The Biden administration has finally concluded the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the date agreed upon is 11th September 21 as reported and understood..

Well, the Biden administration has pondered over the issue in the context of the political and geographical status that applies currently and evidently the Chinese challenge may be the causative factor as could perhaps be probed into it circumstantially.

The changes often roll the decisions, thus the long interventions of the US in the affairs of Afghanistan probably now sees its last days.

Taliban’s role may now get influenced and this indeed is an opportunity for the incumbent in India to ensure the remarkable responsibilities that the nation can initiate with its constant welfares that has a larger impact on today’s youth of Afghanistan that have no relevance and concerns with the Taliban ideology for they have not  anyways engrossed or made to be  indulged in the Taliban disciplines that were implied and often intimidated.

 The changed status may have perhaps its new scripts to write and might be a part of growing Afghanistan by way of an integral part of setting up the new avenues for the future course of action.
 

Bhopal [ maha media] Mamta Banerji the CM of West Bengal had staged dharma against her getting restricted by the election commission for the election related canvasing following few of her instigating statements in the recent past.Indeed her functioning has always been contentious and she has always been working with no respect to the center and its agencies either as is evident from her total style of functioning.She has tried to play all the possible gimmicks she must have acquired and might have developed an agreement to her opinion for she appears to have no advisor to any of her moves. People who had certain say within the party felt suffocating and left the party in disagreements of many issues as the exodus has itself been the testimony of the same.Such a major exodus from the party should have been made her alert and must have given her a school of thought and also a need to introspect as to why these happening?

However, rather than improvising her own strategies after careful and honest self-evaluation that  she could have, she chose to initiate  unnecessary confrontation and has  multiplied many issues for grave concerns although it could have been overlooked.

More importantly as could be probably concluded that instead making grounds for her own platform she threw herself to prove her moves right over BJPs stand in all the respect and nonetheless this she appeared gaining anonymity and disagreements from the people of west Bengal.

The poll results will have its own statement that whether she will continue her rains in the state or will have to hand it to others but the kind of strategic turn this has featured for others to make a mark specially to BJP shall remain there in the history.

The kind of incidences that have had influences on the electioneering for which didi seems to have no regrets is a bit serious and raises a lot of questions that where are we heading for the political gains although this stands true for all the parties in the fray.

Dissidents have always been raising heads in all the political parties on various counts mostly for the sake of their unfulfilled ambitions yet the spate of such disgruntled numbers is cause for concern and should not make an ahead way either for the political parties good is what looked after for.

India is in the middle of its most serious public health emergency — more serious and severe than last year, when the coronavirus pandemic first struck. Almost three months after launching its Covid vaccination programme, India has managed to fully inoculate barely 1 per cent of its population. Even as the second wave of the pandemic is ravaging the country, only around 7 per cent of the people have received at least one dose of the vaccine so far, way too less compared to Israel (60 per cent) and the US (36 per cent).
 Each day brings in a new record of the number of. India reported a record single-day rise of 1,84,372 new coronavirus infections pushing the total tally of cases to 1,38,73,825, while the active cases surpassed the 13-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll increased to 1,72,085 with 1,027 daily new fatalities, the highest since October 18, 2020. Each day brings in a new set of alarming figures from some of India’s largest, politically sensitive, and economically crucial states. Each day brings in more reports of the impact of the new variants of Sars-Cov-2. And each day brings in tragic stories of human suffering, isolation, even fatalities, devastating for those who have lost their loved ones to Covid-19.
In Madhya Pradesh, the situation has become worst since last week. On April 8, 41 bodies were cremated in Bhopal under COVID-19 protocol but the medical bulletin reported 27 deaths in the entire state. On April 9, 35 bodies were cremated in Bhopal, yet the official data said there were 23 Covid-related deaths in the entire state. On April 10, 56 bodies were cremated in Bhopal but the government data claimed 24 had died of coronavirus across the state. On April 11, 68 bodies were cremated in the city and the government reported a total of 24 deaths in the state. On April 12, 59 bodies were cremated in the city, while the official bulletin stated 37 deaths across the state. Moreover,  the crematorium workers are struggling with the daily pressure. Their problems range from running out of wood to blisters on their hands.
Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday recorded its highest single-day spike in COVID-19 infections with 8,998 cases, taking the state's tally to 3, 53,632, an official said. The day also saw 40 deaths, taking the count to 4,261, according to official data.

India has become the 60th country in the world to approve the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.  The Russian vaccine has the efficacy of 91.6 per cent and provides full protection against severe cases of COVID-19 as demonstrated by the data published in one of the leading medical journals, The Lancet. The other countries that have approved the use of Sputnik V include Argentina, Bolivia, Hungary, UAE, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Bahrain and Sri Lanka. The development comes in the backdrop of states reverting to lockdowns to cope with India’s second wave of coronavirus. Sputnik V has a number of key advantages, including that there are no strong allergies caused by Sputnik V. The price of the vaccine is less than US$ 10 per shot and it uses two different vectors for the two shots in a course of vaccination, providing immunity with a longer duration than vaccines using the same delivery the mechanism for both shots. This period has also seen a ramp-up in vaccination, with a cumulative 104.52 million doses given till Sunday night. To put this data in context, Israel and the US have fully vaccinated about 54% and 22% of their population respectively, while India is at around 1%.  Sputnik V will be the third vaccine to be used in India against coronavirus. In January, DCGI had given the emergency use authorisation for two COVID-19 vaccines -- Covaxin of Bharat Biotech and Covishield of Oxford-AstraZeneca manufactured by Serum Institute of India in Pune.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has said more than 850 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine are going to be produced annually in India, which has also given approval for the emergency use of the vaccine against coronavirus infections in the country. Expanding vaccination coverage is the best and quickest way to limit the pandemic. The government must leverage India’s famed vaccine production capability and work to make more vaccines available quickly. Bharat Biotech plans to enhance its production capacity to more than double its monthly output by July. Separately, Indian manufacturers of Sputnik V are likely to increase manufacturing capacity. Avoiding regressive measures like lockdowns, which extract a huge economic cost, depends on the speed with which vaccines can be brought into play. India’s large vaccine manufacturing capacity puts us in a unique position as we can fully vaccinate the adult population faster than most countries.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday squarely held West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent “provocative speech” responsible for the violent mob attack on the Central paramilitary forces which, in turn, shot dead four villagers at a polling booth in Shitalkuchi of Cooch Behar during the fourth phase of the election a day earlier. With paramilitary forces struggling to keep the peace in Bengal, India’s bloodiest election in recent history is dangerously poised. Violence has steadily escalated with each phase, casting grave doubts on the Election Commission’s decision to do polling in eight phases. In Bengal, the campaigning is extremely polarising and two sides evenly matched in resources and motivation are locked in a seemingly do-or-die battle. Each blames the other for the violence and is actively prodding mistrust of authorities and communities. So the multiple phases seem to have escalated physical confrontations instead of dampening them.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged “genocide” in Sitalkuchi, saying the four voters killed on Saturday’s CISF firing was “sprayed with bullets in the chest and neck”. Her allegation came at an unscheduled news conference, called after her planned visit to Jorpatki village in Cooch Behar, where the deaths occurred, was thwarted by the Election Commission’s 72-hour ban from Saturday evening on politicians entering the district. Rumours and misinformation culminating in the CISF firing at Cooch Behar leading to four deaths highlight Bengal’s present plight. CISF personnel had reportedly helped a boy, but such has been the vilification of central forces by TMC that this was a tragedy waiting to happen. A Bihar SHO lynched in North Dinajpur district was another victim amid a general state of lawlessness. Election Commission has barred politicians from Cooch Behar and extended silent campaigning to 72 hours after issuing notices for Model Code violations served no purpose.
The dead voters — Nur Alam Mian (20), Maniruzzaman Mian (28), Samiul Haq (21) and Hamidul Mian (31) — are said to have been Trinamul supporters. While the administration, functioning under the poll panel, has said the CISF personnel fired in self-defence after being attacked by a mob, local villagers have alleged unprovoked caning and firing by the forces. Mamata questioned the deployment of the CISF, which specialises in industrial security, to maintain law and order during an election.
 

The already compromised film industries’ status circumstantially on account of the closed theaters and lesser opportunities for the shoots of the films following the pandemics crucial phase the decision of the Government to disband the appellate tribunal is perhaps the sign of multiplicity of the troubles that the industry faces.

CBFC i.e central board of certification that is popularly known as censor board is an authority the certificate of which is of significance for the release of the films in various categories as specified.

Till now any disagreement on the censor’s decision that filmmakers had an option of an appellate tribunal to state and address their concerns.

However, now with the amendments as is directed the producers must approach for their grievance to the Hon’ble High Court to register their cases of interest.

The issue is likely to get more worsened, this is evident that the courts are engaged and flooded with a variety of cases and the procedures are so long that the time it takes for many decisions is often long.

The pendency of the cases will have more pressures on the court.

Indian film industry has a unique status in the world with its good number of film making yet the pandemic has had a definite impact on the total revenue generation of the film industry.

The control and regulation indeed is imperative for any industry that has wider scope and exposure of influencing the masses yet the regulations keeps the creativities at the distance and often is counterproductive.

Film makers also need to realize their limitations for the creations and its innovations or decency in the context of the social fabric and sentiments of the majority of the populations.

Perhaps even the audience also needs to grow up to see the things in the correct perspective,and refrain from making the issues big but to attempt to understand the crux of the matter.

Responsibilities in all the context and all concerns are always fruitful.
 

The resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, shortly after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of corruption levelled against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, might have come a bit late in the day, but it has raised hopes of a free and fair investigation into the murky goings-on. It is just as well that the home minister is gone. The Maharashtra CM is likely to be much relieved. It is clear that in a coalition government, relying heavily on NCP support, Mr Thackeray was not free to sack the home minister. This was a pity, of course. With the high court ordering a probe, the CM may, at last, find his voice. On the other hand, the prestige of Mr Pawar may have suffered. How the state politics takes shape hereon will be worth watching.
There can be no doubt that an independent probe into the allegations against the former home minister is the need of the hour. But does the CBI any more have the credentials to be independent? This police outfit controlled by the Centre has been called a “caged parrot” by the Supreme Court. In the present instance, there is a virtual political war between the parties running Maharashtra and the party running the Centre. The Bombay high court may have erred in not getting the matter inquired into by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a high court.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing Waze’s link to the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near business tycoon Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai residence in February-end and the subsequent murder of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran. A former policeman, Vinayak Shinde, is among the co-accused. The fact that Param Bir Singh accused Deshmukh of setting extortion targets for police officers only after he was relieved of the post of Police Commissioner can’t be overlooked. The politician-police nexus has been laid bare and the onus is on the investigating agencies to collect airtight evidence against the offenders at various levels in the pecking order.
More skeletons are likely to tumble out of the cupboard as the investigation progresses. With its credibility hitting a new low, the Maharashtra Police should not shy away from taking tough decisions to cleanse the force. Similarly, the Shiv Sena-led state government needs to show zero tolerance to the criminals in khaki. The Central probe agencies must adopt a no-nonsense approach, uninfluenced by political pressure. The truth, no matter how unpalatable, must come out.
 

Bastar has been the epicentre of major Maoist attacks in recent decades, including the deadliest one that claimed the lives of 76 CRPF men in April 2010. Naxal/Maoist violence has claimed more than 12,000 lives in the country, including those of around 2,700 security personnel, in two decades. Several other states are also grappling with the menace. In May 2019, insurgents had triggered an improvised explosive device in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, killing 15 members of a police quick response team.
The Saturday incident in which twenty-two security personnel were killed and 31 others injured in a Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region was an eye-opener for the state as well union government. While reports suggest that up to 20 Maoists were killed in the encounter too, there is little doubt that the incident represents a grave setback to the Indian State in general and security forces in particular.
It appears that Maoists planted intelligence about the presence of a dreaded commander, Madvi Hidma, in a particular location; over 1,700 men from various security agencies launched an offensive from Sukma and Bijapur; Maoists then executed a “U-shaped attack” where they fired from the two hilltops as the jawans were at lower levels in two villages, both of which had already been evacuated by the Maoists. The forces walked into the trap, losing brave men and dealing a blow to India’s battle against the Maoist insurgency.
According to reports, an unverified intel input lured the security forces into the Maoists’ lethal trap. This grave lapse needs to be probed thoroughly so that responsibility can be fixed and another disaster avoided. The Chhattisgarh incident has elicited the usual platitudes from the state and Central governments about giving a ‘befitting response’ and ‘never forgetting the sacrifices of the martyrs’. Undoubtedly, the killings have belied the tall claim that the Maoist insurgency is on its last legs. There is no denying that a lot has to be done to break the back of the terrorists, right from snapping their supply of money, arms and ammunition and ensuring development in the infested areas to giving a cutting edge to the security forces in terms of intel, training and equipment. It’s also imperative to weaken local support for the insurgents by providing adequate education and job opportunities to residents. The State must act against Maoist terror, but smartly and carefully.

Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh again points towards a fact that the menace of the ultras can be better managed only by the mutual cooperation of the centre and states.

Any blame game is simply escaping from the responsibilities and lack of coordination.

Home minister’s quick change of programme and visit to the bereaved families and to the incident place itself indicates the gravity of the situation.

The serious manpower loss and many had a serious hurt itself is very shocking.

Reportedly the ambush took place while the security forces were returning from the probable spot finding none there and the Maoist on the way trapped the security forces with a calculated plan and move. Meaning the ultras had their homework proper in place and were determined for the happenings.

The need obviously always raises to be on cooperative mode above the political mileages while such status of national security matter crops up.

Need also is to introspect before launching any operation involving large group that is easy for people to observe and easy target for trap in spite of all the alertness.

Often in such cases the locals interest for their vested interest or certain terror initiated or influenced support cannot be ruled out nevertheless all the assurances of the safety promises for the common man has his or her own limitations and concerned that is decisive at times in their probable moves and attitudes under such circumstances.

There appears a dire need for the kind of support and developing the system that can put common people rest assured of their rescues under these situations.

Problem is that people in general do not have faith on the government machineries for they have absolute different experience altogether that does not give them confidence on the administrations.

A conceding of these facts may be of significance if taken up seriously.
 

The challenges of organising sport in the times of the coronavirus have been made starkly clear by the infection infiltrating even the bio-secure bubble in which cricketers are placed — at least one player, Several players have tested positive. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a scare on Saturday when a personnel among their contingent tested positive for the dreaded virus ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) starting on April 9. However,  it can be confirmed through reliable sources that none of their players or support staff were affected. Most shockingly,  Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has also been admitted to a hospital as a precautionary measure after contracting the novel coronavirus last week. Tendulkar, who will turn 48 later this month, was previously quarantining at home after testing positive following mild symptoms.

Apart from proximity on the field and several players making physical contact with the cricket ball while playing, they also share dressing rooms, bus rides and flights. One cricketer getting infected could lead to a wave and cause cancellation of tournaments. The IPL has not been a stranger to Covid - in the previous season of the tournament in the UAE last year, a few players and support staff had tested positive for the virus. The organisers had managed to nip the virus in the bud then and the tournament was not affected, climaxing with an entertaining final in November. Organising 60 matches — involving over 150 players and hundreds of staff members — in 50-odd days during the first wave of the pandemic was a Herculean task. For this year’s IPL, the challenge is bigger as India is experiencing the second wave and the new variants of the virus are more infectious and deadly.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to cricket across the world, mirroring its impact across all sports. Across the world and to varying degrees, leagues and competitions have been cancelled or postponed.  The 2023 Cricket World Cup was also rescheduled to take place eight months later than planned, with the tournament moved to October and November 2023. Australia and India retained the rights to host the tournaments, with the ICC announcing on 8 August that India will host the 2021 tournament, and Australia will host the 2022 tournament.  Also on 8 August, the ICC confirmed that the 2021 Women's Cricket World Cup and the tournament's qualifier had each been postponed by one year due to the pandemic.
Covid cases are mounting by the day, and the  BCCI must spare no effort or expense to ensure that the bio-secure bubble for the players and staff is impregnable. The economic imperatives of the IPL are very strong, for the tournament is the cash cow of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and fills up its coffers; it also provides a livelihood to thousands of staff/workers in the supporting sectors, apart from enriching the players themselves. BCCI must do its utmost to ensure that the players and staff are protected from the virus.
 

Myanmar has again stepped into the military rules that had its long tenure since 1962 to 2011 which was successfully taken up by aung san kui and she could establish the democracy in the state in 2011 till the coup in 2021.The youth in Myanmar “Burma”in the past has been advocating democratically elected government and its ruling over the Myanmar for over all development of this naturally beautiful and rich country.

The coup has again flared up the violence across the state that has also witnessed lot of atrocities under which the brutality against the women and the children is evident.

The revolutions in Myanmar has long reaching effects on the nations i.e. Japan,India and China that has ambitious plans of direct energy supply lines ,China also aspires for various port facilities .

Circumstantially this can be clearly understood and as such is evident that the military of Myanmar which is also termed as Tatmadaw although had a support of the public yet ever since the democratic process are initiated by the NLD led by Aun San Suui Kyi the ideological change could be witnessed in the nation. The younger generation obviously refute any such act that disturbs the growth prospects at the hands of the anarchies created by the Tatmadaw.  Japan, China, India all are equally worried and therefore express their concerns for the ongoing protest that has totally ruined the environment in the state of Myanmar.

Therefore this is by all means very significant and as well pertinent for India that could perhaps make an impact on the military interventions for arresting the peace process and may script the better strategies for Myanmar’s military heads although is a challenging task altogether.

The Asian countries that may prove to be a better mentor under these circumstances it seems are the nations like japan, India ,Even China that has many vested interest for them as well for the normally restored not only shall be of importance to the country in miserably violent status but also for these Asian countries over all peace and relevant development processes.

This is going to be therefore interesting to witness the probable step forwards in the context and undoubtedly with the far-reaching effects for Myanmar’s future.
 

As the vaccination drive opens for all above 45 today, it calls for a reinforcement of the infrastructural facilities necessary to cater to the huge mass of beneficiaries now eligible for the jabs along with the 60-plus, who would also start queuing up duly for their second shot as their four-to-eight week period between the two doses closes in. While the government must be more aggressive in its vaccination approach, citizens have a crucial role. The more Indians step up, the quicker these gains will fructify.
Anyone above the age of 45 can now get a coronavirus vaccine in India. The wait for these doses began on March 2, 2020, when the outbreak was confirmed to have taken hold in the country. For most of the 162,981 lives lost (as on March 31, 2021) to Sars-Cov-2 since then, these injections would have meant a shot at survival. The correlation has been clear in countries such as Israel and the United Kingdom, where high per capita vaccinations have led to a sharp drop in not just fatalities but also hospitalisations in age groups given doses on priority. Real-world data reinforces what multiple clinical trials have shown repeatedly — the coronavirus vaccines are a safe and effective tool to combat the pandemic.
Hassle-free vaccination camps planned in such places as the police lines, educational institutions, prisons, offices and industrial complexes and allowing people to register themselves with any photo ID proof should help the targeted groups shed hesitancy and improve the vaccination rate. So should taking mobile vaccination centres to densely crowded marketplaces, bus stands, railway stations, etc. With Covid-positivity rising among the younger population — which is up and about and no longer confined to their homes — the government would do well to include them for the shots. It must seriously consider allowing all above 18 who are willing to take the jab.
Obviously, there’s a long way to go even for these initial phases. India’s massive population requires administering 40-50 lakh doses daily from the present 20 lakh for vaccinations to have a telling effect on Covid-related illness and morbidities.  SII’s plan to increase its output by 67% to produce 10 crore doses from May and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories’ reported capability to supply over 10 crore doses of Sputnik V per month suggest that 40 lakh daily doses is an achievable target.  After two weeks, Centre must review and further lower the age restrictions if capacity utilisation remains low. Ramping up sampling and testing of random people in crowded places and contacts of Covid patients is urgently needed to contain the virus. Only then can we avoid another lockdown.

Rajinikanth is widely regarded as one of the popular actors in the history of Indian cinema. His popularity has been attributed to his uniquely styled dialogues and idiosyncrasies in films, as well as his political statements and philanthropy. The actor has been part of the showbiz business for more than 4 decades and enjoys immense popularity among the masses. This South Indian megastar will be conferred with the prestigious 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema.  The prestigious award is named after the father of Indian cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, and was instituted in 1969. The award is conferred by the government for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. The award is comprised of a Golden Lotus and a cash prize of ?10 lakh. Dadasaheb Phalke Awards are managed by Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The original name of Rajinikanth is Shivajirao Gaikwad, but he professionally famous as Rajinikanth.
Born on 12 December 1950, Rajinikanth works primarily in Tamil cinema. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. He has won many awards, including four Tamil Nadu State Film Best Actor Awards and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. The Government of India has honoured him with the Padma Bhushan (2000) and the  Padma Vibhushan (2016). He received the Chevalier Shivaji GaneshanChevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema at the 4th Vijay Awards. At the 45th International Film Festival of India (2014), he was conferred with the "Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year". At the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (2019), he was honoured with the Icon of Global Jubilee award. He is the second-highest grossing actor in Tamil cinema history, behind veteran MG Ramchandran.
Following his debut in K Balachandaer’ss 1975 Tamil drama Apoorva Raagagangal, Rajinikanth's acting career commenced with a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films. The Suresh Krishna-directed Baashha (1995) in which Rajinikanth played a crime boss was a major commercial success in his career and earned him a 'god-like' status in Tamil Nadu.  Sivaji (2007) was the third Indian film to enter the 100 Crores Club. Rajnikanth last appeared in the 2020 Tamil action-thriller film Darbar.
 

Holi is considered one of the well-regarded and famous festivals of India and it is celebrated in almost every part of the country. It is also sometimes called the “festival of love” as on this day people get to unite together forgetting all resentments and all types of bad feeling towards each other. The vibrancy of colours is something that brings in a lot of positivity in our lives and Holi being the festival of colours is actually a day worth rejoicing. The ritual starts by lighting up the bonfire one day before the day of Holi and this process symbolizes the triumph of good over the bad.
But the coronavirus scare has dampened the mood for many for the Holi celebrations across the country this year too. Not only have the Resident Welfare Associations and housing societies across the national capital region and other cities called off the Holi events. The sale of Holi toys and other items have also taken a hit. Holi goods are lying unsold. Almost 80 per cent of the Holi toys had come from China before December when the coronavirus scare first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan.  Holi is a social festival and large groups play together and it takes one infected person to start-off the transmission. It is not worth the risk. We should take the following necessary precautions before participating in the celebration of Holi ---
1.The best option would be to play with natural homemade colours or with organic colours. The organic colour is made from natural, safe ingredients. It doesn't contain chemicals found in typical hair colour, such as ammonia, sulphates, parabens and resorcinol, which are thought to be harmful to your health. 
2. Make sure that your face is well creamed before and after the Holi celebration.
3. Oil your hair well, so that colour doesn't stick on your hair and can be washed off easily later.
4. Cover your hair. Make use of hat or caps to protect your hair from being coloured with hard-to-rinse dyes.
5. If you are prone to skin allergies, avoid playing with gulal altogether.
6. Don't wastewater. The scarcity of water is a burning issue in various places.
Remember, the Holi is a time to reach out to the colours of joy. It is time to love and forgive. Wish you a very happy and wonderful Holi. May your life always be filled with the colours of joy and happiness! 

Happy Holi!
 

After  former Mumbai Police Commissioner ParamVeer Singh dropped a letter bomb alleging that state home minister Anil Deshmukh wanted police offices to collect Rs 100 crores monthly from bars and hotels in the city, the BJP had risen its voice demanding his removal as the home minister. Questioning the timing of the allegations of corruption against Anil Deshmukh by former Mumbai top cop Param Bir Singh, NCP president Sharad Pawar on Monday said that he will continue as the home minister of Maharashtra. The case of the SUV carrying explosives and a threatening letter near Antilla on February 25, has been unfolding like the proverbial can of worms. The vehicle was traced to Mansukh Hiran, who was found dead, his wife pointed the finger at assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, who was arrested by NIA and then suspended even as Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh was transferred, and Singh has levelled explosive allegations of corruption against state home minister Anil Deshmukh.
Had it been a Bollywood thriller, one might have enjoyed it. But it’s not. The recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near business tycoon Mukesh Ambani’s house and the mysterious death of businessman Mansukh Hiran have opened a can of worms, showing both the Mumbai Police and the Maharashtra Government in a poor light. Under fire from the Centre as well as the BJP, the Shiv Sena-led dispensation has replaced the Mumbai Police Commissioner. The new chief has been candid enough to admit that the credibility of the police has taken a hit due to some black sheep. In the SUV case being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the focus is on a controversial cop, Sachin Waze. He has gained notoriety over the years as an encounter specialist, having allegedly eliminated 60-odd suspected criminals. Waze was suspended in 2004 over his role in the custodial death of 2002 Ghatkopar blast suspect Khwaja Yunus and resigned in 2007, but he was reinstated after 13 years by the Uddhav Thackeray government in 2020. The ruling Shiv Sena is finding itself cornered after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis claimed that in 2018 when he was the CM, he had rejected a demand by Uddhav to bring Waze back into the police ranks.
The opposition is naturally having a field day. The internal divisions of Maharashtra’s coalition government that have kept intermittently spiking during its 16 months in office, have now hit an extremely rough patch. While Shiv Sena had seen NCP trying to wash its hands off the Waze episode instead of standing by it, Singh’s allegations of “misdeeds and malpractices” of Deshmukh have now put Sharad Pawar on the back foot. These need to be investigated as rigorously as those against Waze. But the only long-term solution to the systemic abuse of the law that’s being suspected right now is police reforms.
 

Partial lockdowns are again here to stay this seems for people are behaving casually notwithstanding the instructions and public awareness programmes.

As can be seen through TV channels reports that the people in general across the country move unmasked or partially covered that has no relevance and protection as such.

The reasons perhaps of the surge in newly reported cases may be the carelessness of the people.

Mumbai, Delhi type metros are also witnessing the incremental cases.

MP, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat all are the suffering state.MP is observing the Saturday up to Monday morning lockdown.

But is this the only solution?

We are again at the crisis of the pandemic that has re-entered silently to create a kind of terror.

The need is to be safe and ensure meticulous implantation of the safety norms.

There is no reason to get frightened but get alert of the real facts and be ready to face it.

The vaccines are here to safeguard, yet the onus of our own safety lies with us, the administration is doing its duty yet people in general must adhere to the prescribed norms for the safe transition of this pandemic for which we have no option now but to face it.

Staying home for a longer period yet attending to the official task is a mandate, for how long the activities may be halted that is  neither in the national interest nor in the personal benefit so need of the hour is to honestly and bravely counter the situation prevailing and avoid unnecessary exposure as far as possible.

We must now learn to live with it for everyone’s welfare.
 

According to a report from IQ Air ( a Swiss air quality technology company), India’s capital  Delhi remained the most polluted capital city in the world. Though, as per the World Air Quality Report, 2020, Delhi’s air quality improved by around 15 per cent between 2019 and 2020, there is not much to cheer about. For, the breather is largely attributable to the pandemic-induced lockdown when most poisonous fumes-emitting activities — resulting in industrial discharge, vehicular emission and construction dust — came to a halt. As these buzzed back to life gradually, so did the smog starts engulfing the city. Incidentally, going by the number of premature deaths due to air pollution (seven million per year), it is more hazardous to health than Covid-19. In Delhi alone, particle pollution claimed nearly 54,000 lives in 2020. The concern is compounded as reports suggest that 7-33 per cent of the Covid deaths are linked to exposure to polluted air. Surely, it necessitates action on a war footing.
In India, 1.7 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in 2019, which was 18 per cent of the total deaths in the country, while economic loss due to the lost output from premature deaths and morbidity from air pollution was 1.4 per cent of the GDP in India during this time, which is equivalent to Rs 260,000 crores ($36.8 billion). This is as per scientific paper titles “ Health and economic impact of air pollution in the states of India: Global Burden of Disease Study 2019”. Green laws have been toughened over the years amid grand declarations and designs to deal with the alarming problem. But the continued poor ambience, unfortunately, reflects a lack of honest and steely determination to make Delhi free of impurities. Notwithstanding the frequent warnings, raps and rebukes by both the high court and the Supreme Court, as also the green tribunals in the matter, the system has betrayed stubborn impunity while implementing the rules framed for reducing air impurities.
India could soon have a single law governing air, water, and environment-related activities. The TSR Subramaniam Committee, which was set up in 2014, proposed a new model umbrella law, Environment Law (Management Act) or ELMA, incorporating the concept of “utmost good faith” where applicants of environment or forest clearance are responsible for their statements.
This self-certification on the environmental impact of a project is untenable because the company may not know the impact or choose not to reveal it. While the implementation of green laws has been weak, the proposed dilution of the precautionary principle is even more unfair to victims of pollution. The government must ensure a transparent and collaborative effort for framing a new law, which puts the environment and people at the forefront.
 

They say and try to impose all the blame on the neighbor India and again beat the trumpet of Kashmir as the center of it. General Bajwa has maintained the same what PM Imran Khan echoed and indeed since the independence all the heads of Pakistan state have been emphasizing upon the root cause of all the cross border tension to Kashmir issue.

Recent statement of one of the senate MR Mendiz also has some element of the same while suggesting to his envoy visiting India to take up the democratic issues on top that also envisages the abrogation of article 370 in Kashmir and subsequent arrest of many on sedition charges etc.

The kind of sentiments exhibited by these two important Pakistani’s obviously has no concrete base and has no supporting evidence that can carry away the concept placed by either of them recently.

The peace cannot be restored unilaterally and the cross border incidences this is the neighbor Pakistan has always been the preparatory and instigator this has been proved beyond doubt and not only India but the world is aware of the same.

Attempts of posing innocent and showing concern for peaceful coexistence therefore call for the basic understanding of the peace that appears always of no relevance with Pakistan this is now a valid truth.

Pakistan needs to first probe into its own governance that has a very miserable state and needs an urgent address.

One of the solutions that may perhaps in fact can assist the state of Pakistan is to develop the cordial neighborly relation without the kind of appeasement it has been so far instituting.

So it's easy rather convenient for the general to speak of and shrugging of the responsibilities towards India stating that it rests with India yet the bilateral agreement and efforts only can truly mean and implement the same for the mutual progress in all the fronts.

This is needless to mention that all the responsible of the neighboring state are clever enough to understand and perceive the same nevertheless their tactics of shifting this to India.

The world also realizes the reasons of status quo in the context so misleading emotional statements is futile exercise.

Concerned over the emerging “second peak” of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stressed the need to take quick and decisive steps and warned if the pandemic’s growth was not stopped now, a country-wide outbreak could occur. Addressing a meeting of chief ministers to combat the fresh wave of pandemic-induced deaths in the country, Mr Modi said though more than 96 per cent of cases in India had recovered the high test positivity rate in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh was of huge concern. In all, 70 districts across India have seen a 150 per cent rise in the past few weeks.
The number of Covid patients has surpassed 800 in a single day in the state. Bhopal and Indore have reported the maximum number of Covid cases. Madhya Pradesh government imposed a night curfew in many districts including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Ratlam, Chhindwara, Burhanpur, Betul and Khargone. But this is not the only solution. Spiking Covid infections across multiple states have raised fears that this could be the onset of a second wave in the country. A number of Maharashtra districts have also opted for lockdowns while night curfew has been clamped in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, and parts of Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Inter-state travel restrictions are also fast cropping up. Some states have mandated RT-PCR tests for out-of-state travellers. MP has ordered seven-day quarantine for visitors from Maharashtra. The irony of these measures is that these scapegoats the outsider without making allowances for the virus circulating uninhibited within local communities. If masking was enforced, none of these destructive ideas would’ve traction. But that would also greatly inconvenience the political class, many of whom are spotted unmasked in potentially super spreader election campaigns. India has a long way to go having vaccinated just 2% of the country, with vaccine hesitancy being observed across age groups and social classes.
People of all age groups taking vaccines will act as a nudge for everyone to come forward. A country that has exported 6 crore vaccine doses shouldn’t have to return to the lockdown mentality of last year, when options were fewer and understanding of the disease was limited. There are a number of regions that are experiencing another surge in infections, which can be blunted only by vaccinating close to 70 per cent of the population even as precautionary measures like social distancing and the wearing of masks is observed universally and with life-saving discipline.
 

What a deplorable state that it describes of any nation that has been seen always with only wrong steps by all the steps and measures this has adopted since the past 70 years.

The current political situation and socio economic situation of the state of Pakistan if anything to mention is the utter failure of the governance where the price hike and the disturbed state status clearly is indicative of the kind of nation it is where no law and order appears to be.

The Supreme Court judges of Pakistan as reported, therefore had their verdict clearly mentioning the oppression that the state of Pakistan has been witnessing since long rather since the inception irrespective of the change in the faces of that rule.

Imran Khan although has been the person alleged of the charges by the apex court and undoubtedly is guilty of the mismanagement and misgovernance.

The court has made a mention of the indecisive situations of the government led by Imran Khan and thus procrastinating the valid decisions in the interest of the country thus leading to the failure of almost all the fronts that he needs to focus upon. Yet this is the government that has to act and implement the court can only direct the course of action provided the same are adhered to with all seriousness.

The verdict is in context of the incumbent yet the same has been drastically wrong ever since the state came into existence.

The miserable situation today the nation is facing and the pandemic management has further worsened the already disappointed state into the vicious cycle that needs to break its own wrongdoing.

The only ideal method of putting the action towards the right step is to perhaps see to it that the basics are corrected right from its origins so that over the path it remains in the stage of improvement rather disrupting already compromised circumstances.

Need of time for the Imran government to ponder over the solutions towards normalcy and taking the nation into confidence for the prevailing situations are no way suggestive of the improvement unless any miracle happens.
 

Due to variety of reasons Owaisi had to with draw from Bengal elections, more important reason was the Bangla speaking people of the community that has a reasonably good influence in the state politics. Considering, the fact Owaisi wished to have an alliance with the local parties that could probably make a good alliance yet the ambitions of Jamarul hussian who now wished to start its own chapter of Indian league in Bengal and thus the support that Owaisi was looking forward would have perhaps had an impact on the result of election in Bengal by means of influencing the performance of TMC.

So this appears to go in favor of TMC notwithstanding which, the TMC sources always have been claiming of no effect on TMCS vote bank through any party whomsoever it is/was.

The factors that play now across the Bengal in managing the elections equations thus have cantered between again towards BJP and TMC claiming respective reins to take up.

The sources have their own evaluations that even claim that BJP will have good performance and at the other hand the exit polls also envisages that as a CM Mamta  Banerjee has strong foothold and many may speculate now the sympathy wave towards her after the recent incidence yet people have faith in BJP for national politics however the local issues they wish to be handled with incumbent certain reports suggest.

Although the final say for any such speculations cannot be mentioned yet in the respect the conjecture states of the fifty -fifty  possibility for either party yet the recent changes in TMC has weakened the base of the party around the west Bengal this is also the submission.

With entry of BKU and its propagation mobilizing the local farmers and many other such factors with the full-fledged convincing of BJP basing the stalwart like Vijayvargiya who has off course has done well in his role since last few years as the head of Bengal politics from BJP yet this is going to be interesting to observe the politics of Bengal and the so called “paribartan” and khela in and around West Bengal.

Sharad Pawar the stalwart Maharashtra leader also has made a mention of his evaluation and almost made a declaration that BJP is going to hold majority in Assam yet West Bengal and other states that goes to poll BJP shall have better performance yet cannot reach to the chair.

How and when this will ensure the promised change and revolutions for Bengal this is off course the time shall answer yet the change is always for better they say whether this the party or the approach towards the work and attitude this applies to any party that accepts the reins of change in the west Bengal.

Let this change in which ever manner be auspicious for the West Bengal.
 

Ahead of the Covid-19 review meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state chief ministers on Wednesday; India recorded 24,492 new infections, witnessing more than 20,000 cases in 24 hours for the sixth straight day. Maharashtra saw the highest daily cases at 15,051; Punjab 1,818 and Kerala 1,054.  What started as a bottoming out of the case trajectory in the second half of February has now become a steady stream of rising infections in the past week or so, pushing the pandemic back to a case rate last seen at the end of December. And while Maharashtra may be reporting the most number of cases right now, it’s not the only state that has seen a new wave. Out of India’s 20 most populous cases, 17 states and Union Territories have seen their trajectories rise significantly after bottoming out — this list includes Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. The second wave is here.  Total infections have reached 1,14,09,831 with toll touching 1,58,856 after 131 fatalities in a day.
The key question for all governments (states and Centre) is what can be done to fight the pandemic all over again? One of the most crucial elements that helped control the first wave was aggressive testing. In good signs, India had delivered 3.29 crore vaccine doses as of today and yesterday saw the highest single-day vaccinations with over 30 lakh doses administered.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has surpassed the unhappiness caused by the two World Wars. The phrase, World War, in fact, is more symbolic than literal. Unlike the World Wars in which the enemy was a visible presence, the ‘enemy’ during the pandemic is an invisible virus. This has caused much confusion. In some cases, people sanitizing where there is no virus and not protecting themselves adequately where there are significant threats. This has led to immense complications, further compounding the sufferings of people across the world. Just as important cities were targeted by aerial bombing during the war, this virus is concentrated in developed countries and big cities. The area of operation has shifted from the border right to the heart of the cities.
From September to November, nearly every state in the country worked at the peak of its testing capacity. Lately, though, testing has dropped significantly — the testing rate in the last week in India was 40% below peak capacity levels. Big congregations — political, religious, cultural, farmer protests, weddings, election rallies — all face risks of turning into super-spreading events. Authorities at all levels need to enforce limits on such gatherings. In good signs, India had delivered 3.29 crore vaccine doses as of today and yesterday saw the highest single-day vaccinations with over 30 lakh doses administered.
 

The ongoing farmer’s agitation has now entered into the West Bengal where while asking the reason for their reaching to the West Bengal the BKU President Rakesh Ticket appeared obstinate and was trying to reinforce that his point of view is valid and the government is adamant and reluctant of holding discussions and scripting for the solution.

Notwithstanding, all his claims of the so called adamancy and atrocities of the government this is evident to all that all the attempts of the government to hold amicable solution has gone in vain on account of the obstinate behavior of Rakesh Ticket and other union leaders who in spite of no evidence to exhibit about their claimed closure of Mandy’s, issues with MSP etc. kept on shouting for its closure and implementation simultaneously.

Circumstantially, this seems that the deliberate attempts are initiated now for holding the protest for long and keep the issue burning for remaining in the news.

This is evident that now the entire modus operandi of the protest has taken an ugly shape and there are various speculations that points towards certain objectionable indulgences that must be checked and must be put to the rest for the entire nation has endured for long the stubborn behavior with patience and now the point is that if nothing great is to prove why to hang on with.

Quad meet had many important resolutions. India, Australia, USA, Japan, are the four countries that consist of the QUAD framework. QUAD has conducted a meet observing the rising influence of China to effect the regional economy.

The economic coercion need to be checked in the indo pacific region and it’s the right time to combat the claimed hegemony of china in the region.

The four countries alliance obviously is to limit such endeavours of China.

After assuming the power Joe Biden administration of USA has emphasized and mobilized all the four allies of indo pacific region to strengthen the efforts thus limiting the growing influence of China with the mutual cooperation of these four democracies that has its own influences and programmes that cannot be carried away with such speculations and forced efforts.

PM Modi has rightly pointed out during his address that its an alliance for global welfare and shall consolidate the issues of pertinence in association of four active and powerful democracies of indo pacific region.

China therefore has got alert signal and is protesting therefore to safeguard now and attempting to consolidate its position for China has realized that the group work of the four allies may arrest the intent of China and may give rise to the tarnishing image already maligned through the coved 19 perpetrator’s image.

Who although has recently made a statement that the virus was not evidently found developed form the targeted nation yet this may not be ruled out that the proper initial care was not initiated that intimidated the situation world over.

Time obviously is to address such issues and attempts that may influence the world economy and put the world on relentless struggle of fighting with the existence.

So timely check on any such efforts of initiating an economic coercion must be stopped then and there in the best interest of the world.
 

The incredible achievements of Mithali Raj, who has become only the second woman to score 10,000 international runs, must be viewed in the backdrop of the utter indifference of the cricket officialdom, media and fans towards women’s cricket. The 38-year-old Mithali has battled official apathy for most of her career and kept herself motivated to go on and score heavily since making her international debut as a 16-year-old.
The reference point for India and 10,000 runs in cricket will always be Sunil Gavaskar. He was the first to reach that imposing landmark in any format, in 1987—that achievement then being compared to climbing Mt Everest gave it an added aura. Mithali Raj on Friday climbed her own summit, becoming the first Indian to complete 10,000 runs in women’s international cricket. Her 36 in the third one-day international against South Africa took her to 10,001, making her only the second in the women’s game to reach the mark. Only England’s Charlotte Edwards is ahead of her, with a career-high 10,273 overall runs. The 10,000 landmark is a tribute to a player’s longevity and consistency. That is what Raj pointed out after her achievement was tempered by the Proteas beating India to take a 2-1 series lead.
Technically sound and a classical cover drive among her favourite shots, Raj and her teammate Jhulan Goswami are the last remaining links to an earlier, the more amateur era of women’s cricket, where the game was run in an ad-hoc manner and matches were few and far between, and now, with its professional set-up, TV rights, T20 leagues and stress on fitness.
Mithali has inspired multiple generations of women to come into the game, and has captained India with distinction, including taking them to a World Cup final in 2017 where she scored heavily. Yet, the Indian women’s team going without a game for a year in 2020 during the pandemic phase despite having reached the T20 World Cup final shows a lot more needs to be done.
 The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has always been male-centric. After the International Cricket Council (ICC) took over women’s cricket too, BCCI was the last of the top-eight cricket-playing nations to take women’s cricket under its wing. Over the years, India’s women cricketers got central contracts and gained greater visibility, but it still is an uphill battle for the women. For instance, Covid wiped out one full year off the professional lives of India’s women cricketers — after the team reached the final of the 50-over World Cup last year, they didn’t play international for a whole year.
Sport is a great vehicle for social mobility, and for improving health parameters and raising incomes. It’s a terrible idea to keep one half of the population shut off from the benefits of sport. In India, a very large number of girls are still not allowed to go out to play, study or seek employment. Mithali and her ilk in different sports are doing a great service to the nation by inspiring girls to take up sport. 

The first-ever Quad summit to be held on Friday is as much a consequence of China’s 360-degree attempt to simultaneously settle its boundaries as it is of videoconferencing getting acceptance in the interplay of diplomacy. Leaders from the US, Japan, India and Australia will hold a virtual summit. The agenda will be wide-ranging, but the focus will be on countering the “common threat”. 
Apart from US President Biden and Mr Modi, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga will be the other two participants at the “historic summit, the first leadership-level engagement for Quad”, and “will discuss regional and global issues of shared interest, and exchange views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”. 
Observers see the move as a major boost to India which has been playing a global leadership role in disbursing Covid-19 vaccines to several needy countries across the world, with China being the other major competitor. Observers also point out that American and Japanese economic muscle along with American efforts at the development of vaccines will enormously strengthen New Delhi’s own efforts at increasing its vaccine capacities, especially for the Indo-Pacific region, and will pose a stiff coordinated challenge to the Chinese efforts.
This is a smart strategy as military coordination without an economic and technological anchor is insufficient to meet the China challenge. It’s welcome, therefore, that the Quad which was earlier defined as a security dialogue is now being touted as a framework. The new accent is on resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security and climate change. Hence, the idea is to draw red lines for China and insulate other countries from becoming dependent on Beijing’s economic and technological patronage. In fact, the US has already begun putting together a set of coalitions aimed at countering China’s dominance in key technologies like semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, surveillance technology etc.
These will set standards, establish best practices and eventually offer members market access and technology transfers as an alternative to Chinese products. India should fully capitalise on these coalitions to obtain cutting edge technology, boost domestic R&D and kick-start its own industrial reforms. After all, in order to counter Beijing, Delhi needs to increase its comprehensive national power by adopting an all-of-government approach. It’s on the right track in seeking to firewall critical sectors from Chinese equipment and cyberattacks – such as the recent intrusions into India’s power infrastructure. With telecom forming the backbone of a modern, digital economy, this sector must be shielded from predatory Chinese activities.
The Biden administration’s strategic approach is a good one, and Delhi can ill-afford to procrastinate about siding with the West and like-minded countries seeking to uphold international rules and freedoms, due to fear of what Beijing might think or its own ideological hobby horses. Delhi has a knack of missing international opportunities whenever they arise due to its lack of flexibility, which allows nimbler rivals to outmanoeuvre it. It must not miss the bus again, hoping to shine in splendid isolation.   
 

This may be a breakthrough for many who suffer from a neurological disorder called Parkinson Disease. Reveals the news reports from Indian Institute of technology Chennai.

PD or Parkinson Disease is a progressive and degenerative  disorder that has relation with the nervous system of the human being and has its relevance in context of the movement.

It is first noticed as tremor in the hand and stiffness of the various movements especially the tremors are characterized in the fingers of an individual’s hand.

Over the period the muscles get stiff and thus lead to severe pain.

At times this becomes difficult to manage the usual routine for the patient such as getting up from the chair, lifting something etc.

Actually, recently Indian institute of technology Madras has found out and pointed that the basal ganglia and substantia Niegra of the deep brain nerve cells often start producing due to energy loss less dopamine the neurotransmitter that normally is released from this point and helps in many movements of the body.

This is revealed in the study that while 89% of the release is exhausted during this process then the tremors in the fingers especially of the hands start leading to difficulty in muscle movements.

This is concluded by the scientist that if the pharmaceutical companies can research in this direction that the energy producing/delivering  cells are produced in the nerve cells then perhaps the problem of the PD or Parkinson Disease may be addressed the report concluded.

It’s quite an interesting and encouraging report for the advancing ages world over who have the same problem to face and considered to be dreaded and serious issues in terms of the neurological problems as important as that of Alzheimer's, the medical condition that has a large effect world over. 

Medical science has been researching and various trials are undergoing on these serious neurological problems that have a large impact on the world population.

The work in the context of these lines shall certainly be of great help to the people facing and fighting with this serious medical problem.
 

The world is horrified at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's revelation that racism towards Meghan was the principal reason they fled their royal home to find freedom in California. But it should not be so because systemic racism is a stark reality, more so in the world of privilege that British royalty lives in.  Meghan, whose mum is black, claimed race was a factor in 22-month-old Archie not being made a prince. But Craig Prescott, one of Britain’s s most respected constitutional lawyers, said: “It is very clear Archie, or indeed any of the Sussexes’ children would not have the right to be a prince or princess as the duchess has suggested.
“The rules are clear, albeit perhaps slightly confusing for some... but they are governed by the letters patent by George V.” The written order in 1917 by George V – the Queen’s grandad – declared that only royal offspring who are in the direct line of succession could be made a prince or princess and receives titles of His or Her Royal Highness. Harry’s indictment of his own family for not fighting the racist attacks hurled at his biracial wife Meghan and his multiracial son Archie, whose skin colour was a matter of concern to the palace even before he was born.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ own spokesman said before Archie was born that it had been the couple’s choice to not give their son a title. Under the rules, only William and Kate’s eldest son George – as the great-grandson of the monarch down the direct line of succession to the throne – was entitled to be a prince.  But the Queen issued new rules in 2013 so George’s siblings would also be princes or princesses. The 1917 directive meant Archie would still be entitled to be HRH or a prince, but only when his grandad Charles takes the throne. Prince Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are princesses because their father is a son of the monarch. However, Princess Anne’s children do not have royal titles. 
Harry and Meghan also accused Buckingham Palace of failing to protect their son by taking away their security. However, A sobering survey has revealed the majority of the public feel Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have let down the Queen following their interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on Monday. A majority of those polled called for the Sussexes to be stripped of their titles, while many people disbelieved Meghan's claim of racism against an unnamed member of the Royal Family. While overall only one in three thought the interview was the right thing to do, this rose to half among 18 to 44-year-olds. And asked if they generally believed Harry and Meghan, or the Queen and Royal Family, 52 per cent of younger people chose the Sussexes. Among those aged 45 and over, 50 per cent said the Queen and her family were more to be believed. Across all ages, once the 'don't know' were taken into account, more believed the Queen. With the exceptions of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Royal, all senior members of the family have suffered a dip in personal popularity since the Oprah interview first aired. 
The Palace issued a statement on behalf of the Queen saying: 'The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved family members.'

 

Now a days we often see that enormous amount of emphasis is on celebrations on many days of various gratitude.

Today is the day celebrated as International Women’s Day.

Throughout the day, today the attributions of women in the society and gratefulness towards their unconditional affectionate role shall be proclaimed.

We need to pause and think over that the role and attributions of a woman in our life does not long and last for one day.

Right from the first breath we take, our gratefulness towards a woman starts and therefore we remain indebted to them.

However, the cause of great concern is the social fabric and its intricacies towards women.

Cause of concern today is the atrocities and surprisingly domestic atrocities that keeps women under severe pressure.

Nevertheless, all such situations women has been relentlessly coping with all the adversities and paving way for herself.

The true reciprocations towards women is to ensure her dignity and grandeur today when she is in action.

Women's attributions in men’s life is beyond description.

Be this mother, the first teacher and affectionate person loves and forgives mistakes unconditionally.

Be this the sister the fast friend and mentor.

Be this the Grand Mother with her affectionate moral teachings.

Be this the daughter who keeps home lively always and at times behave like friend, mother.

Be this the daughter in law who brings lot of pleasure moments, throws herself for the peace, prosperity of the family.

Be this the Wife the life partner who always stays with you in good and bad times and endeavors to make you feel king always.

Here wishing all women a great International women's day.
 

International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8 highlighting the achievements and problems faced by women. However, this year's women's day is totally different keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic. 
As nations initiate recovery plans to get out of the pandemic mode, it high time to end the marginalisation and exclusion of women and girls. And for this purpose, women must be given opportunities and responsibilities to play a proactive role in shaping the important decisions as countries prepare recovery responses from the coronavirus pandemic.
Women from every corner of the globe come together on March 8, which is also a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry. Nearly 60 per cent of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at greater risk of falling into poverty. Women earn 23% less than men globally. Women occupy only 24% of parliamentary seats worldwide.  And 1 in 3 have experienced physical or sexual violence and 200 M of girls-women have suffered genital mutilation.
In India, women have breached every ceiling, as lawyers, corporate heads, scientists, pilots, you name it they are there. But in the Lok Sabha, they are just over 14%, and 2019 showed an improvement of 3%, mainly because of the impressive strike rate (over 70%) of the women who fought on the BJP ticket.
Their winnability — an argument made against giving women tickets — was more than that of male candidates.  In India, women who helm political parties or represent people in Parliament and Assemblies are not large in numbers, but some have been making waves. Two women hogged the headlines last week — Mamata Banerjee and Sasikala. The feisty Mamata accepted the BJP’s challenge to contest only from one constituency — Nandigram — where she will face her one-time lieutenant, Suvendu Adhikari, who helped her win the battle of Nandigram which catapulted her to power in 2011. But he has now joined the BJP.
The world’s scenario is not different, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality. Fifty years ago, we landed on the moon; in the last decade, we discovered new human ancestors and photographed a black hole for the first time. In the meantime, legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men. Less than 25 per cent of parliamentarians were women, as of 2019. One in three women experiences gender-based violence, still.
This day celebrates the cultural, political, economic and social achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action to achieve gender parity. The IWD is also significant in a way it spurs us to make people aware of women's rights, gender equality, safety and prevention of any kind of harassment. The day also helps us to reflect on the extraordinary roles played by women in almost every walk of life and celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women.  Though countries across the world have made great advancements, gender equality remains an unfulfilled dream.
 

After a series of claims and counterclaims over the projection of 'metro-man' E Sreedharan as the Chief Ministerial candidate of BJP for the forthcoming polls in Kerala, senior leader and Union Minister V Muraleedharan clarified that the references should not be considered as an announcement.  BJP state president K Surendran said that a 'person like Metroman E Sreedharan becoming the state CM could be good for the state'. "A person like E Sreedharan becoming the Kerala CM is always good for Kerala State," he said. Later, Surendran told Times Now that no official announcement has been made towards the CM face in the state. Sreedharan had joined the BJP amid much fanfare in February and had evinced interest in contesting for the Chief Minister’s post. The technocrat had on February 19 said that he is open to taking up the chief minister’s post if the BJP comes to power. Sreedharan had last month said that he is entering electoral politics to work for his state’s betterment.
88-year-old Sreedharan’s achievements, like Delhi Metro and Konkan Railway, swaddle him in the mould of a technocrat par excellence. But even his party seems undecided how best to utilise him, evident from the confusion over naming him CM candidate. Nevertheless, BJP trusts Sreedharan to woo the middle class despite his age. Meanwhile, a BJP candidate has notched up prized Orthodox Church support for helping spare an ancient church from demolition during highway construction. Sreedharan has received numerous national and international honours. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2001 and felicitated with the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. He was also awarded the French government’s highest civilian honour Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur in 2005 and was also named as one of Asia’s Heroes in 2003 by TIME magazine. 
A retired officer of the Indian Engineering Services (IES),  Sreedharan has played the role of an advisor to several Metro projects in India. He is also a member of the United Nations’ High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport. Hailed for his groundbreaking work in transforming public transport in India, especially in Delhi Metro, Sreedharan is popularly known as the Metro Man.
Sreedharan was born in 1932 in Karukaputhur under Madras Presidency, which is now in Kerala. He pursued his higher education at the Victoria College in Palghat and then got a degree in civil engineering from the Government Engineering College, known now as JNTUK, in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. After his education, Sreedharan started out as a lecturer of civil engineering at the Government Polytechnic in Kozhikode. He then joined the Bombay Port Trust as an apprentice. In 1953, Sreedharan cleared the Indian Engineering Service Exam and joined the southern railway in 1954 thus embarking on a career in the railways.
Between 1970 and 1975, Sreedharan was in charge of planning, designing and implementing the Kolkata Metro project. Between 1979 and 1981, he was in charge of the Cochin Shipyard Limited. He was promoted as general manager of the Western Railway in July 1987 and in 1989 he was elevated to the position of Member Engineering, Railway Board and ex-officio secretary to the government. Even after his retirement in June 1990, the government tasked him to spearhead the Konkan Railway project in 1990. After completion of the Delhi Metro project, Sreedharan was made the managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Under Sreedharan’s leadership, all scheduled sections of DMRC were completed by mid-1997, which was before the target date. After 16 years of service in DMRC, Sreedharan retired in 2011 after which he took advisory roles in Kochi Metro, Jaipur Metro, Lucknow Metro, Coimbatore Metro and proposed projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
 

Is it not a welcome change that our Army top bosses are advocating for the reformations in the Arm forces Gen Rawat and Army Chief General Narvane are perhaps sharing the same view as is indicative of their suggestion for a carefully devised strategies now for improving the performances of the army.

The entire world was earlier specially USA always have shunned the problem of terrorism created by Pakistan and the kind of the troubles that are being always initiated by these two of the India neighbours.

USA now has realized the tough challenges form these two now that the India has been facing constantly since decades.

The importance of the allocation of sufficient funds to coup up with the modern technological need for the defence is certainly a welcome thought and the Indian leadership must thoroughly study and try to come up with the concrete kind of the programme for the future related issues that might crop with the times to come so need of the hour is to first ensure and anticipate those thus the right action plan and the concerned arms may be deployed to counter the future issues.

We have such a geographical status that nonetheless all the efforts and preparation we can have some or other border issue to address.

The vision of our neighbour has always been non -cooperative and was of preparatory of disturbing the peace process.

In the light of these aspects the prudent step is to keep changing and evaluating the strength and weakness of the armed forces that ultimately are going to take up the responsibility of escaping people from any untoward incidence.

Let us take up these thoughtful and worth inculcating visions for the futuristic vision that is foreseen by the two top bosses well on time if this is not too much to defend their point of view.
 

The Supreme Court of India deserves unreserved praise for its decision to dismiss a sedition petition against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah with a fine of Rs 50,000. The Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta has laid down a much-needed norm when it ordered that dissent is not sedition.
Regardless of whether the litigation was inspired or not by the forces that be, the truth is freedom of speech in a democracy is being challenged every day. There is a clear pattern to be seen behind offence being taken at every turn at any view expressed that runs contrary to the rigid opinions of the majoritarians who are quite willing to be at odds with India’s tradition of tolerance and pluralism. Unfortunately, the colonial-era law, which says that ‘whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation or otherwise brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government shall be punished with imprisonment for life’, still remains as Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code. None of the founding fathers or the subsequent liberal governments found this vague and draconian provision distasteful enough to get it removed from the statute book. Hence, the constitutional court’s order assumes the status of a touchstone for the legality of the application of 124 A.
“The expression of a view which is dissent from a decision taken by the Central Government itself cannot be said to be seditious. There is nothing in the statement which we find so offensive as to… initiate proceedings,” said SC, while fining the petitioners Rs 50,000 for frivolous litigation.  But the wastage of judicial time, and more importantly at a personal and political level, the harassment of individuals and silencing of dissent must prompt SC to reexamine the infirmity of sedition in light of frequent undermining of the fundamental right to dissent.
The learned judges have made it clear that dissent or disagreement with the decisions of the Central government is not sedition. So, Disha Ravi and Farooq Abdullah cannot be prosecuted simply because they do not agree with the government on farm laws or the abrogation of Article 370. There is no democracy without dissent and debate. The court has correctly identified the petitioners’ attempt as ‘publicity interest litigation’, and by imposing the fine it has sent a cautionary message out to frivolous and politically motivated litigants.
 

West Bengal and Assam is in full swing and all set for the ensuing elections.BJP has finalized the alliances with the state of Assam and the decided seats selections for the state by individual parties are more or less ascertained by a brainstorming session. Similarly West Bengal the political wind is flowing with the warm behavior of the leaders in action with all the preparations for contesting the election ahead.

CM Mamata Banerjee’s wish is to contest from Nandi gram where she might face her past colleague and now with BJP Shudhendu Adhikari who claims to defeat her by average fifty thousand votes even his one of the supporter appeared confident that anyone who contest from Nandi gram might have the similar margin and BJPs win is certain.Sangrur is another tough fight constituency .BJP State head Ghosh has not accepted and declared any contestant’s name unless the party high command agrees for declaring yet stated that the contest shall be interesting and worth of it                                                    

Exit poll reports have certain other facts to mention a it reveals that for CM Position CM Banerjee remains the first popular choice with the understanding that as such other candidates have fewer realizations of regional aspects however at the center the consensus as stated goes in favour of BJP.While those who made an exit from TMC are confident of the success of BJP with their reluctance of stating any CM Candidate’s name. Party however is confident of its victory and supporting actions that we see is the constant exodus from TMC to BJP.

Kailash Vijayvargiya the BJP’s stalwarts who has accepted the reins of BJP in the state of west Bengal also maintained that this is the party leadership’s final verdict that will decide the candidature for CM right now we only focus on winning.

CM Mamta has another tough challenge from singer turned politician babul supriyo who also wishes to contest against the CM WB. Ovasi’s role also may be challenging and putting the vote bank of the targeted group in the abeyance if not decisive.

Interesting therefore the west Bengal election could be for the BJP with its concrete strategies planning to enter into the election and the frequent visits of all its top people is testimony of the kind of preparation the party has exhibited and as is evident from all the steps taken so far.

Let’s see what is there in the store
 

The BJP-led Haryana government on Tuesday approved a bill that reserves 75 per cent of jobs in the private sector for the people of the state. The legislation was passed by the state assembly last year. The new law will provide 75 per cent reservation to local candidates applying to private-sector jobs in the state that pay less than Rs 50,000 per month. The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 will apply to companies, societies, trusts, limited liability partnership firms, partnership firms etc. located across the state. It must be noted that the ordinance was one of the key promises made by the ruling alliance partner Jannayak Janta Party during the Assembly elections of 2019.
The new law also contains a clause that allows private companies to hire an employee from outside of the state if they do not find a suitable local candidate for the job. In that case, the company will have to inform the government about the step. It is a retrograde development that can catalyse the balkanization of India’s labour market. The law applies to all organisations which employ ten or more people. The law does carve out exceptions by allowing employers to seek permission for waivers if there are not enough qualified locals available. Haryana is not an exception. Andhra Pradesh assembly in 2019 passed a similar law. Nativism weakens the bonds that unite India and violates the fundamental right of Indians to seek a livelihood anywhere in the country.
This move will have a number of adverse effects. Among the more important ones is that it will defeat the underlying purpose of the legislation. It will drive jobs out of the state as it makes it unviable for businesses to follow the law in letter and spirit, reducing the total number of jobs available. The other consequence is that it will encourage informalisation of labour, as employers look for ways to both compete in the market and follow the law.
Apart from tackling unemployment among local people, the state government said the law will discourage the influx of migrants seeking low-paid jobs, which has a “significant impact” on local infrastructure and leads to the “proliferation of slums”. BJP, a party that claims to be nationalist, shouldn’t pander to nativism.  Haryana government should re-think its decision in the national interest.

Hostile China has once again got exposed with her evil intentions for the probability expressed by the energy minister Maharashtra of the hands of china’s cyber-attack as a major cause of the sabotage the state had to suffer on 12th of October last year that halted the trains and created panic and inconvenience in the hospitals too making the pandemic challenges more alarming for the state to manage.

The latest study of an American mentioning the alleged attempts of china to strive for making an entry to the power grid and sabotaging the same for the finite length of time making the situation horrible for a number of people in the metro city Mumbai.

The evil intentions of China that disguises often friend but behaves as foe is evident from many of her attempts be it crossborder influxes and intrusions or the kind of cyber-attacks it tries to impose not only on the Indian state but for the world crisis too.

We must remain alert with the wicked intentions of this stubborn neighbor that keeps on troubling the state’s peaceful coexistence with its neighbor. History has time and again proved that India has never attacked any one so far post independence and have tried to abide by the treaties agreements with whichever country of any nature the Indian state entered with. However India has never looked back and has bravely taught the tough lessons too to all those who tried to challenge and misunderstood the peace keeping efforts of India as the sober nature of the state.
 

With the poll bugle sounded for the Assembly elections in four states and a union territory, 824 seats are up for grabs, making this the most important electoral battle since the General Election of 2019. Continuing with last year’s Bihar poll template that factored in pandemic-appropriate precautions, the ECI has spread the elections over a month.
The announcement of dates for Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry assembly elections has focussed attention on the strong repercussions their outcome will have for national politics. BJP governs Assam, is a strong challenger in Bengal, and its ally AIADMK administers TN. Any setback for BJP in Bengal and Assam and ally AIADMK in TN could bring the opposition roaring back into contention in national politics. Buoyed by its emergence as a close second to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Lok Sabha poll of 2019 in West Bengal, the BJP has upped the ante to wrest power from the TMC. The saffron party got a boost in the state recently when seven Trinamool MLAs jumped ship to join it.
However, CM Mamata Banerjee is valiantly fending off anti-incumbency in a bid to win a third term by wooing voters with various schemes, including providing coronavirus vaccine free of cost. In neighbouring Assam, the shadow of the violent anti-CAA protests looms large. The ruling BJP-led coalition has to contend with the ‘grand alliance’ forged by Congress and other parties. The stakes are high for Congress, whether the party realises it or not. The fall of the ministry in Puducherry will have consequences in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala: The DMK has now been less accommodative of its claims in Tamil Nadu while in Kerala, the party and the UDF heads will have to convince the voters that they are not up for sale if they were to be voted back. It is also to be seen how the party puts up a fight in Assam. The regional majors — the Trinamul Congress, the AIADMK and the DMK — will have their bases intact whether they win or lose but power is a major factor that keeps them going.
A loss is sure to leave the Trinamul gasping for breath, and hence the stiff opposition to the eight-phase voting in the state. The Left is of little consequence in West Bengal and hence a return to power in Kerala has become all the more critical for the formation.  Overall, while the BJP is keen to expand its footprint, the other parties are desperately trying to hold their ground. The May 2 verdict will be crucial to the fortunes of various stakeholders. A very interesting and significant electoral battle looks to be unfolding. The polls will shape the trajectory of national politics, determine the balance of power between the Centre and states, and reveal the current strength of national and regional forces.
 

Pakistan’s current situation is miserable with the debts that Pakistan owes.

With the constant appearing and now with the declaration of recently held virtual meet of financial task Force popularly known as FATF that Pakistan shall continue to be in the Grey List status until Pakistan meets the laid down criterion spelled out in 27 points that may free her from the current status.

Grey list keeps on bothering Pakistan in its very need of the financial assistance from various sources that has been a limiting factor and causative of the serious plights that the Pakistan citizens are constantly facing.

The situation is invited by the state of Pakistan herself with the promotion of the terror acts. 

Needless now even for Pakistan to defend that her land has no presence or preparator of the ultras, time and again this has been proved, even the latest Red forte incidence also is alleged to have connections with this neighboring country.  

The question therefore is alarming that whether the Pakistan state has any prerogative of making any claim of her disappointments and harassment at the hand of any one while the own initiation of many steps of Pakistan has dragged the nation in today’s miserable stage where the nation is in the great debt and appears to have no comeback from the same.

The reported debt of Pakistan against China is huge and thus needs very smart provisions and serious implementation for getting rid of the status.

The kind of support that Pakistan looks forward to and does not truly bother for the consequences only show the disastrous and worrisome future ahead although the current situation itself is suggestive of the debacles that might come across.

Need for Pakistan at this juncture is to honestly evaluate the friends and foes for which the urgent need is to clearly see the circumstances and the incidences that go on and not advocating the points with vested interest.

 China appears to assist Pakistan with its long gains and political mileage.

Pakistan must also take up its uiger Muslim population’s plight at china with the similar eloquence that it raises against India that has hardly any relevance and impact on the common population excepting the preparators of terrorism across the border.

The forced intent of opposing the favorable neighbor India may still go a long way for Pakistan to consolidate its position provided the right sense prevails as is evident from the current circumstances.        

Popular for her dubious intentions on records, Pakistan has entered into a new agreement with India of not breaching the ceasefire and creating ruckus across the LOC.

The two DGMOS have agreed upon.

Indian state off course have been seriously adhering to the laid down norms yet the history has evidences to support the thought that the neighboring Pakistan is not trustworthy and notwithstanding the previous agreements too, the state of Pakistan has often violated the norms and thus habitually been repeating the same in spite of  signing the agreements of establishing peace.

The fact is that we have two peculiar neighbors Pakistan and China that have no consistency and commitment in their assurances be it political, diplomatic or any other.

This certainly shall always be a welcome by India provided Pakistan does not again indulge in her strategies of putting India into an adverse situation with the wicked plans. 

This is truly impossible to believe Pakistan for its peace assurances what so ever the state of Pakistan commits. 

However, a chance of establishing peace is looked forward even under all the circumstances for the Indian priorities is peace in the continent.

We must always look ahead for the optimum growth and must embrace changes with open heart forgiving the past mistakes for the better future yet this is not easy said and done and also possible to happen with the togetherness with honest intentions.

Not difficult if considered and wished for.
 

The notification of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Government’s first move to regulate social media platforms, is, essentially, focused on regulating Big Tech through the prism of tackling law and order. These rules come even as a Joint Parliamentary Committee is in the final stages of discussion of a privacy Bill that covers aspects such as the role of social media intermediaries and the reach of Big Tech companies, and the privacy accorded to the users on such platforms.
Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) including internet and mobile-based communications are increasingly becoming pervasive and integral to day-to-day functioning of our lives- whether personal or official. ICTs offer an unprecedented opportunity of connecting to each and every individual and design the communication structure accordingly to each person. Such a structure can be defined and re-defined by both initiator and receiver of communication. Such a medium of communication is referred to as Social Media and it is transforming the way in which people connect with each other and the manner in which information is shared and distributed.  In India, Facebook alone has over 40 million users each. Even a microblogging site Twitter has about 16 million users. These sites offer an opportunity to reach out this audience at a keystroke. Many of these facilitate access through mobile devices and with nearly 900 million mobile users in India, it offers unprecedented outreach.
Just when the content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms were being hailed as an elixir for the artistic community, the government, it seems, has decided to clip its wings. The code of ethics that the government is contemplating does not appear to be a mere guideline. The three-tier regulatory framework, including an inter-ministerial committee, it has proposed almost seems draconian on paper.
Proposals like the parental lock, rating system and even the rules that suggest that the content should not impact India’s sovereignty and unity are acceptable norms. However, much of the regulations and the qualifying words such as ‘due caution and discretion as well as the potentially offensive impact of a film on matters of caste, race, gender, religion, disability, or sexuality are open to subjective interpretation and could lead to a witch-hunt. Ironically, without the regulations too, producers have had to face flak.
While at a personal level, the uptake and usage of such media is gaining rapid popularity, use and utility of such media for official purpose remain ambiguous. Many apprehensions remain including, but not limited to issues related to authorisation to speak on behalf of department/agency, technologies and platform to be used for communication, scope of the engagement, creating synergies between different channels of communication, compliance with existing legislations etc.
For many years now, the government has been asking Facebook-owned WhatsApp to allow traceability after there were cases of deaths due to mob-lynching in which messages were allegedly spread to mobilise the crowd. WhatsApp has denied these requests. Globally, too, other jurisdictions such as the US, the UK, and Australia have written to Facebook indicating that its plan to extend end-to-end encryption on its messaging platforms should not exclude a means for lawful access to the content of communications to protect citizens.
 

The ensuing elections of Bengal may any day be scheduled and therefore the activities of the political parties especially that of the incumbent and BJP are at its peak.

CM Mamta Banerjee does not wish to leave any efforts to lure the voters of West Bengal and she has created a kind of a ring around her that keeps her always motivated and convinced of her invincibility. That’s  the reason probably she still poses hope full of her victory nevertheless many of her stalwarts have left her party stating and raising nepotism and exhibited their open discontent towards Prahant Kishore’s strategies.

The latest debacle in view of CBI raid at her nephew Abhishek Banerjee's  place alleging her daughter in-laws illegal transactions has further put fuel into the ongoing adversity for her in the state politics.

Her all the moves to establish that she is being treated differently and her assignments and concerns are purposely delayed or overlooked appears only frustrated gestures for the same has no base.

The latest is her demand from the center of demand for vaccines with the repercussions of the same after injecting on the center and her recommendation for the free vaccination in the state she presumes shall get her the political mileage.

The Government at the center has clearly understood her master plan and stated that she should first utilize the supplied quantity of vaccine and the same is substantiated with the data of actual pricks that is evident that are as good as negligible.

Her attempts of questioning the airstrikes authenticity, making Tata’s to go away from sangroor and losing state exchequer an opportunity and employment opportunities for the state people, her attempt of defaming the state with her various whimsical imaginary representations all have already created disappointments across the state.

However, the surveys speak of her acceptance as CM choice by the public seems to be a bit ambiguous.

Whatever is stored in the future’s womb is although tough to ascertain right at this moment for the voter’s nerve is not that easy to truly evaluate.

At times speculations and the real results do not match is a proven historical fact so all we can do is to wait for the elections to happen and its results shall point the right direction and future of West Bengal.
 

PM Modi has emphasized on indigenous defense productions and reminded of the network of ordnance factories across the country which have gone haywire post-independence. We were rather exporting those days and now the status is reversed and all imported arms are used.

PM Modi after taking up his tenure kept on pointing and creating an atmosphere for the very cause that requires very serious and meticulous planning.

An idea that is created can turn into an entrepreneur but the imperative aspect of any such vision necessarily needs serious planning vis a vis implementation. It's not easy said and done.

The indigenous defense production is no exception to the same and probably the government has understood the truth for which rather making any tall claims and assurances the government appears to get itself prepared for the very project instead running after the same without any concrete plan and this is indeed a welcome move.

Government’s priority to ensure the production plans in coordination with public private sectors seems to be the conclusion of the same line of thought that may be pragmatic enough to go ahead in the right direction.

The efforts are initiated for this great thought that makes self-reliance as a mantra for success and the incumbent therefore can devise the appropriate strategies for this great cause.
 

Fuel prices soared across India. Since there are no elections anytime soon in the country, Indian oil companies merrily pass on every increase in global crude oil prices in the true spirit of a market-determined price regime on highly taxed petrol and diesel while the Narendra Modi government looks the other way.
Petrol price with certain additives crossed an unprecedented Rs 100-mark in many cities in Madhya Pradesh, forcing many petrol pumps to shut down as their old analogue fuel dispensing machines were not designed to show a three-digit figure. Its neighbour Maharashtra would soon knock at the three-digit figure. States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar, Punjab, West Bengal and Odisha, which are in the Rs 90-a-litre-petrol club, could soon follow Maharashtra in joining the Rs 100-a-litre-petrol club.
For sure, the rise in the price of international crude has played its part. The Indian basket of crude cost $62 a barrel this week, an increase of at least 25% since the end of the last year. The real picture however emerges when the retail price is subdivided. A week ago, the retail price of petrol in Delhi was Rs 89.29 a litre. Of this, Rs 57.19, or 64% of the price, was on account of taxes and dealer commissions. The major portion of tax went to the Centre, Rs 32.90 for a litre. The Centre’s tax is higher than the base price of petrol. While the global fuel prices were to be blamed for a daily increase in fuel prices, it is heavy taxation — as high as 61 per cent in some states — that brought the fuel price to this unprecedented level. Four states, Assam, Bengal, Rajasthan and Meghalaya have taken the lead to reduce fuel taxes. While one may argue that electoral considerations played a part in the decision of the first two states, the other two deserve credit. When the crude price dropped from 2015, the government increased taxes to corner the benefits of a favourable environment. When the environment is changing, people are expected to bear the brunt of the increase. This tax policy could undermine economic growth as fuel is input in many sectors.
The Centre and states should lower taxes before growth prospects are harmed. The stance of the BJP on fuel price has been quite paradoxical. While it demanded higher fuel subsidies when it was in the Opposition to protect consumers from higher global fuel prices when the crude oil price was as high as the US $110 a barrel, it has turned petrol and diesel into a cash cow because of its inelastic demand curve.  On May 16, 2014, when the NDA came to power, the price of petrol in Delhi was Rs 71.41 per litre when global crude oil price (Indian basket) was $106 a barrel. Compared to this, the crude oil now stands at around $55 a barrel, which is almost half of the 2014 price, but the retail petrol price in Delhi, instead of halving, is now Rs 89.
 

India’s weekly average of cases is rising again after several weeks of steady decline. Maharashtra, perhaps India’s most economically crucial state, is threatening more stringent measures after imposing a lockdown on three districts. Fresh cases in Kerala, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and MP are also on the health ministry radar now. The rising Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra are not the first time that a state has seen a second wave of infections in this epidemic. Delhi has had three distinct waves, each with a bigger peak than the previous one. Punjab and Madhya Pradesh have seen multiple periods of growth and slowdown of infections. If this is the onset of a second wave, the best countermeasure available – vaccination – must be scaled up immediately.  With over 1.1 crore healthcare and frontline workers administered the vaccine against Covid-19 till now, India boasts of ranking third, after the US and the UK, in the highest cumulative vaccination numbers. However, while it is a commendable achievement, the figure amounts to a minuscule fraction of our over 130 crore people. The pace of the ongoing vaccination programme needs to be speeded up so as to build a wall of immunity against the contagious coronavirus. Massive logistics put in place for the transportation, storage and administration of the two doses currently available and those in-the-making should facilitate faster and wider coverage.The current vaccination strategy, despite best intentions, is inoculating less than 2 lakh persons on most days. At this pace, India’s hopes of vaccinating 30 crore persons in priority groups by July look impossible. However, leading lights of India’s private sector like Devi Shetty and Azim Premji have proposed a far more ambitious programme of vaccinating 50 crore people in 30 to 60 days. This will require unleashing India’s private sector energies to solve the problem of scale.

 After the Union Budget pushed a strong privatisation agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made spirited arguments indicating how the private sector can act as a force multiplier in solving national problems. He recalled private enterprise successes in telecom and pharma sectors that have improved the quality of life for the poor while pointing out the limitations of babudom. Trusting the private healthcare sector in boosting vaccination – to tackle the most critical problem facing India today – will translate such talk into practice instantly. Market dynamics and competition from government facilities will ensure that private hospitals and clinics price their offerings in a range that helps them tap the widest possible clientele. High vaccine stocks coupled with an ample number of vaccination sites will rule out supply bottlenecks driving up prices if that is what government fears. High vaccine hesitancy and complacency surrounding Covid are also reasons to take a war footing approach to vaccination. A high decibel campaign to promote vaccination and masking can no longer wait.  There are many questions and not good answers. The very different trajectories in different states just there is still a lot that we do not know about the nature and behaviour of Coronavirus.
 

The meetings between Indian and Chinese arms forces if are any indication for the normalcy at the border especially eastern ladakh  border then it’s  very satisfying and calls for concrete steps in view of combating the disturbances often created  by China.

Time has proved over the years that India is no less than China, be it economic or arms fronts.

China might project the might and invincibility of the chinese arms yet the evidence does not really are conclusive.

Indian army has been always facing the so-called chinese might and all kinds of conspiracies bravely so Indian army is better placed and trained evidently and remains victorious in adverse Himalayan challenges.

The changing gestures and approaches of this neighboring envious nation that always disguises as friend but in true sense is a foe now has perhaps seriously pondered over the current status and therefore its very assertion of complimenting the BRICS Meet in India for which his earlier exhibited reluctance now is washed out this seems after the troops disengagement in pangong area after the consensus during a meet of senior commanders of both the countries.

The changed cooperative gesture of China is with proper evaluation of India’s rising status in various fronts and the self-created image of invincibility of China goes haywire so circumstances speak of a different outcome.

Yet as is always advised China is not trustworthy so be cautious and vigilant of all her moves.
 

The surge in the Covid 19 cases again in the state of Maharashtra is a big Concern for the state government and the local administrations.

Considering the same certain cities are as a prevention placed again on alert and the CM Maharashtra has asked the public to remain vigilant and suggested all to for meticulous following of the norms to escape the probabilities of any chances of the lock down.

Public rallies of any kind of protest, religious ceremonies that may gather people or any political and social gathering are requested to refrain from.

It’s not only an alert for the state of Maharashtra but for the nation, for the repercussions could be anywhere with the global openings and exodus, influxes are routinely bringing back such pandemics.

With the proper public awareness programmes now the education is sufficient even in downtrodden people too and all have understood the significance of the cleanliness and required measures to combat the disease.  

The suitable and effective vaccine to is available now for the public use so countering the pandemic is much easier however with all the vaccines and medical facilities that could be extended to the diseased person the wise and pragmatic is always to keep the proper prevention for that is better than the cure as is accepted since ages.
 

It has taken China eight long months to admit that four of its soldiers were killed in the Galwan valley clash in eastern Ladakh. Shortly after the barbaric hand-to-hand combat in June 2020, India had reported 20 fatalities, including a commanding officer.  Dramatic footage released by Chinese state media purportedly shows deadly clashes between troops at the Indian border last year -- a rare insight into violence at the tense, remote frontier. China's defence ministry on Friday named four soldiers killed in the brawl, in the first confirmation of deaths by Beijing from an incident that also claimed the lives of at least 20 Indian soldiers.
Footage later released by state broadcaster CCTV appeared to show Indian troops wading through a river towards Chinese soldiers in the barren and ice-covered Karakoram Mountains, carrying sticks and shields reading "Police". The Chinese army’s claim that it lost only four soldiers may or may not be the whole truth, but the official acknowledgement suggests an inclination — again, unusual for the Dragon — to partly lift the veil of secrecy. So, is this a confidence-building measure aimed at mending ties with India? Considering China’s military and economic expansionism, it could well be a ploy to counter criticism from the international community. The growing clout of the Quad coalition, comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, is certainly not music to China’s ears. Thursday’s teleconference among the foreign ministers of the member nations was held barely a month after the Biden administration took charge. Quad’s commitment to uphold a rules-based international order underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty is intended to make China see reason.
Late last month, a Chinese patrol tried to enter Sikkim’s territory and was forced back, official reports said, adding that while said sticks and stones were used, there were no gunshots. An army statement called it “a minor face-off at Naku La area of North Sikkim on 20 January 2021 and the same was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols.” The pass is at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. This is not the first time that China has tried entering Sikkim. In the same area last summer, at least 12 Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured in stone-pelting and fisticuffs along the Line of Actual Control after a patrol party of China’s People’s Liberation Army personnel was stopped. Officers at the local level later intervened and resolved the stand-off.  Prior to that came the skirmish at Doklam.
Even as the disengagement is reported to have been completed in the Pangong Tso area, the 10th round of the Corps Commander-level talks is scheduled to be held today to take forward the pullback process in other areas of eastern Ladakh. India needs to keep asserting itself at the diplomatic and military levels to sustain the gains and be ready for any eventuality in case China’s climbdown proves to be deceptive.
 

Today is the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who was one of the bravest, most progressive, most secular and sensible rulers of India. He was one of few rulers who practised true religious tolerance and was the true founder of SWARAJYA. Born on 19 February 1630 at Shivneri Fort near Pune, Chhatrapati Shivaji, over the course of his life, engaged in both alliances and hostilities with the Mughal Empire, Sultanate of Golkonda and Sultanate of Bijapur, as well as European colonial powers.
The greatness of Shivaji’s genius can be fully realized not from the extent of the kingdom he won for him, nor from the value of the hoarded treasure he left behind him, but from a survey of the conditions amidst which he rose to sovereignty.
According to well-known historian Jadunath Sarkar, “Shivaji was truly an original explore, the maker of a new road in mediaeval Indian history, which no example or guide before him. When he chose to declare his independence, the Mughal Empire seemed to be at the height of its glory. Every local chief who had, anywhere in India, revolted against it had been crushed by the Mughals. For a small jagirdar’s son to defy its power, appeared as an act of madness, a courting of sure ruin, Shivaji, however, chose this path of Swarajya and he succeeded.
His success can be explained only by the analysis of his political genius.”
In the book “Shivaji and His Times’ Jadunath Sarkar writes—“Shivaji had proved that the Hindu race can still produce not only zamindars (or non-commissioned officer) and clerks, but also rulers of men, and even a King of kings (Chhatrapati). Shivaji has shown that the tree of Hindusim is not really dead, that it can rise from the beneath the seemingly crushing load of centuries of political bondage, exclusion from the administration, and legal repression; it can put forth new leaves and branches; it can again lift it head up to the skies.”
Leadership means handling people; gathering them, keeping them along and maturing them. Shivaji possessed the true master’s gift of judging character at sight and choosing the fittest instruments for his work.
According to Prof Namdev Rao Jadhav, who has authored several books on Chhatrapati Shivaji and Maratha history, Shivaji was not only great in ‘Leadership’, but he had proved his ‘Management Skills’. Apart from Maharashtra or Maratha, his army consisted of people from 13 nations  that includes—British, French, Portuguese, dutch, Bhilla, Gond, Telugu, Kannadi, Tamillion, north Bundellian, Gujarathi, Rajasthani etc.  He was the first King in the world who used to offer a guarantee of the employment. He was widely known for his guerrilla warfare tactics. His awareness of the geography of his land, and guerrilla tactics like raiding, ambushing and surprise attacks on his enemies was so brilliant.
Shivaji’s private life was marked by a high standard of morality. He was a devoted son, a loving father and an attentive husband.  According to Prof Namdev Rao Jadhav, -- “Another name was Shivaji Maharaj is discipline. His discipline was so strict that even General or minister could not dare to break it. When Netaji Palkar (his Army General) had gotten lad and could not reach at a given time, he was directly dismissed instead of giving memo, warning or reminder.” 
In the summer of 1674, Shivaji had himself enthroned with great fanfare as an independent sovereign. The suppressed Hindu majority rallied to him as their leader. During his 35 years of ruling, Shivaji constructed more than 110 forts and reconstructed or got renovated 49 forts.  And there were 360 forts were in possession of Shivaji’s kingdom. Prominent and famous among them were ---Raigarh, Sinhgarh, Shivneri, Pratapgarh, Vishalgarh, Mangarh, Bhivgarh, Sudhagarh, Jaigarh, Bhavangarh, Kangori, Moujgarh etc.
 Shivaji is also known as the Father of Indian Navy because he was the first to realise the importance of having a naval force, and therefore he strategically established a navy and forts at the coastline to defend the Konkan side of Maharashtra.  The Jaigad, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and other such forts still stand to testify his efforts and ideas.
 

Congress has got splendid success in Punjab by making it a big celebration and long awaited good news for the party in municipal elections. 

The victory of seven municipal corporation out of eight is certainly remarkable and is inferred by the people as the public opinion for the farm laws enacted and questioned protest for the same.

Indeed for congress that scripts success especially in places like Moga, Pathankot,hoshiarpur and Bhatinda  it’s truly a satisfying moment.

However, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP needs to seriously think over and evaluate for this is imperative to understand the public nerve for the ensuing assembly elections.

This is certainly a big cause of concern for all other parties’ i.e AAP, BJP and Shiromani Akali dal which could not leave a dent in the elections in view of its probable performances in the Assembly elections.

Congress this appears has consolidated the position and the reason behind as is mentioned is the ongoing protest meaning that the public could be properly dealt with by the strategies of the Congress party making the farm laws as an obstacle in the welfare and future of the farmers thus perhaps is considered as the first step for the assembly election if this is an indication for the same.

Although this is circumstantially assessed yet the final reason for the debacle of these parties over congress in the state of Punjab needs a proper audit and pragmatically finding out solutions to counter the effect.

One point that appears of concern is that the farm laws need to be made crystal clear amongst the people in general if that is the only big reason behind this outstanding success.
 

Is it not a cause of concern? when all the evidence shouts clearly the conspiracy to belittle the incumbent and specially the status of PM Modi by creating  the scenes of anarchy on the republic day which was alleged to be created to be infamous the responsible of the government and its agencies committed to safeguard the country in such emergent situation.

The plot appeared to unearth now with the evidence that speaks volumes in the context.

 Nevertheless, all the evil intentions of tarnishing the image of the nation by few with their cruel intent the alertness of responsibles have saved the face of the nation brilliantly.

The opposition has miserably failed in their so called stand for none of them could make any concrete point against the farm laws so called black status as is claimed by them and neither any one of them could speak of any relevant point that satisfies the justification of the support to the farmers agitation and its significance for making it a big issue.

The problem is that the opposition does not truly act as an opposition that responsibly brings the public welfare discussions.  

Only agenda of opposition is to see to it, raise the issues of the vested interest and create ambiguity for the common public to realize the facts in its right perspective.  Does that save democracy is the big question? and perhaps those who every now and then claim the concern for democracy refrain from actually adhering to the same.

This status is perhaps worst seen in ever since the independent nation started functioning with its own governance.

The matter of great relevance is that many opposition speaks in the same language that Pakistan and other countries are speaking whereas notwithstanding the difference of opinions the opposition should not really favour any such move or statement that invariably strengthens the neighboring countries that is constantly creating some or other issues with the nation that does not weaken the leader in particular but the nation and this is by all means wrong not standing with the nation’s government and advocating clearly the mala fide intent of other countries and an attempt of weakening India.   
 

Vasant Panchami, celebrated every year in the month of Magh, is a festival of religious, seasonal and social significance. It also marks the end of the winter season and beginning of the spring. The significance of the day lies in the worship of Goddess Saraswati who is known as a symbol of wisdom.
People dress in yellow and they offer yellow flowers to gods and goddesses. They also prepare and feast on a special pastry called Kesar Halwa which is made from flour, sugar, nuts, and cardamom powder. This dish also includes saffron strands, which gives it a vibrant yellow colour and mild fragrance During the Vasant Panchami festival, crops fields are filled with color yellow, as the yellow mustard flowers bloom at this time of the year. Pens, notebooks, and pencils are placed near the goddess Saraswati Devi’s feet to be blessed.
The Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of intellect and learning. She has four hands which symbolize ego, intellect, alertness and mind. She carries a lotus and scriptures in two of her hands and she plays music on Veena (an instrument similar to sitar) with her other hands. She rides on a white swan. Her white dress is a symbol for purity. Her swan signifies that people should have the ability to discern the good from the bed. Goddess Saraswati is well-versed in the experience of truth. When the goddess Saraswati is seen sitting on a peacock, it is a reminder that a strong ego can be held back by wisdom.
Goddess Saraswati is also known as  Bharati (eloquence), Shatrupa (existence), Vedmata (mother of the Vedas), Brahmi, Sharda, Vageshwari and Putkari. She is also known as the goddess of speech or eloquences. In all, Saraswati is goddess of knowledge, language, music and all arts.

Another tradition associated with Vasant Panchami is that of initiating studies in the young. Young children often begin learning on this day. Sweets with a yellow hue are also distributed on this day and people can also be seen donating books and other study material to the poor.
We all need knowledge in our life. Knowledge is a supreme power.
There is a beautiful shloka in Neeti Shastra---- vidya naam narasya rupmadhikam prachchhannaguptam dham…… That means Vidya (knowledge or education) is a hidden stash of treasure which can neither be lost nor stolen by anyone. A bag of money can be stolen or destroyed due to many reasons, but knowledge is ingrained in oneself. The more knowledge one shares, the more it multiplies. Education and knowledge changes a person. It moulds and shapes him to have finesse and poise. Also, the way one conducts himself, at all times, is a result of his vidya, which gives him discipline and humility.

Happy Vasant Panchami!

After several rounds of talks at the diplomatic and military levels, India and China are poised to take a major step forward to end the over nine-month-long standoff at the LAC. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that both nations had reached an agreement on the disengagement of troops from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh. Under the pact, the two sides will cease their forward deployments in a ‘phased, coordinated and verified manner’ in these areas.
A day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh apprised told Parliament that India had not lost any territory in the LAC standoff of Eastern Ladakh, the Congress alleged on Friday that the government had ceded land to China saying the Indian territory between finger 3 and 4 had been ceded to China. In an early press conference at AICC headquarters before leaving for his tractor rally in Rajasthan Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of compromising the previous demand or status quo ante as of April 2020.
However,  the potential breakthrough comes as many as five months after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during a meeting in Moscow, worked out a five-point action plan to ease border tensions. Interestingly, the Chinese Defence Ministry went to town about the initiation of disengagement on Wednesday itself, while the Indian government took its time preparing a detailed statement.
India’s guarded, carefully calibrated response is understandable, considering how China has given short shrift to a series of agreements signed over the past three decades or so. The much-awaited de-escalation will offer some respite to the Indian troops, who have been on high alert particularly after the Galwan valley clash of June 2020, but there is no room for letting one’s guard down. India needs to constantly monitor the Chinese pullback and be on the lookout for any aberration. Rebuilding mutual trust will be a long-drawn-out process requiring sustained actions on the ground.
 It’s not only China’s misadventures in recent years that have tempered India’s optimism with caution. There is a bitter lesson to be learnt from history too. Back in July 1962, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had welcomed the ‘partial’ withdrawal of Chinese troops from Ladakh. The euphoria didn’t last long. Barely three months later, China invaded Indian territory. Though India will be hoping that such treachery is not repeated, the possibility can’t entirely be ruled out.
 

The United States on Wednesday said that there is no change in its policy on Jammu and Kashmir. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in view of a tweet from the South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department which welcomed the resumption of 4G mobile internet in Jammu and Kashmir, made it clear that there was no change in US policy on Jammu & Kashmir.  Last week, the newly elected president of the United States (US), Joe Biden, delivered his first foreign policy speech, with the aim of resetting America’s foreign policy agenda after four years of Donald Trump’s disruption. Biden’s choice of the State Department as the venue for his address was a show of support to the foreign service bureaucracy, and a signal to the world that standard diplomatic engagement and multilateralism would be the preferred mode of operation. Biden has been quick to reverse Trump’s decisions on walking out of the 2015 Paris Accord, on mitigating climate change, and on the World Health Organisation. But he is making no promises to re-engage with trans-Atlantic trade negotiations or rejoin the Pacific free trade agreement.
Other major announcements from Biden included ending all support for Saudi Arabia’s offensive operations in Yemen, urging Myanmar’s military leaders to halt their coup, freezing troop redeployments from Germany, raising the cap for refugees allowed into the US from 15,000 for this fiscal year — the lowest since 1980 — to up to 125,000, and reaffirming US support for LGBTQ rights worldwide. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin is to conduct a “global force posture review” so as to ensure America’s “military footprint is appropriately aligned with our foreign policy and national security priorities”.
Contrary to widespread Indian pessimism on Delhi’s prospects with Washington under Biden, there is considerable space for productive cooperation. As the China challenge for Indo-Pacific security continues to grow, the imperatives for Delhi for deeper defence cooperation and regional strategic coordination with Washington have become stronger. There is also room for creative joint initiatives on reforming the global trading system and advancing the global effort against climate change. On the other side of the ledger, India will have to actively manage the likely negative impact of US-Russia tensions on Delhi’s bilateral ties with both Washington and Moscow. Delhi will also need to address the growing concerns in Washington about the NDA’s government’s illiberal turn and its democratic trajectory. Although these concerns might look marginal at the moment, they have the capacity to push, slowly but surely, the terms of American political discourse on India in a negative direction.
According to a 2019 Congressional Research Service report of August 2019, a longstanding goal of US policy in South Asia has been to prevent India-Pakistan conflict from escalating to interstate war. This meant the United States has sought to avoid actions that overtly favoured either party. Over the past decade, however, Washington has grown closer to India while relations with Pakistan continue to be viewed as clouded by mistrust, CRS report said.
 

PM while addressing stated that the congress party is trying to take a u turn from its own stand. Referring to the past PM Dr Manmohan Singh’s statement regarding the farm laws, he categorically made a point in the presence of Dr Manmohan singh and suggested congress to at least approve now and feel proud that Modi Government is following what Dr Singh wished.

Indeed the fact is that the congress and other opposition parties are opposing with no thought on this and surprisingly advocating something that has hardly any relevance. Understanding the true intent PM has rightly pointed out that the right legislation that shall benefit the farmers must get a grand applause from all especially when these reforms were initiated even by today’s opposition. Capt. Amerindia Singh who clearly agreed with the reforms suggested by the committee presided over by Montek Singh ji but now is so helpless looking at the current priorities of the congress of opposing the incumbent because the support shall strengthen or consolidate the position of the government headed by Modi .

Vested interest in politicking are that important that the places that have a good impact and strategically relevant for the greater interest of the farmers are also made to reject and oppose.

PM therefore mentioned about the term “Andolan Jeevi” instead of Andolankari for these are the protestors that are not looking for solution but are trying to keep the issue burning as is evident circumstantially.

The scrupulous efforts and suggestions of Minister Tomar and others involved have been refused.

Tomar in his address also asked what is that “kala” or black in the farm laws to which the opposition does not have any concrete answer or solution.PM has made it crystal clear that MSP is there to stay and is an integral part of the same notwithstanding the same there appears no consensus intentionally this seems.

The protest is somewhat or other is taking different turn, how can one be oblivious of the truth which is evident ?
 

They say that an actor and politician often mesmerize people by their respective acting and good speech.

While an actor moves the public entering into the skin of the character and creates the suitability of the scene through his marvelous acting a political leader leaves no stone unturned to attract the public through his good oratory capabilities.

PM Modi has set a precedent with his ardent oratory skills in Rjaysabaha but his deliveries were natural and free of biases.

He adroitly expressed his emotions about the senior parliamentarian Gulam Nabi Azad’s attributions in his entire career, be he was within the government or he was playing the role of opposition.

PM mentioned his wise, prudent and responsible contributions towards the national interest above political vested interests. PM made a mention of the farm laws and impasse that has been causative of the long protest and requested of calling off the agitation mentioning that the opposition specially congress should be happy that he is compelled to follow what Dr Manmohan Singh the past PM had initiated in the farmers interest.

He was emotional many a times and burst in tears yet his expressions appeared honest and from the heart.

Azad also expressed his opinion with conviction and honesty.

He said that the praise is indeed a confirmation for congress role in the nation building and not anything of his in person

After a very long time perhaps such classic expressions witnessed by the nation during the parliamentary procedures while paying his respect to his attributions and concerns all through his career and mentioning of his close ties with Azad PM appeared sentimental and set a high standard of the speech at such occasions.

Opposition obviously shall have its own point of view and may have adjectives for the PM’S presentation for which they have all right reserved, yet the gesture made by PM of the nation establishes once again a fact that you can learn from the followers and opposition and you may have critic approach and listening, learning attitude together.

Hope the nation shall have many such class speeches in the ensuing sessions of the parliamentary procedures.
 

The glacial burst in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand may well be nature’s way of telling humans that it can strike back when the ecological balance is destroyed. High-intensity stone quarrying, frequent blasting of mountains and digging of tunnels through the base of the fragile mountain system for the back-to-back under-construction dams, each on the Rishi Ganga and Dhauli Ganga rivers, have played havoc with the local ecology. More tragically, at least 150 people were reported missing. Amidst search and rescue operations, confusion persisted about exactly what had caused the staggering surge of water. Above all, the many uncertainties spoke to how heavy duty infrastructural push in this ecologically sensitive region is taking places without rigorous enough local research. 
The climate crisis may have aggravated the situation. A new report by Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said that 36% of the volume of glaciers in Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region will be gone by the end of 2100 even if the world manages to keep the temperature rise within the 1.5 degree Celsius target of the Paris Climate Agreement. Though the disaster region does not fall in the HKH, the findings confirm other studies on faster melting of glaciers feeding the perennial Ganga from the upper reaches of Uttarakhand and China.
Data from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s resource centre on Himalayan glaciers reveal that melting of the glaciers in the Central Himalayan catchment area, where Chamoli falls, has increased in the first 20 years of this century. Research-based on the study of 650 glaciers, spanning 2,000 km and published in Science Advances in June 2019, said that glacial melting has doubled since 2000 as compared to 1975-2000. The faster melting of Ganga glaciers will impact the livelihood of close to 600 million people living in Ganga river basin, extending from Uttarakhand in the north to Bangladesh in the south.
A majority of the glaciers in the Himalayas are known to be receding, leading to the formation of several proglacial lakes. The climate change hotspot would require a generous dose of resources to monitor the region better and recommend policy changes. The course correction hopefully would be more effective than the cold treatment to suggestions, by a 2014 committee constituted by the apex court, to turn down the proposals to build hydel projects above an altitude of 2,000 metres, citing various risks. The fact is that the simultaneous pursuit of environmental and economic goods in a democracy does involve complex calculations. In this, the importance of expert knowledge cannot be overstated. Policy decisions shaping such projects must be swayed by scientists, not contractors and builders. This challenge is hardly limited to Uttarakhand. Several calamities in the south are correlated to disdain for the Gadgil committee’s counsel on the Western Ghats. Our cities need to be saved from drowning, our rivers from drying, everything is interconnected. This is why India must do a much better balancing act. 
 

Now the natural query everyone has in his/her mind is how it’s going to be the newer relationship with the new incumbents of the USA.

Whether the trump’s so called cynic behavior which although used to be favoring India continues with the well planned and seriously charted out plans of the new Joe Biden administration that as well have its own reservation for the China policies as appears to be.

China is alleged largely of copying the intellectual properties to its advantage and its cold response towards the issues of Uighur Muslims and global warming for which the USA and china could perhaps work up a joint project and that is a cause of concern that bidden has expressed clearly.

The rising concern for India will obviously be with the change of governance shall be with the methodologies of work.

Trumps policies some way or other nevertheless its peculiarities have always been indo friendly, notwithstanding, this fact India’s worries need an explicit gesture and approval from the new incumbents of USA

The kind of liberty in the policies that are expected to come in force for even the free press journalism etc. coupled with the issues of global warming for which the concern is expressed vividly by Joe Bidden the US elect president’s states of and realizes that China is an imperative aspect for the us administration for they consider china as an important competition in view of the strategies. China’s technological interest USA infers as the 

US china pact may also take a shape subsequently on global warming, Delhi’s concern is to establish and maintain the similar ties with Biden as PM Modi could establish along with the past presidents of the USA i.e with Barack Obama and even with Donald Trump.

Yesterday’s telephonic discussions of President  Joe Biden and PM  Modi on Indo pacific issues especially on peris accord in context of global climate changes that is concern for either country and in Toto for the world.

Both the leaders centered their discussion on regional issues along the rule based global orders he stated. Indo pacific strategy picked up by the past president Trump although  Biden has accepted yet all depend on his serious focus on the same.

A calculated move therefore needs to be strategized very aggressively and well pondered move only must yield desired reciprocations and could leave it for years of future planning.
 

India churns out brilliant graduates by the thousands each year. However, as the market for higher education grows and Massive Open Online Courses revolutionise distance learning, there has been a sharp increase in fake universities and fake degrees. There is an influential mafia network that facilitates fake degree infrastructure in India. A recent massive fake degree scam involving the sale of five lakh degrees by two private universities in Himachal has put the state government in the dock for not taking prompt action against the erring institutions. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had written to the authorities concerned in the state in August 2019 to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations of sale of fake degrees by the APG University in Shimla and Manav Bharti University in Solan but no action has been taken in the past six months.
A special investigating team (SIT) probing a fake degree case has found that Manav Bharti University in Solan, run by the Manav Bharti Charitable Trust, had sold 36,000 fake degrees across 17 states in over 11 years. In fact, of the total 41,000 degrees issued by the university, only 5,000 have been found to be genuine so far. Shockingly, the founder of the MBU made good money by selling degrees of Open University for Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka, by printing these degrees without the knowledge of the owner of the university. The APG University, the letter said, did not sell degrees this year but had sold more than 15,000 fake degrees in the past. Most of these scamsters do their dealings online. In 2017, the Central Crime Branch police raided an in Bengaluru education consulting firm and arrested a post-graduate who had managed to sell 2000 fake marks cards! 36,900 emails were recovered. Police have also busted a pan-India fake degree racket operating under the name "Delhi Education Society." This set up included regional offices and over 40 agents across the country and had allegedly sold over 50,000 forged marksheets and university certificates.
The trouble for students is that many of them are unable to differentiate between what is legal and genuine and what is fake. A genuine University will have the approval of the University Grants Commission. However, with universities mushrooming everywhere, providing distance education, students are confused. There are many benefits to distance education in India, but only through the proper channels and universities. However, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Friday, had provisionally attached the land, houses and commercial buildings of the trust chairman and his family in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). But restoring the private sector’s credibility in higher education would be a long-drawn process.
 

The Himalayan catastrotrophy has once again warned against the cruel behaviour with the nature and subsequent revolt of the nature which is obvious.

The glacier disrupted and had an impact on the dam which made gush of water entering into the adjoining villages and taking away lives of many.

The scenes of the tragedy are horrible and terrifies the spectator. How difficult and unmanageable this would have been for those who are managing the rescue operations.

Hats off to their brave efforts and sympathies for the bereaved families who lost Keith’s and kins.

The scientists have stated that in uttarakhand incident appeared happened not on account of glacier burst but the chances of water packets i.e lakes that are inside the glacier cannot be ruled out however they mentioned of probe into this first before finally ascertaining the definite reason of the tragedy yet the scientist opine of the snow avalanche that might have been the causative factor of the disastrous incident.

The possibility of global warming together with the probable temperature alterations in the Himalayan region must have been attributed to the incident along with the global warming.

Icimod I.E international center for integrated mountains development substantiated the theory and urged that if the temperature of the region could be well maintained about 15 degree that may be of assistance in managing the rise to the level of 2.2 degree appx which can be safe.

The incident anyways again justifies the global warming’s challenges and the kind of dangerous circumstances that might be there for the world to face.

High time to ponder over and promote awareness in this regard.
 

With being the most common type of cancer in women, breast cancer accounts for 14% of cancers in Indian women. It is reported that with every four minutes, an Indian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Women often find a lump in the breast or armpits as the first sign of breast cancer, but other symptoms like changes in breast skin or breast pain are also potential early signs. Breast cancer can have different symptoms for different people. Most don't notice any signs at all. The most common symptom is a lump in your breast or armpit. Others include skin changes, pain, a nipple that pulls inward, and unusual discharge from your nipple.
Breast cancer is on the rise, both in rural and urban India. A 2018 report of Breast Cancer statistics recorded 1,62,468 new registered cases and 87,090 reported deaths. Cancer survival becomes more difficult in higher stages of its growth, and more than 50% of Indian women suffer from stage 3 and 4 of breast cancer. Post cancer survival for women with breast cancer was reported 60% for Indian women, as compared to 80% in the US.
The very reason for a low breast cancer survival rate of women in India accounts from its lack of awareness and poor early screening and diagnosis rates. Delays in detection and treatment are the main reasons it becomes a more complex and life-threatening situation here. Cancer is an especially dreaded diagnosis for the poor. The gender disparity in access to healthcare is also well-documented. Women under-use health services because of lack of affordability, lack of transport, having less money and less time than men, and also most fundamentally because the world is not set up to attend to their well-being.
Families and institutions, even women themselves, underplay their physical suffering. Diseases that specifically affect women are under-researched, and women are less commonly screened for common conditions like heart disease, or even mental illness. With the latest study reports, India’s highest cancer rate is listed in the state of Kerala. Other states with high cancer rates in India include Mizoram, Haryana, Delhi and Karnataka. Mizoram accounted for the highest cancer death rates in the country, followed by Kerala and Haryana.
As the most common cancer type in Indian women, women in their early thirties till fifties are at considerable risk to develop breast cancer, and the incidence risk increases till its peak by the time they reach 50-64 years of age. There’s no escaping the fine print – Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country, having overtaken cervical cancer. In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, breast cancer accounts for 25% to 32% of all female cancers, more than 1/4th of all female cancers.  Prevention is a step away from a cure. Be aware, be prepared.
 

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced transcendental meditation (TM) to the West and gained fame in the 1960s as the spiritual guru, died on February 5, 2008 at his home and headquarters in Vlodrop, the Netherlands. Maharishi studied physics at the University of Allahabad later left for the Himalayas, where for 13 years he studied under Guru Dev, the founder of TM. His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ji, the most dedicated disciple to Shri Guru Dev Swami Brahmanand Saraswati ji, Shankaracharya of Jyotirpeeth, Badrikashrrma Himalaya, is widely regarded as the foremost scientist in the field of consciousness and is considered the greatest teacher in the world today. Over more than five decades ago Maharishi’s infinite love drew him out of isolation in the Himalaya to relieve the world from suffering, to provide people joy and peace and create Heaven on Earth. Having learnt from his Guru Dev, Maharishi ji completely revived and restored, ancient Vedic Science that is capable of creating perfect life and guiding individuals to the path of Enlightenment. When Guru Dev died in 1952, the Maharishi organized a movement to spread the teachings of TM throughout the world.
TM is a type of meditation, practised twice a day, in which the subject mentally recites a special mantra (sacred sound or phrase). Concentration on the repeated utterances decreases mental activity, and as a result, the subject is expected to reach a higher state of consciousness. The movement grew slowly until the late 1960s, when the Beatles, an English rock-music group, and numerous other celebrities began to join his following. Since then, many have left the movement, but TM remains a popular form of relaxation, especially in the United States. The principles of transcendental meditation are discussed in the Maharishi’s books The Science of Being and Art of Living (1963) and Meditations of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1968).
In 1959 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi  founded the Spiritual Regeneration Movement and popularized the technique known as Transcendental Meditation or TM. Transcendental Meditation was also represented as a “scientific” method for obtaining both personal and social peace and harmony; it centred on the repetition of and concentration on an individualized mantra imparted to the initiate by the guru.
Maharishi and his teachings gained great fame and attracted celebrities such as the American film star Mia Farrow, the American engineer and architect R. Buckminster Fuller, and the English rock group the Beatles.  Maharishi Mahesh Yogi followed a pattern established earlier by Vivekananda and Paramahamsa Yogananda (1893–1952), who emphasized to Western audiences the nonsectarian and philosophical teachings of Hinduism and taught that meditation, yoga, and parts of the Vedantic texts were compatible with any religious tradition. Mahesh Yogi presented Transcendental Meditation as a technique for improving health and reducing stress. These benefits were also connected with the practice of Yoga.
 

The protests against dissolving the assembly in Nepal is at its peak.

Actually, after the decided term of Olli the reigns were to be accepted by Prachand K Dahal yet sudden dissolution of parliament has disappointed and thus created a ruckus across the nation.

The opposition has described this act as a “Constitutional Coup” and seven members resigned in protest stating that the PM has no prerogative of dissolving the parliament and hence seeking stay from the apex court.

While this is also a serious matter to know that with certain recent incidents the contentions between both the nations have gone up.

Most of Nepal leaders blame  S Jai Shankar’s attitude for the same who during the  releasing of the new constitution  had certain unsolicited advice and actions at Kathmandu which had not gone well and were objected by the people in general and leaders in particular.

The circumstances therefore have started attracting people towards China and Pakistan.

The border disputes and Nepal’s attempt of showing certain Indian territories as Nepal in one of the MAP has been causative of tension between the two nations.

Madheshi issue and few trivial matters have been attributed to the changing ideology for India and Indians there in Nepal.

As such till now the status of only Hindu nation is being seriously and meticulously held by Nepal.  Indo- Nepal relations have always been that of friends even till date no passport is required for entry of either citizen in Nepal but with the influences now of Mao’s, the nation is striving to become a sovereign state that respects all the religion and thus this diversified ideology is an attempt to become a secular nation.

Certain sections of India and perhaps Nepal also do not wish that the only Hindu Nation Status of Nepal should be vanished.

The rising disappointments therefore have been making people change their thought process and of late two other neighboring countries are being looked at by Nepalese as the prospects for the future developing rapports.

Few celebrities of Nepal of different origin had a warm welcome and Nepalese are overwhelmed with the grand reception and in general hospitality exhibited by the Pakistan

However, the majority even today is of the opinion that India, Pakistan and Nepal along with China must strike similar friendly relationships for the overall development of the continent.

The solution perhaps may be worked up suitably and thus the dearest neighbor who shares many traditional and cultural similarities with belonging ness may be prevented from its diverting towards other nations.
 

Farmers' protest is gaining new strength with the emotional call of Rakesh Ticket who is coordinating with various unions for the cause.

The upper and lower house functioning is getting halted following the uproars witnessed by the opposition benches.

Yesterday in Upper house Gulam Nabi Azad appealed PM to initiate dialogue with the farmers,he also mentioned of repealing article 370 in the greater interest of the people of J&K and stated that the farmers need not be described as traitors or ultras they are our “Anna data “ so they deserve the due respect and attention. He appealed to the PM to speak and address the issue himself.

Minister Tomar has once again clarified that the three laws enacted have been discussed at length and in the greater interest of the farmers the same is brought for that will benefit the small farmers who slog for selling their produce with the price that can bring them respectable returns while the middle man as is existing today enjoy the lion’s share

Azad also protested for the allegations of sedition on ex Minister like Tharoor he claimed that how Tharoor may be an anti-national who represented an important department and represented the nation globally?

Meanwhile one rehana’s controversial statement in context of farmers protest is taken up seriously by all not Home Minister Shah criticized but the famous personalities like Virat kohali,Sachin Tendlkar,Akshay Kumar,Ajay Devgan,Lata Mangeshkar all have stated in one language that the matter is absolutely domestic and our nation can handle the situation brilliantly for which no more foreign comments and intervention is required. All suggested to refrain from unsolicited concerns from the global and unauthorized personalities in this respect.

The lower house also witnessed pandemonium in the regard and had to stay the proceedings while Minister Tomar has made a clear point that the farmer’s laws in force are in the interest of all the farmers and the possible amendments were already proposed and discussed however the reluctance somehow of  the leaders of the farmers union has been a limiting factor.The adamancy as is stated of the government is not there in place rather the opposition is trying to put fuel into it while the farmers have been retreating that they do not seek any support of any political party for this agitation is not connected with the political parties and to be held between the government and the farmer unions.

The issue is still burning looking for an amicable solution while the PM says that he is a phone call away from the farmers, the framers insist that the government especially the PM must come forward for the talk.

Opposition making issues of the security arrangements alleging that the arrangements this appears is for defending the enemy’s  steps while farmers are the in-house people for whom the tight security is not a mandate instead it must be extended at the border of neighboring countries for preventing their unauthorized influxes.

Considering the grave situations the solutions could be there in leaving the adamancy and adopting a middle path by either party for which the government appeared ready yet the farmer’s attitude is unfathomable.
 

A red flag around Nobel news should warn us not to get carried away by nominations because everyone and his aunt can send nominations to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Just last year, as many as 210 individuals, including the twice-impeached former President Trump and 107 organisations were in the running for the coveted prize, which went, mercifully, to the World Food Programme. No one can be more at peace than after a good meal and to the credit of WFP it combated hunger while “acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict”.
Ironically, Donald Trump once again has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. This development comes after he helped to broker peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reported Fox News. The nomination for the US president has been submitted by Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian Parliament. He lauded Trump for his efforts toward resolving protracted conflicts worldwide. In a conflicted world, differences of opinion often rage over the Nobel Peace Prize, which sometimes went to those like Barack Obama who kept his country’s troops in war zones. A healthy cynicism over the Peace Prize reigns in India because the world’s greatest apostle of peace and the progenitor of satyagraha was never awarded one.  Mahatma Gandhi was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and 1948. But he was not awarded with this award because he was assassinated in 1948 and Nobel Prize is not awarded posthumously. How does history reconcile to the fact that Mahatma Gandhi is not a Nobel Laureate? But if Black Lives Matter or Greta Thunberg were to receive the 2021 Peace Nobel, we might just conclude that the world is not such a bad place, after all.
There is not just a gender bias in Nobel Prizes glaring at us — there is a Western bias, too. 81% of Nobel laureates have been people from Europe, U.S., and Canada; since the prize's inception, there have been only 17 African winners — of which only seven were from outside South Africa. The 59-year-old author Jean-Paul Sartre declined the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he was awarded in October 1964. He said he always refused official distinctions and did not want to be “institutionalised”. 
 

Democracy when was trying to take the baby steps and was endeavouring to establish itself firmly suddenly ac coup in Myanmar has turned the table and like a pointed spearhead wounded the aspirations of the voters that voted for better governance.

National League of democracy I.E NLD lead by AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the president U win Myint had a remarkable success with winning 386 seats for which the opposition USDP has been raising an issue of rigging in the elections based on which the Army of Myanmar who ha soft corner for USDP has detained Suu and Mr Myint the president.

Obviously the entire world leaders have condemned the action of Military, India as well has advocated reinstating the democratically elected government  for establishing the peace and releasing of suu immediately in order to stand by  the side of the democratic process. 

All fear that the army rule shall turn the status to dictatorship,as such emergency is pronounced for the year.

USA’S stand is made clear overtly of suspending the extended facilities that perhaps could make Army  concede, however the chances are grim of any faster change over.

This is unfortunate  however for  Myanmar that the nation was taking shape and was on its suitable path of democracy yet the sudden coup has trailed behind the progressive initiations, might arrest the natural growth of the nation.

Moreover, another cause that could play in shortly is  intervening attitude of   China and ambitions of ruling the southwest Asia for which the china appears always a step forward.

The trap therefore  is there for Myanmar and its consequent existence, which again directs towards the mercy and cushion of china.

Army off course had noticed the acceptance of these two leaders with the election results and found itself at the cross road that must have instigated for the coup because the very intention of army was to manage the line so that the army’s intervention in governance goes without hassles.

The problem that is anticipated by the Army with the growing acceptance of democratically elected leaders as threat for their influences in house.

Anyways the issue must take appositive course and earlier is better for the only methodology that could give a sustainable governance coupled with the prosperous future for the nation is the elected government that is committed to establish the democracy.
 

Myanmar's military staged a coup on Monday, detaining democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and declaring it had taken control of the country for one year under a state of emergency. The military declared that a state of emergency by issuing order No.1 2021 has the effect of law through Myawady TV this morning. Vice President Myint Swe announced that he would serve as the acting president. The intervention followed weeks of rising tensions between the military, which ruled the country for nearly five decades, and the civilian government over elections in November last year that Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won easily.
 Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were detained in the capital, just hours before parliament was meant to reconvene for the first time since the elections. The military then declared, via its own television channel, a one-year state of emergency and announced that former general Myint Swe would be acting president for the next year. Due to these acts, protests took place across the country to show the distrust with the election commission. Other political parties and organizations demonstrated using the State Flags. These demonstrations have an adverse effect on the state stability. These issues are not solved the properly there will be difficulties on our way to democracy. In order to solve the matters lawfully a state of emergency was declared as per Section 417 of the 2008 constitution.
The power to enact laws, administration and the judicial power, including the revision and confirming of the voting results, has been given to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services as per Section 418 of the Constitution. Interestingly, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had said three days ago that the constitution was the mother law but it must be revoked if there is a failure to respect it. The military chief made the remark during a meeting with senior officer instructors and senior officer trainees from National Defence College through video conferencing on January 27.  India has a complicated relationship with the civilian government and military in Myanmar, as reflected in the most recent high-level Indian visit to the country – foreign secretary Harsh Shringla was accompanied by Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane during the trip last October.

While backing democratic forces in Myanmar, India has also retained close contacts with the military leadership because of security concerns related to its northeastern states. A number of militant groups from the northeast have had bases in Myanmar over the past few decades and the Indian Army has collaborated with its Myanmar counterpart to put pressure on them and conduct joint operations. Meanwhile, The United States, the United Nations and Australia quickly condemned the coup, calling for a restoration of democracy. India also expressed “deep concern” at the military coup in Myanmar and detention of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said the rule of law and democratic process must be upheld.
 

BJP led Government although is fairly doing well, nevertheless facing the large scale protest of farmers.

Many challenges shall always be a part of the functioning for any incumbent yet today’s opposition is irresponsibly shrugging its responsibility and indirectly promoting sedition as is evident from the leaders total reciprocation towards the shameful incident of Red forte on republic day.

Managing these challenges ahead, the government also is trying to get through the ensuing legislative assembly elections in West Bengal where the status is a bit alarming for the government there and equally for BJP who is trying to get firm foothold in west Bengal where this appears to have establish its presence with the frequent acknowledgements in view of exodus of the big leadership from Trinmul congress to BJP.

The anti-incumbency and the internal politicking of the party could be the hidden reasons for the current affairs there.

However, the fight is still tough for BJP notwithstanding apparent support yet BJP as well is serious in making and leaving its dent over West Bengal voters for their franchise.

The issue of Gorkha land again is initiating and the responsible leader has enunciated the move.

The challenge before the Central Government led by PM Modi is to pacify the half a century demand of statehood to gorkhaland which recently conveyed tripartite meeting was earlier tilted as

‘Discuss issue related to Gorkhaland that later was redesigned as “Issues related to Gorkhaland territorial administration” after the objection of CM WB.

The issue has again cropped up with the elections in the corner that happens every election time that the issue of separate statehood gets its head high and later its put under the carpet.

This time with the changing situations CM Banerjee might have a different stand yet the issue may go haywire for supporting the West Bengal population that has some issues in accepting Bengali as state language and Nepali is the common peoples accepted language.

BJP may have some tough situations with this prevailing situation as is evident.

The nerve of the common people as such is difficult at times to ascertain yet the way the central leadership has been making its presence felt and as the influential leadership all across the state is joining the BJP.

It might have the opportunities to address the long pending issue amicably however the consensus appears a bit complicated.
 

A total of three sedition cases have been filed across three BJP-ruled states against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, National Herald’s senior consulting editor Mrinal Pande, Qaumi Awaz editor Zafar Agha, The Caravan magazine’s editor and founder Paresh Nath, The Caravan editor Anant Nath and its executive editor Vinod K. Jose, and one unnamed person for sharing “unverified” news during the farmers’ tractor rally in Delhi on January 26. Registering a case, police have stated that the accused persons have “instigated violence” on January 26 through their posts on social media. It also said that despite the large-scale attack on the police causing injuries to hundreds of policemen, the accused persons circulated fake news in a coordinated and well-planned manner alleging that the police have shot a person dead. It was later found that the farmer Navneet Singh died of a head injury suffered when his tractor toppled sideways. However, Sardesai, later, deleted his tweet and mentioned on air that the farmer had been killed in an accident after his tractor overturned.
According to sources; India today has taken senior anchor and consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai off the air for two weeks for a tweet saying that the farmer who was killed during a tractor rally on Republic Day had died in police firing. The Channel has also deducted a month’s salary from the anchor. The Editors Guild of India strongly condemns the intimidating manner in the way in which the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Police have registered FIRs against senior editors and journalists. The press body called this an attempt to “harass, browbeat and stifle” the media. That fact the FIRs have been booked under as many as ten different provisions including sedition laws, promoting communal disharmony, and insulting religious beliefs were further disturbing.
The press has stood tall alongside the organs of the Indian state in discharging its duties. Likening its watchdog duties to sedition betrays a crooked view of democracy. While the private complainants are entitled to their opinion, the UP and MP governments, which surely understand the critical role of a free press in invigorating democratic institutions, must withdraw these cases lodged overzealously by police. Additionally, Supreme Court must also take cognizance of how its guidelines narrowing the applicability of sedition have fallen on deaf ears.
 

China is a mischievous neighbour always keeps on inciting through the illegal intrusions and attempting to claim the border lands as theirs on cross border disputes.
Under the current circumstances the china’s aspirations are at stake witnessing the growth and height of India world over. Ambitious china is worried of the rising status of India while this is a fact that if china keeps peaceful relations, this is in mutual interest.
Jai Shankar Prasad the apt diplomat and external affairs minister who has a long experience and considered to be the china expert with his years managing the Chinese issues has well-done recently making the neighbour country realize the importance of the mutual trust and interest that would go long way for the long-term relations bilaterally.
The challenge is only in establishing bilateral pacts with the records of the same expressing disappointed record of china for the bonding. 
China has always been selfish and inciting nation when this comes to the peace. 
China is playing with Pakistan and so it takes up the trivial matters always to a serious status.
Overall record of china has always been suspicious, history has those records  envisaged and   can be looked back for the inferences.
The attempts of cross border intrusions speaks loud and clear of the ill intentions of China.
Jai Shankar Prasad has well done in proposing the eight steps the basic of which is indeed embedded in only mutual cooperation and the mutual interest for which china has very insignificant concerns is evident from its all-time attitude and stand in the respect.

The numbers of vacancies in the Supreme Court and the high courts have been increasing. There are many possible causes for the vacancies but the collegium system is especially to blame. The number of pending cases, which is directly related to the judge-to-population ratio, is an important tool to understand the justice delivery system in a democracy. So, it becomes pertinent to analyse the current status of the vacancy in India’s higher judiciary, in general, and high courts, in particular.
More than five years after the Supreme Court struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission to safeguard judicial independence, the collegium is struggling to fill judicial vacancies in the 25 high courts. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde has frowned upon the government for delaying the process of clearing the names recommended by the collegium for appointment as high court judges. Terming it a ‘matter of great concern’, it has asked the Ministry of Law and Justice to spell out how much time it would take to process the recommendations.
As on January 1 this year, there were 668 judges against a sanctioned strength of 1,079 and 411 posts remained vacant. The situation doesn’t appear to have improved since January 2020 when judicial vacancies in high courts stood at 401. The Supreme Court has sought to put the blame on the government.  Ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014, it has been alleged that the Centre has been obstructing the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and high courts. Since 2014, it has been reported many times that the Modi government and the collegium were not on the same page over the appointment of judges. Such cases are often framed as the obstruction of the executive in judicial appointments, but many cases also arise due to the adverse report of intelligence departments.  More than 100 names sent to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice by various high courts to be forwarded to the Supreme Court collegium for approval are hanging fire, many of them for more than a year. There are 56.57 lakh cases pending in 25 high courts. Of this, 92,085 are more than 30 years old; 1,51,853 cases have been awaiting disposal for over 20 years.
The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice releases monthly statistical data about the vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court and the high courts. But the judiciary can’t be absolved of its responsibility either. If there are 411 vacancies in high courts, why can’t an equal number of names be recommended in advance? It’s time to fix the lacunae in the judicial appointment system in the interest of justice.
 

Amid controversies in respect of use of covaxine and covishield manufactured indigenously in India by Indian companies i.e serum institute of India and Bharat Biotech who also have reported in their factsheets use of these two vaccines with caution if the patient is receiving the blood thinners like Aspirin or clopidogrel  ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava has mentioned that the vaccine shots may be administered to these patients too who are receiving Aspirin or clopidogrel with certain caution.

Any new drug that is undergoing trial, obviously initially, is always used with caution especially in certain classes of the patient where the potential risk exists such as the elderlies, pregnant women especially in the first trimester of pregnancy and children. 

Volunteers for these populations for the very obvious reasons are least so that as a precautionary measure the newer medications are advised to use with caution.

Regarding the use in the above category of the patient the patients are requested to furnish these details before the shot.

Either drug if one is receiving that is Aspirin or Clopidrogel the harm is not witnessed so far but those on Heparin the local hematoma is observed as per reports.

Blood thinners, anticoagulants are the drugs that slow down the body’s process of making clot while Aspirin, clopidogrel are the antiplatelet drugs that prevent platelet aggregation or clumping of the platelet thus preventing clot formation.

Two senior doctors of Nagpur Medical College have been reported to have received these shots having the antiplatelet drugs with no complaints.

Heparin certainly needs to be administered with caution together with the shots of either vaccine.

Current caution in the context may be adhered to before the sufficient clinical trials are available to substantiate the use of the shots in categorized patients.

However, the statement from the director of ICMR is encouraging for those that are considered risk groups today.

This is certainly a proud moment for Indians that we have initiated the production and supplies world over of the indigenously developed vaccines for the pandemic that has brought the world back and stayed its movement for the long duration.

The need of the hour is to refrain from making iresponsible statements in the context instead creating confusions in the mind of the general public making them reluctant for the use of the vaccine that might assist their health improvement.
 

Whatever happened during Republic Day at Red Fort and across Delhi is not only shameful but does not even have enough words to condemn. Whatever may be the cause for the protest, the national integrity and its proud tradition is above all. Nevertheless, the reluctance of the government to permit the tractor parade the same was allowed with the predefined routes and with the discipline, decency and with peace yet what happened all are aware.
Many farmer unions now are distancing themselves from the long fought demonstrations that were peaceful and disciplined with all the gentle gestures.
Meanwhile few names have been mentioned and come up as a preparatory or men behind all this. The law shall take the strict course on such incidences for the investigation which has already initiated as reported.
The allegations between the incumbent and the oppositions are already there in the place notwithstanding the visible scene of debacles that speaks of the crystal clear intention of those who initiated for their wicked intention and still are being defended is shameful and cause of worry that where are we heading?
Delhi police this is evident has done well in managing the pandemonium for it appeared as if the same was planned by those who were in the scene of action for they were briefed of the route that they were to take in spite of this the scenes of anarchy on republic day is simply disturbing and speaks of that the leadership as well need to be sensible and responsible enough in creating such a ruckus for such incidences will always be mentioned to set as a precedence. But at the same time opinion of masses is that police should have taken step to prevent such incident specially at red forte using suitable measures. In the name of patience and peace, the integrity of nation can not be compromised. 
Public property and brave police persons had got hurt and many innocent must have had burnt inadvertently their hands in this.
The probe must be on and the people indulged shall be identified and be tried for the same but the incident again spreads a message that the trust once built must be by every means preserved for the better outcomes the violence has never been the solution for any differences of opinion.
This is a lesson to the government and to police, not to believe and accept such ill intended proposals and take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in future. 
 

We witnessed hooliganism, vandalism, violent clashes and death on our Republic Day, transforming a peaceful protest for a just cause into a dirty display of mindless bravado and brawn. What was achieved was the desecration of the farmer’s movement against the three farm laws, and the farmer leaders remain discredited. All through the two-month-long agitation, the protesters had shown exemplary restraint and had controlled the younger elements from breaching the elders’ commitment to the tenets of non-violence. How did things go so completely out of hand? There are various theories doing the rounds, but the police ought to take a fair share of the blame for letting the vandals reach Red Fort and enact the unseemly drama of violating the sanctity of the ramparts from where the national flag is raised every Independence Day.
The Congress-led opposition on Wednesday said the Republic Day mayhem in the capital was a “government conspiracy” to discredit the farmers’ agitation and sought answers on how a section of aggressors were allowed to storm the Red Fort while Delhi police “looked the other way.” The Congress and the CPM questioned the presence of “BJP associate Deep Sidhu” at the Red Fort on Tuesday and asked why despite evidence of his role in the violence; he had not been booked or arrested.
Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who was chased away from Singhu border after the Red Fort violence on Republic Day, surfaced with a Facebook Live at 2 am on Thursday to say that he’s “very much near the Delhi border” and objected to farmer leaders calling him a gaddar (traitor) for derailing the two-month-long agitation against the Centre’s farm laws. Two factions have withdrawn their support in the aftermath of Red Fort breach on January 26. Several farmers' leaders may face action as Centre, Delhi Police are engaged in reviewing what unfolded at the heart of the Capital on Republic Day. The ongoing farmers' protest against three agriculture laws which are now on hold according to Supreme Court's latest verdict appeared to have lost its sight in the aftermath of the Republic Day violence as infighting among the unions surfaced.
Now, the farmer leaders should accept the moratorium announced by the government and bring the temperature down. Even now the farmer leaders can seek a longer suspension of the laws and reciprocate it by an equal period of suspension of the protest. If the government does not keep its word, the protesters are free to resume their agitation.  
 

The National Girl Child Day is being celebrated across the country today. It was started by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development on 24th January 2008 with the purpose to spread awareness among people about all the inequalities girls face in the Indian society. Following are the main three purposes behind celebrating the “National Girl Child Day’ across the country; they are---
1.To spread awareness among people about all the inequalities faced by girls in the country.
2. To promote awareness about the rights of a girl child.
3. To increase awareness on the importance of girl education, health, and nutrition.
Women play many roles in their lives, that of a daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, friend, colleague, professional and the list is never-ending. With the addition of roles, comes the addition of responsibilities and women have to handle everything in a very dignified manner. The modern-day woman is more aware of the society around her and believes in her strengths, handles her weaknesses with grace, identifies the goodness in things and is socially responsible towards her duties. Women don many roles and handle them with grace.
There is no profession that does not have women enrolment.  As per the latest census carried out by the government of India, there are 933 females for every 1000 males in our country. Male dominance is everywhere. We can find the superiority of men in every phase of our lives. When we are born, we have our fathers to look after us, our brothers then share the responsibilities of the father when we enter our teenage years, then we have our life partners who decide everything in our married lives, lastly, our sons enter the bandwagon in our old age days. To a very large extent, the lives of women in our country are decided and controlled by the men in their lives.
But this scenario is slowly changing in recent years. We can see a slow and steady rise of women in all fields of importance. Society has now changed its stand and the way it looks at girls and women, due to the progress achieved by women in all spheres of life.
But the incidences of crimes against women are definitely on the rise. They fear their own safety. Women are also prone to plenty of incidents of chain snatching, molestation, eve-teasing etc. Such incidents morally bring down the courage of women and leave them wanting for help and support from the male members of the family. The infamous case of Nirbhaya and the Jessica Lall murder case throw light on how men can stoop to any levels to bring down the morale of a woman. The girls should be educated and should be allowed to take independent decisions regarding their careers, professions, choices in matters of life partners, etc.
Educated girls have a greater chance of escaping poverty, leading healthier and more productive lives, and raising the standard of living for their children, families, and communities. These and many more are some of the valuable reasons why we should all support education for girls.

This news is encouraging and substantiates the scientific validity to the so called controversies of the safety aspect of the covaxine, the vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech an indigenously developed vaccine to combat the infamous virus Covid 19.

The popular medical journal Lancet the infectious disease on Friday has mentioned that covaxin is a safe vaccine and the mild problems like pain at the site of the prick followed by fatigue and headache, fever etc.  Is very normal and insignificant gets over after a certain period which is considered one of the reference magazine amongst the medical fraternity has also envisaged and covered in detail of the efficacy part of covaxine thus now the vaccine becomes the first covid 19 magazine to find its due space in reputed magazine like lancet.

Now this is a testimony of the efficacy of the vaccine ruling out all the unfounded rumors pertaining to the vaccine which appears to be deliberately spread over for the sake of ambiguity.

Many Doctors and paramedical also have responsibly stated the efficacy of the vaccine thus leaving no scope for the false propagation for the vaccine.

Ideally speaking it is a matter of great pride for all to celebrate that an Indian origin pharmaceutical company has developed an efficacious vaccine that has got an approval of the popular medical General too.

This pride must be looked at up over the party politics and in the interest of the common welfare of the people.

Creating a confusion and rumors generation puts common people especially those who are illiterate under the cloud and thus they escape from the responsibility of getting vaccinated for their own safety in fear of getting side effects.

There is a need for general awareness that the one getting vaccinated must honestly report any prevailing disease he/she is suffering from that might have a potential hazardous effect so the individual will not get the vaccine shot unless his major prevailing issue is addressed.

Nevertheless, the efficacy of the vaccine now proved with the uses and shall be confirmed over the uses as this happens in majority of newly introduced drugs, vaccines and other parenteral administrations etc.the unnecessary claims made of its being harmful etc must now be checked and should not be promoted or covered by the media rather must bring the positive aspect of the same for a crystal clear image of the vaccine that is developed to overcome the suspected targeted virus and nothing else.

Hope the right sense prevails in the national interest over politicking.
 

As we pay tribute to monumental patriot Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary today (January 23,) let’s take a moment to ponder what a man of unfathomable depth, profound knowledge, incredible intelligence and the riveting persona he was.  The central government has announced that Netaji’s birth anniversary will be celebrated as Parakram Diwas. There are few Indian icons around whom there is such vivid mythology and “life-after-life” as one biographer put it, as Netaji Subhash Bose. Leonard Gordon, who has written one of the standard biographies of Bose, noted in 1990 that Netaji’s story had “begun to resemble that of an Indian deity”. Not much has changed in 2021, the 125th birth anniversary of Bose. Given the immensity of Netaji’s contribution to India’s freedom, we time and again find ourselves in awe, and wonder what one can possibly say or do to capture the gigantic stature and unparalleled charisma that he embodied.
Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23 January 1897 (at 12.10 pm) in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose, an advocate belonging to a Bengali Kayastha family. He was the ninth in a family of 14 children. Bose followed Jawaharlal Nehru to leadership in a younger wing of the Indian National Congress, one that was less moderately constitutional in the late 1920s and more open to socialism in the 1930s. He rose to become Congress President in 1938. However, soon after being reelected in 1939, he was ousted from Congress leadership positions following differences with Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress high command. He was subsequently placed under house arrest by the British before escaping from India in 1940. This legendary freedom fighter was imprisoned 11 times during the period from 1921 to 1941. He had assumed the post of mayor of Calcutta in 1930, while he was in prison.
He had planned his disguised escape in 1941 when he was under house arrest; with Sisir Bose as his companion. While being monitored by police day and night, it was Netaji’s brainchild to let the escape be in the guise of something that does not look unusual; something that happens every day. Thus, by citing the reason for turning a transistor for uncle Subhas, Sisir used to daily come to meet Netaji and finally materialized their grand escape plan with Netaji’s foresightedness.

Netaji’s death remains shrouded in mystery, and that we all are aware of. Following the much talked about news of the plane crash in Taiwan on 18th August 1945; it was believed that Subhas Chandra Bose had taken the guise of a ‘sadhu’ and lived in UP. People knew him as Gumnami Baba
 

Finally, the Union government has seen reason and agreed to keep the contentious farm laws on hold for a year and a half. This is a moment of triumph for the farmers, who braved one of the worst winters in recent times to sit in the cold amidst a raging pandemic to demand what they believed was just. Protesting farm unions today rejected the government’s offer to suspend the three contentious agri laws for a year and a half, or any mutually agreed period and set up a joint committee to find an amicable solution to end the impasse.
The government had taken a maximalist position when it rammed the farm Bills through the Rajya Sabha without a proper division as propriety demanded. Parliamentary democracy has built-in mechanisms to evolve consensus through committees; and laws that impinge on the livelihoods of millions of farmers ought to have been discussed thoroughly in those consultative and standing committees before being rolled out like bulldozers on standing crops. The protests that ensued have taken a huge toll on the people of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh in terms of over 60 lives lost, six farmers committing suicide, disruption of traffic and livelihood; yet, the farmers were remarkably restrained, not letting emotions override the philosophy of non-violence.
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 unions, made the announcement following a meeting at Sindhu border. It appeared to be a difficult decision for the union leaders to make as they held several rounds of talks through the day and even sought an opinion from the protesters gathered on Delhi’s borders. The Haryana Police, meanwhile, have cancelled leave of its personnel in view of the stir.
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 unions, made the announcement following a meeting at Sindhu border. It appeared to be a difficult decision for the union leaders to make as they held several rounds of talks through the day and even sought an opinion from the protesters gathered on Delhi’s borders. The Haryana Police, meanwhile, have cancelled leave of its personnel in view of the stir.
Sources claimed 17 of the total 32 farm unions of Punjab rejected the Centre’s offer, terming it as a “tactic to derail the agitation by dividing the farmers”.
The whole nation should salute these farmers for their fortitude, discipline, tenacity and endurance. They taught a few lessons in community living, langar and sewa to the rest of the nation, making this protest unique.

Joe Biden –Kamla harris Administration has started and all the gestures across are exhibition of the first lady acceptance for the responsible position who not only is the first lady to be sworn in but also the first indo-american.

Although the past president Trump followers claim her to be Socialist trojan horse yet her presence everywhere during all the important planned assignments states all about her wielding enormous power in the store.

Indeed the joint venture of these two heading the administration of the nation shall bring a changing scenario and the testimony of the same seems to be there with the reentry of the USA in WHO and its proposed changed policies in the context of immigrants coupled with the seriousness the duo have expressed in respect of the foreign policies .

The demonized declared Kamla Hariies was seen welcomed by the colleagues in US Senate so probably this must be premature to address anything about her possible activities vis a vis influence in the USA administration that has been speculated rather instigated by the opposition to dishearten her candidature for the covative position that she now possess.

With all his enthusiasm and the earlier hardships Joe Biden is now President USA and is bagged by the lady Kamala Harris and the kind of confidence during the ceremony extended by gestures and word by three past president i.e Barack Obama, Clinton and Reagan itself is the testimony of good projections for the future that must be certainly looked forward.

Notwithstanding all the changes and steps for initiation of a new USA under the leadership of Joe-Kamla along the entire USA administration throws a positive environment for the world affairs too as is evident from the changing status of Share Market too.

It’s going to be good to see that Indian PM continues with his confident move to counter any cleaver intentions and to take up the changing situation for the good for the openness that is the need of the hour and the requisite seriousness in management of pandemic shall as well deal with the probable

 Challenges ahead in the immunization schedule and of that of vaccination consequently monitoring needs clear direction to the paramedics and thus all good things might take place in one place.

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr has taken an oath of the President of United state of America on Wednesday. Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris inherit a fractured nation ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, economic turbulence and cultural fissures caused by deep racial divisions. Shortly after taking office on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed a series of executive actions to reverse the policies of Donald Trump administration on immigration, climate change, racial equity and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
 “There’s no time to start like today," Biden said in his first comments to reporters as president. Soon after taking the oath of office at the Capitol, the president signed 15 executive actions and two directives that amount to an attempt to rewind the last four years of federal policies with striking speed.
Covid-19 has killed more than 4,00,000 Americans, with a big portion of the socio-economic toll attributable to federal mismanagement. The US has also abdicated its role as leader of the free world, squabbled with democratic allies while keeping authoritarian populists everywhere chuckling at its post-truth misadventures. This month’s attack on the Capitol highlighted how much domestic polarisation has poisoned the polity. In short, the new administration really has its work cut out devising correctives at multiple levels. It is a mighty challenge.
The promise of a new dawn is both powerful and credible. The diversity, sobriety and experience of the incoming cabinet strongly suggest that they have a good measure of the problems at hand, and the ambition to attempt necessary solutions.  After the hollowing of institutions and anarchic flailings seen in the Trump years, it will indeed take solid international cooperation to revitalise the global rules-based order. The incoming secretary of state Antony Blinken has indicated a welcome pragmatism in saying, “We’ll engage the world not as it was, but as it is.” Pragmatically speaking, rebukes on human rights issues for India may be part and parcel of Washington’s liberal revival, alongside the many Indian-Americans in the Biden team.  A more strategic and sensible approach is expected from the Biden administration. Against this economic backdrop, India should not just aim at status quo ante but a comprehensive trade agreement.  

Amid reports speculating about Alibaba founder and billionaire Jack Ma's whereabouts, Chinese state media has shared a video of him 'virtually' meeting a hundred rural teachers across the country on Wednesday. The normally voluble Jack Ma has been staying out of the public eye. He earlier cancelled a TV appearance and avoided social media. That had prompted a flurry of speculation about what might have happened to Ma, China's biggest global business celebrity and a symbol of its tech boom.
Jack Ma, a former English teacher, founded Alibaba Group in 1999 when China had few internet users. Online payments service Alipay launched five years later, before regulators said such businesses would be allowed. Both long shots grew to dominate their industries. His latest gambit backfired after he called regulators too conservative in the October 24 speech and urged them to be more innovative. They halted the impending stock market debut of Ant Group, an online finance platform that grew out of Alipay. Alibaba’s share price sank, possibly costing Ma his status as China’s richest tycoon.
However, he stepped down as Alibaba’s chairman in 2019 but is part of the Alibaba Partnership, a 36-member group with the right to nominate a majority of its board of directors. He is one of the biggest shareholders. Jack Ma irked regulators with the speech at a business conference in Shanghai attended by some of the regulators he was criticising. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan also was in the audience. That clashed with the ruling party’s marathon campaign to reduce surging debt that has prompted fears about a possible financial crisis and led international rating agencies to cut Beijing’s credit rating for government borrowing. 
In October last year, Speaking at a forum attended by some of China’s most powerful figures in politics and finance, Jack Ma heavily criticized the “pawnshop mentality” of Chinese banks, and accused global authorities’ old-school financial regulation of slowing down innovation. The criticism eventually reached Chinese president Xi Jinping, who was furious about the remarks and personally ordered the suspension.  
When it came to his business, Ma’s determination could even sound like a challenge to authorities. “If someone has to go to jail, I’ll go,” Ma told colleagues when they first launched Alipay, at a time when China didn’t have clear rules on third-party payments services. And in what seems unthinkable for a Chinese entrepreneur today, Ma said at 2015 an event in Hong Kong, when Alibaba was setting up a fund for young entrepreneurs, that it would not exclude those who participated in Occupy Central protests the previous year to demand the right to elect the city’s leader. Ma's disappearance from public view over the past two months has sparked speculation about his whereabouts among many western media outlets.
 

The splendid win of team India over a robust Ausi team that had an advantage of home ground, experienced players.
While Team India was suspected to be struggling with absence of Virat who is on paternity leave, the speculations of possible debacle as projected by the experts even the big claims made by the past captain Ricky ponting all went in vain with the classic inning played by the Indian youth.
The majestic win and the commendable exhibition of the game truly deserves all praise.
India’s victory with majestic performance of three wickets is simply superb and this test has again raised hope and aspiration for the test cricket which is considered to be the class and true cricket for which all the players aspire for.
The test has clearly exhibited the striving for excellence instinct of team india.Notwithstanding the first immediate set back with the loss of Rohit Sharmas wicket the kind of game that was exhibited by Pujara and Gil is commendable and shall be remembered years together.
What is worth mentioning is that the tall claims made by  Australian cricketers and the past cricketing talents were made null and void by our youth that also therefore depicts that one should not underestimate or overestimate rather true evaluation shall be only a path for paving in smoothly.
Anyways what a victory it is that even impressed the Australian cricket lovers and the coaches as is witnessed by their comments and gestures.

 

WhatsApp’s decision to delay the update of its private policy, following a backlash from its users, is an implicit acknowledgement of the increasing role played by perceptions about privacy in the continued well-being of a popular service. Problems for the Facebook-owned app started earlier this month when it announced an update to its terms of service and policy, according to which users would no longer be able to opt-out of sharing data with Facebook. February 8 was kept as the deadline for the new terms to be accepted. This triggered a mass exodus from WhatsApp. It may have come as a shock to most Internet users that an app promising end-to-end encryption, and which routinely declines law enforcement enquiries with the excuse that it has no access to user chats. It is largely true that netizens sign off much of their rights overprized personal information when they sign on to social media platforms and the like. Big Tech has never been averse to building up their businesses and making money out of a large number of users running into millions.
The new policy essentially takes away the choice users had until now to not share their data with other Facebook-owned and third-party apps. While Facebook-owned WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy has been stoking concerns about privacy and data sharing with other apps, what is being missed amid the clamour is this: if India had a data protection law in place, WhatsApp would not have been able to go ahead with this update in the first place. In fact, India’s data protection law has been languishing for two years by now.
WhatsApp was set up by two former employees of Yahoo!, Brian Acton and Jan Koum, who famously applied for jobs at Facebook but were rejected. At first, the idea behind the app was to simply show personalised statuses next to names of people on an iPhone. It was only after WhatsApp 2.0 was launched as a messaging application that the monthly active users for what was then a free app suddenly shot up to 250,000. WhatsApp was suddenly growing so fast that they decided to switch from being free to a paid service to avoid too rapid growth.
In 2010, the app introduced location sharing, in 2011 group chats, and in 2013 voice messaging. By April 2014, they had 500 million monthly active users. It was in October of that year that Facebook bought the company for $19 billion. At the time, the acquisition was the largest purchase of a venture-backed company in history.
In 2017, Facebook was fined $122 million by the EU’s antitrust authority for changing its privacy policy to allow advertisers on Facebook and Instagram to access data from WhatsApp, in spite of having informed the EU in 2014 that it couldn’t combine WhatsApp data with its other services. Both Acton and Koum have since left the company after much publicised ethical disagreements with Facebook about the future of the app and the protection of its users’ data. In spite of all that, the number of monthly active users of WhatsApp hit 1.5 billion in January 2018. In India, as the cost of mobile data stays low, the use of applications such as WhatsApp continues to increase.
WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy, which was made known on January 4, essentially takes away the choice users had until now to not share their data with other Facebook-owned and third-party apps. If users do not agree with the updated privacy policy of the messaging platform, they will have to quit WhatsApp by February 8 - when the new terms of service are set to come into effect. Had the data protection law or regulation been in place, this issue would not have arisen in the first place. Section 5 of the Personal Data Protection Bill, which was introduced by the Parliament, and which came out of the Srikrishna Committee Report, says that you can only use the information for purposes that are reasonably linked to the purpose for which the information was given. If that section was there, then this (the new update in WhatsApp’s privacy policy) would have been illegal. This is exactly the reason as to why users in the European Union are safe from this change.

Joe Biden the president elect has a tough job ahead that has many valid reasons to worry for. He has pulled up his sleeves this appears with the master plan that he has announced to take up the first ten days endeavors for him to initiate.

The post trump effects needs to addressed and pacified as fast as it could perhaps be to restore the normalcy and probably for the same reason the new Master plan is understood to have been titled as ran effort of restoring the dignity to the system which precisely is the priority under the circumstances for the new incumbent so the damages must be repaired quickly.

Joe Biden basically is aiming at the economy, health care he might as well have immigration issues in mind for the redresses.

Much will be based on managing the covid 19 situations that have a potential risk on the people in general vis a vis for the nation however Joe Biden has in his mind an impressive figure of vaccinating 100 million within 100 days of his administration that certainly needs all the good wishes to go for.

The Trump administration reportedly has been too casual and divided with hardly any consensus on the subject that yielded the USA to be challenging and at risk even today for even trump had hot discussions with those senior researchers too who deserve indeed the last word in the management of the dreaded disease .

As is usually stated that everyone performs when the environment around is conducive the performance truly deserves clap is the adverse situation performances.

We can certainly put forward our wishes for the new incumbent to deal with these challenges adroitly that is going not only to benefit the US citizens but largely perhaps to the world populations too.
 

The largest vaccination drive has been initiated in India, with free COVID vaccine being administered across the nation only to “prioritised beneficiaries” which includes three crore healthcare and frontline workers. Even though states like Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala have assured free vaccines for everyone, there is no commitment from the central government to ensure that the benefit of vaccination is universal for all Indians. In a country like India, the Centre should ensure that there is a right to free vaccine for all Indians. India has a population of 136 crore people and the highest number of Covid-affected people after the United States, and hence a campaign to inoculate the entire population is critical to the success of humanity’s fight against the pandemic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes justifiable pride in the fact that both the vaccines are made in India and underlines the role of Indian scientists in making it happen. But the truth is that one of the two vaccines, Covaxin, which is developed jointly by the Indian Council of Medical Research and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited, and manufactured by the latter, has been in a clinical trial mode. Those people who were given the Covaxin jab was made to sign a consent form, which says that they are participating in a trial. At Saturday’s rate of 1.9 lakh doses administered, it takes nearly three months to extinguish the current booking order. The target of 5,000 vaccination sites with 100 people inoculated daily will scale this to 5 lakh daily shots. Delhi has ambitions of inoculating 1 lakh people daily. Given India’s massive population of 130 crores, Centre, states and vaccine companies face an unenviable task taking the country to herd immunity. Delivering the vaccines free and fast will have a greater effect than a financial stimulus at this moment. The psychological effect of rapid mass vaccination could prompt citizens to resume travel, eat and shop outdoors more, send children to school and restart activities that revive the service sector, which accounts for 54 per cent of India’s GDP.
Even as India is tentative in declaring free COVID vaccines for all, countries such as the United States, France, Japan, Russia, Norway and Bahrain have pledged free vaccines for all their citizens.

A recent survey by the Gaon Connection found that the biggest worry in rural India was whether the vaccine would be available for free and that 36 per cent of the interviewed respondents exhibited an unwillingness to pay for the vaccine. “Vaccine hesitancy” has been ranked by the WHO in 2019 as one of the top ten threats to global health. To tackle this hesitancy, one of the greatest barriers — the affordability of the vaccination — must be dispelled to secure the right to health of its citizens.
 

India has well done while it decided to hold no talks with the visiting Foreign Minister of Nepal pertaining to boundary issues.

This is known and strongly objected by India of the unilateral decision of PM Olli to issue the map showing Indian territories as Nepal state territory without even holding a bilateral talk concerning the same.

Although the Indian side wishes to restart the business with Nepal yet under the domestic circumstances that Nepal faces Indian side has already stated of its reluctance before the issue is stepped back by the Nepal government and states of its stand on the controversial inclusions of the territories and also exhibiting the same in the map of Nepal.

Need of the hour is certainly to emphasize upon the Indian protest in the context explicitly so as to make this crystal clear to neighbor that the Indian states has always been supportive to its neighbors and  immediately after swearing in the Indian PM preferred to first visit the neighbors in order to strengthen the rapports however the interest development between the Chinese, and indirect involvement of Pakistan in many border issues  and other related issues of the internal political decisions of Nepal coupled with the conflicting interest with India may not truly been read in the respect with clarity that even Nepal must realize and initiate upon.

India is under a cloud with China and Pakistan as well with the border issues for seemingly petty issues notwithstanding these the issues are of paramount importance for the national security and internal peace moreover in the interest of saving the border areas that rightfully belong to the nation.

So this is a prudent and correct step of making the correct understanding for mutual cooperation and relations whatsoever.
 

The long battle against coronavirus starts to see an end as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a vaccination drive at 10.30 am. A total of 3,006 vaccination centres across all states and union territories will be virtually connected and with 100 beneficiaries getting the shots at each site on the first day. After elaborate dry runs, India joins a select group of countries today. Such a vaccination drive at such a massive scale was never conducted in history. There are over 100 countries having less than 3 crore population and India is administering vaccination to 3 crore people in the first phase only.
Three lakh frontline healthcare workers are expected to be covered at 3,006 sites across all states and UTs on the first day itself. The number of operational vaccination session sites is to be increased in a progressive manner. The full initial procurement of 1.65 crore doses of the Covishield and Covaxin vaccines have been flown across the country for the first phase, with a comprehensive factsheet and guidelines. Vaccines have been allotted to states and UTs based on their healthcare workers’ data; the cost will be borne by the Centre. A 24x7 call centre has been set up for all inoculation-related queries.
Amid the general atmosphere of optimism in India over the commencement of the vaccination, there is growing global concern over the new coronavirus variant detected in South America. Like the variants first spotted in the UK and South Africa, it is thought that the Brazil variant could be more contagious. In Europe, strict restrictions are again in place in several countries as the pandemic continues to bare its fangs. This even as a World Health Organisation team has been allowed access to Wuhan by China in the hunt for clues to the origin of the pandemic, though there is a huge question mark over how much it will be able to achieve. As India begins a new chapter, the list of do’s and don’ts essentially remains the same, and any laxity could have serious consequences.
Just because a vaccine has arrived does not mean the virus has gone. The total recovered cases stand at 10,162,738, as declared on Friday, India's total COVID-19 active caseload continues to manifest a sustained downward movement and has dropped to 2.13 lakh comprising just 2.03 per cent of the country's total infections.
 

The second impeachment process of past president USA Donald Trump is already set in and this is a kind of a testimony of a different style for his controversial tenure.

Donald Trump is charged with inciting people as a preparator of the dissidence against the USA, which is rather termed as an act of insurrection of president elect Joe Biden.

His first impeachment had no support from the republican. 

The proposed trial for insurrection that has a chance of convicting the past president against the charges of the inciting violence needs 2/3 rd majority and which appears possible and that’s the reason that certain critic suspect that the past president Trump is a flight risk  because with his properties at different countries and his no mood reported to even settling at new York might be at risk of his flying in order to escape from conviction probabilities after the trail in the context is initiated.

This is although peculiar yet precarious for even USA that the Past President has these serious charges against him and the senior law makers are at one point in agreement that the process of late impeachment of the former USA president is constitutionally correct and one conviction following the impeachment is enough for disqualification for the process is not only to fire a person but also to ensure the future opportunities  of assuming office also is arrested consequently.

The two third majority is required to move the trial to the senate. Such an embarrassment must have never been witnessed by any past president that the social sites official account of the president also are banned in view of the possibilities of possible instigation although even twitter commits that this is not in tune with the healthy discussion on any such matter of public importance however the action was circumstantially imperative.

Let us see what is there in store for the ongoing circumstances where the adamancy of the former president is an obstacle for many process that are important to deal with for which the president elect Joe Biden is worried of and one of the priority that could be termed top is the coved 19 issue and trial as well cannot be initiated unless the senate resumes on Jan 19 from the recess.
 

Now that the covaxin and covishield in its fairly good quantity is getting shipped and collected across the country what is more appealing is to notice the careful receipt and storage of the same as it is understood that the shipment and its safe delivery is accurately planned in the state of MP and elsewhere.

The initial 3.9 lakhs doses arrived in MP .About 3000 new sites are initially planned that might cross 5000 even by the end of the month across the nation as is understood.

The political statements of all the variety that has been popularized right from UP to Chhattisgarh raising unfounded fear of the safety keeping the third trial results publication etc. as a mandate before use should not be the limiting factor and disappointments for the use.

The vaccines are being manufactured by the expert companies that have worldwide distribution of vaccines with a long experience.

Here certainly the government needs to make the responsibles careful and updated with all the kinds of clarification substantiated with the scientific clarifications and reports that adds to people's knowledge and their satisfaction before the same is administered to them.

The only thing that needs to be checked is that so-called ambiguity is not flourishing and should not be allowed to popularize the cooked up stories yet the facts must be brought in for everyone's satisfaction because this is off course for the overall health of the people.
 

Makara Sankranti is set by the solar cycle of the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is observed on a day which usually falls on 14 January of the Gregorian calendar. It signifies the arrival of longer days. Makar Sankranti falls in the Hindu calendar solar month of Makara, and the lunar month of Magha. Therefore, the festival is also called Magha Sankranti or Magha festival in many parts of India.
The festival is dedicated to Lord Sun. On this auspicious day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Makar which marks the end of winter month and the start of longer days. This is the beginning of the month of Magh. To recompense for the distinction that happens due to the revolution around the sun, every 80 years the day of Sankranti is deferred by one day. From the day of Makar Sankranti, the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan journey. Therefore, this festival is also known as Uttarayan.
Uttarayan is known to be the period of Devas. Yagyas, donations, charities, austerities, marriages, mundan etc. are considered to be auspicious during this period. Any meritorious deeds or donation during this period establishes more fruitful. Makar Sankranti is also celebrated as the harvest festival and marks the arrival of spring. The day is synonymous to kite flying too. The time thus signifies a period of socializing and family get-together, taking care of the cattle, celebrating around bonfires and flying kites. From the morning of Makar Sankranti, colourful kites can be seen wafting in the sky and this continues throughout Uttarayan. The festival that marks the arrival of the harvest season also marks the end of winter.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated by different names in different parts of the country--

- Lohri: One day before Makar Sankranti, on 13th January, Lohri is celebrated in Haryana and Punjab. At night, people gather around the bonfire and throw til, puffed rice & popcorns into the flames of the bonfire. Prayers are offered to the bonfire seeking abundance & prosperity.
 
Festival of Donation "or" Khichdi ": In Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly the festival of 'Donation'. The Magh fair, which continues for one month on the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Allahabad starts from the day of Makar Sankranti only.
- In Bihar, Makar Sankranti festival is known as Khichdi. On this day, donating urad, rice, gold, woollen clothes, blankets etc. have their own importance.
- In Maharashtra, all married women donate cotton, oil and salt to other suhagin or married women on their first Sankrant.
- In Bengal, there is a tradition of donating til after taking bath in Makar Sankrant. A huge fair is also organised every year in Gangasagar.
- Pongal: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal for four days.
Therefore, in India, the Makar Sankranti festival has its own importance. 
 

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has alleged that he has faced racial abuse from a section of the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground during his previous trips to Australia as well. Ashwin's allegations come after Mohammed Siraj faced racist abuse from a few unruly supporters over the last few days of the 3rd Test between Australia and India in Sydney.

At least 5 supporters were evicted from the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday after abuses were hurled at Mohammed Siraj during the second session. Siraj went up to the umpires along with his teammates and complained of repeated abuse from the section of the crowd. The security officials at SCG quickly intervened and asked the fans in question to leave the ground. There was a brief stoppage of play on Sunday as the players on the field waited for the action to be taken. India’s team made official complaints of racism after stumps on Saturday and play was stopped for eight minutes on Sunday following claims of the more alleged abuse.

However, Cricket Australia on Sunday night labelled the abuse of players as “unacceptable” and apologised to the Indian team. NSW police, having interviewed several members of Sunday’s crowd before evicting them, is also running its own investigation.
The relationship between the two teams has taken a turn in recent times with Queensland's Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates' comments regarding quarantine guidelines for the fourth Test in Brisbane also painting the Indian team in poor light.
Cricket solely started in the mid-19th century when the sport was introduced among the elite classes. Even though it originated in the 17th century, it was still new to them. Cricket gained its popularity gradually when the elite classes started playing it. But the term changed with the context. Cricket has covered various aspects of the field, from fielding to batting. Teamwork also plays an important role in the game. The English nobility originally created the game of cricket and now it is a global multi-billion-dollar phenomenon and the second most followed sport in the world, after football.
Cricket has perfectly defined the term sportsmanship really well. It is often seen that the players are reaching out to the opposition when they require help. Unfortunately, over the years we have seen players sledging and on-field aggression being considered as passion and competitive spirit. Whatever had happened with Indian team on Australian soil is shameful incidents for the sports world.

Pakistan’s Action after long against Lakhvi and his subsequent imprisonment indicates only one seriousness that the state of Pakistan is worried of FATF that can read in between the lines and might go against of Pakistan. FATF the money laundering and terror financing watchdog that ascertains and control the harms of these international funding status of the nations that might have deleterious effects.Any ways this is good that the action is initiated and the recent acknowledgement of the airstrike and its consequences as well is agreed upon by a senior official whereas the incumbent have been refusing of even such happenings itself is the testimony of the compromising state of Pakistan on very account of global changes. India too is a member of FATF, which was established in 1989 by G7 at Perris to keep a check on the international funding that could influence the banking system and might give rise to the irregularities and embezzlements at many stages.FATF's strict watch  have kept now Pakistan in yellow list, while Iran and North Korea are blacklisted, Pakistan’s fear is following all these happenings and it’s featuring in yellow list that has probabilities of getting into the black list.Pakistan already facing financial crisis cannot afford to have any such status that can limit its credit score.Its actions that have recently been initiated concerning the ultra’s activities directs towards the same for its seriousness was never there in Pakistan for such sensitive global issue and rather had a hidden protection agenda for all the terror outfits with its facilitating their own land for the activities to the ultras which has been many a times proved yet never agreed upon by the state of Pakistan.Recent incidents across the world and within the country have alerted Pakistan that appears reason for its changed stand which is certainly for the good of its own survival and obviously for the world peace too.Incidental black out across the states of Pakistan perhaps are directions towards certain secret warnings concerning its safety that appears to be well realized by the governance

Sunil S Okhade

Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is a viral infection that can infect not only birds, but also humans and other animals. Most forms of the virus are restricted to birds. H5N1 is the most common form of bird flu. After bird flu (avian influenza) was confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, a high alert has been sounded in Maharashtra. Several states, which have been reporting deaths of birds, including crows and migratory species, are scrambling to have samples tested for the virus.
As anxiety spreads, there is a fear of a fresh blow to the poultry industry — reports have been coming in of people giving up chicken and eggs, and of prices beginning to fall. Bird flu or avian influenza is the name used to describe a viral infection that is reported mostly in birds but has the potential to affect humans and other animals. The most common strain of the virus that causes severe respiratory disease in birds is H5N1; various other strains like H7, H8 too, cause infection. The virus was first detected in 1996 in geese in China. Asian H5N1 was first detected in humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong and has since been detected in poultry and wild birds in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Interestingly, Maharashtra which was the first state to report the infection has not seen an outbreak since 2006. Odisha, Tripura, and West Bengal are among the states that have reported repeated outbreaks of the infection in both domesticated and wild birds.
Different types of bird flu can cause different symptoms. As a result, treatments may vary. In most cases, treatment with antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) can help reduce the severity of the disease.

India consumes 30 crore poultry birds and 900 crore eggs per month on average.

At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the poultry industry suffered a body blow after unsubstantiated rumours linked the spread of the disease with the consumption of chicken and eggs. Within a span of two months, the industry suffered losses of around $ 1 billion, as people kept away from eggs and poultry meat. While the industry has managed to get back on its feet, production remains low. In view of the bird flu outbreak, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned chicken trade with southern states for the next 10 days.
Madhya Pradesh has witnessed the death of a large number of crows in the last one week owing to bird flu strain H5N8. Last week more than 150 crows were found dead at the campus of the Daly College - a prestigious residential public school in Indore. Tests on the crows at the Bhopal based high-security animal disease laboratory (HSADL) suggested that the crows had died due to bird flu.  The biggest concern for the government, which many feel will impact the economy before it impacts the health of the people is the effect on the poultry industry.
 

President elect Joe Biden has rightly stated that it is not protest but insurrection. 

True the manner by which after finally declaring Biden as the next president and the trump supporters staging a protest  trying to vandalize the capitol building is perhaps one in the history of the USA.

All past presidents i.e Jorge bush, bill clinton, Obama all have condemned a subverted incident attempt. 

Indian PM Modi’s reaction also came in fast, stating that democracy cannot sustain with such unlawful means.

Defying the democratic elect processes Trump and his supporters are only showcasing the frustration and the pandemonium created in the capitol has surprised all the world capitals for the act can never be approved or seconded by any one.

An impeachment process or even a process of claiming the trust vote may be initiated albeit the process is long and might take time so chances are that the pence might have initiated the process of 25th Amendment that shall declare that Trump is removed forthwith and is no way suitable or fit to continue with.

The  day portrays the negative signs  for the biggest democracy of the world cannot be now undone yet the ways the world and within the USA the storm of condemning got initiated itself is a proof of the world rejecting all the moves notwithstanding Trumps all the efforts of defying with the electoral process for which perhaps no one has so far raised any doubt.

However, this shocking incident could spark certain messages that the course of law is the final authority, any attempt of playing with the same is counterproductive and shameful by any standards be whoever the preparator be.
 

President Donald Trump faced the threat of a second impeachment on Thursday, a day after his supporters breached the U.S. Capitol in a stunning assault on American democracy as Congress was certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. As Democratic leaders demanded his ouster, Trump came closer than he ever has to a formal concession, acknowledging a new administration would be sworn in on Jan. 20 and vowing to ensure a “smooth transition” in a video released on Thursday evening. The president condemned Wednesday’s violence, saying rioters had defiled the seat of American democracy and must be held accountable.
It was a new low in the history of America. News reports showed images of the mob streaming into the Capitol through broken windows and doors, ransacking offices, and waving Confederate flags. Initial police action seemed lacklustre (in comparison to scenes of muscular action against Black Lives Matter protests last year), but picked up later in the day. The Capitol was shut down for hours. Americans remained glued to television watching the chaos unfold. Many members of the mob, in costume, were taking selfies in the Capitol and putting on MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats on plaster busts of former legislative worthies. The incident has caused shock among world capitals, while the Chinese Communist Party has been handed an unexpected propaganda coup. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done well to quickly condemn the violence, stating that “democratic process cannot be subverted through unlawful protests”.
The US will find it hard to live down one of the darkest days in its political and constitutional history. The mob violence only showed the hard task of democratic restoration that lies ahead of the Joe Biden administration. It revealed the absence of either principle or spine in the Republican Party — which enabled Mr Trump’s rise and looked the other way for way too long. And it will substantially damage Washington’s position to speak on the democratic deficit in the rest of the globe, at a time when the world is confronted with the rise of belligerent non-democratic States. A source familiar with the situation said Trump in recent weeks had discussed the possibility of pardoning himself. The White House declined to comment. Constitutional scholars have said it is unclear whether the presidential pardon power can be used in that way. Trump faces potential state legal actions when he leaves office, including a criminal probe in New York, that would not be covered by a federal pardon.
The US has, for long, preached the values of democracy and accountability. It is time to put it in practice.
 

What happened Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol should be a moment of rupture for the American political system. Something needs to change. America needs a serious democracy reform agenda, one that gives a new and elevated role to the pro-democracy Republicans who have been fighting with their increasingly extreme anti-system party for the last few weeks.
The chaotic scenes unfolded after Republican Trump, who has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, addressed thousands of protesters and repeated unfounded claims that the election was stolen from him.
As President Trump told a sprawling crowd outside the White House that they should never accept defeat, hundreds of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in what amounted to an attempted coup that they hoped would overturn the election he lost. With poles bearing blue Trump flags, a mob that would eventually grow into the thousands bashed through Capitol doors and windows, forcing their way past police officers unprepared for the onslaught. Lawmakers were evacuated shortly before an armed standoff at the House chamber’s entrance.
In the weeks and months ahead, the fights within the Republican Party will only intensify, with plenty of blame to go around. First, on electoral grounds as to why the White House was lost, followed up by Democrats’ flipping control of the U.S. Senate by winning both the seats in Georgia’s runoff elections Tuesday.
And second and more significantly, how much Trump and the Republicans generally are responsible for the violent mob that stormed Washington.   So this is how it ends. The presidency of Donald John Trump, rooted from the beginning in anger, division and conspiracy-mongering comes to a close with a violent mob storming the Capitol at the instigation of a defeated leader trying to hang onto power as if America were just another authoritarian nation.
There are two ways to remove a president from office: the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and impeachment followed by a Senate conviction. In either scenario, Vice President Mike Pence would take over until Biden’s inauguration.
 

Trinmul Congress is facing crisis situations and from all the recent exodus this appears that something is drastically wrong in the inner circle of the party. The resignations of stalwarts that had a major influence in many constituencies and the statement smelling dissidence is felt from the senior party workers like MLA Dalmiya as well appeared disturbed and disappointed with the party. She mentioned the corruption of the party seniors vividly that has many hidden messages.

This is reported that the constant humiliations of the senior and pillars of the party in the hands of the abhishek Banerjee the nephew of CM and the party’s advisor Kishore has had number of occasions when the seniors in the party felt neglected and humiliated that is considered to be the root cause of the current debacle .

His is erroneous to notice that nevertheless thee fact that must be well noticed by Mamta di she is not initiating for the reforms and reconsiderations for any such disgruntled leaders.

Meanwhile there appears attempts of even trying to depolarize the vote banks of TMC by bringing Ovasi in the state politics and the efforts thus is to further damage the reputation of Mamta’s TMC that is a clear indication that needs to be understood by even The persons like Prashant Kishore whose primary responsibility is to consolidate the party position.

Anywhere in the History debacle always has been instrumental to the dictatorship and over confidence or over enthusiasm even.

Many a times underestimating the opposition's reactions and strategies cost dear that is in such instances often goes unheeded.

Is it an indication of the difficulty for the incumbent? 

The circumstances of course show the same.

The question is that the state deserves its due development that has been always under scanner and question following many whimsical policies that needs to be corrected upon.

An opportunity for BJP to get into the state politics appears bright the time shall be decisive of course.
 

Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered the reconstruction of a century-old Hindu shrine that was damaged by a mob last month in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. On December 30, a mob led by members of Pakistan's radical Islamist party demolished a temple and set it ablaze in the deeply conservative northwestern town of Karak in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa in Pakistan. A dispute about the illegal occupation of Krishna Dwara Mandir in Karak has surfaced several times. The Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj’s Samadhi along with the Krishna Dwara Mandir in Teri village of Karak district was vandalised by the mob that claimed the temple had encroached on extra land. The temple was first attacked and demolished in 1997. After intervention by the Supreme Court in 2015, the local community had agreed to its reconstruction. Despite the reconstruction, there was a dispute over the land allocated to the temple.
The incident took place in the town of Karak and drew widespread condemnation from human rights activists and Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari. Mazari on Wednesday took to Twitter to condemn the burning of the temple and urged law enforcement officials to ensure the arrest of those involved. During the January 5 hearing, a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed stated that the cost of restoration should be recovered from the people who vandalized the temple.
The incidents of the demolition of Hindu temples in Pakistan are not new things. Such incidents take place almost every year for no reason. In January 2019, a Hindu temple in Chachro in Tharparkar district of Sindh province was vandalized by unidentified individuals. In February 2019, an attack on a Hindu temple was reported in Khairpur, Sindh. In October 2020, a group of extremists attacked a temple in Nagarparkar. Another historic Hindu temple was demolished in Karachi on August 16 last year.
According to a survey, there were 428 Hindu temples in Pakistan at the time of Partition and 408 of them were now turned into toy stores, restaurants, government offices and schools. Among these 11 temples are in Sindh, four in Punjab, three in Balochistan and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition Pakistani Hindus faced riots. Mobs attacked five Hindu temples in Karachi and set fire to 25 temples in towns across the province of Sindh. Temples in Pakistan are not worshipping places for the Hindus, but they are also a source of earning for them. A 200-year-old Laxmi Narayan Temple in Karachi is not only an important place of worship for the minority Hindu but also a source of livelihood for the young and enterprising Muslim boys in the area.
But in recent times, not only temples but the Hindus and their properties are also at the target of Pakistani law-breakers. A number of incidents of forcefully Islamic conversion took place last year. As per the 2017 census data, the Hindu population in Pakistan has declined by 0.19 per cent since 1998. 

Prabhakar Purandare

BHOPAL[ MAHAMEDIA]Deadlock between the government and the protesting farmer leaders still is on, nevertheless the agreement on two major demands of the farmer’s i.e. exclusions from penal provisions for setting fire on the stubbles and the electricity amendment Bill. However, the reluctance of the farmer’s leaders, notwithstanding these step forward has further worsen the status and thus stalemate continues to be. As reported now the further discussion may be held in a meet.The contention thus is further spearheaded with the focus on certain propagated beneficiary of the systems as claimed and instigated by few opposition for which the protesting farmers are falling prey with.Surprisingly message  in-between the lines, that is expected of to grasp by the farmers is to first evaluate the authenticity and the changing stand of those political parties that have now raised a flag of protest for the same reforms for which they themselves have once recommendations.Everyone and forum has right of putting forward the points for their interest and get the amendments done yet the insistence on roll back of the three laws without understanding the government’s concern for their own welfare and willingness to amend the demanded points with mutual understanding appears simply an effort of putting pressure to get the win over at any cost and not a visionary idea that foresees a better future.The concern for the government for the sake of the reforms initiations towards  the better of the farmers needs a thorough study of the same instead blindly refuting of the same under the influence of those who have advocated the same in the past a now creating ambiguity for the political gains.Need is to realize the same for the long term benefits of the farming community for whom all have regards and concern with their concerns.A step back perhaps for the good of all is prudent.

 Sunil S Okhade
 

India’s greatest cricketer Kapil Dev is celebrating 62nd birthday today, i.e. on January 6th.  He is widely regarded as one of the all-time legendary all-rounders to have played the game. Kapil led India to the historic World Cup win in 1983 - a moment and event that changed Indian cricket and India forever. He was also the first bowler to take 200 ODI wickets and was one of the most restrictive bowlers in the history of the format.
Kapil Dev is the only player in the history of Test cricket to achieve the unique double of scoring 5000-plus runs and picking 400-plus wickets. He ended his career with 5248 runs including 8 hundreds and 434 wickets at 29.64 a piece in 131 Tests. He led India to a historic win in the 1983 World Cup in England. He was the Player of the Tournament and did not fail even once in the 8 matches he played in the competition. He was the fifth-highest run-getter of the tournament with an aggregate of 303 runs in 8 innings at an average of 60.6 and more importantly at a strike rate of 108.99 – the second-highest (min. 100 runs) of the World Cup after Rod Marsh.
Kapil stood out for his ability to score tough runs under pressure (of fall of early wickets) at a high strike rate. No other innings exhibited this quality better than his 175 off just 138 deliveries against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells. He was also phenomenally restrictive throughout the tournament as his economy rate of 2.91 indicated.
He picked 434 wickets in 131 Tests at an average of 29.64 and strike rate of 63.9. Only Anil Kumble has picked more wickets in Test cricket for India. He is the 9th highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history.
Kapil Dev came out to bat at 156 for 5 in the first innings of the fourth and final Test against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988 and blasted a magnificent 109 off 124 deliveries with 18 boundaries. India made 382. A certain Narendra Hirwani then bagged 16 wickets on debut to hand India a famous 255-run series-levelling victory. Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar admired Kapil Dev’ natural talent and always against to compare him with any players of today’s generation. According to Gavaskar, “Kapil Dev should not be compared with anyone. He is not just a once-in-generation player but a once-in-a century cricketer just like Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar. We should not compare him with anyone.”
 

Putting an end to India’s desperate wait for a vaccine against the Coronavirus, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday gave approval to Covishield by Oxford-AstraZeneca which is manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), and indigenous Covaxin by ICMR-Bharat Biotech for emergency use. The approvals came at breakneck speed after the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) recommended the two vaccines for the accelerated approval process on Saturday. However, the vaccination schedule is likely to be announced by the Centre next week.  According to Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, the vaccination will be in three phases.
Sadly, simmering undercurrents of business rivalry seems to have erupted into vocal corporate hostility between India’s two Covid-19 vaccine makers that medical experts say could leave the public confused about their vaccines.
The heads of the Pune-based Serum Institute, manufacturing the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine in India, and the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, producing a home-grown vaccine, have questioned the credentials of each other’s vaccine. India’s drug regulatory authority on Sunday approved restricted emergency use of both vaccines, clearing the decks for the government to launch its planned campaign to vaccinate over 300 million people in the coming six months. Some medical researchers have questioned both the approvals, underlining what they say is the absence of adequate efficacy data on the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine and the lack of any efficacy data on the Bharat Biotech vaccine. Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V and a Chinese manufacturer are already in emergency use in several countries.
The UK and Argentina have also approved the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine. The vaccine makers give thousands of volunteers in phase III trials the dose or a placebo and wait to see who develops infections. If, for instance, infections are lower by 50% in the vaccinated group, the efficacy rate comes to 50% -- the globally accepted benchmark for success. Oxford-AstraZeneca took nearly six months to determine this; Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for almost four months. In contrast, Covaxin’s late-stage trials began only one-and-a-half month ago, its efficacy rate is unknown, and the period may be too short to map all possible side-effects. Authorities indicated that Covaxin will be used only if there is a shortage and if the new mutation takes hold. But Bharat Biotech and the regulators must now speed up the disclosures around the vaccine – people who receive it have the right to know how effective and safe it is.
 

Savitribai Phule is regarded as the first female teacher of India. A philanthropist and educationist Savitribai Phule was born on January 3 in 1831 at Naigaon village in Satara district of Maharashtra. Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she played an important role in improving women's rights in India. Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule were first among the people who declared war against Casteism and Brahminic-Casteist culture. They led a mass movement of uniting oppressed class against the Brahminic values and thinking.
Savitribai Phule worked as an equal partner in the mission of uplifting the poor and oppressed people. Savitribai and her husband founded the first Indian girls' school in Pune in Maharashtra in 1848. She worked to abolish the discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste and gender. She is regarded as an important figure of the social reform movement in Maharashtra.
The Maharashtrian pioneer couple took the initiative to give education to downtrodden, thinking that education is necessary for the restoration of social and cultural values. Savitribai Phule started Mahila Seva Mandal in 1852, which worked for raising women’s consciousness about their human rights, the dignity of life and other social issues.
Despite facing so many oppositions from her known society and relatives, Savitribai decided to be on her husband’s side. She continued teaching at the girls’ school and reformed the women education back then in the 19th century. She started her school with only eight students. On the way to school, Savitribai was abused by many people who used to throw cow-dung, mud, stones at her. But her determination never let her stop. With her husband’s support by the side, Mrs Savitribai Phule slowly established herself as a successful teacher.
Without a second opinion, everyone around this globe would accept the fact that Teachers are the best part of our lives. Without teachers, we would be this person that we are today.  The first female teacher of India, Savitribai Phule is not just only a teacher but she is a symbol of hope and determination.
Savitribai Phule dared to speak against the unpardonable boundaries imposed on women in our n society, she ignited millions of lives, for which today’s women and everyone should be grateful to her. Celebrating  ‘Teachers’ Day’ on Savitribai Phule’s birthday will be a good attempt on Government’s part for women’s empowerment or at-least to show it’s a concern for women’s social status.
 

The good news is that now two vaccines by two of our Indian pharma companies i.e Bharat biotech and Serum institutes are being cleared for clinical use.Covid Shield of Serum institute approved by Drugs controller General of India the first shot got initiated and the second vaccine approved by Oxford University along Astra genica developed by Bharat biotech a Hyderabad based company is on its third stage of clinical trial and is likely to get clearance once the same is achieved.

A good step forward for India is that we can also make use of the same for fighting against the dreaded causative virus in India and worldwide.

What is peculiar in the context is the created controversies on the issue which is uncalled for and counterproductive in view of the progress made and subsequently creating a kind of confused state.

This is expected from the public figures and from the responsible leaders that no conjecture must be initiated that might be ambiguous and might be causative of the panic status for those for which the vaccine is ready for administration.

The declarations and the doubts raised for the efficacy of the  developed vaccine , approved by the responsible scientists and authorities, is in a way undermining their sincere efforts that too without any scientific grounds.

Political statements under such circumstances must be refrain from making for the same is not by a party but for the one who is in governance it’s the basic responsibility.

The incumbent whomsoever he might be in any given situation has to reach to the remedies of the pandemics and for which irrespective of party in power any one should do all the best for combating the challenging situations.

While The ICMR and DGCI states of all the precautions and scientific evidence of the efficacies is not it an intentional deadlock initiation.

This is ridiculous and not a suitable time for any such propaganda that can simply be a reason behind the ambiguity and controversies.
 

A dry run to check the best way to vaccinate people against COVID-19 and plug loopholes in logistics and training have started in all the states on Saturday. This day-long drive will also test the operational feasibility in the use of CoWIN application in a field environment. The dry run is being conducted in 116 districts across 259 sites. Some 96,000 vaccinators have been trained for this mega event. Of these, 2,360 participants have been trained in the National Training of Trainers and over 57,000 with district-level training in 719 districts.
The government-appointed Subject Expert Committee’s conditional recommendation of Serum Institute’s Covishield for emergency use authorisation is the ultimate moment for India. The Oxford University-AstraZeneca version of the vaccine was greenlighted on Wednesday in the UK.  Now that a vaccine is almost here, administering it is no less challenging than containing the virus. Four states have participated in a dummy exercise to assess readiness for what is being billed as India’s most ambitious mass immunisation programme. The Centre plans to cover 30 crore people in the first phase as and when the Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out. The dry run is meant to provide insights into any gaps before the commencement of the actual drive. Who gets vaccinated first has been made clear in the priority list, but funding the programme and pricing are unresolved issues. SII’s version Covishield is expected to be the Indian mainstay until others like Covaxin, Novavax and Sputnik V produce adequate Phase 3 trial results. AstraZeneca’s trials were marred by the confusion over overdosing. SII claims to have stocks of 40-50 million doses of Covishield and ability to manufacture 300 million doses by July. No doubt, many logistical challenges lie ahead, which should impel the government to rope in the private sector as well. The more vaccines and skilled professionals involved, the quicker will rollout be.
In the 10 months since Covid-19 emerged in India, 10.2 million people have been infected. This is the second-largest number of infections in the world. In terms of deaths, the country has seen the third-highest number of fatalities. But these grim statistics hide the fact there are also indicators in which India fares better than many others: It ranks 98 in terms of fatalities per million population, and in infections per capita, the country is not among the top 100. Helped by its younger population, the country’s case-fatality ratio of 1.48% compares well with the global average of 2.2%. In terms of tests in relation to epidemic size, India surpasses the 10-30 tests per confirmed case benchmark set by the World Health Organization as the representative of adequate testing.

The year 2020 has finally ended! Though things won't improve on a sudden from 2021, we should forget adversities faced in 2020 and look forward and try to stay positive. Now as we embrace the upcoming year 2021, let’s promise to leave behind the negativity and vow to not let the difficulties affect us in starting the New Year on a positive note. Leaving all the difficulties behind, we should look forward to the future and working hard to achieve our dreams and ambitions. Let's promise to ourselves that this New Year, we will be a better person and work towards leading our future to the righteous path and live the life to the fullest.
The year 2020 was not one of the best for mankind but we have finally bid adieu to it. From coronavirus pandemic to earthquakes to tsunamis, several manmade and natural kept occurring in 2020, making it difficult for humanity. We hope we do not encounter such a year again.’
Nothing has driven us out of our comfort zone as the COVID-19 has. It was and is not easy to keep social distancing like we have been advised. Newborns see only humans with masks. When sometime in the future they get to see human faces, they will probably be seized by some primeval fear. COVID-19 has changed the way we relate even to our family, neighbours, friends, colleagues and to society at large. It has restricted movement.
Still, January 1 is as good an occasion as any to reflect on the year gone by — by all counts, a hugely difficult one — and look forward to what lies ahead. The altered reality is here to stay, for now. Not much is going to change when it comes to the redefined work culture, the notion of leisure and pleasure, the restrictions on movement, the self-restraint on shaking hands or hugging loved ones. However, the UK approval for the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, manufactured in India by Serum Institute, marks an excellent start to the new year. With this, hopes of an imminent approval by Indian authorities have brightened.
The New Year is considered to be a perfect occasion to make new wishes or renew old resolutions. Apparently, 60 per cent of adults around the world believe that the dawn of a mint-new year is a propitious time for making wishes. Yet — depressingly — honouring these resolutions is a different matter altogether. Global data suggest that 80 per cent of the New Year resolutions are to be found in metaphorical trash bins by the second week of February.
May the New Year be filled with brightness and hope so that darkness and sadness stay away from you. Happy New Year!
 

The farmers protest in order to repel the law in question is still on, although yesterday's discussions have broken the impasse and on fourth of January again the discussion shall be held.

The electricity and parali issues have been agreed upon as is understood yet the main objection of MSP still needs discussion as is understood.

One of the important aspects that Rajnath Singh has categorically pointed out is not to undermine and to bring down the institution of the PM Office.

He is indeed very correct in defending the derogatory remarks for the PM and clarified that the PM is not a person but institution and any efforts of undermining the grace of his  position in a way is rather bringing the nation's image down which can never be appreciated.

True one can have the difference of opinion and have the right to protest against the policies or the laws enacted yet defying the common understanding of maintaining the status of high office is no way good.

Similarly using derogatory remarks for the farmers staging dharna is also not acceptable,he clearly disagreed with the objectionable comments for the farmers.

Decency of the protest and the usval discipline pertaining to the nation’s high office are of paramount importance that everyone not only need to realize but to adhere to in the interest of democracy and all the rights that one is conferred upon.

The deadlock on account can only be over with the proper communications in a congenial environment with an attitude of complementing one another with all the considerations and decency.
 

As the world came together to celebrate the end of a decade on December 31, 2019, global health officials were told of the emergence of a mystery virus which would go on to dominate the year to come. Few will miss much about 2020. Despite the trauma it inflicted, reflecting on this historic period helps us to learn from it and move on. The year 2020 was Covid-19 dominated the year in true sense. But even before it emerged as a global catastrophe in February, the year had much eventful start.  The World Health Organisation was informed of patients suffering from a form of pneumonia in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. What would soon be determined to be a new form of coronavirus - named Covid-19 - would go on to greatly impact billions of lives over the course of a hugely turbulent 12 months for the entire planet. A year on, more than 82 million infections have been recorded across the globe, resulting in the loss of 1.8 million lives. As far as India is concerned, Covid-19 cases in the country have crossed the 10.22 million-mark on Wednesday. According to the health ministry website, there are 262,272 active cases of Covid-19 and 98, 341, 41 people have recovered from the disease so far.
Amid concerns of the new strain  Covid-19 spreading in India, AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria said the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine getting approved for use in the UK was a “big step forward” and India was days away from getting a vaccine. In the fortnight between December 14, when the first American received a Coronavirus vaccine, and December 29, the United States vaccinated 2.13 million people. However, the first month of vaccine rollout has not been smooth elsewhere too. In Germany, delays were reported at several sites after temperature logs showed some of the vaccine boxes did not maintain the temperatures required for the Pfizer-BioNTech dose – potentially damaging stocks. In Canada, which approved two vaccines, supplies came in a slow trickle. In the United Kingdom, where Pfizer estimated four million doses were made available, only 800,000 have been administered. Teething troubles are not uncommon in any exercise with such a number of moving parts — the factory-to-syringe process includes a range of people and modes of transportation — but they can be costly at a time when we are racing against the pandemic.
These experiences hold important lessons for India. The country did well to begin mock drills, giving its digital management platform as well as human resource training an early shakedown. Officials must look at the experiences in other countries and keep open the scope to tweak or overhaul protocols, including how India selects and prioritises the groups of people who are first in line for a dose.
 

Chaos and crises don’t follow a calendar. Most of the underlying problems and challenges that made 2020 feel like a horror story will roll along with us into the New Year. It’s true that 2020 was unusually bad, right from the start. It began with the eruption of the Taal Volcano in the Philippines that temporarily forced more than 135,000 people into shelters.
We also learned about the worst outbreak of desert locusts in 70 years in Kenya, with hundreds of millions of locusts swarming the country. To cap off the month of January, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of the coronavirus a global health emergency. No doubt, the pandemic is unarguably the most consequential global event of 2020.
The impact won’t be limited to a year, it will cascade over at least the next decade.  Some changes were already underway – such as the digitization of society. The pandemic brought home the costs of historical failures such as neglect of public health systems, or of infectious diseases.  Around 1.76 million have died and almost 80 million cases have been confirmed. The Coronavirus was a social leveller; neither wealth nor power offered protection.
The lockdowns and physical distancing crippled the global economy. A measure of the damage came from the extent to which the IMF adjusted its projection for 2020, the forecast in January of 3.2% growth being scaled down to a contraction of 4.4% by October.  The pandemic marks the end of the post-Cold War phase of globalisation, characterised by a degree of innocence. We are headed towards narrower groupings of the like-minded, rather than one where everyone was welcome in the fond hope of eventual convergence.
It might take several years, perhaps even more, to undo the wrongs of 2020, but we seem to think that 2021 will fix it all. Logically, that is an impossible task as we know that some of the things 2020 has done to us will never recover, one of them obviously is the way we live. Major world events tend to leave a lasting impact on human lives. Some of those events caused radical changes in social behaviour, many for the better albeit. World War II brought countless deaths and miseries. But the year 2020 was one of humanity’s worst chapters.
The New Year is being anticipated with such high expectations in all levels — economically, socially and, of course, health-wise. We pin all our hopes on the New Year to fix all that has gone wrong this year.

Over the last several months, students, teachers, parents, and schools swiftly settled into the new world of screen-based learning from homes. The pedagogical quality of such a system is a matter of debate, but simulated teaching spaces persist as the best substitute when schools continue to remain shut. The end of a year is a good time to take stock – just how much we’ve achieved, how much more must be done and, this year in particular, how much is in danger of being lost.
A September 2020 study by Centre For Catalysing Change, a not-for-profit organisation shows how adolescent boys had more access to digital infrastructures such as mobile phones, internet services, radio, and media. This evidence is particularly troubling, demonstrating how a lack of access to gadgets and technology may have forced many girls to stay away from any form of digital schooling over the last few months.
According to The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2020 of Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, only half of the women in India use mobile internet compared to men—21% among of women compared to 42% of men.
As much as 80% or four in five girls in the sample that Young Lives collected in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have never accessed the internet, while nearly two among three (62%) have never used a computer.
What does this data tell us? These numbers expose the vulnerability of girl students many of whom are also likely to be subjected to a deep gender bias. This hushed segregation at home can force many girls to drop out of the school system forever. This also raises the worrying possibility of their being forced into early marriage and child labour.
India’s Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, launched 1995, is among the world’s largest state-funded school feeding programme. The MDM provides free and nutritious lunch to approximately 100 million children, aged 6-14 years, across 1.3 million government primary and upper primary schools, for at least 200 days a year. This incentive has collapsed because of the Covid-19-forced school shutdowns that may have compelled many families to withdraw their daughters from school. A time-series school enrolment data that may be available a few years from now could throw up some worrying trend lines on dropouts. The first phase of NFHS 2019-20 paints a sweeping portrait of the health, economic and gender status of 22 states and Union territories. It ties in with the 2019 crime figures released earlier by the National Crime Records Bureau — a 7% increase in rape, molestation, domestic violence, acid attacks and all the other crimes that group together under the generic head, “crimes against women”. The gender-specific digital divide even among the poor and disadvantaged is a reason for disquiet. A strong political will and sharp policies are the need of the hour to bridge this gap swiftly before it becomes an issue of grave social prejudice.

The 2012 proposal of retrospective tax collection pertaining to Vodafone issue where  this was also termed as the breach of the agreement between indo -Netherlands investment treaty similarly the case of cairn energy also is now mentioned rather labeled as INDO -UK breach of the investment treaty, were again the apex court verdict goes awarding company with $1.2 billion.

BJP then took a stand and stated that this is nothing but a tax terrorism by amending and allowing the retrospective tax.

Incumbent is now dealing with the case and is in mood to appeal in the permanent court of arbitration or PCA not only in Vodafone case but also in case of cairn energy case but this probably may further tarnish the image and will certainly be inferred as the damage or stealing the investment interest.

Will this not be proper for the government to concede over it honestly and change the decision of heading towards appellate authority for which the seat of haug and Singapore of PAC appears under suspicion and thinks that the case is not of tax issue rather its read as the tax investment dispute that is one in tune with the investment agreements thereto?

The damages otherwise imposed and occurred could be repaired even now thus the change of attitude and decision of appealing might be procrastinated rather cancelled keeping in view the long term investment images. 

A step back perhaps thoughtfully might save the face for the cases observed on international level as a mistaken decision at our part which could be managed even now amicably as this is reported, understood circumstantially and seems to be.
 

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 96th birth anniversary on Friday. Union ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal were also present Sadaiv Atal — a memorial built near Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.
Known as poet and writer, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a true statesman who served the nation three terms as the Prime Minister. However, his first term as Prime Minister was lasted for a term of 13 days in 1996, then for a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999, followed by a full term from 1999 to 2004. He was a member of the Indian Parliament for over five decades, having been elected ten times to the Lok Sabha  and twice to the Rajya Sabha. He was among the founding members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), of which he was president from 1968 to 1972. The BJS merged with several other parties to form the Janata Party, which won the 1977 general election.
Unlike Mahatma Gandhi or Jawaharlal Nehru, who left behind troves of written work, Vajpayee rarely maintained diaries and journals. Vajpayee’s worldview was deeply rooted in the soil of India, and its literary traditions helped forge his mental make-up. The writers and works that he admired included Tulsidas’ Ramacharitmanas, Jaishankar Prasad’s Kamayani, Nirala’s Ram ki Shakti Puja and the poems of Mahadevi Verma. Premchand’s realism impacted him deeply. Other favourites included Jainendra (Patni Aur Preyasi), Ageya (Shekhar: Ek Jeevani) and the many works of Vrindavan Verma, which included historical tales and folklore of his and Vajpayee’s Brajbhumi. These writers reminded him of past glories but also forced him to think about the challenges that needed to be overcome.
Vajpayee ji seemed convinced that India was destined for greatness and, that, in fact, greatness was denied to it. The past was important to ground us but not to imprison us. Politically, the Cold War had ended and the emerging world seemed hostile to India. Vajpayee was able to fashion an approach to the United States (US) even as he defied it and went ahead with the nuclear tests. But he wanted India and the US to be on the same side since he foresaw that the rise of China would be deeply unsettling. He was open to improving relations with China but ultimately, believed India and the US were “natural allies”.
 

BHOPAL[MAHAMEDIA]J&K citizens have exercised their franchise for safeguarding their interest as well to ensure that the normalcy is there now to restore in the hill areas.This is the first election that got conducted peacefully with no allegations of rigging or irregularities that is more creditable.The people’s alliance for Gupakr that constitute of seven parties inclusive of NC and PDP has gained the majority claiming 110 seats and BJP showed its phenomenal presence in 75 seats thus making its presence felt and an opportunity for the growth of the concerned councils.

The independent also have significant influence on approximate fifty seats.

The councils thus have to ensure now of the proper alliance and coordination’s shall script the development process.

The noticeable changes that appears from these results is that notwithstanding the propagated indifferences concerning the repealing of the article 370 and 35 A etc.

Development must be the first priority and must be executed with all the possible communications now coupled with all the challenges and threats posed internally and from external cross border terrorism attempts from Neighbors.

The development that is now the need and also is looked forward with the changing circumstances calls for serious and sincere efforts.

The youth of the valley could be only the harbingers of the changes and development process evaluating the right perspective for their own interest not getting carried away with the forces that creates only the foe and not the friends.

The high time now for the citizens of J&K to script their own success stories and join the rest of the country in the development process.

The alliances that have the majority must look into these aspirations of the common people and look after the peace and development in the valley for now the attempts of separatism might be expensive and counterproductive. Good that democracy prevails and normalcy might restore subsequently.

The People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) swept the maiden District Development Council (DDC) polls by winning 110 seats, while the BJP emerged as the single largest party by getting 74 seats after securing the largest vote share in Jammu and Kashmir. The results of four constituencies – one each in Bandipora and Kupwara districts of north Kashmir and Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu region – are still awaited.
While former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah termed the results of the District Development Council polls as an eye-opener for the BJP and its "proxy political party", and said people have rejected the decision of revoking the erstwhile state's special status, BJP has garnered the highest vote share with a total 4, 28,622  votes polled in favour of the party. NC with 2, 07,579 votes are the second in the list of highest vote shares. Independents at a third place have 1, 19,558 total vote share. PDP is the fourth distant with 45,210 vote share.
BJP has also maintained its dominance in the Jammu region. Apart from winning 62 seats in Jammu region, the party has also won three seats in the Kashmir valley– one in Srinagar one in Tulail seat in Bandipora district and one in Kakpora constituency in Pulwama district.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the results of the DDC elections have made it clear that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted for the Gupkar Alliance and rejected the Centre's unconstitutional decision to abrogate Article 370.
The sad thing is that the two Pakistan-occupied Kashmir nationals (PoK), who are married to former militants, are among the contestants from Dragmulla constituency in Kupwara and Hajin-A in Bandipora. However, the state Election Commissioner has directed the returning officers concerned to defer the counting of votes in the two constituencies till further orders.
The elections, held in eight phases, began on November 28 and ended on December 19. the overall voting percentage in all eight phases across Jammu and Kashmir was 51.42 per cent and over 30 lakh votes were counted at counting centres.
The major mainstream political parties including the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC) fought the polls "unitedly" under the umbrella of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). The newly floated, PAGD, was formed to work for the restoration of J&K's special status. The DDC polls were the first major political activity in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Mr K.P.Oli the PM Nepal has surprised all including his own party people of his decision of  dissolving the Parliament that is beyond his legitimate powers as mentioned by the senior law specialists of the country.

The sudden move is read as coup and the president’s acquiescing the same as well put the suspicion lingering.

Although the elections are now declared around April-May following the dissolution of house of Commons yet the decision has raised eyebrows of not only the opposition yet of the party fellows to reportedly. 

 Out of the current strength of 446 members of the committee,Oli has increased the number to 1199 in order to hold his own party convention to prove his legitimacy yet the simultaneous meet of the rival party has decided to remove him from the party chairman as the disciplinary action and Mahav Kunmar Nepal has succeeded Oli and Pushp Dahal Prachand is an executive chairman of the party.

The unanimous decision of dissolving the parliament is being challenged by  petitions filed in the apex court.

  The pique continues to be and has headed further in form of the petitions so for eleven in number in the apex court as is reported   and Pushp dahal prachand headed committee also is considering of filing the case for the same.

 In order to prove his majority and legitimacy Oli has increased the members to 1139 from 446.

The hill state is in doldrums following these state of affairs, for India the developments in the neighboring country and its inclination towards another neighbor china is a cause of concern undoubtedly therefore all eyes are to observe the future moves in Nepal for  better of its survival and status that has an influence obviously on India too.
 

At the backdrop of enhancement in the cases of coved 19 UK is all set to cancel exodus and entries across the country. 

Which appears correct following the retreat of the pandemic in the country.

India too has come forward and Maharashtra government has announced of checking the embarkation of the visitors from Spain, UK, France, Germany etc. and also has declared curfew imposition from 11PM to 5AM.

The target group with the new strains appears to be even now children too with the elderlies at risk.

The other good news is to ensure that the vaccine undergoing trial and about to be launched is no way a limiting factor with this outbreak and ramdesivir the drug for treating Covid-19 must be checked and ensured that the same is not sold higher than the MRP.

The state of MP appears vigilant on the same for the orders of the same effects are on cards.

The pandemic is likely to pose many challenges and there is every possibility that the resistance of the drug develops thus this is all the more important to be careful for the same that the indiscriminate drug use also needs to be restricted.

Right now the only solution that seems to escape from the outbreak and remain aloof from this situation is that we must remain alert and away from socializing, remain away from the crowded places and maintain the safe distance to cover up and prevent  the risks factors.

More than the medications these guidance and preventions shall be of immense benefits coupled with the immunity boost up efforts that are well within our reach and each Indian kitchen has the remedies for the same.

Regular Practice of TM,YOGA and trying to be with the natural resources for life and for food is perhaps the correct strategy to counter this unwanted call of nature.
 

The recent announcements from London that a new significant mutation of the coronavirus had taken hold in some parts of the country led to a reaction similar to the one in the early days of the pandemic. According to scientists, this new variant had more mutations than seen in any one variant before, and had spread rapidly in the country’s south-east as well as the capital. The discovery of the new COVID-19 strain B117 has led to a Christmas lockdown in London and southern England. UK prime minister Boris Johnson made the announcement regarding the new lockdown on Sunday and asked people to remain indoors during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Several nations have also banned flights from the UK over fears of the new coronavirus strain, which experts claim is 70% more transmissible. Some of the mutations were previously linked to stronger infectivity. These three factors were enough to force the Conservative party government of Boris Johnson to announce a new lockdown in many parts of the country.
On another side, a World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist has said people can protect themselves from the new variant of the coronavirus by following social distancing rules and maintaining practices like washing hands regularly and wearing masks. The reproduction rate of the new variant has increased from 1.1 to 1.5.  The new variant has made no impact on the vaccine or vaccination process.
However, the good thing about India is that the country witnessed a significant low in COVID-19 case in the recent past. A significant fall in India’s Corona cases and death toll this past week must not lull authorities or citizens into a sense of complacency. New cases in the December 13-20 week registered a steep 17% decline over the previous week and fresh cases have now declined for the sixth straight week after India’s first wave peaked around mid-September. Last week’s death toll was also the lowest since mid-June, an indication of the progress achieved in ramping up medical facilities.
Yet India must ramp up testing again. States like Kerala, Maharashtra and Bengal with the highest number of active cases may not be testing enough. Kerala is bracing for another wave after the recent local body polls. Test positivity rate was uncomfortably high at 10% over the weekend. Punjab has the highest case fatality rate among states and must increase random testing with the farm agitation undermining social distancing norms. The need at present is to improve surveillance, understand the new threat better, and quickly make any clinical, behavioural or scientific research adjustments we need to make without panicking. The end of the toughest year of our lifetime isn’t yet the moment for letting masks down and partying.  
 

The defection of Suvendu Adhikari with eight TMC lawmakers and dozens of local body representatives to BJP is a major setback for Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari was Mamata’s lieutenant in the Nandigram movement that helped unseat CPM’s 34-year-long rule, ably organising party workers while she led from the front. Filling the vacuum left by such a resourceful politician will be difficult.
Adhikari, the former Minister of Transport, Irrigation and Water resource in Government of West Bengal, has taken with him a total of more than 40 TMC leaders to the BJP. Nine MLAs – six from TMC, one from CPIM, one from CPI and one from Congress – joined BJP on Saturday. One sitting and a former TMC MP also defected to the Hindutva camp.
Adhikari may also suit BJP’s need for a prominent Bengali face to counter the towering Mamata personality. The increasingly presidential nature of elections is forcing opposition parties to project chief ministerial candidates against incumbent CMs.
The assembly elections to West Bengal are scheduled for early summer next year. This is the one eastern state where the BJP was unable to make deep inroads till 2019. Despite the fact that the founder of the BJP’s earlier avatar, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee was from the state; it is despite the fact that the state was witness to Partition and remains demographically mixed with a substantial Muslim population — often a ripe enough basis for the BJP to make a splash. But the three-decade-long rule of the Left and then the decades-old regime of Mamata Banerjee kept the party on the fringes. After 10 years in government, Mamata is slipping on issues like corruption, syndicate raj and the abiding perception that Bengal is hard territory to do business. With the economy in doldrums, governing parties everywhere face a stiff challenge.
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Sunday called her NCP counterpart Sharad Pawar after BJP on Saturday roped in Suvendu Adhikari from her party with the message of repeating the same with many more. According to Bengal news portal The Wall, Banerjee called Pawar to have him in Kolkata ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections in 2021. She is trying to resurrect her idea of a united opposition, consisting of regional parties, against BJP.
Much like what had happened leading up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee is trying to get parties like NCP, MK Stalin’s DMK and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party to have a rally in Kolkata in January next year.  Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar is known to be someone who has mastered the art of resisting BJP’s agenda of breaking the oppositions. He stopped the Hindutva party’s wagon in Maharashtra in 2019. Thus, Banerjee’s call to Pawar, one of the senior-most politicians around, has raised many eyebrows in West Bengal, where the political state of affairs seems to have heated up despite the state witnessing its coldest weekend of the season. 

We keep facing hardships and disturbances from our stubborn neighbors. It's not only Pakistan who often baselessly intervene and instigate Indian borders but also China keep pushing border issues over and again for pity reasons.

Incidences of approaching and creating ruckus on border for cross border influx are regular tactics across China and Pakistan borders.

 Indian side always with a cool mind yet with brave instinct faces and accomplishes all the unforeseen circumstances, nevertheless the evil intents of the neighbor.

Pakistan has recently alleged some mishappenings in POK again which is not clear and being reiterated by Indian side that this is Pakistan propaganda and not the truth.

The very insecurity that now linger in the mind of Pakistan governance is obvious realizing the precarious situation in which the state is in and finds it even tough to convene and convince domestically not only to the opposition yet to the own party people.

The frustration thus leads to baseless claims and arguments that do not seem to be in line with the democratic procedures thus go in vain.

China as well is a bit disturb reportedly  with the trade ties being refused on various grounds even the latest being the issue of General Motors process of closing down with the Maharashtra unit situated at Talegaon by 25 th December and finding no headways with other companies amalgamation circumstantially.

The Indo- Vietnam discussion between both the heads of the states scheduled for the day have the Chinese content in common. India will hold discussion with Vietnam on Maritime territorial disputes with China of Vietnam and subsequent progress in question of high speed boat allocation, reportedly the first of its batch was brought by L&T that might be introduced in the ensuing week.

Indo Vietnam discussions may have at the backdrop the security and defense across the South China Sea and many other related affairs for discussions.

Vietnam as well has certain common agendas for them to settle with China thus making the meeting important in view of our neighbor china.

So the two have the common issue with china considering its focus on expansions and both the countries therefore are concerned with it, Indian side has off course tried to restrict therefore the trade ties limited subsequently.
 

As Bangladesh prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its liberation from Pakistan and the special role of India in that event next March, India can’t let crude electoral calculations undermine the historic transformation underway in the eastern subcontinent. Bangladesh is now the fastest growing economy in South Asia; it surpasses India on many development indicators, and it has overtaken Pakistan’s economy. However, the reopening of the Chilahati-Haldibari railway line, which had been defunct since the 1965 India-Pakistan war, is a sign of growing mutual cooperation and understanding.
This bilateral relationship is steeped in history as Bangladesh owes its creation to India’s resounding victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan. Both countries are expected to come even closer next year when India will commemorate the golden jubilee of the war and Bangladesh will celebrate 50 years of its existence. However, they need to guard against a possible twist in this picture-perfect tale in the form of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). With the high-stakes West Bengal elections due in 2021, the BJP has indicated that the Centre could start granting citizenship to refugees from Bangladesh and Pakistan from January. The uproar over the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) had impacted Delhi-Dhaka ties a year ago. Hasina had dubbed the CAA and the NRC as ‘unnecessary’.
Both countries should take some time to consider how to reconcile their domestic political narratives. For example, immigration concerns would be best managed through an agreement that accepts the reality of circular migration. Indian visions of Bangladeshi hordes need to be replaced with a realisation that migrants cross in both directions. Dhaka, in turn, needs to be more honest about localised discrimination of minorities and the outward migration this has engendered.  Over the last decade, thanks to the improved political ties between Delhi and Dhaka, there has been a systematic effort at restoring the natural connectivities between West Bengal, Bangladesh and India’s Northeast.
The joint statement issued after Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina met virtually on Thursday outlines a list of initiatives to deepen cooperation. In addition to expediting a study looking into a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the statement outlined a host of areas for cooperation, from strengthening river water transport to managing a transboundary elephant corridor and from trade liberalisation to the setting up of a CEO forum. While Hasina called India ‘our true friend,  Narendra Modi said Bangladesh was ‘a significant pillar’ of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
Flanked by China and Pakistan, two hostile neighbours, India needs the support of nations like Bangladesh and Nepal to maintain its pre-eminent position in the subcontinent and boost its credentials in the international arena. India must allay Bangladesh’s concerns about the CAA to ensure that a presumably, all-weather friend remains firmly on its side.  
 

Bhopal [ mahamedia] Trinmul Congress led by CM West Bengal Mamta Banerjee is in difficulty following the resignations of its stalwarts such as Sudhendu Adhikari ,Jitendra Tiwari ,and the recent is a women MLA   and D Chaudhary of SBTC and Kabri ul islam also has tendered his resignation who was heading the minority cell.
All these incidents are coinciding with the visit of Home minister Amit Shah  on Friday and speculations are made that these disgruntled members might join hands with BJP.
Something is not in order in Trunmul that is causing these cascade of events, which cannot be just a coincidence but may be the consequences of the suppression of either expressions or actions that has emerged as the decisions of quitting  the party.
Recent incident of irregularities and irresponsible management of the security of J.P Naddas rally as well has been causative of varied talks that keeps on lingering in the air of and suggestive of a probable debacle and emergent situation in west Bengal.
Center has also asked of the three senior IPS deputation on various responsibilities at center for which the state government appear reluctant and even stated of being ready accepting the president governance if need be.
Mamata Banerjee the CM has convened today the special meeting in order to review the status however the party sources have denied of the nature of the meeting as an emergency clarifying that the party head and the CM Bengal has been meeting in phases regularly with the party functionaries on Fridays.Its a regular review meeting this reiterated. 
What ever could be the reasons, yet the current circumstances do not signal all is well situation for West Bengal and thus this is right time for the corrections and revisiting the plan for the ensuing elections in the state could prove to be a tough task for Trinmul as appears circumstantially.
BJP off course is on its mission West Bengal with strategic reforms and managed plans seems confident of the good performance in forthcoming elections.
The foundation stone for the same is it now with the visit of Amit Shah? Will be interesting to note and observe.

Certain things do not seem to be improving in congress notwithstanding all the debacles.

This is reported that the voice is again raised for Rahul to accept the active responsibility of party president position and Mrs Gandhi is all set to ensure that those dissidents and certain undisclosed dissidents join the consensus so called.

Kamalnath’s recent meeting with Sonia Gandhi appears the foundation of the same and Dig Vijay has openly supported the move for clearing Rahul’s ways nevertheless his stating of non-conceding the same.

Sonia Gandhi is keen for the same and is trying hard through Kamalnath to manage the senior leadership that has expressed the displeasure for recent defeats of the party.

The reform and introspection for the old party, certainly is needed of the time and under the circumstances honest realization and strategies for reestablishing the lost grounds must be initiated which in no way appears in the circle rather sycophancy coming up in different flavor and form.

This is truly in the interest of the healthy democracy that there has to be strong and fruitful opposition that brings the expressions against and in favour of the incumbent however the recent moves of none the party appears anyways pragmatic and future oriented.

There does not seem to be any productive move that can assure a true opposition representation for the constructive leadership that poses the true challenges for the ruling party.

All we can do is wait and expect for the revolutions and certain miracles to happen for the circumstances currently appear to be with no suggestions whatsoever.
 

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan recently released the National Family Health Survey 2019-20, NFHS-5. It includes the factsheets of key indicators on population, reproductive and child health, family welfare, nutrition for 22 States/UTs of India. The National Family Health Survey, NFHS is a large-scale, multi-round survey that is conducted in a representative sample of households across India. Three rounds of the survey are being conducted since the first survey in 1992-93.
The good aspects of the report are that several of the 22 states and UTs, for which findings have been released, showed an increase in childhood immunization. There has been a drop in neonatal mortality in 15 states, a decline in infant mortality rates in 18 states and an increase in the female population (per 1,000 males) in 17 states. Also, the fertility rate decline and increase in contraceptive use were registered in almost all the states surveyed showing trends of population stabilization. But the sad aspects of the reports are that there has been an increase in stunting and wasting among children in several states, a rise in obesity in women and children, and an increase in spousal violence. In several other development indicators, the needle has hardly moved since the last NFHS-4.

The alarming aspects of the report are that the proportion of stunted children has risen in several of the 17 states and five UTs surveyed, putting India at risk of reversing previous gains in child nutrition made over previous decades. Worryingly, that includes richer states like Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Himachal Pradesh. The share of underweight and wasted children has also gone up in the majority of the states. Stunting, or low height for age, is caused by long-term insufficient nutrient intake and frequent infections while Wasting, or low weight for height, is a strong predictor of mortality among children under five. It is usually the result of acute significant food shortage and/or disease.

This negative trend is alarming and spells a worrisome rise in the burden of a young population prone to disease and early death. It signals huge loopholes in the government’s policies targeting malnutrition such as the Integrated Child Development Scheme, the National Nutrition Policy, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme for schoolchildren, and the National Food Security Act 2013. The government needs to investigate why despite better monitoring following scams that riddled these well-intentioned schemes; there is a rise in the number of stunted, wasted and underweight kids. The lacunae in policies designed to provide wholesome meals to children must be addressed in right earnest. With the UN’s goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 just a decade away, India, faring poorly on the hunger index — 102nd out of 112 countries — cannot afford to be negligent.

The National Family Health Survey is a survey carried out on a massive scale across the country to collect information on many parameters which would ultimately help the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) to frame policies and programs to help in the upliftment of the vulnerable groups in India. The first round of the National Family Health Survey was conducted in 1992-92.  Subsequently, four other rounds have taken place, the latest being NFHS 5 that started in 2018-19, however, is stalled currently amid the COVID-19 associated lockdown at various states. The Objective of conducting the NFHS is to collect information on the following aspects--- Fertility, Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive Health, Nutrition, Anaemia, Infant and Child Mortality and Family Planning.
 

Journalists educate the public about events and issues. They spend much of their time interviewing expert sources, searching public records and other sources for information, and sometimes visiting the scene where a crime or other newsworthy events took place. But in the recent past, this profession has become very dangerous with a number of attacks and murders of journalists have increased. Intimidation, non-lethal violence, threats and the prosecution are as rampant as ever, from Mexico and Brazil in the Americas to swaths of the former Soviet Union and supposedly freer jurisdictions such as India and Bangladesh.
As far as India is concerned, journalists in rural areas and small-towns, especially those working for regional language media, appear to be more vulnerable to intimidation and attack and even being killed for their work. Many take grave risks to expose crime, and the nexus between the law enforcement agencies and politicians. Geographical location, class, caste and social network are as significant as job security and backing by the employer.
In India, there have been constant press freedom violations, including police violence against journalists, ambush by political activists, and reprisals instigated by criminal groups or corrupt local officials. Those who espouse Hindutva, the ideology that gave rise to Hindu nationalism, are trying to purge all manifestations of “anti-national” thought from the national debate. The coordinated hate campaigns waged on social networks against journalists who dare to speak or write about subjects that annoy Hindutva followers are alarming and include calls for the journalists concerned to be murdered. According to a report of “Reporters without Border”, there were 45 journalists were killed across the world in the year 2020. With 34 countries and more than half the world’s population, the Asia-Pacific region holds all the records, with the world’s biggest prisons for journalists and bloggers, especially China and Vietnam, and the world’s deadliest countries for journalists and bloggers, above all Afghanistan, Pakistan, Philippines and Bangladesh. The Asia-Pacific region also has the biggest number of “Predators of Press Freedom,” who run some the worst dictatorships and information “black holes,” such as North Korea and Laos.
The first article of the constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific  and  Cultural  Organisation  (UNESCO),  approved  on  16  November  1945,  states  that  its  mission  is  “to  promote  the  free  flow  of  ideas  by  word  and  image”.  Freedom of expression  and  its  corollaries, freedom of information and freedom of the press is thus at the heart of UNESCO’s mandate. Journalists  and  news  organisations  are  essential  participants  in  the  exercise  of  this  basic  freedom,  which  is  why  those  who  want  to  impose  tight  control  on  public  debate  and  citizens’  right to information so often target them. High-risk assignments for journalists mean working in conditions where the likelihood of physical harm (death, injury or serious illness) is significantly higher than normal.
Many newspapers have shut down their publications due to a financial crisis during COVID-19. Sadly, thousands of journalists have lost their jobs during the pandemic. 
 

India has released detailed guidelines for COVID-19 mass vaccination drive that will begin soon. The central government is planning to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people during the first phase of vaccination. Pfizer, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech have applied for market authorisation for their vaccines. The vaccination drive will start once India approves emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be offered first to healthcare workers, frontline workers and to persons above 50 years of age, followed by persons younger than 50 years of age with associated comorbidities based on the evolving pandemic situation, and finally to the remaining population-based on the disease epidemiology and vaccine availability.

The fact is that it may be well past 2022 before there is enough vaccine for the nearly 140 crore people of our country. Two vaccines have got the nod for emergency use and six others are inching closer. The process of inoculation entails huge and complex logistics of production, procurement, transport, storage, distribution, administration and follow-up. Given our infrastructure, the authorities have estimated that in the initial phase, only around 30 crore people categorised as top priority can be vaccinated. And, this exercise may extend till July-August. Healthcare workers, frontline staff (municipal, sanitary workers, police and defence personnel), those above 50 and those with underlying health conditions are the obvious and well-deserved picks for getting the dose first.
The COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system — a digitalised platform — will be used to track enlisted beneficiaries for the vaccination and anti-coronavirus vaccines on a real-time basis. At the vaccination site, only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated in accordance with the prioritisation. There will be no provision for on-the-spot registrations. The states have been asked to allocate the vaccine from one manufacturer to a district to avoid mixing of different COVID-19 vaccines in the field.
In a first in over five months, India’s daily Covid-19 case count fell below 23,000, as the national recovery rate stood at 95 per cent, data updated by the Health Ministry showed on Tuesday.
 

A dress code is a set of rules, often written, with regards to clothing. Dress codes are created out of social perceptions and norms, and vary based on purpose, circumstances, and occasions. Different societies and cultures are likely to have different dress codes, Western dress codes being a prominent example. Dress codes are symbolic indications of different social ideas, including social class, cultural identity, and attitude towards comfort, tradition, and political or religious affiliations.
Recently, Maharashtra Government has imposed a ban on wearing of T-shirts and jeans by the employees in the state secretariat and government offices. The state government wants its employees’ attire “Proper and Clean”. And for it, the state government has issued an order on Friday, asking its employees and contractual staff to come to offices wearing appropriate formal clothes.  No doubt, fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything about clothes. Jeans and t-shirt may mean stress-free wear for some, but they are no longer suitable `office attire’ for government employees in Maharashtra.
According to an order issued by the Maharashtra government, all government employees must wear khadi clothes at least on Fridays to encourage the use of handspun. The circular read, "Maharashtra Government asks State Government employees and contractual staff to not wear jeans or t-shirt in the Secretariat and Government offices; instruct them to wear appropriate formal clothes, to appear professional. It has been observed that several officials/staff (mainly contractual staff and advisers engaged for government work) do not wear attire suitable for government employees. Hence, the image of government staff gets sullied among people."

The circular also said that people expect "good behaviour and personality" from all government officials and employees. The government notice further said that women employees can wear sarees, salwars/chudidars kurtas, trouser pants and shirts alongwith dupattas if necessary, it said.
For men, there is less choice: they can wear shirts and “pants or trouser pants”. Moreover, it further said, “Clothes with deep colours and strange embroidery patterns or pictures should not be worn.
The step taken by Government of Maharashtra is good but can it be implemented with the spirit.  Such decisions have been taken by several state government in past too. Last year, the Bihar Government had issued a dress code for all its employees, apparently to ensure discipline and office decorum. The Tamil Nadu Government had also asked its employees to avoid casual attire and wear clothes that reflect Indian and Tamil culture. The Rajasthan labour department had in June 2018, banned its employees from wearing jeans and T-shirts. Karnataka and Himachal government had also introduced a dress code for its employees. While female employees were barred from attending office work by wearing skirts, T-shirts and pants, Male employees were told to not wear T-shirts.
Employees are sometimes required to wear a uniform or certain standards of dress. This may depend on particular situations. Let’s see how the order issued by the government of Maharashtra works?
 

The social media joint Facebook is facing two major antitrust lawsuits filed by the US government and 48 states demanding, among other things, that the tech giant divest itself of Instagram and WhatsApp.  In the suits, state and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officials are seeking an injunction that could force Facebook to divest assets, including Instagram and WhatsApp, and seek prior approval for future deals. Antitrust enforcers from 48 US states and territories also filed a lawsuit against the company related to similar claims that Facebook did not allow fair competition when it sought to buy the two platforms.
Both suits allege that Facebook has become a social media monopoly by illegally suppressing competition when it buys potential rivals. Facebook purchased photo-sharing platform Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and chat service WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. Now, they are three of the world’s most popular social media and messaging apps. Altogether as a company, Facebook is valued at more than $800 billion.
The issue of Facebook’s grip on the gathering and use of user data from all of its platform is also an issue which has been raised. For nearly a decade, Facebook has used its dominance and monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition, all at the expense of everyday users.
However, Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But it emphasized that its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram were approved by the FTC years ago. The lawsuits come at a pivotal time for Big Tech, as the public, regulators, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are scrutinizing these companies and their impacts on society and the economy.
In October this year, the House Antitrust Committee concluded  an investigation by releasing a wide-ranging report that found that Facebook and its fellow tech giants Amazon, Apple, and Google have antitrust practices and need to be better regulated.
There are allegations against Facebook that it has been spending its time surveilling users’ personal information and profiting from it. No company should have this much-unchecked power over our personal information, and our social interactions. A still unresolved question is whether antitrust laws written decades ago are up to the task of regulating companies in the age of the internet?
 

In a symbolic event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying the foundation stone of the new Parliament building on the Central Vista on Thursday. The Prime Minister will also perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the new building which is expected to be completed by 2022 at an estimated cost Rs 971 crore. The new Parliament building will be earthquake resistant and more than 11,000 people will be involved in building the Parliament.
The new building, which will serve as the new Parliament of India, will have an area of 64,500 square metres. The new building will have a grand Constitution Hall which will showcase India's heritage. The new Parliament building will also have a library, a big lounge for the members of the Parliament, multiple committee rooms, grand dining areas and sufficient parking space.

The chamber of the Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament), will have a seating capacity for 888 members, which can be increased to 1,224 members during joint sessions while the Rajya Sabha chamber (Upper House of the Parliament) will have a seating capacity for 384 members. The seating capacity was increased keeping in mind the future increase in the number of members for the two houses. At present, Lok Sabha has a sanctioned strength of 543 members and Rajya Sabha 245.
The Central Public Works Department, which is the ministry of housing and urban affairs arm for implementation of the project, has specified that at least 50% of the workforce involved in the construction of the new building will be skilled in stone masonry, carving, and fresco.
The Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct the new Parliament building. The new building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project.
Our existing Parliament building is a British-era structure, designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker who were responsible for planning and construction of New Delhi. The existing building is a massive circular edifice of 560 feet in diameter. The Parliament House Estate is enclosed by an ornamental red sandstone wall or iron grills with iron gates that can be closed when occasions demand. The building has twelve gates. The foundation stone of the existing Parliament House was laid on February 12, 1921, and the construction took six years and cost Rs 83 lakh at that time. The opening ceremony was performed on January 18, 1927, by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Irwin. The ground-breaking event for New Parliament building will be attended by the leaders of political parties from across the country, cabinet ministers and ambassadors of several countries. Some chief ministers and governors will also attend the event virtually.

Three years after a law was enacted with the aim of granting academic autonomy to the 20 premier business schools of the country, the Central government is apparently trying to use the same legislation to regain a part of the ground it had once ceded reluctantly. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Act, 2017, dubbed by PM Modi as a ‘landmark experiment’ in higher education, empowers the institutes to appoint directors, chairpersons and Board members, besides letting them award degrees, instead of diplomas, for their postgraduate programmes.
The Act had seen the light of day after a disagreement between the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) and the PM’s office over retaining government control. It was the writ of the PM’s office that had prevailed, paving the way for the IIMs’ autonomous functioning.
The most recent standoff between the government and the IIMs involves its one-year programme. The IIMs call it an MBA degree, as is the global norm in many business schools. But the mighty UGC rulebook says only two-year programmes deserve that term. This illustrates the kind of tussle over trivialities that bureaucratic systems expend energies on, almost by reflex.
This tug-of-war has played out before. In 2015, the ministry under Smriti Irani was involved in a tussle with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the matter of government role in the elite institutions. At the time, the PMO had pushed back against the ministry’s plans to give itself sweeping powers over the IIMs, and underlined the need for autonomy on various fronts, from scrapping the President’s role as “visitor” of the IIMs to the composition of the board and regulation of the fee structure.
Thankfully, the PMO’s views prevailed. In 2016, almost a year later and with a new minister, Prakash Javadekar, in charge, a new draft of the law gave wide powers to the IIMs, with an internal system of checks and balances. The current move threatens to undo that detente and slide back into central micro-management for goals that remain extremely unclear. The PM has championed the autonomy of the IIMs, a system which has proved its mettle over and over again. The New Education Policy (NEP 2020), too, envisages greater freedom for institutions of higher learning.
According to the latest QS Global MBA rankings, only three IIMs — based in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata — made it to the top 100. The government is well advised to let institutes of national importance work freely and do a course correction, if required, on their own.
 

Ranjitsinh Disale, a 23-year-old Zilla Parishad primary school teacher from Paritewadi, a tiny village with less than 2,000 population in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, was recognised for his efforts to promote girls’ education and trigger a quick-response (QR) coded textbook revolution in India. His determination to inject new ideas into teaching, make teachers’ voice heard and won him coveted USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize. He beat 12,000 others from across the world for the award. Global Teacher Prize 2020 is a private foundation partnered by UNESCO.

Ranjitsinh left his engineering course midway because of bullying and ragging, but this did not break his faith in the education system. Instead, he chose to become a teacher to better it and bring a change in children’s lives. He has announced that he would share 50 per cent of the prize money equally among his fellow finalists.
Indeed, the devotion with which the 32-year-old educator has been working on his vision of promoting education among the category of students most in need of a push in India — the underprivileged and girls — is a rarity and worthy of recognition. Since 2009, when he started his career by taking on the task of turning around the dilapidated school building, the talented teacher has overcome all odds to contribute to the profession and add multi-hued feathers to his cap.
Realising that language was the major hurdle in the humble setting, Ranjitsinh used his creative and scientific mindset to ensure that the poor pupils did not suffer. He translated the textbooks into their mother tongue and embedded the books with unique QR codes to give students access to audio poems, video lectures, stories and assignments. With this, the twin challenges of our society were taken care of: his school boasted of 100 per cent attendance of girls and the village recorded zero teenage marriage.
Not resting on local laurels, Ranjitsinh  has been using international online platforms to connect young people with the aim of advocating peace across conflict zones in India and Pakistan, Palestine and Israel, Iraq and Iran, and the US and North Korea. Through another project, he helps students from schools lacking in resources by taking them on virtual field trips.
Even in receiving the coveted award, the teacher has set a new ‘teach, don’t preach’ goal: Disale has announced that he would share half of his reward money with the other finalists to support their ‘incredible work’. With such exemplary people and their inspiring acts, as the foundation rightly said, there is yet hope for a safe tomorrow, one that will better tackle critical problems like climate change, conflict and pandemics.
Since winning the award,  Ranjitsinh’s name has been trending on social media and he has got congratulatory messages from celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan but he is most excited to celebrate the achievement with his students in Paritewadi. He has earlier been recognised by Microsoft as the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and also won the National Innovation Foundation’s Innovator of the Year Award in 2018.
 

The BJP’s campaign on changing the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar and its attack on the K Chandrashekhar Rao led Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government seems to be worked out well. The TRS won 55 seats and emerged as the single largest party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Council (GHMC ), though its tally plunged from 99 seats in 2016. But the day belonged to BJP which won 48 wards, up from just four in the 2016 elections. The MIM retained most of its wards in its stronghold of seven Assembly segments including Charminar, Karwan and Chandrayanagutta which are part of the Lok Sabha constituency of party president Asaduddin Owaisi. The party had won more than 40 wards in 2010 and 2016 GHMC elections.
Analysts had expected that BJP State president Bandi Sanjay Kumar pushing an aggressive agenda during the GHMC poll campaign, threatening ‘surgical strikes’ on the Old City and bringing up the issue of Rohingya, Pakistani and Bangladeshi illegal immigrants, to prove counter-productive, but it seems to have clicked instead.
BJP drafted top vote-catchers like Union minister Amit Shah, who held a hugely successful roadshow in Secunderabad, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who ratcheted up the temperature as well as Bharatiya Jana Yuva Morcha president Tejsavi Surya, the BJP MP from South Bangalore.
 The TRS had planned to use its 34 ex officio members to get its mayor elected, if its tally fell to 75-plus seats. Since it has won only 55 wards, its only option is to enter into a post-poll alliance with the MIM and share the two posts.  The TRS now has an additional immediate problem of having to formally enter into some alliance or agreement with the MIM to resolve the impasse of the numbers of a hung municipal council. This will further give the BJP an additional benefit of having portrayed the TRS as a clandestine partner of the MIM. What surprised nobody is that the Congress party has been reduced to a big zero in its ability to impact the politics of the state. The results of GHMC elections will add momentum to the BJP’s drive, after the Dubbak byelection victory last month, to win power in the state elections. The saffron party laid the stepping stone to directly challenge the TRS for power in the 2023 Assembly elections.
 

Justin Trudeau the Canadian PMs attempt to intervene in the internal matter of Indian in context of the farmer’s agitation and subsequent impasse at Delhi, the Indian governments sharp reaction is not only appropriate but also suggestive and advisory to all such unscrupulous efforts that linger with their vested interest.

The reason for his such approach is evident with the sizable number of Indian Punjabis settled there at Canada and obviously impacting significantly the farm products there at canada.

Keeping them happy for the political gains is truly imperative for him yet he can address such local dynamics domestically for which he does not ideally need to interfere with the other countries domestic issues of any kind.

The unsolicited advice may be instrumental for varied confrontation so this clearly requires him to seriously concede, for such moves disrupt the balanced equations world over and often are uncalled for.

Serious is the indulgence of certain ultra-outfits reportedly to this influence and thus the issue is more worrisome and must be addressed on priority before such things can impact the prevailing situations.

Under any circumstances creating a confused state invariably poisons the environment and repurcate adversely for the peace process that is the necessity.

His reported connections with Khalistan supporters and his efforts of managing domestic politics might influence the two states relations that is to be understood by him precisely for his own political interest.
 

'Mahashay' Dharampal Gulati, the owner of Mahashian Di Hatti (popularly known as MDH), passed away today  (on Thursday morning) at the age of 98. If there’s a brand that has been adding flavour to a million lives in India, it is MDH. A household name in the country, MDH (an acronym for Mahashian Di Hatti) has a rags-to-riches story of a refugee-turned-entrepreneur. According to reports, Gulati was undergoing treatment at Chanan Devi Hospital for the past few weeks and suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday morning.
Gulati, who was also called Dadaji, was a fifth-grade school dropout. He was known for diligently making daily rounds of factories, markets and dealers including on Sundays until he was satisfied everything was in order. His father’s family business was grinding and selling spices. The family was popularly called “deggi Mirch wale”, which translates to ‘people who sell red chilli powder’. The year 1947 changed everything as he and his family moved to India during the partition, leaving behind everything they owned. They reached a refugee camp in Amritsar before eventually moving to a flat in Delhi with no electricity, water or toilet facilities. On moving to Delhi, the young Gulati’s father gave him Rs 1500 out of which he used Rs 650 to buy a tonga (a horse-drawn carriage). There were days when he had no passengers and the two annas (equivalent to 1/8th of a rupee) that he charged proved too meagre to sustain a family. That’s when he decided to forego the tonga.
Later he sold the tonga and bought a small space at Ajmal Khan Road to start a business in his domain: spices. He made a brand out of it and called it ‘Mahashian Di Hatti’ (MDH). After a few initial years of grinding and selling spices from the tiny shop, the family started making enough money. In 1953, he rented the second shop at Chandni Chowk, and in 1959 he bought a plot of land and set up a spice factory in Kirti Nagar.
Gulati was India's highest-paid consumer products CEO for the year 2017. That year, he had taken home over Rs 21 crore as salary, out-earning celebrity honchos like Adi Godrej and Vivek Gambhir of Godrej  Consumer, Sanjiv Mehta of Hindustan Unilever and YC Deveshwar of ITC. His company is now a sprawling Rs 1500 crore business empire which runs the masala company, a number of schools and a hospital.
MDH has a number of overseas offices including in Dubai and London. The company exports its products to over 100 countries. Gulati's son manages the overall operations now and six daughters handle distribution region wise. MDH has more than 60 products and gets a majority of its sales from three variants - Deggi Mirch, Chat Masala and Chana Masala. Each of these products reportedly sells over a crore packet every month. He was a self-made billionaire who turned his roadside spice shop into one of the biggest Indian businesses in the world.
 

Today is 36th anniversary Bhopal Gas Tragedy ---widely known as the world's worst industrial disaster. Leaking toxic gas from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal resulted in the deaths of thousands of people on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984. It was a catastrophe that had no parallel in the world’s industrial history.
Forty tons of toxic gas (Methy-Iso-Cyanate, MIC) was accidentally released from Union Carbide’s Bhopal plant, which leaked and spread throughout the city. The result was a nightmare that still has no end, residents awoke to clouds of suffocating gas and began running desperately through the dark streets, victims arrived at hospitals; breathless and blind. The lungs, brain, eyes, muscles, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive and immune systems of those who survived were severely affected. 
Methyl Isocyanate, known as MIC, is a clear, colourless liquid used for the creation of pesticides. It has also been used to create rubber.  MIC is a lachrymatory agent, meaning it has the same effects as tear gas. It is extremely toxic.  The disaster took place because water entered a tank containing MIC. This caused a chemical reaction which resulted in the buildup a much Carbon dioxide, among other things. The resulting reaction increased the temperature inside the tank to reach over 200 °C. Next morning, the magnitude of the devastation was clear. Dead bodies of humans and animals blocked the street, leaves turned black and a smell of burning chilli peppers lingered in the air. An estimated 10,000 or more people died.  About 500,000 more people suffered agonizing injuries with disastrous effects of the massive poisoning. None can say if future generations will not be affected.
According to eyewitness Rashida Bi and Champa Devi Shukla, Goldman Environment Prize awardees, the groundwater around the four-kilometre near the factory area had been contaminated of reckless dumping of extremely poisonous waste within the pesticide factory till 1984 and outside it in 1996. Since 1990, groundwater has been tested more than a dozen times by the government and non-government agencies. These have also shown pesticides, heavy metals and poisonous chemicals, including six persistent organic pollutants, at depths greater than 30 meters and a distance of several kilometres from the factory.
Many activists such as--- Sainath Sarangai (a metallurgical engineer), Rachna Dhingra and Abdul Jabbar, who passed away recently, played a vital role in providing justice to the victims and kin of deceased.  Sadly, a number of victims are still waiting for justice.  A tearful tribute to those who lost their lives in the disaster.
 

If a vibrant democracy is about the difference of opinion, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections are proofs of our being one. Even the bookies are split in their opinion about the thriller most people expect the Tuesday election might turn out to be. But the broadest truism is well established – it is a neck-and-neck race between the ruling TRS and the challenger, the BJP, and the MIM expected to hold on to its fortress. Voting for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is underway on Tuesday.
Over 7.4 million people are exercising their franchise in the fifth largest metropolitan city area of India. As many as 1,122 candidates are in the fray for 150 constituencies. This civic body has over 74 lakh voters and has a budget of over five thousand crores (5,380). The Hyderabad city’s total population is over 82 lakh.
These local issues are going to drive many people to come out of their comfort zones and vote. The polling percentage was 42.04 per cent in 2009 and 45.29 per cent in 2016. Since many people think these numbers need to improve, there is a major focus on encouraging youngsters to come out and vote. The main contest in the poll is among the ruling TRS, opposition BJP and the Congress. BJP’a roaring entry into the civic body elections has sent shocking wave among rival parties—especially Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).
The TRS leaders dubbed this civic body polls as “gully vs Delhi fight” because they saw an unprecedented level of campaigning from the BJP involving its top guns including party chief J P Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Maharashtra’s former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavin.
Some BJP leaders have promised Hyderabad voters that they would change this Nizam’s city name and would give it its historic name as Bhagya Nagar. However, Owaisi dares to BJP to change the city’s name. After local bodies’ elections in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP threw all its power in GHMC election. If it succeeded, it will pave the way for success in West Bengal where the elections are due.
Meanwhile, ruling TRS MLA Nomula Narsimhaiah passed away this morning. He was unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Hyderabad. The two-time CPM MLA had joined the TRS in 2013 and won from Nagarjuna Sagar constituency in 2018. The counting of votes will take place on December 4 and results will be declared in the evening.

Chirag paswan has perhaps got it right and refused Mahagathbandhan’s proposal, as the report states in the context.

Actually, his Mother Reena paswan is  reportedly a proposed member for Rajya sabha while he understand it clearly that through him RJD is trying to balance its loosed equations and wish to consolidate its image to safeguard the welfare of the minorities and others.

 Chirag paswan may not even take it up, as circumstantially the opportunities for his suitable positioning might suit nicely with BJP and consequently the changing status has a  bright attractions towards BJP that Chirag most probably may conclude  for his safe future.
Apparently although RJD is trying to lure him with the support yet now this is for Chirag to evaluate his own roadmap.

Chirag probably, conceding all this must have refused the Maha gathbandhan’s proposal for his Mother.

 This is therefore going to be an interesting episodes in the state of Bihar, the script for which is seriously pondered over.

Had he not thought over emphatically on few of these then he would have caught hold of the RJD offer which appears a trap and that is what exactly Chirag must have perceived.

Ljp although is in trouble currently yet every move may set the right pace and direction. Situations are always dynamic with variety of interrelated and at times irrelevant exposures influence the circumstances and political equations so the time only can be the decisive factor.

So, finally with these conjectures as this appears today may set another role for Chirag and his party.

NDA’s candidate is already declared so Sushil Modi is going to contest the upper house seat and that is for sure the lingering name even today with Mahagathbandhan exhibits and has created a kind of interesting situations that might be instrumental for changes to happen in the politicking of Bihar.
 

Now that Joe Biden the president elect of the USA has taken the reins of the USA, questions that keep on lingering in the Indian mind are what we can look forward to after this change of Incumbent in the USA.

Circumstances have changed since past few years, even during Barack Obama time the very attraction towards India and preference shift from Pakistan to India of America was evident which continued over the years.

Changed global situations and facing of the terror attack has made America serious and thus the apparent casual attitude towards the terrorism has shifted to the serious issue for America for they also had to face the same. 

So now, with the change of governance there at USA the possible attributions and stand of Joe led USA is likely to be of centric towards India as could be speculated upon.

The trade ties with India must get a sharper look over china for the changed situations must bring that status. Similarly the role of Pakistan with Afghanistan in center and withdrawal of the troops might be causative of many moves.

China's status undoubtedly is going to make bigger reasons for trade to ascertain yet the role of Pakistan at the center stage might be usually ambiguous for the interventions of Afghanistan and exit of US troops remains the prime object perhaps may continue to be with the current president policies too.

The change in USA is likely to be in with the mixed priorities for Joe Biden so there appears an opportunity for him to clearly manage both the country yet the circumstances that globally could come up are probably more suggestive would be towards a mix approach for USA towards its inclinations towards china and Pakistan. 

China is in clear support with his vested interest with Pakistan and therefore it supports Pakistan in respect of Balochistan, POK and even Pakistan that shows concern for Kashmir issues remain silent on uigeer agonies and plight at china for that suits its international favors.

These are conjectures perhaps circumstantially but history has been always stating similar priorities even now that could impact global relations in the similar ways irrespective of the changing world scenarios.

Let’s hope for the best and time is the last answer to the moves till then these are the speculations only.                                                           

 Sunil S Okhade

The farmers’ agitation against the farm laws, enacted by the Centre in late September despite stiff opposition, has entered a potentially make-or-break phase. Even as the Union Government has invited farmers’ organisations to the Capital for talks on December 3, the protesters — predominantly from Punjab — are bent on taking out a two-day ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Fearing a massive influx of farmers, the BJP-led government in Haryana has sealed the state’s border with Punjab and imposed Section 144 of the CrPC, besides swooping down on kisan leaders. The developments have raised the spectre of a nasty showdown, pitting the BJP against the farming community as well as the Opposition.
Punjab and Haryana farmers protesting in Delhi on Friday got support from their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, who will join the stir in the next few days, farmer leaders from these states said. Protests were observed on Friday in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh as well. There could be a possible stand-off on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh interstate border on Saturday as farmers from UP, Uttarakhand and MP will try to enter the Capital from there.
The sheer disconnect between the two sides has been a major obstacle. The protesters have tried to dictate their terms to the Centre, taking a call on which trains would ply and which won’t. The railway authorities, in turn, insisted on unrestricted and unconditional passage for all trains. Both the state government and the Railways incurred heavy losses due to the disruption of rail services. Earlier this week, the farmer bodies did make a concession, albeit for a 15-day period, ending the two-month-long suspension of train movement that had hit the supply of coal, fertilisers and other essential goods to Punjab.
The Centre’s reform package is a sincere attempt to improve private participation in the farm trade. Hopes of doubling farm incomes rest on the success of these fledglings reforms and other advances like direct benefit transfer, cold chain networks and crop diversification schemes. Most farmers, of whom 86% fall in the small and marginal category, aren’t benefiting from MSPs, which has prompted the Centre to tackle cartelisation in mandis and ease private and corporate trade in the hope that more buyers at farmgate will translate to better prices.
But the agitations in Punjab and Haryana, which boast of entrenched public procurement of crops, have been a speedbreaker. After battling teargas shells and water cannons for hours on Friday at the Delhi-Haryana border in Sonipat and Jhajjar, thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana were allowed in the evening to enter through the Tikri border and hold their protest at Burari in north-west Delhi against the three newly enacted farm laws -- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 -- passed by Parliament in its monsoon session. Centre and state governments must work together to handhold farmers through this big shift, which can prove just as momentous and fruitful as the Green Revolution.
 

INDIA has been in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic for the past about nine months. The two-month-long nationwide lockdown foisted on the masses at a few hours’ notice, proved to be disruptive rather than preventive as millions lost their livelihoods and had to trudge back jobless and penniless to their native states.
 The unlocking that followed the world’s most stringent curbs opened the floodgates for the virus and exposed the inadequacy of the healthcare set-up. Though the nation’s daily caseload has come down of late, states such as Delhi are grappling with a fresh surge amid the festive season and the onset of winter. In its guidelines for ‘Surveillance, Containment and Caution’ for December, the Centre has allowed states and union territories to impose local restrictions such as night curfew and weekend lockdown, but has restrained them from resorting to these measures outside the containment zones without its approval.
September was the peak of COVID-19 in India. The number of positive cases, hospital admissions and deaths were splashed all over newspapers. India's caseload of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) stands at 9,266,706 after 44,489 infections were registered between Wednesday and Thursday, according to data released by the Union health ministry. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who earlier this week chaired a meet with states over the Covid-19 situation and to discuss distribution plan of a potential COVID-19 vaccine will visit vaccine development centres in Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad.
At a time when the economy is making a steady recovery, the laxity of the law enforcement agencies and the irresponsible behaviour of the people are threatening to undo the gains. In Delhi, which recently quadrupled the fine for not wearing a mask in public, the police are issuing 1,000-1,500 challans daily — a paltry number considering that the Capital is reporting over 5,000 cases and 100-odd fatalities every day. Most of the other states are not even doing this much to deter violators. The vaccine will arrive sooner or later. But there’s not a minute to lose for abiding by the protocol — in letter and spirit. So, please wear a mask and stay safe.
 

Ahmed Patel the veteran Congress Leader from Gujarat is now no more in this world. However, Patel left his memories to all who got in touch with him and have got many praiseworthy opinions even from his political opponents.

Patel had his unique position and earned trust and respect within the congress party and as well from other of his contemporary leaders from different parties.

The one who always stood by the interest of the congress party is Ahmed Patel who remained a silent worker used to use very limited words to explain his point and one of the significant personalities of congress always stood by the leadership.

Ahemed Patel remained such a personality, the leader who remained always away from the exposures and lime light and always remained at the back ground but with important decision makings.

He used to be away from the limelight yet he was the architect of many decisions during the UPA government and had his graceful and valuable presence perhaps in all the governance of the UPA.

Enjoyed good rapport with the first family of congress and often came to the rescue of the party in various tricky and serious situations.

Be it N deal case and associating with Sharad Pawar or managing the exit of Shibu Soren after he was found in gruesome incidence many such political crisis he stood and used his brilliance for mediation and representation for his party Many such decisions were his role proved to be of significance and worthy of attributions.

He has survived with all his quintessential leadership attributions in public life.
 

Diego Maradona, the Argentine soccer great who was among the best players ever passed away on Wednesday. Famed for the 'Hand of God' goal, Maradona captivated fans over a two-decade career with a bewitching style of play that was all his own.

West Bengal in general, and Kolkata in particular, is known to be the hotbed of Indian football, with the country's most die-hard football fans representing their city with great pride and fervour. Apart from the fanatical following enjoyed by arch-rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, the city of Kolkata lives and breathes football, and teams across the world are supported fervently.
Born October 30, 1960, Diego Armando Maradona’s preternatural talent was noticed when he was just eight on the hardpan fields of Villa Fiorito, a Buenos Aires slum. Trainer Francisco Cornejo was first to spot Maradona’s potential, signing him for Argentinos Juniors’s youth team, which he led to a 136-game unbeaten run.
Maradona made his debut in the country’s top tier in 1976, 10 days before turning 16, and was the league’s leading scorer for three consecutive seasons from 1978. But because he was so young, Cesar Luis Menotti, the Argentine coach at the time, left Maradona off the 1978 World Cup roster. In 1981 he moved to giants Boca Juniors, helping them to win the league championship.
Argentina's "golden boy's" scoring prowess and flair in slaloming past opponents vaulted him into the hall of soccer fame, but he struggled to cope with the adulation and his battles with addiction became regular global news.
After retiring, Maradona developed heart problems caused by cocaine addiction, and he endured wild weight and fitness swings that seemed to reflect his do-or-die attitudes to both soccer and life.  Maradona is best remembered for the two goals that dumped England out of the 1986 World Cup. The quarterfinal in Mexico City was eagerly anticipated, coming just four years after the Falklands War between the U.K. and Argentina. Maradona made sure it was a game few would forget.
While that goal has become one of the most infamous in soccer history, Maradona’s second in the game was voted the best of the 20th century in 2002 vote held by FIFA, the sport’s ruling body.

November 26 is “Constitution Day” of India. It is also known as (National Law Day or Samvidhan Divas. Every year, we celebrate this day on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950.
While the Constitution was adopted in November, the enforcement was done in January, giving a thorough reading and translation from English to Hindi in the two-month buffer time.
The constitution declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens justice, equality and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity. The original 1950 constitution is preserved in the helium-filled case at the Parliament House. The words secular and socialist were added to the preamble in 1976 during an emergency.
The Constitution was drawn from a number of sources. It’s framers borrowed features of previous legislation such as the Government of India Act 1858, the Indian Council Acts of 1861, 1892 and 1909, the Government of India Acts of 1991 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act 1947.
The Bill seeks to provide for the advancement of “economically weaker sections” of citizens.

The Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected by elected members of the provincial assemblies. The 289-member assembly took almost three years to draft the constitution holding eleven sessions over a 165-day period. Dr BR Ambedkar was a wise constitutional expert; he had studied the constitution of about 60 countries. Ambedkar is recognized as the “Father of the Constitution of India.
The constitution of India is the supreme law of India .at present there are, 448 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5 appendices and 101 amendments in the Indian Constitution. Initially, i.e in 1949, the Constitution had 395 articles. But many new articles came into play and we total have now 469 articles.
There are 103 amendments have been made in the Indian constitution so far. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr Thaawar Chand Gehlot on January 8, 2019.
 

After the weeks long controversies that kept the USA Air tight, finally following the certification issued by the state of Michigan in favour of Joe Biden who won over the presidential election. Pennsylvania governor too certified and stamped the spectacular win of Joe Biden the president select.

Mr. Trump agreed for the smooth transition of power. Notwithstanding all the lawsuits of Trump that could not support any evidence of irregularities in the election as reported, finally he had to concede the transition.

The impasse for weeks at least could be restored for which the question marks were raised on very account of the trump attitude.

Joe Biden the President-elect off course is committed and also now aspiring for the diversity and democracy that is evident from his initiatives. His gender balanced proposed cabinet shall leave a positive mark for sure, because this appears to have equilibrium in the aspect of dynamic demography. Any ways the democratic elected president now is here once again to script for the better of the USA that is supported with the franchises of the people in his favour.

Deadlock is over for better and now irrespective of any obstacles that are likely to influence the scene for obvious reasons must be overlooked rather could be taken care off.

We can wish all the success to the President-elect Joe Biden for his transition to the new chair with his strategies that always could impact world politics for a variety of reasons.

The implications in USA in view of the policies for the immigrants has large effect on the people those are employed and deputed there for varied assignment by their respective employer which invariably is  attributed for the growth of America vis a vis for the concerned person and such immigrants from entire Asia and precisely from India are more  likely to have repercussions positive or negative either.
 

Even as the national count of fresh COVID-19 infections is trending down, there are localised increases in some parts of the country. The PM, in his interaction with the chief ministers of the eight worst affected states did well to warn against any relaxation in the ongoing pandemic vigil. Complacence in following and enforcing the precautions of mask-wearing, social distancing and washing of hands could lead to the equivalent of a boat getting away from the most treacherous part of the turbulent sea, only to capsize in the shallows, he said in a telling description.
The PM’s virtual meeting with CMs comes a day after the Supreme Court while noting that the pandemic has worsened, sought status reports from the Centre and all states on the steps taken to deal with the situation. The surge in several urban centres has resulted in governments enforcing strict measures. Uttar Pradesh is already testing Delhi residents at its border and has capped the number of wedding guests at 100, while night curfew has been imposed in four districts of Himachal Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh government has also imposed night curfew in some cities. Maharashtra has made it mandatory to undergo RT-PCR test for those who wish to come to the state from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.
It is time to correlate needs with priorities. In the present times, wearing a mask is essentially a precautionary measure and unlike in the US, should not be allowed to become the subject of a debate between the liberals and the conservatives. The challenge before the government will lie in convincing the people to abide by the social distancing norms, not an easy task with livelihoods at stake.
The wearing of masks was all along advocated and indeed there was trouble ensuring their adequate supply when the pandemic began with the advice finally coming that even cloth masks would suffice for protection, despite different views on their efficacy. Warnings of a surge during the festival season had come because of large gatherings, increasing the risk of infection, with social distancing norms being flouted.
The prospects of a relatively cheap, easy-to-store COVID-19 vaccine have heightened with AstraZeneca, along with Oxford University, announcing promising results of late-stage trials. It, along with Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V, has raised hopes of a potential scientific breakthrough to get a grip on the devastating pandemic.

The Madhya Pradesh government, which last week formed a "Cow Cabinet", is planning to impose a cess to generate additional funds for operating cow-shelters across the state. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who chaired the first meeting of the cow welfare panel recently, said the Gaushalas (cow sheds) will be operated by the government with the support of competent and willing social organizations and self-help groups, and additional funds will be generated, if needed, by way of cow cess. Interestingly, the ministers of Animal Husbandry, Forest, Panchayat and Rural Development, Revenue, Home and Farmers'' Welfare departments will be part of this cabinet and it would be to be the first such body in the country.
No doubt, the cow is a revered animal for many. We used to feed the first "roti" to cows. Similarly, we used to feed the last roti to dogs. Such was the concern for animals in our Indian culture -- which is vanishing now. Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath once had alleged that the number of cows had decreased from 2.19 crore to 1.96 crores in the last five years. He had also alleged that During Shivraj Singh Chouhan's  previous rule, 23,13,000 cows had disappeared. According to the Centre’s livestock census, there has been a drastic reduction in the bovine population in the state.
But when MP is lagging on many human development indicators, prioritising animal welfare with special taxes can wait. Cesses, if at all preferred, must benefit those fund starved sectors with the greatest potential to improve human capital. On other hand, Madhya Pradesh has also picked up on self-defeating policies like job reservations for locals, which hinders investments into the state. Cow politics may be the latest pitch in competitive populism, but enlightened politics everywhere puts citizens first.
Instead, more states should follow the Karnataka model of providing children at risk of malnutrition the benefit of both protein-rich eggs and milk. Vegetarianism must be a personal choice, not a state imposition. On cow welfare too, encourage voluntary organisations to do more. Let tax funds flow towards humane welfare.
 

The Kerala government has been criticised for its new law to criminalise ‘offensive’ posts on social media, with experts as well as the opposition calling it draconian and an attempt to stifle not only dissent but also freedom of speech and expression. The CPI(M)-led government in Kerala has introduced Section 118A in the Kerala Police Act, via an ordinance, which received the Governor’s assent on Saturday.
According to the new law, “Whoever makes, expresses, publishes or disseminates through any kind of mode of communication, any matter or subject for threatening, abusing, humiliating or defaming a person or class of persons, knowing it to be false and that causes injury to the mind, reputation or property of such person or class of persons or any other person in whom they have interest shall on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.” This means that a person can face three years in jail and a fine of Rs 10,000 for any social media post that is considered “offensive” or “defamatory”.
Notice how 66A and the Kerala law is couched in similar language. The latter allows a police officer to register an FIR, begin a probe and make arrests even on grounds like someone being humiliated or defamed or faced “injury to the mind or reputation”. This is draconian, far exceeding the IPC provision on criminal defamation, which puts the onus for lodging complaints on a defamed victim, not the police.
This is not just for writing or creating such a post, but those who share that post or opinion will also face the same kind of punishment. The law is unspecific and indistinct and can be indiscriminately misused by individuals or even the government and the police, who may use it against those whom they simply disagree with. The old Kerala law — Section 118(D) of the Kerala Police Act — suffered from the same problems as Section 66A and was struck down by the top court. There is little to suggest the new one is on a more sound legal footing.
The Kerala government’s justifications fail to address the criticism that there are sections of the Indian Penal Code and IT Act that it can instead utilise. Those laws also have in-built safeguards. Kerala must step back.

Television has become an integral part of our life. In 1996, The United Nation proclaimed the November 21st as ‘World Television Day.’  Every year, the world celebrates this day as a daily value of television as a symbol of communication and globalization. Television is one the single greatest technological advances of the 20th century, serving to educate, and info, entertain and influence our decisions and opinions.
It is estimated that 90 per cent of homes around the world have televisions, however, with the introduction of internet broadcasting, the number is declining in favour of computers. But according to a report, television continues to be the single largest source of video consumption. Though screen sizes have changed, and people create, post, stream and consume content on different platforms. The interaction between emerging and traditional forms of broadcast creates a great opportunity to raise awareness about the important issues facing our communities and our planet.
Even in the era of the revolution of the internet and social media, TV is a source of information or communication and media plays a very significant role in everyone's life. Television is like a bridge between the governing bodies and the general public. The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) currently measures TV viewing habits of 183 million TV households in the country, using 30,000 sample panel homes.
Watching too much television is dangerous to our health. Television has a big impact on the way we spend our free time. It probably affects younger people more than adults, as they watch more TV.  Critics of television claim that TV takes away too much of our free time so that we lack time for other activities like family conversations, reading, getting exercise, etc.
No doubt, the television also shows us a world that is not real. It often encourages us to think that the world is more violent than it really is. The research shows that watching television starting at a young age can profoundly affect children's development. These effects include obesity, language delays, and learning disabilities.
The recent studies from all over the world show how badly television can affect a child's growth physically and mentally. Researchers from the Universities of California and San Francisco studied the link between watching TV and cognitive functioning. Children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight. 
Researchers also found that children who watched more than two hours of TV per day from age 2 1/2 until age 5 1/2 were more likely to develop sleep, attention, and aggressive behaviour problems than those who watched less.  Moreover, sometimes watching favourable TV show leads to clashes. As an award-winning author, Donna Gephart rightly said, “Today, Watching Television Often means fighting, violence and foul language – and that’s just deciding who gets to hold the remote control.”
There is no doubt that social media is radically challenging the landscape of TV. From programs to adverts, the very nature of it is being forced to change (and at a rapid pace) by the increased use of social media. A new, socially active and discerning audience wants more interaction, more power to influence and new ways to engage whilst watching the show(s) they love. Producers ignoring these viewers do so at their peril, as an army of younger consumers are switching to YouTube as their preferred way to get their visual entertainment. So, students are advised to spend less time watching television and watch only useful programmes.   
 

India's Covid-19 caseload surpassed the 90-lakh mark on Friday with 45,882 new cases, while the recoveries surged to 84.28 lakh pushing the national recovery rate to 93.6 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The total coronavirus cases mounted to 90,04,365 and the death toll climbed to 1,32,162 with the novel coronavirus virus claiming 584 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the data updated at 8 am showed. India's Covid tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5.
Delhi is sinking deeper into the Covid quagmire. The national capital’s biggest single-day case spike and the highest single-day death toll so far have both been reported this month. Over one lakh new coronavirus cases were recorded between November 1 and 16. After the outbreak of the pandemic in March, it had taken Delhi four months to reach the count of one lakh cases. It’s obvious that a major opportunity to ramp up healthcare infrastructure during the lockdown months, when the caseload was relatively manageable, has been frittered away. The ongoing ‘third wave’ of infections is proving to be the most virulent, exposing the under-preparedness of the authorities. Hopefully, the four-fold hike in the fine for not wearing a mask will make them see reason. Otherwise, National Capital’s’s failure may undermine the country’s efforts to contain the pandemic.
The good news is that the worst may be behind us: The world is close to a vaccine breakthrough. Pfizer and Moderna have achieved a high degree of efficacy — at over 90%, it is much safer than initially assumed — using radical technologies which have the potential to tackle other critical diseases. There are other vaccines too, many at the third stage of trial, with a high possibility of success. All of this means that by early next year, the world will have a basket of vaccine options on the menu to choose from. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, on Thursday, that a vaccine will be available in three to four months and that India has made arrangements to vaccinate 250-300 million people in the first phase.
So far India has booked 1.6 billion doses with Novavax-SII, Oxford-AstraZeneca-SII whose Phase 3 trial results are expected soon, and Gamaleya Institute which developed Sputnik V. Indian companies like Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila are also in the race. While the fast progress in trials is a morale booster, a long timeline for vaccinating the general population beckons.
The ongoing global spurt of infections this winter is likely the biggest crisis moment in the pandemic. Delhi’s current hospital and ICU bed situations are behind the curve. A national spike of similar scale could overpower states with poor public health capacity. With lockdowns no more an option, governments must keep several balls up in the air: bolstering reliable testing, ICU bed capacity, vaccine logistics and the economy.
 

The current circumstances are showing gradual loose grounds for Congress.

If we take the performance of the party in recently held elections in Bihar and By elections in the state of Madhya Pradesh following a big exodus of the congress people under the leadership of Jyotiraditya sindhia.

This appears to be an encouraging sign that the senior leaders of congress like Chidambaram also mentioned and brought attention towards the pathetic and precarious situation of the party after evaluating the recently held elections.

Imperative under the circumstances is an honest review of the ground level positioning of the party, which is evident as serious and call for remedial measures and brainstorming sessions.

There has been the tradition of reluctant discussions or not even discussing the disappointments and disagreements coupled with cause of defeats in the party forum too as is often realized and reported. The recent dissidence can be taken as an example then the senior leadership needs this to clearly absorb and ponder over for better.

Any party has firm steps in the ground level, the absolute realizations of the realities and no escaping from the realities is only the correct method proved as yet.

A strong opposition obviously is the need always for the health of the democracy as they say so the only party that could stand to the test of time in the context appears the age old party provided it comes up with the deep slumber of self-appreciation and sycophancy of one family that is the biggest cause of the debacle as is reportedly understood and circumstantially proves to be right.

The time never goes away from any defeated status unless the correct evaluation is initiated.

This is undoubtedly good for the nation to have the incumbent that is performing its duties with all the grace and dedication.

Many development oriented programs have yielded good results and certain bold decisions have proved to be debatable that could perhaps leave its dent over the years performance and experimentation.

Decisions are often needs to be taken and delaying it is not always good the current incumbent at the center and in many states needs to be careful and vigilant in execution for its all the plans so far have been doing good by and large the critics would always try to focus the flaws and for the exactly the same reason a positive and powerful opposition is always a need of the hour for any party at the power.
 

Chhath Puja, also known as Sun Shashthi is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. This festival is celebrated after 6 days of Diwali and mainly celebrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and the Madhesh region of Nepal with great fanfare. Banning Chhath in public places amid coronavirus this year has raised the political issue. The Chhath Puja is dedicated to the solar deity Surya and Shashthi devi (Chhathi Maiya) in order to thank them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.
.The festival does not involve idolatry and is dedicated to worship the Chhathi Maiya or Shashti Mata and sun God Surya along with his consorts Usha and Pratyusha the Vedic Goddess of Dawn and Dusk respectively. It is believed that the main sources of Sun's powers are his wife Usha and Pratyusha. In Chhath, there is combined worship of both the powers along with the Sun. In the morning, worship of the first ray (Usha) of the Sun and the last ray (Pratyusha) of the Sun in the evening are offered to both of them. And the rituals are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days.   They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water, standing in water for long periods of time, and offering Prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun. 
The festival takes place for four days, the very first day of Chhath is called Nahay Khay. On this day, the devotees take a holy dip into the water, especially into the river Ganga and take only a single meal on this day (the women folk who observe the fast).
The second day of the festival is called Kharna. On this day, the fasting without any drop of water is observed from the sunrise to the sunset. The fast is broken in the evening just after the sunset and making as well as offering food to the Sun God. After having Prasad on the second day, the third day’s fasting begins.
On the third day, a day-long fast is observed without taking water. The third day is the main day of Chhat Puja known as Sanjhiya Ghat. Offering Arghya to the setting sun is the essence of this day. It is the only time of the year on which people worship the setting Sun and offer Arghya. The third day’s fasting goes on throughout the night. On the next day after sunrise the Parna begins. On the fourth or can say the final day of  Chhath, people offer Arghya to the rising Sun, which is called Usha Argya. After Arghya, the 36 hours long fast is broken.
Environmentalists have claimed that the festival of Chhath is one of the most eco-friendly religious festivals that should be used to spread the "the message of nature conservation". [Moreover, it’s arguably one of few Hindu festivals that transcend the rigid caste system, which emerged in the post-Vedic period, to touch upon the ideas of "equality, fraternity, unity and integrity. Every devotee—elite or middle class (and caste)—prepares almost similar Prasad and other items to offer to the Almighty. All the devotees without any distinction in caste, colour or economy, arrive at the bank of rivers or ponds for extending prayers.
Chhath Puja is a festival of religious and cultural importance. This is the only festival in which Sun god is worshipped and offered an arghya. The worship of the sun in Hindu religion is of great importance. In the Vedas, the Sun God is called the soul of the world. The light of the sun has the ability to destroy many diseases. With the auspicious effect of the sun, the person gets health, wealth and self-confidence.
In Vedic astrology, the sun is said to be the factor of soul, father, ancestor, respect and high government services. On the Chhath Puja, worship of Sun god and Shashti Maiya is achieved for a person, children, pleasure and desire.
 

PM Modi during BRICS has once again critically raised voice against the terror activities and condemned terrorism by indirectly directing point towards Pakistan and china who has been silently approving the wicked intentions of the neighbor country. His mention of the countries like France and USA who also have been a great sufferer of the terrorism.

He mentioned this very clearly that such acts should not be tolerated and all the possible efforts must be initiated to combat the act against humanity. He also mentioned the world jihad under which such acts are justified and the same has now reached to the level of the Love Jehad etc.

This is welcome state that the state of MP is all set now to legislate a bill against the Love Jihad the legislation pertains to the independent belief and executions of the religious but not making any one compelled of any such act like love jihad.The proposed imprisonment for the accused of the love jihad is five years.

The cases under this act may be heard on the complaint of the parents and the act shall come under non-bailable ,the people interested in change of their religion must notify in writing to the concerned collector minimum one month prior to actual action in the context. The change of the religion in the name of marriage is serious which is therefore taken with all seriousness by the government of MP and is due for its formal approval by amendment 2020 of MP of the legislation of the respect.

Terrorism by any standard should not be considered  and must be rejected Out rightly for the grievances have legal ways to address and the dissidence does not seem to be good taste in any country, race neither for the societal values as it is an act of arresting the peaceful living of the individual and creating an atmosphere of terror that suppresses the usual growth prospect of the region, state concerned and has a long term effect in view of the peace process and has indeed become now global.

All the efforts in the direction by the world leaders must be appreciated, this is needed and the most appropriate time to raise voice and effectively address this serious issue with collective leadership for pacifying the disgruntled terrorists either by force or through communication. The peace must be restored under any circumstances.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra Tuesday said the “love jihad” bill will soon be introduced in the state assembly and it includes five years rigorous imprisonment for violators. The charge will be cognizable and non-bailable. There will be provision to declare marriages taking place forcefully, out of fraud or by tempting someone, for religious conversion, null and void. Those assisting in committing this crime will also be considered a party to the crime. Other provisions of the Bill include notifying the district collector a month in advance before formalising an inter-faith marriage.
India has a long tradition of arranged marriages, wherein the bride and groom do not self-select their partners. Through the 2000s and 2010s, the country witnessed a rise in love marriages, although tensions continue around interfaith marriages, along with other traditionally discouraged unions.  In recent years, Uttar Pradesh saw the proposal of an amendment to remove the requirement to declare religion from the marriage law in hopes of encouraging those who were hiding their interfaith marriage due to social norms to register.
Love Jihad is an alleged activity wherein Muslim youth utilize such emotional appeals, using charm to entice girls into conversion by feigning love – in some reports, as an organized, funded behaviour.  Love Jihad is an Islamophobic conspiracy theory alleging that Muslim men target women belonging to non-Muslim communities for conversion to Islam by feigning love.
The movement has also been described by some anti-feminist due to paternalistic attitudes towards women's choice in marriage and by allegedly using women's rights as a cover for Hindu nationalism.
The concept rose to national attention in India in 2009 with alleged conversions first in Kerala and subsequently, in Karnataka. The NIA was asked to probe whether a Kerala woman, Hadiya was forcibly converted by her husband before marriage. In 2018, the Supreme Court set aside a trial court order the annulled the marriage between Hadiya and her husband Shefin Jahan.
The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion notes that the effectiveness of emotional appeals in converting people from one faith to another is well known and often exploited by religious leaders. Religious groups have utilized techniques like love bombing and Flirty Fishing to interest potential recruits.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier hinted at bringing in new legislation against “love jihad”, a term coined by rightwing outfits opposing the inter-faith marriage. However, the right to marry a person of one’s choice is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Chief Minister Chouhan said clearly said that “Jihad will not be permitted in the name of love at any cost in the state. And necessary legal provisions will be made against love jihad.”The BJP governments in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are also contemplating legal provisions against “love jihad
 

Moderna Inc said on Monday its experimental vaccine was 94.5 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial, becoming the second US Company in a week to report results that far exceed expectations. Together with Pfizer Inc's vaccine, also shown to be more than 90 per cent effective, and pending more safety data and regulatory review, the United States could have two vaccines authorised for emergency use in December with as many as 60 million doses of vaccine available by the year's end.  Other countries such as China and Russia have already begun vaccinations. Russia licensed its “Sputnik-V” COVID-19 vaccine for domestic use in August before it released data from large-scale trials. It said on November 11 that its vaccine was 92 per cent effective based on 20 infections in its large trial.
A key advantage of Moderna's vaccine is that it does not need ultra-cold storage like Pfizer's, making it easier to distribute. Moderna expects it to be stable at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 48°F) for 30 days and it can be stored for up to six months at -20 degrees Celsius. Pfizer’s vaccine must be shipped and stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius, the sort of temperature typical of an Antarctic winter. At standard refrigerator temperatures, it can be stored for up to five days.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, and hopes are rising that we might have a vaccine soon to contain the pandemic. But this also bears asking the critical question, how well are the countries prepared to transport or receive these vaccines. Almost 70 per cent of the global population must be inoculated to end the pandemic, as per the World Health Organization. And this could prove the biggest hurdle, considering many countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America lack basic health infrastructure.
The only way to end this paralysing pandemic is by widening the reach of the Covid vaccine. And that can only be done by building an infrastructure that allows everyone on the planet to be inoculated. No country can do this alone. It needs concerted efforts and generous support from rich countries. Solidarity will help us overcome this crisis. The United States has the world's highest known number of COVID-19 cases and deaths with more than 11 million infections and nearly 250,000 deaths. The Trump Administration has primarily relied on development of vaccines and treatments as its response to the pandemic.
Moderna has received nearly $1 billion in research and development funding from the US Government and has a $1.5 billion deal for 100 million doses. The US Government also has an option for another 400 million doses. The company hopes to have between 500 million and 1 billion doses in 2021, split between its US and international manufacturing sites and dependent in part on demand
 

As that Nitish Kumar has once again is sworn in as CM Bihar with the allies of NDA.

BJP appears to have the driving seat in practically all the affairs however with all the repsect to all the allies as appears to be apparently.

Hence even though there are rounds of discussion pertains to the probable two Deputy CMS with the proposed name of Tarkeshwar Prasad and Renu Devi as the most probable deputies and Sushil Modi is unlikely to be repeated as the next Deputy Minister.

There does not seem to be any kind of ruckus to for the decision and party sources state this all with consensus which is a welcome sign. Nevertheless, that many probable ministerial birth likely to go for the new comers and first time ministers.

Off course the home, finance the important port folios, notwistanding all the equations perhaps should go to the experienced.

BJP showed its leadership with the very presence of all the leaders of repute i.e. Amit Shah,JP Nadda and  Devendra Fadnavis.

Although this seems to be BJP on the driving seat for which even CM Nitish does not seem to exhibit any reluctance for the actual position for the formation of the government and the circumstantial adjustments keeping local dynamics of the caste equations etc. need the balance.

The balance of the kind required for all to get complacency and for the smooth conduct and execution of the governance thus certainly may be scripted successfully that can be and must be speculated keeping in mind all the options for the proposed balance ministerial equations having many inexperienced candidates so to say.

Any ways considering all the available and best options this is quite hopefully thought about of the future of Bihar development centric and not the anarchies that CM Nitish Kumar could have a control so far significantly and that has gained him the verdict and opportunity too in his favour .
 

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan has unveiled the self-reliant i.e Atma Nirbhar MP Roadmap in which he has assured the state population that soon the development in view of employment generation, by setting up of newer industrial units in the state, improvement in the healthcare industry. Development of MSME Corridor in Chambal region, setting up of green corridor, he as well mentioned of a task force for green agriculture revolution, establishing of the energy corridor, development of around 10000 schools that will be equipped with the basic facilities. 

The new system he envisaged for the deendayal project at the district and janpad and at village level thus attempting to organize and setting up a transparent governance in the state.

The state of MP is the first to implement among the states the atmnirbahar Bharat yojna that is the dream of the PM.

Similarly in the same voice the EX CM MP Kamalnath reiterated his plans of staying in MP for the development and the welfare of the state subject following few comments that encircled of speculating his leaving the state following the defeat of congress in the recently held by poll and its verdict.

He categorically and firmly mentioned his concrete plans and motivated party workers to introspect the causes of the defeat and prepare for the 2023 elections for the comeback.

The two incidents speak of good in terms of the future of the state for the state subject can only be assured of impartial governance when a strong and thoughtful opposition exists.

Democracy always looks for the good opposition that can keep a check and suggest concrete plans for the development to the incumbent.

This status is certainly auspicious for the state administration when a capable governance is executed and monitored by the incumbent and opposition party respectively.

All could prove to be good only if the ground realities and work is thoroughly checked and brought to the action for which recent outcomes points towards the good activities and understanding of Shivraj Singh Singh ji led government in the respect.

His local administration appeared better and pragmatic that the main opposition party appears lacking and need to precisely focus for the true reformation of the party functioning, provided it wishes to.

The main opposition partie's gestures and claims do not seem to be marching thus creating confusion and no confidence.

So the need to first address these flaws for the plans and moves as mentioned by Kamalnath, needs its placing effectively on the ground level nevertheless all the enthusiasm expressed for the endeavor that is ahead.
 

Diwali is India’s blockbuster festival. It is a time for fun, frolic and families coming together to celebrate the traditional festival of lights. It is celebrated across the length and breadth of the nation with much fanfare and enthusiasm.  It is a harbinger of new beginnings as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi pays a visit to the houses of devotees in the middle of the dark night, and blesses them with wealth and happiness. It is called the festival of lights because it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair.
As we all know that the pollution level in almost all big and many small cities in our country have reached an alarming level. The bursting of fire-crackers makes the pollution level more worst. Therefore, we must not forget to celebrate this mega festival in green-way and use only eco-friendly fire-crackers.
Every winter, when we cannot breathe, we discuss air pollution. But we need action not just in the few winter months when the pollutants settle close to the ground because of inversion when the wind is low and moisture traps the toxins. We need to understand that sources of pollution — other than the stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana — are constant. We just don’t feel that the air is foul and deadly because there are sun and wind, which disperses pollutants. But it does not make it better for our lungs.
The Delhi government recently imposed a complete ban on the sale and bursting of all firecrackers, including green crackers, from November 7 to 30, after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reviewed the worsening air pollution and the COVID-19 situation in the national capital.  Last year, the Delhi government had distributed five million N95 anti-pollution masks to students in government and private schools. With air quality plummeting to dangerous levels around Diwali every year, the Supreme Court had also banned polluting firecrackers last year.
Having a ‘Green Diwali’ may not be the first thing that pops into our minds, but we do have to stay focused on the environmental impact of this festival and do our bit to be sensitive amidst all the celebrations. Crackers are obviously an environmental issue and are especially under the scanner for all sorts of hazardous reasons — from workers’ safety, users’ safety, noise levels, air pollution and now the latest on them being imported from China.  We must know that there is also a lot of garbage created with all the paper and cardboard waste that comes from the packaging, which cannot be recycled or repurposed. It is left lying on the roads only to become part of our landfills. In fact, the garbage of the crackers which is left over after the enjoyment is a major problem to be considered.
So, let’s all take a pledge to celebrate ‘eco-friendly’ Diwali this time. There are many ways and tips to celebrate ‘Green-Diwali’. A few tips are here----   (1) Avoid bursting crackers, at least we must limit the use of firecrackers (2) Firecrackers leave the air hazy and the surroundings full of noise, and we wake up to the streets littered with waste the next morning, (3) Use traditional lighting, (4) Give Thoughtful Gifts, (5) Use eco-friendly natural colours for rangolis, (6) Give sugar a miss, eat healthily, and (7) Avoid the use of plastics.
Have a joyful, bright and cracker-free celebration and feel great about the fact that you are saving our planet by doing so.

Happy Diwali!
 

The outcome of the Bihar election marks the beginning of the transition to the next generation of leaders and newer forces in Bihar. Despite Nitish Kumar’s return, politics in the state will now revolve around preparing for a post-Nitish Kumar landscape. This will generate tensions within the NDA as the BJP asserts itself; it will lead to political experiments, including possible emergence of new forces; it will make Tejashwi Yadav a man to watch out for, and it will keep Chirag Paswan in the mix for he damaged Nitish Kumar.
In the past year, there has been increasing commentary over the declining political fortunes of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This view gained ground due to electoral setbacks or the party’s failure to form the government in a set of states (Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi); protest movements against the government’s measures (for instance, the citizenship-related protests); the economic contraction and the humanitarian distress caused by the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
 But with the Bihar election victory and wins in 41 out of 58 bypolls, BJP has underscored its continuing political hegemony. The party has scotched any doubts about the economic downturn adversely impacting its political fortunes. In all these states, defections from Congress have helped local BJP governments cement their position. Congress’s losses go far beyond public perception or squandering anti-incumbency: Parties spend years grooming netas and investing in them and Congress must now start from scratch with a fresh lot.
In MP, Jyotiraditya Scindia has proved himself an asset to BJP.
Both in Bihar and in the different states, which saw by-polls, local factors played an important role in shaping results. In by-polls, incumbent governments have an edge. And there has, indeed, been an increasing trend towards voters separating their choices in state and national polls. All of this should introduce a cautionary note in reading the results. Yet, there is no doubt that the BJP’s success indicates that the party still enjoys the support of vast segments of the electorate. These are all, at some level, accurate portrayals of what happened in Bihar, but they are also excessively local explanations.
In the 2019 national election, the NDA won 53% of Bihar’s vote. In the recently-concluded state election, the NDA (admittedly minus the LJP) won around 37% of the vote. This continues a trend of the NDA performing at least 15 percentage points worse in state elections as compared to 2019 national election — something witnessed in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, where elections have happened either before or after the national polls.
 

With the splendid win over in the recently held by elections in Madhya Pradesh and in the state of Bihar BJP has consolidated its position.

The verdict of the people went in favour of the development over the cast and the claims like Bikau and Tikau as propagated by the opposition congress in the state of MP.

The exodus of the ex-congress candidates under the leadership of Jyotiraditya in want of their being disappointed with the functioning of then government in MP that had to step down within 15 Months.

All the claims for democratically elected governments cause of stepping down on account of the dissidence of their previous stalwarts as has been claimed by them and now turning them as traitors have again been turned down by the state people perhaps on the grounds of the hopeful development that they foresee.

Bihar also if we closely monitor the Nitesh led government had emerged with the assistance of BJP as victorious on the development front, where the equations used to be of different aspirations till recent past.

LJP  Led by Chirag Paswan the son of late Ramvilas Paswan could only disturb RJDS votes and could not make any sizable significance thereto.

While one message goes loud and clear that majority now favors and looks forward to development, the incumbent now must ensure the declared employment and development promises made in Bihar as well the welfare of the farmer’s ,women’s security and the growth of the state and state exchequer in MP.

The victory brings responsibility and the commitment fulfillments that lays down the bridge for further consolidation for the future which must be scrupulously to be executed.

The franchise that is being exercised in both the states and the mandate’s glory in either state obviously calls and infer for the assured promises in the correct spirit.

These changes appear good and are welcome and must be here to stay, what we must look forward to.

Right now this is for the high hopes of the public from the respective incumbents.

The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) to ban on the sale or use of firecrackers in the National Capital Region till November 30 has literally come as a gasp of breath. Acknowledging every citizen’s right to breathe clean air, the NGT has observed that ‘celebration by crackers is for happiness and not to celebrate deaths and diseases.’India has already lost more than 1.25 lakh lives to the pandemic, even as several states are witnessing a resurgence of the disease after a short-lived lull. That is reason enough to keep the festivities subdued, neither noisy nor smoky, confining ourselves to the lighting of lamps or other means of illumination and avoiding large gatherings. Air quality levels that are deemed safe by WHO have not been seen in many Indian cities for years.
Ahead of Diwali celebrations in the country, Covid-19 cases have seen their first weekly rise since mid-September. The worry is about a wave, in which the numbers would just go on rising. The virus is here to stay in the foreseeable future, given the level of community transmission that has already taken place. Proper quantity and quality of testing is a key tool to keep it in check, to keep any new waves from growing into tsunamis. Another problem is that nationwide testing is stuck around the level achieved back in August.
Studies have found that particulate air pollution contributes 15 per cent to the Covid-19 mortality worldwide. Considering that India is among the countries worst affected by the virus, all states and union territories should ensure that the NGT’s well-intentioned initiative doesn’t go up in smoke.  In 2018, the Supreme Court had banned the use of polluting firecrackers and allowed the sale of ‘green’ ones, an option endorsed by the tribunal for cities/towns where the air quality was moderate or better in November last year. By failing to decisively act on air pollution, India is exposing its labour force to high levels of morbidity, mortality and lost productivity. Just as clean air is a fundamental right, so is access to clean water and sanitation.
Last year, Chennai experienced Day Zero of the water crisis, when there was almost no water left in the city. Using stimulus spending to upgrade critical water and sanitation infrastructure should also be a top priority. After the great impoverishment of India’s stringent nationwide lockdown, we cannot go down that path again if the pandemic resurges. Prosperity itself demands the safest Diwali.
 

US President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to unite the country as he called it 'a time to heal in America', after his historic victory over Donald Trump in a bitter and closely-fought presidential election. Donald Trump has so far refused to concede the election that attracted a record number of Americans to cast their votes amidst the raging COVID-19 pandemic. He has announced filing multiple lawsuits against the election results. The past four years have challenged American democracy. While the country’s political institutions have long shown signs of disrepair, the Donald Trump presidency exposed their abject decay. The president governed as if checks and balances were a nuisance, rather than a necessity.
For the roughly 75 million Americans who backed Biden, the desire to turn the page is palpable. Women, ethnic and racial minorities, and urban and suburban dwellers turned out in historic numbers to put an end to the Trump presidency. This is no small matter: Trump is the first incumbent president to lose his re-election bid in a quarter-century. Despite the fact that Biden garnered five million more votes than Trump, more than 70 million Americans stood solidly behind Trump and the margins in several battleground states were razor-thin.
The US has a Federal Election Commission but it does not conduct elections in America. Its job is to regulate financing in election campaigns. The US presidential election is conducted by local authorities in different states. Simply put, the ruling government or governments conduct the US presidential election. And, it goes without saying that the ruling party would love to see its party candidate win, at least from the state it governs.
The US does not have a central or national voters’ list. That is, local authorities create a voters’ list in every locality through a process that requires citizens to register as voters. Selective registration procedures have been used in the past to discourage a certain group of citizens. African Americans have often been at the receiving end.
What does this mean for India? While Biden will want to signal the US’s return as a responsible global stakeholder, the incoming administration will initially be consumed by domestic affairs. In the medium-term, the outlook for India is bright — expect Biden to carry forward many of the cooperative policies that the Obama administration pursued, on subjects from the climate crisis to defence collaboration. Economic irritants won’t disappear overnight, but a less hostile outlook on immigration and trade deficits will help. Anyway, with this election, the US closes a sarcastic chapter in its political history. 
 

So the duo i.e. Joe Biden and Kamla Harris have finally could put the boll rolling of the victory in their favor, which was evident with the reciprocations and all exit poll too revealed the positive signs towards the democrats in USA.

Joe Biden has very brilliantly thus pointed towards the dire need of resuming the science, decency in his first speech after  assuming power coupled with the fairness and hope in totality for the better international relations.

This might go towards the resumption of that missing claim of USA being different and great in its endeavor and thought patterns.

 This also brings a hop for the immigrants serving their who were under cloud following the trump campaigns for luring his local youth voters which in certain quarters specially in certain less exposed states of USA must have attributed him too.

However, the overall verdict of the people of USA invariably appears to show the support to Biden with an aspiring hopes for the better governance that can bring back hopes of the rebuilding and restructuring of the loosed grounds during trump governance and could perhaps now looked forward for the see change.

The changing scenario seems to be suggestive enough not only for the American stated or for the united states of America precisely but to appears addressing the distressed and shattered ambitions of Asians  specially Indians.

Joe Biden’s Indian links as have been appearing in the newspapers and as reported to be of his great grandfather being an employee of the East India Company and the roots of Kamala harries stated to be in the state of Tamilnadu might work well in the future to grow with for the better ties that can be speculated well.

Harris has very gracefully stated that she although is the first lady representing the state but might not be the last, the precedence that sets in might be a kind of harbinger for the women for the future positions and that is great.

 Change is always for better and that sounds so in the respect too.
 

Chief of defense Staff Bipin Rawat stated of rising tension across the border on account of the shifting of the LAC at the border towards the westwards in eastern ladakh.Although the high level Military discussions are on to pacify the undergoing situation that has complicated over the months, notwithstanding this the status quo situation exists while our posturing is free of ambiguity stated Rawat.

This appears from his gestures that although the war like situation does not appear at the moment on the china border yet India is prepared to fight and combat any situation for the force is ready and is committed to not allowing any shift from the eastern ladakh border.

Similarly the speculations towards any kind of influences to the ultras active in northeastern sectors instigated by china does not seem to be any ways probable for the state government with the center is on for these outfits now have loosed their supportive ground and now wished to enter into the discussion with the state government for the peace process and their rehabilitation and staying in the mainstream .State government thus has successfully solved the bodo issue,Ulfa are back to Assam for the same thus the peace talks are under gone with the assistance of center as reported and shows a positive signs thus the speculations of Chinese instigation into this seems hardly any circumstantially.

The signs showing positivity at the border and Border States safety is encouraging thus. It’s good and satisfying to ease out the prevailing tension across the border and it is tough and appropriate step forward to the neighboring countries known for their deceiving nature in spite of all the friendly discussions form all the diplomatic channels.

The trust buildup with the discussions have often been undermined and deceived in the past so the required safety and alert status shall manage the circumstantial shift of the positive situation and its certainly encouraging that we are not succumbing to the pressures.
 

The US presidential election has turned out to be strange, memorable, and tortuous. Perhaps it was always destined to be so, given the set-up. Former Vice-President Joe Biden emerged as a consensus candidate after a bruising Democratic primary contest. He polled well among moderates and independents. Unlike Hillary Clinton four years ago, he had low negative ratings among likely voters and his campaign managed to raise record amounts of funds. 
With no evidence of fraud, Trump fails to make headway on legal cases. None of the lawsuits by Trump team appeared to be gaining any traction in the courts.  US President Donald Trump's pledge to fight the outcome of the election in the courts crashed Friday into skeptical judges, daunting Electoral College math and a lack of evidence for his claims of fraud. On a day that began with a vote tallies in Georgia and Pennsylvania tipping in Joe Biden's favour, Trump's campaign declared, "This election is not over," as the Republican National Committee announced it had activated "legal challenge teams" in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The final results may still make 2020 one of the closest presidential elections in modern US history. Trump handily won four states that had been expected to be competitive: Florida, Texas, Ohio, and Iowa. Biden comfortably won the overall popular vote but scraped only narrow wins in the critical states of Wisconsin and Michigan. Voting in five states that would collectively determine the winner — Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Nevada —are close and final results may take days, but Biden’s lead in Pennsylvania on Friday gives him a rather decisive edge. Mr Biden will have his own version of America First. Yes, he will reverse Mr Trump’s stance on immigration, security alliances and, most of all, the multilateral approach on climate. Punitive tariffs will be rolled back, in part because they are ineffective, but trade will be increasingly about reciprocity. The shifting of supply chains and tech coalition-building, both aimed at China, will continue. 
A potential Biden presidency may offer a greater degree of predictability and professionalism, improving the foundations of American international power. India will probably continue to find sympathetic allies in the US Senate, reflecting an alignment in thinking on the emerging strategic competition with China.
 

Three days on, America is still waiting for the results of the US presidential election, as is the rest of the world. The fight between Republican President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden is so close the media is holding back on making projections until the last votes are tallied. The outcome of the election depends on the four key battleground states of Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Trump is marginally ahead in three of the four states — except Nevada — but a win in any one of these states will propel Biden across the finish line. At present, Biden has won 264 Electoral College seats against Trump's 214. Trump’s first post-election speech overflowed with his customary traits. He declared victory (with tens of millions of votes still uncounted), claimed voter fraud (with no prima facie evidence provided), asked states, where he was ahead on the night of November 3, to stop counting (when are democrats afraid of votes?), and threatened legal action.
The world watched with mounting concern as Donald Trump, the embattled leader of the United States, a strife-torn former colony bordering Cuba, declared on Wednesday night that he had won the presidential elections even before all votes had been counted. The populist leader of the Republican party, believed to enjoy the support of white nationalist tribal clans, also demanded that further counting of votes be stopped, triggering fears that the authoritarian leader might not agree to a peaceful transfer of power. Meanwhile, his opponent, Joe Biden of the Democratic Party, a coalition backed by Black and other ethnic minorities, appeared to edge closer to victory.
In the US election, voters decide state-level contests rather than a single, national one. Each US state gets a certain number of Electoral College votes partly based on the size of the population, with a total of 538 up for grabs. Biden, accompanied by his running mate Senator Kamala Harris, said he has no doubt that when the count is finished, they will be the winners. Earlier in the day, Biden and Harris had full briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis facing the nation. Biden rightly said that, "Democracy is sometimes messy, so sometimes it requires a little patience. But that patience has been rewarded now for more than 240 years with a system of governance that has been the envy of the world. We continue to feel very good about where things stand." But one the Biden’s biggest tasks will be to heal a deeply fractured America, restore civility and decency in public life, and seek to revive the precedence of truth over narratives.
 

Nothing appears in order in Punjab right now, since the state is facing the crisis of coal, electricity and urea following the protests of the farmers for MSP issues and so on.

The rail blockade hence has resulted in the disturbances of supplies that has also affected other states like J&K, HP and Ladakh obviously together with the Punjab.

Railway freight movements not only have deprived the shortages of essentials in Punjab but have impacted many other states and subsequently the major losses to the railways too.

The state is under pressure coupled with these events that are witnessing the worst stages on each day passing.

The delegation for conceding resumption of freight trains  although had one meeting with Railway minister Piyush Goyal, now intends and scheduled to see the Home minister on Saturday in this respect.

Need seems to deal this with the pragmatic way for the losses incurred at the state and the neighboring states compound too high and could be further increased as appears to be.

This is true that the protest in interest of the farmers as is envisaged needs a focus from all those more than forty organizations that are representing the issue MSP with the government has all the prerogative of propagation and ensure the welfare but must also seriously consider that  the other citizens of the state also gets their dues for the right s in democracy of getting all the facilities uninterrupted and the peace process for smooth conduct is the prerequisite for all the walks of life.

Preventing or halting any kind of services that has a larger impact on the public life is always questioned for any agitation nevertheless the call of intensifying the same but in order to get on section of the people’s right protected, others get deprived of for no fault of theirs.

Therefore the ideal is to find out the middle and pragmatic path keeping egos aside and finding a solution which perhaps may be met once the delegation has one more meeting with the senior minister as is reported and indicates positive signs.
 

The voting in USA has entered in an interesting rather a bit irresponsible and disturbing turn when the incumbent President Mr. Trump insists on stopping vote counting and expressing his approach to the Supreme Court defending his claim of some flaws in the voting.

In the USA where the processes of any kind are adroitly done and people in general are alert enough towards their own franchise and decisions in exercising the same keeping in above view, the doubts obviously are raised in the air for the intent of the incumbent President.

That is perhaps setting a wrong precedence if accepted and this is the specific reason as to why Mr. Trump gets hardly any support from the nation even the responsible leadership of his own party also has made clear that the views of Trump in the contexts are his personal and are condemned. Except few of his die hard supporters none has advocated his statement of manipulations claimed by him in the electoral process.

The kind of suspect brought before considering the trends in the counting is testimony of his thought process and is clear indicative of the intimidating intent of his for the vested interest.

Mr. Biden  is right in asserting that this not his or Mr. Trump's business to declare the victory or defeat and he has assured his supporters that all the legal supports are kept ready and every ballot shall be counted even if Mr. Trump moves to the court the sensible voting process will get its due. Whosoever wins, the verdict is already deposited in the ballot boxes and so the only counting completion may be the decisive factor of the process  after the same is declared by the competent authorities in the context.So no any other can have such impressions to spread over as is instigated supposed to be circumstantially.

Actually the indications are there for Biden to get through for which the insecurities of the incumbent are loud. However, the same does not seem to be any ways assistance to whomsoever initiates be it even the President USA as may be expected of.

This will be interesting to note the poll outcome now thereto.
 

The next American president will be decided through a counting process that is likely to continue through this week and, in turn, likely to end up in the courts. The outcome of the US presidential election hung in the balance on Wednesday as several states continued to count their ballots, including some of the most competitive battlegrounds where the tally could take days to complete. Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a slight edge over Republican President Donald Trump with 227 to 213 electoral votes. That leaves 98 electoral votes to be allocated and possible paths to victory for both candidates. The winner needs to secure 270 votes.
This election may result in the worst of all worlds — a weak and disunited The States of America. No matter who wins, Mr Trump or Mr Biden will serve for only four years in the White House, meaning they will be lame ducks quite early into their terms. The Democrats will control the lower house but the Senate will be evenly divided. The judiciary is firmly on the Right. All this means the next US president will be hemmed in by other arms of government, especially when bipartisanship is all but dead. Mr Trump has signalled his second term will be about settling scores more than realising a national vision. The US will be a house divided with a leader seen as illegitimate by half his people, no matter who wins.
The United States uses a system called the Electoral College to elect presidents. Under this method, the candidate with the most votes nationwide doesn’t necessarily win the election, which was the case in 2016 with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and in 2000 with George W. Bush and Al Gore. Each state is given a number of electors based on the size of its congressional delegation. The candidate who wins a majority of electors becomes president.
Each state is allotted one elector for each US representative and senator it has. Washington, DC doesn’t have representation in Congress, but it receives three electors, the same number as the least populous state.  In most states, electors are nominated at party conventions and their names are given to the state’s election official. Electors’ names do not usually appear on the ballot, but when Americans in each state vote for their choice of president, they are technically casting their ballot for the slate of electors representing the ticket.
Most states are winner-take-all for presidential elections. Whichever party’s slate of electors receives the most votes gets all of the electoral votes. There are two exceptions: Maine and Nebraska both give two at-large delegates to whoever wins the state overall, and then one to the winner of each individual congressional district.
 A candidate needs to win a majority of 538 electoral votes — 270 — to be elected president. If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the Senate chooses the vice president and the House chooses the president. But the House decision doesn’t work like normal: Each state’s delegation gets to cast a single vote, meaning that large states have the same weight as small states, similar to the Senate.
In December, in a largely ceremonial gesture, the electors cast ballots for president and vice president and are expected to follow the vote of their state. On rare occasions, some electors have decided to cast their votes for a different candidate. These are known as “faithless electors,” and the behaviour is protected by the Constitution. But a recent ruling of the Supreme Court stated that a state is allowed to require presidential electors to support the winner of its popular vote and may punish or replace those who don’t.  The votes are counted at a joint session of Congress, and the president is officially elected and later inaugurated on Jan. 20.
 

As was expected, Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami was arrested by Raigad police on Wednesday (Nov 04) morning. It is learnt that Arnab has been arrested in connection with an old abetment to suicide case. He has been arrested under Section 306 and Section 34 of IPC for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 53-year-old interior designer Anvay Naik. Architect and his mother committed suicide in 2018 over alleged non-payment of dues by Republic TV. Naik's wife said he left a suicide note in which he blamed Mr Goswami for his death. She has been campaigning on social media for the case to be investigated thoroughly. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh recently ordered a special team to investigate the case. The arrest comes in the middle of Goswami's row with the Mumbai Police over its investigations into a ratings scam and allegations that Republic TV is among three channels involved in manipulating TRPs or Television Rating Points by bribing households metred for viewership.
Goswami is known for his aggressive style of anchoring and questioning. But his critics say that he often comes across as sympathetic to right-wing politics in the country. In recent months, he has been particularly critical of Mumbai police over their handling of the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. He often accused Mumbai police of being lenient in their investigation into the star's death. He has also been critical of the Maharashtra state government, which is run by a coalition headed by regional Shiv Sena party.
Goswami’s Republic Media Network presently owns and operates two channels namely Republic TV in English and Republic Bharat in Hindi. Before Republic TV, Goswami was the editor-in-chief and a news anchor of Times Now and ET Now, from 2006 to 2016.  Previously, he had also served stints at NDTV and The Telegraph. On Times Now, he anchored The Newshour, a live debate at 9 pm weekdays, which propelled him to widespread fame. He also hosted a special television programme Frankly Speaking with Arnab. In November 2016, Goswami resigned as editor-in-chief of Times Now.[His news channel Republic TV was launched in May 2017. His father, Manoranjan Goswami joined the Indian Army in the early 1960s and retired as a colonel after serving in the army for nearly 30 years. Upon retirement, he joined the BJP and was the party's unsuccessful candidate in 1998 Lok Sabha Polls for the Guwahati constituency.
He has been noted for his opinionated reporting[in support of BJP and Hindutva across a wide spectrum of situations  including by uncritical reproduction of government narratives, avoiding criticism of figures from the ruling party and presenting political opponents in a negative light. His, Republic TV has been since compared to North Korean media for its extreme pro-government affinity and muzzling of dissent.  
 

Voting for by-polls in 28 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh has begun today. In December 2018, when Kamalnath led Congress government came to power after three successive election victories for the BJP, it was widely believed that the voters wanted a change. However, this change in Madhya Pradesh was short-lived as senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia crossed over to the BJP along with as many as twenty-five MLAs in March this year. This led to a fall of the Kamal Nath government. Currently, in the 231 seat Madhya Pradesh assembly, the ruling BJP coalition has 111 seats including four independents. To meet the minimum majority mark, the BJP just needs five more seats whereas Congress needs to win all the by-poll seats. It will still need to win twenty-five seats even with the support of SP and BSP MLAs. Furthermore, sixteen of these constituencies are located in the Gwalior-Chambal region which is a Scindia strong-hold. Thus, even at outset, Congress has slim chances of staging a comeback.
A total of 355 candidates, including 12 ministers, are in the fray for bypolls to 28 seats in the state. Around 33,000 security personnel have been deployed in 19 districts where these constituencies fall and all preparations have been made to hold free and fair polls. As many as 9,361 booths have been set up for people to exercise their franchise and out of these, 3,038 are placed under the 'critical' category.
Historically, the Congress has never crossed the figure of 18 seats (of total 34) in the region since Independence. And for the first time in 2018, owing to multiple reasons, Congress and Congress tally went up to 26. One seat went to BSP and seven to BJP. It was a one-way street for Congress. That is a huge way that resulted in the formation of the Congress government.
The party’s victory can largely be attributed to trusting reposed in the Congress by people of Gwalior-Chambal. But Congress could still play spoiler for new BJP entrant Scindia. For the latter, the by-polls represent a major test, particularly since 16 of the 28 seats going to polls are in his Gwalior-Chambal region. That senior Congress neta Digvijaya Singh too has considerable influence in this part of the state means the contest harks back to the old Scindia-Singh rivalry. And if Scindia fails to secure a handsome victory here, it will certainly limit his stature and bargaining power within BJP.
 

A fresh wave of coronavirus infections in Europe is seeing a fresh wave of lockdowns. The one-month lockdown for England announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson this weekend could be extended as Britain struggles to contain a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Kingdom, which has the biggest official death toll in Europe from COVID-19, is grappling with more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases a day and scientists have warned a worst-case scenario of 80,000 dead could be exceeded this winter. Britain has reported 46,717 COVID-19 deaths - defined as those dying within 28 days of a positive test. A broader measure of those with COVID-19 on their death certificates puts the toll at 58,925.

Likewise in France President Emmanuel Macron has introduced November-long shutdown measures saying that the country risked being “overwhelmed by a second wave that no doubt will be harder than the first”. New rounds of tough containment measures are also being seen in Germany, Spain, Italy etc. These are all aimed at averting a winter tragedy.

India’s infection  trajectory is looking comparatively comfortable, with October seeing a fall in daily Covid-19 numbers, and with the most recent good news of the active cases dropping below the 6 lakh mark for three consecutive days after nearly three months (pushing France back to the second spot for daily cases after the US).
India recorded 45,231 new cases of COVId-19 in the last 24 hours, government data shows. The daily case count was 3.6 per cent lower than yesterday's 46,963. With this, the country's overall coronavirus case count since January was past 82.29 lakh. According to the Union Health Ministry, the active COVID-19 cases in the country stand at 5,61,908, while 75,44,798 people have recovered from the disease so far. Part of why India’s tough lockdown hurt its people so painfully is that its government just cannot help out like rich countries.
The easing of restrictions on weddings is believed to be aimed at providing relief to the owners of banquets halls. And it is clear that the unwillingness to restrict or ban other festivities comes from the fear of angering the population. This is the situation much of Europe found itself through the continent’s long summer. Most European countries failed to do the right thing then — and are paying the price now, and scrambling to enforce lockdowns. There is a festival period in India. Necessary steps must be taken to avert winter tragedy.
 

Now that the elections campaigns have been silenced following the scheduled date of the election on Sunday both at MP and Bihar, the nerves are now towards the speculations of the winning over.

One aspect that goes on with the campaigning and appears a good change over the traditional political gimmicks is the shift of focus on the development while Central Lwa Minister Ravishankar Prasad approving the alliance and mentioning of the narrowed travel times in various destinations in Bihar with the advancement of the roads and subsequent reduced surface transport time.

The deficiency in the anarchies like the business of kidnaping and many other such acts that were prevalent before across the state and which have been the subject of the screenplays even of Bollywood.

The reluctance therefore appears in the usual portraying of the big names of RJD and focus towards the development actions could go for better.

MP as well where the by poll elections following exodus of congressmen to BJP happened resulting the step down of Kamnath government and come back of BJP led Shivraj Singh Chauhan Government stated of the similar scene and probable consequences, however, this is better to wait then speculate of the poll results for the actual verdict going to be in the ballot boxes on Tuesday after the voters exercise their franchise and record the verdict for the future to be government in the respective states.

Imperative is a stable government in wither state for the state and the nation’s development.

The pandemic although has indirectly hinted good gestures for evaluation to both the public and people’s representatives.

Hope the right sense will prevail for the better results in the interests mentioned above.

Pakistan Minister Fawad Chaudhry recently claimed that Pakistan was responsible for the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed. The minister made the remarks in the Pak’s Parliament but backtracked after his comment drew flak. “Humne Hindustan ko ghus ke maara (We hit India in their home),” Chaudhry said in Pakistan’s National Assembly. “Our success in Pulwama is a success of the people under the leadership of Imran Khan.” The remark triggered an uproar in the Assembly. The admission must also be placed in the larger context of the political debate taking place inside Pakistan, where the PML(N) has directly criticised the army and ISI for their blatant interference in politics.
Pulwama attack is one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred. The Pulwama attack happened on February 14, 2019, when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. The attack also left many critically wounded.
The Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed the responsibility for the attack. The police had identified the suicide bomber as Adil Ahmed alias Waqas Commander from Kakapora in Pulwama.
The NIA’s investigation also revealed that Pakistan used Adil Ahmad Dar, the suicide bomber who rammed the CRPF convoy on February 14, because it wanted to project the attack as a result of a home-grown militancy against “India’s occupation of Kashmir”.
Given this state of play, New Delhi must cultivate as many friends abroad as possible. Signing BECA with the US on top of previous logistics agreements, standing with France which has suffered terror attacks, inviting Australia to participate in the Malabar exercises, are steps in the right direction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and the world are facing challenges from those who support terrorism openly. He said the Pulwama terror attack truth was revealed after claims in Pakistan parliament.
Pakistan has been at war with neighbour India several times since independence in 1947. Former US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis had once described Pakistan as the most dangerous country in the world, warning of that the rising threat of radicalisation in the nuclear-armed country.  Pakistan, a country of 200 million with a sizeable nuclear arsenal, has been plagued by militant groups and a radicalised society could spell problems in the future. 
 

The constitution has allowed the freedom of speech the purpose is to ensure that all might bring their own thought and are free to infer and make a mention.

How sedition may be imposed just for raising question as in case of Uttarakhand’s journalists opens a new vista for the probing and subsequent implementation?

The cases of people’s harassment on their views against the state decision or against certain objectionable traditions etc. are often implied and the subject is meaninglessly victimized for his making a point of view which indeed might throw a new light on the year’s perception for the better of the civilization even.

Hon’ble High Court in a case has quashed suitably a case of sedition with this comment only that preventing citizens in expressing their ideas is instrumental in debilitating the democracy and its prime objective, which is undoubtedly well stated.

Most of the people therefore keep suffering and in the fear of getting the subject of victimization do not share at times even the most brilliant ideas that could go a long way for the national interest.

Expressions over social media do require the regulation yet not to escape from the realities that are brought forth to show mirror to the authorities

Criticizing the incumbent must not be termed as sedition the Hon’ble court has clearly spelt out and quashed it.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right but must be sensibly adhered to.
 

A man wielding a knife on Thursday killed three people in an attack at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Nice in southern France. The suspect, a Tunisian national, has been arrested in the attack which President Emmanuel Macron has described as an Islamist terrorist attack. Follow events as they unfolded in our liveblog. The assailant was shot by police and taken to hospital. This is not the first terrorist attack that has coincided with a major religious or national holiday in the French Riviera city.
 This latest attack happens at a key time in various religious calendars. The day of the attack itself, October 29, marks the official birthday of the Prophet Mohammed and, in the Catholic Church, November 1 is known as ‘Toussaint’ or All Saint’s Day.
We must unequivocally stand behind President Emmanuel Macron to uphold the democratic values of freedom of expression, activity at the heart of knowledge, freedom of conscience, human dignity and equality between men and women. It also applauds Mr Macron’s plan weeks before to draft a law to fight “Islamist separatism” which will counter the favouring of personal laws over France’s republican values that adversely affect women’s rights. So far, these have been compromised by putative liberals and in the very name of multiculturalism. And that is ironical, as human rights are a universal declaration (Paris, 1948). Macron defended the cartoons and the right to mock religion, sparking widespread anger against France in the Islamic world and several campaigns in Muslim-majority countries to boycott French products. France will not "give up on our values," Macron said in Nice, after a Tunisian migrant went on a near half-hour rampage with a 30-centimetre (12-inch) knife, targeting people praying in the southern city's Notre-Dame basilica.
Sadly, A few hours after a knife-wielding man shouting “Allahu Akbar” beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a suspected terrorist act at a church in the French city of Nice on Thursday, former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad said Muslims had the right to punish the French. In a tweet, Mahathir wrote, “Muslims have the right to be angry and kill millions of French for the massacres of the past. The French should teach their people to respect other people’s feelings.”
The recent attacks are reminders of the tensions in France's secular society, which frequently extols the values of free speech and freedom to practice religion. France is home to 5 million Muslims, many of whom live in poorer areas and are often marginalized in politics and media. The vast majority of those does not support Islamic extremism but often face unfair stereotypes.
The Nice attack was condemned by India, Turkey, Britain, The Netherlands, the Vatican and the European Commission. PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the people of France. India stands with France in the fight against terrorism.”
France has a long and cherished tradition of freedom of expression, and there can be no justification for attacking cartoonists or journalists for what they say or draw.
 

Sharad Purnima (also known as Kojagiri Purnima, or Kaumudi Purnima) is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin. This year it will be celebrated on October 30. It is believed that the Moon shines with all sixteen Kala(s) on Sharad Purnima. As per the beliefs in Hinduism, each human quality is associated with a certain kala, and it is believed that the combination of all the sixteen kala(s) creates a perfect human personality. Lord Krishna, who is considered as the complete incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is believed to have been born with all the sixteen kala(s). 
As per another common belief, on this day, the moon rays drip nectar, so people prepare rice-kheer and leave it in the moonlight for the whole night, and in the next morning, it is distributed as prasad.  As per astrology, the Moon is closest to earth on this day. Its rays possess nourishing elements and healing properties that nourish our body and soul. It drips nectar as devotees keep 'Kheer' in the moonlight for the entire night.
Typically there are 12 Full Moons in an English calendar. However, if there occurs a blue moon, when there are 2 full moons in one month, there can be up to 13 purnimas a year. The Kojagari Purnima concerns the observance of the Kojagara Vrata. People perform this Vrata under the moonlight after fasting for the day. Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, is significantly worshipped on this day as it is believed to be her birthday. The devotee breaks the fast at night by taking parched rice and milk after offering them to the moon-god. It is said in these Puranas that Goddess Lakshmi takes rounds of the earth to watch the actions of human beings during this night.
According to Ayurveda, the `pitta' or acidity aggravates at the end of the monsoon season. This is the reason why cooling foods are recommended to neutralise the pitta and balance it. The consumption of cold milk and rice flakes is supposed to be a good remedy for pitta.
In the Brij region, the areas around Uttar Pradesh's Mathura and Vrindaban, Sharad Purnima is also referred to as Raas Purnima. People in this region believe that Lord Krishna danced with the Gopis of Vrindaban on this day. It is called the Maha Raas. Many in the country, especially in West Bengal, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and refer to this festival as Kojagari Purnima. The devotees pray for the prosperity of their households.  In Odisha, Sharad Purnima is referred to as Kumar Purnima. As a part of the celebration, on this day, virgin girls, fast for the whole day, worships Lord Kartikeya for a suitable groom, and open their fast after worshipping the moon in the evening.
May Maa Laxmi come into your home and bless you with prosperity on this Sharad Purnima.
 

Politics has always been building on the opportunities and circumstances, the ensuing elections of Bihar or by elections of MP all are promoted based on the circumstantial benefits.
Well we may put this as timely decision or change in the thought process too.
Tejasvi focusing on employment in Bihar nevertheless the popular concept of politicking there may be a kind of paradigm over there at Bihar politics.
MP nothing new that you witness the shift of the responsibilities and blame game with unparliamentarily words could be heard in the air.
Similarly, another precedence is set at the election time in India is with the association of USA with the signing of defense deal that can be of assistance in all the three defense forces in preventing the malafide intents of  other countries.
The step forward here is considered rather clearly points towards the luring technique of the privileged Indian group residing in USA during the election that are foreseen to be an interesting one with the close fight and mention of outside forces intervention that could be the influencing or rather decisive factor during the forthcoming polls there at the united states of America. However the deal could benefit India it seems.
The defense and the foreign minister of USA have visited India in order to sign the deal that is expected and of significance in view of the defense.
The allegation against china at either country being instrumental of spreading the coved 19 world over and the inflammatory speech of our Kashmiri leaders to seek guidance of the china for revolving the article 35A and article 370 and recognizing the Indian flag only after the restoration of the same is all to lure the local dynamics and with clear intention of the vested interest keeping no national interest in the mind.
Politics is all about the managing the current circumstances for the vested immediate interest with no long term benefit plan of national interest.This is sad but the fact and is world over.
 

Polling began Wednesday morning in 71 assembly constituencies of Bihar in the first phase of three-phase elections amid tight security and COVID-19 guidelines in place. Of the total 2,14,84,787 electors eligible to exercise the franchise, 1,12,76,396 are male voters, 1,01,29,101 are female electors and 599 are in third gender category, according to data provided by the Election Commission. There are 78,691 service electors. A total of 1,066 candidates -- 952 men and 114 women -- are in the fray in the first phase of elections being held in constituencies spread across 16 districts.
The 2020 assembly election in Bihar has taken an interesting turn. The competition between top national and regional parties, the rift within existing alliances, the discourse around jobs, and most importantly, the focus on Nitish Kumar’s record have made the polls complex. Indeed, it is difficult to predict which key electoral issue is going to influence voters most deeply. No Assembly election in Bihar can be said to be imbued with deeper political meaning, especially considering the sharp political cleavage which is on view in our national politics, than the three-stage poll for which the first votes are to be cast today. Also, in no other election in recent memory in the state are the challengers being billed to be in with a chance.
This was considered quite inconceivable only a few weeks ago. It was widely believed that opponents of the NDA government of JD(U)-BJP helmed by chief minister Nitish Kumar, try as hard as they might, had no one to project who could even remotely match the CM in leadership qualities.
No doubt, much has happened in Bihar over these last 15 years. No one can deny the improvement in governance from earlier days when kidnappings in broad daylight were considered almost a legitimate enterprise. While the NDA in Bihar had its own hiccup several years ago, it overcame that. And how Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) will fare after it has now whimsically gone solo is something to be watched. In the meantime, Congress has slipped precipitously and is now little more than a bit player in the state.
Many BJP leaders have issued somewhat unconvincing clarifications that the LJP is not part of the NDA in the state. Modi’s silence on this issue in his campaign speeches on Friday has also deepened speculation over that there could be a tacit understanding between the BJP and LJP. There is no doubt that the PM is popular among the voters and, therefore, the LJP may be trying to use this to its advantage, despite the BJP’s protestations that it has asked the LJP to refrain from doing so. These developments pose a challenge for Nitish Kumar who is facing anti-incumbency after 15 years in power.
Guidelines have been issued by the Commission for the safe conduct of the electoral exercise in the midst of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines include lowering the maximum number of voters for a polling booth from 1,600 to 1,000, staggering the polling hours and extending postal ballot facility to those above 80. Besides, sanitisation of electronic voting machines, wearing of masks and other protective gear by polling personnel and the availability of thermal scanner, hand sanitiser, soap and water has also to be ensured at polling stations.
 

Speaking at the Sangh’s annual Vijayadashami rally Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said India needs to be more powerful than China in terms of military preparedness. India needs to be militarily better prepared against China.
China today is India’s biggest strategic-security challenge and its ability to hector neighbouring countries stems from its meteoric economic and military growth. Moreover, India, with close to 18% of the world’s population, generates only 3% of its GDP. It can certainly aspire to a ramping up of its economic strength. China encroached on our borders amid the pandemic. The world knows the expansionist nature of that country. Taiwan and Vietnam are examples of Chinese expansionist designs.
Bhagwat is also right in suggesting that New Delhi’s response to Beijing’s aggressive moves may have given the latter pause. India is a proud nation with a professional military, which Beijing seriously underestimated when it expected a subservient approach from New Delhi. 
Given that the BJP derives its ideological inspiration from the RSS, and there is a close degree of coordination between the government, the party, and the larger “ideological family”, the speech has assumed even greater importance since 2014.  Bhagwat said India is a Hindu Rashtra and Hindutva is the essence of the country’s selfhood. He said when the RSS says Hindustan is a Hindu Rashtra, it does not have any political or power-centred concept in its mind. According to him, the term Hindutva has been distorted by appending a ritualistic connotation to it. Bhagwat said the Sangh believes the term is applicable to all 1.3 billion people in the country who call themselves the sons and daughters of Bharatvarsh...and who are proud of the heritage of their ancestors.
In his address to a small gathering of swayamsevaks at the RSS’s annual Vijayadashami event that was shrunk by restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic this year, Bhagwat threw his weight behind the central government on the three contentious farm laws and virtually endorsed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s theory of an “international conspiracy” against the state government — even though he did not directly mention either the new laws or the Hathras incident, both of which triggered powerful protests.
On other hands, the Shiv Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday, said through the CM’s speech on Dussehra, the true meaning of Hindutva reached the whole country.“The Hindutva of the BJP revolves around gomata and this has caused a lot of bloodshed in the country,” the Saamana editorial read. "Veer Savarkar had a different opinion on this. He was not ready to consider cow as a symbol of Hindutva," the Sena said. In an editorial, the Sena wrote, “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has a scientific approach. He knows praying inside temple won't take away coronavirus. If temples are open, there will be crowd and coronavirus will spread.”
 

The recent announcement of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the Assembly election campaign trail in Bihar on Thursday that the BJP would offer free anti-COVID-19 vaccines to everyone in Bihar is apt to be seen as a con by the people of the state.
Singling out a state and steering the vaccine conversation from identifying who needs it on priority in any part of the country to who should get it as a poll promise amounts to fiddling with the management of an unprecedented public health emergency. Within hours of the BJP, ruling both at the Centre and in Patna, releasing its manifesto, the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, which goes to the polls next year, and BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced free coronavirus vaccination for poor. This is just the beginning. There will be genuine apprehensions in various state capitals about whether the Centre plans to dilute a national vaccine management plan. If Bihar is to get the Covid vaccine free, will other states also get it free? Has the cost of this been calculated? If the zero-price favour is only for the state going to the polls, then it is clearly an enticement. More, there is also the question of all states having equal status in the eyes of the Centre.
What’s noteworthy is that only the ruling party could have made such a statement and not its opponents. The Election Commission will therefore be called upon to see if this is a violation of the principle of each party being offered a level playing field.
Top labs and top scientists in the world have made contradictory observations on this matter, although some governments, including our own, have chosen the seemingly reassuring way and hinted that we should have the cure in the bag early next year. Here too the basis is purely political, with not a shred of science attaching to it.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly assured that there will be no shortage of funds for the gigantic undertaking of vaccinating the second most populous country after China. On the eve of the festival season, he even warned citizens that the disease was still active and present, and they would be putting their own lives and those of their family members at risk if they were irresponsible about safety measures. Why BJP is choosing to make vaccination an election issue.

The interesting and close contesting of elections in The US states about many changing systems even in advanced countries where the inferences of voters now are getting fixed even by the foreign intervention which was not that influential as never been reported before.

These days we often observe the exit polls influenced by many such parameters. Although paradoxical, yet this fact is there that often motivates the final decisions of the voters who ultimately exercise their franchise getting carried away with such influences.

Ex-president Obama’s claim of China’s mediation and Trump's allegation that Biden and his son hunter have financial involvement in Chinese enterprises and so in turn is alleged for Mr. Trump too.

US has alleged involvement of IRAN and Russia pointing to the indulgence of the Past president Obama who is fielding opposition to Mr. Trump.

Trump had taken over the reins from Mr. Obama after the public verdict went in his favour the businessman politician Trump who accepts that his mannerism may not sound like a politician for he is not basically which he added in the similar alleged context.

Interesting is now to have understood the indulgence of Iran and Russia in the fray by entering through knowing the registration of the electioneering process this is debated.

Which although being clearly denied by both stating that this allegation is unfounded, having no substance we have no business with US Elections as is being unnecessarily alleged.

The final scene of the public verdict following even the third proposed debate might be decisive yet this is interesting to take a note that otherwise alert US public opinion also has certain influences this is something to contend with.
 

The Labour Party's win in the recent general elections in New Zealand emphasises the achievements of  Jacinda Ardern’s leadership. If Ardern is one of the most respected world leaders today, it has something to do with the fact that she plays by her rules in traditional bastions of strongmen. At 37, Jacinda Arden was one of the youngest female prime ministers in the world, who discovered her pregnancy a few days after taking charge. A year later in 2018, she was attending the United Nations General Assembly with her three-month-old. Exuding a sense of confidence and composure while making 'unobvious' choices, she came to be seen as a leader of the modern age. 
Jacinda Ardern was expected to return to power. What has surprised the political pundits, however, is the massive public endorsement for Ms Ardern and her policies. Her Labour Party has won over 49 per cent of the vote — it has received the biggest ever mandate since New Zealand adopted the proportional representation system — and is expected to take over half the seats in Parliament. The electoral outcome can be explained by Ms Ardern’s decisive leadership and bold management of crises, be it the coronavirus pandemic or sectarian violence.
When most countries were struggling to implement strategies that could stop the spread of the infection, her government enforced a strict lockdown and closed the borders and began a rigorous process of testing and contact tracing. The lockdown was eventually lifted in June, with the World Health Organization offering high praise to the government's efforts to eliminate the virus and citing it as an example to the rest of the world. As on October 19, New Zealand has reported a positive case after 22 days of no new cases.
The virus may be down in New Zealand but it is not quite out; the economic costs of the pandemic have also been substantial. Ms Ardern, now saddled with greater expectations, cannot afford to slip on these battlefronts. Then, there is the worsening climate crisis, an issue that is central to Ms Ardern’s politics.
Ms Arden, who came to power in 2017 by forming a coalition with the Greens and the nationalist New Zealand First party, faced unprecedented challenges in her first term, from the Christchurch terrorist attack and White Island volcanic eruption to the COVID-19 outbreak. She herself had turned the polls into a de facto referendum on her government’s handling of the pandemic by calling it the ‘COVID election’.  New Zealand, home to over five million, recorded just 25 deaths—one of the lowest fatality rates in the world. It has eliminated community transmission by imposing strict lockdowns and brought back relative normalcy before the election.
 

The economic impact of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in India has been largely disruptive. India's growth in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2020 went down to 3.1% according to the Ministry of Statistics. The Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India said that this drop is mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic effect on the Indian economy. Notably, India had also been witnessing a pre-pandemic slowdown, and according to the World Bank, the current pandemic has "magnified pre-existing risks to India's economic outlook".
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report on Tuesday. The previous WEO was released in April this year when the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic implications were still being evaluated. The report gives the economic forecast on a host of indicators up to 2025. While these numbers are subject to revision even in the short-term horizon, it is worth comparing India’s post-pandemic economic trajectory with that of other South Asian countries -- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan -- and with China, the only emerging market economy that is bigger than India. For the Indian economy, private consumption and investment are the two biggest engines for growth. During the first quarter of 2020, private consumption ? accounting for 59% of India’s GDP ? declined by 27%, while investments by private businesses fell by 47%. India’s net exports turned positive due to sharp compression in imports. During the quarter, government spending increased by 16%, but it was not adequate to compensate for the decline suffered by other engines of growth. Except for agriculture, all the major sectors of the economy were badly hit. Significantly, labour-intensive sectors such as construction, real estate, retail trade, transport and manufacturing contracted sharply during this quarter.
Interestingly, The Chinese economy has expanded by 4.9 per cent in the third quarter of this year at a juncture when recovery for a large number of countries seems like a distant dream. Parts of Europe, in fact, are considering the re-imposition of lockdowns with France already implementing a night curfew in Paris. In the debate on lockdowns for the sake of public health versus economic growth, it is critical that countries aim at stamping out the virus first. It is indeed a Catch-22 and only a visible end to the scourge will resolve the impasse. Allowing activity to resume with a few restrictions will bring back growth as we are seeing in countries such as China and Vietnam. The Vietnamese government implemented a low-cost model of tracing and isolating infected cases early in February, which proved effective in containing the spread of the infection. With just 59 active cases and mortality rate among the lowest in the world, the Vietnamese economy has bounced back fairly quickly. Growth for the July-September quarter was 2.6 per cent, fuelled largely by surging exports. China, on the other hand, remains an exception among the large economies. Not only is it growing, but has nearly returned to pre-Covid level. The malls are bustling with activity, tourist sites are mobbed during holidays, and vehicular movement is bumper to bumper during rush hours. While India’s per capita GDP (in current dollars) will fall below Bangladesh’s in 2020-21, it will overtake it marginally once again in 2021-22. India’s per capita GDP is significantly less than that of Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the South Asia region. With a dip in India’s per capita GDP trajectory, Bangladesh will enjoy almost similar per capita GDP levels as India’s up to 2025.
 

India is at the crossroads. If caution is not exercised and safety protocols are not followed, the numbers of cases of COVID-19 could shoot up again. However, the numbers of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28 and crossed 70 lakh on October 11. A committee of scientists appointed by the government recently said that coronavirus in India may have already peaked and infection will likely “run its course” by February 2021.
Addressing to the Nation on Tuesday, PM Modi sensitised the public over the coronavirus pandemic and laxity of safety measures during the festive season. He exhorted the masses to diligently adhere to Covid protocols. Invoking legendary poets of ‘Bhakti’ movement such as Sant Kabir and Tulsidas, PM Modi stressed on the public awareness about wearing masks and social distancing.  Prime Minister’s address to the Nation comes at a time when the country is witnessing a decline in the daily number of Covid-19 cases and better recovery. The economy too is picking up with many indicators suggesting a positive trend with the start of the festive season.
The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow on Durga Puja festivities across India. In West Bengal, the celebrations will be muted too, with many organisers taking a range of measures, as per the state’s “General Guidelines for Durga Puja 2020”. However, there is unhappiness in certain quarters over Monday’s Calcutta High Court (HC) order that banned visitors from pandals and ordered police to set up barricades outside structures that have attracted thousands of devotees already. On Tuesday, the Durgotsav Forum, an umbrella organisation of Kolkata’s 400 biggest pujas, filed a review petition against the order. The Calcutta HC order barring crowds at Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata is the best the judiciary could have done under the prevailing circumstances. The Bengal government must fully implement the court order, instead of the strange ambivalence on display.
The festival season has a large socio-economic footprint, but this year it may be best to express faith privately. Therefore, wearing a mask and keeping social distance is must during this festival season. Remember, Do Gaj Ki Doori, Mask Hai Jaroori!

The Punjab Government has tabled three bills. The Bills passed by the Assembly are  Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection)

Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020,

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation)

(Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020, together with the Essential Commodities (Special Provisions and Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2020.

The CM Punjab Amrinder Singh mentioned that the farm bills enacted by the government of India are basically for crony capitalism and not in the interest of the farmers.

Farmers shall be devoid of their wishful right.

This is to be recalled that the lone central minister from Akali Dal resigned following the enactment of farmer’s bill after suitably staging protest for the bill and thus withdrawn support from the central government.

Nevertheless, the dal withdrawn the central government adhered its stand on the farmer’s bill stating that the middleman enjoy lions share and thus the right of the farmers are vested.

While Akali dal stated of the reverse and opposed that this bill shall be of assistance to the capitalists and the small farmer’s interest shall be defeated with enactment of the bill.

State legislative assembly thus has annulled the central bill and is all set to promulgate an ordinance to the effect in order to ensure the minimum support price which is the prerogative of the farmers and they must get it.

The three bills and the proposed electricity bills shun the interest of the farmers, and are termed as the trade bills by CM Punjab not the farmer’s bill.

This is therefore demanded to see to it that the same is ensured for all the welfare of the small farmers who might get deprived of the new proposed arrangements.

This is also urged that the central government be continue to procure the food grain through the FCI and similar agencies.

Politics looks at the convenience over the welfare of the people that is what may be concluded with such actions.

The opposition off course is of significance absence of which does make the incumbent rigid and therefore the watchdog must be the right role for the opposition yet the opposition for the sake of opposition appears simply a formality or points towards the vested interests.

Is not it good to support at times certain bitter decisions that appear apparently in the larger benefits of the people.

Time perhaps is decisive.

Often when this is referred that immediately after the independence the standard of political debates whether during the parliament sessions or even when the public meetings are addressed the mention of the opposition always used to be with decency.
The disparaging mentions now a days that we often come across, irrespective of any political party often puts under the suspicion that is this the class of today’s politicking?
The kind of the attacks often are made and an attempt of justifying those from public forum indicates the serious implications and points towards serious inferences for the future politicians.
It’s certainly not the right precedence’s that are set by the most senior politicians in the recent past and the kind of war erupted recently and the shameful justification of the incidences.
Derogative remarks irrespective of the gender itself is not acceptable and if this is for women then this alerts that the kind of mentions might perhaps only now pollute the existing environment where bringing down and tarnishing the images only are the prime object.
TV Debates have crossed alal the limits of decency where instigation only appears to be the right method of putting the opinions across.
The kind of languages used during such discussions by the panelists and the attempt of the moderator as well does not appear to arrest the efforts of propagation rather seems that the summing up of the so called debate might give rise to the inflammatory speeches later.
Every activity boils down only to the vote politics and perhaps for the incremental trps as is evident from the recent incidences of the similar context.
Need of the hour is to see this in right perspective for the better representations of the individual interests.
World over the scene appears to be of the similar kind, be it India or USA, the indecent gestures, propagations, are there in the air. It’s now really tough to ascertain whether this is the statement of disgruntled or those who claim their right full deserve for the position and wish to drive the franchise to their favor.
It’s alarming and said that no senior leadership is trying to put an end to it rather putting fuel into it for flames to rise up.
Point to seriously look into and implement, not to overlook for ensuring a  better political class.
 

A virtual meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary scheduled for Oct 21-23 will decide if Pakistan should be excluded from its ‘grey list’, based on a review of Islamabad’s performance to meet global commitments and standards on the fight against money laundering and terror financing (ML&TF).
FATF put Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 and gave Islamabad a final deadline in February 2020 to implement the remaining 13 out of 27 action points by June 2020, but the deadline was extended up to September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once called Pakistan an ‘international migraine’. The failure to fulfil six key obligations of FATF only indicates Islamabad’s lack of commitment in the fight against money laundering and terror financing. Terror groups operating from its soil continue to be provided immunity.
The virtual plenary of the FATF from October 21 to 23 is likely to retain the country on its grey list. However, if the adverse economic ramifications the tag entails have not pushed Pakistan to mend its ways till now, there is little hope that the desired global standards would be met in the future. FATF’s ability to secure concrete results is under the scanner. On July 28, the Pakistan government reported to parliament compliance with 14 points of the 27-point action plan and with 10 of the 40 recommendations of the FATF.
Pakistan has been repeatedly red-flagged on issues of terror financing and for not acting against proscribed persons and entities but to no avail. According to sources, there is still no consensus amongst the 39-member FATF, which includes the US, UK, France, Germany, China and Russia, to blacklist Pakistan, despite its failure to meet its original deadline in September 2019, which would mean the group maintain status quo and continue Pakistan on ‘grey list’ until February 2021. Unless non-cooperative regimes are made to pay a high cost for their inaction, mere listings will be inconsequential. Islamabad’s expectation of being let off lightly for playing a favourable role in the US-Taliban peace agreement only points to the need for a more effective FATF.
 

Election campaigns for by-elections on 28 seats in Madhya Pradesh have reached at its peak as the senior leaders from both the parties levelling allegations and counter-alliterations against each other.  In the 230-member MP assembly, the BJP has 107 seats while the Congress has been reduced to 89 seats after 25 MLAs resigned and joined the BJP. 
 Addressing a poll meeting on Sunday in Gwalior’s Dabra town, where the Congress is up against Imarti Devi, who switched over to the BJP, Nath said his party candidate was a “simple person” unlike his opponent who is an “item”. Devi, a loyalist of former Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia whose rebellion brought down the Congress government in March, will have to win an election to validate her stay in office. 
BJP took strong exception to the ‘derogatory’ remarks by Nath against the woman minister and moved the Election Commission demanding to bar him from campaigning in the November 3 by-elections to 28 assembly constituencies in the state. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed shock and dismay at Kamal Nath’s ‘outrageous’ utterances against a woman minister, saying it smacked of his arrogance and narrow mindset.
Chouhan said, “Imarti Devi hailed from a poor Dalit family and worked as a labourer in her early period before becoming MLA and then minister. Nath dared to insult her only because she hailed from a poor family”.  It may be noted that Imarti Devi had also made a controversial statement in recent past in which she claimed that an election could be won by the BJP by just calling up the collector of the district in which the constituency falls. Her statement had sparked a controversy. Moreover, the MP Congress has approached the Election Commission seeking removal of 14 non- MLA ministers from the state BJP government for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by misusing their ministerial positions ahead of the 3 November bypolls.
Earlier in July 2013, another Congress veteran and former chief minister Digvijay Singh triggered a row by calling his party colleague and former MP Meenakshi Natrajan, as ‘sau tunch maal’- a northern colloquial that loosely translates into a “desirable object”. By-elections for 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly seats will be held on November 3 and the counting of votes will be held on November 10.

Navaratri, also called Sharadey Navaratri or Navratri, is a major Hindu festival that is celebrated by Hindus around the world and in India over a span of nine nights every year. Navratri has a different significance all over India and is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin. Technically, it is observed for nine nights and 10 days, during which, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped.  The festival begins on the first day of Ashwin lunar month with ghatasthapana. Kalash, which is installed during ghatasthapana, is immersed in a water body on the tenth day.
The nine nights celebrate and worship the nine forms of Durga. As such, it begins with Shailaputri puja, followed by Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Sidhidatri. Each of these goddesses — through an avatar of the goddess-supreme Durga — have their own powers and personalities.

Goddess Durga was created to combat the evil demon Mahishasura. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came together to create a powerful female form with ten arms, and when Durga emerged from the waters of the holy Ganga as a spirit, she was given a physical form by all the gods put together. Her face was created by Lord Shiva and her torso crafted by Indra. Her breasts were made by Chandra and her teeth by Brahma. The lower part of her body was made by Bhudevi, Varuna sculpted her thighs and knees, and Agni created the Goddess’s eyes. Thus she was a supreme power created with a combination of the powers of all the other gods. So was born Goddess Durga or ‘Mahamaya’, the Great Mother of the Universe, who ensures creation, preservation and destruction of evil forces in the universe.
The word ‘Durga’ in Sanskrit means a fort or a secure and protected place. Another name for Durga is Durgatinashini which means ‘the one who eliminates suffering’. Her name thus indicates her role as the one who protects her devotees and removes evil from the world. There are numerous incarnations of Durga including Kali, Bhagvati, Bhavani, Ambika, Lalita, Gauri, Kandalini, Java, Meenakshi and Kamakshi, among others. Durga is the incarnation as the all-powerful one with the combined power of all the divine beings.
Additionally, though it is the same festival, it is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. For instance in West Bengal, the celebrations start on the sixth day, as part of the Durga Puja festivities. In Karnataka, the ninth day of Navratri is observed as Ayudha Puja.
 

Bhanu Athaiya the renowned costume designer who bagged the prestigious Oscar award for notable work in Gandhi.

Before her selection for Gandhi as costume designer she was noticed by the yester years popular Bollywood actress Kamini kaushal .

She is famous for her prolific and aesthetic work from films like Saheb biwi Gulam the classic, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and cult movies Sangam, Guide Shri 420, Vaqt,LAGAN, etc.

Richard Atenbaro had once said it took me to figure out My plans for Gandhi for 15 years and just fifteen minutes to think over the name of the costume designer and none other than Mrs. Bhanu Athaiya appeared in the mind for the innovative job for Gandhi.

She was meticulous and diligent and always used to pick up her threads after the research. She visited old mansions of Calcutta before truly imagining the costume for Saheb Biwi aur Ghulam.

Her aesthetic sense speaks loudly in black and white and colored movies equally well.

An apt artist with simple personality and nature bhanu ji is well known personality and had decided after long thought and returned her Oscar to academy of motion pictures los angeles with this thought that perhaps the prestigious award shall be in safe hands.

She decided on the same knowing about the loss of the Nobel medal of Gurudev Ravindra nath Tagore.

She expressed concern with the poor reciprocation of the nation towards the preservation of the national heritages so she decided to return the Oscar to the right hands for its safe custody.

This is also erroneous; she had once stated that she never was considered for Padma shri while she bagged an international award but why we wait for others to acknowledge our work can we respect our deserved individual for their rightful appreciation she stated once.

It's indeed a great loss to the Bollywood of her demise and she would always be remembered with respect for her great work and concern for the authenticity of the assigned objective for the creation of a particular period in the movie.

Few are left now who consider their work as worship; she remains alive as one of those revered individuals.
 

With Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja around the corner, there is concern about Covid numbers spiking as people drop the use of all safety norms. Large gatherings are already happening. A shopping rush has already started in all cities, and images from the city's key market areas show huge crowds where many people have even ditched the mask. The country on Sunday crossed the 70-lakh mark in the overall number of covid cases and stands slightly behind the US, which is the worst sufferer, logging more than 76 lakh cases.
The authorities, for example, have found it impossible to enforce any limits on the number of people attending functions.  The sheer scale of demand makes social distancing an impossible goal. For many people, especially those living a cramped existence in urban areas, a daily trip to the bazaar offers a respite from the drudgery of existence.
Still, cash-short state governments are reluctant to stop people from venturing out during Durga Puja, next week, and Diwali in mid-November. The holidays are celebrated with family gatherings, bumper buying and the giving of gifts, from sweets and snacks to clothes and cars, generating vital income for many people.
Some doctors have accused politicians of undermining public health out of fear of upsetting religious sentiments, while the Union health minister has warned the situation will worsen if social distancing and other rules are not followed.  India has reported more than 7.3 million coronavirus infections and more than 1,12,000 deaths, though the rate of increase has slowed in recent weeks.
In his heart-rending message to the people, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said "No religious leaders of any religion say that festivals should be celebrated by putting lives in danger... no Gods say you need to go to big pandals to pray. If you know there is a fire outside and you still go out in the fire in the name of religion -- what's the point of such festivals," the minister said in a strong message. Therefore, people must follow the health guidelines and social-distancing while celebrating the festivals.

The nation is observing former President late APJ Abdul Kalam’s 89th birth anniversary today. Presidents come and go. But the institution persists. However, certain presidents earn an image larger than the institution. Kalam was certainly not a traditional president. With his long hair and easy manner, he seemed to feel that he was one of the masses. He was a man of science, in a country steeped in superstition.
Kalam (Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam) was born on October 15, 1931, at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. His life as a student was very challenging filled with hardships and struggles. There was a time when he had to sell newspapers from door to door to support his family and education. His commitment and love for education was such that he overcame all hardships and achieved excellence not only in academics; but also held the highest constitutional post in India. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam will remain an inspiration and role model for generations to come. He was truly ‘People’s President’. He was so popular among masses and perhaps the secret of his popularity lies in his humaneness.
In 2012, almost five years after he ceased being President, Reliance along with Outlook, CNN-IBN and The History Channel conducted a poll to identify the greatest Indian after Gandhi. Kalam ranked first in the market survey result and second in the online polls.
The reason for Kalam’s popularity may also be because of his unique syncretism. A devout Muslim, and follower of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, he often quoted verses from the Bhagavad Gita. His favourite character was Vidura from the Mahabharata whom he liked for his simplicity and steadfastness to principles. At the same time, he lived by the ideal of Caliph Omar that all men are equal before the eyes of God. He was comfortable reciting the Koran as well as playing the Rudra veena.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam headed multiple nuclear tests at Pokhran. As the Chief Scientific Adviser to the then Prime Minister, Dr Kalam played a major role in heading the Pokhran-II nuclear tests. The nuclear tests under the supervision of Dr Kalam, during July 1992 to December 1999, made India a nuclear power. Dr Kalam led India's two major science research organisations - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). For his work on AGNI and PRITHVI, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was fondly called the 'Missile Man of India'
 

Education system of India often poses many questions yet no academician appears interested to give a satisfactory answer to that.

The kind of fierce competition that students face now often gives a feeling that  the generation of today’s facilitators might also find this difficult to get through the exams, the question papers of which are obviously mostly set by many of them.

The chances of even the brilliant students of admission is under cloud, forget the average and poor students.

The mania of certain specific institutes multiply the competition to a greater height which  appears simply funny yet all perhaps aspire for few select universities or colleges.

Universities, colleges assessing the eligibility by virtue of certain fixed parameters and the percentage as ascertained for the suitability of the probable candidates have gone up to as high as 100% these days as is learned that Delhi university wishes to keep the same for their merit list and even is planning a competitive exam for the entrance. The rat race brings no quality worth whatsoever entrance tests or the high percentage expectations.

100% Cut off seems inaccessible to the majority of the students freeing them with their broken dreams and shattered hope for the future.

Gradation system too has complicated the system for the assessment wherein the kind of percentages and grades have mislead and thus are  truly inflated kind of gradation sparing to no good for the aspirants with whatever good preparation they are with for the appearance in the exams.

Is not it a cause to ponder with in the interest of the majority of those laborious,ambitious,and deserving students that their true potential needs an assessment which is always based on the understanding level commensurate with its application standards otherwise holding mark sheet any impressive at the first glance shall keep proving that the educational system seriously needs a serious survey and  replacements at all the responsible positions for an honest address of the issue otherwise the tough days are ahead for each one of us.

Time to plan and address as the emergency is on its way to put a break on economy, usval interest of the

Leading Bollywood filmmakers have filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against "irresponsible reporting by certain media houses", in the latest fallout of the Sushant Singh Rajput investigation. Some of the film industry's biggest names, including Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra and Farhan Akhtar, have come together in the unprecedented legal action against two channels - Republic TV and Times Now. The suit has been filed against Republic TV, and Arnab Goswami and Pradeep Bhandari of the channel; and Times Now and its top faces Rahul Shivshankar and Navika Kumar. The channels used "highly derogatory words and expressions for Bollywood", said the producers, listing terms like "dirt", "filth", "scum" and "druggies" used over the past few months.
While some say all the perfumes of Arabia cannot take away the stench and the stink of this filth and scum of the underbelly of Bollywood, actress Kangana Ranaut claims the film industry runs on an unwritten rule of 'you hide my dirty secrets I will hide yours,' in response to top Bollywood filmmakers and producers moving the Delhi high court against media houses and journalists for 'defaming the industry.'
The film industry has been in the spotlight over a drugs probe linked to the investigations into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput on June 14. Amid revelations of drug chats on phones, stars and their parties have been subjected to searing, no-holds-barred media scrutiny.
The case is significant for two distinct reasons. One, it will throw open the question of free speech and its limits. While it is tempting to frame the issue only in terms of free expression — and media platforms must be allowed to publish and broadcast all forms of investigative stories and diverse views — the fact is that this right to free speech comes with a degree of responsibility as constitutionally stipulated. To accuse people of murder, without any evidence, cannot be constructed as free speech.
Some media outlets have also, often, provided a platform for hate speech. While the State cannot be trusted to regulate the media — for it will become a way to exercise control — self-regulation has failed too. The case must trigger a conversation on the need for a statutory-but-independent regulatory mechanism for television news. The lawsuit seeks to restrain the media houses from interfering with the right to privacy of those associated with the industry.
 

The pandemic is still not over and it is tough to ascertain how and when the disease shall disappear.

The Drug controller had stated of considering the seriousness perhaps that the inoculation extended even if is 50% useful must get a clearance from the department. Although the vulnerable group for coved 19 is from all walks of life and from all the ages yet the comorbid status is always a task to deal with.

The central government appears to have a better solution to the problem as is evident from the statement of the health Minister that the targeted group that is prone or rather exposed to the pandemic on account of its association with the diseased population must be the first recipient of the inoculation as and when the same get the clearance from the competent authorities.

 It's primitive to finally take the same for granted for the government also even today need to assess the efficacy part of any vaccine that is under trial and its probable recipient before it is open for the public use in general.

The vulnerable group is truly more dangerous for the spread of this contagious ailment but the need of hour is not to get frightened yet face with zero panic.

The health workers deserve kudos for their commitments knowing well the consequences of the disease yet their dedication has saved many lives  for which we all remain indebted.

The good news of an effective remedial vaccine shall bring the pleasure and ray of hope to all and therefore all eyes are on to the progress of the undergoing trial of the vaccine that might be under way with its efficacious remedies.
 

Mumbai police are currently investigating a case in which television rating points have been allegedly manipulated by three channels — Republic TV is among the accused — by soliciting viewers to watch these channels in exchange for payment. The police claimed they busted a TRP manipulation racket following a probe initiated after a complaint by TV viewership measurement agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
According to Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, “Republic TV and two other local Mumbai channels have been found guilty of manipulating the crucial data. TRP, a tool to judge which TV programmes are viewed the most, indicates the popularity of a particular channel. Rating agency Hansa Services Private Limited, a contractor of BARC, which functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) filed a complaint with the Mumbai police, alleging that some TV channels were manipulating their TRPs.
The complainant firm said that the manipulated TRP ratings resulted in miscalculated targeted audience for the advertisers, which in turn resulted in losses of hundreds of crores of rupees because of the manipulated statistics of TRP. Besides cheating advertisers and securing a larger advertising pie, there are less obvious but equally serious consequences. Competitors are left dispirited and society is sent false signals on the kind and quality of content attracting viewership.
The modus operandi is simple: The perpetrators have gamed measuring agency BARC’s small sample size of 44,000 homes, 2,000 of them in Mumbai. Once the data about the households with barometers were obtained by the fraudsters, they would pay these households money to keep the channel on even when they were not watching it. In some cases, a household that did not understand English would switch on Republic TV at all hours. This nexus kept Republic TV's TRP high. This is not merely a blot on the spirit of fair competition. 
It is also an infringement of the autonomy of choice exercised by consumers. This breach of faith has another, equally important, dimension. TRPs have a decisive influence on advertisers’ spending. The possibility of manipulation implies that advertisers are also being taken on a less-than-joyous ride, shelling out money on channels that do not quite have the viewership that they claim. Multiple complaints of malpractices have reportedly come to BARC’s notice, to little avail. Meters are installed largely in economically weaker households, easier to target with perverse monetary incentives.
The absence of a specific legal framework has further undermined BARC’s ability to negate the tampering of panels and viewership. These anomalies also raise serious questions about the efficacy of the existing template of appraisal of the television audience. A way must be found to obtain, without encroaching upon the privacy of viewers, foolproof data on television audience. The collation and interpretation of this data must also be done transparently. Amid stiff competition through digital OTT platforms and social media, the TV industry must protect the interests of advertisers and consumers.

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation addressing hunger and promoting food security. In 2019, the WFP provided assistance to close to 100 million people in 88 countries who are victims of acute food insecurity and hunger. In 2015, eradicating hunger was adopted as one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The WFP is the UN’s primary instrument for realising this goal. In recent years, the situation has taken a negative turn. In 2019, 135 million people suffered from acute hunger, the highest number in many years. Most of the increase was caused by war and armed conflict.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2020 to the World Food Programme (WFP) for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.
In India, the grim picture unfolded during the lockdown, marked by the march of millions of migrant labourers trudging back home, bringing into sharp focus their misery as they bore the brunt of businesses getting shut down. Caught on the wrong foot, the government scrambled to provide food and financial stimulus for their sustenance. The Global Hunger Index-2019 ranked India at a lowly 102 out of the 117 countries mapped.
The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a strong upsurge in the number of victims of hunger in the world. In countries such as Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan and Burkina Faso, the combination of violent conflict and the pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in the number of people living on the brink of starvation.
The hard-working and dedicated staff of the WFP are front-line fighters; they are braving Covid-19 and the fear of getting caught in the crossfires in conflict zones. They tackle huge logistical problems and go above and beyond the call of duty to avert starvation deaths. In places where hunger is used as a weapon of warfare, their work becomes harder.
The World Food Programme was an active participant in the diplomatic process that culminated in May 2018 in the UN Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 2417, which for the first time explicitly addressed the link between conflict and hunger. The Security Council also underscored UN Member States’ obligation to help ensure that food assistance reaches those in need, and condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare.
The WFP needs more financial support to feed the rising tide of hungry people. Affluent nations must give generously to the WFP for the success of its mission. Countries, both rich and poor, should come together and make efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and the hunger pandemic with renewed determination.
 

Pollution at and around NCR Delhi has been a burning question nevertheless the stated precautions of Odd even formula and what not in past few years.

Yet, the particulate matter remains the cause of concern notwithstanding all said and  done.

The respiratory ailments have always been pointed for the speedy spread of current pandemic.

 While, the compromised lungs functioning has been a greater cause of concern at and around Delhi. Need has always been to address these issues yet the pandemic has rather further worsened the existing deteriorating condition to the worst.

The Apex court’s order has  categorically mentioned the strict adherence of the norms and made the pollution control executives to be vigilant to ensure that the existing problems does not give rise further complications for now ensuing winter might have newer challenges in the light of pandemic.

Notwithstanding,the clear instructions to do away with the frequent use of diesel generators in order to limit the pollution to some extent coupled with the neighboring Haryana to spread pollution with its pariyali fumes that ignites the already debilitated status to further complications.

With all the kind of economic challenges to fight with the pandemic, the social distancing and the existing particulate matter that attributes significantly to the respiratory ailments keeping at rise, managing the pandemic front becomes more troublesome but the challenges posed consequently needs a positive address.

Municipal authorities must use the good quality fuels and ensure the pollution at the low key to the best of the possible available remedies.

Although a tough task yet Delhites have been hope full to combat the pandemic created problems in association with the existing polluted Delhi.

Rather than passing the buck it’s time to see to it that the paucity of funds or the lack of concern must not aggravate the compromised health of the public of Delhi NCR.
 

The World Mental Health Day, observed every year on 10 October, aims to create awareness about mental health issues around the world. The day also provides a platform and opportunity for people who work on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what needs to be done to make mental healthcare a reality for citizens around the world.  With the COVID-19 pandemic changing our lives considerably, mental health has become even more important.
According to the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) the theme for World Mental Health Day 2020 is 'Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access'. The last few months have created a number of challenges for healthcare workers, who are required to provide care during these trying circumstances. Students are also facing issues with having to adapt to a new way of education.
The past few months have also seen people with mental health conditions experiencing even greater social isolation than before. There are five types of mental illness ---1. Mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder), 2. Anxiety disorders, 3. Personality disorders (psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), 4. Eating disorders and trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder).
Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them. No doubt, there is a crack in everything. Many myths about mental health remain in our collective thinking — those who face mental health problems are weak; seeking help makes one dependent; psychiatric medicines are addictive; and psychotherapy and counselling can alter people’s thinking instantly.
In a recent study in Lancet on the Burden of Mental Health in India, it was reported that, in 2017, there were 197.3 million people with mental disorders, comprising 14·3% of the total population. Mental disorders contributed 4·7% to the total Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) in India in 2017 as compared to approximately 2·5% in 1990 (one DALY essentially being one lost year of “healthy” life). Various studies have reported that the treatment gap is as high as 95%. Treatment, even when available, is largely focused on medicines. Access to psychological and social interventions for mental health problems is not available to most people. The more vulnerable — children in institutions and in need of care and protection, the homeless, women who face violence, people living in conflict areas and those facing discrimination due to identity and disability — are the least likely to have access to mental health services.
 The World Health Organization’s Mental Health Atlas in 2017 documents that India has around a total of 25,000 mental health workers. India spends 1.3% of its health budget on mental health.
But remember, you don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a negative person. It makes you human. Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.
 

The poet Louise Gluck has become the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 27 years. One of America’s leading poets, the 77-year-old writer/poet Louise Gluck has also won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, tackling themes including childhood and family life, often reworking Greek and Roman myths.
Born in New York City in 1943 and grew up on Long Island, She attended Sarah Lawrence College and Columbia University. Considered by many to be one of America’s most talented contemporary poets, Glück is known for her poetry’s technical precision, sensitivity, and insight into loneliness, family relationships, divorce, and death. The poet Robert Hass has called her “one of the purest and most accomplished lyric poets now writing.” In 2020 she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal." Glück is the 16th woman to win the Nobel, and the first American woman since Toni Morrison took the prize in 1993.
Glück is the author of 12 books of poetry, including the recent collections Faithful and Virtuous Night (2014), winner of the National Book Award, and Poems 1962-2012 (2012), which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, as well as the essay collection American Originality (2017). Glück’s early books feature personae grappling with the aftermaths of failed love affairs, disastrous family encounters, and existential despair, and her later work continues to explore the agony of the self. Her first book of poetry, Firstborn (1968), was recognized for its technical control as well as its collection of disaffected, isolated narratives. Helen Vendler commented on Glück’s use of story in her New Republic review of The House on Marshland (1975).
In 1901, French poet and essayist Sully Prudhomme (1839–1907) was the first person to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, "in special recognition of his poetic composition, which gives evidence of lofty idealism, artistic perfection and a rare combination of the qualities of both heart and intellect."
India's association with the Nobel Prize goes back, across centuries and latitudes. Poet, writer and thinker Rabindranath Tagore brought glory to the country when he became the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize for the country. The 52-year-old Tagore was accorded the honour in 1913, 12 years after it made its debut. Ever since nine other laureates with an India connection have been conferred the prestigious award in various categories, Abhijit Banerjee being the latest.
There were a few famous names who were nominated several times but failed to bag the award. While Indian poet Sri Aurobindo was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1943 and 1950, the committee had considered Mahatma Gandhi for the Peace Prize five times in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 & 1948 (days before his assassination).
The Noble Prize comes with a medal and a prize of 10 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million). Prof Gluck would normally receive  the Noble from King Carl XVI Gustaf at the formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 20, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Noble who created the prizes in his last will and testament.
 

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disapproved of the Shaheen Bagh protests saying “demonstrations expressing dissent have to be in designated places alone” and that citizens’ fundamental rights are coexistent with duties, while also stressing governments’ need to tolerate opposition in a democracy. “In a democracy, the opposition is not only tolerated as constitutional but must be maintained because it is indispensable,” the apex court said quoting American writer Walter Lippmann.
Hundreds of ordinary women, led by a band of grandmothers and some accompanying their young children, had blocked a road at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi in a peaceful sit-in against the new citizenship matrix. They had resisted threats and abuse from ruling party politicians and firing by youth to continue for over 100 days from mid-December till the lockdown when most of the demonstrators left and the rest were thrown out by police. It was COVID-19 pandemic as the “hand of God” that had caused the protest to end.
In response to two pleas against the agitation that started in December and went on for more than 100 days, the Supreme Court in February had sent senior lawyers Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran as interlocutors to talk to the leaderless gathering about allowing traffic to pass through GD Birla Marg, which had been barricaded by both protesters and police. The apex court ruled that public places cannot be occupied indefinitely and that protests cannot obstruct citizens. Supreme Court’s verdict is most welcome!
 All of this suggests that Indian democracy is best served when citizens freely express their views, mobilise and protest, but do so without undermining the rights of fellow-citizens. This will help keep the trust between differing constituencies and enhance the legitimacy of dissent. Article 19 of our Constitution gives citizens the right to speak freely and assemble peacefully “and protest against the actions or inactions of the State.
 

Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice, the trio have begged the coveted Nobel prize for the year 2020 for discovering the viral origin of Hepatitis C.

These scientists get an accolade for their discovery and explaining the role of RNA Virus of the flavivirus family which is commonly understood as HCV.

Although the researchers have made a major breakthrough in this respect in 1976 when Baruch Blumberg got a recognition along with Mr H.J Alter, they could prove that HBV i.e Hepatitis B Virus is the causative virus for the dreaded hepatic diseases that had literally frightened people word over.

The WHO also is of opinion indeed that HBV and HBC both have had significant impact on world health and the developed screening procedure coupled with the remedies for HBV and HBC shall leave a dent in the brisk recoveries and clinical addresses for these challenging ailments caused by the viruses.

In the light of ongoing pandemic too the importance of such discoveries gives rise to hope and encouragements for the possible vaccine to combat the coved 19 that has been alleged rather proved for the current unrest word over.

This is all the more worth appreciating to recognize therefore the researchers that could bring a treatment regimen for the world population where the obscure kind of microorganism impacted the economy of the world  and literally made all to rest and remain home.

Such accolades are great certification for the outstanding and classic endeavors in select fields and thus making the Prestigious recognition more attractive and well deserved recognition for all the innovations.

Indore bench of MP high court on Monday directed economic offences wing (EOW) to probe into allegations of illegal sale of a property of Khasgi (Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Charities) Trust property and formed a high-level c committee to recover, retrieve and restore them. The division bench comprising Justice SC Sharma and Justice  SC Sharma and Justice Shailendra Shukla turned down a demand  for CBI probe into the alleged illegal sale of Khasgi proper  and directed EOW to ‘thoroughly examine the matter and if it finds any criminality into the actions of any authority.  Welcoming the decision of the High Court regarding the properties of Khasgi Trust, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has described it as a big and significant decision.
After the High Court decision on Khasgi Trust, Chief Minister that illegal constructions have been made on the properties of the Khasgi Trust, which have been sold as well as charges have been made regarding foul play.
Ahilyabai Holkar was the hereditary noble queen of the Maratha Empire in 17th century. Ahilyabai's husband Khanderao Holkar was killed in the battle of Kumbher in 1754. Twelve years later, her father-in-law, Malhar Rao Holkar, died. A year after that she took over the affairs of Holkar state. She tried to protect her land from plundering invaders. She personally led armies into battle. Ahilyabai was a great pioneer and builder of Hindu temples. She built hundreds of temples and Dharmashalas throughout India.
It may be noted that Khasgi Trust has 246 properties including 138 temples, 18 Dharamshalas, 34 Ghats, 12 Chhatris, 24 gardens and kunds etc., which are located in different places of the country and the state.
It may be noted that former chief secretary and present state election commissioner BP Singh may find himself in a tight corner over the sale of Kushawart Ghat in Hardwar, Ahilya Haveli and other properties. As a government representative, Singh gave his consent for the sale of those properties at a meeting of the trust. At that time, Singh was the commissioner of Indore division and a member of the trust. When the issue of sale of properties came up at the meeting Singh gave his nod for it. The properties were sold with the permission of the trust members. Apart from Singh, BM Shrivastava of PWD was one of the members of the trust, who also signed the deal. The property in Hardwar was sold for a song – Rs 50 lakh – but its actual cost was many times more than that. The process to sell the properties of Khasogi trust began in 2006. A proposal for that was passed at a general body meeting of the trust. In 2007, an agreement was signed for selling the properties at Rs 50 lakh. After the High Court order, the probe agency may tighten its noose around the trust members for permitting the sale of properties. Chief Minister ensured that the government will make all possible efforts to retrieve the trust properties.
 

The ensuing by elections in the state of Madhya Pradesh is posing a test for both the incumbent BJP and the opposition Congress for obvious reasons.

Both undisputedly would put all the efforts to combat all those forces that might be an obstacle for their probable win so strategically both the parties are on with their election campaigning.

The exodus recently witnessed by the congress on account of the differences or perhaps ambitions thus with the three sitting MLAs' demise and twenty five to join Jyotiraditya scindia's dissidence from Congress has paved a way in the month of March for BJP to come back to power. 

The ensuing by elections consequently are important for both to retain their respective grounds.

Sindhya ji has a major role to script with the seats being around Gwalior and as well justify their defection to the people in general for exercising their franchise in their favour.

The most needed 9 seats to strengthen the claim for BJP does not appear a much tough task over Congress looking forward to its candidate's success in all the twenty eight seats in order to gain the required strength.

November 3 is going to be the day of public verdict in the context and thus heart beats of every candidate is on its rise as the electioneering approaches for the impact of this by election shall be decisive for many specially for Jyotiraditya sindhia and his all followers to prove themselves and to their supporters that the exodus has been not only good and justified for them but at the larger interest for the respective constituencies over all development.

It’s going to be interesting to watch the series of events taking shape that might be decisive for all the concerned in the incumbent party and the opposition.
 

The exit of Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has opened up the state assembly elections. Till last week of September, the NDA was considered as a clear winner with most opinion polls predicting an overwhelming majority for NDA. The Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — have arrived at a tentative seat-sharing arrangement, but the third pillar of this alliance, the Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), has decided to contest separately. Intriguingly, the LJP will remain a part of the central government; it has declared that its battle is with Mr Kumar and not with the BJP.
Nitish Kumar is the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate but the LJP’s exit can create an impression that BJP can have its own CM if the party wins more seats than the JD (U). The LJP can help the BJP as party president Chirag Paswan has been saying that Bihar needs an alternative to Kumar, who has been the chief minister for the last 15 years. Nitish must worry about LJP because it was a similar gambit by Ram Vilas Paswan in 2005, contesting against RJD in 178 seats though both were national partners in UPA, that ended Lalu Prasad’s 15-year-long sway over Bihar. LJP won 29 seats and cornered a 12.3% vote share. If history were to repeat, this would be Nitish’s turn to be tripped by another Paswan after 5 year hegemony.
It is important not to overestimate the LJP. It is a relatively small party; its social base is limited to the Paswan caste, found in limited pockets; and its recent electoral success is primarily due to its association with Mr Modi. But the fact that the BJP is both a part of the incumbent formation, asking for votes for the continued leadership of Nitish Kumar, and has a friendly party in the Opposition, asking for votes to displace Nitish Kumar, means that Bihar’s election — and post-election scenario — may throw up surprises. BJP’s challenge is to prevent a replay of Maharashtra last year, when Shiv Sena joined hands with UPA to bag the CM post.
 

The most disturbing series of incidents that take place in the current political scene are the two standards adopted by even the top leaderships in addressing and prioritising issues on national level.

Had this not been the case then how would two separate concerns be expressed for the similar incidents in two states i.e Hathras and the incident of Rajasthan?

The farmer bill which had an approval earlier now is a matter of opposition just because the incumbent is different and this goes on irrespective of the party either way.

There could be reasons to counter and the same could be addressed with the healthy discussions for none draft is free of lapses rather has a scope for the mandatory amendments yet it is not usually entertained and also opposed for the purpose of opposition and not with the relevant points to ponder.

We do not seem to be sensitive enough on the serious issues in any part of the nation irrespective of the party in power.

The problems are propagated or brought to the forefront only with the vested interest and not with the real concern which is evident often with the kind of ambiguous gestures of political parties which is indeed a cause of concern and needs a bigger attention for the address in the interest of the nation.

Whatever could be the raised issue, if that is influential enough to impress upon the common national interest or may likely to have a positive or negative impact on the national growth deserves to be discussed at length and no defiance on the same must be preferred or heard off.

Best is to introspect with the facts before making a ruckus of the same, unless it is of paramount importance and any propagated concern needs to be checked upon, must not be unnecessarily made an issue.

The calamities and catastrophes emerged consequently  often are  emergent situations, like coved 19 is not a specific product of any incumbent rather the causes are different ,the need at such situations must be to fight the emergency with a collective efforts rather finding faults in addressing the issue for the problem is perhaps first of its kind so quite obvious the trial and error only is the modus operandi under the circumstances and instead holding on with the problem the immediate remedies adopted is good enough for the initial address with the modified approaches later on.

The serious concern from all walks of life and from all the leadership is imperative over the fault finding for getting rid of the circumstantial issues whatsoever.

 The big question is who will initiate and work free of prejudices, who will bell the cat but certainly this calls for serious and meticulous implementation.
 

The alleged gang-rape and death of a Dalit teenager from UP’s Hathras district has  turned the spotlight on grave lapses in police functioning.  In Hathras many aspects of the police’s treatment of the victim, her family, media and protesters have been reprehensible.
The suspension of the SP and other police officers there shows that the state itself accepts this. But will their suspension prevent the next Hathras from happening? After all, there are structural flaws in the police that lead to two mutually reinforcing trends: Criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crime. Unless these flaws are addressed, India’s constitutional vision will not materialise for many people. The Hathras episode has, once again, exposed the vulnerable state of women in India, especially those from marginalised social groups, and the challenges in ensuring their safety and obtaining justice.
Justice JS Verma Committee, which recommended amend-ments to the criminal law to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women.  On the positive side, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, amended the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, on laws related to sexual offences. But cases such as Hathras are a reminder that ensuring social, institutional and structural changes on the ground will be more difficult than making changes on paper.
In recent decades, a middle class has emerged within Dalits, thanks to education and government jobs through the reservation. On the other hand, an underclass has emerged from within upper castes. This segment, simmering with anger, blames Dalits, the Constitution, and Ambedkar as reasons for their fall. Remember at many places in Uttar Pradesh, Ambedkar statues are caged with iron rods.
In the past when ‘caste society’ chased Dalits, the government sheltered them. Today UP CM Adityanath seems to be representing caste society more than representing the government. Caste society and government have dissolved into one, a complete subversion of the electoral mandate.

The recent debate between President Trump and his opposition Biden explicitly brings one point that the politicking world over now is facing an indecent scenario where the respect for the opposition appears insignificant.

The kind of statements made by both i.e president Donald Trump and democratic Jhon Beden itself is loud and clear that the mutual respect of both the leaders was at stake.

Whether it is Mr. Trump the president and the democrat Mr. Beden both have exchanged unpleasant and derogatory remarks for each other.  Trump also never even tried to keep his posture and language in order thus we witnessed the first ever president debate that had tremendous scope of fruitful discussion in view of the ensuing elections and related aspects have gone in vain due to the personal allegations over the issues of national interests.

The ambiguity created by Mr. Trump for the voting system and the doubts raised of its authenticity following the covid 19 issues has further complicated the existing tension thereto.

What should have been stressed upon and expected of the debate basically was to defend the individual policies propagation. The ideal method should have been for the both to place before the public the individual priorities with relevant clarifications, valid reasons instead putting it for discussion with the unanswered queries of the people.

While all the policies that has a larger impact on the interest of general people Mr. trump kept on fumbling be it a Medical policies, woman’s right, immigration issues, unemployment and many such issues that has a continuous impression over the daily life of the large number of population similarly Mr. Biden also does not seem to have any original idea yet probably will feature more importantly with the policies that had its own course during the ex-President MR Obama thus representing the predecessor of Mr. trump.

The cause of serious concern is the growing attitude in the recent past to speak indecently during the election campaigning without even forgetting the office held.

We may probably forget such incidents over the years due to short memories and cropping up priorities subsequently yet in directly these representations of the leaders somewhere or other has a bigger impressions on the overall thought process of the people of the  nation and so is the in general subconscious reciprocations of the masses world over. 

The big question that needs its model answer before it goes to its worst status.
 

Three days after the hurried, post-midnight cremation of the 19-year-old Dalit woman who was allegedly gang-raped in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office has suspended Superintendent of Police Vikrant Veer, his deputy Ram Shabd and three other police officials. The Hathras Case has once again exposed all that is wrong with the UP Police.
It almost appears that the “drunk on power”, trigger-happy police officers encouraged by the state’s political class over the years, have become more hardened, more insensitive and audacious than ever, thanks in large part to the “freehand” given to them by the Adityanath government.
There is so much noise over the horror of what has happened in Hathras, that it is difficult to believe that a week ago, the family of the 19-year-old Dalit victim was running from town to town, hospital to hospital, police station to police station, ignored, overlooked, forgotten. Shockingly, police hurriedly set the pyre alight under cover of night, without allowing the family to properly mourn their dear one or conduct customary last rites. No civilised society can tolerate in silence and without protest the brutalisation inflicted on the 19-year-old.
It may be noted that UP has once again reported the highest number of crimes committed by men against women, accounting for 14.7 per cent of such cases across India. This is the situation in a state that boasts of having the largest single police force not just in India but anywhere in the world, with 2.5 lakh personnel spread over 75 districts, 33 armed Battalions and other specialised wings, and branches relating to intelligence, investigation, anti-corruption, technical, training, forensic science and more.
Since Yogi Adityanath came to power in March 2017, the UP Police reported 1,142 encounters in the first 10 months alone, with 38 people killed in those encounters.
In the last three years, there have been 6,145 such operations in which 119 accused were killed in almost scripted encounters.
In 2019, India’s most populous state, with about 16 per cent of the country’s population also accounted for more than 25 per cent of rape, gangrape and other crimes committed by men, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The Adityanath government must correct policing failures for people’s as well as its own sake.
 

Covid 19 has been a great concern for the past over six months.

The pandemic has claimed an enormous amount of lives and has created a pandemonium on above account world over.

The recent reports are indicative of certain positive signs.

As reported many states report lesser cases and good recoveries since the last 8- 9 days there has been hardly any case reported which is welcome status and therefore this is expected that next over three months  may be decisive and may report significantly less number of cases.

The crisis undoubtedly calls for serious attention from all and that’s the reason the public awareness programs have been initiated for the general understanding and health care assurances of the people in general.

Lots of misconceptions and rumors obviously take shape under such circumstances that calls for another awareness program.

However the programs for awareness have been instrumental in safeguarding responsible individuals that is for sure.

This is explicit now that the corona virus is here to stay may be a few more days and incidentally there is no clear prognosis as of now for covid 19.

All that is recommended is the distancing, remaining away from the crowd and adherence to certain norms like putting on a mask in public places. Using essential sterilization or sanitization in order to get rid of any suspicion even of the ailment.

Indeed this is obligatory to ensure that all the recommended measures are strictly adhered to combat the dreaded causative organism of covid 19.

The primary symptoms that may point towards novel corona is the temperature, dysnoea or difficulty in breathing, and pneumonia. Headache may persist on account of fever.

This is transmitted through the droplets of the diseased persons coughing, sneezing, if any person is in contact with an infected person he is more likely to get infected that’s the reason this is advised to remain away from the madding crowd and thus escaping the possibilities of  catching infection.

People who are there with compromised immunity and are exposed to any kind of respiratory ailments are subject to the higher risk with the covid 19, however many factors that are the age, people suffering from diabetes,respiratory issues, hypertension and immunocompromised patients are considered at the high risk.

Although till now no vaccine is discovered that can claim safe remedy of covid 19, trials are undergoing for finding the suitability of the medicine to the human.

Moreover, there are many homemade remedies that can keep us away from the problem i.e use of turmeric, black piper, clove, kadha, amla, etc that is available with every Indian kitchen.

What can keep us safe is remaining away from socializing and covering face with masks in crowded places if needed to go but must avoid exposure to public or crowded places as possible as that is off course needless to mention now that it has propagated since long.

Another aspect about corona that is commonly mentioned is the development of antibodies and that ascertain the prognosis as is envisaged.

In Fact the antibodies are actually a blood protein that appears in the system the moment we encounter any foreign material such as virus, bacteria, pollen etc to which scientifically stated to be an antigen.

Antibodies are produced over the days in the immune system of the body following the response and thus antigen antibody reaction indeed is protective cover normally for the human system.

Yet, in corona virus infection the implication of antibody test is realized often at the recovery phase while one type of rapid diagnostic test   can demonstrate the antigen present in the respiratory tract thus enabling the required antibody to counter the antigen. Such tests are best at acute and the beginning of the infection.

Many such aspects in general are known to people in the context but few of them have fewer importance for example the food has least attribution in spreading the infection and so are the faeces through spread as is often stated.

Lots of water drinking in general is useful for health not specifically in covid however drinking water has no harm whatsoever.

Similarly checking temperature is a precautionary measure not the decisive factor in the context, for the tested person in your premises may also be at incubation period and the symptoms may persist or may be  masked with the use of certain remedial antipyretics the evidence of the symptoms may appear later yet this exercise is useful to detect the risk cases.
 

Nearly 28 years after the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished, a special CBI court on Wednesday acquitted all 32 accused in Babri Masjid demolition case, stating that there was no conclusive proof against the accused. The 32 accused include former deputy PM LK Advani and Union Ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti.
The court said that the demolition of the centuries-old mosque was not pre-planned, adding that anti-social elements destroyed the structure despite accused leaders appealing for calm. The court also observed that late VHP leader Ashok Singhal wanted to save the structure because Ram idols were inside.
The CBI court verdict raises pertinent questions about the nature and quality of the probe. After years of investigation, CBI presented around 350 witnesses and 600 pieces of documents — but the verdict found that the tapes were tampered with and the documents could not be relied on. This is a further indictment of India’s creaky criminal justice system. The verdict points to anti-social elements who demolished the mosque, but there is no clarity on who they were and whether the probe agencies have any plan to identify and punish them. The conclusions also appear to contradict the findings of the 1992 Liberhan commission that blamed senior political leaders for the event.
Babri Masjid was built in 1528 by Mir Baqi, the commander of Mughal emperor Babur. The structure was demolished in December 1992 by 'kar sevaks' who claimed that the mosque was built on the site of an ancient Ram temple. The VHP along with other elements of the Sangh Parivar spearheaded the Ram Janmabhoomi movement for the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya at the site of the mosque.
Now, an impressive Ram temple is being constructed in Ayodhya and a mosque is also coming up at an alternative site. But doubts about the criminal investigation, the lack of criminal and political accountability for those who brought the structure down and the precedent set are worrying. The case may be closed for now, but it does not signal closure in this painful chapter of India’s history.

American President Donald Trump has come under fire from Democrats for years for not making his tax returns public as his predecessors did. His lawyers have argued that he enjoys total immunity while in office and that Congress has no valid justification to seek the records. The president paid just $750 (£580) in federal income tax both in 2016, the year he ran for the US presidency, and in his first year in the White House. He paid no such taxes in 11 of 18 years of tax records examined by the newspaper. The president has managed to lower his taxes by reporting hefty losses on his businesses. Accountants say the revelation that Donald Trump paid just $750 (£580) in federal income tax in 2016 shows that the US president is either “a very bad businessman or a tax cheat … probably both”.
Independent left-leaning accounting experts who analysed Trump’s tax returns, which were published by the New York Times on Sunday, said that while the full details of Trump’s tax affairs were not yet known, the details published by the newspaper showed that the president was “abusing the tax system”. Alex Cobham, the chief executive of the Tax Justice Network, an international group campaigning for a fairer and more transparent tax system said: “This shows that Trump is either a very bad businessman or a tax cheat who is not respecting the tax system that he is asking everyone else to pay. Probably both are true.”
In July, the US Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Trump's financial records could be examined by prosecutors in New York. In a related case, the court ruled that this information did not have to be shared with Congress. The matter remains under appeal in lower courts so the records have not been handed over in New York. In 2017 Donald Trump became the first billionaire president of the US. That year, as in the previous year, his tax bill in the country was $750. The NYT investigation establishing this further says that in 11 of the 18 years it examined he paid no federal income taxes whatsoever. Under normal circumstances, or at least before 2016, the real worry for a US president would be about the repercussions of possible charges of being a tax evader. In the Trump era, though, it’s all about image.

The Congress along with other opposition parties and farmer organisations held demonstrations against the new farm laws across the country on Monday, with some protesters torching a tractor at the India Gate in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi. Farmers in Punjab continued their rail roko agitation for the fifth consecutive day and announced that the protest against the three farm bills will be extended till October 2.
The protesters under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee have been squatting on rail tracks since September 24 at Jalandhar, Amritsar, Tanda, Mukerian and Ferozepur. On other hands, the PM Narendra Modi said, “those opposing farm Bills don't want farmers to have freedom of selling produce in open market. Those Opposing farm bills are against farmers, they want middlemen to flourish”.
The Congress invoked Bhagat Singh, whose birth anniversary was celebrated on Monday, during the protests, and Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh took part in a sit-in at the ancestral village of the freedom fighter. Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who held the post of Union Minister for Food Processing, resigned. The passage of votes amid severe opposition even led to the suspension of 8 Rajya Sabha MPs, following which some opposition parties like TMC called it the “murder” of democracy. The Akali Dal, BJP's oldest ally, has also quit the NDA government amid the farmers' agitation.
The farmers' agitation against the three farm bills seem to be becoming violent with every passing day. On Monday morning, a tractor was set on fire at India Gate. Five people have been detained in connection with the incident.
The three farm bills were earlier introduced as ordinances by the government in June. The three ordinances were — The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.

Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar needs no introduction. We know her by various names such as—‘Melody Queen’, ‘India’s Nightingale’, ‘Swar Samgragyi’ etc. In fact, Lata Ji is a part of every Indian’s daily life or simply we can say that she’s the voice of India.  She has captured the imagination of the entire nation because of her heavenly voice!  Her expressions are always so right. And she is incapable of singing out of tune. This living legend voice of India turned 90 on September 28.
And forget about bothering to remember her, as long as Bollywood music is alive anywhere in the world, Lata Mangeshkar, with her thousands of songs and more than seventy years of whopping sway over playback, will be synonymous with Bollywood music. She is, in fact, Bollywood music. No one can deny it.
There may not be a moment when somebody, somewhere, is not listening to a song sung by Lata Mangeshkar. It has been so for the last six decades or so. Music fans may be divided when it comes to choosing their favourite male singers. Some might swear by Mohammaed Rafi, others by Kishore Kumar and some others by Mukesh—but the majority of them may choose Lata Mangeshkar the female voice they most want to listen to.  Many of bhajans, spiritual, romantic or patriotic songs sung by her gives magical healing to us. Who can forget songs like--- mohe panghat pe Shyam chhed gayo re….(Mugal-e-Azam), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (title song), Yashomati Maiyya se bole Nandlala….and bhor bhaye panghat pe…(Satyam Shivam Sundaram), chalet..chalate (Pakiza),  Allah tero naam (Hum Dono), Aye mere watan ke logon etc. This list is endless.
Lata’s musical journey is extraordinary. Ditto her life. Born in 1929 to the great Marathi theatre personality Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and his Gujarati wife Shevanti in Indore (Madhya Pradesh),  singing and music  was in her blood. 
On 27 January 1963, against the backdrop of the Sino-Indian War,  Lata sang the patriotic song “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo" in the presence of  then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, The song, composed by C. Ramchandra and written by lyricist Pradeep, is said to have brought the Prime Minister to tears.
The government of India awarded her Bharat Ratna-- India's highest civilian honour in 2001. India’s highly-beloved Nightingale is divinity personified but even the Goddess has her cynics. Due to her near-total dominance over playback for more than six decades, Lata Mangeshkar has often been accused of stealing other singers’ song and effectively, their entire careers. But this allegation holds no water. She was always the first choice for the music composer. There is also controversy surrounded her as to how many songs she has sung. Several sources continued to claim that she recorded thousands of songs, with estimates ranging up to figures as large as 50,000.
On her 90th birthday, spend the day listening to her songs of your choice and pay tribute to India’s Nightingale! Happy birthday, Lata Ji !
 

The Election Commission (EC) has announced dates for the Bihar election, the first major one to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be held in three phases — October 28, November 3 and November 7. This assembly polls will be one of the biggest elections globally to be held during prevailing COVID-19 situation. India's Corona cases crossed 59 lakh on Saturday.
However, over 7.29 crore voters will cast their votes across 243 Assembly constituencies of Bihar, where the term of the Assembly will end on November 29. In the first phase, 71 Assembly seats will go to polls, spread across 16 districts. According to the Election Commission, most of the Left Wing Extremism-affected districts come under this phase.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of the election campaign. The more important question, though, is whether the pandemic will influence voting decisions at the polling booth. The impact of the nationwide and subsequent state imposed lockdowns, migrant exodus, disruption in Bihar’s remittance economy and overall mismanagement of COVID-19 will worry the governing JD (U)-BJP-LJP combine. Still India’s most backward state on many parameters, fresh ideas and new leaders are sorely needed for Bhiha. Chirag Paswan has attempted to capture this mood by boldly attacking Nitish Kumar.
COVID-19 has brought into stark relief the many problems that the state faces. One is that of the huge reverse flow of migrant labour, leading to a spike in COVID-19 cases and heightened unemployment. The state’s health care system has been stretched thin. However, these problems are not unique to Bihar. These issues should serve as easy pickings for any opposition. Neither the Opposition nor the ruling coalition seems to have understood the extent of frustration and anger over job losses, agrarian distress, and spiraling cases of COVID-19. It will be interesting to see whether these issues take precedence over the traditional caste dynamics that have driven election results in the state so far.
Given the COVID-19 situation in the state, the Election Commission has made arrangements for 7 lakh hand sanitisers, 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh PPE kits, 6.7 lakh face shields and 23 lakh pairs of hand gloves have been arranged for Bihar polls. There will be nearly 1 lakh polling booths in Bihar, while there were only 65 thousand polling booths during the 2015 election.
 

Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, evidence and data collated by Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and rights organisations have demonstrated. Be it impunity, threats by intelligence agencies or attacks by non-state actors, all point towards an environment not just disallowing free speech but insistent on eliminating any dissent.
There was a time when Pakistan's media was considered among the most outspoken in South Asia. It was free and enjoying considerable freedom in term of criticizing the government’s policies openly. Nevertheless, economic, pressure, government laws, access to information, religious pressure, immature politics, social and societal mores, terrorism, etc. are the factors that inhibit the watchdog function in the Pakistan media. But the situation is very different now.
A leading Pakistani journalist has revealed that the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recently registered cases against 49 media persons and social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).  Names include @UmarCheema1 @AzazSyed @murtazasolang @ammarmasood3 @AsadAToor @bilalfqi etc,” Mubashir Zaidi tweeted on Thursday night. Zaidi, who hosts the popular talk show, Zara Hat Kay, didn’t give more details.
Journalist bodies have condemned the move and have demanded that the cases be withdrawn. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists in a tweet vowed to hold countrywide protests if the government didn’t withdraw the cases. A  fortnight ago, global monitor Human Rights Watch (HRW) had stated in a report critical of the government that a week prior to that, Prime Minister Imran Khan had “asserted there is no media crackdown in Pakistan and that he and his government are far more unprotected than the media”. 
Currently, there are more than 100 TV channels, around 200 FM Radio stations, approximately 3000 thousands newspapers, and a huge network of advertising agencies are operating in the media landscape of Pakistan. Newspaper industry-owned media groups have launched their TV channels, e.g.; Jang Group – Geo, Dawn Group—Dawn TV, Nawa- e-Waqt Group—Waqt TV, etc. The growth also led to the modern infrastructure in the media industry, such as state of the art equipped technologically studios, communication facilities, more skilled workers and media education.
Over the past year, a number of media organisations have had to downsize or close down due to declining advertising revenue or other financial constraints. The printing presses have been pressured to stop from publishing certain newspapers, cable operators have been asked to cease broadcasting certain channels and big businesses have been advised against putting up advertisements with certain media outlets.

The United Nations marked its 75th anniversary Monday with its chief urging leaders of an increasingly polarized, go-it-alone world to work together and preserve the organization’s most important success since its founding: avoiding a military confrontation between the major global powers. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ appeal for a revival of multilateralism — the foundation of the United Nations — was echoed by leaders of countries large and small, rich and poor.
But despite largely positive speeches, it was clear that challenges lie ahead in collaborating to beat back the coronavirus pandemic, end numerous smaller conflicts from the Middle East to Africa, and achieve U.N. goals to eradicate extreme poverty and preserve the environment by a 2030 target. The UN is making its 75th anniversary at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts. Covid-19 is a stark reminder of the need for cooperation across borders, sectors and generations. World leaders have addressed an increasingly divided United Nations at its 75th General Assembly. The annual meeting on Tuesday in New York was moved online this year because of the coronavirus, with the pandemic high on the agenda, among other issues of global concern.
In his speech as the host nation, US President Donald Trump accused Beijing of spreading what he called “the China virus” and demanded the UN hold it accountable. He defended his own handling of COVID-19 in the United States where the death toll has passed 200,000. By contrast, China’s President Xi Jinping struck a conciliatory tone, calling for enhanced cooperation over the pandemic and stressing that China had no intention of fighting “either a Cold War or a hot one” with any other country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an international treaty to prohibit weapons in space and offered Russia’s coronavirus vaccine to UN employees for free. “Russia is ready to provide the UN with all the necessary qualified assistance. In particular, we are offering to provide our vaccine, free of charge, for the voluntary vaccination of the staff of the UN and its offices,” Putin said. The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945.  It is currently made up of 193 Member States.  The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.
Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations is a member of the General Assembly.  States are admitted to membership in the UN by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat.  All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded. 
 

Autumn’s lower temperatures plus the reopening will undoubtedly bring on a second wave of the coronavirus in India. The crisis unfolding is worse than we imagined with the virus reaching rural India. Experts suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic will peak at different times in different parts of the country. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh currently have the highest number infections; of these, the last three states have experienced late surges.
India's COVID-19 caseload went past 56 lakh with 83,347 infections being reported in a day, while over 45 lakh people have recovered from the disease, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.  The national recovery rate stands at 81.25 per cent.
The coronavirus caseload surged to 56,46,010, while the death toll climbed to 90,020 with 1,085 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The total recoveries surged to 45, 87,613 in the country so far. The COVID-19 case fatality rate due to the coronavirus infection has dropped to 1.59 per cent.
There are calls in some quarters for testing on a mass scale, and then there are those who would rather have only the symptomatic tested. Those less cautious seem reckless, the ones are more cautious insane. The period since the first shutdown has shown which activities are the safest and which strategies work best. The government’s focus, too, has shifted from the number of infections to the recoveries.
A renewed urgency for health infrastructure, doctors, drugs, ventilators and a prompter and more localised administrative response coordinated by the state governments and effectively bolstered by central funds and support is the absolute need of the hour. Of these, drug manufacture is our area of strength and we have done some good work on expanding laboratory and testing infrastructure.
Everyone has a coronavirus story — panic, anxiety, grief, quarantine, stigma, loss of livelihood, job cuts, income reduction, isolation, loneliness, even work from home. The long-haul nature of the virus is no more a scientific thesis, it is an accepted reality. The new rules of living are hard but inescapable.
 

On Sunday, the Rajya Sabha passed The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
The government’s hideous hurry to pass the legislations resulted in unseemly scenes in the Rajya Sabha, with the rule book being flung at the chair, microphones broken; members climbing atop the secretary general’s table and even the Lok Sabha had to be adjourned because of the sit-in protest by Rajya Sabha members. Parliament is all about the Opposition. When 12 Opposition parties seek a vote on resolutions against the Bills, the Chair should have allowed the division; instead, the resolutions were denied and the Bills passed with a mere voice vote, devaluing the entire process.
The reforms are significant, affecting a range of stakeholders, particularly farmers. They have also generated a political backlash, with even partners in the ruling coalition such as the Shiromani Akali Dal resigning from the Cabinet on the issue.
The Opposition was keen on sending the bills to a select committee. Ideally, this should be done — for the committee process provides an opportunity to examine legislation, refine it, and allows parliamentarians to speak up without being confined to party positions. But if the government was not willing to embark on that process, there should have been a discussion in the House where members got a chance to offer their perspectives and the government listened to feedback and made modifications accordingly.
Unfortunately, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, did not get the solidarity they deserved. The only sector in the Indian economy that survived the COVID-19 contraction is now being forced to suffer needless anxiety, with the government refusing to address farmers’ legitimate apprehensions. Their fears have only worsened after the Opposition’s demand to send the Bills to a select committee for parliamentary scrutiny was denied and dumped.
 

The much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) got underway in United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday. Apart from politics and Bollywood, it is cricket that is India’s lifeblood. It is India’s national game and favourite pastime. We can say ‘Cricket is an Indian game accidentally discovered by the English.’
Most of the best players in the world will be present in the UAE this autumn but cooped in eight different bio-bubbles with stringent restrictions. Apart from playing matches and training sessions, one would hardly get a chance to move out. It’s life in a cocoon. Needless to say, there will be no crowds at the three venues, at least for the major part of the tournament. It’s a far cry from the time when former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal and local businessman Abdul Rahman Bukhatir joined hands to bring cricket to the desert, specifically Sharjah. Over the next two decades, it became the ‘neutral’ hub of India-Pakistan limited-overs cricket, thriving in a mix of cricket and celebrityhood as much as the passionate fans.
For the first time ever, the whole of the IPL would be played outside India — two earlier editions were played partly outside India due to the General Elections. The choice of the UAE to host the IPL is understandable, but also somewhat dismaying. The UAE seems to attract a lot of people interested in corrupting sport — just five days ago, the International Cricket Council (ICC) charged two UAE cricketers for accepting ‘bribe/gifts’ in order to fix matches. In April, the ICC banned Deepak Aggarwal, a Dubai-based owner of a T10 League franchise, for ‘obstructing or delaying an investigation’, following uncovering of corrupt practices in cricket.
The start of IPL means the sport in India is relevant. And to note that in an ambience of economic gloom BCCI has managed to rake in Rs 350 crore from sponsorship speaks volumes of the robustness of the IPL brand and its relevance for the Indian market. The IPL will provide the Emirates with a chance to regain the status of a bona fide major cricketing venue. The country is anyway host to a number of other elite sporting events, attracting some of the biggest names in the world.
 

The school shutdown imposed in light of the COVID-19 lockdown has left the many school’s finances in a shambles across the country. The vast majority of private schools are small-scale facilities. There are many private schools with a fee of about Rs 800—1,000 a month. This pandemic left many students’ parents without pay, putting the schools in serious financial trouble. Many small schools have no funds as they are facing difficulties in collecting the fees.
A survey released two months ago sought to express the COVID-19-related fee conundrum of budget private schools reveals the true picture.  The survey conducted by the Indian School Finance Company, a non-banking financial company that funds education institutions, the survey involved 1,678 respondents, comprising owners and principals of private schools, colleges, and vocational training institutes, with budget private schools forming one segment of the report. According to its results, 87.5 per cent of the respondents reported challenges in the fee collection. The challenges cited were parents not having the income to pay fees due to the lockdown (55 per cent), parents not being able to come to school or bank premises to pay fees owing to the lockdown (24.5 per cent), parents receiving salaries late and unable to pay on time (12 per cent), and parents not keen to pay for online classes (8.5 per cent).
The term private schools usually evoke an image of fancy institutions that charge high fees on the promise of holistic education for children. But the vast majority of private schools in India — by some estimates, nearly 80 per cent — are small-scale budget facilities that charge low fees but are seen by many parents as better alternatives to government schools.
According to the think-tank Centre for Civil Society (CCS), budget private schools “are a growing segment of private schools that cater to economically backward communities and are often run by individuals from their homes”.   A report titled “State of the Sector — Private Schools in India“, released two months ago  by the education-sector think-tank Central Square Foundation (CSF), said more than 70 per cent of Indian private school students pay less than Rs 1,000/month in fees, while 45 per cent pay less than Rs 500/month.
There is a shocking report that  over 1000 KG to Class 12 schools in the country are up for sale, hoping to pool in an investment of close to Rs 7,500 crore (roughly $1 billion) in the next two-three years, with the COVID-19 wave hitting India’s education sector hard.
Many large school chains had to slash non-teaching staff salaries by up to 70 per cent. Even funding has become difficult to come through with financial institutions hesitant on lending, owing to lack of clarity over how the situation will pan out.
There are different ways to benchmark fee levels in private schools to identify budget schools. Some of the commonly used benchmarks include minimum daily wage, per-pupil expenditure in government schools or state per-capita GDP,” the CCS added in 2018 report.
 

India's Covid-19 tally raced past 52 lakh with 96,424 people testing positive in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 41, 12,551 on Friday, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The country's recovery rate stands at 78.86 per cent. The total coronavirus cases mounted to 52, 14,677, while the death toll climbed to 84,372 with the virus claiming 1,174 lives in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Recently the Parliament had held a debate on the most pressing issue of contemporary times — the public health and the economic challenge posed by Covid-19. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan outlined the government’s efforts to tackle the pandemic, the improvement in the health infrastructure, the gains because of the lockdown, the low death rate in India, the medical efforts underway, and the need for constant caution.
In response, many Opposition leaders questioned the government’s assessment and critiqued the lack of initial preparation, the management of the lockdown, the economic contraction and the distress caused to migrant workers, and the rising case count in the country.
On the economy, while the government argues it has taken major steps to tackle distress through a stimulus and welfare measures, the Opposition believes that these steps have been inadequate. The expansive health and economic toll of the pandemic has made the richest countries pour billions of dollars to both fast-track vaccine development and seal advance purchase agreements with various vaccine companies.
No one can deny that India had the most stringent lockdown, the weakest stimulus, and has the hardest-hit GDP. During a debate on coronavirus crisis in Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the government wasted golden months to stop Covid-19.
 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) expects the Indian economy to contract by 9% in 2020-21. ADB had projected a 4% contraction in June. On September 14, S&P projected a contraction of 9% for the economy, from its earlier forecast of a 5% contraction.
Most experts also warn that even the sequential recovery in the economy cannot be taken for granted. The Nomura India Business Resumption Index (NIBRI) reached its highest post-lockdown level in the week ending September 13. However, the Nomura report raises questions on its sustainability given the continuous rise in Covid-19 infections. In addition, rising inflation poses another challenge to economic recovery. India’s GDP contracted by 23.9% in the quarter ending June 2020.
The -23.9 per cent shrinkage in the April-June GDP is not a surprise as nearly half the period witnessed a national lockdown. It’s also not surprising that this loss is the world’s steepest for India’s lockdown was the most stringent and the accompanying fiscal policy response the weakest. But the quarter per cent slump did surprise most analysts who have since rushed to savagely cut India’s annual growth forecast; on average, these have doubled down into the -10 per cent range, a possibility this author anticipated two months ago.
Income and employment losses have devolved majorly upon the low-paid, informal, blue and white collared and younger earners according to disparate evidence and employment intensities. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy surveys assess that about 21 million salaried jobs have been lost between April-August; in August, urban unemployment was almost in double digits even as informal jobs returned. Services, which constitute 54 per cent of India’s economy, is likely to bear the brunt of unemployment as a respective 59.7 per cent and 63 per cent of urban male and female workers are engaged in ‘trade, hotel and restaurant’, transport, storage and communication’ and ‘other services’ (2018-19).
What’s the prospect for recovery? Many, including the chief economic adviser, predict a V-shaped recovery in 2021-22. Unless there is a focused intervention in the economy, both business and consumer sentiment will continue to deteriorate, eclipsing prospects of any credible recovery.
 

Yoshihide Suga is all set to become Japan’s new Prime Minister. He was elected by ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers and representatives as the party’s new president on Monday. Suga is expected to take the helm at a critical moment when the country has been hit by a pandemic and economic slump and is grappling with national security issues. The party's new president pledged to keep a good balance between fighting the coronavirus pandemic and promoting economic activities.
Of 534 votes — 393 LDP lawmakers and 141 party representatives from across the country — Suga won by a wide margin, capturing 377 votes, or 70 percent. Policy Council Chairman Fumio Kishida secured 89 votes, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba received 68. The LDP has a comfortable majority in the Lower House, essentially guaranteeing that Suga will become the prime minister Wednesday.
The result is the culmination of a mere weeklong campaign to choose the country’s next leader, who Abe himself imagined would be Kishida and the public initially wanted to be Ishiba.
Suga, who is the son of a strawberry farmer from Akita Prefecture and started his career in politics as a secretary of a Lower House member, has had plenty of media exposure throughout his tenure as the chief government spokesman, which sees him give a media briefing twice a day, five days a week and on emergency occasions. His big break came last year when he unveiled the name of Japan’s new imperial era, earning him the nickname “Uncle Reiwa.”
The tide changed this summer when Abe visited a hospital twice and a resulting rumour about his deteriorating health condition caught Nagatacho, Japan’s political center, off guard.
After Prime Minister ShinzoAbe announced he would be stepping down, citing a chronic illness, on Aug. 28, LDP factions rushed to find a successor. Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, who was tasked with deciding procedures on the LDP presidential election backed Suga and decided to carry out a the downscaled contest, bypassing rank-and-file votes in a crushing blow to Ishiba.
Suga is set to enter the Prime Minister’s Office and form a new Cabinet on Wednesday with the expectation that he will deliver on his promise to double down on policies inherited by his predecessor, such as Abenomics.
 

Every year we celebrate September 14 as ‘Hindi Diwas’ to pay respect to our national language. The Constituent Assembly of India had adopted Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language, written in Devnagari script as one of the official languages of the Republic of India in 1950. Hindi is one of the 22 scheduled languages of the country and spoken by over 40 per cent population. Hindi echoes the voice of integration. This is the language of tolerance and nationalism.  It is also fourth most spoken language in the world after English, Spanish and Mandarin.
When India became independent, there were efforts by the government to widen the reach of the language. But well before that, in its 1925 Karachi session, the Indian National Congress had decided for Hindustani — the blend of Hindi and Urdu — to be made the lingua franca of independent India. This resolution, however, was modified later, and with the coming of  Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, it was suggested that Hindi alone be made the national language.
Stalwarts like Beohar Rajendra Simha, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Kaka Kalelkarr, Maithili Sharan Gupt  and Seth Govind Das lobbied hard in favour of Hindi to be made the official language of India. On September 14, 1949, Hindi was adopted as the official language of the country. The word ‘Hindi’ came from a Persian word ‘Hind’, which means the land of the Indus River.
As a language, Hindi not only commands respect but is also widely spoken; its popularity sustained by Hindi cinema and its melodious songs.
We celebrate Hindi Diwas because we acknowledge the significance of the language that is spoken by 43.6 per cent speakers in India, who identify Hindi as their mother tongue — as of 2011 census. The language has other variants as well, like Awadhi, Braj and Khadi Boli.
Unfortunately, even after seven decades of Independence, there is still protest against Hindi as national languages in some parts of southern parts of India. When Centre’s draft on National Education Policy had endorsed a three-language formula for schools, it was Tamil Nadu which protested first and prompting the Centre to try and allay fears of an “imposition of Hindi”.  As a result, the government had to amend the draft policy and withdraw the proposal.
Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is adding to the glory of Hindi by delivering speeches in the language in the country and abroad. We need to promote such simple Hindi. Instead of having a narrow view of Hindi, there is a need to create awareness about it.

The formal induction of the first batch of five Rafale multirole fighter jets into the 17 Squadron at Ambala airbase marks a new chapter for the Indian Air Force — the first imported a fighter to be operationalised since the Russian Sukhoi-30s in the late 1990s.  India’s Military prowess and commitment are unquestioned.  Amid the unprecedented border faceoff with China, the arrival of the fighters does provide a boost for military capability.
The new fighters — the first imported jets to be inducted into the IAF in 23 years after the Russian Sukhoi-30 jets entered service in June 1997 — will significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of IAF, which has for long planned to update its fighter jet force. Nearly four years ago, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to purchase 36 Rafale jets under a Rs 59,000-crore deal to boost the IAF's combat capabilities.
The entire fleet is expected to be in India by 2021-end, going some way toward filling the country’s larger requirement of 126 such jets. It has taken almost 19 years to acquire the new generation fighter jets, a pointer to the painfully slow defence procurement and planning processes.
However, France had handed over to India its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Florence Parly, in Merignac on October 8 last year. Air and ground crews of the IAF have been in France for almost three years for the management of the Rafale programme.
According to experts, India’s new Rafale fighters will significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of the air force and prove to be a game-changer with their advanced weaponry, high-tech sensors, superior radar for detection and tracking of targets and ability to carry an impressive payload.
According to former Air Chief Marshal B. S Dhanoa, “with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) concentrated and on the offensive on a barren Tibetan Plateau, the Indian Air Force with Rafale fighter as its spearhead weapon will decide the outcome of the battle in case the red flag goes up.” The Rafale’s empty weight is 10 tonnes and its maximum take-off weight is around 25 tonnes. Even transport aircraft don’t have that kind of payload fraction. The Rafale can carry a lot of weapons.
 

The world is getting closer to passing a temperature limit set by global leaders five years ago and may exceed it in the next decade or so. In the next five years, the world has nearly a 1-in-4 chance of experiencing a year that’s hot enough to put the global temperature at 2.7 degrees (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial times, according to a new science update released Wednesday by the United Nation. In recent weeks, the world has seen ferocious wildfires in the U.S. West, torrential rains in Africa, weirdly warm temperatures on the surface of tropical oceans, and record heat waves from California to the Siberian Arctic. This spate of wild weather is consistent with climate change, and the world can expect even more extreme weather and higher risks from natural disasters as global emissions of greenhouse gases continue.
Researchers at the University of Bristol in the west of England published a study last month that found that climate change could make extreme hurricane rainfall in the Caribbean five times more likely, without rapid cuts in emissions. In the United States, warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico boosted Hurricane Laura to a category 4 storm in the last hours before it slammed into Louisiana with 150 mile-per-hour (240 kph) winds. Governor John Bel Edwards described it as the most powerful hurricane to strike the state, surpassing even Katrina in 2005.
Tropical cyclones spinning out from the Indian Ocean are showing similar patterns. The region has long been considered a hot spot for cyclones, with some of the deadliest storms in recent history churning through the Bay of Bengal before slamming into India or Bangladesh.
For decades, scientists have warned of such events – but have been wary of saying that a particular storm or heatwave was a direct result of climate change. The world already has warmed nearly 2 degrees (1.1 degrees Celsius) since the late 1800s, and the last five years are hotter than the previous five years, the report said. The speed-up could be temporary, or it might not be. But truth is that record heat, ice loss, wildfires, floods and droughts continue to worsen, affecting communities, nations and economies around the world.
 

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who is in a middle of a verbal duel with Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, has been granted Y category security by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA), officials said on Monday. The decision has come after the actor compared Mumbai to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Sena’s Sanjay Raut hit back at her in the party’s mouthpiece Saamana, asking her not to return to Mumbai for criticising Mumbai Police. She has said she will reach Mumbai on September 9.
On the other hand, Sanjay Raut said, “If that girl (Kangana) will apologise to Maharashtra, then he will think about apologising. She calls Mumbai a mini-Pakistan. Does she have courage to say the same about Ahmadabad”? The verbal attack between these two generated much controversy as well as publicity on social media.
Anyway, the individuals are given such security on the basis of threat assessment done by central security agencies and are subject to periodic review. High-risk individuals are provided with security by the police and local government. The category is divided into four tiers -- Z+ (highest level); Z; Y and X -- depending on the threat perception to the person. Individuals under the security blanket include cabinet ministers, chief ministers, high court and Supreme Court judges, leading politicians, and senior bureaucrats. The Y Category encompasses two personal officers (POSs) and the X category, one PSO.
Born 23 March 1987, Kanganais is  a recipient of several awards, including three  National Film Awards and  she has featured six times in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list.  In 2020. The Union government has also honoured her with the Padma  Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian award. The total net worth of Kangana is 13 million USD, which in Indian currency are approximately 93 Crores. Most of her earnings come from Brand endorsements for which she charges Rs. 1-1.5 Crore per endorsement.
Butu this young lady is always in news for her provocative statements. Her reputation for expressing her opinions in public and her troubled personal and professional relationships has frequently sparked controversy.  Apart from her controversy with Shiv Sena leader, she directly made allegations against some Bollywood actors that they consume the drug and they should give blood samples for drug tests. 
The film industry represents a microcosm of what’s happening in the world. She succeeded in this film industry despite the challenges that a woman has to face. Kangana is, in fact, the epitome of the opportunities that exist for everyone in the film industry. But now her recent statements are getting delusional. Once or twice she made her point, but now it seems scripted.
 

Bhopal (Mahamedia) Teacher’s Day is celebrated to mark respect and gratitude towards all the teachers, gurus & mentors. Teachers are no less than engineers or architects of our society that shape the young minds. In India, Teacher's Day is celebrated on 5th September- to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Globally, Teachers Day is celebrated on 5th October; in India, we celebrate it on 5th September from 1962 onwards. 
Dr S. Radhakrishnan is one of the most renowned writers in contemporary India. He has made significant contributions to a variety of subjects starting from theoretical, theological, moral, instructive, communal, and enlightening subjects. He wrote several articles to many recognised journals which are of great importance. Teachers Day is a great occasion for celebrating and enjoying the relationship between teachers and students.
Teachers nourish and prepare students for their future as they are the real icon of knowledge and wisdom. They create awareness among the students and common people. They are the source of light in the world that has been darkened due to ignorance. Our teachers are the true pillars of our success. They help us garner knowledge, improve our skills, grow confidence as well as they help us to choose the right path to success. But, despite playing such a crucial role in the lives of students and in nation-building, they rarely are shown the gratitude that they deserve.
A teacher is a friend. Philosopher, and guide who holds our hands, open our mind, and touches our hearts.
The contribution of a teacher cannot be ignored at all. In many countries across the world, teacher’s day is a special day where teachers of the schools, colleges and universities are honoured specially. Teaching is the most influential job in the world. Teachers are known to shape the mind of youth and without knowledge no one can exist in this world. Teachers impart good value in children and turn them into responsible citizens. A teacher is the one who knows the way shows the way, goes the way, and leads others through the way.
Sir Isaac Newton once said-“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” So, try to meet your teachers on the day and convey your wishes. If they are far then send them a message and make his/her day memorable. 
 

Indian economy suffered its worst slump on record in the April-June quarter, with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracting by 23.9 per cent as the coronavirus-related lockdown weighed on the already declining consumer demand and investment.
When compared to global players, the pandemic seems to have affected the Indian economy the most. The UK clocked a decline of 20.4 per cent in growth in the first quarter (April-June) while the United States recorded a decline of 9.5 per cent in growth in the same quarter.
Recession is defined as a fall in the overall economic activity for two consecutive quarters (six months) accompanied by a decline in income, sales and employment. At -23.9 per cent, India is staring at a recession because the Indian economy has witnessed a contraction in growth for the two consecutive quarters now. Crucial parameters like manufacturing, construction, trade, hotel industry have seen a decline and slid into negative.
A 23.9% contraction of the economy sets a poor record and shows that the nationwide lockdown which was in place in April and May has taken the economy back to the 2014 level, erasing the gains made since then.
The actual damage could be much more because the available figures are provisional as all data could not be collected during the lockdown days. The informal economy, which forms a major part of the economy and affects the lives of large numbers of people, has taken a most serious blow. There are no reliable estimates of its performance and when that too is added, the overall picture is likely to become bleak and dismal.  All sectors of the economy, except agriculture and allied activities, had a free fall.
The only green patch was the agriculture sector, which grew by 3.4% with a good rabi harvest. There is the prospect of a good Kharif harvest, too, which augurs well for the sector, though there are worries about the impact of uneven rainfall in some key farming regions.
A recent report of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy reveals worrisome date. It says that 50 lakh people lost their jobs in July after the loss of 1.77 crore jobs in April and 1 lakh in May. It negates the gain of 39 lakh jobs in June when the lockdown was lifted. With children’s studies compromised. The country stares at a downfall of a huge chunk of society unless steps are taken to ensure a level playing field for all.
 

Government of India has now banned PUBG, the incredibly popular battle royale game that was pretty much a permanent fixture on the top of the charts on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. In fact, around 25 per cent of PUBG’s entire global gamer base came from India. According to online analytics firm SensorTower, the PUBG has seen more than 175 million game installations in India.
PUBG is an online multiplayer battle royale game that has gained immense popularity. However, there are some gamers who are even addicted to this game which is why it has become a major concern for many. It is a fabulous game but getting addicted to it can give rise to certain mental and physical health. A statement by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released today said the ban on PUBG Mobile and the other hundred-odd apps have been imposed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, on grounds that “they are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.
No doubt, it is a good decision taken by the Union government to ban such violent games. Most of the bad effects of video games are blamed on the violence they contain. Children who play more violent video games are more likely to have increased aggressive thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and decreased helping others. People can be addicted to video gaming.
PUBG had been under scrutiny for being a violent game. Excessive violence can trigger aggressive thoughts, emotions and behaviour that ultimately affect the mental health of the player. Playing too much PUBG can make you less productive. Video game addiction is not a new thing but you should know that this is not good for one's mental health. Most gamers spend their entire day playing PUBG which means they end up becoming less socially active. The game interferes greatly with the studies of a person. Instead of studying, students were wasting their time on these games. This results in neglecting studies and also in reduced levels of concentration. Its addiction was slowing down children’s brain activity. The decision to ban these games is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.
 

The border clash between India and China is far from being resolved. On the military front, both countries have significantly increased deployment along the Line of Actual Control and their soldiers are eye-ball to eye-ball. The economic relationship between the two Asian giants is also slowly disintegrating.
India has rightly said that the changes in the territorial status quo must be reversed. China has said the two sides should accept the present ground reality, move on and think of the future. Beijing’s position is absurd.  With wars of conquest largely history, Beijing’s preferred model is to impose political humiliation through symbolically powerful victories designed to make the other side look weak. In the latest incident along the LAC, the Indian army managed to thwart another intrusion by Chinese troops in the Chushul sector, broadly between Pangong Tso and Spanggur Gap. On the night of August 29-30, around 300 Chinese troops had attempted to seize the heights in the area that clearly fell within the Indian side of the LAC. But Indian troops were quickly mobilised to occupy the dominant heights first.
According to Pentagon’s latest report, the Chinese military is pressing to double its 200-plus nuclear warheads within a decade with the ability to launch them aboard ballistic missiles by land. Aside from aiming for technological parity with the United States, the People’s Liberation Army is also focused on conducting joint operations, to be able to deter or defeat any US effort to intervene on Taiwan’s behalf.
China’s ideology of expansionism exposed to the world. But Chinese media, special Global Times, blamed India for creating tension at the border and increasing mistrust between two countries. In its recent editorial, the Global Times writes, “India has cancelled much cooperation with China since Galwan Valley clash. Its nationalism is inflicting damage to itself.  India’s national security outlook is twisted. New Delhi’s defense budget reached $71.1 billion, ranking the third in the world, or about 2.4 per cent of its GDP. However, a large part of it was spent on meaningless border friction with its neighbours.”
The Global Times’ editorial further says—“India has gone astray playing geopolitics with China. Countries like the US will bever really offer a hand to India, but rather take advantage of the South Asian giant.” The world knows that India has no-aggression history. India is a peace-loving country and always on the right path.
 

Former President Pranab Mukherjee died on Monday in the army hospital at the age of 84 on Monday. In his political life spanning over five decades, Pranab da, as he was fondly called, saw a meteoric rise from a lecturer of political science in a college in West Bengal to the apex of the Indian State. Through this journey, he emerged as among the most important leaders of the Congress, working with a range of leaders from Indira to Sonia Gandhi. He became the 13th president of India (2012-2017) after a stellar career in the upper echelons of multiple governments.
He was the key troubleshooter for his party and all Congress-led governments. Pranab Da rose to occupy the highest seat of power in Indian democracy but his extraordinary political life is also a story of many misses. Not just the chair of the PM eluded him in 1984, 1990 and 2004; he could not become the Home Minister in 2004 and 2008, the Congress president in 1996 and the Finance Minister in 1991.
In 1982, he became India's youngest finance minister when he was just 47. In the years that followed, he served as India's minister for external affairs, defence, finance and commerce and was the first Indian president to have done so. He was also India's only non-prime minister who was the leader of the Lok Sabha for eight years. Pranab Da was famous in political circles as a consensus builder. He inspired trust among leaders across the political spectrum, an asset that proved handy at the time of his election as president. After leaving office, he also visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur — while this drew flak from his former colleagues, it was a sign of his conviction that democracy meant to dialogue with all forces.
In 2019, he was conferred India's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna by the BJP government, a development that became a subject of intense political debate. Ending his political career as president of India, he left his mark on the highest office of the land too.
Pranab Mukherjee faced and triumphed over several challenges during his eventful five decades in public life. His passing has left a void in our public life; he was a consummate politician with multifaceted contributions to his credit.  He is entitled to a certain space in the history of post-Independence India. Some politicians don’t fade into the background. And so it was with the scholarly Pranab Mukherjee too.
 

Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who was found guilty of criminal contempt for two of his tweets, was on Monday let off with a token fine of Re 1 by the Supreme Court. The bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra, B R Gavai and Krishna Murari, directed the lawyer to deposit the amount by September 15, failing which he will attract a jail term of three months and debarment from law practice for three years. “The freedom of speech cannot be curtailed but rights of others need to be respected,” the court observed.  On August 14, the bench had held Bhushan guilty over the tweets made on June 27 and June 29. During the arguments, Bhushan told the court that the “two tweets represented” his “bonafide beliefs” and that he did not want to apologise for the same. He also answered in the negative when asked if he wished to reconsider his statement. The court, however, gave him time till August 24 “to submit unconditional apology if he so desires”. Attorney-General K K Venugopal urged the court not to punish Bhushan, saying he had done a lot of good work in the area of public interest litigations.
In the criticism against the Supreme Court’s ruling that held advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court, his counsel has invoked the ‘Mulgaonkar principles’, urging the court to show restraint.
What are the Mulgaonkar principles? S Mulgaonkar v Unknown (1978) is a case that led to a landmark ruling on the subject of contempt. By a 2:1 majority, the court held Mulgaonkar, then editor of  The Indian Express, not guilty of contempt although the same Bench had initiated the proceedings. Justices P Kailasam and Krishna Iyer formed the majority going against then Chief Justice of India M H Beg. Justice Iyer’s counsel of caution in exercising the contempt jurisdiction came to be called the Mulgaonkar principles. Although the 1971 Contempt of Courts Act recognises truth as a defence in cases, one of the questions that Bhushan has raised is whether the contemnor has to prove the allegation or remark on corruption.
Prashant Bhushan is a public interest lawyer in the country’s apex court. He was a member of the faction of India Against Corruption (IAC) movement known as Team Anna which supported Anna Hazare’s campaign for the implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill After a split in IAC, he helped Team Anna form the Amm Admi Party. In 2015, he made several allegations against the party's leadership, its functioning and its deviation from the core ideology, values and commitments. He is one of the founders of  Swaraj Abhiyan and Sambhaavnaa, an Institute of Public Policy and Politics.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation because of ill-health on August 28.  He will remain in his post until a successor is chosen. 65-year-old old Abe, this decision just after four days after he had set a record for the longest uninterrupted run as Japanese leader — nearly eight years — but before he had achieved some of his most cherished ambitions. Shinzo Abe had overseen Japan’s recovery from a devastating earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear disaster, restored the country to a semblance of economic health, and curried favour with an unpredictable US President Donald Trump. He has strengthened Japan's defences and boosted military spending, but has been unable to revise the constitution's pacifist Article 9, which bans a standing army for anything other than self-defence.
Mr Abe has suffered for many years from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, but his condition was worsened recently. In 2007 he resigned abruptly from an earlier term as prime minister because of his struggles with ulcerative colitis, a chronic a condition that he has lived with since he was a teenager. He was now receiving a new treatment for the condition which had to be administered on a regular basis and would not give him enough time to carry out his prime ministerial functions.
Mr Abe also expressed regret at not fulfilling his core pledges - forcing North Korea to return Japanese citizens abducted decades ago; sorting out a territorial dispute with Russia; and overhauling the constitution to give more power to the military. Announcing his resignation at a news conference, Mr Abe spoke without the use of a teleprompter, which is unusual for him. Rather than addressing prepared questions, the prime minister mostly took questions. He seemed drained and was at times emotional as he faced the reporters. Now, the crucial question is that who will be Japan’s next PM? The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which has almost continuously been in power since 1955 has many different factions so the race is on between them to get the top job. His announcement will have automatically triggered a vote within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to replace him as a leader. The party will decide next Tuesday how to hold an election, Kyodo news agency reports.
Those close to Mr Abe, like Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga or Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, are not necessarily the most popular among voters as his administration has faced criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This election will be followed by a parliamentary vote to elect a new prime minister.

Over 17 lakh candidates have already downloaded their admit cards for JEE and NEET, and this shows that the students want the exams to be conducted at any cost. While the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is scheduled to be held on September 13, engineering entrance exam JEE-Main has been planned from September 1-6. Around 8.58 lakh candidates have registered for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)–Main and 15.97 lakh students have registered for NEET. Unfortunately, the scheduling of the JEE and (NEET) has become a subject of controversy.
These exams have already been deferred twice in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The JEE-Mains was originally scheduled to be held from April 7-11, but postponed to July 18-23, NEET-UG was originally scheduled for May 3, then pushed to July 26. They were postponed again and are now scheduled in September. The dates have been finalised after two rounds of postponement due to the pandemic. Both exams are competitive and students often enroll in coaching institutes years ahead to prepare. The Centre and pro-exam students argue that postponing the exams again would lead to the loss of an academic year, and additional burden for students. On the other hand, those against the exams being held now say that many students are handling multiple crises — natural calamities, lack of safe transport, absence of accommodation near test centres, and the fear of transmitting the coronavirus to their families. It’s unfortunate that some vested interests are playing with the future of aspiring students with unreasonable demands to postpone JEE and NEET. Students spend more than a year to prepare for these exams and are eager to appear in them. What we need to do at this hour is not to make them anxious and stressed, but to provide psychological support and not wreck their confidence. Our students are our nation’s asset. We should do everything possible to make sure that they are able to seamlessly move on in the pursuit of their higher education goals.
Any further delay in conducting these exams will lead to loss of one complete academic year for the students. It can upset their future plans and employment opportunities. The fact that more than 86% of candidates have already downloaded their admit cards for the exam clearly shows that they are inspired to sit in the exam
 

Even as the chorus continued to grow against the schedule of the Joint Entrance Examination- Main (JEE) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), the National Testing Agency (NTA) maintained that the tests will be held as per schedule with proper Covid-19 safety measures. While the JEE Main is scheduled from September 1-6, NEET is planned on September 13. Several opposition leaders in India, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and DMK president M K Stalin have demanded the exams be postponed. The seven chief ministers of non-BJP ruled states on Wednesday even decided to jointly move the Supreme Court on the issue.
On the other hand, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said that parents of several candidates reached out to the government requesting that the exams be conducted as per schedule. The Education Minister clarified that the JEE Main 2020 and NEET 2020 exam dates had been finalised after postponing them twice, adding that the Supreme Court had also said that full academic year couldn’t be wasted. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi Director V Ramgopal Rao has also supported Centre's decision to conduct NEET, JEE 2020 without any further postponement and said that any delay in conducting these entrance examinations can have serious repercussions on the academic calendar of the upcoming session and the career of bright students.
Moreover, Over 150 academicians from various universities in India and abroad have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that delaying the medical and engineering entrance exams -- JEE-Mains and NEET – any further will mean compromising the future of students. The National Testing Agency, which conducts both exams, has announced social distancing measures such as more testing centres, fewer students per room, more shifts for the JEE (main) computer test, and staggered entry and arrival.
NEET and JEE are the culmination of two years of intense study by higher secondary pass outs. Interminable delays blunt their preparedness.  Over 14 lakh admit cards for the NEET and JEE examinations were downloaded after the NTA released them on Wednesday. While the NEET is planned on September 13, engineering entrance exam JEE Main is scheduled from September 1-6. Around 9.53 lakh candidates have registered for JEE-Mains and 15.97 lakh students have registered for NEET. Authorities must amplify the reassuring messaging to students and parents that the safe conduct of the exams is in their interest.
 

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi has asked her party to begin the process of replacing her as party chief even as demands from across party units sought a Gandhi to lead the Old Party. In the Congress Working Committee meeting, Sonia Gandhi offered to step down but was asked to continue by the former prime minister and veteran colleague Manmohan Singh. The decision came after some Congress leaders, including ex-ministers, wrote to her demanding "changes to the leadership". The letter by former ministers and some MPs was believed to have been written a few weeks ago. The letter comes in the backdrop of the exit of young leaders of the Congress over the past year, increased factionalism in state units, a continued sense of drift over the direction of the party, and uncertainty about leadership.
It is also true that the different voices have emerged within the party with one section comprising sitting MPs and former ministers demanding a collective leadership, while another group (for example former CM of MP Digvijay Singh) has sought the return of Rahul Gandhi to the helm. The Congress has not seen such coordinated dissent in its recent history, at least not since Sonia Gandhi established her grip firmly on the leadership at the beginning of 2000. The party was also in power for 10 years from 2004 to 2014. However, since 2014, however, tension has been simmering in the party. There have long been murmurs against Rahul Gandhi, but the disconnect between him and other senior leaders has now reached a point where it had to come out in the open in some way or the other.
Some senior leaders have also opposed the CWC and said that there was no locus for a CWC to be called like this. It violates the provisions of Congress's Constitution. Leaders who have signed the letter quote Article XVIII (h) of Congress Constitution which states that "in the event of any emergency by reason of any cause such as the death or resignation of the President elected as above, the senior-most - General Secretary will discharge the routine functions of the President until the Working Committee appoints a provisional President pending the election of a regular President by the AICC. They claim that as per the Constitution of the party, no AICC meet has been called in the past 365 days since Sonia Gandhi took charge as the interim president after Rahul Gandhi stepped down following the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha polls. The provisional president is to oversee the picking of a regular president but no move has been made during the one year now. The letter recognizes the scale of the challenge faced by Congress. Congress should act on it now.

BHOPAL (MAHAMEDIA) Ganesh Chaturthi, like most of India’s glorious festivals, is celebrated with much fervor in many parts of the country.  Lord Ganesha is believed to be the supreme ruler of knowledge, with the whole universal intelligence inherent within him. He embodies pure consciousness that is infused within all elements, personifying phenomenal qualities and encapsulated in a majestic form. We pay close attention to Ganesha’s tales scripted in Hindu mythology; he is a patron of education, intelligence, learning, art, scribes and wisdom.

The celebration of Ganesh chaturthi is continue for five, seven or ten days. The clay models of Lord Ganesha are made by artist are available in the markets. It all begins with choosing the right idol. An overwhelming majority of Ganesha idols are made from materials that are simply harmful for the environment. It would be wise to consider a more eco-friendly idol. We could buy an organic/eco-friendly idol rather than the more readily available, mass-made idols, which can also be needlessly expensive.

Ganpati idols made from cow dung are also available in the markets. The specialty of these cow dung made Ganesha idols is that when they are immersed in water bodies, they produce oxygen and manure and serve as a food for marine life rather than harming them like conventional idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) which contains calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a substance that takes several years to fully dissolve in water.
Moreover, idols made using PoP reduce oxygen levels in the water and can kill the fishes and other aquatic animals. The end result is a huge amount of water pollution which then gets mixed with other types of waste, thereby poisoning water sources for several and several years.
The point of a festival is to communicate its essence and spirit. Why not consider therefore, a more symbolic immersion? It can simply be done in a tub or bucket at home. By adopting this method, we can explain the symbolism while preventing harm to our invaluable water resources. With each passing season, the adverse environmental effects of idol immersion on water bodies and the ecology of surrounding areas are worsening at an alarming rate. This year should be different. Follow social distancing and administration's guidelines while participating in celebration.  

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently made an important announcement that government jobs in the State will be given to the youths of Madhya Pradesh only.  Making such an announcement in his speech on the occasion of Independence Day celebration on Tuesday, the CM made it clear that the State government is also making the necessary legal provisions for the same. In other words, youths from other states will not allow getting government jobs in Madhya Pradesh. Nothing is new in Mr. Chouhan’s announcement as he had made such announcements in the past too. His predecessor, Kamal Nath, had promised that 70 percent of the jobs in industrial units would be reserved for locals. But MP is, of course, not unique in this regard. From Haryana to Gujarat, from Maharashtra to Karnataka, across Indian states, there is either a policy framework that reserves educational seats and/or jobs for locals or there is a strong political push in that direction. Maharashtra and Gujarat made speaking knowledge of Marathi and Gujarati to get government jobs in those states.  There is a severe crisis of unemployment, and both public and private sector jobs have either shrunk or not grown at the pace required to meet the demands of India’s growing workforce. Instead of addressing structural economic issues, which can generate employment, political formations (across the spectrum) take the easy way out by framing the issue as one between ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’.  Before making such an announcement our leaders should check the reality. The fact is that where are the jobs in the government as well as in the private sectors?  According to the report of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Madhya Pradesh's unemployment rate increased 15.1 percentage points, rising to 27.5 percent in May 2020. Over a longer time period, unemployment has moved from 1.2 percent in Jul 2017 to its current rate.  Unemployment in Madhya Pradesh was greater than the national rate of 23.5 percent. Nationwide, unemployment was highest in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Delhi at 59.2 percent, 46.2 percent, and 44.9 percent respectively. It was lowest in Uttarakhand, Assam, and Odisha at 8.0 percent, 9.6 percent, and 9.6 percent respectively. An important principle that the Constitution strives to inculcate among citizens is fraternity —and this is possible only when there is engagement between citizens from different parts of the country, which such policies (jobs for state’s children) will only discourage. There is a real jobs crisis. But states turning insular will not solve that crisis, and, instead, create other challenges for national integration. Evolve a consensus across parties and states and refrain from this form of dangerous populism.
 

Following the major controversy over a US media report saying Facebook did not apply its hate speech rules on BJP leaders; Congress has now shot a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, demanding a probe into the conduct of Facebook India leadership. According to an investigative report in The Wall Street Journal, Facebook in India has been complicit in enabling hate speech. Despite employees of the company repeatedly flagging posts by a set BJP leaders and activists, which would fall within the social media publisher’s own definition of speech inciting violence and promoting enmity between communities, Facebook took no action.
Congress has alleged that the Wall Street Journal article has suggested the Facbook India leadership has provided the BJP with favourable treatment on election-related issues. The party has sought an internal enquiry of Facebook India operations. Taking a step forward in this direction and building more pressure on the union government, Congress leader and chairman of the standing committee on information technology Shashi Tharoor has now announced that he would be taking up this issue in the parliamentary committee.
However, Facebook has so far denied having any ties with BJP. Facebook has said the company's social media platform prohibits hate speech and content that incites violence, adding these policies are enforced globally without regard to political affiliation. Facebook has become a powerful media platform where millions of Indians get their daily dose of news, views and entertainment but isn’t subject to regulations like those governing newspapers. And as a media company, Facebook must fulfill all the legal, regulatory, commercial, and ethical obligations that come with being a publisher. India has been increasingly alert to the dangers of Chinese technological companies for its national security.
Like traditional media, Facebook also presents characteristics of editorial discernment in how its algorithm curates news feeds and its staffers exercise editing rights on fake news and hate content. In this regard, the WSJ report points to the company not doing enough to prevent its platform from being used to harm social cohesion and violate Indian laws. India’s rivals like China and Pakistan are using these platforms to create havoc in the country. In these circumstances, parliamentary committees must investigate Facebook and its claims of prohibiting hate speech irrespective of party affiliations. All political parties must unite in national interest.
 

Pandit Jasraj Ji , the classical vocalist, who infused life into the most complex ragas and held audiences spellbound with his craft, died of cardiac arrest in New Jersey, in America, on Monday.  It was only last year in September that the International Astronomical Union named a minor planet after Jasraj, an honour that was previously only reserved for classical greats like Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Luciano Pavarotti -- and then Pandit Jasraj.
The music legend, who celebrated his 90th birthday in January this year, also had a great love for ghazals and once wistfully quoted the popular Ghalib ghazal, “Hazaaron khwahishen aisi ki har khwahish pe dam nikale” to describe all the things left undone in his life.
Born on January 28, 1930, in Haryana’s Hisar district, Pandit Jasraj was initiated into classical music by his father, Pandit Motiram, and honed his craft under the guidance of his elder brother Pandit Maniram. He belonged to the league of great vocalists such as Bade Gulam Ali Khan, M S Subbulakshmi and Bhimsen Joshi. Jasraj Ji made classical music accessible to all with his soulful renditions of ‘khayal’ mixed with ‘thumri’.
He loved listening to music from every part of the world and was someone who could appreciate the Beatles and Mehdi Hassan as much as he did Bhimsen Joshi. He married great director V Shantaram’s daughter Madhura also sang in the movies. His first song was in 1966 with the bhajan “Vandana Karo” in raga Ahir Bhairav for his father-in-law V Shantaram’s “Ladki Sahyadri Ki”. The bhajan was composed by Vasant Desai. He is credited with creating new ragas such as ‘abiri todi’ and ‘patdeepki’ besides introducing a new style of ‘jugalbandi’, the ‘Jasrangi’.
Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri, Pandit Jasraj also popularised semi-classical music like ‘haveli sangeet’ and reached out to devotees with his ‘bhajans’, a particular favourite for his fans being “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevay” and “Govind Damodar…” in praise of Lord Krishna. He will live on – in his endless recordings and also in the many students he mentored.
 

Former India Test opener Chetan Chauhan, who was known for his batting passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday. The former cricketer, who had tested positive for Covid-19 last month, was admitted to the hospital but his condition worsened after he suffered multiple organ failure. For a generation that didn't watch Chauhan, he was one of the first Indian international cricketers to wear a helmet which he believed helped his game. A strong back-foot player, who could ride the bounce, Chauhan's finest phase was between 1977 to 1981 when he was a regular with Sunil Gavaskar at the top of the order. Yet the most endearing memory for all YouTubers will be how Gavaskar called him to leave the ground in Melbourne after being unhappy with Dennis Lillee's boorish behaviour during India's famous victory. Was Gavaskar out or not out sir? Journalists would often ask him and he would start laughing.
From his first Test match in 1969 to UP Sports Minister in 2017, Chetan Chauhan had come a long way. And yet, he will always be remembered for what he was in between: Sunil Gavaskar’s courageous opening partner, Delhi cricket official, and manager of the Indian team that got embroiled in the “monkeygate” controversy in Australia.
On the cricket pitch, by his own assessment in the past, Chauhan was not a master technician like his good friend Gavaskar. Neither did he possess the supple wrists of the legendary Gundappa Vishwanath nor the languid strokes that made Dilip Vengsarkar such a treat to watch. Instead, he made up through sheer guts and conviction that helped him blunt some of the sharpest bowling attacks around the world during the 1970s and early 80s.
But for all the courage, there were heartbreaks, too. In his 40 Test innings, he could never get a three-digit score. Out of his 16 fifties, he has two scores of 90s and five in the 80s. But then, Chauhan’s career was well beyond statistics. It was about precious runs for which he had to toil hard. Like the 88 he scored against a menacing Jeff Thompson on a fast-as-lightning track in Perth in 1977.
After retirement, Chauhan didn’t distance himself from the game. A fitness enthusiast, old-timers at Feroz Shah Kotla recall his regular morning walks while he served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in several capacities. Long after he had quit the game in the mid-80s, Chauhan shifted to politics, getting elected twice as Member of Parliament from Almorah in UP on a BJP ticket. In 2016, he was appointed to head the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), which triggered a controversy over his suitability for the post. He was replaced a year later when he joined the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.
 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former Indian cricket captain who led Team India to victories in the ICC WT20 (2007), ICC World Cup (2011) and ICC Champions Trophy (2013),  announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15. Dhoni, who had retired from Test cricket at the end of 2014, last played for India in an international match in the semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 ICC World Cup. He made his international debut in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2004 and played his maiden Test match almost a year later against Sri Lanka in Chennai. He was part of the team that played India’s first-ever T20 international against South Africa in December 2006.
Dhoni’s international retirement was always on the cards. The wicket-keeper batsman had not played any competitive cricket match ever since India’s defeat to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Manchester.  But at 39, with his powers on the wane, and the ability to biff the ball almost at will not the same as before, Dhoni’s decision shouldn’t have been a surprise. But the intimations of his cricket mortality weren’t loud. Until his last game, He was among the fittest in the team, the best available white-ball wicket-keeper by some distance, and a middle-order batting fulcrum whose presence held out hope even when the cause seemed utterly lost.
Dhoni has remained unbeaten in 84 ODIs, which is again a world record. The second best is by former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock, who has 72 not outs to his name. Dhoni also holds the record for inflicting the most number of stumpings in international cricket. In 350 matches, Dhoni has 123 stumpings to his name. He is also the only wicket-keeper to have inflicted 100 international stumpings in his career. In terms of total dismissals, Dhoni is behind South Africa’s Mark Boucher and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist.
If Sachin Tendulkar’s rise to stardom represented aspirational India in the post-1991 liberalization era, Dhoni’s rise represented a small-town revolution in Indian cricket that came in liberalization’s wake. Before him, it was still players from the big cricketing states and cities that dominated the game. Hailing from Jharkhand, Dhoni broke that mould and brought with him an unorthodox yet effective style. In that sense, Dhoni’s reign oversaw a transition in Indian cricket where the focus firmly shifted from classical style to substance, from trying to win to making winning an art form.
His winning six in the 2011 World Cup final will be cherished for generations to come. If Dhoni leaves behind a legacy it is that a brilliant cricketer can come from anywhere.
 

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia has approved the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine should have evoked sighs of relief worldwide. With over 20 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 750,000 deaths so far worldwide, the availability of a vaccine should have triggered celebrations across the world. That it has not speaks volumes of the deeply flawed nature of the trial procedures that the vaccine has been subjected to before the Russian announcement.
Putin has also announced regulatory approval of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute. He plans to start mass vaccinations in October. Naming the vaccine Sputnik V, Putin asserted that Russia had won the vaccine race. Putin’s action is reckless and dangerous, gambling with the health and safety of the Russian people. What is important is not to be first with a COVID-19 vaccine but to be the best, which means it must be proven safe and effective. A vaccine can be considered safe and effective only if it is proven in Phase 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted on a large population. Until successful completion of Phase 3 trials, a vaccine must still be considered investigational.
Several pharma companies and countries are racing to develop vaccines to stall SARS-CoV-2.  Currently, there are eight vaccines in Phase 3 trials, but Sputnik V is not among them. Also, the Gamaleya Institute has not released safety or immunity data from its early phase clinical studies. The lack of transparency makes it impossible to independently verify the hyped claims. If the vaccine does prove to be effective, it would be a major and exciting breakthrough in the world’s fight against COVID-19. Since the pandemic outbreak, researchers around the world have been working to develop a vaccine against it. Over 165 vaccines are under development, some 30 of them in human trials.
Apparently, the Russian scientists who developed the vaccine as well as Putin’s own daughter have been vaccinated with Sputnik-V and are doing well. Putin has not provided solid data backing his claim that the vaccine works. It is alarming that an untested vaccine is being promoted by the head of a state. Vaccine hesitancy has been a major challenge globally, resulting in a resurgence of measles and other childhood diseases. A rush to win the “vaccine race” using terms like “Sputnik” or President Trump’s “Operation Warp Speed,” can cause grave public concern. If Sputnik-V proves effective, it would be a huge victory for Russian scientific achievement. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia’s stature has declined in almost every field; a successful vaccine would give its global image a boost.  
 

Indian-origin Senator Kamala Devi Harris scripted history when she became the first Black woman to be appointed as running mate by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the November presidential elections.  She is the first Asian-American on a major presidential ticket.
The 55-year-old California senator becomes just the third woman to be selected as the vice president on a major party ticket. Kamala Devi Harris is the daughter of Prof Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer biologist, who was from Chennai, India, and had emigrated to the US in 1965. Her father, Donald Harris, was from Jamaica. After her parents divorced, Harris was raised primarily by her Hindu single mother who adopted black culture and immersed her two daughters - Kamala and her younger sister Maya - in it. Harris grew up embracing her Indian culture but living a proudly African American life. She often joined her mother on visits to India. Harris was born in Oakland and grew up in Berkeley. She spent her high school years living in French-speaking Canada - her mother was teaching at McGill University in Montreal.
Harris is now the first American of Indian and Asian descent to run for vice-president. She is also the first African American of a major party and only the third woman yet to run for that office, after Democrat Geraldine Ferraro and Republican Sarah Palin.
Harris is known for many firsts. She has been a county district attorney; the district attorney for San Francisco - the first woman and first African-American and Indian-origin to be elected to the position. She would be several firsts in her role as vice president also: the first woman, the first African-American woman, the first Indian-American and the first Asian-American.
Harris’ supporters on Tuesday announced to launch a nationwide campaign ‘America mein Khila Kamal (Lotus blooms in the US). California-based Indian-American entrepreneur Ajay Bhutoria is planning to release graphic and social media posts around this slogan in the run-up to the November 3 presidential elections. Bhutoria is also the creator of a multi-language campaign, including in Hindi, which says, “America Ka Neta Kaisa Ho, Jo Biden Jaisa Ho!! (How America’s leader should be, like Biden)”, as part of the efforts to reach to the Indian-American community.
Around 1.3 million Indian-Americans are expected to vote in this year's election, with nearly 200,000 in battleground states like Pennsylvania and 125,000 in Michigan, according to the research firm CRW Strategy. In the 2016 presidential election,  77 percent of Indian Americans voted for Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton. President Donald Trump has been seeking to win over Indian voters, praising Indian-Americans as business and technology leaders.
 

Even as the world remains uncertain about how the Coronavirus pandemic will evolve, scientists have been working tirelessly to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Researchers around the world continue to test new approaches to SARS-CoV-2 immunization and promising therapeutic options for COVID-19, the disease that the novel coronavirus causes.
India had crossed the 15-lakh figure mark on July 28. in the nine days after that; more than 4.95 lakh cases have been added. During the same time, America, which has the maximum number of cases in the world, added 5.19 lakh cases.  Brazil, the only country with more infection than India, added only 3.82 new cases during this period.
As of now, America has 47.20 lakh people who have been infected with the COVID-19, while Brazil has 28.01 lakh. At the rate India is growing right now, it seems poised to overtake Brazil in about a month’s time.
In the absence of a vaccine or a cure, the only way to slow the spread of Covid-19 has been wearing masks, social distancing, and restricting regular activities — things that have taken a toll on life and work. According to WHO, there are six vaccine candidates in Phase-3 or Phase 2/3 trials,. Three of these are Chinese – from Sinovac, Sinopharm and the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, and Sinopharm and the Beijing Institute of Biological Products.
India has not signed deals with any of the vaccine makers yet. The Department of Biotechnology and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, DBT-BIRAC, have funded some Indian vaccine candidates (including those of Cadila Healthcare and Bharat Biotech), but this doesn’t come with any strings attached. To be sure, as a country with enough vaccine-making capacity (and huge expertise in this area), it can always play catch-up with countries that have already planned their Covid-19 vaccine stockpiles, but it wouldn’t hurt to do this now.
India has formed an expert committee comprising representatives from all relevant ministries and institutions to oversee all aspects of its Covid-19 vaccine plan, from the identification of the vaccine to buying to financing the purchase to distribution and administration — a move that comes even as six vaccines are in Phase 3 or combined Phase 2-3 trials and as countries around the world scrambles to strike deals with multiple vaccine makers.
 

The Hiroshima Day is observed every year on August 6. This is a day of remembrance of the first atomic bombing of the world by the United States on two Japanese cities---Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. On this day, the first nuclear weapon “Little Boy”; was dropped on Hiroshima, directly killing at least 70,000 people. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians. Over the next two to four months, the acute effects of the atomic bombings killed between 90,000 and 146,000 people in Hiroshima and 39,000 and 80,000 people in Nagasaki; roughly half of the deaths in each city occurred on the first day. Large numbers of people continued to die for months afterward from the effects of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness and malnutrition. Most of the dead were civilians, although Hiroshima had a sizable military garrison.
Six days after the bombing of Nagasaki and then the Soviet Union’s declaration of war, Japan surrendered to the allies on August 15 and signed the instrument of surrender on September 2 in Tokyo, which effectively ended World War II. 
War is no solution to any conflict between rival countries. The 20th century was the most murderous in recorded history. The total number of deaths caused by or associated with its wars has been estimated at 187 million. It was a century of almost unbroken war, with few and brief periods without organised armed conflict somewhere. It was dominated by world wars-- wars between territorial states or alliances of states.  When we look at the history of the efforts of different nations to prevent wars, the record is only disappointing.  Since 1,000 B.C. there have been over 8,000 peace treaties, and each one lasted on average no more than nine years. The League of Nations was formed with the intention to create a forum for dialogue between nations so that misunderstandings between nations would not develop.  The League of Nations was founded in 1920 to ensure that World War I ‘was the war to end all wars’. Twenty years later World War II erupted.
The failure of the League of Nations gave rise to the United Nations. The United Nations was established in 1945 to end wars and conflicts between nations, once and for all. Since then there have been 150 major wars. It is clear that political negotiations, treaties and the use of arms have never succeeded in creating a lasting state of world peace. 
The world needs Maharishi’s Absolute Theory of Defence -- 
 The world can achieve absolute peace on earth through Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Absolute Theory of Defence. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces of any country can prove this principle of Transcendental Meditation by training some small percentage of his military personnel in Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ji's Vedic Technology of Absolute Defence—Transcendental Meditation and its advanced practice, the TM-Siddhi Programme including Yogic Flying. By maintaining a high level of integrity and coherence in the national consciousness, military power will be able to prevent the birth of any internal enemy. Its influence of coherence and its nourishing power of positivity, harmony, and indomitable peace will prevent the birth of any external enemy—no enemy will be born anywhere on Earth. No enemy means no war!
 

The Ayodhya is decked up for the August 5 event when religious leaders and other dignitaries will gather for the ceremony. A bridge over Saryu river has been illuminated and priests performed ‘aarti’ at the ghat of Saryu river as  the religious rituals got underway on Monday, two days ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony for a Ram temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the temple in the August 5 ceremony. Twenty-one priests on Monday conducted prayers dedicated to Lord Ganesh. According to reports, the muhurat (auspicious moment) will last only for 32 seconds on Wednesday - from 12:44:08 on to 12:44:40 pm. One hundred seventy-five people have been invited for the event, out of which 135 are saints of that many traditions. On the dais, there will be just five people - Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, trust chief Nritya Gopaldas Maharaj, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
Design for the proposed temple was first drafted between 1985 and 1986. However, the initial design has now been modified to ensure that the temple can accommodate more devotees. The temple will be 161 feet in height and will have three floors.
The proposed width of the structure is 140 feet. The three-story temple will have 318 pillars, 106 pillars on each floor.  These pillars will be designed in accordance with Hindu mythology.  Spread over 69 acres, this will be the only temple in the world with five domes. While doors and pillars have been carved for the temple in Ayodhya over the years and reports say that so have the walls, the ‘garbh-griha’ (sanctum sanctorum) is yet to be built, where Ram Lalla, the deity, will be placed and worshipped.
The Ram temple will have five entrances: Singh Dwar, Nritya Mandap, Rand Mandap, Pooja Room, and the all-important ‘garbh griha’ with parikrama. Ram Lalla, the idol, will be placed on the ground floor itself. At least 1.75 lakh cubic feet of sandstone will be required for the full construction of the temple as envisioned. A bell weighing 2,100 kg has been made for the proposed grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. The huge bell has been crafted by a Muslim craftsman, Iqbal, in Jalesar in Etah district. The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is likely to start from Ram Navami in April next year.
 

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the new National Education Policy and renamed the HRD Ministry as Education Ministry. The National Education Policy, the first since 1986, makes the mother tongue/regional language compulsory medium of instruction up to at least class five. This, along with the new policy of a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, instead of the usual 10+2  curricular structure will make students take school examinations in classes 3, 5, and 8 as well. This will be similar to students writing their class 10 board exams to enter higher secondary school or class 12 board exams to enter undergraduate. The new structure corresponds to the age groups 3-8, 8-11, 11-14 and 14-18 years. The new system will cover four stages -- Foundational Stage (three years of Anganwadi or pre-school followed by classes 1-2), Preparatory Stage (classes 3-5), Middle Stage (classes 6-8), and Secondary Stage (classes 9-12).
Making board exams easy and reduction of the curriculum to core concepts are some of the reforms that the new policy states.
While Board exams for classes 10 and 12 will be continued, they will be reformed to eliminate the need for taking coaching classes. Board exams will be redesigned to encourage holistic development and will also be made easier by testing core capacities.
Notably, students will be allowed to take board exams two times in a given school year: One main examination and one for improvement, if desired.
Under the new education policy, the new supervisory body will replace UGC and AICTE, and there would be one Regulatory Body.  All higher education institutions, except legal and medical colleges, will be governed by a single regulator.  When a student moves to higher education, he or she will have the choice between 3 and 4-year undergraduate courses. They will also have multiple entry and exit options in degree courses. This in simple terms means that a student after completing the first year in a discipline or field is eligible to exit with a certificate; a diploma after 2 years of study; or a Bachelor's degree after a 3-year programme. Meanwhile, MPhil courses, whose relevance is increasingly under the scanner off late, will be discontinued.
The New Education Policy will specifically emphasise e-learning, an issue that has bothered the education system amid the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.
A panel led by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Kasturirangan had submitted the draft of the new policy to Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ when he took charge last year. The draft was then put in the public domain to seek feedback from various stakeholders and over two lakh suggestions were received by the HRD Ministry about the same. In the era of knowledge where learning, research, and innovation are important, the new education policy will transform India into a vibrant knowledge hub.
 

Tigers are considered as an 'Umbrella Species' as their conservation saves many other animal species. India has doubled its tiger population ahead of the target year of 2022. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, has been a success story despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges of poaching, loss of habitat, human and wildlife conflict, and climate change. Today, on July 29, the world is observing Global Tiger Day! Established in 2010 at Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, July 29th is dedicated to worldwide awareness and support for tiger conservation. This year, the Global Tiger Day is celebrated with the slogan, “Their Survival in Our Hands”.
Less than a century ago, 100,000 tigers roamed the forests of Asia, but today’s reality is that there are only 4000 tigers are surviving in their natural environment.
India is currently home to nearly 3000 tigers marking a 33 percent jump in their number from the last census four years ago. India has 50 reserves with 2,967 tigers which are 70 percent of the total tiger population in the world.
According to the fourth round of tiger census, there are currently 2967 tigers in India in 2018 as against 2226 in 2014. This means an increase of 741 tigers in the last four years because of the conservation initiatives taken by the Centre and state governments. Compared to 2006 when the scientific method of tiger counting began, the numbers doubled – from 1411 in 2006.
Since 2006, India has been conducting the all India tiger estimation once every four years. Three cycles of the estimation have already been completed in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Though India launched Project Tiger in 1973, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was set up only in 2006. It came as a response to the drastic fall in tiger numbers as highlighted by the local extinction of tigers in Sariska and Panna Tiger reserves
With the primary issues of poaching, habitat destruction and man-animal conflict, the future of India’s iconic Big Cat remains a matter of great concern.
Apart from tackling the serious issue of poaching and trade in tiger parts, one of the main issues that require immediate attention in regard to tiger conservation is the fragmentation, degradation, and shrinking of habitat. A rise in the encroachments into protected areas, deforestation and conversion of buffer zones into farmland are dangerous for the tiger’s life. It resulted in the shrinking of the sizes of tiger reserves.
Today India has almost twice the number of tigers than it did a decade ago; however, the threats to India’s big cats remain as potent as ever. India’s reported tiger deaths related to poaching peaked in 2016, according to World Wildlife Fund-India. There were 50 poaching-related deaths in 2016, according to the Wildlife Protection Society of India, the highest in 15 years.
Those who study English literature must be known to British poet William Blake’s famous poem on tiger ----

 Tyger Tyger, burning bright, 

 In the Forests of the Night; 

 What immortal hand or eye, 
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Poet, painter and visionary William Blake worked to bring about a change both in the social order and in the minds of men. Blake wrote this poem in 1774, there were around 100 thousand tigers roaming this planet in Nature. In the second line, the poet writes about, ‘Forest of the Night’ which is the home of the tiger. There were hardly one billion people on the planet and there was no Global Tiger Day celebration then. 

The first batch of five Rafale jets is scheduled to land at the Ambala airbase on Wednesday. The jets took off from the Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux on Monday and will arrive here after covering a distance of 7,000 km with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop in the United Arab Emirates. The fleet of five jets comprises three single-seater and two twin-seater aircraft.
The new fighters — the first imported jets to be inducted into the IAF in 23 years after the Russian Sukhoi-30 jets entered service in June 1997 — will significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of IAF, which has for long-planned to update its fighter jet force.
Nearly four years ago, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to purchase 36 Rafale jets under a Rs 59,000-crore deal to boost the IAF's combat capabilities. The five Rafales are scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday, though a formal induction ceremony would be held later. The delivery of 36 fighters will be completed by the end of next year.
However, France handed over to India its first Rafale fighter during a ceremony attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Florence Parly, in Merignac on October 8 last year. Air and ground crews of the IAF have been in France for almost three years for the management of the Rafale programme.
According to experts, India’s new Rafale fighters will significantly enhance the offensive capabilities of the air force and prove to be a game-changer with their advanced weaponry, high-tech sensors, superior radar for detection and tracking of targets and ability to carry an impressive payload.
According to former Air Chief Marshal B. S Dhanoa, “with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) concentrated and on the offensive on a barren Tibetan Plateau, the Indian Air Force with Rafale fighter as its spearhead weapon will decide the outcome of the battle in case the red flag goes up.” The Rafale’s empty weight is 10 tonnes and its maximum take-off weight is around 25 tonnes. Even transport aircraft don’t have that kind of payload fraction. The Rafale can carry a lot of weapons.

The pandemic and lockdown will have a lasting impact on children and we need to know how to deal with it. Not only adults but children too are desperately hoping to return to pre-COVID-19 times. Schooling is more than just learning and writing exams. Children are waiting to run their school playgrounds. They are never happy about being kept away from school for long.
As the Central government’s Unlock 2 is coming to an end on July 31, the recent media reports suggested that the Ministry of Home Affairs is preparing guidelines for Unlock 3. Most probably, it is expected that the Home Ministry will release the latest guidelines before August 1. As per media reports, in the next phase of unlocking, the schools and colleges will remain shut. This is exam result time, but there is less chance for the schools, colleges, and universities to reopen anytime soon.
Looking into the rising cases of COVID-19, the Madhya Pradesh government had already said it will make a decision on re-opening of schools in the state on July 31. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) already started consultation with all states. The MHRD had earlier said that it was seeking feedback from parents on the issue. Later, it said that parents are not in favour of the reopening of school at this time.
There are debates on re-opening and online learning across the country.  But instead of debating on when schools should be re-opening, it is important to ask how children and teachers are going to respond to the re-opening of schools.  Instead of debating on the pros and cons of online education, we must now focus on how school spaces can be made safe and hygienic to fight with the community infection. Also, there are various kinds of schools in the country such as rural and urban, government and private, co-ed, etc. Therefore; it is very difficult to visualize a pan-India response of the system to re-opening.
This pandemic has out many school-going children out of schools. It has impacted children’s lives far beyond health. The majority of parents are not in favour of sending their wards to schools even if the government gives green signal to schools to start earlier than expected. Therefore; states and CBSE need to come together to evaluate new learning models. For that CBSE needs to be more imaginative and think out of the box. For instance, CBSE’s decision to slash course module by 30 percent is a very lazy and half-hearted attempt to address systemic faults in Indian academic learning. CBSE must get to work on a new course module that is attuned to global learning patterns.

Worldwide there are currently more than 1.2 billion children in 186 countries affected by school closures due to the pandemic. The indefinite closure of schools created a learning vacuum for students. In a bid to ensure continuity in learning, many states began online classes. In May, the Centre launched “e-Vidya”, a campaign to unify digital/online/on-air education efforts. Private players also joined the effort.
The sudden shift to online learning without any planning -- especially in countries like India where the backbone for online learning was not ready and the curriculum was not designed for such a format -- has created the risk of most of our students becoming passive learners and they seem to be losing interest due to low levels of attention span.
According to a report, the online education market is expected to reach INR 360.3 billion by 2024. Ease of learning, flexibility, and a wide range of study materials have influenced the overall growth of the industry. In fact, India’s e-learning market is the second largest after America. The online education is India evolving at a swift pace owing to the growth in internet and smartphone penetration. The number of internet users is expected to reach 730 million by the end of 2020. India may replace China to have the second-largest users after America.
Online learning is a special kind of methodology and not all teachers are good at it or at least not all of them were ready for this sudden transition from face to face learning to online learning. Thus, most of the teachers are just conducting lectures on video platforms such as Zoom which may not be real online learning in the absence of a dedicated online platform specifically designed for the purpose.
There are side-effects of online learning. Online classes don't offer the same immediate and regular access to instructors and classmates as traditional face-to-face classes. The communication typically takes place through e-mail and in virtual discussion forums. While this can aid in learning technology, it negatively impacts a student's ability to interact with professors, ask questions, and get immediate help. It also takes away from some of the social and team-building that occurs informally in college classrooms. We are now beginning to realize that online learning could be dull as it is creating a new set of passive learners which can pose new challenges.
 

Education is a weapon to improve one’s life. It is probably the most important tool to change one’s life. Education certainly determines the quality of an individual’s life. It improves one’s knowledge, skills, and develops the personality and attitude. But the recent report of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is not only a big shocker but an eye-opener to all of us. According to this report, about 22 percent of schools across the country are operating from old or dilapidated buildings, while 31 percent of schools reported cracks in structures.  Nineteen percent of the schools were located near rail tracks, whereas only one percent has speed breakers with zebra crossing signs for safety and security of children.   Another major finding in the report was that only 74 percent of schools have in-built water facilities in toilets and in the rest students have to carry water from outside.
The report was based on a survey of 26,071 schools across 12 states carried out by NCPCR to examine the safety and security of children in schools in terms of different indicators. The states covered are from north, west, east and north-eastern parts of India. Several districts were covered in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Rajasthan while a few districts were covered in Odisha, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, and Chandigarh, the report said.
The report also said that only 57 percent of children are satisfied with the quality of food. There have been cases where the food was not even fit for consumption and children have been sick. They are not even being provided food in the required quantity (61 percent). It is not surprising that if the food was not prepared as per the menu, the nutritive value in the food provided is only 60 percent of the time.  On the issue of cyber safety in schools, it was observed that not all schools visited had computer rooms, and of the 55 percent of schools where they have computer rooms and technological devices only 44 percent of schools have security systems in place to restrict the internet and 42 percent have blocked access to social media use by students. Countless words are written about the conditions of schools and education in India. Indubitably, education is the only valuable asset humans can achieve. It is the sole basis on which future of the human race depends.  
According to a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s recent report, the COVID-19 pandemic has made the crisis in early childhood development worse, with more than 40 million children worldwide missing education in critical pre-school years. Families need support from their governments and their employers to weather this storm and safeguard their children's learning and development.  Childcare is essential in providing children with integrated services, affection, protection, stimulation and nutrition and, at the same time, enables them to develop social, emotional and cognitive skills.
 

Only a vaccine can restore our confidence in a world stricken by a virus that has infected over 15 million people in a bit over six months and killed 600,000 of them and is adding a quarter of a million cases a day in all areas - urban and rural. With the highest-ever single-day spike of 45,720 cases, India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 12-lakh mark on Thursday, while the death toll mounted to 29,861 with a record 1,129 fatalities in a day. The country crossed the 12-lakh mark just three days after it crossed the 11-lakh milestone. The coronavirus caseload in the country surged to 12, 38,635, while 7, 82,606 people have recovered so far in the country.
The test of time is crucial and critical. The pharmaceutical firms associated with the vaccine developers are girding up for mass production. India can hope to be one of the earliest beneficiaries as Oxford has partnered with the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) for making the vaccine.  As the Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine gains momentum after showing positive results in the initial trials, Serum Institute of India is all set to conduct trials for the vaccine in India, and begin production of the doses as well. More than 5,000 people have enrolled themselves for clinical trials of the Oxford vaccine.
According to a report, Oxford's AZD122 will be called Covishield in India. The vaccine will cost less than 1,000 INR per dose. There is a silver lining in the form of expedited vaccine trials, some of which have reported progress. None of the 224 vaccine trials that are currently going on may promise a one-shot immunity. 23 more vaccines were reported to be readying for human trials and 140 other vaccine candidates lined up not too far behind.  
A word of caution about the efficacy of vaccines is that they have not eliminated any disease in 100 years except smallpox and, to an extent, polio. Booster shots may be required to fight this virus.  On the other hand, WHO expert Mike Ryan has ruled out the possibility of Covid-19 vaccine until early 2021. He said the researchers are making "good progress" in developing vaccines against COVID-19, with a handful in late-stage trials, but their first use cannot be expected until early 2021. He also expressed hope that the Vaccination will commence by the first part of next year. He also emphasized on the need for fair distribution of vaccine after its discovery. The deadly virus has so far infected more than 15 million people across the globe.  According to Johns Hopkins University, the world has witnessed a total of 15,077,182 confirmed coronavirus cases.
 

The Coronavirus is good at throwing people off guard just when they think they have controlled it.  Often, people wonder if they have become their own enemies. Technology didn't see this coming, digital presence has proven useless. In just three weeks, 100,000 more people have succumbed to the disease. The global death toll has surpassed 600,000 as the numbers of cases have climbed to over 14 million. This pandemic has shaken the world. No one ever thought India would cross a million cases. The country added 37,724 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday pushing the country’s tally to 11, 92,915, while recoveries surged to 7,53,049 with 28,472 people having recuperated in a day, the highest so far. The death toll due to the disease rose to 28,732 with 648 people succumbing to the disease in the last 24 hours.
Therefore, in this time of COVID-19, your safety is really in your hands. Use the correct mask. It has been already advised to avoid stepping out of the house unless necessary, wearing a mask when you are in the contagious area, apart from practicing a good form of hygiene is a good measure.
Recently, the Union government has written to all states warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirator by people, saying these don't prevent the virus from spreading out and are "detrimental" to the measures adopted for its containment.
The Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health said it has been observed that there is "inappropriate use" of N-95 masks, particularly those with a valved respirator, by the public other than designated health workers.
The government had in April issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly when they step out of their residences.
The advisory stressed such face covers must be washed and cleaned each day, as instructed and states that any used cotton cloth can be used to make this face cover. The colour of the fabric does not matter but one must ensure that the fabric is washed well in boiling water for five minutes and dried well before making the face cover. Adding salt to this water is recommended.
 

Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon died on Tuesday at the age of 85. He was admitted to Lucknow’s Medanta hospital on June 11 after complaining of breathlessness, difficulty in urination, and fever. He is survived by wife Krishna Tandon and three sons. One of his sons, Ashutosh Tandon, is a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.
Tandon was born in Chowk in Lucknow on April 12, 1935, to Shivnarayan Tandon and Annapurna Devi. He entered Uttar Pradesh assembly as a Member of Legislative Council (MLC) in 1978.
Tondon again entered the upper house in 1990 and it was during this second term as MLC when he became a minister for the first time. He held a number of portfolios in his five decades-long political career. Before becoming Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Tandon served as Bihar Governor from August 2018 to July 2019. He won the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat in 2009.
In the political circle, he was considered close to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was also considered as one of the founder members of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi rightly said while expressing the condolence, “He played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. He made a mark as an effective administrator, always giving importance to public welfare. He was well-versed with constitutional matters.”
The veteran leader had courted some controversy around during his active political life. In his book 'Ankaha Lucknow' (a book about Avadh province and Lucknow which people do not know), He glorified the Nawab rule and has accused the Britishers of maligning their image. Also, he mentioned about how the famous "Laxman Tila" was either demolished or allowed to rust and the place is now known as "Teele Waali Masjid" - a famous mosque. Tandon has reportedly accused the Samajwadi Party of the disappearance of "Laxman Tila", the accusation which has sparked a huge political furore.
There was another controversy occurred on his birthday in April 2004, when was distributing free saris to poor women when a stampede broke out, killing 21 people. However, was later given a clean chit in this matter.  As a Governor of Bihar, Tandon was praised for streamlining the academic activities of the state universities. He was appointed as the 22nd Governor of Madhya Pradesh on July 20, 2019, replacing Anandiben Patel.
 

The total coronavirus caseload in the country surged to 10, 03,832, while the death toll mounted to 25,602 with the highest number of 687 fatalities recorded in a day, the data updated at 8 am on Friday showed. A total of 22,942 people have recuperated in the past 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries in a day, taking the total number of recovered cases to 6,35,756, while there are 3,42,473 active COVID-19 cases presently.
As Covid-19 cases continue to surge in new regions, India is witnessing another round of local lockdowns, where state governments have imposed restrictions in large parts of their state or key cities. The 68-day national lockdown offered several lessons to the country. One, restrictions can slow the spread of the infection but not.
As a last resort, various states and UTs have cracked the whip. A lockdown is in place in Bengaluru and Pune. Uttar Pradesh has decided to enforce stringent restrictions during weekends. The Punjab government has barred all public gatherings while restricting social gatherings to five persons and wedding functions to 30 guests instead of 50. There is nothing wrong if states/cities want to impose lockdowns to control infections. Such autonomy is in keeping with India’s federal setup. But any lockdown-related decision must be taken based on a comprehensive assessment.
Of the 687 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, 266 are from Maharashtra, 104 from Karnataka, 69 from Tamil Nadu, 58 from Delhi, 40 from Andhra Pradesh, 34 from Uttar Pradesh, 23 from West Bengal, 17 from Bihar, 16 from Jammu and Kashmir, 10 each from Telangana and Gujarat and nine from Punjab. Rajasthan has reported eight fatalities followed by Madhya Pradesh with seven deaths, Jharkhand four, Haryana three, Assam, Kerala and Odisha two each while Chhattisgarh, Goa, and Puducherry have registered a fatality each.
The pandemic is here to stay, for now, and living in denial defies logic. The process has been difficult, anxiety-prone and stressful, and not much is expected to change soon. Defiance is not the answer, compliance is. When the whole of humanity is affected, taking care of oneself means taking care of the other. This is a time of personal sacrifice for the public good. Politicians and public figures must also lead by example, driving public support for science through their actions. This includes wearing masks in public and partaking in efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exams results are a hot topic of conversation these days as this year, they broke all records. CBSE on Wednesday released Class X results with an overall pass percentage of 91.46 percent, recording a marginal improvement over last year’s figure, even as the board did not announce a merit list in view of the circumstances triggered by the COVID-19)pandemic.
Out of the 1,873,015 students who appeared for the Class X examination this year, 1,713,121 students cleared the test across 20,837 schools in the country, with the overall pass percentage 0.36 percentage points higher than last year. Similarly, the CBSE Class XII pass result has also soared to an all-time high of 88.8 percent. The number of students scoring 95 percent and above has more than doubled. Of these, 150,198 students received “compartment” this year compared to 138,705 last year.
However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, CBSE postponed all Class X and Class XII exams scheduled between March 19 and March 31 earlier this year. The move, however, had little effect on Class 10 exams that were scheduled to end on March 20. Only two exams were scheduled to take place on that day – Information and Communication Technology, and Computer Application. The assessment scheme relaxed to compensate students for the many disruptions originating in the pandemic.
At 99.23%, Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) schools recorded the best pass percentage among institutions followed by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JKV) at 98.66%. While government schools recorded a pass percentage of 80.91% across the country, the figure for private schools stood at 92.81 percent. Union minister for human resource development Ramesh Pokhriyal tweeted congratulatory messages to all stakeholders and reiterated that “student’s health and quality education are our priority.”  The CBSE had already decided to do away with the practice of declaring a student as a’ Fail’ on the marksheet or on other documents. I had decided to replace the term with ‘Essential Repeat’. Because experts say that ‘fail’ or ‘failure’ conveyed a sense of “unworthiness” and impacted a student’s psychology in a negative way.
 

Blackmail and brinkmanship are bad but a common strategy in politics. Yesterday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot removed rebellion Sachin Pilot from the post of Deputy Chief Minister and chief of PCC as well. However, the political crisis in the state not ended yet. From the beginning, Sachin Pilot’s attempt seemingly has been to bait the BJP with the prospect of toppling the Ashok Gehlot government. All he wanted was the Chief Minister’s post with no ideological or issue-based battle with the incumbent.  And no doubt, it was an ill-timed revolt by Pilot.
At 42, Pilot was a strong satrap holding the reins of the government and the party organisation . Yet, he was in such a hurry that he had to destabilise his own government, issuing threats and conditions to his leadership, showing complete contempt towards the organisational hierarchy. No self-respecting leadership could have acceded to his demands for the post of Chief Minister, Home and Finance portfolios and ministerial berths for his lackeys.
Pilot had played a major role in ensuring the party’s victory in the 2018 polls, defeating the BJP led by Vasundhara Raje.
Pilot claimed Sunday the Ashok Gehlot government is in a minority, it was apparent at the legislature party meeting at Gehlot’s residence on Monday, attended by at least 100 MLAs, that a majority of the state’s Congress legislators support the CM. Gehlot’s camp claims the support of 106 MLAs; while Pilot’s camp disputes this, saying he has the support of only 93-94 MLAs. BJP treads cautiously as unlike Scindia, Sachin Pilot may not prove kingmaker in Rajasthan. Because Vasundhara Raje is another factor leading to the saffron party not going all out to woo rebel Congress leader.
Pilot on Wednesday said he is not interested in joining the BJP even though his erstwhile colleagues like Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Jyotiraditya Scindia have advised him to do so. Technically, Pilot would be a great catch for the BJP, helping the party in furthering the perceptions against Congress not only in Rajasthan, but the entire country.
The other option is for Pilot to float his own regional outfit. If he’s really ambitious and takes the long term view, he can hope to capitalise on the spiralling impatience in Congress’s youth brigade  who don’t see a future in the party – and perhaps split Congress to found a dynamic new version of it.

An open revolt by young Congress leader Sachin Pilot has led the party's government in the Rajasthan into a deep crisis situation. The fate of the Congress government in the state remained in limbo. After a day of uncertainties and hectic meetings, the party packed off at least 100 MLAs to a resort in the evening on Monday, a sign that the crisis is far from over. The day began on a negative note for the Congress with Sachin Pilot, who has been on a warpath with his boss and arch-rival Ashok Gehlot, refusing to attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting.
Though there was no official word on the number of MLAs who attended the meeting at Gehlot’s home, party leaders claimed 106 legislators were there.
Pilot claimed that he had the support of more than 30 MLAs. In the 200-member Assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72. There were several incidents that publicly showed that nothing is well between Gehlot-Pilot since the 2018 assembly elections but the top party leaders didn’t make sincere efforts to iron out the differences. It was like waiting and watching and handling things on a case-to-case basis as the situation arises.
In Madhya Pradesh, the party didn’t take any pro-active decision on ongoing the power tussle between Scindia — who along with 22 Congress MLAs split the party in March this year —  Kamal Nath and senior party leader Digvijay Singh.
“The party jumps to fire fighting when the situation is out of control and things are blown out of proportion. The party should settle the leadership issue so that decisions are expedited and it is needed urgently if we want to take on the BJP-led Centre. After the party’s debacle in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, many leaders had called for holding organisational elections and getting people having electoral appeal to the party’s decision making body but all in vain.
Politics is about the ability to manage contradictions. The question is how long this cosmetic unity will remain, especially when leaders from both the rival camps are not willing to give their claims to the top job.
 

The tussle between Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, and deputy CM and state Congress chief, Sachin Pilot, is now out in the open, threatening the survival of the Congress government in the state. When the party won in 2017, Sachin Pilot expected to be rewarded and made CM. But Congress made Ashok Gehlot  Chief Minister of the state.
For Congress, the developments in Rajasthan could be reminiscent of what happened in Madhya Pradesh in March, when 24 legislators owing allegiance to Scindia resigned from the party and the state assembly, reducing chief minister Kamal Nath’s government to a minority.
In the 200-member Rajasthan assembly, the Congress has the support of 125 MLAs, including 107 of its own legislators. The majority mark is 101. The BJP has 72 legislators and has the support of three of Hanuman Beniwal’s Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RPL).
As many as 100 MLAs arrived at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur to prove the government’s majority amid the political crisis in Rajasthan on Monday. Congress leader Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the party’s door is open for Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, the rebel leader who has claimed that he has the support of over 30 party MLAs in the state's 200-member assembly.
Earlier in the day, Congress had issued a whip to all its MLAs, mandating everyone’s presence in the legislative party meeting. The move to test the political waters of Congress in the state comes just four months after the party let Madhya Pradesh slip from its grasp. This has once again underlined the leadership vacuum in the party and how its sense of drift is deepening faultlines within- old versus young, second-generation leaders versus those who rose through the ranks. It is but natural that younger leaders will seek opportunities to sustain their political lives and grow, instead of merely waiting for the leadership to resolve its issues. 
What is happening in Jaipur is exactly what happened in Bhopal earlier this year. The party lost Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had been raising issues within internal forums for over a year but to no avail; the net impact — the Congress lost its government in Madhya Pradesh.  The BJP is watching closely to see if it can find an opportunity to put up an alternate arrangement in Jaipur.

Today the world is observing World Population Day.  The United Nation has started marking July 11 as the World Population Day in 1990. The world population is increasing at the alarming rate of 1.05 percent per year.  Eight million people are added to the world every year, and by the end of 2030 the world is expected to see a huge surge in population.  Approximately nine Billion people will occupy the world’s space. It took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to grow to 1 billion – then in just another 200 years or so, it grew sevenfold. In 2011, the global population reached the 7 billion mark, and today, it stands at about 7.7 billion, and it's expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.
As far as India is concerned, some people say that the country will soon be a nation of old people as the 8.4 per cent of the current population is above the age of 60 years.   It is the duty of a nation and its leaders to support and sustain their citizens. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) projection, the population of elderly people (above age of 60 years) in India will increase by 425 million by 2061. In other words, every fourth person in India will be 60 years old.
The positive thing is that the mortality rate is on decline and life expectancy is on the rise. The projection says that the Indians are living longer, working longer and this trend will continue.  The UNFPA projection also says Indian women will live longer than men. It is now the duty of policy-makers to keep this in mind while formulating the policy or designating the programme for them.
Increasing population is a curse when a voluminous population act as a hindrance to sustainable development especially in relation to environmental issues. Similar to right to live, right to free speech and right to education, the ‘right to family planning’ is also enshrined in the annals of the United Nations. The 1994 international conference on population development set the benchmark for further evolution of the population day. The unfolding of the agendas and discussions towards contributing significantly to the World Population Day is the duty of every citizen of the world. Global fertility is not the decline as it is predicted to rise. The life expectancy and number of elderly people living are factors which can offset population control.
We are living in COVID-19 era. The COVID-19 crisis has taken a staggering toll on people, communities and economies everywhere. But not everyone is affected equally. Women, who account for the largest share of front-line health workers, for example, are disproportionately exposed to the coronavirus. Supply chains around the world are being disrupted, impacting the availability of contraceptives and heightening the risk of unintended pregnancy. As countries are on lockdown and health systems struggle to cope, sexual and reproductive health services are being sidelined and gender-based violence is on the rise.
Increasing population will also affect the efforts by the UN and other authorities to ensure universal access to health care, housing, education, sanitation, food, water, and energy.Thus, we need to realise the pace at which the world population is growing and zero down on the quantity of the amenities and resources needed by the people.
 

In a surprising development, UP’s notorious gangster Vikas Dubey was on Friday shot dead by the police after he tried to escape following an accident involving one of the vehicles in the Special Task Force (STF) cavalcade bringing him back to the state from Madhya Pradesh. The dreaded gangster was arrested by MP police in a filmy-style drama on Mahakal temple premises in Ujjain on Thursday.
Police said there was an encounter as Vikas Dubey tried to escape when the vehicle overturned early on Friday morning. And after the accident, Dubey snatched the pistol of an STF personnel and tried to flee but was surrounded by the police team and he was injured in an exchange of fire. Later, he was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead.  Entire incident looks like a filmy drama.
The question is that who created this dreaded gangster Vikas Dubey? His rise through the ranks of crime hierarchy began as a grassroots worker in the 1990s when he was patronised by local politicians. It was our police and politicians who help this gangster to enlarge his hierarchy. In 2001, Dubey was accused of killing a state minister belonging to BJP in a police station. Had the police and political leadership done its job then, Dubey could have been stopped in his tracks much earlier.
Policing has rarely witnessed a slaughter of the kind that took place on July 2, when a police team went to the outskirts of Kanpur on a mission to apprehend the notorious criminal Vikas Dubey. The police party was ambushed by Dubey’s henchmen and eight policemen were brutally massacred. The team was showered with gunfire from the rooftops, before it could reach the criminal’s citadel. The policemen were chased, shot at close range, and hacked to death in a manner reminiscent of Naxal barbarity.
Te notorious Dubey’s long career proves that even criminality gets the benefit of exceptionalism and lack of accountability. Caste and religion playing a role in the police-criminal nexus, further exacerbated by UP’s changing political dispensations, have given policing a divisive ideological edge it can do without. A whopping 38,000 of 78,000 human rights violations brought before NHRC in 2017-18 were from UP. Citizens approaching a human rights forum in such large numbers are a clear sign that political representatives and the justice delivery system aren’t helping them.
But NCRB data shows chargesheeting rate of just 50% or less in UP cities like Kanpur, Lucknow and Ghaziabad. In other words, policing fails even before cases reach courts. As per the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), 143 of 403 UP’s legislators have criminal cases against them. Politicians rely heavily on influencers of vote banks and the  gangsters like Dubey provide invaluable service during election campaigns.  They can delay polling and create disturbances as the situation demands.  Dubey rose to fame in one regime, his wife fought elections in another regime under the then ruling party’s banner. Restoring rule of law must start with forcing police to follow the rulebook in letter and spirit.
 

In a notification issued recently, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said: “The US Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will US Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States.” The ICE also said that the students who are presently residing in the US and are enrolled in various programmes with such universities “must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status or potentially face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings”.
There are nearly 1.1 million international students contributing an estimated $41 billion to the US economy. Unsurprisingly, many university administrators have hit back at the ICE directive. At many universities, students have few options but to take classes online to alleviate COVID concerns. ICE’s concession to students to transfer to campuses where in-person learning is offered is little compensation, besides being needlessly disruptive. Most learners come with clear goals of where and what to study, sometimes even whom to study under.
According to the latest Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) 'SEVIS by the Numbers Report' 2018, India sent the largest number of students (251,290) to the US after China (478,732) in 2017 and 2018, The number of students from India increased from 2017 to 2018 by 4,157.
International students enrolled in academic programmes at US universities and colleges study on an F-1 visa and those enrolled in technical programmes at vocational or other recognised non-academic institutions, other than a language training programme come to the US on an M-1 visa. The latest one-pager policy announcement means three things: Students enrolled in US universities that are moving to an online-only education model will be barred from getting F-1 visas, they will be stopped from entering the US on F-1 visas and not allowed to maintain F-1 status in the Fall semester.
India may raise the issue as the move regarding student visas has come as a “surprise”.  India believes the latest decision will have “long-term repercussions”. This decision can adversely impact even the US’ image of a credible destination for higher studies.
 

India and China have come to an understanding about de-escalating tensions along the LAC and begun withdrawing their troops from flashpoint sites. The decision came after a two-hour-long negotiation between India’s national security adviser Ajit Doval and China’s foreign minister Wang Yi, and involves a step-by-step process and creation of buffer zones. India expects the Chinese army to complete its disengagement from the Hot Springs flashpoint by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, and move back its forces by around 1.5-2 km.

In the Galwan region, Chinese troops on Monday moved back around 2 km from Patrolling Point 14, the site of the June 15 clash. Satellite images by individual open source intelligence on Tuesday confirmed Chinese troops had vacated the Galwan areas.  In Gogra Post, the disengagement by Chinese troops is expected to be complete in 2-3 days. The Indian Army will do a verification to confirm the Chinese disengagement from these points.
The buffer zones are being set up as both armies were in an eyeball-to-eyeball position and it increased the risk of clashes between the two sides. There will be some restriction on patrolling in the buffer areas for some time and these zones will be monitored via drones and satellites.
There have been reports of the Chinese trying to build another road that could pose threat to India’s Siliguri Corridor. China’s recent discovery that it has a border dispute with tiny Bhutan, covering the eastern part of that country, soon after its People’s Liberation Army troops intruded into eastern Ladakh and set up some posts there, is a clear attempt by Beijing to rachet up pressure on India even as the two Asian giants are engaged in discussions on how to defuse their ongoing crisis on the Line of Actual Control.
Over three decades, from 1984 to 2016, China and Bhutan have held over 24 rounds of boundary talks, where the two sides have tried to sort out their differences over areas in western and central Bhutan, but at no time had the Chinese raised any claims to territory in eastern Bhutan, and it had simply not figured in their bilateral negotiations.
India has to be alert throughout this period. The Chinese are masterful at deploying the ‘two steps forward, one step back’ strategy. Besides, China this time has made fresh claims over the entire Galwan valley and continues to insist that it was in the right during the brutal clashes there. Beijing has also made large new territorial claims in eastern Bhutan bordering India’s Arunachal Pradesh – fulfilling which will require the Chinese to acquire the latter too. However, Bhutan has historically been extremely close to India, especially in the conduct of its foreign policy, and all its negotiations with Beijing, for example, are through the two countries’ embassies in New Delhi.
 

India now became the world's third worst-hit country as it’s tally of COVID-19-affected cases crossed seven lakh on Monday. The tally now stands at 719,665 after the 22,252 fresh infections in a single day. The number of Covid-19 cases in India has mounted to 7 lakh from 6 lakh in just four days as more than 20,000 infections, with over 24,000 on two days, have been reported every day since July 3. The situation is becoming serious day-by-day. And there is no sign of a vaccine of this disease soon.
The Union Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) on Sunday claimed that a vaccine for COVID-19 is unlikely to be ready for mass use by 2021. On other hand, 239 scientists from 32 countries have written an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) that the virus causing COVID-19 can remain airborne for a period of time and thus transmit itself. The scientists have outlined the evidence showing that smaller particles can infect people, and are calling for the agency to revise its recommendation. A respiratory infection such as COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets of different sizes. If the droplets particles are larger than 5-10 microns in diameter, they are referred to as respiratory droplets; if they are smaller than 5 microns in diameter, they are referred to as droplet nuclei. It means that wearing a mask becomes more important than ever. It might be possible that N-95 masks, which are used by clinicians in hospital settings, could now be recommended to prevent aerosol transmission, subject to availability, and depending on the health condition of a person. The COVID-19 cases have ballooned since January end when the country’s first case was reported in Kerala after a student who returned from China’s Wuhan, came home and tested positive for the viral disease.
But the fact is that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us several painful lessons. The first is that we can no longer continue with the ruthless exploitation of nature. The lockdown period has led to nature regenerating. We saw blue skies again after many decades, pollution levels dropped, and several species of animals, birds and insects staged a comeback.
The climate crises, erratic weather phenomena, pollution of air, land and ocean have pushed the country, and the world, to a dangerous brink. Unless this is reversed immediately, we are in for serious trouble by the end of the century.