01-09-2022 The Asian Independent
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Vol : 06 : #99 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
UK's Royal Mail workers
stage 2nd strike in pay row
London : Workers of the UK's
Royal Mail on Wednesday walked out
on a strike again in a bitter dispute
over pay, with further industrial action
planned.
Members of the Communication
Workers Union mounted picket lines
outside Royal Mail offices across the
country, reports dpa news agency.
The Union said more than 100,000
workers are involved, making it the
biggest strike of the summer.
The action follows a walkout last
week and there will be further stoppages
on September 8-9.
The action is in protest at a 2 per
cent pay rise, although the company
has said more money is on offer.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward
said: "There can be no doubt that
postal workers are completely united
in their determination to secure the
dignified, proper pay rise they
deserve.
"We can't keep on
living in a country
where bosses rake in
billions in profit
while their employees
are forced to use
food banks.
"Postal workers
won't meekly accept
their living standards
being hammered
by greedy
business leaders
who are completely out of touch with
modern Britain.
"They are sick of corporate failure
getting rewarded again and again."
CWU deputy general secretary
Terry Pullinger said: "Our members
worked miracles during the pandemic
and know full well what they are
worth. "They are fighting for a nostrings,
real-terms pay rise - something
they are fully entitled to.
"Those managing Royal Mail
Group are treating our members with
contempt by imposing such a minimal
amount."
A Royal Mail spokesman said:
"The CWU's self-centred actions with
the wider trade union movement is
putting jobs at risk, and making pay
rises less affordable."
Nagaland CM once again demands early
settlement of Naga political issues
Kohima : Nagaland Chief
Minister Neiphiu Rio,
demanding an early settlement
of Naga political issues, said
that his state government
would not obstruct but would
pave the way in Naga wisdom
and resign for the interim government.
Inaugurating the Lotha
Hoho (Lotha Tribal Council)
building at Wokha district
town late on Tuesday evening,
he said that the present allparty
United Democratic
Alliance (UDA) government
is sincere and committed to
resolve the Naga issue.
"The settlement (of Naga
political issue) should come at
the earliest and if so happen,
we would not obstruct but
would pave the way in Naga
wisdom and tribal wisdom and
resign for the interim government
and think in terms of
how Nagas should live as a
united family and progress
with the help of God," Rio
said.
He said that on the Naga
political issue the negotiating
parties have already signed the
framework agreement and the
agreed position which means
they have signed to be with the
Indian Union, but to recognise
the unique history of the
Nagas and to co-exist with a
new relationship of the two
entities which was done in the
spirit of framework agreement.
Stating that Nagaland is a
special status state, Rio said
the special status given to the
state involves decision according
to state's Customary Law.
"We have a recognised tradition
and customary law and
the guardians of the customary
law and traditions of the Nagas
and the community is the apex
body of the tribal hohos and
the Village Council institutional
Chairman is the ultimate
authority."
He urged the guardians of
customary law and traditions
to know the true meaning of
the institution and work
accordingly for the welfare of
the Naga community. Noting
that Wokha district in western
Nagaland is so fertile and
blessed with natural resources,
the Chief Minister urged the
Lotha community to work
hard for a progressive society.
He also called upon the
people to think positively and
know how to exist in peace
and harmony with one another
for a progressive Naga society.
Rio also stated that there
are about 15 schemes directly
benefiting the farmers and
appealed to the District
Administration and concerned
departments for monitoring of
the schemes and policies so
that schemes are properly
implemented and to ensure
that both Central and state
schemes and policies reach the
targeted people.
Statewide protest call over
police inaction against
rape accused K'taka seer
Bengaluru : Dalit and
student organizations and
others have given a
statewide protest call against
the ruling BJP and the
Karnataka police on
September 2, condemning
the inaction against rape
accused Lingayat seer
Murugha Shivamurthy
Sharanaru of Murugha mutt
in Chitradurga of Karnataka.
Posters have been
released by various groups
on social media calling for
the immediate arrest of
Murugha who is facing a sexual assault case by
minor girls. The protesters will gather near the
Freedom Park in Bengaluru at 10.30 a.m.
The posters announced that the protest will be
backed by women's organizations, labour unions,
farmer and daily wage workers' unions, minority
institutions, NGOs, advocates associations and
sexual minority groups.
The rape accused seer is holding a meeting
with close aides including 4th accused
Paramashivaiah at the mutt on Wednesday. The
District and Sessions court is taking up the bail
petition of the accused seer on Thursday.
Sources in the mutt said that the meeting will
decide on the future course of action in case the
court rejects the bail plea of
the accused seer.
The officials of the Child
Welfare Committee have
shifted most of the girl students
from the Murugha mutt
hostel following the development.
Former Chief Minister H
D Kumaraswamy stated on
Wednesday that it is wrong to
accuse politicians of being
silent on the POCSO case
against the seer. "There is no
chance that we chose to
ignore the incident. The concerned
authorities should be deciding on this and
initiating action. Politics should not be mixed
with this incident and care should be taken not to
hurt religious feelings at the same time," he
added.
Posts slamming the political parties and
prominent leaders over the issue have also gone
viral. "Do not sympathize with rape accused seer.
Siddaramaiah who claims himself as a socialist
and progressive should have raised his voice for
poor victim girls who are minors belonging to
oppressed classes."
The posts also chided former CM B S
Yediyurappa, saying that morals should prevail
over caste.
2
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
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Is CBI acquiring reputation
of being a drain inspector?
New Delhi : The CBI is acquiring
the reputation of being a drain inspector.
Nailing small fry has become the
norm. From being India's premier anticorruption
agency, it has been relegated
to a poor cousin with the emergence
of the Enforcement Directorate
armed to the teeth with PMLA.
Moreover, as the case travels up the
food chain, it gets weaker due to poor
quality of investigation and weak evidence
which does not add up before
the higher courts. The data released by
the Central Vigilance Commission
(CVC) show that in 2021, the Central
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recorded
2.27 per cent lower conviction rate
as compared to 2020.
In 2021, the CBI achieved conviction
in 67.56 per cent of the cases
whereas in 2020 the conviction rate
stood at 69.83 per cent.
These figures mostly refer to convictions
in the trial courts, as the numbers
come down as cases move to the
upper courts. In most cases, the CBI
gets defeated in the upper courts due
to lapses in investigation and lack of
evidence. Senior advocate Geetha
Luthra said that this could be because
most such cases are political in nature
and come from different states.
"Unless there is watertight evidence,
the accused gets acquitted,"
Luthra said. Apart from this, at times
the central probe agency also fails to
furnish chargesheets on time due to
lack of man power and work overload.
Last year, the CBI had told the
Supreme Court that it is working hard
to increase the conviction rate to 75
per cent. In 2020, its conviction rate
was 69.83 per cent, which was higher
than 2021 (67.56 per cent).
CBI Director S.K. Jaiswal, in an
affidavit furnished before the apex
court in 2021, had stated that by
August 2022, the agency would take
the conviction rate to 75 per cent.
The CVC data show that last year,
the agency lodged 680 cases and initiated
preliminary inquiry in 67 cases,
while these figures stood at 589 cases
and 87 preliminary inquiries in 2020.
In 2021, around 10,232 cases were
pending before various courts, including
275 cases under the Prevention of
Corruption Act, which were pending
before the courts for more than 20
years. In 2021, the CBI proved its case
Odisha Police destroy one
tonne of seized ganja
before the courts on 202 occasions,
while 82 persons were acquitted, 15
persons were discharged due to lack of
evidence against them, while 61 cases
were disposed of for other reasons.
There were other issues with the
federal probe agency as in many cases
it have failed to furnish the
chargesheet on time. "The CBI is normally
required to complete investigation
in a registered case within one
year. Completion of investigation
would imply filing of chargesheet
wherever warranted after receiving
sanction from the competent authority.
The Commission has observed that
there have been some delays in completing
the investigation in certain
cases," the CVC mentioned in its
report. However, the report said that it
may have happened due to Covid-19,
lack of manpower, work overload and
delay in obtaining responses to Letters
Rogatory (LR), a formal request from
a court to a foreign court for some type
of judicial assistance. Also, there are
around 55 cases which were lodged
against the senior officials of the CBI.
However, the investigation into these
cases have been very slow. Twentyseven
cases out of the 55 are pending
for more than four years before the
agency.
There are 20 other cases lodged
against low-rank officials of the CBI,
which are also pending, including nine
cases pending for more than four
years. This shows that when it comes
to taking action against its own officials,
the CBI goes slow.
High-profile cases where CBI
failed
Sushant Singh Rajput case: The
CBI has failed to complete its investigation
into the death of Sushant Singh
Rajput, who passed away in June 2020
under mysterious circumstances. His
body was found hanging from the ceiling
fan of his rented accommodation
in Mumbai. The CBI had recreated the
crime scene but the investigation is
still pending.
Arushi Talwar case: Arushi
Talwar and domestic help Hemraj
Banjade were murdered during the
intervening night of May 15 and 16 in
2008. The case was handed over to the
CBI in 2009. The Allahabad High
Court acquitted the accused saying the
evidence was not beyond reasonable
doubt.
2G Case: The CBI had failed to
prove its case in the alleged 2G spectrum
scam that cost the exchequer Rs
176,000 crore. Special Judge O.P.
Saini, who oversaw the trial of all 2G
spectrum cases since early 2011, had
said in 2017 that his seven-year anticipation
for evidence ended "all in
vain" because the case was mainly
based on "rumour, gossip and speculation".
Gunfight breaks out
at J&K's Sopore
Bhubaneswar : Odisha Police have destroyed nearly
one tonne of contraband ganja,
Team AI :
Devinder Chander
Editor-in-chief
Columnists
V.B. Rawat
Farzana Suri
Arun Kumar
Rahul Kumar
Head Office
Samaj Media Enterprise Ltd.
46 Summer Road
Erdington, Birmingham UK
B23 6UR
+44 7878 456 484
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Email :
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which were seized from the
exclusive possession of
accused persons, police officials
said here on Wednesday.
"Following due procedure
laid down by Orissa High Court
and on the decision of drug disposal
committee led by SP,
Special Task Force (STF),
Bhubaneswar, the drugs were
destroyed at a designated incinerator
in the presence of scientific
officers of state forensic
science laboratory and members
of State Pollution Board,"
the officials from STF said.
The STF had seized the
ganja in August, 2021 and registered
a case against the
accused persons under NDPS
Act, 1985.
The seized drugs were first
certificated by a concerned
court and handed over to the
drug disposal committee for
destruction. This is the first
ever pre-trial disposal case,
they said. In the recent years,
during a drive against narcotics,
especially ganja and
brown sugar by Odisha police,
there has been huge piling up of
seized narcotic drugs.
As the trial of narcotics
cases takes time, these seized
drugs remain stocked at police
stations or court Malkhanas
exposed to all kinds of vulnerabilities.
The piling up of seized
drugs has been a cause of concern
and Supreme Court in the
case of Mohanlal Vs. Union of
India passed a detailed order on
disposal of the seized drugs,
especially emphasising on pretrial
disposal of seized drugs.
However, because of some
procedural and technical ambiguity,
seized drugs could not be
disposed of. In this backdrop,
the STF had approached the
High Court of Orissa with a
prayer for a certain direction to
resolve the issues, informed the
officials.
Finally, on January 31, 2022,
the High Court passed a landmark
judgment directing the
subordinate courts to dispose of
the applications filed under
NDPS Act, 1985 issuing a
detailed SOP in this regard.
Following the SOP, the seized
ganjas were destroyed, they
added.
Srinagar : An encounter started between terrorists and security
forces at Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district
on Wednesday, police said.
"Encounter has started at Bomai area of Sopore. Security
forces are on the job," police said.
The firefight started after a joint team of security forces got
an input about the presence of terrorists in that area. As they cordoned
it off, the hiding terrorists started firing, drawing retaliation
by the security forces.
On Tuesday three LeT terrorists were killed in an encounter
at Nagbal area in Shopian district.
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ASIA
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
3
Indian American charged
with hate crime against
another Indian American
Washington : An Indian-descent
man has been charged with hate crime
against another Indian-descent man in
perhaps the first of its kind case.
California prosecutors have
charged Tejinder Singh, 37 with hate
crime in violation of civil rights,
assault and disturbing the peace by
using offensive language. He is not in
custody but on probation and a courtdate
is awaited.
Indians and Indian-descent
Americans have been targeted for
hateful comments and remarks and
even violence. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a
computer engineer, was killed in
Kansas in 2017 by a man who said he
had mistaken him for someone from
the Middle East. Balbir Singh Sodhi
was the first person killed in the backlash
against the September 11, 2001
terrorist attacks. He was once again
mistaken for someone from the
Middle East. Sikhs find themselves
targeted frequently.
But the Monday incident in
California is perhaps the first instance
of an Indian-descent American being
accused of committing a hate crime
against another India-descent person.
Singh picked on the victim's religion,
his country of birth and his people.
In a video recording of the incident,
Singh is seen unloading himself on
another customer, who has self-identified
himself as Krishnan Jayaraman at
a Taco Bell restaurant in California on
Monday.
Singh repeatedly called him "dirty
ass Hindu", "ugly ass Hindu" and frequently
used the N-word. He switched
to Punjabi to abuse Indira Gandhi, the
Indian Prime Minister who was assassinated
by her Sikh bodyguards.
He mocked Jayaraman's order of
"bean burritos", which are vegetarian,
and the way he looked, and repeatedly
pointed to his "open toes", calling him
"disgusting".
"Maybe wear some socks. Nobody
wants to see your ugly a** feet. You're
disgusting. You people are f***ing
ugly. You're disgusting and nasty.
You're disgusting, dog, seriously," he
said.
Singh went on to tell Jayaraman
that it were "you people" who were the
"first to kneel" before the East India
Company, the English trading company
that led to the colonisation of India
by the British for more than 200 years.
The man went on to disparage
Jayaraman as one of those who came
to the US on H-1B visa, a short-term
non-immigrant work visa that is
issued for American companies to hire
foreign workers to make up for shortage
of local hands in high specialty
fields. The programme has been held
responsible by its critics for layoffs
and the backlash has been felt by
Indians working here and Indian
Americans at large.
"The part that sucked was that the
abuser spit on the counter where food
was being served and despite pointing
that out, the Taco Bell employees continued
serving the food on it,"
Jayaraman wrote in a post on twitter,
in which he also thanked Fremont
police for responding.
The Fremont incident came close
on the heels of another incident in
which Indians or Indian Americans
were targets of hateful and abusive
language.
"Go back to India, we don't want
you here," a woman, who identified
herself as Mexican-American told a
group of Indian Americans in Plano,
Texas last Saturday.
She was arrested later. "This incident
is a hate crime in accordance with
Texas laws," the Plano police said in a
statement. "This incident may also be
a hate crime based on federal law, and
we are working closely with the FBI
and the Department of Justice Civil
Rights Division on this case."
Laos expects to attract 900,000
foreign visitors in 2022
Vientiane : The Laos government plans to attract 900,000
foreign visitors in 2022, which is expected to generate more than
$218 million, according to the latest report from the Tourism
Development Department.
The outlook for the tourism industry is positive following the
reopening of the country to international tourists since May 9,
Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday citing the
Department as saying.
The number of tourist arrivals has increased significantly in
recent months, giving a boost to the supply of foreign currency,
which is urgently needed to buy imported goods.
The scenic Vang Vieng, the Luang Prabang World Heritage
Site and the low value of the kip are among the main attractions
for visitors from neighbouring countries.
Taj Mahal's name change game
falls flat in corporation session
Agra : Another attempt to force change
the name of the Taj Mahal to "Tejo Mahal"
fell flat, after noisy scenes and frayed tempers
in a special session of the Agra
Municipal Corporation on Wednesday.
A corporator had moved a resolution
demanding the name change, on the basis
of claimed "historical evidence" that the
Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple.
But due to the din, and groups of corporators
shouting slogans, the matter could
not be taken up. Mayor Navin Jain
adjourned the house indefinitely, after failing
to bring the session to order.
While the Hindutva group was adamant
to move the resolution, the BSP and
Congress corporators opposed the initiative,
claiming that the High Court and the
Supreme Court, had already dismissed the
plea.
Outside the house, various Hindutva
groups continued to shout slogans, as corporation
officials tried hard to pacify the
agitated members of the house.
Senior BJP corporator Anurag
Chaturvedi told IANS that the initiative
was legally flawed and could not be pursued.
The property belongs to the ASI,
therefore only the Union government could
take a decision.
The term of the Agra Municipal
Corporation ends in November. Ahead of
the elections, the parties are trying to raise
the pitch. Meanwhile, the Agra tourism
industry has suggested to maintain the status
quo. A new tourist season begins from
September 27. "Therefore, efforts should
be made to maintain peace and harmony,"
a tourism stakeholder said.
4
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 ASIA
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Nepal announces visit
of Indian Army chief
Kathmandu : India's Chief of Army
Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande will
arrive in Kathmandu on September 4 on a
four-day visit to the Himalayan nation, the
Nepali Army said in a statement on
Wednesday.
Accompanied by a five-member delegation,
General Pande's visit comes on an
invitation by his Nepal counterpart General
Parbhu Ram Sharma.
The main events in the Indian Army
chief's itinerary include paying homage at
the martyr's memorial in the Army
Pavilion, receive a guard of honor at the
Army Headquarters, hold a meeting with
General Sharma, hand over various nonlethal
military items to the Nepali Army,
interaction with student officers at Army
Command and Staff College, Shivapuri,
and a visit to the Mid-Command
Headquarters in Pokhara, the statement
said. As Nepal and India are celebrating the
establishment of 75th years of diplomatic
ties, General Pande will announce a huge
military assistance to Kathmandu, sources
said.
The main highlight of the visit will be
the conferment of the rank of an Honorary
General of the Nepali Army to General
Pande by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari
on September 5.
Nepal and India have a long standing
tradition of conferment of the rank of the
honorary title to both armies since 1950.
General Pande is also scheduled to meet
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who
also holds the defence portfolio.
This is his first visit to Nepal after
assuming office on April 30 after the retirement
of his predecessor Manoj Mukund
Naravane.
Nepal's General Sharma was given the
honorary title of Chief of the Indian Army
by the former President Ram Nath Kovind
in November last year.
Fake call centre busted
in Gurugram, six held
Gurugram : Cyber crime
team of the Gurugram police
busted an illegal call centre
operating at Sector-42 in
Gurugram. The call centre
mostly used to cheat the US
and Canadian nationals on the
pretext of technical support, the
police said on Wednesday.
According to the police, a
team of the cyber crime police
station led by ACP (DLF)
Priyanshu Diwan, raided the
call centre which was located at
P-120, Sector-46 in Gurugram
following a tip-off. During the
raid, the police arrested six
accused including the manager
in connection with the matter
and seized seven desktops and
one modem along with other
electronic gadgets. The arrested
accused have been identified as
Vikas Bhadana, Paras Sood,
Thachang Tungshanao,
Avinash, Ram Basua and
Abhislash Singh, the call centre
manager. While the call centre
and house owner has been identified
as Sachin Taneja.
"We received specific inputs
that a fake call centre had
cheated the several US and
Canadian nationals on the pretext
of technical support. The
youth were employed at the call
centre, which was being operated
without a licence issued by
the Department of
Telecommunications (DOT),"
said Priyanshu Diwan, ACP
(DLF). "During the questioning,
the accused revealed that
they used to communicate with
US and Canadian citizens to
provide technical support such
as Norton Antivirus, McAfee,
Webroot, Window Support
with the help of Dialler/X-Lite
Application and used to charge
200/500 dollars via E-Gift
redeemed card. The arrested
accused used to work in the
same call centres a year back
and were getting Rs 40,000-
45,000 salary plus insensitive
from Sachin," he added.
"The matter is under investigation.
How the accused was
operating the fake call centre
it's a part of an investigation.
The involvement of other people
cannot be ruled out. The
culprits are on police remand
for further questioning," the
officer said. An FIR under relevant
sections of the Indian
Penal Code (IPC) and the IT
Act has been registered at the
Cyber crime police station.
Body of missing man found on Swiss glacier after over 30 yrs
Berlin/Bern : The body of a
man from Germany who has
been missing since 1990 has
been found on a glacier near
Zermatt in Switzerland, police
said. Mountaineers discovered
the mortal remains and equipment
of the man from Baden-
Wurttemberg state on the
Stockji glacier at the end of July,
dpa news reported citing the
police as saying on Tuesday.
According to officials, a
DNA comparison showed that it
was undoubtedly the missing
person from the German town
of Nurtingen.
He was 27 years old when he
went missing.
In August 1990, the deceased
was on a multi-day mountain
tour in the Valais Alps from
Chamonix, France, to
Domodossola, Italy.
When he did not arrive at his
destination, rescue efforts were
initiated, but the 27-year-old
was not found.
German police assume that
he died in an accident.
According to Swiss police,
the fact that the man has now
been found is related to retreating
glaciers.
Amidst retreating ice, the
mortal remains of people have
come to light, some of whom
had been missing for decades.
United Sikhs rushes
relief supplies for
Pakistan flood victims
New Delhi : UN-affiliated
NGO United Sikhs
has rushed relief supplies
for flood victims in
Pakistan's Charsadda district
where thousands of
people and the livestock
were badly hit, besides
unprecedented damage to
the property.
Local Sikh volunteers
of United Sikhs have setup
a camp to move floodaffected
families to safe
areas and provide them
with food, water, and other
immediate supplies under
the leadership of the
organisation's representative
in Pakistan, Herdyal
Singh.
So far the floods have injured 1,634, damaging nearly 10,000
homes, 149 bridges, 170 shops, and 3,451 km of road stretch as
per the latest report of National Disaster Management Authority.
Ravi Kumar, a member of the Provincial Assembly Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, visited Nowshera and met local families and appreciating
the efforts of United Sikhs to support the relief efforts.
Another United Sikhs volunteer, Sagarjeet Singh, who is a
member of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, said
incessant floods collapsed the roof of Gurdwara at Shikarpur
Singh, killing people and destroying the entire building.
The saroop, also called Bir in Punjabi, of the Guru Granth
Sahib was retrieved safely and moved to the nearby home of a
Gursikh family, he said.
The United Sikhs has issued a global appeal for relief and medical
supplies for the medical camps it is arranging for the people.
Seema Patra declared son mentally
unstable for standing up for maid
Ranchi : Jharkhand BJP leader Seema Patra had allegedly
chained her own son and
dumped him in a mental
asylum when he stood in
defence of their housemaid,
who was reportedly abused
and tortured by her.
When Ayushman Patra
objected to her conducts
towards their maid, Seema
declared that her son is
mentally unstable, put chain
on his hands and forcefully
got him admitted to the
Ranchi Institute of Neuro-
Psychiatry and Allied
Sciences.
It has been learnt that after the episodes of tortures on Sunita,
the maid, made way to the press, Seema got her son discharged
from the medical facility on Monday.
Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais, meanwhile, has taken
cognisance of the matter and expressed "serious concern" over
the lackadaisical attitude of the police.
He also sought to know from the DGP as to why no action has
been taken against the accused yet.
Meanwhile, the police on Tuesday recorded Sunita's statement
in the court under Section 164 of CrPc.
Sunita told the court that she had been dabbed with hot pan
all over the body a lot of times. Also, she was hit with iron rod,
due to which she lost 2-3 teeth. In fact, she was also not provided
food or water for days, Sunita said.
Sunita was rescued by the police on August 22 from the posh
Ashok Nagar locality in Ranchi. However, no arrests have been
made in connection with the case so far.
She was working at Patra's house for the last eight years.
Seema's husband, Maheshwar Patra, is a retired IAS officer.
The police had said that the girl somehow managed to send a
text message to a staff of Jharkhand government's personnel
department detailing her ordeal. He then informed the police and
eventually a team was set up to rescue the girl from Patra's residence.
Sumita hails from Jharkhand's Gumla district.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
NEWS
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
5
Atrocities/Crime against Dalit and Adivasi
as per Crime in India Report, 2021
National Crime Record Bureau-NCRB
National Coalition for
Strengthening SCs and STs (PoA)
Act (NCSPA), a platform of more
than 500 Dalits and Adivasis civil
society organisations, communities,
leaders and activists welcomes the
release of Crime in India 2021 report.
Data on crimes against Dalits and
Adivasis draws a distinct pattern of
similarity between rural and urban
spaces. The latest data published by
the National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) also captures some anomalies
and interesting trends. Every
year there is an increase in atrocities
against Dalits and Adivasis. Even the
2021 Crime data shows the similar
trend of upsurge in violence; with
large proportion of crimes against
Dalits and Adivasi women and children.
The Crime in India Report 2021
data has revealed that:
Atrocities/Crime against
Scheduled Castes have increased by
1.2% in 2021 (50900) over 2020
(50,291 cases). Uttar Pradesh (13,146
cases) reported the highest number of
cases of atrocities against Scheduled
Castes (SCs) accounting for 25.82%
followed by Rajasthan with 14.7%
(7524) and Madhya Pradesh with
14.1% (7214) during 2021. The next
two states in the list are Bihar
accounting for 11.4% (5842) and
Odisha 4.5% (2327). The above top
five states reported 70.8% of cases of
atrocities against Scheduled Castes.
The recent incidents of atrocities
against Scheduled Castes in
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana
reflects the harsh realities of caste
based violence against SCs and STs.
Atrocities/Crime against
Scheduled Tribes have increased by
6.4% in 2021 (8,802 cases) over 2020
(8,272 cases). Madhya Pradesh (2627,
Islamabad, Aug 31 (IANS) The
death toll in Pakistan's catastrophic
flooding has increased to 1,162 as the
cash-strapped country struggles to rescue
and care for millions of people
displaced by the surging waters.
The National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) said the victims
included 384 children and 231
women, and the death toll is expected
to further increase in the coming days,
dpa news agency reported on
Wednesday.
More than 33 million people in
some 116 of Pakistan's 160 administrative
districts have been affected by
the floods triggered by incessant monsoon
rain since mid-Jine, with at least
72 districts being declared disaster
areas. Hundreds of thousands of people
are currently living without food,
clean water, shelter and basic basic
medicines.
The floods inundated over 2 million
acres of agricultural land, destroying
crops of cotton, rice, dates, tomato,
cases) reported the highest number of
cases of atrocities against Scheduled
Tribes (STs) accounting for 29.8%
followed by Rajasthan with 24%
(2121 cases) and Odisha with 7.6%
(676 cases) during 2021.Maharashtra
was next in the list with 7.13% (628
cases) followed by Telangana at
5.81% (512 cases). The above top five
states reported 74.57% of cases of
atrocities against Scheduled Tribes.
Violence against Dalit Women:
Cases of Rape against Schedule caste
women, (including minors) account
for 7.64% (3893 cases), with 2585
cases of Rape against Dalit Women
and 1285 cases of minor rape, of the
total cases reported. Cases of Rape,
Attempt to rape, Assault on women to
outrage her modesty and Kidnapping
of women and minors cumulatively
stood at 16.8% (8570 cases).
Violence against Adivasi Women:
Cases of Rape against Schedule Tribe
women stood at 15% (1324 cases) of
the total cases reported. Cases of
Rape, Attempt to rape, Assault on
women to outrage her modesty, and
kidnapping cumulatively stood at
26.8% (2364 cases).
Cases of Murder, Attempt to murder
and Grievous hurt were reported
as 967, 916 and 1286 respectively
against Scheduled Caste. Similarly for
Scheduled Tribes, Cases of Murder,
Attempt to murder and Grievous hurt
were reported as 199,148 and 114
respectively.
A total of 70818 cases of atrocities
against Scheduled Castes were pending
for investigation at the end of the
year 2021, including previous year
cases. Similarly, 12159 Cases of
atrocities against Schedule Tribe were
pending for investigation. A total of
52159 cases of atrocities against SCs
and 8825 Cases of atrocities against
STs were disposed off by police.
Charge sheeting percentage for the
atrocities against Scheduled Castes
ended with 80.0% and 81.4% for
Scheduled Tribes.
A total of 263512 cases of atrocities
against SCs and 42512 cases of
atrocities against STs came for trial in
the court. Out of these cases, trials in
10108 of atrocities against SCs were
completed and 1947 cases for STs.
Conviction percentage under the SCs
and STs (PoA) Act in conjunction
with IPC remained at 36.0% for SCs
and 28.1% for STs. The cases acquitted
(includes acquittal as well as the
cases where the accused is discharged)
is 5628 cases for SCs and
1399 for STs. At the end of the year
96.0% of cases of atrocities against
SCs were pending for trial whereas
for STs, the percentage stood at
95.4%.
Even after the amendments came
in force in year 2016, which generated
a hope to the Dalit and Adivasis
victims in accessing speedy justice,
the implementation of the amended
SCs and STs (PoA) Amended Act
2015 remains a challenge. With the
audacity with which crimes are conducted
it is very much evident that
there is complete absence of fear and
lawlessness. Apart from violence,
being perpetrated on Dalits and
Adivasis, there has been an increase
in Untouchability practices in schools,
access to drinking water, access to
education, healthcare, and dignity
remains a challenge.
We, on behalf of Dalit and Adivasis
communities call on the Union and
State Governments, political parties
elected representatives to take a stand
against the rising caste based in the
country.
We call upon the Government of
India to robustly, enforce and implement
the new provisions of the
amended Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act 1989 (2015).
Take swift and robust action
against the dominant caste perpetrators
violating the human rights of
Dalits and Adivasis.
Conduct an open and transparent
investigation under the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities)
Amendment Act, 2015 and prosecute
those Government and police officials
who are found to have aided and abetted
criminals.
Robustly implement the Exclusive
Special Courts mandated in the
amended act for speedy trials. We
demand immediate action to end
atrocities against Dalit and Adivasis;
and we will not be appeased by mere
promises.
Mr. Rahul Singh
General Secretary
National Dalit Movement for
Justice (NDMJ)-NCDHR
& Secretariat In-charge,
National Coalition for
Strengthening the POA Act and
Its Implementation (NCSPA)
+91 9999101936
Death toll in catastrophic Pakistan flooding reaches 1,162
chilli and other vegetables.
On Tuesday, the UN issued a flash
appeal for $160 million in emergency
aid to help Pakistan.
"Pakistan is awash in suffering,"
UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres, who is due to visit the country
next week, said in a video message
at the launch of the appeal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif urged the developed
world not to leave countries like
Pakistan, which is responsible for less
than 1 per cent of the world's carbon
emissions, at the mercy of climate
change. "If it is us today, it can be
somebody else tomorrow. Threat of
climate change is real, potent & staring
us in the face," Sharif tweeted.
According to Pakistan's planning
minister, the flooding has already
inflicted around $10 billion in losses
to the economy, which has long been
struggling due to high current account
and fiscal deficits and chronic energy
shortages.
6 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 ASIA
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Pakistan doesn't expect better
relations with India because
of disaster: Spokesperson
United Nations : Pakistan's
spokesperson has said that although
Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has tweeted a message of
sympathy for the floods ravaging
his country, he does not expect the
disaster to lead to better relations
with India while it is "logical" in
these circumstances for countries to
"set aside other considerations and
to express support and solidarity".
Pakistan Foreign Ministry
Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said on
Tuesday that first issues like
Kashmir would have to be resolved
for better relations between the
estranged neighbours and messages
of sympathy alone do not work in a
wider context.
While briefing reporters at the
UN headquarters through a video
link from Islamabad about the
floods in Pakistan, he was asked if
he expected more help from India
and if a disaster like this could
improve relations between the two
countries. He added, "I think you
would have seen the statement in
Modi's tweet. I would say that this,
you know, this is a humanitarian situation
and it's natural, it's logical
for countries and people to set aside
other considerations and to express
support and solidarity. So in that
context, we understand."
Modi had tweeted that he was
"saddened to see the devastation
caused by the floods in Pakistan.
We extend our heartfelt condolences
to the families of the victims,
the injured and all those affected by
this natural calamity and hope for
an early restoration of normalcy".
Iftikhar said that "talking about
the wider picture, unfortunately, I
France looking to build pipeline
from Spain to Central Europe
Paris : France is looking into
building a pipeline from the
Iberian peninsula to the south of
the country in a bid to open up
new energy sources in the
absence of natural gas from
Russia. "Spain and Germany are
two close partners of France; if
they make a proposal, we will
examine it," dpa news agency
quoted Economy Minister Bruno
Le Maire as saying here on
Tuesday. So far, France, which
relies heavily on nuclear power, has
been cautious about reviving the
Midcat natural gas pipeline, which
was shut down in 2017 as it was
unprofitable.
The Midcat pipeline is to run
from Barcelona across the Pyrenees
to a connecting point with the
French grid in Barbairan in southern
France. In Spain, the pipeline is
complete as far as Hostalric, 106 km
south of the border; in France,
around 120 km are missing.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz,
like the Spanish government, had
already campaigned for the construction
of the pipeline to open up
new energy sources in view of the
war in Ukraine and a possible end to
Russian gas supplies. Spain sees this
as a project of European importance,
which it says must also
be financed by the EU.
The natural gas that
is to flow north through
the pipe could be
obtained from different
sources in Spain and
Portugal, since both
countries together have
a total of seven LNG
terminals. There are
also two pipelines to
the gas supplier Algeria
in North Africa.
Later, as part of the energy transition,
so-called green hydrogen,
which is generated with the help of
wind or sun, could also be passed
through.
So far there are only two smaller
gas pipelines from Spain across the
Pyrenees to the north with limited
capacity.
think you've not seen this attitude,
this positive attitude that would
build confidence, that would restore
the common relationship we have
with the country". "Despite the
goodwill that Pakistan has consistently
exhibited (for) six years we
don't see that reciprocated by our
friends across the border," he asserted.
He added that the problem is lingering
and is related hat is lingering
that is related to situation in the
region, which is very difficult in
Kashmir.
"So these issues need to be
addressed" and steps and actions
have to be taken to "create an environment
that is more conducive to
dialogue".
India has made it a condition for
Patna : Bihar Chief Minister
Nitish Kumar on Wednesday shifted
tainted minister Kartikeya Singh,
alias Kartik Master, from law to
sugarcane ministry.
The development comes after
Kartik Master, facing kidnapping
charges in a 2014 case, was issued a
warrant in the case by Danapur subdivisional
court.
The Nitish Kumar government
had come under fire from all quarters
after Kartik Master took the
oath of cabinet minister on August
16 despite Danapur sub-divisional
court issuing a warrant against him.
The opposition party leaders had
cornered the state government for
making a tainted MLC as law minister.
Kartik Master has neither surrendered
before the court nor
applied for anticipatory bail.
With the fresh development,
Kartik Master will look after the
sugarcane ministry with Shamim
Ahmed replacing him as the new
a resumption of dialogue that crossborder
terrorism should end.
Iftikhar did not reply to the part
of the question about expecting aid
from India.
According to media reports in
New Delhi, India was considering
extending assistance to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Finance
Minister Miftah Ismail was reported
as saying that Islamabad would
consider importing vegetables from
India given the devastation to
Pakistan's agriculture.
Giving the scale of the devastation
in Pakistan, Iftikhar said that
more than 33 million people have
been impacted by the floods, which
have killed more than 1,000 people,
destroyed 1 million houses and
damaged 2 million acre of crops.
UN Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres has announced a $160 million
appeal for Pakistan flood relief.
Making the appeal, he said,
"South Asia is one of the world's
global climate crisis hotspots" and
"people living in these hotspots are
15 times more likely to die from climate
impacts". His Spokesperson
Stephane Dujarric said Guterres is
to visit Pakistan next week to show
solidarity with the victims of the
disaster.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar shifts
tainted minister Kartik Master
law minister.
Kartik Master is very close to
jailed Bahubali leader Anant Singh
of Mokama. He won the MLC seat
of Patna under urban local body a
few months ago on the ticket of
RJD.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
ASIA
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
7
Family members of B'desh
freedom fighters demand justice
Dhaka : Family members of 120
Bangladeshi freedom fighters and war
heroes who were hanged to death by
forces of former President Ziaur
Rahman on October 2, 1977, have
demanded justice by rallying in front
of the Central Jail in Dhaka.
On the occasion of the International
Day of the Victims of Enforced
Disappearances 2022, a discussion
meeting was organised at the Central
Shaheed Minar on Tuesday under the
banner of "We want justice for the disappearance
and hanging of the brave
freedom fighters in 1977".
As many as 19 coups took place
when Ziaur Rahman, who founded the
BNP, led the country.
Around 1,500 were reportedly
purged mostly the freedom fighters,
the war heroes who later joined armed
forces.
At the event, Nurunnahar Begum,
70, wife of Delwar Hossain, demanded
to know the whereabouts of her
husband's grave.
Nurunnahar said within three years
of her marriage, her husband suddenly
disappeared. Later, she came to know
that her husband's body had remained
hidden after being murdered.
"If I knew where my husband was
buried, at least I could have offered
prayers at his grave," she told the
country leaders.
Family members are still frantically
keeping their pursuit to get hold of
their missing loved one's remains.
Liberation War Affairs Minister,
AKM Mozammel Haque said that
Ziaur Rahman killed 2,500-3,000
members of the military without a trial
in the name of suppressing the rebellion.
Freedom fighters were killed
selectively. said the bodies were
buried in Dhaka, Comilla,
Chattogram, Rangpur, Jashore, and
Bogura central jails.
Executions were carried out under
curfew in the dark of night.
The names and identities of the 209
people who were hanged in the trial of
the Special Military Tribunal formed
on the orders of military ruler have
been revealed.
World Leaders
pay rich tributes
to Gorbachev
Moscow : World leaders
were quick to pay rich tributes
to the late Soviet leader
Mikhail Gorbachev as the man
who ended the Cold War and
the arms race, as a statesman
who stood at the pivotal turning
point in world history.
He died on Tuesday due to a
long illness at a hospital on
Moscow
Russian President Vladimir
Putin expressed his "deep sympathies"
over Gorbachev's
death, Kremlin spokesman
Dmitry Peskov told Russian
news agencies.
Peskov said Putin, a former
KGB agent who had an
ambiguous relationship with
Gorbachev, will send a
telegram of condolences to the
late leader's family and friends
on Wednesday morning.
UN chief Antonio Guterres
praised Gorbachev as "a oneof-a-kind
statesman who
changed the course of history"
and "did more than any other
individual to bring about the
peaceful end of the Cold War".
EU chief Ursula von der
Leyen hailed Gorbachev as a
"trusted and respected leader"
who "opened the way for a free
Europe".
His "crucial role" in bringing
down the Iron Curtain,
which symbolised the division
of the world into communist
and capitalist blocs, and ending
the Cold War left a legacy "we
will not forget", she wrote on
Twitter.
French President Emmanuel
Macron described Gorbachev
as a "man of peace" on Twitter
early Wednesday, saying he
"opened a path of liberty for
Russians. His commitment to
peace in Europe changed our
shared history". UK Prime
Minister Boris Johnson said he
"always admired the courage
and integrity" Gorbachev
showed to bring the Cold War
to a peaceful conclusion.
"In a time of Putin's aggression
in Ukraine, his tireless
commitment to opening up
Soviet society remains an
example to us all," he said in a
Twitter post, referring to
Moscow's ongoing offensive in
its former Soviet neighbour.
US President Joe Biden
praised the former Soviet
leader as a "man of remarkable
vision." Gorbachev had worked
to bring about democratic
reforms in the Soviet Union
after decades of brutal political
repression, Biden said in a
White House statement issued
late on Tuesday.
"These were the acts of a
rare leader, one with the imagination
to see that a different
future was possible and the
courage to risk his entire career
to achieve it. The result was a
safer world and greater freedom
for millions of people," he
said.
Foreign cigarettes worth
Rs 8 cr seized in
Vijaywada by Customs
New Delhi : The Customs
officials at Vijayawada have
seized 80,40,000 Paris brand
cigarettes packed in 804 cartons
worth Rs 8 crore which
were being transported in two
seperate lorries.
This is the highest-ever
seizure of smuggled foreign
cigarettes reported by the
Customs Commissionerate
(Preventive), Vijaywada, since
its formation in 2014.
An official on Tuesday said
that after receiving specific
information about the smuggling
of foreign brand cigarettes
into Vijayawada city in
lorries, Customs officials were
keeping surveillance.
On early Tuesday morning
they intercepted a lorry with
Tamil Nadu registration on
suspicion at Kesarpalli along
the
Vijayawada-
Visakhapatnam national highway
(NH-16).
Upon receiving the intelligence
on similar modus
operandi, another team proceeded
to Vijayawada-
Hyderabad road and intercepted
another lorry with Bihar
registration. On inspection, it
was found that both vehicles
were loaded each with 134
high-density polyethylene
sacks containing smuggled
goods stitched from the top.
Upon questioning, both the
drivers told the officials that
they left from Patna and were
on their way to Vijayawada as
per the instructions of a booking
agent.
The drivers, however, said
that they had no idea about
what was being loaded into the
vehicles. The officials said that
they seized 80,40,000 Paris
brand cigarettes packed in 804
cartons under the Customs
Act.
"Smuggling foreign cigarettes
is a lucrative business to
black marketeers to make a
huge profit as they avoid customs
duty. Smuggled cigarettes
don't have pictorial
warnings on them, as is
mandatory as per the provisions
of Tobacco Products Act.
The cigarettes don't have manufacturing
address on the
packets and no bills of procuring
or importing," the official
added.
8 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
36 F-7BGI aircraft purchased
by B'DESH FROM CHINA
to boost MILITARY supplies
New Delhi : China has been trying
since a long time to emerge as a major
defence exporter to India's neighbouring
countries like Bangladesh,
Pakistan etc.
The F-7 BGI is a multi-role capable
aircraft manufactured by Chengdu
Aircraft Corporation, China. It was
specially designed to meet the requirements
of Bangladesh Air Force for
cost-effective multi-role fighter aircraft.
It is said to be the most advanced
version of the F-7 fighter aircraft ever.
F-7 BG upgraded with J-7G technology
for Bangladesh. Unlike other
cheaper and downgraded export variants
of J-7G, the F-7 BGI (I for
Improved) is in fact more advanced
than J-7G it is developed from.
Improvements of F-7 BGI over F-7BG
such as 3 MFDs and more powerful
fire control radar would in turn, incorporated
to J-7G2 developed later. The
capability of F-7 BGI is improved
over earlier F-7BG resulted from
upgrades listed below, and delivery of
16 such fighter aircrafts was signed in
2011 and completed in 2013. Even
with the latest J-7 technology, this aircraft
does not have the capability to
carry any BVR missile and is armed
only with short-range, infrared homing
air-to-air missiles for air to air
combat, like other J-7s.
* F-7 BGI has a speed of Mach 2.2
* 5 Hard-points to carry air-to-air
missiles, laser-guided bomb, GPSguided
bombs, drop tanks
* Full glass cockpit
* F-7 BGI has KLJ-6F radar
* Afterburner: F-7 BGI (82 kN)
thrust
* F-7 BGI got J-7G2 Airframe with
double delta wing. This improves
the lift at high angles of attack and
delays or prevents stalling
* G-limit: +8 g / -3 g
* Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,420
ft) for F-7 BGI
* 3 Multi functional HUD displays
and HOTAS
* Reportedly more maneuverable
than most of the Mig21s and many
of the other contemporary fighters
* F-7 BGI can armed with the PL-5,
PL-7 and probably the PL-9 short
range air-to-air missiles
* Can carry bombs and unguided
rocket pods of 3000 pound, including
Chinese laser-guided bombs
Tamil Nadu: VCK leader Thol
Thirumavalavan urges CM Stalin to
curb violence against Dalits
Chennai : Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader
and MP Thol Thirumavalavan has issued
a statement, urging Tamil Nadu Chief
Minister M K Stalin to take measures to
curb violence committed against Dalits
in the state.
Thirumavalavan’s statement on
Tuesday comes in the wake of data published
by the National Crime Records
Bureau (NCRB) for 2021. As per the
statement, while 1,144 cases related to
atrocities against Dalits were recorded in
2019, the numbers rose to 1,274 cases in 2020 and 1,377 in
2021. During the AIADMK government’s rule, atrocities
against Dalits happened with the support of the government,
and this should not continue in the DMK regime,
Thirumavalavan said. He pointed out that 53 Dalits were
killed in Tamil Nadu last year and the state ranked seventh in
the country with respect to cases of atrocities against Dalits
in 2021. Citing NCRB data, Thirumavalavan said, when it
comes to violence and discrimination against Dalit women,
Tamil Nadu ranks higher. He noted that data showed that 123
Dalit women were raped in 2020 and among them, 88 women
were below 18 years of age. Tamil Nadu ranked fifth in the
country with respect to atrocities committed against Dalit girl
children and in 2021, 123 Dalit women were raped and
among them, 89 were children, he said.
Thirumavalavan also pointed out that the NCRB report
showed that the Tamil Nadu police have been lethargic in
conducting investigation into cases related to violence
against Dalits. While 694 such cases were not investigated in
2020, 825 were not looked into in 2021, he said. In 40 per
cent of the registered cases, the chargesheet was not filed, he
further said, adding that 186 cases were closed by the police,
citing misinformation and lack of sufficient evidence.
“The NCRB report states that the police department’s
lethargic attitude is the reason behind the increase in atrocities
against Dalits. The chief minister should take cognisance
of the report and take required measures. We request the chief
minister to make Tamil Nadu a state where there are no atrocities
committed against Dalits,” Thirumavalavan said.
Pak floods damage iconic
Mohenjo-daro ruins
Islamabad : Iconic sites in Pakistans
Sindh province such as the Mohenjo-Daro
ruins, Kot Diji, Ranikot suffered widespread
damage during the recent catastrophic
floods.
At Mohenjo-Daro alone, the record rain
have damaged excavated areas and
exposed the ones buried underneath by creating
furrows in them, Dawn news reported.
The accumulated water has seeped into
the excavated areas, loosening the soil and
resultantly tilting the walls.
This site, among the primary surviving
bastions of the Indus Valley Civilization as
it dates back to 2,500 B.C., is one of the
last remaining connections Pakistan has
with prehistory, Dawn reported.
The Mound of the Dead, one of
Mohenjo-Daro's most iconic features, is
covered in blue tarpaulin.
The torrential rain that have left most of
Sindh inundated have not spared these
ruins either, and workers scramble to reinforce
the retaining wall of the mound as
water seeps down into the unexcavated
parts of the site, carving channels as it
goes, Dawn reported.
While the government and welfare
organisations battle to provide relief and
rehabilitate the hundreds of thousands left
homeless by the savage monsoon downpours,
heritage and archaeological sites
across the province are also in dire need of
repair.
Reports emanating from various parts of
the province paint a pretty bleak picture;
the very forts, tombs which symbolise the
glorious past of the region are now in danger
of crumbling, Dawn reported.
Apart from that, the Buddhist stupa at
Thul Mir Rukan has fallen victim to the
inclement weather as its drum has been
broken.
The floods have not spared the famous
Makli monuments in Thatta and Banbhore
either, both internationally renowned
archeological sites.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk ASIA 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 9
Rajasthan logged
highest number of rape
cases in 2021: NCRB
Jaipur : Rajasthan recorded the highest number of rape
cases in the country in
2021, according to data
recently released by the
National Crime Records
Bureau (NCRB).
As per the numbers,
the crime rate in the country
has increased by more
than 19 per cent compared
to the previous year
(2020). While it ranks
second after Uttar
Pradesh in overall crime
against women, it continues to be ahead in rape cases.
Of the total 31,677 rape cases registered in the country, as
many as 6,337 were in Rajasthan, while Uttar Pradesh
reported 2,845. In the year 2020, the registered cases of rape
in Rajasthan were 5,310, which saw a 19.34 per cent rise in
2021.
A total of 4,28,278 cases of crime against women were
registered across the country in the year 2021. While Uttar
Pradesh tops with 56,083 cases, it is followed by Rajasthan
where 40,738 cases have been registered. Last year,
Maharashtra ranked third with 39,526 cases and West Bengal
fourth with 35,884 cases.
Soon after the figures of NCRB became public, the BJP
attacked the Ashok Gehlot government in the state.
Targeting the Gehlot government, former Chief Minister
Vasundhara Raje said: "It is shameful that 6,337 cases of
rape have been registered in the state in last one year which
is the biggest proof of the failure of the Congress government.
The morale of the criminals in the state is so high that
the law and order system has succumbed under the Congress
government. The state government should remember that
Rajasthan is recognised by the respect of sisters and daughters,"
she said.
BJP state president Satish Poonia also slammed the state
government for ranking first in terms of women crimes.
Poonia said that in order to save his chair, the chief minister
has forgotten the responsibility of maintaining law and order.
Rapes in the state have become an everyday affair. Nowhere
is the dignity of women safe. This half population will teach
a lesson to this government, he added.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan police, on its twitter account said:
"There could be several reasons for the increase in the number
of crimes in the state police figures. These include some
citizen-centric police initiatives. More cases come to the fore
due to e-FIR or women helpdesk etc." "Shameful and scary
truth!" tweeted MP Diya Kumari. "Rajasthan number 1 in
the country in women's atrocities !!@NCRBHQ. The figures
of the 2021 report released by the Congress clearly show the
insensitivity of the Congress government of Rajasthan
towards the safety of women," she added.
I-T raids 22 locations
in Lucknow, Kanpur
Lucknow : Income Tax raids are being carried out at 22
places simultaneously
in Uttar Pradesh,
including Lucknow
and Kanpur in connection
with the corruption
cases.
According to
sources, raids are being carried out on the premises of the
contractors associated with UPICON.
Under the action taken by the Income Tax Department,
about one-and-a-half dozen officers/employees working in
many departments in Uttar Pradesh have come on the radar.
These include Industries Department, Entrepreneurship
Development Institute, Entrepreneurship Training Institute,
UP Industrial Consultant Limited and some institutes of private
sector.
PGI Chandigarh performs first
robotically assisted bioresorbable
stent IMPLANTATION
Chandigarh : The first ever case of
robotically assisted bioresorbable stent
implantation in the world was done by
the Department of Cardiology in the
Advanced Cardiac Centre of the
PGIMER here as an interventional procedure.
The case was performed by Yash Paul
Sharma, Department of Cardiology
head, and his team.
The patient was a 47-year-old with
coronary artery disease and 90 per cent
stenosis of major coronary arteries.
Patient underwent successful implantation
of bioresorbable stents through the
Corindus Robotic Arm of Cardiac Cath
Lab.
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical
Education and Research (PGIMER) is
the first centre in India where roboticassisted
percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) has been done. The robotic
PCI has the advantage of a high degree
of precision and cuts down radiation
exposure.
Newer bioresorbable stent with thinner
struts (100 microns) developed in
India have been introduced and now
these stents dissolve in body over twothree
years leaving the natural artery
intact. Older generation bioresorbable
stent had strut thickness of 150 microns.
Itanagar : Four Army helicopters
remained on standby to undertake an
aerial search once the weather clears to
trace Tapi Mra, the first mountaineer
from Arunachal Pradesh to conquer
Mount Everest, and his associate Niku
Dao, who had gone to climb the state's
highest peak, defence officials said on
Wednesday.
Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra
Rawat, quoting Deputy Commissioner
of East Kameng district, said that the
two members of the expedition have
been untraceable since August 17 as
reported by the remaining six members
of the expedition who reached Seppa
from their expedition base camp on
August 29 evening.
The state government has sought help
from Indian Army's Tezpur-headquartered
Gajraj Corps in the search and rescue
mission. "Indian Army has already
mounted the operation. Two ALH and
two Cheetah helicopters have been put
on standby, these would be used for aerial
reconnaissance of the area with one
of the team members onboard once the
weather clears," Lt Col Rawat said.
He said that Army's highly trained and
motivated special forces and Arunachal
Scouts teams are also being employed
The clinical registry of patients with
newer generation bioresorbable stent
and also robotic PCI is being carried out
in the PGIMER, which has achieved
least mortality (6.8 per cent) in patients
with acute coronary syndrome, including
cardiogenic shock and comorbidities,
of all age groups.
4 Army copters to trace Arunachal's
missing Everester Tapi Mra, aide
for the ground search operations in the
challenging terrain of the expedition
area. East Kameng district officials said
that Mra and Dao were reported missing
since they had embarked on scaling
Arunachal Pradesh's highest snowcapped
peak 'Khyarw Satam' (6,900
metres). A district official said that special
rescue teams are all set for a search
operation if any clues on the actual location
of missing mountaineers are found
and if necessary rescue teams would be
airdropped for evacuation.
It takes about a week to trek to the
base camp (5,000 metres) of 'Khyarw
Satam', which is not only tough terrain,
but also needs a trek through dense
forests to reach the place.
Mra, 37, had climbed the highest peak
of the world on May 21, 2009.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu prayed
for the safety of the missing mountaineers
and said that the state Sports
Department is ready with plans to trace
them.
Sonia Gandhi's mother passes away in Italy
New Delhi : Congress interim president Sonia
Gandhi's mother Paola Maino passed away at her
home in Italy on Saturday and her funeral took place
on Tuesday, party leaders said on Wednesday.
In a tweet, Congress General Secretary Jairam
Ramesh said: "Smt. Sonia Gandhi's mother, Mrs. Paola
Maino passed away at her home in Italy on Saturday
the 27th August, 2022. The funeral took place yesterday".
Sonia Gandhi is abroad for her medical check up,
and is accompanied by both Rahul Gandhi and
Priyanka Gandhi. She was also supposed to visit her
ailing mother.
Rahul Gandhi is supposed to return early and
address a Congress rally in the national capital on
September 4.
10 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 ASIA
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Lahore traders seek
permission for vegetable
import from India
Islamabad : In view of the
skyrocketing prices of vegetables
amid the ongoing floods and
relentless monsoon rain across
Pakistan, the Lahore Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
on Tuesday demanded the government
to give permission for
vegetable import from neighbouring
India through the Wagah
border.
LCCI President Nauman
Kabir urged the government to
grant permission to import vegetables
from India to control its
prices, Geo News reported.
"The recent floods have
destroyed crops of tomato,
onion, potato and other vegetables
across the country," he said,
adding that the crisis is expected
to prevail for the next three
months.
The vegetable crisis could
further worsen in September,
October and November, he
added.
It will take a few days to
transport vegetables from India
to Pakistan via the Wagah border,
Geo News reported.
The prices of vegetables
skyrocketed as the grocery
vendors are charging
exorbitant prices from
consumers amid the
countrywide floods triggered
by torrential rains.
The traders are making
hefty profits at a time
when the death toll from
the relentless monsoon
rains has exceeded the
1,100 mark and inflicting
$10 billion loss on the
country's economy.
According to the
details, tomato is being
sold at 250 PKR per kg in
the market while its official
price is 190 PKR per
kg. Similarly, the vendors
are selling onion at 300 PKR to
320 PKR per kg while the commodity's
rate was fixed at 290
PKR by the authorities, Geo
News reported.
Potatoes are being sold at 120
PKR to 140 PKR per kg instead
of its official rate of 100 PKR
per kg.
Ginger's official rate is 360
PKR per kg but it is available for
380 PKR per kg in the market.
Garlic is being sold at 250
PKR per kg while its official rate
is 200 PKR per kg.
Six million Afghans at risk
Women's cancer checkup
camp Conducted at
VILLAGE JAKHLAN
Recently, with the help of Nehru Yuva Kendra ed by it. Doctors say that cancer is curable if it is
Sangrur, under the leadership of Nehru Yuva volunteers
of block Dhuri, writer & Social activist Keeping this in mind, cancer camps are being
detected early.
Aman Jakhlan and NYV Skinder Singh, a cancer organized in villages. Therefore, on the occasion
checkup camp was organized at village Jakhlan, of the 75th anniversary of independence, this is a
in which the team of Homi Bhaba Cancer serious initiative of the government, which is providing
such camps for women in villages. In such
Hospital Sangrur visited village Jakhlan and
other nearby areas. Village women were also a situation, it is the duty of the people to give full
checked up. As we know how fast cancer is support to the administration and employees in
spreading in the society, women are mostly affect-
such social service initiatives.
of famine : UN official
Kabul : A top UN official has warned
that 6 million Afghans are at risk of
famine as the war-torn country continues
to face extreme hardship and uncertainty
under the Taliban regime.
country's economy each week.
But there are complaints that the
Taliban is allocating the majority of the
money to its supporters.
"Poverty is deepening, the population
UN humanitarian chief Martin is still growing, and the de facto authorities
Griffiths made the remarksat a UN
Security Council meeting on the humanitarian
situation in Afghanistan, reports
dpa news agency. More than half of the
country's population needs humanitarian
assistance, Griffiths said. With the
Taliban's return to power on August 2021,
the country's situation has further deteriorated.
Unemployment and extreme poverty
have forced tens of thousands of
Afghans to flee their country.
In addition, a devastating earthquake
and flash floods have compounded the situation.
The international community is
pumping roughly $40 million into the
have no budget to invest in their own
future," Griffiths said. He said the UN
urgently needs $600 million to support
preparation for winter, such as upgrades
and repairs to shelter, warm clothes, and
blankets, and an additional $154 million
for food and livelihood assistance.
According to the Human Rights Watch
(HRW), more than 90 per cent of Afghans
have been suffering from some form of
food insecurity since the Taliban takeover
in August 2021, skipping meals or whole
days of eating and engaging in extreme
coping mechanisms to pay for food,
including sending children to work.
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ASIA
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
11
Now insert emojis
in Google Docs
as you type
New Delhi : Google has
allowed users to insert emojis
while writing in Google
Docs, as they will not need to
pull up emoji icons from
other places anymore into
their documents.
Google recently added
emoji reactions to Docs, and
now the users can add them
in actual documents.The feature
supports the most recent
emoji.
"Building upon the recently
announced emoji reaction
feature, you can now express
yourself in a new way by
searching for and inserting
emojis directly inline with
your text in Google Docs,"
said the company.
The emoji tool is available
to all Google Workspace customers,
as well as legacy G
Suite Basic and Business
customers, along with users
with personal Google
accounts. There is no admin
control for this feature. To
search for and add emojis
directly inline with text in
Docs, Google has simple
steps to follow.
The simple way is to just
type "@ (emoji name)," and
typing "@emoji" will pull up
a searchable emoji picker,
like the one on your smartphone.
The company said the new
feature has been rolled out
for some users today and will
reach everyone by the end of
September. The new system
gives users several ways to
get at emoji, and Google has
listed those on its website.
India to see 45-50 mn
EVs on road by 2030,
charging top concern
New Delhi : India's e-
mobility journey is on a fast
track, with an estimated 45-50
million electric vehicles (EVs)
on road by 2030, a new report
said on Tuesday.
As the EV ecosystem
matures at a rapid pace, a critical
facilitator of EV adoption
is ready availability of slow
and fast chargers ensuring easy
access to efficient and costeffective
charging, according
to a KPMG in India report.
"Development of a robust
charging network has gone
hand-in-hand with accelerated
EV adoption across the world,
and we believe a similar trend
is expected to play out in India," said Rohan
Rao, Partner, M&A Consulting, KPMG in
India. Charging technologies will vary by different
vehicle segments and public and private
charging solutions will be deployed to serve
different customer segments and use cases,
according to the report. "2Ws and 3Ws are
best suited for AC slow charging. Battery
swapping is likely to be the more prevalent
model for use cases requiring quick charging
turnaround," it added. The Indian market is
likely to have a dense network of AC private
and public chargers and DC chargers to be
restricted to buses and few use cases for 4Ws
and LCVs.
According to the report, expectations from
home/workplace charging are likely to be different
from destination charging or on the go
charging which will differ from fleet charging.
"Strategic partnerships for real estate and
interoperability among CPOs/ service
providers are crucial to strengthen customer
proposition," the findings showed. "With an
estimated 50 million EVs on Indian roads by
2030, the potential opportunity for a pure play
charging business is enormous, Rao added.
Wild elephant enters Assam's Tezpur town, goes on rampage
Guwahati : Panic spread
Assam's Tezpur town on Saturday
when a wild elephant entered the
town after crossing the Brahmaputra
river and went on a rampage, damaging
a few vehicles parked on the
road, officials said on Tuesday.
Sonitpur district Superintendent
of Police, Susanta Biswa Sarma told
IANS that the elephant entered at
around 7.30 p.m.
"As it came into the middle of the
town all of a sudden, people got
panicked. However, the elephant
could not cause much
damage to property. A
few vehicles were damaged
by it," he said.
Sarma said that
Sonitpur district has
dense forests in many
places and hence whether
the elephant came all the
way from Kaziranga
National Park or any
other place could not be
ascertained.
"The forest officials took the necessary
action and the elephant finally
went back to the jungle," he
added. Divisional Forest Officer
Ramesh Gogoi said that these types
of incidents happen in Tezpur town
once or twice every year.
Asked about where the wild elephant
came from, he said: "This
cannot be said precisely. But since
Kaziranga is at a good distance from
Tezpur, it is possible that the elephant
came from some nearby forest."
According to the forest officials,
the elephant entered a house in
the Chanmari area of the town in
search of food. It then went to a park
where a large number of people
gathered to catch glimpse of the animal.
While crossing a local bus
stand, the elephant damaged a car
and a few two-wheelers that were
parked roadside. Meanwhile, the
scenes of the wild elephant on a
rampage in the town went viral on
social media.
On kanshi TV
channel 772.
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12 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
The good, bad and ugly of
the Rupee hitting an all
time low against the Dollar
Indian National Rupee (INR)
has not been in news for the right
reasons so far this year. It has been
dragged down by the perfect storm
of international pressures and
geopolitical headwinds. However,
the current situation is a necessary
wake-up call to regulators and policymakers
to strengthen the currency
by making Rupee assets
more valuable to foreign investors
via effective tax policies, the
exporting of higher-value services,
and growth-focused economic
strategies.
While rising inflation, tightening
monetary policy, and climbing
crude oil prices have made the current
fiscal a difficult one for the
INR, the Russia-Ukraine war
sparked a near-freefall, with the
Rupee having lost nearly 7 per
cent in value since Russia's invasion
on February 24. Meanwhile,
the US Federal Reserve's rate
hikes (+150 bps so far in 2022)
have also sparked record capital
outflows of over $35.6bn from the
equity and debt markets between
October 2021 and June 2022
($29.7bn in H12022 alone), making
it the longest selling streak in
Indian equity markets since liberalisation.
All these factors led to
the rupee hitting the 80-marktwice
in July, with monetary and fiscal
attempts to reverse the slide having
yielded mixed results so far.
So why did we see the Rupee
slide?
First, the Rupee's current crisis
was not unexpected.
Given rising inflation and the
Relative Purchasing Power Parity
Rule, post-pandemic tightening of
monetary policy was always anticipated;
the pace of the same has
only accelerated due to inflationary
pressures. This, in turn, has
predictably sparked a flight of capital
from emerging economies to
safe Dollar-denominated assets
leading to the depreciation of the
Rupee.
Second, while swift currency
depreciation is a cause for concern,
some sectors will see strong
gains.
Export-oriented sectors, such as
IT, textiles, and pharmaceuticals,
stand to gain from a falling Rupee.
However, there are caveats, given
that India is a net importing nation
with a widening trade deficit that
surged to more than $31bn in July
(over 3x higher YoY). Therefore,
non-export-oriented sectors, such
as telecommunications, renewables,
FMCG, and automotive,
which heavily depend on imported
raw materials, largely stand to
lose. Add to this the rising global
commodity prices and worsening
domestic inflation, and one may
conclude that the costs of INR
depreciation far outweigh the benefits.
At the same time, it may also be
interesting to note that while the
Rupee is performing poorly vis-avis
the U.S. Dollar, it has fared relatively
well vis-a-vis other currencies
YTD, including the Japanese
Yen (+9.80 per cent) and Turkish
Lira (+26.25 per cent).
Meanwhile, remittances, which
were valued at $89.4bn in 2021
and expected to chart an upward
trajectory in the near term, stand to
be more beneficial for recipients
now with a weaker Rupee, especially
given that the US is the
largest source of these funds.
Three, the Rupee's depreciation
presents an opportunity to reform
the currency and enhance its global
standing.
Dipping into forex reserves may
slow the slide, but the current situation
warrants long-term solutions
that can transform the Rupee into a
coveted asset class rather than just
another currency. RBI seems to be
headed in the right direction. Its
announcement last month to allow
the Rupee to be used to settle
international transactions opens
the door for a possible internationalisation
of the INR. This may
have been evoked mainly to
enable India to import cheap
Russian oil, but it is the right
move.
However, Rupee internationalisation,
increasing foreign capital
inflows, and making the currency
more stable is just a way to make
INR assets more attractive, which,
given the crossroads, the RBI and
Government find themselves at,
should be a top priority.
How can we make INR assets
more attractive?
First, tax benefits for foreign
investors. This could be via proposed
capital gains tax waivers for
overseas debt investors, which
would also help get Indian bonds
listed on global bond indices. It
could also be via new-age asset
classes, such as real estate investment
trusts (REITs) and infrastructure
investment trusts (InvITs), or
via Government-led economic
planning, such as the development
of GIFT City and the International
Financial Service Centre (IFSC) in
Gujarat.
Second, exporting higher-value
services. Even as manufacturing
PMI growth has lost steam, the
services sector has become a reliable
engine of growth. And within
services, sub-sectors from real
estate and health to education and
hospitality can learn a lot from IT
when it comes to exporting higher
value services that are both knowledge-
and technology-intensive. In
this light, developments and policies
such as Skill India, Digital
India, Startup India, and endeavours
to ease the compliance burden
in the education sector and
boost MSME productivity are
welcome steps.
Third, supporting growthfocused
and consumer-oriented
economics. The full potential of
India's demographic dividend and
the vast domestic market is yet to
be tapped, and doing so is crucial
for both fiscal and monetary prudence.
After all, the INR crisis will
abate eventually.
It is already showing signs of
easing: FPIs recently turned buyers
for the first time in nine
months amid a softening Dollar
and the Rupee is below 80 again.
But whether this momentum will
be sustainable depends largely on
how quickly and effectively the
potential of the domestic consumption
market and demographic
dividend is tapped.
All in all, given the Fed's consecutive
rate hikes and the inflationary
environment, a weakened
Rupee was a fait accompli. India is
making all the right moves by
internationalising the Rupee and
making INR assets attractive on a
global level. Given all the tailwinds
the country has working in
its favour - economic growth, a
vast domestic market, and a young
population - regulators and policymakers
must ensure that Indian
assets remain an attractive destination
for global capital on a relative
yield basis.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
NEWS
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
An important Covid fallout:
Communication skills put to test
13
'Work from home', zoom meetings and a
drastic cut down on physical interactions
across the table have compelled business
organisations to search for a 'hybrid model' of
running the enterprise, resetting the paradigms
for performance evaluation and maintaining
the efficacy of human resource development.
Both in India as also in the developed West,
organisations are said to be facing a situation
where the employees have got used to not
going to place of work so much so that they
often allow their personal convenience to prevail
over the requirements of their organisations.
Employees could even choose to ignore the
call from above for a physical or virtual meeting.
Evolution of the 'new normal' for organisational
functioning is work in progress, but
many testing points for leadership are already
cropping up, demanding a revised strategy for
business management and productivity
enhancement - in the scene left behind by the
Covid onslaught.
Flexible working hours, participative
supervision by leaders at various levels, who
earlier just gave orders and looked for compliance
reports, and a changed framework of
boss-subordinate relationship in which the
senior would now be required to have some
idea of the challenges an employee could be
facing on family front, are some major
reforms that the organisations have been made
to adopt for their own good.
The HRD people in any organisation have
found their tasks multiplying and becoming
onerous on account of the new-found importance
of upskilling and re-skilling, revision of
methodology for performance evaluation and
the need for working out ways and means of
preserving confidentiality of information
exchanged by employees on line.
A very crucial test of leadership in a situation
of dispersed and distant location of the
work force is the effectiveness of communication
sent top down on digital media. The days
of lengthy letters and notifications despatched
in hard copies are over and online communications
are the norm now, but this is precisely
the reason why a senior today is going to be
judged for his or her ability to choose the right
words and expressions in organisational communications.
It is important that the messages are concise,
to the point and clear in their intent. It is
said that if you can speak on a subject - as in
a conference across the table - you are a master
of its content and that if you can write
about it, you are the close second best.
Online communications are, therefore, an
indicator of a certain perfection of knowledge
and the ability of the sender to impart that
knowledge to the person at the other end.
Apart from communications primarily
meant for exchanging data, anything that a
leader conveys must be meaningful, must
have connectivity with the larger objectives of
the organisation and must evoke interest of the
reader.
The communication should be drafted so as
to show that it has a purpose. Limitation of
space in a tweet or a short WhatsApp message
cannot be the excuse for arid, arrogant or
incomplete communications.
A paragraph can be condensed into a line
by a competent communicator. Poor communication
skills devalue leadership, while good
messaging enhances the image and
respectability of the leader. Covid is a
reminder to all organisations that flawless
communications are a must for keeping up
productivity.
Importance of communication also comes
out in the formulation of an organisation's
mission, drafting of the ethical framework and
defining of the parameters for performance
evaluation. These functions all connect with
the leadership and logically make the quality
of communications a hallmark of the latter.
It is not adequately realised that communication
is a product of the individual's education
and innate wisdom and also a measure of
the leader's 'emotional quotient' - considering
that all business is 'human activity'. Therefore,
it becomes the prime mover of the organisation's
success.
One of the earliest business advertisements
- 'Lipton's means good tea' - remains the
benchmark of brief, intelligible and complete
messaging.
Three principles of good communication
which will be always relevant are - 'brevity
should not be at the cost of clarity', 'it should
not lend itself to more than one interpretation'
and 'the communication should not hurt
human sensitivity'.
Success of a senior today depends a great
deal on participative supervision, which basically
allows a free two-way communication
with the juniors, discourages buck passing and
establishes an internal transparency that keep
the working environ free of favouritism.
Hierarchy-driven organisations often bred
the malady of seniors avoiding the responsibility
of taking a decision and pushing the
'files' up to their superiors - Covid intervention
has on the other hand further strengthened
the progressive trend of successful
organisations becoming 'flat' in the sense of
delegating the power of decision-making.
A welcome upshot of the Covid era is the
greater hands-on involvement of seniors in
work as team leaders and a greater recognition
of merit of the individual as the centre of all
productivity. This is going to stay as a learning
from the past. At the base of all these
reforms is the skill of all round communication.
As already mentioned, it is the HRD leaders
who face the challenge of reframing the
strategy of recruitment, continuing with inhouse
training in the new environ and changing
deployment of the personnel in keeping
with the demands of Covid contingency.
Remote handling called for new protocols,
new modes of communication and special
measures to prevent security breach in a situation
of wider online sharing of information.
Programmes of re-skilling for multi-tasking,
enhancing organisational loyalty and
strengthening quality controls have to be
reframed as Covid proved to be a great
'equaliser' for business organisations on one
hand and putting the focus on competition
built around 'quality' of product and service on
the other.
Communication skills again are central to
Social Media Marketing (SMM), which uses
the digital outreach to intelligently use personal
data to cater to the choices of customers.
Preserving the confidentiality of proprietary
information of the organisation requires
security orientation programmes for the
employees working from remote locations,
framing of instructions that were easily understood
and a new methodology for conducting
the security audit.
HRD-related communications will test the
leadership in a more demanding, way but once
the organisation gets them right, it would also
stand to gain substantially.
Information is the anchor of communication.
In an environ of declining physical interactions
within the organisation, difficulty
about creating a common information grid for
employees dispersed in remote locations and
the paucity of reliable information itself
because of the rise of the phenomenon of fake
news on social media, importance of business
intelligence has increased manifold and the
function of analysis has also gained momentum.
Leadership of the organisation has to measure
up to the maxim 'imagination is more
important than knowledge' -given by no less a
thought leader than Albert Einstein.
The capacity to look beyond what the facts
in front indicate would set a new benchmark
of success for leadership in all spheres - more
so for those who are heading business enterprises
in the Covid era of uncertainties of both
demand and supply and the challenge of
'delivery' facing them.
Technology that has brought a new kind of
success to global players handling retail, is
essentially about meaningful and timely communication.
Broadly speaking, Covid restrictiveness
has put a premium on communication and
since good communications are a product of
intelligent minds, it has ultimately brought
overriding importance to the intellectual qualities
of farsightedness, total devotion to the
mission at hand and - what is equally crucial -
compassion, in the leadership guiding the
enterprise. It has proved once again that a
good leader is a good communicator too.
14 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Want to create some great
moments for retiring Jhulan on
England tour: Harmanpreet
Mumbai : India women's
cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur
has said the team would like to create
some "great moments" for retiring
pace bowler Jhulan Goswami,
who is expected to play her
farewell match at Lord's on
September 24.
The 39-year-old Jhulan will follow
Mithali Raj into retirement,
after the veteran India cricketer
had called it a day in June, bringing
an end to a glorious 23-year
career.
India are scheduled to play a
white-ball fixture against England,
comprising three T20Is followed
by an equal number of ODIs, with
the series concluding at Lord's on
September 24.
Harmanpreet, who took over the
captaincy from Mithali, said she is
eyeing a fitting farewell for Jhulan.
When Harmanpreet made her
international debut in
March 2009, Jhulan was
India's captain.
"When I debuted, she
(Jhulan) was the captain
and it is a great opportunity
for me to lead the last
ODI she plays,"
Harmanpreet was quoted
as saying by ICC. "We
will be trying to create
some great moments for
her so that she can take
back good memories
from it."
Holder of several
records, Jhulan has
played 12 Tests, 201
ODIs and 68 T20Is so far.
She is the only bowler to
have claimed more than
200 ODI wickets in
women's cricket. In the
upcoming three-match
ODI series against England, she
will look forward to adding more
scalps to her current tally of 252
and finish her glorious career on a
high.
Harmanpreet expressed that a
player of Jhulan's calibre is irreplaceable
and "is a great example
for all of us."
"Her (Jhulan's) approach to the
team and (wanting to) do well in
every game is something nobody
can beat," Harmanpreet said.
"When I entered the team, she was
leading from the front and I have
learnt from her.
"Nobody can fill her place. She
used to work hard in her early days
and today also, I have not seen her
change in the way she trains during
practice sessions," Harmanpreet
added.
"She bowls two-three hours,
which hardly a few do. She is a
great example for all of us. There
are many who have started playing
looking at her. Even I looked at
how she prepares before games
and how her mindset before a
match is and learnt from her. I am
lucky to have seen her, worked
closely and spent time with her."
Fixtures: India tour of
England
1st T20I: 10 September, Riverside
Ground, Chester-le-Street
2nd T20I: 13 September, County
Ground, Derby
3rd T20I: 15 September, County
Ground, Bristol
1st ODI: 18 September, County
Ground, Hove
2nd ODI: 21 September, St
Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
3rd ODI: 24 September, Lord's,
London
Irish premier hopeful of
early meeting with new
British counterpart
Dublin : Irelands premier
Micheal Martin
expressed hope of an early
meeting with the incoming
British Prime Minister as he
signalled a desire to
strengthen British-Irish
relations amid the ongoing
impasse over the Northern
Ireland Protocol.
Martin stressed the need
for a political resolution
that would ensure powersharing
returns to Northern
Ireland, reports dpa news
agency.
The pro-British
Democratic Unionist Party
(DUP) is currently blocking the formation of
a devolved executive at Stormont in protest
at the protocol, a set of post-Brexit trading
arrangements that have created red tape on
the movement of goods across the Irish Sea.
Relations between London, Dublin and
Brussels remain strained over the protocol
deal that Britain and the EU agreed in 2019
as a way to avoid a hard border on the island
of Ireland. The British government is putting
legislation through Parliament that would
empower ministers to unilaterally scrap the
checks on Irish Sea trade the protocol has
created. It is a move that the EU claims
would breach international
law.
Martin pledged to work
with the incoming Prime
Minister, be it Liz Truss or
Rishi Sunak, with the aim of
securing a return to powersharing
in Northern Ireland.
On a visit on Tuesday,
Martin was asked how he
would engage with outgoing
UK Prime Minister Boris
Johnson's successor.
"I think relationships are
very important and I've
always in my political life
worked to build relationships
with people," he said.
"And the Irish-British relationship is particularly
important."
He said the UK-Ireland relationship was a
"key plank" of the 1998 Good Friday peace
agreement. "So we will work with the new
British Prime Minister and we will meet
early and engage to work on the very strong
issues between us, both bilaterally in the
context of economics and so forth and,
undoubtedly, in the context of the Good
Friday Agreement and the need to have a
restoration of the (Northern Ireland)
Assembly and Executive and also a strong
British-Irish relationship."
Indian returns home
after serving 28 years
in Pakistan jail
Ahmedabad : An Indian
man arrested by the
Pakistani agencies in 1994
and awarded life term by a
court for espionage, returned
and reunited with his family
28 years later.
Kuldeep Yadav (59), was
released last week by the
Pakistan Supreme Court,
after completion of his
imprisonment in 2021.
He has sought financial
aid from the Government of
India and other citizens.
After completing his
graduation from Sabarmati
Arts and Commerce College
from Ahmedabad and pursuing
LLB course, Kuldeep
was searching for job opportunities
in 1991, when some
persons approached him
with an offer to "work for
the country".
"In 1992, I was sent to
Pakistan, after serving for
two years on foreign soil, I
planned to return in June
1994, but before making it
to my motherland, I was
picked up by Pakistani agencies
and produced before a
court. For two long years, I
was interrogated by various
agencies," he told IANS.
Narrating his plight,
Kuldeep said in 1996, the
Pakistan court awarded him
life imprisonment on the
charges of spying and sent
him to Kot-Lakhpat Civil
Central jail in Lahore.
"There I got a chance to
meet late Sarbjeet, the jail
authorities used to arrange
meetings between us every
fortnight. Till Sarabjeet's
death, Pakistani and Indian
jail inmates shared same
barracks." He was received
by the Indian officials and
his brother on the Indian
side last week. "After serving
the country for 30 years,
I am 'Zero Batta Zero' today,
dependent on younger brother
Dilip and sister Rekha.
The government should pay
compensation like retired
soldiers. I too should be
given agriculture land, pension,
and land for a house, so
that I can rebuild my life. At
the age of 59, no one is
going to hire me. I appeal to
citizens to come forward and
extend support socially and
economically."
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
NEWS
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
15
Both men & women equally
contribute to infertility in India
New Delhi : The most recent
National Family Health Survey
shows that India's national total
fertility rate (TFR) has decreased
to below 2.0 for the first time
(NFHS). This troubling data is
thought to have a significant contribution
from infertility. A disturbed
biological clock that affects
mood and stress levels, sleep and
eating problems, diabetes, tuberculosis,
air pollution and exposure to
environmental pollutants, excessive
alcohol and tobacco use,
overexertion, etc. are major risk
factors for infertility in both sexes.
Gaudium IVF, a fertility treatment
facility, recognised for utilising
the most cutting-edge reproductive
technologies, has made a
stunning discovery in determining
that 40 per cent of men, 40 per cent
of women, and 20 per cent of both
combined are responsible for infertility
cases in India. Dr. Manika
Khanna, an infertility specialist
and laparoscopic surgeon and
founder of Gaudium IVF while
commenting on the major contributing
factors of infertility in
men and women said, "Infertility is
rapidly rising among men due to
their increased stress levels. We've
dealt with many such cases of male
infertility across India. In states
like UP and Bihar, the prevailing
use of tobacco adds up to a major
factor. Whereas in urban metro
cities, disrupted Circadian Rhythm
(i.e., biological clock of the body)
due to night shifts and excessive
pressure of meeting targets &
deadlines in Corporates, is causing
sleep and mood disorders often
affecting their mental health. In
women, fast declining ovarian
Dubai returnee held with gold
worth Rs 65L at Amritsar airport
Amritsar :
Customs officials
at Amritsar's Sri
Guru Ram Das Ji
international airport
have apprehended
a passenger
and recovered
undeclared gold
valued at around
Rs 65.16 lakh from
his possession.
According to
reports, the
Customs officials
held a passenger
who had arrived
from Dubai via Air
India flight IX -
192 on Tuesday.
The passenger
tried to cross through the green channel but was stopped due
to his suspicious movements. He denied carrying any contraband
when questioned by the Customs officials.
However, after a personal search, three transparent poly
pouches containing four pure gold chains weighing 1,240
gm (having a market value of Rs 65.16 lakh) were found
concealed in the undergarment worn by him.
The recovered gold has been placed under seizure.
Further investigation is in progress.
reserve is leading to a poor and
decreased egg number & quality.
Tuberculosis (TB), PCOD,
Hormonal disturbances,
Endometriosis, higher intake of
preservatives etc., are some factors
of immediate concern."
According to the research, every
couple is unique, thus their
New Delhi- India and France held
consultations on the UN Security
Council and multilateral issues in
Paris, with both sides briefing each
other about their priorities during the
countries' upcoming Presidencies of
the UNSC in September and
December, the Ministry of External
Affairs here said on Wednesday.
The two sides on Tuesday also held
discussions on initiatives around the
High Level Week of the upcoming 77th
Session of the UN General Assembly
in September, according to the
Ministry. Prakash Gupta, Joint
Secretary (UN-Political), led the Indian
delegation which also included officials
from the Embassy of India in
Paris. The French delegation was headed
by Ambassador Fabien Penone,
Director for International
Organization, Human Rights and
Francophonie Department of Ministry
for Europe and Foreign Affairs
(MEAE) of France, along with other
senior officials. " n keeping with India-
France Strategic Partnership, both
causative variables, success
prospects, and fertility treatment
journeys all differ noticeably. In
Tier 11 and Tier 111 cities across
the nation as well as metro areas,
there are several societal barriers
that must be overcome that link the
treatment of infertility to social
taboos & misconceptions. The
sides had an in-depth exchange of
views on various thematic and country
specific issues on the agenda of the UN
Security Council.
"Both sides agreed to strengthen
odds of a couple becoming pregnant
might be significantly
increased with the safe method of
fertility therapy. More people will
eventually open up about their
reproductive concerns and discuss
them with the IVF professionals as
awareness of fertility treatment
grows. This steadily increased selfassurance
would help a lot in overcoming
the infertility problems
that most Indian couples face.
"In my experience of treating
infertility in over 20,000 couples,
not just patients in India but also
from US and Europe, I've observed
that most people are not adequately
aware about the risk factors and
even more so are confused as they
become overwhelmed by the information
and data available online.
Therefore, I strongly advise them
to only refer to the credible sources
or educate themselves with the
consultation of IVF experts. In last
decade, there's been a great deal of
advancement and notable research
that has happened in this field of
medical science. What applies to
the western population might not
work well with the Indian race. Our
geography, climate etc., everything
counts when it comes to our body.
So always consult with your expert
doctors to reverse your lifestyle
disorders and treat infertility," further
added Dr. Khanna.
India, France hold consultations
on UN Security Council
their ongoing cooperation at the multilateral
platform on issues of mutual
interest, including on counter-terrorism,
UN Peacekeeping and Reformed
Multilateralism," the Ministry said.
16 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Mikhail Gorbachev, last big leader
of the Soviet Union, dies at 91
Moscow : Former Soviet Union
leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the last
of the titans in Russia who sought
economic reforms through his
famous 'glasnost' (openness) and
'perestroika' (reconstruction), died
in a hospital in Moscow. He was
91.
Gorbachev, an unquestioned
titan who embarked on a path of
radical reform that brought about
the end of the Cold War, reversed
the direction of the nuclear arms
race and relaxed Communist Party
controls in hopes of rescuing the
faltering Soviet state but instead
propelled it toward collapse, has
died in Moscow.
He was awarded the Nobel
Prize for peace in 1990 which he
shared with the US President then.
His death on Tuesday was
announced by Russian news agencies,
citing the government hospital
where he was being treated, but
no further details were immediately
available, The Washington Post
reported this evening.
For the sheer improbability of
his actions and their impact on the
late 20th century, Gorbachev ranks
as a towering figure. In 1985, he
was chosen to lead a country
mired in socialism and stultifying
ideology. In six years of cajoling,
improvised tactics and increasingly
bold risks, Gorbachev
unleashed immense changes that
eventually demolished the pillars
of the state.
The Soviet Union's collapse
was not Gorbachev's goal, but it
may be his greatest legacy. It
brought to an end a seven-decade
experiment born of Utopian idealism
that led to some of the bloodiest
human suffering of the century.
A costly global confrontation
between East and West abruptly
ceased to exist. The division of
Europe fell away. The tense superpower
hair-trigger nuclear standoff
was eased, short of
Armageddon.
None of it could have happened
but for Gorbachev. Along the way,
he let loose a revolution from
above within the Soviet Union,
prodding and pushing a stagnant
country in hopes of reviving it. In
nearly six years of high drama and
breathtaking transformation, Mr.
Gorbachev pursued ever-larger
ambitions for liberalization, battling
inertia and a stubborn old
guard, Washington Post said .
Archie Brown, an emeritus professor
of politics at the University
of Oxford's St. Antony's College
and one of the leading authorities
on Gorbachev, has written that
openness and pluralism were
among the premier's singular
achievements in a country that for
hundreds of years had been shackled
by authoritarian rule under the
czars and Soviet leaders.
Gorbachev introduced the first
genuinely competitive elections
for a legislature, allowed civil
society to take root and encouraged
open discussion of dark passages
in Soviet history.
At the same time, Brown said
Gorbachev suffered failures,
including his effort to break the
grip of central planning (Gosplan)
on the economy in reforms known
as perestroika, which got a start
but never went far enough, and his
inability to satisfy ambitions for
sovereignty among restive Soviet
nationalities, which contributed to
the centrifugal forces that broke up
the country.
Many of Gorbachev's most
remarkable accomplishments
came to haunt him. Liberalization
of the system "brought every conceivable
long-suppressed problem
and grievance to the surface of
Soviet political life", Brown
recalled. "Gorbachev's political intray
became monumentally overloaded."
After a failed coup attempt by
hard-liners in 1991, a weakened
Gorbachev finally relinquished
power to even more radical
reformers led by then Russian
President Boris Yeltsin. The Soviet
flag came down from the Kremlin
in December 25, 1991.
Gorbachev did not set out to
lower that flag. He was very much
a product of the system and the
tumultuous events that spanned
his lifetime, from Stalin's terror
and the unimaginable losses of
World War II, through the hardships,
thaws, triumphs, dashed
expectations and stagnation of the
postwar years.
Over many years, Gorbachev
came to see a huge chasm that
existed between the reality of
Soviet day-to-day life, often shabby
and poor, and the artificial slogans
of the party and leadership
about a bright future under communism.
Many others also saw
this gap and shrugged, but what
made Gorbachev different is that
he was shocked by it. By the time
he became Soviet leader, he had
fully absorbed the abysmal reality
but had little understanding of how
to fix it. He hoped that unleashing
forces of openness and political
pluralism would heal the other
maladies.
They could not, The
Washington Post said.
In the shadow of Stalin and war,
Gorbachev was born March 2,
1931, in the small village of
Privolnoye, in the black-earth
region of Stavropol in southern
Russia. His parents, Sergei and
Maria, worked the land in a village
that was little changed over centuries.
Gorbachev spent much of his
childhood as the favorite of his
mother's parents: He often lived
with them. His maternal grandfather,
Pantelei, was remembered by
Gorbachev as a tolerant man, and
immensely respected in the village.
In those years, Gorbachev
was the only son; a brother was
born after the war, when he was 17
years old.
Famine struck the region in
1933, when Gorbachev was just
two. Stalin had launched the mass
collectivization of agriculture, a
brutal process of forcing the peasants
into collective farms and punishing
those known as kulaks who
were somewhat better off. The collectivization
destroyed traditional
patterns of farming. A third to a
half of the population of
Privolnoye died of hunger.
"Entire families were dying,
and the half-ruined ownerless huts
would remain deserted for years,"
he remembered. Stalin's purges
took millions of lives among the
peasantry in the 1930s.
The 'Great Terror' affected
Gorbachev, too. His grandfather
on his father's side, Andrei, rejected
collectivization and tried to
make it on his own. In the spring
of 1934, Andrei was arrested and
accused of failing to fulfill the
sowing plan set by the government
for individual peasants.
"But no seeds were available to
fulfill the plan," Gorbachev
recalled of the absurdity of the
charge.
Gorbachev entered Moscow
State University, the country's
most prestigious, in September
1950, a peasant boy in the bustling
metropolis. He arrived with only a
village school education, and
friends who had acquired more
learning in their earlier years often
teased him. Gorbachev joined the
Communist Party in 1952.
The first two years of his university
life coincided with Stalin's
anti-cosmopolitan campaign,
aimed at Jewish scholars and writers.
This was an eye-opener for
Gorbachev. He recalled that one
morning, a friend, a Jew, had been
confronted by a shouting, taunting
mob and then crudely shoved off a
tram. "I was shocked."
Gorbachev came to see Stalin
differently. At the 20th Party
Congress, on February 25, 1955,
Nikita Khrushchev delivered his
famous "secret speech" denouncing
Stalin's personality cult and
use of violence and persecution.
Only after the speech, Mr.
Gorbachev recalled, "did I begin
to understand the inner connection
between what had happened in our
country and what had happened to
my family". His grandfather
Pantelei had said that Stalin didn't
know of his torture. But,
Gorbachev thought, maybe Stalin
was the one responsible for the
family's pain.
Gorbachev later frequently
called Khrushchev's speech
"courageous". It was not a total
break with the past, but it was a
break nonetheless.
While at the university,
Gorbachev met and married Raisa
Titorenko, a bright philosophy student.
She initially shunned the village
boy, but he eventually
charmed her.
In the two years after Stalin's
death, Moscow began to open up
to new ideas. Ilya Ehrenburg's
novel, "The Thaw", was published
in 1954. Gorbachev met a young
Czech student at the university,
Zdenek Mlynar, who became a
lifelong friend, and they enjoyed
stormy debates. The university
experience began to open
Gorbachev's eyes even further, but
at the same time, "for me and others
of my generation the question
of changing the system in which
we lived did not arise".
After the university, Gorbachev
decided on a career with the
Komsomol, the party's youth division,
as deputy head of the "agitation
and propaganda department".
This was a conformist career path.
Gorbachev threw himself into the
work, honing his speaking skills,
often making trips around the
Stavropol region to exhort young
people to be good socialists and
believe in the party. In an early
assignment, he was sent out to a
local district to extol Khrushchev's
speech on Stalin.
Gorbachev moved up rapidly
through the party ranks in
Stavropol to become the highestranking
official, the first secretary,
from 1970 to 1978. In farming and
industry, the heavy hand of the
state stifled individual initiative.
Theft, toadying, incompetence and
malaise were everywhere. Central
planning was both intrusive and
woefully inefficient.
Brown later wrote that
Gorbachev was "as pragmatic an
innovator as the conservative temper
of the times allowed". He supported
a farming plan to give
autonomy to groups or teams of
workers, including families. In
1978, Gorbachev wrote a lengthy
memo on the problems of agriculture
that called for giving "more
independence to enterprises and
associations" in deciding key production
and money issues. But
there is no evidence that these
ideas ever took root very widely,
and Gorbachev was definitely not
a radical. Gorbachev has said he
finally realized, as regional party
boss, that something much more
serious was wrong with the Soviet
system than just inefficiency, theft
and poor planning. The deeper
flaw was that no one could break
out with new ideas. "This was a
shock to me," Gorbachev said.
"This visit overturned all my conceptions."
Gorbachev visited Italy,
France, Belgium and West
Germany. What he saw in these
relatively prosperous democracies
was far different from what he had
been shown in Soviet propaganda
books, film and radio broadcasts.
Mr. Gorbachev realised multiple
voices were allowed to challenge
the power structure.
See on Page 17
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
NEWS
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
17
J'khand: Dalit houses demolished, families thrown out
Ranchi : A group of Muslim
strongmen at a village in
Jharkhand's Palamu district
allegedly demolished the houses of
Dalit families and forced them to
leave the locality, claiming their
houses were built on land that
belonged to a Madarsa.
The incident took place on
Monday in Murumatu village. The
Dalit families were residing there
in the houses -- mostly made of
mud and straw -- for almost 3-4
decades.
None of the members of the
community is said to be literate,
and they make ends meet by begging,
or by engaging in some petty
jobs.
When the Dalits resisted
attempts to demolish their houses,
they were allegedly roughed up.
Besides, they were forcefully made
to board two vehicles, and later
off-loaded and abandoned near a
forest. The Dalits somehow managed
to reach a police station and
complained about the matter.
They alleged that the Muslim
strongmen often used to assault
them, and also pressurised them to
vacate the village.
The police said the matter pertains
to a land dispute, adding that
action would be initiated after
investigation.
Continue Page 15
The Independence and Gandhi: In the
Clutches of Neo-liberalism
And, he said, "people there lived
in better conditions and were better
off than in our country. The question
haunted me: Why was the
standard of living in our country
lower than in other developed
countries?"
In a move that took him upward
in the Soviet power structure,
Gorbachev was elected a secretary
of the Central Committee, and put
in charge of agriculture in Leonid
Brezhnev's final years in power.
The general secretary was ill, and
some Politburo meetings lasted no
longer than 15 or 20 minutes. The
country was in serious trouble economically.
The war in Afghanistan,
launched by a coterie around
Brezhnev, turned into a quagmire.
The hopes of detente in the 1970s
evaporated, and superpower tension
escalated. Bread lines grew
longer. During the first four years
that Gorbachev was secretary for
agriculture in Moscow, there were
four successive poor harvests and
massive Soviet grain purchases
abroad.
From the time Gorbachev
arrived in Moscow in November
1978, through the early 1980s, an
intense Kremlin power struggle
played out between an old guard,
bastions of the party and the military,
and a handful of reformers,
most of whom were academics
with fresh ideas but no power base.
When Brezhnev died in 1982,
hopes were raised that his successor,
the former KGB boss Yuri
Andropov, would end the long
stagnation. Andropov promoted a
group of younger officials, including
Gorbachev, whom he had mentored.
Gorbachev brought some of
the academic reformers to his side,
the post said.
But Andropov died in 1984,
after only 15 months in office.
Gorbachev was briefly in contention
to succeed Andropov, but
was cast aside in a maneuver at the
last minute for Konstantin
Chernenko, a long-serving
Brezhnev acolyte. Five weeks after
Reagan was reelected to a second
term, in December 1984,
Gorbachev made a landmark trip
to London, where he left a strong
impression. He called attention to
the dangers of nuclear war and
emphasized Soviet fears of an
arms race in space. He promised
"radical reductions" in nuclear
weapons. In substance, Gorbachev
did not change Soviet policy, but
his youthful and vigorous style
spoke volumes. He seemed to
promise a more flexible approach,
a sharp contrast with the rigidity of
the past. Just after the visit, Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher gave
an interview to the BBC. In her
first answer to a question, she
declared: "I like Gorbachev. We
can do business together."
On the evening of Sunday,
March 10, 1985, Gorbachev took a
call from the Kremlin doctor,
Yevgeny Chazov. Chernenko had
died of a heart ailment and complications
from emphysema. The next
day, Gorbachev was selected to be
the new general secretary.
Gorbachev has recalled that he
had a long talk with Raisa early in
the morning of March 11, strolling
the garden paths of their dacha outside
of Moscow just before dawn,
talking about the events and the
implications.
Gorbachev told her he had been
frustrated all the years in Moscow,
having not accomplished as much
as he wanted, always hitting a
wall. To really get things done, he
would have to accept the job.
"We can't go on living like this,"
he said. Shock waves and a
nation's demise
In his early days in office,
Gorbachev sent a shock wave of
excitement through a moribund
society. At a time when people
were accustomed to flowery but
empty official pronouncements,
when portraits of leaders were
dutifully hung from every wall,
when conformity suffocated public
discussion, Gorbachev's style was
refreshingly direct.
Often he talked too much,
wavered on important decisions,
and was slow to break out of the
old Soviet mind-set. Yet the
absolute core of his early drive was
to halt the decay in Soviet living
standards and rejuvenate society.
He believed that open discussion
was essential to the survival of
socialism. He didn't fear what people
had to say. He believed in
Lenin's ideals, but concluded that
leaders after Lenin had gone off
track, and he wanted to set it right.
It would have been so much easier
to fall back into the old habits,
to take the well-worn old pathways,
but Gorbachev did not. In a
combative speech to Leningrad
Communists at the Smolny
Institute, Gorbachev spoke largely
without notes, insisting that the
economy be re-energized, demanding
that people who could not
accept change must stand aside.
"Get out of the way. Don't be a
hindrance," he declared.
In 1990, Gorbachev toyed with
a plan to turn the country into a
market economy in 500 days, but
he discarded it. His economic policy
zigzagged back and forth. His
efforts to reform state-owned
industries were ineffectual. He
refused to take another key step,
freeing prices from state control.
Gorbachev also blamed the heavy
burdens of the arms race for his
economic failures.
"Defense spending was bleeding
the other branches of the economy
dry," he wrote in his memoir.
In politics, Gorbachev's revolution
from above grew ever more
radical as time went by. It reached
a climax March 26, 1989, with the
first relatively free election since
the Bolshevik Revolution for a
new Soviet legislature, the
Congress of People's Deputies. In
the balloting, the Communist Party
leadership in Leningrad was turned
out, pro-independence parties won
in the Baltics, and Yeltsin, the radical
reformer, triumphed in
Moscow. The Communist Party
establishment took a shellacking.
When the new legislature met
for the first time from May 25
through June 9, Gorbachev ordered
the proceedings broadcast on television.
Transfixed, millions of people
stayed home from work to
watch the broadcasts; the debates
broke new ground in freedom of
speech. But as with so many of
Gorbachev's daring moves, this
one had a double edge. Gorbachev,
the party, the KGB and the military
were lambasted with open and
often trenchant criticism. Soon,
Gorbachev's room for maneuver
began to shrink. The forces of freedom
and openness he had
unleashed began to overtake him,
creating obstacles and open resistance.
In later years, many analysts
said Gorbachev missed an important
opportunity in 1990, when he
might have split the Communist
Party into two: a more progressive
wing that aspired to Western
European social democracy, and
another branch harboring the old
guard.
Had Gorbachev taken this leap,
and become leader of the progressives,
he might have overcome the
divisions that were swelling up
around him. But Mr. Gorbachev
did not do it, and later that year a
backlash took root; Mr. Gorbachev
himself seemed to side with the
reactionary forces.
One of the most important
moments of Gorbachev's rule came
with the Chernobyl nuclear power
plant disaster in 1986. In the early
days after the accident, the Soviet
Union attempted to cover up the
extent of the catastrophe. Then a
radioactive cloud drifted toward
Europe, and the truth could no
longer be hidden. The experience
later reinforced Gorbachev's belief
in the value of glasnost, or openness.
Shevardnadze said that
Chernobyl "tore the blindfold from
our eyes and persuaded us that politics
and morals could not
diverge". With the sting of
Chernobyl still fresh, Gorbachev
that summer prepared to coax
President Ronald Reagan toward
an agreement on deeper cuts in
strategic nuclear weapons, while
also attempting to bottle up
Reagan's plan for a global missile
defense, known as the Strategic
Defense Initiative.
Soviet physicists had told Mr.
Gorbachev that they didn't think
Reagan's missile defense plan
would work; Gorbachev had
already decided not to build an
equivalent Soviet system. He did
not want, nor could the Soviet
Union afford, a new arms race in
space. Even so, Soviet officials
were puzzled and worried about
why the US was pouring money
into the missile defense project,
and they knew American innovation
and technology could be a
potent force.
Gorbachev and Reagan met in
Reykjavik, Iceland, on October 11-
12, 1986, for what was supposed to
be a quick discussion but soon
blossomed into much more. They
improvised, argued and bargained
their way toward the deepest cuts
in strategic nuclear weapons ever
contemplated in the nuclear age.
However, at the very end, on
October 12, a Sunday afternoon
and early evening, Gorbachev
demanded that Reagan confine his
missile defense research to the laboratory.
Gorbachev had planned
this challenge to Reagan all along.
The president refused. They
abruptly broke up, and the summit
ended without a deal.
The breakdown seemed to be a
diplomatic disaster at that moment,
but later it led to new progress in
nuclear arms control. Over the next
year, Reagan and Gorbachev
agreed to eliminate an entire class
of nuclear-armed missiles, the
intermediate-range rockets in
Europe, signing a treaty to scrap
them at the Washington summit in
1987, where Gorbachev spontaneously
stopped his limousine on
Connecticut Avenue and began
shaking hands with thrilled
passersby. In 1988, Gorbachev
announced a massive pullback of
conventional troops in Europe in a
speech at the UN. However, it was
later revealed that while
Gorbachev and Reagan were negotiating
nuclear weapons reductions,
the Soviet Union continued
to operate a sprawling, hidden biological
weapons program in violation
of its treaty obligations.
On December 25, Gorbachev
resigned and turned the nuclear
weapons controls over to Yeltsin,
as president of the Russian
Federation. Gorbachev gave a
short speech from the Kremlin.
When he took office in 1985,
Gorbachev said, he felt it was a
shame that a nation so richly
endowed, so brimming with natural
resources and human talent
endowed by God, was living so
poorly compared with the developed
countries of the world.
He blamed the Soviet command
system and ideology, and he
blamed the "terrible burden of the
arms race".
The Soviet people had "reached
the limits of endurance," he said.
"All attempts at partial reform,
and there were many, failed, one
after another. The country was losing
its future. We could not go on
living like this. Everything had to
be drastically changed."
18 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Lifestyle choices, lack of proper sleep, food and
exercise causing rise in heart attacks: Experts
Mumbai : Lifestyle choices,
increased stress levels, lack of
sleep, nutritious food and exercise
are primary causes of the rise in
cases of heart attacks in relatively
younger people, say experts.
The recent case of comedianactor
Raju Srivastava (58) suffering
a heart attack has put the issue in
spotlight again.
In May this year, noted singer
KK (53) died of cardiac arrest after
a concert in Kolkata.
“Smoking is the most important
among other risk factors like diabetes,
high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Lifestyle choices, lack of
sleep, nutritious food and exercise,
and increased stress levels are probably
responsible for heart attacks in
young people,” he said.
Also, COVID-19 has been
recently responsible for an increase
in heart attack cases among young
people in India, he added.
Dr Ajit Menon, consultant, cardiac
sciences at the Sir HN Reliance
Foundation Hospital in Mumbai,
claimed India is becoming the “diabetes
capital” of the world, and said
this is also why young people are
prone to heart attacks.
The number of young hypertensives
is dynamically increasing and
the factor leading to it is stress, he
said. Menon also pointed out the
physiology of Indians as another
factor. “If you look at the average
Indian, they have a much higher fat
content than an average European
of the same Body Mass Index
(BMI), which means the same
height and weight, and that difference
is quite staggering,” he said.
An average European’s fat content
is seven to eight per cent,
whereas that of an Indian is almost
12 to 23 per cent in terms of visceral
adiposity, he said.
“Something that was touted earlier
and is still relevant, and that is
Daily exercise for 30 to 45 minutes can keep the body fit
and free from many diseases like diabetes, hypertension,
says cardiac surgeon Dr Ramakanta Panda
called the thin fat Indian. This
means the person will look thin
from the outside, but his visceral
content of fat, which eventually
determines that the patient is going
to develop any atherosclerotic disease
and blockages etc, is on a
much higher side for Indians as
compared to Westerners who have a
much better muscle mass than
Indians,” he said.
Family history plays a very
strong role, and especially if the
mother had a heart problem at a
young age, chances of children getting
it are also reasonably high.
Genes is one thing which you cannot
alter, irrespective of what you
do, Menon said.
“Whatever lifestyle you lead, if
your genetic tendencies are
extremely high, there is a very
strong possibility that you will
develop blockages sooner or later.
So you need to assess yourself on a
periodic basis beyond a certain
age,” he said. Dr Ramakanta Panda,
leading cardiac surgeon and head of
Bethesda (US) : A cup of tea just
got a bit more relaxing.
Tea can be part of a healthy diet
and people who drink tea may even
be a little more likely to live longer
than those who don't, according to a
large study. Tea contains helpful
substances known to reduce inflammation.
Past studies in China and
Japan, where green tea is popular,
suggested health benefits.
The new study extends the good
news to the UK's favourite drink:
black tea. Scientists from the US
National Cancer Institute asked
about the tea habits of nearly a half
million adults in the United
Kingdom, then followed them for
up to 14 years. They adjusted for
Mumbai’s Asian Heart Institute,
also pointed to genetic tendencies
as an important factor.
“Other common reasons for heart
issues in the young include a strong
family history of heart disease, coexisting
medical conditions such as
diabetes and hypertension, lifestyle
problems such as smoking, obesity,
stress, lack of exercise and environmental
pollution,” he said.
He said sudden death is more
common in young people because
their body has not developed an
risk factors such as health, socioeconomics,
smoking, alcohol intake,
diet, age, race and gender.
Higher tea intake—two or more
cups daily—was linked to a modest
benefit: a 9% to 13% lower risk of
death from any cause vs non-tea
drinkers. Tea temperature, or adding
milk or sugar, didn't change the
results.
The study, published on Monday
in Annals of Internal Medicine,
found the association held up for
heart disease deaths, but there was
no clear trend for cancer deaths.
Researchers weren't sure why, but
it's possible there weren't enough
cancer deaths for any effect to show
up, said Maki Inoue-Choi, who led
alternative circulation.
This is not so in older people as
they develop blockages over time
and their body gets enough time to
get accustomed to the change, he
said.
Daily exercise for 30 to 45 minutes
can keep the body fit and free
from many diseases and health conditions
like diabetes, hypertension,
obesity, Panda said.
This in turn helps prevent cardiac
disease. But, he also cautioned
youngsters about not hydrating their
body enough before a strenuous
exercise. “When you do not hydrate
but exercise heavily and sweat, the
blood becomes thicker and you may
develop a clot. Also, exercising
beyond your capacity causes stress,
which may result in the rupturing of
an artery. Youngsters must guard
against this,” he said.
Panda said periodic screening
tests are needed to identify the
problem at an early stage, so that
proper treatment may be given
before there is significant damage
to the heart. Common screening
tests include electrocardiogram
(ECG), 2D echocardiogram, stress
test, CT scan for coronary calcium.
Cardiac screening tests are advisable
once a year or once in two
years after the age 40 in the general
population or after the age of 30 in
the high-risk population, Panda
said. Dr Mohit Garg, consultant and
head of accident and emergency
department at the Global Hospital
in Mumbai, said if cardiac arrest is
left untreated, irreversible brain
damage occurs within three to eight
minutes and death rapidly follows.
Even in patients who are resuscitated
or revived from cardiac arrest,
post-cardiac arrest brain injury is
the main cause of death and the
main cause of long-term disability
in those who survive the acute
phase, he said.
Tea drinkers enjoy possible health benefits, study suggests
the study.
A study like this, based on
observing people's habits and
health, can't prove cause and effect.
“Observational studies like this
always raise the question: Is there
something else about tea drinkers
that makes them healthier?” said
Marion Nestle, a professor of food
studies at New York University.
“I like tea. It's great to drink. But
a cautious interpretation seems like
a good idea.”
There's not enough evidence to
advise changing tea habits, said
Inoue-Choi. “If you drink one cup a
day already, I think that is good,"
she said. “And please enjoy your
cup of tea.”
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
NEWS
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
19
APPLE WATCH, iPhone set to focus on
17 health, fitness areas in 200 nations
Health institutions are using Apple devices, APIs and frameworks to strengthen
relationship between physicians and patients with meaningful data
New Delhi : With iOS 16 and
watchOS 9 this fall, Apple Watch
and iPhone will offer features that
focus on 17 areas of health and fitness,
from heart health to sleep,
women's health, mobility and more,
according to the tech giant.
Apple users can now store over
150 different types of health data
from Apple Watch, iPhone, and
connected third-party apps and
devices. They can also choose to
share certain types of this health
data with loved ones. These features,
available in nearly 200 countries
and territories, provide users
with high-quality data gathered
throughout the day and night, said
the company.
As pandemic show us the importance
of being fit and healthy,
Apple is creating devices and services
packed with "science-based
technology" that equips people
with even more information and
acts as an intelligent guardian for
their health, "so they are no longer
passengers on their own health
journey", according to Jeff
Williams, Chief Operating Officer
at Apple. The company feels drawn
to this work not only because of the
opportunity to help advance human
health but "because we are driven
by our principles to devote talent,
resources, and expertise to where
we can do the most good." "We
believe passionately that technology
can play a role in improving
health outcomes and encouraging
people to live a healthier day," he
said in a recent Apple Health report.
The Cupertino-based company
said that its application programming
interfaces (APIs) are enabling
third-party developers to create
new solutions that promote healthy
lifestyles and innovation in health.
"There are now tens of thousands
of apps on the App Store that
use our HealthKit API, so they can
incorporate data users choose to
share from the Health app to offer
innovative health and fitness experiences,
with rigorous privacy and
data security protocols," according
to the report. With users' permission,
these apps can also contribute
data back to the Health app.
Apple recently collaborated with
Stanford University in the US to
build the Apple Heart Study, which
was a first of its kind in the medical
community and the largest virtual
cardiac clinical study during its
time.
"It paved the way for Apple's
work with some of the world's leading
institutions to build three firstof-their-kind
research studies to
advance the science across
women's health, hearing health,
heart health, and more," said the
report.
Health institutions are using
Apple devices, APIs, and frameworks
to strengthen the relationship
between physicians and patients
with meaningful data, and enable
care from anywhere.
According to the report, health
organisations and insurance companies
around the world have collaborated
with Apple to integrate Apple
Watch in their wellness programmes
to promote healthier
behaviours and improve individual
health at a large scale.
"Our work primarily falls into
two categories: personal health and
fitness features on Apple Watch and
iPhone, and the work we are doing
with the medical community to
support research and care," said
Williams.
Cannabis users are more prone to nicotine
consumption, SAY RESEARCHERS
Washington : Individuals who
use medicinal cannabis are more
prone to consume nicotine products
than the general population, according
to a recent study.
The study, published in the
American Journal on Addictions, is
among the first to examine nicotine
use among patients of a medical
marijuana dispensary.
“Simultaneous use of cannabis
and nicotine is a growing concern,
but while the relationship between
recreational cannabis and nicotine
use is well-established, little is
known about nicotine use among
users of medical cannabis,” said
Mary Bridgeman, a clinical professor
at Rutgers Ernest Mario School
of Pharmacy.
The researchers surveyed 697
patients between ages 18 and 89 at a
medical marijuana dispensary on
their nicotine and cannabis use, how
they self-administered the cannabis
(smoked, vaped) and the medical
conditions that qualified them for
using therapeutic cannabis. They
found that close to 40 per cent of
medical marijuana users also use
nicotine—sharply higher than the 14
per cent of US adults who smoke.
Therapeutic cannabis users who
also used electronic cigarettes or
didn’t use nicotine at all were about
four times more likely to vape,
rather than smoke, cannabis than
those who exclusively smoked cigarettes.
The study also found that 75
per cent of the respondents smoked
cannabis rather than vaped and
about 80 per cent of the cigarette
smokers reported planning to quit in
the next six months.
These findings reveal that while
medical cannabis dispensaries may
recommend vaping rather than
smoking cannabis due to the health
concerns associated with combustible
products, this recommendation
alone may not influence
patients who also smoke cigarettes,”
said co-author Marc Steinberg,
author of the study and a professor
in the department of psychiatry at
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School.
“Between the higher rates of
nicotine use in those using medical
cannabis, the fact that cigarette
smokers opt to smoke cannabis as
well and that those people also are
seeking to quit using nicotine presents
a strong argument that dispensaries
provide tobacco control messaging
at the point-of-sale to
encourage cigarette smokers to
quit,” Steinberg added. “The strategy
also could increase the chances
that a medical cannabis user would
vape the product, which is a less
harmful route than smoking.”
20 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Michael Jackson used
19 fake IDs to score drugs,
reveals new documentary
Los Angeles : King of pop
Michael Jackson, who died in June
2009, used upto 19 fake IDs to buy
drugs, reveals a new documentary.
The 50-year-old was found unresponsive
in his Los Angeles home
after suffering cardiac arrest brought
on by the anesthetic propofol - a drug
reportedly routinely administered by
Jackson's physician, Conrad Murray.
The death was ruled a homicide,
and Murray took all the blame. He
was convicted of involuntary
manslaughter and was sentenced to
four years in prison, serving just
under two behind bars, reports
nypost.com.
But Murray endured the brunt of
public hatred even though Jackson,
who would have turned 64 on
Monday, was abusing drugs throughout
much of his life in alarming doses
and was allegedly easily enabled to do
so by an array of other doctors - ones
who never saw a day in jail after the
King of Pop's death, according to a
new documentary 'TMZ Investigates:
Who Really Killed Michael Jackson'
due out on Fox next month.
"It's a lot more complicated than
just: Dr. Murray was at his bedside
when he died," Orlando Martinez, the
LAPD detective assigned to Jackson's
death, says in the documentary.
"Circumstances had been leading
up to his death for years, and all of
these different medical professionals
had allowed Michael to dictate his
own terms, get the medicines he wanted,
when he wanted them, where he
wanted them," Martinez maintains.
"All of them are the reason why
he's dead today."
Jackson had been taking the propofol
in 'Gatorade'-size bottles at the
time of his death, according to Ed
Winter, the assistant chief coroner for
LA County.
The medical community, in many
ways, facilitated his obsession with
the substance, according to Murray,
who adds that propofol "was the only
way he could go to sleep, especially
when he was getting ready for a tour."
"It was not a big deal - he had been
using it for decades, different doctors
had given it to him from all around the
world... and they allowed him to
sometimes inject the medicine,"
Murray, who routinely administered it
to Jackson, says. "He was able to push
the propofol himself, and the doctors
allowed him to do it, and that was
OK."
On top of the makeshift sleep medicine
- one that addiction specialist Dr.
Drew Pinsky explicitly says is neither
a medication that should be used to
treat insomnia nor one that is routinely
stored outside of medical facilities -
Jackson was also hooked on other
drugs throughout his career, according
to the documentary.
It all began in 1984 when he suffered
both second and third-degree
burns to his scalp during a pyrotechnic
disaster while filming a Pepsi
commercial and was given painkillers
to recuperate.
In Jackson's own words, drugs had
taken over his life in the years that followed.
"I became increasingly more
dependent on the painkillers to get me
through the days of my tour," Jackson
says in archived audio, explaining
why he cancelled the latter part of his
1993 'Dangerous' world tour and
announced that he was going into
treatment.
All that time on the road was misery
for the star act. In archived
footage, Jackson confesses: "I don't
like it... I go through hell touring."
Things had only gotten worse in
the years to follow as Jackson fostered
a relationship with famed Hollywood
dermatologist Arnold Klein, who died
of natural causes at age 70 in 2015.
Klein admitted to dishing out the opioid
Demerol along with more substances
to the superstar.
TMZ Executive Producer Harvey
Levin says it was "routine" for MJ to
go get high on Demerol "for hours at
a time" at Klein's office.
"Dr. Klein was more than happy to
oblige and he justified with minor
procedures," Levin says. "And he did
this over and over and over again."
Jackson was taking Demerol at a
whopping 300 milligrams at a time,
according to Pinsky. The pop singer
even mentions the substance in his
1997 track "Morphine."
Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife
who worked for Klein as an assistant
for years, spoke only about the doctor
and not of her late ex-husband. She
says that Klein was known for doing
unethical things to woo the
Hollywood elite in his office.
"There were times he would write
prescriptions for things that had nothing
to do with what we were treating
them for," Rowe says in the doc. "He
would write prescriptions that were
not conducive to what a dermatologist
would normally write a prescription
for."
She added that Klein was "a person
that you want to hang with because
you're going to be able to get something
in return."
It was also revealed that as Jackson
and Klein's relationship turned into
more of a friendship rather than that
of doctor and patient, the dermatologist
allegedly kept fraudulent documents
on the singer.
Jackson had created 19 false aliases
to collect different drugs, and Klein
had kept a special book noting which
prescriptions went to each fake identity,
according to Winter.
"The way that Michael went about
getting all these drugs was doctor
shopping. He had multiple, different
doctors that he was involved with and
he would go to 'Doctor A' and ask for
a sedative, and then he would go to
'Doctor B' and may ask for the same
one," Jackson's plastic surgeon, Dr.
Harry Glassman, claims.
"Michael is responsible, to a great
extent, for his own demise, but he certainly
had a lot of help from the medical
community."
Murray, who admits to having
deeply cared for Jackson, says none of
that information had ever been shared
with him. "He made it look as though
I was his sole physician... If I had
known that Michael was going to a
dermatologist's office or any doctor
and being shot up or dripped up with
opioids on a daily basis, there would
be a two-step dance. One, he has a
problem; two, I'll take you to where
you need to be treated - and if you fail
to do that, I am out," Murray says.
Things reached a boiling point in
2009 when Jackson was readying for
his "This Is It" tour as his behaviour
became a noticeable worry for director
Kenny Ortega.
"There are strong signs of paranoia,
anxiety and obsessive-like
behaviour. I think the very best thing
we can do is get a top psychiatrist in,
to evaluate him ASAP. There's no one
taking responsibility. Caring for him,
on a daily basis," Ortega wrote in an
email of concern during rehearsals.
"Today I was feeding him, wrapping
him in blankets and calling his
doctor," he added.
Jackson had also been rehearsing
for the tour that took so much out of
him up to the day before his death on
June 25 - one more factor in his own
demise.
"Michael Jackson was a drug
addict and he was a master at manipulation
because I was manipulated by
Michael," Murray says. "I did not
enable him at any time in his addiction.
Even Martinez admits that Murray
has unfairly suffered for consequences
that were not necessarily his
whole doing.
"We knew that there were multiple
doctors doing what Dr. Murray had
done and that they had done it over
the course of years," Martinez says.
"We decided to concentrate on that
night for the criminal side of it. So
that negated all of the other history
with the other doctors."
"There are a lot of folks to blame
who have never had a reckoning for
his death."
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
NEWS
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
21
Why women hesitate in investing
in menstrual hygiene products
New Delhi : Menstruators on average
have about 450 periods during
their lifetime which translates to 7
youthful and productive years spent
menstruating. Damn!! The agony and
the pain, it's real. Periods are directly
related to mental, reproductive, and
skin health. As per a 2017 report,
women in India spend about Rupees
two hundred per month on their periods,
whereas women in developed
countries invest nothing less than
rupees 1500 to 2000 on their menstrual
health.
Then why do women in India not
spend enough on their monthly period
needs?
Urban India is one of the largest
consumer markets in the world and
women are the key decision makers
and buyers in any middle-class household.
Indian consumers have jumped
into the bandwagon of all global
trends be it Korean beauty, international
cosmetics, fast fashion, or food
hauls. Indian consumers across all
geographies are comfortable upgrading
their spending on everyday essentials
such as body washes, and food to
luxury items like perfumes and jewelry.
However, when it comes to menstrual
hygiene and health an uptick on
spends is not visible. This trend suggests
that the low perceived value for
menstrual health and hygiene ensures
the avoidance of investment in a
known devil called "Periods". Or it
could be because of the traditional and
cheaper alternatives available for the
menstruators like plastic sanitary pads
or homemade cloth pads which have
proven to be harmful in the long run
for our bodies and environment and do
not provide adequate support for a
comfortable period.
In rural areas, lack of awareness,
deep-entrenched stigma, and low
spending capability pushes menstruators
to use clothes, newspapers,
leaves, and other unhygienic alternatives.
But is the rural mindset any different
than the urban mindset when it
comes to period care? Why is period
still considered a luxury when it is a
monthly recurring phenomenon? Do
you think the habit shift or spending
would have been higher if the menstruators
were men?
Each month menstruators go
through a range of hormonal and physical
shifts leading to mood swings,
fatigue, rashes, cramps, urinary tract
infections, and more. Lifestyle disorders
like PCOS/PCOD, infertility, and
cervical cancer are rapidly growing
and are directly linked to menstrual
health management. Reports by the
government of India and UNICEF
suggest a lack of awareness and a
deep-rooted period of poverty in our
country. Greater than 50% of Indian
menstruators which sums to around
200 million women, do not have
access to period care products or are
not keen on investing any money in
improving their MHM. State and central
Government initiatives are diverting
thousands of crores to improve the
current state of period poverty in India
but are we really experiencing a habit
shift? Is this a wicked problem like
world hunger that can't be solved? As
the founder of a new age period care
brand, I feel compelled to ask this
question to the readers. Please spare
10 mins of your valuable time for
those 7 years a menstruator spends
menstruating. Why are we not investing
in better period care alternatives?
But then the dilemma is if every
menstruator uses a sanitary pad and
maintains good health, then how much
sanitary waste India will generate each
year? Basic maths suggests 8400 crore
units of non-biodegradable sanitary
pads will get dumped into our water
bodies and ground each year which
will not decompose for 500-800 years.
Phew!! Isn't it better that Indian
women aren't investing in period care,
at least period poverty in the country
supports a healthier environment.
Let's stop evaluating this vicious cycle
and support the growth of our 350+mn
menstruators in the country and help
families understand the importance of
investing in sustainable period care.
For example, products like reusable
menstrual cups are one-time investment
products and can be used for up
to 10 years. Menstrual cups are popular
amongst young menstruators who
prefer affordable and sustainable alternatives
and are not hassled by exploring
their needs. For a no-stain period
experience, Reusable period underwear
is a must-have for all school and
college girls. Another sustainable period
care product that provides ultimate
comfort and is good to have for all is
chemical-free, certified organic &
100% biodegradable tampons.
Periods are important, and proper
menstrual health will ensure long-term
economic, physical, and mental
growth. Let's bring healthy inclusivity
and open conversation and luster back
to period care and provide muchdeserved
importance to period health
management. Invest in your young
ones and your period health today for
a brighter, healthier, and more confident
future.
Pregnant women at cancer risk via
dishware, hair colouring, plastics
New York : Pregnant women who are exposed
to chemicals like melamine, cyanuric acid, and
aromatic amines can have increased risk of cancer,
says a new study.
Melamine is found in dishware, plastics, flooring,
kitchen counters, and pesticides; cyanuric
acid is used as a disinfectant, plastic stabiliser,
and cleaning solvent in swimming pools; aromatic
amines are found in hair dye, mascara, tattoo
ink, paint, tobacco smoke, and diesel exhaust.
The study, published in the Chemosphere, indicated
that melamine and cyanuric acid were found
in nearly all study participants' samples, but the
highest levels were found in women of colour and
those with greater exposure to tobacco.
"These chemicals are of serious concern due to
their links to cancer and developmental toxicity,
yet they are not routinely monitored in the US,"
said researcher Tracey J. Woodruff from the
University of California, San Francisco.
People can be exposed to melamine and aromatic
amines in a variety of ways -- through the
air they breathe, by eating contaminated food or
ingesting household dust, as well as from drinking
water or by using products that contain plastic,
dyes, and pigments.
Melamine and its major byproduct, cyanuric
acid, are each high production chemicals that
exceed 100 million pounds per year in this country
alone.
When exposure to these chemicals happens
together, they can be more toxic than either one
alone.
For their study, the team measured 45 chemicals
associated with cancer and other risks using
new methods to capture chemicals or chemical
traces in urine samples from a small but diverse
group of 171 women.
The study period covered 2008 to 2020.
Prior studies on melamine were conducted
among pregnant women in Asian countries or limited
to non-pregnant people in the US.
22 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Will our institution stand and make
us feel proud owner of democracy
(Samaj Weekly)- The release of
the murderers and rapists who
were sentenced life imprisonment
in the #BilkisBanocase are now
out curtsy Gujarat government’s
decision of remission under a special
act to commemorate the
#AzadiKaAmritMahotsav. Some
days back, I wrote that if the government
really want the 75th birth
anniversary of #azadi then it
should think of releasing all those
who are undertrial and languishing
in various jails of India particularly
those who are political
undertrials but what we saw was
the goons and murderers who got
out and then garlanded as well as
sweets were distributed. Hindutva,
off late, has become showing its
agenda unambiguously and doing
things in brazenfaced manner. It
does not care for law, niceties and
anything. Law is Hindutva and
Hindutva is law in today’s time.
Nothing else matters. Right and
wrongs are now decided on purely
the basis whether you are with the
BJP or government side or not.
Many expressed outrage and
shock. Why are we shocked ?
Have not we seen a pattern in it
which has been followed since
2014. Remember the murderer of
Akhlaque in Noida when died in
the jail after an ailment, his body
was wrapped in the Tricolor. Dont
forget the murderers of brave
Police inspector Subodh Kumar
Singh got bail and were given a
rousing reception as well as BJP’s
ticket. Look at Komal Sharma
who along with others attacked
Vidya
Bhushan
Rawat
(Asian Independent)- The murder
of a child belonging the scheduled
caste community in Saraswati
Vidya Mandir school, Sayala, in district
Jalore is a crude reminder about
caste system and untouchability persisting
in our educational institutions
even after 75th year of independence.
This is utterly disgraceful
and outrageous. All the hoopla and
drama over our ‘greatness’ and
‘great’ ‘culture’ is exposed when we
see such brutalities in our society
and then its justification.
I have mentioned many time that
#castediscrimination and #untouchability
exists in India and they are
rampant. This is the only commonality
between north and South, East
and West and that is the violence
and contempt against Dalits.
The Rajasthan government must
act and send a strong message
against the culprit. It is not merely
the issue of filing case against the
culprit, Mr Ashok Gehlot must order
the students of JNU, Rambhakt
Gopal who fired at the student of
Jamia Milia protestors during anti
CAA-NRC protests and Nupur
Sharma, hate monger now under
police protection the story is clear
that the Hindutva rabble rousers
will get police protection and VIP
security such as Arnab Goswami,
Sudhir Chaudhary, Kangana
Ranaut all have got big security
jacket so that they can continue
with their hate propaganda.
The other side of the story is
#Bhimakoregaon accused are languishing
in Jail. 81 years old
Varavara Rao just got the bail after
three years of incarceration. 80
years old Jesuit priest Father Stan
Swamy died as an undertrial. All
other accused in the case are well
known authors, activists and
above 55-60 years of age yet no
mercy is shown to them. Prof G N
Sai Baba who suffers from physical
disability and needs someone
to assist him is now virtually
counting his days in the jails.
There seems to be a complete lack
of respect, sympathy and basic
humanity. Hatred has overpowered
us. Once upon a time, we
used to say win people from love
but now hatred has become part of
our culture and gone deep into our
heart so much that we have forgotten
that it will ultimately kill us.
You can also see how the state
has dealt with mob lynching cases.
Most of the time, it is the victims
who face victimisation. Where is
the Pahlu khan case ? Where is the
Jharkhand lynch mob case ? While
the state was active when Muslim
fanatic brutally murdered
Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor in Udaipur
and Rajasthan government was
quick to compensate his family
yet they remain silent on the gruesome
murder done by Shambhulal
a survey of all the schools, private,
government, Vidya Mandirs etc to
find out the number of SC-ST students
studying there and the treatment
meted out to them. Saraswati
Vidya Mandirs are normally RSS
affiliated school but
media has cunningly
hidden this fact
under the guise of a
‘private’ school. I am
not sure whether this Rajasthan
school is an RSS affiliate or not but
what is important is to take the
school administration to task. After
all, Chail Singh can not do it without
the knowledge of school administration.
A few days back, we had a case
from Uttar Pradesh when a junior
teacher in a Uttar Pradesh school
“Raigar to a Muslim man in 2017.
We dont even know the case status
and who knows Raigar might be
the Dalit face of Hindutva in the
coming years as happened in the
several cases related to
Kandhamal, Odisha.
Most of the convict in various
riots in Gujarat 2002 are now out
from various cases and enjoying
state patronage while valiant
fighters like Teesta Setalvad, R
Sreekumar and Sanjeev Bhat languish
in jails though Teesta’s petition
comes for hearing next week,
it is a fact that these people are not
murderers or hate mongers but
believed in Constitution and rule
of law yet they have been put in
jail by a vengeful government.
The selective use of law against
the activists, writers and human
rights defenders while providing
patronage to criminals, rapists and
murders just because they support
was abusing the woman principle
who happened to be a scheduled
caste which only
showed how caste mind
exists among us all. As
we approach our 75th
independence Day, we
will find that many
Dalit Sarpanches are not allowed to
hoist flag in various Panchayats in
Tamilnadu. That a Dalit in power
position is not accepted in all models
of India is purely racists and casteist.
Whether secular model or Hindutva
or Dravidian or left, India will have
the ruling dispensation is the new
low in the Indian political and
judicial system. The prime minister
wants to honor women while
claiming that India has now
arrived at the ‘world stage’ which
definitely is a welcome step but
where are we in the World democratic
index ? What is our status in
#happiness index? Look at our
number in #medical system ?
What about our #education system
and #ranking of our #colleges and
#universities ? Where are we in
terms of violence against #women
? What is our number in the
Global Hunger Index ? Our status
in the global media freedom index
? Where is our economy going ?
Can the government provide us
data related to jobs and employment
generation? The civil society
is already crumbling under the
heavy loads of rules and regulations
to control their activities and
finances. Media has already
become part and parcel of the
establishment. Our nation can not
become number one by just rhetoric.
It needs solid action and planning.
It needs robust institutions
and their autonomy. Jailing intellectuals
and activists while garlanding
rapists and murders will
not make the nation great. As a
society we need strength to accept
our diversity and dissent while
showing absolutely no tolerance
to crime of rape and murders. Let
us hope our institutions will stand
up for the rights of the people so
that our republic grows and we
feel proud of their actions.
Caste system and untouchability persisting in our educational
institutions even after 75TH YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE
By Vidya Bhushan Rawat
social and human rights activist
to show its commitment to eliminate
caste discrimination and untouchability
as without absolute
uprooting of these brutal
and violent practices, we
can not claim to have a
civilised society. Hiding
the facts from public or
purely ignoring the issue
will not help. Our national
will need to reflect on creating
an egalitarian social
order where the mind
remain without fear and every body
gets an opportunity to grow and participate
in our national life. It is not
a big deal and the #manuwadis need
to just think a bit, embrace #constitution
in real sense and become
#Manavwadis.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Rootz Global Community
Interest Company (CIC) was
formed on 9th April 2021.
Based in the West Midlands,
the company s main aim is
to connect South Asians
with their roots by creating
collaborative and partnership
opportunities. The
company s progenitor is
Birmingham based Onkar
Singh, his background is
reflective of vital skills,
honed education, and an
ardent belief to help young
people become more selfreliant
and confident
through training and development
whilst connecting
them with their roots
through arts, heritage, education
and other developmental
programmes and
activities.
The company was registered
during the tumultuous
global COVID-19 period.
According to Singh, It gave
me time to reflect on what I
really wanted to do, my
main purpose was to tackle
linguistic poverty that
exists around us, I also felt
that efforts to unite people
from all different backgrounds
especially the South
Asian diaspora was fundamental
to enriching our
shared culture and heritage
thus creating harmony and
peace.
Incidentally,
this type of work
is not new for
Onkar Singh, as
he has been
working with UK
communities for almost 20
years, and since his college
days, Singh had organised
and led on dozens of conferences,
seminars whilst
teaching Engineering and
Punjabi Language and
Literature at Masters level
in East Punjab.
On 12th August 2022,
Rootz Global organised a
Mushaira , an Urdu term
for a poetic symposium in
the Indian sub-continent at
which poets come together
to perform their works, traditionally
ghazals or poems.
This special mushaira was
held at the local banqueting
Suite in West Bromwich and
attracted almost 100 participants
including women as
well as young people and
others aged 50 plus.
The event united people
of all age groups from the
South Asian diaspora. The
artists included the following
from India and Pakistan.
Simran Aks, Sunil Sajal,
Tahira Sra and Sabir Ali.
The locals included
Husanbir Singh Pannu, a
Phd scholar at the
University of
Liverpool, specializing
in Artificial
Intelligence.
Simran Aks hails
from Barnala and is
professor of Punjabi
language whilst Sunil
Sajal is a phd scholar
in music. Tahira Sra
and Sabir Ali both
seasoned poets hail
from Pakistan
Punjab.
Remembering the
pain of separation
together.
Incidentally, this
NEWS
year also marks the 75-year
anniversary of partition of
the united Punjab in 1947,
with artists from both sides
of the Punjab symbolising a
yearning for progressiveness
in terms of sharing ideas,
thoughts, love, history,
social and cultures heritage
and even reflections on the
turbulent history including
conflicts that ensued.
Partition costed millions of
lives through communal
riots and massacres of civilians.
Indigenous people of
united Punjab became
refugees of their own land
and yet after 75 years, it is
efforts like Singh s initiative
and others, that can create
generational healing despite
the monumental suffering of
so many citizens who lost
both material possessions
and loved ones in the
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
ROOTZ GLOBAL CIC : SPECIAL PUNJABI
MUSHAIRA IN WEST BROMWICH
Glowing faces of
attendees reflect their
enthusiasm
Founder and Director of
Rootz Global Onkar Singh
hosting the programme.
Harminder Kaur
Bhogal, MA
process. Many have had to
rebuild their fate on both
sides of Punjab. The poetry
event reflected these
unimaginable suffering and
yearnings of a united land.
No doubt, these unifying
forces of poetic expressions
can act like an emollient for
millions.
The programme was compered
by Onkar Singh with
the closing remarks from
well-known Mota Singh
Sarai progenitor of Punjabi
Sath. Rajinder Jit Singh
also expounded on his poem
on unity whilst Rashpal
Kaur elucidated a story of a
woman who suffered abuse,
I wanted to give this lady a
voice through my poetry ,
she explained.
There were other thoughtprovoking
themes which
comprised of caste, humanity,
purpose in life, religious,
love, betrayal, hypocrisy and
inequalities. The spectacular
beauty of each artist, was his
or her linguistic dexterity,
contrasting artistic styles,
similes, vernaculars,
rhythms, sound, and lexical
richness as their emotions
evoked awareness, exhilaration
and introspection. One
felt intoxicated by the words
that each artist expounded
even though alcoholic drinks
were not available for consumption
at this historic
event, and rightly so .
Softly spoken Tahira Aks
hums, ki mein teri nayee
am I not yours? Sabir Ali
used an analogy of dogs in
comparison to the violent
nature of human beings.
Simran Aks pleaded,
ethethe hovo, te larho ,
come together and fight (for
justice). Sunil Sajal gave
renditions of Punjabi Poet
Laureate, Surjit Pattar; his
velvety voice melted the
hearts of many. And
Husanbir simply swayed the
audience with his dulcet
23
tones. The audiences marvelled
at the festivity of this
occasion and expressed satisfaction
of being able to
participate in this special
Mushaira. They were
undoubtedly, captivated by
the speakers and poets alike.
The event was hugely successful,
and credit goes to
the directors of Rootz
Global who not only at a
short notice organised such a
grand Mushaira, but set the
scene for a sustainable
future for the organisation.
Mota Singh Sarai, the
iconic voice of ‘Punjabi Sath’
making closing remarks.
Husanbir Singh’s soulful
music simply touched the
core of the heart.
Founder Director of Rootz
Global Onkar Singh compering
the programme.
Tabla Player, Jasjit Singh (left) and Sunil Sajal’s (right)
musical melodies mesmerised the audiences.
Tahira Sra (left) Sabir Ali (middle) & Simran Aks (right).
Photograph of the audiences (front view)
listening attentively
24 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 NEWS
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
40th anniversary of celebrations of
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha (Vancouver)
Burnaby : “On behalf of Shri
Guru Ravidass Sabha (Vancouver),
it is my pleasure to congratulate
our members, supporters, and the
congregation on the 40th anniversary
of Shri Guru Ravidass
Sabha”, announced Bill Basra,
president of the organization.
“Forty years ago, our forefathers
developed a vision to provide a
forum to discuss matters of concern
and develop a spirit of brotherhood
and we are very grateful for
their wisdom and farsight”, said
Basra.
The Ravidassia community
started arriving in Canada and settling
on the west coast in 1906.
According to the records found
thus far, Mahmis were the first
family to arrive and their descendents
now live in Victoria and various
other parts of the lower mainland.
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha
(Vancouver) was established in
1982. Among other social, educational,
and recreational activities,
the Sabha also operates a community
center and offers a place of
worship in accordance with the
teachings of Guru Ravidass, Dr.
Ambedkar, and other Gurus and
saints whose teachings are
enshrined in the Holy Book, Shri
Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The center
is located in Burnaby (BC) and is
integral part of the social fabric of
the city and the lower mainland.
To celebrate the fortieth
anniversary, the management of
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha of
Vancouver plans to;
Host a sports tournament on
September 11.
Capture history and Ravidassia
heritage in a souvenir and documentary
video.
Honor and recognize families of
Ravidassia pioneers and founders
of the organization.
Re-construct a multi-purpose
complex to meet the growing and
evolving needs of its members,
congregation, and the wider community.
Community is invited to be
involved in the planning of these
events and participate in the celebrations.
Members are also invited
to submit photos or stories that
highlight the contribution of
founders and supporters over the
past forty years.
Special guest who attended the
press conference was Mr. Hari
Banga, Deputy Director (Retired),
Survey of India Mr. Banga
presently lives in Pittsburgh,
California. Organizers welcomed
Mr. Banga and honored him for his
community services.
FUGITIVE DIAMANTAIRE
Nirav Modi's HCL House
to be auctioned on Sep 23
Mumbai : The Debt Recovery
Tribunal-I (DRT-I) has ordered the
auction of a prime property belonging
to absconder diamantaire Nirav
D. Modi in one of the cases filed by
Punjab National Bank (PNB) to
recover a part of their whopping
dues of more than Rs 2,133-crore.
As per the Mumbai DRT-I's
order, HCL House in Marol shall be
put up for e-auction on September
23, with a reserve price of Rs 52
crore, against the massive amounts
outstanding since nearly five years
to the PNB and 15 more banks.
"Proclamation of sale under
Rules 38, 52(2) of the second
schedule to the Income Tax Act,
1961 read with the Recovery of
Debts Due to Banks and Financial
Institutions Act, 1993," said the
August 11 order by Recovery
Officer Ajeet Tripathi.
The case pertains to PNB plus 15
public and private sector banks versus
Nirav Modi's group company
Firestar International Ltd. and other
known or new entities from whom
the dues are recoverable.
The latest auction comes in the
recovery process initiated by various
banks after the infamous PNB
scam of over Rs 14,000 crore erupted
in the Indian banking sector in
February 2018 -- almost a month
after Modi, his wife Ami and others
fled the country (January 2018).
Following a complaint by the
PNB, the Central Bureau of
Investigation lodged the first
offences in January 2018, and other
agencies like Enforcement
Directorate, Income Tax
Department also got into the act,
chasing the two prime accused --
Modi, his maternal uncle Mehul
Choksi -- and many others including
bank officers.
The group companies of Firestar
International Ltd, include: Firestone
Trading Pvt. Ltd., Radashir
Jewellery Co. Ltd, and Paundra
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. -- all three
located in a single office in Bharat
Diamond Bourse, Bandra east.
Some new entities have emerged
for the first time -- Bentley
Properties Pvt. Ltd., Mak Business
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., ANM
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., NDM
Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., besides the
Neeshal Trading Pvt. Ltd.
Curiously, all are shown as having a
common address at No. 15,
Nagindas Mansion in Opera House,
south Mumbai.
Firestar International's (Lower
Parel) Directors are Modi, Angelina
Nguyen and Haresh Vrajlal Shah,
while Modi is also a Director with
Radashir Jewelery (Bandra) along
with Hemant Dahyalal Bhatt.
The other companies' Directors,
with most featuring in one or more
entities, are: Ramesh M. Assar,
Ketan C. Solanki, Manish L. Dani,
and Paresh P. Rathod.
Till July 2022, various agencies
like the ED have attached Modi's
properties worth a little over Rs
2,650 crore as he fights extradition
proceedings in London, and certain
assets like bungalows, plots, factories,
luxury cars, expensive artworks,
etc., have been periodically
auctioned by various probe agencies
to recover part of the stupendous
dues to the banks.
Modi's uncle Choksi of the
Gitanjali Gems Group, also the
prime co-accused in the PNB bank
scam, is currently in Antigua &
Barbuda.
For the September 23 auction of
HCL House, the DRT-I has stipulated
a refundable EMD of Rs 5.20
crore with the property physical
verification of the property kept for
September 19, and the last date for
submitting EMD/Bids with an
incremental value of Rs 20 lakhs,
by September 21.
However, no details of revenue
assessed on part or the full property,
other liabilities, encumbrances or
claims on the asset are available.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
(Samaj Weekly)- A young fiery
poet Pash Amber is the face of a questioning
mind, penning poem after
poem about nature, life, and its adversities,
along with sensitive poetry
steeped in empathy for the underprivileged
and exploited. He is on a poetic
odyssey, a crusade, and Bekhauf
Awaaz holds messages of freedom
between its pages.
In a country like ours where we
share a number of religious, cultural,
and political affiliations, there are
bound to be ideological differences.
Where there are differences there are
conflicts, struggles, and obstacles
leading to questions and rebellion. The
struggle is necessary for change and
striking a balance. Power keeps
changing hands and is a fickle mistress.
Pash raises questions, and digs
deep, exposing issues that the powerful
and privileged bury under dark layers
of corruption, away from the light
of truth.
The poems flow out as if they
belong there in his mouth, ingrained in
his breath. His words ring in my mind
long after I finish reading. He refuses
to be one of the herds, who cluck
tongues at injustice but never speak
up. His is a fearless forceful voice that
needs to be heard and heeded by the
multitudes.
Bekhauf Awaaz is a treasure of
astounding unflinching poems that jolt
the conscience of every right-thinking
person. It is my fervent hope that it
awakens the youth of our country, who
seem to be seeking greener pastures
beyond western shores.
He feels the whole gamut of emotions
dealing with social, cultural, psychological,
economic, historical, and
NEWS
motivational aspects of human needs.
At the same time, he questions politics
in today s scenario.
The stark and harsh reality of the
last lines in TALAASH -
ODYSSEY shook me .Look at the
whole wide world, a portrait of war
stares back at you.
In the poem DEMOCRATIC
BIRDS , the rebel challenges the
tyrants.
Birds have given up /
making nests / as an offering
/given up singing songs
of peace/ also, given up sipping
water / from the hands
of tyrants.
When he speaks with
tender sympathy for the
grief of all mankind, he
speaks of the human mix.
Among his many
laments are also poems
written during the historic
Farmer s Agitation.
ONWARDS TO THE
FRONT -Rise my countrymen/onwards
to the
front/for there they are/
taking over your
fields// ..Your selfpride,/self-esteem/badges
of honor/to what avail then?
Before the American
imperialist monster/tramples
your motherland/ roars there,/rush
to save your fields.
If our coming generations sleep
through this war, our lands will
become a sea of white dupattas wailing
in mourning.
01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022
REVIEW OF PASH AUJLA’S ‘BEKHAUF AWAAZ’
SL introduces 5-year
multiple entry tourist
VISA SCHEME
Colombo : In an effort to boost the tourism industry amid the
economic crisis, the Sri Lankan government on Tuesday said the
island nation has extended its multiple-entry tourist visa to five
years Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that Sri Lanka now
offers one-year multiple entry visas, reports Xinhua news agency.
The country also issues single entry visas with a six-month stay
period. Fernandor said that the cabinet of ministers approved his
proposal on Monday.
"Cabinet agreed to extend five-year multiple entry tourist visas
for 35 countries to help boost repeat tourism in Sri Lanka. A tourist
can stay in Sri Lanka for six months in one stretch with this
scheme," he said.
The Minister said that the country had earlier offered a threemonth
"digital nomad" visa for tourists to attract foreigners
engaged in remote work.
The Minister said that tourism picked up in July and August
after the anti-government protests gradually fizzled.
He added that they expect 1 million tourists to arrive in Sri
Lanka in 2022.
"We expect $2 billion from tourism this year," he said.
25
A few lines from the poem
KAFILE - CARAVAN , translate so
to my mind.
Wars are kept waging/ while seasons
blister with raging/ mustard flowers
are still glowing/
in fields watered by eyes/where
tears keep flowing.
A voice pregnant with pathos is
raised against toxic patriarchy in the
poem,
‘AZAAD KUDIYAN’-
‘LIBERATED GIRLS’
The most liberated girls have been
imprisoned in cages/ ..all lively girls
annihilated by patriarchy/ .the
bravest terrorized by the frown of the
most cowardly man/ the fiery
feisty ones placed before ovens
smoulder inwardly.
Pash touches the lives of those
belonging to villages, small towns,
and sons and daughters of the soil. He
touches the heart of his motherland
and gives out a clarion call to free ourselves
from the fetters we are shackled
in.
I wish him a great future, and that
his coming publications are also as
outstanding and forceful as his maiden
venture.
The book itself is a beauty to hold
and behold. The cover is stunning and
the sword-like pen is a harbinger of
the contents within its pages. I congratulate
him as Bekhauf Awaaz ,
spreads his word, his courageous
voice!
26 01-09-2022 to 15-08-2022 WORLD
www.theasianindependent.co.uk
Mumbai riots: SC seeks Maha
response on compensation paid
to families of missing people
New Delhi : The Supreme
Court on Tuesday sought
response from the Maharashtra
government whether it has paid
compensation to legal heirs of
168 people, who were on the
missing list during the 1992-93
communal riots in Mumbai.
A bench of Justices Sanjay
Kishan Kaul, A.S. Oka and
Vikram Nath asked the state
government to clarify what it
meant by payment paid to heirs
of victims and asked it to file an
affidavit in 2 weeks. Taking
into consideration a chart
before it, the top court said 900
people had died in the violence
and 168 persons have gone
missing. It also asked the state
government to specify the time
lapse between the incident and
the payment of compensation,
and whether 168 people, on the
missing list, were included
among the 900 identified victims.
The bench further queried
the state government to bring
on record whether any compensation
was paid for the loss of
property, and also specify the
time lapse between the incident
and the payment of compensation.
It said after completion of
seven years, the families of
people who have gone missing
must get compensation. The
apex court was hearing a batch
of petitions in connection with
the payment of compensation
to the Mumbai riots victims.
A commission headed by
Justice B.N. Srikrishna, retired
Supreme Court judge, which
probed the Mumbai riots, had
'Social ramifications' notwithstanding:
SC seeks Centre's response on
reservation benefit extension
filed its report in 1998.
The apex court, in February
2020, had asked the
Maharashtra government to
apprise it on action taken
against the police officers
indicted by the commission.
The commission's report
indicted leaders of some political
parties and police officers.
A lawyer, appearing for one of
the petitioners before the top
court pressed for the implementation
of the recommendations
made in the commission's
report.
Delhi court issues fresh
summon to 'Kaali' filmmaker
Leena Manimekalai
New Delhi : A Delhi court
has issued a fresh summon to
filmmaker Leena Manimekalai
in a suit filed against the depiction
of Hindu goddess Kaali in
the poster of her controversial
film by the same name, video
and tweet "in a very uncalled
way".
Civil Judge Abhishek
Kumar of Tis Hazari Courts, in
an order dated August 29,
noted the submissions of plaintiff
Adv Raj Gaurav, in which
it was stated that an application
filed by him on the previous
date is pending for adjudication.
He also sought to serve the
notice to the defendants
(Manimekalai and others)
through e?-mail as well as
WhatsApp.
"In view of the submissions,
let summons be issued
afresh through all modes
including service through e-
?mail as well as Whatsapp,"
the judge ordered.
The matter will be next
heard on November 1.
Earlier in July, the court had
issued summons to
Manimekalai.
The plea moved by advocate
Raj Gaurav contended
that the poster of the film
depicts the goddess smoking,
which not only hurts the religious
sentiments of common
Hindus but is also against the
basics of morality and decency.
Apart from the filmmaker,
notices and summons were
also issued to her company,
Touring Talkies Media Private
Limited.
The controversy had escalated
after Trinamool Congress
MP Mahua Moitra had said
that she had every right as an
individual to imagine goddess
Kaali as a meat-eating and
alcohol-accepting deity, as
each person has his or her
unique way of offering
prayers.
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central
government to clarify its stand on whether reservation benefits
enjoyed by Scheduled Castes can be extended to Dalits after they
convert to Islam, Christianity, Buddhism or any religion apart
from Hinduism.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted
that the matter involves social ramifications.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Abhay S. Oka, and
Vikram Nath said the matter was not listed for a long time, and
"there are social ramifications, but we have to take a call".
The bench orally remarked that old matters are pending because
there are social ramifications.
"We will have to face reality some time or the other," it noted.
Some of the petitioners have contended that Dalit Christians or
Christians of Scheduled Caste origin should enjoy the same quota
benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing one of the petitioners,
submitted that earlier government had appointed Justice
Ranganath Misra Commission, which gave a very detailed report
on the issue and recommended Dalits, who convert to another religion,
should get reservation. However, Mehta said that "he missed
the point that the government of the day did not accept the recommendations
of the commission on the ground that they have not
taken into consideration several facts".
The top court asked the Central government to submit its
response in the matter in three weeks and scheduled the matter for
hearing in October. A petitioner has sought direction for reservation
for government jobs and admissions in educational institutions
should be made "religion neutral".
Citing the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 restricts
Christians of Scheduled Caste origin from availing the Scheduled
Castes status, the petitioners have argued that this restriction was
against the fundamental right to equality, non-discrimination, and
religious freedom.