The NEWS you like-July 2020

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PAGES: 72 VOL.8 | ISSUE: 6, JULY, 2020

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

EDITORIAL

VOL:8 I SSUE:6 I JULY, 2020 `30 Editor -in-Chief B. G. Rajeswar Editor D. Bal Reddy

Correspondents P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy P. Ramamohana Reddy M. Vittal Setty, Mallesh Babu, G.P. Nagaraju

Reporters M.Praveen Kumar Mandha Ravi Kumar

Photographers M. Vijay Bhaskar S. Sridhar, Shair Ali Baig Cover & Layout ACK. Venkata Srujan General Manager Mohd. Nizamuddin

Chief Executive (Marketing) Venkata K. Ganjam (GK) Chief - Business & LifeStyle K. Bharath Reddy Marketing Associate M. Akhil Raj Shaker

The News You Like Phone: 9701141377, 9848133363 E-mail: thenewscoordinator@gmail.com Website: thenews.co.in

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Printed, Published And Owned By Ramya Sree , Printed At Karshak Art Printers, Plot No. B-7, Moula Ali Industrial Park, IDA, Moula Ali, Medchal - Malkajgiri District , Telangana. Published At The News Publications, AT A-26/404, Sanskruti Township, Pocharam, Ghatkesar Mandal, Medchal - Malkajgiri District, Hyderabad-500088, Telangana.

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rime Minister Narendra Modi, while at Leh, said in a clear warning to China without naming it, that the "age of expansionism is over."

Addressing India's armed forces, he said, "The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History has been witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to go back."

This assertion by Modi in the Ladakh region is extremely significant given the ongoing tension at the LAC with China in eastern Ladakh, barely 18 days after a violent stand-off.

But mere assertion is not seen as sufficient. The anger is raging among Indians. People strongly feel the need for a befitting reply to the aggressor China. Not just a befitting reply, but an action, if not full scale war that can clearly demarcate borders not only with China, Nepal and Pakistan.

People think this is the right time for India to take back PoK since China has deployed its forces in PoK for an attack against India. Pakistan will be emboldened and happy at this development. Therefore, it is important that India takes back PoK and wipe out the name PoK. After all, how long can Indians suffer the insult saying PoK? Is Indian Army not competent enough to get it back from the occupier?

This is an opportunity for Modi to become respected world leader. If he fails to grab the opportunity, not only will he be denounced by the people in the next elections but he will become unpopular like some important leaders of the freedom struggle for being appeasing and soft to enemies.

Modi needs to come out of appeasement policy. It is time for harsher decisions, notwithstanding the current economical and other situations. It is time for the protection of borders, protection of sovereignty and it is time to make our motherland proud by demolishing the enemies forever.

Editor-in-Chief

Note: Focus/Infocus features are marketing initiatives, any legal disputes comes under the jurisdiction of courts in Hyderabad

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

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CONTENT

Amidst fear of lockdown migrants leave Hyderabad

Is political vendetta at its peak in AP ?

New navigation policy on anvil, IN-SPACe : ISRO

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We feel insulted: 71 defence veterans slam Rahul on Ladakh tweet 32

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Kin of martyrs seek equal treatment

Fissures in the grand alliance in Bihar ahead of polls

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Corona pandemic effect Public exams derailed Smokers more vulnerable to Covid-19, say experts

India elected to UNSC with overwhelming majority

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CONTENT

Wuhan to Galwan New ways of the Dragon

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ISI spies selling army info nabbed in Op Desert Chase

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“Aatma Hatya Mahaa Paapam” ...Suicide is The Greatest Sin

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

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SPECIAL REPORT

Accused friendly cops I

For him, atrocities on dalits and swindling Rytu Bandhu funds is civil case

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n the popular Hindi movie The Legend of Bhagat Singh, a British officer is seen instigating the Viceroy saying, “You are the Law….”.

Coming to the present situation, assistant commissioner of police of Malkajgiri, Y Narsimha Reddy seems to be of the same view that he is the law.

And because of this, Narsimha Reddy seems to be of the view that an atrocity on dalits and swindling of Rytu Bandhu funds is a civil case.

It all began when a woman named Himabindu, belonging to SC community lodged a complaint with the Medipally police stating that she purchased a house site in survey numbers 315, 316 and 317 from M Buchi Reddy, General Power of Attorney of M. Janardhan Reddy, S/o late Malla Reddy, M. Krishna Reddy, S/o late Chandra Reddy, M. Venkat Reddy, S/o late Narsi Reddy, M. S. Upender Reddy, S/o Ranga Reddy, all residents of Pratapa Singaram Village, Ghatkesar Mandal.

While so, the above persons entered into criminal conspiracy with the then Tahsildar and village revenue officer and fraudulently got issued Proc.No.B/343/2018, dated 28.04.2018 of the Tahsildar, Ghatkesar Mandal, Medchal District claiming title over the land in

which her plot is located, she said in her complaint. The proceeding was issued without giving notices either to the complainant or other actual plot owners in survey numbers 315, 316 and 317 and without conducting proper enquiry.

On the strength of the said proceedings obtained fraudulently, the land grabbers secured pattadar passbooks and title deeds and received financial benefit under Rytu Bandhu scheme. Thus, the land grabbers have not only cheated and committed breach of trust intentionally with the her but also with other plot owners and also robbed the state exchequer by availing Rytu Bandhu benefits on the

Y.Narsimha Reddy, ACP, Malkajgiri

strength of fraudulently obtained proceedings.

The land grabbers also filed false suits before the Ranga Reddy district courts to dispossess the complainant from her property, which amounts to atrocity on dalits as per the provisions of SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Based on the complaint, the Medipally police registered a case (crime No. 87/2020) and handed over the investigation to ACP, Y Narsimha Reddy since the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act prescribes that atrocities on dalits can be investigated only by an officer not less than the rank of deputy superintendent of police.

The ACP, who feels he is the law, summoned the complainant and the land grabbers to his office on the same day and warned the complainant in front of the accused to settle the matter with the accused on amicable terms. The accused

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was terrified at the behavior of the ACP. After pretence of investigation, the ACP has sent a notice dated June 16, 2020 to the complainant saying her complaint has been reported to the court as civil nature.

Only for this ACP dispossession of a dalit woman from her land and obtaining Rytu Bandhu with false documents appears to be civil nature. He did not even make any enquiries with the revenue or agriculture authorities whether the land grabbers have availed Rytu Bandhu funds on the subject land.

He simply closed the case as ‘civil nature’ because he feels he is the law. The poor dalit woman, who is terrified by the behavior of the ACP is silently crying over her fate, while the boss of Narsimha Reddy, the Commissioner of Police of Rachakonda, Mahesh Bhagwat, boasts himself as the savior of poor and downtrodden.

It has now become clear that the ACP Narsimha Reddy feels he is the law, while his boss Mahesh Bhagwat, who is aware of the entire scandal, is acting like the Nero who fiddled while Rome burned.

SPECIAL REPORT 7

SI helps accused dodge arrest

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Manusani Ramesh

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n yet another case of accused friendly cops, Sub-Inspector, Venkatesh of Bijinapally police station in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana, is allegedly helping TRS leader Manusani Ramesh of Palem

village denying justice for victims.

Ramesh, who is an elected ward member of Palem Gram Panchayat, used to run chits. Residents of not only Palem but also neighbouring villages subscribed for the chits. He collected nearly Rs. 60 lakh from over 40 chit subscribers but did not repay the money since 2019.

When Ramesh refused to repay the money, the chit subscribers approached the Bijinapally police and lodged a complaint. Police registered a criminal case against the ward member on the complaint of one of the victims, Y Raja Reddy on September 11, 2019.

Subsequently, the sub-inspector who registered case was transferred and the new officer Venkatesh was posted there. It is alleged that the new sub-inspector refused to pay heed to the appeals of the victims of Manusani Ramesh.

The new SI is not at all interested to initiate any action against the accused since he is a leader of the ruling TRS and enjoys enormous influence, the victims said.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Nalla Shiva gang blackmails victims with filing atrocity case

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alla Shiva is now a dreaded name in and around Hyderabad, who in the garb of social worker, is running finance and extortion racket.

It may be recalled a report was published in these columns a couple of months ago how the organized gang comprising some women and transgenders headed by a self-styled socio-political leader Nalla Shiva is resorting to extortions in the garb of financing.

The gang leader Nalla Srikanth aka Nalla Shiva operates mainly in Panjagutta area.

Initially he collects contributions from businessmen on the pretext of organizing community festivals like Vinayaka Chaviti.

During the interactions, he scouts for prospective victims among businessmen who are in need of funds for running the businesses.

Ones the businessmen borrow money from Shiva, he collects blank signed cheques, promissory notes and even signed blank

S.I. Panjagutta

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stamp papers. He will never return those documents even after the borrowers repay the money. He will then start his extortion plan on the strength of the signed blank documents.

It is at this point of time Shiva will bring his associates into picture. The associates are none other than some women and transgenders speaking filthy language and who are ready to create nuisance at the offices and residences of the borrowers.

Afraid of being insult and humiliation, the borrowers give their consent to fulfill the undue demands of Shiva and land in a debt trap which has no end.

And Shiva is said to have the blessings of some police officials. Among those who allegedly support the gang include additional deputy commissioner of police, Venkateshwarlu, presently working in Madhapur zone of Cyberabad and assistant commissioner of police, A. Vijay Kumar. Incidentally, both the officials have worked in the past as ACsP of Panjagutta division.

The nefarious activities of Shiva and his gang came to light when two of his victims Soma Shekar and R Srinivas, partners of an educational consultancy lodged complaints against the

SPECIAL REPORT gang with the Panjagutta police.

After investigation, police arrested the gang members Anamagandla Shiva Kumar, Azeemaunissa Begum @ Azeema, Anamagandla Uday Kumar, G. Saraswathi, Sabiya Begum and Naresh, while kingpin Shiva and another of his associate A. Sai Kumar surrendered before the court. Some other unnamed accused are still at large but the investigation officer seems to be not interested in further probe.

Whenever the complainants approach the investigation officer to enquire about the progress of the case, the officer, Satish, is allegedly instigating the main accused Nalla Shiva to threaten the victims with implicating in atrocity cases.

With the support of the investigation officer, the main accused Nalla Shiva is blackmailing the victims that he would implicate the names of the womenfolk of the victims’ families if they keep following up the progress.

Thus, several police officials are striving hard to become ‘accused friendly cops’ instead of being people’s friendly police.

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Rachakonda cops bust illegal immigration gang

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ven as Nepal government is supporting China and aiding the big brother creating troubles in Indian borders, some Indians are helping Nepali women reach Arab countries through India in search of better life.

One such gang was busted by the Rachakonda police recently when Medipally police arrested two persons and rescued five women of Nepali origin, who were desperate to go to Dubai in search of livelihood.

The accused, who returned from Kurdistan some time ago after their air ticketing agency incurred losses, designed a plan to make easy money by sending Nepali women to Dubai on visit visas.

However, the duo did not obtain any permission from the authorities concerned to run their agency named Mary Holidays.

The duo operated from an apartment in Dilsukhangar.

Since they had no permission,

they were not in a position to arrange genuine travel documents to their clients. Instead, the duo used to create fake and forged visit visas and send the gullible women to Arab countries in return for huge money.

The duo had kept the five Nepali women in their custody in a house at Srinivasa Colony in Boduppal as they were looking for a right time to forge the travel documents push them through the airport.

However, Medipally sub-inspector, G Raghuramudu received credible information about this fraud and raided the apartment where the Nepali women were kept. During the raid, police arrested two accused Allepu Naresh, native of Jagityal District and K Thirupathi Reddy of Karimnagar district.

Police registered a criminal case against the accused under relevant provisions of law and sent them to prison. The rescued women were sent to rescue home.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Inated power bills give shock to consumers in Telangana

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small farmer in Telangana's Kamareddy was literally shocked to receive a power bill of over Rs 7 lakh for the lockdown period.

Three bulbs and two fans are all that G. Srinivas has at his house in Isrojiwada village and his average monthly power is Rs 500. Srinivas had paid Rs 415 in February. He, however, could not pay the bills in March, April and May due to the lockdown.

With the easing of lockdown, the employees resumed meter reading and generating bills. Srinivas received a big shock when he was issued a bill of Rs 7,29,417.

In Talla Basthi of Malkajgiri, one consumer received two different power bills for the same service for the period between March 3, 2020 and June 7, 2020. While one bill shows the total due as Rs 5984, the second bills shows the due amount as Rs. 27,745.

These are not the cases of faulty reading. In fact, thousands of consumers have received inflated power bills for this period following which the consumers across Telangana are in shock. By June 20, over 10,000 complaints related to inflated bills were received in the TSSPDCL alone.

The employees of the power distribution companies visit the houses in the first week of every month to take the meter reading and generate bills based on the units consumed. However, this was

not done for three months due to the lockdown.

The domestic consumers were in for a shock when the staff visited their houses and served the bills for the total units consumed during the last three months. Many consumers have complained that they were charged 50 to 80 per cent in excess over their average monthly bill.

Consumers say the bills were inflated as the charges were levied,

based on the cumulative units for the entire period. Since the power distribution companies follow the slab system, the entire bill is calculated on higher tariff levels. This automatically led to a big jump in the bills.

The complaints have poured in from all parts of the state and cutting across all sections. Energy Minister G. Jagadish Reddy himself said two MLAs and his secretary also complained of high bills but claimed that they were satisfied after his explanation.

The minister's argument is that since people remained indoors during the lockdown period, there was an increase in the power consumption.

According to him, electricity consumption during the summer goes up by 35 per cent to 40 per cent and this year. it had gone up by another 10 to 15 per cent due the lockdown. Claiming that the bills were generated in a transparent manner, he denied that they are inflated.

While the minister claimed that the total units consumed were equally split into three months and the bills were not calculated based on the total units consumed during the period as a whole, the situation on the ground is different.

"We are billing the consumers based on the cumulative units for the entire period. This is what we have been told by the higher-ups," an employee of an outsourcing agency of the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd (TSSPDCL) said.

The higher bills have caused concern among people already worried over the lockdown impacting their incomes.

The inflated bills have also sparked protest by the opposition parties, which alleged that the government is adding to the people's woes. The main opposition Congress party had called for a march to the state secretariat to lodge its protest. The police placed its leaders under house arrest to foil the protest.

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COVER STORY

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Dream project giving sleepless nights to TRS Kaleshwaram project canals develop breaches Estimated cost goes up by three-folds drawing bitter criticism KAPPARA PRASAD RAO D. BAL REDDY

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aleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) is the dream project of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. The TRS claims that the project will transform the landscape of Telangana.

However, the right canal of Kondapochamma Sagar, part of KLIS, suffered a breach on June 30 morning at Shivar Venkatapur village in Markook mandal of Siddipet district.

According to villagers, the breach occurred at around 7 a.m. and the village was inundated with

Godavari water. The water also submerged fields adjoining the village, where paddy, vegetable and other crops had been planted.

The canal supplies water to irrigation tanks in Jagadevpur mandal of Siddipet as also Alair, Bommalaramaram and M. Turkapally mandals in Yadadri-Bhongir dis-

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COVER STORY

trict.

Engineers are looking into the cause for breach, which occurred when water was released during early hours of June 30 to fill the tanks downstream in Siddipet and Yadadri-Bhongir districts.

Kondapochamma Sagar Reservoir was inaugurated by the chief minister only on May 29. Within weeks, the canal breached raising questions over the quality of the project.

In fact, there are allegations that the TRS leaders are making money in the garb of irrigation projects.

Moreover, the TRS has not initiated any new projects but the new dispensation has renamed old projects initiated by the previous regime and claimed to have launched lift irrigation projects.

The Pranahita-Chevella Project was initiated by the Y S Rajasekhar Reddy government with an estimated cost of Rs 38,500 crore to irrigate 16.4 lakh acres in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

However, only works pertaining to canal network were taken up as Maharashtra strongly opposed the height of Tummidihatti barrage at 152 m on the pretext it would submerge a large area in its territory, including a wild life sanctuary.

Allegedly taking advantage from the objection raised by Maharashtra, TRS chief Chandrasekhar

Rao got the project redesigned and renamed it as Kaleshwaram and claimed it as his own achievement, thus rendering useless the canals built during the previous regime and thereby causing huge loss of public money to the tune of Rs 15000 crore.

Despite the redesigning and whopping increase in the estimated cost of the Kaleshwaram project to about Rs 1.10 lakh crore, the TRS dispensation lacks clarity on the extent of land it can provide water for irrigation. Further, the Kaleshwaram, Ranganayaka Sagar and Konda Pochamma Sagar have failed to provide desirable results.

Added to this, Konda Pohamma Sagar has developed breaches thri ce within a month of inauguration.

Opposition parties have been alleging that the TRS dispensation has simply renamed the old projects initiated by earlier regime and changed the contractors to make huge money illegally.

There are allegations that the TRS dispensation has no clarity on the availability of assured water for Kaleshwaram project.

Yet, it is claimed as the world's largest lift irrigation project designed to irrigate 45 lakh acres for two crops in a year, meet the drinking water requirements of 70 percent of the state and also cater to the industry's needs.

The project comprises a 1,832 km water supply route, a 1,531 km gravity canal, 203 km tunnel routes, 20 lifts, 19 pump houses and 19 reservoirs with a storage capacity of 141 TMCs. It requires nearly 4,992 MW of electricity to pump 2 TMC of water every day in the first phase.

Now, with the repeated breaches to Konda Pochamma Sagar canals, the quality of entire Kaleshwarm project has become doubtful. But some TRS leaders quickly defended their leader saying KCR cannot be held responsible for the breach. However, the same leaders left no stone unturned to praise KCR claiming the project as his brainchild and dream project.

It is also alleged that the TRS dispensation has created much hype for Kaleshwaram project and completely ignored utilisation of Krishna water due to which almost all the projects initiated in the earlier regimes were left unattended.

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SPECIAL REPORT

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KCR uSIng polICe AS pRIvATe ARmy officers belonging to his community posted to key positions Retired officials appointed as oSDs denying serving and competent officials

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s the chief minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR, using the police department as his private army to suppress any opposition or criticism?

Has KCR appointed officers belonging to his community or related to him in one way or the other in all key positions where surveillance is done?

Is KCR tapping the phones of opposition leaders through the intelligence department using officers of his community?

It KCR using the police department to blackmail opposition leaders and compel them quit their respective parties and join TRS? The answer for all these questions appears to be ‘YES’ if Congress MP, Revanth Reddy is to be believed.

In a video posted on youtube, Revanth Reddy listed out the names of police officers belonging to the same community as KCR, and the key places they have been posted. Interestingly, some of the officers were brought back to the department several years after their

retirement as if competent officers are not available in the department.

The manner in which lower rank officials belonging to KCR community are kept in key positions is creating a sense of fear and insecurity for the top cops show that there is utter misuse of police department for political gain, Revanth Reddy said in his video.

Take the case of Inspector General of Police, Prabhakar Rao, who is currently head of Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB). The SIB

was created in the undivided Andhra Pradesh to gather information about terrorists and Maoists.

The wing used to tap the telephones of suspects and people connected with the terrorists and Maoists.

But the same wing is now used by the TRS regime to track each and every movement of rival political party leaders. To ensure this, KCR has given extension to Prabhakar Rao, who retired on June 30 on superannuation and kept in the

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SPECIAL REPORT

Prabhakar Rao

same position. The head of the state police force, M Mahender Reddy is almost compelled to report to his subordinate, i.e. Prabhakar Rao, because in any government intelligence chief holds highest power.

Similarly, another officer named Venkateshwar Rao has been promoted to the rank of DIG and posted as Joint Commissioner of Cyberabad Police. He also holds additional charge of DCP, Madhapur, though DCP post is meant for SP rank officer. Since Madhapur is vital in real estate business, Venkateshwar Rao, confidante of KCR is made incharge of the zone, according to Revanth Reddy.

What is interesting is that this Venkateshwar Rao has climbed the ladder of hierarchy from the post of Sub-Inspector on the ground that he had done excellent work in containing Maoist menace, while his batch mates are still working in the rank of additional superintendent of police. Apart from that, Venkateshwar Rao also belongs to the same community as KCR. Another key position in Hyderabad city police is DCP, Task Force. This post has been given to Radhakishan Rao, though he is not of DCP rank. He is being used to

Ramana Rao, RTC MD Retd.,

target political leaders having businesses by booking them or their relatives in one or the other case for political gain of the TRS. Revanth Reddy alleged in the video that the two officers are retiring on superannuation very soon and their service extension file is moving at a lightning speed.

Coming to the retired police officials belonging to his community, KCR has brought many of them back even after a decade of their retirement and gave them key postings. Among them are Narsing Rao, Venugopal Rao, both posted as OSDs in SIB, Kishan Rao, OSD intelligence, Madan Mohan Rao, OSD, intelligence, Vijay Kumar Rao, OSD, Transco and Venkat Rao, OSD, TSRTC Vigilance.

Ramana Rao, who worked as executive director in RTC has been posted as managing director of RTC which is a huge organisation.

Only a senior IAS or IPS officer in the rank of principal secretary or additional director general was to be posted as MD of RTC. However, Ramana Rao has been posted to alienate assets belonging to RTC to the persons connected to TRS leaders. Government did not give further extension to Ramana

Radhakishan Rao

Rao after KCR and his coterie achieved their secret target.

Another officer is Raghava Rao, retired as SP in Police Academy. He has been posted as OSD in the academy to identify the background and the political interests of the trainees and brainwash them to work for TRS. One more officer is Venkata Ramana Rao aka Venkata Ramana, SP in ACB. His actual job is to identify the officials across the state, who does not work in favour of KCR, his relatives and close confidantes, primarily to keep a tab on revenue officials and threaten them with booking corruption cases against them.

Let us now discuss the officials in service. An additional SP rank officer, Sandeep Rao is made head of Special Operations Team (SOT) of Cyberabad. His primary job is to target real estate businessmen in one way or the other and ensure that the deal is done in favour of those people suggested by KCR and his coterie.

Shyam Sundar Rao is posted as Madhapur ACP, Surender Rao is posted as Kukatpally ACP, Pruthvinder Rao is posted as LB Nagar ACP and Bhujanga Rao is

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SPECIAL REPORT posted as ACP in Rachakonda.

Similarly, Suresh Rao is posted as Rajendranagar CI, J Ramesh Rao is posted as RC Puram CI and Bhikshapathi Rao is posted as Jawahar Nagar CI. This clearly shows that KCR has posted officials belonging to his community and his confidantes in such a way that he can control the businesses, industrialists and employees across the state at his will by using these officials.

Further, Chittibabu, ASP, Vigilance & Enforcement and Ramana Rao, ASP, Vigilance & Enforcement, Karimnagar are being used as moles to prevent any investigation against the government. For

instance, the then director general of vigilance and enforcement wing, Rajiv Trivedi was shunted out of the post overnight as he gave strict instructions to Ramana Rao to sub mit a detailed enquiry report into the complaints against gross irregularities in Kaleshwaram Project, Revanth Reddy said in his video.

The Congress MP also alleged that because of keeping lower rank officials in higher positions, deserved police officials are not getting promotions for years.

The situation is so worst in police department that additional director general of police, V K Singh has sought permission from the central government to prema-

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ture retirement as KCR governme nt denied him his rightful promotion to the rank of DGP, though two posts of DGP are lying vacant.

Revanth Reddy further alleged that the gunmen allotted to political leaders are giving minute to minute report to the intelligence officials specially appointed by KCR, who in turn are analysing the strategy of rival political leaders and initiating illegal actions to stop the rivals from exposing KCR and his coterie.

The Congress MP threatened to knock the doors of justice if efficient and eligible officials are not posted in key positions removing the retired officials.

motor vehicle papers' validity extended till Sept 30

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he Centre has further extended the validity of the soon-to-expire motor vehicle documents, such as driving licence, till September.

It was announced by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari on June 9.

In March, Gadkari in an advisory to states and Union Territories had said the validity of "fitness, permit (all types), driving licence, registration or any other concerned document" whose extension could not be completed due to lockdown would last till June 30.

Considering that the situation for prevention of Covid19 still continued and as per the requests received, Gadkari asked the ministry to extend the period to September 30, it said in a statement.

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STATE

Telangana mlA tests positive for Covid, minister in self-quarantine

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legislator of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has tested positive for Covid-19 while Finance Minister T Harish Rao has gone into self-quarantine after his personal assistant was found infected by the virus.

The legislator, who represents a constituency in the united Warangal district, was admitted to a corporate hospital in Hyderabad late Friday. His condition is said to be stable.

The MLA's family members and staff were quarantined at a function hall in Hyderabad. The

TRS leader, who lives with his family in the state capital, had visited his constituency to attend various programmes.

The legislator had gone to the constituency on June 2 to attend the Telangana Formation Day celebrations and again on June 5 to participate in another programme.

Health department officials were trying to trace those who accompanied the MLA during his visit to the constituency. The contacts were being traced through photographs and videos taken during the programmes. He is the first MLA from Telangana to test positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Finance minister Harish Rao has gone into self-quarantine after his personal assistant in his constituency Siddipet tested positive. Though the minister and 17 of his contacts tested negative on Friday, he went into self-quarantine at his house as a precautionary measure. Reports of some members of the minister's staff were still awaited.

Siddipet district collector A P Venkatrami Reddy and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district collector Anitha Ramachandran also went into self-quarantine after the people they met tested positive for Covid-19.

One of the villagers, who had called on Venkatrami Reddy two days ago with regard to the land acquisition for the Kondapochammasagar reservoir, tested positive.

The collector decided to go for selfquarantine as a precautionary measure.

Greater Hyderabad Mayor Bonthu Rammohan on June 12 underwent a Covid-19 test after his driver tested positive. An employee in his office had also tested positive.

It is the second time in less than a week that the mayor underwent the test. He had earlier undergone the test after a man working at a hotel, where the mayor had tea earlier this month, tested positive.

The mayor had tested negative.

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STATE

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Amidst fear of lockdown migrants leave Hyderabad W

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ith another lockdown looming over Hyderabad, hundreds of people were heading to their native places in neighbouring states including Andhra Pradesh.

Fearing that they may be stuck in the city if the lockdown was reimposed, workers and businessmen were returning to be with their near and dear ones.

Using whatever mode of transport available to them, the migrants

were leaving Hyderabad, which is witnessing a big spike in Covid-19 cases.

Majority of those returning home were daily wagers, construction labourers, domestic help and traders. Most of them had returned to Hyderabad after easing of lockdown in May. Though there is still no official word on re-imposing lockdown in Hyderabad, the reports that the state cabinet would soon take a decision on lockdown triggered fears

among the migrants.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has already hinted that this time the lockdown will be strict with only two-hour relaxation for people to buy essentials. Health Minister E. Rajender has gone on record that the health experts suggested a 15-day lockdown in Greater Hyderabad to contain the spurt in coronavirus cases.

Checkposts at Garikapadu in Krishna district, Pondugala in

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Guntur, Jeelugumilli in West Godavari, Panchalingala in Kurnool district, Zaheerabad in Telangana were witnessing traffic snarls as migrants were returning to native places with their families.

People were waiting in long queues for verification of the documents by the authorities. Only those who obtained permission from authorities were being allowed. The officials were checking e-pass, Aadhar and other documents and registering their residential addresses. Those without e-pass and other documents were being turned away.

The officials at the checkposts are also conducting thermal screening of all people and taking swab collections of those with suspected symptoms of Covid-19. They are also stamping 'home quarantine' mark on the hands of those with suspected symptoms.

Some people without e-passes were seen pleading with authorities to allow them and even showed their willingness to be under quarantine at government-run centres.

Officials at the inter-state checkposts said the number of people leaving Telangana had almost doubled during the last four-five days.

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Don’t marry nRIs in haste: IpS oďŹƒcer Sumathi

D

P. VISHNUVARDHAN REDDY

espite alarming rise in cases of cheating and harassment of women by NRIs, people still want NRI marriage alliances. And many NRI marriages happen through agents and brokers, there is more and more chance for fraud, cheating and harassment.

However, the local police often fail to proceed further in investigation where accused persons are NRIs leaving the victim women and their parents in lurch and the victims are usually denied justice.

Keeping this in view, the Telangana state police has set up an exclusive NRI cell in the Women Safety Wing of the state police to provide legal support with the help of NGOs and stakeholders for the aggrieved women in NRI marriages.

According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, B Sumathi, the NRI cell is intended to provide legal guidance with the help of NGOs and stakeholders for the aggrieved women in NRI marriages.

We, at this cell, guide the investigation officers in cases related to NRI spouses/relatives, she said adding that investigation officers will be trained to ensure that investigation procedures are followed and documentation is properly done.

The NRI cell will liaise with respective embassies, Ministry of External Affairs, National

Commission for Women, NGOs and other stakeholders to bring the culprits to book, Sumathi said.

Sumathi appealed to the people looking for NRI marriage alliances to be highly cautious. She said the brides and their families should not simply believe on what is informed to them by the agents, brokers or middlemen.

Instead, the brides and their families should thoroughly verify whether the groom is single, divorced or separated. His employment details such as qualification, post, salary, address of office, employer and other credentials should be thoroughly verified.

Immigration status of the groom, type of visa he is holding and his eligibility to take spouse along with him after marriage should be verified. Financial status of the groom, properties owned by him and criminal antecedents if any must be verified before going ahead for marriage, Sumathi said.

The brides and their families

should thoroughly check the genuineness of groom’s documents such as visa, passport, voter or alien registration card, social security number, tax returns for the preceding three years, bank account papers and property documents before giving approval for marriage, she said.

The senior IPS officer stressed that brides or their families should not go for NRI marriage in haste.

The brides and their families should suspect more when grooms and their families insist for hasty NRI marriage.

Besides, the brides should make efforts to know both Indian laws and the laws of the country where they intend to live with their spouse, she said.

Sumathi said the NRI cell has been conducting series of programmes such as workshops and lectures to create awareness among women on women safety and the steps to be taken to ensure happy NRI marriage.

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STATE

Badangpet municipal Corporation

Huge irregularities in tenders, allotment of works I

G. SRINIVAS

n December 2019, a group of engineers working in Badangpet Municipal Corporation have gone on a holiday trip to Dubai. There is nothing wrong in going to Dubai on a holiday trip if they did so after obtaining proper approvals from the authorities and arranged the expenses from their own resources.

But that was no so. According to sources, a powerful contractors lobby had taken the group of engineers on a holiday trip and paid all the expenses. Now, it comes to everybody’s mind that why contractors would pay the expenses of the holiday trip of a group of engineers.

Allegedly, the contractors lobby paid the expenses to please the group of engineers connected with civil works allotment, supervision and monitoring. And in return, the contractors lobby got rich dividends when the Badangpet Municipal Corporation had decided to invite tenders for around 120 civil works worth crores of rupees in the month of May 2020.

Many of the 120 works were executed and completed even before the tenders were invited, i.e. the works were allotted to a set of contractors, who allegedly paid the expenses of engineers Dubai holiday trip.

According to sources, the tenders were invited during on THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

STATE 18.04.2020, 05.05.2020 and 16.05.2020. The works were supposed to be carried out after opening the bids and awarding contract to the successful bidders.

However, on ground, the works were executed even before the tenders were invited. The officials concerned awarded the contracts to select contractors, particularly the works bearing tender IDs - 173419, 174095, 174117, 174146, 174150, 174157, 174174, 174183, 174240, 174260, 174267, 174286, 174287, 174292, 174294, 174301, 174342, 174344, 174349, 174350, 174351, 174353, 174354, 174356, 174358, 174361, 174363, 174365, 174370, 174371 to 174382, 173437, 173438, 173440, 173444, 173458, 173456, 173460, 173462, 173465,

173468, 173387, 173388, 172298, 172313, 172344, 172345, 172315 One contractor named Mr. Srinivas Reddy and his group has been given majority of works. It is this contractor and his team who is also said to have taken some officials and engineers to Dubai on a pleasure trip in December 2019 for the regular favours they extend him in the contract works.

Allegedly huge bribes were paid to officials concerned by the contractors lobby and the quality of work is said to be very poor. But the officials responsible for ensuring quality in the works are keeping mum as a gratitude to the contractors lobby.

When asked, Divisional Engineer, Ashok Reddy said only main-

21

tenance works were allotted on emergency basis and those who get the contracts must pay processing charges. He denied any irregularities in the tender process.

Interestingly, no such emergency works were executed. Ins tead, majority works were related to CC Roads, new drainage works and sewerage pipeline works.

Looking at the indifferent attitude of the officials concerned, one journalist has filed a complaint with the vigilance and enforcement wing of the state government seeking a thorough probe into irregularities in the tendering process and huge bribery involved in the allotment and execution of civil works in Badangpet Municipal Corporation.

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Is political vendetta at its peak in Ap ?

A

THE NEWS BUREAU

midst Covid-19 pandemic, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government's move to go after opposition TDP leaders for their alleged involvement in scams during the previous government's term is heating up the Andhra Pradesh politics.

The manner in which two Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders were arrested in two days and the warnings issued by ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders while defending the arrests has kicked up a row. The main opposition is accusing the ruling party of indulging in "political vendetta".

The arrest of former minister and TDP deputy leader in Assembly K. Atchannaidu by the AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) from his house in Srikakulam district on June 12 raised many questions. His family alleged that 200 to 300 policemen scaled the house's compound wall to barge in and arrest him.

No prior notice was given to the TDP leader about his arrest for alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines and equipment for Employees' State Insurance (ESI) hospitals during the TDP rule, when he was the minister for labour and employment.

Only two days before the arrest, Atchannaidu had undergone a surgery. Since he was made to travel by road for 12 hours to Vijayawada and only after 24 hours did he get some medical aid, his surgical wound is said to have opened.

Political observers say while no one can have any objection to Atchannaidu's arrest in the ESI scam, the manner in which he was picked up and brought to Vijayawada raises suspicion.

The very next day, former TDP MLA J.C. Prabhakar Reddy and his son Asmith Reddy were arrested in Hyderabad by Andhra Pradesh Police for allegedly forging documents to register and sell vehicles purchased as scrap from a leading automobile company. They were shifted to Anantapur district and presented in a court.

Atchannaidu is the first key TDP leader to be arrested since YSRCP came to power in May last year. After becoming the Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy decided to not only have a re-look at all major decisions taken by the previous Chandrababu Naidu government but also order a probe wherever irregularities were found.

In February the Vigilance and Enforcement Department claimed to have unearthed a major scam in the procurement of medicines and other items totalling over Rs 975

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STATE

crore in ESI hospitals by the Insurance Medical Services (IMS) directorate in the last five years.

Atchannaidu had allegedly directed then IMS director to issue work orders to a company without inviting open tenders.

The arrests came a day after the state Cabinet gave its nod for the probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into irregularities in various schemes during TDP rule.

The timing of the arrests also raised many doubts. Opposition leaders believe that it was done to divert public attention from the state's problems due to the spread of Covid-19 and a series of setbacks the government faced in the courts.

The latest and biggest setback was the High Court setting aside an ordinance brought in to remove N. Ramesh Kumar as the State Election Commissioner. The government faced more embarrassment as the Supreme Court refused to stay

the High Court order.

Political analysts say while the state government was trying to justify every action citing the huge public mandate it got, the courts in various cases found fault with the government's decisions and kept reminding it of its duties.

The Jagan Mohan Reddy gov-

23

ernment was also under fire from various quarters for its alleged intolerance towards its critics. Those who were criticizing the government on the social media were booked, including a 60-year-old woman. The arrests led to a noholds-barred war of words between YSRCP and the TDP.

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Fresh row erupts as Tirumala land allotted to seers close to Andhra Cm

E

THE NEWS BUREAU

ven before the row over auction of properties belonging to Tirumala temple could completely die down, a fresh controversy has embroiled the famous hill shrine.

The move by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government to regularise the lands ‘additionally occupied' by two mutts on the sacred hill has come under criticism from a section of devotees and opposition parties.

They have questioned the decision of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and the government to allow the mutts, including the one headed by a swami

considered close to Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, to take possession of the occupied lands when there is hardly any land available around the temple.

The state government on June 4 issued an order according permission for regularising an extent of 1,870 square feet additionally occupied by the Mouna Swamy Mutt and 4,817 square feet by Visakha Sri Saradha Peetham at Tirumala.

These mutts had occupied land in addition to what was originally allotted to them in the past. TTD, which manages the affairs of the world's richest Hindu temple, had passed a resolution in December last year to regularize the land and had accordingly made a request to

the state government.

TTD fixed an additional lease amount of Rs 374 per square feet for the Mouna Swamy Mutt and Rs 964 for Visakha Sri Saradha Peetham.

The GO issued by Special Chief Secretary to Government, J.S.V. Prasad referred to the representation received from the executive officer of TTD. This is the latest in a series of controversies to hit the Sri Venkateswara Temple popularly known as Tirupati Balaji temple during last one year. It came close on the heels of the row over TTD's move to auction some properties donated by devotees in Tamil Nadu.

Facing a backlash for its controversial decision, the TTD on May 29 decided that hereafter none of the immovable properties donated by the devotees will be disposed of.

The latest move became controversial as Visakha Sri Saradha Peetham is headed by Swamy Swaroopanandendra Saraswati, who had hailed the victory of Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP's victory in the last year's elections.

After taking oath as the chief minister, Jagan had visited the seer's ashram in Visakhapatnam to take his blessings.

The YSRCP chief has been following Swamy Swaroopananden-

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dra for the last three years. Interestingly, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao also follows the seer and had visited his ashram for blessings after retaining power in 2018.

"Just for the political interest you can't allow somebody to occupy the land and then regularise it," P. Manikyala Rao, BJP leader and former minister, said.

He said the government, the endowment department or the TTD had no right to give away temple lands which belong to devotees.

"Just because you could not protect the land does not mean you can regularise what somebody occupied. If somebody is occupying the land it shows government's inability or inefficiency. If you can't protect the temple lands hand it over to the concerned institution or otherwise leave the management

(of the temple)" he said.

TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, however, dismissed the criticism saying no new allotment has been made.

"No new allotment has been made. This has not been done for individuals. They are the mutts who are engaged in propagation of Hindu dharma," the TTD chairman said.

He said the mutts had raised the compound walls for protection from wild animals. "Due to Covid19 the temple was closed for darshan and since there was no movement of devotees, the wild animals were straying into the area.

To prevent this they erected fencing and raised compound walls," he explained.

Subba Reddy, who is maternal uncle of Jagan Mohan Reddy, said there was nothing wrong in what

TTD or the government has done.

"The mutts already had their lands buildings which they were using for various activities related to propagation of Hindu dharma.To improve their existing facilities they had sought some more land," he said.

The mutts already have buildings in Tirumala. These buildings have kalyana Mandapam, meeting halls and rooms for devotees' stay.

The series of developments involving the Tirumala Temple, ever since Jagan Mohan Reddy, a Christian, took over the reins of government this year, have raised the hackles of opposition parties, especially the BJP. On the other hand, Subba Reddy on Friday said that he has ordered a probe into what he termed as 'frequent smear campaigns' frequently surfacing against the TTD.

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“The Role of World Humanity Commission” T

DR. JAYA KUMAR, LONDON

ruly distinctive, independent and paramount; International and Intergovernmental in its Organization, WORLD HUMANITY COMMISSION (WHC) is preeminently a Commission for Humanity in every sense of the word. World Humanity Commission hereinafter referred to as World Humanity Organization also referred to as World Humanity Foundation and referred to as Commission for Humanity and referred to as WHC System. The organization’s daily and essentially Diplomatic role is serving humanity; providing an authentic platform upon which there is a peaceful co-existence of people of ethnic background, irrespective of sex, caste, creed; and political, cultural and religious affinities.

WHC’s ambitious aim to deliver a sincere, humanistic service that would inspire, educate and empower children, men and women of all ages.

Thereby substantially reduce the debilitating and demoralizing plight of the poor, the destitute, the sick, the abandoned, the abused and the homeless among other vulnerable people around the world; and to eradicate once and for all the poverty blights the various societies of all Nations.

His Excellency Dr.Sir. Zelly Mighty: Humanitarian Extraordinaire is a Dynamic and Energetic Global Ambassador with plenipotentiary power to influence Nations and their Governments and people in various positions in varied societies of the world. It is this power which

causes a change in human behavior thus paving the way for the betterment of humanity.

He is a leader who has been at the forefront of leading people who matter in terms of serving the humanity, people who have the power to uplift the poor and the downtrodden, the oppressed and the ignored.

His oft quoted maxim is “ Everyone has a life to live, a purpose to fulfill and a passion to pursue. Living isn't complete when these things aren't met. By living your life- not just for yourself, but to save and serve others, only then will your life be worth celebrating.”

H.E. Dr. Sir. Zelly Mighty D.Div; D.hc; KSB; KSP Sole Founder | World Chairman President- WHC

Officially known and addressed as “H.E.Dr. Sir.Zelly Mighty D.Div; D. hc; KSB; KSP””, is the Ambassador at-Large Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; Sole Founder | World Chairman and President of World Humanity Commission (WHC), which he founded and established in 1987 through 1989 with the help of Late Dr. Mighty Gabriel Nneji Ugochukwu – of Ezeala Family –a renowned Humanitarian/ Philanthropist,and who happens to be his biological father. H.E. Dr. Sir

Zelly MIGHTY is a native of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, Africa. He an alumnus, associate/ product of several executive education courses and programmes, including Sims University, HR Management Institute, Barrington University, World Academy of Human Sciences, Aberdeen College and International Non-Olympic University, among others. He received his Doctorate degree in Human Rights & Diplomacy. He is a Celebrity –Public Figure; Diplomat; Humanitarian; Knight; Mentor; Philanthropist; Human Rights Activist; Imagemaker; Brand Consultant; Media Personality and International Educational Consultant.

H.E.Dr. Zelly is a former World Peace Committee (United Nations) Diplomat who served between 2012 and 2015. Before working at the World Peace Committee, he had served as an Image-maker/ Africa Director of the United Nations Pageants and continues to do so. He worked as an International Civil Servant and Ambassador with the SPMUDA International. He is the Chancellor General with the International Academia of Humanities & Health Sciences, Africa; also a senior diplomat with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He is a well respected Consultant for the Socio-Economic Rural Urban Development India, Africa Youth Network For Justice, Peace and Progress, and a Chief Executive Officer of African Child Projects (ACP).

H.E.Zelly MIGHTY has incorporated his multifaceted experience in Domestic and International relations and humanitarian service; also in political and literary areas. He has been

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FOCUS

using his talent and tenacity of purpose working with a number of Democratic Governments promoting Democracy, Good Governance, Peace and Unity; Human Rights, Free Education and Healthcare system. Now he himself has a few words of wisdom which would inspire men, women and children in all walks of life, from all ways of living.

Over to Dr. Zelly Mighty,“I’m an Image maker with some unique concepts I create. Creativity is a vital element of what I love doing. To me, it is self- expression. I'm naturally a very receptive person- friendly, warm, lively, loving; and I’m always optimistic about life. I'm compassionate by nature and very considerate to others. I'm energetic, resourceful and responsive to new opportunities. I love challenges because they bring out the ability that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

And it helps me to discover myself and grow to be a better person in my professional and personal life.

“As Barrack Obama said on the United Nations Day during his Presidency: ‘The founding values of the United Nations remind us that countries can resolve their differences peacefully, and that all people deserve the chance to seek their own destiny, free from fear and empower with their most fundamental rights.’“We are in the midst of change. Without change, our Societies cannot grow. Lack of investment in education increases the risk of unemployment as well as wide disparities in income; and investment in education can never be neglected.

More importantly, we must not leave Women behind. We must support Women in all their activities. Together we will make the World a better place. And we cannot afford to leave the poor to care for the poor.

And Children- every Child deserves a good life. Our Children are our Future. I strongly believe that to achieve a sustainable development, peace, prosperity and stability in our

society, we must start working to eliminate poverty from our world.

“My philosophy of life is: Don't judge me until you know me. Don't underestimate me until you challenge me. Don't talk about me until you talk to me.”

Amb.Dr. Midhunraj Ottakandan - Deputy Secretary General WHC

Dr. Midhunraj Ottakandan Deputy Secretary General World Humanity Commission

A Young dynamic teacher by profession hailing from India Dr. Ottakandan has Graduated in International Relations and has keen interest in International relations established him as one of the most sought- after professional in the UN Depts related to all aspects of International relations. He has also completed Certification courses from the UN. One of the youngest holder of dual Honorary Doctorates. D.H.L & D.Litt., and completed the Post Graduation in Criminoloy. He is also the Secretary General of Club Diplomatic International and a Special Representative for the International Federation for Special Needs. He is the Special Representative & Arbitrator at National and International Court of Arbitration and Human Rights, London. Also he is the founder of Project “World Culture Exchange Federation”. Known for his varied specialties, he is a Special Representative for banking and Redemption of Court houses. As a youngest Deputy Secretary General

of World Humanity Commission in the History, Now he is creating a new path in World as key official representative from India for the development of World Humanity Commission.

Ambassador Dr M.A.NAJEEB, ASIA STRATEGIC ADVISOR, WHC Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Telangana, Amb.M.A.Najeeb is Telangana State’s 1st International Ambassador for Peace and he is associated with UPF International which has embassies around 300+ countries and Relations office at United Nations Plaza in New York.He is a International Motivational Speaker and Trainer. He was Head of Mission to UN/EU for World Humanity Commission, Florida, USA extended his services for the humanity.Also served as Observer and Director General for Western Africa International Human Rights Organization which is Affiliated to UN & International Bar Association. As a Motivational Speaker

Amb. Dr. M.A.Najeeb Strategic Advisor - Asia World Humanity Commission

delivered speeches in United Nations Organization, Parliament of Nigeria and many Peace Embassies in Different Countries. Currently as Asian Strategic Advisor of World Humanity Commission he is playing a vital role for the development of the Commission in India and Asian Countries.

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Ap govt signs Bhogapuram airport deal with gmR

T

THE NEWS BUREAU

he Andhra Pradesh government and GMR group have signed an agreement to build an international airport at Bhogapuram in the state.

The greenfield airport project to come up at Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam, is being developed as a crucial gateway to the northern part of Andhra Pradesh. The agreement was inked on June 12 in the presence of C.M Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office by representatives of both sides.

While Special Chief Secretary,

Industries, Kari Kalavan signed the pact on behalf of the state government, GMR Chairman, G.B.S. Raju signed on behalf of GMR Airports Ltd (GAL).

The Bhogapuram airport project was cleared by the state government on Thursday. As against the original plan of providing 2,700 acres, the developer will now get 2,200 acres. The state government would be developing the remaining 500 acres.

The connectivity between Vizag and the airport will be developed and all steps will be taken for laying a Metro train line from the

airport to city, the Chief Minister said. The GMR group has developed several high profile projects, including Hyderabad and Delhi airports.

GMR representatives said that the airport will be developed as a landmark project in accordance with the Chief Minister's expectations. "We will take the services of international firms in the venture and the work will be completed at the earliest", they said.

Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy, and Chairperson of APIIC RK Roja were present on the occasion.

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NATION

new navigation policy on anvil, In-SpACe to be separate vertical: ISRo chief

T

THE NEWS BUREAU

he proposed Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), part of space sector reforms aimed at bringing in private sector participation, will be a separate vertical under the Department of Space (DOS), said ISRO Chairman K.Sivan on June 25.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief also said a new Navigation Policy is also being proposed. Suitable changes in Remote Sensing Data Policy as well as SATCOM policy are also on the anvil as a part of aligning them to an open and inclusive space sector.

In an online address from Bengaluru, Sivan said the IN-SPACe as a separate vertical for permitting and regulating the activities of private industry in the space sector.

He said IN-SPACe will have its own directorates for technical, legal, safety and security, monitoring as well as activities promotion for assessing the private sector's needs and further coordination of the activities.

As to its structure Sivan said IN-SPACe will have a board and will have representatives from industry, academia and the government.

On Wednesday the Union

Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its nod for the setting up of IN-SPACe to promote private sector participation in the space sector while making ISRO to focus on research and development (R&D) of new technologies, exploration missions and human spaceflight programme.

According to the government, IN-SPACe will also provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.

The entry of the private sector

in the space sector in a bigger way will create large job opportunities and prevent brain drain, the government said.

Sivan said the major reform measure is to enable the private sector including academia to carry out end-to-end space activities viz, building of rockets and satellites, owning satellites, providing launch services and providing space based services on a commercial basis.

Till now ISRO was the end-toend player in the Indian space sector. With the government's deci-

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NATION sion to open up the space sector, the private sector can now play a larger role than being a component supplier, Sivan said.

Sivan also said ISRO will also share its technological expertise with the private parties.

According to Sivan, there was a need for a mechanism to allow the private sector taking into account the safety, security and also provide the ease of doing business.

He said private sector players will apply to IN-SPACe and the latter will process the application and its decision is binding on

ISRO. While it will take about 3-6 months for IN-SPACe to be in place, the private sector can send their applications to DOS. As regards NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), a public sector unit under DOS, Sivan said its role is being redefined to transform the approach of supply driven model to demand driven model for space based services.

Sivan said NSIL will be strengthened and empowered to off-load operational activities of ISRO in the areas of launch vehicle

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and satellite production, launch services as well as space based services.

The NSIL will execute these activities through industry consortiums.

Sivan said this move will allow ISRO to allocate more time and resources for R&D endeavours.

The ISRO will continue to carry out its present activities with greater emphasis on development of advanced technology, missions and capacity building besides supporting private endeavours in space sector.

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NATION

We feel insulted: 71 defence veterans slam Rahul on ladakh tweet

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THE NEWS BUREAU

fter Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed the Chinese have taken possession of Indian territory in the Ladakh region, as many as 71 Armed forces veterans have issued a strong statement against the former Congress president, questioning his "motivation"

for making the controversial statement.

"At the outset, we wish to condemn such undesirable and deplorable tweets/comments by a person who has no idea as to how our soldiers work in the world's most difficult and unfriendly terrain," read the statement. It added, "Rahul Gandhi should never

forget 1962, when the country was headed by none other than his great grandfather Shri Jawaharlal Nehru and we were not only caught totally unprepared but had to suffer very humiliating defeat at the hands of China, despite the fact that our soldiers fought valiantly and caused huge casualties to China."

Resurrecting his controversial

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NATION meeting with Chinese officials during the Doklam face-off, the veterans made a stinging attack on Rahul Gandhi.

"Whatever may be the motivation of making such statements, it is apparent to everyone that the same are devoid of correct facts and are against national security, which is our main concern. Everyone knows that Shri Gandhi was hobnobbing with Chinese diplomats when there was a standoff between India and China in 2017 in Doklam. No sane Indian is expected to make statements against his own country and military, which undoubtedly support the enemy countries," the statement

said.

The veterans included AVM Sanjib Bordoloi, Air Cmde S.S. Saxena, Brig. Dinkar Adeeb among others, goes on to state that the Congressman's statements on Pakistan have been verbatim used and supported by the Pakistani government and military in the past and thus stands a risk in this case as well. "Such twisting of issues of military importance for petty political gains are highly deplorable," they said.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "The Chinese have walked in and taken our territory in Ladakh.

Meanwhile, the PM is absolutely

33

silent and has vanished from the scene."

Calling it "petty politicisation", the veterans said, "We, the veterans, who are party to this statement have been in the field and have participated in several operations/ actions and, therefore, we all feel insulted and humiliated by such low level politics resorted to by Shri Rahul Gandhi."

The Indian and Chinese Army have been in a standoff in the eastern Ladakh area, where the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has created a major military buildup along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

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NATION

Task Force on motherhood age to submit report by July 31

T

THE NEWS BUREAU

he central government has set up a 10-member Task Force to examine matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering maternal mortality rate and improvement of nutritional levels.

The formation of the Task Force headed by Jaya Jaitly was announced in a gazette notification issued on June 4.

The Task Force will submit its report by July 31. Other members in the team are Member (health) Niti Aayog Dr. VK Paul, secreta ries of higher education, school education, health, women and child development, legislative department apart from academicians Najma Akhtar, Vasudha Kamat and

Dipti Shah.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had during her budget speech for 2020-21 proposed to appoint the task force to review the minimum age of marriage for women, study its implications on maternal health and submit its recommendations within six months. The Finance Minister had said, "Women's age of marriage was increased from 15 years to 18 years in 1978, by amending erstwhile Sharda Act of 1929. As India progresses further, opportunities open up for women to pursue higher education and careers.

She added: "There are imperatives of lowering MMR as well as improvement of nutrition levels.

Entire issue about the age of a girl

entering motherhood needs to be seen in this light. I propose to appoint a task force that will present its recommendations in six months' time."

The task force is trusted with examination of correlation of age of marriage and motherhood with health, medical well-being and nutritional status of mother and neonate, during pregnancy, birth and thereafter.

It will also suggest measures for promoting higher education among women and suitable legislative instruments to support the recommendations of the Task Force.

The Task Force will also work out a detailed roll-out plan with timelines to implement its recommendations.

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Stringent action for cow slaughter in up now

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THE NEWS BUREAU

he Yogi Adityanath cabinet has approved the Cow-Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. The amendments are aimed at protecting the cow and preventing crimes related to cow slaughter.

The proposed law now includes a penal provision of imprisonment up to seven years for physical damage to the cow, and fine up to Rs three lakh in cases related to cow slaughter.

The government spokesman said that it was necessary that the cow slaughter act be made more

robust and effective. Considering these points, the cabinet decided to amend the Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 and in a late Tuesday night meeting gave the approval.

The Section 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 (amended) suggests punishment for transportation of bovine animals. It also attracts punishment if there is a danger to their lives through physical damage or mutilation. If someone puts the life of cow in danger by not providing food and water with the intention of endangering their life, rigorous imprisonment may be awarded for at least

one year, which may extend to seven years.

The expenditure incurred on the maintenance of the captured cows will be recovered from the owner of the vehicle for a period of one year or until the cow or bovine is released, whichever is earlier, according to the proposed legislation.

In case someone is found guilty of an offence under the new act, after conviction he shall be punished with double penalty provided for this offence for second conviction. The promulgation of this ordinance will enable the conservation and preservation of bovines effectively.

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NATION

Common man feels a dream home is now beyond his reach

A

THE NEWS BUREAU

s the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown severely dented businesses across sectors and the income of a common man for over two months, leaving people's financial prospects utterly uncertain, a large number of Indians now feel their hopes of purchasing a home of their own would remain a dream.

A survey by the IANS-CVoter showed that around 24.6 per people in the middle income group and 18.3 per cent in the low income group feel a home of their own is beyond their reach now.

Interestingly, the despair exists despite the government's latest announcement of extending the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for middle income groups to buy affordable housing units for one more year till March 31, 2021.

This very feeling of incapability of purchasing a house is not limited to the low and middle income groups, as the survey also showed that nearly 7 per cent respondents from the higher income group feel their plans of buying a home have been derailed.

Around 17.6 per cent people in the higher income group said that they will not be able to purchase a property while 8.2 per cent and 6.3 per cent respondents in the middle income group and the low income

group, respectively, felt the same, showed the survey carried out with a sample of 1,200 people.

Interestingly, many people in the higher income group also feel that they would not be able to buy a four-wheeler now. The survey showed that 17.2 per cent of the respondents in the segment feel that

buying a car is beyond their reach now.

Around 7.4 per cent and 5.8 per cent respondents in the middle income and low income group now may not be able to buy a fourwheeler or a three-wheeler - tractor or auto.

Demand for two-wheelers tends to reflect the shape of the economic situation and that very segment would see a major impact. Around 7.5 per cent respondents in the low income group now feel they won't be able to buy a two-wheeler vehicle.

Plans of owing a television, refrigerator or an air-conditioner also seem to be have been postponed by

many as 3.5 per cent and 3.2 per cent respondents, respectively, in the middle income and higher income group have said that they cannot purchase the appliances in the current situation.

Over 2 per cent people in the low income group also think of buying these appliances as a distant dream now.

The hopes of owning a shop for several people of the low income group have been dashed as around 3.5 per cent respondents said that they can't afford to own a shop now.

Plans for buying a phone or a laptop also have been deferred by many as 2.4 per cent, 1.9 per cent, 2.8 per cent people in the low income, middle income and higher income groups, respectively, said that both these technological needs are not affordable anymore.

The financial impact of the lockdown on an average Indian's life can be gauged from the fact that 32 per cent respondents in the low income group felt that they can survive even less than month without income, while 19.6 per cent of the middle income group felt the same.

Only 28.7 per cent of them in the middle income group said that they can survive just a month with their savings and without any income, while 25 per cent in the low income group too can survive just a month on their savings.

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NATION

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85% Indian parents anxious about kid's future

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t seems the Covid-19 pandemic has caused major worry among Indian parents as a new survey on Thursday revealed, over 85 per cent parents in the country are now more anxious about their child's future.

The study conducted by online school-LEAD School of 5,000 parents of children from kindergarten to 12th grade from the metro and non-metro cities showed that 70 per cent of parents feel worried about the impact of Covid-19 on their child's education.

Over 78 per cent of respondents are worried about their child's

health and safety and nearly 40 per cent parents have expressed concern about their child falling behind and missing out on a year of learning and education.

"Parents should exercise this choice and work collaboratively with schools as this trust-based contract between parents and schools may end up being Covid19's biggest gift to Indian education", Sumeet Mehta, LEAD School Co-founder & CEO, said in a statement. The findings also revealed that around 70 per cent parents think they're able to support their child's learning at home.

Moreover, over 60 per cent of respondents see online schooling as

an effective mode of learning and believe that it should go hand-inhand with physical schooling.

According to the data, parents in the states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana feel they are not well equipped to support their child's learning.

On the other hand, parents in southern states such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana feel they have been able to support their child's learning.

The survey also showed that 79 per cent of parents are able to spend more quality time with their children ½ a trend observed in both metro and non-metro cities.

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NATION

Telangana bids tearful adieu to Colonel Santosh Babu T

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elangana on June 18 bid tearful adieu to its son Colonel B. Santosh Babu, who laid down his life in the violent clash with Chinese troops in Ladakh on Monday.

The mortal remains of the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Regiment were consigned to flames with full military honours in his home town Suryapet as thousands paid glowing tributes to the braveheart.

Santosh Babu's father B. Upender performed the last rites assisted by the martyred officer's wife Santoshi who was carrying their four-year-old son in her arms.

The Colonel's nine-year-old daughter, Manjula, other relatives and friends bid tearful adieu. Public representatives, political leaders, Army officers and others presented the last salute to the warrior.

People lined up on either side of the road and showered petals from rooftops on the bedecked Army vehicle carrying the body of the martyred Colonel wrapped in the

national flag.

There was an outpouring of patriotic sentiments as people poured on the streets to bid adieu to the martyred officer. Slogans of 'Santosh Babu Amar Rahe', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Matram' rent the air as the funeral procession which began from Santosh Babu's house passed through various parts of the town to reach Kesaram on the outskirts.

Earlier, personnel from 16 Bihar Regiment presented a guard of honour before the coffin was carried on to the Army vehicle for the funeral procession.

Telangana minister Jagdish Reddy, State Legislative Council Chairman G. Sukhender Reddy, State Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, BJP state president Bandi Sanjay, Nizamabad MP D. Aravind, Congress leader and Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkatreddy, Army officers and top police and civil officials paid the tributes.

Army along with Suryapet district administration and police made elaborate arrangements

keeping in view the norms to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Santosh Babu and 19 other soldiers were killed in the clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh on Monday.

His body was brought to Hyderabad on Wednesday night. The mortal remains were received by senior government officials and military personnel of headquarters, Telangana and Andhra Sub Area with full military honours at Hakimpet Airport Station.

Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and ministers K.T. Rama Rao, Malla Reddy, Mohammed Mehmood Ali and Jadish Reddy and senior Army officials paid their last respects.

Santosh Babu an alumni of Sainik School Korukonda and National Defence Academy, got commissioned into the Bihar Regiment from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and went on to complete the prestigious Defence Service Staff Course from Wellington before taking over the command of his Battalion.

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NATION

39

galwan braveheart palani laid to rest with full military honours

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he mortal remains of 40-yearold K. Palani, an Indian soldier who was killed by the Chinese soldiers on June 15 night clash in Ladakh's Galwan valley, was laid to rest at his native village in Ramanathapuram district on June 18 morning.

Palani's body was flown to Madurai on June 17 night at about 11.30 p.m., where army officials and others paid their homage to the departed soldier. From the Madurai airport, Palani's body was taken to

his native village Kadukkalur in Ramanathapuram district by road.

At the village, people paid their homage to Palani.

The last rites were performed by the family and the body was laid to rest with full military honours.

Palani who had joined the Indian army at the age of 18 after his 10th standard had built a house with a loan and wanted to settle down there.

Palani, born to Kalimuthu and Logambal, was not able to pursue his school education owing to family circumstances. However, he

completed graduation through distance education.

Palani was not able to come for the housewarming ceremony that was held on June 3 which also happened to be his birthday.

Speaking to reporters Palani's father-in-law Nachiappan had said his daughter Vanathi Devi a graduate is working as a clerk in a colle ge in the Ramanathapuram district.

The couple has two children -a boy Prasanna aged 10 and girl Divya aged 8. Palani's younger brother Idayakani also serves in the Indian army.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

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NATION

Kin of martyrs seek equal treatment I

THE NEWS BUREAU

t is not every day that a Chief Minister of a state travels hundreds of kilometres to console the family of a fallen soldier. But the chief minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao walked the extra mile to personally hand over the package within days of declaration to the family of late Col Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, who fell in battle during enemy action in Ladakh.

It is the right move by the Telangana government. But, why the state government has not acted

with similar compassion and at the same speed with some other martyrs, remains unanswered.

Take the case of Lance Naik Ramchander, who laid down his life in the Kargil war in 1999. The union government gave an exgratia of Rs 10 lakh to the family of Ramchander, while the then state government gave Rs 5 lakh and announced that his family would be given 300 square yard house site near Bowenpally Market Yard and a job to his widow, Divya.

Twenty years passed since then but the widow of late Ramchander is still making rounds of Tahsildar and Collector’s office.

Similarly, the family of Lance Naik Feroz Khan, who attained martyrdom on October 17, 2013 while protecting the borders from Pakistani attack. The state government issued a GO in 2019 sanctioning Rs 30 lakh ex-gratia to the family of late Feroz Khan.

However, the money has not actually been paid so far though the martyr’s family members are making rounds of the authorities.

In yet another case of gross neglect of martyrs, the state government has not fulfilled the promises made in relation to those killed in the helicopter crash along with the then chief minister Y S Ra-

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NATION

Lance Naik Feroz Khan

jasekhar Reddy.

Late Lieutenant Colonel M S Reddy was the co-pilot of the illfated helicopter that crashed in the forest killing the then chief minister Rajasekhar Reddy and his aides on September 2, 2009. The state government had promised to provide Group-1 job, house and also

support the children of the helicopter crash victims.

Eleven years passed by but the widow of M S Reddy is forced to make rounds of various departments for Group-1 job and house site but to no use.

M Kiran, the widow of the late Lt. Col. M S Reddy, has given a

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representation to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is son of late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, urging him to provide Group-1 job, house site as announced in the past and support her daughter by providing admission to post graduate course in MBBS because she has no means of livelihood after losing her husband.

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LEGAL

SC: evolve system so no contractor employs child labour

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THE NEWS BUREAU

he Supreme Court on June 8 said it is essential to evolve a system where no contractor is allowed to employ child labour, and this clause should be made part of the contractual engagement.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices A.S. Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy sought reply from Centre and all state governments in connection with the sudden spike in the number of child trafficking cases during the lockdown.

The bench suggested that con-

tractors must be registered, and their employees have to be sought to ensure no child labour was being employed.

"Only policing won't do. We are the ones who provide them a market since child labour is cheap.

We will have to start with contractors...," observed the bench. The court issued notice and fixed the matter for further hearing after two weeks.

The response from the apex court came on a PIL filed by NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan founded

by Kailash Satyarthi, who in 2014, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

for the "struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education".

Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, representing the NGO, said the apex court suggested that the government should blacklist those contractors who were found employing child labour.

"I informed the top court that most of the child labour had gone back, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and I urged the court that steps should be taken that they are not brought back," said Phoolka.

The top court also asked Phoolka to find out ways so that children are not exploited, and some concrete steps should be taken in this direction. "We wanted you to do some homework on it," said the bench to Phoolka, who cited before the court that many cases of girl child being sold have been noticed.

The bench queried Phoolka and Centre's counsel "Can every contractor who does private work also be registered somewhere?...This issue exists because there is a market for engaging child labour."

The bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to suggest measures to curb this menace. The Chief Justice noted: "Yes we are aware. Trafficking being done for prostitution and for child labour."

Mehta contended before the court that he will engage with Phoolka on the matter and collate suggestions. Phoolka contended before the court that a proactive approach needs to be adopted by all district child welfare committees, especially in the vulnerable districts.

The bench suggested that it can also set up an experts committee on the matter.

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POLITICS

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Fissures in the grand alliance in Bihar ahead of polls

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THE NEWS BUREAU

ll political parties in Bihar are now gearing up for the assembly elections likely to be held later this year. However, fissures in the opposition grand alliance seem to

have widened over who will be the chief minister's face in the elections.

The leaders of the mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) are now openly blaming the RJD's dictatorial attitude for this. The same

leaders however also say that if Lalu Prasad had been around, this problem would not have arisen.

Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the RJD and younger son of Lalu Prasad, has been declared the chief ministerial candidate, but Hindus-

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

44

POLITICS

tani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has clearly stated that Tejashwi Yadav is not the leader of the grand alliance.

Meanwhile, leaders of smaller parties in the mahagathbandhan Manjhi, Upendra Kushwaha, the head of the National Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and Mukesh Sahani, the chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) -- have met twice in the last few days and demanded the formation of a coordination committee to sort out issues, but the RJD is adamant.

Many leaders of the mahagathbandhan, on the condition of anonymity, say that the RJD has been taking decisions unilaterally without taking into confidence other members of the alliance.

They say Manjhi has lodged protests several times about this and has said that Tejashwi Yadav does not attach any importance to anyone in the grand alliance.

HAM's spokesperson Danish Rizwan said, "The Coordination Committee will decide on the Chief Minister's face. It is because of

some RJD leaders that the committee has not yet been formed in the grand alliance. Who will be the face of the grand alliance in the assembly elections will be decided in the coordination committee itself."

Without taking the name of Tejashwi Yadav, Rizwan said that if there is a rift in the grand alliance it is due to some senior leaders of the RJD. He however also said that if Lalu Prasad were around, this situation would not have arisen.

Sources say that some of the smaller parties are in touch with senior leaders of the Congress.

They may form a separate front, if their voices in the mahagathbandhan are not heard.

Sources also say that these leaders are talking to Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav, the Left parties and the Vanchit Samaj Party.

Lalit Mohan Singh, vice-chairman of the Vanchit Samaj Party, admitted that many smaller parties are in touch with him and they may come together under one umbrella for the elections in Bihar, if the situation so demands.

The Congress, however, has denied any rift in the grand alliance. Former Youth Congress president Lallan Kumar said that the grand alliance is united. He admitted that the BJP-JDU alliance would be benefited if a break up takes place and said that everyone needs to remain united for a bigger cause.

The RJD also denied any rift in the mahagathbandhan. RJD spokes person Mrityunjay Tiwari said, "Everything will be settled when time comes. The RJD has announced the name of Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Minister candidate of the opposition, as he is the leader of the largest party of the grand alliance."

When asked about the meeting of three parties of the grand alliance, he said in an election year parties keep on meeting. On the question of forming a coordination committee, Tiwari said that the alliance has been taking decisions collectively, that is why Manjhi's son was sent to the Legislative Council.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

POLITICS

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migrants' votes could impact Bihar Assembly polls

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THE NEWS BUREAU

ll political parties in Bihar are out to woo lakhs of migrant workers and labourers who have come home in the wake of Covid19 lockdown. The elections are due in the state later this year.

Government figures put the number of these returnee migrants at around 25 lakh. At least 15 lakh of them have spent days in various quarantine centres in the state. Plus, hundreds of them have also simply walked back home, cycled or have traveled by buses and other means.

Many among them don't figure in the voter list while others have recently attained the legal voting age.

Bihar election commission has made it clear that a special campaign will be launched to include the names of migrant workers in

the voters' list. It is believed that the number of voters this time would go up by at least 15 lakh.

The state at present has 7 crore, 18 lakh voters.

In the last assembly polls in 2015, the margin of victory and defeat on an average was by around 30,000 votes. So, that is one of the reasons why state parties are trying to chase these migrants, although it is a fact that these migrants are not concentrated in one area of the state.

The ruling JD-U-BJP combine claims to have provided all facilities to these migrants, whereas the Opposition has targeted the government on various fronts, including inability of the government to provide jobs to these migrants.

Bihar's Information and Public Relations Minister Neeraj Kumar

says the government is constantly reviewing the Covid-19 situation and all possible action is being taken.

"The government has so far spent Rs 8,538 crore on various relief measures to fight corona pandemic. The government has also approved Rs 730 crore for the farmers whose crops have been damaged. A Rs 180-crore fund has been set up to fight the pandemic in terms of making available healthcare facilities, equipment and medicines," said Neeraj Kumar.

Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav keeps targeting the government over lack of facilities for the migrant workers.

His party, the RJD has alleged that the Centre and the state government have done nothing for the migrants and left them to their fate.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

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POLITICS

Ap cabinet sub-committee recommends CBI probe into TDp regime projects

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he Andhra Pradesh government has recently cleared the cabinet sub-committee recommendation for a CBI probe into several alleged irregularities that took place when the TDP regime was at the helm of affairs in the state.

The development comes in the backdrop of raging hostilities between the ruling YSRCP and the opposition TDP. Briefing media after the cabinet meeting here on Thursday, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Perni Venkataramaiah, said that the cabinet sub-committee which studied the matter has submitted its report and recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the AP Fibernet (Optic Fibre Grid) project, and purchases made for Chandranna Sankranti Kanuka, Ramzan Tofa

and Christmas Kanuka schemes.

The minister said that preliminary investigations found that a large number of irregularities, including nepotism, had occurred in the AP Fibernet Project. Apart from allotting the project to people who are not qualified for carrying out the project, corruption to the tune of Rs 700 crore has taken place in the project, he alleged.

The project had been allotted to Terra Software, a company owned

by Vemuri Harikrishna Prasad, who is said to be very close to the TDP leadership.

"The contract was given to Terra Software setting aside the bid of a Central government institution, though it was the lowest bidder.

Even during the distribution of set top boxes, four companies were called and the government agreed to share the contract, but in reality only the Terra Sofware was given

the entire distribution of work," he said.

"Similarly, in welfare schemes like Chandranna Sankranti Kanuka, Ramzan Tofa and Christmas Kanuka, irregularities were found during the procurement of supplies, where nearly Rs 150 crore of corruption was identified in primary investigation. Purchases, including milk products, were made in an arbitrary manner and on all these irregularities, the cabinet has ordered for CBI enquiry for further investigation," the minister said.

The last few days have seen the two principal political players in Andhra Pradesh targeting each other with claims and counterclaims. A couple of days back, the TDP had issued a chargesheet against the YSRCP government on completion of its first year in office.

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POLITICS

Himanta signals manipur crisis averted

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JP's troubleshooter in the northeast, Himanta Biswa Sarma, had to step in once again as did the party's 'Super President' Amit Shah, who despite relinquishing the top post early this year, was required to intervene in an attempt to save the troubled NPP-BJP government in Manipur.

However, after the crucial meeting in the national capital, Sarma, the North East Democratic Alliance chief tweeted that "both BJP and NPP will continue to work together for the development of Manipur".

Not only Sarma and Shah were present but Conrad Sangma, who

heads the NPP and is also the Meghalaya CM was also present in the meeting. NPP's Manipur unit went rogue and threatened to join the Congress-led alliance if there is no change of Chief Minister in the state.

Manipur's Deputy Chief Minister S. Jooykmar was also part of the meeting. Earlier on Tuesday evening, the 4 dissident NPP MLAs were flown to Delhi by Sangma and Sarma.

While Sarma claims that the two parties will continue to work together in Manipur, suggesting the problem is averted, it is however unclear whether it means that Chief Minister Biren Singh will be replaced or not. The 4 NPP MLAs

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earlier called it a "non negotiable" demand of theirs.

Just before the Rajya Sabha elections on June 17, 3 BJP MLAs resigned and joined the Congress.

At the same time, four ministers of the ally National People's Party also resigned due to resentment and withdrew support from the government.

Another independent along with a Trinamool Congress MLA too parted ways from the Biren Singh government. After the rebellion of a total of nine MLAs, the Biren Singh government came under threat. However, the BJP was successful in winning one seat in the Rajya Sabha elections held on June 19.

Earlier, Sarma was scrambled to Imphal on June 23 to salvage the situation. During his stay there, he tried to persuade the MLAs to meet Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Cornad Sangma, who is also the National President of the NPP met the dissidents separately and along with Sarma at Imphal where the 4 agreed to listen to what the BJP high command had to say.

While, Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed to bring a "permanent solution" to the recurring political turmoil in Manipur, before he flew in to the national capital, what remains unclear is how far that has been achieved and whether that has been achieved at the cost of a leadership change in the state of Manipur, something that the BJP has so far avoided.

So far the Biren Singh government has sounded defiant, thwarting efforts of the Congress which has been demanding a special session of the assembly to bring a no confidence motion against his government.

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POLITICS

Congress sees opportunity in BJp's attack on Rahul gandhi A

THE NEWS BUREAU

mid political slugfest between Congress and the BJP on Chinese transgression in Galwan Valley in Ladakh, the Congress has ceased the opportunity by targeting the Prime Minister and the BJP, the party leaders said.

The Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been targeted by the BJP for his persistent questioning to the Prime Minister more so after the PM's statement in the all party meet that nobody has intruded into Indian territory. This led to Sharp and specific attack by the Congress targeting the Prime Minister.

In reply, BJP is also hitting out Rahul Gandhi by questioning Nehru to Rahul Gandhi's visit to China in 2008. The attack on Wednesday came from BJP President J.P. Nadda who called Rahul Gandhi a dynast and said, "A rejected and ejected dynasty is NOT equal to the entire Opposition. One dynasty's interests are not India's interests. Today, the nation is united and supportive of our armed forces. This is the time for unity and solidarity. Relaunch of 'the scion' for the nth time can wait."

But Congress seems to be enjoying the moment as in the Congress Working Committee meeting held on Tuesday, the leaders were unanimous that this is the right time to question the government and the Prime Minister in national and political interest.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi

said, "BJP would do a better job, of running the Government if they actually listen and heed Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji's advice instead of attacking him personally."

A CWC member said, hitting out at Rahul Gandhi will give no result to the BJP but will place him at the centrestage as media is taking note after his February 12 tweet when he alerted the government about the pandemic.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, "What happened in the past, why it happened? You know, it is really immaterial."

The goal is clear that the Congress wants to engage the BJP on the ongoing crisis and "it seems

BJP is upset with the kind of support Rahul Gandhi is getting." said another Congress leader.

The Congress leaders asserted that it was Rahul Gandhi who was the first to raise the issue of Covid19.

Rahul Gandhi asked for all party meeting on important issues and pointed to the fact that the Government owes the Indian people the truth over the Chinese attacks on our soil and on our territory, said Gogoi.

"Instead of criticizing us, BJP would do a better Job if they took Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji's advice," added Gogoi. is posted in Rajasthan.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

EDU-VOICE

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PROF. G. NARSIMULU

Corona pandemic eect public exams derailed

D

ue to the lockdown period during the months of March to June 2020 the entire educational institutions were closed and students were asked to stay in their houses and attend online classes. From secondary school to colleges of UG, PG and professional colleges, the examination schedules will be generally around March to May and summer vacations will be in the end of May to June last week.

The final year students will write final examinations in the regular and professional stream and attend campus interviews and some of them to plan to go abroad for further studies.

Both Telugu speaking states could able to conduct Intermediate examinations successfully, Before the spread of coronavirus the Telangana state could able to complete two examinations of SSC in the first week of March 2020.Some of the parents who went for the court to stop the conduct of examination as the virus was spreading and will suffer if examinations were scheduled and Government wanted to conduct examinations at a time following the central government guidelines by maintaining

distance and providing sanitation to each student but the high court directed the state government to conduct examinations other than GHMC as the virus is spreading.

But the government of Telangana cancelled the examinations and declared the result on the basis of internal examinations conducted at school level and more than Five lac fifty thousand regular Students and three lac seventy-five thousand private students were declared as passed the examinations. out of the regular students, approximately two Lac students could able to get 10/10 grade as they could score 20 internal marks.

As per pass percentages of 2019 ,2018 and 2017 was 92.43%, 83.78% and 84, 15% respectively,.

Whereas the present coronavirus batch 2020 got 100% results and irrespective of their performance the state government altered results, one of the officials of the state council of higher education stated that we have to follow High court guidelines and considered the internal performance of the students.

With regard to the Andhra Pradesh state where coronavirus spreading day by day the state gov-

ernment cancelled the examinations from primary to SSC and declared 100% pass. With regard to Intermediate, both the state conducted theory examinations successfully and declared results. But with regard to the conduct of advanced supplementary examinations, the governments are not ready to go for scheduling the examinations and wanted to pass them. In Telangana state 192,172 students of the first year and 128,169 students of the second year Intermediate were failed. If the government want to promote them all gives wrong singles among the merit students and it will jeopardise the interests of students more than four to five years to restore normalcy. professor Vijaykumar Retired district educational officer who was a vast experience in conducting of examinations for more than felt that there was no alternative but declared results at the cost of the health of students.

The private management association office-bearer And educationist Dr Ramdas felt that government should conduct examinations at respective colleges on line by maintaining distance and

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

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EDU-VOICE

providing social distance as per guidelines. Declaring final results on the performance of previous semester marks in professional courses like pharmacy and engineering will adversely affect the prospectus of the outgoing batch as final year practicum and project report play an important role in getting a placement and further studies.With regard to under Graduate, Postgraduate plus professional courses the university grant commission, New Delhi has given directions to promote first and second-year students with backlogs and final year students should write examinations with two hours duration with less no of questions.

The state government of Maharashtra and other states opposed the UGC move and cancelled all examinations due to the spread of the virus declared the results without conducting examinations.

Maria Anisha crosses a final year computer science student of GuruNanak engineering college stated that her plans to study a postgraduate course in the USA is now left with so many things to be considered before making major deci-

sions to pursues studies in the USA or not. This is due to the pandemic has disrupted. Majority of the final year engineering students of reputed colleges who are got campus placements are afraid as they may loose appropriate as the software companies are facing financial constraints.

Professor R Sayanna former Vice-chancellor of Kakatiya university felt that the government should have the thing in different way as the merit students feel that the entire year of hard work has no fruitful results as they get the same scores with less qualified students and they gradually show less interest in the academic work and this was evident during the Telangana agitation batch of the 1969 year.

During that batch many private employers rejected 1969 batch of Osmania university and even they advertising Osmania 1969 passed out need not apply. T.Veeresham monitoring officer of Telangana state Gurukul schools and Dr G Lachaiah retired teacher educator and freelance writer felt that the students are more oriented to write examinations seriously and all of

sudden this decision of promoting them without Examinations definitely give a negative impact and to recover from this they take more years.

The parents who are spending major portions of their salaries to pay fees of their wards into corporate institutions and expecting better grades in SSC and INTERMEDIATE and Professional courses will definitely depressed and it is very bad experience for a section of merit students who spend hours together only mastering the subjects some of the senior professors and former vice-chancellors of Maharashtra state were opposed the government move to cancel the examinations and they suggested conducting examinations at college level Internet-based online examinations by maintaining social distance and asper COVID 19 guidelines. Time will decide how this decision of cancelling all type of examinations in Telugu states and the entire country affect the education system.

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(Author is a retired professor Department of Life Long education.

Osmania University Hyderabad)

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Smokers more vulnerable to Covid-19, say experts T

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hose with comorbidities, like cardiac and liver ailments, and smokers are more prone to fall prey to Covid-19, say doctors. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed smoking as one of the major risk factors for coronavirus as it suppresses immune functions of body.

Smokers have higher expres-

sion of ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) that signals inflammation and also more secretory cells making them susceptible to infections.

ACE2, attached to the outer surface of cells in lungs, arteries, heart, kidney and intestines, also serves as the entry point for coronaviruse, including SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19).

"Studies suggest Covid-19 virus

interacts with specific human receptor, known as hACE2 (human angiotensin converting enzyme 2), that infects lungs and nasal mucosa. Hence, it's highly recommended that one stays away from smoking to stay safe," said Dr Latha Sharma, consultant pulmonologist, KIMS Hospitals.

According to a University College London study, smokers are 1.45 times more likely to have

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HEALTH

severe complications compared with non-smokers and those who quit smoking.

Also, critically ill Covid-19 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had 63 per cent risk of severe disease and 60 per cent risk of mortality, while critically ill patients without COPD had only 33.4 per cent risk of severe disease and 55 per cent risk of mortality.

"While 60 plus years, diabetes and high blood pressure are seen as the likely comorbidities for a Covid-19 patient, a review of studies by public health experts convened by WHO, found that Covid-19 may turn more severe in smokers than on-smokers," said Dr Nishant Sinha, senior consultant pulmonologist, Continental Hospitals.

"Smoking impairs the capacity to fight infections due to damage of Cilia, tiny hair like structures in the airways. Tobacco smoke is also a major risk factor for non-communicable ailments, like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes. Coronavirus infection turns severe in people with these ailments," he said.

"Smoking negatively impacts lung health, inhibits body's responsiveness to infections, and suppresses immunity.

Sound epidemiological evidence that smoking increases the risk of viral lung and throat infections led researchers to posit that smokers are at increased Covid-19 risk.

Smoking is associated with increased risk of virtually every other respiratory infectious diseases," said Dr Ravindra Nallagonda, senior consultant in pulmonology and critical care medicine, Aster Prime Hospital.

According to him, smoking de-

stroys important defences, like airway cilia that helps move particulate out of the airway. Excess and thicker mucus prevents expectoration of debris, bacteria and viruses.

Over time, it breaks down the vital lung tissue needed for life.

"Many have suspected a particularly strong correlation between smoking and Covid-19 second to smoking's effect on increasing ACE2 receptors in lungs," he said.

Tobacco smokers (cigarettes, water pipes, bidis, cigars, heated tobacco products) may be more vulnerable to contracting Covid-19 as smoking involves contact of fingers (and possibly contaminated

cigarettes) with lips that increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth.

According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February, against nonsmokers, smokers are 2.4 times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit, need mechanical ventilation or die.

According to doctors, electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems, commonly referred to as e-cigarettes, are harmful and increase the risk of heart disease and lung disorders.

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HEALTH

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Covid-19 drug priced Rs 5,400 per vial by Hyderabad-based Hetero

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ovifor, the generic version of Covid-19 drug Remdesivir, will be available in India for Rs 5,400 per 100 mg vial, Hyderabadbased Hetero Labs announced on June 24. Following the approval to Covifor by the Drug Controller General of India , Hetero Healthcare Ltd, a group company of Hetero, announced that it is set to deliver the first set of 20,000 vials.

They will be made available in two equal lots of 10,000 each. One lot will be immediately supplied to Hyderabad, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra while the other lot

will be supplied to Kolkata, Indore, Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram and Goa within a week to meet the emergency requirements, the company said.

"Through Covifor, we hope to reduce the treatment time of a patient in a hospital, thereby reducing the increasing pressure on the medical infrastructure, overburdened currently due to accelerating Covid-19 infection rates. We are working closely with the government and medical community to make Covifor quickly accessible to both public and private healthcare settings across the country," said

M. Srinivasa Reddy, Managing Director, Hetero Healthcare.

Covifor is the first generic brand of Remdesivir which is indicated for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in adults and children, hospitalised with severe symptoms of the disease. The drug is available in 100 mg vial (injectable). It needs to be administered intravenously in a hospital, or critical care setting, under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner.

Covifor is anticipated to play a significant role in bringing down the mortality rates caused by Covid-19, given its proven positive clinical outcomes, the company added.

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WORLD

India elected to unSC with overwhelming majority

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ndia has been elected to the Security Council with an overwhelming majority of 184 votes running on a platform of fighting terrorism and promoting the ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the world is one family.

June 17 elections took place against the backdrop of the conflict in Ladakh with China, whom it will join on the Council in January.

New Delhi won the Asia Pacific seat on the highest decisionmaking body of the UN with the unanimous support of the countries in the 55-member group, with China and Pakistan, at least openly, conceding support in face of overwhelming backing for India from the others.

Though India ran unopposed from Asia, eight countries apparently did not vote for India in the

secret ballot in which 192 of the 193 member nations participated.

After the vote, India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti acknowledged the said in a video statement, "We are confident in the COVID and post-COVID world, India will continue provide leadership and a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system."

"Our election to the United Security Council is a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and his inspiring global leadership," he added.

India will serve its eighth twoyear term as a non-permanent member without veto powers, even as it pursues on a parallel track UN reforms aimed at getting a permanent seat.

India will replace Indonesia, whose term ends at the end of the year, on the Council and join Vietnam as one of the two non-per-

manent Asian members.

Running unopposed for the seat for Latin American and Caribbean countries, Mexico won with 187 votes.

The ten non-permanent Security Council seats are distributed among five regional groups and elections are held every year for the five that fall vacant on alternate years.

But there were contested elections for the three other seats.

Canada was routed in its bid for one of the two seats allotted to the group made up of West European countries and others like Canada and Australia that do not fit in elsewhere.

In a setback to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who personally campaigned hard for the seat, it received only 108 votes.

Norway with 130 votes and Ireland with 128 were elected to

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WORLD the two seats.

Neither Kenya nor Djibouti received a two-thirds majority and a runoff is to be held later.

Kenya, which received 113 votes for the African seat had the endorsement of the continent's countries, while Djibouti which counted on a rift between the Arab and Non-Arab nations in the group received 78 votes.

In a last-minute pitch, Tirumurti said in a video message, "India's presence in the Security Council will help bring to the world our ethos that the world is one family - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."

In a campaign document unveiled by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, India laid out a "5S" approach of Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation) Shanti (Peace) and Samriddi (Prosperity) for its service on the Council.

The document setting out India's agenda said that a reformed multilateralism is a must for the post-COVID19 era.

Besides fighting terrorism, a priority for India, which histori-

cally the largest contributor peacekeeping operations, that the document listed was streamlining UN peacekeeping to "ensure greater clarity, direction, and professionalism."

While addressing the abuse of technology by terrorists, the document said that technology must be promoted with "a human touch" and India will promote partnerships to harness it to reduce human suffering and build resilient communities.

"India will become a member of the Security Council at a critical juncture," Tirumurti said.

India will step into a Council Chamber paralysed by the polarisation of its veto-wielding permanent members that almost harks back to the Cold War era.

It will have to deftly deal with intractable issues like the Syrian civil war with international dimensions, Ukraine's disputes with Russia, the US - or President Donald Trump's - obsession with Iran or its fallout and Yemen where the UN has not been able to act because of the standoff between the West and Russia and China.

55

But at least when China tries to bring up the Kashmir issue in the Council as it has done twice recently, India will be right there.

In elections held simultaneously, Volkan Bozkir, a Turkish diplomat and politician who ran unopposed, was chosen president of the next session of the General Assembly that starts in September.

Eighteen countries that ran unopposed for as many seats on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) were also elected.

India's last term on the Security Council was in 2011-12 and Hardeep Singh Puri, who was then India's Permanent Representative and is now a minister, immediately afterwards planned to bid for its next term not wanting a long gap like the 19 years since the previous 1991-92 tenure.

Intense diplomacy by him and his successor, Asoke Mukerji, sealed India's bid for the 2021-22 term.

Afghanistan had initially expressed interest in running for the 2021-22 term but did not pursue it, leaving the field for India.

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WORLD

nepal parliament passes Controversial Bill

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he Parliament of Nepal on June 13 passed the amendment to revise the country's political map, laying claim over the strategically key areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura along the border with India.

Two-thirds majority of the 275member Lower House was required to pass the bill, which was endorsed through a consensus. The bill will now be sent to the National Assembly where it will undergo a similar process. The NA will have to give lawmakers 72 hours to move amendments against the bill's provisions, if any.

After the National Assembly passes the bill, it will be submitted to the President for authentication, after which the bill will be incorporated in the Constitution. The

Nepali government had tabled the bill, seeking to modify the map of the country to include Indian territories of Limpiyadhura, Kapalpani and Lipulekh. The move was moved in the Parliament after the Nepali Congress said that it would vote in favour of the amendment.

However, some diplomats and experts have questioned the government's move, saying the map has already been released and approved by the Cabinet and there was no need to form the task force.

Meanwhile, India had strongly reacted to the move by the Nepali government, saying that such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be accepted by India. "It is environment of trust and confidence for dialogue. We note that this matter is receiving careful consideration in Nepal, taking its seriousness into account,"

the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said earlier.

"Nepal is well aware of India's consistent position on this matter and we urge the Government of Nepal to refrain from such unjustified cartographic assertion and respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added.

Meanwhile, Army chief Gen MM Naravane on Saturday said the relationship between the two countries has always been strong and will remain so in the future. "We have a very strong relationship with Nepal. We have geographical, cultural, historical, religious linkages. We have very strong peopleto-people connect. Our relation with them has always been strong and will remain strong in the future," General Naravane said.

The ties between the two countries came under strain after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated an 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal reacted sharply to the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through Nepalese territory.

The Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani, a disputed border area between Nepal and India. Both India and Nepal claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory - India as part of Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district and Nepal as part of Dharchula district.

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Security agencies warn of Chinese espionage attempts amid pandemic

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hina is aggressively pursuing a diverse range of tactics -- from cyber-attacks to recruiting insiders for economic espionage, Indian security agencies have warned. The specific alert circulated among key stakeholders suggests that Chinese operatives are not only planning to steal classified cutting-edge defense technology but also eyeing to recruit best academicians and researchers around the globe, especially from the US. Sources said they have noticed

that China has authorized an "aggressive program of stealing US science and technology information by recruiting Americans in the technology sector with access to trade secrets".

In the technology sector of the US, many Indians scientists are working at the forefront. "This is a serious matter for Indian government and security establishments," said a top source further adding that Chinese always pursue economic espionage because it suits their low cost manufacturing sector on the basis of stolen research and

costly design developed by top companies across the globe.

"An alert was also issued in early January about Chinese cyber intrusion attempts at several companies where Indian researchers are working. The espionage attempt was to target UAV technology and certain top-end military equipment designs. After stealing the techniques and design, China starts producing these equipment domestically and sells at a cheaper rate, inflicting irreparable damage to the original equipment manufacturers," the sources in the security

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establishment observed.

Recently, the US accused China for targeting academia by sending researchers to American labs and using talent recruitment programme to steal scientific analysis. The US has also found that young recruits of the People's Liberation Army posing as students are entering into various universities across the globe to get research papers and recruit academia.

Earlier this year, the US charged a former Boston University student of visa fraud for failing to disclose the status as a lieutenant in the China's People's Liberation Army.

The US intelligence agencies have found that their "universities have become a soft target in the global espionage war with China".

In January this year, the US Department of Justice charged a leading academician at the Harvard University for hiding his alleged role in a Chinese government programme.

In July last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray had revealed that the FBI is probing nearly 1,000 cases of economic espionage and attempted intellectual property theft, nearly all of them leading back to China.

Accordingly, Indian Missions have been informed about the threats being posed by Chinese spies and attempts to recruit Indian scientists and technologists working in the US and other parts of the world.

Sources further stated that security establishments in India have informed the scientist fraternity to be on alert amid threat posed by Chinese spies.

The Chinese had earlier recruited a personnel, Dongfan Chung, working at Boeing for economic espionage. Chung had stolen secret technology to benefit Chinese government and during the raid at his house more than 2.5 lakh classified pages related to Boeing were recovered.

"There has been intense debate on the international platforms regarding Chinese-sponsored theft of intellectual property. American agencies have gone on record to say that China was targeting trade secrets. In the backdrop of pandemic and global health crisis, Indian establishments in defence and technology sectors have been told to be extra cautious as China is planning to become the most advanced economy while the other countries are crippled by the highly contagious virus," the sources further added.

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST CHINESE PREZ XI OVER CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

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complaint has been filed in a court in Bihar against Chinese President Xi Jinping, blaming him for the coronavirus pandemic.

The complaint filed by advocate Murad Ali in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Bettiah in West Champaran district of Bihar alleged that Chinese President Xi and World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spread the virus from Wuhan city in China to the entire world.

The court has fixed June 16 for hearing the case. The complainant has also named US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as witnesses.

Ali has accused the Chinese leader of being responsible for the spread of the deadly virus from Wuhan in December 2019 throughout the world and the WHO chief for concealing the spread of the virus.

He has alleged that the Chinese President and the WHO chief conspired to spread the coronavirus throughout the world due to which millions of people have lost their lives.

He has sought action under sections 269, 270, 271, 302, 307, 500, 504 and 120B of IPC. Ali has stated social media, print media and various electronic media as the source of the allegations.

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DEFENCE COLUMN 59

WG CDR TJ REDDY VSM (RETD)

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Wuhan to galwan new ways of the Dragon

s I start writing for this monthly column, the situation in the Ladakh region and Sino Indian equation is continuously evolving.

Present times are not normal. The challenges are unprecedented. While the nation is struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, a sudden flare-up with China on the Line of Actual Control has added to our problems.

The violent clash that erupted between Indian and Chinese soldiers at the edge of Galwan Valley on the night of 15 June was the bloodiest since 1967.

Background : After the IndiaChina war of 1962, both sides have claimed the areas under the Line of Actual Control (LAC). As of now, there are 23 flashpoints that are recognised by both sides as being disputed. The soldiers from both sides routinely send out patrols in the contested areas.In the 1980s, China launched major border-works programmes which led several areas claimed by India to lie on its side of the LAC, like the Finger 8 ridge in Pangong, to be physically held by the PLA. The status quo was maintained by both sides in these areas till this year, but it seems to be quickly changing now after the violent clash at Galwan

Valley. China’s claims, that it had not made directly for decades, of “sovereignty” over Galwan Valley are the first, since the war of 1962, making the relatively peaceful area of the LAC into a major flashpoint.

Developments in the recent past: This year, the strategic locations at Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso and Hot Springs have seen Chinese intrusions. Satellite imagery also indicates a massive military buildup by the PLA along the LAC. In Pangong Tso,

the contested area between the two sides stretches more than 30 kilometres.

The situation in Eastern Ladakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on the evening of May 5 which spilled over to the next day before the two sides agreed to 'disengage' following a

meeting at the level of local commanders. Then followed Galwan fight. The IA has since changed the rules of engagement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, which would allow field Commanders to order troops to use firearms under “extraordinary circumstances”. Chinese have been informed about the change and that India will respond forcefully to any violence.

India’s preparedness: India is continuing beefing up infrastructure for better connectivity to the Line of Actual Control with China, even as troops from both countries are locked in a standoff in Ladakh following China objecting to Indian road construction activities in the region. A major “milestone” has been achieved in the construction of a strategic tunnel in Uttarakhand that will provide faster mobility to troops and equipment to the border with China providing better connectivity to the LAC. The Indian Army has moved its assets to forward bases and airfields in view of the ongoing dispute with China. Although the 255-kilometreslong Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg

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60 DEFENCE COLUMN

Oldie (DS-DBO) road took us 19 years to complete, it will make accessible many areas of the LAC for patrolling and will keep an eye on Chinese movements in Aksai Chin.

The Air Force has moved its critical frontline assets including the Sukhoi30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fighter aircraft fleet to advanced positions where they can fly in at a very short notice to carry out operations.

With multiple bases around the Ladakh and Tibet region including Leh, Srinagar, Avantipur, Bareilly,

Adampur, Halwara (Ludhiana), Am bala and Sirsa, the Indian Air Force has an edge over their Chinese counterparts, who have to start fighter aircraft operations from Hotan and Gar Gunsa near Ladakh as they are at an altitude of 14,000 feet plus.

I am a veteran fighter controller with experience of 1965 and 1971 wars. The Indian Air Force today operates combat aircraft of better capabilities and with far greater skills than those that the Chinese Air Force can deploy against India. Our pilots have trained with global partners in Europe, the US, Australia, UAE, Oman, Singapore and Israel. We can fight very well with what we have supported by advancements in technology. I also believe, with good and

sufficient reasons, that the Indian Army is rated superior in mountain warfare. The current crop of Chinese soldiers and leadership do not have the combat experience their Indian counterparts do and are very conscious of it.

What lies ahead?

More important in terms of how this situation now plays out, those brave soldiers demonstrated the indomitable spirit of the Indian soldier on the night of 15 June.The country can take courage from the immediate and feisty response from the soldiers on the ground.

They admirably demonstrated the courage and willingness of the Indian forces.

In the words General VP Malik, a former COAS, Indian Army’s skill, determination and ability to fight mountain warfare is better than China’s. When asked about the possibility of a war with China, the former army chief said, “We now have the capabilities. And if this indeed happens, we can fight. We can even take offensive action in some areas. We may have lesser weapons, our forces can efficiently defend India’s borders.”

ACM S Krishnaswamy, a former CAS says“today, India’s military is being led by brilliant men and women who are far better professionals, by virtue of their exposure and responsibilities, and are supported by an astonishing range of technology about which the public and veterans may not be aware of. No one doubts India’s military ability”.

The flare-up with India will remain heightened and long drawn. in view of the standoff between the armies of India and China in Ladakh,

Pakistan will try to infiltrate more terrorists and also give impetus to violence in the Kashmir Valley and elsewhere. The Indian Army may already be taking steps to 'recalibrate' its counter-infiltration grid and counter-insurgency strategies to check the intrusion.

The Indian Army has no option but to strengthen it’s presence against the PLA thwarting any further advance. India has already accelerated the pace of its own strategic infrastructure buildup along LAC, thus sending a clear message to the Chinese side on its intent to defend its territorial integrity. If we can’t stand up for our strategic interests, we will be pushed more. The earlier we stand up militarily in the overall matrix of the national response, the better because the costs of inaction will be far greater than taking action.

The more we delay the response more Galwans will happen, keeping us on the back foot.It is the government’s prerogative to take a stand, to strike when it decides or to stand down. For now, the answer is to wait patiently.

Tail piece: Military honour does not expect tears to be shed. I conclude with a simple request: to show solidarity with the military and to trust them and the government in these difficult times. Let us be proud Indians. Interestingly, even now during the Galwan Valley face-off, Congress has not condemned China for killing our 20-soldiers. It is focused on blaming the Narendra Modi-led Indian government. China has a deal with Nehru-family. This MoU was signed on August 7, 2008.

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(Author Wing Commander in the IAF, was a Fighter Controller who actively participated in 1965 and 1971 wars.

He was awarded VSM (VishishtSeva Medal) by the President of India.

Views expressed are personal.)

WORLD

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modi visit to ladakh surprises the world

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n a surprise move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Leh and forward locations on to review the ground security situation, amid ongoing tension at borders with China in eastern Ladakh.

Modi’s visit has sent out signals to the world that India is all set to hit back with iron hands at the hostile neighbours in the event of any attack.

Addressing the armed forces, he said, "The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History has been witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to retreat."

This assertion by Modi in the Ladakh region is extremely significant given the ongoing tension at the LAC with China in eastern Ladakh, barely 18 days after a violent stand-off.

While China has been concerned about India ramping up infrastructure in the Ladakh region, Modi on Friday hinted India is not reviewing that. "We have increased expenditure on development of infrastructure in the border area by three times," Modi said.

He also paid his tributes to the martyrs of the Galwan Valley clash.

Addressing the soldiers, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for their bravery and commitment to protect Indian borders. "This land will remember their sacrifices, you have made every Indian proud."

"From Ladakh to Kargil, your courage has been seen by all.

Ladakh is the crown of India and this land is sacred to us. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the country. The world knows about India's strength, our enemies' devious designs won't succeed," Modi said to soldiers in Nimu in Ladakh.

"The bravery of 14 Corps will be talked about everywhere. Tales of your bravery and valour are echoing in every house in the country. Bharat Mata's enemies have seen your fire and fury," the Prime Minister said.

In what can be seen as India's unequivocal assertion that its restraint should not be seen otherwise, he invoked Lord Krishna, "We are the same people who pray to Lord Krishna who plays a flute.

But we are also the same people who follow the same Lord Krishna who carries the 'Sudarshan Chakra'."

The Prime Minister, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, interacted with injured soldiers at the military hospital in Leh. The Prime Minister further added that whether world wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of Indian braves and their efforts towards peace.

"Those who are weak can never initiate peace, bravery is a pre-requisite for peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity," he said.

To the soldiers, he said, "Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted today. The resolve of a self-reliant India becomes stronger because of your sacrifices."

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62 COPS & CROOKS

nirav modi's properties worth Rs 1,400 cr can be conďŹ scated: Court

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n a significant order, a special court in Mumbai on June 8 ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to confiscate specified properties, worth Rs 1,400 crore, of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi within a month, a lawyer said.

"The accused (Nirav Modi) was declared a fugitive economic offender on December 5, 2019, and the order to confiscate the properties has come on Monday," according to Special Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar.

The order by PMLA Court Special Judge V. C. Barde directs the agencies concerned including

the Income Tax Department to attach and confiscate the listed properties, under Sections 12(2) and (8) of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.

However, the properties claimed by certain interested parties which are secured by way of hypothecation, mortgage etc, including valuable paintings seized by the Income Tax Department, are excluded, Special Judge Barde ruled as he partially disposed of the ED plea.

These interested parties, including banks, will be required to proceed with their claims on such mortgaged, hypothecated, guaranteed properties before a competent

court, authority or tribunal, as provided in the law.

The ED has been granted liberty to file a supplementary application in case more properties of Modi are identified for confiscation.

Modi, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi, is among the prime accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud of over Rs 14,000 crore, unearthed over two years ago.

Currently, Modi is in a London prison after his arrest by the local police in March 2019, while Choksi has become a citizen of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua & Barbuda.

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COPS & CROOKS 63

eD brings back Rs 1,350-cr diamonds, pearls of nirav-Choksi ďŹ rms T

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he Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday brought back from Hong Kong over 2,340 kg of polished diamonds, pearls, and silver jewellery valued at Rs 1,350 crore and owned by firms of fugitive diamantaires Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

These entities are based in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong.

The valuables were brought back from hong Kong to Mumbai in 108 consignments, including 32 belonging to entities controlled by Nirav and remaining to entities controlled by Choksi.

"Valuation and seizure formalities are in progress," the ED said.

These consignments had been sent to Hong Kong from Dubai in early 2018 and the officers of the Enforcement Directorate had received intelligence input about these valuables in July 2018.

The ED said that its officers were continuously engaged in discussion with various authorities in Hong Kong to bring these valuables back to India.

"Various modalities were finalised and after completing all the legal formalities, these consignments have now been brought back to India."

Earlier, the ED had successfully brought back 33 consignments of valuables from Dubai and Hong Kong in Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi case.

These valuables were evaluated on arrival and subsequently seized in India. Independent valuers assessed these earlier consignments to be worth around Rs 137 crore, the ED said.

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COPS & CROOKS

ISI spies selling army info nabbed in op Desert Chase I

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n a major crackdown on Pakistani spy network in India, Military Intelligence and Rajasthan police on June 8 caught two civil defence employees for passing on information about strategic Army installations to the ISI. One of the Indians was honey-trapped by a Pakistani woman ISI operative on social media.

Official sources said, Rajasthan police, based on intelligence input provided by Lucknow based Military Intelligence (MI) arrested Vikas Kumar (29), a civil defence employee at an Army Ammunition Depot and Chiman Lal (22), a civil contractual employee of Army's Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) for working as spies of

Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Both the Ammunition Depot in Shri Ganganagar and MMFR in Bikaner are strategically important military installations in the Western front of India.

In August, 2019 the MI Lucknow through its sleuths, had learnt about the espionage agent, Vikas Kumar who was passing military information to his handlers in Pakistan.

Kumar was cultivated by a Multan-based female Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO), on Facebook. The PIO ran a pseudonymous Facebook account, pretending to be a Hindu woman 'Anoshka Chopra' based in India.

The MI unit ascertained that Kumar was passing military inforTHE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

mation related to ORBAT (Order of Battle; composition and order of a military fighting formation), ammunition (photos, state, quantity, type, arrival, departure), units coming for firing practice/ military exercise to MFFR, personality traits of senior army officers in lieu of money. It was also found that Kumar was receiving payments in three of his own and his brother's bank accounts.

The MI Lucknow unit shared the case with Uttar Pradesh AntiTerror Squad in January, 2020, following which Kumar was monitored and analysed jointly by both the law enforcement agencies, under the operation code named 'Desert Chase'.

During the operation, sources said, it was learnt that Kumar was

COPS & CROOKS acquiring photos of a "water distribution register" at a water point/ pump house in MFFR through a contractual civil employee, Chim an Lal. However, the operation was halted due to the lockdown across the country following the coronavirus epidemic. Sources said it was observed that the "loss of critical information due to the duo continued" through the lockdown.

Last month, the agencies shared the details of the case with Rajasthan Police Intelligence. A joint team of MI Lucknow and Rajasthan Police Intelligence was formed and all the findings were analysed again, more information was acquired and conclusive evidence was gathered.

The agencies detected fresh payments and passage of more information to Pakistan. On Monday, the agencies busted the module, arresting Kumar, who is son of a retired Army personnel of village Bahadurwas, of district Jhunjhunu and Lal of village Ajitmana of district Bikaner.

During the questioning at Jaipur, official sources said, Kumar confessed that he had received a friend request from the PIO's Face-

book Profile, 'Anoshka Chopra' in March or April last year and had accepted. "They became very friendly shared their WhatsApp numbers with each other and started chatting and making audio/video calls," sources said.

Under an elaborate ISI espionage plan, the PIO was using an Indian WhatsApp number and claimed she was working at Canteen Store Department (CSD) headquarters in Mumbai. Sources said, Kumar joined several WhatsApp groups as she asked him to.

"She was in all these groups and there were many serving defence and civil defence employees in them.

"Subsequently she introduced Kumar to her 'boss', Amit Kumar Singh (pseudonym used by the handler) who was also using an Indian WhatsApp number. He at times claimed to be from CSD and at times form Military Engineer Service (MES). Once Kumar and the Pakistani handler, 'Amit Kumar Singh' started communicating, 'Anoshka Chopra' deactivated her Facebook account and WhatsApp number," sources said. The handler had convinced Kumar to acquire

65

and send him military information in exchange for money, sources said.

Chiman Lal used to regularly send photos of "water- distributionregister" kept at one of the Pump House of MFFR with all their details on almost daily basis.

Kumar, sources said, confessed to having passed information about Army units and their officials, strength at MFFR, ammunition at the ammunition depot, ORBAT (Order of battle; composition related details) of two local army brigades, visitors etc. on routine basis. He also shared pictures with his Pakistani handler.

Even though someone in March this year, had warned all the members of the PIO-recommended WhatsApp group that the group is a fraud and is being run by Pakistani spies, but Kumar continued to pass on critical information to them till June 7.

Sources said Kumar confessed to have received from his handler at least Rs 75,000 out of which he paid around Rs 9,000 to Lal for his assistance. Both of them are likely to be produced before a local court soon by the police, sources said.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

66

T

BUSINESS

THE NEWS BUREAU

he Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown has truly tested the preference of people for the banking system that provides safety for their savings with good service and better returns.

Public sector banks have got a thumbs-up of majority of account holders who feel that their hardearned money is safe there in comparison to private sector banks, according to a survey.

Private banks seem to be out of favour for the general public as account holders from across age and income groups, residing both in rural and urban areas, largely said that their trust on these banks have come down. Even cooperative banks fared better in terms of the trust factor compared to the private lenders, the survey with a sample size of 1,200 showed.

Around 12.7 per cent of the people aged above 60 years, who currently hold accounts in private banks, want to shift their accounts, out of which 12 per cent want to shift to cooperative banks and the rest 0.7 per cent are willing to shift to public banks.

Among the middle-aged (45-60 years) people, 5.1 per cent people want to shut their accounts in private banks. Out of this 5.1 per cent, 3.8 per cent want to move to a state-run bank and the rest 1.3 per cent would rather open an account in a cooperative bank.

Similarly, those in the age groups of below 25 years and 2545 years also plan to shift out of the private banks to PSBs or cooperative banks.

In the urban areas, 7.5 per cent account holders want to shift from private sector banks. The survey shows that around equal number of

private banks lose people's trust, while pSBs gain them want to move to a PSB or a cooperative bank.

In the semi-urban areas, more people want to move their accounts to cooperative banks while those in the rural areas want to go for a public sector lender.

The survey carried out during the nationwide lockdown showed that the trust among the people for private banks is very low compared to that for public sector banks.

There may be several reasons for the same, ranging from the reach of the PSBs to every corner of the country with more number of

branches compared to the private banks, to the confidence in a government-run entity. Further, several surveys and reports have also indicated that PSBs have been more helpful in terms of loan moratoriums announced by the Reserve Bank of India.

Also, in providing collateralfree loans to the needy and eligible entities under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' package, the state-run banks have been the frontrunners, which also helped them gain more trust and goodwill.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

TECHNOLOGY

67

mumbai gets India's second Integrated Flood Warning System

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THE NEWS BUREAU

umbai city has got India's second state-of-the-art Integrated Flood Warning System (IFWS) which will make it possible to predict floods at least three days in advance, enabling more lives to be saved.

It was jointly inaugurated by Union Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of top officials from both sides vide video-conferencing on June 12.

Harsh Vardhan said that with this, the scientists of MoES - who developed the IFWS - have proved that we are not less than anyone in the world in science.

"Mumbai floods, especially in 2005 and 2017, are etched in everyone's memory. This highly advan ced IFWS will help the people of

the city in a big way," Harsh Vardhan said.

Terming it as a 'gift to the people of Mumbai,' Thackeray said "The IFWS is a blessing for Mumbai in a situation where mon soon has become more difficult to predict. In the IMD had not given early warning of Nisarga Cyclone, the effect would have been disastrous. It is necessary to do flood management as Mumbai has some areas which are lower than the sealevel, making it difficult for water to drain out."

The IFWS will help Mumbai become more resilient by providing early - at least 72 hours before, along with 3-6 hours Nowcast or immediate weather updates - flood warnings, especially during high rain and cyclones.

This would help evacuate people from low-lying areas as the forecast would be available in

advance before a particular spot may get flooded, besides forecasting the amount of rainfall for each pocket.

MoES Secretary Dr. M. Rajeevan said that more than 160 observatories and 4 more radars (by 2021 season) have been ordered for Mumbai to enable forecasting rainfall with a precision of 500 metres and every 15 minutes.

Brihan Mumbai Municipal Commissioner I. S. Chahal said iFlowsMumbai can be a model for the rest of India and expressed gratitude to the Centre for launching it well before the onset of monsoon 2020 in Mumbai.

IMD Mumbai's DDGM K. S. Hosalikar said that four Doppler Radars for Mumbai will be installed by monsoon 2021 to make Mumbai, Maharashtra and the country more weather resilient.

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

68 SHOBHA’S PAT ON MIND

DR SHOBHA RAJU

“Aatma Hatya mahaa paapam” ...Suicide is The greatest Sin

S

uicide is called “Aatma Hatya” in Sanskrit. Even in Telugu it’s called so...a derivative. Usually “Aatma” means soul. “Aatma Hatya” means murder of the soul?

Krishna says in Bhagavadgeeta: नैनंछिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनंदहति पावकः। न चैनंक्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥ The soul cannot be cut into pieces by weapons, cannot be burnt by fire, cannot be drenched by water, cannot be withered by wind.

Einstein says, “ All the energy of the universe is constant and it can neither be created nor destroyed”.

What Krishna spoke about the soul came out as the law of Physics from the great scientist, Einstein.

Let’s put both of them aside for a while and look into the facts.

Same parents give birth to two kids. They are raised in the same atmosphere, same ambience, same opportunities, same food etc the same. Just observe the distinctive characteristics of those two kids.

One will be mild, the other will be aggressive. One likes one variety of food, the other ...another. One likes

Indian classical music, the other pop.

I was surprised to see my 5/6 year old nephew, born and brought up in USA, drawing Lord Venkateswara’s pictures, doing Pujas, chanting Sanskrit stotras, being interested in Indian classical music, singing devotionals....much into Indian traditions and arts. The other two kids are also very good by heart but their aptitudes and attitudes are much different though some commonality is there because of being raised in the same conditions by the same parents.

Recently I saw one baby silently shedding tears as his mother was singing an English song. It felt as if he is moved by some memories. I saw one baby joyfully clapping when a Bhajan was sung and started crying when any other song was played. I have seen another small boy singing like an Ustad.

I sang my own composition on Lord Krishna at the age of four or five. By then no one told me about Krishna. How was that possible?

All this support the theory of “Punarajanma” (Rebirth). Unless “something” carries forward the traits of the previous birth to the present birth, how can kids be so distinct in their aptitudes and attitudes? How can baby me sing my own composition on Krishna when no one spoke about Him to me?

Most of the people have called that “something” as “Aatma”... some have called “Prana”... some have called it Energy... so on.

Whatever the name could be, there is some unseen “substance” that bears the some total actions, thoughts, words, tastes, indulgences etc as a seed and carries it forward to next birth. That seed unfolds as a child grows into a man. When those previous birth’s traits are very strong, we find them unfolding in the early childhood itself.

So that “something” within every human body can be believed to be eternal. Why? Here comes some more logical base : Our ancient spiritual scientists renounced everything and volun-

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

tarily chose to know their real identity not to be the body but that “something” which doesn’t perish.

We have to trust their thesis for they didn’t do the research for getting funds or doctorates or positions. It was the outcome of pure inquisitiveness to know “Who am I?”. They also shared their wisdom with the deserving ones with similar “Shraddha” (devout interest) without expectation of any fees of any kind. The wisdom was about that “substance” that was discussed in all the spiritual texts like Vedas.... Upanishads... Puranas..... etc., like what is that “Something”?

How is that “Something”? How to realize that “Something”?

All our art forms, branches of education, different professions were based on this single quest “what is that something?” They all helped one to be in tune with the quest. That honest quest helped some to accept the truth like a child accepts his father upon his mother showing him; some believed the truth as they could have a hazy experience of that “Something”; some could believe as their masters demonstrated unbelievable energies and miracles and some could realize that “something” as a result of their own Sadhana.

The association with The Masters of yester years, who mastered the mind, gave the aspirants at least that mental strength to withstand the the highs & lows in life.

When one could realize that the one is that eternal “something”, and the life on the planet is transitory, people had the right kind of association with the world, not allowing their mind go hysterical about the mundane bonds, though they loved all with their full hearts.

Even to cry over a loving bond, you need a healthy mind. The cry becomes a piece of poetry. To that matter, all the heroines and heroes of our classic texts like “Megha

SHOBHA’S PAT ON MIND 69

Sandesham”, “Abhignyaana Shaku ntalam” and so on, experienced the pangs of separation with their counter parts. Even Rama and Seetamma in Ramayana experienced the pain of separation. They have become beautiful pieces of poetry.

When we read, eyes dampen with ecstasy. They go to the extent of saying, “Why doesn’t this life leave my body without him/her ?”, but didn’t commit suicide.

In India, even a beggar of yonder years, had enough of philosophy, as to handle his way of life with grace. Each one involved in his respective profession with so much devotion and commitment.

The monetary returns from the profession was secondary. Doing the

duty in the best possible way to them was the prime.

Checking one’s actions whether were right or wrong was done by one’s own conscience at every step.

Because they new Law of Karma.

If not compassion, the fear of this Law of Karma which would get us back the equal result of our actions was mostly keeping a check on people from committing sins. They took their bad situations as the results for their past sins and went through with their mind fixed on God with mental equilibrium.

Harischandra was an emperor who ended up to be an attendant in a burial ground. He didn’t commit suicide. Went through with the awareness of truth.... that “Something” though he reacted like human to the situations in life.

The girl didn’t accept the boy’s proposal. Commit suicide. The girl

didn’t get rank in the tenth class.

Commit suicide. Father shouted for coming late to the house. Commit suicide. Friend didn’t talk for a few days. Commit suicide. From such silly reasons to so called very serious situations.... nothing is ineligible for suicide nowadays.

Why are they taking life so cheap and living so serious?

“Atma” in “Atma Hatya” is not meant to be the soul.... for no one can kill the the soul, which we referred to as “something”. Atma has another connotation.... self.

“Killing one’s own self” is “Aatma Hatya”. Why do they resort to end one’s own life?

Because they wrongly identify themselves with the temporary body and limit the unlimited inner powers to superficial mind. The mind plays ego games and makes them commit suicide. “I failed tenth. What would other friends think of me? How insulting is it?”

How foolish is this thinking? Ok. Don’t they think that you have failed if you die? You immortalized your failure by committing suicide.

If you were alive, you could had the chance of attempting second time and come out in flying colors.

Or could do something better than that. How many people did try this path? How many people restarted from zero and reached the zenith of success? By committing suicide you didn’t escape the insult. You aggravated it. Additionally you have earned the great sin of committing suicide. How pained your parents would be? Is that the reward you give to the parents that have sacrificed their own comfort and convenience for your sake and toiled day and night for your sake?

Can’t you bear a bit of anger from the angels called your parents?

How sad your friends feel? Are you walking out on them?

What if the girl didn’t say “yes” to your proposal? First of all who

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

70 SHOBHA’S PAT ON MIND

said its love? If it’s love, why it’s not been said to an old person?

Only to an young person of opposite sex? Then how could it be just love? It’s the play of hormones. To satisfy the hormonal urge, you could wait for another suitable person. Why ending life deliberately? If you really love the other person, why would you give the stress of your death to the other? If you love the other person, why would you not allow the other person to have his/her choice and be happy?

Some people end life with financial stress. I am sure world has enough opportunities to make a decent living. Death isn’t the solution. When avarice or mental fixation of certain standard is present in mind, may be its difficult to make a living.

Steve jobs started Apple Company in a car garage and could create jobs to so many. How many amazing stories do we listen in social media? An auto driver turning out to be successful businessman.... another auto driver making his auto innovatively equipped and making a better living.... how a molested woman turns out to be a social activist and runs a home for the destitute and enables them to make a decent living .... how a person with special needs strives to learn skills and turns out to be a big enterpreneur.... so many instances to inspire you to live life lively.

Some big wigs have escaped repaying the huge bank loans. But the Branch of The Consciousness Bank is in every atom of the universe.

The Banker is very smart to impose the law of Karma and get you pay off your Karma. None can escape It. The “Something” carries your Karma to next birth and makes you pay it again from there where you ended in previous birth.

In schools and colleges, I see

students burdened with bundles of information. Everything concentrated on procuring a job for livelihood. The art of living is not taught. The courage to face the tuff times isn’t taught. Right from the class one, the students are taught to be in competition and get the rank and get seat in prestigious colleges and jobs in big MNCs. People have forgotten the joy of living. They have forgotten to feel the joy of looking at the moon, sunrise, moving clouds..listening to the birds.... they cannot smile naturally at people.... it is cinematic.

Give the students the wisdomgems of life right from their KG and expose them to nature as much as possible. Teach them Viveka nanda. Talk to them in a friendly and understanding way. Teachers should involve more in personal Tete-a-tete with students more trying to identify their psychological issues. Parents ..no doubt are Gods...providers for children. But it shouldn’t give them right to be boss over them. Friendly dealing with them helps a lot in knowing their mental inadequacies and correct them.

A piece of suggestion to friends: Friends are prime in one’s life once one becomes an adult. One confides most in friends than siblings if they are open and genuine.

Please give value to the position of a friend and try to be genuine in your dealings. World is so cruel. In the race of life, co-runners are ruthless. They don’t overtake by merit.

They look for foul means like dashing a prospective winner & make him fall ,doesn’t matter even if he doesn’t win. That particular person who is likely to win shouldn’t win....is the philosophy. There are many foul ways to pull down a winner. So friends play a great role in being moral support to their winning friend. If friends themselves get stung by jealousy, the

winner would loose the morale.

Frustration leads to thoughts of dejection and ultimately suicide.

What for you are called a friend if you cannot say a word of encouragement and stand by at the testing times.

The recent suicide of Sushanth gave a big jolt to the country. He looked very happy person. He isn’t in such a position that he has to search for means for livelihood also. A friend’s comforting and encouraging word at the right time could have saved his life.

Society! Please don’t sulk under jealousy and easily cause damage with your words and actions. I liked a dialogue in good old “Shiridi ke Sai” movie. “Karma yog ke bhatti me sabhee ko jalnaa padtaa hai”. Don’t snatch the plate from the other person from which he is eating. Please mind...What goes around comes around. Don’t be cruel to people. We don’t know what’s they are going through.

Please be righteous and loving in your approach to life.

Friends with suicidal tendencies have to know that if we separate the body from that “Something” deliberately, say by suicide, the something or the subtle body or the soul will wander in pain without a physical body to express itself...an unimaginable and disastrous situation! I don’t know if the soul gets the human birth again. Please do not spoil the valuable human birth.

Put it to good use. If your mind isn’t obeying your “Buddhi” (guiding aspect of the conscience), take psychiatric help. That’s the least. Right kind of spiritual process puts you to peace in life.

“Deh binaa dataa! Bhatke naa praan!”

May no soul wander restlessly without a body God!

THE NEWS YOU LIKE | JULY 2020

(Author is a well-known musician, Devotional singer, writer and composer.)

The News You Like July, 2020

RNI No: APENG/2013/48048 P.R. No. RNP/HD/1187/2020-22 (DOP: 1st of Every Month; DOP: 8/9-7-2020)