she is,” he said, adding that his friend was planning to go back to Australia on Thursday.

“Her family’s in Australia, so I’m the guardian, but they wouldn’t let me see her,” he added.

Halloween stampede in Seoul’s

festival of lights a joyous part of the American culture.

More than a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrated the festival of lights in the US, India, and around the world on October 24.

“We are honoured to host you. This is the first Diwali reception of this scale in the White House ever to be held. We have more Asian-Americans than ever before in history and we want to thank you for making the Diwali celebration a joyous part of American culture,” Biden said while addressing the Indian-origin community at the East Room on Monday.

It was around 4 p.m. on October 29 that the sea suddenly withdrew till the horizon with no waves coming up and a large area of land emerging.

People had come in large numbers to witness the phenomenon from in and around Kozhikode district.

As the crowds swelled up, the police and fire force personnel reached the spot and police put up a barricade to prevent people from venturing into the sea, warning that the water could come back with double the vigour and that this could be dangerous.

The Indian Ocean 2004 tsunami was fresh in the minds of the people but the State Disaster Management Authority clarified that there was no tsunami warning or possibility.

A disaster management authority official told IANS that this was a phenomenon not related to tsunami and that the sea has now returned to

normalcy.

On October 30, a large number of people reached Kozhikode beach only to find a large number of fish in the place where the sea had withdrawn.

A.A Balu and K. Sakeer, friends and businessmen from West Hill, Kozhikode reached the beach and had a good catch of fish.

“We had come to the beach for a run but found a large quantity of fish that could be collected using bare hands and we can even share these with our neighbours. We were afraid yesterday (October 29), given the fact that the sea has withdrawn and the authorities were not coming up with a clear answer. Anyway, the sea is back and we are happy,” Sakeer told IANS.

Australia repatriates families of IS fighters from Syria

F our women and 13 children who were family members of fighters of the Islamic State group (IS) have been repatriated to Australia, reports the BBC. The group has been reported to have arrived in the country on 29 October after spending years in Syrian detention camps. As of now, the BBC quotes officials as saying, nearly 60 Australians are still to be repatriated. According to the latest media reports, thousands of people who had joined IS and families of those who died have been languishing in captivity in

Syrian detention camps since the

PM Albanese

Tsunami ruled out as sea back to normal in Kozhikode

PM Modi, Indian leaders congratulate Sunak for becoming UK PM

Biden thanks Indian-Americans as he hosts Diwali event at WH

New York, Oct 25 (IANS)

Hosting a Diwali reception at the White House, which was attended by more than

200 prominent Indian-Americans, US President Joe Biden thanked the community for making the

One Australian killed in Seoul’s Halloween crowd crush tragedy

The ABC report quotes Choi

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Gujarat reports

Ahmedabad, Oct 25 (IANS) The Emergency Medical Services data on Tuesday stated that there was a 500 per cent spike in the burn cases across Gujarat on Diwali and the physical assault incidents witnessed an increase of 112 per cent.

According to the medical services data analysis, Gujarat reports an average six burn cases, but on Monday (Diwali day) 30 calls were received. It is a 500 per cent jump from the normal days. At least eight burn cases were reported from

cases

Diwali

Ahmedabad, which was the highest on the day in the state.

The press release issued by the services also noted that the physical assault cases were 257, which is 112 per cent higher than the normal day case number of at least 121. On Diwali day, 188 persons fell from different heights, which was also an 8.05 per cent increase. At least 42 persons fell from buildings in Ahmedabad city and 24 in Surat.

There was 200 per cent increase in sexual assault cases. Nine women faced sexual assault on the Diwali day, as against three per day usually reported.

There was a drop in the drowning cases, electrocution, and crush injuries. But, injury due to animal attacks increased by 18 per cent from 16 cases to 19 cases.

Diwali to be public school holiday in NYC starting 2023

Education chancellor David Banks.

The announcement comes two days before the festival of lights, which falls on October 24.

“We are going to encourage children to learn about what is Diwali,” he added. “We’re going to have them start talking about what it is to celebrate the Festival of Lights, and how do you turn a light on within yourself,” Adams said.

The festival is celebrated by more than a billion people around the world, and signifies victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

For over two decades, South Asians and Indo-Caribbeans in New York have been fighting for a school holiday on Diwali.

BSF, Pak Rangers exchange sweets on Diwali at IB in Jammu

Jammu, Oct 24 (IANS) The Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at the International Border in Jammu on the occasion of Diwali, officials said on Monday.

“Today, on the occasion of Diwali, BSF and Pak Rangers exchanged sweets at various BOPs under Jammu Frontier in a very cordial atmosphere,” the BSF said.

BSF Jammu offered the sweets to Pak Rangers and the Rangers also reciprocated.

The BSF said the exchange of sweets was done all along the BoPs in Samba, Kathua, RS Pura, and Akhnoor border.

“BSF has always been on the

forefront in creating a peaceful and congenial atmosphere on the border while dominating the border effectively.

Tim Cook tweets Diwali image by Mumbai-based photographer

New York, Oct 21 (IANS) Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City starting next year, Mayor Eric Adams announced at a press conference on Thursday with state assembly woman Jenifer Rajkumar. They were joined by Department of

“The time has come to recognise over 200,000 New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights,” Rajkumar, who introduced legislation to recognise Diwali, said in the press conference.

“People have said that there’s simply not enough room in the New York City school calendar to have a Diwali school holiday,” the assemblywoman said. “Well, my legislation makes the room,” said Rajkumar, the first South Asian American woman elected to state-level office in New York. The new school schedule will still have 180 school days, as is required by the state’s education laws, Rajkumar added.

Adding Diwali to the school calendar replaces the little-known BrooklynQueens Day -- which originated as a Protestant holiday celebrated in the 1800s.

This Diwali is special: Fiji PM to Indian community

where we can so openly share in the celebrations of all our fellow Fijians... Fijians of all backgrounds have been draped in colourful sarees, salwar kameez and kurtas and workplaces have been deco rated,” Bainimarama said in a video message posted on Twitter.

A significant number of Fiji-Indians celebrate Ramlila and Diwali with traditional rituals, and they are part of the main events held on the islands.

won over darkness. Good has won over evil.”

Diwali in Fiji is a five-day festival, starting with Dhanteras, then Hanuman Jayanti and Narak Chaturdashi, followed by Diwali, and then Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj celebrations.

Indians make around 38 per cent of Fiji’s population and as of 2021, roughly 3.20 lakh Indians live in the South Pacific nation, according to the Union Ministry of External Affairs.

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday tweeted a Diwali image captured by Mumbaibased photographer Apeksha Makar, saying this photo truly depicts what the ‘festival of light’ is for millions in the country as well as abroad.

Shot on an iPhone, the image showed a woman’s henna-coloured hands enclosing a “diya” or earthen lamp.

“This photo beautifully captures why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Wishing all who celebrate a holiday full of joy and prosperity. #ShotoniPhone by Apeksha Maker,” Cook tweeted.

Apeksha said: “Humbled & stoked to have #TimCook @apple post my #shotoniphone image for Diwali! Wishing you all a prosperous one.” Apeksha is the co-founder of House of Pixels, a celebrity photographer

and works on bridging the gap between commercial and conceptu al photography.

She recently said that with iPhones, shoot as much as you can on the go, take advantage of the powerful tool in your pocket and you never know what you will create.

She works on bridging the gap between commercial and conceptu al photography.

According to her, the new iPhone 14 series can capture life under any kind of lighting conditions.

She said that to get the best shot, tap to focus and adjust your exposure by holding the tap and moving your finger up or down.

“This will give you sharper images. By adjusting the exposure effective ly you can make an ordinary image dramatic. Play with perspectives, move around and explore different angles,” the ace photographer noted.

Modi in Kargil to celebrate Diwali with soldiers

Srinagar, Oct 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kargil on Monday to celebrate Diwali with the soldiers guarding the borders of the country.

Keeping his Diwali tryst with the soldiers alive, Modi landed in Kargil amid chilling cold to celebrate the festival of lights with the soldiers. The morning temperature was near the freezing point in Kargil.

Suva, Oct 24 (IANS) Wishing the Indian community in Fiji on Diwali, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said that this year’s celebration is special as the world has won over the Covid pandemic.

“I thank God we live in a country

Like their Indian counterparts, people of Fiji celebrate Diwali with elaborate lighting and candle deco rations. It is also a national holiday in the country.

“This Diwali is special because we celebrate with the assurance that our resilience has prevailed over the pandemic and with the happiness that our recovery is here. Light has

They have mostly descended from ‘Girmitiyas’, or indentured labourers, brought to the islands by British colonial rulers between 1879 and 1916 to work on Fiji’s sugar plantations.

The vast majority of Indo-Fijians trace their origins to Bihar and South India.

Since his days as the chief minister of Gujarat, Modi has been visiting the soldiers on national festival Diwali to identify with them and share their joy.

Last year he celebrated Diwali in Nowshera border town of J&K’s Jammu division.

In 2020, he shared the joys of the Diwali festival with soldiers in Jisalmer, Rajasthan.

In 2019, Modi went to Rajouri district in J&K on Diwali while

In historic flight, Indian rocket puts ‘OneWeb’ satellites into orbit

the total number of foreign satellites launched by India will be 381.

Another set of 36 satellites from OneWeb is planned to be put into orbit in January 2023. The UK com pany has contracted with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) to pay over Rs.1,000 crore for both launches.

OneWeb is a joint venture between India Bharti Global and the UK government.

The satellite company plans to have a constellation of about 650 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) to offer communication services.

by liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine.

The ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket has a carrying capacity of 10 ton to the LEO and four-ton to the Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO).

in 2018 he was in Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with the Army and ITBP soldiers.

In 2017, the Prime Minister celebrat ed Diwali with the BSF soldiers in Gurez border town of J&K. Similarly in 2016 he went to Himachal

Pradesh.

Modi celebrated Diwali in Punjab with soldiers in 2015, and in 2014 he went to the World’s highest battlefield, Siachen glacier to be with the soldiers on Diwali.

Successful launch of OneWeb’s satellites, ISRO’s birthday present to Sunil Bharti Mittal

By Venkatachari Jagannthan Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) Oct

23 (IANS) In a historic maiden commercial flight, an Indian heavylift rocket GSLV MkIII - renamed for this mission as LVM3 M2, success fully orbited satellites of UK-based OneWeb.

The 43.5 metre tall and weighing 644 ton LVM3 M2 rocket, carrying 36 satellites weighing totally 5,796 kg or about 5.7 ton, blasted off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 12.07 a.m.

About 20 minutes into its flight, the LVM3 began slinging the satellites of Network Access Associated Ltd (OneWeb) into low earth orbit (LEO).

After the separation of 16 satellites, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S.Somanath said:

“The satellite separation is a slow process. The remaining satellites will be separated and the data will come later.”

Somanath also the Secretary of Department of Space was confident that all 36 satellites will be separated as originally planned.

According to D.Radhakrishnan, CMD of NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, the rocket mission is a complex one.

“The GSLV MkIII has made a remarkable entry into the com mercial satellite launch market,” Radhakrishnan said.

He also said that this is the beginning of many more business associations with OneWeb.

Once all the satellites get separated,

According to ISRO, the OneWeb Constellation operates in an LEO Polar Orbit.

The satellites are arranged in 12 rings (Orbital planes) with 49 satellites in each plane. The orbital planes are inclined to be near polar (87.9 degrees) and at 1,200 km above the Earth.

Each satellite completes a full trip around the earth every 109 minutes.

The earth is rotating underneath satellites, so they will always be flying over new locations on the ground. The constellation will have 648 satellites.

The LVM3 is a three-stage rocket with the first stage fired with liquid fuel, the two strap-on motors powered by solid fuel, the second

Normally the GSLV rocket is used for launching India’s geostation ary communication satellites. And hence it was named as GeoSynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The GSLV MkIII refers to the third generation rocket. As the rocket that flew on Sunday morning was for orbiting the satel lites in LEO, the ISRO has renamed GSLV MkIII as LVM3 (Launch Vehicle MkIII).

The rocket mission has several firsts for the Indian space sector. It is the first commercial launch of GSLV MkIII and for the first time, an Indian rocket will be ferrying a payload of about six tonnes. Similarly, OneWeb is using an Indian rocket to put its satellites into orbit for the first time. Also, it is the first commercial launch of GSLV MkIII contracted by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, and for the first time, a renamed GSLV MkIII is being used for launching satellites in LEO. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

By Venkatachari Jagannthan Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 23 (IANS) Telecom major Bharti Group founder and billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal on Sunday got a “unique birthday present” from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The Indian space agency success fully launched 36 satellites of the UK-based OneWeb, of which he is the Chairman.

OneWeb is a joint venture between India Bharti Global and the UK government.

The satellite company plans to have a constellation of about 650 satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) to offer communication services.

When queried, Mittal said it was not by design the satellite launch date coincided with his birthday.

It can also be said that it was Mittal’s birthday present to ISRO as

OneWeb signed two satellite launch agreements for a fee of over Rs 1,000 crore.

Referring to OneWeb’s planned launch of its Gen2 satellites, Mittal said that the company may need about 12-16 launches and ISRO will have a major role to play.

(Venkatachari Jagannthan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

“Such gestures help build a peaceful atmosphere and cordial relation ships on border between both border guarding forces,” it said.

Biden says Sunak election ‘groundbreaking milestone’

hosted by the President and First Lady Jill Biden with Vice-President Kamala Harris, the first IndianAmerican elected to that office.

“We’ve got news Rashi... Rashi Sunak is now the Prime Minister,” Biden said to a cheering audience of Indian Americans, adding, “As my brother would say ‘Go figure’.”

Sunak was born into an Indiandescent family that immigrated to the UK from East Africa. His father’s family traces descent to Gujranwala in Pakistan and he is the first person of colour to hold the top democratically elected position in the county that was once an empire that never saw the setting sun.

When Sunak celebrated Diwali at 11 Downing Street, took oath on the ‘Bhagavad Gita’

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Even

as they wonder whether Rishi Sunak will be able to steer the Conservatives and his country out of the “fiscal black hole” they have to contend with, British commentators haven’t missed the significance of his elevation to Britain’s highest political office on Diwali.

happened when Britain was in the throes of its own Covid crisis, Sunak told ‘The Times’ of London earlier this year: “It was one of my proudest moments that I was able to do that on the steps of Downing Street. It was one of my proudest moments of the job that I had for the last two years.”

Washington, Oct 25 (IANS) US President Joe Biden called the impending UK premiership of Rishi Sunak a “groundbreaking milestone”.

Biden, as most other world leaders, is still getting used to the Indiandescent Sunak’s name. He called him “Rashi”, which was a full vowel off Sunak’s actual first name Rishi. But that slip mattered little to his audience - Indian Americans at a White House celebration of Diwali

President Biden has not officially said anything yet on Sunak’s emer gence as the presumptive Prime Minister - although he was aware of the next steps as he said, “I think tomorrow when he goes to see the King” - so his remarks at the Diwali event were politically astute.

Sunak’s rise has been followed closely by Indian Americans, specially those who see in him - “a proud Hindu”, as he has called himself - someone who testifies and caps the rise of Hindus worldwide, more than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who rules a Hindumajority India.

Biden brought up Sunak at a point in his speech where he talked about hate, both speech and actions.

“I used to think we could defeat hate coming out of the civil rights movement, but (it, hate) only hides,” he said, adding, “It hides under rocks until it’s given oxygen and it comes out when prejudiced people are speaking. Violent extremists are a rising threat.”

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about celebrating Diwali with her mother’s family on their visits to India.

The timing is particularly significant in his case because Sunak will be the first practising Hindu to preside over a nation whose King is the defender of the Church of England. Sunak made history when he swore his oath to Parliament after the 2017 general elections with his hand on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, as pointed out by ‘The Guardian’.

And he was also the first occupant of No. 11, Downing Street, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer (an office that was held by the first prime minister, Sir Horace Walpole), to celebrate Diwali at the doorsteps of his then home. Recalling that moment, which

Despite growing up in Britain and going to Winchester, Oxford University and then Stanford, Sunak has never glossed over his cultural roots, staying away from beef and keeping a statuette of Lord Ganesha on his work table.

“I can proudly say that I am a Hindu and being a Hindu is my identity,” he said in a media interview, adding that his faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am.” For Sunak, therefore, this Diwali will be special in more ways than what is obvious.

As Sunder Katwala of the British Future think tank told ‘The Guardian’, it was “an historic

moment” that “simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago.”

Katwala added: “It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. This will be a source of pride to many British Asians -- including many who do not share Rishi Sunak’s Conservative politics.”

Will work day in, day out for the British people: Rishi Sunak

Richmond in Yorkshire in 2015.

constituent of the G7 -- the most industrialised countries in the world.

The only other contestant in the field Penny Mordaunt dramatically with drew her cadidature only a couple of minutes before nominations closed with a tweet.

London, Oct 24 (IANS) Rishi Sunak, 42, a Conservative party politician who is of Indian descent, will be the next prime minister of Britain. It marks a meteoric rise in British public life, for he became a member of parliament only seven years ago.

In his first, brief public statement after being elevated, he said: “I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility; and I will work day in, day out to deliver for the British people.”

It will be the first time a non-white will occupy the position of head of government in the United Kingdom -- a major post in international affairs, since Britain is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council as well as a

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of the Conservative Parliamentary Party and the returning officer responsible for conducting leadership elections, confirmed ‘we have received only one valid nomination’. He then declared: “Rishi Sunak is therefore elected leader of the Conservative party.”

Born in Southampton to a doctor father and chemist mother, Sunak studied at the private school Winchester College, Oxford University and Stanford University in the US. His professional career was that of an investment banker and hedge fund manager.

He worked as a waiter at a Bangladeshi-owned Indian restau rant in Southampton during his school holidays. While at university, he undertook an internship with the Conservative party at its headquar ters in London.

He was elected a member of parliament from the rural seat of

His first government responsi bility was that of parliamentary under-secretary of state for local government.

Then Prime Minister Theresa May appointed him for this in January 2018.

Another former Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who on Sunday night dropped out as a potential contender in the just concluded race -- appointed him chief secretary to the treasury in July 2019.

Thereafter, Johnson promoted him to cabinet as chancellor of the exchequer in February 2020.

In July 2022, Sunak resigned from the government citing differences on policy with the prime minister, thereby hastening Johnson’s downfall.

Mordaunt was leader of the House of Commons in the outgoing govern ment of Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was forced to quit on her 45th day in office -- the shortest period any premier in the UK has served.

Sunak was expected to be granted an audience by King Charles III imminently to be formally invited to form a government. His immediate task will be to stabilise the British economy after the damage caused to

it by Truss.

However, while the new prime min ister’s emergence was welcomed by markets and the British pound gained in strength, he will inherit a deeply divided Conservative Parliamentary Party. The ‘STOP RISHI’ MPs hailing from supporters of Johnson, Truss and Mordaunt could make life difficult for the new occupant of 10 Downing Street.

Christopher Chope, MP representing Christchurch in the county of Dorset told The Guardian newspaper:

“We have a parliamentary party which is completely riven, and its’ ungovernable.”

Sunak’s shortcoming is his lack of experience in politics. But he also faces a problem from a section of the Conservative party who do not even consider him to be Indian or American (because he held a resident card in the United States).

A caller to a chat show on LBC radio station over the weekend categori cally maintained, ‘Rishi Sunak isn’t British’, much to the anchor’s horror. Sunak’s wife is Indian, Akshata Murthy, a businesswoman who is also the daughter of N.R. Narayana Murthy, one of the founders of the Bengaluru-based Infosys.

The couple has two daughters.

‘Our Obama moment’: UK Hindu temple leader on Sunak becoming PM

London, Oct 25 (IANS) Rishi Sunak becoming UK’s Prime Minister is “our Barack Obama moment”, said leader of the Hindu temple set up by the Indian-origin leader’s grandfather.

Rishi Sunak’s grandfather Ramdas Sunak, who was from Gujranwala town (now in Pakistan), set up the Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Southampton in 1971.

“It’s like for the UK, it’s the Barack Obama moment, where a non-white person becomes Prime Minister for the first time, also a person from Indian origin and Hindu which is another dimension and everyone is very proud,” Sanjay Chandarana, president of the temple, told LBC News.

He added that Rishi Sunak regularly comes to the temple located in Hampshire city when he is in his hometown.

Rishi Sunak, who will be taking charge as the Prime Minister after meeting King Charles III, visited the

Biden

With a population of more than 4.5 million, Indian-Americans make up 1.4% of the US population and are the largest group of South Asian-Americans.

Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, thanked the South Asian community across America for their optimism, courage, and empathy.

“Together, South Asian Americans reflect the soul of who we are as a nation, whether helping us emerge stronger from this pandemic, building an economy that works for everyone, or serving and protecting our communities and our country,”

Biden said.

A record 130 Indian-Americans are in key positions of Biden adminis tration -- the best representation

temple in July, just a couple of days before he resigned as chancellor. He had offered a family prayer and had lunch at the temple.

Chandarana told LBC News that he is sure that Rishi Sunak will come to the temple for prayers once he becomes the Prime Minister.

Rishi Sunak made history when he swore his oath to Parliament after the 2017 general elections with his hand on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, as pointed out by ‘The Guardian’. And he was also the first occupant of No 11, Downing Street, the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to celebrate Diwali at the doorsteps of his then home.

Despite growing up in Britain and going to Winchester, Oxford University and then Stanford, Rishi Sunak has never glossed over his cultural roots, staying away from beef and keeping a statuette of Lord Ganesha on his work table.

“I can proudly say that I am a Hindu

and being a Hindu is my identity,” he said in a media interview, adding that his faith “gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It’s part of who I am,” Rishi Sunak had told The Times earlier this year.

Chandarana said Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister showed that integration was work ing in the UK.

“It will unite the country, because he practices Hindu religion religiously and one of the key values we have is that the whole world is our family and we believe in unity in that respect,” the temple leader told LBC News.

Rishi Sunak is scripting history as UK’s first Prime Minister of colour and the first Hindu premier.

from the community that makes up around 1 per cent of the American population.

Biden also shared his picture on Twitter lighting the lamp at the White House with a message that “Diwali is a reminder that each of us has the power to dispel darkness and bring light to the world”.

“This Diwali, may we remember that from darkness there is power in the gathering of light. That the American story depends not on any one of us, but on all of us,” the President tweeted.

“To those celebrating and connect ing with one another during this festival of lights: Happy Diwali,” he added.

The Bidens called the reception the largest since the People’s

House started celebrating the festival during the George Bush administration.

The reception was also marked by

cultural events, including perfor mances by sitarist Rishab Sharma and dance troupe The Sa Dance Company.

Australia-India ties can decide future of Indo-Pacific region

Now that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has elevated himself to an unassailable position and etched out his name forever in the history of China as the most powerful man comparable to the hallowed status of Mao Zedong, the world faces a renewed threat emanating from China in terms of security risks, economic instability and political uncertainty. That China harbours an ambition to catapult itself to the position of a superpower is no news any longer. China may not do a Russia by indulging in direct aggression against Taiwan, and Taiwan is certainly not facing Ukraine’s fate where the interna tional community has actually done mighty little to support it against Russian blitzkrieg; but China will not refrain from political brinkman ship thereby stoking the flames of fear and uncertainty, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Russia-Ukraine war is yet to reach the climax and may rage on for an unspecified number of months, the ramifications of the war are a reminder to the entire world of the fragility that exists in the global order. Organisations like the United Nations (UN) in the absence of a real mandate from its member countries to intervene in any war zone and forcibly bring an end to hostilities and establish peace proves the point that the UN is fast losing its relevance in the new international order in which regional coalition of countries proves more effective. NATO promises but does not deliver to the extent it ought to given the fact the US, one of its key members, is still the only official superpower since the disintegration of the USSR in the 1990’s.

China is similarly being emboldened and the stakes for the Indo-Pacific region are high where Chinese aggression is relentless creating a threat perception for the littoral nations in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Since both China and Russia do not subscribe to democratic ideology and are for all practical purposes authoritarian regimes, it all the more necessitates that the world’s real democracies should act in unison to create condi tions which obviate the need for war to settle international disputes. And of course besides conventional wars that play out, there are other emerg ing arenas of war such as cyber warfare which can inflict irreparable damages in a highly globalised and cyber network-oriented world.

Pathogenic warfare, infamously known as biological warfare, may be waiting in the wings to wreak havoc anytime given the arsenal of pathogens that most powerful countries of the world, including the US, keep handy.

In this backdrop, the recent Australia-India relationship has emerged as one of positive trans formations as both the countries have thus far been confronted with common challenges internationally, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both the countries are liberal democracies and therefore are on a common platform ideologically, based on their shared values for rule-based international order and

a free and open Indo-Pacific for shaping the future of this region.

Therefore, it is of utmost impor tance to realise that the world is increasingly aiming for a multipolar order rather than a bipolar or a unipolar arrangement. This accords importance to such coalitions as Quad, which has one of its primary objectives to contain the burgeoning power of China and its possible aspiration for global hegemony, hitherto enjoyed only by the US.

It is heartening to see the flourishing of Australia-India relationship since the coming to power of the Modi-led NDA government in India. Under the new Australian leadership of Prime Minister Albanese the relationship between the two nations may reach a new dimension of mutual coop eration and trust with a renewed interest between both the countries in increasing the frequency and numbers of people-to-people contact as well. The recent visit of India’s External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar to Canberra to attend the Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue, which was his second visit to this country, is a sign of the great diplomatic significance that India’s foreign policy has given to Canberra in recent times. Both the countries perceive that regional cooperation such as Quad is more pragmatic in dealing with regional challenges, rather than clamouring for assistance from big international entities. Dr Jaishankar met Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stating categorically, as all democ racies ought to do to each other, India’s priorities as “freedom of navigation in international waters, in promoting connectivity, growth and security for all”.

In her statement, Minister Wong reiterated the common interest that the two countries shared in the “region being stable and prosperous and respectful of sovereignty, where countries are not required to choose sides but make their own sovereign choices”.

These statements have cemented Australia-India relations for the future based on a firm under standing of each other’s domestic compulsions and international positions. Democracies, nay real ones, act with transparency even in implementing their foreign policy imperatives. New Delhi’s clarion call is loud and clear; for safeguarding the interests of all countries in the Indo-Pacific region in particular and in the larger global landscape in general, Australia and India must forge and sustain very strong ties based on a shared vision between the two countries in the light of Chinese aggressive aspirations in the region. Therefore Canberra, in recognition of the significance of this relationship, accorded a warm welcome to the Indian minister with its lighting up of the old Parliament House recently.

In Minister Wong’s words, who very aptly sums up the bilateral relations as “our partnership is a demonstra tion that we understand that this period of change is best navigated together”.

Xi Jinping’s art of smart dictatorship with Chinese characteristics

By Major General S.B. Asthana

Xi Jinping, the ‘Core leader’, has unveiled his new Politburo Standing Committee inducting with four new loyalists, retiring Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, in his unprecedented third term. Elimination of four Politburo Standing Committee members, the highest decision-making body in China, from the list of members of the new Central Committee, which oversees the party’s 97 million members indicates Xi’s complete overhaul of top hierarchy.

The Central Committee, with around 200 full members, reports to the 25-member Politburo (now reduced to 24 members), which is headed by the Politburo Standing Committee. All these bodies have majority of Xi’s men (No women).

Historically, whenever a dictator’s ambition exceeded the bounds of worldwide toleration, it resulted in catastrophe for the nation and its people, who had given him encouragement through their mute toleration. Xi maintains tight control despite China’s economy perform ing relatively poorly compared to its last three predecessors, the unpopular “zero covid” policy, the failing BRI, infrastructure failures, the unfavourable international environment, and some discernible protest.

He also disproves those who advo cated the implosion theory for China and even imagined a coup against him. He would have naturally made some shrewd decisions in his favour to acquire the level that no one other than Chairman Mao Zedong did in China. Xi has risen, but the question remains, “Is China rising?”

Xi: An Overambitious Dictator?

Reminding China about century of humiliation, Xi began his tenure by selling dreams to lift Chinese out of poverty and toward a developed society with Chinese characteristics and set timetables. In that he pushed through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a crusader to lead global infrastructure development, with recent offer to build an ‘open global economy’. It has increased global footprints/investments of China, hoping it to serve as growth engine for his country to fulfil Chinese dream to build a “moderately pros perous society and realize national rejuvenation”.

Internationally he tried to project himself as the crusader for new and just international order, to check the hegemony of West especially US (Despite junking the ruling of PCA and violating UNCLOS), and now declared ‘new choice for humanity’ based on ‘scientific socialism’ and ‘Chinese wisdom’. He did everything possible to make himself great, under the banner of ‘Making China Great’. He now promises ‘incom parable glory’ to China and seems to assume that Chinese people will accept him, without worthwhile checks and balances.

Post 19th Congress of CPC, China enshrined the “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and ideas like BRI in the Chinese constitution. The 20th Congress of CPC has added “new achievements” under Xi’s leadership, as “new developments” in the past five years to it. He continues to hold all levers

of power through number of crucial appointments to include Chairman of reorganised CMC, Politburo Standing Committee and the President (to be formally endorsed in March 23 in Annual Legislative Session), with his loyalists holding top hierarchy, to rein PLA for him. His anti-corruption drive was most popular amongst masses seeing powerful people in jail, besides systematically eliminating the entire dissenting elements and possible competitors.

Is the Pot Really Boiling?

Proponents of ‘Implosion Theory’ for China will like to believe that the disgruntlement stoked by economic slowdown, Zero Covid policy pres sures at grassroot level, banking fail ures, bankruptcy of infrastructure giants triggering housing scams, coupled with the strictest possible personal surveillance measures has created a pressure cooker kind of situation with very strong lid on top. The legal system stands hostage to party leadership to give strength to the boiling pot theory.

After assuming power in 2012 with a GDP growth of 7.9 per cent, Xi oversaw China’s subsequent economic decline. His detractors in the CPC believe that his actual accomplishments do not merit his ascension to the rank of Mao, but the unsatisfied elements and lobby groups are kept in control by his extensive surveillance because questioning Xi ‘The Core’ is anti-na tional and results in imprisonment. Dissent has no place in “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” according to Xi, who has made this clear by establishing the watchdog body “National Supervisory Commission” and putting the National Security Law into effect.

Xi is aware of the internal difficulties mentioned above, as well as the fact that China has highly educated society with many of its citizens touring other democratic nations, who increasingly understand the realities of freedom. Significant internal concerns surround some of his actions, such as imposing restrictions on religious practises and forcing abortions on Uyghurs in Xinjiang, requiring Christians to replace images of Jesus Christ with those of Xi Jinping in order to receive government benefits, engaging in social engineering and mental profiling, and using force to try to suppress democratic ideas. Smart Management of Boiling Pot! In order to quell internal dissent, Xi has deftly constructed a narrative of himself as a crusader against Western hegemony, reminding everyone of centuries of humili ation, igniting nationalism within the country by playing the victim card to responses to his aggressive actions in the Taiwan Strait, South and East China Seas, and Himalayas, and the need to unite under his strong leadership as the national need, overriding all other concerns. In his opening statement to the 20th Congress, his overemphasis on “security” and “struggle” supports the notion that China is the victim of external aggression. It is possible to interpret Xi’s actions, forcing students to read Xi’s thoughts (the equivalent of Mao’s Red Book), as an attempt to brainwash people into

blindly believing in him. His propaganda machinery has been able to build a narrative that despite certain pitfalls, the Chinese system of governance is better than more chaotic democracies which remain embroiled in protests, recording slower growth in last few decades.

Dealing Uyghurs with iron hand he has also built a narrative to majority of Han Chinese staying in South-eastern half of the country that he has been able to give them secure environment with hardly any terrorist activities, unlike most democratic countries. The strict censorship of media and internet, mental profiling, electronic isolation of thoughts and the fear of harsh crackdown on dissenters has helped him to minimize unrests/ disagreements.

Xi has been able to manage that the ‘Hate America’ sentiments echo more strongly than ‘anti- Xi’ sentiments in China. His military expansion and built up has also been projected as ‘Making China strongest ever’ as a lead over other predecessors since Mao’s era. In fact, Xi has pushed his country to a state where there is only one leader and rest everyone else is a worker.

Future of China under over-ambi tious Xi

CPC’s 20th Congress applauding Hong Kong’s transition from “chaos to governance” and adding “opposing and containing Taiwan independence” to its constitution convinces Xi that his aggressive posture has paid him well and might continue to serve his interest well. His reiteration that PLA would be a world class army by centenary 2027 with a strong system of strategic deterrence and new domain forces indicates growth of strategic arsenal to improve deterrence against US led West.

The Chinese dream of “Rejuvenation” and Xi Jinping’s goal of a “Prosperous Developed Society” with a “War Winning Modern PLA” by 2049 could have been achieved if he had not gone into overdrive with his aggressiveness, opening multiple fronts to oust the US as the world’s superpower by unfairly exploiting pandemic.

In accordance with Xi’s plan for ‘Making China Great Again’, China accelerated its incremental encroachment strategy in its peripheral regions. This gave him the confidence to aggressively use the pandemic to accomplish all of his goals ahead of schedule without having the means to defend its international shipping outside of its eastern seaboard. Although the US did not respond to his fire power demonstration around Taiwan

during Nancy Pelosi’s visit, China is still affected by restrictions on semiconductor chips, microproces sors, and other trade restrictions. With the kind of global anger he has generated against his regime in last few years, the world has realised the need for diversification of global factory, along with economic distancing from China. Xi realises it, is evident from his statement “China cannot develop without the world, and the world also needs China”. Xi appears to be advocating for capacity building to fight against economic coercion of West and desire for alternate financial system. Notwithstanding above, Xi has done well for himself, but pushed his country on a collision path with democracies, which might lead to its decline unless Chinese people wake up and shake up CPC to protect their dreams.

How does it affect India?

In CPC’s 20th Congress “Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military” was also added to the par ty’s constitution, making it the only leader with military term named after him in the constitution. Xi Jinping’s pitch for shaping security posture deterring and managing conflicts and winning local wars impact India and Taiwan directly. His attempt to stir up nationalism out of the Ladakh standoff was confirmed by the film about the Galwan episode being shown to all delegates, which appears to have helped him calm down domestic rage. The overplaying of the Taiwan problem follows the same logic. He will be inspired to maintain a tough posture on both fronts as a result. From Indian perspective, notwith standing Xi Jinping’s rhetoric, this is the time when Beijing is under maximum external and internal pressure since last few decades. If Beijing continues with its arrogance, it will invite further pressure. India should push for border settlement or demarcation of LAC now, as the political cost of resolving the border/ LAC may be lesser than maintaining an active front with India for China. India should not settle down with token disengagement, because unless the LAC is demarcated the stand-offs will continue. For the time being India should not blink at the borders and continue capacity building.

(Major General S.B. Asthana is a strategic and security analyst, a veteran Infantry General. He is the Chief Instructor, United Service Institution of India. The views expressed are personal)

Sunak’s first speech shows that many challenges ahead

He declared: “I’m not daunted.”

Rishi Sunak has become the UK’s 57th prime minister, the first prime minister to be a British Asian, the first Hindu, and the richest person to have held the office.

Former prime minister David Cameron had exuded confidence in 2014 when he had prophesied to see a British Asian taking on his role his lifetime.

Lo and behold, the words came true in just eight years.

The Conservative Party selected the newest British prime minister in just four days, after the previous prime minister Liz Truss’s resignation on October 20.

of the previous prime minister Boris Johnson.

By Asad Mirza

The Conservative Party of the UK showed a lot of grit in finalising the name of Rishi Sunak, as the new prime minister of the country very quickly, bringing an end to Liz Truss’s short tenure as the prime minister riddled with bad decisions.

Her shortest 44 days tenure left behind a trail of rising inflation, rising borrowing costs and predict ed deficits on a massive scale, which will likely require either significant tax increases, spending cuts or both.

The last chapter of Liz Truss’s tenure unfolded on the same lines as it happened during the last days

In BoJo’s case the crisis was precipitated by the resignation of his then Chancellor of Exchequer, Rishi Sunak and in Truss’s case it snow balled after the resignation of her Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Rishi Sunak after getting an invite from King Charles III to form the next government tweeted that he’ll fulfil promises listed in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto in 2019, saying: “I will deliver on (our manifesto’s) promise. A stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, control of our borders, protecting our environment, sup porting our armed forces, levelling up, and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit where businesses invest, innovate and create jobs.”

Sunak acknowledged that in light of everything that has transpired, he still has work to do to rebuild confidence.

He also said he understands the strain of the high position and that he’ll not leave the next generation with a “debt to settle that we were too weak to pay ourselves”.

In his first speech as UK prime minister, Sunak declared that his ad ministration would uphold integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level and pledged economic stability and increasing public’s confidence in the government.

But his most important task would be to unite a governing party that is riven with divisions, apart from tackling a mounting economic crisis, a warring political party and a deeply divided country.

The Conservative Party, despite having suffered a series of recent by-election defeats, still maintains a working parliamentary majority of 71, meaning that Britain’s next general election could conceivably come as late as January 2025.

Apart from the demands of the opposition’s Labour Party, other voices are also increasing in inten sity demanding the Conservatives to go in for a general election. In fact, Sunak has become a prime minister without the public support, as he was voted to be an MP not a PM.

Meanwhile in India, the news of Sunak becoming the prime minister on the auspicious day of Diwali was greeted with joy. The social media exploded in a series of accolades for Sunak, his family and his in-laws.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030,” referring to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) struck between the two countries and which was expected to be signed and delivered last week, before Diwali.

Meanwhile, India’s arch rival Pakistan’s public also laid claim to Sunak, describing him as a

Pakistani, as his parents belonged to Gujranwala, now in Pakistan.

Twitterati even urged the Pakistani government to lay claim to him as a Pakistani.

India has high hopes from Sunak to change the dimensions of the bilateral relationship. But Indian politicians need to understand that Sunak is not an Indian by birth and his outlook is more attuned to being a British citizen.

His Britishness helped him to achieve professionally as a banker and as a politician, what he is today. So his total outlook towards India would be a pragmatic one, not an emotional one.

One can’t see him undoing what his predecessors had done in the past. But perhaps a new king and a new prime minister might be able to start a new chapter in the bilateral rela tions and may change the overall view of the British policy towards India and Indians in the UK. Only time would tell.

How Kashmir’s irreversible integration with India became anathema for Pakistan?

of other Indian states have been deployed to J&K after abrogation of Article 370.

Baramulla, Srinagar, Pulwama and some other districts have local district magistrates.

For a change, Kashmiris seem to have decided to give up the per ceived special status to become their own rulers and masters.

Girls from Ganderbal, Bandipora, Badgam, Anantnag and other districts have distinguished them selves at national and international levels in Karate, kickboxing, Judo, Taekwondo, etc.

Diwali day shocker: Leopard kills 16-month-old toddler in Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 24 (IANS) In a shock ing tragedy on Diwali day, a leopard mauled a 16-month-old girl at the Aarey Colony, and she died later at a BMC hospital, officials said.

Confirming the incident, Sanjay Gandhi National Park Director G. Mallikarjun said it happened around 6 a.m. at the Unit No. 15 inside the forested Aarey Colony in Goregaon east.

A leopard pounced on and seriously injured the victim, Eitika Akhilesh Lot, even as locals raised an alarm.

Srinagar, Oct 16 (IANS) The abro gation of its special status together with the downgrading of J&K to the status of a union territory in August 2019 evoked both anger and shock in Kashmir.

Delhi had done with one stroke what seemed impossible to the common Kashmiri. He had prided himself on his special place in the polity of Indian states for over seven decades.

While he could buy land and estab lish business anywhere else in the country, none from other states of India had the privilege of establish ing residence or business in J&K.

Indian Parliament had done away with this sense of special citizenship of Kashmiris. Pakistan believed that the development had all it needed to focus international attention on Kashmir.

From the United Nations to the US, Pak Premier cried wolf. Imran Khan did his best to prove himself as the great champion of Kashmir’s secession from India.

Pakistan tried its influence on China and the Muslim countries to create unease for India internationally.

Internally, Pakistan believed hell would break loose in Kashmir. Delhi had put all separatist and Pro-India regional players like those of the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party under arrest.

If separatism needed a bigger spark, Pakistan believed that the historic movement had come.

To the pleasant surprise of the Indian government and total bewil derment of Pakistan, Kashmir did not explode after the abrogation of its special status.

Cynics said that the people were under shock even to decide their reaction to the unexpected development.

Pakistan tried to console itself that the recovery from the perceived shock would result in a turbulence Delhi could hardly handle.

Nothing even remotely close to Pakistan’s expectations and hope happened.

To keep its hope alive, Islamabad’s so-called eyes and ears in Kashmir, those were puppets on the string at the hands of the ISI said India had cracked down heavily with ubiquitous deployment of security forces and a blanket ban on Internet and other means of expression.

The expected ‘upheaval’ was waiting for a breather to explode, Pakistan and its supporters in Kashmir strongly believed in this.

Three years after the abrogation of its special status, curbs on the Internet are no longer there.

Presence of the security forces has stopped interference with the civilian movement. A general sense of ease and normalcy has returned to the Valley.

The people of Kashmir have shocked Pakistan. Secessionist violence has been reduced to a few incidents of encounters between armed militants and the security forces.

Violence has moved from the centre stage to the flanks. Secessionist feelings have become an aberration.

Common Kashmiri has decided to move on.

Education of children, developmen tal activities, sports, tourism, hor ticulture, handicrafts, white water rafting, trekking, hiking, family outings, entertainment, cinema, music and social get togethers have returned to the Valley.

Fear has been replaced by hope. Kashmiris appear to have decided that they will reclaim their special status by distinguishing themselves in civil service exams, competitive sports and entrepreneurship in business, horticulture and agriculture.

Khalid, 18, belongs to a middle class rural family of north Kashmir. He played football whenever stone pelt ing and separatist called shutdowns permitted him to do so till 2019.

In three years after 2019, the boy has been chosen to play for ‘Real Kashmir’ football club thanks to the initiative of the UT’s government. His younger brother, encouraged by Khalid’s achievement is now train ing himself to play for the under 19 cricket team of the country.

Kashmiri youth have been making it to the coveted IAS/IPS services of the country.

Students belonging to remote areas of Ganderbal, Badgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Kupwara and Baramulla have made it to the country’s top civil services.

After the relaxation of the civil servants deputation rules, most of the local boys and girls allotted to IAS/IPS/IRS and other cadres

The separatist diktat to restrict girls to veil and wall has been smashed with Kashmiri girls distinguishing themselves in sports, fashion designing, hospitality industry, music and fine arts.

Retardation of over 30 years imposed by the separatists on their education and progress has been replaced by the velocity of the local girls’ desire to excel in all fields and control their own destiny.

Mehvish Zargar is now the first female cafe entrepreneur of Kashmir.

Yasmeena of Baramulla district has become the chef at a local restaurant and she has distinguished herself as the ‘Cake girl of Kashmir’.

Rukhsana of Chanapora in Srinagar has set up the first cloud kitchen in Kashmir.A

Nasreena of Sopore has opened the ‘Al-Kareem’ restaurant where local cuisine called ‘Wazwan’ is served alongside Chinese and continental food.

Families have started outings on a scale that definitely indicates Kashmir’s return to entertainment with a bang.

As Kashmir had an unprecedented tourist flow in 2022, locals were not left out in numbers that visited Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Doodhpathri and a dozen other tourist spots during this year.

Hoteliers, taxi operators, houseboat owners, Shikarawallahs on the Dal and Nigeen Lakes, all have done good business this year because of the large number of tourists visiting the Valley now.

Commerce has replaced shutdowns imposed by the separatists.

Kashmir has not observed a single day of separatist called shutdown and protest since August 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated.

Families are going to the multiplex cinema opened a month back in Srinagar. Small cinema halls have also come up in some other districts. The intention of the separatists and their sponsors across the border to keep Kashmiris on a tight leash has been defeated.

Kashmiris have broken loose from the psychological shackles imposed on them through violence and fear.

The Government of India intends to hold the Assembly elections in J&K by the spring of 2023.

Coimbatore car blast: Five arrested, NIA likely to takeover probe

has been extended to Kerala. The probe team said that Mubin had been to Viyyur central jail and had met Mohammed Azharuddin, an accused in a terror related case. A team of senior officers of the Tamil Nadu Police were in Kerala for further investigation.

Tamil Nadu Director General of Police C. Sylendra Babu met the investigation team led by Additional Director General of Police, Thamarakannu at Coimbatore on Monday and discussed the progress of the case.

recovery of nails and marbles from the accident site, it was suspected that the deceased was planning to make a low intensity device.

The raids at the residence of the deceased found potassium nitrate and sulphur and this led to further investigation and probe on the involvement of other people in the conspiracy. After questioning, the police have arrested five men.

Tamil Nadu Police officers told IANS that the probe was likely to be taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The bleeding and seriously hurt child was rushed to the Seven Hills Hospital but she succumbed to her injuries soon afterwards.

At the time of the incident, she was reportedly going to a local temple along with her mother.

After performing an autopsy, the toddler’s body was handed over to her distraught family which

completed the last rites later in the day, even as the police are probing the matter.

Shaken by the tragedy, the forest au thorities said they have installed 12 camera traps in the area of incident to monitor the leopard movements and patrolling has started from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park along with Aarey volunteers groups.

On account of Diwali, many children would be enjoying themselves in the open spaces, lighting up crackers,

and the SGNP staff are appealing to the people to exercise caution and not allow the kids to venture outside during night or early morning. This is the second incident of its kind in Aarey Colony in October and earlier this month, a 4-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a leopard during the Navratri festival, and around a dozen persons have suffered leopard attacks in the past one year.

Men make videos as injured minor cries for help in UP’s Kannauj

Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 25 (IANS) A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped and then found dumped, drenched in blood behind the Dak Bangla guest house in Kannauj.

A video of the incident that has gone viral on social media shows by standers busy filming the grievously injured girl, instead of helping her. The girl had multiple injuries, including on her head.

In the video, the girl can be seen trying to reach out for help by raising her hand, but her appeals go unanswered. The video shows a group of men with their mobile phones in their hands, filming her from different angles.

The onlookers can be heard asking whether the police were informed. Another asked for the police chief’s number. But the filming continued with no attempts to help the girl. The girl had to wait for help until the police arrived.

A second video, which also went viral, showed the local police

outpost in-charge rushing towards an autorickshaw with the injured girl in his arms.

Superintendent of Police Kunwar Anupam Singh said, “The minor girl was found injured and the local police rushed her to the hospital for treatment.”

A case has been registered under the relevant sections based on a complaint by the girl’s family, he said.

It is not clear if the girl was sexually assaulted. No arrests have been made in the case yet.

According to the girl’s family, she had gone out to buy a piggy bank in the afternoon. When she did not return home till the evening, her parents mounted a search for her.

The girl was found behind the guest house, drenched in blood and traumatised.

The victim was later taken to the district hospital where a doctor examined her and referred her to Kanpur keeping in view her critical condition. The local residents

alleged that the girl was gang-raped and dumped there.

However, the police are denying the claim of residents.

Gursahaiganj police station incharge Manoj Pandey said it was too early to arrive at any conclusion and the police were waiting for the girl to give a statement.

Kashmir a ‘separate country’ in Class 7 exam in Bihar govt school, BJP slams Nitish govt

Patna, Oct 19 (IANS) A question paper in a Bihar government school termed Kashmir as a “separate country” triggering a political war in the state.

The question was asked to the students of Class 7 last week in the minority dominant Araria, Purnea and Kishanganj districts, and came to the fore after the BJP took it up. The Number 1 question of the English paper had five fill-in-theblank sub-questions.

The question asked was, “What are the people of the following countries called? One is done for you.” The question had five options on China, Nepal, England, ‘Kashmir’ and India.

Reacting to this, the BJP attacked the Nitish Kumar government. Sanjay Jaiswal slammed JD(U)-RJD combine and said that they are the supporters of Popular Front of India

(PFI).

“I have posted my comment on Facebook on Tuesday and removed it later on to respect the law of India government,” he said.

The officials of Bihar believe that Kashmir is a separate country just like China, Nepal, England and India,” Jaiswal said.

“Thinking and ideology of Nitish Kumar has become similar to that of Sharjeel Imam. He is desperate to become prime minister of the coun try and is misleading the children of Class 7 with anti-national questions. The Bihar government will soon ask questions on the PFI agenda of 2047 and its officers will ask the people to avoid highlighting the issue,” Jaiswal said.

“This question was asked in Purnea, Araria and Kishanganj districts. I am leaving this question to the

people of Bihar to decide where this government is heading,” he said.

Ex-Kerala Speaker mulls legal action against Swapna Suresh

Chennai, Oct 25 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Police have arrested five people in the Coimbatore car blast case in which one person was killed, said officials here on Tuesday, adding that the case is likely to be taken over by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Talka, Mohammed Azharuddin, Mohamed Navas Ismail, Mohammed Riyas and Firoze Ismail.

Sources in the Tamil Nadu Police investigation team, which is probing the case, told IANS that the probe

An explosion happened at 4 a.m. on Sunday near the famous Eeswaran temple at Ukkadam. The body of a 25-year-old youth Jameesha Mubin was recovered from the blast site.

Ukkadam is a highly sensitive area of Coimbatore and was the centre of action in the 1996 Coimbatore blasts leading to the death of 56 people and injuring more than 200.

Mohammed Talka, who has been arrested in the case, is the son of Navas Khan, who is the brother of the main accused in the Coimbatore blasts. Police said that after the

Opposition parties, AIADMK and BJP, have come out strongly against the failure of the state police. The AIADMK interim general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the media persons that whenever the DMK assumes power in the state such things happen, and charged that the law and order situation in the state has hit a new low .

BJP leader and state president K.Annamalai has come out strongly against the DMK government and state police and demanded an NIA probe.

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (IANS) Stung by the fresh revelation by the prime accused in the gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh, for mer Speaker and top CPI-M leader P. Sreeramakrishnan on Tuesday said he will speak to party officials and take legal steps besides dealing this politically also.

In her recent revelation, Swapna said former state Minister Kadkampally Surendran, presently a legislator, and Sreeramakrishnan used to send her lewd messages and asked her to come to them, while former state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac dropped indirect hints to her.

“I have not sent messages to anyone

and is it possible to invite her to my official residence where my entire family and aged mother lives and not to mention several staff mem bers. In the past also a lot of baseless allegations were aired against me and all know what happened to them. So I will deal with the present onslaught legally, after speaking to my party and also politically,” said Sreeramakrishnan.

In 2020, while being in office Sreeramkrishnan was questioned by the central agencies.

Sreeramakrishnan, who turns 55 next month, was a two-time legislator representing Ponnani, but did not get a nomination in the 2021 Assembly polls. After

the Chief Minister retained office, Sreeramakrishnan was made the chairman of the state run RootsNorka, a body that looks after the welfare of the Kerala diaspora.

NIA

singer

in gangster-terror nexus case

several gangsters.

During the raid, the agency found certain links connected to the Punjabi pop industry following which a few persons were issued summons by the NIA.

According to sources, the NIA questioned Afsana Khan on Tuesday.

The sources claimed that during the raid they found evidence, and interrogation of Khan was a must.

The sources also said that Khan was called to Lodhi Colony, situated at NIA’s headquarters. She was grilled there for over five hours in connec tion with the gangster-terror nexus.

of the Punjabi Pop Industry were threatened and a few were also attacked.

The sources said that they were also trying to explore the tiff between the gangsters and Punjabi pop industry.

“Ms Khan also sang a song with Moosewala. She had been a contes tant in reality show, Bigg Boss. By questioning her we want to know about the gangsters having connec tions in the Punjabi pop industry,” the source said.

10 fear stricken Kashmiri Pandit families abandon homes in

Srinagar, Oct 26 (IANS) Driven by fear in the aftermath of Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat’s killing by terrorists, about 10 families of local Pandits have left their homes in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district and shifted to Jammu.

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) In a major development, the NIA has reportedly questioned Punjabi singer Afsana Khan, an associate of late Punjabi Singer Siddhu Singh Moosewala, in the gangster-terror nexus case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found a link of the Punjabi pop industry in the case, and ques tioned Khan.

Recently, the NIA conducted a nationwide raid at the hideouts of

Khan was said to be very close to Moosewala and the Bhambia Gang. Moosewala used to call her sister. Moosewala had also confided in Khan about the death threats he had been receiving.

Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly killed Moosewala to avenge the death of Vicky Middukhera. But before committing the murder of Moosewala, a number of persons

The Delhi Police Special Cell and the Punjab Police have arrested over a dozen gangsters in connection with the murder case of Moosewala.

During the probe the agencies came to know about the sinister gangster-terror nexus. The Ministry of Home Affairs took the matter seriously and has asked the NIA to do a thorough probe.

The sources have claimed that in coming days a few more persons from the Punjabi pop industry can be summoned to join the investiga tion by the NIA.

Lingayat seer suicide case takes political turn, police begin probe

(IANS) Police in Karnataka have started a probe into the suicide of a 45-year-old Lingayat seer in Ramnagar district after preliminary inquiry revealed that he was being harassed by a local politician, sources said on Tuesday.

Basavalinga Sree committed suicide on Monday in the premises of the Kunchugal Bande Mutt.

He had spoken to the politician over the phone for three hours before ending his life, the police sources claimed.

A three-page suicide note has been recovered, the contents of which is still under wraps.

The seer was actively involved in an agitation against the garbage mafia and took part in many anti-govern ment protests.

There were also talks about the seer being blackmailed by alleged audio and video clips.

Police sources said that the political leader will be summoned for ques tioning soon.

The seer had built many education institutions for poor children, as well as a hostel for students.

JD (S) leader and former MLA H.C. Balakrishna said on Tuesday that the seer had done a commendable job in the region.

Govt firm on pushing Hindi in higher education despite opposition

The PM said that language had become such a barrier for so many decades that the country could not get the benefit of the wealth of talent in the villages and in poor families.

“So many talented children could not become doctors and engineers because they did not get the oppor tunity to study in the language they understood. Now this situation is being changed. Now students have started getting the option of study ing science, technology, medicine, etc in Indian languages too,” he said.

“Use of Hindi as medium of instruction and other activities should be Hindi in all technical and non-technical institutions in the country and use of English should be made optional,” the committee has recommended.

The committee noted that Hindi can’t be a common language unless the medium of instruction is Hindi in universities, higher educational institutions including technical or medical institutes, claimed sources.

Bhat was killed by terrorists outside his home in Chaudharygund village of Shopian district on October 15. Reports said in the aftermath of Bhat’s killing about 10 families com prising 35 members have left their ancestral homes in Chaudharygund village and shifted to Jammu. These families have left behind everything, including this year’s apple crop.

On October 18, two non-locals, Monish Kumar and Ram Sagar were killed by a lone terrorist who hurled

a grenade at the rented accommoda tion where the two were asleep.

Acting swiftly, police arrested the terrorist, who was later killed in

Kharge takes over as first

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) Mallikarjun Kharge has officially taken over as the Congress president and became the first non-Gandhi after a gap of 24 years to be the party chief.

Ahead of his official takeover as the Congress president on Wednesday, Kharge paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat, and also visited the Samta Sthal and Shakti Sthal.

Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were present along with other senior leaders of the party. Rahul Gandhi took a break from his ongo ing Bharat Jodo Yatra to attend the Kharge takeover.

terrorist firing on the security forces when they were proceeding for another operation on the disclosure made by the arrested terrorist.

Roots of anti-Hindi sentiments in TN go back to 1937 Periyar-led agitation

By Kumar Vikram New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS)

Controversies surrounding the use of Hindi refuse to end, especially given the increased push given to the official language by the gov ernment. Developments in the last couple of days have made it clear that Hindi is in the prime focus of the government.

There are many recent instances where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have advocated the use and impor tance of Indian languages.

PM Modi on Wednesday said that English is just a medium of communication, not a benchmark of being intellectual. While speaking at the Gujarat government’s Mission Schools of Excellence initiative in Gandhinagar, the PM pointed out that earlier English was considered the benchmark of being intellectual despite being only a medium of communication.

He said that the new National Education Policy is an attempt to bring the country out of the slave mentality and refine talent and innovation.

“See, what was the situation in the country? Knowledge of the English language was taken as a measure of intelligence, whereas language is just a medium of communication.”

The PM said that even a poor moth er, who cannot educate her child in an English school, can dream of making him or her a doctor and a child can become a doctor in his mother tongue.

“We are working in that direction so that even a person from a poor family can become a doctor. Efforts are underway to make courses in several Indian languages as well as in Gujarati language,” he said while talking about the government’s plan to promote Indian languages.

Before this, Home Minister Amit Shah on October 16 launched the first MBBS course in Hindi in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and said today medical education is commencing in Hindi and soon engineering studies will also begin in Hindi. The translation of engi neering books has commenced in eight languages across the country, and soon students will be able to pursue technical and medical education in their mother tongue.

Earlier, sources claimed that the Committee of Parliament on Official Language in its 11th volume of the report presented to President Droupadi Murmu last month stated that English should be the medium of instruction only where it is absolutely necessary and gradually English should be replaced with Hindi in those institutions.

While there are many reports about opposition voices in the southern states, particularly in Telangana and Tamil Nadu, the committee’s deputy chairman, BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said that these responses are baseless.

“I cannot give my views and feed back on behalf of the committee. These things are baseless�Tamil Nadu is exempted under the Official Language Act. There the rules cannot apply. It is not that they do not know this, yet they are raising this issue.

“As for Kerala, Hindi is not being imposed on any state. In the Act which was in force since 1976, both Hindi and English have been languages. It has only been said from our side that the use of Hindi should be increased by the Central Government which are institutions in the category (A). The terminology given by some media is misleading and wrong.”

While the reports say that all states and Union territories are divided in three groups (regions) on the basis of progressive usage of Hindi, the BJD leader said, “We have not made this arrangement. It has been in existence since 1976, when Indira Gandhi was in government. Since that time this system has been going on. No changes have been made to this.”

By Arun Lakshman Chennai, Oct 23 (IANS) Amidst the ongoing political uproar against the Centre’s alleged move to impose the Hindi language, it is interesting to note how vehemently Tamil Nadu has opposed ‘similar’ moves in the past.

Between 1937 and 1940, there were strong anti-Hindi agitations led by the Dravidian ideologue, E.V. Ramasamy Niakar aka Periyar in the state.

In 1937, during the British Raj, when the Indian National Congress government in Madras Presidency led by C. Rajagoplachari as the Chief Minister tried to introduce compulsory teaching of Hindi in the schools of Madras presidency, the then opposition party in Tamil Nadu - Justice party, which later went on to become the Dravidar Kazhagam or DK - the ideological powerhouse of the present DMK, announced a series of agitations across the Madras Presidency.

The agitation lasted for three years and had strongly opposed the move of introducing compulsory Hindi teaching. There were protest marches, sloganeering, agitations and even stone pelting during the movement. However government retorted with strong measures including lathi charges and later firing.

Two people, Thalamuthu and Natarajan, lost their lives in the agitation and 1,139 people includ ing women and children were arrested.

The agitations continued for three years and when the British government came to power after the Congress government resigned in 1939, the decision to impose the Hindi language was revoked.

It is to be noted that C. Rajagopalachari was a great pro ponent and supporter of the Hindi language and even before he had assumed power, he had expressed his desire for Hindi learning in South India and had written several articles supporting the same including a scholarly piece

in ‘Sudesamithram’ on May 6, 1937, making his intentions crystal clear. There are records that organi sations like Hindustani Seva Dal and Hindustani Hitashi Sabha, two pro-Hindi organisations had lobbied for this. On August 11, 1937, a month after he came to power, Rajaji made his intentions clear and announced a policy document for the need to learn Hindi in schools.

He argued that learning Hindi will reduce the North-South divide and that people will be more equipped to search for jobs and for doing business with the knowledge of Hindi. Chief Minister Rajagopalachari went on to pass a government order (GO) making the teaching of Hindi compulsory in 125 secondary schools in the presidency.

The Official Language Act of 1963 was the next major development that triggered the anti-Hindi agitations in the state with the lone representative of the DMK in the Rajya Sabha, C.N. Annadurai speaking for the continuation of English as official language as it would distribute advantages and disadvantages evenly among Hindi and non-Hindi speakers.

Then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru responded positively to this argument of Annadurai and prom ised that English would continue as official language. However, after Nehru passed away in 1964, Tamil movements were skeptical whether the promise made by the late Prime Minister would be kept and their apprehensions became true when Chief Minister Bhakthavalsalam introduced the three language formula (EnglishHindi-Tamil) in the Madras Legislative Assembly.

With this, anti-Hindi agitations spread across the state with the students taking to the streets and extreme measures were taken by the agitating students. Chinnasamy of Tiruchi was the first person to immolate himself against com pulsory Hindi teaching and street fights with the police and students

and youths became the order of the day. Many were killed, many injured and Annadurai declared January 26, 1965 (the day when the Official Language Act had come into fore) as ‘mourning day’.

Chief Minister Bhaktavalalam said that it was blasphemy leading to Anna advancing it to January 25, 1965. In the agiations that followed, 70 people killed and many sustained injuries. Annadurai and 3,000 others were taken into preventive custody.

This led to fissures in the Congress party with Union Minister C. Subramaniam and O.V. Alagesan handing over their resignation letters to the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadhur Shastri who promptly accepted them and forwarded to President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. President refused to accept the resignation and called upon Prime Minister Shastri not to precipitate matters.

Lal Bahadhur Shastri relented and in a nationwide radio broadcast on February 11, 1965, Prime Minister announced that English would continue to be used as communi cation language for Centre-State relations. Shastri also announced that Civil Services Examinations would continue to be conducted in English.

The anti-Hindi agitation and struggle paved the way for the decline of Congress in Tamil Nadu and the ascendancy of DMK in the echelons of power in the state. In the 1967 elections, Congress lost power in Tamil Nadu and C.N. Annadurai was sworn in as Chief Minister of the state. Interestingly, the stalwart of the Congress party, K. Kamaraj lost to a student leader, Sreenivasan. Many of the student leaders who participated in the anti-Hindi agitation went on to become ministers in the Annadurai cabinet.

It may be noted that the anti-Hindi agitation led to the ‘two language policy’ in Tamil Nadu as against the three language policy of the Central government.

Shopian

Ramnagar, (Karnataka)

Law takes effect in Aus state to better protect emergency workers

paramedics, hospital medical staff, state emergency service workers, surf life savers and marine rescue volunteers,” he said.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman said the new legislation is part of the state government’s response to the report of the Assaults on Emergency Services Workers from NSW Sentencing Council, which had found a range of offences against emergency services workers across the state.

Canberra, Oct 19 (IANS) Australia’s death rate remained low in 2021 amid Covid-19 restrictions, new data revealed on Wednesday.

According to the data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there were 171,469 deaths registered in Australia in 2021 at a rate of 507.2 deaths per 100,000 people, reports Xinhua news agency.

It marks a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous year but remained lower than any other year in the last decade.

narrow.

In 2017, the mortality rate of heart disease was 38 per cent higher than that of dementia. In 2021, the gap was just 9 per cent.

Deaths from respiratory diseases including influenza remained low, which was attributed to Covid-19 restrictions preventing their spread.

Sydney, Oct 20 (IANS) A new

law aimed at better protecting frontline health and emergency services workers from assaults and violence has come into force in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW).

Assaulting these workers will be met with tough new penalties, ranging from up to 12 months in prison and/or a fine of A$2,200 ($1,378), to a maximum of 14 years in

“These new laws reinforce the NSW government’s commitment to strengthening frontline services and supporting those who selflessly serve in these critical roles,” the state’s Premier Dominic Perrottet said in a statement released on Thursday.

“This includes firefighters,

“The NSW government has ensured that firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, pharmacy staff, community health workers and NSW State Emergency Service frontline workers are covered by the new offences, in recognition of the significant work they do for our community,” Speakman added.

Young gamers may be targets of extremist recruitment: Australian police

Xinhua news agency.

AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner of Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Sandra Booth said spreading extremist content on online gaming platforms was a serious concern for law enforcement agencies in Australia and around the world.

“We know that nationalist, racist and violent extremist content in online games is almost certainly part of a radicalization process for some young people.

increased from 2 percent prior to 2020 to about 15 per cent in 2022.

Booth said parents and guardians could play a significant role in preventing extremist groups from preying on young Australians via online games.

The AFP encouraged parents and guardians to talk to their children and understand what games they are playing and who they may be interacting with in those games, and observe and interpret their children’s behaviour online.

Heart disease was again the leading cause of death in 2021, followed by dementia, stroke, lung cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases. However, the gap between heart disease and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, continues to

Canberra, Oct 17 (IANS) The Australian government on Monday announced a 10-year national plan to end domestic violence.

Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services, and Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, along with state and territory officials launched the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, reports Xinhua news agency. The landmark blueprint for change calls for reforms to how justice systems, the health sector, perpetra tors, media, schools and technology companies act, highlighting the importance of engaging with men and boys to target violence at all levels.

It features two five-year action plans, with a separate plan to be developed for Indigenous women and children.

“Deaths from respiratory diseases remained low in 2021, with the mortality rate of 39.1 deaths per 100,000 people being the second lowest on record. This included just two deaths from influenza. Covid-19 public health measures appeared to suppress the transmission of many common respiratory illnesses in 2020, and this continued in 2021,”

Lauren Moran, director of ABS mortality statistics, said in a media

interventions.

Kate Fitz-Gibbon, director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, de scribed the plan as “world-leading”.

“It sets the ambition to create whole-of-system responses that not only support victim-survivors to survive, but to thrive beyond their experience of violence,” she said.

“This national plan represents a much-needed decade-long com mitment to eliminate the national crisis of domestic, family and sexual violence.”

One third of Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15 and on average one woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days, according to the report.

release.

In 2021, strict measures were taken in Australia to contain the spread of Covid-19, when cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra had been in lockdown for months. Alcohol-induced deaths increased by 5.8 per cent from 2020 to their highest rate in a decade.

Canberra, Oct 17 (IANS) The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have warned parents and guardians to be aware of their children’s online activities after it was found that young gamers may be targets of extremist recruitment.

In a statement, the AFP said that it has seen a concerning trend of members and associates of extrem ist groups targeting young people to expose them to dangerous content -- including violent recreations of actual terrorist events -- across online gaming platforms, reports

“There are a number of popular games that enable users to create scenarios and record them for others to re-watch and share online across social media.

“Our concern is extremist groups are exploiting these platforms to target a very young group of Australia’s population, by creating content to share and encourage far-right/extremist ideologies and abhorrent violence against others,” she added.

According to AFP, far-right terror ism-related investigations have

The authorities also suggested several signs that need to be vigilant for such as using hateful or emotionally-charged language, an increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric, or developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues.

AFP said it will continue to work with other law enforcement partners, through the Joint Counter Terrorism Teams, to identify and disrupt anyone who attempts to incite violence and spread harmful messages through the community.

Aus govt boosts funding for Great Barrier Reef protection

million ($128 million) in funding to address critical gaps in the longterm reef sustainability funding.

The extra commitment takes Australia’s total investment in the Great Barrier Reef to A$4.4 billion from 2014-15 through to 2029-30.

In a joint statement with Nita Green, the special envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Plibersek said the plan would reduce sediment run-off and restore mangrove and seagrass beds.

and sea country.”

The funding includes A$20 million to assist corals in evolving more quickly and adapting to a changing environment.

A A$15.3 million grant has been awarded to the Central Queensland University to establish the Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre.

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef, is also one of Australia’s biggest tourist attractions.

The plan suggests more funding be made available for men’s behaviour change programs and perpetrator

In addition, violence against women and children costs the economy A$26 billion ($16 billion) a year.

“Violence against women and children is not inevitable,” the report

said. “By addressing the social, cul tural, political and economic factors that drive this gendered violence, we can end it in one generation.”

“Current rates of family, domestic and sexual violence are unaccept able,” Rishworth said.

“We want to make these changes now so the next generation of women and children can live in a society free from violence. We need sustained and collective action across society.”

Australia reverse decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Canberra, Oct 18 (IANS) The Australian government on Tuesday announced that it has reversed a 2018 decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

A statement citing Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “The government has reaffirmed Australia’s previous and longstanding position that Jerusalem is a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people.

“This reverses the (former Prime Minister Scott) Morrison government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Australia’s embassy has always been, and remains, in Tel Aviv.

Canberra, Oct 21 (IANS) The Australian government on Friday announced a funding boost for the conservation of the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek outlined the federal gov ernment’s plan to protect the reef from the impacts of global warming, reports Xinhua news agency.

It includes an additional A$204

“If we protect the reef, we protect our future. This new investment will bring forward actions that have been long overdue,” they said.

“Under the previous government, the Reef 2050 Plan was allowed to drift off course. We’re bringing it back on track. This funding will deliver stronger monitoring to ensure water quality targets are met, improve our understanding of blue carbon ecosystems and support traditional owners to manage land

In March, it experienced its sixth mass coral bleaching event as a result of marine heatwaves.

Friday’s announcement came ahead of Plibersek meeting with state and territory officials for the first time since the federal government won power in May.

The meeting will set the agenda for the national response to environ mental challenges.

Australia to increase fines for data breaches

maximum fines for serious or repeated data breaches from the current limit of A$2.2 million ($1.3 million), reports Xinhua news agency.

Under the changes, the maximum penalty will become whichever is highest A$50 million, 30 per cent of a company’s turnover in the relevant period, or three times the value of any financial benefit obtained through the misuse of data.

It comes after a series of high-pro file data breaches in Australia.

medical procedures.

“When Australians are asked to hand over their personal data they have a right to expect it will be protected,” Dreyfus said on Saturday.

“Unfortunately, significant privacy breaches in recent weeks have shown existing safeguards are inad equate. It’s not enough for a penalty for a major data breach to be seen as the cost of doing business.”

“Australia is committed to a twostate solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, within inter nationally recognised borders. We will not support an approach that undermines this prospect.”

The statement went on to say that the incumbent Anthony Albaneseled government “recommits Australia to international efforts in

the responsible pursuit of progress towards a just and enduring twostate solution.

“Australia will always be a steadfast friend of Israel. We were among the first countries to formally recognise Israel under Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley. This government will not waver in its support of Israel and the Jewish community in Australia.”

The Foreign Minister was also quoted as saying that “we are equally unwavering supporters of the Palestinian people, providing humanitarian support every year

since 1951 and advocating for resumed peace negotiations”.

Israel regards Jerusalem as its “eternal and undivided” capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as the capital of a future state.

Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem has never been recognised interna tionally, and according to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.

Australia’s inflation expected to peak towards end of year, persist for longer: treasurer

Canberra, Oct 23 (IANS) Australia’s treasurer has warned that inflation in the country is expected to peak towards the end of the year and it will persist for a little bit longer because of the impact of the natural disasters and energy prices.

Jim Chalmers, who will on Tuesday night hand down his first federal budget, on Sunday said inflation is the primary influence on this budget, which guides the approach to cost of living relief, Xinhua news agency reported.

Canberra, Oct 22 (IANS) Australian companies that fail to protect customers’ data will face fines worth tens of millions of dollars under new laws proposed by the government, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said on Saturday.

In a statement, Dreyfus said he would introduce legislation to Parliament that will increase the

Telecommunications giant Optus in September disclosed a major cyber attack that compromised the data of approximately 10 million current and former customers.

On October 13, health insurance provider Medibank revealed hackers stole 200 gigabytes of data including details of customers’

The Optus and Medibank breaches have been referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Cyber Security Centre, and Australian Signals Directorate for investigation.

If passed by Parliament, the amend ments to the Privacy Act would also give the national information commissioner greater powers to resolve data breaches.

“On the current Treasury forecasts, inflation will persist for longer than we’d like,” he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television.

Treasury forecasts inflation will peak at 7.75 per cent in December.

“This will be a family-friendly budget which recognizes that our pressures on the economy come from around the world, but they’re felt around the kitchen table,”

Chalmers said.

As a result of inflation, government spending on social security

payments including the pension is expected to be about 33 billion Australian dollars (20.8 billion U.S. dollars) higher than previously forecast.

Earlier this week, the treasurer confirmed the ongoing flooding in Australia’s southeast will harm the country’s projected economic growth.

Thousands of homes and businesses have been affected by the floods, and the treasury forecasts the floods will drive the price of fruit and

vegetables up by 8 per cent over the next six months.

Chalmers said the key elements of the strategy have two parts.

“First of all, how do we get wages moving again in this country, and the budget will be about that,” he said on Sunday.

“But also how do we help inflation moderate over time. You do that by making sure your cost-of-living relief is responsible and that your investments in the economy don’t push up inflation.”

Australia’s death rate remained low in 2021 amid Covid curbs

New 10-yr plan to end domestic violence in Australia

jail for the worst offenders, Xinhua news agency reported.

By Yashwant Raj

Washington, Oct 25 (IANS) Samosa, that typically Indian snack, just became American.

Trader Joe’s, a US-wide grocery chain, recently launched samosas stuffed with pumpkin, which become a national obsession around this time of the year, leading up to Halloween, which is celebrated with Jack-o’-Lanterns cut out of pumpkins.

Pumpkins are injected into or used in everything from coffee to ice cream to waffles, pies, and breakfast cereals. Many of these concoctions are specially launched around this time for just this season and disap pear off the shelves in a few weeks.

The same fate awaits Trader Joe’s “Spicy Pumpkin Samosa”.

Some Indians and Indian-descent Americans, who are wary of excessive westernisation of Indian cuisine, have responded with predictable horror, “No, Trader Joe’s. Just No”, said one of them. Social media has been full of similar postings chiding Trader Joe’s for this culinary infraction.

Others were less hostile, and more welcoming. “Trader Joe’s spicy pumpkin samosa is a testament that it is accepted around the world as a global dish and no longer a regional or ethnic dish”, said Chintan Pandya, the chef-cofounder of Adda and Dhamaka, the buzziest New York Indian cuisine restaurants.

“It’s a big step forward for Samosa as a dish and will open more food gates for regional Indian dishes. Hope it works so we can have Turkey Tikka in the Trader Joe’s aisle.”

Turkey is a staple of a typically American holiday, Thanksgiving. The traditional dish is a whole Turkey, mostly brined but not marinated, that is roasted for hours in an oven; it’s then ceremonially cut up for serving at dinner with stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, potatoes and pumpkin pie.

If anyone at Trader Joe’s heard Pandya, it should ‘Turkey Tikka’. Chicken Tikka, of its British cousin Chicken Tikka Masala, is a growing favourite in the west.

Indian-descent Americans recall a time they could not find samosas anywhere in the country. Most of them learnt to make them at home, if ingredients were available, which

was also rare at the time.

Pit Stop In D.C.: Samosa ban gaya American Election of another Indian American candidate to US Congress almost certain

Indian families remember driving miles to a store with Indian cuisine groceries.

Ashok Bajaj, who came to the US 33 years ago and went on to establish himself as a leading restaurateur in Washington D.C., the power capital of the world, remembers there were no samosas available at the time. Now you can’t have enough of samosas served at his Indian cuisine restaurants -- Bombay Club (just a block from the White House), Rasika and Bindas -- and countless other Indian cuisine restaurants around the US.

Samosa is now widely available, and increasingly popular with non-Indi an descent consumers.

Trader Joe’s did not respond to a request for of its reasons for putting pumpkin stuffed samosas on its shelves, but it is no stranger to other regular Indian cuisine -- strictly Indian in form and content -- such as Lamb Vindaloo, chickpeas and rice, chicken tikka, naans and rotis.

The pumpkin Samosa appears to be its first shot at Americanizing that most typical Indian snack.

“As long as its quality is good, it’s good,” said Bajaj.

Bajaj is no stranger to experimenting with Indian cuisine, his restaurants were probably the first to put guaca mole into golgappas, which are now standard hors d’oeuvres at Indianrelated events, as are bite-size pieces of nan that are sometimes served with drinks, mostly wine.

By Arul Louis

New York, Oct 25 (IANS) US midterm elections next month will almost certainly add a member to the “samosa caucus”, as the Indian Americans in Congress call themselves, with the likely election of Shri Thanedar to the House of Representatives from the Democratic Party stronghold of Detroit.

He could become the fifth Indian American member of Congress if all the other four are re-elected - a very strong possibility, according to forecasts.

An entrepreneur and self-made millionaire Thanedar, 67, who was born in Belgaum in India, is an unlikely Democratic Party candi date for the constituency covering a chunk of Detroit, a city that is overwhelmingly African American.

Although the eight African American candidates split the votes in the intra-party election in August for the Democratic Party’s nomination that virtually guarantees success in the general election, Thanedar’s story of com ing up from poverty - having once worked as a janitor - to become a successful businessman and his message of economic upliftment for the community struck a chord with party members.

FiveThirtyEight, an election data analysis outfit, puts his chances of winning at 99 per cent against the Republican candidate Martell Bivings, who is an African American.

ten years.

He has expressed doubts about his chances, even headlining an appeal to his supporters, “I could lose”.

But a poll in his constituency gave him a six per cent lead over Republican Chris Dargis and Politico Forecast had him likely winning while FiveThirtyEight gave him a 98 per cent chance of victory.

Politico Forecast said the constit uencies of the other three were “solidly Democratic”.

In California, FiveThirtyEight gave a 99 per cent chance of victory for Ro Khanna who is running against another Indian American, Republican candidate Ritesh Tanden.

It set Ami Bera’s odds in California at 98 per cent and Premila Jayapal’s at 99 per cent in Washington State.

There are also other Indian Americans running for Congress with almost no chance of winning, but could use the opportunity to raise their profile.

They include Republicans Sandeep Srivastava in Texas and Rishi Kumar in California each with a FiveThirtyEight odds of one per cent.

Earlier, in the Republican primary elections to select candidates, Abhiram Garapati lost in Texas and Hima Kolanagireddy in Michigan.

Shrina Kurani, a Democratic, lost the open primary in California.

and legal election contributions from Hindus.

Another Democrat, Hiral Tipirneni, who lost by less than five per cent in Arizona in 2020 is also not contesting this time.

Thanedar, who is now a Michigan state legislator, ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic party nomina tion for governor in 2018.

He came to the US in 1979 and got his PhD in chemistry and an MBA. He took out loans to buy a company he worked for, Chemir, and built it from a $150,000 company to one with a revenue of $14 million before selling it for $26 million, according to his LinkedIn page.

He next started Avomeen Analytical Services, a chemical testing laboratory.

He sold the majority stakes in it in 2016 and, according to his cam paign bio, retired to get involved in public service to answer “the call to fight for social, racial and economic justice”.

Matter protests, I am being told that my case of six threatening incidents involving human excrement doesn’t merit even a serious investigation, let alone protection,” she wrote in a letter to Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, and the City Council.

A threatening email was also sent to Sawant’s office, calling her “the queen of s**t” and inviting her to “sit on your throne of human excrement”, according to local media reports.

police asked the public to help them track down the suspect but they left out the victim’s name, identifying her just as a “politician”.

“The department takes incidents involving public officials seriously, and investigators have canvassed for evidence, gathered information from witnesses and reviewed everything collected thus far,” the post read.

Witnesses have described the sus pect as an Asian man approximately 5-feet-4 inches tall.

The four current members of the “samosa caucus” - all Democrats - appear to be comfortably placed for re-election according to polls and analytical forecasts.

FiveThirtyEight rated all of them as “very likely” to win.

One of them, Krishnamoorthi found his constituency located around Chicago in Illinois slightly altered with the addition of some Republican-leaning areas in the redrawing that takes place every

Sri Preston Kulkarni, who ran for the House from Texas in 2018 and 2020 as Democrat is not running again.

A former diplomat, he lost his elec tion by less than seven per cent of the votes after it was sabotaged by some fellow Democrats with an anti-Hindu agenda who made an issue of his participation in the “Howdy Modi” rally in Houston in 2019 that featured India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Donald Trump,

Thanedar said on his campaign site that he grew up in poverty in a family of ten in India and worked in odd jobs to support his family after his father retired.

“I’ll never forget what it’s like to live in poverty, and I’ll never stop working to lift Detroit families out of it”, he wrote.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @ arulouis)

New York, Oct 24 (IANS) An Indian-American lawmaker has slammed the Seattle police for not investigating repeated ‘feces attacks’ on her house, which she says is “politically-motivated”.

City Council member Kshama Sawant, 49, said an unknown suspect has thrown plastic bags filled with human excrement into her yard multiple times starting this month.

“As a socialist City Council member who has participated in Black Lives

A social activist and an organiser, Kshama claimed that when her husband informed the police about the fourth attack on October 8, they responded, “what do you expect us to do?” and did not open an investigation.

She added that the cops also refused to put a police detail in front of her house for protection, a TV station reported.

The Seattle police said it has not found any evidence linking the case with the city or state standards for hate crime laws. However, they said that they will follow available leads should new information arise.

In a blog post last week, the Seattle

“Most concerning is the very high likelihood that this extreme and hostile behaviour is politically motivated, and could turn into more serious and dangerous harassment,” she wrote in her letter.

She blamed Seattle’s “Democratic Party establishment” for supporting Seattle Police’s apathy and said she was filing a complaint with the Office of Police Accountability, the New York Post reported.

According to a KIRO-TV report, Kshama was at the forefront of the city’s “Defund the Police” movement over the last few years and had proposed cutting the department’s budget by $85 million in 2020.

North Carolina honour for Indian-American activist Swadesh Chatterjee

New York, Oct 22 (IANS) North Carolina Governor Ray Cooper presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Indian-American activist and entrepreneur Swadesh Chatterjee. Chatterjee, 72, who was awarded at a ceremony on Friday in Cary, is known for strengthening the US-India relationship over the past three decades.

Cooper applauded Chatterjee’s contribution to the development of North Carolina, and also in enrich ing the India-US relationship and cultural milieu of America.

Chatterjee was the chairman and co-founder of the US-India Friendship Council, which played an instrumental role in the passage of the US-India Civilian Nuclear Deal. Chatterjee played a key role in

former President Bill Clinton’s March 2000 visit to India. He was also a part of the Indian-American delegation that accompanied Clinton during the visit.

He became the first IndianAmerican to be conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2001. Chatterjee was also inducted as a member of Indian PM’s Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians in January 2009.

He was the first recipient of the Community Leader of Year award by the ethnic newspaper, India Abroad in 2006.

Chatterjee has a B.Sc in Physics from Calcutta University, a B.E. in Instrumentation and Electronic Engineering from Jadavpur University, and an MBA from North

titans, financiers, multinational CEOs, and heirs.

By 2032, India will overtake China (number 2) as the fastest growing market for centi-millionaires, with an anticipated 80 per cent growth rate in individuals worth over $100 million, the report released by international investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners stated.

centi-millionaires) followed closely by Germany in fifth place (with 966).

Switzerland (808), Japan (765), Canada (541), Australia (463), and finally Russia (435) make up the rest of the top 10 countries for centi-millionaires.

Labour party appoints its first turban-wearing Sikh to House of Lords

New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) With lev els of poverty, inflation and hunger notwithstanding, India ranks third in the world’s first-ever global study on the rise of centi-millionaires -individuals with assets of more than Rs 830 crore ($100 million), a new report has revealed.

Out of the world’s 25,490 centi-mil lionaires, India has 1,132, beating countries like the UK, Russia and Switzerland, in a swift growing and powerful class of super-rich tech

“At around 57 per cent, the growth of centi-millionaires in Asia will be twice that of Europe and the US over the next decade. Concentrated primarily in China and India, the centi-millionaires in these countries are set to eclipse their European and American peers,” said Misha Glenny, a financial journalist and author. Of the world’s 25,490 centi-mil lionaires, the US, which ranks at number 1, is home to 38 per cent (9,730) of global centi-millionaires, despite constituting only 4 per cent of the world’s total population. It is closely followed by big emerging markets of China and India in second and third place, with 2,021 and 1,132 centi-millionaires, respectively.

The UK is in fourth place (with 968

The report states that in the late 1990s, $30 million was considered the definition of ‘super wealthy’, but asset prices have risen significantly since then, making $100 million the new benchmark.

It further says that the number of centi-millionaires has doubled over the past 20 years, and “their capital accumulation has been dramatically accelerated by the economically and socially disruptive effects of technol ogy and the recent Covid pandemic”. While a growing number of younger entrepreneurs who founded successful tech companies are newcomers to the club, Baby Boomers -- people born from 1946 to 1964 -- still tend to dominate the centi-millionaire circle despite many now cashing in their stock options and selling their businesses.

London, Oct 19 (IANS) India-born Kuldip Singh Sahota has become the first turban-wearing Labour peer and the only Sikh on the Labour benches in the House of Lords. Sahota, 71, who has served as Councillor at Telford and Wrekin council since 2001 for 21 years, was nominated by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and will thus be addressed as Lord Sahota. Sahota was on former UK PM Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list for his public service. In the UK, peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister to serve for their life.

“Kuldip becomes the first-ever dastar-wearing Sikh on the Labour benches in the House of Lords and will serve as a role model for Sikhs across the community,” said Neena Gill, Chair of Sikhs for Labour, a group that promotes shared values of the Labour Party and the Sikh

community.

He has also served as chair of the West Midlands Labour Party Regional Board and has stood as Labour candidate for police and crime Commissioner.

Sahota was born in Garhdiwala, in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur and moved to the UK in 1966 to join his father. He is married with two grown-up sons and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Telford.

Sahota has also been volunteering in a number of roles across the community in the West Midlands in addition to being a member and activist of the Labour Party for over 25 years.

Members of the House of Lords are sometimes referred to as peers. Most members are Life Peers al though 92 sit by virtue of hereditary title.

Lord Singh (Indrajit Singh) of Wimbledon was the first peer to

wear a turban. He was made a crossbench life peer in 2011 and Lord Suri (Ranbir Singh Suri) was the second when he was made a Conservative life peer in 2014.

probing ‘feces attacks’

Carolina State University.

He and his wife Manjusri Chatterjee, a practicing physician, live in Cary.

History made in China as Xi Jinping to serve third term

to serve another term and are reportedly more reform-leaning, but neither are considered to be arch President Xi loyalists.

With two other retirements, there were four new faces on the top team. All four are men considered to be within Xi’s inner circle. All have worked closely with him at various points in his career and are likely considered highly trusted, Sky News reported.

It represents Xi stuffing the standing committee with his closet allies and seems to offer little in the way of an olive branch to other wings of the party.

N.Korea likely to conduct nuclear test: US

Washington, Oct 25 (IANS) North

Korea is believed to be “continuing preparations” for a nuclear test while the US is set to face any threat posed by the “recalcitrant” country, a state department spokesperson has said.

Department Press Secretary Ned Price said on Monday that the US also remains open to engaging in dialogue with Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported.

appropriate in responding to DPRK provocation and as necessary to strengthen both defense and deterrence to protect our allies in the region,” he said.

The remarks came as Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman began a three-day visit to Japan earlier in the day for bilateral and trilateral talks with her South Korean and Japanese counterparts.

Beijing, Oct 23 (IANS) History has been made in China after it was confirmed that President Xi Jinping will remain in power - breaking with a decades-long precedent that limits the terms of Chinese leaders, local media reported.

Having ruled China for 10 years already, he will now stay on for at least another five-year term - and he could, in theory, make himself leader for life, Sky News reported. The break with tradition makes him the most powerful leader in China since Chairman Mao and his vision has become increasingly unchallengeable.

The confirmation came at the end of the week-long 20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China. It is a once-every-five-year event with the central purpose of selecting the people who will sit at the top leadership roles for the next five years.

This includes the two groups seen as the apex of political power in China - the 25-strong Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee that is currently made up of seven people, including the president. The new standing committee was revealed as President Xi led them on stage in rank order. His leadership

of the procession served as the confirmation he will remain as the general secretary of the party. His official confirmation as president will happen in March, Sky News reported.

The two-term limit on Chinese presidents was introduced in the early 1980s in the wake of Chairman Mao’s death.

Mao’s nearly 30-year rule bought great chaos, violence and instability to China - and the idea was to move to a more “collective leadership” model and ensure power could never again be so centralised in the hands of one person.

But in 2018, President Xi successful ly removed the two-term limit from the constitution - paving the way for the consolidation of his power we have seen this weekend.

There have been other constitutional amendments made this week to further highlight the “core” status of President Xi at the centre of the Party, Sky News reported.

Changes to the Politburo Standing Committee also suggest he has be come increasingly unchallengeable.

Two figures in particular, Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, are notable in their demotion from the standing committee. Both are young enough

There also was no obvious suc cessor in the standing committee line-up. A designated successor is usually anyone on that team who is young enough to serve one term in waiting and two terms as leader all before the retirement age of 68, but there was no one of that age.

This indicates Mr Xi may indeed intend to stay on for a further 10 years or longer, Sky News reported.

His consolidated position matters enormously in China and around the world because it means his vision for the country is here to stay.

Under his leadership China has become increasingly rich and strong. His ultra-nationalist vision has made it more assertive of the foreign stage and unapologetic about its ascendency.

But in his ten years in power President Xi has also centralised much of the power within the state and the party under his control. He has purged rivals and stifled dissent.

People in China are increasingly heavily surveilled and censored, while journalists, lawyers and civil society groups have largely been silenced, Sky News reported.

Experts say it would now take a political earthquake to unseat him, something that feels increasingly unlikely.

Rushdie lost sight in an eye, use of one hand after Aug attack

stabbed in the neck and torso as he came on stage to give a talk on artistic freedom at the Chautauqua Institution on August 12, The Guardian reported.

Until now, the full extent of Rushdie’s injuries had been unclear. But in an interview with Spain’s El Pais, Andrew Wylie explained how serious and life-changing the attack had been.

talked about the possibility of such an attack in the past.

“The principal danger that he faced so many years after the fatwa was imposed is from a random person coming out of nowhere and attack ing (him),” he said.

“So, you can’t protect against that because it’s totally unexpected and illogical. It was like John Lennon’s murder.

“Our concern regarding the potential for another North Korean nuclear test, which would be its seventh, has been consistent for some time now. We assess that the DPRK is preparing its Punggye-ri test site for what would be its sev enth test,” Price said in a daily press briefing, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“We are preparing for all contin gencies in close coordination with our partners and allies around the world,” he added.

The spokesperson noted steps to be taken by the US may include “adjust ments” to US defence posture.

“We are prepared to make both short- and longer-term adjust ments to our military posture as

Price said much of Sherman’s ongo ing trip to Tokyo will be “dedicated to discussing the challenge that the DPRK poses to the region.”

The department spokesperson also reiterated US commitment to engage in dialogue with the North.

“We have made consistently clear that we harbor no hostile intent towards the DPRK. We remain open to dialogue. We remain open to diplomacy,” he said.

“At the same time, our commitment to the security of our personnel in the region, of our treaty allies is ironclad,” added Price.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC), expressed concerns over North Korea’s recent prov ocations, while highlighting the possibility of a potential nuclear test.

“We have been consistently con cerned about North Korean provoca tions. It’s not just because they have accelerated missile launches, for instance, in the last few weeks. It’s been a consistent concern of ours, which is why several months ago, again, we added some intelligence capabilities off the Korean Peninsula to help us get a little bit better insight,” he said in a telephonic press briefing.

North Korea fired nearly a dozen ballistic missiles in just three weeks from late September, bringing the total number of ballistic missiles it launched this year to 44, the largest number of ballistic missiles fired in a single year, according to US officials.

Indians, Khalistani supporters clash in Canadian city on Diwali night

Ottawa, Oct 26 (IANS) Police in the Canadian city of Mississauga said that between 400 and 500 people clashed on Diwali night, during which one side waved the Indian Tricolour while some others held Khalistani banners, media reports said.

In a tweet, the Peel Regional Police said officers received reports of a fight in the area of Goreway and Etude drives at around 9.41 p.m. on Monday, reports Global News. The police said they received reports that the fight had broken out at a local parking lot, adding

that paramedics assessed one male patient at the scene.

In its latest update on Tuesday, the police said there was a “large gath ering of people” who were “yelling” and “screaming”, but there was “no large fight.”

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, according to the Mississauga-based online news outlet Insauga.

The footage shows two large crowds at a Diwali celebration separated by Peel Regional Police officers as fireworks can be heard in the background.

2 missing Indians killed, claims Kenyan President’s aide

Nairobi, Oct 22 (IANS) Two Indians who went missing in Kenya in July this year, have been killed by the disbanded Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) unit, a close aide of President William Ruto claimed.

Madrid, Oct 23 (IANS) Salman

Rushdie has lost his sight in one eye and the use of one hand after the attack he suffered while preparing to deliver a lecture in the US’ New York state two months ago, his agent has confirmed, the media reported.

The 75-year-old author, whose received death threats from Iran in the 1980s after his novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ was published, was

“(His wounds) were profound, but he’s (also) lost the sight of one eye,” said Wylie. “He had three serious wounds in his neck. One hand is incapacitated because the nerves in his arm were cut. And he has about 15 more wounds in his chest and torso. So, it was a brutal attack.”

The agent declined to say whether Rushdie was still in hospital, saying the most important thing was that the writer is going to live, The Guardian reported.

Wylie also said he and Rushdie had

The man accused of stabbing Rushdie pleaded not guilty to sec ond-degree attempted murder and assault charges when he appeared in court on August 18.

Hadi Matar, 24, was arraigned during a brief hearing in Chautauqua county district court on an indictment returned by a grand jury that charged him with one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-de gree assault.

Dennis Itumbi said in a Facebook post that Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and his friend Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai were part of the Kenya Kwanza digital campaign team, and contributed immensely to the success of Ruto’s campaign.

According to The Nation, Itumbi said the evidence suggests that the two were in a cab that was blocked by the disbanded DCI unit.

He further said that Khan, Kidwai and their taxi driver were all dragged into another car and killed in what he called the ‘killer waiting bay’, a container used to kill Kenyans at a police station in the past.

“After three days, the trio were put in a vehicle and sent towards Aberdares, over 150 km from the capital Nairobi,” Itumbi was quoted as saying in The Nation.

extrajudicial killings, was behind the disappearance of Khan and Kidwai.

“Sometimes when our team was overwhelmed and we needed graphics, I sent (material) their way and they paused whatever they were doing and did me the favour,” he said in a Facebook post.

“They visited Mombasa, Homa Bay, (Masai) Mara, nyama choma joints and loved our dance joints too. They invited me to India; I told them I would visit after (the) elections. Their eyes were primarily on enjoy ing Kenya as much as they could. When they sat down, they produced very appealing content,” he added.

Khan, former COO of Balaji Telefilms, and his friend Kidwai went missing 90 days ago along with taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania, a local, from Mombasa Road in July.

A preliminary report handed over to the Inspector General of Police revealed that the three men were last seen when they visited a night club in Westlands, Nairobi, on the night of July 23.

extrajudicial killings.

A total of 21 detectives who served under the unit were summoned to the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) headquarters in Nairobi on Friday.

The IAU handles complaints filed against police officers and recommends punishment for those who are found to have committed professional transgressions.

said - adding, “The world today faces unprecedented challenges,” CNN reported.

Xi has formally stepped into his third term ruling China, paving the way for “lifelong” rule.

Xi has unveiled the other six mem bers of the Standing Committee, China’s most powerful decision making body - stacked with loyalists and allies, limiting potential resis tance, CNN reported.

assertive stance on the world stage. The lineup of the new seven person Politburo Standing Committee is “the latest affirmation of Xi’s absolute power now over the party, and therefore over this nation of 1.4 billion people”, CNN reported.

It indicated that the “old rules” surrounding party leadership - such as succession plans or promotion criteria - “no longer apply”, he added.

A report in The Nation stated that the Special Service Unit (SSU), a group that has been accused of

Washington, Oct 25 (IANS) A former police officer of Minneapolis in Minnesota state of the US pleaded guilty in the death of African American man George Floyd.

Itumbi’s revelation comes against a backdrop of the disbandment of the Special Service Unit (SSU), a group that has been accused of

India has been in touch with the Kenyan authorities on the matter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in New Delhi last week.

Beijing, Oct 23 (IANS) As Chinese President Xi Jinping revealed his top leadership team, he also laid out his ambitions for China and reiterated his signature goal for the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” -- often called the “Chinese dream”, local media reported.

“On the road ahead, no matter high winds, choppy waters, or even dangerous storms, the people will always be our most solid support and strongest confidence,” he

In decades past, when addressing China’s Party Congress, previous leaders had stressed how China was in a “period of important strategic opportunity”, indicating the country was stable and the focus should be on economic growth. But this year, Xi opted not to use that phrase. Xi’s message reflects his approach - to tackle things on a “war footing”, CNN reported.

“It’s about struggles, it’s about combating these dangerous storms ahead,” she added - which include both domestic difficulties such as an economic slowdown and ongoing Covid disruptions, and international tensions as China adopts a more

Xi himself began straying from precedent in 2018 when he elimi nated term limits for the state role of President. Xi is the head of the party, military and state. His real power comes from his capacity as the General Secretary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which also controls the military - not from his largely ceremonial role as President of China.

There was also a long-standing unwritten rule that top officials at the age of 68 or over would retire at the Party Congress - but several officials under that age limit are now set to retire, CNN reported.

J. Alexander Kueng, 29, on Monday pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting in manslaughter after prosecutors and Kueng’s defence attorney agreed to recommend a sentence of 42 months in prison, Xinhua news agency reported.

Kueng is the second to plead guilty to the state charge, following his former colleague Thomas Lane, who pleaded guilty earlier this year.

A third former officer, Tou Thao, previously rejected a plea deal and agreed on Monday to go forward with a trial by stipulated evidence on one count of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement that

Kueng’s guilty plea “hopefully can bring comfort to Floyd’s family and bring our communities closer to a new era of accountability and justice.”

Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020, after an encounter with Minneapolis police, during which officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. Kueng, Lane, and Thao were also present and on duty. Chauvin was sentenced in a federal

court to 21 years in prison earlier this summer for violating Floyd’s civil rights.

The sentence is running concur rently with Chauvin’s state sentence of 22.5 years after he was convicted for second and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter. Floyd’s death sparked outrage and protests across the US in the summer of 2020 against police brutality and systemic racism.

Former Minneapolis cop pleads guilty in death of George Floyd

Xi warns of ‘dangerous storms’ ahead reflecting China’s increasingly assertive stance

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(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni@ians.in)

New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANSlife) World Vegan Day is coming up, and what better way to mark this occasion than by incorporating wholesome, distinctive, and delectable veg an-based coffee recipes? Start your day off right with these tasty vegan coffee recipes from Abdul Sahid Khan, Head Trainer, Lavazza India, Beverage Training Manager, Lavazza India.

Dolce Lavender Latte (DLL)

This lite latte with sweet fragrance of lavender and smooth taste of white chocolate makes it a perfect hot coffee. Though it’s a black coffee, the combination of soy cream on the top will give you the perfect feel of milk coffee.

Ingredients : 200 ml French press coffee

10 ml Lavender Syrup

15 gm White Chocolate

• Topping Ideas:

• White Chocolate grated

Few drops of lavender syrup

Whipped cream

Directions:

Take lavender syrup and white chocolate slab in a glass mug, add little hot water and melt it well.

Brew a strong coffee in a French press, pour it over a mixture of white chocolate and lavender.

Garnish with whipped cream, White Chocolate grated and few drops of lavender syrup.

Caribbean style vegan coffee mock tail with cinnamon spice, soy cream and butter rum to make it a perfect relaxing cold coffee.

Ingredients:

45 ml Espresso/Moka pot coffee

• 15 ml butter rum syrup

• 10 ml maple syrup

6-8 ice cubes

60 ml soy cream

Cinnamon sugar for the rim

Directions: Take a cocktail shaker, add ice cubes, coffee and syrups. Shake it well.

Wipe the rim of your glass with a couple of drops of maple syrup, and then dip the rim of the glass into the cinnamon sugar.

Strain and pour the contents over ice into your glass, pour soy cream over it slowly.

Cinnamon sugar; Mix cinnamon and sugar with a 1:4 ratio.

This the simplest and best coffee float recipe with perfect combina tions of nutty and creamy flavour, fizzy and bubbles add excitement.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Espresso/Moka pot coffee

1 scoop dairy free Vanilla Ice Cream

20 ml hazelnut syrup

150 ml club Soda

4-5 ice cubes

Directions:

Take a glass with 4-5 ice cubes, add hazelnut syrup, dairy free vanilla ice cream over it.

Pour freshly brewed coffee over it.

Top your glass with soda until it’s full and enjoy the fizz.

It’s a delicious and nutritious smoothie with your daily caffeine dose. This healthy coffee beverage is sweet but with no extra sugar and very filling.

Ingredients:

45 ml Espresso/Moka pot coffee

1 banana

2 dates (without seed)

• 15-20 ml maple syrup

• 100 ml almond milk

• 4-6 ice cubes

Directions: Brew espresso freshly and cool it down.

Add peeled and sliced banana, almond milk, dates, maple syrup, and espresso into a blender and blend until it’s smooth.

Pour it into Glass, and enjoy your healthy espresso smoothie.

If you want, garnish it with some banana slices, broken cashew nuts or add some walnuts.

(Abdul Sahid Khan, Head Trainer, Lavazza India)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi

•

•

•

Method:

First

need

.

In a big wok or frying pan, heat ghee. Once the ghee is hot, turn the heat down .

Put Sooji in ghee .

• On a low to medium heat fry sooji until it’s light brown in colour .

• Once it’s light brown , add Badam paste.

• Add saffron and fry this together for about five minutes .

• Now add four cups of water and one cup of milk. Stir

quickly .

• Now add sugar and keep stirring it till it has a smooth texture .

• Turn off the heat . Transfer into a serving bowl .

• Garnish it with fried cashews and fried raisins .

• And it’s ready to be served .

The

Date lite Smoothie

Vanilla Coffee float

BADAM HALWA

Our sole purpose is to bring Indian communities together: FICQ prez

thank you for sparing some time from your busy schedule and giving us the opportunity to interview you. Let us begin by asking, when was the need for a Federation like FICQ felt, and how could it be realised, considering that 40+ disparate Indian organisations from Queensland were brought under one platform in the form of a Federation?

the Federation will strive to develop and deliver education, training and community development opportu nities for the members of the Indian communities in Queensland. Could you give us a few achievements of the Federation thus far in achieving this mission?

The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc. (FICQ) has been at the forefront of serving the Indian com munity in the state of Queensland since its inception. In an exclusive interview to Indian Abroad, FICQ president Anoop Nannuru traces briefly the Federation’s evolution over the years and talks about how this umbrella organisation has been the cohesive unit for disparate Indian organisations from the state of Queensland.

At the very outset, we would like to

FICQ Inc has been in operation now for nearly 25 years, since its inception and incorporation. As the diaspora over the years grew, a need was visible for an organisation or entity that brought the different Indian Associations together from a unity perspective but also for an organisation that provided a sin gular representation of the Indian diaspora as well. We have multiple organisations that are part of FICQ Inc., each of these organisations have a unique flavour to what they do. FICQ Inc. brings all of this to gether and represents the complete Indian diaspora in its interactions. Member organisations are located all over the state of Queensland. One of your mission statements says

We often hold training programs for the member organisations on how to apply for government grants, forums for women on their welfare and how to protect their children in unfortunate events of domestic violence. These programs represent education as well as community development.

FICQ categorically states in its constitution that it will maintain a non-partisan neutral position. How does this stance of the Federation fa cilitate the achievements of its goals and in furthering its mission? Has this commitment to a non-aligned position posed any challenges to the Federation so far?

FICQ Inc. thrives on this non-par tisan stance and has successfully built strong relationships on all sides of the political divide. Our

non-partisan stance is much appre ciated and respected on all sides of politics and it allows us to engage, irrespective of who is in power. Our role is to represent the Indian Community in Queensland and work with all sides for the welfare and benefit of our Community. Our engagement has always enabled us to work with and influence policy decisions to be made that adds value to our diaspora and community as such.

How has your association with FICQ been so far? What have been the challenges so far, if any, and how have you been able to solve them? Specifically, have you had to face any difficulty in seeking cooperation of representatives from various Indian communities on matters of general interest to the Indian community?

This is an individual question – I would answer it as myself and would state that I have been associated with FICQ Inc. for almost 15 years now and for about 8 years directly in the Executive Committee of FICQ Inc. I also look forward to a long relationship in the future,

working with FICQ Inc, either in it or with it, for the benefit of the Indian community in Brisbane and Queensland.

As our community grows, our needs and wants are constantly changing. Keeping up with the ever changing needs are a big challenge for FICQ Inc. That coupled with bringing an ever growing and divisive community are probably the biggest challenges FICQ faces constantly and continuously.

Our tenure and experience are probably our greatest strengths in working with the community and assisting in mitigating the challenges.

Do you reckon that federations like FICQ are paving the way for main taining a sense of unity and integrity among the members of the Indian communities?

Absolutely. FICQ’s sole purpose is to bring Indian communities together and act as their singular voice to the Three Layers of Australian govern ment and also other governmental and social bodies for the benefit of the diaspora.

FICQ also maintains an excellent relationship with the Indian High Commission (HC) in Canberra and acts as a communication channel between the HC and the Indian diaspora.

FICQ celebrates Indian festivals such as Diwali with a lot of enthu siasm and participative fervour insofar as the Indian communities are concerned. What special arrangements has the Federation made for this year’s Diwali celebra tions? Could you tell us a little about some of the special attractions for these celebrations? And what is the significance of such celebrations in keeping the Indian communities together as a cohesive unit?

FICQ has been celebrating Diwali since 2010 at the heart of Brisbane city, King George Square. We hold the daylong event on a Friday clos est to the actual date of Diwali. It has been estimated about 20,000 people go through our festival enjoying the cultural performances and tasting Indian food. Dignitaries such as the premier of Queensland and several ministers attend the function.

House panel deputy chief says Hindi not being imposed on anyone

Official Language Committee, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, submitted a report regarding the Hindi language to President Droupadi Murmu in September, following which voices of protest have started rising in some states. Expressing displeasure, the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala said that Hindi is being imposed on their states by the central government.

Nadu and Kerala have said that Hindi is being imposed on them. What does the committee have to say?

A: I can give my views and feedback, but not on behalf of the committee.

Q: What changes are being made by the committee this time in the new report?

comment, they are aware of this, yet are raising the issue.

By Sanket Pathak New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) The

Bhartruhari Mahtab, ViceChairman of the Official Language Parliamentary Committee, spoke exclusively with IANS that the Chief Ministers of both the states are giving statements on misleading news and that the committee would not do anything like this.

Q: The Chief Ministers of Tamil

This talk is baseless. Tamil Nadu is exempted under the Official Language Act, hence the rules are not applicable there. It is not that they do not know this, yet they are still raising this issue. As for Kerala, Hindi is not being imposed on any state. Both Hindi and English have been included in the 1976 Act. It has only been said from our side that (a) the use of Hindi should be increased in the central government institutions. The terminology used by some media houses is misleading and wrong.

A: The Chief Ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu who hold constitutional posts must know this. Why will something that has not been changed for 46 years, change now? There is no scope for any change. We have sent the 11th clause of the report to the President. Nine clauses have already come into force. The remaining 10th and 11th are under consideration of the President. Our new report is confidential as of now.

Q: If there have not been some changes in the report, then why are some states raising this issue?

A: They may have a desire to take some political advantage. I cannot

Q: Are the states divided into 3 categories?

A: We did not make this arrange ment. It has been in existence since 1976, since Indira Gandhi’s government. No changes have been made to this.

Q: What provisions are being made in this report regarding Hindi for the non-Hindi speaking states which have been kept in the third category?

A: In non-Hindi speaking states like Kerala, Telangana, Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, it has been said that at least 55 per cent of the work in central govern ment institutions should be done in

Hindi. This arrangement has already been in place. No changes have been made to this. The state government can work in their own language as this is only for central government offices and institutions.

Q: Is Hindi being made the medium of instruction in the educational institutions of the central govern ment located in the states?

A: This is happening, the process has been going on for years.

(The Committee of Parliament on Official Language was constituted in 1976 under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963. It was formed to review and promote the use of Hindi in official communication.)

‘India’s stories a necessity for our children’

assessments. Good readers finally make good writers,” Sabharwal explained.

Noting that success in PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) scores, “something that has eluded us”, also correlates with reading wide and deep, and beyond academics, she said NLF had also launched a cross-country summer reading challenge to encourage children to read more and open their world through books.

Books); Junior Readers: “When the World Went Dark” by Jane De Suza (Published by Puffin Books); and Young Adults: “Rain Must Fall” by Nandita Basu (Published by Duckbill).

“Indian books focused on personal chronology, mythology and folk tales are wonderful, but must also convey the Ideas of India@75 and the hopes of India@100,” Sabharwal maintained.

Q: What has the response been from the stakeholders?

with 60 speakers, a 2,500-titles curated children’s book market place, and 100 sessions - including book discussions, master classes, readings and sessions on building the reading habit - had 4,000-plus visitors.

“This year we also integrated all the sessions with storytelling to bring this celebration of children’s literature unparalleled in India and recognised by the book creators, book sellers, readers and their influencers,” Sabharwal said.

languages has yet to make its way in a rich manner into children’s books, and this year we started to bring in Indian languages including Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, etc. through short performances throughout the two days. A future direction for us has to be moving to more work in Indian languages somehow,” Sabharwal said.

By Vishnu Makhijani

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) India’s stories are a necessity for our children to have affirming images of themselves, and to build a strong sense of identity, says Kavita Gupta Sabharwal, co-founder and curator of the Neev Literature Festival (NLF) that has just concluded its sixth edition, the first in-person after being held virtually for the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Neev Literature Festival was started in 2017 to fill the gap of a platform in India that takes children’s literature and their reading seriously. And then we launched Neev Book award in 2018 to celebrate children’s books from and about Indian lives, that are

literary mirrors to Indian culture and identity,” Sabharwal told IANS in an interview.

“India’s success in literature for adults is well established globally and is now emerging in children’s books, moving beyond the folk tales and mythology segments as well.

Our children’s writers experiment with diverse genres, but access to these books is a challenge given the small market for reading beyond academics. As a result, writing careers remain challenging too.”

“But India’s stories are a necessity for our children to have affirming images of themselves, and to build a strong sense of identity. Finally, there is the challenge of reading skills in our school system, with the over obsession with writing and

In this way, NLF “upholds and celebrates the dual cause of Indian children’s writing, bringing it centre stage and of reading as the fount of lifelong learning, creativity and imagination”, Sabharwal elaborated.

Additionally, the Neev Book Award, now in its fifth edition, “recognises the power of Indian stories for build ing identity. With changing family structures and constant digital invasion, children’s books are now the literary mirrors, and windows to the whole world of possibility”.

Four categories of awards were given at the NLF: Early Years: “Bumoni’s Banana Trees” by Mita Bordoloi (Illustrated by Tarique Aziz, Published by Tulika Publishers);

Emerging Readers: “Jamlo Walks” by Samina Mishra (Illustrated by Tarique Aziz, Published by Puffin

“We aim to build the community at two levels. One is the book creators, through work we do on the book award, and this year we also did a retreat with authors and publishers. The other is building a community of readers, through the reading challenge and of course the physical celebration of the LitFest itself.

“Authors and publishers recognise the quality at which we work is unique in India. Readers are growing significantly as well. The number of participants in the reading challenge and the festival are continuing to grow steadily,” Sabharwal elaborated.

This year, nearly 100 groups of children from schools across the country participated in the summer reading challenge. And the festival,

Q: What has been her learnings as the organiser of the festival?

“NLF this year was special, and about community, learning and fun. Community because thousands of readers, authors, teachers, pub lishers, readers, parents, students, and volunteers came together to celebrate the most powerful form of lifelong learning. Learning because it was an intellectual buffet of diverse views of contemporary and historical India. And fun because getting together physically after the ravages of Covid reminded us of the energy that comes from being in the same space with people who care about the same thing.

“Most of our sessions have histori cally been in English. The rhythm, imagery and metaphor of regional

“In a world where Google knows everything and our children will have 55-year careers (we will have 45, and our parents had 35), reading is probably the most powerful way to stay relevant, interesting, and smart,” she maintained.

Q: What are the plans for the future?

“We will continue to invest in this space, with the goal of growing the body of globally benchmarked stories about India and strengthen ing the community of book creators. We are questioning the status quo of why India’s children are not reading beyond textbooks, the status quo of why the children’s book market is so small, and whose role is it to change this? Is it parents? Is it a platform like us? Is it publishers? Is it the authors? We need to work and collaborate together to change this status quo for the future of our children,” Sabharwal concluded.

plans remain insufficient, says UN report

13.7 per cent by 2030, compared to 2010 levels.

Last year’s analysis showed pro jected emissions would continue to increase beyond 2030. This year’s analysis shows that while emissions are no longer increasing after 2030, they are still not demonstrating the rapid downward trend science says is necessary this decade.

and so are our climate goals under the Paris Agreement. We are still nowhere near the scale and pace of emission reductions required to put us on track toward a 1.5 degrees Celsius world. To keep this goal alive, national governments need to strengthen their climate action plans now and implement them in the next eight years.”

Pay fees with plastic waste! How a Bihar school is cleaning up a village

Gaya, Oct 23 (IANS) A school in Bihar’s Gaya district is making a positive change in society by imparting free education to children - by making them serve the cause of nature and cleanliness.

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) A new report from UN Climate Change on Wednesday showed countries are bending the curve of global green house gas emissions downward but underlines that these efforts remain insufficient to limit global tempera ture rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

According to the report, the com bined climate pledges of 193 parties under the Paris Agreement could put the world on track for around 2.5 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century.

Today’s report also shows current commitments will increase emissions by 10.6 per cent by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. This is an improvement over last year’s assess ment, which found countries were on a path to increase emissions by

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2018 report indicated that CO2 emissions need ed to be cut 45 per cent by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. The latest science from the IPCC released earlier this year uses 2019 as a baseline, indicating that greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut 43 per cent by 2030.

This is critical to meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting tempera ture rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves and rainfall.

“The downward trend in emissions expected by 2030 shows that nations have made some progress this year,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change. “But the science is clear

UN Climate Change analysed the climate action plans -- known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs) -- of 193 parties to the Paris Agreement, including 24 updated or new NDCs submitted after the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) up until September 23.

Taken together, the plans cover 94.9 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions in 2019.

“At the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last year, all countries agreed to revisit and strengthen their climate plans,” said Stiell. “The fact that only 24 new or updated climate plans were submit ted since COP26 is disappointing.

This is UN Climate Change’s second such report, providing a critical update to last year’s inaugural NDC synthesis report.

Experts link cancer with air pollution, warn about quality of cities

road to the village. Not only eco nomic development, social, cultural development will have to be done.

If you go to NITI Ayog they will say, get mechanical equipment. But where is the money for farmers to buy equipment? They don’t have money to buy fertilizers sometimes, Heblikar said.

The Padmapani School in Sewa Bigha village provides free educa tion to its students in return for the dry waste they bring. They have also been provided a bag to collect the waste.

Students regularly bring throw the garbage brought from their homes and the roads in the dustbins kept near the school gate.

The plastic waste brought by the students of Padmapani School run by the Padmapani Educational and Social Foundation is collected and sent for recycling. The money collected by selling it is spent on children’s education, food, uniforms, and books.

Rakesh Ranjan, co-Founder of the institution, told IANS that the school was started in 2014, but this initia tive has only been since 2018. The school is located in the Bodh Gaya

area, where thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad visit every day.

He added that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making efforts in making India look clean and beautiful, Bodh Gaya should also look clean and beautiful. Plastic is very harmful for the environment and causes climate change, he said.

When the children pick up garbage from roads, it creates awareness and a sense of realisation among the parents and the people around to not litter, which is why less waste is visible on the roads in these areas, Rakesh Ranjan said.

He also noted that the electrical appliances of the school also work on solar energy.

School Principal Meera Kumari said that the main purpose behind taking school fees in the form of garbage is to inculcate a sense of responsibility in the children, as they will be adults someday and are becoming aware of environmental hazards. One of our aims is to maintain cleanliness around the historical heritage, she

added.

The students also plant saplings on the side of the roads in the village, and taking care of them is also their responsibility. Around 700 saplings planted by the students of the school have now grown into big trees, she added.

The school, recognised by the state government, provides education to students from classes 1 to 8. At present, about 250 students from poor families study there, said sources.

Hunger, conflict, destruction of environment are issues the world faces: Mata Amritanandamayi

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (IANS) Popularly known as the hug ging saint - Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) after being appointed by the Centre as the Chair of the country’s Civil 20 (C20), an official engagement group of the Group of 20, said hunger, conflict, extinction of species, and environmental destruction are the most important issues facing the world today.

lead to poverty. This poverty in turn prevents women from getting proper nutrition during the vital stages of pregnancy. As a result of malnourishment or even of absorb ing toxins from contaminated food, their children die at birth. People need to be made aware of the need for nourishing women, especially pregnant women,” added Amma.

Bengaluru, Oct 22 (IANS) It is going from bad to worse when it comes to air quality in urban centres while scientific research has confirmed that sagging air conditions are causing cancer.

Dr Sandeep Nayak P, DirectorDepartment of Surgical Oncology and Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, stated that air pollution as a cause of cancer has slowly been shifting to the centrestage over the past few years.

Speaking to IANS, he said: “It is estimated that exposure to air pollution, second-hand smoke, radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbes tos, certain chemicals and other pollutants causes over 10 per cent of all cancer cases in India including Bengaluru.”

He explained that over the past decades evidence that air pollution is linked to a range of cancers has been mounting. In 2013, a group of international experts, working for the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), looked at the findings of all the research that was available and concluded that air pollution causes cancer in humansin particular, lung cancer.

“But what do these experts mean by �air pollution’? The term is very broad and covers a host of �nasties’ including minuscule particles, tiny fragments of metals and gases.

“However, when it comes to cancer risk, research so far shows that tiny dust-like particles just millionths of a metre wide - so called �partic ulate matter’, or PM - are the main culprits. In particular, the smallest particles - less than 2.5 millionths of a metre across, known as PM2.5 - appear to be behind lung cancers caused by pollution,” he said. These are chiefly found in emissions

from diesel engines - something IARC has ruled causes cancer in humans. The current research published in Lancet has tried to explain how PM2.5 may cause cancer by causing inflammatory reactions and thus leading to cancer causing mutation, he stated.

Actor and environmentalist Suresh Heblikar explained that “our country hasn’t yet learned to build mega cities. We are building metropolitan cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad. We have destroyed and wiped out many lakes. We have created housing layouts, bus stands and industrial, shopping layouts and commercial establishments. How can a city be built like that?”

Bengaluru was the most beautiful city of India. It is completely wiped out because people are just making money in the name of smart city, he says.

Heblikar stated that “we have to understand what kind of people are living in this country. We have more than 40 crore people living below the poverty line, five to six crore people totally unemployed and there is a minister who says he wants to build roads which can be compared to American roads.”

The cities are wiping out water bodies, they are wiping out grass lands, shrubs, soil in the name of building cities and bringing foreign investment, how will people live?

Heblikar questioned.

There is climate change in the world which is destroying agriculture, rivers, soil, forests and capacity to work. Is the government con sidering any of these things? They are just talking about investment, developing cities because there is a lot of money in it, he maintained.

The government must learn how to build small cities, towns, and villages. It is not about making one

“The PM says all countries must unite to address climate change issues. We are continuing with the same kind of development in India. Building cities and making money here and neglecting small towns, villages,” he underlined.

“Look at the environment seriously, stop building big cities in India, develop small cities and towns and care for villages where our life is. Don’t chase vehicles, too much technology, that only brings you wealth and younger generations are given that kind of education, they are chasing technology,” said Heblikar.

“We have got a tremendous chal lenge of climate change. If we do not address climate change there will not be water, there will not be free air, good air and there will not be food. Food, water and air should be kept in mind,” he added.

Agricultural scientist and biodiversi ty evangelist Dr A N Yallappa Reddy said that it is a known fact that every city in the country, especially its children and senior citizens, is suffering from all kinds of lung problems. Bengaluru’s breathable air, he emphasised, is not up to the highest quality standards.

It has got a lot of problems because of construction and debris burning and vehicular traffic. The breathable air quality is not that good and af fecting 40 per cent of the population, especially school going children and senior citizens, for the pleasure of a few people who want to burn crack ers and release deadly particulate matter like nitrate, sulphur, carbon dioxide, he charged.

The concept of green crackers is nonsense. On what basis can they define green crackers? The sound and light are produced only when chemicals are used. So, people should not be fooled like this.

air in Delhi after Diwali

at 312, which was the lowest in four years and the second-best in seven years for a Diwali day.

As per data, the AQI last year was 382, 414 in 2020 and 337 in 2019.

At around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the number increased to 323, while the PM 2.5 levels were five to six times higher than the national standard.

Despite the blanket ban, the national capital witnessed bursting of crack ers all through Monday night.

Several videos of people bursting firecrackers were doing the rounds on social media, leaving a question on the implementation of the ban imposed by the Delhi government and the Delhi Police failing to stop the violations.

At her first meeting that took place online, she said all should put in sincere efforts to develop solutions.

“If scientists of all fields -- computer science, mathematics, physics, engineers, can work together, then we would be able to create more innovative methods of predicting environmental catastrophes, and thereby we would be able to save so many lives. Often, we see a lack of multidisciplinary and integrated effort. This is the need of the hour,” said Amma.

She said that poverty in the rural areas is a key issue to address in terms of moving ahead as a society overall, especially since it is the people there who grow most of our food.

“One of the fundamental causes of conflict is hunger. The issue of hunger is very complex. When we go into impoverished villages, we see that often the addictions of men

Amma has been studying the lives of people in villages all over India and the world for more than 35 years.

The G20 is the premier intergov ernmental forum for the world’s developed and emerging economies to address financial stability on a global basis. The C20 is its platform for civil-society organisations (CSOs) to bring forth non-govern ment and non-business voices to the G20 leaders.

India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.

Accepting her appointment, Amma said she was grateful to the Indian Government for arranging such a high-level representation of the voices of the common people.

In addition, members include Sri M, the Satsang Foundation, Sudha Murthy, Chair, Infosys, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini and the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari.

She has been putting to practice

what she speaks and her Mutt, initiated Amrita SeRVe to help foster self-reliance in 108 impoverished villages throughout India.

“In the villages, we started a project called Jivamritam. Through this project, we provide clean drinking water and educate people on the im portance of clean water. Everything needs balance. We need to bring about awareness in the villages, but we also need to go into the villages ourselves and understand all the subtle and individual issues pertain ing to each area,” added Amma.

The G20 priorities for India include inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth, environmental sustainabil ity, women’s empowerment and several other sectors.

As India chokes, mere 50% of funds released under clean air plan utilised

By Kumar Vikram

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) While the air quality in the national capital and its surrounding areas on Saturday remained in the poor category, government data disclosed that only about 50 per cent of the total fund released under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has been utilised by the concerned authorities.

NCAP, which was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January 2019, is a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.

Under NCAP, it has been envisaged to achieve target of 20 to 30 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration by 2024 across the country.

According to a recent Parliament reply in August this year, an amount of Rs 472.06 crore has been released under NCAP for initiating actions such as expansion of monitoring network, construction and demolition waste management facilities, non-motorised transport infrastructure, green buffers, use of mechanical street sweepers, composting units etc.

City action plans of selected cities are to be implemented by the coordinated action of the state government and its agencies at the state and city levels.

The funding for implementation of these plans is also to be mobilised through the convergence of resources from various schemes of Central government such as Swachh Bharat Mission (urban), Atal Mission For Rejuvenation And Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart City Mission, Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT), Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicle - II (FAME) etc.

Under the NCAP, the Central level Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee and Implementation Committee have been constituted and periodic review of the imple mentation progress is conducted.

held accountable for the worsening air quality.

Amid the rising level of air pol lution in the national capital and surrounding areas, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has advised the district authorities to ensure verification of all reported farmfire incidents within 48 hours and take strict action against the violators.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Despite Delhi’s blanket ban on the storage, sale and use of firecrackers on Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital stood at 323 on Tuesday under the “very poor” category.

On Monday, the AQI was registered

Meanwhile, the air quality also slipped into the “very poor” category in neighbouring Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad.

The level of AQI between zero to 50 is considered “good”; 100 is “satis factory”; 101 to 200 is “moderate”; 201 to 300 is “poor”; 301 to 400 is “very poor”; while 401 to 500 falls in the “severe” category.

Meanwhile, 201 emergencies and fire-related calls were received by the fire department on Monday, 32 per cent higher than previous year.

“Many fires resulted from lighting diyas and a large number of instanc es were of garbage catching fire, probably because crackers fell on them,” said a fire department official.

The government reply said that till June 2022, total Rs 227.61 crore has been utilised by the concerned authorities. As per the Ministry, the funds are released to support the implementation of city action plans (CAPs) for the improvement of air quality. Under NCAP, 132 cities have submitted the city action plans which have been approved.

The State Level Steering Committee chaired by Chief Secretary; Monitoring Committee chaired by Principal Secretary, Environment Department; City or District level Implementation Committee chaired by Municipal Commissioner or District Magistrate have been consti tuted which periodically reviews the status of progress of implementation of actions under NCAP.

Authorities, including the Centre and states, have swung into action as the air quality has deteriorated in Delhi and surrounding cities. Amid the action and initiatives, factors such as stubble burning, cracker bursting on Diwali and unfavourable meteorological factors have been

Officials said that the Commission has been actively monitoring paddy residue burning events for a month now from September 15, 2022, onwards in Punjab, Haryana and eight NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh. The current year has so far seen a reduction in fire counts as com pared to the corresponding period of last year.

The steps taken regarding utilisation of available machinery, IEC activi ties especially in all hotspot villages, and interaction with the farmer communities have been discussed in the review meetings held by the concerned authorities on the issue surrounding poor air quality.

Diwali celebrations in Sydney

#CAPTECH2022 organised

# CAPTECH2022, a plat form that provides new opportunities for business fraternity with global outlook across sectors, was organised on October 18, at the International Convention Centre, Sydney. The theme of #CAPTECH2022 was ‘Empower Your Future’. Consul

General Manish Gupta participated in the inaugural plenary session of the event. Among the speakers who enlightened the audience about the opportunities for business and other aspects were Manager of Opposition Business and Shadow Minister for Sciences & Arts Paul Fletcher MP, Consul

General Manish Gupta, CBA Chief Economist Stephen Halmarick, 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Investment NSW Michael Rodrigues, Director, Australia/ New Zealand Hong Kong Trade Development Council Bonnie Shek and Moderator- Education Dr Jim Taggart OAM.

Navrang 2022 Garba organised

Sweet Melodies group hosted Navrang 2022 Garba celebra tions in Joondalup recently. Consul General, Perth Amarjeet Singh Takhi and Emily Hamilton MLA attended the celebrations. While conveying his greetings, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan stated that Navratri are

an incredible example of the spirit of generosity. Navrang has ex tended donations to several social, health and other charitable caus es. Nearly 2000 people attended and performed at the event, including Indian-origin people from various other countries such as Kenya, South Africa and

the UK. Young overseas Indians gave scintillating Garba dance performances, applauded by the audience. Volunteers from Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Community WA Samaj served delicious traditional Gujarati food.

This year marks the birth centennial of guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who was the guru and Pramukh of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a major branch of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. To celebrate the occasion volun teers of BAPS baked the world’s largest eggless cake in Australia. The cake was displayed as part of Annukut, a ‘mountain of food’ of fered to God on the first day of the Hindu New Year, on 26 October at Rosehill Gardens, James Ruse Drive, Rosehill , Sydney. The gastronomic masterpiece weighs

more than a tonne and is 3 metres long and over 2 metres tall. 4000 hours were devoted to the attempt undertaken by a kitchen army of more than 60 volunteers. Alongside the cake, more than 1000+ vegetarian dishes were also prepared.

In the spirit of giving, BAPS Charities worked with Parramatta Mission and Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands to distribute the cake to feed people experiencing homelessness across Sydney.

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Seniors Mark Coure joined the BAPS volunteers for the Diwali

and Chopda Pujan festivities. He also spent considerable time learning about the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

On the occasion NSW Minister for Corrections, Member for Parramatta Dr Geoff Lee MP said that His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj has inspired generations for selfless service. He has inspired values of peace, harmony and unity.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual, volunteer-driven faith dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service.

Sydney

lighting of iconic Sydney Opera House

Crimson Red. Premier Dom Perrottet, and Mark Coure MP were instrumental in making the celebrations a success. Among

other dignitaries Consul General Manish Gupta participated in the celebrations.

Deepavali inaugurated

Consul General, Perth Amarjeet Singh Takhi

organised by the Westfield-Carousel

Hindu Council

Invitation to take part in film-making contest

Cultural Relations is inviting Indian diaspora and foreign

video/film

competition is to connect with the Indian diaspora living abroad, and with foreign students and alumni who are presently studying in India or have studied earlier. They

companies take

Nine Indian manufacturers and exporters in renewable and non-renewable energy sectors such as Birla Cable Ltd, Suzlon Energy, Transformers & Rectifiers, Switch Gear, Trinity Touch, Shiv Om Brass, Pixon Green Energy, Vindhiya Telelinks Ltd., Tesla Transformers etc. as well as Indian Electricals & Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA) participated at the India Pavilion at “All Energy Australia Exhibition” organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, in association with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 26 -27 October.

Consul General, Melbourne Dr Sushil Kumar inaugurated the India Pavilion at the “All Energy Australia

are organising this competition in collaboration with Route2Roots. The last date has now been extended till 1 January 2023. More information can be obtained from iccr.gov.in.

‘Open Day’ showcases rich Indian culture

The High Commission of India, Canberra organised ‘Open Day’ on October 22 under ‘Windows to the World’. Visitors were offered the taste of diverse

and rich Indian culture. Activities included yoga session, saree draping and Henna making, etc.

‘Windows to the World’ returned to Canberra on 22-23 October. It was

an occasion to discover a world within the city and venture past the gates of iconic embassies and high commissions of this capital city.

at the

Exhibition

Exhibition”. Director General of Indian Chamber of Commerce Dr Rajeev Singh and Director General of IEEMA Charu Mathur accompa nied the Indian companies keenly

looking at forging partnerships with Australian companies in manufac turing and trading in the Energy sector.

FICQ team attends Diaspora Roundtable

147th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel celebrated and YouTube channels on 31 October at 7 PM AEDT. Dr Shobhana Radhakrishna is an internationally acclaimed speaker on the philos ophy of Mahatma Gandhi. She has established organisations to work for Sarvodaya, Gramswaraj and constructive programs.

Commemorating the 147th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Consulate General of India, Melbourne organised for celebrating “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” with a unity walk and the launch of an exhibition ‘Sardar Patel – The Architect of Unification’ on 31October at 344, St Kilda Road,

Melbourne, VIC 3004.

Commemorating #NationalUnityDay and 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the High Commission Of India (HCI), Canberra and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations organised a virtual talk by Dr Shobhana Radhakrishna. It was broadcast live on HCI’s Facebook

Lecture on ancient Indian wisdom held

music presentation and a meditation session.

Modern solutions’, where senior practitioners guided the attendees on the wisdom from Indian ancient times.The event also featured a

collaboration with Brahma Kumaris, Consulate General of India, Melbourne organised a lecture on ‘Ancient wisdom,

TAAI to host musical evening on 19 November

The Telugu Association of Australia (TAAI) in association with Benchmark Investment Group are hosting musical maestro MM Keeravaani garu and 8 singers, 7 musicians and actor Shashank who are coming to Melbourne to perform live to entertain and

provide an enthralling musical experience to the audience. The event is on 19November 2022 from 5pm to 8.30pm at Kingston City Hall 979-985 Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin VIC 3189.

The Telugu Association of Australia Inc is a non-profit community

organisation incorporated in July 1992. TAAI is a non-political and secular organisation aimed at promoting Telugu culture such as literature, language among the local residents who are Telugu speaking and of Telugu origin.

KSQ committee members attend Premier’s Diwali reception and other community leaders of the Indian diaspora.

Parliament House hosted by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP. It was a very eventful evening to catch up with various ministers

NSDCI joins hands with Perdman to grow Australia-India business

New Delhi: October 28

NSDC International (NSDCI) and Perdman have partnered to create an interface between Indian skilled youth and market opportunities in Australia, taking a step towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the Skill Capital of the World. This partnership will serve as a gateway for Indian skilled youth to move to Australia. This agreement will enhance the deeper cooperation between the two companies and is another chapter in the rapidly growing cooperation between Australia and India. This partnership will empower India’s skilled youth by connecting them to opportunities in Australia, providing them with a global platform to showcase their skills and contribute to the overall well-being of the world. The MoU is aligned with the vision of a self-re liant India which is about achieving self-reliance while contributing to the global good. This collaboration will also provide an opportunity for students from Australia and India to study in each other’s country through different channels. Not only this, going for ward this MoU will also explore the possibility of scholarship opportu nities and fee reduction for students coming from economically weaker backgrounds. The collaboration will work across various industry sectors including manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, renewable energy and electric vehicles.

India’s Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan recently visited Australia. During the visit, Pradhan reiterated India’s interest in collaborating with skill institutes in Australia.

Following Dharmendra Pradhan’s

visit to Australia, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and Managing Director of NSDC International visited Perth to launch NSDC International with Perdman in WA.

The six-member delegation met with Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan MLA.

Premier Mark McGowan welcomed the decision of NSDCI and Perdman to set up offices in Western Australia and the opportunity to further strengthen ties with India. About the recent decision to set up offices McGowan said, “My government is committed to enhancing our state’s already strong ties with India, based on common values, strong peo ple-to-people ties and substantial trade and investment engagement. Earlier this year our largest business delegation ever visited India with a clear message.” He said that Western Australia is open for business with India and warmly welcomes students, workers, visitors and investors.

Ved Mani Tiwari pointed out that while India has a vast network of training institutes consisting of

Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)

, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) and other institutions imparting skills to lakhs of youth every year , Australia offers skilled workers facing severe shortage. Consequently, there is an urgent need to create an enabling and convenient environment to benefit both the countries. He said that he firmly believes that this partnership will not only make the process of international mobility a smooth pro cess by removing any bottlenecks and procedural challenges, but also fulfill the aspirations of Indian youth to earn livelihood abroad.

Vikas Rambal, President, Perdman said that they welcome the govern ment of India’s initiative to build stronger ties with Australia and have chosen Western Australia as a state to establish the network. He said it is a historic moment for both the countries to partner with local partner Perdman, an organisation like NSDC International, to create a vision for the next generation of entrepreneurs and businesses.

The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) organised the Diwali celebrations for the Indian com munity on 28 October. This year’s celebrations brought back the spirits of enthusiastic celebrations as the past couple of years had to be celebrated under various COVIDimposed restrictions. However, this year once again the communities came together for a common goal of celebrating the togetherness they share despite the diversities of these Indian communities.

All three levels of Government officials attended the FICQ Diwali function. Opposition Minister Peter

Dutton addressed the audience. Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, Grace Grace MP, motivated the crowd with her speech. Hon. Consul Archana Singh gave a motivational speech making the crowd present feel at home and proud of their cultural heritage. More than 1000 people of Indian descent were present at the King George Square celebrating Diwali festival food, culture through the songs, and dance performances, and the Dhol Tasha honour given to the dignitaries present on the occasion.

About the celebrations FICQ presi dent Anoop Nannuru said, “Diwali

is a big event and a big festival for the Indian Community. Organising this event is a huge task. Right from getting funds for making the event financially viable to executing it and later cleaning the mess created after the event, each step is a huge effort and must be done meticulously, taking care of every minute detail to make it a successful event. It is a pleasure to see the Indian communi ty support and come together as one during this Diwali function. We thank all committee members, advisors, volunteers, sponsors, dignitaries and community members for their continued support.”

The Kannada Sangha Queensland (KSQ) committee attended the annual Diwali reception at the Queensland

Food, songs and dance mark

FICQ’s Diwali celebrations

Ayurveda Day celebrated

India,

Bharatanatyam performance organised

year’s focus

Itaewon district is the deadliest stampede ever in South Korea’s history, with at least 153 dead and 82 injured.

The tragedy happened on the night of October 29 in a narrow downhill alley near Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon after tens of thousands of people visited the entertainment district for Halloween, Yonhap news agency reported.

Many of the victims were in their late teens and 20s.

Before the October 29 tragedy, the deadliest crowd crush on record was the one that happened in the southeastern port city of Busan on July 17, 1959, where 67 people were crushed to death at the Busan Municipal Stadium after a sudden downpour and rapidly rising waters caused a crowd of people to enter a narrow entrance.

Other similar accidents occurred:

On January 26, 1960, 31 were killed and about 40 others were injured

in a crush after a crowd of people swarmed to get on the train at Seoul Station ahead of the annual exodus for the Lunar New Year holiday.

On February 11, 1980, five students were killed and 18 others were injured after falling down stairs at an elementary school in the south ern city of Busan as some 1,000 students tried to attend an assembly.

On February 17, 1992, one high school student was killed in a crush during a New Kids on The Block concert in Seoul.

On December 16, 1996, two students were killed after a crowd of people flocked to enter a concert stadium in the southeastern city of Daegu for a live show hosted by a popular radio program.

On October 3, 2005, 11 were killed and 145 were injured at a music concert event in Sangju, about 200 kilometres southeast of Seoul. The then Sangju mayor was sentenced to a suspended prison term of 1 1/2 years on charges of involuntary manslaughter over the accident.

PM Modi, Indian leaders congratulate Sunak for becoming UK PM

tweeted: “Congratulations to Mr. @RishiSunak on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.The first ever Indianorigin man to occupy the chair of PM in UK.

“Hoping that your tenure will mark a new beginning for India-UK ties which will bring prosperity to both the nations.

Australia repatriates families of IS fighters from Syria

IS was declared defeated in Syria and Iraq in March 2019. Australian women and children who are the wives, sons and daughters of dead or jailed IS fighters have lived in the al-Hol and Roj detention camps in Kurdish-controlled north-eastern Syria since that time, reports the BBC.

While the fate of these Australian citizens is hanging in balance, the topic has emerged as a debatable issue given the fact that the con servative opposition in Parliament are of the opinion that these people, though are Australian citizens, their return to the country could pose a threat to national security.

However, the BBC quotes Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil as say ing the government has considered a “range of security, community and welfare factors” and has finally arrived at the decision to repatriate the Australian citizens from these camps. In fact such repatriations have also been undertaken by the US, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and Canada, the minister said in a statement, reports the BBC.

According to media reports, Australia’s last repatriation of citizens from a Syrian camp was during the reign of Scott Morrison’s coalition government in 2019 which

saw eight children and grandchil dren of two dead Islamic State fighters being rescued.

In this regard Minster O’Neil said that “extensive support services” were being provided to extend help to the women and children.

The Liberal-National opposition, which is being led by Peter Dutton, has criticised the move saying it was not in the country’s best interest, reports the BBC. However, defending his government’s move Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was his government’s priori ty to keep the public safe.

Tragedy strikes Gujarat as 141 people killed after Morbi bridge collapse

Bhupendra Patel on October 30 set up a five member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an IAS officer, to inquire into the suspension bridge collapse in Morbi town. The SIT will be headed by Commissioner of Municipalities Rajkumar Beniwal, and the other members are Secretary, Roads and Building Department, Sandeep Vasava, Inspector General of Police Subhash Trivedi, and two engineers specialised in structural and quality control.

Sehrawat’s wrestling Gold and Virat Kohli’s heroic knock,now it’s Rishi Sunak’s turn to bring glory to India!

Congratulations to @RishiSunak who is set to become the first

Indian-origin Prime Minister of UK”, wrote Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal.

Congress’ Karnataka unit President D.K. Shivakumar

However, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, tweeting before Sunak’s win was announced, said: “If this does happen, I think all of us will have to acknowledge that theBrits have done something very rare in the world,to place a member of a visible minority in the most power ful office. As we Indians celebrate the ascent of @RishiSunak, let’s honestly ask: can it happen here?”

Commemorating

Cultural troupes led by Bharatanatyam guru Pavitra Bhat and folk troupes led by

Dhara Shah (Gujarati Folk dance) supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations mesmerised

Melbourne audiences with their performances at Durga Temple, Australian Indian Community Centre and Thornbury Theatre.

One Australian killed in Seoul’s Halloween crowd crush tragedy

Tharoor, Chidambaram virtually rebuffed by party on Sunak elevation tweets

giving you examples, Barkatullah Khan became Chief Minister and A.R. Antulay also became the Chief Minister,” he said.

Chidambaram had tweeted: “First Kamala Harris, now Rishi Sunak. The people of the US and the UK have embraced the non-majority cit izens of their countries and elected them to high office in government...I think there is a lesson to be learned by India and the parties that practise majoritarianism.”

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Shiv Sena-UBT President and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is likely to join Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Bharat Jodo Yatra when it reaches the state, though details of his exact partici pation are not available yet, sources said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar will be also joining the Yatra. To a query on the topic, Congress

General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said: “We were in the MVA govern ment in Maharashtra and Shiv Sena was an ally, and we will welcome whoever wants to join the Yatra.”

However, sources say that the detail is being worked out with the Shiv Sena-UBT leader as a show of massive strength in wake of the MVA government’s fall due to defections.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Senior Congress leaders and former Union Ministers P. Chidambaram and Shashi Tharoor were virtually rebuffed by the party after they, in their reactions on Rishi Sunak rising to the top UK post, said that India should learn from the country for accepting a member of the minority as Prime Minister.

Congress General Secretary in charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said India does not need to draw any lessons from any other country as many minorities have been elected to highest office here.

“Zakir Hussain first became the President in 1967, then Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed became the President and Dr A.P.J. Kalam and if I keep

Tharoor had too tweeted, “If this does happen, I think all of us will have to acknowledge that theBrits have done something very rare in the world,to place a member of a visible minority in the most power ful office. As we Indians celebrate the ascent of @RishiSunak, let’s honestly ask: can it happen here?”

Mamata, Shah might come face-to-face at India’s Eastern Zonal Council meet

councils in the country. He has already attended two such zonal regional council meetings recently. His office has also confirmed his presence at the meeting at Nabanna on November 5, 2022.

Kolkata, Oct 26 (IANS) Chances of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Amit Shah coming face to face on November 5 are high as the latter is scheduled to attend and chair the meeting of the Eastern Zonal Security Council at the Bengal secretariat of Nabanna.

State secretariat sources said that Mamata Banerjee will be attending the meeting in all probability. The

chief ministers from Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim are also likely to attend the meeting.

However, till now it is not clear whether the Union home minister and the West Bengal chief minister will have any separate one-to-one meeting on the occasion of the former’s visit to Kolkata.

Amit Shah, by virtue of being the Union home minister, is the chair man of all the five zonal security

However, there is no information with the state unit of BJP on whether the Union home minister will attend any party- related pro gramme during his visit to the city. Meanwhile, prior to that on November 2, Mamata Banerjee will be flying to Chennai to attend the 80th birth anniversary of the elder brother of the West Bengal Governor, La Ganeshan. It is learnt that the governor personally invited her to attend the function while he went to her residence on Monday on the occasion of the Kali Puja celebration at the chief minister’s residence. The chief minister too has accepted the invitation.

Modi to inaugurate various projects in Vizag on Nov 11

modernisation project. The same day he will lay the foundation stone or inaugurate projects undertaken by the Central government.

These include Rs 26,000 crore Visakhapatnam HPCL petroleum refinery expansion and mod ernisation project; first phase of modern, green new campus of IIM Visakhapatnam and cruise terminal in Visakhapatnam.

Corporation (GVMC) commissioner Rajababu and other officials to review the preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit.

Rajya Sabha MP GVL Narasimha Rao had recently called on the Prime Minister and invited him to visit Visakhapatnam to inaugurate and lay foundations for several develop mental and infrastructure projects.

Visakhapatnam, Oct 26 (IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Visakhapatnam on November 11 to inaugurate and lay foundations for various developmental and infrastructure projects.

Railway officials have received the communication that he will be in the port city to lay the foundation stone for Rs 400 crore Visakhapatnam railway station

Prime Minister Modi is also likely to address a public meeting in the city the same day. Sources said this public meeting may be held at AU Engineering College grounds.

Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will participate in various programmes along with the Prime Minister.

District collector A. Mallikarjuna held a meeting with Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal

Rao had also requested him to lay foundation stone for the new office complex of the sanctioned South Coast Rail Zone with headquarters in Visakhapatnam; 400 bedded speciality ESI Hospital at a cost of Rs 385 crore and modern mega fishing harbour in Visakhapatnam.

The MP had also said that several projects and developments in Eastern Naval Command and other defence establishments in Visakhapatnam can also be included as part of the Prime Minister’s visit.

Left Front to hold protest march against Kerala Governor on Nov 15

leaders, including the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came out strongly against the Governor.

Arif Mohammed Khan has been involved in a series of confronta tions against the Kerala government after an initial bonhomie with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The CPI-M leader said that the Governor has been misusing the post of Chancellor and said that Arif Mohammed Khan has been trying to disrupt the self-governance of the universities.

would be a mass uprising against the Kerala Governor, and this would have huge participation which would be historic.

The agitation against the Governor will be conducted at all district headquarters across the state.

The CPI-M leader, M.V. Govindan shied away from repeated questions regarding the allegations made by the gold smuggling case accused, Swapna Suresh against senior CPI-M leaders over making lewd comments against her.

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 23

(IANS) The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of Kerala has decided to conduct a protest march against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on November 15 for his alleged interfer ence in the affairs of the universities of the state as the Chancellor.

This was announced by the CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan and CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran jointly.

Khan has cancelled the appoint ment of 15 senate members of the Kerala University, which was not taken lightly by the LDF. The CPI-M

M.V. Govindan also said that certain forces, who knew that they would not assume office in Kerala through electoral means, were trying to destroy the self-rule of universities. He said that the Sangh Parivar forces were trying to destroy the secular higher education in the universities of the state by this method.

The CPI-M state secretary alleged that the Kerala Governor had openly said that he was an RSS sympathiser.

The CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said that the agitation

Swapna had alleged that senior CPI-M leaders and former ministers, Dr. Thomas Issac and Kadakampalli Surendran, had made sexual comments against her. She also alleged that former Kerala Assembly Speaker, P. Sreeramakrishnan had also tried sexual advances against her.

When asked about this, Govindan said, “This is a deliberate move of the media to divert the LDF’s proposed agitation against the state Governor. There is no need to imme diately respond to all allegations.”

Telangana on Sunday to a grand welcome by the state party leaders and cadres.

After covering four states during the last 45 days, the Yatra entered the state at Gudeballur in Narayanpet district after exiting Karnataka from Raichur, before taking a Diwali break. Party leaders said the yatra will resume on October 27 from Makthal.

Naga peace talks to resume soon in Delhi

Kohima, Oct 25 (IANS) The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IsakMuivah) would soon resume the peace talk with the government representative for Naga talks, A.K. Mishra in Delhi, officials said on Tuesday.

An official in Kohima said that NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, who is now in Nagaland, would join other senior leaders in Delhi to restart the talks with Mishra, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau.

Since September last year, Mishra visited Nagaland three times and held a series of meetings with the NSCN-IM leaders, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and various other leaders and stakeholders.

Mishra, during his visit to Nagaland in September last year, also dis cussed the Naga issue with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the Convener of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).

Local media, quoting the official sources, reported that the Centre was expected to present a

‘common draft’ in the next round of discussions.

The Naga political groups are expected to study and deliberate on the draft before giving their nod for a common agreement.

An inclusive common draft is reportedly being worked out to club both ‘status paper’ of the Agreed Position and the ‘competency clauses’ of Framework Agreement before inking of the final agreement, the media report said.

After over 80 rounds of talks between the Centre and the Naga groups, dominated by the NSCN-IM, there is still a stalemate over the contentious issues of separate Naga flag and constitution.

The NSCN-IM has been demanding a separate flag and constitution, which the former government interlocutor and then Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi had rejected on a number of occasions.

Highly-placed sources said that the Central government was willing to allow the proposed Naga flag in socio-cultural activities, but the NSCN-IM rejected the proposal.

The Naga groups as part of their pressure tactics hoisted the ‘Naga national flag’ and held several events in Nagaland and in many villages in the Naga-dominated areas of neighbouring Manipur to celebrate ‘Naga Independence Day’ on August 14, a day before Independence Day.

On the occasion of the ‘Naga Independence Day’, NSCN-IM General Secretary had said: “All Nagas unite with one decision, one faith, and one politics on the princi ple of Nagalim for Christ.”

He had said the Nagas have endured 25 years of gruelling ceasefire, living up to “our commitment for a peace ful solution to the Naga political issue”.

Kerala CPI-M treads in unfamiliar territory as Guv fires on all cylinders

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (IANS) In Kerala, the CPI-M is known for taking to the streets at the drop of a hat, but this happens whenever they are in the opposition, but with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan now firing on all cylinders, the CPI-M led Left Front government is caught in a quandary and perhaps for the first time, they are taking to the streets, while being in office.

Leaving nothing to chance, the CPI-M led by none other than its powerhouse Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself is leading from the front to take on Khan and what the party state secretary M.V. Govindan himself said, it will be one of the biggest protests ever seen in the state on November 15.

And as a trailer to the biggest protest, all across the state, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Left party workers will be taking to the streets against Khan, whom they think is trying to implement the Sangh Parivar agenda across the universities in the state.

Already cut up with Khan, who first showed the exit door to 15 Kerala University senate members for not adhering to his decision to take part in a senate meeting early this month, and the other day acting on a Supreme Court directive asked the vice-chancellor (V-C) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University of Kerala - M.S. Rajasree, and eight other V-Cs of various

universities to quit. This has ruffled Vijayan and the entire Left.

Following an urgent sitting of the Kerala High Court on Diwali day, the Kerala High Court held that the letter issued by Khan, directing the V-Cs of eight universities in Kerala to resign, was no longer valid since the Governor himself later issued show cause notices asking the V-Cs for their response.

The court, therefore, ruled that the V-Cs can continue in their posts till the Governor passes a final order after following the procedure under law.

All these V-Cs have been asked to reply latest by November 3.

Khan has been peeved for a while against Vijayan, since the latter gives scant respect to the former by totally ignoring conventions and protocols, which has been in vogue for long.

Incidentally, it was Vijayan who suffered a rude jolt in 2006 when the then Governor R.L. Bhatia gave the nod to prosecute him in the SNC Lavalin case.

Popular media critic A.Jayasankar recalled that the CPI-M then in opposition tried to send warning signals to Bhatia not to do anything “foolish”, but he gave the sanction to prosecute him and that case continues even now.

“So, if the CPI-M thinks that they can take on the Governor, they will end up the way Vijayan ended in 2006, as the Governor has his own set of

rules and he will act accordingly, as has been seen in the country for long,” said Jayasankar.

The Congress-led opposition is, however, playing the waiting game and so far has not reacted even as the fight between Vijayan and Khan is getting intense, while the state BJP has threatened that they will not sit idle, if Khan comes under duress from the ruling Left.

“None should forget the residence of Vijayan is not far to where Khan lives, so that should not be forgotten,” said state BJP president K. Surendran.

So at the moment Khan is on a strong wicket, while the CPI-M is not, as they are in office currently and various news TV channels are digging out old videos when leaders like Vijayan were in the opposition and were attacking the then govern ment-led by Oommen Chandy in the solar scam case.

Jayalalithaa death case: Judicial commission seeks probe against Sasikala, ex-minister

Chennai, Oct 18 (IANS) The Justice Arumugasamy commission that probed the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has recommended an inquiry against V.K. Sasikala, former aide of Jayalalithaa, former health minister C. Vijayabhaskar and former health secretary Dr. J. Radhakrishnan and Dr. C. Sivakumar.

The commission tabled its report in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday.

The state government had formed the commission to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of former Chief Minister since her hospitalisation on September 22, 2016.

The commission in its report cited eye witnesses as claiming that the death of Jayalalithaa had taken place on December 4 instead of December 5 when Jaya’s death was officially announced.

The Arumugsamy commission had earlier presented the report to the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

The report questioned as to why the former Chief Minister was not taken abroad for treatment even after Dr. Richard Beale was prepared to take Jayalalithaa abroad.

The report also said that even after eminent doctors from the UK and the US, who had reached Apollo hospital on the invitation from the state government had suggested angioplasty, it was not conducted.

The report said, “They (hospital) successfully threw it to the wind on the pretext of postponing it to achieve their aim under some pressure. Hence, investigation is to be ordered.”

The Commission in its report said, “The Commission considering the above aspects is to come to no other conclusion but to indict R.1 (V.K. Sasikala)

The Commission further said, “From all these aspects, the commission concludes that R.1- VK Sasikala, CW. 17- KS Sivakumar, CW1366- Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, then health secretary and CW146-A Dr. C. Vijyabhaskar, the then health minis ter has to be found fault with and an investigation is to be ordered.”

Uddhav Thackeray likely to join Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra

Mexico City, Oct 31 (IANS) Dutch Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen made history as he beat Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to claim his 14th victory of the 2022 season in the Mexican Grand Prix after an intrigu ing strategic battle at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez here on Sunday.

Verstappen, who has already clinched the world title, finished ahead of former world champion and fiercest rival Hamilton and Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. It secures another record for the young Dutchman, as he now boasts the most wins in a single F1 campaign, moving one clear of the 13 achieved by Germany’s Michael

Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).

Verstappen, whose Red Bull team opted for a soft-medium tyre strat egy, took the chequered flag some 15 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was left to question why Mercedes swapped their starting set of me diums for hard tyres, according to formula1.com.

Perez gave the home fans something to cheer about in third, having threatened to challenge Hamilton late on, while Mercedes’ George Russell -- who lost out to his teammate at the start -- took a distant fourth.

Russell was also unhappy with his strategy, repeatedly asking

have appointed Unai Emery as their new head coach, the club announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Emery, who had a spell as Arsenal’s manager from 2018 to 2019, replaces Steven Gerrard, who was sacked last week.

The 50-year-old Unai will begin his new role on November 1 after his work permit formalities are completed, meaning his first match in charge will be at home to Manchester United on November 6.

Unai joins from Villarreal, whom he led to Europa League success by beating Manchester United in the final in 2021 as well as the semifinals

Mercedes to pit again and ditch the hard tyres, which failed to bring the race back to the Silver Arrows in the closing stages -- a stop for soft tyres with two laps to run at least yielding the fastest lap.

Ferrari endured a lacklustre race as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc claimed distant P5 and P6 finishes, ahead of McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo, who charged his way to seventh with soft tyres late on and kept the position despite a 10-sec ond time penalty for a clash with Yuki Tsunoda.

Esteban Ocon placed eighth, after a late retirement for Alpine teammate Fernando Alonso, as the other McLaren of Lando Norris and Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas -- not quite able to repeat his qualifying perfor mance -- completed the points.

AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly picked up a five-second penalty for an early, aggressive move on Aston Martin rival Lance Stroll and ultimately missed out on a point by just half a second, with Alex Albon 12th for Williams.

Zhou Guanyu got his Alfa Romeo to the line ahead of Aston Martin pair Vettel and Stroll, followed by the Haas cars of Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen.

Nicholas Latifi was the final finisher in his Williams.

Paris, Oct 31 (IANS) India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the French Open Super 2022 badminton tournament men’s doubles title after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han in straight games 21-13, 21-19 in final, here on Sunday.

With this, Satwik and Chirag’s also won their first-ever super 750 and second BWF World Tour title this year.

This was their fourth BWF World Tour title, but the previous three were lower tier tournaments. Their first, the Hyderabad Open 2018, was a Super 100 tournament while the Thailand Open 2019 and India Open 2022 were both Super 500 events. The win also makes Chirag and Satwiksairaj the first Indian doubles pair to clinch a BWF Super 750 crown. The duo had also made it to the 2019 French Open final but lost the title decider to Indonesian aces Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.

This was also the first time since Partho Ganguli and Vikram Singh’s triumph in 1983 that an Indian

men’s doubles pair won the French Open badminton title.

World No 8 India pair, who had beaten South Korea’s Choi Sol Gyu and Kim Won Ho 21-18, 21-14 in the semifinals, made a strong start in the final and picked up the first five points of the match to set the tone.

The Indian duo, playing their aggressive brand of badminton, comfortably controlled the opening game and closed it out with ease.

Shetty and Rankireddy, who were playing their Chinese Taipei

opponents for the very first time, continued the momentum in the second game and went into the mid-game interval with a comfort able six-point lead.

However, Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han, showed character and clawed their way back into the contest and levelled the score at 14-all. The comeback clearly marked a momentum switch in the match as the Chinese Taipei pair fought hard to take a 19-17 lead.

BWF World Rankings: Sindhu breaks into top five, Prannoy moves to 12th

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 25 (IANS) Twotime Olympic medallist P.V Sindhu gained a place to enter the top 5 in the women’s singles BWF World Rankings released on Tuesday.

of the Champions League last season.

A highly experienced top-level coach who has managed over 900 games, Unai has also previously managed in the Premier League during a spell with Arsenal, leading the Gunners to a Europa League final.

He has also enjoyed notable success at Sevilla and Paris Saint Germain.

In Seville, he won three successive Europa League titles between 2013 and 2016 before going on to lift a Ligue 1 championship in France as well as two French Cups, two French League Cups and two Troph�e des Champions.

Commonwealth Games gold med allist Sindhu, who has 87,218 points from 26 tournaments, displaced arch-rival Carolina Marin of Spain in the fifth position. The Indian ace boasts a career-high ranking of world No.2, attained back in 2017-18, but ha’n’t broken into the top five since September 2019, just following her world championships title win that year.

Sindhu won the gold medal at the CWG 2022 earlier this year but has been out of action since then because of an ankle injury. She resumed her training on Monday after recovering from the injury and is expected to return to the court in December, in time for the sea son-ending BWF World Tour Finals 2022 in Guangzhou, China.

Meanwhile, London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal

dropped down a place and is currently ranked 33rd in the world badminton rankings.

The veteran player, who to date is the only Indian women’s player to achieve the No.1 ranking, has struggled for form over the past couple of years.

In the men’s singles standings, Lakshya Sen retained his ca reer-best eighth position attained earlier this month and continued as the best-ranked ‘ndian men’s sin gles player. Compatriot and former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth also retained his 11th spot.

On the other hand, in-form H.S Prannoy, who recently became world No.1 in the BWF World Tour 2022 Rankings, continued his surge up the world rankings as well and is now placed 12th after gaining a spot.

Among the other Indian gainers in the list were the men’s doubles pair of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila, which moved up two places to 19th and broke into the top 20 for the

first time as a team.

The women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand moved up four places to 27th and the mixed doubles pair Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto reached 29th after gaining two spots -- all achieved their new career-high ranks.

The young team of Treesa and Gayatri are now just three spots behind Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Sikki Reddy, India’s best-ranked women’s doubles team at 24th.

Cricket Ground and feels it was one of the best knocks of star cricketer’s career.

The 33-year-old Kohli produced a masterclass of batting, slamming an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls to power India to an incredible four-wicket win over Pakistan in their cam paigner opener of the mega sporting spectacle on Sunday.

“It was a phenomenal knock by Virat... one of the best that he has ever played for India. The opening match of a World Cup and that too against Pakistan is never easy and to play that knock in front of a huge crowd was special,” Vengsarkar told IANS in a telephonic interview.

and Virat Kohli was very crucial since the Pakistan team has a very good bowling lineup.”

The whole cricket fraternity is still in awe of Virat’s match-winning knock against Pakistan and the video of former India skipper’s six against Haris Rauf in the 19th over has become a hit on social media.

Notably, Virat had also said that his innings at the iconic MCG was his best T20I knock.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Former India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has lauded Virat Kohli for his phenome nal performance against Pakistan in a thrilling Super 12 match of Men’s T20 World Cup at iconic Melbourne

Asked what India could have done better in that game, the 66-year-old mentioned that it was a close game, so he can’t pinpoint much.

“It was a close game. India did very well to restrict Pakistan to around 160 and during the run chase the partnership between Hardik Pandya

“Till today I have always said Mohali was my best innings, against Australia: I got 82 off 52 (51). Today I got 82 off 53. So they are exactly the same innings, but I think today I will count this one higher because of the magnitude of the game and what the situation was,” he said at the postmatch presentation.

After a thrilling win against Pakistan, the Rohit Sharma led will now face The Netherlands in their next game on Thursday in Sydney.

Ronaldo back for training with Manchester United after talks with coach Erik ten Hag

on Tuesday and the talismanic Portuguese star returned to training with the first-team squad afterward.

Ronaldo was dropped for United’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea and made to train away from the squad after refusing to come on in last Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford. But after the talks with Ten Hag, Ronaldo resumed training with the first-team group and is in contention to start in Thursday’s Europa League tie against Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.

According to a report in mirror. co.uk, Ten Hag and Ronaldo had been in constant dialogue since the decision was taken to drop the forward for the Chelsea game and exclude him from training for three days.

Ten Hag made it clear he would not tolerate Ronaldo’s public show of dissent and decided to make an ex ample of United’s most high-profile

player, to show such conduct cannot be tolerated.

On Tuesday, Manchester United said in a statement that Ronaldo has returned to training with the first team.

“Cristiano Ronaldo also returned to group training, after missing Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all joined the group as they continue their recoveries from injury,” the club said in a release.

Maguire hasn’t featured in a match since a mid-September 2-0 victory over Sheriff in Chisinau, with a thigh problem, picked up while playing for England, keeping him on the sidelines so far in October. Van de Beek and Wan-Bissaka have been out for longer, with the pair last appearing for the first team in the closing stages of our 2-1 victory over Liverpool in August.

Melbourne, Oct 25 (IANS) With Phil Simmons deciding to step down as head coach of the West Indies men’s team in the aftermath of the side’s debacle in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia currently under way, Cricket West Indies (CWI) will soon begin the search for a new tactician with the ICC 50-over World Cup coming up in India next year and the next T20 World Cup they would be co-hosting with the United States in 2024.

It was a disappointing tournament for the two-time champions, who won just won match -- against Zimbabwe in the preliminary group stage -- and were bundled out in the First Round, with Brandon King emerging the highest run-getter (79) and Alzarri Joseph managing six wickets. This pretty much sums up how pedestrian the two-time champions were in Australia. When it all clicked for the Caribbean side, they looked good and this was the case when they cruised to a 31-run triumph over Zimbabwe in Hobart. They

got a strong contribution from pacer Alzarri Joseph (4/16) on that occasion and his six wickets at an economy rate less than seven was probably the biggest positive to come out of the tournament for the side.

Veteran all-rounder Jason Holder was also quite consistent, with the 30-year-old adding 42 runs from two innings to his decent haul of five wickets. However, pretty much everything went wrong with them in their campaign Down Under, and it all started before they even reached Australia when hard-hitter Shimron Hetmyer missed his flight and was dropped from the squad, reportedly due to disciplinary issues.

It didn’t get much better from that point on with the West Indies’ batting line-up struggling to find much fluency and skipper Nicholas Pooran unable to make much of an impact either, according to a report in ICC. The news that veteran coach Phil Simmons will step down from his position at the end of the year

was the final straw for the West Indies, who will now look to rebuild with a new coach at the helm and a relatively new captain in Pooran. With the West Indies already promising a full review into their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, they must also ensure they find a suitable candidate for the post of head coach. The good old days for West Indies cricket are seemingly over and a new coach must ensure the new breed of players are committed with next year’s 50-over World Cup in India their next big task.

Olly Stone, James Vince, Sam Billings in England squad for ODI series v Australia

London, Oct 25 (IANS) Seam bowler Olly Stone and batters James Vince and Sam Billings have been recalled in England’s 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia in November, to be played immediately after the ICC T20 World Cup currently underway. From the current T20 World Cup squad, 11 players will remain in Australia when the series gets underway at the Adelaide Oval on November 17. Seam bowler Olly Stone, who will join Nottinghamshire from November 1, will be looking to add to his four ODI caps, having last played for England in this format in October 2018

against Sri Lanka.

Batter James Vince returns to the squad, having last played in July 2021 at Edgbaston against Pakistan, while middle-order batter Sam Billings is also recalled and will be looking to add to his 25 ODI caps.

The three-match series will be played over six days, with matches in Adelaide, Sydney and finishing in Melbourne on November 22.

England ODI squad: Jos Buttler (Captain), Moeen Ali; Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, James Vince, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Luke Wood.

Schedule: November 17 Adelaide Oval, Adelaide; November 19 SCG, Sydney; November 22 MCG, Melbourne.

Premier League: Aston Villa appoint Unai Emery as head coach

London, Oct 25 (IANS) Aston Villa

London, Oct 25 (IANS) Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag held talks with beleaguered striker

Cristiano Ronaldo at Carrington

‘One of his best’: Vengsarkar hails Kohli’s knock vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup

Verstappen claims record 14th victory of 2022 season in Mexico; breaks Schumacher, Vettel record

Hunt for new West Indies coach likely to begin soon with ODI World Cup next year and T20 showpiece at home in 2024

A tale of traditional and contemporary

By Puja Gupta

The Lakme Fashion Week x

FDCI on its Day 4 presented a perfect amalgamation of tra ditional wedding wear and contem porary styles. Labels like Gaurang, known for its ‘desi’ drapes rooted in Indian culture to modern design champions like Payal Singhal and Anushree Reddy, along with others, showcased their latest collection

keeping in mind the Indian bride at the fashion extravanganza.

Gaurang Shah unveiled his collection “Sindoor” inspired by the collection colours of the Earth, sky and fire. He launched 40 handwoven creations in a myriad combinations of vermillion, which moved from ochre to crimson and then onto ruby and burgundy.

Gaurang used silk weaves like Kanjeevaram, Paithani, Banarasi brocades along with Kota, Uppada, Khadi and muslin. The outfits were embellished with Gara designs, Kasuti, Aari, Chikan and Kutch embroidery. He also used Bandhani, Shibori, patachitra, kalamkari and

cheriyal paintings.

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari walked for him wearing a glittering, gold, brocade lehenga and matching choli accessorised with a vermillion, sheer dupatta splashed with deli cate, floral embroidery.

The ‘SVA’ collection by Sonam and Paras Modi combined nature with a holiday when they stayed at the Nadesar Palace in Varanasi. The regal heritage location with its gushing fountains and colourful dancing peacocks inspired the pair

to fuse visuals onto their ensembles. Vibrant prints for the predominantly western fusion silhouettes formed the collection. Colours ranged from lush green, mint, midnight blue, off-white and rose gold pink.

Empowerment is learning to feel safe in your own skin: Nidhi Sunil

Anushree Reddy’s “Mystic Fantasy” collection, inspired by the tales of royal travel, garments, is for the modern-day brides.

It consisted of voluminous silhou ettes like embroidered lehengas with embellished cholis and

dupattas brought glitz and glamour on the stage. She used silks and tulle to form most of the collection. The colour palate was a mix of pastels, soft peaches, pink and ivory with a little blend of yellow and lavender.

The designers opted for Lucknowi embroidery and intricate appliqué work, which gave each garment a unique visual appeal to the capes, twin sets, separates with some mix and match options, as well as saris. The men’s wear collection offered a wide selection of knee length embroidered coats, kurtas, printed co-ord sets topped with sharply cut two-button jackets, bundies teamed

with matching kurta/shirts and slim trousers, buttonless bundgala jackets and soft trench coat with shoulder epaulets.

Actor Kunal Kapoor was the show stopper who wore a trio in multi-co loured, vertical, broad stripes, comprising a mandarin collar shirt and fitted trousers, topped with an unstructured, wide-lapelled, trench coat with stylish epaulets.

By Tanya Banon

L’Oréal Paris held its fifth iteration of “Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris” in the centre of the global fashion industry. This year’s event, “Walk Your Worth,” was created to encourage all women, as well as the brand’s family of courageous spokespeople, to show up in the world without apology and to confidently go in the direction of their goals. The open outdoor runway show., which took place on October 2, 2022, was attended by more than 2,000 members of the general public and was held at the École Militaire, a national landmark in the centre of Paris and a repre sentation of French brilliance.

The Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris, a madein-Paris global gathering that hon ours sisterhood and empowerment, is back for its fifth iteration since 2021. Global icon Yseult, who ap peared on the runway for the second year in a row, as well as empowered beauties Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria, and Katherine Langford, delighted the audience with their recognisable charisma and confi dence, served as the brand’s spokes people. Lela Bekhti, Marie Bochet, Cindy Bruna, Gemma Chan, Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Luma Grothe, Liya Kebede, Aja Naomi King, Soo Joo Park, Camille Razat, Nidhi Sunil, and Bebe Vio Grandis were additional returning Le Défilé spokespersons.

Indian supermodel with internation al fame, Nidhi Sunil, returning Le Défilé spokesperson took out time to speak to IANSlife about the event and life as an international model. How does it feel to be back at Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris?

Nidhi: It’s always a surreal feeling to be back here, with my L’Oréal Paris family. I always look forward to reconnecting with empowered women here from across the world, to take back new memories. What is different this year from past

shows? What can the public expect?

Nidhi: This year, the theme of the show is ‘Walk your Worth’. This is a call for women to unapologetically show up in the world and walk towards their goals with confidence. This year, L’Oréal Paris will embrace the union between beauty and fashion, both accessible and aspi rational. The show will exhibit the diversity and heritage of the fashion scene in Paris, along with products backed by scientific excellence, with consumers all over the world. What does the show’s location, the École Militaire, symbolize to you?

Nidhi: The École Militaire is a historic site that was used to be dominated by men but today, it has a stronger presence of female students there. This sends out a very strong message of women empowerment across the masses. This place today is a milestone in this long struggle that women had to deal with over the years. However, this is just the beginning, and we still have miles to go.

How does it feel to be reunited with your fellow global spokespeople for this show?

Nidhi: To come back here and meet these amazing people makes me feel so warm and happy. Like I said, I draw inspiration from these women who are strong and powerful. It is truly wonderful.

What does walking in Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris mean to you?

Nidhi: It is a chance for me to con nect with so many amazing women that have been an inspiration for me. I believe it is so incredible to have so many women, who are doing wonderful things, all together in one place. I truly love how L’Oréal Paris manages to make this happen year after year. I have noticed that every time, I come back with so much inspiration and so many ideas about doing a lot of new things.

Fashion to represent modern Indian style

Ranbir

Kapoor and Ananya Panday represent the chang ing mindset of modern India.

Launched in 2021, TASVA aims to infuse fresh energy into the Indian celebratory experience for the male consumer with its traditional and fusion Indian apparel that is high on unmatched quality, comfort, and style. Its ethos of freedom to be oneself and let individuality shine through is in perfect sync with that of Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday.

“I am excited to join the TASVA tribe! It’s amazing how the brand is making Indian celebrations and occasions so much more stylish, modern and fresh, which is what my personal style is as well. The campaign Ek Naya Nazariya captures present-day India and its celebrations perfectly”, said Ranbir Kapoor

“It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of the TASVA tribe. My per sonal style ideology identifies with the brand’s fresh approach when it comes to ethnic wear for men and Indian celebrations. Starting my association with the brand’s #EkNayaNazariya campaign is very special. It captures modern India’s thinking in such a beautiful way”, said Ananya Panday

Sharing the announcement, Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, TASVA said, “Who better than Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday to bring alive the vision of TASVA and its contemporary styles? Like TASVA, they have a natural sense of style that’s effortless and a perfect representation of new-age India. I am thrilled to have their charming

and youthful energy, fuel the brand appeal for our standout and fast-growing menswear brand.” Sandeep Pal, the CEO, of TASVA, added, “We are extremely pleased to have Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday join the TASVA tribe. The brand was conceptualized with a view to changing the way India thinks about ethnic menswear for festive occasions & weddings. It is all about expressing one’s individuality and a beautiful balance of modern tastes, rooted in tradition. Ranbir & Ananya are a perfect match for TASVA’s brand ideology.”

Aditi Rao Hydari

Gaurang’s creation

Sania Mirza

SVA collection

Anushree Reddy’s collection

Kunal Kapoor

For grooms, she presented embel lished sherwani/churidar sets with shawls, embroidered bundgala jackets, intricately embroidered bundies and stately kurtas.

Tennis star Sania Mirza closed the show wearing a white lehenga, choli and tulle dupatta with tonal ‘latkans’ cascading down the side.

Five Reasons to include serums as beauty essentials

a serum before a moisturizing cream at night gives the skin a healthy glow.

Serums contain anti-inflam matory ingredients that soothe sensitive patches on the skin. Besides that, they also benefit by eliminating skin blemishes such as acne scars, pigmentation, and dark circles, thereby brightening the skin.

Your 5 step routine to achieve glass skin

By Dr. Rashmi Shetty

Hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, two very small mol ecules, are used to create serums, which are thin moisturis ers. Small molecules make it simpler for the skin to rapidly absorb the serum. Comparing serums to other common face moisturisers is really difficult. They contain fewer lubricating and thickening agents and do not contain moisturising compounds like petrolatum or mineral oil. Since most serums are lightweight, they are ideal for lay ering. They are designed to address particular issues like increasing collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and removing dark spots. They come in a wide range of formulations, including as gels, oils, and light creams, but they can also occasionally be water-based.

• As serums penetrate deeper into the skin, they provide much more hydration than our usual moisturizers. Primary ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid lock in the moisture, keeping the skin smooth and soft for a long. Using

Many active ingredients present in these serums help in revital izing the skin by fighting aging issues like wrinkles and fine lines. It is recommended to use serums at night to maximize the benefits

AHAs like the glycolic acid present in serums helps in getting rid of dark spots. I like the all-new Glycolic Bright Serum which was recently launched by L’Oréal Paris. Glycolic Acid stimulates cell renewal and reduces dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, result ing in an even skin tone. One can cleanse their face with the Glycolic Bright Daily Foaming Cleanser and follow it up with this serum and conclude it with the Glycolic Bright Day Cream in the morning and the Glycolic Bright Glowing Night Cream before going to bed.

• They protect the skin from further damage by shielding the skin from the UV rays of the sun and pollution that can result in premature aging.

(Dr. Rashmi Shetty, Celebrity Dermatologist)

Find a good balance of natural products that suit your skin, says actress Mithila Palkar

partner, which provides an authen tic, dependable, efficacious, and delightful experience in skincare. I am truly glad to be associated with them.”

Mithila Palkar while speaking with IANSlife

What does skincare mean to you? What made you dwell deep into the subject?

Mithila: If I’m being honest, I did not take skin care seriously until my skin started acting up. As I built and followed my skincare routine, it started to feel less like a chore and more like a self-love ritual.

Whodoesn’t love the festive season - bold red lips, glittering eyes, fluttering lashes, accentuated cheekbones and showering glam. With all the makeup and perfect looks, our skin demands some love too. In the world of skincare, no one gets it better than Korean Beauty a.k.a. K-Beauty. Whether you are a fan or not, there is no denying that their dewy, glowing skin is a dream. We all aspire for the lovely Glass Skin- smooth, clear, intensely hydrated and lustrous look, how we get it is what Dr. Aakriti Mehra, the Dermatology Expert at Kult will help us with. While your friends may swear by some products, they may just not work for your skin.

Start off with a clean skin to get rid of all the clogs in your pores without stripping it of its natural oils. Use the Cosrx Calming Foam Cleanser that refreshes your skin instantly. The main lead in this cleanser is one of our acne-fighting faves: salicylic acid. This superstar acid exfoliates, unclogs pores, and prevents excess oil leaving no breakouts in its wake. The formula effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, and clears leftover impurities. The super-gentle cleanser is spiked with CentellACRX complex that soothes and unclogs jammed pores leaving no chance for breakouts.

Use a toner that helps to calm irritated skin while maintaining its moisture balance. With antibacterial properties, One Thing’s Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract rich toner is the gold standard. One for the city dwellers, this deeply hydrating and antioxidant-rich toner is brimming with green tea extracts. The powerful formula does a slew of amazing things for your skin- locks in moisture without the need to layer too many products, controls oiliness, soothes breakouts and repairs damage. You can also use this as a mist, simply transfer into a spray bottle and mist throughout the day or add 5-10 drops to your regular creams.

So how do you choose the ones worth purchasing? Hear it from the experts!

“Nothing beats the radiance of a healthy skin that is cleansed, toned, nurtured and moisturized. Every skin is different and what works for one, may not work for the other. With this insight, we built an in-app quiz for Kult users to understand their skin better and make the right choices of products for their skin. As a general rule, always invest in good skin care because healthy skin can do wonders for your confidence” adds Dr. Mehra.

Read on as she reveals the perfect five step routine to achieve glass skin this festive season.

Follow it up with a hydrating serum to make our skin happy. Hydration is the foundation of the perfect glass skin and the Klairs Vitamin C Serum is your holy grail. Giving your skin the ultimate glow and keeping it firm, this serum contains vitamin C at a 5% concentration, making it ideal for sensitive skin. The hypoallergenic formula brightens skin, tightens pores and evens out your skin tone. It is mild and non-ir ritating, so if you’ve been thinking of adding a vitamin C serum to your routine, this is a good place to start. You can use this during the day and at night but be sure to load up on the sunscreen everyday.

Pamper your skin with a sheet mask made to nourish and bright en. Made with carrots, It’s Skin Carrot Face Mask, is packed with Vitamin A that soothes and enhanc es skin complexion. Designed with a multi porous air layer, the mask is soaked with serum to deliver maximum results. Apply evenly over a dry face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Proceed to remove and pat any access serum into the skin and feel the difference.

Do the final glaze with the perfect oil. This Inkey List Rosehip Oil is a do-it-all oil that is uncomplicated as its minimal formula. Its 100% purity brings down the dulling veil off your face, perks aging skin, and unifies skin tone. Use it at night to wake up to luxuriously dewy and bouncy skin. You will want to use every last drop as the last step of your nighttime skin routine. Apply and gently massage until absorbed or mix it with your regular moisturizer for added nourishment.

And there you go - your six step routine to a radiant glass skin!

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The Key To That Bright Morning Glow

Actress Mithila Palkar began her acting career in 2014 and has since starred in a wide range of films and web series, including Chopsticks (a Netflix Original film) and Karwaan. She became well-known because to her parts in the well-liked web series Little Things and Girl in the City. She is a well-known vocalist as well. In 2016, a YouTube video of her singing the well-known Marathi song Hi Chal Turu Turu in the cup song style went viral and had more than 6 million views.

Mithila has joined Plum, India’s first 100% vegan and cruelty-free beauty and personal care line, as their brand ambassador. She will be featured in significant Plum ads across digital media.

Plum, one of the BPC companies with the greatest online growth, has also made a name for itself in the retail sector. In addition to being one of the top brands on important e-commerce sites; the brand is currently offered in over 250 Indian towns and cities through over 900 assisted retail outlets and over 10,000 unassisted outlets, with the latter number increasing month over month. The company most recently took home the Best Vegan Cosmetics honour from PETA India’s Vegan Fashion Awards.

Commenting on the announcement, Shankar Prasad, CEO and founder at Plum said, “Plum is a youthful brand that resonates with the confident woman of today. So, onboarding a millennial youth icon like Mithila Palkar seemed to be a natural fit. She reflects the brand’s values of being honest and real. Our asso ciation with her is a step towards strengthening the connection with our customers and reaching out to millions of more women who will emotionally associate with our brand and love using our products. On being the brand’s first ambassa dor, actress Mithila Palkar shares, “I’m really excited to be the face of a brand like Plum that believes in spreading so much goodness around the world. In Plum, I have found my

Now I look forward to those quiet moments every morning and night, where I am simply at one with myself, caring for my skin, so I can look and feel my best!

Your tips for a quick skin healthy DIY formulation.

Mithila: I believe in eating all the healthy ingredients in my kitchen rather than putting them on my face. Having said that, I do have a quick fix for my skin! I make sure to always have plum’s aloe vera gel at hand just because of how versatile it is. When I’ve been shooting in the sun all day, I use it as a soothing mask; if my eyes feel a bit tired, I use it under my eyes to soothe puffiness and I also use it as a spot treatment if my skin feels irritated in a certain area. Sometimes, I even use it to keep my eyebrows and flyaways in place.

The essential element here is to really find a good balance of natural ingredients and the products that suit your skin type. This very bal ance is what has worked for me over the years to keep my skin healthy & happy!

Tell us about your go-to skincare regimen.

Mithila: My skin has been loving Plum’s Vitamin C range lately. I start off by cleansing my skin with their Vitamin C Foaming Face Wash, followed by a few spritzes of the Vitamin C Toner for an instant pick-me-up. After it dries down, I go in with a few drops of the 15 percent Vitamin C Face Serum. Once the serum sinks into my skin, which is quick, I seal it all in with the Vitamin C Moisturizer. Of course, I round this off with a sunscreen and I’m all set to take on the day!

A beauty/skincare product that has been an absolute game changer for you.

Mithila: I would have to say Plum’s 15% Vitamin C Face Serum. After just a couple of weeks of using it regularly, I noticed it was giving my skin a major glow-boost. But not just that, a few dark spots that I had were also gradually starting to fade. Now I don’t go a day without it!

Aswe all know, getting a solid eight hours of sleep each night helps your body recover from a long day and keeps you looking young the following morn ing. Similar to this, maintaining a consistent skincare routine before night ensures that your skin has enough time to recuperate from the pollutants, dirt, UV rays, and grime to which it is exposed during the day.

Fixes Pigmentation

Skin pigmentation around the mouth and forehead is an increased concern among people these days. The damaged and unhealthy skin cells cause the skin to darken over time. A skin-care regime with a cleanser-toner-moisturizer trio works wonders for pigmentation. The toner evens skin tone while

A proper skin-care routine promotes improved skin renewal and nutrient absorption while your body enters repair mode while you sleep. The experts at Cetaphil discuss the advantages of nighttime skincare and how it can have significant healing effects on your skin.

Here are the top 5 reasons your skin needs that extra pampering before going to bed!

lightening the pigmented region of the skin. For instance, Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Refresh Toner acts wonders for skin pig mentation with its hypoallergenic ingredients. The product clears the dead cells providing bright radiance within four weeks.

Skin Smoothening

Skin exfoliation and cleansing is a must to ensure smooth skin. This is best achieved when the repair mode of your skin is at its peak. Since the level of melatonin (an antioxidant

Sun-Like Glow

A clean and moisturized skin during the night will allow clogged pores to open up and create enough space for your skin cells to breathe. This

that helps control the body’s sleep cycle) is high during the night, skincare right before yourbedtime is a boon for smoothening your skin.

ensures the overall health of the skin giving you a beautiful morning glow as you wake up.

Say No to Dryness

Waking up with dry skin can be no less than a nightmare, it may cause your face to be itchy, flaky and also red. This can be avoided with a night-timeskincare routine.

Application of a good quality mois turizer that suits your skin will leave you with supple and hydrated skin in the morning, ready to take on the day.

Avoid Early Wrinkles And Fine Lines

Aging with grace is something we all look forward to but those early-on wrinkles and fine lines can be a reason of concern and that’s where your night time skincare routine comes into play. Since dry

and coarse skin welcomes wrinkles early on, hydrating your skin is quintessential to trap moisture in the cells which in turn gives you a soft and hydrated glow.

Kult

“

Indian art market clocks USD 75.8 million, in turnover

headlines. Works priced >USD 1.2 million are responsible for 67 percent of the turnover, with the top 5 most expensive works alone bringing in 20 percent . But as the divide widens, so does the lowest tier. Works priced <USD 6 thousand have brought in 56 percent of all buyers, and therefore stabilised the average price. With an impressive sell-through rate of 89.5 percent, there is high demand, resale value and hence liquidity in the market”, said Arvind Vijaymohan, Founder, Indian Art Investor.

and are warming up to the idea of art as an investment option.”

The 2nd edition of the ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp

The Indian art market is on course to have its best-per forming year ever based on the first six months of FY23. Having a turnover of USD 75.8 million as of 30 September 2022, according to Indian Art Investor’s Indian Art Market Report for H1FY23, FY23 may exceed FY22. The first six months of FY23 have been able to produce more than the yearly turnover of 34 of the 39 years of prior auction data held by IAI.

The study states that a total of 468 artists—or 57 percent of the works sold in FY22—have contributed to this accomplishment through the sale of 2,053 pieces.

“The top tier of the market con tinues to break norms and make

Commenting on the report findings, Pallavi Bakhru, Partner, Private Client Services at Grant Thornton Bharat, said, “With a staggering USD 75.8 million (₹582.7 crores) being generated in the first half of the current FY, people are now understanding that the Indian art market is a great space for alternate investment portfolios. With a sharp increase in income, there has been an increase in demand for art. And while art was mostly considered a collectable and a luxury item, it has slowly and steadily moved into the category of a capital asset, which by definition provides benefits over a long period of time. Although traditional buyers remain a force in driving the market, there is an influx of new collectors who find art safe

The top 10 most expensive works sold in H1FY23 were equally distributed between Q1 and Q2. These ten pieces were responsible for 27 percent of the entire turnover produced over those six months. Seven of these pieces belonged to modernists, and three were pre-modernist pieces. The majority of the works sold and 81 percent of the overall revenue made during this time period are by modernists. Since oil was the medium used most frequently by Modernists, it made up 57% of the overall revenue. Because canvas is thought to be the material of choice for oil, it accounted for 75 of the revenue. Online auctions have completely revolutionised the market and now make up 86 percent of all transactions.

Overall, H1FY23 has demonstrated the strength of the Indian art auction business, demonstrating steady growth and unrealized potential. With pride, the market has grown in all the correct directions. Modernists have shown to be wise investments since Contemporaries have been on the rise. Along with an influx of riches and a new breed of collectors entering the market, there is a positive attitude.

The line between the mundane and epic is thin: Geetanjali Shree

travel to Pakistan to confront the ghosts from Partition and re-looking at herself as a mother, woman, and feminist.

Shree feels that the border (between India and Pakistan) is something that has been created politically and many people still do not ‘accept’ it. “Yes, it is something that has been forced down politically. This thought finds its way into this book as well.”

The Partition has not taken place in many minds, and it is not complete.

The second iteration of the ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Seher, was launched at the Taj Ambassador in New Delhi on October 10, 2022, to commemorate the 30 years of dialogue relations between ASEAN and India. Shri. Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs, was in attendance along with MEA representatives, diplomats, and visitors from ASEAN Missions in India. The event’s theme is “Oceans of Connectivity,” which only refers to the oceans that connect these ASEAN nations.

The MEA officials and other guests were introduced to the ASEAN artists and Indian artists during the inauguration. Ten musicians from ASEAN nations are taking part in the camp, including:

Samrit Keo (M) - Cambodia

• Eddy Sulistyo (M) - Indonesia

• Melissa Abuga-a (F) - the Philippines

Aye Myat Soe (F) - Myanmar

Nabil Fikri Bin Haronli (M)Brunei Darussalam

Sone Khounpaseuth (F) - Lao PDR

Edroger Rosili (M) - Malaysia

Nguyen Phuong Linh (F)

- Vietnam

Phattaraporn Leanpanit (M)

– Thailand

From India:

• Sonika Agarwal (F)

Japani Shyam (F)

Nupur Kundu (F)

Laishram Meena Devi (F)

• Anjum Khan (F)

• Nin Taneja (F)

• Vanita Gupta (F)

By Sukant Deepak

Author Geetanjali Shree, recipient of the International Booker Prize for ‘Tomb of Sand’ makes it clear that she did not really have any intentions of writing a novel about a ‘major theme’ (read Partition).

I always start with curiosity about a mundane event. In this case, it was about an elderly woman turning her back on life. It can be a very simple image which we see all the time, but it stayed with me. Let us remember that the line between the mundane and epic is very thin. There is this woman in the book, a small one, standing at the time of the day when the shadow is very long --- thus a small image which is going into a

long past. For me, something small always connects to big. So, I do not really have to set out in it. I just have to find the quiet and the place for a story to emerge -- it starts small but develops into bigger things,” said the author during the concluding day of the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival.

Originally written in Hindi as ‘Ret Samadhi’ and translated to English by Daisy Rockwell, it is the first Hindi novel to be awarded the Booker Prize. The book is the first in any Indian language to win the award. It tells the story of an octoge narian and her battle with depres sion after the death of her husband and how she comes out of it, to forge new friendships, cross borders and

The author, who took eight years to write the book remembers it just flowed and the real fun was in the process. “Of course, there were times when I felt stuck and did not know how to proceed. I do not work with an agenda, and was in no hurry -- I could go on and on.”

While it may also seem the book is about a fraught relationship between a woman and nation, she maintains it was natural for her to include women in the book, and sensitivity as well. “However, the son in the book has a special place as well.”

Stressing that relationships and memories are the only things that take people forward, Shree says that the only time she will translate is when she has nothing to write.

Grand Theatre, acclaimed Indian playwright and director Feroz Abbas Khan will bring together a sensory narrative of Indian culture told through the tenets of the classical Natya Shastra, the ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. This dramatic showcase boasts over 700 performers and features art forms such as dance, music and puppetry.

Saturday, 1st April 2023:

The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), a first-of-its-kind venue for the arts, will open its doors in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, reveals Isha Ambani. It promises to be a signifi cant cultural monument, dedicated to her mother Nita M. Ambani, philanthropist, and longtime sup porter of the arts.

The Jio World Centre, located in the centre of India’s financial and entertainment hub, is where the NMACC is located in addition to housing the nation’s largest conference centre, retail, and hospitality establishments, and more. The three-story structure will include facilities for both visual and performing arts. The Grand Theatre, The Studio Theatre, and The Cube are three specifically designed performance venues. They were all built with cutting-edge technology to accommodate a variety of expe riences, from private screenings

and thought-provoking discussions to multilingual programming and international productions. The centre will also open The Art House, a four-story facility that will feature prominent artists from India and around the world.

The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, according to Isha, is the culmination of her mother’s love for India and her passion for the arts. It is much more than just a building. She has always wanted to build a community-friendly platform for viewers, performers, artists, and other creatives. Her goal for the NMACC is to exhibit the world the best that India has to offer and to draw the world to India.

On 31st March 2023, the doors to the NMACC will open with a spectacular three-day launch.

Friday, 31st March 2023:

Civilization to Nation: The Journey of Our Nation: In the 2,000-seater

India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination: Curated by prolific author and costume expert Hamish Bowles, editor-in-chief, The World of Interiors, international editor-at-large, Vogue US, this exhibit traces the widespread impact and influence of India’s sartorial traditions in textiles, jewellery and surface ornamenta tion on global fashion spanning the 18th-21st century. Accompanying this exhibition is a coffee table book published by Rizzoli, documenting a comprehensive history of India and its impact on fashion worldwide for the very first time.

Sunday, 2nd April 2023: Sangam Confluence: Curated by India’s leading cultural theorist Ranjit Hoskote and Jeffrey Deitch, American curator, former director of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles and founder of his eponymous gallery, Sangam Confluence is a group art show that celebrates diverse cultural impulses and traditions at the 16,000 sq. ft Art House.

The camp will also offer a variety of interdisciplinary activities to expose the visiting artists to various Indian arts and traditions. This camp will include lectures, demonstrations, seminars, discussions, and other educational outings.

Samindranath Majumdar, a well-known painter, is another mentor at the camp.

Addressing the artists and the gathering, Secretary (East) MEA, Saurabh Kumar, said, “This artist camp is an important youth-centric activity to bring together the con fluence of creative energy from the 10 ASEAN countries and India, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN India dialogue relations.

Enhancing people-to-people and cultural connect between India and ASEAN forms an integral part of current ASEAN-India engagements. The artists camp intends to take forward the tradition of creative exchange between India and

Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director of Seher, said, “The second edition of ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp clear ly indicates that the first edition was a roaring success in bringing people from India and the ASEAN countries together. The camp will take place in Udaipur, where artists will create their work, spend time with each other and exchange ideas. They will also be familiarised with the rich cultural traditions and heritage of all the participating countries.”

At the nine-day programme, which will be held at the Taj Aravali Resort in Udaipur, artists will work on their creations to produce moving works of art. The artists will interact and participate in panel discussions on a range of subjects while they are in town, and they will also visit some of Udaipur’s most picturesque spots, including The City Palace, Pichola Lake, and the local market. The artworks will be on display at the location for the public and the local city government on October 19.

Media is a business and I have no business with it: Singer Arijit Singh

By Sukant Deepak

“I am not media shy at all. Media is a business and I have no business with it. Only my work has business with it. I work, and if it is good enough, it is a product for the media. I am not important here, that is why I avoid it. It keeps me peaceful...” singer Arijit Singh tells IANS when pointed out that he is considered one of the most media-shy people in the Hindi film industry.

For someone who has given major hits like ‘Channa Mereya’, ‘Tum Hi Ho, ‘Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga’, ‘Uska Hi Banana’, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, ‘Gerua’and Kesariya among others, and received major awards including the National Award, four Mirchi Music Awards, six , one Stardust, three IIFA, two Zee Cine and two Screen Awards, nothing beats the magic of a live performance.

“A live performance is like an exam. We prepare and perform. Of course, there are chances of committing a few mistakes, something that forces me to be alert at all times. It engages me in different instruments playing live and remembering my own part in the arrangement. It is always fun,’ says Singh who will be seen live after a gap of three years during ‘One Night Only - India Tour’. Presented by Paytm Insider along with Swiggy SteppinOut and their production partner Hyperlink Brand Solutions, the first leg of the tour will

kickstart with Mumbai on November 26 followed by Delhi on December 3 and Hyderabad on December 17. Shows in Bangalore and Kolkata will follow early next year.

Excited about the concert, he adds, “ I am not sure how prepared we are as it has been three years and everything around has changed. This tour is an opportunity for me to work and focus more on training.”

While he is busy finishing some Hindi and Bangla songs, Singh tells about the process he follows for his live concerts, “The setlist is made according to the mood transition ---keeping the scales and tempo in mind. Then comes the aspect of working out parts for all the musicians. These days most of my band members compose their parts themselves. I just tweak it a little bit.

After the structure is finalised, we rehearse for days to be in sync with each other.”

While there have been several controversies over ‘reimagining’ old songs, Singh feels If done well and cooked honestly, the end result can be excellent. “After all, the melodies we try to reimagine from the past happen to be our favourites.”

Believing it is important for musi cians to study and understand more about music rights, IP and royalty, he adds, “Before coming together and demanding it, we should know our rights. If a collective demand

is raised, I am sure things will be different.”

Singh, who studied at the Royal College of Music, London says he did not enrol there to become a western musician. “I wanted to learn western music -- read and write it, experiment with different instru ments, and learn how to score for films. It was helpful when I worked for films like ‘The immortal Eleven’, ‘Kedara’ and ‘Pagglait’,” he says.

Someone who enjoys newly composed songs, he adds, “I also like to sing Indian classical music For production ideas, I listen to new releases and sonically rich albums,” he concludes.

India’s First Multi-Disciplinary Cultural Centre in Mumbai

• Yogendra Tripathi (M)

• Mayur Kailash Gupta (M) Dileep Dharma (M)

Basant Bhargav (M)

ASEAN, while acting as a conduit to enhance understanding between our two peoples.”

Isha Ambani announces opening of The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC)

take people

ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp Inauguration

International Booker Prize winner ‘Tomb of Sand’ in shortlist for Rs 25 lakh JCB Prize for Literature

of the prize will be announced on November 19.

Following the unveiling, Jayant Kriplani, Paramita Saha and Sandip Roy read passages from the short listed titles.

“Judging literature is a challenge,” Jury Chair A.S. Panneerselvan saidunveiled the shortlist. From exploring new content and deploy ing various literary devices, authors constantly try to push the boundary. while unveiling the shortlist at the Glenburn Penthouse in an intimate gathering of authors, translators and the literary community of the city, adding: “Every step is crucial and every innovation is precious.”

“However, when the final evaluation happened, these wonders of the mind gave space to the power of the heart, where empathy became the criteria for creating the shortlist. All the novels in the shortlist exemplify the idea of empathy, concern for fellow humans, and in a sense a worldview in which the head does not subsume the heart,” Panneerselvan said.

Thriller conquest of Mt. Kanchenjunga now in unique book form

Kolkata, Oct 21 (IANS) International Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree’s “Tomb of Sand” is among the five translations shortlisted for the Rs 25 lakh JCB Prize for Literature, India’s richest literary award, it was announced here on Friday.

The shortlisted novels are:

* “Imaan” by Manoranjan Byapari, translated from Bengali by Arunava Sinha (Eka)

* “The Paradise of Food” by Khalid Jawed, translated from Urdu by

Baran Farooqi (Juggernaut)

* “Valli” by Sheela Tomy, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil (Harper Perennial)

* “Tomb of Sand” by Geetanjali Shree, translated from Hindi by Daisy Rockwell (Penguin Random House India)

* “Song of the Soil” by Chuden Kabimo, translated from Nepali by Ajit Baral (Rachna Books)

Sheela Tomy and Chuden Kabimo are debut novelists. The winner

Mita Kapur, Literary Director of the JCB Literature Foundation, said: “The fact that in the 5th year of the JCB Prize for Literature we have the most diverse shortlist yet, fills us with hope. This is a list that brings forth the many Indias across time and geography. This is truly representative of the spectrum of languages, authors and publishers that make up our industry, but most of all it represents the quality of excellent writing that India has to offer.”

Each of the five shortlisted authors will receive Rs 1 lakh; and the translator an additional Rs 50,000.

The translator of the winning work will receive an additional Rs 10 lakh.

ThePune-based Giripremi -- which created history when its 10 climbers unfurled the National Tricolour on a single day, May 15, 2019 on Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak -- has brought out the enthralling experi ence in a colourful book form.

The book in Marathi, “Shikhararatna Kanchenjunga” -- described as a journey of emotions, courage, perse verance, adventure -- was released by industrialist and Haware Group Chairman, Dr. Suresh Haware, himself an avid mountaineer -- on Thursday evening.

The remarkable aspect is it is an un tried experiment of writing a book in Marathi literature on “the same subject and the same expedition, but from two different perspectives” -the first by the Team Leader Umesh Zirpe and other from the summiteer Bhushan Harshe, both witnessing the same set of emotions from their own angles.

“Harshe and I have been working together for nearly two decades, and understand each other deeply. We

both could well imagine what the other was thinking in a particular situation. It helped us write the book, threading the story together from each other’s viewpoints with out any repetition,” Zirpe said.

Lauding the efforts, Dr. Haware said the book can be an excellent example of documenting the thrills and travails of the high-flying adventure besides focussing on the kind of planning and management that goes to make such expeditions successful.

Harshe said he wrote a daily diary for a newspaper during the expedi tion, and most of it is now part of the book, while Zirpe highlighted how each expedition is different from others with new challenges unfold ing at every step, requiring detailed planning and management.

“We decided to cobble together our respective viewpoints on the same journey and the idea was readily supported by Rohan Publications, to inspire others,” the duo added.

Present at the release of the pictorial book were the Giripremi

Earlier, Giripremi had created a record for an Indian civilian expe dition when eight of its members unfurled the National Tricolour on Mt. Everest on a single day, May 19, 2012.

Zirpe said that the proceeds from the sale of “Shikhararatna Kanchenjunga” would go towards funding future expeditions of Giripremi.

Among the premier mountaineering clubs in India for over three decades, it has 11 Mt. Everest and 10 Mt. Kanchenjunga summitteers, and two went on to win the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award, besides expeditions to many other 8000-metre-plus peaks and other mountaineering activities.

store on Amazon. Pragya Sharma, Director, Media Business, Amazon India said, “We at Amazon are delighted to be associated with the JCB Prize for Literature since its inception. Together, we are committed to nurturing the passion for reading in the country. India is home to many different languages and diverse cultures that produce a plethora of high-quality literature.

British Indian writer Preti Taneja wins Gordon Burn Prize

In its fifth year, the JCB Prize for Literature announced the 2022 Shortlist at an exclusive gathering of writers, translators, and the city’s literary community at the Glenburn Penthouse in Kolkata. Each year, the jury chooses a notable work of fiction by an Indian author to receive the JCB Prize for Literature. At the occasion in Kolkata, the Jury Chair, AS Panneerselvan, revealed the Shortlist. Two debut novelists are represented on the list of shortlisted books, which include translations from five different languages, including Urdu, Hindi, Bangla, Malayalam, and Nepali. After the reveal, Sandip Roy, Jayant Kriplani, and Paramita Saha read selections from the selected books.

The shortlisted novels are:

• Imaan by Manoranjan Byapari, translated from the Bengali by Arunava Sinha (Eka)

• The Paradise of Food by Khalid Jawed, translated from the Urdu by Baran Farooqi (Juggernaut)

• Valli by Sheela Tomy, trans lated from the Malayalam by JayasreeKalathil (Harper

Perennial)

Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, translated from the Hindi by Daisy Rockwell (Penguin Random House India)

The JCB Prize has consistently, over the last 5 years, been a trustworthy & prestigious source for recognizing these distinguished works of fiction by Indian writers and Amazon India is excited to bring these gems to readers across the country and beyond.”

Commenting on the shortlist, the chair of jury 2022, AS Panneerselvan said, “Judging literature is a challenge. From exploring new content and deploying various literary devices, authors constantly try to push the boundary. Every step is crucial and every innovation is precious. However, when the final evaluation happened, these wonders of the mind gave space to the power of the heart, where empathy became the criteria for creating the shortlist. All the novels in the shortlist exem plify the idea of empathy, concern for fellow humans, and in a sense a worldview in which the head does not subsume the heart.”

The JCB Prize titles are present across bookstores in the country and is also available in an online

With the winner to be decided next month, Mita Kapur, Literary Director, said, “The fact that in the 5th year of the JCB Prize for Literature we have the most diverse shortlist yet, fills us with hope. This is a list that brings forth the many Indias across time and geography. This is truly representative of the spectrum of languages, authors and publishers that make up our in dustry, but most of all it represents the quality of excellent writing that India has to offer.”

Speaking of the award, the translator of any shortlisted book will also receive an additional Rs 50,000 in addition to the Rs 1 lakh each of the five shortlisted authors will receive.

On November 19, 2022, the Rs. 25 lakh JCB Prize for Literature winner will be revealed. A further Rs 10 lakh will be given to the translator if their work is chosen as the winning entry. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

Kathmandu, Oct 16 (IANS) Nepal’s longest serving litterateur and historian Satya Mohan Joshi passed away at KIST Medical College Hospital, here on Sunday.

He was 103.

Joshi was admitted to hospital on September 23 and was diagnosed with urine infection, chest and heart issues, The Himalayan Times reported.

Dr Suraj Bajracharya who was attending on Joshi said that that the latter breathed his last at 7.09 a.m. in the morning.

Born in 1919 in Pattan, Joshi penned more than 60 books.

He was three-time recipient of Madan Puruskar and honoured as ‘Bangmaya Shatabdi Purush’ (Man of the century).

Indian-origin

British author and academic Preti Taneja has won the 2022 Gordon Burn Prize for “Aftermath”, her “unflinching work of narrative non-fiction”.

The Gordon Burn Prize celebrates the year’s most dazzlingly bold and forward-thinking fiction and non-fiction written in English.

“Aftermath” was selected by a panel of judges, made up of sportswriter and columnist Jonathan Liew, author Denise Mina (chair), broad caster Stuart Maconie, artist and poet Heather Phillipson, and writer Chitra Ramaswamy.

The book strives to make sense of the London Bridge stabbing in 2019, when Usman Khan, 28, was a convicted terrorist who spent eight years in prison and went on to kill two people, Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt.

Taneja realised she had taught Khan creative writing when he was in prison, and Jack Merritt, one of the victims, was her colleague.

“Aftermath” is a profound attempt to regain trust after violence and rebuild faith in human compassion: a powerful recommitment to activ ism and radical hope.

Taneja is a professor of World Literature and Creative Writing at Newcastle University. Her first novel, “We That Are Young”, a translation of “King Lear” set in contemporary India, won the Desmond Elliott Prize 2018.

Taneja receives 5,000 pounds as cash prize, and is offered the oppor tunity to undertake a writing retreat of up to three months at Gordon Burn’s cottage in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders.

She has been shortlisted for several

awards, including the Republic of Consciousness Prize, the Prix Jan Michalski, and the Shakti Bhatt Prize.

Hindu sadhus in Gujarat decry book ‘insulting’ Hindu deities

Taking strong objection to a book ‘Pramukh swami Mahima Ashtakam’ praising Pramukh swami, a section of Hindu sadhus in Gujarat are mulling filing an FIR against its publisher saying that it “insults” the Hindu deities.

Hindu Sadhu, Sant Samiti president Jyotirnath told IANS that a part of the book -- allegedly published by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha’s (BAPS) -- is in circulation, which insults the Hindu Gods. “Insulting Hindu Gods has become a trend but it will not be tolerated and an FIR will be filed for hurting Hindu sentiments,” he added.

“It is unfortunate that political parties and even the so-called Hindu Sangathans, spiritual leaders are tight-lipped on the issue,” he said and questioned political leaders and the right-wing organisations on their silence over the issue.

When IANS approached Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha for official comment, they asked for more time to comment.

However, sources from the sect says, BAPS has not officially pub lished any such booklet or prayer book, in which Hindu Gods are insulted.

• Song of the Soil by ChudenKabimo, translated from the Nepali by Ajit Baral (Rachna Books)

Founder-President Ushaprabha Page, 79, and herself a veteran mountaineer, Anand Palande, Vivek Shivade, Jitendra Gaware, Ashish Mane, Krishna Dhokale, Padmaja Dhanvi, Pradeep Champanerkar of Rohan Publications and other adventure lovers.

mountains?

Here is a list of resorts and homestays

away from

bustle of the

unwind

hustle

Goa has changed from being a peaceful, palm-fringed coastal state to a popular tourist destination where visitors may relax and enjoy the sea breeze. Goa is a kaleidoscope of activities, offering everything from watersports to secluded island excursions, a vibrant nightlife to a rich cultural history,

Instagram-friendly eateries to hidden jewels.

Socorro, a residence of unrivalled beauty, is tucked away from North Goa’s activity and noise. Our brandnew Signature by SaffronStays home, Mirissa, was conceived in this undeveloped corner of paradise.

A new safety product for solo travelers in Hindi

As the “Live and Work Anywhere” phenomenon has taken off among people who are able to work remotely, travel platform Airbnb, has become increasingly integral to solo travelers. According to its internal data, approximately 30 percent of domestic and international bookings between Q2 2021 to Q2 2022 were

by solo travelers from India.

The platform launches a new safety product for solo travelers in Hindi. This product feature comes amidst the solo travel trend that’s surging in India, with growth of overall, solo domestic travel amongst Indians by about 120 percent in Q2 2022, when compared to Q2 2019.

pool villa is 1 hour and 15 minutes away. Goa International Airport is a quiet retreat that is ideal for people seeking a break from the grind of the metropolis.

Middle East destinations see an upsurge, amongst Indian travellers

Digital travel company Agoda has noticed a 26 percent increase in searches for stays in Dubai and a 20 percent increase across the wider region (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Dammam, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Manama) as Indian fans choose easily accessible neighbouring states to base them selves for the sporting spectacle later this year (20 November – 19 December).

“Football is a craze the world over, and Indians and Asians are keen to catch the mega event that’s

A 90-minute drive from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, located in the east of the UAE, Al Ain is a garden city filled with picturesque locations surrounded by fruit trees and date palms. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site and attracts visitors to admire this marvel with its 4,000year history. Al Ain is home to more

Adventure spot Hatta positions itself as a world-class tourist destination, with visitors flocking to the Al Hajar mountains which offer an opportunity to visit rock pools, dams, and parks. Bordering Oman, Hatta is about 80 miles from Dubai. It has a beautiful honeybee garden that’s also known for its apitherapy treatments. One can also enjoy the

While temperatures may be cooling down in Jeddah, there are hot things to do. Why not explore the quintessential Arabic cuisine at Al Baik, take in close views of the Red Sea at Silver Sands beach or

taking place this year right in their backyard. But what’s more, they are taking advantage of Dubai’s prox imity to Qatar to have a bit of extra time visiting the wider region. Our Champion Deals will leave a little extra in the pockets of Indian travel lers to spend exploring the culinary, shopping, and action-packed adven tures that this region has to offer,” said Krishna Rathi, Country Director - India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, Agoda.

For off-pitch action, check out these ideas from Agoda while visiting the region:

than 147,000 trees and an ancient irrigation system that continues to deliver water to them.

Properties to stay at while you visit Al Ain:

Royal M Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi

Corniche Hotel Abu Dhabi

birds and other wildlife at Swan Lake.

Choose a comfortable stay with Agoda as you discover Dubai’s mountain beauty, Hatta:

• JA Hatta Fort Hotel

• Hatta Guest House Hatta Resorts

visit the world’s tallest lighthouse called Seaport? The must-see King Fahd’s fountain, which is the tallest fountain of its kind in the world, blasts water from the Red Sea up to 800 feet in the sky.

Not too far from the main city of Muscat stands the ancient city of Nizwa – known to be the capital of Islamic culture. This city dates back to the 17th century and was once a key trade route within the region. Packed with history, forts, souks, and deserts – Nizwa provides a picturesque view of Oman. While in the city one can enjoy the famous

For more sporting adventures that you certainly wouldn’t expect in the desert, check out Ski Dubai. With more than 22,000 square miles of indoor ski areas, Ski Dubai is the coolest destination to get awayfrom the hot sun, heat waves, and the busiest crowd in Dubai during the football tournament. Part of the Mall of Emirates, this is the largest ski center on the planet and has the world’s first indoor black diamond

If the football isn’t enough to get your heart pumping, why not try a little SkyDive? Visitors can choose premium spots such as the Palm Dropzone or the Desert Dropzone for the dive. The Skydive Dubai team offers experiences along with coaching courses to learn this breathtaking sport.

Post this adventure, visitors can taste the luxury and culture at La

Nizwa fort, which is well-known for its 40m tall round tower.

Check out these relaxing Agoda stays as you set out to discover Oman’s own ancient marvel

• Levatio Hotel

• Sama Hotel City Seasons Hotel

ski run. It alsofeatures an ice tower, climbing caves, penguin encounters, and a children’s snow park play area.

Plan a luxurious stay at Al Barsha as you plan to Ski in Dubai: Kempinski Mall Of The Emirates Hotel

• Elite Byblos Hotel

• Novotel Suites Dubai Mall of the Emirates

Coco Dubai - a California-inspired eatery located in Andaz Dubai The Palm which offers the best grilled stuffed peppers, vegan tostadas, marinated baby chicken and fresh fruity sweets.

Be spoiled for choice with stays at:

• The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm Raffles The Palm Andaz Dubai The Palm - a concept by Hyatt

Tara Bunch, Airbnb’s Global Head of Operations said, “The safety of our community - including solo travelers - is one of our top priorities and at the very heart of everything we do. As part of this, we’re rolling out a safety product in India that aims to allow solo travelers to

experience all that the country has to offer with added peace of mind. We’re very much committed to helping travelers explore India’s world-renowned natural beauty, culture and exceptional culinary scene with confidence.”

Why millennials love about local tourism

By Zishan Khan

According to a well-known proverb, “Wisdom comes with age; understanding comes with travel.” Local tourism basically refers to exploring your own country’s territory. Consumers still favour local goods, services, and experiences despite globalisation and digitization. Recent years have seen a meteoric surge in domestic travel, which has greatly benefited neighbourhood hotels. Travelers, notably millennials, prefer quick trips to nearby locations that don’t require a passport. For millennials, who prefer staycations to expensive, administratively onerous interna tional trips, the concept of a vaca tion has undergone a significant transformation.

On the other hand, local tourism is picking up steam and developing thriving local economies to support neighbourhood communities. In order to revive and expand small enterprises, the rising demand for regional tourism is equally essential. The domestic travel industry’s problems are being reduced by the surge in local tourism, which can benefit the nation’s economy by providing a safety net for younger enterprises. The largest benefits of local tourism are certainly growth and job creation since it motivates owners of specialised hospitality businesses to expand and hire locally. This has a cascading impact on nearby suppliers and guarantees that companies stay in touch with the neighbourhood to serve local tourists.

The “millennials,” a generation mostly born between 1980 and 1995, are likely the biggest consumers of domestic travel. So, the lower end of this cohort is in their mid-20s, while the upper end is approaching their mid-30s. The trend towards local tourism can be attributed to millennials, who travel more than any other generation and value authenticity and soul-stirring ex periences. Additionally, they firmly support the concepts of fulfilment and sustainability, which is having a good impact on the dynamics of travel within the tourism sector. They identify with a local holiday that allows them to keep more in touch with their roots by engaging with local cuisines, cultures, and accommodations.

Millennials are motivated by a sense of cultural pride and a strong sense of belonging, which causes them to divert their attention to local attractions. By capitalising on the rising demand for their services, local hospitality companies can forge insurmountable prospects and develop enthralling local vacations.

For millennials to embrace the local culture when travelling, an authentically local experience must be created. Travel has altered in the eyes of millennials, who choose a “experimental attitude.” A true millennial looks for fresh and interesting experiences while narrowing down potential travel destinations.

By designing rustic and distinctly localised experiences, local hospitality firms may live up to these expectations. Beach tourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, rural tourism, ecotourism, medical tourism, wildlife tourism, or a creative combination of the afore mentioned can all be classified as local tourism. The secret to building enduring relationships with your travel customer is to provide inclu sive and rich travel experiences.

Millennials have immediate access to the internet and utilise social media frequently. For millennials, using their smartphones as a plan ning tool is the best option.

Social media is always used to obtain, experience, and share travel-related information. It is therefore time to open an account on social media if your firm is in the hospitality industry. Social media engagement with millennials may be achieved through keeping an active social media presence, live streaming, forming alliances with influencers, and publishing attrac tive promotions. When millennials make up your target market, it’s crucial for hoteliers to make sure that visitors can quickly book their accommodations through your website, OTAs, and social media.

Maintaining your social media persona is crucial if you want to establish long-lasting relationships. What can millennials really antici pate from a local travel adventure? Bringing them closer to their roots, organising local events, and assisting them in connecting with the neighbourhood will help create positive future relationships.

(Zishan Khan, Chief Acquisition Officer & Co-Founder, Ekostay)

The

With unobstructed views of the ocean and perched at a high altitude near to SaffronStays De La Mer is located between the Nerul Church and the Reis Magos Fort. Reis Magos, Goa’s 4-bedroom

Ahead of the upcoming global football tournament in Qatar

SaffronStays De La Mer

Al Ain near Dubai

Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

Hatta near Dubai

Nizwa near Muscat

Ski Dubai in Dubai

SkyDiving in Dubai

SaffronStays Mirissa- Socorro, North Goa

Della Resorts’ opulent setting invites you to relax in the lap of nature as you take use of its top-notch restaurants serving delicious meals and the most energising beverages. They are located in the verdant hills of Lonavala. In addition to this, the expansive outdoor areas and unique spa treatments at Lonavala’s Della

You can also choose to stay at Della’s D.A.T.A Resort, an opulent getaway that provides guests with an unrivalled military-themed camping experience, to make things even more thrilling and energising. The large area gives visitors a full view of their resort and adventure park. Every sort of traveller may find what they need at DATA thanks to

Resorts, India’s only experience luxury hotel, are an ideal choice for unwinding and finding inner peace. One of the few pet-friendly areas in the city is Della, so if you’re bringing your furry buddy along, the roomy outside area will guarantee they have the finest time ever!

well-liked locations like the Salaam Manekshaw, an 80-seater restau rant, Gurka Lounge, and military experience sets like Training Rooms and Obstacle Course. Even traditional military memorabilia that commemorates their time spent in this special location is available to visitors.

Della’s D.A.T.A Resort

Della Resorts

Android phones beat iPhones in early US quake warning

phones.

Twitter users also noted that Android users received an early warning, while iPhone users received it later, according to the report.

Apple devices to support

San Francisco, Oct 26 (IANS) Tech giant Apple has added support for Nintendo’s updated classic game controllers in its latest updates of Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices.

before the shock waves hit.

San Francisco, Oct 26 (IANS)

Android phones’ built-in earthquake detection functionality, tested during a 5.1-magnitude earthquake near California’s San Jose on Tuesday, seems to have passed with flying colours, and also beat iPhones at alerting users.

According to Android Authority, Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of engineering for Android, tweeted a neat visualisation showing loads of Android phones detecting the quake

“Earthquake in SF Bay Area today. Yellow/red represents shaking Android phones acting as seismometers. Circles are our inferred estimate of P and S waves.

Earthquake alerts sent instanta neously to surrounding phones before the waves hit,” he tweeted.

Several social media users reported receiving earthquake notifications five to ten seconds before they felt the shock waves on their Android

A warning like this isn’t the first time Android’s earthquake detection network has provided an early warning. Last year, the system delivered early warnings during a quake in the Philippines, the report added.

To enable earthquake detection functionality on your Android phone, you can do so by tapping Settings > Safety & emergency > Earthquake alerts.

However, this feature is not available in every country, so you can check Google’s support page for more information.

Now ask Amazon Alexa for live cricket commentary, scores

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) As millions of Indians are glued to TV screens watching the T20 World Cup 2022, Amazon on Wednesday announced that the people can now get official live cricket commentary and scores from virtual assistant Alexa.

Users can ask the device about the recent match information such as schedules, scores, team sheets and player statistics, the company said. This skill is available for free on dif ferent devices, including Echo smart speakers, Fire TV, Alexa mobile app and the Amazon shopping app

(Android).

Users just have to say “Alexa, start live cricket commentary,” to tune in. Additionally, it can be used to set reminders for the matches and to keep track of the favourite team’s fixtures.

Alexa can also use information from past matches to analyse the current ongoing matches to tell expected winner, innings scores and much more, the company added.

The company said recently that the number of requests to Amazon Alexa in Hindi language had

increased by more than 52 per cent in the last year.

Customers in India interacted with the Amazon Alexa voice service millions of times in a day in Hindi and Hinglish for music, information, cricket scores, smart home control, setting alarms/reminders etc.

Earlier, global installed base of smart home devices was set to exceed two billion devices this year.

According to the report, smart speakers had the most global shipments in 2021, with 195 million, followed by lighting, plugs/switches and connected health devices.

Filmmaker blames TikTok for allowing abusive comments in video

two-minute video was uploaded from an account with about 1,700 followers, that has been viewed more than 1.2 million times.

The filmmaker said that “she believes TikTok’s algorithms are driving more hate towards the film.”

Meanwhile, TikTok said, “misogyny was prohibited on the platform”.

On the other hand, Hartley said she could not get in touch directly with someone from the platform to get help.

“We don’t have the capacity or the manpower to respond to all the comments. I thought, what have I done? I’ve made a film that’s helping rape culture,” Hartley was quoted as saying.

Apple devices running macOS 13, iOS 16, tvOS 16, and up now support Nintendo’s modern SNES and N64 controllers, whether using a wired or Bluetooth connection.

According to Engadget, developer Steven Troughton-Smith, in his tweet with a video demonstrating the capability, said he believes that the Apple platforms now support the N64 and NES controllers for the Switch (a video game console), as

well.

“Neat, iOS/tvOS 16.1 support the official BT/USB-C Super Nintendo controller for the Switch. I don’t have the N64 or NES versions to test with, but I believe they are support ed now too,” he tweeted.

A daily publication website, MacStories, tested the SNES-style controllers on both iPad OS 16.1 and macOS Ventura and found that they worked, according to the report.

The publication was also able to use the modern N64 controller with Apple devices. A gamepad appears in the Bluetooth settings like any

game

San Francisco, Oct 24 (IANS) British filmmaker Emmeline Hartley has slammed Chinese short-form video app TikTok for allowing abusive comments in a video.

The comment section of the video about sexual consent was filled with allegations from men accusing women of assault.

According to a report by BBC, the

“Our community guidelines specifically call it out as a hateful ideology and we are crystal clear that we do not want that content on our platform,” a spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report.

The company said it had removed more than 100 comments from Hartley’s video, which was a small proportion of the number that had been left.

According to her, she has seen other TikTok videos filled with abusive comments where the creator is appealing for likes and positivity to “pull them back from the wrong side of TikTok”.

She made the original video, “Keep Breathing”, in 2018 with funding from various local organisations in Derby and backing from the British Film Institute.

situations and from less-than-ideal shooting positions, quick strikes on the enemy, proven effectiveness in all terrains of conflict, and environ mental adaptability.

AI-driven warfare is becoming more prevalent throughout the world. Due to the potential for AI to fundamen tally alter the nature of the current state of international security, India is also undertaking the necessary preparations for its military forces.

Ahmedabad, Oct 23 (IANS)

Humanoid robots armed with lethal weapons or unmanned tanks and submarines may have seemed like a realm of pure science fiction, just a few years ago.

But now with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), arms control is a challenging but very promising application. India is prioritising AI as a key component of its national security strategy given US & China’s significant advancements in AIbased research.

India is well promoting its AI-based innovation and building infra structure that is AI-ready in order to secure its strategic and national security interests. The country’s de fence establishment is now working towards harnessing the expertise of the information technology industry and are advancing also in the field of small arms that have always been limited to mechanical or technical improvements.

There haven’t been any game-changing improvements in technology of small arms in the last few years.

But taking a cue from countries like

the US and China that are focusing on AI and MI (machine learning) to develop lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), Adani Defence and Aerospace, along with its partner Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), have unveiled India’s first AI based firing system ‘ARBEL”, the next-generation small arms solution at the DefExpo 2022 being held at Gandhinagar.

Soldier lethality and survivability are increased by ARBEL, a weap on-embedded Intelligent Fire Control System (IFCS) based on motion sensors.

It contains a rechargeable (field-lev el changeable) battery, control unit, motion and trigger sensors, and microprocessor. The system doesn’t need a particular optical component to work and can be mounted on and combined with a variety of assault rifles and machine guns, including the TAVOR, ACE, and NAGEV.

The user can choose the upper receiver and optic combination that best suits the mission at hand. It offers a range of capabilities, including rapid, accurate, and lethal fire, increased hit probability and lethality in stressful combat

Additionally, Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said that ARBEL is the next-gen eration small weapons solution for enhancing the dismounted operator’s lethality and survivability by correctly engaging targets in a condensed window of opportunity while under stress and exhaustion. Simply put, the AI system reads and records the target, position, and recoil of the weapon as the user fires the first round. When the subsequent rounds are fired at the same target, this information is then utilised. The method gives the user total flexibility in addition to being prepared for fight. In other words, the user has the option to deactivate it during a battle. The weapon will also function correctly even if the ARBEL battery runs out.

It doesn’t require much training, and the weapon doesn’t need to be reconfigured. With zero adaption time, it aids in the creation of fully customised weapon profiles. Considering the evolving dynamics and today’s modern warfare, it is necessary to ensure that our soldiers possess such leading technologies to safeguard the nation. Through this platform, Adani Defence & Aerospace continues to demonstrate its dedication to developing cutting-edge technology that will assist defend the country and safeguard our troops.

other device when it is in pairing mode.

Since the Apple App Store doesn’t support video game emulators, you’ll need to turn on your Switch console and its subscription service to play your games, the report said.

Windows 11’s new features make file sharing more easier

San Francisco, Oct 23 (IANS) With an aim to enhance user experience, tech giant Microsoft has rolled out several new features, including files sharing, to help users share files and photos easily to Windows 11.

To make sharing files even more accessible, the company has enhanced the Windows Share experience so that users can share files with more discoverable devices nearby directly from their desktop, File Explorer, Photos, Snipping Tool, Xbox and other apps.

“Today, we are excited to announce the availability of new features in Windows 11 along with some excit ing new experiences to help you be your most productive and creative, while also having fun,” the company said in a statement.

“Announced in September, these new features and experiences begin to be available today and are

a continuation of our commitment and journey to deliver continuous innovation in Windows to inspire and empower you,” it added.

The taskbar is getting two highly requested enhancements. First, if you like to pin a more extensive selection of apps to your taskbar than space allows, Taskbar gives you an entry point to an overflow menu that will enable you to view all your overflowed apps in one space.

Second, when you right-click on the taskbar, in addition to Taskbar Settings, you will also see an option to jump directly into your Task Manager.

“These improvements have been made in direct response to your feedback and to give you access to what is important with a single click,” the company said.

The company also announced the Memories feature, which resurfaces

pictures’ users have saved on OneDrive, making revisiting life’s magical moments simple and effortless.

Through its partnership with Amazon, you can now access Android apps and games from the Amazon Appstore, generally available in 31 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, the US, among others.

With more than 50,000 titles to choose from, it’s easy to discover and download your favourite apps and games on your Windows device.

India-Pak T20: Sundar Pichai floors Twitter user with his

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Monday tweeted a Happy Diwali message, saying he celebrated the festival by watching the final three overs of the India-Pakistan T20 world cup match.

In his Twitter post, a user took a jibe at him by commenting on his tweet, to which Pichai gave an amazing reply that went viral.

“Happy Diwali! Hope everyone celebrating has a great time with your friends and family. I celebrated by watching the last three overs again today, what a game and performance #Diwali #TeamIndia #T20WC2022,” Pichai tweeted.

In an apparent dig at India’s opening

batting performance, the user commented: “You should watch the first three overs.”

To which Pichai responded: “Did that too, what a spell from Bhuvi and Arshdeep”.

Twitter users had shared the tweet more than 22,000 times.

The Indian team’s performance on Sunday strengthened their chances of winning the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2007.

A match-winning unbeaten knock of 82 runs off 53 balls by Virat Kohli helped the Indian team win in a thrilling manner after the team had fallen to 31/4. He also won the ‘player of the match’ award for his knocking

performance. Kohli and Hardik Pandya shared an outstanding partnership of 113 runs for the fifth wicket to lead the team to victory.

Twitter employees warn Musk amid mass layoff news: Report

San Francisco, Oct 25 (IANS) After reports emerged that Elon Musk is planning “to cut 75 per cent of Twitter staff if he takes over”, employees at the microblogging platform warned the tech billion aire that mass layoffs would be “reckless”.

According to a report by TIME, as the deadline for Musk to finalise his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter approaches, an unidentified number of company employees wrote an open letter objecting to his proposal to fire up to 75 per cent of the com pany’s workforce.

“Elon Musk’s plan to lay off 75 per cent of Twitter workers will hurt Twitter’s ability to serve the public conversation,” the letter reads.

“A threat of this magnitude is reckless, undermines our users’ and customers’ trust in our platform, and is a transparent act of worker

intimidation. We cannot do our work in an environment of constant harassment and threats,” it added.

The letter also includes a list of demands for the “current and future leadership” of the company.

In addition to “fair severance poli cies for all workers”, letter writers want Musk to keep existing em ployee benefits in place, including remote work.

The letter also suggests a potential ideological gap between some Twitter employees and Musk, who has expressed his preference for less moderation.

“We demand that leadership does not discriminate against workers on the basis of their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or political beliefs,” the letter said.

Job cuts are expected in the coming months no matter who owns the

company, according to a recent The Washington Post, which cited interviews and documents. The report mentioned that the layoffs will undoubtedly impact Twitter’s daily operations, including its ability to moderate harmful content and combat security issues.

Now you can zoom in, out while watching YouTube videos

San Francisco, Oct 25 (IANS) YouTube has announced that it is rolling out new design elements and product features, including options to zoom in and out for videos, to enhance user experience on the platform.

The Google-owned streaming platform will allow users to zoom in and out of a video while on their iOS or Android devices.

“Starting today, we are rolling out a new look and several features that offer a more modern and immersive viewing experience while also im proving how users watch videos. But don’t worry, the same YouTube you know and love is still at our core,” the company said in a blogpost.

Using dynamic colour sampling, the ambient mode introduces a subtle effect, so the app background colour adapts to match the video.

It was inspired by the light that screens cast out in a darkened room and wanted to recreate the effect so viewers were drawn right into the content and the video takes an even greater focus on our watch page. This feature will be available on the web and mobile in a dark theme.

YouTube links in video descriptions will change to buttons, and frequent actions, such as like, share and download, are now formatted to minimize distractions.

The subscribe button is also getting a touch-up: the new shape and high

contrast make it stand out, and while it’s no longer red, it’s easier to find and way more accessible to everyone on both watch pages and channel pages, the company said.

Adani Defence and Aerospace, Israel Weapon Industries unveil India’s first AI-based futuristic firing System

New cancer research offers a way out of painful effects of chemotherapy

This micro-RNA has been dis covered by a team of researchers from BHU led by Samarendra Kumar Singh, Assistant Professor, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, BHU. During the study, Singh and his Ph. D student Garima Singh demonstrated that a human micro-RNA, miR-34a, kills the viral E6 gene, which in turn shuts down an oncogenic cell cycle factor, and kills only cervical cancer cells.

transformation and proliferation.

Samarendra Singh said, “MicroRNAs have emerged as an important regulator of the cell cycle and various other cellular processes. Adverse changes in micro-RNAs have been linked to the development of many cancers and other diseases, but little is still known about the mechanism by which they control these cellular events.”

Damage caused by polluted air extends way

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) As a major environmental risk factor, air pollution has evolved as a serious problem in recent decades with high toxicological impact on human health ranging from lungs to other organs and leading to 7 million premature deaths annually across the globe.

“In a study conducted in the Delhi NCR some year back, it was ob served that more than two thirds of the population had the inflammatory markers and occupational stress markers positive. And, out of total, 18 per cent have an autoimmune antibody positive that suggests that subclinical autoimmunity was being developed in them”, Kumar added.

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) One of the most effective ways of treating cancer today is ‘chemotherapy’.

However, chemotherapy attacks cancerous cells as well as other normal cells in the body due to which the condition of a cancer patient worsens for a few days.

Indian researchers have now dis covered a technique whose therapy will only attack cancerous cells and not harm the rest of the body’s cells.

The micro-RNA developed by researchers from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) specifically kills cervical cancer cells. The currently available treatments for cervical cancer are chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but it also has an effect on non-cancerous cells, which is quite harmful and toxic.

The findings of the study could pave the way for the development of micro-RNA therapy that is not harmful for the treatment of cervical cancer in the future.

This discovery is of utmost impor tance in the context of developing a safe and specific therapy in the management of cervical cancer.

During the study, the researchers found that no ill-effects were seen on normal or non-cancerous cells.

Upon completion, this study could be important towards developing specific treatment therapies for cervical cancer. The study findings have been published in BMC Cancer, one of the most prestigious journals in the field of cancer. This is the first study to show that miR-34a sup presses cancer cells by regulating the cell cycle.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a factor in 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases by weakening the host cell’s multiple tumor suppressors and checkpoint factors. The viral protein also stabilises sev eral oncogenic factors, including an essential cell cycle regulator Cdt2/ DTL which in turn promotes cell

He added, “We have reported that the discovered micro-RNA destabilises certain proteins and plays a role in inhibiting the growth of infected cervical cancer cells, resulting in cell proliferation, inva sion and migration of HPV-positive cervical cancer cells and helps to control it.”

Singh’s laboratory conducts research in the field of cancer, especially cervical and gastrointesti nal cancers. To execute their studies, they use a variety of molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology tools and seek to investigate why and how cell cycle behaviour is misregulated in cancer cells.

His laboratory had earlier made an important discovery towards cancer diagnosis by evaluating the amount of tumor DNA in the serum of cervical cancer patients which was published in Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics (JCRT), a prestigious journal in the field of cancer.

Air pollution does not affect only the respiratory realm of the body but it has long-term health effects which include heart disease, lung cancer, brain stroke, autoimmune diseases and premature birth, fetal growth restriction among others.

Air pollution is a major contributor to lung disease, but a study shows that it can damage most other organ systems of the body. The environ mental factors have also been linked with the pathogenesis of autoim mune diseases and it has now been established that the environmental exposures of particles like trichlo roethene (TCE), silica, mercury, pristane etc are linked with the higher risk of autoimmune diseases.

“The autoimmune diseases like autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis (SSc), are chronic and potentially life-threatening inflammatory disorders, but it is evident that such diseases are influenced by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors”, said Dr Uma Kumar - Prof & Head, Department of Rheumatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

From smog enveloping the cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major risk. The outdoor air pollution in both cities and rural areas is causing fine particulate matter which results in strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer and acute and chronic respiratory diseases. According to the World Health Organisation, around 2.4 billion people are exposed to dangerous levels of household air pollution, while using polluting open fires or simple stoves for cooking fuelled by kerosene, biomass (wood, animal dung and crop waste) and coal. The combined effects of ambi ent air pollution and household air pollution is associated with 7 million premature deaths annually.

to air pollution during pregnancy, Fertility Expert Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj said that the pollutants can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight and even stillbirth. Premature birth happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy while low birth weight is when a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Stillbirth is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

“The rising air pollutants are causing stillbirth and premature death among those women living in polluted ambience”, added Bajaj.

New York, Oct 23 (IANS) The mystery behind the astronomical rise in neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s could be caused by exposure to environmental toxins that are omnipresent yet poorly understood, leading doctors warn, the media reported.

Neurologists and neuroscientists will highlight recent research efforts to fill the gaping scientific hole in understanding of the role environmental toxins - air pollution, pesticides, microplastics, forever chemicals and more - play in increasingly common diseases like

dementias and childhood develop mental disorders.

Humans may encounter a staggering 80,000 or more toxic chemicals as they work, play, sleep and learn - so many that it is almost impossible to determine their individual effects on a person, let alone how they may interact or the cumulative impacts on the nervous system over a lifespan.

Some contact with environmental toxins is inevitable given the pro liferation of plastics and chemical pollutants, as well as America’s hands off regulatory approach, but exposure is unequal, The Guardian reported.

In the US, communities of colour, indigenous people and low income families are far more likely to be exposed to a myriad of pollutants through unsafe housing and water, manufacturing and agricultural jobs, and proximity to roads and polluting industrial plants, among other hazards.

It’s likely genetic makeup plays a role in how susceptible people are to the pathological effects of different chemicals, but research has shown

higher rates of cancers and respi ratory disease in environmentally burdened communities.

Very little is known about impact on brain and nervous system disorder, but there is growing consensus that genetics and ageing do not fully account for the sharp rise in previ ously rare diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) - a degenerative disease more likely in army veterans and neighbourhoods with heavy industry, The Guardian reported.

Neurologists and their surgical counterparts, neuroscientists, will spotlight the research gap at the American Neurological Association (ANA) annual meeting in Chicago.

“Neurology is about 15 years behind cancer so we need to sound the alarm on this and get more people doing research because the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is absolutely not protecting us,” said Frances Jensen, the ANA president and chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, The Guardian reported.

“Study has established that there is a relation between the environmental factors and the autoimmune dis eases. In a study, we had observed that the inflammatory levels of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis rose when exposed to the PM2.5”, said Kumar.

The increase in the particles in the air is implicated in allergic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and eczema. The pollutants like ultraviolet radiation, organic com pounds, oxides, particulate matter, affect the skin, said Dr Manish Jangra, Dermatologist at RML Delhi. “The exposure of the skin to air pollutants has been associated with skin aging and inflammatory or allergic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or acne and atopic. Air pollutants damage the skin by inducing oxidative stress. Dermatitis while skin cancer is among the most serious effects of it”, said Jangra.

While talking about the exposure

“Along with causing detrimental effects on the respiratory diseases, the air pollution may lead to lower immunity in pregnancy with worsening complications like fetal growth restriction. Vulnerable age groups like babies, children, ado lescents, pregnant women are most vulnerable to air pollution. Vehicular emissions and outdoor pollution along with indoor pollution like dust, viruses, bacteria contribute to adverse outcomes. Small particulate matter are transmitted in maternal lungs and get carried to the foetus through placental circulation. This leads to preterm labour, miscar riages and low birth weight”, said Obstretician & Gynaecologist, Dr Rinku Sengupta Dhar.

Covid pandemic not yet over: WHO official

Manila, Oct 21 (IANS) A World Health Organization (WHO) official on Friday warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over, adding that the continued emergence of sub-variants “poses a risk of resur gence and overwhelming health systems.”

Addressing reporters here, Babatunde Olowokure, director of Health Security and Emergencies for WHO in the Western Pacific, said Singapore and New Zealand are experiencing a resurgence of new cases, while the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and Vietnam have shown a sustained decline of cases, hospitalisation, and deaths since August, reports Xinhua news agnecy.

Olowokure said that the circulation of the Omicron XBB subvariant is fuelling the surge in Singapore,

Unlicensed

inflammation, which may help reduce the severity of the disease,” said lead author Ettore Crimi University of Central Florida, Orlando.

“Results of our study clearly showed regular statin use is associated with reduced risk of death and improved outcomes in hospitalized Covid-19 patients,” Crimi added.

to the intensive care unit (ICU) or develop blood clots. They also had shorter hospital stays and spent less time on a ventilator.

While Covid-19 causes inflamma tion, in some cases, the immune system creates further inflammation by responding too aggressively to the infection.

Kolkata, Oct 24 (IANS) Former North Bengal development minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh, who is cur rently the chairman of Trinamool Congress-run Cooch Behar munic ipality, has directed closure of two unlicensed outlets selling biryani allegedly using spices that were reducing male sex drive.

“Singapore reimposed public health safety measures such as limiting visitors in hospitals and residential care homes,” he said.

WHO data showed that the Western Pacific Region tallied over 92 million confirmed Covid-19 cases, including more than 270,000 deaths since the

highly infectious and fatal disease emerged in 2020.

Olowokure said the decline of cases in several countries is due to “rel atively high vaccine coverage”, but he urged people to remain vigilant despite the decline in reported cases regionally and globally, adding that the coronavirus continues to circulate in the region.

It is learnt these two shops were adjacent to a Shani Dev temple in the Bhawaniganj market area in Cooch Behar town. Ghosh has claimed that he had been receiving complaints from the locals that these two shops were using spices that were reducing male sex drives.

New York, Oct 23 (IANS) Commonly used cholesterol-lowering statins may reduce the risk of death and severity of Covid-19 disease, says a new study.

According to the American Heart Association, one in four Americans over 40 take statins to lower their cholesterol and reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

“While there is no ‘magic bullet’ to help patients who are very ill with Covid-19, statins decrease

For the study, presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2022 annual meeting, the team analysed the electronic medical records of 38,875 patients hospitalised for Covid-19 at 185 hospitals in the US between January 1 and September 30, 2020.

Of those patients, 30 per cent regularly used statins to treat high cholesterol. Statin users had a 37 per cent lower risk of dying from Covid-19 than those who did not use statins.

In addition, regular statin users were significantly less likely to be discharged to hospice, be admitted

This extreme reaction causes much of the damage to the body, including difficulty breathing and damage to the lungs, kidneys, heart, brain and vascular system.

The anti-inflammatory actions of statins “cool the process” so that the disease is not as severe, Crimi said.

One in four Americans over the age of 40 take statins to lower their cholesterol and reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, according to the American Heart Association, making them one of the most commonly prescribed drugs.

Ghosh clarified that although there were complaints by several locals on this count, that is not the main reason for closing down the two outlets, purportedly owned by one Pappu Khan, an original resident of Bihar. “The municipality has its own way of checking the food quality. But when I went to the shop, I asked for their trade license which they failed to produce. So, on those grounds these two outlets were closed,” he said.

So, on Sunday evening, Ghosh reached the shops along with his associates and questioned the owner and the employees of the shops on this count. There, the outlet’s owner and the employees also got involved in a heated conversation with Ghosh and his associates. Thereafter, the minister asked for their trade licens es and after the owner was unable to produce them, the municipality chairman ordered closing down of the shops.

He also said that there are

complaints that people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh coming in the area are running food business without proper trade and food licenses. “They also bring their employees from their respective states. The faces of those working in these outlets change frequently,” he added.

Australian govt flags vaping crackdown

Canberra, Oct 25 (IANS) Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler on Tuesday flagged a government crackdown on the black market vaping industry, revealing that the federal government will bolster the regulatory framework around e-cigarettes.

Under Australian laws, it is illegal to use, sell or buy nicotine e-cigarette products without a prescription from a doctor, reports Xinhua news agency.

Despite the current restrictions, according to The Australian

newspaper, about 1.1 million people in the country use vaping products.

“The rate of young Australians aged 18-24 who reported using e-cigarettes nearly doubled, from 2.8 per cent in 2016 to 5.3 per cent in 2019,” the Minister told News Corp Australia.

“Our government is concerned about the increased marketing and use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people,” Butler said.

State and territory health ministers have called for the federal govern ment’s help in the crackdown on

e-cigarettes.

Meanwhile, the tobacco industry has called for e-cigarettes to be legalised and taxed rather than stricter bans.

while the BA.5 is still the dominant variant in New Zealand.

Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s could be caused by exposure to environmental toxins

with spices reducing male sex drive shut in Bengal

Organ donation and Hindu dharma

her lineage. Donating blood is also called maha-yagna (a great sacrifice) where the blood given by a donor rejuvenates the recipient. This is analogous to pouring ghee in the sacrificial fire which increases the fire’s intensity.

one’s body has to be voluntary, and non-remunerated to be classified as daana.

By Paddy Krishnan

My earlier article on daana (appropriate philanthro py) described the key parameters that defined daana, viz.,giving something that is dear to one, to a deserving person with no expectation. The Bhagavad Gita emphasises the importance of having no strings attached in philanthropy via Datavyamiti Yaddaram Diyate Anupakarine; which can be translated as true giving is one which is given without any expectations of return. As per dharma, everyone has an obligation of voluntarily doing good for others. Daana enables one to be on the path to moksha (salvation).

This article looks at organ donation from the perspective of daana. Hindu scriptures refer to different types of organ donations including rakta-daana (blood donation), netra-daana (donating one’s eyes) and deh-daana (donating one’s body). Anna-daana (food donation) is often described as the highest form of daana especially when given to the poor who cannot afford to eat regularly. Therefore, anna-daana is classified as a maha-daana (greatest form of donation) as it sustains life. Rakta-daana falls in the same category of anna-daana and is also considered to be a maha-daana. Rakta-daana is just a variant of anna-daana as both are gifts that preserve life. Some writings exag gerate this by indicating that a single drop of donated blood can save a whole clan. This is because the donated blood could enable the recipient to continue his/

The Tirupati temple provides free darshan and a laddu (a special sweet) to blood donors to encourage blood donation. Thousands of pilgrims throng the hill shrine every day for Lord Venkateswara’s darshan. The temple authorities feel that if some of the pilgrims donated blood, it could be of great help to the needy. While this is no doubt a noble cause, it is not a true donation by the pilgrims. Giving blood to get free darshan is like a business transac tion and not daana as one expects to jump the queue to get darshan.

Hindu dharma does not forbid donating one’s body post-mortem. Many of the writings can be used to argue that it is actually sanctioned by dharma. Donating one’s body could be interpreted as sacrificing one’s life (i.e. becoming a martyr) for a just (dharmic) cause. There are many examples of such cases in Hindu scriptures (e.g., Gatotkaca, Iravan in the Mahabharata). The sage Dadichi, (also presented in the context of boons/curses) who gave his bones for a greater cause (i.e., killing of Vritra), is an example of an indirect donation of the body when one is alive. Dadichi’s bones were required to create the Vajra weapon. Dadichi, who was a sannyasi, stated that one should do penance for the welfare of the world, not selfish gains. Thus donating his bones (and giving up his life) is an example of real penance. This is different from the usual under standing that taking sannyas means withdrawing from this world. The true aim is to help society. Donating one’s body after death could also be to help others more directly (e.g., organ transplant, or to obtain knowl edge about the body). Unfortunately, there are no explicit stories in our Puranas that illustrate donating one’s body after passing. Therefore, we need to take the existing scrip tures and apply them to the issue of cadaver donation. This is similar to generalising go daana (donation of a cow) as representing donating one’s wealth. Obviously, donating

help stimulate neuroplasticity of the brain or help it to recover from injuries and form newer connec tions by engaging its different parts based on the components of practice like pranayama, postures, chanting, visualization and concentration.

One of the aims of life is to benefit others which could include increasing the lifespan of other humans. As preservation of life is important, Hindus should welcome the concept of donating one’s body. Furthermore, one does not own the body but is a trustee. Therefore, one has to take care of it so that others can use it after one has used it (i.e., life is over). The only way anyone else can use one’s body is if it is actually donated. One has to benefit society in some way after one is dead. The idea of donating one’s body can also be related to dakshina or the concept of repaying a debt or providing a fee for service. As one has used one’s body to enjoy this life, one owes a debt or needs to provide a fee to society. This debt (or fee) is paid via donating one’s cadaver. As a donated dead body is not just discarded and disposed of, it can also meet the scriptural injunc tions related to the environment.

That is, one is reducing the waste by re-using the different components, especially when the organs are given to others. Swami Vivekananda stated that the highest gift is the gift of knowledge. As the cadaver is used to teach medical students and for research, donating one’s body can be interpreted to be gifting knowledge. Thus body donation is a true gift and the most generous and unselfish act which can help others.

As one is dead, clearly there is no expectation that we will get anything in return. Although Hindu dharma has no explicit support for organ/ body donation, there are no barriers either. Overall such donations can be seen as an act of compassion towards society.

In practice, there are many cultural factors that limit such donations. The first is the caste factor which was relevant in the context of study of the anatomy.The upper castes were not allowed to dissect a dead body. This prevented high-caste people from becoming doctors. The most famous example is that of Mahatma Gandhi. He was consider ing a medical career, but his father apparently stopped him because Vaishnavas should have nothing to do with dissection of dead bodies. Although the low caste people

(traditionally the dom) handled dead bodies, they were not allowed to dissect a dead body. A dead body was considered sacred and not to be defiled by low caste people. The dom can carry the dead body, set up the funeral pyre etc., but they are not allowed to touch the body. As a consequence, no one could carry out dissections.

The second is related to interpreting the scriptures in a way to prevent such donations. There are many arguments that have been reported, some of which are given below.

[Body and Moksha] Blood/organ/ body donation is frowned upon because parts of the donor continue to “live” in someone else, thereby stopping the path towards moksha. If each recipient continues to donate their body parts, the original donor never dies and is alive on this earth forever. Therefore, they will never get moksha. However, moksha has nothing to do with this body; it is more about getting rid of the accumulated karmas which was associated with the jiva-atma and not the physical body.

[Release of spirit and moksha] The last rites usually involve breaking open the skull of the deceased to re lease the spirit so that it can contin ue on its journey. But if the body is not entire, the spirit is not released and wanders without a body in this world. Without a body to give it release, the spirit and hence the soul can never attain moksha. Similar to the above belief, the association of the spirit with a particular body for moksha is mistaken.

[Dues to Agni] Many families object to cremating a body that has been “mutilated” after death as one has deprived Agni (the God of fire) of his dues. That is, one has to perform deh-daana to Agni. By removing organs, one is not giving Agni his full share. This will have negative karma on the departed soul. But it is not clear why one has a debt to Agni? Even if one had a debt to Agni (who is divine), Advaita states that every being is ultimately divine. Therefore, donating organs/body to help others can be interpreted as repayment of one’s debt to the divine.

[Faulty reincarnation] There are

many beliefs that bodily integrity is required for proper reincarnation. That is, the body needs to be whole. Otherwise, the missing parts will be reflected in the next life. For instance, donating an eye can lead to one being born blind in the next life. If dying and reincarnation is like the soul changing clothes, there is no need to take the old clothes with oneself. Karma does not mean that having a “deformity” in this life implies that one carries it for all the lives. Again the separation between body and atma is not understood.

[Receiver’s beliefs] While this is not related to donation, the argument is that there are many who do not want the gift of body parts from others. This is because the recipient of the gift will also receive the sins of the donor. This also dissuades donors, as giving one’s sins to others is also a sin. This misunderstanding is no different from the misunderstand ings related to reincarnation. The sins are not associated with body parts; hence the receiver will not get the donor’s negative karma.

[Suspicion about current practices] Many people are worried about donation because of poor transplan tation infrastructure combined with illegal organ trade. They feel that being a donor does not really help others or that people are profiting from their donation. Knowingly contributing to misdeeds is indeed against the principle of daana. If one has evidence of misuse, then not donating one’s organs or body is acceptable. Having only suspicion should not prevent daana. In such cases the negative karma is with those benefitting via actions that are against dharma. This should not prevent donors from performing

their actions which are dharmic. In summary, no religious law within Hindu dharma prohibits organ donation. On the contrary, there are references which could be interpret ed to support organ donation. This is based on the virtue of selfless giving. Since such donations are towards improving the quality of life, they can be interpreted as Bhakti (or service to God). Some are concerned about giving and receiving body parts because of misunderstanding of Karma and Moksha. One should work hard to remove such misconceptions.

References:

• J. Copeman: Cadaver Donation as Ascetic Practice in India, 2006

• J. F. Hutchinson and R. Sharp: Karma, reincarnation, and medicine: Hindu perspectives on biomedical research, 2008

• J. Copeman: The Gift and its Forms of Life in Contemporary India, 2011

• S. A. Rokade and B. H. Bahetee: Body donation in India: A review, 2013

• J. Blake: Religious beliefs and attitudes to organ donation, 2015

• A. Guru and N. Kumar: Body Donation in India: Myths Versus Facts, 2015

• G. Dutta and Soumedhik Dey: Cause Towards Body Donation: A Survey In Eastern India, 2019

Paddy Krishnan is a computer scientist, who got his BTech degree from IIT-Kanpur and PhD from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Being very interested in Hindu philosophy, he maintains a blog at www.goldcoasthindu. wordpress.com

Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia that affects about 5-6% of people in the age group of 65-70 years in India. Research reveals that as the population of India ages, the number of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is set to go up to 7.6 million by 2030. While no cure for the disease is yet available, yoga can play a significant role in the prevention and improvement of symptoms in patients. The age-old practice can also enhance the quality of life of both patients and caregivers.

The major benefit with the practice of yoga is that it diminishes stress which can be a highly concerning factor for Alzheimer’s patients. Stress can cause inflammation in the central nervous system and body, hormone dysregulation, over-arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and compromised quality of life. However, with the regular practice of yoga, patients with Alzheimer’s can reduce stress and inflammatory factors that can help them cope more effectively with the body’s stress response. How Yoga can make a Difference in Alzheimer’s Patients Lives

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that causes the brain cells to die and the brain to shrink. Yoga can

In fact, a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2018 concluded that yoga may be an effective and safe intervention to enhance cognitive function in people aged 60 years or older. Other studies have also revealed that yoga practice which involves postures, meditative exercises and pranayama can lead to improved attention and information processing abilities among people.

Yoga Poses for Alzheimer’s Patients

Paschimottanasana

Paschimottanasana is a seated forward bend pose that stretches the hamstrings and back muscles by folding the upper body forward over the legs. The pose offers loads of benefits, especially for those suffer ing from high blood pressure and diabetes. One of its biggest health benefits is that it calms the body and relaxes the mind. It also helps in proper blood circulation thereby relaxing the mind and reducing insomnia, depression and anxiety.

Vajrasana

It is the optimal position for blood circulation to flow to the digestive organs, and this gets them function ing effectively. Sitting in vajrasana for long periods of time can have emotional and spiritual benefits and can help keep the mind stable. It also helps the body and the mind get into a meditative state. The regular practice of this pose helps in the prevention and treatment of psycho logical disorders, hypertension and stress.

• Vrikshasana

Since vrikshasana is primarily a

balancing pose, it aids in improving balance � both physical and emotional. When practised on a regular basis, it creates a sense of calm and equilibrium. Apart from its physical benefits like building hip and leg strength, vrikshasana creates a sense of balance within the body. It also translates into mental wellbeing, building focus and concentration. Other than that, it also helps stabilise the nervous system, making it functional to an optimum. Besides its qualities of enabling mental performance, the pose is also good for self-esteem and to keep depression and mood swings at bay.

• Ujjayi Pranayama

In Ujjayi pranayam, practitioners contract the glottis and breathe through the throat. It leads to subtle mental states and can be practised in conjunction with bandhas and meditation. It tends to soothe the nervous system, calm the mind and increase psychic sensitivity. It relieves insomnia, lowers blood pressure and slows down the heart rate. It has a heating effect, stimulat ing the process of oxidation.

Meditation Proves to be an Additional Benefit

The ancient practice of meditation has been shown to improve memory and reduce cognitive decline. People with mild cognitive impairment who practised meditation, for instance, demonstrated less atrophy in the hippocampus than those who did not practice meditation. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2017, found that yoga practice that involves asanas, breathing, and meditation leads to improved attention and information processing abilities.

(Dr. Rajeev Rajesh, Chief Yoga Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute. IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

Thespiritual greatness of India as a nation cannot be trifled with even for a moment. We often talk about our country being backward and afflicted with diseases like corruption. This may only be partially true. Yes India suffers from many ailments today. But what has kept this nation afloat for centuries? Search as you may, you will invariably stumble upon religion and spirituality as important aspects of this nation that has stood the test of time. As Swami Vivekananda in his famous Chicago speech says, “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. “

This is the quintessence of the Swami’s message. India accepts all religions as essentially true, which implies they are speaking about the same eternal reality, though in a different manner or in a different language. The essence of all true religions is the same. India has always stood by her universal religion of Sanatan Dharma. Humanity is the religion that is common for all, irrespective of their caste, colour, creed, gender, race, or any other characteristics. It is this universal religion that has afforded us to welcome other cultures into our fold.

The Swami’s says, “I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple

was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is everyday repeat ed by millions of human beings: As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to thee.”

Swami Vivekananda’s role in bringing about freshness of thought and action by revisiting our tradition and culture cannot be underesti mated. Perhaps it was the Swami’s influence that translated in India adopting a secular Constitution.

In the same speech, Vivekananda quotes the Gita, “The present convention which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world, of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: Whoever comes to Me, through whatever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.”

Paths may differ but the goal is the same: to reach the divinity inherent in all men and women. So all means of crime and terrorism should be given up, for all are made in the image of God, declare the scriptures.

Vivekananda’s words are as relevant today as they were then. In the same speech he goes on to say, “Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth

with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.” What prophetic words, indeed!

What bothered saints like Vivekananda then, bothers leaders of the world today. Terrorism is currently a threat to global peace. Violence has found a place every where on this planet. Fanaticism worries all civilised persons across the world. The time, therefore, has come to take note of Swami’s advice, if this world is to survive the enduring threat to its very existence. India needs to play a major role in international peace and stability. For this, the country needs to rejuvenate its pride of being the cradle of human civilization.

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANSlife)

Yoga and Pranayama can help Alzheimer’s patients? Relevance of Swami’s message in modern world

Apple gives Meta another jolt, puts 30% tax on ‘post boosting’ on App Store

digital goods and services.

San Francisco, Oct 26 (IANS)

Apple-Meta war over App Store has intensified with new updates that require iOS developers to give Apple 30 per cent cut on the sales of ‘boosts’ for posts in a social media app.

The move will affect Facebook and Instagram which let people pay to boost the reach of their posts, reports The Verge.

It is also the first time that Apple has directly taxed advertising in iOS apps.

“Apple continues to evolve its policies to grow their own business while undercutting others in the dig ital economy,” a Meta spokesperson

was quoted as saying in the report late on Tuesday.

Apple previously said it didn’t take a share of developer advertising revenue, and “now apparently changed its mind”.

“We remain committed to offering small businesses simple ways to run ads and grow their businesses on our apps,” said Meta.

Paying to boost posts is a common feature across Meta’s family of apps, all well as Twitter and Chinese short-form video platform TikTok.

In a statement shared with The Verge, an Apple spokesperson said the App Store has long taken a cut of

“Boosting, which allows an individu al or organisation to pay to increase the reach of a post or profile, is a digital service -- so of course In-App Purchase is required. This has always been the case and there are many examples of apps that do it successfully,” the Apple spokesper son was quoted as saying.

Apple’s privacy changes in the App Store called App Tracking Transparency (ATT) have already given a boost to its ad business, and the iPhone maker has managed to break the Facebook-Google advertis ing monopoly in the online search market.

Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that Apple iOS privacy changes will cost the company a whopping $10 billion in 2022.

Meta has also accused Apple of favouring Google over app-based platforms like Facebook with its privacy policies.

Australia’s economic outlook to be downgraded: Treasurer

Ahead of delivering his first federal budget on Oct. 25, Chalmers said the global economy is on an “increas ingly perilous path”, reports Xinhua news agency.

After returning from meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and G20 counterparts in Washington D.C., the Treasurer said Australia would not escape the downturn.

“The global economy is treading an increasingly perilous path and downside risks loom large -- this was a clear message from meetings with my counterparts in Washington D.C.,” he said.

and Chalmers have repeatedly said that their first budget since the Labor Party won power in May’s general election will be austere, with a focus on “responsible cost of living relief”.

Chalmers said Australia was protected from some of the factors causing global turmoil but that the budget would include significant downgrades to growth forecasts amid uncertainty.

“Here in Australia we have some things going for us, including plenty of people in work and decent de mand for our exports, but we will not be spared from the consequences of a global slowdown,” he said.

Walmart reportedly raising up to $3 bn for Flipkart to expand India biz

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) Retail giant Walmart is reportedly raising up to $3 billion for its e-commerce giant Flipkart to further expand its operations in the country.

With new funds, Flipkart’s valuation is set to soar to more than $40 billion, giving a fillip to the Indian funding scene which is going through a harsh winter.

Flipkart Group in July last year raised $3.6 billion to grow and advance the digital commerce ecosystem in India. The investment valued the group at $37.6 billion post the money then.

According to media reports, Walmart may bring strategic investors into Flipkart via this fundraising.

The move, according to close sources, is to keep Flipkart ahead in the e-commerce race as online shopping surges with every festive season in the country.

Reached for a reaction, a Flipkart spokesperson told IANS that “We do not comment on speculation”. Walmart declined to comment. The last fundraise demonstrated significant interest from global investors, including sovereign funds, private equity and crossovers

in addition to Walmart. It was led by financial investors GIC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Walmart, along with investments from sovereign funds

DisruptAD, Qatar Investment Authority, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and marquee investors

Tencent, Willoughby Capital, Antara Capital, Franklin Templeton, and Tiger Global.

“This investment by leading global investors reflects the promise of digital commerce in India and their belief in Flipkart’s capabilities to maximise this potential for all stake holders,” Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Chief Executive Officer, Flipkart Group, had said in July last year.

“The quality of the investor group and valuation is further confirma tion of global confidence in Flipkart and its mission to transform com merce in India,” Judith McKenna, President and CEO - Walmart International, had said.

Bengaluru-based Redseer Strategy Consultants had predicted $11.8 billion worth gross merchandise val ue (GMV) during the entire festive month up to Diwali. E-commerce marketplaces usually hold up to

three sales leading up to the festival of lights.

The online retail platforms in India clocked $5.7 billion (about Rs 40,000 crore) worth festive sales between September 22 to 30, a robust 27 per cent (year-on-year) growth.

Mobile phones continue to lead the market with 41 per cent contribution in gross merchandise value (GMV) and nearly 56,000 mobile handsets were sold every hour, according to the report by Redseer.

Flipkart Group (Flipkart, Myntra and Shopsy) continued to lead the market with 62 per cent market share in GMV.

Global IT, business revenues to weather looming recession: IDC

New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Despite a looming recession, the global IT and business services revenue is expect ed to grow 5.7 per cent this year and 5.2 per cent in 2023, according to an IDC report.

The growth outlook for Asia/Pacific was adjusted downward by roughly 10 basis points each year for the next four years.

major economies around the world worsened in the last few months, given the services vendors’ strong revenues, bookings, and other leading indicators, the worldwide services market will likely continue on its current growth trajectory,” said Xiao-Fei Zhang, Program Director, IDC Worldwide Services Tracker programme.

Canberra, Oct 17 (IANS) Australian

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Monday warned the country is facing an economic downgrades amid global uncertainty.

“The budget will confirm the stark deterioration in the outlook for global growth and in several major economies, with some at risk of falling into recession.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

operator-billed 5G service revenue, according to Juniper Research.

“Despite the growth of the Internet of Things, revenue from consumer connections will continue to be the cornerstone of 5G operator revenue increase,” said research co-author Olivia Williams.

“A weaker global economy with higher inflation and heightened risks makes it even more important we deliver a responsible budget here at home, which is exactly what we will do next week.”

economic downturn in 2023.

The report predicts growth of 5G networks will continue, and over 80 per cent of global operator-billed revenue will be attributable to 5G connections by 2027.

The region is forecast to grow at around 5.5 per cent each year.

Within the region, the growth rates for both China and India have been lowered.

The five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is now projected to be 5.2 per cent, compared to the previous forecast of 4.9 per cent.

“While economic conditions for

In nominal dollar denominated revenue based on today’s exchange rate, the market will grow by 2 per cent this year due to currency headwinds.

IDC has maintained its outlook for the worldwide services market even against the backdrop of a global recession.

“So far, the European services

market has weathered the storms of disruption exceptionally well, result ing in a solid market performance in the first half of 2022,” said Milan Kalal, senior research manager, IDC European Services Group.

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) The global 5G service revenue is expected to reach $315 billion in 2023, rising from $195 billion this year, a new report showed on Monday. This represents growth of over 60 per cent in a single year for

Over 95 per cent of global 5G connections in 2027 will be connected personal devices such as smartphones, tablets and mobile broadband routers,” Williams added. The increase in revenue will be driven by the accelerating migration of cellular subscriptions to 5G networks; owing to operator strategies that minimise or remove any premium over existing 4G subscription offerings.

It forecasts over 600 million new 5G subscriptions will be created next year, despite the anticipated

In addition, the ability of standalone 5G networks to offer ‘network slicing’ will act as the ideal platform for the growth of 5G private network revenue.

Standalone 5G uses next-generation core networks supporting network slicing technology, which can be used to take a ‘slice’ of public 5G infrastructure and provide it to private network users.

In turn, this helps mitigate the cost of private 5G network hardware and increase its overall value proposition, all against a background of deteriorating macro-economic conditions, the report said.

Industries in TN’s Tiruppur, Coimbatore affected as migrant workers leave for festivities

Chennai, Oct 25 (IANS) Industries in Tiruppur and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu will be affected as the migrant workers in large numbers have left for their hometowns on a long holiday in view offestivities.

After the Covid-19 pandemic created a big lull in celebrations, this year most of the labourers and skilled workers from the North Indian states have left for hometowns. Coimbatore, which is home to a large number of Medium, Small and Micro industries, is facing acute shortage of hands.

celebrate Diwali with their extended relatives, including parents, cousins and others.”

In Tiruppur also the market was affected as most of the workers have left.

Chennai, Oct 24 (IANS) The 6000 crore fireworks industry of Sivakasi, which has turned mainly into green crackers, is now planning to tap the international firecracker industry hitherto dominated by Chinese players. While China has a huge global footprint in the export market of fireworks with an annual turnover of Rs 26,000 crore, the Sivakasi industry is trying to get a small fraction of the business.

The constitution of the CSIR-NEERI lab at Sivakasi at a cost of Rs 15 crore has helped the testing of emission level of the green firecrackers being manufactured in the Virudhunagar district helping the industry fall under the green cracker norms.

It may be noted that earlier the firecracker industry of Sivakasi

had to send the samples to Nagpur which is time-consuming. The CSIR-NEERI laboratory in Sivakasi is producing an additive that has to be mixed with the firecrackers so that the dust pollution is reduced by a minimum of 30 per cent.

While speaking to IANS, President of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturing Association (TANFAMA), P. Ganeshan, who is also the owner of Sony fireworks said, “The industry has done good business during this year but the worst year was 2020 with Covid-19 at its peak. Except for Delhi-NCR, no other state governments had banned the use of firecrackers during this season and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had taken up the issue with the Delhi CM.

He also said that the industry is looking for the international market and with the industry shifting to green crackers, there has been an added interest in the global arena.

S. Maheswaran of Standard Fireworks, a leading firecracker brand in Sivakasi while speaking to IANS said, “The American and European markets are looking at us like the industry used to look at China 20 years ago.”

With green crackers becoming the norm, the industry has now gained the expertise and finesse to supply to international markets. However, one issue plaguing the industry is the issue of shipping lines that don’t cater to small consignments from India at the expense of huge volumes being supplied by Chinese players. However, industry is expecting interference from the Government of India for this.

The fireworks industry in Sivakasi has a turnover of Rs 6000 crore and around 8 lakh people are employed by the industry. The Sivakasi and Virudhunagar fireworks owners are expecting a fair share of the Chinese global firecracker market so that it would provide job opportunities to a larger number of people as even after mechanization, manpower is still a vital part of the industry.

K.M. Murugan, a small industrialist while speaking to IANS said , “I have 223 workers and more than 90 per cent are from the North Indian states. Of these most are staying here with their families, but still they have left for their hometowns to

Chandra kumar.K.L, owner of a small textile unit in Tiruppur while speaking to IANS said, “Indeed our work is affected but for me my workers are more important. Let them be refreshed after meeting their families and I have told them to come back only after ten days. I have already informed my clients that I will need ten more days for any deadline.”

With Vietnam and Bangladesh vying with each other to encroach into the Indian textile export market, ten days of leave is a huge gap leading to the loss of business, but the owners

are keen that the workers enjoy their holidays.

Several industries in Tiruppur had also booked flight tickets for their employees so that they utilise their leave properly instead of spending time in trains.

Gadkari discusses investment opportunities with Aus Minister

New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) Promoting India-Australian bilateral trade and investments, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari emphasised on the invest ing opportunities in India including the transport infrastructure sector.

Among various meetings in New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Gadkari had a fruitful interaction with Australian Senator Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing.

Gadkari and Ayres discussed the “excellent investment opportunities” for Australian Investors in the Roads and Transport sector in India.

The Minister said the trade relations between the two nations are upbeat and win-win for both the countries with technology and innovation being the key drivers for future growth.

Gadkari visited the Research Centre

for Integrated Transportation Innovation (rCITI) at University of New South Wales, Sydney.

rCITI in collaboration with IAHE and Indian Mobility Industries will work together to build the Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems (CATTS) in India.

A testimony of the Indo-Australian Partnership, CATTS will serve as the Centre of Excellence to build capac ities in the fields of smart transport systems.

The Minister had a meeting with the Team of AustraliaIndia Infrastructure Forum (AIIF) in Sydney, hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Gadkari had a meeting with John Hopkins, CEO of Export Finance Australia.

Discussions pertained to effects of India-Australia Economic

Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on trade and bilateral invest ments between the two countries.

The Minister said India’s export of goods and services to Australia will increase in the coming years with the fostering of a strong IndiaAustralia Partnership.

The agency recently carried out search operations at two premises in Kolkata, leading to seizure of Rs 1.65 crore in cash and freezing of 44.5 Bitcoin (equivalent to Rs 7.12 crore as per exchange rate) and oth er incriminating documents under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The instant case was registered on the basis of the FIR filed by the Kolkata police against Aamir Khan and others. The FIR filed was based on a complaint filed by Federal Bank authorities in a city court.

Khan, launched a mobile gaming application namely E-Nuggets, which was designed for the purpose of defrauding public. Further, after collecting handsome amount from the public, all of the sudden, the withdrawal from the said app, was stopped, on one or the other pretext. Thereafter, all data including profile

information was wiped off from the app servers.

It was revealed that multiple ac counts (more than 300) were used to launder the money, officials said. Earlier during search operation against Khan, an amount of Rs 17.32 crore was seized from his residence and Bitcoins worth Rs 13.56 crore and other crypto currencies worth Rs 47.64 lakh were traced and freezed. Apart from this, Rs 5.47 crore found in the bank account of Khan and his accomplice was also freezed by the agency.

During investigations conducted under PMLA, an amount of Rs 51.16 crore has been seized so far in total in the case.

Further investigation in the matter is on.

Crypto industry welcomes Rishi Sunak, a ‘champion of fintech’

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Indianorigin Rishi Sunak who is set to take charge as the British Prime Minister, shepherded the UK’s new crypto ambitions during his tenure as Chancellor.

Under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he wanted to turn the country into a crypto hub, reports CoinDesk.

He helped formulate the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which, if passed into law, could give local regulators sweeping power over the crypto industry.

It is likely to begin with bringing asset-driven crypto, like stable coins, into the scope of payments regulations.

“Under his leadership, the country’s coin producer, the Royal Mint, was tasked with creating a non-fungible token (NFT) collection, which has

yet to come to fruition,” the report mentioned.

Adam Jackson, director of policy at Innovate Finance, called Sunak a “champion of fintech”.

“It’s a positive for crypto and the general economy,” Ian Taylor, director of the industry lobby group CryptoUK, told CoinDesk.

As Johnson’s chancellor, Sunak was also behind the financial aid during Covid lockdowns -- including furlough payments and the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme for restaurants.

Sunak, 42, a Conservative Party politician who is of Indian descent, will be the next Prime Minister of Britain.

In his first, brief public statement after being elevated, he said: “I pledge that I will serve you with integrity and humility; and I will work day in, day out to deliver for

the British people.”

It will be the first time a non-white will occupy the position of head of government in the US.

Ethereum’s dominance in crypto market up 20% after the ‘Merge’

New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) The dominance of Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, is up 20 per cent in the global crypto market following the ‘Merge’, a report shpowed on Wednesday. The historic upgrade of Ethereum, known as the ‘Merge’, last month will create a more energy-efficient network based on the second largest cryptocurrency with a promise to save the environment.

According to niche news publisher BanklessTimes.com, the Ethereum merge created a lot of Buzz, with every crypto lover patiently awaiting its arrival.

The Merge has been a success, and Ethereum’s dominance in the market is increasing, said the report.

“Ethereum dominance is rising as we expected. The environmentally friendly approach it took identifies well with crypto users. Besides,

more people are adopting Ethereum than Bitcoin due to the Merge. The pace is set, and Ethereum will continue to rise,” said Jonathan Merry, CEO of BanklessTimes.com. Currently, the blockchain is preparing for the Shanghai upgrade. Ethereum anticipates going through the “Surge,” “Verge,” and “Purge” after the Shanghai upgrade. Surge is the application of “shard ing” technology. The technology

will enhance Ethereum’s maximum transaction processing pace from 15 to 20 transactions per second to over 100,000.

Next is the verge, which is the planned application of a mathemat ical proof called “Verkle trees.” The App will allow nodes on the block chain to function without download ing the entire chain’s history. Lastly, the purge will remove all legacy data from the chain. Combining these

three improvements will create a better Ethereum blockchain. Some have said that Ethereum will one day take Bitcoin’s place in market capitalisation, an event referred to as “the Flippening.”

“The post-Merge era will be very critical for Ethereum. The coin is expected to hit new all-time highs as it takes over the crypto space,” the report mentioned.

Twitter plans to charge $20 per month for verification

San Francisco, Oct 31 (IANS) Twitter has planned to charge users $19.99 per month for verification.

The number of e-commerce logis tics shipments is expected to grow by four times in the next five years.

“Thanks to new-age tech enabled players who have entered India’s logistics arena, it is now easier for small- and medium-sized business es to transport goods, and there is a drastic increase in the speed and efficiency in which parcels are delivered,” says the report by Bengaluru-based Redseer Strategy Consultants.

the e-retail boom in India.

Proliferation of smartphones and localisation of the internet in non-English languages is drawing in new consumers from non-metro locations into the internet economy and creating new demand for online commerce, thus paving the need for disruption in logistics.

According to The Verge, employees got their first deadline from Elon Musk -- meet his deadline for starting paid verification on the platform or leave immediately.

feature by the deadline of November 7 will result in termination.

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) India’s e-logistics sector has become one of the largest and fastest growing logistics markets globally and is all set to reach the $9 billion industry, with a compound annual growth rate of 35 per cent, a report showed on Monday.

Among such players, Delhivery is well positioned at the cross-section of the various logistics sector growth drivers including infrastructure, offline commerce, digital consump tion, and adoption of technology and data sciences.

The ecommerce logistics sphere has contributed to the overall growth of India’s logistics sector and enabled

engaged in bringing new innova tions and new technologies in this field. In particular, the collaboration of IN-SPACe is going to make a big difference in this area.

“Non-government companies are also getting the facility to launch their payloads and satellites through IN-SPACe. I would urge more and more start-ups and innovators to take full advantage of these huge opportunities being created in India in the space sector,” he said.

In June 2020, the Government had opened up the space sector to enable the participation of Indian private sector in the entire gamut of space activities.

According to the report, the avail ability of multiple payment options such as UPI, no-cost EMI, BNPL (buy now, pay later) etc. are further driving the adoption of digital commerce by more consumers, thereby creating a need for ecom merce logistics.

“Multiple segments in the India logistics market are addressable by full-stack-tech- enabled logistics service providers.

Twitter Blue, the company’s $4.99 per month optional subscription that unlocks additional features will convert into a more expensive subscription that also verifies users. Verified users will have 90 days to subscribe under the current plan in order to keep their blue checkmark, the report said. It was informed to the team members that failing to launch the

The Twitter Blue subscription became widely available over a year ago as a way to read articles from some publishers without advertise ments and make other changes to the application, such changing the colour of the app’s icon on the home screen.

Musk wants subscriptions to increase to cover up half of the business’ total revenue.

Recently, Musk had said that the platform could expand or even get rid of the 280-character limit on the platform.

He also confirmed that the company under him looked into increasing

C-295 aircraft facility big step to become truly ‘Aatmanirbhar’: Chandrasekaran

It is a single window agency for all space sector activities of private entities.

“Earlier in India, the space sector was confined within the purview of government systems. Ever since, the space sector has opened for India’s youth, revolutionary changes have started coming in it,” Modi noted further in his address.

“I also remember those old days, when India was denied the cryogenic rocket technology. But the scientists of India not only developed indigenous technology, but today with the help of it, dozens of satellites are being sent to space simultaneously,” the Prime Minister said.

New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged start-ups to take full advan tage of growing opportunities in the Indian space sector.

In his monthly radio broadcast “Mann Ki Baat”, Modi said that Indian industries and startups are

To facilitate private sector participation, Government had created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), as a single-window, independent, nodal agency which functions as an autonomous agency in Department of Space (DOS).

According to TechCrunch, Google buys the startup for about $100 million in an effort to improve its content game and compete with TikTok.

The acquisition was completed about two months ago, but neither company made a public announcement.

Some of the top executives of Alter have updated their LinkedIn profiles to reveal that they have joined Google without acknowledging the acquisition, according to the report.

Referring to the feat of placing 36 satellites in space simultaneously on October 23, Modi said that with this launching, India has emerged as a strong player in the global commer cial market.

that offered plug-and-play tech nology for helping game and App developers add avatar systems to their Apps.

Among its investors are Play Ventures, Roosh Ventures and Twitter, which invested $3 million in the startup. Later Facemoji rebrand ed as Alter.

Alter founders Jon Slimak and Robin Raszka did not respond to a request for comment, reports TechCrunch.

Vadodara, Oct 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing plant here, expressing hope that soon passenger aircraft will be manufactured in India with the ‘Make in India’ tagline.

The C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be manufactured by Tata-Airbus with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, TATA Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said, “With the setting up of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, the Tata Group will now be able to take aluminum ingots at one end of the value stream and turn it into am Airbus C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force. This is a his toric moment not only for the Tata Group, but for the entire country, as it embraces the Prime Minister’s vision of being truly ‘Aatmanirbhar’.”

Guillaume Faury, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, said, “It is a moment of pride and honour for the company to be part of the aerospace in India and the company’s airbus teams are committed to support the modernisation of the Indian Air Force with the C295 programme, which will also contribute to the development of the private defence manufacturing sector in India.”

In September 2021, India had for malised the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet.

It is the first ‘Make in India’ aero space programme in the private sector involving the development of a complete industrial ecosystem -- from manufacturing to assembly, testing and qualification to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft.

The first 16 fly-away C-295MW aircraft are scheduled to be received between September 2023 and August 2025. The first ‘Make in India’ aircraft is expected from

September 2026.

C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contem porary technology that will replace the IAF’s ageing Avro aircraft. It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/landing from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features. The aircraft will strengthen the

capabilities of the IAF.

San Francisco, Oct 30 (IANS) Tech giant Google has acquired Alter, an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar startup that was working on using AI to generate avatars for social media users and brands to express their virtual identity.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company had acquired Alter but declined to comment on the financial terms of the transaction, it added.

Alter started as Facemoji, a platform

Meanwhile, Google has recently rolled out custom emojis to its Chat for personalised experience.

Emojis are a great method for users to express themselves in Google Chat, the tech giant said in a blogpost.

the length of videos so that users could post longer videos.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is widely observed by Indians all over the world. The festival empha sises the value of light over darkness and aims to improve people’s outlooks on life.

Bollywood celebrities have been spotted enjoying the week-long celebrations before the festival’s arrival in advance of this auspicious day. This exemplifies the excitement and joy that prominent Bollywood stars have for Diwali. Let’s take a look at the significant happenings this week and the events we have coming up.

Ayushmann Khurrana

Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Rakul Preet Singh, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, and filmmaker Karan Johar were among the prominent figures who attended the pre-Diwali party that Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and his filmmaker wife Tahira Kashyap hosted in Mumbai on October 17. The B-Town Diwali celebrations in 2022 got underway with this party.

Kriti Sanon

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon hosted a star-studded Diwali party

at her place on October 19. We saw a number of well-known celebrities at the party. The presence of Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Natasha Dalal, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, and others at Kriti Sanon’s party also made headlines in B-Town.

Manish Malhotra

A well-known fashion designer Manish Malhotra hosted a Diwali party on October 20. Numerous celebrities were part of it to enlighten the Diwali celebrations. It appeared as though the entire Bollywood industry had gathered at Manish Malhotra’s party.

You did read that correctly. If you can think of someone, you probably saw them there, along with a close friend or relative, At the gathering, we noticed Karan Johar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Kajol, Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor, and a number of other celebrities. At Manish Malhotra’s party, the starlets stole the show as many of them, including Shanaya Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, and others, were present.

Bhumi Pednekar

The unit of director Bobby’s (K. S. Ravindra) eagerly-awaited action entertainer, tentatively titled ‘Mega154’ and featuring actors Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja in the lead, is in the process of shooting a significant action sequence.

Sources close to the unit said that the shooting of the film is proceed ing at a brisk pace in Hyderabad and that the team is focussing on canning the heavy action sequence.

Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja will be seen playing a powerful and lengthy role in this film, the title teaser of which is to be released on October 24 for Deepavali.

The film has been scheduled to hit screens for Sankranti in 2023 and works are progressing as per the schedule. Rockstar Devi Sri Prasad

Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar hosted a pre-Diwali party on October 21, and a number of wellknown stars, including Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa, Rakul Preet Singh, and Jackky Bhagnani to name a few, were seen arriving at the location.

The star kids stole the show at the lavish party, as we saw Aryan Khan, Suhana Khan, and Ajay Devgn’s daughter Nysa Devgan among others.

Ekta Kapoor & Anand Pandit Ekta Kapoor and Anand Pandit, two well-known producers, will host two separate Diwali parties on Saturday night, October 22.

Numerous prominent celebrities have been seen attending both of these parties. Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Kriti Sanon, and other celebrities arrived in style at Anand Pandit’s party.

Veteran actors Jitendra and Rakesh Roshan in one frame at Ekta Kapoor’s party. Arpita Khan Sharma, Ashvini Yardi, Ananya Panday, Alaya F, Disha Patani, and other wellknown celebrities were also seen there.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

has scored music for this project. Shruti Haasan is playing the leading lady opposite Chiranjeevi in the movie billed to be a mass-action entertainer laced with all the com mercial ingredients.

Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar are producing the film, while G.K Mohan is the co-producer. A top-notch technical team is associ ated with the project, while several notable actors are part of it.

‘Mega154’ has cinematography by Arthur A. Wilson. Niranjan Devaramane is the editor and Sushmita Konidela is the costume designer.

While the story and dialogues were written by Bobby himself, Kona Venkat and K. Chakravarthy Reddy have penned the screenplay.

5 iconic scenes from Bollywood that

Mumbai, Oct 24 (IANS) The festival of Diwali is like the magic ray that illuminates everything it touches and the celluloid is no exception.

For years, Bollywood films and storytellers have captured the es sence of one of the biggest festivals of India with many of them being immortalised on screens forever. As the world gets drenched in the colours and shimmer of Diwali, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic sequences in Bollywood movies.

Chachi 420: Kamal Haasan’s 1997 classic ‘Chachi 420’, which was inspired from ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ has one Diwali moment that served as a major driving force for the plot. The titular character of Chachi scores the job as a governess for his own daughter (played by a young Fatima Sana Shaikh) by rescuing her when an errant firecracker injures her. Vaastav: Remember, “pacchass tola hai pacchass tola”? Yeah it’s from the Sanjay Dutt-starrer ‘Vaastav’ in which he plays a gangster. The scene shows Sanjay Dutt’s character Raghu coming out of his hide-out on the occasion of Diwali to meet his family and brings them gifts. In the scene with Reema Lagu, Raghu explains the value of his gold chain to his mother as he mouths the dialogue: “Ye dekh pacchass tola!” Hum Aapke Hain Koun? ‘Dikhtana’ is one song you can’t resist! The song arrives in the film during the Diwali when the news of Renuka Shahane’s character’s pregnancy is broken to the audience.

Mohabbatein: The 2000 release which starred Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan has aged as one of the most iconic films of Bollywood. While the film manages to hook the audience, its Diwali scene is remembered for the essence of standing up oneself. The scene was set against the back drop of major drama as all six leads in the film, who were previously terrified of confessing their feelings in front of Bachchan’s character, ultimately do so as SRK emerges with the dhol singing the lines “Duniya mein kitni hai nafratein” with Udit Narayan’s vocals going in perfect sync with SRK’s on-screen persona.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham:

Another one of the scenes that has been etched forever on the hearts of the audience. It’s also the scene when Jaya Bachchan’s character puts her spidey senses to good use as her son (Shah Rukh Khan) comes home from abroad on the occasion of Diwali.

Well, some might argue that the sound of helicopter blades can wake up even the dead from the grave but, then what’s Bollywood without a little over the top drama? The scene shows a regular Diwali morning for the Raichand family, when Jaya’s character ditches her cue in the musical, and walks towards the doorway as she senses SRK coming home.

Sidharth Malhotra explains what makes ‘Thank God’ close to Indian beliefs

Mumbai, Oct 21 (IANS) Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra talked about being part of the movie ‘Thank God’ starring Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh. He said that the story highlights the concept of ‘karma’ and the belief that “as you sow, so you shall reap.”

He said: “I think like how in our country we believe in Karma and as the saying goes ‘Jaisi karni waisi bharni’ (as you sow, so you shall reap), this concept has been beautifully narrated in the film by the writers and Indra (Kumar) Sir.”

Ajay Devgn added to the conversa tion saying that Kapil doesn’t believe in this theory.

Sidharth further explained the entire idea behind the film and

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is all set to be seen in her solo-lead film, ‘Yashoda’. Ever since the trailer of the film dropped, fans have been excited to see the actress in an out-and-out action-thriller role.

A source close to the actress said: “Samantha trained with Yannick Ben for the action in ‘Yashoda’. He is the same international stunt director she trained with for ‘The Family Man 2’ as well.”

Yannick Ben, a Hollywood stunt performer, has been behind the action in films such as ‘Transporter 3’, ‘Dunkirk’, ‘Inception’ and ‘City Hunter’.

The source adds, “Though originally a Telugu film, the producers have

said: “The film is based on a flawed person who aspires to rise from the lower middle class to the upper middle class and beyond and what measures he takes to get there.”

“In between all this he meets with an accident and goes up and meets Chitragupta who decides if he will go to heaven or hell after playing a game. I adored the character and the whole idea that Indra Sir presented, and he did so in a humorous man ner. This is an apt fam-com film for Diwali,” he explained.

Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra, Rakul Preet Singh and director Indra Kumar are coming on the sets of ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ to promote their film ‘Thank God’.

also decided to release the film in Hindi, Tamil and Kannada along with Telugu, seeing her mega popularity across the country.”

The makers announced that the ‘Yashoda’ release date is November 11 and Samantha’s fans are super excited. The actress, who continues to reign the research report on the most popular female star of India has been busy with her preps for ‘Citadel’ recently.

She is all set to be seen in the Hollywood project called ‘Arrangements of Love’. She will also be seen in the Russo Brothers’, ‘Citadel’ alongside Varun Dhawan and also has Khushi and Shaakuntalam lined up for release.

Extortion case: Jacqueline deleted evidence from phone, says ED

New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez had deleted evidence from her cell phone, and also tried to leave the country.

Files’ has been selected for the Indian Panorama Section of the soon to be held IFFI (International Film Festival of India).

The film presents a heart-wrenching tale that captures the pain, suffering, and struggle of the Kashmiri Pandit community in 1990.

Reacting to the news, Vivek told IANS, “The Kashmir Files is one special film for me. It was released in the beginning of 2022 and since then the year is a fruit of every effort we have put in. I am really grateful that the film is now selected for ‘Indian Panorama for IFFI 2022’ and I am looking forward to it.”

He further mentioned, “The selection of ‘The Kashmir Files’ in

Indian Panorama is not just pres tigious but it also will help take the cause of Kashmir genocide to the International audience because it’s an international festival. This is the first time any Indian film will also work as soft power for India.”

The Indian Panorama was intro duced in 1978 as part of the IFFI to promote Indian Films along with India’s rich culture and heritage with the help of cinematic art.

The film, which was released on March 11, 2022, stars Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and Mithun Chakraborty. It’s only one of the few films to have brought huge returns at the box-office for its makers.

The ED made this submission while opposing the actor’s bail plea in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to Rs 200 crore extortion matter involving multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, an official said on Saturday.

The IANS is in possession of ED documents which confirm that she had deleted data from her cell phone.

“She admitted deleting crucial evidence on her phone and further had told others to delete the evi dence which amounts to tampering of evidence. She also tried to flee abroad,” the ED has claimed.

The ED said that during the investigation it emerged that

Jacqueline enjoyed the proceeds of crime which the main accused (Sukesh Chandrashekhar and Leena Maria Paul) obtained by the route of extortion from Aditi (wife of Shivinder Singh).

Jacqueline had knowledge of the criminal antecedents of the main accused -- Sukash and Leena.

“She not only used and enjoyed the proceeds of crime herself but also shared that with her family mem bers staying abroad while knowing very well that the money and gifts showered by Chandrasekar were nothing but proceeds of crime not earned by him through any genuine source. An amount of Rs 7,12,24,767 had been identified till now as proceed of crime and the same was attached,” the ED said.

The ED said that Jacqueline never cooperated with the investigation team, and only when confronted with evidence and statements, she had made disclosure.

Initially, Jacqueline denied that Chandrashekhar had purchased two cars for her parents but on December 12, 2021 she admitted it. She also stated that her sister had received $1,72,913 in her account. Fernandez was granted interim bail. She has not been given regular bail. The court has extended her interim bail till the next date of hearing.

Chiranjeevi’s

Vivek Ranjan

Samantha trained for ‘Yashoda’ with ‘The Family Man 2’ action director

Ayushmann Khurrana

Manish Malhotra

Bhumi Pednekar

Kriti

Sanon

Ekta Kapoor

Kangana calls ‘Kantara’ ‘explosive’, thanks Rishab Shetty for the film

family, and I am still shaking. What an explosive experience. Rishab Shetty, hats off to you. Writing, directing, acting, action brilliant, unbelievable!”

‘Kantara’ is set in coastal Karnataka and deals with the issue of land politics and man vs nature.

“What a find blend of tradition, folklore, indigenous issues. Such beautiful photography, action. This is what is cinema, what films are for,” she added.

Chennai, Oct 31 (IANS) Director

Gnanasagar Dwaraka’s upcoming film, featuring actor Sudheer Babu in the lead, has been titled ‘Harom Hara’, its makers announced on Monday.

This will be Sudheer Babu’s 18th film and is being produced by Sumanth G. Naidu under the banner of SSC (Sree Subrahmanyeshwara Cinemas).

DiDwaraka is best known for his debut film, the youthful entertainer ‘Sehari’.

Actress Kangana Ranaut has praised filmmaker-actor Rishab Shetty’s latest release ‘Kantara’.

She took to Instagram and posted a video of herself giving a review of

the film. ‘Kantara’ is the third-high est-grossing Kannada film of all time and has received universal acclaim from critics and fans.

In the clip, Kangana said: “I have just come out watching Kantara with my

Kangana further said that she would not be able to ‘recover’ from the experience of watching the film for a week. “I heard so many people in the theatre say that they had never seen anything like this. Thank you for this film. I don’t think I will recover from this experience for another week,” she concluded.

25 feature films, 20 non-features to be screened during IFFI Indian Panorama

Along with the title ‘Harom Hara’, the makers also released the tagline, ‘The Revolt’. Sources say that while the title appears to be spiritual, the tagline discloses the revenge aspect of the story.

The conceptual title video demon strates the setting, backdrop, and scale of the movie.

The story is set in 1989 in Kuppam of Chittoor district. Popular places such as Subramanya Swamy Temple, Jagadamba Talkies, and a railway

station are shown in the video.

The video presents Sudheer Babu in a never-seen-before mass avatar.

“Inga Seppedem Ledua Sesedea” utters Sudheer Babu, when a person asks him to put an end to his silence.

The actor seems to have undergone a complete makeover for the movie.

Chaitan Bharadwaj’s background

score is apt. Aravind Vishwanathan has handled the cinematography of the movie, while Ramesh Kumar G presents it. ‘Harom Hara’ will have a pan-India release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.

Shweta Tiwari: I inherited my love for books from mum

Mumbai, Oct 21 (IANS) Popular face of TV industry, Shweta Tiwari, who is currently seen in ‘Main Hoon Aparajita’ playing the role of a mother of three daughters, revealed her interest in reading books and said that reading a good novel for her is like a stressbuster. She said: “I enjoy reading a good book whenever I have free time. Even if I have a hectic shoot schedule, reading an interesting novel always makes me happy and stress-free.”

New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) The Indian Panorama, flagship com ponent of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), on Saturday announced the selection of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films, which will be showcased at the 53rd IFFI to be held from November 20-28, 2022 in Goa.

The feature films of the mainstream cinema include movies like The Kashmir Files, RRR (Telugu), Tonic (Bengali), Akhanda (Telugu) and Dharmveera...Mukkam Post Thane (Marathi).

The aim of the Indian Panorama, organised by National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is to select feature and non-feature films of cinematic, thematic and aesthetic excellence in accordance

with the conditions and procedure in the said regulations of Indian Panorama.

The selection of the Indian Panorama is made by eminent personalities from the world of cinema from across India compris ing a total of 12 jury members for feature films and six jury members for non-feature films led by the respective chairpersons. Exercising their individual expertise, the eminent jury panels contribute evenly to the consensus that leads to the selection of Indian Panorama films of respective categories.

The Feature Film Jury, comprising 12 members, was headed by acclaimed Director and Editor, Chairperson Vinod Ganatra. The Feature Jury constituted of the fol lowing members who individually

represent various acclaimed films, and film-related professions, whereas collectively representing the diverse Indian fraternity.

A package of 25 feature films have been selected to be screened in the Indian Panorama section at 53rd IFFI from a broad spectrum of 354 qualifying contemporary Indian feature films. The following package of feature films reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the Indian film industry.

The Indian Panorama was intro duced in 1978 as part of the IFFI umbrella to promote Indian films along with India’s rich culture and heritage with the help of cinematic art. Since its inception, the Indian Panorama has been completely devoted to showcasing the best Indian films of the year.

The actress made her place in the entertainment industry with the role of Prerna in ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’ and also acted in a number of daily soaps, films and web series. She was also the winner of ‘Bigg Boss 4’ and then participated in ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 11’. She made her digital debut with ‘Hum, Tum and Them’. Apart from acting, Shweta makes sure to take out some time for her hobby of reading books and said about inheriting this habit from her mother.

She spoke: “As a child, I loved reading books, and I believe I inherited love for books from my mother. My collection of books has been growing since I was a child, they really make me happy. I haven’t really kept track of how many books I own, but enough to redesign my house to adjust the bookshelf to store them.”

Furthermore, she opened up about the kind of books she is interested in reading: “I love reading about Indian

and European history. If you ask me about my current favorites, they are ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho, ‘Sapiens’ by Yuval Noah Harari, ‘The Immortals of Meluha’ by Amish Tripathi and many more.”

The 42-year-old actress added: “I

also love reading novels written by Kristin Hannah and Colleen Hoover. In every book I read, I connect with the character, and it’s like living another life.”

‘Main Hoon Aparajita’ airs on Zee TV.

‘Tumsa Nahi Dekha’: Shammi Kapoor and his rollicking, reinvented film career

to change into an actor with a film with a new type of hero, and Dev Anand refusing the hero’s role as “not his type”.

Shammi Kapoor convinced an initially reluctant Hussain to give him the role - and “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” (1957) gave birth to the Shammi Kapoor we know.

By Vikas Datta

From a prominent family of actors, he initially considered a career in science before fol lowing his father and elder brother into the film industry, but faced a tough time with his first 18 films tanking. It was then he reinvented himself to portray a new brand of hero, inspired by both James Dean and Elvis Presley.

In the process, Shammi Kapoor not only laid the way for a host of danc ing male leads, from Joy Mukherjee and Jeetendra in his own heyday, and then, down the decades, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, Govinda, Shah Rukh Khan, and his own great nephew Ranbir Kapoor, but also transformed the very paradigm of the Hindi film hero, and in a way, Hindi films. Gone was the silent, soft-spoken, upright hero - the meek one like his own elder brother Raj Kapoor, or the brooding one like Dilip Kumar - to be supplanted by a flamboyant, swaggering figure, with a casual approach to life, and not hesitant or apologetic in enjoying its pleasureseven ahead of the jaunty Dev Anand,

who could never match that level of exuberance.

And for this type of hero, the light musical film - intended as pure entertainment without any messag es - came into its own, and became the norm, rather than the exception.

Shammi Kapoor, who was born this day (October 21) in 1931, himself said that he found the heroes of his own epoch (the 1950s) too “laid-back and defeatist, forever wallowing in self-pity” and decided to “implant a spine”, and “add some machismo” to them.

And succeed well he did, as films like “Junglee” (1961), “Dil Tera Deewana”, “Professor”, “China Town” (all 1962), “Bluff Master” (1963), “Rajkumar” (1964), “Kashmir Ki Kali” (1964), “Janwar” (1965), “Teesri Manzil” (1966), “Budtameez” (1966), “An Evening in Paris”, “Laat Saheb” (both 1967), “Brahmachari” (1968), “Tumse Achha Kaun Hai”, “Prince” (both 1969), and their evergreen and melodious songs prove.

As a biography of the Kapoor family held, his elder brother had founded an institution, but Shammi Kapoor

became one himself as the virtual paladin of the “Swinging Sixties” in the country.

However, as noted, his path was not easy. Overshadowed by his father Prithviraj Kapoor and brother Raj as he made his foray into the Hindi film industry, Shammi Kapoor made his debut with “Jeewan Jyoti” (1953) with Chand Usmani, but the movie flopped.

So did the subsequent 17 films spanning a variety of genres, from tragic and historical romances (“Laila-Majnu”, 1953, with Nutan, “Mirza Sahiban”, 1957 with Shyama) to frothy comedies (“Mem Sahib”, 1956 with Meena Kumari), thrillers (“Miss Coca Cola”, 1955 with Geeta Bali, or “Ham Sab Chor Hain”, 1956, with Nalini Jaywant, offbeat films like “Rail Ka Dibba”, 1953, with Madhubala, and costumed dramas like “Shama Parwana” with Suraiya).

A distraught Shammi Kapoor, who had got married to Geeta Bali in 1955, was contemplating quitting the industry and taking up a job at an Assam tea plantation. However, two things kept him in films - then scriptwriter Nasir Hussain’s desire

Shammi Kapoor cemented his position with Hussain’s “Dil Deke Dekho” (1959), (while also displaying his talent with “Char Dil Char Rahen”, where Raj Kapoor and Ajit were his male co-stars) and then “Junglee” (1961) - where his full-throated “Yahoo” yell became iconic (incidentally, it was neither by Shammi Kapoor or his voice, Mohammad Rafi, but Prayag Raj, who later became a director).

After a decade or so’s reign as the dancing, leaping, whooping, teasing, romantic hero - with all his dancing choreographed by him after relentless practice - Shammi Kapoor twigged the winds were changing as a new generation of stars emerged. In “Andaz” (1971), Rajesh Khanna stole the show with his 15-minute cameo, while Shammi Kapoor, in an uncharacteristic role as a widower with a child, delivered a sublime but overshadowed performance.

Shammi Kapoor, then more bulkier and bearded (kept following his parents’ passing), switched to more mature character roles. Be it the tavern-owner Dhoop Chaaon in “Manoranjan” (1974) - the remake of Shirley MacLaine’s “Irma La Douce” he directed himself, the horse-breeder in “Zameer” (1975), Amitabh Bachchan’s foster-father in “Parvarish” (1977), the fake holy man, Dr Dubari in “Shalimar” (1978), the Sisodia Maharaja in

“Meera” (1979), the dance judge in Sanjay Dutt’s debut “Rocky” (1981), engine driver - and Dilip Kumar’s colleague Gurbaksh in “Vidhaata” (1982) - which fetched him his second Filmfare Award (but for Best Supporting Actor), and many more, down to the music ustad in his grand-nephew Ranbir Kapoor’s “Rockstar” (2011) - released a couple of months after his demise that year, he left his mark.

But, Shammi Kapoor was not only the rather hedonistic character he played in his heyday - he was quite well-read and caught out Sharmila Tagore once on a book she claimed to have read, and in the 1990s, as certained the power of internet and social media, becoming President of the Internet Users Association of India and setting up a website about his family.

However, it is the Shammi Kapoor of the 1960s that will rule out hearts - especially in his unforgettable songs. Let’s see a half dozen of them.

“Yun to hamne lakh haseen dekhe hain”: “Tumsa Nahi Dekha” (1957) was the film that made his name and this song, written by Sahir Ludhianvi, scored by O.P. Nayyar and sung by Rafi, showed the begin ning of the moves that would make him immortal.

“Ehsaan tera hoga”: While the title song of “Junglee” (1961) is the most-known, it is this softer track that shows the tender side of the brash lover-boy that endures. The music was by Shankar-Jaikishan and the mellow voice provided by Rafi. Incidentally, there was a female version too and Ameen Sayani, in his popular Binaca Geetmala, featured a remix combining both.

“Govinda aala re aala”: This song

from “Bluffmaster” (1963) has been the definitive ‘dahi-handi’ song and Shammi Kapoor brings it off perfect ly in the shooting in the chawl. Rafi provided the voice, Rajinder Krishan the lyrics and Kalyanji-Anandji the tune.

“Yeh chand sa roshan chehra”: This romantic serenade to Sharmila Tagore from “Kashmir ki Kali” (1964) takes full marks for its innovative setting - a number of shikaras on the Dal Lake - and execution. The highlight is how Rafi keeps repeating the refrain “Tareef karun kya uski jis ne tumhe banaya” in a higher and higher pitch everytime he repeats it. The music was by O.P. Nayyar and the lyrics by S.H. Bihari.

“Tumne mujhe dekha hokar mehar baan”: Shammi Kapoor was doing “Teesri Manzil” (1966) - from which Dev Anand had walked out after a spat - when his wife suddenly took ill and subsequently succumbed. When he returned to work, he insisted on shooting this song - a sombre yet rhythmic love song - to her memory. The music was by R.D. Burman and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

“Aajkal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zabaan par”: “Brahmachari” (1968) was one of Shammi Kapoor’s different, insofar it combined his playboy image with social respon sibility in taking care of a clutch of orphans - and fetched him his first and only Filmfare for Best Actor. But this song, when he is energetically jives with Mumtaz, who wore a specially-designed sari, shows him at his best in his characteristic image.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

Telugu star Sudheer Babu’s pan India film titled ‘Harom Hara’