India News - Sept 1-15, 2020

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Ex Prez Pranab Mukherjee ‘Babu’ breathes his last

Indian government withdraws 12,000 paramilitary force personnel from J&K New Delhi / Srinagar (IANS): A year after additional security personnel were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir ( J&K), the Indian government on August

Ahead of the nullification of the Constitution’s Articles 370 and 35A on August 5 last year, the government had made additional deployments of paramilitary Continued on P 3

74th I-Day: Indian Prime Minister unfurls tricolour, addresses nation

New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS): Pranab Mukherjee -- a former President, the man who missed becoming the Prime Minister of India by a whisker, the Congress party’s trouble-shooter during the UPA rule and the unlikely Continued on P 3

Indian government asks states not to restrict movement of goods, people New Delhi /IANS: In view of the reports of restrictions on interstate and intra-state movement

19 withdrew around 12,000 troopers of various paramilitary forces, indicating a significant improvement in the law and order situation of the Union Territory.

of people and goods, the Indian government on August 22 directed all states to follow the Unlock Continued on P 3

New Delhi /IANS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 unfurled the Tricolour at the Red Fort and addressed the nation amid Covid-19 induced new norms after paying tribute at the Raj Ghat on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day. Continuing the tradition of sporting bright-coloured turbans for his Independence

Day speeches, the Indian Prime Minister chose an off-white saafa with broad streak of orange for the second I-Day address of his second term.

Modi also extended greetings to the people of the nation. “Happy Independence Day to all fellow Indians. Jai Hind!” tweeted Modi from his official Twitter account.

Continued on P 3

Prime Minister Modi chose an off-white saafa with broad streak of orange for the second I-Day address of his second term

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SEPTEMBER 2020

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CONTENTS

EDITORIAL TEAM Dr Ram Mohan, Chairman Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief Mr Harpreet Bhagrath, India Editor EDITORIAL BOARD Professor Prasad Yarlagadda, Queensland University of Technology Dr Indrani Ganguly, Author 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

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Patriotic songs, cultural programmes mark Indian I-Day celebrations across Australia

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Mr. Agastya Yeturi, Cinematographer Mr Nishit Chandan, Special Correspondent

Dr. Laxmi Vijay Gautam: “Angel of Vrindavan”

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INDIA NEWS GROUP expresses its deepest condolences on the unfortunate demise of the former President of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.

Born: 11 December 1935, Mirity Died: 31 August 2020, New Delhi Pranab Mukherjee was an Indian politician who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017. In a political career spanning five decades, Mukherjee was a senior leader in the Indian National Congress and occupied several ministerial portfolios in the Government of India. Prior to his election as President, Mukherjee was Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012. He was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2019 by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.

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Mukherjee got his break in politics in 1969 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi helped him get elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament of India, on a Congress ticket.

Following a meteoric rise, he became one of Gandhi’s most trusted lieutenants and a minister in her cabinet in 1973.

Mukherjee’s service in a number of ministerial

capacities culminated in his first stint as Finance Minister of India in 1982–84. He was also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1985.

Mukherjee was sidelined from the Congress during the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi.

Mukherjee had viewed himself and not the inexperienced Rajiv, as the rightful successor to Indira following

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her assassination in 1984.

Mukherjee lost out in the ensuing power struggle.

He formed his own party, the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress, which merged with the Congress in 1989 after reaching a consensus with Rajiv Gandhi. After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, Mukherjee’s political career revived when Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao appointed him Planning Commission head in 1991 and foreign minister in 1995. Following this, as elder statesman of the Congress, Mukherjee was the principal and architect of Sonia Gandhi’s ascension to the party’s presidency in 1998.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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INDIA NEWS

COVER STORY

Ex Prez Pranab Mukherjee Indian government asks states not ‘Babu’ breathes his last to restrict movement of goods, people Continued from P 1

Congressman with proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (the Prime Minister refers to him as ‘Dada’) -- breathed his last on Monday evening at the age of 84, marking the end of an era.

Detected with COVID-19, he was on ventilator following a brain surgery to remove a blood clot.

The former president was admitted to the Army’s R&R Hospital in Delhi Cantt on Aug 10 in what the hospital described as a “critical condition”. A scan at the hospital revealed a large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life-saving surgery.

After the surgery, he continued to remain critical and on ventilator support while also being detected with COVID-19.

shocking defeat last year in West Bengal’s Jangipur constituency while Sharmishta Mukherjee is the national spokesperson for the party her father once knew like the back of his hand. In 2015, Mukherjee lost his wife Suvra.

From being an Assistant Professor in Vidyanagar College, Kolkata to the President of India -Mukherjee’s journey was marked with his passion for electoral politics and his remarkable loyalty to the Congress party.

Mukherjee’s political career began in 1969, after being noticed for his by-election campaign management in Midnapore for an independent candidate -- former diplomat and senior Congress leader V.K. Krishna Menon.

Mukherjee became a member of the Rajya Sabha in July 1969, following which he was re-elected to the House in 1975, 1981, 1993 and 1999.

Continued from P 1 3.0 guidelines and allow such movement without any separate permission or permit.

A letter by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to all Chief Secretaries draws their attention to “para 5 of Unlock 3.0 guidelines”, which states that there will be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods.

Citing the para, the letter mentions that no separate permission, approval and e-permit will be required for such movement of persons and goods for cross-border land trade under treaties with neighbouring countries.

The Home Secretary’s letter notes that there are reports that locallevel restrictions on movement were being imposed by various districts and states.

The letter says such restrictions were creating problems in interstate movement of goods and services and impacting supply chains resulting in disruption of economic activity and employment.

“Such restrictions amount to violation of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

No restrictions be imposed and it should be ensured that MHA guidelines are followed,” says the

letter.

The Centre on July 29 issued Unlock 3.0 guidelines -- the third phase of lifting of coronavirusrelated restrictions across the country, giving relief to interstate and intra-state movement of people and goods. In the guidelines applied till August 31, the government scrapped night curfew and allowed yoga institutes to reopen.

In the new guidelines, the government said metro rail operations and large gatherings, however, still remain banned.

Schools, colleges and educational institutions will remain shut till the end of August.

Indian government withdraws 12,000 paramilitary force personnel from J&K 74th I-Day: Indian Prime He is survived by his sons, Abhijit and Indrajit Mukherjee, and daughter Sharmishta. Both Abhijit and Sharmishta have tried their hand at electoral politics.

Abhijit Mukherjee suffered a

Minister unfurls tricolour, addresses nation Continued from P 1 The Independence Day function, this year, was relatively muted in terms of participation of people in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.

On his arrival at the Lahori Gate of Red Fort, Modi was received

by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.

The Defence Secretary introduced General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra to the Indian Prime Minister.

The GoC then conducted the Saluting Base in the presence of the Indian Prime Minister, where a combined Inter-Services and Police Guards presented the general salute to him. Thereafter, Modi inspected the Guard of Honour.

He then proceeded to the ramparts of the Red Fort where

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Continued from P 1

J&K.

he was greeted by Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M.M. Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria.

On unfurling the National Flag

by Modi, the National Guard performed the ‘Rashtriya Salute’ as the Army Grenadiers Regimental Centre Military Band played the National Anthem.

Major Shweta Pandey assisted the Indian Prime Minister in unfurling of the Tricolour that was synchronized with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial).

The National Flag Guard comprising 32 men and one officer each from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police presented the Rashtriya Salute.

forces to J&K, anticipating Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks and separatist violence. The intelligence inputs about possible terror attacks had followed after the Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bombing in February in Pulwama, in which 40 paramilitary personnel were killed.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in its order on August 19, said that the government had reviewed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) which includes the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force

(BSF), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in J&K. After the review, the Indian government decided to withdraw 100 companies - 40 companies of the CRPF and 20 companies each of the BSF, the SSB and the CISF with immediate effect. All the companies have been asked to revert to their respective locations.

A copy of the order was sent to the Union Territory government, headed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and all the CAPFs based in

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The law and order related incidents in Kashmir Valley have dropped dramatically in the last one year. As per the data, civilian casualties due to stone-pelting incidents and the subsequent clashes with security forces, came down by 87.5 per cent in 2019 ( January to July) when compared to the corresponding period in 2018. The killings in stone-pelting incidents in the non-winter nine month period last year came down by 62 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2018.

As per the data, civilian casualties due to stone-pelting incidents and the subsequent clashes with security forces in 2019, were 94 per cent less than the number in 2016. Similarly, the injured due to stone-pelting incidents were down by 70 per cent in 2019 compared to 2016.

The Kashmir Valley, in 2016, had witnessed massive Pakistansponsored separatist violence after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter by security forces.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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INDIA NEWS

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NEWS FROM INDIA

J&K LG travels by road to districts to Ashok Gehlot’s govt wins trust vote in Rajasthan reach out to Kashmiris State Assembly Dal Lake to pastoral Ganderal and Kangan.

Sinha further drove all the way to Kangan, on Srinagar-Leh highway, where he conducted inspection of the underconstruction Mother and Child Care Hospital for which National Health Mission has provided funds worth Rs 42.5 crore. He also met several public delegations.

In all, he inaugurated 12 projects on which Rs 55 crore have been spent. He also laid the foundation stone of three new projects through virtual mode.

New Delhi /IANS: Jammu and Kashmir’s new Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha is breaking all the hackneyed bureaucratic taboos and security drills to start an extensive public outreach campaign that was absent in the terror-torn Kashmir valley since long.

In 10 days of his taking over at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar, the people of Kashmir are witnessing the LG literally on the ground - driving through forlorn terrains, making inspections of the projects in progress, pulling up officials for the lapses and meeting with delegations.

It is for the first time that LG in the Union Territory has dumped his helicopter and decided to drive all the way to the countryside to familiarize himself with the people and the places usually seen by some as hostile to the government. His style of working has been baffling sometimes unsettling - for his top aides, bureaucrats and officers.

The first surprise came within

two days of Sinha’s entry.

Regardless of security concerns, he made it a point to begin his outreach with a visit to Srinagar’s largest and the most crowded SMHS Hospital, which few of the top government functionaries had visited in the last over two years.

Notwithstanding a medical emergency on account of the coronavirus pandemic in the last five months, top officers have rarely passed by the hospital after August 5, last year when J&K’s special constitutional status was withdrawn, the state bifurcated into the two UTs, former ministers and legislators jailed and the valley was put under a two-month lockdown. Sinha was seen incredulously interacting with patients and their attendants and reviewing the situation with the doctors.

Sinha’s first visit to the rural Kashmir on August 18 was no less surprising. His cavalcade of bulletproof cars surged all the way from Raj Bhawan through the northern foreshore road of

The LG then decided to visit the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla to pay obeisance. Unlike on the given VVIP visit route, there was no security drill on the road to Tulmulla. On August 19, Sinha travelled to Baramulla district in northern Kashmir. Only 24 hours ago, eight people, including two soldiers, two paramilitary personnel, one Special Police Officer of the J&K Police and three Laskhar terrorists, had died in an encounter at Kreeri, not too far away from the highway.

Sinha met with 15 public delegations, including former MLAs Javid Hassan Baig and Shoib Lone, at Baramulla and five more at Boniyar, on the Baramulla-UriMuzaffarabad road. At Baramulla, Sinha made an inspection of the Rs 139 crore Government Medical College. Later at Boniyar, he laid the foundation stone of the Rs 14 crore Degree College. In all, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of over a dozen projects in Baramulla district.

Modi becomes longest-serving non-Cong Prime Minister ever New Delhi / IANS: Narendra Modi has yet another milestone to his credit - becoming the longest serving non-Congress Prime Minister of India.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who held that distinction so far had three runs at India’s top post - first for 13 days from May 16, 1996 till May 28, 1996, followed by his 408 day second tenure from March 19, 1998 till April 17, 1999 and finally his third tenure of 1,847 days from October 13, 1999 till May 22, 2004 bringing the total to 2,268 days Modi has surpassed veterans

like Vajpayee who served as PM for 2,268 days, with all his terms combined.

Bengaluru youth form human chain to protect temple amid riots in the city www.indianews.com.au

The special session was adjourned for two hours when it got underway on August 14.

As soon as it started at 1 p.m., Rajasthan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal moved a motion of confidence, which was accepted by Speaker C P Joshi who allotted a three-hour slot for debate.

After a lengthy debate, the Gehlot government won the confidence motion by voice vote.

The Gehlot government is now safe for at least six months, as the Opposition can’t move a no-confidence motion within the next six months.

It may be mentioned here that on August 13, BJP’s Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria had said that his party would move a no-confidence motion against the state government in the special Assembly session.

However, the saffron party dropped the idea as soon as the Congress moved the motion of confidence on August 14.

The Assembly session came a few days after the patch up between Gehlot and rebel party leader Sachin Pilot, marking a happy ending to the over a month-long political uncertainty in the state.

Pilot was provided a new seating arrangement in the Assembly, where his seat was shifted to the second row from the first row earlier.

During the debate, when Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh Rathore was repeatedly taking his name, former Deputy Chief Minister Pilot stood up

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and told the Speaker, “I was wondering that my seat has been shifted. This looks like a border, with the ruling government one side and the opposition on the other. Those being sent to the borders are the strongest. There may be bombardment at this border, but we will be the armour and keep everything safe.”

He also said, “We had raised our concerns with a ‘doctor’. Now all of us stand here unitedly after receiving ‘treatment’.”

Pilot said that many facts will come to the fore in the coming days. “Whatever had to be said has already been said. Now when we are in the House, we will have to leave many things behind,” he said.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dhariwal said that Amit Shah could not succeed in Rajasthan. Rajendra Singh Rathore immediately objected to the reference to Union Minister Shah.

Dhariwal then said that just as Akbar was taught a lesson by MaharanaPratap, similarly the BJP was shown the door by the brave sons of Rajasthan who nullified their plans to topple the elected state government.

“We did not permit the BJP to recreate Goa or Madhya Pradesh in Rajasthan,” he said.

after Pulikeshinagar Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s nephew, Naveen, posted a derogatory message on social media.

He has also become the 4th longest serving Prime Minister in the history of India, replacing Vajpayee with just Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh ahead of him now.

Modi also has the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat. The Modi wave led the BJP to power at the Centre in 2014. The wave turned into a tsunami in 2019, resulting

Jaipur /IANS: The Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan won the motion of confidence by voice vote during the special Assembly session convened on August 14.

in an even bigger mandate and a resounding victory marking Modi’s second term in office.

Bengaluru /IANS: Dozens of youth protected a temple in Bengaluru at the same time when frenzied mobs were on the rampage in the vicinity, torching and destroying an MLA’s home, two police stations, and other buildings.

A video of the youth protecting the temple went viral around the same time the riots were happening on August 11 night,

In an effort to prevent any miscreant from attacking the temple, some quick thinking youth immediately formed a human chain and protected it.

The temple was identified as one dedicated to Lord Hanuman in DJ Halli, where a part of the local police station was burnt by the rioting mobs.

Reportedly, it was found that many of the youth who protected the temple were also from other religious communities.

However, a local police official and a senior official said they were not aware of this incident.

“I am not aware of this incident,”

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a police officer told IANS, when asked if they had found this video also during their analysis of CCTV footage to identify the mobsters.

On August 11night, hundreds of people ran amok after Murthy’s nephew Naveen posted a derogatory message on social media.

The mobs pelted stones, injured 60 policemen, and committed acts of vandalism and arson in DJ Halli, KG Halli, Pulikeshinagar and Kaval Byrasandra areas, leaving the affected places resembling a warzone.

SEPTEMBER 2020

6

INDIA NEWS

NEWS FROM INDIA

Modi’s video with peacock will win your heart

Work on new ‘Babri Masjid’ halted till harvesting of standing crops: IICF New Delhi /IANS: No work “on ground” will start for at least two months on the new ‘Babri Masjid’ slated to come up in Dhannipur village in Ayodhya.

This is because there are standing crops on the site as of now, according to the official spokesperson of the Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the trust created to oversee the mosque’s construction.

New Delhi / IANS: When was the last time you saw a Prime Minister feed a peacock or enjoy its company? On August 23 (Sunday), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Instagram profile shared a heart-warming video made with a photo collage and short visuals with soothing flute music in the background as he is shown engrossed in feeding the national bird in what is considered the No. 1 VVIP address in India – 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

A peacock wandering aimlessly as the Indian Prime Minister briskly walks by, as it later eats from Modi’s hands, it was clearly

a quintessential Sunday vibes post on Modi’s Instagram account where his love for birds and nature is highlighted.

He posted it with a long poem which says ‘the soul of the living being is the soul of God’. It was a rare sneak peek for every social media user, into the life of India’s most important man, in a very different avatar.

This is not the first time though that Modi gave such a peek into his private life. Earlier, a video of him practising yoga and photos of his brief stroll in the lawn with his mother also touched many hearts.

Migrant labourers becoming easy prey to tiger attacks in Sunderban Kolkata /IANS: Prashanta Mondal of Chargheri village in Sunderban’s Gosaba went into the dense mangrove forests on August 2 to catch fish and crabs with other villagers. He was a migrant labourer working in the construction sector in southern India but was forced to return home before the Covid-19 lockdown.

Prashanta and his associates went to Marichjhapi’s Bantala forest area when he was attacked by a tiger. His friends somehow managed to save themselves, leaving the country boat behind in a narrow creek. But Prasanta failed to escape. He was dragged 4 km inside the mangrove forest by the man-eater. Later his mutilated and beheaded body was recovered by his companions from inside the core area.

His friend Alok Mondal, who is also a migrant worker, said that

Sunderbans www.indianews.com.au

they had no other option but to venture into the deadly forests of Sunderbans in search of livelihood.

“Crab and fish is a lucrative catch if we can sell them in the market.

The ongoing lockdown due to the Covid pandemic has crippled everything. We have practically zero income now. We have come back from different states, but we also have to run our families,” he said.

“Nothing on ground will happen till the standing paddy crop is harvested, as it is ‘haram’ or forbidden in Islam to harm green cultivation unnecessarily,” Athar Hussain, secretary and spokesperson of the trust told IANS. He added, “So it will be two months at least before we plan any construction.”

So what is the trust doing, given it can’t start any construction in the next couple of months?

There are backroom moves at play. A resolution was passed to open a bank account. Meanwhile local authorities in Sohawal Tehsil, under which Dhannipur village comes, are undertaking ‘Medhbandi’ or what is better known as land demarcation.

“After this, we will proceed for the topography plan and final approval of the architect,” Hussain said. But doesn’t he think the pace of work is very slow given that Shree Ram

Mandir Teerth Kshetra, the trust entrusted with the job of building the Ram temple, has already done the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ and is now about to meet again to discuss the way ahead?

He says, “It is very unfair to compare our activity and our speed with the other trust. We were handed over the papers of the land only on August 2 and there was an event attended by the Prime Minister on August 5.”

And now the Islamic rule that stops crops from being uprooted before harvest, as Hussain claims, has further delayed the process.

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh had allocated

the land in Dhannipur village in Ayodhya district to the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board which was in compliance with the apex court’s order on November 9, 2019, settling the title suit pertaining to Ram Janmabhoomi.

The IICF, which was created by the Sunni Waqf Board, has decided to keep public utilities like a hospital, Islamic research centre and a community kitchen among others in the compound.

The age-old dispute, which involved both a legal battle as well as street agitations, came to an end last year when the Supreme Court in India awarded the entire land to the Hindu parties.

Pakistan trained ISIS operative carrying IEDs arrested in Delhi The arrested operative Mohammad Mustakim Khan, alias Abu Yusuf Khan was active since 2015 in India after he joined the ISIS. Huzaifa had even trained the ISIS operative in making IEDs online.

Huzaifa was later killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan last year.

At least 12 people were killed in different tiger attacks in the Sunderbans in the past three months, of which about six were migrant labourers, official sources said.

The helplessness of the rural folks in the Sunderbans has forced them to risk their lives amid the Covid-19 ourbreak. As a result, they are easily falling prey to tiger attacks.

Babri Masjid

Abu Yusuf Khan was guided and trained by ISIS handlers through social media for the last 4 to 5 years and was planning a lone wolf attack in a heavy footfall area.

Pakistan trained ISIS operative Mohammad Mustakim Khan New Delhi /IANS: A suspected ISIS operative was arrested with two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) after an exchange of fire with policemen in central Delhi’s Ridge Road area, the Delhi Police said on August 22. The suspected ISIS operative was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell. He was guided and trained by a Pakistani handler Abu Huzaifa on social media.

“He planned to come to Delhi on Independence Day but couldn’t because of heavy security. A terror strike has been averted. He also tested the IED in his village in Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

He has a cosmetic shop in his village,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Special Cell P S Kushwaha said.

Two pressure cooker-based IEDs, a pistol with four live rounds and one Apache motorcycle were seized from the suspect who was identified by police officials as Mohammad Mustakim Khan alias Abu Yusuf Khan, a native

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of Balrampur district in Uttar Pradesh.

The shootout took place late on August 21 night along the DhaulaKuan-Karol Bagh route.

Sources in the Special Cell said six rounds were fired after which the suspected ISIS operative was taken into custody.

National Security Guard and bomb disposal squads were also pressed into action to defuse the IEDs. According to police, the suspected ISIS operative was being handled by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) commanders from Afghanistan and Pakistan and was planning terror strikes in India.

A Delhi Court on August 22 remanded the suspected ISIS operative to eight-day custody of the Delhi Police’s Special Cell.

He is being taken to his native place in UP’s Balrampur for further probe.

After the arrest, police in neighbouring UP were also put on high alert.

SEPTEMBER 2020

7

INDIA NEWS

NEWS FROM INDIA

India’s wind, solar generation share spikes in 5 years decade. The fact that, during a global pandemic, coal generation has still only fallen by eight per cent shows just how far off-track we still are. We have the solution, it’s working, it’s just not happening fast enough.”

Wind and solar continue to grow in line with the global average, reducing India’s reliance on coal.

A view of the Ultra Mega Solar Power project in Madhya Pradesh_s Rewa that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from New Delhi via video conferencing on July 10, 202 New Delhi (IANS): India’s wind and solar share rose from three per cent of the total generation in 2015 to 10 per cent in the first half of 2020 and at the same time coal’s share fell from 77 to 68 per cent.

For the first time, the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel coal ran at less than half of its capacity this year, said UK environmental group Ember’s report on August 13. The report is a half-year analysis of the global electricity transition, analysing 48 countries that represent 83 per cent of global electricity.

Ember says wind and solar reached a record-high market share of 10 per cent of global electricity in the first half of 2020, up by 14 per cent

compared to the same period last year despite a three per cent drop in demand globally due to the impact of COVID-19.

These two factors led to the largest half-year fall in coal generation since at least 1990 and meant that this year, for the first time, the world’s coal fleet ran at less than half of its capacity.

Dave Jones, senior electricity analyst at Ember, said, “Countries are now on the same path -- building wind turbines and solar panels to replace electricity from coal and gasfired power plants.

“But to keep a chance of limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees, coal generation needs to fall by 13 per cent every year this

Wind and solar generation grew by 13 per cent in first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year (in comparison to 14 per cent growth globally), and that meant wind and solar generated 9.7 per cent of India’s electricity (compared to 9.8 per cent globally).

Meanwhile, India’s coal generation fell by 14 per cent in first half of 2020 compared to first half of 2019.

Coal’s share of India’s electricity has now fallen from 77 per cent in 2015 to 68 per cent in the first half of 2020, at the same time as wind and solar rose from 3.4 to 9.7 per cent.

As the US and Europe reduce their coal use, China’s share of global coal generation continues to increase.

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India’s large fall of 14 per cent happened even after a fall of three per cent in 2019.

China’s fall was one of the smallest at just two per cent, due to strong electricity demand growth in Q2-2020.

Wind and solar have doubled their share of global electricity generation since the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015.

The Supreme Court initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against Bhushan for allegedly making derogatory comments against the top court on June

India’s coal plant utilisation fell as low as 42 per cent in April and May, averaging 51 per cent so far this year.

With lower-than-expected demand for electricity, and wind and solar eating into coal’s market share, there is an increasing surplus of coal capacity.

Similarly, DMK leader and Lok Sabha member Kanimozhi demanded the suspension of Kotecha for allegedly asking nonHindi speaking doctors to leave the training session.

DMK President MK Stalintalin Chennai /IANS: Political leaders in Tamil Nadu on August 22 demanded action against Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary at the Ministry of AYUSH, for allegedly asking non-Hindi speaking doctors to leave a training session.

Stalin said a doubt has arisen in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu whether Kotecha was given a two-year service extension only to insult the Tamil language.

27 in a tweet that alleged that the last four Chief Justices had played a role in the “destruction of democracy” during undeclared “emergency” for the last six years. Another tweet on June 29 alleged that the “present Chief Justice” rode bike in Nagpur “while keeping the apex court in lockdown and denying citizens their right to access to justice”.

India’s almost trebled from 3.4 per cent in 2015 to 9.7 per cent in first half of 2020.

the delegates from the non-Hindi speaking states.

Condemning Kotecha for his act, DMK President MK Stalin said it was shameful on the part of the Secretary to act in an “uncultured” and “uncivilised” manner.

authority of the Institution of Supreme Court in general and the office of the Chief Justice of India in particular, in the eyes of public at large,” said the court in its order.

They rose five percentage points, from 4.6 per cent to 9.8 per cent. Most large countries more than doubled their market share from 2015 to first half of 2020, coincidentally China, Japan and Brazil all increased from four per cent to 10 per cent, the US from six per cent to 12 per cent.

TN political parties seek action against AYUSH Secy for his snub to non-Hindi doctors

Coal use in India and some other Asian countries has not been increasing as some observers had expected.

New Delhi /IANS: The Supreme Court in India on August 14 held advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court for his tweets criticising Chief Justice S A Bobde and the judiciary.

“We are, prima facie, of the view that the aforesaid statements on Twitter have brought the administration of justice in disrepute and are capable of undermining the dignity and

Coal generation fell by 8.3 per cent in the first half of 2020.

Two-thirds of this was due to the large fall in the US by 31 per cent and the European Union by 32 per cent.

The fall in coal generation in the US and EU means that their share of global coal generation has reduced from 23 per cent in 2015 to 12 per cent in first half of 2020.

SC in India holds Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt The order was passed by a bench of Justices Arun Mishra, BRGavai, and Krishna Murari.

The apex court is yet to decide on the quantum of punishment.

On July 22, the apex court had issued notice to Bhushan on the alleged contemptuous remarks on Twitter. The top court also asked the Attorney General to assist it on the matter. The apex court had asked Bhushan and Twitter to file a reply by August 5.

That means China’s share of global coal generation rose to 54 per cent so far this year, up from 50 per cent in 2019 and 44 per cent in 2015, says Ember’s analysis.

Stalin, the Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said Kotecha has also threatened the delegates of the training session from the state.

Stalin urged the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to take action against Kotecha, saying Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami should insist that the training session be in English for

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In a tweet Kanimozhi said, “The statement of Secretary of the Union Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha that non-Hindi speaking participants could leave during a Ministry’s training session speaks volumes about the Hindi domination being imposed.

This is highly condemnable.”

She said, “Govt should place the Secretary under suspension and initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings. How long is this attitude of excluding non-Hindi speakers to be tolerated?”

“Not knowing English is understandable, but this arrogance of asking those who don’t know Hindi to leave and insisting on speaking in Hindi is totally unacceptable,” tweeted Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram.

MDMK leader Vaiko and PMK founder S. Ramadoss also condemned Kotecha.

The virtual training session for master trainers was organised by the Ministry of AYUSH. Most of the speakers spoke in Hindi which many delegates from non-Hindi speaking states, including 37 from Tamil Nadu, said was difficult to follow.

Kotecha, while addressing the gathering, said he was not fluent in English and will speak in Hindi and allegedly asked those seeking instructions in English to leave.

SEPTEMBER 2020

8

INDIA NEWS

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SEPTEMBER 2020

9

INDIA NEWS

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Patriotic songs, cultural programmes mark Indian I-Day celebrations across Australia

Despite the constraints caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 74th Indian Independence Day celebrations by the Indian High Commission, Canberra, and the Consulates in Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne were still replete with optimism as they successfully relived the memories and selfless contributions of the founding fathers of the biggest democracy

By Deepika Banerjee

Members of Sanskriti Seniors of Western Australia giving a group song performance at Consulate General of India, Perth the role that India has been playing in helping other nations to overcome the pandemic by supplying them with essential commodities such as medicines.

The Indian Government’s timely decision to start the Vande Bharat Mission, which has helped to bring back over one million Indians stuck abroad, was also mentioned as a testimony to India’s commitment towards the well-being of its citizens irrespective of their geographical location.

Celebrations at High Commission of India, Canberra, culminated with the singing of patriotic songs by a choir of women

E

ven as India marked the 74th anniversary of its liberation from the British colonial rule on 15th August, 2020, with an invigorating speech by the Indian Prime Minister Modi at the Red Fort, New Delhi, the commemoration of this momentous event in the Indian history by various Indian diplomatic bodies across Australia, along with the congratulatory messages from prominent Australian leaders, which included Prime Minister Morrison, and the artistic tributes by creative artists from both India and Australia, resonated with the same fervour as that of India. The events and the messages were telecast through the social media platforms - Facebook and Twitter.

I-Day of India observed at the Indian High Commission premises, Canberra Following the unfurling of the Indian flag and singing of the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana” at the premises of the Indian High Commission in Canberra on 15th August, 2020, Indian High Commissioner to Australia A Gitesh Sarma read out excerpts, partly in Hindi and in English, from the Indian

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President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the Indians on the eve of the Independence Day. Due to the social distancing norms the gathering was a small one consisting of the staff and some senior members of the Indian diaspora.

Commenting on the need to consider the Independence Day as an occasion to reflect on the national achievements and the potentials that lie ahead, the High Commissioner read out the Indian President’s message for the Indian youth to be especially proud of this watershed moment in the history of India which had materialized because of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters.

He went on to highlight how the currently prevailing social, economic and environmental issues across the globe can be countered by implementing the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He also delineated the constructive measures being taken by the Indian government to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, especially with regard to alleviating the hardships of the most economically vulnerable sections of the society.

The speech also underscored

The event culminated with the singing of the National Song of India “Vande Mataram”, and another patriotic song “Saare jahan se achha” by a choir of women.

Indian Tri-colour hoisted at the Consulate General of India, Melbourne The Indian Tri-colour was also hoisted at the precincts of the Consulate General of India, Melbourne, by the Consul General, Raj Kumar, with the Indian National Anthem being sung in encore by the attendees.

Though this event was yet again a small one, it did not lack in the spirit and gusto which this event always entails. In a similar fashion as the High Commissioner, A Gitesh Sarma, the Consul General Raj Kumar also reiterated the words spoken by the Indian President on 14th August.

One of the significant points mentioned by him was the Indian Central government and the various state governments’ complementary and dedicated efforts to ensure the continual and undisrupted supply of essentials such as grocery and milk as well as medical facilities to all the members of the vast Indian population, thereby meeting the challenge posed by the pandemic head-on.

Consulate General of India, Sydney, celebrates the Indian day of liberation The celebration of the 74th Indian Independence Day at the Consulate General of India, Sydney, albeit attended by a small gathering, still had an air of festivity with a decked up podium having a picture of the India Gate covered with the strokes of a paint brush in the familiar saffron, white and green hues of the Indian National flag as its backdrop. The Consul General Manish Gupta, following the trend of his counterpart in Melbourne, unfurled the Tri-colour even as the familiar strains of the National Anthem reverberated here as well.

Acknowledging the tireless efforts of the Consulate staff, the Consul General lauded their dedication to ensure the smooth functioning of the Consulate and providing assistance to those in need of help despite the challenging circumstances. He also urged the community members of the Indian diaspora to share their celebratory contributions on

virtual platforms, which could be collated and presented to everyone to compensate for the scaling down of the celebrations this year. Then as per the protocol, he too read out the key points of the Indian President’s address to the nation and highlighted the Indian people as well as the Indian Government’s role in not only being triumphant in curbing the Covid crisis to a great extent but also the world community’s necessity to replicate what the Indians did with their firm resolve.

His speech was followed by a short cultural programme which included a tabla performance on Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional song “Vaishnav Jan te” by a member of the Indian community, Pranav Shah, and a patriotic song each by two other community members Sonali Mukherjee and Sourav Ghosal.

Consulate General of India, Perth, showcases rich culture of India The celebrations at the Consulate General premises in Perth were more elaborate as after the flag

Bharat Natyam performance on “Vande Mataram” by the dancers of New Castle based Nartana School of Dance

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SEPTEMBER 2020

10

INDIA NEWS

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Consul General Manish Gupta (standing to the left of the Indian flag) performing the flag hoisting ceremony at the precincts of the Consulate General of India, Sydney hoisting ceremony, IndianAustralian student and literature enthusiast Navneet shared some interesting crucial facts about the Indian National Anthem which was written by the renowned playwright Rabindra Nath Tagore.

Then the Consul General Dantu Charandasi shared the Indian President’s message to all the Indians on this occasion, tracing the progress that India has made over the years emerging as an economic power as well as its burgeoning role in space research and how the efficient administration of the Indian Government has fortified people’s faith in the legislature and the judiciary. She expressed her gratitude towards the government of Western Australia for the cooperation extended by them which helped the Consulate to assist many stranded Indians here in Australia. She also commented on the growing ties between India and Australia following the pivotal June 4 virtual summit between Prime Minister Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Modi. She also mentioned the significant role that the growing Indian diaspora in Western Australia can play in further strengthening the trade and cultural ties between India and Western Australia.

The beautifully carpeted podium with the saffron, white and green colours of the Indian flag arranged in a cascading style in the background was then graced by a sequence of vibrant performances showcasing the rich and distinct culture of India.

The cultural programme started with a special dance of Krishna by an Indian school girl, Anisha, which ended with her paying homage to homeland India. The other performances included a heart-touching patriotic song sung by soloist Master Dev Narayan, two group song performances by the Sanskriti Seniors of Western Australia that they have been performing regularly at the Consulate since its establishment in Perth on the Indian Independence Day and Republic Day; a solo drum performance by 11-year-old percussionist Sayan; and two solo song performances by doctoral student and music enthusiast Ramona Chauhan. The curtain came down on the event with a group dance performance by Murdoch University students.

Prominent Australian leaders relay congratulatory messages Excerpts of the congratulatory messages from members of the Australian leadership were

shared on social media platforms.

Congratulating India on its 74th Independence Day, Prime Minister Morrison said that Australia would join India in the 2020 celebrations and that the long-standing friendship between the two nations transcends trade and diplomacy with trust and respect being the hallmarks of its basis. On this occasion Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese, MP, said, “Seventy-three years later India still stands tall as the world’s biggest democracy and as a remarkable, vibrant and diverse country. As leader of the Australian Labour Party, I take great pleasure in wishing you a proud and joyous Independence Day.” Addressing the Indian-Australian community on this occasion, Premiere of New South Wales (NSW) Gladys Berejiklian said, “I am delighted to send my best wishes to all Indian-Australians in NSW who are celebrating Indian Independence Day. The important day marks the founding of India as a sovereign state. Indians everywhere can be proud that India is now a respected global player and the world’s largest democracy.”

In a special video message, former Australian Prime

High Commissioner of India to Australia, A. Gitesh Sarma (centre) unfurls the Indian Tri-colour at the premises of the High Commission of India, Canberra Minister Tony Abbott said, “As India celebrates its 74th Independence Day, the relations between India and Australia have almost never before been stronger. The strategic relations are growing stronger and so many Indians have become wonderful Australians, and India is an emerging democratic superpower. I say to all Australians of Indian background and all Indians, well done for completing 73 years as an independent country.”

Sur Sagar - A soulful rendition

by Australian and Indian artists

A virtual collaborative musical composition by Australian and Indian artists called “Sur Sagar - the confluence of music” was released as a tribute

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A virtual collaborative musical composition by Australian and Indian artists called “Sur Sagar - The confluence of music” was released on August 13 on the social media platform of the Consulate General of India, Sydney, as a tribute to the essence of liberation that the Indian Independence Day symbolizes and the harmonious ties between India and Australia.

It was jointly conceived by Indian Tabla Maestro Pandit Yogesh Samsi and renowned Australian percussionist Chris Fields, in

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collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center, Consulate General of India, Sydney.

The nearly 12-minute long rendition was created by the participation of three Indian artists, namely, eminent flute player Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia, celebrated sitar player Pandit Purbayan Chatterjee, and tabla specialist Pandit Yogesh Samsi, and three renowned Australian artists - Chris Fields, a famous drummer and percussionist, Michael Galeazzi, an international Bassist, and Stuart Vandergraaff, a uniquely talented saxophone performer.

Graceful dance performance on Vande Mataram Choreographed beautifully by dancer Vrinda Ravi of New Castle-based Nartana School of Dance, a graceful Bharatnatyam performance by the trio of Vrinda Ravi, BrindhaVenugopal and Emma Stephenson on the National Song of India, “Vande Mataram” was also released on the social media platform of the Consulate General of India, Sydney.

SEPTEMBER 2020

11

INDIA NEWS

MAKE IN INDIA

Make in India: Emerging Opportunities As world economies restart their engines in a bid to regain lost ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India too shows signs of economic buoyancy and promise. India’s Make in India initiative holds a key to the global economic revival, something that should interest Australian government ministries, corporate sector, entrepreneurs, institutions seeking R&D collaborations and Australia Inc in general, among others. India assumes greater importance as several major world economies including American, Japanese, German, British and South Korean look to move out and diversify their businesses from China. India has jumped to 63rd rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Development 2020 report, and has also been ranked as the 9th largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment destination in 2019 by the World Investment Report 2020 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The agricultural exports as a percentage of India’s agricultural GDP has increased from 9.4’ in 2017-18 to 9.9’ in 2018-19 AGRI AND FORESTRY Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy as 56% of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

It accounted for 16% of the country’s Gross Value Added for fiscal 2019 at current prices.

Development of agriculture and food processing infrastructure has been accorded high priority by the Government of India in recent years. To modernise the infrastructure in this sector, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana to develop various agro – processing clusters. The scheme envisages creation of mega food parks, agro processing infrastructure, integrated cold chain infrastructure and expansion of food processing capacity in the country. The 39 mega food parks (located in 24 states), sanctioned by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, are currently at different stages of implementation. The government has approved 297 cold chain projects out of which 183 projects have been completed.

A cumulative 3,282 million has been invested in India’s food processing industry through FDI route between fiscals 2015 and 2019. Under NIP, about 20 identified projects in Agriculture and 15 projects in Food processing will be implemented over 20202025.

The agricultural exports as a percentage of India’s agricultural

GDP has increased from 9.4 % in 2017-18 to 9.9 % in 2018-19. India has the 10th largest arable land resource in the world.

With 20 agri-climatic regions, all 15 major climates in the world exist in India. The country also possesses 46 of the 60 soil types in the world. Growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) by agriculture and allied sectors stood at 4% in 2019-20.

Schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana has helped in developing organic clusters and availability of chemicalfree inputs to farmers, while the Government of India is also aiming to double farmers’ income by 2022. The high proportion of agricultural land (157 mn hectares) and diverse agroclimatic conditions encourage the cultivation of different crops.

Industry Scenario Large population and rising urban and rural income have added to growth in demand for agriculture products. As per the Union Budget of India 2020-21, allocation of $40.06 bn was made to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population.

The Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 was approved by the Government of India in December 2018. The new policy aimed to increase India’s agricultural export to US$60 billion by 2022 and $100 bn in the next few years

with a stable trade policy regime.

India’s export of basmati rice is expected to grow 4-5% in FY20 on the back of higher average realization, strong demand from Iran and a steady rise in paddy prices.

India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming.

FOOD PROCESSING - ‘A SUNRISE SECTOR’ India’s food ecosystem offers huge opportunities for investments with stimulating growth in the food retail sector, favourable economic policies and attractive fiscal incentives. The Food & Grocery market in India is the sixth largest in the world.

Food & Grocery retail market in India further constitutes almost 65% of the total retail market in India.

The Government of India through the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is also taking all necessary steps to boost investments in the food processing industry. The government has sanctioned 37 food parks funded under the Mega Food Parks Scheme, 18 are operational and 19 are under implementation as on 27th Feb 2020.

By 2024, the Food Processing industry will potentially attract $33 bn investments and generate employment for 9 million people By 2025, India’s food processing sector is expected to be worth over half a trillion dollars By 2030, Indian annual household consumption to treble, making India 5th largest consumer

The key sub-segments of the Food Processing industry in India are: Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Poultry & Meat processing, Fisheries, Food retail etc.

Key facts: 311.71 mn tonnes of horticulture crop production in 2017-18 Milk production of 176.3 mn tonnes during 2017-18 with per capita availability of milk at a level of 375 grams per day in 2017-18 Egg production of around 95.2 bn during 2017-18 Total fish production was 12.6 mn tonnes during 2017-18 Food Retail market is majorly dominated by Food Grocery (growing at CAGR 25%) and Food Services (growing at CAGR 15%) segments.

India shipped 12,89,651 MT of seafood worth $6.68 Bn during 2019-20 India - The Top Retail Destination

Industry Scenario The Processed food market is

India ranks among the best

100% FDI is allowed through government approval route for trading, including through e-commerce in respect of food products manufactured or produced in India.

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Food processing has an important role to play in linking Indian farmers to consumers in the domestic and international markets. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is making all efforts to encourage investments across the value chain. The industry engages approximately 1.85 mn people in around 39,748 registered units with fixed capital of $ 32.75 bn and aggregate output of around $ 158.69 bn. Major industries constituting the Food processing industry are grains, sugar, edible oils, beverages and dairy products.

The Retail market in India has undergone a major transformation and has witnessed tremendous growth in the last 10 years. The Overall Retail market is set to cross the $1.75 tn mark by 2026 from $795 bn in 2017. India’s e-commerce market is also set to grow at a CAGR of 30% for gross merchandise value to be worth $200 bn by 2026.

100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route in Food processing industries.

By 2024, the Food Processing industry will potentially attract $33 bn investments and generate employment for 9 million people

expected to grow to $ 543 bn by 2020 from $ 322 bn in 2016, at a CAGR of 14.6%.

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countries to invest in Retail space. Factors that make India so attractive include the second largest population in the world, a middle class of 600 mn people, increasing urbanisation, rising household incomes, connected rural consumers and increasing consumer spending.

India ranked No. 2 in Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) in 2019.

Retail is India’s largest industry, currently accounting for over 10% of the country’s GDP and 8% of total employment.

Recent policy changes allow 100% FDI under the automatic route for single-brand retail trading.

Industry Scenario The Retail industry in India has experienced a healthy growth over last few years achieving a total market size of $795 bn in 2017.India’s retail market is estimated to reach $1.75 tn by 2026, from $0.79 tn in 2018, growing at a CAGR of 9-11, driven by socio-demographic and economic factors such as urbanisation, income growth and rise in nuclear families.

On the other hand, the Indian e-commerce industry is expected to cross $200 bn mark by 2026.

The E-commerce market in India is also set to grow at a CAGR of 30% for gross merchandise value to reach $200 bn by 2026, and have a market penetration of 12% compared to 2% currently.

India is largely an unorganized retail market, contributing 88% to the total retail sector in India.

The organized retail market is currently valued at $60 bn, while the unorganized market holds the rest. The share of the organized retail market is projected to increase to 22-25% by 2021, thereby reducing the unorganized retail market’s share to 77%.

The organized retail market, therefore, has the potential to reach approximately $140-160 bn.

Source: INVEST INDIA, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India

SEPTEMBER 2020

12

INDIA NEWS

NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA

Cap on international COVIDSafe app also in Punjabi and arrivals not to be lifted, Turkish says Health Minister Hunt Canberra /IANS: Australia’s Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed that a cap on international arrivals may not be lifted until the Covid-19 outbreak in the worst-hit state of Victoria is brought under control.

The government is facing increasing pressure to lift its travel restrictions that ban Australians from leaving the country and caps the number of returning citizens allowed to enter the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

Greg Hunt (L) the cap would remain in place for “some months”.

The cap was introduced in July to reduce pressure on the hotel quarantine system after Victoria stopped taking returned travellers. But thousands of Australians overseas said the ban has left them stranded with airlines rationing seats and prioritizing business class passengers.

Members of the government have joined calls for the cap to be lifted after being inundated by complaints from constituents stuck overseas.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that

In a statement on August 17, Hunt said that it would not be lifted until Melbourne Airport, Australia’s second-biggest airport, was operational again.

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covidsafe-now-has-improvednotifications-and-supports-2new-languages The two new languages are in addition to Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

Australia has now passed 7 million downloads of the COVIDSafe app and it has been used hundreds of times to help identify unknown close contacts and positive cases.

The COVIDSafe app is available at https://covidsafe.gov.au

Canberra /IANS: The number of active coronavirus cases in Australia has dropped by more than 2,000 to the lowest level in recent weeks, it was reported on August 20.

The decline was largely driven by the number of active cases in Victoria, the hardest-hit state in the country, falling by 2,291 since August 19 and down to 4,864

on August 20, after authorities conducted more interviews and medical assessments to clear patients that have recovered, reports Xinhua news agency.

It is the lowest number of active cases in the state since July 29.

There were 13 new deaths confirmed in Victoria on August 20.

Of the new cases, Victoria confirmed 240, and there were another five cases diagnosed in New South Wales and one in Queensland.

The department also said that there are 1,811 active cases relating to aged care facilities and 753 active cases among healthcare workers in the state.

Drop in active Covid-19 cases in Australia

“My office, like so many of our embassies and other MPs, have had direct representations from Australians unable to secure a flight home,” said Bridget McKenzie, the former Minister for Sport and Agriculture.

Hotel quarantine scheme responsible for Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria: Report

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Melbourne /IANS: The deadly coronavirus outbreak in Australia’s worst-hit state of Victoria stemmed almost entirely from a hotel quarantine scheme intended to house returned overseas travellers, an inquiry revealed on August 18.

Since June, Victoria has experienced a resurgence of the virus, peaking at 725 daily infections on August 5 and prompting a return to strict lockdowns, including a nightly curfew in the state capital of Melbourne, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ben Howden, medical microbiologist and infectious diseases physician, told an inquiry into the scheme that according to genomic sequencing, 99 per cent of Victoria’s cases as of late July

New deal secures potential covid-19 vaccine for every Australian Canberra (DPM&C): Australians will be among the first in the world to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, if it proves successful, through an agreement between the Australian Government and UK-based drug company AstraZeneca.

Under the deal, every single Australian will be able to receive the University of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for free, should trials prove successful, safe and effective.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Oxford University trial was in a phase three stage and more work was needed to prove its viability.

“The Oxford vaccine is one of the most advanced and promising in the world, and under this deal we have secured early access for every Australian,” the Prime Minister said.

“If this vaccine proves successful we will manufacture and supply vaccines straight away under our own steam and make it free for 25 million Australians,” said the Prime Minister.

The Government also released Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy, guided by a group of medical and industry experts. The Strategy sets out Australia’s approach to acquire doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines

Canberra, Aug 21 (DPM&C): The COVIDSafe app is now available in Punjabi and Turkish for better usability and user experience.

More information regarding the latest update is available at https://www.dta.gov.au/news/

based on research and development, purchase and manufacturing, international partnerships, and regulation and safety immunisation administration and monitoring.

The first announcements under the strategy are the signing of a Letter of Intent with AstraZeneca to supply the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate to Australia and a consumables contract with Becton Dickinson for the supply of needles and syringes.

The Letter of Intent covers vaccine development, production and distribution. It commits to production of the vaccine in Australia, subject to safety and effectiveness.

A final formal agreement will include distribution, timing and price of the vaccine.

Becton Dickinson has been contracted to supply vital

consumables, such as needles and syringes, to ensure that we can deliver vaccine doses as soon as we have them.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said “From early on Australian officials led by my department has been meeting with developers and manufacturers of a number of promising vaccine candidates, both domestic and international, over recent months.

“We are confident these actions and targeted investments will put us in the best possible position to secure early access to safe and effective vaccines for Australia,” Hunt added.

The country’s most experienced scientists, biotech and pharmaceutical experts have been brought together to provide advice on acquiring a portfolio of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations. The COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments for Australia – Science and Industry

could be traced back to people returning from overseas.

While Howden did not refer directly to the hotel quarantine programs or those within it, it has been the policy of the Australian government to house all returning travellers in hotel quarantine, operated at a state level since March.

With Victoria’s daily case numbers subsiding in recent weeks, attention has turned firmly to the failures of the hotel quarantine system, with allegations that it was badly mishandled allowing for the infection to spread into the community.

Evidence has shown multiple lapses of protocol by security guards who critics say were not sufficiently trained or equipped to be working in virus containment.

Technical Advisory Group met for the first time earlier this week. The advisory group is led by Professor Brendan Murphy, Secretary of the Department of Health, who has a leading role in managing the Government’s pandemic response. The group will also provide advice on implementing Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy that drives the government’s work with the states and territories, research organisations, industry, regulators and other countries.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Australia’s manufacturing capability is a huge asset in the push to deliver a COVID vaccine.“The Australian pharmaceutical industry and its ability to produce vaccines is already among the best in the world and that puts us in a strong position to be able to roll out a COVID vaccine as quickly as

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Microbiologist and infectious disease expert Lindsay Grayson, told the inquiry that an online training program for the guards was “confusing” and “misleading.”

“The majority of it is like a training module for the general public, rather than someone who is going to come into direct contact or be responsible for managing COVID patients,” Grayson said.

Barrister Tony Neal said Victoria’s hotel quarantine program “fell short of its goal” to prevent COVID-19 spreading into the community.

Neal added that the inquiry would seek to determine who was responsible for overseeing the program and whether the training of staff was sufficient. possible,” Minister Andrews said.

Australia is contributing significantly to vaccine development work both in Australia and around the world, investing $333 million in vaccines, therapeutics and COVID medicines, including $256 million in vaccines. This includes $5 million for the University of Queensland’s innovative “molecular clamp” COVID-19 vaccine. This Australian vaccine has commenced trials here in Australia.

The University of Queensland has partnered with CSL to manufacture its vaccine here in Australia. CSL has made a commitment that its dose allocation of the University of Queensland vaccine will be used, at a minimum, to support its long-standing public health commitment to the Australian community.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA

Premier releases the next phase of Qld’s strong economic recovery plan

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (Photo - Wikipedia) Brisbane /DP&C: Protecting health, creating jobs, working together and growing the economy are pillars of the next phase of Queensland’s economic recovery plan released by the Premier on August 20.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that economies around the world had been impacted by the global pandemic but it was because of Queensland’s strong health response that the state was well positioned to move to the next stage of delivering an economic recovery plan.

“This is a crisis like no other and protecting Queenslanders health and economic recovery go hand in hand,” the Premier said.

“But while we are focused on uniting against the global pandemic, we also need to have our eye on the way COVID-19 is changing the world we live in.That’s the key to future opportunities to grow the economy, create secure jobs and build a strong Queensland in the longer term,” the Premier said.

“In total, including the initiatives I’m announcing today, we’ve committed more than $7 billion to support our health response, support industry and business and provide households with cost of living relief.Our approach is supporting 55,000 Queensland jobs – but there is more to do.The plan I am releasing today will guide our priorities as we rebuild and strengthen the Queensland economy not only in the short term but over the years to come.It has been developed after extensive consultation with industry stakeholders and regional communities and identifies priority areas beyond immediate stimulus for our future focus,” the Premier said.

support from governments, these zones will help connect new renewable energy to our power network, and attract industries wanting new energy to a series of connected commercial and industrial power hubs across the state.Our gas industry is a vital part of our State’s energy and resources future, that’s why we’re committing $5 million for a concept study into the Bowen Basin pipeline to build productive infrastructure connecting high quality gas reserves to the east coast and export gas market.

If progressed, a pipeline could potentially create more than 1000 construction jobs and open up new reserves of gas for domestic and export use,” the Premier said.

The Premier announced on August 20 nearly $200 million in initiatives which underpin the joint focus on protecting health and economic growth.

The Premier also said more was needed to support Queenslanders’ mental health because of the toll this pandemic was having on people across the state. “$46.5 million will go to local mental health treatment services for those Queenslanders with or at risk of developing mental health issues due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Premier said.

“We need to be looking at new opportunities to support and grow our regional economies, create a competitive environment for business to thrive and invest and secure the jobs of the future,” the Premier said.

“Queensland’s regions have told us they see energy as a key part of diversifying their economies and attracting new industry. Energy means jobs.

We commit $145 million for the creation of three Queensland Renewable Energy Zones located in southern, central and northern Queensland.With the right

“This treatment needs to respond to local needs and be community based,”the Premier added.

see those borders lifted for SA.

community transmission of the virus -- and the Australian Capital Territory.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said the economic recovery plan, and the latest series of initiatives were part of the government’s sensible and staged approach to economic recovery.

South Australia’s Premier urges Covid-safe states to open borders Adelaide /IANS: Steven Marshall, the Premier of South Australia (SA), on August 21 urged the nation’s coronavirus-safe states to open their borders and help reunite families.

Marshall said it was wrong that states with no community transmission of Covid-19 such as Western Australia (WA) and Tasmania were keeping their borders shut with SA, describing the closures as an impediment to economic growth and detrimental to mental health, reports Xinhua news agency.

“We have opened up to Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania.

“Many people could live with it for weeks or months but now some states are saying they’re not going to be open to South Australians until December... and I really feel for them at this time,” he added.

“We are disappointed that Western Australians and Tasmanians can come into South Australia but, to date, we have not been able to go into their states.

SA has had 462 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic, which is fewer than every state except Tasmania which reported 230.

“Many South Australians are dislocated from their families due to those states’ border restrictions. It would be great to

Its borders remain closed to Victoria and New South Wales -- both of which have ongoing

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Staff, patients and visitors to wear PPE in Greater Brisbane hospitals Brisbane /DP&C: Queensland Health is today announcing increased utilisation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in its hospitals impacted by the recent COVID-19 cluster.

Effective immediately, universal masking (with a single-use surgical mask) is required to be worn by all staff, patients and visitors in the Greater Brisbane area (West Moreton Hospital and Health Services (HHS), Metro North HHS, Metro South HHS and Queensland Children’s Hospital).

Additionally, Queensland Health is also recommending a similar approach for other healthcare providers in the Greater Brisbane area.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services said this approach was made possible by the investment and preparedness the Palaszczuk Government has worked hard on since the first wave of the virus.

“Protecting our community is important, and now we have a stockpile of PPE, including masks and gowns that our health heroes on the front line can utilise every single day,” Miles said.

“It is important that we continue to protect the vulnerable in our community, including those who require hospital care, and the health staff who are an integral part of our COVID-19 response,” he said.

Last week, the Queensland Government announced a newly expanded bulk storage site at Inala which would house significant PPE stockpiles. Dr Young said strong PPE supplies has allowed Queensland Health to

announce these precautions.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said following the cluster of COVID-19 cases relating to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, including one additional case announced today, it makes sense to make this change.

“This is only in place for health facilities in Greater Brisbane who remain on heightened alert because of the current cluster,” explained Dr Young.

“We are working very hard to control this current outbreak and until we get on top of it, it makes sense for us to take this measure.”

Under the plan staff will wear masks at all times while treating patients and at any time where social distancing cannot be maintained. All patients are required to wear a mask at all times, except when they are in their own bed. Any visitors given an exemption to attend hospital will be required to wear a mask during their visit.

Dr Young also said that those in the Greater Brisbane community, who struggle to social distance throughout their day, should also consider wearing a mask.“Along with washing your hands, social distancing is the gold standard of COVID-19 preventive measures,” she said.

“However, some of us do struggle to maintain social distancing whether at work or socially. For those who fall into this category, face masks can be a useful added layer of protection until they are able to social distance again,” she added.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham has repeatedly called for travel between states and territories to restart.

He recently urged states and territories to consider adopting a similar approach in SA where there has been a willingness to open up to other states who have had similar success in suppressing the spread of Covid-19.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

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INDIA NEWS

WORLD

THE WORLD THIS WEEK

Suba Chandran, Harini Madhusudan, Vaibhav Kandlur, Vivek Mishra, Sourina Bej, Abigail Fernandez and Rashmi Ramesh Contributed by National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru*

Democratic Convention in the US

On 20 August, the Democratic party concluded its four-day Democratic National Convention (DNC). Former US Vice-President Joe Biden took the centre stage by formally accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for the post of President.

Kamala Harris made history with her formal nomination as the first black woman and person of Asian descent on a major party’s national ticket. This sets a definite tone to the US Presidential election in November, later this year, pitting Joe Biden against the sitting US President, Donald Trump.

The DNC has also put a nail in the coffin of other Presidential candidates by finalizing their presidential nominee. Several other candidates dropped out of the 2020 presidential race.

This included former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana Pete Buttigieg, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

The Republican Convention will follow later, and President Trump will be its nominee. This clears the path for a straight fight between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Biden’s support has surged in the recent past, and closely allied Democratic groups raised $70 million during their four-day Convention.

However, Trump’s campaign and closely allied groups pulled in $165 million during the political fundraising month of July.

a point from where the melt is irreversible. It implies that the ice sheet will continue to contract even if the average temperature of the planet does not increase, which is far from reality.

Second, the rise of sea level. The Greenland ice sheet holds the second-largest amount of ice, after Antarctica, therefore crucial for maintaining the sea level. In 2019, this was the single biggest cause for the rise in sea level, about 1.5 metres. If the sheet melts completely, the sea level will rise by seven metres, capable of subsuming island countries and major coastal cities. It has an impact on how we look at the borders, habitations, biodiversity and economy.

Sri Lanka: Towards a new Constitution

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, while addressing the inaugural session of the ninth Parliament announced that Sri Lanka would get a new constitution in the coming days. The constitution will be formulated on the principle of “one country, one law for all the people”. The President said that repealing the 19th Amendment introduced by the previous government is the first step towards this. It curtailed Presidential powers, limited the Presidential terms for two times and gave more powers to independent agencies.

The Rajapaksas who viewed this Amendment as an impediment to them coming to power, will now strengthen their iron grip over the Sri Lankan political scene.

two years

On 18 August 2020, Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan presented its two-year performance report, reviewing its various achievements from different sectors including governance, economy and diplomatic affairs. The Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Asad Umar summed up the progress stating how the PTI government “stabilized economy after inheriting the worst external crises, faced down Indian threat after Balakot with courage” and managed the biggest global COVID threat by “successfully balancing lives and livelihoods.”

However, the PML-N and PPP criticized the government’s performance with PML-N chief and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif terming it an “unmitigated disaster.”

China: The US suspends the Extradition Treaty with Hong Kong

The US State Department suspended the extradition treaty with Hong Kong. This move comes after the US has imposed sanctions on political leaders and Carrie Lam, ended preferential economic treatment and targeted Hong Kong journalists based in the US with visa delays in the past month. Hong Kong hit back at the US by issuing a reprimand for taking a unilateral decision in withdrawing from the treaty and stated that the US action could be seen as an attempt of the US to try and use Hong Kong as a pawn in the troubled US-China relations.

India and China: Talks over Greenland: The disengagement China: ice sheet melts at LAC Multiple floods at a record rate The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination According to a recent study, devastate the on India-China Border Affairs based on satellite data, the (WMCC) met for the fourth time Greenland ice sheet melted at Yangtze Basin since the escalation of tensions a record rate in 2019. The study The level of support for both candidates shows that the Presidential race is likely to go to the wire.

shows that it melted the most in 2019, greater than any year previously recorded. The research also reveals that between 2003 and 2016, the ice sheet lost 255 billion tons of ice on an average annually, while 532 billion tons were lost in 2019 alone. It has the following implications: First, reaching a point of no return. Until 2000, the ice sheet accumulated nearly the same amount of ice that is shed. But, in the past two decades, the rate of accumulation has been remarkably low. Greenland’s ice sheet may now have reached www.indianews.com.au

between the two countries at the LAC. The talks aimed at breaking the impasse and facilitating the continuation of the dialogue at the military level.

The disengagement process has been stalled for over a month, after making a slight progress in the first phase. China has not accepted India’s demand for a return to the pre-May 2020 positions along the LAC.

Pakistan: The PTI completes

Floods in the southern parts of China have caused the water from Yangtze River to rise and hit the Three Gorges dam. The authorities have chosen to open several outlets of the dam to discharge the water, making it the largest release since its construction. Between June and early August, over 30 billion cubic metres of floodwater was intercepted by dams and reservoirs on the Yangtze.

Millions of people are affected by the floods in China which have killed hundreds of people, led to mass evacuations, submerged

roads and laid high economic costs on the Chinese economy.

North Korea: Kim Jong Un delegates power to sister Kim Yo Jong

An announcement on the powersharing arrangement was made during the week where Kim Yo Jong has now been appointed to deal on the relations with the US and South Korea and report back to her brother. The reports suggest that the explosion at the Inter-Korean liaison office in June might have been under her authority. The handing over of power comes at a crucial time when floods, the coronavirus and the international sanctions have laid a strain on the country’s economy.

Iran: The US’ push to punish Tehran finds resistance in the UNSC

The United States found resistance from the UNSC, including its closest allies, France and the United Kingdom after the Trump administration sought to extend the arms embargo against Iran. Barring one, the rest either rejected or abstained from voting against Iran. The European Union had particularly abstained on the ground that the US had unilaterally withdrawn from the JCPOA in May 2018 and as a result, cannot impose “snapback” sanctions. The EU was earlier unhappy with the US plan in the Middle East over the idea of a “Muslim NATO”, a military alliance between the Arab states. Russia and China had vetoed against the decision in full support extended to Iran.

These developments indicate that the Trump administration miscalculated on possible support being received from allied states like the European Union. The resistance can also be a result of an emerging new order in the Middle East with a thaw expected between Israel and the GCC nations.

Alexei Navalny, a Putin critic, feared to be poisoned, reaches Berlin

Kamala Harris Russian President Putin, Alexei Navalny has been in a coma and is believed by his supporters to be poisoned. Last month, he was returning to Moscow from Tomsk, a town in Siberia, and is believed to be poisoned in the airport while having tea. The flight had to make an emergency landing at Omsk, another town in Siberia, where he was getting treated. The hospital officials did not allow Navlany’s doctor to attend to him. Initially, they stated that he was weak to be shifted when a German foundation sent a medical evacuation flight to bring him to Berlin. Finally, on Saturday morning, Navalny is brought to Berlin.

Tik Tok plans to file a lawsuit against Trump’s Executive Order

One of the leading Chinese social media applications – Tik Tok, along with WeChat was banned in the US, by an Executive Order issued by President Trump in early August. The order was to take place within 45 days in those areas that are subject to the US jurisdiction. For the Trump administration, the Tik Tok and a few other Chinese social media applications pose an economic and security threat to the US. For Tik Tok, the US administration did not follow the due process in issuing the Executive Order.

On 22 August, the Tik Tok has said that it would file a lawsuit challenging the Presidential Order issued on 6 August.

About the Authors Dr Vivek Mishra is Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi; Harini Madhusudan and Rashmi BR are PhD Scholars, NIAS; Sourina Bej and Abigail Miriam Fernandez are Project Associate and Research Assistant respectively, and Vibhav Kandlur is Research Intern, NIAS; and D. Suba Chandran is a Dean, NIAS and the Editor of TWTW. *The report has been modified due to editorial considerations by INDIA NEWS

A strong and open critic of the

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WORLD

Underworld don Dawood acquires Of ‘Chithi’ and its different connotations citizenship of a Caribbean nation, buys properties in Karachi There have been instances where the children of the first wife were ill-treated by the second wife, who showered all love, affection and preference on her own children.

The father is usually a mute spectator, though initially ridden with guilt, but then, over a period of time, comes under the influence of his second wife.

Kamala Harris Chennai /IANS: ‘Chithi’-the Tamil word for the mother’s younger sister who is affectionate to her nephews and nieces -- has come into prominence after US’ Democratic Party Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris used it in a speech to stress her Chennai roots.

However, there is another person who is also called ‘Chithi’, but may not be as loving to all children. This is the father’s second wife or the step-mother, after the death of the first wife.

The general perception of this ‘Chithi’ is that she is a wicked woman who harshly treats the children of the first wife.

There are several Indian movies in different languages to showcase this ‘Chithi’.

On the other hand, there are good natured and loving ‘Chithis’, and the Indian film industry has also shown them in movies like “Chithi” (Tamil), based on the play by Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki, a popular woman writer of yesteryear.

The Tamil movie was remade in Hindi as “Aurat”, in Malayalam as “Achante Bharya”, in Telugu as “Pinni” and in Kannada as “Chikkamma”.

Also, Tamil soap opera “Chithi” on Sun TV, starring Raadhika Sarathkumar and Sivakumar, was very popular as its over 450 episodes were telecast for two years, from Monday to Friday.

And now “Chithi” season two has been on Sun TV since January 2020.

Pakistan minister reiterates nuclear war threat to India Rashid warned that Pakistan will have no option in a conventional war and “if something will happen, it will be the end”, indicating a nuclear war of mass destruction.

Pakistan Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid New Delhi /IANS: In his trademark braggart style, Pakistan Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid has threatened India with nuclear war once again, saying the weapons will be such that they will save the Muslims during the attack.

In an interview with Pakistani media channel Samaa TV on August 19, Rashid claimed that Pakistan has very precise weapons which are “small and perfect”.

The Pakistan minister, who’s known for his bragging style and outlandish remarks, also said that the weapons will only target certain regions and even Assam can now come under their range of attack.

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“If Pakistan gets attacked by India, there is no scope for conventional war. This will be a bloody and nuclear war. It will be a nuclear war for sure. We have very calculated weapons which are small and perfect.

Our weapons will save Muslim lives and will only target certain regions. Pakistan’s range now even includes Assam. Pakistan has no option in conventional war; therefore India knows if something happens, it will be the end,” Rashid said in the interview.

Off and on, the Pakistan leadership has threatened nuclear war against India citing the logic of it not being a match in conventional warfare. In 2019, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke about nuclear war with India on several occasions.

In the same year, Rashid had claimed that his country possessed “125-250 gm atom bombs” which may hit a targeted area in India.

New Delhi/IANS: Nestled in the beautiful Windward Islands of the Caribbean, the Commonwealth of Dominica (CoD) is a country with a small population of less than 80,000 people. With the help of Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, underworld don Dawood Ibrahim has acquired the passport of CoD under its Economic Citizen Programme, reveals the latest dossier on the Karachi-based kingpin of D-Company, prepared by Indian intel agencies.

As India alerted CoD, the Don’s best laid plans of escaping to the Caribbean were spiked.

The dossier submitted to the United Nations and partially accepted by Islamabad lists eight addresses of Dawood, including six in Karachi. Pakistan has admitted only three out of these eight addresses. These are the White House in Clifton, House at 30th Street, Defence Housing Authority and a palatial bungalow in the hilly area of Noorabad in Karachi.

The dossier mentions a new address where Dawood has purchased an entire floor at Mehran Square in Clifton area.

Another new house has been purchased in the Shireen Jinnah Colony, near the Ziauddin

Hospital in Clifton. Dawood, who is not in the best of health usually gets admitted in Ziauddin hospital. Dawood has also bought two bungalows on the posh Margalla road in Islamabad.

The dossier says that Dawood’s younger brother Anees Ibrahim, who controls the financial empire of D-Company, lives with his family at bungalow DC-13, Block 4 Clifton road. Not far from this place, Chota Shakeel who controls underworld activities, resides in the Defence Housing Authority area. Dawood’s two other brothers Humayun and Mustakeen also shuttle between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Humayun, who looks after some of the legitimate businesses of D-Company, mostly lives in Karachi.

The dossier reveals that the D-company’s main underworld activities are focussed around narcotics dealings, gun running, money laundering and hawala operations. However, the organised crime gang, rated as one of the top ten in the world, has purchased real estate properties running into billions of rupees. The D-Company has assets in Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East. It also runs betting syndicates in cricket, mostly

operating from Dubai.

The gang has links with terror networks. Dawood had masterminded the 1993 Bombay serial bombings, a series of terrorist attacks carried out in the city on March 12 of the year.

In 2003, the Indian and the US governments declared Dawood a ‘Global Terrorist’.

He has also provided the logistics for the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. The US’ Department of Treasury has also designated Dawood as a terrorist as part of its international sanctions programme.

The Department maintains a fact sheet on Dawood that contains reports of his syndicate having smuggling routes from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa shared with the terrorist organization Al Qaeda.

Facebook says will remove hateful posts by public figures in India New Delhi /IANS: Facing intense political heat in India over its alleged role in favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its platform, social networking giant Facebook on August 21 clarified its position, saying it has removed and will continue to remove content posted by public figures in India which violate its community standards.

Ajit Mohan, Vice President and Managing Director, Facebook India, said in a statement that Facebook has always been an open, transparent and nonpartisan platform where people can express themselves freely.

“Over the last few days, we have been accused of bias in the way we enforce our policies. We take the allegations of bias incredibly seriously, and want to make it clear that we denounce hate and bigotry in any form,” Mohan said.

He was referring to the controversy generated after a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report claimed that Facebook’s content regulation policies favoured the BJP. The WSJ report sparked a widespread debate in India, raising serious questions over Facebook’s content regulation practices.

The report claimed that Facebook India’s Public Policy Head Ankhi Das had told staff members

that punishing violations by BJP politicians would damage the company’s business prospects.

Mohan said the policies at Facebook are “ever-evolving to take into account the local sensitivities, especially in a multicultural society such as India”.

“An example is the inclusion of caste as a protected characteristic in our global hate speech policy in 2018,” Mohan said.

The Facebook India chief said that the employees represent a varied political spectrum who have either served in many administrations or have political experience and take immense pride in being active contributors to public service.

“Despite hailing from diverse political affiliations and backgrounds, they perform their respective duties and interpret our policies in a fair and nonpartisan way. The decisions around content escalations are not made unilaterally by just one person; rather, they are inclusive of views from different teams and disciplines within the company,” he elaborated.

Amid the debate, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya has claimed that Mohan worked with the Planning Commission during the UPA era.

According to Mohan, there is no

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place for hate speech on Facebook but they need to do more.

“We know this work is never over, which is why we will continue to invest in our efforts to combat hate speech on our services.

We welcome the opportunity to engage with all parties -political or otherwise -- who want to understand our content policies and enforcement more,” he said, adding that Facebook’s commitment to India and its people is unwavering.

The Congress has demanded that Facebook should order a highlevel inquiry into its leadership team and their operations in a time-bound manner, and publish and make transparent all instances of hate speech since 2014 that were allowed on the platform.

“Facebook India should appoint a new team so that the investigation is not influenced,” said Congress leader K.C. Venugopal in a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

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INDIANS IN AUSTRALIA

Optimizing the versatile utility of data science: meet researcher Richi Nayak

A

ssociate Professor Dr Richi Nayak of the Science and Engineering Faculty at the Queensland University of Technology, who is the Applied Data Science Program Leader of the University Centre for Data Science (CDS), is a globally renowned expert in data mining, text mining and web intelligence.

A Steering Committee member of the Australasian Data Mining Community since 2012, she has spearheaded research projects across a multitude of disciplines such as agriculture, health, transport infrastructure, marketing and online dating.

Having a penchant for research in machine learning, she has focused her recent research initiatives on text mining, personalization, automation, and social network analysis. She was appointed the 2017 IT ambassador of the Queensland Women in Technology (WiT) association and has been conferred with many awards for her teaching, research and service activities.

In an exclusive interview to India News writer Deepika Banerjee, Dr Nayak talks about her specific area of research in data science, her passion to optimize data science applications to find feasible solutions to real life problems, the vast scope of data science and the pivotal role it can play in shaping the future.

1. How did you get interested in data science? What was the inspiration behind your taking up this area of research?

I was always interested in mathematics from a young age.

For my Master of Engineering research thesis at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, I applied a Neural Network model (a machine learning algorithm in Data Science) for a Power Distribution problem. This fascination continued during my PhD where I developed

several Machine Learning algorithms. I am inspired by the capabilities and benefits that data science brings to society and organizations by understanding their data. Data is an asset in the 21st century and can be proved as being more precious than gold and oil if analyzed and interpreted effectively by data science methods. I have a driving passion to address pressing societal problems by innovating data science technologies underpinned by fundamental research in Data and Text Mining.

2. What is the specific area of your research in the field of data science? Are there any other areas related to data science on which you would like to focus in future?

I am a computational data scientist. Complex, multi-faceted datasets - generated through the interaction of machines and humans - pose new challenges to data science methods. My research interest involves generating innovative datadriven solutions by developing novel and efficient Machine Learning methods to discover new advances. In the last five years, my research has focused upon developing novel, cuttingedge algorithms and systems to facilitate ‘Automated Information Extraction’ and ‘Knowledge Discovery from Domain-specific complex datasets’.

3. What are the various applications of data science in the modern world context, particularly with respect to your areas of research and expertise? Can data science help in improving the quality of education and its delivery to people, especially to the underprivileged sections of the world?

My research has resulted in the development of novel data science solutions to address

industry-specific problems in Marketing, K-12 Education, Agriculture, Digital humanities, and Mining. For example, industries like Agriculture, where the IT resources are scarce, may not possess a centralized repository with temporal and spatial information. In one of my projects, we developed a system to automate the data acquisition, processing and reporting of cotton sustainability indicators information that is available on multiple heterogeneous data sources. The system provides access to social, economic and environmental sustainability indicators, enabling users to generate information and graphics. Another example is Robotic Marketer (https://www. roboticmarketer.com/) ‘the world-first machine learningbased data-driven marketing strategy automation technology’.

Machine learning methods allow a data analyst to understand user behaviour and identify common usage patterns. In the education domain, I have developed data mining models understanding factors leading to better academic performance (e.g., Naplan) and understating early leaver students’ behaviour patterns. These models provide agencies and authorities with data-informed decision-making strategies. Data science has a strong potential to understand patterns of education delivery models and customize them to specific groups or modes.

4. Can data science help in dealing with economic problems faced by the modern world such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, social justice, etc.?

Would you like to be a part of any such research endeavour?

Indeed, there have been several successful attempts to unite data and domain scientists to work on focused projects that are designed

students understand how to build resilience and cope with stress in the challenging and uncertain times of COVID19 pandemic.

Presentations were given by experts in the fields of psychiatry, cardiology, crisis support and youth engagement. Topics covered included how to cope with stress, connection between stress and wellbeing, how to develop a growth mindset, how to help someone in need, how to read one’s own stress signals, what activities and habits help in maintaining balanced life - all focused on building physical, emotional and mental resilience.

Resource information was also provided.

Mr Mark Molloy (Lifeline Crisis Support volunteer and corporate trainer, Canberra) and Dr Murali Reddy (psychiatrist, Canberra)

were speakers for the first webinar and topic was ‘How To Cope With Life Stresses In Difficult Times’; Dr Saibal Guha (psychiatrist, Brisbane) and Dr Yadu Singh (cardiologist, Sydney) were speakers for the second webinar and topic was ‘Connection Between Stress & Wellbeing: Building Resilience in Difficult Times’; and Ms Yleia Mariano and Ms Natalie Norman (Headspace Youth Ambassadors, Canberra) and Dr Sanil Rege (psychiatrist, Melbourne) were speakers for the third and final webinar ‘Developing a Growth Mindset: Building Resilience in Difficult Times’. The webinars were moderated by Dr Sunita S Dhindsa, CIFA Chair, with support from Mr Abhishek (First Secretary) from the High Commission of India, Canberra.

The Council of Indian Federations

to harness the power of data science in the service of humanity and impact public policy for social benefit. I am highly interested in such research endeavours. In one of my collaborative projects with social scientists and lawyers, we developed an autonomous system that can detect the posts with misogynistic content on Twitter. While currently, the onus is on the user to report abuse they receive, we hope that this machine learning solution can be adapted to automatically identify and report this content.

Automating this process can reduce the emotional and cognitive load on users and moderators, and influence platform-level policy to protect women and other user groups online.

5. Are there any ethical considerations which data scientists must be particularly careful of while dealing with them?

Of course, there are data privacy and confidentiality considerations that data scientists should be following the best practices for.

There are inherent data and algorithms biases that a data scientist should be aware of. Data analytics outcomes are as good as the data are. A data scientist should carefully choose the data for the underlying task. In recent years, we have heard the stories of big technology platforms facing the consequences of not including the diverse datasets. For example, high-paid jobs are displayed less frequently to women than men on LinkedIn; Google had to block gender pronouns from its predi¬¬ctive text functionality of Alexa; and the facial-detection technology implemented on Amazon and Facebook have been reported to misidentify women, particularly women with darker skin. These misinformed outcomes are results of not

Richi Nayak having all possible scenarios while training the machine learning algorithms. Diversity of point of view is very important for machines to learn from examples as in data science.

Lastly, a data scientist should not fall into the common human fallacies of interpreting patterns over insufficient data and over reading correlation as causation; or adding bias that can skew answers. If not careful, one can easily draw incorrect or biased or even hazardous conclusions from the data insights.

6. Finally, how will applications of data science help in shaping the world we live in? Do you reckon that data science and artificial intelligence will impact all aspects of life in future?

With every organization now housing massive data sources, data science has become an increasingly popular way to turn an organization’s data into useful information and knowledge about their customers and their behaviour. There is almost no limit to where data science can be applied. With the rise of deep learning methods and acceptance of these methods for decision making in workplaces, data science is heading towards making the world a better place.

With the increased dependency of machine- led autonomous tasks, it becomes our responsibility to represent all perspectives and skills in technology development.

Women need to engage and lead the data science projects sothat diversity is included in the development. Inclusion of diverse interpretations and biases can be significant when it comes to the analysis and input of data.

Raising mental health awareness for international students during covid-19 restrictions

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any international students are struggling emotionally and mentally due to their temporary visa status and impact of COVID19 restrictions on their education and jobs. They are also feeling stressed for their families in their home countries and experiencing financial stress.

There were reports that some students were reacting to these stresses in drastic ways.

The worrying situation of international students prompted the High Commission of India, Canberra, and Council of Indian Federations of Australia (CIFA) to consider ways in which students could be helped. One of the ways was to raise awareness about mental health. Instead of doing a one-off webinar, a series of three one-hour webinars were organised on 16 July 2020, 30 July 2020 and 13 August 2020 to help

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of Australia (CIFA) is a national peak body of Indian Australian organisations representing all states and territories of Australia. CIFA continues to advocate and raise concerns with decision makers through government and diplomatic channels across Australia on matters affecting international students and Indian Australians while fostering integration, social cohesion and inclusion. This includes promoting bilateral relations, trade, tourism and strategic relationship between Australia and India. Please feel free to contact us or our state/territory member organisations.

CIFA comprises of the following organisations: Federation of Indian Associations of ACT Inc, Federation of Indian Associations

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of New South Wales Inc, Indian Cultural Society of Northern Territory, Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc, Federation of Indian communities of South Australia, Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania, Federation of Indian Communities of Victoria Inc, Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia.

SEPTEMBER 2020

17

INDIA NEWS

NAARI Women in every part and corner of the world are now making their their way to rightful and much-deserved place on the high table accomplishing herculean undertakings, where others would not dare the extraordinary women amongst us displaying grit, kindness and INDIA NEWS Consulting News Editor Ananya Dhyani paying tribute

“I can hear the roar of women’s silence”, Thomas Sankara once said. mark and setting the bar high. In a patriarchal world they are fighting challenging stereotypes. They are changing the world for the better and to tread. INDIA NEWS brings to you inspirational stories of some of leadership of the highest variant. NAARI is a column envisaged by women leaders amongst us who are changing our world without much

to salutation they deserve. It is our humble initiative to thank them!

Logo: Vaishnavi Nitin Kondhalkar, UI/UX Designer, India

Dr. Laxmi Vijay Gautam: “Angel of Vrindavan” widow”, she very kindly shared here experiences and thoughts to spread awareness on this critical topic which still remains a taboo in the 21st century India.

The catalyst

Dr Laxmi Gautam Who is Angel of Vrindavan?

The birth land of Lord Krishna, Vrindavan is famous for its mystical aura. It is the land where people come to seek Moksha or salvation. The land where women are treated with utmost respect and love.

In 1963, it gave birth to the “Angel of Vrindavan”, Dr. Laxmi Vijay Gautam — a professor by profession and a social worker at heart—a woman of many words and the Naari Shakti Puraskar awaredee from the former President of India Sri Pranab Mukherji in 2015. Dr. Gautam has tirelessly undertaken tasks which others could not even imagine: standing up against mistreatment of widows in India. As much as she despises the word “Vidhva or

During childhood we have invariably come across incidents and events that have left an indelible impression on our minds for the rest of our lives.

The same happened with Dr. Gautam as a young girl. She came across a few women on the streets of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh who looked different from the others. No jewellery, shaven head and a baren look in white clothes, in complete contrast to other women around them in colorful attire and jewellery.

When Dr. Gautam would enquire about them from her parents, they would simply brush it off by saying that she was too young to understand it. But it turned out to be the other way around as it had a huge impact on Dr. Gautam.

Later in life, she searched for answers to why these women looked different? Why did they lack fire and life in their eyes?

Upon getting no answers, Dr. Gautam’s father explained the plight of these women to her and told that they are widows or vidhvas after their husbands passed away. Hence they were then relegated to a simple and

colorless life practicing celibacy and refrained themselves from the usual dressing up of a married woman. All of this information stuck with Dr. Gautam as she was unable to fathom the fact that a woman would be forced to life a life without identity or dignity in the absence of her husband, and to the world around them they were invisible. She made it her life’s mission to serve them and bring a change into their lifeless existence.

Committed to selfless service It has now been more than a decade that Dr. Gautam has been serving and helping widows all across the nation. She has helped countless women reconnect with their families by counseling them and inspiring them to raise their voice against injustice. She has worked tirelessly to again reinforce the practice of Hindu widow remarriage which legalised in 1856 under Lord Canning, thanks to the social movement led by reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Bengal. She has also conducted numerous surveys with the help of NALSAR into finding out the root causes of young widows in the remote regions of West Bengal. The survey revealed the grotesque reality of young girls aged between 12 and 15 married off to men in their late 50s, which naturally made them

widows in their early 20s as their husbands would soon pass away.

Saving them from from family humiliation and banishement, Dr. Laxmi Gautam has given them an honorable existence and place in her own house and providing all the necessary love and care.

With little external support she managed to launch her mission and bring some respite to these women. She strongly remarks, “Naari shakti ka jo samman hai, aur vidhva bann kar jo uska apman hai usse hame khatam karna hoga” (We need to end the disrespect that women face as a widow so that they receive the respect that women deserve irrespective of their marital status).

In addition, Dr. Gautam has committed her life to not only improving the living conditions of these women, she has also ensured that the deceased also receive an honorable and respectful cremation. In this decade long journey of Dr. Gautam, she has performed hundreds of cremations, under the shadow of Covid-19 for those who had no one to perform those rites. She believes in making sure they receive the honor they deserve even after their death and prays that they get some peace in their after lives.

The torchbearer of remarkable women On behalf of INDIA NEWS the author has conducted a video interview with Dr. Gautam, which can be accessed on India News TV, the link to which is given on our website at www.indianews. com.au. During the interview it transpired that I asked her a question which was also asked by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to her: How does she manage to accoplish all this by herself? She responded with her characteristic humility, “I have devoted my mind, body, and soul for the well being of these women and I believe that it is my moral responsibility towards humanity.

Maybe, I must have had some connection to these women in my previous life. Everyone says I am different—after all, I was born in the land of Lord Krishna and perhaps his blessings are giving me the strength to keep going on.”

Dr. Gautam is our NAARI of substance in this edition, and she has made the world a little better for those who have been invisible for the society for centuries. We salute Dr. Laxmi Vijay Gautam for her grit, courage and selfless commitment for bringing dignity and justice to women and inspiring the Indian youth to nurture a progressive and humane India. Jai Hind.

2020 ACT Canberra October election candidate: Dr. Krishna Nadimpalli, OAM Making Canberra the best place to live, work and start a family

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assionate and charismatic, that is how most people would describe Canberra Liberals for Yerrabi Candidate Dr. Krishna Nadimpalli, OAM. The said 2020 ACT Canberra October election candidate exudes the confidence that brings both influence and inspiration - uniting Canberrans to work together for the betterment of the community.

Who is Dr. Krishna Nadimpalli, OAM? An environmental scientist by profession, Dr. Krishna Nadimpalli uses his work to promote inclusivity and diversity in Australia. He has founded several community organisations and influenced them to focus on sustainability. In 2019, he was awarded with the Medal of Order of Australia (OAM) for promoting collective representation and multiculturalism through

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Community Leadership, Walk for Farmers, AusIndia Fair, Prisoners Rehabilitation, Parliamentary Submissions and Bilateral Relations.

Humble beginnings Born from a farming family in India, Dr, Krishna Nadimpalli became determined and committed to gain qualifications from international institutions.

With his 30 years of experience in science-based government agencies, he was able to create an efficient system for Australian disaster risk reduction decision making in all levels of government. With his dedication to inclusivity, he also contributed in capacity building for developing nations and global consortiums to build capabilities for disaster management, climate change adaptation, risk assessment and urban planning.

Inclusivity and multiculturalism

To provide collective representation of communities comprising linguistic, students, youth, women, sports and volunteering in Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Dr. Krishna Nadimpalli took several initiatives to promote the community harmony and inter-generational values. He is actively contributing to the Indo-Australia bilateral relationships and has facilitated delegations to explore potential areas of collaboration and be an advocate for both sides of governments.

Serving for empowerment With service attitude, Dr. Krishna also builds communities and supports small businesses. He believes in standing up as a leader and mentoring youth to make a better future and create happy society. We have everything to live happily but still there are many people living with

Dr Krishna Nadimpalli, OAM trauma. His ambition is to thrive in governance, philanthropy and spirituality for a traumafree society, with de-addition measures in place and enhance well-being of all.

What happens if elected?

Dr. Krishna Nadimpalli vows to strengthen Canberra’s economy to create more jobs and help families. Along with the Canberra

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Liberals, he would also push to reduce the cost of living by freezing rates and provide access to reduce waiting times. He would also improve transport to reduce commuting time and develop education standards. Lastly, with his skill set and experience, he would protect the local environment for a sustainable future for all.

SEPTEMBER 2020

18

INDIA NEWS

EDUCATION

NEP 2020: Reimagining and transforming the future of Indian higher education

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar

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he launch of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India marks the silver lining during these unfortunate times of COVID-19, which have yet again highlighted the importance of education in transforming the future of a nation. After nearly 34 years, the policy comes as a beacon of hope and puts forth an outstanding vision statement that will hopefully bring the desired transformation to the Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Indian Higher Education is marked by the complexities of a large student population, talent demands of a thriving demographic dividend, and its wide socio-economic diversity.

This inspiring policy document shows promise to harness the extraordinary potential of our institutions to address the two-fold requirement of equity of access while driving greater quality in education.

The NEP2020 has identified important areas of development which can be categorized into 10 key milestones for the Indian higher education system.

1. Multidisciplinary, holistic and liberal education - It refers to the importance of literary works such as ‘Kadambari’ by Banabhatta as per which good education is defined by‘knowledge of 64 kalas’, thereby laying emphasis on the study of the arts in the development of well-rounded students andthe required balance of scientific fields, vocational fields, professional fields, liberal arts, and even soft-skills.

2. Enhanced student experience – It has addresses the underlying constraints in improving the student experience and the need

for development of curriculum, examinations, pedagogy, scholarships, internationalization, emotional and physical wellbeing.

3. Faculty development and teacher education – It appreciates the importance and role of faculty in higher education, and identifies some key measures which will be required for faculty autonomy, transparent recruitment, career development, and also for the process improvement inteaching education to attract better talent into the education sector.

7. Consolidation of HEIs– It recognizesa range of challenges that come in managing over 50,000 HEIs across India today, and thereby recommended the formation of Multidisciplinary Universities, or clusters, which allow better governance and management of Universities across India.

8. Public funding, private philanthropy: It strengthens the framework for funding, to enable greater investment in HEIs, and private philanthropy. It also recognizes the future of publicprivate collaboration.

4. Researchecosystem - It establishes the role of research productivity, and innovation in the nation-building process, and envisaged a transparent, and a more well-funded research ecosystem via the centralized National Research Foundation.

9. Governance and leadership: It highlights the importance of governance and leadership in the administration and institutionbuilding efforts, and the need for a focused vision of HEIs in the format of a well-formulated Institutional Development Plan.

5. Regulatory reformsand autonomy– Itidentifies key reforms to streamline the management of regulations, establish bodies with independent roles, and eliminate any conflict of interest. Most importantly, it also identifies regulations, as defined by the policy as ‘light but tight’, which will provide HEIs and faculty the desired autonomy.

10. Internationalization, accreditation and digital learning ¬It aims to strengthen the growth of internationalisation and global partnerships with leading universities around the world. It takesin to account accreditation and highperformance of universities, including rankingsseriously. It envisages the need for providing significant support for online distance learning, and digitization of educationin enabling greater equity of access to education.

6. Balancingequity andquality – It balances the issues of quality and equity of access.

While there are reforms focused on curriculum and academic revisions, there is alsoan emphasis on how to make our HEIs and curriculum more inclusive to improve the access of education for the socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and students with special needs, and also strive for improved gender diversity.

The NEP2020 also envisions a transformation in the regulatory architecture of the higher education system to create a comprehensive and integrated higher education commission, besides renaming the ‘HRD Ministry’ as the ‘Ministry of Education’.

While the NEP2020 has indeed

laid down a strong foundation for our future, it will take commitment, investment of resources, recognition of institutional challenges and behavioral aspects, and cohesive collaboration amongst the government, regulators and HEIs to realize the vision ingrained within this policy. Therefore, following are the five key areas of reform, re-imagination and transformation which will need the commitment of all the stakeholders of Indian Higher Education.

Trust and collaboration: A culture of respect, trust, collaboration and collegiality needs to be created amongst the government agencies, regulatory bodies and HEIs. At present, this is a limitation which has constrained the effort to develop a collaborative and robustsystem.

Institutional autonomy and independence: HEIs need to be empowered with greater institutional autonomy, academic freedom, and operational independence to take decisions with responsibility and accountability vested within the institutions themselves.

Effective engagement of HEIs: HEIs should be directly involved in positions of consultation to the government agencies and regulatory bodies, especially while creating new regulations or amending existing regulations that may impact institutions in any manner. It is key to also bridge the gap between HEIs, the government and private organizations to create a symbiotic and mutuallybeneficial ecosystem.

Transparency and accountability: More transparent and accountable mechanisms

need to be implemented for swift decision-making within government agencies and regulatory bodies in a timebound manner to overcome the numerous bottlenecks in various aspects of decision-making.

Empowering IoEs: We need to empower the ‘Institutions of Eminence’ and those that have attained ‘Graded Autonomy’ to fulfil the vision of increasing the global footprint of Indian HEIs and achieve high global rankings.

There is an urgent need for providing more autonomy and freedom to the IoEs and similar institutions.

This is indeed a moment of a potential revolution in the Indian Higher Education. The timely and methodical implementation of the policy recommended changes in synchronization with the above mentioned additional reforms will indeed allow evolution of our HEIs into world-class institutions and enable India’s transformation into a knowledge society; and the government, regulatory bodies and HEIs will need to collaborate and work in unison to make this vision a reality.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, a Rhodes Scholar, is the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in India.

NEP has potential to fulfil PM’s dream of selfreliant India: Nishank get all their questions answered, so that there is no confusion of any kind in the mind.

New Delhi (IANS): The new National Education Policy (NEP) is among the most important measures the BJP government has implemented during its tenure, and found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on India’s 74th Independence Day as an important step to strengthen research and innovation in the country to help it progress in a competitive world, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said.

Speaking to IANS, Pokhriyal

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said that the NEP involves deliberations and discussions of every part in a large country like India, and spans everyone from a village panchayat head to the Prime Minister of the country.

Millions of people have been involved in this, he said, adding that till now, a such big discourse has never been seen in the world, so this comprehensiveness will make it effective.

The Minister said that this new education policy has the potential to fulfill Modi’s dream of self-reliant India and the goal

of making India a $5-trillion economy by 2025. From the initial stage, the Ministry of Education will emphasise on making students multi-dimensional with the focus on constructive learning.

India’s culture is very multidimensional and great and as citizens of the country, we have to take it forward, he added.

He said that if any question arises in the minds of students, teachers and parents about NEP, then they can themselves communicate live on their Twitter on September 1 to

This NEP is, for the first time, a fully Indian policy which is based on Indian values while being equipped with innovative quality products, Pokhriyal said.

consultation in a comprehensive manner.

“The open reception of the policy for all sections of the country highlights that it has taken care of the expectations of all,” he said.

Taking full advantage of the population dividend, this policy allows us to help young India for international competition, he added.

“Policy’s inclusive equality is for the welfare of the most backward student of society on the basis of universalism. Understanding the challenge of implementation, the Ministry has started a process of

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SEPTEMBER 2020

19

INDIA NEWS

EDITORIAL

MSD: A champion of the art of impossible

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uch has been made of India’s abrogation of Article 370, so much so that the Greens tabled a motion in the New South Wales Parliament criticising India, also finding favours from some Australian based strategic experts and Pakistan experts. But a closer scrutiny of the historical facts and UN technicality reveals how the motion, and Pakistan’s own case and views of strategic experts lacks teeth.

Pakistan’s official Kashmir policy hinging on twin pillars, crossborder terrorism and United Nations resolutions, has no takers.

Since 1990, over 40,000 people have been killed in J&K in terrorist violence perpetuated

by Pakistan-based Jihadi groups, in violation of UNGA Resolution 2625 that directs states to “refrain from organising or encouraging the organisation of irregular forces or armed bands, including mercenaries, for incursion into the territory of another state”.

The 1267 UN Sanctions Committee also lists many terrorists linked to over 22 jihadist organisations in Pakistan.

Following the Pulwama attack in J&K in 2019, killing 43 Indian security personnel, the United Nations and over 50 countries inter alia the US, Japan, Russia, Gulf nations, Saudi Arabia, South Asian neighbours including Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), and Australia strongly condemned the attack.

In 2005, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leader of the All-Party Hurriyat Committee (main Kashmiri separatist representative body) led a delegation to Muzaffarabad, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), and lambasted Pakistan for only causing bloodshed and hardship in Kashmir with little constructive contribution to better Kashmiri lives. Every major Indian peace offer has been accompanied by a terrorist attack and even a war in Kargil in 1999, attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, in Mumbai in 2008 and on the Army base in Pathankot in 2016 to name a few. So even the Kashmiris lost patience with Pakistan intransigence in reigning these groups.

With regard to UN resolutions, Pakistan case had much bigger holes. First, the UN resolutions on J&K passed on August 13, 1948 had three parts. Part I called for a “ceasefire”; part II called for withdrawal by Pakistani forces, both “regular” and “irregular” from the occupied territories, and urged India to reduce its troops strength in the area (India has just now announced reduction of 10,000 troops); and Part III talked about determining the future of J&K in accordance with the “will of the people”. The

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UN Commission on India and Pakistan (UNCIP) also assured India that the plebiscite remained non-binding if Part I and II were unimplemented. Troops withdrawal by Pakistan remains pending till date!

Second, a distinction exists between Chapter VI and Chapter VII resolutions of the UN Charter. Resolutions on Kashmir passed under Chapter VI are non-binding resolutions, more of a recommendation, unlike Chapter VII resolutions which are binding resolutions. Justifiably, UN Secretary Generals, Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon, had previously dismissed equating UN resolutions on Kashmir with other Chapter VII resolution (Iraq, Israel and East Timor, etc.), as “comparing apples and oranges”.

Third, the territorial erosion of UN resolutions further rubbishes fanciful UN-based solutions. In the 1963 agreement, Pakistan unlawfully ceded 5,180 sq. kms of J&K territory (Shaksgam Valley) to China which Beijing considers irreversible. What happens to this piece of territory, if hypothetically, the status quo was to be restored for a UN-backed resolution?

Fourth, the demographic erosion also further deflates Pakistan’s case. Since the late 1980s, Pakistan has altered the demography of PoK by pushing in Punjabis and Pushtuns (nonKashmiris) and butchering scores of Shi’ites in Gilgit, widely reported in the Pakistani magazine Herald and the daily Dawn in April/May 1990, and also testified by Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman of the Balwaristan National Front (BNF) in Gilgit. On the Indian side since 1990, terrorist groups have killed and raped hundreds and forced around 200,000 ethnic Kashmiri pundits to flee the Kashmir valley.

Their return remains uncertain.

The NSW motion makes no mention of their plight and rehabilitation.

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ricket fans in Australia had the privilege of seeing Mahendra Singh Dhoni bat in a Test match for the last time.

When he walked away from the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 30, 2014, unbeaten in the company of R. Ashwin as India forced a draw, Dhoni was kind of gearing up for a hard decision he had to make.

There was little to suggest that this was going to be Dhoni’s farewell Test. India may have lost the chance to win its first ever series in Australia by the time the Melbourne Test concluded, and it obviously must have weighed on his mind when he took the decision to hand over the captaincy to Virat Kohli.

It was part of his introvert nature that none knew Dhoni’s plans. It is said he had taken his teammates into confidence, but the world of cricket woke up to a shocker when Kohli led India in the last Test of that series at Sydney. Various reasons were attributed to Dhoni’s departure from Test cricket, but there was no doubt that at heart he had Indian cricket’s interest.

Ashwin recently shared his experience of that historic day at MCG. “I remember when he retired from Test cricket in 2014, I was batting with him to save the match. But once we lost, he simply picked up a stump and walked off saying he’s done. It was quite an emotional moment for him. Ishant Sharma, Suresh Raina and I were sitting in his room that evening. He was still wearing his Test match jersey through the entire night and he shed a few tears as well,” Ashwin revealed in a video post recently.

To quit Test cricket at 33 was indeed shocking. Not that Dhoni had become a burden on the team. He was the most shining icon in the dressing room,

Mr Vijay Lokpally

especially for the youngsters who had come from small towns.

When he made his Test debut at Chennai against Sri Lanka in 2005, it was a natural progression for Dhoni. He was the cynosure of all with his unique brand of attacking cricket, innovative strokeplay, and a positive approach to the game. His presence at the crease meant entertainment. You watched cricket, Test or ODI, for Dhoni.

True, the team had the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, but it had in Dhoni a man who played on his terms.

Fearless and ambitious made for a lethal combination for Dhoni.

“

He was the motivation for those who dreamt big without access to facilities that the city boys enjoyed.

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Why criticism of India on Kashmir lacks teeth

He decimated bowling attacks with amazing ease and there was science in his strokeplays – using the pace and bounce of the ball to direct his shots. Often his brute power sent the ball into orbit. Such was his menacing presence in the middle that often the bowlers lost their composure even as Dhoni left his seat in the dressing room to walk to the crease with a swagger.

I had the fortune to watch him grow in cricket, many interactions that gave an insight into his intense reading of the game.

Last, following the release of a new map by Imran Khan’s government showing Kashmir as a part of Pakistan, Kashmiris are convinced of Pakistan’s years of political and diplomatic perfidy and bogus ‘moral support’ to their cause.

Since the abrogation of Article 370, violence and killings have been significantly reduced and the Kashmiris anticipate development and greater economic opportunities. Gender and caste-based discrimination are history with the scrapping of Article 35A. J&K children can now avail education schemes like other Indian children. J&K has turned a new leaf. Can we afford a relapse and see another 40,000 lose lives in senseless violence? No.

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His confidence was unmatched.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, perturbed him. Can’t remember a moment when Dhoni’s face reflected any signs of pressure or worry. The sight of Dhoni promoting himself in the order and finishing the 2011 World Cup chase with a magnificent flourish at the Wankhede Stadium is one of the most memorable images of the game.

He brought a kind of revolution to the way cricket was played in India. You were allowed to chase your dreams even from the remotest corners of the country. For a man who did not even possess a personal kit when playing competitive cricket for Bihar, to be featured as one of the richest sportspersons in the world was some achievement.

The quality I liked most in Dhoni was the fact that he was never overawed by the opposition, and not at all by the camera. See the ease with which he delivers his dialogues in the commercials that he stars in. So natural! Don’t be surprised if someday he dons the role of a principal actor in a cricket movie or assumes the role of an active politician.

Dhoni’s love for the uniform, his passion to serve briefly in Jammu and Kashmir, his many gifts to the country on the cricket field, make him one of the most precious and celebrated achievers of India.

Statistics will never do justice to this cricketer who played the game in his own way.

He has set enviable benchmarks hard to emulate. Only greats can think of what Dhoni has recorded in history books. Critics observe he is a fantastic case study, an inspiring chapter in school books.

An intensely private person, Dhoni is a man who shines in every Indian household. He may have walked away from the game, at what I think was a year late, but he will continue to entertain us through the nostalgic videos on social media, the long haired Dhoni, the one with a crew cut, the ever-smiling champion.

Cricket won’t be same because there won’t be another Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Mr Vijay Lokapally has been a sports journalist for four decades. He writes for The Hindu and Sportstar.

SEPTEMBER 2020

20

SPECIAL COMMENTARY

INDIA NEWS

Australian legend Matthew Hayden AM pays tribute to M.S. Dhoni

Mr Matthew Hayden AM

Exclusive conversation with India News

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“And my message for MS is that he has been a great inspiration for me and for me to be involved with him and his family or anything where he would like me, I will be there always.” -Matthew Hayden AM

“

When was the first time you saw MSD and in what format did you play against him for the first time and what was your first impression of him?

My impression of MS Dhoni has been consistent. He was a very natural and consistent leader.

He was not someone who would sit on the corner of the dressing room and give orders. He very much left words secondary to actions and was a captain who led from the front. According to me, he goes down as one of the great leaders of the game. His leadership not only in terms of his own performance but from the kind of public pressure and scrutiny that happens on the stature of Indian cricketers. He always had a very calm, warm, and hands-on type approach.

MS became a test player in 2005 and the captain of the Indian test cricket team in 2009. Indian team became number one for the first time in test cricket rankings.

How do you see him as a captain and also as a wicketkeeper in tests?

In tests MSD was a little bit like Adam Gilchrist — an impactful player. There are very few players like Adam Gilchrist who had that ability to take the game away

from the opposition. MS is one amongst those. It seems like his background and growing up in a small country town in Ranchi helped him in fighting back his way out always. It was this kind of style and nature that overseas players feared the most about MS Dhoni and that he could produce some extraordinary innings. He was very sound and had lightning reflexes. I think a hallmark of MS was his instinctive reactions taking the bails off-spin when spin was operating. Ravichandran Ashwin and of course Harbhajan come to mind whom he played against. He just knew as a batsman that if you took things for granted getting out of your crease, you’d be stumped.

was very important. In that semifinal match in 2007, the Indian side had some natural players of the shorter version of the game and MSD led from the front.

You have been his teammate in the Chennai Super Kings, so what was that story about the Mongoose (the bat)?

I love and enjoy innovation, T20 cricket was all about innovation.

So, I was always looking for an edge around the innovation. For two years, I was practicing with this shorten bat. But, when it all comes down to it, you have to have the courage to try such innovations. Someone has to road test for the first time and in my game, with the amount

of resources and practice I had, it was ready to go. But, not according to MS. He said to me that he will give me anything I want in life to not use Mongoose bat (chuckle).

You tried very hard to convince him that you have done a lot of practice with it. Did that change his mind?

There is a lot of innovation off and away from the field to play. But, the tradition of the game is such that it’s a very conservative game.

So, with that in mind, it does not become a great deal of priority to look for innovation within the product. The moment bats got thicker and every form of player was jumping up and down saying

You have played against MS Dhoni in the one-day internationals.

Can you share your memories of the ICC 2007 T-20 semi-finals in South Africa?

it’s almost a cheating. Well, if you go to the gym and you are strong enough to wield an axe out in the middle, I think one should play on. That’s the natural advantage of working hard away from the field so that you can progress on the field. That’s the whole point of training. So, I always loved innovations, and sometimes MS and I had differences of opinion, but MS would always back me a hundred percent.

What message would you like to give to MS Dhoni and Indian team?

In many ways for the very first time, Australia carried an attitude that was not befitting of a national team prioritising T20 cricket. And it was on every level. You have to give credit to India where they are taking T20 cricket to such a high level.

In many ways, the conception of IPL was based on the fantastic win Indian team had at the 2007 world cup. So, in these revitalisation of shorter versions of the game, MS Dhoni’s leadership

Here’s an argument which I have regularly with not just MS but also with India in general.

That Australia by far has the best mangoes. So, this is a challenge to MS Dhoni to taste our Bowen mangoes, which are right here in Queensland and then decide who has better mangoes, India or Australia.

I am sure he will be re-wiring himself post-retirement and will have some great purpose postretirement. And my message for MS is that he has been a great inspiration for me and for me to be involved with him and his family or anything where he would like me, I will be there always.

By Ashutosh Misra, Kartik Pratap Singh and Agasyta Yeturi

Speaking to India News, Irfan Pathan pays warm tribute to MSD

I

n terms of what Dhoni has achieved in his career has been nothing short of an outstanding career which has given so much laurels to the country and himself. He has been a role model to many youngsters who want to be a really good attacking batsman as well as the wicket keeper. The way he led the side with the result-oriented thinking was fantastic. Obviously in his career, he has seen few ups and downs where he got really good support from the BCCI

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which is outstanding because you know, if you have talent you need to be backed up in difficult situations.

one-day team. So these are some of the great memories in Australia and we used to enjoy each other’s company.

Playing with him has been an amazing journey. I remember even in Australia the first thing we used to do was to look for Nando’s and when we landed in any city while travelling. Winning the VB series in Australia in 2008 and the Perth Test match in 2008 were some of the finest moments and Dhoni was part of it as well in the Test match and as the captain of

I was one of the guys who used to sit right in front of his seat in the bus. He was designated with the last seat and the second last seat was mine. We remember having so much fun in those bus rides, which can be long specially in the journey of cricket and we remember having so much fun.

Not only that, in terms of the way he exercised decision making

under pressure and that was the attitude and his biggest strength, where he detached himself from the bowler and just thought as a leader, what he could do because, you know, as a bowler he knew that only the bowler has to be under pressure and he needs to stay calm because, you know, as a wicketkeeper, he himself can’t bowl, so only the bowler can do that and he has to go through that. And by not putting extra pressure he did make the job easier comparatively for the

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bowler. So there are a few things he did which was outstanding and you know people will keep talking about going forward as well.

SEPTEMBER 2020

21

INDIA NEWS

CORONA CRISIS

India to have coronavirus vaccine 3rd stage of Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine may begin by 2020 end: Harsh Vardhan New Delhi (IANS) Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan said on Aug 22 that the country will have a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus by the end of the year.

Speaking to reporters here, he said that a Covid-19 vaccine is likely in the next 4-5 months.

“I hope that if everything goes well, India will have access to a coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2020,” the minister tweeted later.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that one of the three Covid-19 vaccine candidates has entered the third phase of the preclinical human trial.

According to V.K. Paul, head of the national task force on Covid-19, the vaccine candidate entering the third phase has yielded encouraging results in the initial phases of its trial.

Paul said that the other two vaccines are currently in Phase-I or II of their pre-clinical trials.

However, they did not reveal the names of the vaccines while sharing the status of their testing phase.

While the officials did not reveal the names of the vaccine

India currently has three vaccine candidates for Covid-19 -ChAdOx1, developed by Oxford University and manufactured jointly by the Serum Institute of India (SII), Pune, and AstraZeneca; Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, jointly developed with the Indian Council of Medical Research; and the third is ZycovD by Zydus Cadila.

The SII had earlier said of starting the Phase 2 trial of its Covid-19 vaccine this week.

It added that it has shortlisted 10 centres across India to host Phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials.

Meanwhile, Zydus Cadila administered the second dose of its Covid-19 vaccine a few days ago.

The developments on the vaccine came a day after the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration met five domestic vaccine manufacturers to review the clinical trial stages of these

Covid-19: Tibetan medicine ‘proving effective’ in fight against Covid-19

The cured patient (2nd R) walks with medical staff at the Third People_s Hospital of Tibet, in Lhasa, capital of southwest China_s Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2020 (Xinhua) Dharamsala (IANS): The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has claimed that SORIG immune boosters are proving to be highly effective in the fight against Covid-19.

despite the unfavourable weather conditions. Kunsang urged the people not to waste SORIG as it was ‘truly rare and precious’.

The CTA headquartered here, is providing the medicine free as immune boosters to all Tibetans above the age of 65 to protect them against Covid-19 infection.

Till date, the CTA’s task force has distributed the immune boosters to 15,144 Tibetans in India and abroad. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, she said only 94 Tibetans from India, Nepal and Bhutan have been infected with the virus of which, 68, which is 72 per cent of the total, have already recovered.

“Numerous feedbacks from the settlement offices suggest that the SORIG immune boosters which the Mentsee Khang and the Health Department have been distributing are highly effective in aiding the recovery of patients,” an official statement quoting CTA’s Deputy Secretary Tenzin Kunsang said on Aug 20.

Because of the increasing requirement for the immune boosters, the Mentsee Khang is ramping up its production www.indianews.com.au

in 7-10 days

candidates while speaking about their testing phase, it could be gathered that the vaccine entering the third phase is Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, jointly developed with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

SORIG products are prepared from a variety of herbs.

According to the CTA, the prescribed set of 10 immune boosters containing precious pills such as Mangjor, Drangjor, Rasam and others were approved by a panel of Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute doctors led

by Tsewang Tamdin.

Moscow (IANS): The third stage of the research on the world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus, called Sputnik V, may begin in 7-10 days, a report has said.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan addresses during the 2nd Empathy e-Conclave organised on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, in New Delhi on July 28, 2020 (Photo IANSPIB) candidates. The manufacturers included two whose products are not yet in the clinical trial stage in India.

Zydus Cadila had stated in the review meeting that it may be able to launch the vaccine by next year.

According to the Health Ministry, the country recorded 69,878 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 29,75,701 on Aug 22 morning.

During this period, 945 people lost their lives due to Covid-19 infection, taking the death toll to 55,794.

According to the Tass news agency, several tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this research of the vaccine created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry.

“On Monday, we will present the first version of the protocol on post-registration research,” Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center, was quoted as saying to Tass.

“Given this great interest and attention of the public and the press, I think that the Health Ministry won’t delay the process and will approve the protocol within a week. So, I believe within seven or ten days at maximum everything will begin,” Gintsburg added.

Gintsburg said several tens of thousands of people were

expected to be involved by the third stage. The research will be conducted in the Moscow Region.

Meanwhile, Russia has begun production of the first batch of vaccines against Covid-19, its health ministry said in a statement released on Aug 15.

The world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus was announced by President Vladimir Putin on Aug 18 during an online meeting with government officials.

The vaccine Sputnik V, which is named after the space satellite launched by Moscow in 1957, was created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, alongside the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Russia will offer the vaccine to other countries once its own citizens are vaccinated, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Aug 12, adding that doubts over the effectiveness of the vaccine are unfounded.

So far, Russia has tallied a total of 917,884 cases, with 15,617 deaths and 729,411 recoveries.

Israel shares groundbreaking technology with AIIMS to tackle Covid New Delhi (IANS) As a part of the Israel-India cooperation to fight the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Ambassador of Israel to India, Ron Malka, on Aug 11 handed over the stateof-the-art equipment and technology solutions to the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to tackle the viral disease.

AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria thanked the Government of Israel and Ambassador Ron Malka for the gesture.

“Both India as well as Israel are extending support to the international community by sharing their expertise, data, knowledge, medicines and collaborating in the areas of developing vaccine and research, thus leading by example and showing the true spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (whole world is one single family).”

He also informed that apart from patient care, AIIMS is actively involved in developing centres of excellence in many states and is regularly organising webinars, clinical grand rounds, e-ICU video consultations for

Israel shares ground-breaking technology with AIIMS to tackle Covid (IANS) dissemination of knowledge and expertise across the nation and abroad.

AIIMS is at the forefront in fighting the pandemic and also providing best quality patient care for both Covid and nonCovid patients. AIIMS has treated around 5,500 Covid patients till now.

Malka said that these technologies will further bolster India’s capabilities to tackle Covid-19. “Through cooperation and the combination of India and

Israel’s medical prowess, we can find effective solutions that will help both countries, as well as the world.”

He added, “We are pleased to share the best medical technology from Israel with the most premier medical institute of India. Over the last few days, we have worked closely with AIIMS. We have been impressed by their brilliant ongoing response to the pandemic.”

The Secretary to Government of India in the Ministry of External Continued on next page

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SEPTEMBER 2020

22

INDIA NEWS Affairs, Sanjay Bhattacharya, was the chief guest at the function.

He said, “When time gets tough, best of friends get together and India and Israel have established a sustainable and strategic partnership in various fields including the field of medicine.”

He also said that India has extended assistance to over 150 countries in the fight against Covid-19 and is committed in engaging and collaborating with the international community

CORONA CRISIS in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

The technologies include an AI video-oriented, voice-operated autonomous personal AI assistant robot, an application that can be installed on any mobile phone of the Covid-19 staff which makes the work of the hospital staff inside the Covid-19 departments much more effective and easier.

Besides this, innovative products have been given which have

Indian health experts back blood plasma therapy to treat Covid-19

A 12-hour disinfection product called CPD that stays active and continuous to protect the surface against new attacks of contamination has also been presented.

A non-invasive remote patient monitoring system which aids as a preliminary screening tool of respiratory indicators of suspected Covid-19 and recovering patients and AI based software for Ultrasound use and designed especially for fighting Covid-19 was also handed over.

The cooperation between Embassy of Israel in India and AIIMS holds a long-term cooperation of more than a

decade. In 2007, a delegation of 21 members, including senior doctors and nurses from AIIMS, participated in a training on “Trauma and Mass Casualty Management”.

The experience gained helped in the establishment of certain effective systems in the management of trauma care at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, AIIMS.

China grants first patent to indigenously developed Covid vaccine Beijing (IANS) China has granted the first invention patent to a Covid-19 vaccine co-developed by biopharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics Inc in the country, which experts said demonstrates the vaccine’s originality and creativity.

New Delhi (IANS): After reports surfaced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put on hold the emergency use authorisation of blood plasma therapy to treat severely ill Covid-19 patients, health experts in India on Aug 21 stressed that the therapy should not be abandoned till the development of an effective vaccine against the virus.

According to a Global Times report, the vaccine is a recombinant adenovirus vaccine named Ad5-nCoV co-developed

by CanSino with a team led by Chinese military infectious disease expert Chen Wei. “The grant of the patent further confirmed the vaccine’s efficacy and safety, and convincingly demonstrated the ownership of its intellectual property rights (IPR),” Can Sino said in a statement on Aug 16.

The convalescent plasma therapy has shown encouraging results in India to date.

According to Rahul Bhargava, Director and Head, Haematology at Fortis Memorial Research Plasma extracted from his blood (IANS) Institute in Gurugram, so far, data has been equivocal with many confounding Pediatric Hematology, Medanta factors.

Hospital in Gurugram told IANS: “Only a properly well-randomised “The use of convalescent plasma controlled trial will help to know collected from previously infected which patient at what time/ individuals to passively-transfer duration of disease and the extent antibodies in order to protect or of disease will get benefitted. In treat humans dates back almost the past also, for various diseases, 100 years.” plasma therapy has been utilised According to him, multiple with great success and failure,” published and unpublished Bhargava told IANS. studies have now reported on What is required is to know the the use of convalescent plasma antibody strength of the donor to to treat severely or critically see the beneficial effect. ill Covid-19 patients, without “It should not be abandoned until unexpected or serious adverse we have a vaccine or any other effects. option to treat sick patients. We To assess the safety and efficacy should follow the policy of let’s do of plasma therapy, the Indian no harm,” he added.

Council of Medical Research According to several studies, (ICMR) had in April sought plasma donated by people who’ve participation in the randomised survived Covid-19 has high levels controlled study. of antibodies and is considered The Delhi government’s plasma safe. bank administered plasma to 710 The convalescent plasma therapy Covid-19 patients (as of August has gained much traction in 11), and over 900 people who several countries, including in recovered from the disease have India, where several lives have come forward to donate their been saved with the therapy. plasma.

Dr Satya Prakash Yadav, Head of

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been designed to give the clinicians constant contact free access to the patient’s vitals like heart rate and respiratory rate which improves patient safety with contact-free, continuous monitoring.

An officially granted patent would enhance the market’s confidence in Chinese-developed Covid-19 vaccines, “especially that of the international market”.

“The US has been making accusations since May that Chinese hackers were attempting to steal novel coronavirus data on

treatments and vaccines without providing substantial evidence,” said the report.

vaccines against Covid-19, its health ministry said in a statement over the weekend.

According to CanSino, they applied for a patent with the National Intellectual Property Administration on March 18, three days after they launched phase one clinical trials on the candidate and received approval on August 11.

The world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus was announced by President Vladimir Putin last week, during an online meeting with government officials.

The phase III trial on the vaccine “which will be conducted overseas is progressing smoothly,” the company said in the statement.

CanSino has signed deals with Mexico to conduct late-stage clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccines.

Saudi Arabian health officials also announced on August 9 to cooperate with phase III clinical trials on the vaccine, recruiting around 5,000 participants.

CanSino has also reportedly been in talks with Russia, Brazil and Chile to launch a Phase III trial on Ad5-nCOV. Meanwhile, Russia has begun production of the first batch of

The third stage of the research on the world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus, called Sputnik V, may begin in 7-10 days.

According to the Tass news agency, several tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this research of the vaccine created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry.

The vaccine Sputnik V, which is named after the space satellite launched by Moscow in 1957, was created by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, alongside the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Over 69K more corona cases in India, tally crosses 3mn-mark New Delhi (IANS) With a single-day spike of over 69,000 coronavirus cases, India’s total tally on Aug 23 crossed the three million-mark while the total death toll climbed to 56,706, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data said.

Of the total 30,44,941 cases, the active cases are 7,07,668. As many as 22,80,566 patients have been cured and discharged so far.

India took over 200 days to hit the three million-mark since the first coronavirus case was reported in the country on January 30.

According to the data, the fatality rate has dropped down to 1.86 per cent while the rate of recovery has climbed to 74.90 per cent. In the last 24 hours, the country recorded

net addition of 10,338 new cases as 57,989 patients recovered and 912 others died of the deadly virus.

8,01,147 more samples were tested on Aug 22, taking the total sample tested to 3,52,92,220 in the country.

Maharashtra remained the worsthit state with 6,71,942 corona cases and 21,995 deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu with 3,73,410 cases and 6,420 deaths. They were followed

by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Bihar.

There are 1,515 labs conducting corona tests in the country, including 983 government and 532 private labs. As per the data, 780 labs conduct Real-Time RT PCR test, 617 conduct the True Nat test, and 118 the CBNAAT test.

Delhi’s corona tally has gone up to 1,60,016 cases, including 4,284 deaths. In the last 24 hours, 168 new cases emerged in Delhi while 14 Covid-19 patients lost their lives and 1,230 others recovered in 24hour period.

Globally, India remains the third worst-hit nation after the US and Brazil with 56,67,179 and 35,82,362 coronavirus cases respectively. As many as 2,31,34,358 persons have so far been affected across the world, of which 8,04,416 succumbed to the virus.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data,

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SEPTEMBER 2020

23

INDIA NEWS

FOOD AND COOKING

Moradabadi Daal by ‘Wat Do You Meal’

H

ave you ever thought whether moong daal (yellow lentil) soupy dish full of protein could be scrumptious? What Do You Meal guys have done just that for you.

Nothing better than bringing street food into your kitchen with fresh ingredients and nutrients.

Here’re the eight steps to make it happen.

1) Soak moong daal 4 cups overnight (usually comes to 6 serves).

2) Green chutney, made of 1 bunch of coriander, 1/4 bunch of mint, lemon, cumin seeds, black salt, 2cms ginger, salt, green chillies.

Blend all ingredients. Keep aside.

3) On a pan, roast cummin seeds, asafoetida and 1/4 spoon garam

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masala.

and a pinch of black salt.

4) Heat 1 spoon of oil in a small pan; add red chillies until they fry.

Keep aside.

It’s ready to eat.

5) Cut blocks of butter, paneer (you can skip butter, if you don’t want the calories).

6) Bring the soaked moong daal to boil in double the quantity of water in a pressure cooker. Now remove the white foamy residue.

Add 1/4 spoon asafoetida, 1 spoon salt, 1/4 spoon turmeric. Whistle it 2 times on low flame.

WDYM tip: It goes well with jalebis too. We know a lot of you aren’t very convinced but it tastes totally yum. The sweet, sour and savory soupy texture works wonders.

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7) Open the pressure cooker.

8) Now pour the daal in bowls, garnish with green chutney, roasted cumin (step 3), crush the red chillies (step 4 ) on top.

Squeeze some lemon according to taste, and add the butter, paneer,

Wat Do You Meal team

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SEPTEMBER 2020

24

INDIA NEWS

TRAVEL

Travel trends in the Overflowing Yamuna brings post-Covid world dazzle back to Taj Mahal

River Yamuna-Taj Mahal

I

ndia may be gradually unlocking, but the recovery of travel, and future of millions of people associated with the tourism industry, is still uncertain. As social distancing turns out to be the way to go for many years to come, travel businesses must adapt now for tomorrow.

A recent survey by Nasscom indicated the impact of Covid-19 on India’s startup ecosystem, and found out that nearly 70 per cent of the startups will only be able to last for around three months.

Looking at how badly the travel industry has been impacted, many of these startups are likely to be a travel startups.

priority be it international or domestic travelling.”

Here is how he thinks the industry will change post the containment of the virus: Local travel over international travel In future people might only want to travel local keeping in mind its shorter distance hence making it a safer choice for them. In fact even the aviation industry would consider offering a different kind of seat choices which might be limited than what it used to be pre-Covid. International travel will be more expensive, hence people will choose to travel local.

Rural tourism over cities

“Stepping ahead into an uncertain future, the travel startup ecosystem is preparing for the new era of travel where everything will be changed and brand-new. Businesses will need to be prepared today for tomorrow’s travellers, and innovation is truly the need of the hour in order to meet the standard needs of quality travel.

We cannot say for sure when it will all re-start but we need to be prepared for the future of travelling. Many travel startups are trying to bring changes into their business models and rethinking the way they used to function,” Pritesh Khare, CEO, India Voyage, a travel startup told IANSlife.

In the post-Corona world the travel is going to take a very unusual turn. Businesses that are into local stays, eco stays, village tours, skill-based tours and educational tours might see a good rise in future as people will be travelling with a desire to live sustainable and simple.

He added that these changes are permanent only till the vaccine arrives. “We might also see hike in the prices of accommodation, food, transportation because of the market gap and the Covid security innovations and precautions. Also the hygiene factor that used to be on the least priority would be on the top most

Travelling industry as a whole needs to navigate through its possibilities, restoring the economy of the travel industry into place.

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Road trips over local transport Road trips across the nation will be a safer option to take-up.

Private taxis and mechanics’ businesses will see a rise as public transport is going to be very challenging in the future and people might want to avoid it for a healthy living. As in future social distancing is going to be a way of living. Any form of physical touch will be avoided by the travellers.

By Siddhi Jain (IANSlife)

Agra/IANS: With the Yamuna still continuing to remain in spate in Agra, the rear view of the Taj Mahal stands transformed as the river is full of life-sustaining water, following incessant rains, providing a magnificent view from the Mehtab Bagh.

From a “sickly sewage canal” the Yamuna river stands as a vibrant and attractive water body which is said to be the lifeline of the city.

Heaps of garbage that had accumulated along the banks have now been swept away.

“The banks are now cleaner and greener thanks to the monsoon rains. The chirping birds are back and people stop by for a while to enjoy the spectacle of the Yamuna in its pristine glory,” said Nandan Shrotriya, a temple priest of the Yamuna Kinara road.

Though the Taj Mahal remains closed for visitors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ambience of the area stands transformed as the Yamuna at the rear of the monument provides a magnificent view from the Mehtab Bagh. Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal because of the Yamuna river, but in the past few decades, the river has become a dying lifeline. For most part of the year “it remains a sickly drain,” said a river activist Shravan Kumar Singh.

Right now the river is full of water, but for how long?

“For almost eight months in a year, the Yamuna remains dry and polluted as upstream barrages from Hathini Kund to Wazirabad, Okhla and Gokul hold back all the water. The downstream cities suffer as a result. The need is to ensure a minimum flow of water round the year so that the river remains alive and the aqua-life is not disturbed,” says environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya.

Over 500 years ago, it was the grandeur of the Yamuna that

had attracted the founder of the Mughal dynasty to open shops in Agra. In later years, his descendants chose to build some of the finest monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Etmaduddaula along its banks.

While the younger folk have generally stayed away from the stinking river which holds no charm for them, people of the older generations do occasionally venture out to conduct ritualistic pujas and baths.

The dozen-odd ghats along the riverfront, which once was the centre of a thriving commercial activity and river culture, have disappeared without a trace, reducing the 20 km-long riverfront to a vast wasteland.

From the Kailash temple to the Dussehra Ghat adjacent to the Taj, there were more than a score of permanent ghats, some of red sandstone and others of marble.

Behind the Red Fort there were permanent ghats with highly decorative canopies for the royal females of the Mughals.

Some ghats fell prey to man’s indifference, others were razed to the ground by zealous bureaucrats on the late Sanjay Gandhi’s orders during the Emergency (1975-77) to make way for a “picturesque” river front like Mumbai’s Chowpati. But before that dream could materialise, politics took a U-turn and Indira Gandhi was swept out of power in the 1977 General Elections after the emergency was lifted, recalled river activist Padmini Iyer.

Today, the river of decadence is an eyesore. Those who take the Yamuna Kinara road are often seen covering their noses to keep away the foul odour of the stinking mess. “Modi’s minister Nitin Gadkiri had promised steamers in Yamuna will bring tourists from Delhi to Agra. Now he seems to have forgotten or has given up the project,” commented Wake Up Agra president Shishir

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Bhagat.

River Connect campaigner Pandit Jugal Kishor lamented: “Those were the days when the citizens of Agra used to spend leisurely summer evenings on the river bank, which had a long row of temples. Children used to feed the tortoises and a whole lot of cultural and religious activities used to be held here. But now the people have turned away and have even forgotten there’s a river in the city.”

HathiGhat near the fort still survives but the entire area has been rampaged by transport companies, whose vehicles are parked there. Nathi Lal of KatcheriGhat warned: “If the ghats disappear, the river culture, the annual melas and ‘tamashas’, the ‘tairaki’ (swimming contests), ‘patangbazi’ and the mass bathing programmes on festivals would vanish too.”

Citizens’ groups like the River Connect Campaign have been exerting pressure on the government agencies to take up cleanliness drives, build permanent ghats and dredge out silt from the riverbed to hold back the monsoon overflow, but so far there has been no positive response, commented K C Jain, secretary, Agra Development Foundation.

The Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society has urged the Yogi and Modi governments to replicate the Sabarmati model in Agra and Mathura. “The Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad was reduced to a dirty drain, but the then state government headed by Narendra Modi carried out structural changes and the success is there for all to see,” society president Surendra Sharma said. Work on the Yamuna barrage downstream of the Taj Mahal should begin urgently, he added.

By Brij Khandelwal

SEPTEMBER 2020

25

INDIA NEWS

SPORTS

Cricketer-turned-politician Chetan Chauhan dies of Covid-related complications after he tested positive for coronavirus.

He died at Medanta hospital in Gurugram, where he had been shifted after his condition deteriorated.

Chauhan, 73, is the second minister of the Yogi Adityanath government to have succumbed to coronavirus this month.

On August 2, UP minister Kamal Rani Varun had also died due to the infectious disease.

Chetan Chauhan

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief at the demise of the minister who was also a well-known cricketer.

Lucknow/IANS: UP minister Chetan Chauhan passed away on August 16 due to kidney failure

Several ministers, including Siddhartha Nath Singh, Mohsin Raza, and Rajendra Pratap Singh, have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.

Chauhan was born in Uttar Pradesh and elected to the state assembly from Naugawan in Amroha district.

A well-known cricketer before he joined politics, he played 40 Tests between 1969 and 1978 and scored 2,084 runs at an average of 31.57 with 97 being his highest score.

He also played in seven ODIs, scoring 153 runs from them.

He and Sunil Gavaskar formed a successful opening partnership, scoring over 3,000 runs together with 10 century stands in numerous Tests in the 1970s.

Chauhan played Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra and Delhi and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1981.

Dhoni not just a sportsperson but a phenomenon, says Indian PM Modi decade-and-a-half,” he added.

Dhoni replied with a tweet: “An Artist, soldier and sportsperson what they crave for is appreciation, that their hard work and sacrifice is getting noticed and appreciated by everyone.

Thanks PM @narendramodi for your appreciation and good wishes.”

PM Modi New Delhi / IANS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid rich tribute to former India skipper MS Dhoni as he hanged his boots from international cricket, calling him not just a sportsperson but a phenomenon, which was much appreciated by Dhoni himself.

On India’s 74th Independence Day, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket via a social media post, thus bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning 16 years.

“On 15th August, in your trademark unassuming style you shared a short video that was enough to become a long and passionate discussion point for the entire nation,” Modi said in a letter addressed to Dhoni.

“130 crore Indians were disappointed but also eternally grateful for all that you have done for Indian cricket in the last

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Dhoni, who made his ODI debut in 2004, changed the face of Indian cricket with his calm demeanour, sharp understanding of the game and astute leadership qualities. He represented India in 350 ODIs, 90 Tests and 98 T20Is. One of the most admired and respected cricketers, Dhoni is also among the most successful captains in world cricket. It was under his leadership that India lifted the World Cup in 2011 after having led India to triumph in the World T20 in its maiden edition of the tournament held in 2007 in South Africa. With India winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 in England, Dhoni became the first and is still the only captain to have won all three ICC Trophies.

“One way to look at your cricketing career is through the prism of statistics. You have been one of the most successful captains, instrumental in taking India to the top of the world charts. Your name will go down in history as being one of the world’s batting greats, among the greatest cricketing captains and certainly

one of the best wicketkeepers the game has seen,” stated the Indian Prime Minister.

“Your dependability in tough situations and your style of finishing matches, particularly the 2011 World Cup final, will forever be etched in the public memory for generations. But, the name Mahendra Singh Dhoni will not be remembered merely for his career statistics or specific match-winning roles,” he added.

Modi further said that looking at the former Indian cricket team captain as just a sportsperson would be injustice. “The correct way to assess your impact is as a phenomenon!

“Rising from humble beginnings in a small town, you burst onto the national scene, made a name for yourself and most importantly made India proud. Your rise and conduct thereafter gives strength and inspiration to crores of youngsters who like you have not been to cushy schools or colleges, neither do they belong to illustrious families but they have the talent to distinguish themselves at the highest levels.

“You have been one of the important illustrations of the spirit of New India, where family name does not make young people’s destiny but they make their own names and their own destinies,” he added.

The Indian Prime Minister further said that it doesn’t matter where

Ex- India skipper Dhoni starts and ends career with a unique record New Delhi / IANS: Spanning over 15 years, the international career of the dashing cricketer and former India skipper M S Dhoni has a unique twist to it -- both his debut and last matches recording run outs for him.

This rare statistic popped up as Mahendra Singh Dhoni aka MSD called time on his international career on August 15, bringing an end to the top-flight career of one of India’s greatest limited-overs cricketers, and its most successful captain.

Known to be a livewire between the wickets, Dhoni played for India the last time during the 2019 World Cup semi-final in which the Indians lost to New Zealand and bowed out of the competition.

Dhoni restored the balance before Martin Guptill conjured up a special run out moment to send Dhoni back as the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman tried to steal a double.

With that ended India’s hopes of reaching the final.

On his ODI debut in 2004, Dhoni nudged a delivery from Bangladesh’s Mohammad Rafique to square leg and set off for a single, only to be sent back by his partner Mohammad Kaif.

Unfortunately, he got run out for a duck while batting at number seven.

The 39-year old, who is the only captain to win all three ICC trophies - the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy - was run out in that game too as he looked set to guide India to a victory.

In the tense encounter in Manchester, India were in a spot of bother while chasing 240, but Ravindra Jadeja and

one comes from as long as he/she knows where they are headed and that’s the spirit which Dhoni has exuded in many youngsters.

“Where we come from does not matter as long as we know where we are headed - this is the spirit that you have exuded and inspired many youngsters with.

Many of your memorable on-field moments exemplify a particular generation of Indians.

“This generation of Indians does not hesitate to take risks and back each other’s abilities in even the toughest situations- seen in the way you took risks many a time in backing little known youngsters to deliver in high pressure situations. The 2007 T20 World Cup finals is a perfect example of this spirit,” he added.

India, under the leadership of Dhoni, had won the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa after defeating Pakistan in a pulsating final.

“This generation of Indians does not lose their nerve in decisive situations; we saw that in many of your innings and games. Our youth does not lose heart in the face of adversity and, most importantly, are fearless, just like the team you led,” Modi said.

“No matter what hairstyle you sported, your calm head remained the same in victory or defeat, which is a very important lesson for every youth,” he added.

Dhoni of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army unit of the Parachute Regiment (106 Para TA battalion). The honour was accorded to him by the Indian Army in 2011.

Referring to that, Prime Minister Modi said, “I would like to also mention your special association towards India’s armed forces. You were most happy being among our army personnel. Your concern towards their welfare has always been remarkable.”

Towards the end, the Indian Prime Minister wished Dhoni for his life beyond cricket and hoped that the veteran wicketkeeperbatsman would now get more time to spend with his wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva.

“I hope Sakshi and Ziva get to spend more time with you. I convey my good wishes to them as well, because without their sacrifices and support nothing would have been possible,” said Modi “Our youth could also learn from you how to balance professional and personal priorities; I remember seeing a picture of you playing with your cute daughter even as everyone around you was celebrating a victory in a particular tournament! That was vintage MS Dhoni.

“Wishing you the very best for your future endeavours,” he signed off.

Dhoni holds the honorary rank

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SEPTEMBER 2020

26

INDIA NEWS

SPORTS

Indian PM remembers Raina’s contribution to Indian cricket New Delhi / IANS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid rich tribute to Suresh Raina, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, saying the former Indian batsman never played for personal glory but for the glory of the team and the country.

“You are padding up for the next innings of your life, after an extremely fruitful innings on the cricket field,” he added in the letter he tweeted.

The 33-year-old expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister by tweeting back: “When we play, we give our blood and sweat for the nation. No better appreciation than being loved by the people of this country and even more by the country’s PM. Thank you Narendra Modi Ji for your words of appreciation and best wishes.

I accept them with gratitude. Jai Hind!”

Raina represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is in an international career spanning 13 years.

“You have lived and breathed cricket. Your interest in the sport began early in life, in the by-lanes of Muradnagar and subsequently found feet in the playgrounds of Lucknow,” said Indian Prime Minister Modi.

“There on, what an eventful journey it has been, culminating in the most important honour of representing India - a country you love deeply - in all three forms of the game.

“Generations will remember you not only as a fine batsman but also as a very useful bowler who the captain could turn to when the situation demanded.

Your fielding was exemplary and inspiring.

“Some of the best catches in recent international cricket have your distinctive imprint. It would take days to count just the number of runs you have saved by your alertness on the field,” he added.

Raina first made his international debut at the age of 18 and also led

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Melbourne/IANS: Former Australia all-rounder Cameron White (37) has called time on his cricket career which spanned almost 20 years.

the side seven times in limited overs cricket.

“I’ve definitely finished up playing, that’s for sure,” he told cricket.com.au.

“I had a one-year playing contract with the Strikers. I only played a handful of games with them last year and in those games I would have needed to play really well to get another deal. To be totally honest, I’m pretty content. I think my time is definitely up. I’ve had enough from a playing point of view and I’m ready to focus on coaching,” he added.

Like MS Dhoni, Raina too on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day, hanged his boots from international cricket via a social media post.

“On 15th August, you decided to make what would surely have been one of the toughest decisions of your life. I do not want to use the word ‘retirement’ because you are way too young and energetic to ‘retire’,” Indian Prime Minister Modi said in a letter addressed to Raina.

Ex-Australia cricketer Cameron White bids adieu to cricket

Modi and Raina India in ODIs and T2OIs when he turned 23.

He is the youngest to lead an India men’s T20I side and was also a member of the side that played in India’s first-ever T20I. The southpaw is also the first Indian to score a century in the T20 World Cup. “As a batsman, you especially distinguished yourself across all mediums and particularly in the newest form of the game, the T20 cricket. This is not an easy format.

In tune with our times, it requires quick fixes in double quick time. Again, your promptness and speed were assets for this form,” said the Indian Prime Minister while praising Raina’s performance in the shortest format of the game.

Raina was part of the World Cup winning team in 2011, when India defeated Sri Lanka in the summit clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He had played a crucial role in India’s successful campaign in the tournament and Indian Prime Minister Modi recalled his valuable performance in the quarterfinals against Australia.

“India can never forget your inspiring role during the 2011 World Cup, especially during the later matches. I saw you live in action at the Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad, during the quarterfinal against Australia.

Your anchoring innings had a big role to play in our team’s victory,” he said.

“I can confidently say that most fans will miss seeing your elegant cover drives, one which I was lucky to witness live that day.

The Indian Prime Minister further praised the left-handed batsman for his fighting spirit which he believes is deeply motivating for the youngsters “Sportspersons are admired not only for their conduct on the

field but also off the field. Your fighting spirit can motivate many youngsters,” stated Indian Prime Minister Modi.

“During your cricketing career, you sometimes faced setbacks including injuries but every time you overcame these challenges, thanks to your tenacity. At the same time, Suresh Raina will always be synonymous with team spirit.

“You played not for personal glory but for the glory of your team and the glory of India.

Your enthusiasm on the field was infectious, and we could all witness that you would be among the first and most animated players to celebrate the fall of the opposing team’s wicket,” he added.

Indian Prime Minister Modi, towards the end of his letter, also praised Raina for his efforts towards women empowerment and Swachh Bharat and wished him luck for his second innings beyond cricket.

“Your care and compassion towards society is visible in your numerous community service efforts. You have passionately supported efforts towards women empowerment, Swachh Bharat and helping the needy,” said the Indian Prime Minister.

“I am glad you are attached to India’s cultural roots and proud of deepening youth’s connect with our glorious ethos as well as value systems. I am confident you will have an equally fruitful and successful innings in whatever you wish to pursue in the times to come.

“I do hope you will use this opportunity to spend even more quality time with Priyanka, Gracia and Rio. “Thank you for doing whatever you can to make India a leader in sports and constantly inspiring young minds,” he signed off.

The all-rounder from Victoria played four Tests, 91 ODIs and 47 T20Is for Australia and also led

Cameron White Australian Cricketer

Khel Ratna for Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma to get Arjuna Award New Delhi / IANS: Star India batsman Rohit Sharma is among the five athletes who will receive the country’s highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, for 2020.

This will be the first time in the history of National Sports Day awards that five sportspersons will be conferred with the Khel Ratna.

The Selection Committee for National Sports Awards 2020 on August 21 confirmed that cricketer Rohit, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, table tennis star Manika Batra and para athlete Mariyappan Thangavelu will be conferred with the prestigious award on August 29 on the occasion of National Sports Day.

Ishant Sharma

Rohit will be the fourth cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar, M S Dhoni and Virat Kohli to be conferred with the award. Tendulkar was awarded the Khel Ratna in 1998, Dhoni got it in 2007 while Kohli received it in 2018.

Also, 27 athletes, including cricketer Ishant Sharma, will get the Arjuna Award on August 29.

Interestingly, Sakshi Malik and Mirabai Chanu’s names were removed from the final list. Their names were earlier recommended for Arjuna Award.

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Rohit Sharma

SEPTEMBER 2020

27

INDIA NEWS

ARTS & LITERATURE

Doyen of Indian classical music Pandit Jasraj no more

Pandit Jasraj New Delhi /IANS: Pandit Jasraj, the doyen of Indian classical music, passed away at the age of 90 following a cardiac arrest in New Jersey, the US, on August 17.

“With profound grief we inform that Pandit Jasraj Ji breathed his last this morning at 5.15 EST due to a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey, USA,” a statement issued by his family read.

A recipient of top civilian honours, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma

Vibhushan, the maestro, whose career spanned almost eight decades, belonged to the Mewati Gharana.

Pandit Jasraj, who was initiated into vocal training at the age of 14, later trained as a tabla accompanist under his elder brother, Pandit Pratap Narayan.

He will always be remembered for adding elements of thumri to khayal.

Reacting to the news of his demise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “The unfortunate demise of Pandit Jasraj Ji leaves a deep void in the Indian cultural sphere. Not only were his renditions outstanding, he also made a mark as an exceptional mentor to several other vocalists. Condolences to his family and admirers worldwide. Om Shanti.”

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, while calling it an extremely sad day for the world of music, said, “Pandit Jasraj’s passing away marks the

end of a golden era of music. I shared so many festivals with Jasraj bhai right from the sixties.

He gave a different dimension to vocal music. He was an artiste who lived life on his terms and surpassed his own time. His musical approach and genius endeared him to the planet.”

Pandit Jasraj was the last of the golden era of Indian classical vocalists which included Ustad Bade Ghulaam Ali Khan, Ustad Amir Khan, Pt Bhimsen Joshi and Pt Kumar Gandharva.

“Mewati Gharana came to the limelight because of his genius.

His legacy lives on timelessly. I will miss him immensely both musically and personally,” Amjad Ali Khan added.

Jasraj, who also taught music in India, Canada and the US, organised a musical festival annually -- Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh -- in Hyderabad since 1972.

‘Delhi Riots 2020’ gets a new publisher after Bloomsbury India withdraws New Delhi /IANS: Following the withdrawal of the book ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’ by publisher Bloomsbury India, another publishing house Garuda Prakashan has stepped in and confirmed taking over its publishing, it said in a statement on August 23.

The publisher, committed to giving voice to “Indic issues” said the book is expected to hit the stands within 15 days. The publishing house called the dissociation “shocking”, adding that it believes that “in literature, no voice can be suppressed and each point of view must have a fair chance to reach audiences”.

“Garuda Prakashan is committed to an authentic narrative of Indian history - both ancient and contemporary. It is sad to see that other publishers are being driven by extraneous events rather than the content of the book. We support eminent authors of the book to bring out the true picture of Delhi riots,” Sankrant Sanu, CEO of Garuda Prakashan said in a statement.

Written by Monika Arora, Sonali Chitalkar and Prerna Malhotra, the book is on the violence in northeast Delhi earlier this year. Noting the “curtailment of the freedom of speech at the hands of the publishing organisation Bloomsbury India,

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following pressure from its UK headquarters, that led to cancellation of the contract in an unprofessional manner lastminute”, the authors and Garuda Prakashan have mutually decided to join hands and publish the book.

Publisher Bloomsbury India had said on August 22 that it was withdrawing the publication of the book ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’ planned for September “in view of very recent events, including a virtual prepublication launch organised without our knowledge by the authors, with participation by parties of whom the publishers would not have approved.”

“Bloomsbury India strongly supports freedom of speech but also has a deep sense of responsibility towards society,” the publisher said in a statement.

A storm had been brewing since late August 21 after a purported

invitation on social media, with the Bloomsbury logo at its bottom left, stated that BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav would launch the book with party leader Kapil Mishra, besides the authors, as also filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, among others, attending the virtual event.

In response to this, Bloomsbury issued a statement on August 21 evening denying it was involved in the launch.

Meanwhile, the authors of the book have accused Bloomsbury India of giving in to pressure.

Author Monika Arora had also made public an email she shared with the previous publisher, seeking a reply to the cancellation.

Author Sanjay Dixit has also tweeted terminating his contract with Bloomsbury India for his books.

Shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan’s house being razed to build threestoried building Varanasi /IANS: Shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan’s house in Varanasi’s Benia Bagh is being demolished to make way for a three-storied building.

The house had been purchased in 1936 and it was here that Bismillah Khan lived all his life. He even turned down offers made by his disciples to settle in the US. The house is now owned by the maestro’s grandsons -- sons of late Mehtab Hussain, one of his five sons.

One of the grandsons, Sufi, said that the decision to raze the house had been taken due to financial considerations.

Khan’s disciple and foster daughter, singer Soma Ghosh, said she was ‘shocked’ to know of the demolition of the house.

Incidentally, the demolition began just days ahead of the 14th death anniversary of Bismillah Khan which falls on August 21.

The maestro, who passed away in 2006, was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2001.

Letterbox outside Ustad Bismillah Khan’s house In January 2017, his grandson had stolen his four shehnais, including three made of silver, and sold them to local jewellers for Rs 17,000.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force had arrested his grandson and two jewellers and recovered the melted silver. The three silver shehnais had been gifted by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and Congress leader Kapil Sibal to the maestro.

Artist Ashim Purkayastha’s ‘shelter’ part of 58th Venice Biennale New Delhi /IANS: In the year 2014, Delhi-based artist Ashim Purkayastha started collecting stones from different streets in Delhi. At that time, he had no idea that his work ‘Shelter’ would be a part of the Indian Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale.

A physical experience, the making of which involved moving around the city and collecting materials, ‘Shelter’, which is now being exhibited at KNMA’s online exhibition ‘City Tales’ included time and experience of different events. “While picking up stones from Delhi’s roadsides, ‘identity’ was at the centre of the thought,” says Purkayastha.

Recalling the overwhelming response his work received in Venice, the artist says, “While ‘Shelter’ was displayed on the floor, the canvas ‘Untitled’ was on the wall. When I decided to paint on the wall, it was the more conceptual part of the work which had to be done at one go.

Considering the fact that it could not be repainted, there was a certain conflict in my mind, it was also important that the stones should be scattered all over.

During the exhibition’s opening, it was interesting to see the reactions of the viewers -- such an incomparable experience.”

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Ashim Purkayastha Purkayastha, who is known for his work on Gandhi, including ‘Gandhi/Man Without Specs’ says that till now he is yet to experience any movement or protest, that does not have his name or image.

Known for highlighting social and political issues in his work, while laying stress on the local, the artist feels that the post-Covid times for artists and exhibitors would mean far more dependence on the virtual medium. “However, despite such a tough scenario, we may see the Kochi Biennale materialising.”

Talk to him about the pathetic state of young artists in face of no measures announced by the government for the art community when the country was put under lockdown, he laments, “The government is just highlighting its ‘success’ rate when it comes to a lower mortality rate and not talking about several related key issues.

SEPTEMBER 2020

28

INDIA NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

Amitabh Bachchan all set Turkey tweet not connected with to resume Kaun Banega Aamir, says Cong leader Singhvi Crorepati shoot

Mumbai /IANS: Back from hospital after Covid recovery, Amitabh Bachchan is ready to start shooting for the upcoming season of the popular quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

The iconic actor took to his blog to reveal that he is preparing to resume shoot for the TV show, saying maximum safety precautions will be taken.

“Lots of prep and presentation

for the starting of KBC promo shoots and the KBC itself … detailed protocol of how it’s all going to be done with maximum safety precautions,” he wrote, adding: “Life shall never be the same again .. perhaps ..or how we conduct ourselves in these times of pandemic,” he wrote.

Earlier this year, in May, Big B had started shooting for the upcoming season of the popular quiz show amid the Covid-19 lockdown, and had dismissed those who asked if it was safe to do so.

“So yes I worked ..got a problem with that .. keep it to yourself then .. damned if you pour it out here in this locked in condition .. sufficient precaution as much that could be taken was taken .. and what had been scheduled for 2 days, was completed in one day .. starting 6pm .. ending a short while NOW,” wrote Big B in his blog in May.

Graham Staines film featuring Sharman Joshi gets OTT release in Hindi Mumbai /IANS: A film on Australian missionary Graham Staines, featuring Sharman Joshi with Hollywood artistes Stephen Baldwin and Shari Rigby, is set for an OTT release in Hindi on August 28.

“The Least Of These: The Graham Staines Story” is based on the startling episode where the Australian missionary was murdered along with his two sons in India. The film released in English last year. This is Sharman’s maiden collaboration with Hollywood artistes such as Baldwin and Rigby, who essay Graham Staines and his wife Gladys, respectively.

In Hindi, the film will be released as “Graham Staines, Ek Ankahi Sachai: The Least of These”.

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“I play Manav Banerjee, a journalist who is conflicted between what is right and wrong, forced to re-examine his duties when faced with an inconvenient truth. This character was etched out to perfection and I relished portraying him,” said Sharman, adding that releasing the film in Hindi should give it a much larger base of audience.

Director Aneesh Daniel said that he wanted to honour Graham Staines in the best way possible and hence decided to produce a movie that documents the “incredible change he brought about till his last breath”.

The Hindi version will release on Shemaroo Me Box Office.

New Delhi /IANS: Amid an uproar over Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s meeting with Turkey’s First lady, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi has pointed to the threat posed by Turkey. “(Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan is on a mission to become a new self-appointed Caliph. He has always been anti-India and Turkey’s religious directorate under him is funding extremism in India. Turkey is the biggest invisible threat for India. Erdogan or any of his acquaintances shouldn’t be

trusted,” Singhvi tweeted on August 17.

However, within hours he clarified that his tweet had no connection with regard toAamir Khan.

“My tweet today had nothing to do with Aamir. Neither mentioned nor tagged him!

It’s my independent view on Turkey. Aamir is a free citizen, can meet whom he wants to and do what he likes. Connecting unconnectibles!”

Aamir Khan is in Turkey to shoot portions of his upcoming film

‘Laal Singh Chaddha’. He is facing flak on social media after pictures of his meeting with Emine Erdogan went viral.

Sushant case: CBI quizzes flatmate, staff, revisits Waterstone resort

Mumbai /IANS: The CBI team probing the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, once again on August 24 questioned the actor’s flatmate Siddharth Pithani and his staff Neeraj Singh and once more visited the Waterstone resort, where the Bollywood star stayed for two months.

According to CBI sources, Pithani and Singh joined the questioning

earlier in the day at the DRDO guest house in Mumbai’s Santacruz area.

The CBI source added that on August 23 the agency had also questioned the actor’s personal staff Dipesh Sawant, apart from Pithani and Singh, about the behaviour of Sushant after his break-up with Rhea Chakraborty and whether she took financial and professional decisions for Sushant, besides whether she really was keeping the late actor away from his family.

The CBI also quizzed them about why they did not call the police immediately after they saw the actor dead in his room, and why they had brought down the body of Sushant and did not wait for the police to arrive.

The source said the agency found stark differences and inconsistencies in their statements, so around 2.30 p.m. on August 23, they were taken to the Bandra flat to be questioned separately on the chain of events on June 13 and 14. Mumbai Police personnel, who had visited Sushant’s flat on June 14 when the actor was found dead, were also present with the CBI and the forensic team.

In the coming days, the team is expected to question Rhea and her family members.

The case was registered against Rhea, her father Indrajit, mother Sandhya, brother Showik, Sushant’s former manager Shruti Modi and house manager Samuel Miranda and unknown persons.

Sushant case: Political parties in Bihar welcome SC order for CBI probe New Delhi /IANS: The ruling Janata Dal-United, its alliance partner Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the principal opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on August 19 welcomed the Supreme Court order for a CBI probe into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

RJD Rajya Sabha MOP and spokesperson Manoj KJha told IANS, “The Supreme Court has ordered a CBI probe into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput death case and we are very happy.”

He said, “Our party and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had raised the demand in the oneday Assembly session and outside the Assembly for the CBI probe. And now we want speedy probe to bring the truth out without thinking who all high and mighty are involved in the case.”

LJP chief Chirag Paswan also welcomed the Supreme Court order and said, “I thank the SC for ordering a CBI probe as it respected the feelings of crores of people. The way in which the probe has been handed over to CBI, a long demand has been

CBI headquarters fulfilled that will make clear what is the truth and the names of the people who tried to divert the case.”

Paswan said, “I hope the family will be much relieved and they will get justice soon.”

JD-U spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also said that the CBI probe into the death of the late actor will bring out the reality in front of everyone.

“This is a very big victory for justice. The SC accepted that the FIR of the Bihar Police was correct and also ordered the Mumbai Police to follow the order. It is a historic moment, as the the two state were indulged into bitter talks, which was unfortunate. But after the SC decision the feelings of the crores

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of people have been respected by the Supreme Court.”

The reactions came soon after the Supreme Court on August 19 ordered a CBI probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and asked Mumbai Police to hand over all evidence collected so far in the case to CBI. Justice Hrishikesh Roy said the CBI will be competent to probe not only Patna FIR but any other FIR in connection with the case.

The top court noted that the Mumbai Police have registered only an accidental death report in connection with Rajput’s death, therefore it has limited investigation powers, whereas the case registered by Bihar Police is a full-fledged FIR which has been already referred to CBI. SEPTEMBER 2020

29

INDIA NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Gunjan Saxena’ a wrong portrayal Tamil actors, of facts: Woman Navy officer directors pray for SP however, shows feminism, which is not okay. Sexist things have been shown in the film contrary to the real fact that the whole training is to enable you to lead your men, who are also in uniform, she said.

“We were two women and 250 men while serving on board a warship. We all knew what it meant to be in uniform,” she said, adding: “The story it seems has been distorted to promote one person, who is none other than JanhviKapoor.”

Jaipur /IANS: Sandhya Suri, among the first women officers to serve on a warship, has strongly condemned the wrong portrayal of facts in the newly released flick “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl” and said that the story has been distorted badly only to promote its actress Janhvi Kapoor and has nothing to do with the real character of Gunjan Kapoor.

ragged and abused, projects the armed forces in a bad light. It never happens the way it has been shown,” the ex-officer told IANS.

“As an officer, I refused to watch the film because its initial portrayal in the trailer was wrong as they projected Gunjan to be the first woman officer to fly in the Air Force, which is a wrong fact.

Next, the way she has been shown

“In the forces, you have to work and prove that you don’t need protection and special treatment.

The qualification and criteria remains the same if someone needs to be sent to the front,” she said, adding that this film,

Sandhya was the third batch woman officer who wanted to join the armed forces even before the induction of women came into force. “I wanted to do something worthy and was inspired by the uniform,” she said.

Surprisingly, Gunjan has not spoken even once on this issue.

“The film shows the importance of Janhvi Kapoor; in fact, it’s all about Janhvi. Had she really wanted to do justice with the film, she should have sat with Gunjan and spoken to her to dig into her role. Had she done her homework, she could have known how the story is being overplayed and then she could have put her foot down,” said Sandhya.

“For armed forces, it is a very wrong projection; I know some of these girls who were officers in the initial years in the Air Force.

They also said it is the extreme which has been shown in the film,” she added.

Sushant case: Kangana welcomes SC decision for CBI probe

Kangana Ranaut

New Delhi /IANS: Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has hailed the Supreme Court order for a CBI probe into the Sushant Singh Rajput case. The actress exclusively told IANS that this was a historic day because so many controversial deaths have happened in the past but never in the history of India has a closed case been reopened.

The Supreme Court on August

19 ordered a CBI probe into Sushant’s death, and asked Mumbai Police to hand over all evidence collected so far to the investigating bureau.

“It’s a historic day. So many controversial deaths have happened in the past but never in the history of India a closed case has opened and this movement was not just limited to India,” Kangana told IANS.

Sufi music is magical, has power to heal, says Harshdeep Kaur New Delhi /IANS: “Sufi music has a peculiar magic to it. It metamorphoses one to a distant world, and the lyrics tend to touch the heart in the most peculiar way. Most importantly, it has the power to heal,” says singer Harshdeep Kaur.

Kaur, who sings in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Gujarati debuted at the age of 16 with the song ‘Sajna Mai Haari’, after winning titles in two reality shows. She remembers, “Imagine the thrill to have a film song released while you are still in school! I was overwhelmed.”

One of the very few singers who have made it big after winning two reality shows, considering the fact that most winners don’t emerge successful in the industry,

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Kaur feels that though winning such shows gives one instant popularity, the most crucial part comes after that.

“It is very important to maintain that success and consistently work on creating good music and singing good songs. The struggle and hard work doesn’t end with winning a reality show. The key is to make the most of every opportunity that comes one’s way.”

For someone who has worked with the best known music composers in the industry, including AR Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Vishal-Shehkhar, Pritam, Salim Sulaiman, Shantanu Moitra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, she still remembers the time when along with her father, she would meet

Balasubrahmanyam’s recovery from Covid Chennai / IANS: Tamil movie directors and actors who had gathered to pray collectively for the speedy recovery of noted singer S P Balasubrahmanyam, popularly known as SPB, turned emotional during a virtual meeting on August 20.

The popular singer, who was admitted to a private hospital with mild coronavirus infection some days back, is now on ventilator and ECMO support.

The virtual meeting was called by famed Director Bharathiraja to which several other directors, actors and singers responded.

Bharathiraja turned emotional and with a shaky voice welcomed actor Sathyaraj.

“It is 50 years friendship with Balu. We all belong to one familymovie family. It is this movie field that provided food for me,” Bharathiraja said.

Actor Sathyaraj too turned emotional and said that it was SPB who sang a duet for him after he had acted as villain in several movies.

Singer Chitra, who has sung several songs with SPB, wished him a speedy recovery and sang a prayer seeking the blessings of Dhanvantri - the Hindu God of medicine.

Speaking at the meeting, Saroja Devi said: “Balu should come back. Whenever I meet Balu I always ask him whether he drank

SP Balasubrahmanyam honey to have such a sweet voice.”

Movie Director Thangar Bachan said he grew up listening to SPB’s songs.

“Collective prayer will have a positive effect and Balu will come back,” Bachan said.

Actor Prabhu recalled his late father and legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan who used to say that SPB is the world’s treasure.

Director, Actor and Producer Parthipan shared how SPB is a good human being and a very humble person.

Meanwhile several people holding candles lined up near MGM Healthcare where SPB is admitted for Covid-19 treatment.

Film lyricist Chunakkara Ramankutty dies at 84 Thiruvananthapuram /IANS: Popular Malayalam poet and film and drama lyricist Chunnakara Ramankutty passed away at a private hospital here on August 13, said family sources. He was 84.

Ramankutty has written for around 75 films for over 200 songs besides lyrics for over a 100 dramas.

Harshdeep Kaur music directors to give them her demo CDs. “I had no godfather in the industry. My only support was my family and my talent. It was purely my voice and hard work that fetched me work. Also, it is very important to stand out with your unique talent in order to get work,”she says.

Starting from 1978 he wrote lyrics for Malayalam films, till a few years back.

His last piece was after the death of media baron and veteran Rajya Sabha member M P Veerendra Kumar, last month.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of the popular lyricist and termed his passing away as a big loss for Kerala.

“Several melodious songs have

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Chunnakara Ramankutty been penned by him and he also excelled in the drama arena. He was also a good orator,” recalled Vijayan.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Sexual harassment case: NCW Sonu Sood helps 12 ailing Filipino kids to records statements of Sonu Sood, fly to Delhi for urgent Mahesh Bhatt among others liver transplant from our end,” the Commission said in a tweet.

The Commission had issued summons to Mahesh Bhatt, Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, Mouni Roy, Rannvijay Singh, Prince Narula and Esha Gupta after taking cognisance of a complaint filed by the People Against Rapes in India (PARI) founder Yogita Bhayana.

New Delhi /IANS: After sending off thousands of migrants back to their hometowns, actor Sonu Sood has now extended his philanthropic services to save 12 Filipino children, suffering from acute liver disease and requiring an organ transplant urgently.

He arranged a free charter flight for these 12 children, along with their family members, that landed in Delhi on August 15. The children, natives of Manila and Cebu City, have been admitted to Max Super Speciality Hospital and Indraprastha Apollo Hospital for the transplant, Sood told IANS. The children, aged between six months and two years, are accompanied by a family member and an attendant. All of them are currently in a 10-day quarantine period at the hospitals.

“Five of them were admitted to Max while seven to the Apollo Hospital,” Sood said, noting that he was contacted to rescue 18 Filipino infants in mid-July, but only 12 made it.

“Unfortunately, six children were in very critical condition and could not be saved,” he said.

The transplant of these twelve children at Max and Apollo was due for more than two months.

“Earlier, 3 to 4 of them used to visit us from the Philippines every month. But ever since the lockdown began, these sick children have been awaiting a liver transplant. They were in a grave health condition, and delay in treatment any further would have serious health

Mahesh Bhatt

Sonu Sood implications,” said Neerav Goyal, Head of Apollo’s liver transplant, Hepatobiliary, and Pancreatic unit.

The hospital then contacted the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (FICCP) and the Indian Embassy, which approached Sood as he was doing evacuation of Indian doctors from the Philippines then.

While Sood arranged the chartered plane, the evacuation remained a daunting task. A medical team was required to travel with these children to manage any emergency occurring mid-air.

Asked how he felt about this feat, the actor said he would have been happier if all the children were rescued successfully. Meanwhile, Sood informed IANS that he would be helping evacuation of over 1,200 Indian nationals from the Philippines in the coming days.

TV star Nia Sharma wins Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India Mumbai (IANS): TV star Nia Sharma has won Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India, beating Jasmin Bhasin and Karan Wahi in the final. The contest was a special edition of the reality TV adventure game show and it was launched earlier this month after season 10 of Khatron Ke Khiladi concluded.

The Rohit Shetty-hosted Made In India edition of Khatron Ke Khiladi featured champions of past seasons such as Jay Bhanushali, Rithvik Dhanjani, Bharti Singh, Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Aly Goni and Karan Patel. Dhanjani had to quit the contest midway because of commitments.

“Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made In India started off as a fun special

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New Delhi /IANS: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on August 18 recorded the statements of various witnesses, including Bollyood actor Sonu Sood, director Mahesh Bhatt and others, in connection with a man and his company IMG Ventures which was allegedly blackmailing and sexually assaulting several women on the pretext of modelling opportunities.

The Commission, however, expressed its displeasure over the non-appearance of actors Urvashi Rautela and Mouni Roy. “Mouni Roy and Urvashi Rautela did not attend the scheduled hearing despite several intimations sent

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt appeared for the online hearing. Bhatt has assured the Commission of full cooperation with regard to this matter. “As a father of three girls, I have the highest regard for the cause taken up by Ms. Yogita and the National Commission for Women and express my full cooperation for the crusade,” he said. He also denied any association with IMG Ventures or Sunny Verma. The NCW recorded the statements of witnesses during the online hearing and will now be preparing a report based on its findings.

According to the complaint, one Sunny Verma, promoter of IMG Ventures, has been allegedly blackmailing and sexually assaulting several women on the pretext of modelling

“No. of TV and film actors are also promoting his company in a video advertisement,” Bhayana’s complaint had said.

The complaint further alleged that to make it look genuine, his company had also been charging an entry fee of Rs 2950. Once the girls applied, female accomplices of Sunny Verma allegedly suggested to submit their nude pictures in order to get better ranking in the contest.

“After receiving the nude pictures and sometimes even before, Sunny used to get in touch with the girls to push them for completely nude pictures and videos. He also asked as well as threatened them to submit to his sexual desires if they were interested in modelling as a career or wish to win the contest,” the complaint said.

The complaint further claimed that once Sunny used to establish physical relationship with the girls, he used to blackmail them for regular sexual favours and many girls from across the country have suffered sexual and mental assault at the hands of Sunny and his accomplices.

TV host Ellen DeGeneres to talk to fans about toxic workplace charge Ellen was recently asked by a reporter about her show, following the firing of three senior producers. She said she would interact with fans to address the subject, reports dailymail.co.uk.

“I will be talking to my fans,” Ellen said.

Ellen DeGeneres

edition, but it quickly became my sole agenda to win the season. I gave my all to every stunt that I performed on the show,” said Nia, who has earlier contested in Khatron Ke Khiladi season eight.

The season witnessed the host and action filmmaker Rohit Shetty design some incredible stunts for the contestants.

Nia overcame challenges that involved conquering heights, negotiating explosions, swimming through mud and, in one round, surviving a watery coffin. She also made a mark on the Colors channel show with her camaraderie with cocontestants, especially comedian Harsh Limbachiyaa.

“The team always showed

opportunities.

Los Angeles /IANS: Popular TV host Ellen DeGeneres will soon interact with fans about the negative publicity her talk show has drawn on being probed for toxic work culture. immense faith in me and encouraged me to go and give my best. I did not want to let go of the second opportunity that Colors gave me. I wanted to win and I would not have been at ease with any other result. Winning the season brought a sense of happiness and satisfaction. It was also my answer to those people who thought Nia was only about makeup and styling. No, she’s not. She is a winner and she

A while back, soon after Warner Bros. Television said three senior producers were being fired over the toxic work culture, Ellen had tweeted to clarify her position.

“On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ would be a place of happiness -- no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am

disappointed to learn that this has not been the case,” she had written.

“I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros., we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done.

Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again,” she had further tweeted.

has proven it with this win!” Nia added.

The grand finale on Sunday had a Bollywood-style red carpet laid out for the contestants. The finale stunts involved pythons, spinning stunts at towering heights, and a three-part heist designed specially by Rohit Shetty, where the contestants had to hunt down a necklace to win, amidst explosions, shattered glass, and electric shock.

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