India News - March 16-31, 2021

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

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Ex-Australian Foreign Minister 'unspeakably sad' about parliament rape allegations Canberra, March 7 (IANS): Former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Sunday urged the incumbent government to introduce independent counselling for parliamentary staff amid claims of mistreatment of women.

Bishop, who served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2018, said she was "unspeakably sad" about allegations of sexual assault in Parliament, Xinhua news agency reported.

Brittany Higgins, a former government staffer, in February went public with allegations that she was raped by a colleague in the office of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds in 2019.

Attorney-General Christian Porter is recently under pressure to resign after he was identified as the government minister accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in 1988, allegations that he has strenuously denied.

Continued on Page 3

Meghan tears into royal family in Oprah interview

By Nikhila Natarajan New York, March 8 (IANS): Meghan Markle told Oprah Winfrey that she was utterly unprepared for the "monster machine" of the British royalty when she married Prince Harry.

Markle said she didn't "fully understand what the job was" when she, as an "American", waded into "the firm" - her description for the British royal family.

Within the first 15 minutes of

Prez stresses on women's safety, independence on Women's Day New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday appealed to all the countrymen to work relentlessly towards women's safety, education and independence, on the eve of International Women's Day.

empowered only by doing so.

Let us dedicate this occasion of International Women's Day to the honour, safety and empowerment of women and resolve that we will support them in changing every tradition and policy that hinders their progress," the President said in a statement.

Kovind said "we will be able to pave the way for women, especially our daughters, to become more active, capable and

Continued on Page 3

India's recovering growth, vaccine lead to help world overcome pandemic: Gopinath

By Arul Louis United Nations, March 8 (IANS): As India recovers from the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, its leadership in vaccine production and its growth projection of 11.5 per cent will have an important role in helping the world overcome the pandemic, Gita Gopinath, the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said on Monday.

the hotly anticipated interview, Meghan revealed to Oprah that all she wants is to "go back to the basics" and that the reality of royalty wasn't something she was ever ready for.

Around the 40th minute, Markle told Oprah that the royal family was “concerned” that her child would have “dark skin”.

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

EDITORIAL TEAM Dr Ram Mohan, Chairman Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief Dr Priyabrata Behra, Bureau Chief, New South Wales Ms Priyadarshini Rana, Bureau Chief, Victoria Ms Apoorva Raghubanshi, Bureau Chief, ACT Ms. Garima Sangar, Associate Editor EDITORIAL BOARD Professor Prasad Yarlagadda, Queensland University of Technology Ms Audrey Courty, Griffith University Dr Uttam Kumar Sinha, Senior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, India Mr Shaun Star, Director, Centre for Australia India Studies, Jindal Global University, India INDIA NEWS TV Mr Karthik Pratap Singh, News Director Mr. Agastya Yeturi, Cinematographer Mr Nishit Chandan, Special Correspondent Ms. Ananya Dhyani, Consulting News Editor

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News from Victoria Cultural diplomacy in Act East policy: India’s way forward within the ASEAN region

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World News

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Decoding India and Taiwan bilateral diplomacy

WRITERS Mr Devashish Chakraborty Ms Deepika Banerjee Mr Rabindra Mukherji INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS Institute for Australia India Engagement Australia India Business Council

News from India

WORLD THIS WEEK

Editorial Understanding PM Modi’s women-led development modell

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Special Feature

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Make in India

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Women’s Day Special

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

Meghan tears into royal family in Oprah interview Continued from Page 1

into the royal family.

In the two hour interview, Winfrey will also ask Meghan how she feels about Buckingham Palace "hearing you speak your truth today?"

COVER STORIES

Ex-Australian Foreign Minister 'unspeakably sad' about parliament rape allegations Continued from Page 1

"I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there was an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us," Meghan said, in one of the promo clips that are circulating.

Markle stopped short of saying who within Buckingham Palace was having these conversations with her or Harry. Disclosing that "would be very damaging to them", she told Oprah.

reality of it."

"That's what was really tricky over those past few years, is when the perception and the reality are two very different things," Meghan said.

Meghan also said that she never "looked up" her husband online and did not think it was necessary to crawl through research on Harry.

"And you're being judged on the perception, but you're living the

The interview has been filmed in a backyard garden setting, with Meghan in a flowing black dress with a splash of white near the top right shoulder.

Clips released ahead of the on-air interview showed Meghan tearing

"And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, there's been a lot that's been lost already."

Speaking about her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan told Oprah she practised curtsying minutes before and never expected that she would have to endure this level of formality as a "working royal".

The two-hour re-recorded interview began airing on CBS in the US on Sunday at 8 p.m.

India's recovering growth, vaccine lead to help world overcome pandemic: Gopinath Continued from Page 1 India makes up about 7 per cent of worlds’ gross domestic product (GDP) based on purchasing power parity and "when you're that large, what happens in India has implications for many other countries in the world, especially countries in the region", Gopinath said during an interaction with the permanent representative of the UAE, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, at the Hansa Mehta Memorial Dialogue.

"Because of its size, when you have it growing, it increases demand for goods from other parts of the world, and that's a big positive," she said.

While there were troubling signs of Covid cases going up, "we're still looking at very low numbers" of Covid-19 infections and India is reopening and activities are coming back, leading to the IMF growth projection of 11.5 per cent for the next fiscal year after a negative growth of 8 per cent, she said.

India, which is the world's vaccine hub, has "been playing a very important role in helping the world in this crisis through its vaccination policies", she said.

The Serum Institute of India is the world's largest vaccine producer and a lot of its Covid-19 vaccines are going to the COVAX programme of the World Health Organization to provide vaccines to developing countries, she said.

The Indian government has also donated vaccines to neighbouring countries, she added.

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"Everyone is looking at India to help lead out of the economic challenges that we're facing this year and will face in the coming," Nusseibeh said.

The dialogue on the theme "Women's Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Global Economic Growth: COVID-19 and Beyond" was organised by India's Permanent Mission and UN Academic Impact on International Women's Day. The dialogue honours Hansa Mehta, the Indian freedom fighter and pioneer in the quest for women's rights who was a member of the UN Human Rights Commission and one of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UN Under Secretary-General Melissa Fleming said that during the drafting of the Declaration, Mehta "fought to change a phrase that now forms the start of Article One of the Declaration."

Through her perseverance, the phrase "all men are born free and equal" became "all human beings are born free and equal", Nusseibeh said.

"This reminds us that altering just one word can make a very big difference," she added.

Assistant Secretary-General Anita Bhatia listed the legal, political, economic and social progress made by women since the time of Mehta, but said that the status of women was lagging in many areas.

ask "what we are going to do" about the persisting areas of inequality, Bhatia said.

This would require "putting women at the centre of efforts to build back better, so that we build back equal, paying attention to the child care burden that most women carry and making it a national policy, and not an individual issue", Bhatia said.

In her keynote address, Gopinath said, "As an Indian woman, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to honour Hansa behn, on whose strong shoulders I and many others stand."

She said that ensuring women's equality is a "moral imperative", "gender empowerment is critical for the economic well-being of both men and women, and for societies as a whole".

Globally, only 55 per cent of the women are in paid employment compared to 78 per cent of the women and if women's employment is to rise to the level of men, national income would increase by 15 per cent in countries with the lowest women's labour force participation rates, Gopinath said.

"With female labour force participation falling in many countries during the pandemic, targeted policies such as hiring subsidies may be needed to swiftly bring about the reintegration of female workers' into the labour force," she suggested.

While Mehta would be astonished by the progress, she would also

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"The last few days have left me unspeakably sad," Bishop said on Sunday.

"I have so much sympathy for women who are victims of sexual abuse or other illegal, violent acts and the physical and emotional trauma that surrounds it. It's just so terribly sad," she said.

The former Minister called for Parliament House to introduce new inductions and workplace

standards training for politicians and their staff.

It came after the government on Friday announced that Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins would lead an independent review of parliamentary workplaces.

Bishop, who is now the Chancellor of Australian National University, in 2019 slammed the "gender deafness" in politics.

Prez stresses on women's safety, independence on Women's Day

Continued from Page 1 He extended congratulations and best wishes to all women on the occasion, saying "women are an inspiration to our family, society and the nation".

"They are the essential base of the social structure. In India too, women have made their mark in every sphere of life. With their distinguished role in all walks of life, they have contributed significantly to the progress of the nation.

"Nevertheless, much remains to be done to further improve the socio-economic status of women in India," said the President.

International Women's Day is observed every year on March 8, in order to create awareness about women's issues. It was celebrated only in a handful of countries in 1911, but began to be observed by countries across the globe after 1975, when the United Nations started celebrating the day. The United Nations officially recognised Women's Day in 1977.

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

NEWS FROM INDIA

Quad to harness India’s capability for massive vaccine diplomacy project New York, March 13 (IANS): The leaders at the Quad summit made a commitment on Friday to harness India’s manufacturing prowess for a massive vaccine diplomacy project to deliver 1 billion doses to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond as the fournation group eyes broader agenda, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said.

Calling the Quad and “emergent institution”, he said on Friday: “These four leaders made a massive joint commitment with India, manufacturing US technology, Japanese and American financing and Australian logistics capability. The Quad committed to delivering up to 1 billion doses to ASEAN. The Indo-Pacific and beyond by the end of 2022.”

India’s vaccine development and manufacturing capabilities put it in the driver’s seat in the project that is of imminent importance to the Quad.

Prime Minister NarendraModi tweeted: “United in our fight against COVID-19, we launched a landmark Quad partnership to ensure accessibility of safe COVID-19 vaccines. India’s formidable vaccine production capacity will be expanded with support from Japan, US &

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forward to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Sullivan said.

The leaders discussed key regional issues including freedom of navigation and “freedom from coercion” in the South and East China Seas, the North Korea nuclear issue, and the Myanmar coup, he said.

Australia to assist countries in the Indo-Pacific region.”

“Today’s summit shows that Quad has come of age — Modi said at the beginning of the summit with Prime Ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and YoshihideSuga of Japan, and US President Joe Biden as the group reaches for a new role embracing development and cooperation beyond the four nations as a force for the global good.”

“It will now remain an important pillar of stability in the region,” Modi said.

Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the summit that was held virtually with Biden presiding from the White House.

Sullivan said that the leaders agreed to meet in person before the end of the year.

Biden is trying to give the Quad that is formally known as the

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue an impetus to expand in other areas with a new model of cooperation.

Sullivan said at his briefing in Washington that the challenge posed by China figured in the talks and “they made clear that none of them has any illusions about China, but today was not fundamentally about China.”

However, Sullivan said: “The Quad is not a military alliance; it’s not a new NATO despite some of the propaganda that’s out there.

What it is is an opportunity for these four democracies to work, and also with other countries on fundamental issues of economics, technology, climate and security.”

“Each of the leaders independently in the course of the meeting referred to this event as historic because it’s cemented, a group of strong democracies that will work together going

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A joint statement issued at the end of the summit said that the four countries will establish a vaccine working groups on vaccine and technology.

The critical- and emergingtechnology working group will work to facilitate cooperation on international standards and innovative technologies of the future, while the climate working group will seek to strengthen climate actions globally on mitigation, adaptation, resilience, technology, capacity-building, and climate finance, the statement said.

The statement also said, they will try “to meet challenges to the rules-based maritime order in the East and South China Seas”.

It said, “We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, and also confirm

the necessity of immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees. As long-standing supporters of Myanmar and its people, we emphasise the urgent need to restore democracy and the priority of strengthening democratic resilience.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and SumonaGuha, the National Security Council’s senior director for South Asia, also participated in the summit.

As the summit began, Biden said, “The United States is committed to working with you, our partners, and all of our allies in the region to achieve stability. This is a group particularly important because it is dedicated to the practical solutions and concrete results.”

“The Quad is going to be a vital arena for cooperation,” he said.

Sullivan did not give further details of the vaccine plan. But some media reports said that the US would help India manufacture the one-dose vaccine developed

by Johnson & Johnson that does not require ultra-cold refrigeration like other US vaccinations.

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NEWS FROM INDIA

'I'm pure Cobra, can In consensual relationship, no rape case if kill in one bite': Mithun promise to marry not false at inception: SC High Court. Citing the FIR and statement under 164 CrPC, the counsel for accused argued that there was absolutely no intent on the part of his client, when he entered upon the relationship, not to marry the woman nor can it be even suggested that the promise to marry was false.

Kolkata, March 7 (IANS): Bollywood star Mithun Chakraborty, who joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Kolkata on Sunday, referred himself as a "pure Cobra who can kill in just one bite".

"I am proud to be a Bengali. I know you love my dialogues.

This day is like a dream-cometrue experience for me," said Chakraborty, while addressing the mammoth gathering here.

Thrilling the huge crowd with popular dialogues from his films, the actor said: "Marbo ekhaney... lash porbay shoshaney (I will thrash you here. Your body will be found at the crematorium)."

He also delivered another punch line. "Ami joldhorao noi, beleborao noi...ami ekta cobra, ek

chobol-ei chhobi (I'm not a harmless snake. I am a pure cobra. One strike and you become a photograph."

Chakraborty arrived at the Brigade Parade Ground at around 12 noon and was welcomed by BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargi and other state BJP leaders.

Meanwhile, veteran Trinamool Cobgress leader and Lok Sabha MP Sougata Roy reacted to Chakraborty joining the BJP camp. Roy said: "Mithun Chakraborty is someone who cannot be trusted".

The 294-member West Bengal Assembly will go to the polls in eight phases between March 27 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Delhi: Senior citizens dominated vaccination drive

New Delhi, March 9 (IANS): The Supreme Court has said if a couple had a consensual relationship, and there was no allegation of a false promise made to the woman at the inception, then it isn't rape. The top court quashed the FIR registered by a woman alleging rape by the accused in guise of false marriage promise.

A bench comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah said: "There is no allegation to the effect that the promise to marry given to the second respondent (woman) was false at the inception. On the contrary, it would appear from the contents of the FIR that there was a subsequent refusal on the part of the appellant (accused) to marry the second respondent which gave rise to the registration of the FIR." The bench noted the contents of the FIR and the statement of the woman recorded under 164 CrPC (statement before a magistrate) establishes that the relationship

between the accused and the woman was of a consensual nature and they were in the relationship for a period of one and half years.

The bench noted that contents of the woman's statement indicate that she had "voluntarily developed relationship of husband-wife with him". The bench said that to establish whether the "consent" was vitiated by a "misconception of fact" arising out of a promise to marry, two propositions must be established. "The promise of marriage must have been a false promise, given in bad faith and with no intention of being adhered to at the time it was given. The false promise itself must be of immediate relevance, or bear a direct nexus to the woman's decision to engage in the sexual act", observed the top court.

The accused had moved the top court after his plea seeking quashing of the FIR was dismissed by the Allahabad

The woman's counsels, citing the High Court judgment, submitted the victim's complaint on the basis of which the FIR was registered indicate the accused had developed a friendship with his client on the assurance of marriage.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, objected to the quashing of the FIR. The top court set aside the High Court order of September 26, 2019. "In view of the reasons which have been adduced earlier, the charge sheet dated 25 April 2018, which has been filed in pursuance of the investigation which took place, shall stand quashed. The order of the trial court dated 3 October 2018 taking cognizance shall accordingly stand quashed and set aside", said the top court.

It was alleged in the FIR that parents of the accused were agreeable to the couple getting married, but in the statement, the woman said the accused and his family members are refusing for the marriage and that her sole grievance is that the accused has refused to marry her.

J&K launches Super-75 scheme for meritorious girls from poor families

New Delhi, March 9 (IANS): Senior citizens dominated the vaccination drive in the national capital on Friday as out of 27,057 people who recived vaccine shots, 14,874 were above the age of 60 years, the health and family welfare department said.

Meanwhile, in the 45-59 years age group, 2,020 beneficiaries received the jabs, it added.

The figure is corresponding to Thursday when a total of 27,959 beneficiaries, including 14,328 senior citizens and 2,175 people in the age group of 45-59, received the vaccine shots.

Over 5,100 senior citizens in Delhi had received their first shots of the vaccine on Monday when the third phase of the vaccination drive began.

On Friday, about 71 per cent of the people (11,989) turned up at private facilities while the remaining 29 per cent (4,905) reached government facilities for

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vaccination, the data showed.

Meanwhile, the second doses were given to 5,160 people, officials said, adding 3,269 frontline workers and 1,734 healthcare workers were also vaccinated.

According to official estimates, there are around 43 lakh people in the specified priority category of 60 years or above and those within 45-59 years with co morbidities in Delhi.

People within the age group of 45-59 years with comorbidities are required to produce a comorbidity certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner.

A total of 20 comorbidities have been specified for vaccination by the union health ministry.

In the first phase, starting 16 January, over 3.6 lakh beneficiaries comprising healthcare workers and frontline workers, have been vaccinated in Delhi.

the Lt Governor stressed on the need to put more focus on some key areas like creating a positive environment; skill development of women entrepreneurs; facilitating financial assistance; providing global market to women entrepreneurs and connecting them with innovative products.

We have to work together to break the barriers for the economic development of women, he added.

Srinagar, March 9 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced the launch of Super-75 scholarship scheme to support the education of meritorious girls from poor families, so that they can excel in streams like medicine, engineering, ITI and humanity, and contribute to the nation building.

This is keeping in view of this year's theme of International Women's Day i.e "Choose to Challenge" and to celebrate Azaadi Ka Amrut MahotsavIndia@75.

The Lt Governor observed that J&K has a long history of women glory to bring social change and breaking new grounds as far as gender equality and professional development is concerned.

Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs Ecosystem in J&K, the Lt Governor also announced a new scheme - Tejaswini under Mission Youth, to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs to the girls between the age group of 18 to 35 years to start their business.

Mission Youth will provide 10 percent of the project cost and will also pay the interest every year, said the Lt Governor.

A new era of change and development is ushering in J&K, a change that will provide women their rightful place, a voice, an

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To lay a strong foundation for the girls, no fee will be charged upto 12th standard from 5,89,000 girl students who took admission in different government run schools, said the Lt Governor.

identity, and individuality. We are making tireless efforts to ensure women's safety, modern education, and economic independence, the Lt Governor maintained.

Acknowledging women's role in economic development of J&K,

The Lt Governor observed that 88 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and 88 Girls Hostels have been made functional in far flung areas and this would help in filling the gender gap and controlling the girl child dropout rate. To assist the higher education of girls, the Government is also providing 13 different scholarship schemes, he added.

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23 cops, civilians enter India from Myanmar, seek refuge in Mizoram border.

Both DCs said that the entire matter is under investigation, and has been communicated to the higher authority and they are awaiting further instructions.

Mizoram Home Department officials were not available on phone to confirm the development.

Aizawl, March 10 (IANS): At least 23 Myanmar police personnel and some civilians have crossed over into India and are seeking refuge in Mizoram, officials and villagers along the borders said on Friday.

Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha member C. Lalrosanga said that 15 Myanmar police personnel came to Champhai district while eight policemen took shelter in Serchhip district.

The police personnel and some civilians from the military couphit Myanmar entered into the two Mizoram districts since Wednesday.

"The Mizoram government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) with regard to the people entering Mizoram from Myanmar in view of the military coup. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has already asked the people living along the borders to follow the SOP issued by the state government," Lalrosanga told IANS over phone.

Villagers of the border areas of Champhai and Serchhip districts told the media that at least 50 people comprising unarmed police personnel and civilians from Myanmar have crossed over to the mountainous state since March 3.

According to the villagers, all the intruders belong to the Chin ethnic group, to which the Mizo community of Mizoram belongs.

An influential Mizoram student body -- Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) -- expressing solidarity with Mynamar's Mizo communities had organised sitin demonstrations last month in Aizawl, protesting the recent military coup in Myanmar and the human rights violations in the neighbouring country.

The MZP also expressed solidarity with Mynamar's Mizo communities, which too have faced the brunt of the coup.

Senior MZP leader Ricky Lalbiakmawia told IANS that they would seek the intervention of the United Nations and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the military coup in Myanmar and urge them to provide help to the Mizo community in the neighbouring country.

Uzbek & Indian soldiers to start anti-terror drills on U'khand hills New Delhi, March 10 (IANS): Uzbek soldiers will carry out counter-terror operation drills along with their Indian counterparts to enhance capabilities starting Tuesday till March 21 in Chaubatia near Ranikhet in Uttarakhand.

As part of the joint exercise, Jammu and Kashmir-like terror operation situation will be created in Chaubatia wherein both the countries' armies will sharpen their capabilities and learn skills from each other.

"The settings at Chaubatia will be as close to operations in Kashmir," said a source.

The exercise is named as Dustlik and it is the second edition. The first one took place in November 2019 near Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

It is aimed at carrying out joint counter terror operations in a

By Hitesh Tikoo Jammu, March 10: Young activists from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday held a conference to revive Sufism and promote peace and coexistence in the Union Territory.

Four northeastern states -Mizoram (510 km), Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km) and Nagaland (215 km) -share 1,643 km unfenced borders with Myanmar.

Haryana to start wheat procurement from April 1

One of the scholars in the audience said, "People of Kashmir, whether Muslims, Pandits and Sikhs or of any other religion, believe in coexistence.

This was the reason that Kashmiri

farmers.

Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said Haryana is the only state in the country where six crops -- wheat, mustard, pulses, gram, sunflower and barley -are purchased at the minimum support price (MSP).

Chandigarh, March 7 (IANS): The Haryana government on Sunday announced to start procurement of wheat in advance from April 1 so that farmers do not have to stock the early crop.

The procurement of wheat was started on April 10 last year.

About 400 small and big procurement centres will be set up for the procurement of wheat.

Also, the mandis will be set up according to the needs of the

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He said at least 7.25 lakh farmers of the state have registered themselves on the 'Meri Fasal Mera Byora' portal for the sale of wheat. Also, 1.03 lakh farmers of neighboring states have also registered themselves on this portal.

Special Forces tracking techniques, surveillance through a hi-tech command post, slithering operations from helicopters and intelligencebased surgical strikes will be highlights of the exercise.

The drill will also have a module wherein forces would learn from each other how to avoid collateral damage in built-up or residential areas where counter-terror operators take place.

In Kashmir, the forces have to work a lot to avoid collateral damage further saving themselves from hostile situations like stone pelting.

The Uzbekistan Army contingent arrived in Delhi on Monday morning.

represented by 13 Kumaon known as the Rezang La battalion famous for its heroics in the battle of Rezang La in 1962 war with China.

The growing military relations with Uzbekistan are part of military diplomacy keeping in mind its connectivity to Afghanistan and Iraq important for India to counter Pakistan and also in the wake of China's Belt and Road Initiatives.

In 2019, during first edition of the exercise also counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in urban scenario were main focus.

The troops shared expertise on skills at arms, both combat shooting and experiences in counter insurgency and counter terrorism.

The Indian Army is being

Pandits and Sikhs would visit Muslim shrines, and similarly Muslims would throng shrines like Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal."

The JKYDF plans to reach out to the people at Muslim shrines, and are expected to cover several Hindu and Sikh places of worship as well, calling it a need and a subsequent attempt to reestablish a common syncretic society, where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and all others can again thrive, just as it was before the advent of Pakistan's proxy war in Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, JKYDF Chairman, Farooq Ganderbali said, "We plan to hold such conferences in other parts of Kashmir in the coming months.

Like today's conference, we will rope in Sufi preachers in future conferences as our aim is to reach out to as many people

as possible, especially youth, with the message of peace and coexistence."

Peace in Jammu and Kashmir has been a top priority for successive Indian governments, however, Pakistan's repeated attempts to disturb peace efforts have kept both the countries at loggerheads since decades.

Last week, in a ceasefire agreement, the armies of India and Pakistan both announced that they would stop the cross border firing from February 24 midnight in order to bring peace along the border areas. The announcement was made by the Defence Ministry.

"Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24-25 Feb 2021," the ministry said in a statement.

Free-of-charge Dialysis Hospital at Delhi's Bangla Sahib biggest kidney dialysis hospital.

Established in the gurudwara complex, the Guru Harkishan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Kidney Dialysis Hospital, has no cash or billing counter to ensure free treatment to the patients admitted there.

For the first time, barley crop will be procured on the MSP and for this seven 'mandis' have been earmarked.

Chautala said that if Punjab, Rajasthan and other neighboring states want to adopt Haryana's model of crop procurement, then the state will assist them.

mountainous rural and urban scenario.

Kashmir youth activists hold conference to revive Sufism

The event which took place in North Kashmir's Ganderbal district, was conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Youth Development Forum ( JKYDF), an organisation comprising young activists from Kashmir. Hundreds of people from all sections of the society attended the event, including writers, journalists, scholars, lawyers and several other Kashmiri activists.

Serchhip district Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek and his Champhai district counterpart Maria C.T. Zuali told the media separately that the district authorities have been providing food and shelter to the people who came from across the

NEWS FROM INDIA

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS): A 101-bedded dedicated free-ofcharge kidney dialysis centre is up and running at the premises of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib from Sunday onwards.

The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Sunday inaugurated the facility, touted as the country's

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In addition to the treatment, the patients along with the attendants will be provided free food during the course of the treatment. The food will be supplied from the gurudwara's 'langar', hospital authorities informed.

Besides, the hospital will soon increase its capacity to 1,000 beds from the current 101 beds. For this and operational expenditure, the committee said it will raise donations from corporate giants, individual donations and also implement government schemes.

"All services are being provided totally free in this most technically advanced hospital.

There is no billing or payment counter. The DSGMC will take services from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of corporate houses and from those who are willing to contribute for such initiatives and various government schemes," DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

He added that the hospital is equipped with most technically advanced medical facilities and would function round-the-clock.

For now the hospital will take patients who visit in person. The online registration will be started in a week once the system is in place, the authorities added.

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NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA

Australian High Commissioner Australia urged to setup quarantine system meets Andhra Governor for Int'l Students

Amaravati, March 8 (IANS): Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O' Farrell, along with the country's Australian Consul General at Chennai, Sarah Kirlew, called Andhra Pradeshs’ Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan on Monday.

Canberra, March 5 (IANS): The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) on Friday urged the federal government to set-up a dedicated hotel quarantine system for international students.

Meeting the Governor at the Raj Bhavan, Farrell informed him that the relationship between Australia and India is very strong, aided by the upteen initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a statement, the IEAA said it would "pay whatever it takes" to restart the lucrative international education industry, which has been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.

The High Commissioner informed Harichandan that he took charge in May 2020, during the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic and closely watched the country's response to overcome the pandemic.

The number of international students studying in Australia has fallen by more than 200,000 since the country's borders were closed in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Governor told Farrell that the Coronavirus vaccination programme launched by the Central government has provided the much needed relief to the people to carry out their regular activities and help the economy to recover.

According to Farrell, Australia is keen on promoting trade and investment relations with India and is also looking at investment opportunities in the southern state.

"Australia is already having agreements with AP in AP MedTech Zone in Visakhapatnam, coal mines, solar panels, fixing of IoT (Internet of Things) devices to feeders under 'Village Energy' programme and keen to expand further investments in electric vehicles, manufacturing of EVM batteries, minerals exploration," the high commissioner said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had previously declared that more than 40,000 Australians who remain stranded overseas would be given priority to return to the country.

Under the IEAA proposal students would not take quarantine places from Australians.

He invited Harichandan to visit Australia at the earliest opportunity.

Meanwhile, Harichandan, who has been nominated as a member of the national committee for commemoration of the 75th anniversary of India's independence participated in the first meeting through a video conference from the Raj Bhavan.

The committee includes former President Pratibha Patil, former

prime minister HD Deve Gowda, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikharjun Kharge, former Lok Sabha speaker Meera Kumar, Sumitra Mahajan and BJP national president JP Nadda.

Harichandan offered his suggestions on various aspects to be taken into account as part of the year-long 75th Independence Day celebrations in a befitting manner.

"There's no reason why we can't have charter flights bringing these students in, walking them across the tarmac into separate quarantine facilities that are not going to be competing with the hotel quarantine for Australian returnees," IEAA Chief Executive Phil Honeywood told the Australian Broadcasting

Corporation (ABC).

"The industry is prepared to pay whatever it takes for additional Australian Defence Force and for police to ensure that it all happens properly, with only one point of entry and one point of exit."

Data released by Universities Australia in February revealed that the higher education sector lost $1.8 billion in revenue in 2020 and cut more than 17,000 jobs.

Honeywood said that the longer Australia remained closed to international students the further it would fall behind other countries in a competitive industry.

"Canada and the UK, our two biggest competitors, have kept their borders open for a whole year and are flying international students in for face-to-face teaching in the universities," he said.

"We are really destroying an industry that's taken decades to build."

In response to the IEAA, Education Minister Alan Tudge said that the government would consider any proposals from universities.

"But it must be quarantine beds above those already in existence and must be signed off by the state's chief medical officer," he said.

Australian Defence Minister sorry for 'hurtful' remarks

More Australian states begin Covid Vax rollout nationally, all of which were in isolation.

On Sunday, Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that more than 4,500 general practitioners would participate in Phase 1b of the rollout, which he described as one of the greatest logistical challenges in the country's history.

Canberra, March 8 (IANS): Australia continued the rollout of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine continued on Monday, with the state of Queensland administering its first doses to frontline hospital and medical staff.

Over the weekend, clinics

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in Western Australia also commenced administering the vaccine with the program expected to gain pace over the coming weeks, reports Xinhua news agency.

Covid-19 cases remained extremely low across Australia, with an estimated 97 active cases

Australia's remote communities were told they would also have ready access to the vaccine through more than 130 GP-led respiratory clinics and over 300 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

President of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), Sarah Chalmers acknowledged the importance of including all Australians in the rollout plan regardless of where they live.

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Canberra, March 5 (IANS): Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds on Friday apologised to a former government staffer who has alleged that she was raped in Parliament House and demanded an apology after Reynolds called her a "lying cow".

In a statement, Higgins said that the language was "incredibly hurtful" and demanded that Reynolds publicly apologize or face possible legal action.

Brittany Higgins, who in February went public with allegations that she was raped by a colleague in Reynolds' office in 2019, on Thursday threatened legal action over the Minister's comments, which were made to staffers, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Friday Reynolds apologized to Higgins for the comments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the comments were "inappropriate and wrong".

It comes as the government faces increasing scrutiny over the workplace culture in Parliament House.

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Pfizer jabs effective from day 11 post 1st dose: Study

Sydney, March 4 (IANS): A team of researchers suggests that one dose of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine could be sufficient in providing a robust immune response 11 days after inoculation against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2).

According to the researchers, including Heidi E. Drummer from Monash University in Australia, the second 'booster' dose of the vaccine may not increase vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.

The findings, published as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, could help shape policy as vaccine rollout has been slow in countries such as the US and Canada. This could also increase with vaccine distribution efforts in developing countries where supplies have been scarce.

For the study, the team reexamined Pfizer-BioNTech

phase III trial data from day 1 to 111 in the placebo and experimental groups.

They also looked at data from Moderna's vaccine trial.

However, since the number of Covid-19 cases in the Moderna trial was low in the first few weeks, they did not have sufficient data to assess it. Instead, Moderna's trial data was used for comparison purposes with Pfizer's trial data.

They studied the efficacy of vaccination from day 11 to day 28 and compared the efficacy of the second vaccine dose delivered on day 28 up to day 111.

The findings indicated that the first vaccine dose helped develop detectable neutralizing antibodies before the second dose, according to news-medical.net.

While Moderna's sample size was limited, compared with the Pfizer-BioNTech's mRNA vaccine, there continued to be no significant difference in vaccine efficacy between days 11 to 35 and 7 days after the second vaccine was administered, the study indicated.

Australia extends border closure until June Canberra, March 3 (IANS): The Australian government on Wednesday announced that it has extended the nation's international border ban until June.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said that the human biosecurity emergency period, which was introduced in March 2020, has been extended until June 17 to "ensure the Australian government has the powers to take any necessary measures to continue to prevent and control Covid-19", reports Xinhua news agency.

The extension means that Australia's borders will be closed to international travellers except citizens and residents for about 450 days.

Australians have also been banned from leaving the country without an exemption during that period.

"The extension of the emergency period for a further three months is about mitigating that risk for everyone's health and safety," Hunt said in a statement.

Mandatory hotel quarantine

Australia establishes 'Myth Busting' team

Canberra, March 1 (IANS): The Australian government has established a "mythbusting unit" to address coronavirus vaccine misinformation, a Minister revealed on Monday.

Greg Hunt, the Minister for Health, revealed that the unit, a joint endeavour between the Departments of Health and Home Affairs, was "quietly"

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established in 2020 amid concerns over false vaccine information spreading rapidly on social media, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Some of these anti-vaxers are peddling, frankly, false and clearly irresponsible views," Hunt said.

"We don't want to give too much air to some of the silliest ideas but we do want

NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA

for arrivals to Australia is expected to remain in place for the rest of 2021.

About 40,000 Australians who have registered to return to the country remain stranded overseas due to strict

passenger arrival caps and fewer airline services.

So far, there has been 28,986 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Australia and 909 deaths.

to provide public reassurance (we are) combating the misinformation on those ideas which would in any way falsely have some impact on public confidence."

A survey published by Australian National University (ANU) researchers in February found that vaccine scepticism is on the rise in Australia.

More than 20 per cent of respondents said they would "probably" or "definitely" not volunteer for a free vaccine compared to 12.7 per cent in August 2020 while the proportion of those who said they "definitely" would fell from 58.5 per cent to 43.7 per cent.

Hunt revealed the existence of the myth-busting unit as he announced on Sunday the arrival of the first 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine to Australia.

The first doses of the vaccine are set to be administered on March 8 after testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

In a statement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the arrival meant that "we will now be able to scale up the vaccination rollout to our priority groups, including our most vulnerable Australians and to our frontline border and health workers".

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Tourism and Aviation a Path to Recovery

12 March 2021: Airlines, Hotels and Caravan Parks, Restaurants and Bars, Travel Agents and Tourism Operators are set for a rush of hundreds of thousands of tourists as part of a new $1.2 billion support package from the Morrison Government. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while Australia’s economy has recovered 85 per cent of its fall from COVID-19, the next step in the Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan would target the businesses, workers and regions still doing it tough.

The Prime Minister said the package’s mix of half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses and direct support to keep planes in the air, and airline workers in their jobs, would be a bridge to a more normal way of life for Australians.

“This is our ticket to recovery 800,000 half-price airfares to get Australians travelling and supporting tourism operators, businesses, travel agents and airlines who continue to do it tough through COVID-19, while our international borders remain closed,” the Prime Minister said.

A new Aviation Services Assistance Support Program to help ground-handling companies meet the costs of mandatory training, certification and accreditation to ensure they maintain their workforces so they can stand them back up when the market expands again.

The reinstatement of domestic aviation security screening cost rebates for more than 50 regular passenger airports The Morrison Government will expand and extend its ‘SME Loan Guarantee Scheme’ as part of its commitment to support up to $40 billion in lending to small and medium enterprises. Under the existing Scheme, more than 35,000 loans worth more than $3 billion have already been provided, helping thousands of small businesses get to the other side of this pandemic. As we move into the recovery phase, the Scheme will be targeted and tailored to support those businesses that have been relying on Job Keeper during the March quarter. The SME Recovery Loan Scheme will benefit from an increased Government guarantee, increasing from the current 50/50 split between the Government and the banks to an 80/20 split.

This will encourage more banks to support small businesses and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to back those businesses that are prepared to back themselves. The expanded Scheme will also increase the size of eligible loans, increasing from $1 million under the current Scheme to $5 million. Businesses with a higher turnover will also benefit under the expanded Scheme, with the maximum eligible turnover increased from $50 million to $250 million.

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Maximum loan terms under the expanded Scheme will also be increased from 5 to 10 years – providing businesses and lenders with greater flexibility.

The expanded Scheme will also allow lenders to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months. Importantly, the Scheme will also be able to be used by eligible businesses to refinance their existing loans.

This will allow SMEs to access the more concessional interest rates available under the program and to better manage their cash-flows through an extended loan term and lower combined repayments. More than 350,000 current Job Keeper recipients are expected to be eligible under the expanded Scheme. Loans will be available from 1 April 2021 and must be approved prior to 31 December 2021. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this latest package of measures was all part of the Federal Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan.

“We know there are sectors and regions across the country that are continuing to do it tough, which is why we will continue to support the economy with proportionate, timely, saleable and targeted assistance,” the Treasurer said. “Our support for the aviation sector will not just keep planes in the air but will also provide a boost to domestic tourism while our international borders remain closed. “This SME Recovery Scheme is part of the next step in our plan to help small businesses stand on their own two feet as the economy recovers from COVID-19. “The expansion and extension of the loans will back businesses that back themselves and will help businesses who continue to do it tough build a bridge to the other side of the crisis and keep their staff employed.” The Government has also extended the following programs to 30 September 2021: the successful Domestic Aviation Network Support (DANS) and Regional Aviation Network Support (RANS) programs the 50 per cent waiver of domestic air services charges for Regular Public Transport (RPT) and aeromedical flights the International Freight Assistance Mechanism. The $50 million Business Events Grants Program will also be extended by three months to support Australian businesses to hold multi-day business events, covering up to 50 per cent of costs incurred in participating business events during the 2021 calendar year.

This will help restart Australia’s business events sector. The $94.6 million Zoos and Aquarium program will be extended by six months to support zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks to maintain their animal populations where their tourism revenue has been affected by travel and Social Distancing Restrictions.

NEWS FROM VICTORIA

Positive Economic Signs for Victoria 12 March 2021: Treasurer Tim Pallas today released the State’s Mid-Year Financial Report, which shows that more than 170,000 people found employment between September and December 2020 – the highest increase in the nation. The boost in employment shows Victoria is well on the path to reach a target of creating 400 000 jobs by 2025, with half of these by 2022, as part of the Government’s Jobs Plan announced in the 2020-21 Budget.

The unemployment rate declined to 6.5 per cent in December compared with a peak of 7.5 per cent in June 2020. Australian Bureau of Statistics data released last week shows Victoria is bouncing back strongly as state final demand grew by a staggering 6.8 per cent in the December quarter 2020. By comparison,

national demand growth was 3.3 per cent. Victoria’s exceptional growth was fuelled by consumer spending, business investment and dwelling investment. By using the strength of the state’s balance sheet, we have been able to protect the budgets of households and businesses across Victoria. We know that driving economic recovery and growth is not only vital for business, workers and their families, it’s the surest way to reduce deficits and pay down debt.

These results follow the Andrews Labour Government’s recent commitment of almost $49 billion in the 20/21 Budget to create jobs, grow the economy, and continue delivering services and infrastructure. The Government’s major infrastructure projects that are transforming the State

D-Day Revealed for New Melbourne Travel Vouchers

12 March 2021: New $200 travel vouchers will tomorrow be made available for Victorians to visit and stay in Melbourne and experience all that the country’s most vibrant city has to offer.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced the Melbourne Travel Voucher Scheme would open at 10:00am on Friday, 12 March.

Some 40,000 vouchers will be available through the scheme, which will deliver critical support to accommodation providers, attractions, and experiences across the metropolitan area as the city continues its steady recovery from the significant impacts of the global pandemic.

The vouchers will be valid for travel in an eight-week window – from 19 March to 16 May. Based on the experience of the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme, the vouchers are expected to be fully subscribed within minutes – with successful applicants able to use their voucher for travel in 26 local government areas across greater Melbourne. The Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are excluded as they are part of the regional scheme.

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To access the vouchers, visitors must spend $400 or more on accommodation, attractions, or experiences, and must spend a minimum of two nights in paid accommodation.

Applications are open to Victorian residents aged 18 or over.

Households are limited to one voucher from the Melbourne Travel Voucher Scheme and one voucher from the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme. The Melbourne and regional schemes are part of the Labour Government’s $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package to support the sector in its bounce back after the dual impacts of bushfires and coronavirus. Victorians secured 110,000 vouchers valued at $200 in the first two releases of the regional scheme, including 40,000 vouchers currently valid for travel up to 1 April. Some 52,000 claimants in the first round of the regional scheme spent an estimated $85 million across Victoria, bolstering businesses and jobs. Building on this success, a new $10 million investment was announced as part of the recent Circuit Breaker Support Package, adding 10,000 regional vouchers and the 40,000 vouchers for travel in greater Melbourne. Registrations for 50,000 vouchers available in the third round of the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme will open on Tuesday, 30 March.

include the Metro Tunnel, removing 75 level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne and Suburban Roads Upgrade.

The 2020-21 Mid-Year Financial Report presents the financial results for the State of Victoria, including the general government sector, for the six months to 31 December 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Government has invested more than $13 billion to respond to the global pandemic, providing unprecedented support to households and businesses to make sure they see it to the other side. As a result of our increase expenditure, combined with the pandemic’s impact on the state’s taxation revenue, Victoria recorded a deficit for the six months to 31 December of $10.1bn.

Statement from the Premier Mr Daniel Andrew

9 March 2021:“Early this morning, I was admitted to hospital after slipping and falling on wet and slippery stairs. A CT scan has revealed several broken ribs and vertebrae damage, and subsequent medical advice has recommended I remain in intensive care for the next few days. Cath, the kids, and I are extremely grateful to the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who showed such care and kindness to our family this morning, as we are to the clinicians who have taken care of me today. Our warm and sincere thanks go to the many family members, friends, colleagues, and Victorians who have sent messages of love and support throughout the day. Thank you.

I hope to be able to provide another update later this week.

James Merlino will serve as Acting Premier while I recover over the next few days. For now, we would like to ask that our family's privacy is respected.” He is still under continuous observation.

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NEWS FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Three Indian Diaspora voices in WA Parliament this year 2021

Three Indians have made their way into the Western Australia Parliament after the 2021 state elections were conducted on 13 March to elect members to the Parliament, where all 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly and all 36 seats in the Legislative Council were up for election.

The incumbent Labor Government, led by Premier Mark McGowan, won a second consecutive four-year term in office. Their primary challengers were the opposition Liberal Party, led by Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup, and the National Party, led by Mia Davies. Several minor parties also contested the election

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in the Assembly and Council.

representing Pilbara.

Candidates were elected to single-member seats in the Legislative Assembly via fullpreferential instant-runoff voting.

In the Legislative Council, six candidates were elected in each of the six electoral regions through the single transferable vote system with group voting tickets.

The election was conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC).

Michel was born in Golden Rock, India, and migrated to Australia in 1990. He ran an air conditioning business in Karratha before entering politics. Kevin Michel, the Labor candidate who could snatch the seat of Pilbara from Nationals leader Brendon Grylls, wants local business to account for half of all major projects in the region.

Kevin Joseph Jude Michel, born 26 March 1961 in India is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since the 2017 state election,

Mr Michel said he would seek to track local content and lobby big business to boost Pilbara contracts on infrastructure and resource projects, complaining the region currently got only about 10 per cent of the work.

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He said Perth and Eastern States workers were flying in for work and flying out with the profits, claiming the trend had left Karratha with 1000 empty houses.

“It’s cries of passion. It just hurts me to see what is happening,” he said. “I can’t understand why we are suffering in the Pilbara.”

Mr Michel was born in India, moved to Australia 27 years ago and to the Pilbara in 2001.

Dr. Jags (Dr. Jagadish Krishnan), local Labor Candidate won the Riverton seat at the 2021 State Election.

and I’m committed to making sure local families have access to the quality, affordable healthcare you deserve. I worked on the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic and saw first-hand the strength of Western Australians, working together to get through the pandemic," said a statement from the Labor candidate during his election campaigning.

Another Indian candidate who got electedto the WA Parliament is Yaz Mubarakai MLA, the WA Labor Member for State electoral district of Jandakot, in Perth, Western Australia.

"I have been a GP for over 14 years,

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NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND

George Clooney and Julia Roberts heading Palaszczuk Government continues historic investment in child safety to Queensland for screen blockbuster Brisbane, 9 March: Queensland will be home to Academy Award winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts for the filming of Universal Pictures’ Ticket to Paradise this year.

Queensland Premier AnnastaciaPalaszczuk today announced the romantic comedy that brings Clooney and Roberts together again will be filmed exclusively in Queensland at the Whitsundays, the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

“This is huge news for Queensland and further evidence of our global reputation as the place to be for TV and film production,” the Premier said.

“Ticket to Paradise will inject an estimated $32.7 million into the Queensland economy and create more than 1,000 jobs for local cast, crew and extras."

Secured by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, the bigbudget blockbuster features George and Julia as a divorced couple who travel to Bali (for which the Whitsundays will be standing in) to attend their daughter’s wedding. It is directed

by Ol Parker (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again).

“Because of our strong health response and through the efforts of all Queenslanders in dealing with the global pandemic, we’ve

emerged as one of the safest places in the world to film.

“We already had a strong reputation as a screen destination before the pandemic but we’ve definitely had more interest from international productions to film here than ever before which is great because it means more jobs for Queenslanders.

“Queensland is the place to be because of our health response, the range of locations, the weather, our competitive incentives, and world-class talent and crews.

“This latest announcement is further proof that Queensland’s production boom isn’t stopping anytime soon which is great because it means a pipeline of work for our local industry.”

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said that Queensland is punching above its weight as recently confirmed by an Ausfilm announcement that 6 out of 10 international productions entering Australia since July 2020 will film in Queensland.

“Initially it was about finding a COVID-safe place to film, but now the discussions with producers and directors are about the diversity of locations, first-rate sound stages, depth of crew, and just how fantastic it is to work here,” Ms Munnich.

here before are saying to us, ‘we can’t wait to come back and produce more projects in Queensland—you’ve got everything here and it’s just so easy.’ The word is well and truly out!”

Producer Tim Bevan said that he is thrilled to be bringing Ticket to Paradise to Queensland.

“We are making a movie about paradise, and Queensland certainly offers up many stunning locations. We are looking forward to working with fantastic Queensland crews, and to enjoying some famous Queensland hospitality,” Mr Bevan said.

BazLuhrmann’s Elvis project recently wrapped at Village Roadshow Studios, this month Academy Award™-winner Ron Howard starts production on Thirteen Lives about the Thai soccer team cave rescue, and Amazon Original The Wilds S2 also films on the Gold Coast from next month.

Meanwhile, reality TV juggernaut Australian Survivor is heading to Cloncurry in outback Queensland, Universal Studios Group’s Joe Exotic moves on to the lot at Screen Queensland Studios in April, and Fremantle’s new teen series Taylor’s Island will also film on the Gold Coas

“Producers who hadn’t filmed

Queensland Government loan supports local tourism providers Brisbane, 8 March: The Palaszczuk Government has provided a lifeline to hundreds of local Queensland tourism operators and suppliers.

Treasurer and Minister for Investment Cameron Dick said a conditional loan was provided to Imperium Tourism Holdings through the government’s Industry Support Package.

“Although Queensland’s tourism sector is now rebuilding, we know the sector faced incredible challenges in 2020 and is challenged again in 2021,” Mr Dick

said.

“When COVID-19 emerged and borders closed, tourists began cancelling trips and the tourism industry experienced significant cashflow problems affecting both customers and suppliers who were left out-of-pocket and awaiting payment.

“This loan has enabled over 540 payments to Queensland tourism businesses and Queenslandbased suppliers.

“These businesses offer visitor experiences throughout regional

Queensland such as tours, activities, day trips, travel and accommodation.

“The loan provided to Imperium Tourism Holdings was structured using a trust account arrangement. This meant that payments were made directly to Queensland tourism operators and Queensland-based suppliers.

“The terms of the agreement also require Imperium Tourism Holdings to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest to the Queensland Government.”

Queensland welcomes disaster assistance to support northern producers Brisbane, 8 March: Critical disaster assistance will now flow to primary producers in North Queensland impacted by Tropical Cyclone Niran.

Financial assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said the activation of the DRFA was vital to help kick-start the recovery of impacted primary producers in Cassowary Coast, Cairns, Hinchinbrook, Mareeba and Tablelands.

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“This activation is critical to providing financial support so that impacted producers can begin to recover from the effects of the cyclone,” Minister Ryan said.

"I spent Saturday afternoon talking to growers and seeing the damage in Innisfail first hand, and it is imperative that we respond to the situation," Mr Furner said.

“The Queensland Government has resources on the ground continuing to assess the damage and we’ll work with the Commonwealth to extend DRFA assistance as necessary,” he said.

“I welcome the support producers can now access in the form of concessional loans of up to $250,000 to repair or replace damaged buildings or equipment affected by Tropical Cyclone Niran.

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said he was pleased to see support will flow to primary producers in the region.

“Subsidies to the value of $5000 are also available to assist with the freight costs of moving livestock, crops, fodder and water, as well as other farm equipment,” he said.

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Brisbane, 4 March: Positions for more than 150 new frontline child safety workers will be created to boost services for Queensland’s most vulnerable children and families.

Children and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the significant increase in numbers meant child safety officers (CSOs) could create more meaningful relationships with children and families in need.

“Covid and the increasing abuse of methamphetamines and ice have created an unprecedented demand on our child safety network,” the Minister said.

“More frontline staff means we’ll be working more intensively with children and families, sooner.

“The new staff will be rolled out across the next two years.

“Our child safety workers do incredible work in often unimaginable circumstances and I can’t tell you how much that work is valued and appreciated.

“Since 2015, we have invested more than $850 million in our child safety system, including restoring and increasing child safety staff levels by 550, including 39 this financial year.”

Today’s announcement follows a record $1.475 billion investment in child and family services in the 2020/21 budget, including: • $166.6 million to continue our commitment to early intervention through Family and Child Connect, Intensive Family Support, Family Participation Programs and Family Wellbeing Services, and continued implementation of key reforms, such as Supporting Families Changing Futures, with sector and community stakeholders.

• $98.4 million to manage increasing demand in the child protection system.

The 154 positions announced today will be made up of 105 CSOs, 18 senior team leaders, 18 child safety support officers and about 13 administration officers. $8 m partnership kicks goals for community AFL The Palaszczuk Government and the Australian Football League (AFL) have teamed up with an $8 million partnership to support new community AFL facilities and boost player participation.

Member for Greenslopes Joe Kelly welcomed the launch of the partnership at Coorparoo AFC

which will see the AFL match the Palaszczuk Government’s Grand Final Infrastructure Legacy funding dollar for dollar.

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the $8 million partnership was part of the legacy of hosting last year’s historic AFL Grand Final at the Gabba.

Across Queensland • In 2019, more Queenslanders (277k) participated in AFL than ever before.

• 42% of participants in Queensland are now female.

• Since 2014 female participation in clubs has increased by 48% • Despite COVID, 2020 saw record registration number for AFL SEQ Juniors.

• In 2021, the AFL’s StreetSmart Q-Schools Cup is on course to achieve a record number of team registrations beating the 602 teams registered in 2019.

• Despite the growth in female participation, only one third (36%) of change facilities are female friendly, this drops to an average of 28% in the regions.

• Only 44% of clubs in regional areas have competition standard (100LUX) lighting meaning many clubs across north Queensland have to play through the heat of the day and can’t train during the week.

Key Program Aims • Maximise available carrying capacity of existing venues and the quality/ functionality of field of play supporting infrastructure.

• Develop increased supply through construction of new ovals, especially in growing communities, in a variety of traditional or innovative settings.

• Provide inclusive and accessible facilities that cater for the diversity of participants, particularly female participants, which wish to participate in our game.

• Develop venues to support the elite game and the sport’s complete talent pathway, umpiring, staff, landmark heritage sites and people working and volunteering within the game.

• Enable planning and project partnerships to form with a range of government and non-government bodies to result in an improved quantity, quality and welcoming venue network for Australian football.

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

Two of the Gold Coast’s most prolific artists join forces to celebrate diversity at Cavill Lane's 'Arts in the Alley'

NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND

Srihan Misra from Queensland University selected for Youth Parliament Srihan has been allocated the portfolio of Science, Technology & Digital Economies and looks forward to the induction ceremony in April and parliament sitting in September.

Two of the Gold Coast's most prolific artists have joined forces on a mission to celebrate diversity, and showcase the region’s finest artistic talent.

Visual artist, Tracie Eaton and performing artist, Aarti Bajaj will be collaborating to present an experience like no other, demonstrating both visual arts and performing arts to the public on Wednesday, 17th of March, 2021 between 6-8pm at the Gold Coast's brand new arts festival, ‘Arts in the Alley’ presented by Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise.

Inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Choose To Challenge’, the creative pair have come together to create a truly unique experience depicting the contrast between what is perceived and seen visually versus what is within us all.

“Through the art of bodypainting and dance, we will be highlighting the cracks, the fears and the challenges we all face as part of the human experience,” said Ms Eaton.

“Our project aims to represent the fact that whilst we may all experience success, we still all have moments of doubt.”

‘Arts in the Alley’ is the first step

by Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise toward its vision of positioning itself as an artistic hub on the Gold Coast.

“Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise is excited to set the stage for local arts, culture and entertainment right in the heart of the city through our debut arts festival, ‘Arts in the Alley’,” said Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise Marketing & Events Manager, Carleen Janlewicz.

“We realise the importance of supporting our locals, businesses and visitors in our diverse precinct and aim to foster the Gold Coast creative industry.”

It was this vision and commitment to pull together artists of all descriptions that motivated both Ms Eaton and Ms Bajaj to accept the invitation to perform as special VIP guests at the festival.

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“I am a big advocate of diversity in the arts, as is Aarti, so we were both impressed by the steps being taken by Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise to position itself as the Gold Coast’s ‘hub of the arts”,” said Ms Eaton.

Ms Eaton, otherwise known as “Australia’s Artist to the Stars”, is in the midst of creating exquisite and inspired original prestige artwork for Hollywood’s Elite, following exclusive commission for inclusion in giftbags celebrating 2021 Academy Awards’ nominees, for the third consecutive year.

Ms Eaton has created bespoke artwork for stars such as Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Renee Zellweger - but to name a few.

A medical sonographer by trade, Ms Bajaj holds a bachelor’s degree in Indian classical dance – Bharatnatyam and is the creative director of both 9 Expressions School of Performing Arts on the Gold Coast, and Wild Dreamer Productions Australia, a groundbreaking production house aiming to bring voluminous new stories to life, whilst also creating a platform to give different artists the opportunity where they don’t need a profile to share their talent.

"The primary vision and ethos of Wild Dreamer Productions is to bring local talent together wherever the production goes," said Ms Bajaj.

“I am tremendously passionate about the arts sector, especially that of the Gold Coast arts community, and I’m determined to see it come back to life after the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on all public performances, displays and shows.”

As per a statement from the young leader, "It will be an invaluable experience to understand the workings of the government, complexities of preparing draft bills, debating and having them passed, contesting elections and roles of premier, leader of the opposition and other functionaries. It is also an opportunity to share the 21st century perspective of Australia's youth with the government."

Brisbane, 8 March: In a delightful news for the Australian Indian community, Srihan Misra, 19, who is currently pursuing Bachelor of Science program at the Queensland University of

Technology, has been selected into the Youth Parliament as the Member for the Inala electorate, from where Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is the sitting Member of Parliament.

The program is being run for 26 years by YMCA Youth Parliament and is supported by Office of Youth, Queensland Government and Queensland Parliamentary Service.

Go, Srihan! Good on you.

Happy

Holi

Best wishes for a happy and colourful Holi

Ms Bajaj’s newest production is VOID, a dramatic two-person musical theatre which will play three shows at HOTA on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of June, 2021, with tickets being released to the public for purchase on the 19th of March, 2021.

Paul Scarr Senator for Queensland

‘Arts in the Alley’ presented by Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise is a free, all ages, arts festival for the entire community to enjoy running from Friday, 12th of March through to Saturday, 20th of March, 2021.

Authorised by A.Hirst, Liberal Party of Australia, Cnr Blackall and Macquarie Sts, Barton ACT 2600.

Scott Morrison Prime Minister

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Alex Hawke Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Member for Mitchell

Amanda Stoker Senator for Queensland

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

NEWS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES

Government efforts on revival of Australian aviation and tourism industry The Morrison Government will expand and extend its ‘SME Loan Guarantee Scheme’ as part of its commitment to support up to $40 billion in lending to small and medium enterprises.

Under the existing Scheme, more than 35,000 loans worth more than $3 billion have already been provided, helping thousands of small businesses get to the other side of this pandemic.

As we move into the recovery phase, the Scheme will be targeted and tailored to support those businesses that have been relying on JobKeeper during the March quarter.

The SME Recovery Loan Scheme will benefit from an increased Government guarantee, increasing from the current 50/50 split between the Government and the banks to an 80/20 split.

This will encourage more banks to support small businesses and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to back those businesses that are prepared to back themselves.

Sydney, Mar 12: Australia’s airlines, hotels and caravan parks, restaurants and bars, travel agents and tourism operators are set for a rush of hundreds of thousands of tourists as part of a new $1.2 billion support package from the Morrison Government.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while Australia’s economy had recovered 85 per cent of its fall from COVID-19, the next step in the Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan would target the businesses, workers and regions still doing it tough.

The Prime Minister said the package’s mix of half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses and direct support to keep planes in the air, and airline workers in their jobs, would be a bridge to a more normal way of life for Australians.

“This is our ticket to recovery 800,000 half-price airfares to get Australians travelling and supporting tourism operators, businesses, travel agents and airlines who continue to do it tough through COVID-19, while our international borders remain closed,” the Prime Minister said.

“This package will take more tourists to our hotels and cafes, taking tours and exploring our backyard. That means more jobs and investment for the tourism and aviation sectors as Australia heads towards winning our fight against COVID-19 and the restrictions that have hurt so many businesses.”

“Our tourism businesses don’t want to rely on government support forever. They want their

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tourists back. This package, combined with our vaccine rollout which is gathering pace, is part of our National Economic Recovery Plan and the bridge that will help get them back to normal trading.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the measures would work hand-in-hand to boost interstate tourism and aviation in key regions significantly impacted by the loss of tourists.

“The new Tourism Aviation Network Support (TANS) Program will give Australians clear incentives to travel to key domestic tourism areas,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Discounts will be offered on tens of thousands of fares per week across an initial 13 key tourism regions.

“We’re working with airlines to increase the number of flights to these tourism areas – giving travellers the flexibility needed when organising dream holidays to destinations such as Tropical North Queensland and Kangaroo Island.

“In a big win for local communities, especially in regional Australia, we will continue to financially support flights which are so key to health services, employment opportunities and social activities.

“We’re also backing the workforces of our international airlines and the teams and

infrastructure they need so that when tourism takes off again and our borders reopen, our airlines are ready to go.”

The half-price ticket program will initially operate to 13 key regions including; the Gold Coast, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Mackay region (Proserpine and Hamilton Island), the Sunshine Coast, Lasseter and Alice Springs, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, Broome, Avalon, Merimbula, and Kangaroo Island.

Flights, routes and the total number of tickets will be driven by demand and are subject to final discussions with the airlines.

The discounts will be off the average fare and will be available on airline websites from 1 April.

Other new measures in the support package include: • New International Aviation Support to help Australia’s international passenger airlines maintain more than 8,000 core international aviation jobs • Support for regular passenger airports to meet their domestic security screening costs • A new Aviation Services Assistance Support Program to help ground-handling companies meet the costs of mandatory training, certification and accreditation to ensure they maintain their workforces so they can stand them back up when the market expands again.

• The reinstatement of domestic aviation security screening cost rebates for more than 50 regular passenger airports

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The expanded Scheme will also increase the size of eligible loans, increasing from $1 million under the current Scheme to $5 million. Businesses with a higher turnover will also benefit under the expanded Scheme, with the maximum eligible turnover increased from $50 million to $250 million.

Maximum loan terms under the expanded Scheme will also be increased from 5 to 10 years – providing businesses and lenders with greater flexibility.

The expanded Scheme will also allow lenders to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months.

Importantly, the Scheme will also be able to be used by eligible businesses to refinance their existing loans. This will allow SMEs to access the more concessional interest rates available under the program and to better manage their cash-flows through an extended loan term and lower combined repayments.

More than 350,000 current JobKeeper recipients are expected to be eligible under the expanded Scheme. Loans will be available from 1 April 2021 and must be approved prior to 31 December 2021.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this latest package of measures was all part of the Federal Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan.

“We know there are sectors and regions across the country that are continuing to do it tough, which is why we will continue to support the economy with proportionate, timely, scaleable and targeted assistance,” the Treasurer said.

“Our support for the aviation

sector will not just keep planes in the air but will also provide a boost to domestic tourism while our international borders remain closed.

“This SME Recovery Scheme is part of the next step in our plan to help small businesses stand on their own two feet as the economy recovers from COVID-19.

“The expansion and extension of the loans will back businesses that back themselves and will help businesses who continue to do it tough build a bridge to the other side of the crisis and keep their staff employed.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the Government was also extending temporary, targeted measures for parts of the tourism sector impacted most from border closures.

“The thing our tourism operators want more than anything is tourists so we need Australians to do their patriotic duty and book a holiday this year because every dollar spent on an Australian holiday is a dollar that supports a local job and a local business,” Minister Tehan said.

“Our Government’s support package will help get more Australians into those tourist areas most impacted by border lockdowns, and we need states and territories to do their part by agreeing to a nationally consistent approach to using border closures and lockdowns as a last resort on medical advice.”

The Government has also extended the following programs to 30 September 2021: • the successful Domestic Aviation Network Support (DANS) and Regional Aviation Network Support (RANS) programs • the 50 per cent waiver of domestic air services charges for Regular Public Transport (RPT) and aeromedical flights • the International Freight Assistance Mechanism.

The $50 million Business Events Grants Program will also be extended by three months to support Australian businesses to hold multi-day business events, covering up to 50 per cent of costs incurred in participating business events during the 2021 calendar year. This will help restart Australia’s business events sector.

The $94.6 million Zoos and Aquarium program will be extended by six months to support zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks to maintain their animal populations where their tourism revenue has been affected by travel and social distancing restrictions.

The COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program will also be extended for three months beyond 13 March.

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

QUAD Leaders and joint statement: The spirit of the QUAD 1. Canberra, Mar 13: We have convened to reaffirm our commitment to quadrilateral cooperation between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. We bring diverse perspectives and are united in a shared vision for the free and open Indo-Pacific. We strive for a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion. We recall that our joint efforts toward this positive vision arose out of an international tragedy, the tsunami of 2004. Today, the global devastation wrought by COVID-19, the threat of climate change, and security challenges facing the region summon us with renewed purpose. On this historic occasion of March 12, 2021, the first-ever leader-level summit of the Quad, we pledge to strengthen our cooperation on the defining challenges of our time.

2. Together, we commit to promoting a free, open rules-based order, rooted in international law to advance security and prosperity and counter threats to both in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We support the rule of law, freedom of navigation and over flight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity. We commit to work together and with a range of partners. We reaffirm our strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Full of potential, the Quad looks forward to the future; it seeks to uphold peace and prosperity and strengthen democratic resilience, based on universal values.

3. Our common goals require us

to reckon with the most urgent of global challenges. Today, we pledge to respond to the economic and health impacts of COVID-19, combat climate change, and address shared challenges, including in cyber space, critical technologies, counterterrorism, quality infrastructure investment, and humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief as well as maritime domains.

4. Building on the progress our countries have achieved on health security, we will join forces to expand safe, affordable, and effective vaccine production and equitable access, to speed economic recovery and benefit global health. With steadfast commitment to the health and safety of our own people, we also recognize that none of us can be safe as long as the pandemic continues to spread.

We will, therefore, collaborate to strengthen equitable vaccine access for the Indo-Pacific, with close coordination with multilateral organizations including the World Health Organization and COVAX. We call for transparent and resultsoriented reform at the World Health Organization. We are united in recognizing that climate change is a global priority and will work to strengthen the climate actions of all nations, including to keep a Parisaligned temperature limit within reach. We look forward to a successful COP 26 in Glasgow.

We will begin cooperation on the critical technologies of the future to ensure that innovation is consistent with a free, open, inclusive, and resilient IndoPacific. We will continue to prioritize the role of international

law in the maritime domain, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and facilitate collaboration, including in maritime security, to meet challenges to the rulesbased maritime order in the East and South China Seas. We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, and also confirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees. As long-standing supporters of Myanmar and its people, we emphasize the urgent need to restore democracy and the priority of strengthening democratic resilience.

5. To advance these goals and others, we will redouble our commitment to Quad engagement. We will combine our nations’ medical, scientific, financing, manufacturing and delivery, and development capabilities and establish a vaccine expert working group to implement our path-breaking commitment to safe and effective vaccine distribution; we will launch a critical- and emerging-technology working group to facilitate cooperation on international standards and innovative technologies of the future; and we will establish a climate working group to strengthen climate actions globally on mitigation, adaptation, resilience, technology, capacitybuilding, and climate finance. Our experts and senior officials will continue to meet regularly; our Foreign Ministers will converse often and meet at least once a year.

NEWS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES

Government backing on Australia’s family owned automotive industry Canberra, Mar 12: The Morrison Government will protect Australia’s familyowned automotive businesses and their employees from the growing power imbalance with multi-national car companies by introducing new significant financial penalties for wrongdoing under the Franchising Code of Conduct.

A fine of up to $10 million could be given to international car companies that undertake systemic breaches under the Code, including unilaterally changing contracts, poor compensation and reneging on warranties.

The existing voluntary automotive principles will be made compulsory and a new mandatory automotive code will be strongly considered, following consultation.

The Government will also explore mandatory binding arbitration provisions within this new code, similar to those in the Media Bargaining Code, which were developed to curtail the power of the Big Tech platforms.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s automotive dealers employed more than 60,000 Australians, including 4,000 apprentices, and contributes more than $12 billion to the economy.

“We stand up for Australian jobs and Australian businesses,” the Prime Minister said.

“We stood up to Big Tech companies and we will stand up to multi-national car companies who are riding roughshod over many family-owned Australia car dealers.”

“By protecting these businesses, we will be protecting the thousands of jobs that rely on the sector, including many apprentices.

“Car sales are surging and it’s further proof that the Australian economy is on the comeback. We need to ensure Australian familyowned automotive businesses continue to reap the rewards of this growth and the support from

our supercharged instant asset write-off.”

The new measures announced today will: • Increase available penalties under the Franchising Code to up to $10 million. This will strengthen penalties for wilful, egregious and systemic breaches of the Franchising Code by large and profitable multinational companies.

• Establish best practice by transforming existing voluntary principles into mandatory obligations under the Franchising Code. This will address concerns multi-national manufacturers won’t follow voluntary principles.

• Ensure that the Franchising Code keeps pace with changes to business practice by explicitly recognising that dealers operating as a manufacturer’s agent in relation to new vehicle sales are still protected by the Franchising Code.

Minister Cash said, “This is a decisive suite of reforms for automotive dealerships and the many local businesses, apprentices, charities and broader communities that they in turn support.

“The Government is fully committed to enacting reforms that are impactful and deliver for the nation and regions where transport is integral for economic and social needs.”

“This is a landmark set of reforms for the automotive industry, building on the critical work done by the Government, most recently with the announcement of the automotive principles to deliver for consumers in December 2020.

“I am looking forward to working together with the industry to ensure the reforms made will better the overall experience of consumers, who ultimately drive the demand that underpins the viability of the automotive sector.”

In addition, the Government is committed to working further with the automotive franchising sector and will consult on: •

Ensuring appropriate

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15

INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

NEWS FROM THE ACT

Prime Minister’s update on COVID-19 Healthy Harold rolls in Vaccine Strategy following the National with better accessibility Cabinet meeting on 5 March 2021

T

he National Cabinet met on 5 March 2021 to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy. National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.

There have been 29,020 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 909 people have died.

There are currently 24 people in hospital. More than 14.5 million tests have been undertaken in Australia. Australia’s existing systems built around social distancing, testing, tracing, local health responses and quarantine have effectively mitigated the broader spread of COVID-19 virus and new variants of COVID-19 into the Australian community.

COVID-19 vaccines will further strengthen Australia’s ability to control the virus.

Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most

countries around the world.

National Cabinet noted the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries and the comparative strength of Australia’s effort in addressing COVID compared to most other developed economies. Globally there have been over 115.5 million cases and sadly over 2.5 million deaths, with around 446,000 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

National Cabinet received a detailed update from Professor Brendan Murphy, Chair of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly on the Australian Vaccination and Treatment Strategy.

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out is on track. 71,867 Australians have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Commonwealth Government has allocated over $6 billion to support the vaccine roll out with contracts for over 150 million COVID-19 vaccines, through a diverse vaccine portfolio. Since the last meeting of National

Cabinet, the roll out of the Pfizer vaccine commenced on 22 February 2020, with first vaccinations of the AstraZeneca/ Oxford vaccine in South Australia. Onshore supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine is on track to commence during the week commencing 22 March 2021. The COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy, agreed by National Cabinet, prioritises those Australians most at risk of COVID-19, including Australia’s front line health workers, aged care residents and staff and quarantine workers.

National Cabinet also discussed week’s economic growth figures which showed that in the December quarter the Australian economy grew a record 3.1 per cent, the second consecutive quarter above 3 per cent. The Australian economy has now recovered 85 per cent of its COVID-induced fall, six months earlier and twice as fast as expected in the October Budget.

The recovery continues to lead the world with our economy outperforming all other advanced economies in 2020. While the United Kingdom contracted by 9.9 per cent, Italy 8.9 per cent, France 8.2 per cent, Canada 5 per cent, Japan 4.8 per cent, the United States 3.3 per cent, Australia was only down by 2.5 per cent.

These results occurred at a time when emergency support was tapering off, with the private sector stepping up.

Nature Play Grants making maths fun

Canberra, March 4: A group of Canberra Educators are on a mission to help young people learn basic maths principles while spending time with nature.

Local organisation mini MATHS produces maths workbooks filled with fun and engaging activities designed to be completed outside using natural resources – such as rocks, leaves, flowers, sticks and feathers. Mini MATHS Creator and President of the Canberra Mathematical Association Bruce Ferrington said the books were designed for preschool aged children but could be easily adapted for Kindergarten to Year 2 classes as well.

Government’s Nature Play Grants for the past three years, mini MATHS has been able to produce a new book each year and deliver it to preschools across Canberra.

Nature Play Grants are designed to encourage all Canberrans – young and old – to spend more time outside in the bush capital.

Grants are awarded to eligible organisations that find innovative ways to keep the community active through outdoor play.

Following interest from teachers across Australia and around the world, miniMATHS used their 2020 grant to help build a website, ensuring that teachers near and

far could access the math books, and parents (when children were learning from home) had plenty of help teaching maths. miniMATHS is now looking to create a fourth miniMATHS book, should they be successful in their 2021 grant application.

“We’re not just building a oneoff thing, the grants are helping us build a community where all young Canberrans can learn basic maths principles whilst spending time outdoors,” Bruce said.

Canberra has an abundance of beautiful outdoor areas, open spaces and natural landscapes.

International Passenger Arrival Caps

National Cabinet reaffirmed a shared priority to supporting Australians to return home.

Current international passenger arrival caps will continue to 30 April 2021 pending a further review of arrangements at the next meeting of National Cabinet.

National Cabinet noted Western Australia’s staged return to a cap of 1025 passengers per week from 26 March which commenced with an increase to 900 passengers per week on 1 March. This follows a decision by the WA Government to reduce the number of international air arrivals as it undertakes a review of hotel quarantine processes.

National Cabinet also noted a commitment from Victoria to resume international passenger flights into Melbourne as soon as possible. International flights into Victoria were suspended on 13 February with the exception of flights under the New Zealand

NSW educators recently visited Canberra Christian School, which Principal Bree Hills said was a fantastic experience.

“This year the mobile classroom has a wheelchair lift to ensure wheelchair access for students who require the support,” Ms Hills said.

“As a principal I feel this is a well needed and welcome addition to the classroom, to ensure all students are able to access the valuable curriculum and educational opportunities provided by Life Education.

This is a great move to ensure inclusion for all students.”

CEO of Life Education NSW/ ACT Jonathon Peatfield said the installation of the wheelchair lift was an important addition to the mobile classroom, ensuring all young Canberrans could participate in the Life Education program.

Construction underway across Belconnen roads Canberra, March 5: Construction is well and truly underway across the Belconnen Road Network with traffic lights, duplicated lanes, new paths and bigger storm water pipes all on the way. Earthworks commenced in the last week on the duplication of the road running between Ginninderra Drive and the Barton Highway.

The speed limit has been reduced to 60km/h, please be mindful of construction vehicles and our project team and drive carefully.

Traffic lights are being installed at three intersections: Kuringa Drive/Owen Dixon Drive, Evatt Southern Cross Drive/Starke Street, Holt Belconnen Way/Springvale Drive, Hawker.

There are changed traffic arrangements across the three intersections, including road closures and restricted turning movements in and out of the intersections.

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“When we were making the books, we knew they had to be small, had to be portable and rain-proof as well,” Bruce said.

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Canberra, March 4: For decades, Canberra kids have enjoyed visits from Healthy Harold in the Life Education ACT mobile classroom. Now even more children will be able to access the health education service thanks to the ACT Government’s Disability Inclusion Grant program, which funded a new wheelchair lift for the van.

Disability Inclusion Grants are available to community groups, not-for-profit organisations and small businesses to improve access to their services for people with disability. Last year, 14 local groups, businesses and organisations received a share of $100,000 in Disability Inclusion Grants. Other recipients included the Canberra Railway Museum, Canberra Community Law, the ACT Table Tennis Association and Nutrition Australia ACT. A full list of recipients and the improvements they were able to make is available here. Healthy Harold and Life Education ACT/

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16

INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

PM urged to provide gender sensitive infrastructure

How Bollywood celebs are leading the women's empowerment drive New Delhi, March 7 #IAmGenerationEquality is the theme of the International Womens Day 2020. In the new decade, we are looking at women being their fierce powerful selves and reclaiming all that is rightfully theirs. The past decade came as a much-needed revelation of how women were perceived and what needed to change. Bollywood celebs have played a pivotal role in inspiring the change by voicing their opinion and supporting women related causes: Here is a look at some causes that these thoughtful celebs have voiced through the years: Bhumi Pednekar

New Delhi, March 6: Azad Foundation, a non-profit organization, working since 2008 to provide livelihoods with dignity for resource-poor women in urban areas across India; having trained 2000+ women of whom 1,000+ are working as commercial chauffeurs on roads of Delhi, Jaipur and Kolkata appealed on the occasion of ‘Womens Day to the Honourable Prime Minister & Minister of Women and Child Development, to create gender sensitive infrastructure to enable increased work participation of women.

The declining women's labour force participation (From 37% in 2006- 18% in 2019), gender pay gap (23%), high rates of informal work (93%) with lack of social security are seen as impediments to the goal of gender equality and empowerment of women in India.

World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report (2020) ranks India at a low of 149 out of 153 countries on economic participation and opportunity but it also estimates that raising women's participation in the labour force can increase India's GDP by 27%.

Azad Foundation believes that infrastructure and norms play a crucial role in impeding women's entry and sustenance in the workforce today. According to Ms. Meenu Vadera, Founder and Executive Director, Azad Foundation "We appeal to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and Minister of Women and Child Development for their attention and positive action towards creating gender sensitive infrastructure. We have learnt through our experience on the ground, the critical role of gender sensitive infrastructure in reducing the burden of unpaid care work, enabling access to public spaces all of which increase participation of women in the workforce. To facilitate the same, we appeal for the following interventions" Infrastructure and Quality Public Services that reduce the burden

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of care work 1. Full time creches for children - Allocation of Full Time quality creches for children upto 12 years near homes and workplaces.

This will ensure that all working mothers can leave their children in a safe environment.

2. More affordable and safe working women hostels - Needed especially for women from under privileged communities.

Increasingly young talented women are looking for employment opportunities that require travelling long distances.

Women migrants need safe and affordable working women hostels that can also encourage many more families to let the young women take on careers and be independent.

3. Safe and accessible women's shelter homes -Every third woman, since the age of 15, has faced domestic violence of various forms in the country (National Family Health Survey 4).For women to be able to work, quick, efficient and reliable support is required to address violence they face in their homes. An important support in this is to have safe and accessible women's shelter homes

Through her years in the industry, Bhumi has taken on unconventional roles in movies such as "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha", "Saand Ki Aankh", "Pati Patni aur Who", etc. Issues concerning women are close to her heart and she always makes sure to voice it out. She has used her influence to help support and raise awareness about them. She has used social media as a tool to voice her opinions and support on pollution, climate change, domestic violence. Her latest initiative is to support Whisper's #KeepGirlsInSchool campaign.

This campaign talks about how even today 1 in 5 girl's drops out of school due to no menstrual hygiene education and sanitary

solution.

Taapsee Pannu Taapsee has established herself as a leading lady who walks the talk.

She takes on films that address pressing issues that women deal with. With "Pink", "Mission Mangal","Naam Shabana", and now "Thappad" she has empowered women and lent largely to those causes one role at a time.

While promoting her movie "Naam Shabana" she featured in a new video for a popular YouTube channel in which she said that, "Every woman should learn to protect herself, and the only thing a woman needs to apologise for, to herself and not the world, is for not hitting back up until now".

Radhika Apte Radhika Apte is extremely dynamic and is inarguably a one-woman army. With amazing Bollywood blockbusters to being the name that is synonymous to Netflix. Alongside this, she has been a strong spokesperson towards women issues. She voiced her support towards the recently announced Weinstein verdict in an interview with Gulf news tabloid by saying that, "It's the right way of moving forwarde A lot of injustice has been done to women and men who go through sexual harassment at work and it's high time we speak about it".

Swara Bhaskar

The letter of appeal has been submitted to, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Housing and urban Development.

Richa Chadha Richa is one person you should follow on social media for her strong and defined opinions. Her self-confident is infections and she repeatedly reminds us that we are as empowered as men are even in a seemingly maledominated society. She has also brought to the fore the fact that women are treated unfairly by the media and questioned the media as to why male actors are not asked if they make jingoistic films. She also expressed her disgust toward the incident that took place in Bhuj, Gujarat hence asserting herself as someone who stands in support of women.

Rani Mukerji: Power with women to change how she's represented really fantastic self-reliant women on screen and live their inspiring stories closely. Like me, many actresses over generations have tried to change the conversation about how women are portrayed on screen," she said.

Rani feels blessed that through her films she was given an opportunity to change the conversation of female representation in India.

Rani's last two films were "Hichki" and "Mardaani 2". She says she wants to continue finding unconventional scripts as these while representing women on screen.

Increasing access in public paces

2. Safe Public Transport- A comprehensive public transport policy that ensures safety for all by promoting more women in public transport as drivers, conductors etc

causes she chooses to stand for. Her fierceness encourages many women to be courageous.

On many occasions, she has supported women's rights and issues. One such occasion was a video that she featured in for International Women's Day where she addressed women's sexuality. She said, "People are squeamish about female sexuality.

We are embarrassed about female sexuality and the female body, and if someone talks about it in a normal way, the reaction is eoh my God'. The ehawww' feeling (of being astonished) is a big one in the lives of women; it's silly and wrong. It is reflective of the kind of society we live in".

Swara is unapologetic in the

4. Ensure basic public provisions like piped water at household level- to reduce the time taken by women to fill water for the household.

1. Safe, hygienic and functional washrooms that are accessible from the road- at petrol pumps ,local shopping areas and bus stops

WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL

Mumbai, March 8 (IANS) Actress Rani Mukerji says the power lies with women to change the perception about how they are represented in every aspect of filmmaking. On the occasion of Womens Day on Monday, Rani added that if women celebrated each others success, they would be heard all the more.

aspect of film-making. We have to support each other, root for each other and empower each other, so that the road is smoother for others who want to make a name for themselves in the male-driven industry. We have to celebrate each other and our successes collectively to ensure that we are all heard all the more," Rani said.

"In my journey in the Hindi film industry, I have realised that the power is with the women to change the perception about how women are represented in every

She considers herself fortunate to have got the opportunity to bring fantastic characters to life.

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"As an artiste, I have been fortunate enough to play some

"I have throughout my career made conscious decisions to portray strong women characters on screen who led by example for society. I have chosen to play women characters who can command respect, because of their uninhibited life choices," she said.

"I will be inclined to pick projects that have a powerful story to tell through the eyes of a bold, upright woman who doesn't fear voicing her opinions and is confident about being herself," she summed up.

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Australian AG denies historical rape allegation

NZ mourn victims of Christchurch mosque attacks

did not happen, I must say so publicly."

The alleged victim contacted New South Wales (NSW) Police in 2019 but took her own life in 2020.

On March 2, NSW Police said there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to investigate the allegations and it was closed.

Porter said he would not stand down as AG but would take a "short period of leave" to improve his mental health.

Canberra, March 3 (IANS): Australia's Attorney General (AG) Christian Porter has identified himself as the government minister facing a historical rape allegation and fronted the media on March 3 to deny the allegation.

allegations that Porter raped a 16-year-old girl in Sydney in 1988, about 20 years before he entered politics in Western Australia and 25 years before he entered federal Parliament, at which time he was 17.

The allegation came to light at the end of February in an anonymous letter sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and members of the Greens and Labor parties.

Porter said that it "simply did not happen".

The letter included detailed

"Because what is being alleged

"Nothing in the allegations that have been printed ever happened," he said on March 3.

Porter's press conference on March 3 came days after former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who said he learned of the allegations in 2019, publicly urged the minister accused of rape to "front up" to the allegations.

The government is facing increasing pressure to establish an independent inquiry into the allegations.

Porter on March 3apologised to his ministerial colleagues who have been the target of "allegations and speculation".

599,000 Covid deaths predicted in US by July Washington, March 13 (IANS): An influential coronavirus model has predicted an estimated 599,000 cumulative deaths in the US by July 1.

This represents 75,000 additional deaths from March 8 to July 1, according to the latest forecast from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

The IHME estimated that 87,200 lives will be saved by the projected Covid-19 vaccine rollout

by July 1, Xinhua news agency.

Daily infections are expected to remain steady at over 125,000 per day until late March, and then steadily decline, according to the projection.

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At some point from March through July 1, 18 states will have high or extreme stress on hospital beds, according to the IHME. Daily Covid-19 cases and deaths continue to decline across the nation.

However, transmission is increasing in 19 states, data of the IHME show.

Experts have warned transmission could easily increase enough to counteract the effect of vaccination scale-up if people relax protective measures such as mask wearing and social distancing.

As of Saturday, the country's Covid-19 death toll and caseload stood at 532,400 and 29,343,530, respectively.

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Christchurch, March 13 (IANS): An official remembrance service was held on Saturday to mourn the 51 victims of the terror attacks at the two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch city in March 2019.

Many others were also injured and traumatised in the terror attacks of the day two years ago, which according to Prime Minster JacindaArdern was "New Zealand's darkest day", reports Xinhua news agency Last year's national remembrance service to mark the first anniversary was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The second anniversary service, which was attended by about 1,000 people, became the first national memorial held after the tragic incident.

With the country currently at Covid-19 Alert Level 1, this year's remembrance service got the green light to go.

Measures were put in place to keep people safe, including encouraging physical distancing and use of the New Zealand Covid tracer apps.

Those most affected by the attacks, including survivors and families of the victims, told their stories at the event named "KoTatou, Tatou, We Are One".

The service was also livestreamed.

It is an opportunity to remember those who died in the attacks on the Christchurch mosques two years ago, the organisers said.

The service was jointly led by the local Muslim community, the government, and other social

groups.

Those who died in the attacks were honoured in a portrait of remembrance on screen at the event, while the names of the 51 men, women and children killed in the shootings were read out, and a minute's silence was observed.

Ardern told the crowds of people that "much has been said, but words, despite their healing power, will never change what happened that day".

"Words will not bring back those men, women and children who gathered at their place of worship, quietly and peacefully when they were taken in an act of terror.

"Words will not take away the trauma that families, those who were injured, first responders, passersby who became rescuers and so many others experienced that day. But while words cannot perform miracles, they do have a power to heal. That means we must use them wisely," said the Prime Minister.

Mayor of Christchurch LianneDalziel said the second anniversary is an opportunity for people to come together in unity as they did in the wake of the attacks.

"We can join together to remember those who died and were injured and traumatized, along with the people who responded, from bystanders to the emergency services and hospital staff.It is also an opportunity to reflect on the response which rejected hatred and division and embraced love, compassion and unity," Dalziel said.

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China, India commence talks on peace, partnership and prosperity interest.

Following the disengagement along the LAC in PangongTso area, there has been no progress over other disputes in GograHot Springs area, Demchok and Depsang plains.

New Delhi/Beijing, March 7 (IANS): China on March 7 talked peace, partnership and prosperity with India, insisting that it is committed to settling the boundary dispute with New Delhi through dialogue and consultations.

After troops of both countries had disengaged along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh in February, New Delhi warned Beijing recently that it was not in the interest of either side to prolong the remaining boundary issues.

At his annual press meet, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on March 7 said that the right and wrong of what happened in the border area last year are clear, so are the stakes involved. "It again proves initiating confrontation will not solve the problem.

Returning to peaceful negotiation is the right way forward," he said.

China's position, he said, is very clear. "We are committed to settling the boundary dispute through dialogue and consultations," he said, adding that at the same time the Xi Jinping regime has resolved to safeguard its sovereign rights and

However, on March 7, Wang said it falls on both sides to solidify existing consensus, strengthen dialogue and communication and improve the various management mechanisms to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.

In the year ahead, he said, Beijing hoped that India will work with China to truly deliver on important common understanding of the leaders of the two countries that India and China are not threats to each other but opportunities to each other's development.

Together, the Xi Jinping and NarendraModi governments can bring greater benefit to the peoples of China and India, and make greater contribution to efforts for an Asian century, the Chinese Foreign Minister said.

The China-India relationship, he argued, is essentially about how the world's two largest developing countries get along and pursue development and rejuvenation together, he said that. Domestically, he said, both countries face historical missions accelerating growth.

And internationally, he said, the world expects both the countries to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and advance multi-polarity in the world. "Our positions are the same or close due to similar national realities," he said.

WORLD NEWS

US asserts global partnership with India not at cost of ties with Pak New York, March 4 (IANS): While describing the US engagement with India as a "global comprehensive strategic partnership," the State Department has reiterated Washington's policy of a dehyphenated relationship with India and Pakistan saying it is "not a zero-sum."

Speaking of the US relations with the two neighbours, the US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on March 3 made a distinction between the global dimension of its partnership with New Delhi and its shared regional interests with Islamabad.

The importance of the partnership has risen as the challenge from an increasingly hostile China has grown.

The US needs Islamabad's help to deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan if President Joe Biden is to go ahead with the deal his predecessor Donald Trump made with the insurgent group to withdraw all US troops on May 1.

As its patron and leadership refuge, Pakistan wields influence over the Taliban. On the other hand, Islamabad is also closely aligned with Beijing at a time when Washington is challenged on the global stage by an aggressive China.

He added that just because the US has productive and constructive relationship with one does not detract it from the relationship it has with the other. It does not come at the expense of the relationship the US has with the other.

Referring to the strategic ties with

India, he said, "This (fiscal) year, the United States has authorized over $20 billion in defence sales to India. It's these offers of advanced US defence platforms that demonstrate our commitment to India's security and sovereignty.

It demonstrates our commitment to that global, comprehensive, strategic partnership."

On Kashmir, Price said, "We welcome steps to return the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to full economic and political normalcy consistent with India's democratic values."

He said that "certainly as the State Department, we continue to follow developments in Jammu and Kashmir closely" and the US policy "when it comes to it has not changed."

A reporter asked if for Washington Kashmir was not "controversial anymore," if it wanted a reversal of the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution, and if it considered Kashmir India's territory or a "disputed territory."

Price did not engage the reporter on those questions directly and only said, "What we have done is we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other areas of concern. Of course, we've continued to call for a reduction of tensions along the line of control, returning to the 2003 ceasefire agreement."

In August 2019, India rescinded Article 370 of the Indian constitution which gave Kashmir special status and downgraded it to a union territory.

Asked by the reporter if Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had raised the Kashmir issue with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Price said, "We issued a read-out of that call, so I would refer you to the read-out of that conversation."

Blinken had spoken with Jaishankar twice directly -- on January 29 and February 9 -- and once along with the other two foreign ministers of the Quad, Japan's ToshimitsuMotegi and Australia's Marise Payne -- on February 18.

None of the three read-outs mention Kashmir.

During the election campaign last year, Biden had communalised the Kashmir issue by adding it in his "Agenda for Muslim Americans."

The manifesto appealing to them said, "In Kashmir, the Indian government should take all necessary steps to restore rights for all the people of Kashmir.

Restrictions on dissent, such as preventing peaceful protests or shutting or slowing down the Internet, weaken democracy."

But once in office, Biden is now, having to deal with the geopolitical realities of the rising threat from China and has to have India as a strategic asset for meeting the challenge.

While speaking about US efforts to bring back democracy in Myanmar, Price called India a "key partner" in the Indo-Pacific region and said Blinken had discussed the situation in that neighbouring country of India, with Jaishankar.

China, a potential threat to world order: US Beijing and Moscow have invested heavily in efforts meant to check US strengths and prevent the US from defending its interests and allies around the world.

Regional actors like Iran and North Korea continue to pursue game-changing capabilities and technologies, while threatening US allies and partners and challenging regional stability.

Washington/New Delhi, March 4 (IANS): In line with the previous government's China policy, the Biden administration has announced that the US will support China's neighbours, Taiwan and human rights in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

The interim US national security strategic guidance signed by President Joe Biden, which was released on March 3 said that today, more than ever,

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America's fate is inextricably linked to events beyond its shores where it faces a world of rising nationalism, receding democracy, growing rivalry with China, Russia, and other authoritarian states, and a technological revolution that is reshaping every aspect of life.

changing thereby creating new threats. "China, in particular, has rapidly become more assertive. It is the only competitor potentially capable of combining its economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to mount a sustained challenge to a stable and open international system."

The US, the 24-page document said, must also contend with the reality that the distribution of power across the world is

Russia, it said, remains determined to enhance its global influence and play a disruptive role on the world stage. Both

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The Biden administration in its vision document said that in many areas, China's leaders seek unfair advantages, behave aggressively and coercively, and undermine the rules and values at the heart of an open and stable international system.

The US, it said, will ensure that its supply chains for critical national security technologies and medical supplies are secure. The Biden government will continue to defend access to the global commons, including freedom of navigation and overflight rights, under international law.

The Biden government said adding that it will support China's neighbours and commercial

partners in defending their rights to make independent political choices free of coercion or undue foreign influence. It will also promote locally-led development to combat the manipulation of local priorities.

This work is urgent, the government said, arguing that the alliances, institutions, agreements, and norms underwriting the international order the US helped to establish are being tested. Amid rapid change and mounting crisis, the system's flaws and inequities have become apparent, and gridlock and inter-state rivalry have caused many around the worldincluding many Americans-to question its continued relevance.

That is why the US will reaffirm, invest in, and modernise the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and our alliances with Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea which, along with our other global alliances and partnerships, are America's greatest strategic asset, the document said.

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WORLD THIS WEEK

WORLD THIS WEEK Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru

Compiled by SourinaBej, HariMadhusudan, Jeshil Samuel J, Avishka Ashok and Rashmi Ramesh

Saudi Arabia: The criminal case against Mohammed bin Salman

decision to unilaterally extend the grace period on the checks for goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland, which is a violation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

On 2 March, Michel Barnier stepped down as the EU's chief Brexit negotiator and his specialist team of Eurocrats has been disbanded. Barnier warned that there remain "many challenges ahead" for the EU and UK. What does it mean?

Saudi Arabia: The criminal case against Mohammed bin Salman What happened?

On 2 March, the Reporters without Borders (RSF) filed a criminal complaint in Germany, charging Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and four other high-ranking officials with crimes against humanity, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The lawsuit has been submitted in front of Germany’s Public Prosecutor.

The lawsuit comes less than a week after the CIA released an intelligence report that concluded the Crown Prince had “approved an operation to capture or kill Khashoggi.”

What does it mean?

Though the EU and UK were expected to face short-term losses and logistical challenges, Northern Ireland seems to be facing the substantial brunt of the post-Brexit trade deal.

Second, the new trade deal disputes over border protocols have wreaked havoc among the already fragile arrangements that exist between them. The unilateral decision would necessarily ease the impact of the Brexit on the businesses in Northern Ireland

Iraq: Pope Francis meets the Grand Ayatollah in Baghdad

Two questions: Will Germany prosecute? Even if it does, will it have any impact on MBS? Until now Germany has led cases pertaining to the ones filed against the Islamic State and officials involved in the Syrian civil war. But in indicting the crown prince, if the German court decides to hear the case, will send a strong signal from Europe to the country, which until now has been lacking since the killing of Khashoggi. The diplomatic relation is bound to play a role in determining how the verdict will be delivered. But more importantly with an ambition to power, it remains to be seen what MBS would do next. Until now the international pressure against the crown prince has done minimal to upset the domestic clampdowns and a possible hearing could do the same.

The UK: The postBrexit fallout with the EU over Northern Ireland What happened?

On 3 March, the EU announced that the ‘unilateral decision’ of the United Kingdom on Trade Rules is a breach of international law and threatened legal action.

During Westminster’s annual budget, the UK announced its

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What happened?

On 5 March, Pope Francis arrived in Baghdad, commencing his historic three-day visit to Iraq.

This is the first-ever papal visit to the region, and also the Pope’s first international visit since the pandemic began. During this visit, the Pope met prolific Islamic leaders and addressed the Christian community in the region.

On 6 March, the Pope visited the city of Nafaj, where he met the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

Both the religious leaders spoke regarding the dwindling Christian community in Iraq and the threats against them. The Ayatollah affirmed that Christian citizens should be given a chance to live in peace and security just as any other Iraqi.

What does this mean?

First, the Pope’s visit could improve religious tolerance in Iraq and preserve the Christian community. At present, Iraq has 250,000-500,000 Christians.

The Pope’s call for an end to the violence and strife ensuing in the region could also push the Iraqi government to keep a leash on terrorism

ALSO IN NEWS China: Military commences month-long exercise in the South China Sea On 1 March, China’s military began its exercise in the South China Sea. Other vessels will be prohibited from entering a five-kilometre radius of a point at the Leizhou Peninsula until the end of activities on 31 March.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defence said that they will “not lose an inch of land left to us by our ancestors.” The ministry also criticized the US for “Hyping the so-called Chinese threat and urging allies to jointly compete against China.”

China: Huawei CFO expected to appear in Canada Court On 3 March, Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer, MengWanzhou, was scheduled to make an appearance at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, Canada for the hearing of her extradition case which initially began in December 2018. The court hearing will plan out a roadmap for the actual hearing of the extradition case. On 4 March, prosecutors urged Canada’s Justice Minister to make the judgement on whether matters of national security and geopolitical concerns can be used to annul Wanzhou’s extradition.

China: Space Agency shares images of Mars On 4 March, China’s National Space Agency shared an image of the planet Mars, taken by the Tianwen-1 probe. The agency shared two panchromatic images and one coloured image, which were taken by the probe’s high-resolution cameras from a distance of 300 to 350 km. China’s news agency reported small landforms that were visible in the image. Mountains and craters with a diameter as large as 620 meters have been identified in the image.

Hong Kong: Police detains 47 pro-democracy protestors On 28 March, Hong Kong Police arrested more than 50 prominent pro-democracy activists out of which 47 were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion.

The 39 men and eight women were involved in an unofficial election primary that was being organized by the pro-democracy parties. The individuals have been arrested under the new national security law which issues life imprisonment for crimes of subversion. On 4 March, the court passed its decision to deny bail to 32 activists while 15 were granted bail but were still held in custody.

Australia: Trade with China plummets On 4 March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced that the beef exports to China fell by 37 per cent and lamb

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exports fell by 60 per cent. On the same day, Rabobank, a Dutch multinational bank observed that the political relationship has led to deteriorating trade between the two countries. The report said that the relationship between the two countries would continue to get worse before they pull up.

Australia’s export to China was 2.1 per cent higher in 2020.

members of the National League for Democracy have also been arrested and charged with similar charges.

France: Former President sentenced to jail On 1 March, Nicholas Sarkozy, the former President of France appeared in court where he was sentenced to three years in prison on corruption charges.

He was convicted for bribing a judge in 2014 for information on a case. Although the charges are not of embezzlement, he is said to have abused his power to receive information. He will be the first French president to get a custodial sentence.

Japan: Foreign Ministry increases cooperation with European Countries On 2 March, the Foreign Minister of Japan, Motegi, announced at a press conference that Japan welcomed “the patrol and surveillance activities being undertaken by France now in the waters of Japan.” Motegi explained that there were challenges to national security and democracy in the IndoPacific region. Germany has also planned to dispatch a vessel before the end of the year.

Myanmar: Anti-military protests that continue to turn violent On 3 March, a UN official announced that 38 people had been killed so far in the protests staged by the citizens against the military. The police and military were seen firing live ammunition on the citizens while they were expressing their discontent with the military’s usurpation of power in the country. On 3 March, the deputy UN Ambassador appointed by the military also resigned after Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun’s speech and three-finger salute at the general assembly. On 3 March, ASEAN held a meeting with the foreign ministers of member countries to discuss the political crisis in Myanmar.

While Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia spoke for democracy to be returned in the country, Vietnam and Cambodia rejected interference in the issue. On 1 March, SuuKyi was charged with two more charges, thereby increasing her time in prison to 9 years if found guilty. Other

France: Macron admits France’s hand in torture and murder of Algerian nationalist On 2 March, Emmanuel Macron reassessed the death of a prominent Algerian nationalist and said, “He did not commit suicide. He was tortured and then killed.” Ali Boumendjel was an Algerian lawyer who was arrested by the French army during the seven-year war of independence in 1957 and was said to have committed suicide. Macron’s statement represents France and is a move to improve relations with Algiers. The statement is a start to accepting the many atrocities that may have been conducted by European countries during the era of colonization.

About the authors HariniMadhusudan is a PhD scholar at NIAS, SourinaBej is an independent researcher associated with the NIAS Global Politics Course, NIAS, Avishka Ashok is a Research Assistant at NIAS and Jeshil Samuel J is a Masters Student at Christ (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore.

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Christie's announces Global Sustainability Initiative 100 per cent recyclable.

Christie's is setting its carbon reduction goals aligned to the needs of climate science, and has committed to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to help achieve the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming trajectory required to avoid dangerous climate change.

Christie's is the first auction house to apply for this accreditation which promotes best practice and independently assesses and approves companies' targets in line with strict criteria.

New Delhi, March 6 (IANSlife): Christie's confirmed its commitment to more sustainable operations, pledging to be net zero by 2030.

The company is committing to a

50 per cent reduction in its carbon emissions, achieving 90 per cent diversion from landfill for its waste and providing all clients with packaging and printed material that is

Tom Woolston, Global Head of Operations and leading Christie's Sustainability program, said: "From now on, the lens of sustainability must inform all of our activities. We understand that staying good on these commitments will require a shift in culture and recognise that there is much to be done to adapt across the business."

COMMIT: Carbon Reduction

World's 1st hybrid freezer for Vax rolls out Hyderabad, March 4 (IANS): Rockwell Industries, a pioneering commercial cold chain appliances manufacturer, on Thursday launched Chillermill, the world's first chiller/freezer powered by hybrid (solar and wind) renewable energy, that would be ideal for storing vaccines including Covid-19 vaccines at the desired temperature.

The company also rolled out their new Covid-19 vaccine freezer series.

World Health Organization PQS certified freezer series, will be manufactured at Rockwell's stateof-the-art manufacturing facility in Medchal, Hyderabad.

The entire system is certified by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) Hyderabad.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Government of Telangana for the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT), formally launched the new range of Covid-19 vaccines chillers, a simple plug and play standalone unit, powered by Solar Mill, a hybrid (wind & solar) energy solution, manufactured by Wind Stream Energy Technologies ideal for remote areas where availability of electricity is not stable.

The Hybrid Renewable System comprising Savonius vertical axis wind turbines, along with a solar module enables the refrigerator to run 24/7 on power stored in batteries.

Solar Mills are also being used in powering critical applications of defence forces, Railways and Telecom domain.

Commending Rockwell for its need of the hour technological innovation, and its new Covid-19 vaccine focussed hybrid renewable energy driven Chillermill and the WHO certified new Covid-19 Freezer series, Jayesh Ranjan said governments’ immunization programmes rely on a complicated cold chain of freezers and temperaturecontrolled conditions and Rockwell

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has developed the much-needed refrigeration technology to address these challenges to preserve vaccine, healthcare products, and other deepfreezing applications.

partnered with Wind Stream Energy Technologies for providing unique hybrid (solar wind) Renewable energy solutions for the power needs of refrigerators and chillers/freezers.

"There are places especially, many rural hospitals and immunization sites that can't depend on the unreliable power supply. With our new renewable energy-supported freezers/chillers, we are in a position to help the health sector overcome these challenges. Technologically they meet the strictest biosafety, biomedical needs and solve the pain points in the cold chain," said Ashok Gupta, Managing Director, Rockwell Industries.

Rockwell's Chillermill and the new Covid-19 vaccine freezer series meet the temperature protocols of currently available vaccines for Covid-19 including India's Covaxin, AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, Moderna, and the Sputnik Vaccine temperature requirement of storage temperature between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The new Chillermill can also meet the minus 40 degrees Celsius requirement.

The company is in active discussion with leading vaccine players nationally and internationally to supply Chillermill. "We expect to close in orders worth Rs 25 crore this year and hope to achieve Rs 50 crore by the end of 2022," Ashok added Rockwell, which has a size of over Rs 125 crore in the segment, may touch Rs 350 crore in the next few years, Ashok Gupta, revealed.

Rockwell's fully operational plants in Medchal, Hyderabad, can produce over 400,000 units per annum.

Further, the company has earmarked an investment of Rs 50 crore towards R&D, new capacities and adding a new marketing network to its existing network of over 500 outlets.

The company plans to participate in several tenders of Central and state governments, public and private enterprises for refrigerators and freezers.

Rockwell has the widest range of commercial and medical refrigeration appliances in the industry ideal for use in diverse environments and energy conditions, it sells about 100,000 units of its range of products to customers in India and different parts of the world.

In an initiative to increase their green footprint, Rockwell has

With the nationwide coronavirus vaccination drive getting far bigger for the second phase covering 50 plus age groups, the demand and need for commercial refrigeration to ensure a sustainable supply chain is growing across the globe. Further, as vaccines begin to receive commercial licensure, Rockwell anticipates the requirement for its products is bound to grow even more, from major healthcare manufacturers, R&D facilities, and rising healthcare expenditure.

According to the data from WHO, due to the lack of temperature control or continuous cold chain during vaccine transportation, 5-20 per cent of vaccine loses its potency.

A recent market research report published early this year by Meticulous Research mentioned the vaccine storage equipment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6 per cent from 2020 to reach $1.83 billion by 2027.

The demand for cold storage solutions from Pharma and other segments is expected to post a 17 per cent growth in 2021 to Rs 1.7 trillion, according to market research firm IMARC Services.

In addition to the demand for cold storage to house Covid-19 vaccines, there is a rush in demand from Pharma and allied sectors for cold chain products.

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ENERGY AND RESOURCES

In order to achieve the targets, Christie's is addressing four key areas which make the most significant contribution to our emissions: * Shipping and Logistics - will be optimised to better utilise lower carbon modes of transport and be more selective in touring property for exhibitions, leveraging the use of digital tools to bridge the gap. * Business Travel - the pandemic has shown what can be done without the ability to travel and becoming effective in finding new ways to communicate with each other and our clients and partners. * The Energy, Waste and Water from our Buildings - the company has already switched to renewable energy in the London headquarters. * Printed Materials - work has begun with a 75 per cent reduction in print materials during 2020, exceeding the commitment announced in 2019.

COMMUNICATE: Pledge to be Transparent and Share Learnings Working with leading sustainability consultants Avieco, Christie's has completed a review of all operational activities and measured its current global emissions. The company is

committing to annual reporting of future emissions and its progress towards targets, the first of which will be published later this year, to ensure transparency.

Christie's Principle Emissions tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions COLLABORATE: Systemic Challenges Require Collective Action Christie's will take a collaborative approach with suppliers and other stakeholders to work to reduce the collective environmental footprint up and down the supply chain. "We know the broader art industry shares the desire to combat climate change, and we promise to use our leadership position to drive positive change, actively looking to form collaborations with stakeholders across the art world and beyond," concluded Woolston.

Christie's has joined the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), a non-profit organisation founded by a voluntary group of London-based Gallerists and professionals. Their aim is to help the art world reduce its impact on the climate and to develop a meaningful and industry-specific in response to the growing climate crisis.

IndiGrid inks largest transmission deal with Sterlite Power Mumbai, March 6 (IANS): India Grid Trust, India's first power infrastructure investment trust (InvIT), on Saturday signed a share purchase agreement to acquire NERII Transmission Limited from Sterlite Power as part of the Framework Agreement.

other customary closing adjustments.

The acquisition will be funded through a combination of internal accruals, debt, equity proceeds from the preference issue done in May 2019 and forthcoming rights issue. Post this acquisition, the net debt/AUM would stand at 64 per cent.

The indicative value of the acquisition is Rs 4,625 crore and would boost IndiGrid's AUM (asset under management) by 34 per cent to over Rs 20,000 crore ($2.8 billion).

Commenting on the acquisition, Harsh Shah, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGrid, said: "We are excited with acquisition of NER-II which is one of the largest acquisitions in Indian power transmission sector in India.

NER-II fits well with our strategy of focusing on operating assets with long term cash flows and minimal counter party risk. This acquisition would be DPU accretive and augment our recent increase of DPU to Rs 12.40 per annum for a considerable period."

Post completion, the platform's asset portfolio would consist of 13 power transmission projects, with a total network of 38 power transmission lines and 11 substations extending over 7,570 circuit kilometres and 13,350 MVA in 17 Indian states and 1 Union Territory.

NER-II is part of Inter State Transmission Scheme (ISTS) network, and was awarded on a Build, Own, Operate, Maintain ("BOOM") basis with a contractual period of 35 years. The project has 11 elements including two substations of 1,260 MVA capacity and four transmission lines extending over 830 circuit kilometres. The asset spans across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura and is of strategic importance for the delivery of power in one of the toughest regions in the country.

This project will strengthen the power transmission network in the North Eastern States and address the of transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution system needs of the region.

IndiGrid had signed a framework agreement in April 2019 with Sterlite Power for acquisition of NER-II upon commissioning. This transaction is expected to be consummated during Q4 FY21, subject to unit holders' approval, regulatory approvals, and

Commenting on the transaction, Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Power said, "This mega transmission project will help deliver reliable power for 5.3 crore people in India's north eastern region."

IndiGrid has acquired Rs 8,300 crore assets since the last capital raise including Rs 7,100 crore of Framework/ROFO projects from Sterlite Power and first cost-plus transmission asset from Reliance Infrastructure. It has also announced its foray into the renewables sector with the planned acquisition of 138 MW solar assets.

Separately, in FY21, KKR was inducted as a sponsor following the Rs 2,510 crore preferential issue in 2019 which was subscribed by KKR and GIC amongst other marquee investors.

KKR has also acquired majority interest in the Investment Manager.

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

EDITORIAL

Coming of Age India’s leap towards space 4.0 of the Quad

The announcement by the US president Joe Biden to hold the first Apex level virtual summit of the Quad members should be seen as a watershed in the history of the formation, since its inception in 2007. For over a decade, the formation's evolution into a formal entity has been impeded by India's and Australia's bilateral sensitivities towards China.

But not anymore. In the wake of Australia's trade tensions with China triggered by the former's demand for an inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 outbreak, and on the other hand, India's military confrontation in Ladakh with China, the inhibitions of the two seems to have dissipated considerably.

Their renewed willingness to stand up to China's coercion and authoritarian ways has provided a fillip to Quad's growing formalisation as a regional counterweight to China. Now both Australia and India seem to be on the same page with US and Japan in adding ballast to Quad for ensuring a free, open and rule-based Indo-Pacific.

Quad’s evolution is being seen as a rising ''concert of democracies", which Australia has described as an "anchor of peace and stability in the region". On the US front the positive development is the continuation of Trump’s hard stance vis-à-vis China now under Joe Biden, who in one of his presidential debates had described Xi Jinping as a “thug”. Now the decision to hold the formal virtual summit of the four Quad members, US, Japan, Australia and India is an extension of that assertive policy posturing towards China.

The agenda for the inaugural Quad virtual summit is quite wide including Covid-19 strategy, vaccine production, climate change, supply chain disruptions, critical and emerging technologies and maritime security, but it may well be the case of

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downplaying any "anti-China" signalling. Although, there is no denying that China is the elephant in the room in the burgeoning resolve of the Quad members.

The 12 March virtual summit symbolises a push back from regional democracies, including some the ASEAN members, against China's trade and territorial authoritarianism, and ensure a peaceful and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

Whether, the Quad will turn into some kind of NATO type military alliance is too early to anticipate.

But the growing unanimity among the Quad members to build some kind of a collective arrangement to secure the region against future Chinese misadventures has certainly evoked interest among other regional powers. South Korea too has expressed its desire to join the Quad in a "transparent, open and inclusive" manner is a case in point. It shows the unease among regional powers, especially democracies, against China's regional hegemony and territorial muscle-flexing. It is an indication that South Korea and several ASEAN members now seem inclined to support the Quad, if not join immediately, owing to their own troubled relationship with China over the years. It is understandable that unlike the four Quad members, other regional states may be wary of a military or economic backlash from China, but nonetheless, the havoc that Covid-19 has caused across world economies, and China's territorial aggrandizement in the Indo-Pacific, many states may gradually lend their support for a stronger Quad as a counterweight to China.

In short, the inaugural virtual summit of the Quad members is nothing short of a watershed.

By Aditi Mittal After a long stretch of the 2020 pandemic with almost all space operations halted, ISRO opened its space calendar 2021 with the successful launch of PSLV C51 carrying Amazonia1 and 18 other satellites. This space program is a collaboration project between Brazil and India wherein the PSLV C51 rocket of India is carrying Amazonia-1, an optical Earth observation satellite designed by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in Brazil.

How is this a revolutionizing step for the Indian space program?

Though the highlight of the space program is the Brazilian satellite, however the launch did turn in some new chapters for Indian space sector as well.

This mission is hailed as the first dedicated commercial mission of New Space India Limited (NSIL), a two-yearold commercial arm of the Government of India under the Department of Space.

Some of the commercial satellites not designed by the ISRO instead developed by commercialised institutes and start-ups were ‘Anand’, ‘Satish Dhawan’ satellite and ‘UNITY sat’ which served as co-passengers in the launch.

‘Anand’ is built by Indian space start up, Pixxel, and 'Satish Dhawan Satellite' by Chennaibased Space Kidz India.

‘UNITY sat’ is a combination of three satellites designed and built as a joint development

by Jeppiaar Institute of Technology, Sriperumpudur ( JITsat), G. H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur (GHRCEsat) and Sri Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore (Sri Shakthi Sat).

As you may call it a coincidence or a well narrated plot this project clearly addresses the goal of the current government to allow private players in the space sector of India under its new Spacecom Policy 2020 which has been highly regarded as a paradigm shift from Space 3.0 to Space 4.0 for India. While Space 3.0 has been characterized by large government investments and public-public collaborations, Space 4.0 is a more democratized and accessible field with more public-private and privateprivate collaborations. This is expected to bring cost

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efficiency and operational efficiency in the various regular satellite operations which currently are becoming hurdles to ISRO's way for working on new projects.

Hence by “outsourcing” these regular operations to private players can help ease out the burden faced by ISRO. The private players can participate in setting up of ground stations for space crafts which constitute 48% of the ISRO’s space sector budget and also in application of space technology which result in contribution to 45% of Indian space economy.

How private players can level up the game of the current Indian space sector?

India has been traditionally growing with a slow-paced space exploration with limited technology thus leaving out on several growth booster opportunities.

Shifting responsibility of regular operating activities of ISRO to private sector can now open new doors for India to promote research and development in many unexplored areas. One such is Space power which can

The private players can participate in setting up of ground stations for space crafts which constitute 48% of the ISRO’s space sector budget and also in application of space technology which result in contribution to 45% of Indian space economy. be regarded as the potential fourth arm of the country’s defence setup in the emerging future. With US, Russia and China already in pursuit of becoming a Space power, India will need to equip itself appropriately to meet emerging security and defence challenges. Another is space tourism which is one among several opportunities that Indian businesses may be keen to explore. This collaboration is also a keynote addressal of how Brazil clearly shifted to India’s PSLV C51 instead of China’s rocket. This shows how with the ongoing pandemic, lost consumer

and investor confidence in China has begun the hunt for alternatives not just in in the business sector but now even in the space sector. It’s time for India to shift to the fast track in such times and gather opportunities like these to build upon its space technology.

As the world looks forward to India in the future, a strong base of private and public partnership in its space program is an utmost essential. However, the role of government isn’t limited to just the Space-com policy 2020. The government needs to promote such coplayers by also addressing the crucial issue of funding.

The government must trust and support early-stage innovations in private startups through “adventure” capital, not just risk-averse venture capital. Setting up of “patient” capital is also important as lead times in such ventures are quite longer than usual. A level playing field for private players in not just development but also financing can promote to a 10% share of the global space economy in the next decade as estimated by data sources. The entire agenda of Space-com policy 2020 is a direct consequence of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.

To achieve this, we need self-belief, and trust with bold policies coupled with determined actions, which can then help us certainly pole vault to a great new future, sooner rather than later.

Aditi Mittal is a Research Intern with the Institute for AustraliaIndia Engagement As a final year student of Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi pursuing B.A (Hons) in Economics, over the course of her study Aditi has developed a keen interest in analysing the financial markets and public policy discussions. She truly believes that the participation by today's youth is necessary for growth and development which has further compelled her to initiate founding projects on pivotal areas concerning our society like women's safety and global health.

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

SPECIAL FEATURE

Decoding India and Taiwan bilateral diplomacy

By Raviprasad Narayanan

India and Taiwan are in the process of reaching out to one another for two reasons – economic and strategic.

Economic reasons are motivated by Taiwan’s ‘Go South Policy’ for over two decades, wanting to build deeper linkages with India.

Taiwan’s Go South Policy (GSP) is to strengthen relations between Taiwan and countries south of Taiwan, especially Southeast Asia. "GSP 3.0" is current reiteration by Taiwan led by Tsai Ing Wen of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP). Two former presidents of Taiwan, former President’s Lee Teng-Hui (1996-2000) and Chen Shui-bian (20002008) – had initiated Go South Policy owing to wariness of China in political, economic and strategic terms. This necessitated looking to Southeast Asia and South Asia as manufacturing hubs Welcoming Taiwanese investments. It does appear that there is overwhelming political consensus in Taiwan for GSP. India is a primary objective for Taiwan’s corporate laoban’ (bosses) to become a base for its micro and nano electronics companies, uncomfortable with Xi Jinping’s evolving into Mao version 2! Relocating many factories from mainland China to Southeast Asia and India is in the interests of remaining a global supplier of micro-electronics, not restricted by events in Hong Kong and a regressive political control stymieing innovation.

India’s ‘Act East Policy’ announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was reinterpretation of ‘Look East Policy’ articulated by Narasimha Rao as Prime Minister (1991 – 1996) when economic reforms were introduced. Implementation of ‘Act East Policy’ is to attract Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese investments into dynamic sectors where electronics and technology

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fuse to create stronger and more diversified domestic economy. Taiwan sees India as a market and production base where it could locate its high technology industries away from China. Wistron Infocomm, a Taiwanese global sub-contractor for Apple has based its manufacturing unit in India at Bengaluru.

Qualcomm, template of Taiwanese expertise and innovation in Micro and Nano electronics is establishing itself in India, underlining a shift from China, where its Nano electronic founders for Apple are largely based. India while welcoming initiatives from Taiwan is also trying to convince Taipei to establish high technology training schools where manpower with limited technical skills could be upgraded. Metal cutting, wind power and technical skills required in manufacturing processes on large scale are to create wherewithal of China in India. Private Corporates in India are very welcome to this initiative finding support.

It could be argued that the closer India and Taiwan get in economic terms, the ‘strategic’ is not far away. With a bilateral investment agreement signed in 2018, trade between the two sides is only USD 7.2 billion in 2019, approximately around one-tenth of bilateral trade India has with China.

A positive feature is of Taiwanese investments to India increasing year after year, owing to Taiwan Trade

(TAITRA) naming India as investment destination.

India and Taiwan are natural partners in economic terms.

Current bilateral engagement between the two has to cognise an imprint from 2014 national elections making the BJP ruling party since.

Deciphering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy and identifying a methodology, a starting Point is the Election Manifesto of the BJP for the 2014 elections. To quote from the document: “BJP believes a resurgent India must get its rightful place in the comity of nations and international institutions. The vision is to fundamentally reboot and reorient the foreign policy goals, content and process, in a manner that locates India's global strategic engagement in a new paradigm and on a wider canvass, that is not just limited to political diplomacy, but also includes our economic, scientific, cultural, political and security interests, both regional and global, on the principles of equality and mutuality, so that it leads to an economically stronger India, and its voice is heard in the international fora”.

The lengthy second sentence captures his stance on the economic and scientific interests being central to foreign policy. Put succinctly, ‘economic diplomacy’ is driving foreign policy with security considerations remaining at a different level.

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Mr. Modi has an advantage, as the BJP has a majority in parliament and can chart a new course without being pressed by domestic considerations beyond a point.

He therefore, has far more flexibility in his foreign policy forays than his predecessor.

Intent at presenting himself as ‘lodestar’ striving to maintain continuum of positioning India as an emerging power that embraces multilateralism and global governance based on economic diplomacy.

India’s fourth decade of reforms requires intensive engagement with global stakeholders and institutions that appeal in their global content in creating a normative structure where India will find its niche.

The slogan ‘Make in India’ – an inviting prospect to the global audience to locate their manufacturing capacities in India. The normative in Mr. Modi is witnessed in the manner in which India has supported the creation of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB) also known as the BRICS Bank. Both these financial institutions are located in China, and as an indicator of economic cooperation amongst emerging powers, India is at the forefront in demonstrating its commitment to the idea.

It also sends the message to Beijing that the boundary dispute will not become an obstacle in matters focusing on economic inter-linkages and their import.

It is a frailty, exposed by Beijing with its aggressiveness on the high Himalayas.

Economic considerations have always played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s foreign policy and Mr. Modi has only highlighted this aspect as being a core feature of his foreign policy.

Could strategic complementarities be next?

Yes. The Quadrilateral where United States, Australia, Japan and India have established operational wavelength has united four countries disenchanted by an aggressive

interloper wanting to transform global geopolitics.

Trade determinants apart, the rabid functional manner of China in international forums indicates a strong perseverance in creating alternative arrangements, be it finance or strategic. To China, India’s pro-active role in the Quadrilateral is an attempt by democracies to stifle and derail China’s economic growth and strategic influence. Beijing feels, Taiwan plays a role, as being a democracy willing to be a beneficiary of Quadrilateral adopting a plausible deniability façade, not in sync with China’s claims over the ‘rebellious province.’

Considerations for India are the following: First, the personality centric approach adopted by Mr. Modi is stamped on all his visits abroad and interactions.

Second, the Prime Minister’s Office has for quite some time been the fulcrum of policy making in India and Mr. Modi’s second term has made his office the core of policy and supreme institution of decision-making. Institutional frameworks, not exclusively bureaucratic, are expressly required between Taiwan and India.

Third, while Mr. Modi has galvanized a lot to do with India, as his government nears a decade in office in 2024, statements made by him, have to be matched indeed, otherwise the frisson of the moment will be questioned.

This is where India-Taiwan relations are litmus test. Will China’s further belligerence on the high Himalayas make India back track on Taiwan?

Will domestic politics become an obstacle to investments from Taiwan?

And last, a weak and inchoate opposition does not mean there are not going to be any obstacles for Mr. Modi in his conduct of foreign policy. That in its essence is the euphoria called Indian democracy.

Dr Raviprasad Narayanan is an Associate Professor at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

MAKE IN INDIA

Understanding PM Modi’s women-led development model

By Rai Sengupta, Strategic Investment Research Unit

one lack tones of tuna and tuna like fishes and about an equal quantity of Shark.

The Islands have a high presence of food products, beverage manufacturing, furniture and wood-based products manufacturing MSME units.

In charting New India’s growth story, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized that India is transitioning from women’s development to ‘women-led development’. In this grand vision, women have been reimagined as architects of India’s progress and development, rather than being passive recipients of the fruits of development. In line with this, the government has implemented multi-sectoral schemes that recognize the true potential of India’s women, empower them and provide them with the platform to contribute to India’s growth story. Further, Prime Minister’s vision recognizes that women-led development holds the potential to create positive outcomes across multiple sectors.

In a sense, the achievement of the targets under Sustainable Development Goal, ‘Gender Equality’ also facilitates the realization of other SDGs, thus, ensuring multi-pronged holistic development.

To promote women-led development, the key focus has been on building the capacities in terms of nutrition, health, and education. In 2017, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), a direct benefit transfer (DBT) for pregnant women and lactating mothers to meet enhanced nutritional needs and to partially compensate for wage loss. In FY 2019-20, the scheme has crossed a significant milestone by reaching out to one crore beneficiaries.

Likewise, there have been remarkable improvements in women’s health and access to sanitation. Under Swatch Bharat Mission-Gramin, there has been a rapid increase in target achievement from 39 percent in 2014 to 100 percent in 2019 with more than 10 crore toilets built since 2014. The impact of such infrastructural developments is corroborated by a UNICEF study on ‘Access to Toilets and Safety, Convenience and Self-respect of Women in Rural India’ (February, 2020), which states that 91 percent of the women reported that they have been able to save up to an hour and do not have to travel up to a kilometre for defecation after the construction of toilets. Further, the decline in the maternal mortality rate from

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Lakshadweep Islands are the first Union Territory to become 100% organic. Abundant production of coconuts also provides investment opportunities in coconut-based products such as coconut oil, coir yarn, etc.

Small-scale service industries such as engineering workshops, ITeS and auto-servicing, which do not pollute the lagoons, are best suited on the islands.

Concurrently, the islands have a very small but significant presence of local handicrafts.

167 (in 2011-13) to 113 (in 2016-18) exemplifies the government’s commitment to promoting maternal health and well-being.

Notable progress has also been made in the education of women.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, launched as part of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', to facilitate the education of the girl child, has already reached out to more than three crore aspirational young women. Further, there has been encouraging progress on the front of women’s higher education as well. For instance, there has been an increase in PhD enrolment of women to 43.82 percent in 2018 from 40 percent in 2013-14 because of various measures taken by the government, such as women candidates being allowed a relaxation of one year for M.Phil. and two years for PhD in the maximum duration, i.e. two to six years respectively as per the University Grants Commission (UGC), in 2016.

While nutrition, health and education initiatives have helped to create a strong foundation for women leaders, the government has also taken progressive steps to create an enabling eco-system for women’s empowerment. The financial inclusion of women has been a key focus area, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme has played a major role in this regard. Currently, over 18 crore women, both in rural and urban areas, for the first time, have access to formal banking and various financial services.

Further, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, the skill development initiative of the Government of India for recognition and standardisation of skills, between 2016 to 2020, 40 percent of the 73 lakh candidates trained were women.

Further, self-employment of women has also been promoted through Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) scheme, which aims to provide skills that give employability to women.

The government has also taken decisive action to implement adequate social security benefits for women workers. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2017 is a landmark measure that has increased the maximum period of paid maternity leaves to 26 weeks from the existing

period of 12 weeks. In addition, the recently implemented Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 envisages employment of women in all establishments covering all types of works.

Women are now entitled to work in the night, subject to their consent, with provisions of safety, holidays, working hours or any other condition as prescribed by appropriate government. It promotes gender equality in a big way.

In sum, the government’s initiatives to promote womenled development have worked to strengthen women’s agency and socio-economic capacities.

Through increased access to basic facilities, targeted investment in employment and skill building, and progressive legislation, women have come to be empowered to become leaders and key contributors to New India’s growth story. In this regard, the Prime Minister’s vision is revolutionary, and has helped to make women the leading force of our development trajectory.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Kerala Highest literacy rate in India Kerala is a highly advanced society and scores high on human development indicators with the highest literacy rate, highest life expectancy, lowest population growth and the highest ratio of females to males in India.

Kerala is one of the most scenic and popular tourist destinations in India. It is also famous for its special ayurvedic therapies and its backwaters. Kerala also leads other states in Industrial development and per capita income. Kerala is a major exporter of coir, spices, marine products, cashew, coffee and pickles. Two-thirds of the state's export income comes from food

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processing industry.

With a coastline of nearly 590 km, Kerala has a major port at Kochi (with a cruise terminal) and 16 smaller ports along the coast. The state is very close to global maritime trade route passing through the Indian Ocean region with Kochi International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICT) at Vallarpadam, which is India's first ICT. Kerala is the first state in India to have four international airports, namely in Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur.

Ladakh Ladakh is amongst the highest intensity of solar radiation locations in India.

With more than 320 clear sunny days in a year, and average daily global solar radiation as high as 2022 kWh/m2/annum, Ladakh is a favorable hotspot for solar power generation in India.

Ladakh, the Northern-most union territory of India, shares its international border with China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It lies in the Greater-Himalayan ranges with salt and freshwater lakes, sand dunes and camels. Indus, Zanskar, and Shyok are the major rivers that flow through the UT. It is well-connected with a domestic airport in Leh. Lakshadweep India's only coral islands chain With lagoon area of about 4,200 Sq. Kms, Territorial waters of 20,000 Sq. Km, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 4,00,000 Sq. Kms and coastal line of about 132 Kms, Lakshadweep Islands have a high scope for the fisheries sector The sea around Lakshadweep is rich in fishery resources and the main resource in the islands are Tuna. The estimated marine fishery potential resources in the sea around Lakshadweep is about

Lakshadweep Islands, lying in the Arabian Sea, are a group of 36 islands. The islands are well connected with 10 minor ports and an airport in Agatti. The varied flora, fauna and coral reefs along the islands, attracts domestic and international tourists. The islands also offer a great destination for water sports. Ministry of Shipping has identified 10 locations in the UT to be developed in phase-I of its Lighthouse Tourism initiative.

Madhya Pradesh Only diamond-producing state in India Located in central India, Madhya Pradesh is popularly known as the 'heart of India' and is a beneficiary of mega infrastructure projects, with both North-South and EastWest corridor crossing the State.

Madhya Pradesh offers excellent support infrastructure for industrial growth. The state has a robust rail network with 550 trains crossing daily, National Highway network of 5,000+ kms, 5 commerical airports operating 100+ flights and 6 inland container depots (ICDs).

Indore has been rated the 1st and Bhopal has been rated 2nd cleanest city in the Cleanliness Survey 2018 by Government of India.

Madhya Pradesh has a strong base of mineral resources and accounts for 14% of India's total cement production. The state has an oil refinery at Bina with an annual capacity of 6 MMT. The installed power capacity of the state is over 23,400 MW; 35% of which is contributed by renewable energy sources. The state is a leading producer of a variety of horticulture crops and offers lucrative opportunities for food processing industries. The state also offers opportunities in textile manufacturing, automobiles, food processing, soya processing, engineering and agriculture equipment manufacturing, among others.

Source: Invest India, Government of India

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

COVID-19 pandemics’ Endgame in India: Harsh Vardhan they adhered to the call of Covid appropriate behaviour, emphasising that it is the need of the hour.

"My request to everyone is that just like people embraced the 'Jan Andolan' for Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, they should embrace another Jan Andolan for Covid-19 vaccination and get all Covid-19 vaccine shots whenever they are eligible," the minister said.

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stated on Sunday that the Covid-19 pandemic which brought the whole world to its knees is in the endgame here in India, given that the people adhere to three steps.

"We are in the endgame of the COVID-19 pandemic in India and to succeed at this stage, we need to follow three steps - Keep politics out of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, trust the science behind Covid-19 vaccines, and ensure our near and dear ones get vaccinated on time," he said.

He also urged people to embrace vaccine appropriate behaviour like

"The government has already involved private players in Covid-19 vaccination, and if hospitals want, they can conduct vaccination 24x7," he added.

Vardhan made these remarks during Delhi Medical Association's (DMA) 62nd Annual Delhi State Medical Conference (MEDICON 2021) where he was felicitated for his outstanding service and exemplary work during the Covid-19 pandemic. The minister has been a past president of the association.

Dr B.B. Wadhwa, president, DMA, recalled Vardhan's work in the polio eradication programme when he was Delhi's health minister.

"Dr Harsh Vardhan is the pride of the medical fraternity. He has been

the president of DMA in the past.

We acknowledge and appreciate his exemplary missionary zeal in getting India polio-free when he was the president of DMA in 1993-1994. While serving as the health minister of Delhi, he started the novel Pulse Polio Programme which was later taken up by the whole country, and eventually by the SAARC nations. We proudly recall our association with him," he said.

DMA made headlines recently after the association slammed its national body - Indian Medical Association which had condemned the minister for attending a re-launch event of Patanjali Ayurveda's drug 'Coronil', where the firm hailed it as the first evidence-based medicine against Covid-19.

The IMA had accused the health minister of breaching the Medical Council of India's code of ethics by promoting a drug with uncorroborated claims of treatment.

However, the DMA came out in support of its past president and dubbed the IMA's statement against Harsh Vardhan as defamatory and an act of hogging cheap publicity.

India turned world's pharmacy amid Covid: PM New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India has turned into world's pharmacy and many foreign nations have expressed confidence in the country's medicines during the Covid-19 crisis Modi made the remarks while virtually addressing the 'Jan Aushadhi Diwas'.

The Prime Minister said that health has been considered only as a matter of disease and treatment from a long time, but it also affects the entire economic and social fabric of the country.

He said his government worked on health in a holistic way, not in pieces.

Modi said the demand for 'Made in India' medicines have been increasing and the government is planning to provide 75 Ayush medicines on 'Janaushadhi' centres so that maximum number of people can be benefited as soon as possible and the

money they were spending on costly medicines could be lowered down.

"Corona Mahamaari ke baad aaj dunia, Bharat ka loha maan rahi hai (the whole world is now taking India seriously after the Covid-19 pandemic). India has now turned into world's pharmacy. During Covid period, India has earned the confidence of whole world. Now, we are focussing on generic medicines and supporting and encouraging them," Modi said during the event.

During the event, the Prime Minister dedicated the 7,500th Jan Aushadhi Kendra at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong.

He also interacted with beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana and also gave awards to stakeholders by recognising their excellent work.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda was also present on the occasion.

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana's initiative endeavours to provide quality medicines at an affordable price.

The number of stores under the scheme has grown to 7,499, with all districts of the country covered.

Sales in the financial year 2020-21 (up to March 4, 2021) led to total savings of approximately Rs 3,600 crore for common citizens, as these medicines are cheaper by 50 per cent to 90 per cent than the corresponding market rates.

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): The Union Health Ministry on Sunday said that the six states of Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra reported high number of new single-day Covid-19 cases.

While Covid-19 situation has turned worrisome in Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, it continues to remain alarming in Kerala and Maharashtra.

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In the last 24 hours, the states collectively accounted for 84.7 per cent of the 18,711 fresh cases, the Ministry informed.

"Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 10,187, followed by Kerala with 2,791 while Punjab reported 1,159 new cases," it said.

The Ministry added that it was continuously engaging with the states

Multilayer masks effective to prevent aerosol generation: IISc institute's study, published in "Science Advances".

Face masks can reduce virus transmission by blocking both large droplets and aerosols, but their efficiency varies with the type of material, pore size and number of layers.

Bengaluru, March 7 (IANS): As triple-layered and N95 masks offer best protection from Covid, they must be used where health officials have made it mandatory to prevent aerosol generation, according to a study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on Sunday.

"You are protected, but others around you may not be. For single and double-layered masks, most of the droplets were found to be below 100 microns, with the potential to become aerosols that remain suspended in the air for a long time and potentially cause infection," said IISc's mechanical engineering professor Saptarish Basu in a statement here.

Triple-layered masks, even those made of cloth, and N95 masks were found to prevent atomisation and therefore offered the best protection," the study revealed.

Using a high-speed camera, the institute's research team tracked individual cough-like droplets impinging on single, double and multi-layered masks.

"When a person coughs, large droplets (less than 200 microns) hit the inner surface of a mask at a high speed, penetrate the mask fabric and break up or "atomise" into smaller droplets, which have a chance of aerosolisation and carry viruses like Covid with them, said the premiere

It has deputed high-level teams to Maharashtra and Punjab, which are showing a steep increase in the daily new cases.

The gradual but consistent rise in daily new cases is reversing India's Covid-19 situation to the worrisome phase.

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Previous studies looked at how these droplets "leak" from the sides of masks, but not at how the mask can aid in secondary atomisation into smaller droplets.

To mimic a human cough, the team used a custom droplet dispenser to pressurize a surrogate cough liquid (water, salt with mucin and a phospholipid) and eject single droplets onto the mask.

"The pressurisation increases a droplet's velocity and the [nozzle] opening time determines the size," said noted research student Shubham Sharma on the occasion.

The team also used a pulsed laser to cast shadows of droplets, and a camera and zoom lens to capture images at high speeds (20,000 frames per second).

Apart from surgical masks, locally sourced cloth masks were also tested.

The study was carried in collaboration with scientists in UC San Diego and University of Toronto engineering.

The researchers plan to do more studies using a patient simulator also allow tracking multiple droplets.

"Studies are on to propose robust models to understand how this atomisation is actually taking place.

This is a problem not just for Covid, but for similar respiratory diseases in the future as well," added Sharma.

administered in the country till date since the mass drive began on January 16.

The third phase of vaccination began on Monday covering 27 crore of people above 60 and those above 45 years of age with comorbidities at 10,000 government and over 20,000 private vaccination centres.

The last day of the week has been celebrated as 'Janaushadhi Diwas'.

and UTs reporting a higher caseload of active cases, and also with those registering new infections.

"Most studies don't look at what is going on at the individual droplet level and how aerosols can be generated," Basu asserted.

Worst phase of Covid-19 appears to be over: says VP

In order to create more awareness about Janaushadhi, 'Janaushadhi Week' from March 1-7 is being celebrated across the nation, with the theme of "Jan Aushadhi - Seva bhi, Rozgar bhi".

6 states showing steep rise in daily new Covid-19 cases: Centre

HEALTH

As of Sunday, the country's cumulative caseload has increased to 1,12,10,799, while the death toll currently stands at 1,57,756.

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): Referring to the largest vaccination drive in the world against Covid-19 being undertaken in India, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that the worst phase of the pandemic appears to be over.

However, the Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader cautioned people to remain vigilant and continue to take all the necessary precautions till we defeat the virus decisively.

Naidu's comments came as 2,09,22,344 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been

While addressing the first Graduation Day ceremony of ESIC Medical College (Faridabad) held at Vigyan Bhavan here in the national capital, the Vice President further said that 'resilience, research and reinvention' helped India become a torchbearer in the global fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Applauding untiring efforts of Indian researchers, scientists and doctors for finding technological solutions to the challenges thrown by the pandemic, Naidu credited their timely and decisive measures for containing the spread of the virus.

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Australian economy continues recovery Hyderabad's Agri- Startup using modern tech for pesticide-free Veggies caused a record 7 per cent fall in GDP in the June quarter and sent Australia into recession for the first time since 1991.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the recovery was proof that the economy could survive the phasing-out of the government's economic stimulus measures.

"Today's national accounts show that the Australian economy is strengthening, and the government's economic recovery plan is working," he told reporters.

Canberra, March 3 (IANS): Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday revealed that the country's economy has continued to recover from the Covid-19 crisis.

According to ABS, Australia's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.1 per cent in the December quarter while the growth figure for the September

quarter was revised up from 3.3 to 3.4 per cent, reports Xinhua news agency.

It marks the first time in the 60-year history of the national accounts that Australia's GDP has grown by more than 3 per cent in consecutive quarters.

However, the economy still contracted by 1.1 per cent over the calendar year after the pandemic

"What is particularly pleasing in today's numbers is that as our emergency support is tapering off, the private sector is stepping up. In the December quarter, direct economic support from the Federal Government halved, yet at the same time, the economy grew by 3.1 per cent."

Household spending rose by 4.3 per cent nationally in the final quarter of 2020 and by 10.4 per cent in Victoria after Melbourne's strict coronavirus lockdown ended.

India Retail Sector to add 2.5 Cr New Jobs by 2030: Report

Hyderabad, March 3 (IANS): A Hyderabad-based techie who returned from Australia after a span of 20 years, has recently set up an agri-startup that offers modern technology such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, hydroponics and others to produce fresh and leafy vegetables free from chemicals and pesticides.

"I was in Australia for 20 years and was working with a lot of technologies in the agricultural space. That is where all this started and then I decided that there is so much scope in India in the farming sector," said Sachin Darbarwar, founder of the startup 'Simply Fresh', to IANS. He said that technology is quite advanced in Europe, Australia and other countries as compared to India but at the same time there is a need for affordable fresh chemical and pesticide-free vegetable produce in India.

After setting up Simply Fresh in 2013 and before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year, Darbarwar was growing up to 150 varieties of vegetables, supplying them to a good number of supermarkets, hotels, corporates, live kitchens and others.

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS): The Indian retail sector is likely to generate 2.5 Crore new jobs by 2030 and a lion's share will be the offline+online model which will account for nearly 50 per cent of the total retail employment addition, a Nasscom report said on Monday.

The online+offline model will lead to $125 billion retail exports and $8 billion in incremental GST contribution in the next 10 years, according to the report

by Nasscom in association with leading management and consulting firm Technopak.

Retail 4.0 will result in a significant rise in the size of the domestic market, job creation and exports. The changing demand and supply drivers are likely to accelerate the growth momentum, with the India retail market reaching up-to $1.5 trillion by the financial year 2030.

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"Retail sector is one of the growth engines for the nation's economy, with a double-digit contribution to the GDP, and employment to nearly 35 million individuals in FY2020," said Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog.

"The government of India is in process of formulating the National Retail Trade Policy which will not only create a conducive environment for retail trade but will also simplify policies hindering the growth of the sector in the country," Kant informed in a statement.

The offline+online model will also enable $125 billion worth of exports and account for 37 per cent of total retail tax contribution amounting to nearly $8 billion incremental GST contribution by 2030.

According to the report, e-commerce in India is growing at 3-4 times the rate of traditional

brick and mortal retail.

"Retail 4.0 is rapidly evolving to offline+online (O+O) retail models that will bring incremental economic contribution, job growth, and exports. To achieve this, a greater need for collaboration among retail stakeholders, policymakers, and supporting sectors for techawareness will be the key, which will accelerate the sector's growth in the years to come," said Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom.

As per the survey of over 360 retail stakeholders, 79 per cent of the respondents felt that technology will play a pivotal role in the retail growth in the country.

"There has been a rising awareness and willingness to embrace online with 70 per cent of the overall respondents have a positive outlook towards online+offline collaborations," it added.

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However, the pandemic threw a spanner in their operations, forcing them to take a break and wait for everything to settle down to resume with renewed focus on exports, along with nutraceuticals.

The nutraceuticals focus is to cater to raw material requirements.

Darbarwar said he will stick to calling his products chemical and pesticide-free as Simply Fresh is awaiting the government's certification to be categorized as organic.

He also said that there is no policy with the government currently to certify hydroponic produce to be called as organic and hopes that he could call Simply Fresh's produce as organic in a couple of months' time.

According to Darbarwar, his company employs a technology called precision farming and hydroponics forms a small part of it.

Working with botanists and professors, Simply Fresh uses technology to decode signals coming from the plants, which respond to environmental changes and the nutrients being fed to them.

Darbarwar and his wife Shweta made use of a 10 acre plot of land to recreate and produce the inviting vegetables they enjoyed in Australia.

As many as 14 kinds of lettuce, 10 types of herbs, micro greens, peppers, capsicum and tomato are some of their produce.

The startup raised nearly $20 million in funding and managed to shift to a larger parcel of land at Arjunpatla in Siddip

Indian Bullet train will be slightly modified to suit our climatic conditions New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): The Indian version of the HighSpeed Rail or the Bullet train will be slightly modified to suit the country's climatic conditions with a stronger air conditioning system, as well as, different filtering system keeping in view of the high temperatures and dusty conditions in the country, as compared to the one operating in Japan, officials said on Sunday.

India is currently constructing the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed rail corridor.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), which is executing the project linking the capitals of Maharashtra and

Gujarat, believes the trains will have to be customised to suit the Indian conditions so that they run without any hassle.

Speaking to IANS, National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) spokesperson Sushma Gaur said: "The trains that run in Japan are built to handle outside temperature of up to 40 degrees Celsius. But here in India, and especially the section it will run in Maharashtra, the outside temperature can cross even 50 degrees. So, we will need some modifications for that."

She further said that special provisions are also being made to combat dust.

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AIBC Women in Business & FICCI FLO MoU to boost bilateral trade & business Ms Jodi McKay MP, Leader of the Opposition NSW presented Sheba Nandkeolyar with a Certificate from NSW Parliament recognising the role that women play in business. McKay said: “On International Women’s Day, we recognise how far we have come, and how far we have to go. FICCI FLO and AIBC WIB are showing that women have a great role to play in the bilateral relationship.”

Sheba Nandkeolyar, National Chair of Australia India Business Council Women in Business Chapter and CEO of Multi Connexions Group said: “I am confident and optimistic about the remarkable potential of this new MoU between AIBC WIB and FICCI FLO to fast-track bilateral trade and business between the two countries. Empowering women could lift the GDP of any country by 1- 2 percent.

“AIBC WIB vision is 50-50 involvement of women in bilateral business and trade, and I am pleased to see this reflected in the gender diversity of the AIBC National Leadership team, where the board composition is fifty per cent women,” added Nandkeolyar.

Sydney, March 10: The Women in Business (WIB) Chapter of Australia India Business Council Ltd (AIBC), the peak body facilitating bilateral trade and investment between the two nations, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO) for the two organisations to collaborate to boost bilateral trade and business.

The MoU was signed by Sheba Nandkeolyar, National Chair of AIBC WIB and Jahnabi Phookan, National President of FICCI FLO on International Women’s Day 2021 at a Consul General of India Sydney boardroom luncheon in the presence of His Excellency Gitesh Sarma, High Commissioner of India (virtual); Mr Manish Gupta, Consul General of India Sydney; Ms Rowan Ainsworth, Consul General of Australia Kolkata (virtual); and Ms Jodi McKay MP, Leader of the Opposition NSW among other high-profile attendees. The MoU aims to: Increase demand for goods and services supplied by women entrepreneurs in the bilateral Australia – India corridor Create platforms for increasing trade Support, initiate or improve integration of women vendors into Australia-India value chains Build the capacity of trade support institutions to provide

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better services to women clients, Increase awareness among policy makers of the potential of women entrepreneurs and raise awareness of barriers that hamper their participation in bilateral trade Partner the two organisations for Women of 7 Continents, FICCI FLO’s forum for the exchange of information, experience, visibility, and connectivity among women business owners His Excellency High Commissioner of India to Australia, Sri Gitesh Sarma said: “Women have broken through and touched all frontiers that can be conquered. Today, as we recognise the contributions of women, I offer congratulations to Australia India Business Council Women in Business and FICCI FLO. It is great to see women in both countries are joining together to take our great bilateral ties even further – and what a timely initiative too.

This will inevitably bring to life the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Scott Morrison began when they last met.”

Jahnabi Phookan, National President of FICCI FLO said: “I am delighted to sign this MOU today on behalf of FICCI FLO with AIBC WIB. The trade possibilities and potential between Australia and India are endless. Australia and India’s ambitions are possible, with women business leaders playing a strong role.

The digitisation of the world post COVID has made it even easier to take advantage of the opportunities and FICCI FLO’s Women of 7 Regions (W7) initiative is working hard to take women into the value chain to make these opportunities easy to grasp.”

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies’ Organisation will further cement the strong bilateral business and trade relationship between the two countries, and provide women entrepreneurs in the bilateral space with solid resources to fast track their plans.

Australia India Business Council is committed to promoting and facilitating initiatives that increase trade and business between the two countries, and I am confident today marks a solid step in the right direction with the support of government and business leaders.”

The boardroom session was extremely insightful, with attendees sharing experiences of doing business with India, attendees’ experience of Brand India and business and trade possibilities that India represents.

Other high profile virtual and in-person attendees included

Dianne Tipping, Chair of Export Council of Australia; Rose Kerlin, Group Executive Membership, AustralianSuper; Nick Hockley, Interim CEO, Cricket Australia; Sonia Gandhi, AIBC NSW WIB Chair; Julia Niblett, NSW Director of DFAT; Vik Singh, Digital Education Director at Austrade; Helen Hamilton Jones, Managing Partner at Deloitte; Harriet Diana Richards, ANZ Head of Corporate Affairs at TCS; Kavita Singh, Chief Executive, Bank of Baroda; Nimeesha Gupta, Educator and Linguist; Debra Singh, Board Member; Prof. Veena Sahajwalla of UNSW Research; Mala Mehta of IABBV Hindi School; Prof.

Neena Mitter of QAAFI Centre for Horticultural Science; Dr Meena Scindia Chavan of Macquarie University; Deputy Consul General of India Sydney Mr Sanjay Muluka; and AIBC WIB leadership Reet Phulwani, Tamanna Monem, and Preeti Daga.

Sanushka Seomangal, National Vice Chair of AIBC representing AIBC National Chair Jim Varghese said: “This MOU between Australia India Business Council Women in Business Chapter and

Mr Manish Gupta, Consul General of India - Sydney said: “In the Australia India corridor, women have left an indelible imprint.

Congratulations to AIBC WIB and FICCI FLO. This MoU will be key to supporting the women-centric chambers that are operating here in Australia as well as in India.”

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WHAT’S ON

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Indian men beat Britain 3-2 in final hockey match

Humpy wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award doesn't get as much attention as sports like cricket gets in India. But with this award, I hope the game will draw people's attention," she said after winning the honour on Monday.

Antwerp (Belgium), March 8 (IANS): Indian men's hockey team ended their tour of Europe with a splendid 3-2 win against Great Britain here on Monday.

Harmanpreet Singh's goal in the very first minute and two goals by Mandeep Singh in the 28th and 59th minutes helped India remain undefeated on the tour.

For Great Britain, James Gall (20th minute) and striker Adam Forsyth (55th) scored. In their previous match, India's Simranjeet Singh had scored a late goal to hold Great Britain to a 1-1 draw and against Germany, the PR Sreejesh-led side had secured a 6-1 win and a 1-1 draw respectively.

In Monday's match, India started off aggressively and earned a penalty corner in the very first minute of the game.

The opportunity was duly converted by India's vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh to give his side an early lead.

Though Great Britain replied to the setback with a structured attack that helped them make a foray into the striking circle, a goal was denied by an alert Indian goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak.

The early advantage helped the

New Delhi, March 9 (IANS): Chess player Koneru Humpy won the BBC India Sportswoman of the Year award for 2020. The award was based on a public vote in which Humpy beat sprinter Dutee Chand, shooter Manu Bhaker, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and hockey captain Rani Rampal.

Indians maintain pressure on their opponents, ending the first quarter with a 1-0 lead.

Great Britain drew parity in the 20th minute through midfielder James Gall's field goal. The muchneeded equaliser helped his team gain the right momentum.

Putting India under pressure, Britain earned a penalty corner, but their attempt was derailed by a brilliant save by India captain PR Sreejesh. India's moment to regain the lead came in the 28th minute when forward Mandeep Singh successfully converted the penalty corner on the rebound.

Ahead by a goal, India rallied to extend the lead further with aggressive attack in the third quarter. Though they fetched

a penalty corner in the early minutes of that quarter and even made as many as five entries into the circle, they were denied each time. India's defence, however, remained resolute as they held on to the 2-1 lead.

Though India dominated the proceedings at the start of the fourth quarter, a quick turnaround saw Great Britain grabbing the opportunity as Alan Forsyth scored an equaliser in the 55th minute. The last few minutes was a battle of nerves as both teams lived up to the billing, but it was Mandeep who rose to the occasion as his late strike help India cap off their first assignment of 2021 with a 3-2 win against Great Britain.

Football Delhi starts 'Gift a Ball' drive for poor girls

SPORTS

"Being an indoor game, chess

"I won over the years because of my willpower and confidence. A female player should never think about quitting her game. Marriage and motherhood are just a part of our life and they should not change the course of our lives," she said.

Humpy won the World Rapid Chess Championship in December 2019 after a two-year maternity break. She then won the Cairns Cup in 2020.

Sports ministry awaits decision on Covid-19 Vax for athletes New Delhi, March 6 (IANS): The sports ministry is expecting a decision on Covid-19 vaccination for Olympic Games-bound athletes shortly from the health ministry, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday. "It’s a sensitive issue, and we are in the process of working out a plan.

The health of the elite athletes training in the national camp for Olympics is our priority, but we have to follow protocols of the health department," said Rijiju.

The sports minister, who was chief guest at an event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on the eve of the National Marathon, said health workers and frontline staff are the main focus of the government. "But at the same time we don't want any Olympic-bound athlete to get this contagious virus and spoil his or her preparation," he said.

There has been uncertainty over the two doses of the vaccine for

the athletes preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.

Earlier in February, Rajiv Mehta, secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), had written to the health ministry considering the need for Covid-19 vaccines for top athletes.

"All the coaching staff and athletes who have achieved Olympic qualification might be a small number, but it all depends on the health ministry to give its nod," said the sports minister.

In the 2019 Olympic qualification round, the Indian men and women's hockey team along with nine boxers and four wrestlers made it to the Tokyo Olympics.

Fifteen shooters and seven individual track and field athletes too have made the cut for the Olympics.

The sports minister hoped more athletes would qualify for the Olympics, starting on July 23.

India-NZ ICC World Test Championship final from June 18 announcement will be made this week.

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS): To celebrate International Women's Day with a specific purpose and impact football development in Delhi, Football Delhi on Monday launched 'Gift A Ball' campaign at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex here.

During the launch event, dignitaries and members of Football Delhi gifted footballs to more than 200 girls present on the occasion from underprivileged families.

The objective of the campaign is to promote football among girls, especially among underprivileged background. This initiative will also attempt to encourage football

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loving population in India to gift balls and turn this as a movement where gifting footballs to girls becomes a trend.

Former India captain Baichung Bhutia said that it was a great opportunity to launch #GiftABall Campaign on International Women's day.

"Over the years, we have seen many positive changes in Delhi and it is one of them. I wish all the players to do well in future," he said.

Football Delhi President Shaji Prabhakaran said developing women's football in Delhi is one of the top priorities for the association.

"We wanted to celebrate International Women's Day with a message which would encourage more girls to play football and with this campaign, we wanted to reinforce our commitment towards women's football. We are targeting to gift 5,000-10,000 footballs and we urge everyone to be part of this campaign and support us to make more girls play football," he said.

Football Delhi also launched a crowd funding campaign from Monday to fund the 'Gift A Ball' initiative. Funds generated from the crowd funding will be used entirely to gift footballs to underprivileged girls.

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Earlier, the final was to be played at Lord's, London, but perhaps due to Covid restrictions over there, and related issues, apparently from the organisation that manages the ground, forced the ICC to relocate the match to the beautiful Ageas Bowl Stadium.

ICC is keen to make the WTC final a grand success, with a dream final featuring Virat Kohli's glamorous Indian team.

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS): The first International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) final, between India and New Zealand, will be played from June 18 to 22 at Southampton's Ageas Bowl Stadium. June 23 will be the reserve day.

A formal announcement, however, is yet to be made by the ICC. It is expected that the

Despite starting their WTC campaign with seven consecutive victories, India's spot in the final was not confirmed, until their last Test series in the qualification period.

India defeated England comprehensively by an innings and 25 runs in Ahmedabad last week to leave no doubt as to who the second team in the final would be.

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Top things to do when in Coorg

Some of Coorg's popular tourist attractions also include Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls and the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple. For those interested in elephants and wildlife, Dubare Elephant Camp and Nagarahole National Park are the places to go! As a hot new luxury destination hours away from Bengaluru, a road trip from the city to Coorg's hills is something to look forward to in itself, as the chatter of city life gradually gives way to the peace and quiet of this traveler's paradise.

Last month, Airbnb and BMW India came together to curate the ideal Coorg experience. Here's what we learnt about the top activities in Coorg: Bike Your Way Through Nature Trails The countryside is best experienced either on foot or on two wheels. Take the BLive electric bike tour to explore the dense forests and learn about different brews, each of which has its own story to tell. While exploring the unforgettable views and unbelievable scenery, you can also speak to locals, and visit the charming little stores to understand the region more closely. This bike tour is a must-try for those wanting to experience the unexplored in Coorg and can be booked on

Soak in the Sunset at Mandalpatti Situated about 30 kms from Madikeri, Mandalpatti is also known as Mugilu-Pete, or an abode of the clouds. As is apparent from the name, it promises the most breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. It’s best if you can catch the sunset, but even otherwise, a 360-degree view of the clouds blending into the mountains is a memory that’ll stay with you for a lifetime.

Local spices, local ingredients, and gourmet food. All the food on the menu is grown and produced in collaboration with the local farmers. So, if you want to try authentic food from the region, head to Harvesters. And with the Kaveri river gurgling by your side, it is bound to be more than just a dining experience.

The way to a tourist’s heart is through the stomach and a Kodava meal ticks all the checkboxes. Try the famous pandi curry, bamboo shoot curry, akki roti, koli curry, and kadambattu to truly understand the unique flavors of the hilly region. Airbnb Superhost, Preeth who owns the Udaya cottage in Madikeri can

Mandira Bedi on women, travel and being an Airbnb host A lot of this exploration has happened solo because of work, but my family and I take a trip, if not two, in a year.

Explore the Coffee Estates A visit to Coorg is incomplete without a visit to its lush coffee plantations. Did you know it takes 3-4 years minimum for a coffee plant to mature, and reach a point where its beans can be turned into hot, steaming coffee? From red cherries to your coffee pot, learn all about the journey of the elusive coffee bean as you walk through the lush estates that dot the hill station. Not only are these walks great for the soul, you can also learn about sustainable techniques like regenerative farming and more.

Is solo travel and revenue for self-discovery and introspection for you?

Bedi: Solo travel is the most amazing thing (laughs), because I wear many hats at home, and when I get to travel on my own it is quite liberating, uplifting.

You're not asking anybody 'should we do this' or 'should we eat here'.

Choices are your own and your discovery is your own.

You are also an Airbnb host now.

Can you tell us about that?

Ainmane No trip is complete without stopping to purchase some of the best produce from the region and Ainmane, is the best place for this. A local café and specialty store in the heart of Coorg, this store boasts of the best collection of food products from the highlands of Coorg and Western Ghats. Pick up your favorite blend of coffee, grab some of Coorg’s famous local spices and don’t forget the chocolate that this March 11, 2021 Indian actor, fitness icon and entrepreneur Mandira Bedi says she is amazed to hear about women who are working hard, challenging norms, and gaining financial independence to become successful entrepreneurs supporting themselves and their families, against all odds.

"I believe women should choose to challenge every boundary and every obstacle that comes their way, that says they ‘can’t’ do something'," Bedi, who recently became a host on Airbnb by putting up her Mud Island villa on the popular travel platform, said in a virtual panel discussion.

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Take a savory tour to the Old Kent Estates

Dine at The Harvesters

Try a traditional Kodava dinner

Airbnb.

curate a scrumptious local Kodava meal for you on request.

Take a highly educational herb garden tour and indulge in a delectable meal featuring local and seasonal cuisines prepared with the freshest ingredients, mostly sourced from in and around the luxurious Old Kent Estate. Apart from the elegant hospitality and its old architecture, the meals are a good mix of local and English cuisines.

region is famous for.

March 7, 2021 An authentic Coorg experience entails everything from soaking in the sunset at the lush green spot of Mandalpatti, to indulging in a traditional Kodava meal, and long walks in Madikeri's many coffee estates.

TRAVEL

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Please tell us about your love for travel. When did you begin to travel first?

Bedi: The first time I travelled outside of India was I was after my 10th grade exams, my family and I went on a summer holiday.

We did Europe and the United States. Then, once I got to be a part of this business, my travel increased a fair amount, more so after cricket when I started hosting events within and outside India. I've been blessed that my work has taken me to some amazing destinations. Wherever I have gone, I have managed to stay on for a couple of days and explore the city.

Bedi: Yes, this is a new experience. It has something to do with the lockdown also. So, my mum and I invested in the house about 15 years ago and we made it a shooting bungalow, which meant it was getting redone by different art directors. During the lockdown, I realised there is a beautiful house, just a drive away, and we don't use it. I thought it could be used by the family as well. It required a massive overhaul. We put the last 6-7 months into it and now it's finally ready. It's a 4-bedroom beautiful villa with nice furniture, a little bit like my house and yet not.

Are you excited to travel again?

Bedi: Yes, I've already started travelling again. I went to Maldives in September, then Dubai. I've made 6 or 7 trips to Bangalore, three trips to Delhi.

For travel, I've done 18 COVID-19 tests so far. I have missed travel a great deal. We're still not done with Covid-19. It's still very much there. But we are in a better position to live with it.

What's your safety mantra while travelling?

Bedi: When you're out and about, touch anything, but don't touch your face.

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March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

TRAVEL

Top 10 offbeat beach destinations in Maharashtra March 7, 2021 If you really want to explore offbeat destinations then Maharashtra boasts of an extensive beaches where you can seek some quiet time or adventure. With 720km of coastline in the Arabian Sea, it is home to incredible beaches and breathtaking shorelines. The State Govt.’s Tourism department has announced an enviable list of ten lesser-known, serene beaches in the State that tourists can explore during their visit to the mainland.

Guhagar Beach The sparkling golden sand beach of Guhagar stretches for approximately 5-6 kms from Guhagar to Asgoli and is situated in Ratnagiri district. One can easily spot this beach from the forests of Casuarina, locally called as Suru Tree. The beach endorses serenity with blue sea waves bumping against the seashore, dotted by the mountains in the background to the east.

Apart from the beach, Guhagar is home to some beautiful forts and temples. One of the major attractions is the gorgeous scenic fort of Anjavel/Gopalgad. It is known for Vyadeshwar Temple, temple of Lord Shiva. The idol (Shivlinga) is made of black stone, with the image of Nagaraj engraved on it with a brass like metal. Another famed temple is Chandika Mandir, which is based 15-20ft below the earth’s surface, set inside a cave. The tranquility of this temple makes it an essential place to visit.

Bhogwe Beach Situated on the shores of Sindhudurg District, the pristine Bhogwe Beach is among the prettiest and most secluded beaches in Konkan. Scattered with rocks, views of the nearby forts and silvery white sand with clear blue waters, this picturesque beach is a magical haven for beach lovers.

This beach is located pretty close to Tarkarli, the water adventure

Bhogwe Beach

Guhagar Beach

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Diveagar beach

Satpati Beach

Velneshwar Beach

destination and is the perfect place for a long stroll or to enjoy a surreal sunset. This idyllic beach is famous for being the merging point of river Karli and the Arabian Sea. One can enjoy majestic views of the Karli River mingling with sea waters from Devbaug’s famous Mobara Point.

Another major attraction here is dolphin sighting. One can also plan a visit to Nivati Fort, which is 8.5 kms away from the beach.

Velneshwar Beach Situated in Ratnagiri district, it is one of the most serene beaches on the west coast of India and is ideal for some quiet time. The stunning seashore which is surrounded by beautiful coconut grooves makes a pictureperfect backdrop for a stroll. It is one of the cleanest beach of Maharashtra and is popular for its rock-less sea and peaceful atmosphere. On the seashore, the magnificent ancient Velneshwar temple of Lord Shiva is located and the history of this temple is as old as the village. Another sacred temple, Dashabhuja Ganesh Mandir at Hedvi, which is located 9 kms away from Velneshwar, is often frequently visited by tourists. Some of the other places worth visiting in the vicinity include the Shastri River, Anjanwale Fort, Vyaghrambary Mandir, Laxmi Narayan Temple, and Uma Mahesh Mandir.

Kunkeshwar Beach

One of Maharashtra’s most pristine white sand beaches is the Kunkeshwar Beach, a major attraction in the region of Sindhudurg. Situated at 16 kms from the town of Devgad, the sloping dunes and the palm trees here offer wanderers a soothing experience, and is the ideal weekend getaway to soak oneself in serenity amidst the chaos.

Enjoy the long seashore whilst swimming and sunbathing at Kunkeshwar, accompanied by the spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. Devgad Fort and Vijaydurg Fort which are about 8.5 kms and 34.5 kms away from the beach respectively, are some of the nearby attractions.

Satpati Beach Counted among some of the prominent and largest beaches of Maharashtra is the Satpati beach.

Located 13kms from the main town near Shirgaon beach, Satpati is truly a haven for the ones who love to travel. Being one of the cleanest beaches of Maharashtra, it offers the wanderers peace and tranquil in its arms. With most of the fishing villages located nearby, it is also popularly known as the fishing hub of India. The nearby places one can visit is Shirgaon Fort, located approximately 9 kms from Satpati beach and Satpati Lighthouse, which is half a km away from the beach, are nearby attractions worth visiting.

Anjarle beach Anjarle beach enjoys a reputation of being one of the cleanest and unpolluted beaches in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri. Settled on the Konkan Coast near Dapoli, the beach welcomes its visitors with the sweet twittering of birds.

The tourists can see a dense cover of coconut trees at one side of the beach with little tops of local Konkani hutment wrapped under the foliage of the green cover. It is a perfect vacation spot for adventure seeking travellers as it offers water sports like parasailing, snorkeling and wind surfing available.

The beautiful beach is known for its conservation of the Olive Ridley Turtles. So one of the most exciting experiences that the travellers can witness at the beach is watching the baby Olive Ridley Turtles hatch out of their shells to take their first step towards the sea. Kadyawarcha Ganpati, the well-known temple situated on a cliff, is also one of

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the major attractions and is 3 kms away from the beach.

Arevare beach The twin beaches, located in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, are a geological wonder in itself as it was formed ages ago due to the convergence of the mountain into the ocean, which is believed to be a one of a kind phenomenon.

Arevare is blessed with clear blue water with a heavenly seashore.

Wrapped in the golden sand, the beach offers magnificent views of the sunset over the azure waters of the Arabian Sea. One can enjoy the beauty of the view from the nearby Arevare point located on the peak of a nearby hill.

Another attraction is the famous Ganapatipule Temple, which is 10 kms away from the beach.

Bhandarpule beach A less-explored destination, it is one of the crown jewels of Maharashtra situated on the Konkan coast. It is situated at a distance of 2kms from Ganapatipule Beach. From the nearby hillock, one can enjoy mesmeric views of both Bhandarpule beach and Ganpatipule beach. The beach nestles comfortably amidst two hillocks and is lined with Casuarinas trees. The mystic water and the bluish green hue of the sea is absolutely magical. The nearby Ganapatipule beach and the Ganapati temple are major attractions for people visiting this beach. One can also visit the secluded twin beaches of Arevare (10 kms away). On the way to Bhandarpule via NH 16, one can visit Marleshwar Temple which is near Sangameshwar.

It is amongst the pristine destinations of the country which is situated on the Konkan coast.

Approximately 170 kms away from Mumbai, the beach is surrounded

by Suru trees while the access to the beach has a dense cover of Belu trees which accentuate its beauty. The beach is clean and uncluttered with just the blue sea, surf, and the pristine white sand spanning the horizon. The region is sparsely-populated with diverse flora and fauna which helps preserve its magnificence.

While Starfish can be seen during the winters, summers are more dominated by crabs. It is also famous for Turtle Festival held in the month of April.

One can visit a small village near Diveagar named Devkhol. The main attraction of this village is bird watching where one can get to see a number of rare birds.

Other must-visit places near the beach, are Roopnarayan Temple which has a fantastically carved statue of Vishnu, Suvarna Ganesha, Sundernarayan Temple, Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and Madagad Fort.

Bordi beach It is a coastal hamlet located in the Palghar district. The beach is surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and the golden sand of the beach is ideal for a long stroll or to enjoy a surreal sunset.

It promises tranquility and peace to the visitors, providing relief from the hustle and bustle of a city life. It is surrounded by the chikoo trees lending a charming look to the place. Every year, the village also hosts a Chikoo Festival, which is attended by a number of chikoo fruit lovers.

One of the prominent nearby attractions is Kalpataru Botanical Garden. The place is home to the famous Vrindavan Studios, where the epic TV series Ramayana was shot. It is also known for Depchari Dam and Reservoir and Asavli Dam, as the construction of this Dam is said to be similar to the Great Pyramid of Egypt. The place also boasts of ancient temples

Diveagar Beach

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured with 2021 FIAF Award

ENTERTAINMENT

Urvashi Rautela tries 'Lucknowi accent' for web series

said.

Filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan, who have been previous recipients, will give the award to Big B for his dedication and contribution to the preservation of and access to the world's film heritage for the benefit of present and future generations, at a virtual presentation.

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan will be conferred upon with the prestigious 2021 FIAF Award by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), the worldwide organisation of film archives and museums from across the world, at a virtual showcase scheduled to take place on March 19.

"I am greatly honoured to receive the FIAF Award for the year 2021, for a cause that I am deeply committed to. We must strengthen the idea that film archiving is as essential as filmmaking, and I do hope that we are able to garner further support for this most essential cause from my colleagues in the film industry and the government, to enable us to realise our dream for building a centre that will preserve and showcase our magnificent film

heritage," said Bachchan.

The 78-year-old Bollywood icon's name was nominated by the FIAF affiliate Film Heritage Foundation, a notfor-profit organisation founded by filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, dedicated to the preservation, restoration, documentation, exhibition, and study of India's film heritage.

"We have been fortunate enough to enjoy the unstinting support of our ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, who has championed the cause of saving our film heritage, and constructively wielded his influence to amplify the cause on a war footing in our part of the world. This is the reason we nominated him for the award, and he was unanimously voted by all FIAF members," he

"Amitabh Bachchan's advocacy for preserving India's film legacy has been exceptional. With a career spanning over five decades, he is a celebrated actor who has put the considerable weight of his reputation behind the cause of film preservation in India and the entire subcontinent. They could not have chosen a more deserving individual to recognise this year," said filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

"As a past recipient of the FIAF Award, I know how imperative it is that representatives of the film industry around the world come together to ensure that we preserve our film heritage.

I want to congratulate Amitabh Bachchan on receiving the 2021 honour. As the ambassador for Film Heritage Foundation, he has played an essential role in putting the cause of film preservation on the map in India and the subcontinent," said filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

Parineeti Chopra: 'Saina' was the challenge I was looking for

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) Actress Parnieeti Chopra says the forthcoming sports biopic "Saina" was the challenge she was looking for because she was doing similar roles for a long time.

"I was looking for a challenge. The kind of films I was doing, they were more or less extensions of me, or perhaps what writers and directors thought of me. They were writing roles that were similar and I was choosing films that were similar. When this movie, Saina, came into my life, I was exactly looking for a film like this," said Parineeti.

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"I was looking for something to surprise everyone with. I was looking for something I was not known for. I am known as the happy girl-next-door type, but that is not me. I wanted to show the real me on the big-screen.

A sports biopic about a person who is still playing and known as the crazy tigress on court is something I was looking for," she said.

Earlier, actress Shraddha Kapoor was roped in to essay the role of badminton ace Saina Nehwal in the biopic. Shraddha reportedly dropped out owing to her health condition.

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) Actresss Urvashi Rautela plays a Lucknowi character in an upcoming web series, and she is working hard to get the accent of her character right.

Urvashi plays Poonam Mishra, wife of supercop, Inspector Avinash Mishra, in the show "Inspector Avinash". The series is based on the life of Inspector Mishra and has Randeep Hooda essaying the title role.

"Accents are important to know who you are where you are from as a character. I got a lot of help from my vocal coach and dialect specialist. Movie accents are the ones you don't really notice but actually are considered the

foundation of the characters.

For the very first time, I will be speaking in a Lucknowi accent.

It's a challenging part for me," said Urvashi.

Besides the accent, Urvashi has also been spending time with Poonam to understand her dayto-day routine and lifestyle.

"I am hanging out with Poonam Mishra to grasp everything about her. Even the smallest thing about hers, which I can grab, will be super best for my role.

Basically, I am soaking in all her characteristics -- from the way she talks to her dressing style, her bangles, sarees, everything," said Urvashi.

Talking about being trolled on social media after the teaser release, Parineeti said: "I have a different thought process. If I believe that someone is making a genuine point, I tend to agree with them. But when I know that someone is just heckling and saying stuff just to say stuff, I just ignore them."

Vaani Kapoor sets temperatures soaring in new picture

Parineeti claimed that her goal with the film was to make people understand and respect the game of badminton and its players in India.

"Imagine your cells as billions of stars sparkling inside you... let ‘em shine," she wrote with the picture.

"We play galli cricket and badminton, and I thought to myself I can learn it within two to three days but that was not the case. Then I realised that people who play badminton for India or internationally are all together different than what we know.

So, my personal goal with this film is for people to understand whatever the sport, do respect it.

Badminton needs to be respected, because I don't know any sport that is as hectic and difficult to play as badminton, though the players make it look easy," she said.

"Saina" is directed by Amole Gupte and is set for a theatrical release on March 26.

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Mumbai, March 9 (IANS) Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor posted a glamorous picture for her fans on Instagram, on Tuesday. The actress poses in a yellow cutout ensemble.

B-Town friends commented on her post, complimenting the actress. Actress Alia Bhatt wrote: "Body" followed by multiple fire emojis, while actress Diana Penty wrote "Ufff" and added three emojis.

The actress has three films coming up in the next months.

She will be seen in Bell Bottom, co-starring Akshay Kumar and shot in Glasgow, Scotland during lockdown. She is has Shamshera featuring Sanjay Dutt and Ranbir Kapoor, and directed by Karan Malhortra. Vaani will also be seen in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui where she shares screen space with Ayushmann Khurrana for the first time.

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

Harshdeep Kaur names her son Hunar Singh

ENTERTAINMENT

Deepika Padukone on what fitness means to her New Delhi, March 10: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone believes that fitness is not just a person's physical appearance, but a balance of mind, body and soul.

"I've always believed that fitness is far more than just one's physical appearance. It is about balancing the mind, body and soul. It is about being fit physically, mentally and emotionally," says Deepika.

"It is also about making better choices every day, which eventually allows us to become a better version of ourselves," says the actress who has been roped as the ambassador of OZiva -- a plant-based nutrition brand.

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) Singer Harshdeep Kaur has named her newborn son Hunar Singh.

Harshdeep announced the name on social media on Wednesday.

"With the blessings of Waheguru ji, we have named our Baby Hunar Singh. Please continue giving him your love & blessings," she tweeted.

The singer also shared that "Hunar" refers to art, skill or talent.

Harshdeep and her husband

Mankeet Singh welcomed their first child, a boy, on March 2.

A day after, she announced the news with a tweet that read: "A little bit of heaven just came down to earth and has made us Mommy & Daddy. Our Junior 'Singh' has arrived & we couldn't be happier!"

Earlier this week, the singer shared her son's first photo.

Harshdeep tweeted a picture where she and husband Mankeet are holding the baby and smiling at him.

India's Adarsh Gourav nominated at BAFTA alongside Chadwick Boseman

London, March 10 (IANS) Indian actor Adarsh Gourav has been nominated in the Leading Actor category for his role in "The White Tiger" at the BAFTA Awards 2021.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced its list of nominees for the year on Tuesday, which includes a record breaking number of female directors.

This year also sees the most diverse set of nominations.

Notable nominees include ones in the Leading Actress category for Radha Blank for "The Forty-

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Year-Old Version", Maria Bakalova for "Borat Subsequent Film" and Dominique Fishback for "Judas And The Black Messiah".

In the Leading Actor, Adarsh Gourav will compete with late actor Chadwick Boseman for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and Anthony Hopkins for "The Father."

"The White Tiger" also received nomination for Ramin Bahrani in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

Here's the list of the nominees at the upcoming BAFTA awards:

Commenting on the association, she says:"Oziva's products and philosophy both come from the same school of thought; something I absolutely relate to."

Deepika will be promoting the brand's philosophy of 'har tarah se a better you' that aims to empower every individual's journey to a fitter, healthier and better life with certified clean and plant-based nutrition.

Aarti Gill, Co-founder, OZiva says: "We started OZiva with the aim of touching millions of lives and enabling them to lead a healthier, fitter and better life with clean, plant-based nutrition. For us, it's about creating a more inclusive and encouraging outlook towards

overall well-being, by rewriting the traditional definition of fitness. We are extremely happy to have Deepika Padukone come on board on this journey with us and be a part of the OZiva family. She

is the perfect embodiment of our values of striving to be better in every way and adopting a holistic approach towards overall health, physically and mentally."

with cream shorts, while Rubina stuns in an orange bikini top and sarong skirt.

Abhinav wrote: "Your Punjabi munda in Marjaneya ,with @ rubinadilaik.....

Neha wrote on Wednesday: "Ahem ahem... Ladies and Ladies I assure you, you're all gonna love this one! #Marjaneya."

@nehakakkar @babbu11111 @ desimusicfactory @anshul300 @raghav.sharma.14661 @ iamrajatnagpal @irajanbir."

"Super excited to announce our #first feat @ashukla09 in @nehakakkar ‘s #marjaneya," Rubina posted.

The couple was last seen in the show Bigg Boss 14. Rubina walked away with the trophy a few weeks back.

Neha Kakkar shares first look of RubinaAbhinav's music video 'Marjaneya'

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) Singer Neha Kakker took to Instagram on Wednesday, to share the first look of celebrity couple Rubina Dilaik and Abhinav Shukla's new music video Marjaneya.

The news was also shared by Rubina and Abhinav on their Instagram profiles. The music video will release on March 18.

In the first look, Abhinav sports a blue and pink printed shirt

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INDIA NEWS

March 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18

Farhan Akhtar-starrer 'Toofaan' set for OTT release on May 21 that the actor would be the perfect protagonist for "Toofaan".

"The best thing about him is that he does not act the part, but lives it completely. Toofaan is a story that will motivate and inspire all of us to get out of comfort zones and fight towards achieving our dreams. We cannot wait to present our film to viewers across the globe!" Mehra said.

Mumbai, March 10 (IANS) The Farhan Akhtar-starrer boxing drama Toofaan is all set to release digitally on May 21.

The Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directorial stars Farhan as a boxer, alongside Mrunal Thakur, Paresh Rawal, Supriya Pathak Kapur and Hussain Dalal. The film will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.

On collaborating with Farhan after the success of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which released seven years ago, Mehra said he was certain

B-Town stars gear up for OTT debut this year some heavy duty action scenes on the show.

Sonakshi Sinha Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who has been a part of big productions in Bollywood, will play a fearless lady cop in an untitled series. The series will be directed by Reema Kagti and also star Vijay Varma, Gulshan Deviah and Sohum Shah.

Sharing the excitement for the same, Ritesh Sidhwani, producer, Excel Entertainment said: "We consistently strive to develop new concepts that can entertain and enlighten the viewers. With Toofaan, we are presenting an inspirational sports drama that presents the story of a goon from the streets of Dongri set against the backdrop of boxing, his fall and triumphant comeback against all odds in life."

Madhuri Dixit The actress recently announced her upcoming digital debut in the series "Finding Anamika".

While details are awaited, it is known that Madhuri plays the role of a global superstar, who suddenly goes missing. The series is directed by Karishma Kohli and Bejoy Nambiar.

Juhi Chawla

"The film is an engaging and inspiring tale of the power of perseverance and following ones' passions against all odds," added Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video.

'Kaala chashma' composers Prem Hardeep out with new song 'Belafz baatein'

The actress will make her digital debut with a web series tentatively titled "Hush Hush". The series has a female-led cast and crew, with director, producers, writers being women. Actress Ayesha Jhulka will also be making her digital debut in the series.

Raveena Tandon

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS): The OTT space is revolutionising the way we enjoy visual entertainment, and it is reorganising a lot of things in Bollywood, too.

Among things in Bollywood that seem to be changing is the concept of stardom. Gone are the days when being a star was about big screen glory. In this context, what is currently going on has been unprecedented. Several top Bollywood stars are headed towards OTT as never before.

These are not character artistes or budding stars, but established names such as Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon and Juhi Chawla.

Mumbai, March 9 (IANS): New-age composer duo Prem Hardeep have made a mark with numbers such as Chandni raatein, Mohabbatein lootaunga, Tera mera pyaar, Kala chashma and Gallan kardi. They are now out with their latest composition, Belafz Baatein.

The song revolves around a couple who split, only to meet coincidentally years later.

"More often than not, love is lost because of the things that we leave unexpressed. Our song is about all the emotions that spiral out of a relationship that lacks openness. We hope to give to listeners a song they can hear

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repeatedly," the composer duo said.

Playback singer Mohammed Irfan, who is known for numbers such as Behne de, Phir mohabbat, Muskarane and Banjaara, has sung the number. He said that the song is totally compatible with the kind of music he likes to churn out.

"Belafz Baatein belongs to the style of music that gave me recognition and the love. I hope the listeners love it as much as I did," he said.

The song has been penned by Kunaal Vermaa and the music video has been directed by Devang Desai.

ENTERTAINMENT

It is something that Television never managed. At the height of superstardom, even though Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan have appeared on TV, they came as themselves, and not to essay fictional roles.

On OTT, it is the roles that seem to be attracting big Bollywood stars.

Many feel it is an outcome of a star's innate urge to find an audience. Even though the theatres have opened up, it seems OTT platforms have an edge. With Covid cases showing no sign of receding, there is no guarantee when the big screen business will be back in full swing. While Bollywood stars like Kajol and Emraan Hashmi have already made their OTT debut, the year 2021 will sees a major influx of well-known names into the world of OTT.

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Says casting director and filmmaker Mukesh Chhabra: "I remember I used to approach actors earlier and they weren't too keen when I said the film would release on an online platform. But now, everything has changed in a span of a year's time. More and more films and shows are being bought by OTT giants. Actors are more willing to do these shows and films."

The actress will be seen on OTT platform is the series "Aranyak".

Raveena will play a cop named Kasturi Durga. The series is directed by Vinay Vyakul.

He adds: "Actors always want an audience, the bigger the better.

So, while many of them are already well established, they can now have a bigger audience from every part of the country or world, so to say."

With new announcements coming everyday, it is clear that mainstream film actors are looking directly at OTT platforms for some breath of fresh air.

Actress Kajal Aggarwal, who made her OTT debut in February with the series "Live Telecast", says doing an OTT project felt like a natural step for her.

"I think it's a very natural progression for actors to venture into different platforms. Making your mark in the digital world is very important, especially to connect with the millennial," she says.

Here's a latest list of Bollywood's top stars who are lined up for OTT debut in the months to come: Shahid Kapoor The actor announced his digital debut with filmmakers Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK's action thriller series, which has not been titled yet. Shahid is expected to do

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16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 18 2/2/21 2:18 pm PageMarch 1

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