Indian Abroad - Aug 16-31, 2021 by IndianAbroad

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

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India celebrates 75th Independence Day with fervour

Photo Courtesy: The Rehnuma Daily

New Delhi, Aug 15: Celebrations and announcements marked the 75th Independence Day of the country on Sunday. On the occasion, leaders from different parts of the country acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of the people who fought for India’s freedom from the British rule. Here are the key events and announcements that marked the day: Punjab CM announces projects worth Rs 1,200 crore: To mark the 75th Independence Day of the country, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced development projects worth Rs 1,200 crore for linking roads, along with a slew of welfare programmes for the Scheduled Castes. The Chief Minister further announced that an Act would soon be notified which would mandate budgetary spending on the Dalit welfare equal to the percentage of SC population in the state, and the 85th Constitutional Amendment would be implemented in line with

Gurvinder Singh: Championing human rights and advocating the Sikh principle of Seva -Page 5

Afghanistan: Humanitarian Tragedy -Page 4

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi -Page 7

Covid cases surge World Athletics showcases in worst-hit NSW Neeraj Chopra on its main page Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: USNews.com

Vedanta and happiness -Page 15

Premchand, the reformist writer of India -Page 23

Sydney, Aug 14: New South Wales (NSW), the worst-hit state in Australia's current Covid-19 outbreak, reported 466 new local cases on Saturday, a new peak and a nearly 20 per cent jump from the 390 infected recorded the previous From Monday, the radius of movement for residents in Greater

day. The state also recorded four deaths, which brought the total number of fatalities in the latest outbreak to 43, reports Xinhua news agency. Facing the deteriorating situation, the authorities announced a couple of tougher restrictions. Continued on page 12

Tokyo, Aug 14: World Athletics (WA), the global governing body for the sport, has featured Indian gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, on its front page, saying that, "With a mark of 87.58m at the Games, the 23-yearold had launched himself to sporting superstardom as he became India's first ever Olympic champion in athletics." Chopra hurled the javelin to a distance of 87.58 metres in a field that had the likes of Germany's Johannes Vetter -- the top javelin exponent in the world -- to become the first track

Taliban demand unmarried women to become 'wives' for their fighters Photo Courtesy: USNews.com

Five best train journeys within India -Page 27

The Sabyasachi x H&M collection is finally here -Page 29

judgments of the Supreme Court. Further, in order to facilitate ease-of-doing business, the Chief Minister announced a new set of a whopping 1,150 reforms for medium and small enterprises (MSMEs). He also announced that certain expensive medical procedures and tests like dialysis, X-rays, etc, would be made free at government hospitals. Regularisation of all safai karamcharis working for the past 10 years and increase in the monthly honorarium of anganwadi workers, mini anganwadi worker and helpers by Rs 600, Rs 500 and Rs 300, respectively, were among other key announcements made by the Chief Minister. Referring to the welfare of landless farmers, the Chief Minister said the state government would make payment of Rs 520 crore to 2.85 lakh landless farmers under the debt relief scheme on August 20, the birth anniversary of the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Continued on page 6

Kabul, Aug 13: Afghans pouring into Kabul and those still in the Talibanheld areas say that they have witnessed unprovoked attacks on civilians and executions of captured soldiers. In addition, they say, Taliban commanders have demanded that communities must hand over

unmarried women to become "wives" for their fighters -- a form of sexual violence, human-rights groups say, the Wall Street Journal reported. The US Embassy in Kabul had said on Thursday that it had received reports of the Taliban executing members of the Afghan military who had surrendered. "Deeply disturbing and could constitute war crimes," the Embassy said. A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, denied that the group had killed any prisoners, saying that would violate their principles. He also said that allegations that the Taliban were forcing women into marriage were false, and that such

actions would be contrary to the rules of Islam and violate cultural tradition. On Wednesday, Mawlawi Abdul Qadir, a senior Taliban religious official, had said in a speech in the newly captured capital of Badakhshan province that government soldiers who surrender and "confess their crimes" would be able "to live like a Muslim under the flag of the Islamic Emirate". Taliban leaders have publicly pledged to be magnanimous in victory, assuring government officials, troops and the people of Afghanistan that they have nothing to fear as ever larger swaths of the country fall under their control.

& field athlete from India to win gold at the quadrennial showpiece. Tracing the 23-year-old's journey from the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in 2016 -- where he achieved a world U-20 record throw of 86.48 metres, till the Tokyo Olympics --, WA wrote, "The final throw was taken (in Tokyo) and only then could Neeraj Chopra breathe a sigh of relief. It was a moment so monumental that 7 August will now be celebrated as National Javelin Day in his home country." The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to celebrate August 7 each year as "National Javelin Throw Day" and all states and union territories will hold events to mark the occasion. "But it was not the first time Chopra had made history for his nation. Five years earlier, the rising javelin star had broken the five-year-old world U20 record in Bydgoszcz (Poland) to win India's first ever gold medal at the World U20 Championships. As the next generation gets ready to compete at the 2021 edition of the

age group event in Nairobi, Kenya, from 17-22 August, Chopra hopes his performances have helped to inspire," wrote WA in its article on Friday. "Chopra's javelin journey started in 2011 when the 13-year-old son of farmers joined a local sports group to be active. He never looked back and Chopra's win at the 2016 World U20 Championships was a major milestone. "Chopra, who was coached by Gary Calvert to his world U20 title and then teamed up with Klaus Bartonietz, went on to claim his Asian title in 2017 before Commonwealth and Asian Games gold in 2018. But then, while training for the 2019 World Athletics Championships, he was struck with injury which required surgery on his throwing arm. He returned in 2020 but then the world went into lockdown," wrote WA. "One year later, he announced his comeback with a national record-breaking throw of 88.07m in Patiala."

Australian-Indian teenager creates history as Federal Court declares environment minister‘s duty to counter climate change

he 17-year old moved the Federal Court against environment minister Sussan Ley in a bid to reverse the consent granted to the Whitehaven Coal mine’s Vickery Extension Project in New South Wales. The case namely, Sharma and others vs Minister for the Environment appealed for an injunction from the Federal Court to stop the mine’s expansion. The plaintiffs argued that the project near Gunnedah, which is worth one million dollars, would allow the miners to procure more than 30 million tonnes of coal over a quarter of the century and emit approximately 100 million tonnes of greenhouse

gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Justice Mordecai Bromberg following a four-day hearing of the case in March arrived at the decision in June that Minister Ley had the obligation of duty of care to safeguard the youngsters against climate change. However, the plea for injunction remained unfulfilled and as per the court arguments, it was stated that no definite decision regarding the expansion of the project was taken by the Minister, so no anticipatory injunction could be implemented legally. Continued on page 10

Yami Gautam: Isn’t easy to shift from one character to another -Page 31 www.indianabroad.news

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Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

COVID IN INDIA India logs 38,667 new Covid cases, 478 deaths Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 14: India on Saturday showed a marginal dip in daily Covid-19 caseload as it recorded 38,667 fresh infections in the last 24 hours while the recovery rate from the SARS-CoV2 virus stood at 97.45 per cent. A total of 478 deaths in the same duration pushed the toll to 4,30,732. Less than 50,000 daily new cases

have been reported for 48 consecutive days, as per the Covid bulletin released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The active caseload registered a growth of 2,446 on Saturday and the total caseload climbed to 3,87,673. The active caseloads constitute 1.21 per cent of total cases, as per the bulletin released.

A total 35,743 patients were discharged from the hospitals and health centers in past one day, taking the total number of cured to 3,13,38,088 till date in India. The Weekly Positivity Rate remained below 5 per cent and is currently at 2.05 per cent. The daily positivity rate has continued to remain below 3 per cent for 19 continuous days and currently stands at 1.73 per cent. India's Cumulative COVID Vaccination Coverage has exceeded 53 crore. A total of 63,80,937 doses of vaccines were administered in the last 24 hours span of time, pushing the total vaccination so far to 53,61,89,903. With substantially ramped up testing capacity across the country, a total of 22,29,798 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. Cumulatively, India has conducted over 48.94 crore (49,17,00,577) tests so far.

Mandaviya to visit Kerala, Assam to review Covid situation Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 14: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to visit Kerala and Assam to review the Covid-19 situation in the two states. In Kerala, Mandaviya on August 16 is expected to meet Chief Minister

Pinarayi Vijayan and will hold a meeting with the state's Health Minister and other officials engaged in managing the pandemic. He will be accompanied by the Director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and

other senior officials of the Health Ministry. Covid continues to rage in Kerala and on Friday the state reported over 20,000 new cases. A statement issued by the Chief Minister said 20,452 new new cases was registered after 1,42,501 samples were sent for testing in the past 24 hours, and the daily Covid Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 14.35 per cent, the third successive when it was above 14 per cent. There were also 16,856 recoveries, while the number total active cases stood at 1,80,000. As Covid cases are on surge in the northeastern region, Mandaviya will do a ground review of the situations with Health Ministers during his Assam visit on August 17. Assam's Covid-19 tally mounted to 5,78,733 on Friday as 763 more people tested positive for the virus, while 20 fresh fatalities pushed the death toll to 5,471, the National Health Mission (NHM) said in a bulletin.

Global Covid-19 caseload tops 206 mn Washington, Aug 14: The global coronavirus caseload has topped 206 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 4.34 million and vaccinations soared to over 4.61 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload, death toll and vaccination tally stood at 206,196,367, 4,344,715 and 4,610,658,306 , respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 36,592,398 and 621,005, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 32,117,826 cases. The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (20,319,000), France (6,471,262), Russia (6,468,890), the UK (6,241,443), Turkey (6,039,827),

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Argentina (5,074,725), Colombia (4,860,622), Spain (4,693,540), Italy (4,427,827), Iran (4,359,385), Germany (3,819,876), Indonesia (3,804,943) and Mexico (3,068,329), the CSSE figures showed. In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 567,862 fatalities.

Kerala sees yet another day of over 20,000 new Covid cases Photo Courtesy: IANS

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13: Covid continues to rage in Kerala as on Friday, the state saw another day of over 20,000 new cases. A statement issued here by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 20,452 new cases was registered after 1,42,501 samples were send for testing in the past 24 hours, and the daily Covid Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 14.35 per cent, the third successive day which saw the it above 14 per cent. The day also saw 16,856 people getting cured, taking the total active cases to 1,80,000. There were another 114 Covid deaths, taking the death toll to 18,394. Malappuram district again recorded over 3,000 cases, followed by Kozhikode with 2,426.

Maharashtra records 5 Delta Plus deaths in 7 weeks Photo Courtesy: IANS

Delhi records zero Covid deaths for third consecutive day Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: The national capital on Friday recorded zero Covid fatalities for the third consecutive day, and the ninth time since the onset of the second wave, while there were 50 new cases in the last

24 hours, the Delhi government health bulletin said. The total Covid tally in Delhi stands at 14,36,988, while the death toll is 25,068. The city has 468 active cases, including 164 being treated in

home isolation, spelling a 0.03 rate of infection. A total of 84 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 14,11,452. The recovery rate from infection stands at 98.22 per cent, and the Covid infection rate at 0.06 per cent. The death rate continues at 1.74 per cent. Meanwhile, a total of 73,324 Covid tests -- 46,690 RT-PCR and 23,634 rapid antigen -- were conducted in the city in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of tests to 2,45,45,464 so far. As per the bulletin, there are 250 containment zones. On the vaccination front, a total of 1,33,661 people were vaccinated in the last 24 hours, of which 83,585 received the first dose and the remaining 50,076 the second. The total number of vaccinations now stands at 1,12,21,415.

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Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (430,254), Mexico (247,414), Peru (197,279), Russia (165,996), the UK (131,116), Italy (128,379), Colombia (123,221), Indonesia (115,096), France (112,705) and Argentina (108,815).

Mumbai, Aug 13: Maharashtra has reported two more deaths of patients infected with the worrisome Delta Plus Covid-19 virus variant, taking the toll to five, with the number of patients standing at 66 till date, officials said. Ratnagiri has recorded two deaths while one each was reported from Mumbai, Raigad, and Beed, leaving health officials concerned. All the deceased were senior citizens above 65 years with various comorbidities, and two were fully vaccinated and two not inoculated,

while the status of the fifth victim is being ascertained. A 69-year-old man diagnosed with Delta Plus succumbed in Raigad's Nagothane, while a middle-aged woman infected by the same variant is under treatment in nearby Uran town. Late on Thursday, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) received the Delta Plus positive sample reports of a 60-year-old woman from the eastern suburbs of the city, who had passed away on July 24.

Prior to that, the first patient of Delta Plus in the state - an 80-year-old man - had expired in Ratnagiri on June 25, and two patients, one each from Ratnagiri and Beed have also fallen victims to the new variant, said the officials. On Wednesday, the Maharashtra Health Department had pegged the number of Delta Plus variant patients in the state at 66 - of whom 61 are fully recovered till date, as per data from the Institute of Genomics Integrative Biology lab. Among these 66, the highest (13) are from Jalgaon, followed by 12 from Ratnagiri, 11 from Mumbai, six each in Thane and Pune, three in Palghar and Raigad, two each in Nanded, and Gondia, and one each from Sindhudurg, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Sangli, Beed, Nandurbar, Akola, and Chandrapur. The patients include 34 women and 32 men, and a whopping 33 cases or nearly half - of those infected are in the 19-45 age group, while 17 are 46-60 years and seven in above-60 age group. As a precaution, the Health Department has started searching for the close contacts of these infectees on a war footing, besides ascertaining their travel history, vaccination status, recent medical status and other relevant details to prevent more infections, said the officials.

Karnataka logs 1,669 new Covid cases, 22 deaths Bengaluru, Aug 14: Karnataka logged 1,669 new Covid cases and 22 deaths in the last 24 hours according to a health bulletin released by the Health and Family Welfare Department. Total active cases in Bengaluru stood at 22,703 while 1,672 people were discharged across the state after recovery.

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Bengaluru Urban reported 425 cases followed by Dakshina Kannada district with 390, Udupi with 115, Hassan 113, and Mysuru 106, while 11 districts, mostly from north Karnataka, reported single digit positive cases, and Ramnagar, Haveri, and Bidar districts zero cases. Five deaths were reported from Bengaluru and three from

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Dakshina Kannada. Positivity rate for the day recorded was 0.98 per cent and case fatality rate stood at 1.31 per cent. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will hold a special meeting with experts on Saturday to review Covid situation in the state.

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Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

AFGHANISTAN: HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY

Taliban capture Kandahar in crushing blow for Afghan govt Photo Courtesy: Deccan Herald

Afghan crisis intensifies, India pulls Ghazni out 50 citizens from Mazar-e-Sharif Guv

Photo Courtesy: Sambad English

New Delhi, Aug 11: As the situation in Afghanistan continued to turn from bad to worse with intense fighting between Afghan security forces and the Taliban, a total of 50 Indian nationals, including diplomats, left the Mazar-e-Sharif and reached New Delhi on Wednesday. "A Special flight comprising of 50 Indians landed at New Delhi this morning," said a senior government official. The Centre stated that India has temporarily closed its Consulate General office at Mazar-e-Sharif. On Tuesday, Indian Consulate General in Afghanistan's Mazar-eSharif had on social media platform said, "A special flight is leaving from Mazar-e-Sharif to New Delhi. Any Indian nationals in and around Mazar-e-Sharif are requested to leave for India in the special flight

scheduled to depart late today evening." The consulate also appealed Indian citizens, who are desired to leave for New Delhi by special flight, to share their details and whereabouts. This was the third security advisory that India has issued in the last three months. Mazar-e Sharif, or just Mazar, is the fourth-largest city of Afghanistan, with a population estimate of over 5 lakh until a few months back. It has been the capital of Balkh province and is linked by highways with Kunduz in the east, Kabul in the southeast, Herat in the southwest and Termez in Uzbekistan in the north. The Indian Embassy in Afghanistan had also advised the Indian citizens to keep themselves abreast of the availability of commercial flights

and make immediate arrangements to return before the air services were discontinued. Further, the embassy has directed the Indian companies operating in Afghanistan to immediately withdraw their Indian employees out of undergoing projects in the country. For the Indians, who are working for the foreign firms, the embassy asked them to request their employers to facilitate their travel from project sites to India. Around 1,500 Indians are engaged in different kinds of work in the war-ravaged Himalayan nation that was rebuilding itself over the last decade before the US troops pull out and Taliban resurgence. On media persons visiting Afghanistan, the embassy appealed them to get in touch with the Public Affairs and Security Wing of the Embassy for a personalized briefing. "This will help media persons make a better assessment of the risks involved, given the rapid changes in security situation taking place in different parts of the country," the Indian embassy in Afghanistan said. Last month India pulled out around 50 diplomats and security personnel from its consulate in Kandahar following intense clashes between Afghan forces and Taliban fighters around the city. Earlier, the US and the UK had also evacuated their citizens.

UN humanitarians assess needs of 18.4 mn Afghans Kabul, Aug 13: Relief workers in Afghanistan are determining the needs of 18.4 million people out of the nearly 40-million population as intense fighting between the Taliban and government is continuing in the war-torn nation, UN humanitarians said. "Many people are arriving in Kabul and other large cities, seeking safety from the conflict and other threats," Xinhua news agency reported on Friday citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as saying. "Inter-agency assessments are ongoing in the field focusing on new displacement, conflict, floods, gender issues and protection monitoring to determine the humanitarian needs and immediate response requirements," it said. "The humanitarian community

-- both the United Nations and non-governmental organizations -- remains dedicated to stay and deliver in Afghanistan, but the security environment is highly complex and challenging." Meanwhile, Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres, told reporters at the UN headquarters on Thursday that the "the situation on the ground is very dynamic". "We're doing everything we can to ensure the safety and protection of our staff in this very complex situation on the ground." He said the US has almost 3,400 national staff and about 300 international staff in Afghanistan. Another 420 international staff are working remotely outside the country, many because of Covid-19.

"We are in touch with all parties to the conflict, reminding them of their responsibility, not only to protect civilian infrastructure but of the inviolability of UN premises, of the need and their responsibilities to ensure that UN staff and UN premises are kept safe," the spokesman added. Since the withdrawal of the USled forces on May 1, the Taliban has continued to gain ground in Afghanistan. On Friday, the Taliban took control over the key southern Afghan cities of Lashkar Gah and Kandahar, after weeks of heavy clashes. The insurgent group captured Ghazni city, the capital of eastern Ghazni province on Thursday, bringing the number of provincial capitals captured so far to more than 10 in less than a week.

arrested for handing over province to Taliban Kabul, Aug 13: Police in Afghanistan's Wardak have arrested Daoud Laghmani, the Governor of Ghazni for handing over the key province to the Taliban. The Ministry of Interior Affairs said that the Governor along with his deputy and chief of staff have been arrested and disarmed in Wardak province, according to media reports. Laghmani was let go and escorted by the Taliban from Ghazni to Wardak. Mirwais Stanikzai, spokesperson of the Ministry, said that parts of Ghazni have fallen to the Taliban, while Afghan forces are still active in other parts of the provincial capital and will launch operations against the fighters. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed Ghazni province had fallen to the fighters on Thursday but Ghazni city had been in the Taliban's siege for months and sources in the province said that the Afghan government was controlling only the provincial office and few governmental facilities in the central city. Meanwhile, the governor of Farah province along with the mayor of Farah city and other local officials have surrendered to the Taliban and then fled to neighbouring Iran, the media reports said. Earlier, the head of the provincial council of Jawzjan province had also joined the Taliban along with his 12 gunmen. The Taliban have toppled more than 10 provinces in a seven-day span as the head of HCNR Abdullah Abdullah is busy talking with the representatives of the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan in Doha to seek a political settlement to the conflicts. He is said to be asking the countries to press the Taliban to stop attacking major cities and expedite intra-Afghan talks.

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Taliban on Friday captured Kandahar, Afghanistan's second largest city, delivering a crushing blow for the government in Kabul and a major win for the militants. The city was once the Taliban's stronghold, and is strategically important as a leading trade hub, the BBC reported. Kandahar is the latest provincial capital to fall, after Herat and Ghazni on Thursday. Meanwhile, the US said it is sending nearly 3,000 troops back into Afghanistan to help evacuate staff from the American embassy. The US said it was sending troops to the airport in Kabul to help evacuate a "significant" number of embassy staff on special flights. The UK said it was also deploying about 600 troops on a short-term basis to provide support to British nationals leaving the country. The insurgents have moved quickly, seizing new territories as the US and other foreign troops withdraw after 20 years of military operations. Within hours of each other on Thursday some of Afghanistan's most important cities were captured - Herat, Ghazni and Qala-I-Naw came under Taliban control. A Taliban spokesman also announced that "Kandahar is completely conquered". Sources have told the BBC that the southern city of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, has also been taken by the militants, although this has also not been confirmed.

The Taliban now control most of northern Afghanistan and about a third of the country's regional capitals. There are increasing concerns that the militants will continue their lightning speed offensive toward the capital, Kabul, where tens of thousands of civilians have fled violent street fighting. Kandahar is the Taliban's birthplace and former stronghold, taking control of the city would be a significant prize for the militants. They had occupied the city's outskirts for a number of weeks before launching their attack on the centre. The report said that on Wednesday, the Taliban breached Kandahar's central prison, and on Thursday, images on social media reportedly showed insurgents in the city centre. Kandahar is considered strategically important because of its international airport, its agricultural and industrial output and its position as one of the country's main trading hubs. Ghazni, captured on Thursday, is a significant gain for the Taliban as it is on the Kabul-Kandahar motorway, linking militant strongholds in the south to the national capital. Meanwhile Herat, an ancient silk road city, had been under siege for weeks before security forces retreated to army barracks. Video on social media shows the insurgents running through a central street firing their weapons, and the Taliban flag was seen flying over the police headquarters.

Taliban claim control over 2 more key Afghan cities Photo Courtesy: Cleveland.com

Biden’s ‘hell-bent, ill-planned withAfghan govt thinks Pak has some magic powers to persuade drawal’ from Af turning into debacle Taliban: Imran Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Islamabad, Aug 13: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Afghan government was getting extremely critical about Islamabad, thinking that it had "some magic powers" to persuade the Taliban. He said in fact, persuading the Taliban has become more difficult, Dawn news reported. "Now, our leverage on the Taliban is miniscule as they think that they have won against the Americans," he said. About the controversy over US President Joe Biden's phone call, the Prime Minister said: "I keep hearing that President Biden hasn't called

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me. It's his business. It's not like I am waiting for any phone call." Khan's comments come days after National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said that Pakistan had other options if Biden continued to ignore its leadership. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would influence the Taliban for holding direct talks with Turkey to secure the Kabul International Airport after US troops completely exit the conflict-hit country by August 31. "We will be trying the best thing for Turkey and Taliban to have a faceto-face dialogue, so that both could talk about the reasons to secure the Kabul airport," he said while talking to foreign media persons at the Prime Minister's House. He was responding to a question by a reporter about the government's position after Turkey proposed a new joint mission involving itself, Pakistan and Hungary to protect the Kabul airport. Khan mentioned his meeting with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on Wednesday, during which they also discussed security situation in the region, including Afghanistan. "We will also talk to the Taliban and use our influence (for a meeting with Turkish government)," he added.

New Delhi, Aug 13: Former US Defence Secretary Bob Gates famously wrote that President Joe Biden has been on the wrong side of every major foreign-policy issue in his long career, and the world is getting another example as Bidens hell-bent, ill-planned withdrawal from Afghanistan is turning into a strategic defeat and moral debacle, The Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board said. The Taliban's march to Kabul continues with the fall of more provincial capitals each day. The last count was 12 capitals, including Ghazni on the road between the major cities of Kandahar and Kabul. The Afghan government is trying to mount a counter-attack, and President Ashraf Ghani has sacked another army chief. But the Taliban now controls at least eight entire provinces, according to the Long War Journal, and its reach includes areas in the north that the insurgents didn't control when it ruled the country before 9/11.

The city of Herat also fell on Thursday, and Kandahar on Friday. Many Afghan troops are fighting bravely, but they lack the air support that has been their main military advantage. "Biden blundered in withdrawing all US air power from the country, including private contractors who assist the Afghan air force in maintaining helicopters and planes. The contractors are now literally having to assist via Zoom calls, while the US military flies too few sorties from the Persian Gulf region to slow the Taliban," The Wall Street Journal said. "The White House has failed to understand what's happening, with leaks saying the Administration is surprised by the Taliban assault. Surprised? The military warned Biden and so did US intelligence." The Taliban began this offensive on May 1, two weeks after Biden announced his withdrawal, aiming for the symbolic date of September 11.

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Kabul, Aug 13: Taliban militants on Friday claimed to have taken control over the key southern Afghan cities of Lashkar Gah and Kandahar, after weeks of heavy clashes between the militant group and government forces. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on his social media account that they overran government offices, including provincial police headquarters, in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, on Thursday night, reports Xinhua news agency. Helmand has been regarded as a Taliban stronghold during the past two decades, but Afghan soldiers were holding control over Lashkar Gah and many of the suburban districts. He also claimed that the militants seized all parts of Kandahar city. Footages went viral on social media showed that Taliban fighters were patrolling in the city early Friday. On Thursday night, Taliban declared

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that they captured Herat and Qalae-Naw cities in western part of the country while unconfirmed reports said that Firoz Koah also has fallen to the insurgents. The Afghan government has not confirmed the claim by the Taliban so far. Friday's development comes came as Taliban militants have made rapid advances across the country. The insurgent group captured Ghazni city, the capital of eastern Ghazni province on Thursday, bringing the number of provincial capitals captured so far to more than 10 in less than a week. The situation in the war-torn country has been worsening since the withdrawal of the US-led forces starting on May 1. Many Afghan cities and about half of the country's 34 provinces in recent weeks have seen heavy battles and street fighting between government forces and Taliban militants.

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Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

GURVINDER SINGH

Championing human rights and advocating the Sikh principle of Seva

hilanthropic drives and initiatives are noble endeavours, and Melbourne-based caseworker at Australian Financial Complaints Authority and Director of UNITED SIKHS Australia Chapter, Gurvinder Singh exemplifies philanthropy and the sacred Sikh principle of Seva (community service) in the truest sense. Efficiently juggling his professional and humanitarian commitments, he has proved that if one is dedicated enough one can serve the economically and socially vulnerable without compromising one's career. Read more to find out what Gurvinder has to say about his association with UNITED SIKHS. Could you tell us briefly about UNITED SIKHS? UNITED SIKHS is a U.N. affiliated, international, non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian relief, education, human development and advocacy organization that aims to empower those in need, especially disadvantaged and minority communities around the world. UNITED SIKHS is head-quartered in New York (USA) and is registered in 12 countries including India, and has been conducting projects in order to transform, alleviate, educate and protect the lives of underprivileged individuals and minority communities impacted by disasters-natural or man-made, suffering from hunger, illiteracy, diseases, or from violation of civil and human-rights so that they become informed and vibrant members of society by fostering sustainable programs regardless of color, race, religion or creed. These projects are conducted under the three main Directorates – CEED (Community Empowerment and Education Division) Sikh Aid (Humanitarian Aid) International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy In India, we got registered in Punjab under the Societies Registration Act in the year 2003-04. When was the Australia Chapter of the UNITED SIKHS launched and what were its initial projects? The Australia Chapter came into existence in 2009 under our Human Rights and advocacy program. UNITED SIKHS established a global initiative called Guru Nanak’s Free

Community Kitchen and Food Pantry. Led by local volunteers, this project was launched on 23.05.2020 with the sole purpose of serving those in need and those who cannot provide food for themselves, this initiative is an extension of the concept of Langar, where we export free meals from the gurdwaras to local communities and provide a free food pantry to sustain the work. Initially, 300 hot meals and 35 bags of groceries were prepared weekly and distributed at Jamieson Way Community Centre, Wyndham Park Kindergarten, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and Wungurril Dhurrung Community Centre. Now the number of meals has been increased to 800 a week and 400 grocery packs a month. The UNITED SIKHS Australia Chapter also launched the UMEED global project to aid those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this project, UNITED SIKHS launched a FOODBANK to help the most vulnerable sects such as elderly over 65 who do not have a family member to care for them, single mothers, international students, disabled and low income families with children. The initiative provided freshly cooked meals (hot meals) to the needy, which were cooked at Gurudwara Sahib Tarneit (West of Melbourne). Nearly 100200 meals were prepared twice a day and delivered to the recipients’ doorsteps by volunteers. Even during the Australian bushfires in 2020, UNITED SIKHS was at the forefront in all the rescue work. With the help of dedicated volunteers, the UNITED SIKHS organization assisted with collecting, sorting, packing and delivering the emergency supplies consisting of water bottles, perishable and non–perishable items, household supplies and medical essentials. Volunteers brought whole trucks full of everyday essentials such as toiletries, diapers, baby food, formula milk, canned food, rice, flour, cooking oil, long life milk and pasta. We also delivered first aid kits in the New South Wales area for animals in rescue shelters. During the Townsville floods in 2019, we prepared and provided meals to the families and visited the hardest hit suburb, Rosslea. We

cleaned the houses and provided the people with a helpline number. As part of the Australia Cyclone Relief efforts in 2017, one way the organization assisted the families was by providing langar (the Sikh word for ‘meal prepared in a community kitchen’) for residents who had been evacuated and were in shelters or were otherwise unable to cook for themselves. Has UNITED SIKHS helped any community member in fighting social prejudice? Yes indeed, there have been several instances where UNITED SIKHS has played an instrumental role in combating social discrimination. To exemplify, I would like to mention here how a few years back a 5-year-old Sikh boy Sidhak Singh was discriminated against by the Melton Christian School as he wore a patka (a religious head cover). The school insisted that Sidhak could get enrolled only if he sported short hair. However, the UNITED SIKHS helped Sidhak and his family fight against this unfair treatment by arranging his legal representation on a pro bono basis. What is the main motto and mission of UNITED SIKHS? As I mentioned earlier, our aim is to create an egalitarian community which does not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, gender or creed. Our motto is to offer succour to all those who are in dire need of aid. UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues – whether social, cultural or spiritual- to promote harmony, understanding in any society. How did you come to be associated with UNITED SIKHS? I wanted to do volunteer work for a charity and came to know about UNITED SIKHS. I was impressed with the scope of their work, aims and objectives. I associated with the group in 2016. How have you personally contributed to the multicultural community and culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Australia? Our humanitarian projects like

Food drive where we are serving hot meals and groceries, homeless feeding, blanket donations drive, and all disaster relief work are examples of how we are supporting the multicultural community and culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Australia regardless of age, colour race as per our mission statement and I personally lead these projects. Could you throw some light on the upcoming projects of UNITED SIKHS of which you will be a part? There are a plethora of projects that we have in the pipeline not only in Australia but also in India. First of all, if I talk about the Indian projects, there are mainly three on the horizon which are as follows: -Preparedness for the 3rd COVID19 wave in India -Farmers Protest support (Humanitarian and legal aid) -Ambulances in Punjab, Delhi and other states of India As far as the projects to be launched in Australia are concerned, these include: -Legal advocacy for the NSW Kirpan Issue in the wake of the NSW government’s ban on kirpan in the schools -NSW Helmet exemption for push bikes -VIC Truck driver helmet exemption at warehouses, quarries and construction sites -Setting up a fully functional disaster relief team with all gears -Winter warmer project (distribution of blankets, quilts, sleeping bags among the homeless and vulnerable) Sikh Awareness through libraries (SATL) which aims to improve the availability of information on Sikh culture, history and religion via multimedia resources – books, DVDs, CDs and microfilms. Under the SATL project, these resources will be made available in public and private libraries, including those in schools, universities and other educational institutions, throughout the world. The objective of the project is to reach out to various demographics through multiple media to provide global access to reliable and complete information on Sikhs.

Gurvinder Singh (extreme right) with other UNITED SIKH volunteers

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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

India celebrates 75th Independence Day with fervour

Photo Courtesy: Reuters

Photo Courtesy: India Tv

their treatment costs, pains me. Therefore I decided that this type of distress must go. People should get hassle-free quality treatment at best available health care facilities," the Chief Minister asserted. About 3.5 crore people of 96 lakh families will get the health cards. Odisha is the first state in the country to provide such cards, he claimed. The card will be distributed to all beneficiaries of National and State Food Security Schemes, Annapurna and Antyodaya beneficiaries. Each family can avail treatment cost up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Women members can avail this benefit up to Rs 10 lakh every year, Patnaik further said. He has assured all support to make Indian hockey teams the best team in the world.

Photo Courtesy: Mint

The Chief Minister announced that a memorial of legendary martyr Madan Lal Dhingra would be established in Amritsar city as a mark of homage to him. Meanwhile, as many as 45 people were conferred with state awards by the Chief Minister for their 'valuable contributions' and 'dedicated services' to the society. Singh also handed over appointment letters for government jobs to one family member each of the 34 victims of the 2018 Amritsar rail accident at Jaura Phatak. Delhi CM Kejriwal unfurls tricolour at secretariat: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unfurled the tricolour at the Secretariat here. In his speech, Kejriwal underlined the efforts of health workers in combating the ongoing pandemic. "Delhi government stands with all those families who lost their earners in this time of crisis. The government has made schemes for our frontline workers," said Kejriwal. He also announced to implement 'Deshbhakti Curriculum' at all government schools to instill patriotism in young minds. The curriculum will be implemented from September 27 to mark the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh. He also asserted on providing governance at the doorsteps of Delhiites. He said Delhi has become the first state in the country to provide online facilities at such a large scale, thereby presenting a model of governance for all states in India. Advocating for yoga to be implemented in lifestyle, Kejriwal announced to start open yoga classes in community centers, parks and at other open locations, free of cost, from October 2 this year. Jharkhand celebrates 75th I-Day with enthusiasm: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren hoisted the tricolor at Morabadi ground of Ranchi, while Governor, Ramesh Bais unfurled the national flag at second capital Dumka. The Independence Day in the state was observed considering the Covid protocol and senior citizens were appealed to stay home and watch the program on television. Kerala govt to protect constitutional values, promote equality: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his speech after hoisting the tricolor at the Central Stadium here said that the state government

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would protect constitutional values and equality for all would be the motto of the state government. He said that secularism, socialist outlook, and unity in diversity are the strengths that the constitution bestowed upon the people of the nation. The Chief Minister said the state government is functioning to protect the rights of the people provided by the Constitution of India and promoting the equality among people. Vijayan asserted on need to 'improve' the content of school education as well as to take forward the higher education in the state. He added that the state government's idea of development is inclusive by providing due importance to the environment. K'taka Chief Minister announces 11 special programmes to commemorate 75th Independence Day: Hoisting the national flag on the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, Karnataka Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai said that time-bound implementation of programmes and projects, and quick response to people's problems are his priority. Bommai announced 11 special programmes to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Indian Independence. The 'Amrith' programmes are focused on achieving holistic development of society in the state. The programs include Amrith Gram Panchayaths, Amrith Rural Housing Scheme, Amrit Sports adoption scheme, among others. All the programs revolve around the 75 figure, keeping the Independence Day spirit in mind. "There will be no compromise in the matters of border, language, land and water of the state. We are committed to have cordial relationship with neighbouring states, under the federal system based on the aspirations of the Constitution," Chief Minister concluded on an aggressive note. Sonia Gandhi hoists national flag at Congress headquarters: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi unfurled the national tricolour at the party headquarters in Delhi on the Independence Day. The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by many senior leaders, including former party president Rahul Gandhi. The ceremony ended with the recital of the national anthem. Tamil Nadu increases freedom

Himachal CM announces six per cent DA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday announced six per cent dearness allowance (DA) for the state government employees and pensioners from July 1. An announcement was made at the state-level Independence Day function held at the historic Seri Manch. Besides the six per cent DA announcement, which will provide a financial benefit of Rs 450 crore to the beneficiaries, the Chief Minister, while addressing the public, announced enhancement in subsidy being provided to the below poverty line and the above poverty line families on edible oils. He said despite the pandemic, the state has tried to bring the state's

economy back on track by reviving the basic amenities smoothly. Patriotic fervor prevailed across Telangana: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao hoisted the national flag at historic Golconda Fort at the main official ceremony. He also paid tributes at Martyrs' Memorial at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad before reaching Golconda Fort. Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan hoisted the national flag at Raj Bhavan. The celebrations were also organised with pomp and gaiety at the government offices. Leaders of various political parties also hoisted the national flag at their respective party offices.

fighter's pension: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced an increase in pension for freedom fighters and their family pension to mark the 75th Independence Day. Unfurling the national flag from the ramparts of Fort St George for the first time, Stalin thanked the people for giving him the opportunity. Stalin said the freedom fighter's pension will be increased to Rs 18,000/month from the current Rs 17,000/month. In the case of freedom fighter's family pension, the hike is by Rs 500/month to Rs 9,000/month. Recalling the strong link that the 'Father of the Nation' had with Tamils and Tamil Nadu, Stalin said the Mahatma Gandhi Museum in Madurai will be renovated at an outlay of Rs 6 crore. Stalin also said the state government will bring out a document on Tamil Nadu's contribution in the freedom struggle in Tamil and English. Andhra CM hoists tricolor in Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy unfurled the national flag at the programme held at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister greeted the people and said that his government is trying to fulfill the aspirations of all sections of the society. Jagan Mohan Reddy gave a detailed account of the schemes launched and implemented during the last 26 months. State Legislative Assembly Speaker T. Seetharam hoisted the national flag held at Assembly premises in Amaravati. At another event held at Legislative Council building, Chairman Balasubrahmanyam unfurled the tricolor. Odisha CM announces smart health card for 3.5 crore people: On the occasion of 75th Independence day, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced to provide smart health cards to 3.5 crore people in the state under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). He said the initiative will transform the health service delivery system and create history in the health sector of the country. The move will usher in a new era in the state's health sector, he said. "All the people of entire Odisha are my family. The news of people selling land, jewellery or they stop sending children to school to manage

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FOOD & CUISINE

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi PUNJABI CHHOLE & BHUTURE CHHOLE

MRS. LATA MODI Namaste everyone, I have been doing this cooking column for few weeks now . And I am really enjoying it. Lots of good feed back is always very encouraging. So Thank you all. Someone recently asked me “How did I get interested in cooking. So let me share my story with you all. So, we migrated to Sydney Australia, in 1983 with our kids. And like any other mum I was very busy raising our kids. In 1995 we moved to Gold Coast in Queensland. That time Gold Coast had just a handful-of Indian families. People were not very aware of multiculturalism. One local friend just mentioned it to me one that, she thinks India is a very poor country full of slums and poverty. My heart just sank with sadness and I decided to educate these ignorant community. I knew I had to do something big. So I rang around all the Primary schools , High Schools and colleges , and volunteered my services to teach the students about our Indian Culture and Cuisine. They welcomed the idea. It was such a novelty for teachers and students . So I used to pack my suitcase with Indian bridal clothes, imitation jewellery to dress them up and also lots of ingredients to cook in front of the students and give them to eat different dishes. Slowly I covered a lot of primary schools and high schools and one day one local news paper wanted to do a story on my work. The write up was very impressive and lots of parents wanted to learn to cook Indian food. I started doing my cooking classes from home for the first time ever to all Australian parents and it just went on from there. People started inviting me to show case the Indian culture and food at different venues and I used to feel so proud to talk about my heritage and so happy that now no one will ever say that India is only poverty and slums .people were learning about our rich culture and enjoying our cuisine. That’s how my love for sharing my cooking skills developed and I really love it. It has been more than 25 years and we are still loving it.

amaste everyone I was just thinking that although I am Punjabi , But surprisingly I haven’t yet done Punjabi Chholey and Bhature recipe ! Let’s cook this very popular dish today. This can be a sunday brunch for most Punjabi households. PUNJABI CHHOLEY INGREDIENTS: For 4-6 people Half kilo white chick peas Two tea bags ( for color ) I tried out The Masala tea bags while boiling the chick peas and the result was great. 2 medium sized onions 6-8 garlic cloves Two inch piece of ginger 2-3 fresh green chillies 2-3 fresh tomatoes Salt to taste

1 tea spoon jeera ( cumin seeds ) 1 tea spoon turmeric powder 2 tea spoon coriander powder 2 tea spoon cumin powder 2 tea spoon chana masala powder 2tea spoon Amchoor powder Oil for frying onions Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing. METHOD • Wash and soak your chhole in enough water for 6 hours or preferably overnight. • In the morning boil your chhole in the pressure cooker with salt and tea bags, until soft. • In the mean time finely chop onions. • Make a paste of ginger, garlic, tomatoes and chillies. • In a big wok or a heavy saucepan, • Heat about three table spoon oil. • Add cumin seeds, let it sizzle.

INGREDIENTS: for 4-6 people 2 sups of self raising flour 1/2 cup of plain flour 1/2 cup of atta (whole meal flour) 1 cup natural yoghurt 1 tea spoon of Ajwain seeds (carom seeds) 1 tea spoon salt Warm water to make the dough METHOD TO MAKE DOUGH In a big mixing bowl put all the flours, Salt, Ajwain seeds, yoghurt and salt. Mix it thoroughly. Now by adding warm water slowly make a firm dough . Use some oil on your palm towards the end to put the whole thing together . FRYING: (I always use Canola oil) In a deep wok heat enough oil to be able to fry the bhature (about three

BHATURE

Unique spices that make the perfect tea blend

Photo Courtesy: IANS

ea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. The effortless process and diversity of tea have made it a popular drink across nations. Various ingredients and spices included in tea have the power to boost the immune system, reduce stress and anxiety and even defence against various diseases. In India spices in tea have been used for thousands of years for their therapeutic and remedial properties. The addition of spices www.indianabroad.news

like cinnamon, cardamom, black peppercorns cloves etc. to tea not only enhance its taste but also increase the health benefits. These are the common spices that we use from our kitchens on a day-to-day basis and find commonly in all of the tea recipes that we see. However, there are a few spices like Asafoetida and Dandelion roots that are unique and the usage of both the spices are completely matchless for making a perfect tea blend. The dried fluid collected from the

roots of Ferula plants is known as asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida). While the plant is usually native to Afghanistan and Iraq, Asafoetida is widely used in Indian cuisine, where it is dried and powdered into a spice known as ‘Hing’. With antibacterial and antifungal properties this ingredient is highly beneficial for everyone. Not just this, asafoetida adds a new level of flavour to the tea with its health-related properties and distinct savoury taste. Some varieties of tea where

asafoetida is found are Masala Green tea, Kashmiri Kahwa tea, Kahwa Green tea, Ginger tea, Lemon Hing tea to name a few. From helping in reducing blood pressure to relieving asthma symptoms to aiding in digestion, asafoetida has plenty of health usage. On the other hand, the Dandelion is a flowering plant family that can be found all over the world. Dandelion is a highly common plant in North America, and most people can identify it just by looking at it. It's a tough plant that thrives in lowlight environments where others struggle. Dandelion flowers, leaves, and roots can all be used to make dandelion tea. Some varieties of tea where dandelion roots are found are Dandelion Root Tea, Butterscotch Tea, Lemon Dandelion Tea, Spiced Tea amongst others. Dandelion Roots are rich in nutrients and it helps in liver detoxification in a massive way. A lot of people regard this plant as just another pesky weed that grows in their backyard but this plant is used for its medicinal properties. With its huge host of health advantages and a unique flavour, Dandelion makes another fantastic ingredient for a great tea blend. (Harmeet Singh, Co-Founder, Healthy & Hygiene)

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Now add onions and fry until nice golden brown. Now add garlic ginger tomato and chili paste. Cook it until tomatoes are soft. Add all the spices. Keep stirring. Now add your chholey which should be fully cooked and soft. If you require a bit more gravy, add some warm wate. Lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer in another serving dish. Garnish with coriander leaves. And serve with freshly made bhature. Enjoy.

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cups). Divide the dough into small cricket ball size rounds. Now we have to roll it in to a round or oval shape like small pita bread or the size of normal Roti .(not too thick , not too thin , just right) Please do not use flour to help you roll it , instead use little oil on your rolling pin and roll it carefully. By now the oil should be hot. Bring it to medium and slide the rolled bhature in the hot oil. It should puff up by pressing softly with your frying spoon. Turn it over and it should only take about 20 seconds to fry each bhature. Serve hot with your yummy chholey. Heat control is very important, therefore check that the oil is not too hot.

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'Food fortification to help eradicate undernutrition' Photo Courtesy: IANS

o avoid chronic undernutrition and eradicate malnutrition, fortifying food is one of the most cost-effective and reliable investment options, and is a solution for reducing micronutrient insufficiency in children and pregnant women, which has become more prevalent as a result of Covid-19, say experts. Nutrition experts at National Institute of Food Technology and Entrepreneurship Management (NIFTEM), an institute unde Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GAIN, an international development sector partner and Hexagon Nutrition, a food and nutraceutical company have recently joined hands to set up a Centre of Excellence for Food Fortification at NIFTEM. “Despite substantial strides in food grain production, about 26 per cent of India’s population is considered food-insecure, and almost 50 percent of the population suffers from deficiencies of one or more micronutrients, i.e. of vitamins and minerals. The Centre of Excellence will help build healthier and more productive societies, by making available adequately and appropriately fortified staples, to all”, says a

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joint statement by them. "Due to a lack of availability to meat, fish, fruits, and other non-rice goods, fortified foods are supplemented with vital vitamins and minerals that the impoverished part of the population would otherwise be unable to obtain. As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, new options for enhancing immune systems by promoting food fortification have surfaced. "Rice and oil fortification, as well as salt iodization, have already received attention. However, we still need to think about how other micronutrients can be combined with low-cost basic foods like wheat, maize flour, or milk," they tell IANSlife. This partnership will spearhead a food fortification drive aimed at eradicating malnutrition which has continued as a major challenge for the country. "Nutrition is underestimated in India, and the country still has a long way to go to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry. To achieve progress in the fight against malnutrition in India, it's important to recognise that the problem is complex and multifaceted and that everyone has a role to play."

COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Brisbane treated to Indian Youth Festival A

n Indian Youth Festival was organised on 25 July at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, where various Punjabi artists presented their creative dance styles. Rich Virsa Bhangra and Dance Academy's dancers got the first positions in bhangra and giddha, and Tulja Dance Academy got the 1st Runner Up position. Senator Hon. Amanda Stoker, Assistant Minister to the AttorneyGeneral, Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations was the chief guest. At the event the audience were also treated to various food stalls and Punjabi works of art showcasing the culture of Punjab.

Tabla concert organised in Brisbane

o honour their guru on the occasion of Guru Purnima, Brisbane students of the Pt. Ashutosh Bhattacharya Baj of Benares Gharana performed at the 14th Annual Ashu Babu Memorial Tabla School Concert on July 24 at the Queensland Multicultural Centre, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. Among the main performers, Darshil Shah was on bansuri and Shen Flindell on tabla solo; Dr

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Mansey Kinarivala Gandhi and Rugved Pawar provided the vocals; students of Ashu Babu Memorial Tabla School performed with tabla lehras; and Nikhil Deo and Raghunath Pawar wdre added to the performance with harmonium. Queensland Sangeet Mela Association, Brisbane Indian Times and Australian Indian Radio supported the musical event.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

H.E. Manpreet Vohra meets Indian community members

ndian High Commissioner to Australia His Excellency Shree Manpreet Vohra and his wife Shreemati Naseem Vohra held a meeting with the Indian community members from Queensland on July 18. The Honorary Consul of India in Queensland, Mrs Archana Singh, was also present as a chief guest. The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Gold Coast had organised this community lunch meeting with the new High Commissioner of India to Australia. The event was held over a delicious lunch at Randhawa's Indian Cuisine, at Emerald Lakes. Although the event was limited in capacity due to

Covid restrictions, it was attended by many of Gold Coast's prominent business, cultural and community leaders and representatives. This meeting was a wonderful opportunity for attendees to network and build relations with the Indian High Commissioner and with each other. "By facilitating events like these, GOPIO GC hopes to work together with Shri Manpreet Vohra and members in our community to better serve our wider Indian diaspora in Gold Coast in the future," said a statement issued by the organisation.

Punjabi cultural show captivates Indians in Perth T eeyan Perth Diyan, a Punjabi cultural show was organised by Kingz Production, an organisation that organises Indian cultural events in Australia, at Beechboro in Perth, Western Australia, on 17 July. Showcasing the Punjabi culture, the show featured various dance competitions, including bhangra, gidda, as well as an awards ceremony.

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The festival is celebrated to welcome monsoon in India. According to Indian rituals, women get together in their traditional attires, enjoy the festival by riding a swing hung on a tree while singing folk songs along with gidda (folk dance of Panjabi women). The participants in the mela also share homemade sweets and cuisine with others.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

IFFM 2021 to showcase movies by Slim chances of Indian students returning Australia once borders open more than 30 women filmmakers to Indian students enrolled at universities in Australia still have a long Among the filmmakers whose movies are to be shown as a part of this year’s Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which commenced on 15th August, are Cannes winner Aashmita Neogi and Rima Das, director of award-winning documentary Shut up Sona.

Rima Das, director of Shut up Sona

Karishma Dube, director of Bittu

he IFFM is one of the most awaited events in Australia for it is a unique platform affording Indian filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their creativity in Australia especially among the vast Indian diaspora. Every year the festival brings a rich variety of movies produced by Indian moviemakers, covering an array of themes. What is the most prominent feature of this year’s IFFM is that it is bringing to the fore the best of the creations by female moviemakers. Once a domain of male directors, the global film industry has over the years seen a steady growth in the number of female filmmakers and IFFM is exemplifying that this year. The programme schedule for the 12th edition of IFFM was announced recently and among the 100 films which have been finalised, more

than 30 are by female moviemakers. Furthermore, apart from feature length movies, the creations by these talented women also include short films and documentaries. Among the filmmakers whose movies are to be shown as a part of this year’s Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which commenced on 15th August, are Cannes winner Aashmita Neogi and Rima Das, the director of award-winning document Shut up Sona. An even more noteworthy feature of IFFM 2021 is that the themes are anything but run of the mill as they exhibit an overt boldness and are thought-provoking enough to convince us that Indian cinema has come of age. The themes are dynamic and their unflinching presentation sets this year’s IFFM apart from any of the previous editions. Short

films like Bittu brazenly question the negligent human nature while the documentary, Women of My Billion (WOMB) gladdens the heart. The IFFM festival director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange says, “It has been wonderful to see so many incredibly strong and profound stories from female filmmakers. They are feisty, unapologetic and offer a new perspective. Right from issues about human rights to gender discrimination to emotional human stories, the wide range covers it all. We are very excited and privileged to showcase these films.'' Director Karishma Dube, director of short film Bittu adds, “It's a massive honor for me that Bittu will be opening the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Making a short film comes with no guarantee that it will find an audience or platform, so for the film to find a home all the way across the world means the world to me. I hope I can attend the festival in person someday soon.” National Award Winning filmmaker, Rima Das comments, “It's good to hear that Melbourne Indian Film Festival is showcasing a large number of films by women filmmakers. I have closely seen how Mitu Bhowmik takes a personal interest in encouraging women filmmakers and having diverse voices. She has been doing a commendable job year after year along with her team and it's always a pleasure to be back at the festival. I am making my fifth film in my village. If I have to, all my life I can make films in and around my village because I can see so many stories around me.”

wait ahead of them before being allowed to return on campus.

arry O’ Farrell, High Commissioner of Australia to India, in a recently conducted webinar by the Australia India Institute stated that Australia shares the frustration of the pandemic which has interrupted the students’ dream of studying in Australia and elsewhere. Acknowledging the concerns expressed about the impact of the border closures on Australia’s education sector, he stated that they had no confidence with regard to the continuous flow of students in the future following the reopening of the borders. He further said that the volume of students coming back to Australia in the near future would be quite less and emphatically stated that Indian students were crucial to the Australian tertiary education sector in particular and the Australian community in general, so the Australian government will continue to engage with its Indian counterpart to chalk out a mutually feasible and acceptable recourse to bring back all the students as soon as possible. Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Manpreet Vohra, also voiced his concerns regarding the uncertain future of the Indian students enrolled at universities in Australia awaiting consent to return on campus. He exhorted the dire need to come up with an action plan fast-tracking their return as he drew attention to the fact that all these students were “suffering”. Responding to the Indian Consul General, the Australian Ambassador stated, “I don’t imagine for a moment that it’s easy on students but I can remain optimistic and I can imagine a time when the student mobility will return to normal.” Many community groups such

High Commissioner of Australia to India Barry O' Farrell

as the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India have been highlighting the need for Australian government to facilitate the return of the Indian students to Australia. Even as Indian

students have started returning to Canada, UK and USA to resume their on-campus studies, those enrolled in Australian universities are still relying on remote learning.

Australian-Indian teenager creates history as Federal Court declares environment minister‘s duty to counter climate change

Melbourne-based Indian-origin teenager Anjali Sharma seems to be following in the footsteps of Greta Thunberg in her determination to protect the Australian community against the ill-effects of climate change. Continued from page 1 Although Anjali was a bit dejected at the prospect of the environment minister appealing against courts’ decision, she did concur on the point that the court’s decision was nonetheless quite crucial. Having migrated from India to Australia with her family when she was barely 9 months old, her determination to rid the environment of all pollutants began to take shape around 2 or 3 years back when she began to grasp the enormity of environmental issues and heard from her relatives back in India how they were grappling with the ramifications of climate change. Lauding the decision, she said the judge had commented that approximately 1 million young Australians, including herself and her fellow litigants, were at grave risk due to the alarming rate at which climate

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change was occurring. Justice Mordecai Bromberg ruled that the environment minister had a duty to take reasonable care to prevent causing personal injury or death to minors residing in Australia, and also directed the government to reimburse the full legal expenses to the plaintiffs. David Barnden, the main lawyer at Equity Generation Lawyers, who has been representing Anjali Sharma and the other seven litigants, stated that while this decision was applicable only to this particular case, it might act as a precedent for similar cases in the future. Anjali Sharma conceded that the movement, which began with a lot of enthusiasm and popular support, has lost its steam a little bit this year. This has made her task an uphill one but she is more than ready to take the challenges head-on.

INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

India won't recognise govt imposed by force in Afghanistan: US spokesperson Photo Courtesy: IANS

New York, Aug 13: Under the looming threat of a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, India has joined 11 countries to oppose any military solution to the conflict in that country and declare it will not recognise any government imposed by force, according to US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price. He told reporters on Thursday that India participated in a meeting hosted by the US and Qatar at which the participating countries "agreed, first and foremost, that the peace process needs to be accelerated. And they also agreed, importantly, that they will not recognise any government that is imposed through military force." Significantly, Pakistan, which has patronised the Taliban, was also

at the meeting and Price gave the impression that it was also in agreement with the declaration. China and Turkey, as well as the United Nations and the European Union were among the participants, at the Doha meeting and they met also with the representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban. Ignoring the peace deal with President Joe Biden's administration, the Taliban has been sweeping though Afghanistan effectively taking Kandhar and Herat by Thursday night and imperilling the capital Kabul ahead of the US deadline to pull its troops out of the country by the end of the month. Reversing the drawdown of troops, the US announced on Thursday that it was sending about 3,000 Army

and Marine troops to help with the evacuation of its embassy personnel in Kabul. "We expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks. In order to facilitate this reduction, the Department of Defense will temporarily deploy additional personnel to Hamid Karzai International Airport," Price told reporters. But he insisted that the US will continue to have a diplomatic presence in Kabul. "Let me be very clear about this: The embassy remains open and we plan to continue our diplomatic work in Afghanistan," he said, adding, "Additionally, we will continue our focus on counterterrorism." Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the security situation in Afghanistan with President Ashraf Ghani and assured him that the US "remains committed to maintaining a strong diplomatic and security relationship" with his government, according to the Defence Department. Austin reaffirmed that "a unified Afghanistan and cohesive" Afghan defence force are "the linchpin of peace and security in the face of a heavy fighting season," it added.

Institution of judiciary has failed in Tejpal case: Tushar Mehta Photo Courtesy: IANS

Panaji, Aug 10: Commenting on the acquittal of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal by a trial court in May this year, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta on Tuesday said that the acquittal was reflective of the manner in which the institution of the judiciary had failed. The acquittal, Mehta said, would deter potential victims of sexual assault from approaching courts for justice. "The way in which our institution has failed, I am using every word not only with sincerity, but with a sense of responsibility. Our institution has failed, leaving an inevitable impression upon all victims of sexual violence or sexual onslaught that it has a deterrent effect among those who are potential victims," Mehta said during a virtual hearing at the Bombay High Court. "They would not come before your lordship or not come before the Court of law. Country has a right to know (how) this institution has dealt with the girl who came to the court with the complaint, specific allegations, precise facts (and) corroborating evidence," Mehta also said. Mehta made the comments during a hearing in connection with an appeal filed by the Goa government against the acquittal of Tejpal by a

Bus wreckage found, 20 still Telangana missing in Himachal landslide Photo Courtesy: IANS

Shimla, Aug 12: The wreckage of the bus that fell into a 500-metre deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district following a massive landslide was recovered on Thursday morning, rescuers said. Fifteen people lost their lives so far, while 20 others were still missing. A rescue operation involving multiple agencies was underway to retrieve over 20 people feared trapped in the 200-m stretch covered with rubble. The landslide on Tuesday buried a truck, a state roadways bus, and other vehicles that occurred over a stretch of the Shimla-Reckong Peo highway near Nigulsari, some 180 km from the state capital. "Wreckage of the bus found by ITBP troops of 17, 18 and 43 Battalions at first light (0525 Hrs) at approximately 500 metres below the road and 200 meters above Sutlej river. One more dead body retrieved. Total 11

dead bodies retrieved till now," the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said in a tweet. State Disaster Management Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta told IANS that 15 people have been rescued and 13 bodies recovered. He said the highway is still closed for the traffic. Local legislator Jagat Singh Negi visited the spot and inspected the rescue operation involving the ITBP, local authorities, the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus was on its way to Haridwar from Rekong Peo via Shimla. Its driver and conductor escaped unhurt. Relatives of the missing bus passengers approached the local authorities to know about their whereabouts. Most of the victims belong to Kinnaur district.

"A few boulders started rolling down just ahead of the disaster. Sensing trouble, I ran towards the other side and managed to save myself," a survivor said. Witnesses said the administration had a tough time extricating the victims from the badly-mangled bus. It took hours for rescuers to climb down the mountain and bring up the bodies. Even the rainfall and time and again landslips on Tuesday hampered the rescue operation, police officials said. Kinnaur is one of remotest places in the state and scarcity and low frequency of passenger buses in the district leads to overcrowding of the vehicles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Thakur and assured him of all possible help. This is the second major natural disaster in Kinnaur in less than a month. Nine people, most of them tourists, were killed by a landslide as boulders fell and hit the vehicle they were travelling in on July 25. This monsoon also caused major landslides in the state's Kangra district, claiming 10 lives. Terrifying videos capturing massive landslides in Sirmaur district are common these days. Seven people died in the exceptionally high rainfall across the cold desert of Lahaul-Spiti district on July 27-28. Keylong and Udaipur subdivision of the district faced 12 incidents of flash flood after a cloudburst, in which the Tozing Nallah's impact was devastating.

"There was an argument at home with the mother coaxing her daughter, who just cleared her SSC exams, to study well and take up a medical course, but the girl resented it and resorted to the extreme measure," Patil told IANS. The girl even attempted to lodge a police complaint against her mother last month, but the police summoned her parents, including her father who is a senior engineer with a private company, and counselled them. On July 30, there was brawl at home over studies when the girl pushed her mother who fell on the floor and received serious trauma injuries, said another IO Avinash Mahajan. Later, in a fit of rage, the girl allegedly choked her injured mother with a karate belt and dragged her body onto the bed, though it is not known if her 7-year-old younger brother

was at home or not. She then sent out a message from her mother's mobile to her maternal uncle, claiming her mother locked herself inside the bedroom, ostensibly to pass off the crime as a suicide. After a week of investigations and trying to win over the girl's confidence, a woman constable finally managed to get her to confess to the crime. "The girl has admitted to the crime after a heated quarrel when she was in anger on July 30. Even the post-mortem report has confirmed that the cause of death was due to strangulation and the head injuries," Patil said. The girl has been detained and will be produced before a Juvenile Board soon for further legal procedures, the police said, as the case revelations stunned the people of Navi Mumbai and around.

Girl kills mom with karate belt, tries to pass it off as suicide

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Mumbai, Aug 9: In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old Navi Mumbai girl, who passed her SSC exams last week, strangulated her 40-year-old mother to death with a karate belt after a tiff over her studies, police said on Monday. The incident occurred on July 30 with the girl allegedly trying to pass it off as a suicide, but the autopsy report confirmed it to be murder, investigating officer of Rabale Police Station, Assistant Police Inspector Dinesh Patil, said. www.indianabroad.news

man keeps grandfather's body in fridge Hyderabad, Aug 12: A man in Telangana kept the body of his grandfather in the fridge at their house as he had no money to perform his last rites, police said on Thursday. The shocking incident came to light at Parkala in Warangal district after neighbours complained to police about foul smell emanating from a house. Police officers who searched the house found the body of 93-year-old Balaiah, a retired teacher, in the fridge. When they questioned his grandson Nikhil, he revealed that Balaiah died of ill health three days ago. Nikhil, 23, told police that since he had no money to perform the last rites of his grandfather, he kept the body in the fridge. Assistant Commissioner of Police Shivaramaiah said they registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances and took up investigation. The body was sent for an autopsy. The police were verifying the statement given by Nikhil. Balaiah, a retired teacher and a native of Kamareddy district, was living with his grandson in a rented house. They were meeting their expenses from Balaiah's pension. The police officer said they were trying to find out if Nikhil kept the body in fridge to ensure that the pension did not stop.

Goa trial court, which was hearing the rape case filed by the former journalist's junior colleague in 2013. The High Court which is hearing the appeal, has scheduled the next hearing for August 31. Responding to Mehta's argument, Tejpal's counsel senior advocate Amit Desai said that comments should not be passed against the institution of the judiciary, just because the Goa government did not appreciate the outcome in the Tejpal case in the trial court. "I do believe that until the final conclusion on the matter, we should not make any comment on the institution of the judiciary, just

because the Government of Goa did not appreciate the outcome," Desai said. Desai also called for the need for sensitivities while dealing with such cases involving "our daughters". Tejpal was charged against under sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement) 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (criminal assault), of the Indian Penal Code, after a junior colleague accused him of rape at a five star resort in Goa in 2013. On May 21, he was acquitted by the trial court in Goa citing "benefit of doubt", following which an appeal was filed by the state government.

Rajouri terror attack not to hit grassroots democracy in J&K: BJP Photo Courtesy: IANS

Jammu, Aug 13: Condemnations are pouring in over the terrorist attack on the residence of a BJP leader at the Khandli area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri and the party said that efforts to strengthen grassroots democracy in the UT will not be affected. On Thursday night, terrorists hurled a grenade at the residence of BJP leader Jasbir Singh in which a child was killed and four others injured. J&K LG Manoj Sinha condemned the attack and said the perpetrators will be brought to justice. "Strongly condemn the cowardly attack in the house of a political leader in Rajouri in which a 2-yearold child was killed & others were injured. My deepest condolences to family & prayers for early recovery of injured. Perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice soon," office of LG tweeted.

Condemning the attack, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a tweet said the attack won't discourage PM Modi's commitment to grassroots democracy in J&K. "Terror attack on BJP Mandal President Rajouri Urban, Sh Jasbir Singh's residence is highly condemnable. It is a handiwork of those who have developed vested interest in not allowing democratic and political processes to flourish. But certainly, this can't discourage PM @ narendramodi's determined commitment to grassroot democracy in JammuAndKashmir," Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack. She tweeted: "Condemn the grenade attack in Rajouri in which a four year old child was killed and several others injured. My sympathies with their loved ones."

Bengaluru cops interact with African student community

Bengaluru, Aug 14: The Karnataka Police recently organised an interaction programme with students of African nations in Bengaluru for studies and other purposes in an attempt to reach out to them and

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know their grievances after the violent confrontation on August 3, officials said on Friday. "The meeting was held couple of days ago and it was fruitful. The African youths expressed happiness with the functioning of Karnataka Police and some of them even condemned the recent behaviour of their fraternity after the death of a Congolese national near J.C.Nagar police station," DCP East Dr K. Sharanappa told IANS. More than 60 people from various countries attended the interaction programme and shared their grievances, he said. "Many students were found to be facing genuine problems and we have assured them that they will all be solved. There are bona fide

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students. Some are stuck due to Covid restrictions, non-availability of flight services, and other genuine reasons," he said. A stern message was also given not to take law into their hands. It was also assured that law-abiding students will be protected. It was the third meeting with African students, said the DCP. Some Congolese nationals and students resorted to violence while protesting against the death of a young Congolese national in police custody after his arrest on charges of possessing and selling drugs. The police carried out a baton charge to disperse the mob and the incident became a national headline. The matter is under investigation.

INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Army schools in Delhi-NCR come India's commerce minister discusses trade ties with Aussie envoy Tony Abott up with competition on ethics Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 12: To inculcate moral values among children, a unique and one of its kind "collaborative competition on ethics" -- Ethics Bowl, is being organised in Army Public Schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 12 to August 20, 2021. Once this is successful, it will be followed across the country. There are 137 Army Public Schools (APS) located in various Cantonments and Military Stations across India. These schools are administered and managed by local Army authorities and affiliated to CBSE through

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Army Welfare Education Society (AWES). There are approximately 8,000 teachers on the rolls of these schools. The event, hosted by Army Public School Dhaula Kuan, will comprise a series of debates on common moral and ethical dilemmas, which will be presented by the school children of the four schools to the judges' panel in the form of case studies. "The aim of the collaborative event is to facilitate the imbibing of moral values in the children," said a senior Indian Army officer. This novel approach aims to do

away with sermonising and intends to use a common platform to help the children arrive at their own 'right' answers through debate and discussion. Army Public Schools of Dhaula Kuan, Delhi Cantonment, Noida and Shankar Vihar will take part in the current iteration. The aim is to expand this concept in other regions around India, based on the success of the project. The event, involving two teams of five students each, will be given subjects from 30 ethically debatable case studies and will be held online due to prevailing conditions. The event will be judged by 30 renowned personalities from different walks of life. The finale and prize distribution will be held on August 20, 2021. Last year in a message to the Army Public Schools, Indian Army Chief M.M. Naravane had stated: "Our collective efforts have, besides reinforcing confidence of our rank and file, significantly contributed to nation building by adding wellgroomed and future-ready youth to the national mainstream.

iyush Goyal, 57, the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, had an extensive meeting with Tony Abbott, Special Trade Envoy of the Prime Minister of Australia. The two sides discussed the roadmap for strengthening trade ties between the two natural allies, and towards that end both the nations are working for a resilient and reliable supply chain

K'taka man ends life after blackmail, 4 arrested

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Bengaluru, Aug 14: Four youths have been taken into custody in Karnataka after a 32-year-old man killed himself after being blackmailed, the police told on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Supreeth from Hassan. According to police, Supreeth, who worked as a clerk, consumed poison at a lodge in Bengaluru on Friday. He left a note alleging that four youths extorted money from him after capturing a private moment with his girl friend on their mobile. The video was captured when Supreeth was having a private moment at a hill near Arsikere town

in Hassan district. After shooting the video, the gang of four blackmailers approached Supreeth and started extorting money. They threatened to make the video go viral on social media if he failed to pay up. As the victim started paying money, the gang's demand increased. They also forced him to share the number of his girlfriend. Stressed over the development, Supreeth came down to Bengaluru and ended his life. The police in Upparpet rounded up the accused and further investigations were underway.

200 Van Dhan producer companies to be set up in next 5 yrs Photo Courtesy: SME Venture

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs said on Friday that it has planned to set up 200 'Van Dhan' producer companies in all the 27 states in the next five years with priority to the aspirational districts under the Van Dhan programme of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED). The ministry also said that a Van Dhan producer company, the Jawadhu Hills Tribal Farmer Producer Company located in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai district, has sold processed products worth up to Rs 12 lakh in less than four months.

Jawadhu hills is an extension of the Eastern Ghats. The Malayali tribal people constitute 92.60 per cent of the total population in this block and their mainstay is through non-timber forest produce and a variety of trees grown on this 'patta' land such as tamarind, jackfruit, coconut, lemon and gooseberry. To help the Malayali tribal people empower themselves and gain better opportunities and market access, the Jawadhu Hills Tribal Farmer Producer Company was formed in 2020. The Van Dhan tribal startups, a component of the same scheme,

is a programme for value addition, branding and marketing of minor forest produces by establishing 'Van Dhan Kendras' to facilitate creation of sustainable livelihoods for the forest-based tribes. "It has emerged as a source of employment generation for the tribal gatherers and forest dwellers and the home-bound tribal artisans," the ministry said. In less than two years, 37,904 Van Dhan Self-Help Groups (VDSHGs), subsumed into 2,275 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs) of 300 forest dwellers each, have been sanctioned by TRIFED. TRIFED is also expanding its skill development and micro entrepreneurship programme, together with the tribal livelihoods programme. "Convergences with various ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of AYUSH, have been initiated by TRIFED with the aim of improving sustainable livelihoods and income opportunities for the tribal people," an official said.

Aug 14 to be observed as 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day': PM New Delhi, Aug 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that in memory of the struggles and sacrifices of "our people", August 14 will be observed as 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' or 'Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas'. The Prime Minister hoped that the "observance will not only inspire us to eliminate the poison of discrimination, animosity and ill-will, but it will also strengthen unity, social harmony and human sensibilities". Taking to Twitter, he said: "Partition's pains can never be forgotten. Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and

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many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence. In memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. "May the Partition Horror Remembrance Day keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of social divisions, disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment." It is estimated that between one to two million people died during the partition of the country in 1947. The most violent clashes were

Govt launches 'SonChiraiya' to market Urban SHG products Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on Friday launched 'SonChiraiya' -- a brand and logo -- for marketing the products of urban self-help groups (SHGs). While launching the brand and logo, MoHUA Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra said that helping women become financially empowered and live a dignified life is one of the priority areas of the government. The Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaNational Urban Livelihoods Mission

(DAY-NULM) under the aegis of MoHUA has focussed on equipping the urban poor women with adequate skills and opportunities to enable them to promote sustainable micro enterprises. It mobilises women from urban poor households into SHGs and their federations to create a support system for these women. According to MoHUA, over 5.7 lakh SHGs have been formed across various states/ UTs with almost 60 lakh members. Many of these SHGs are engaged in livelihood activities, producing goods such as handicrafts, textiles, toys, eatables and so on. These were being sold primarily in the local neighbourhood markets and often faced barriers in achieving visibility and wide market access. To overcome these challenges, the ministry entered into an MoU with leading e-commerce portals like Amazon and Flipkart, with an underlying narrative of women

empowerment. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, this partnership has successfully on-boarded over 2,000 products of nearly 5,000 SHG members across 25 states and UTs. Innovative methods of online training for SHGs have been ensured to enable them to smoothly operate on the e-portals. Live demonstrations for account registration, pricing, packaging, re-branding and so on were also organised in collaboration with the e-portals and the state urban livelihood missions. "This initiative will certainly prove as a step towards increased visibility and global access for the products made by urban SHG women. The ministry expects to link many more such SHG members, with variety of professionally packaged, hand-crafted ethnic products, reaching the doorsteps of the customers globally," the ministry said.

centred around Punjab, where the Muslim population of East Punjab was forcibly expelled. The partition displaced between 10 and 20 million people along religious lines, creating overwhelming refugee crises in the newly constituted dominions. Some 15 million people crossed into the newly-created borders during the violent partition. At times, mobs targeted and killed passengers travelling in either direction; the trains carrying their corpses became known as "ghost trains".

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AUSTRALIA

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Support for PM falls to 18 month-low

ACT plunges into Covid lockdown

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Canberra, Aug 9: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since March 2020, according to the a new poll published on Monday. The Newspoll survey said that Morrison's personal approval rating has fallen into negative territory for

the first time since the coronavirus hit Australia, reports Xinhua news agency. The opinion poll found that the proportion of voters satisfied with Morrison's performance in handling the pandemic dropped from 52 per cent in mid-July to 48 per cent

compared to a record-high 85 per cent in April 2020. For the first time since April 2020, after restrictions were first introduced across Australia to prevent the spread of Covid-19, more voters were dissatisfied with Morrison than satisfied, giving him a net rating of negative two. The poll was conducted amid growing frustration over Australia's troubled vaccine rollout. About half of Australia's population in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland has experienced a lockdown so far in August to prevent the spread of the Delta variant. Death toll increased from 923 at the end of last month to 936 on Sunday. Amid the country's biggest wave of infections in 12 months, Newspoll found that support for Morrison's management of the vaccine rollout fell a further two points from mid-July to 38 percent. Rising dissatisfaction with Morrison has left the Coalition party facing an uphill battle to win a fourth consecutive term in the government at the general election, which is due to be held before May 2021. Newspoll found that the opposition Labor Party leads the Coalition 53-47 on a two-party preferred basis, its equal-biggest lead since the 2019 election.

NSW state identifies more 'areas of concern' Photo Courtesy: Pexel

Sydney, Aug 12: Authorities of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) on Thursday announced three more local government areas (LGA) as "areas of concern" for Covid-19, with tougher restrictions to be imposed. The decision came after NSW recorded 345 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Thursday, among which the source of infection for 217 cases is still under investigation, reports Xinhua news agency. The state also recorded two deaths, two men in their 90s. The three LGAs, namely Strathfield, Bayside and Burwood located in southwest and south Sydney, will join the nine LGAs that were deemed "areas of concern". From 5 p.m. Thursday, residents in these three LGAs can only get out of home to obtain food, essential goods and services, or do exercise, and the range was narrowed from 10 km to 5 km. They cannot travel to other areas for work unless authorised. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also expected that police will have

more Australian Defence Force (ADF) to help ensure residents comply with restrictions and administer vaccines. Berejiklian said she understood a request had been made for the ADF to staff additional AstraZeneca clinics. "We want to make sure we have enough points of access across all

of NSW and in particular in and around those areas of concern," she said. The neighbouring state of Queensland, which recorded 10 new local cases on Thursday, planned to increase vaccinations in bordering communities with NSW as a precautionary measure.

NSW sees worst day with highest new Covid-19 cases, 4 deaths Photo Courtesy: The Indian Express

Sydney, Aug 11: The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) saw another disastrous day with a record daily high of 356 new local cases and four deaths on Tuesday. What is more concerning is around one third of the new locally acquired cases were in the community while infectious, the Xinhua news agency reported. Among the four deaths, three cases were linked to the current outbreak triggered by Delta variant and one case got infected overseas, NSW

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Health said. Despite the climbing local transmission, the government is reluctant to further tighten restrictions. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would not take "any strategies that aren't going to work" and is against the idea of imposing a ring of steel around the epicentre areas in southwest Sydney. Berejiklian said that the current restrictions for the eight local government areas in western and southwest Sydney had prevented a

further skyrocketing of new infections, saying strong suppression works as there are no hundreds of thousands of cases and deaths. "That gives us a chance to see what people can do in September and October but it is really important to ensure we provide the vaccine, targeted strategy to reduce the spread especially among key worker groups." In the neighbouring state of Queensland, police have warned residents living in the bordering areas with NSW to expect greater enforcement of border restrictions facing the growing transmission. Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Steven Gollschewski said residents would be aware of the situation and not travel unless absolutely necessary. "We will increase operational capabilities there to ensure we are intercepting higher numbers of people coming across," he said. Meanwhile, the state of Victoria recorded 20 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases, as its regional areas enjoy the first day out of lockdown.

Canberra, Aug 12: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) plunged into a lockdown on Thursday after recording its first coronavirus case in the community in over a year. Andrew Barr, chief minister of the ACT, announced that the territory would go into lockdown for seven days from 5 p.m. on Thursday after a man in his 20s tested positive for the virus, reports Xinhua news agency. ACT Health said the man was infectious in the community with no known source of infection. It is the first case of Covid-19

detected in the ACT community in more than 12 months. "This lockdown decision is the result of a positive case in the territory, a case has been infectious in the community," Barr told reporters. "We do not currently know the source of the infection, but extensive investigation has been under way for many hours. "This is the most serious public health risk that we are faced in the territory this year, really, since the beginning of the pandemic," he said. Under the lockdown, residents

of Canberra and its surrounding suburbs will only be allowed to leave home for essential reasons including essential work, healthcare, vaccine appointments, grocery shopping and one hour of exercise per day. General retail will be closed and hospitality businesses will move to take away only. Masks will be made mandatory in public spaces. Any ACT residents who visited an exposure site at the same time as the positive case have been ordered to isolate for 14 days. "This will be the first time that the ACT has entered a lockdown of this nature since the early days of the pandemic," said Barr. It makes Canberra another major Australian city currently subject to a lockdown with strict restrictions also in place in Sydney and Melbourne. "We know from what we are seeing around Australia that the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus is highly infectious, and life threatening," Barr said. "For the sake of your health, your family's health and for the health of the community - it's critical that Canberrans take every precaution they can over the coming days."

Moderna vax approved amid lockdown in NSW & Victoria Photo Courtesy: IANS

Canberra, Aug 10: Australia's medical regulator has granted provisional approval for Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provided provisional approval of the Moderna vaccine for use among Australian adults, the Xinhua news agency reported. One million doses of the vaccine will arrive in Australia in September, which will require two doses to be administered 28 days apart. Morrison said adding a third vaccine to the rollout on top of doses from Pfizer and AstraZeneca would help the government reach the goal of fully vaccinating 70 per cent of the adult population by the end of 2021. "Every vaccination saves lives and gets us one step closer to reaching 70 per cent of Australians, aged over 16, vaccinated before the end of the year," he said in a statement on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning, Greg Hunt, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, said the third Covid-19 vaccine added to Australia's rollout boost the vaccine plan during a tough period.

"At the moment, what we are seeing is New South Wales is doing everything it possibly can to contain and then to suppress the virus. At the same time, we're vaccinating on a grand scale," he told The Today Show, an Australian breakfast television program. "And so Australians are really stepping forward. But please keep doing that. I know it's tough. I know it's challenging. But please keep coming forward to be vaccinated." The TGA approval comes at a time when about 12 million Australians in New South Wales and Victoria,

the country's most and second most populous state respectively, are in lockdown to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19. So far about 22.5 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over had received two coronavirus vaccine doses since the country began its rollout in February. As of Monday afternoon, there had been 36,630 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia, and the number of locally acquired cases in the previous 24 hours was 298, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.

Covid cases surge in worst-hit NSW Continued from page 1 Sydney and surrounding areas were reduced from 10 km to 5 km. From August 21, people will need a permit to travel to regional NSW. People who breach the rules, such as self-isolation, lying on a permit or lying to a contact trace, will face an increased on-the-spot fine of A$5,000 ($3,685). People who do ot adhere to the two-person outdoor exercise rules, or enter into regional NSW for inspecting real estate and travelling

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will face a fine of A$3,000. Residents in those local government areas on concern cannot get out of home for outdoor recreation, such as gathering in a park or outside take-away shops or cafes. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there will be a stronger police presence, especially in those local government areas of concern, to clamp down on people breaching the restrictions. An additional 500 Australian

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Defence Force will join those who were already in NSW to help local police ensure people's compliance with the restrictions. "The increased fines and heightened police presence are about ensuring people who are doing the wrong thing are caught and punished appropriately," she said. The premier also extended the lockdown on Armidale, an area in the northern part of NSW to prevent the spread of the virus.

WORLD NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Inflation, pandemic pushing people into poverty in Pakistan Photo Courtesy: IANS

Islamabad, Aug 11: Pakistan's economic condition has been reeling on the financial bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), forcing the Imran Khan-led government to increase prices of all basic commodities, triggering price hikes of commodities of basic necessities, and pushing the lives of people into misery and poverty. Food price inflation has been on a consistent upsurge, escalating the pressure on lower-middle-income household budgets. As per statistics, headline inflation in Pakistan may have fallen below 10 per cent in the previous few months; food inflation continues to stay in double digits. It should be noted that Pakistan is among those countries, where more than half of the income of a house, is spent on food. With the increase in cost of petrol, electricity units, transport, coupled with indirect taxes, the low-income families have plunged into further poverty, hunger and malnutrition. As per estimations and statistics

done by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in 2019-20, the number of moderately to severely food-insecure households rose to at least 16.4 per 100 households, in comparison to at least 15.9 per 100 households the previous year. The above-mentioned statistics reflects the impact of job losses, income reduction and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mandated economic policies, aimed at stabilising the country's financial management, as the survey was carried out before the outbreak of Covid-19. Moreover, with the outbreak of the pandemic, economic experts highlight that the miseries of the people have been compounded, as millions have gone out of work and have been plunged into poverty. Experts believe that with the new wave of the novel coronavirus, coupled with the higher global community inflation and the upward adjustments in domestic energy prices, will further worsen the existing dire situation of the masses.

It has been maintained that the impact of the inflation will increase on food prices also as the global food prices have seen an at least 31 per cent higher in July than a year ago. The purchasing power of the lower-middle-class families has already been severely impacted by the food price inflation. In the coming days ahead, the inflation numbers are expected to rise further, forecasting reduction in purchasing power and loss of jobs. The Imran Khan-led government is also being criticised for failing to reduce the burden of spiking domestic food prices by tackling such local factors as supply disruptions and artificial shortages of staples that contribute to the hike in food prices in the country. With Pakistan becoming the importer of key food items like wheat, edible oil, pulses and sugar, the probability of controlling increase in food inflation seems almost impossible for the government, making life even more worse for the poor.

'US has decided India is a strategic partner that's why Pak treated differently' Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 12: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan hsaid that the US has decided that India is a strategic partner and that is why Islamabad was being treated differently. "I think that the Americans have decided that India is their strategic partner now, and I think that's why there's a different way of treating Pakistan now," Khan told foreign journalists at his home in Islamabd, a global news wire reported. A political settlement in Afghanistan was looking difficult under current conditions, he added. The Prime minister said he tried to persuade the Taliban leaders when they were visiting Pakistan to reach a settlement. "The condition is that as long as (Afghan President) Ashraf Ghani is there, we (Taliban) are not going to talk to the Afghan government," Khan said quoting the Taliban leaders as telling him. Khan accused the US of seeing Pakistan as useful only in the context of the "mess" it is leaving behind in Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting, the report said Washington has been pressing Islamabad to use its influence over the Taliban to broker an elusive peace deal as negotiations between the insurgents and Afghan government have stalled, and violence in

Afghanistan has escalated sharply. "Pakistan is just considered only to be useful in the context of somehow settling this mess which has been left behind after 20 years of trying to find a military solution when there was not one," Khan added. The US will pull out its military by August 31, 20 years after toppling

the Taliban government in 2001. But, as the US leaves, the Taliban today control more territory than at any point since then. Khan said Pakistan had "made it very clear" that it does not want any American military bases in Pakistan after US forces exit Afghanistan, the report added.

Quad officials discuss cooperation on supply chain, critical technologies

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam throws down the gauntlet in Pakistan Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 12: Islamic organisations in Pakistan have been pursuing their conservative agenda with traditional fervour, challenging the governments decision on issues that are aimed at introducing moderate values in the society. The chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazalur Rahman, stated on Wednesday that the Waqf Property Act and the Domestic Violence Bill are against the teachings of Islam, the Constitution of Pakistan and 'eastern' values. The Islamic identity of the nation should be maintained at any cost, Rahman said. He said this at the end of discussions with a number of Islamic scholars and leaders in Karachi. The Domestic Violence Bill primarily aims at putting in place a set of stringent norms against those

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indulging in domestic violence. However, conservative Muslim leaders have been opposing it on the grounds that such laws are against Islam. Separately, the central joint secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazryati), Mehmood Ul Hasan Qasimi, stated on Wednesday that the prophecies of Mujahid Mullah Umar of 21 years ago about the defeat of America was proving to be true today. Addressing a gathering, he said that the world has seen how the superpower America has accepted defeat in Afghanistan at the hands of the Taliban. He said that very soon the Mujahedeen will wave the flag of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan and the puppet government of Kabul will come to an end, facing similar insult as the Americans faced.

He further mentioned that Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is devoid of vision and is presently living as a tenant in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the chairman of Jamaate-lslami Pakistan, Sirajul-Haq said on Thursday that the system of the Quran and Sunnah is the only solution to the problems faced by human beings. He mentioned that the buildings of socialism and capitalism had collapsed and the world is being driven by international financial institutions. In this context, he criticised the PTI for having dragged the nation to slavery at the hands of the IMF and World Bank. The real rulers of the country, he said, are the international financial institutions and the people sitting in Islamabad are only working as facilitators or puppets. He said the extent of poverty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an indication of the lack of interest the leadership has in ensuring welfare of the state and its people. He also reiterated the fact that there has been serious unemployment year after year with the government taking no cognisance of the impact it has had on families in the region. Such rhetorics coming from conservative leaders in Pakistan are an indication of the prevailing mindset in core Islamic circles in the country, which would also have an impact on the situation evolving in Afghanistan. Support for the Taliban has been at the top of the agenda of these leaders and Pakistan has often been using this rhetoric as natural pressure being built from 'internal elements' which makes it difficult for the government to pursue a hands off policy vis-a-vis Afghanistan.

New York, Aug 13: Senior officials of the Quad countries on Thursday explored collaboration to ensure resilient supply chains and in the areas of emerging and critical technologies to move their cooperation to a newer level. India's External Affairs Ministry, in a statement after the virtual meeting, said: "The Officials discussed issues of common interest and explored possibilities of collaboration in resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure and connectivity, higher education, climate change and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief." The overdependence on China has been exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic as the world faced critical shortages due to supply chain problems while China was in a race to gain an edge in critical technologies. A statement from Tokyo said that Vani Rao, the Joint Secretary for the Americas, and Naveen Srivastava, the Additional Secretary for East Asia, represented India at the meeting. The other participants in the meeting included Richard Buangan, the acting senior official for the East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Dean Thompson, the acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, representing the US; Edo

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Kazuya, Japan's Deputy Director General for Asian and Oceania, and Justin Hayhurst, Australia's Deputy Secretary for the Indo-Pacific, it added. It also said that the Quad officials discussed holding an in-person summit of the Quad leaders by the end of this year. Thursday's meeting followed up the virtual Quad summit of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi, Yoshihide Sugo of Japan and Scott Morrison of Australia, and US President Joe Biden held in March. At the summit, India was given the key role of producing one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines for distribution in the region under a programme that will be financed by Japan and the US, with Australia providing the distribution logistics. The statement from India on the meeting of the senior diplomats said that they reviewed the progress of the Quad vaccine programme and discussed "the wide-ranging impact of Covid-19 in the Indo-Pacific region, and the importance of collaborative efforts to contain the pandemic, ensure health security and a quick economic recovery". The situation in India's neighbour Myanmar, where the military has blocked the democratically elected civilian leaders and jailed them, also figured during the meeting. A statement on the meeting by the US State Department said the crisis

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was discussed and that they "reaffirmed the Quad's strong support for ASEAN centrality". Taking up topics of Washington's priorities, the statement said they discussed ways to advance cooperation in countering disinformation, promoting democracy and human rights. None of the three statements on the meeting named China, whose threats to the region and beyond are the impetus for the four democracies to increase their level of cooperation. But the China factor was noted in the US statement which spoke of "supporting countries vulnerable to coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region". The statement from Tokyo noted that the situation in the East and South China Seas was discussed. China has been carrying out belligerent actions directed at Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Malaysia in that area. Japan's statement added that the vision for a "free and open" IndoPacific was gaining momentum beyond the region in the post-Covid world. "This vision has spread in the international community, including ASEAN and Europe," it said, adding that the officials "reaffirmed the importance of broadening cooperation with more countries for its further achievement".

SPIRITUALITY & DEVOTION

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Vedanta and happiness By Paddy Krishnan There is no argument that all of us want to be happy. But what is happiness? One can define happiness as the absence of negative experiences be it thoughts or actions. The Upanishads described two broad types of happiness. The first is Sukha lasting) happiness. In this article I will show how principles from Vedanta can be used in practice to become happier. Note that the concept of happiness is a vast topic. My comments just provide the starting point. The Taittiriya Upanishad, viz., the Bhriguvalli, refers to the five sheaths (Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya) to develop levels of happiness that are determined by factors such as one’s age, psychological condition, financial resources, and relationships with family and friends. But these only lead to happiness that is temporary and could lead to long term unhappiness. Many other writings related to Vedanta refer to Vishayananda or happiness derived from material things (e.g., food, which will please the Annamaya kosha), Kavyananda or happiness derived from aesthetic qualities of material things, and Brahmananda or happiness which is eternal. They also introduce the definition of Tripti or satisfaction. All the Upanishads conclude that everlasting happiness can be obtained only by true renunciation or treating things in this world with dispassion. That is, all writings point out that happiness is purely an internal state of a person and thus should not depend on external circumstances. Therefore, true renunciation (which is not the same as giving up) is required. This is a hard ask for most people; so the question is how to be on the path towards true dispassion, such that each step makes one happier. The actions that one performs have an impact on both current and future happiness. For example, one

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might decide to work very hard in the present and undertake tasks that could give pain so that one would be happy in the future. That is, one is looking at future happiness at the cost of current happiness. Another example of such an activity is going to gym. While exercising, one could be in pain but will be more healthy and thus happy in the future. On the other hand one could decide to enjoy life now and not worry about things that might occur in the future. An example of this is when one over-eats but then suffers from a stomach ache. Such behaviours lead to cycles of happiness and unhappiness. Note that if the pain while exercising is not viewed negatively but as necessary for the Annamaya kosha, it will not lead to unhappiness. An unhappy person usually wants something. Therefore, they will try to fix the situation to get this. This could include attempting to change their own behaviour, the behaviour of the family and friends, or the behaviour of the environment (such as the politics in the country). When one is unsuccessful at this, one becomes more unhappy, leading to more intense attempts to fix things. So clearly attempting to fix something does not always lead to being more happy. That is, trying to change or control others is often a losing proposition. Note that this does not mean that one should try to fix injustice. One should derive happiness from one’s actions rather than the consequence. Modern psychology attempts not just to repair what is broken (e.g., cure a person who is depressed) but also to strengthen what is positive. For example, positive psychology focuses on people’s positive aspects. It aims to make one’s life better, i.e., improve one’s well being. The aim is for the person to have authentic long lived happiness. This could include spirituality which can be defined to be a relationship between oneself and the universe. Note that the role

of a God in all this is optional. Given that happiness is one’s internal state, it is important to interpret our experiences in this world with respect to oneself. For example, if one is unhappy with someone’s action, the problem is within oneself. The action of the other person has triggered some self dissatisfaction. One can be happier if one recognises that the location of the problem is within oneself and attempt to get rid one the dissatisfaction that triggered the unhappiness. If one is always looking externally for rewards, one is fixated on the external entity for the reward. When the reward is not received, one is unhappy. Unhappiness also arises when one feels that one has to do things that one dislikes for a particular goal or pressured to not do things that one likes. For example, if one joins different professional organisations that are relevant to one’s work, so that one’s CV looks good, they may not be happy. One should join these professional organisations only because it will make one happy. Of course, if one’s aims in professional life change, being members of such organisations may bring pain. The material world will give us pleasure. It is not that this pleasure should be rejected. It is important to recognise that such pleasure will end soon but will give us temporary Tripti. If this is not recognised, pleasure will be followed by unhappiness. In meditation one often opens one’s eyes, wonders about the world, and then closes them again. One should always behave in this way. When we are having a pleasurable experience we open our eyes (i.e., enjoy it completely). Once the entity giving us pleasure disappears, we close our eyes and not worry about the past experience. In Vedanta contentment is different from passive acceptance of situations. For example, seeing injustice can give one pain. This pain when

channelled to actions that removes the injustice will lead to pleasure. It is one’s attitude (or how one sees things) to things that give one pleasure. A classic explanation is that of worldly activities. An activity is inherently neither boring or interesting. It is one’s attitude towards the activity that makes it boring or interesting. So by changing one’s attitude one can move from a state of being bored to being in a state of being engaged in the activity. Vedantic meditation does not mean sitting in one place, closing one’s eyes and thinking. Rather, it means going about one’s usual life and reminding oneself to see divinity in everything. If one can do this, one will have joy. In life, one will always have what is called the first level of suffering. Forces beyond our control, e.g., diseases, can cause suffering. Trying to avoid this first level of uncontrollable suffering will only result in more suffering. It is one’s reaction to this first level of suffering that can cause more suffering. This is called Buddha’s second arrow. That is, we cannot control the first arrow. However, the second arrow is our reaction to the first. This pain caused by the second arrow is within our control and optional. An external event is not the basis of unhappiness but one’s reaction to this is. So even if one is not able to perform all actions with dispassion, one’s action that are a reaction to an experience will result in happiness or unhappiness. To summarise, happiness does not exist in any external object, but only in oneself. In fact, one is the only true source of all one’s happiness. This is because the attitude to the environment (e.g., what other people do, one’s own attitude to life) arises only from within oneself. The real cause of the happiness that one will obtain from external objects is not because of the objects but one’s attitude/reaction to these external

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Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

objects. This indicates than one should not derive happiness from things because such happiness will end when the things are withdrawn. One’s attitude is the problem but one’s attitude is also the solution. Trying to get total happiness is a life long journey for most of us — only a handful of people (e.g., the Jivan Muktas) attain this easily. The key point is to differentiate pain from

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suffering; pain need not cause unhappiness. I conclude with the Buddhist saying that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Paddy Krishnan is a computer scientist, who got his BTech degree from IIT-Kanpur and PhD from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Being very interested in Hindu philosophy, he maintains a blog at www. goldcoasthindu.wordpress.com

WHAT’S ON

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

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POLITICS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Initiate steps to repeal farm Amarinder meets Sonia, laws, Punjab CM urges PM Modi says discussed state issues Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 11: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday and urged the latter to initiate immediate steps to repeal the three ‘contentious' farm laws, besides amendming the relevant law to include the farmers in the free legal aid category. Amarinder Singh's media advisor Raveen Thukral tweeted after the meeting: "Punjab CM @capt_amarinder calls on PM @narendramodi, seeks immediate steps for repeal of #FarmLaws & amendment to relevant law for including farmers in free legal aid category. #FarmersProtests." The Punjab Chief Minister, who called on the Prime Minister here on Wednesday evening and submitted two separate letters, called for immediate review and revocation of the three farm laws which have triggered widespread resentment among the farmers of Punjab and other states, who are protesting on

the borders of Delhi since November 26 last year. Pointing at the prolonged agitation, during which scores of farmers have lost their lives, the Chief Minister said the stir had the potential of posing security threats for Punjab and the country with Pakistanbacked anti-India forces looking to exploit the farmers' disgruntlement with the government. Urging the Prime Minister to intervene for expeditious redressal of the farmers' 'legitimate' concerns, the Chief Minister said the continued agitation is not only impacting economic activities in Punjab, but also has the potential to affect the social fabric, especially when political parties and groups take strong positions. Amarinder Singh noted that earlier too, he had sought the Prime Minister's appointment for a meeting with an all-party delegation from Punjab. He further underlined the need

to compensate the farmers for the management of paddy straw at Rs 100 per quintal and also to address the fears of DAP shortage, which could aggravate the farmers' problems and the crisis triggered by the farm laws. In another letter, the Chief Minister stressed that due to the fragmentation of landholdings, and persistent disputes with lessees and various market operators and agents, the farmers are also facing heightened litigation these days, causing stress to their meagre financial resources. Stressing the need to reduce the farmers' financial burdens as a result of such litigation, he noted that the Central Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987 provides free legal aid to certain categories of persons, who are perceived to be the vulnerable sections of the society. Pointing out that the country's farmers are also very vulnerable, he said that they are, at times, compelled to commit suicide due to financial problems, even though they remain proud and prefer to till their land even at the cost of their lives. "It is, thus, the need of the hour to amend Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to include farmers and farm workers in the category of persons entitled to free legal services to pursue and defend themselves in the courts to secure their livelihood," said Amarinder Singh. Earlier in the day, the Punjab Chief Minister met Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and sought his approval to set up a bulk drug park in Bathinda. Amarinder Singh's meeting with the Prime Minister came a day after he met Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital.

Blocking my Twitter account is interference in political process: Rahul Gandhi Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: Rahul Gandhi on Friday released a video statement slamming Twitter for blocking his account and alleged that Twitter was taking sides in the politics of the country. Rahul in the video statement said, "By shutting down my Twitter they are interfering in our political process

"A company is making its business to define our politics. And as a politician I don't like that. This is an attack on the democratic structure of the country. This is not an attack on Rahul Gandhi." He said that he has 19-20 million followers and they have been denied the right to an opinion. "So, this is not only patently unfair,

this is their breaching the idea that Twitter is a neutral platform. And for the investors this is a very dangerous thing because taking sides in the political contest has repercussions for Twitter," he added. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the democracy is under attack, opposition was not being allowed to speak in Parliament. The media is controlled. "And I thought there was a ray of light where we could put what we thought on Twitter. But obviously, that's not the case. It's obvious now that Twitter is actually not a neutral, objective platform. It is a biased platform. It's something that listens to what the government of the day says," he added, "As Indians, we have to ask the question: Are we going to allow companies just because they are beholden to the Government of India to define our politics for us? Is that what this is going to come to? Or are we going to define our politics on our own? That's the real question here." Rahul Gandhi said. Twitter has blocked accounts of Rahul Gandhi and many Congress leaders for violating their policy. The Congress has alleged that it was being done on the behest of the government.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 10: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi here on Tuesday, their first meeting after the latter appointed Navjot Singh Sidhu as Punjab Congress chief despite the Chief Minister's opposition. Amarinder Singh and Sonia Gandhi met for an hour, and sources said that the two leaders discussed the Assembly elections in Punjab which

is scheduled next year, besides talking about a minor reshuffle in the state cabinet. Amarinder Singh's media advisor, Raveen Thukral, tweeted quoting the Chief Minister after the meeting: "Met @INCIndia president #SoniaGandhi ji in Delhi this evening to discuss various state related issues. Spent an extremely satisfying one hour with her." Ahead of meeting Sonia Gandhi,

Amarinder had detailed discussions with poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who had recently resigned from his post as advisor to the Chief Minister. From Sonia Gandhi's residence, the Punjab Chief Minister went to meet Home Minister Amit Shah. Ahead of his trip to Delhi, Amarinder Singh had held a meeting with the newly-constituted state Congress team and said that all key issues of concern raised by them were already in advanced stages of resolution by his government, which had been working on them in close coordination with the party. The new leadership team, led by state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, had called on the Chief Minister and submitted a letter listing out some issues which they said needed urgent settlement. Noting that his government had already implemented most of the promises made to the people in the party's election manifesto in 2017, the Chief Minister told the state leadership that the other pending issues are also being resolved.

AIADMK walks out of TN Assembly Chennai, Aug 13: The principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK on Friday walked out of the Assembly in protest against the Speaker Appavu's refusal to allow them to speak. Ahead of Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan's presentation of the DMK government's first Budget, Leader of the Opposition K. Palaniswami stood up and started speaking. The Speaker Appavu refused permission to Palaniswami, saying that the latter can speak on Monday as the Budget will have to be presented first. Appavu then asked Rajan to present the state's first paperless electronic Budget. In protest, the AIADMK members walked out of the House.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Congress revamp in Kerala: Action shifts to Delhi

Photo Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 14: The much awaited revamp of the Congress organisational structure at the top of the Kerala unit of the party is finally taking shape as the state's top brass is in Delhi meeting Rahul Gandhi and party president Sonia Gandhi. The revamp that has to be cleared, include the 51-member apex body of the party, besides the 14 district party presidents. Those who are in Delhi include State party president K.Sudhakaran his three deputies besides Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan. In the past week, the top faction leaders Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala were in Delhi and conveyed their wish list to the Gandhis. Following the April 6 assembly polls debacle when Congress was expecting to regain power, the party high command stepped in and Chandy and Chennithala, who for the past two decades had reigned supreme

in the state unit, had to side-step. The party sprang a surprise when Sudhakaran and Satheesan were annointed new leaders. Speaking to the media in Delhi on Saturday, Sudhakaran said the talks have been smooth. "The discussions will continue and we are sure that the decision will be made soon and the list would be announced," said Sudhakaran. Hitherto, the 14 district president's post has always been shared between Chandy and Chennithala and perhaps the sitting president also would get one or two of his aides, likewise it was the way the members to the apex body was selected. But with the high command putting its foot down, all eyes are on if the practice of Chandy and Chennithala sharing the posts will happen this time. A media critic on condition of anonymity said with Rahul Gandhi continuing to have a strong say in all party decisions in Kerala, he will

New Delhi, Aug 13: Even after the end of the Monsoon session, the Congress has kept up its attack on the government and on Friday, its Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh accused it of trying to make the parliament irrelevant. "Why's the Opposition agitated? "One of the reasons: ONLY 12 per cent of Bills in Modi-II have gone through any Parliamentary Committee scrutiny. This was 27 per cent in Modi-I, 71 per cent in UPA-II & 60 per cent in UPA-I. "Parliament is being made irrelevant by Modi Govt & the Presiding Officers are complicit," he said in a tweet. The opposition took out a march on Thursday and a joint opposition

delegation met the Rajya Sabha Chairman. A joint statement issued by 14 opposition leaders said: "It is the government, which is squarely responsible for the stalemate, has refused to accept the opposition's demand for an informed debate in both the houses. The government used its brute majority to push through its legislative agenda in violation of established procedures, conventions, and spirit of Parliamentary democracy." However, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had blamed the opposition for the incident which happened on Wednesday.

play his cards carefully and is sure he will not displease Chandy and Chennithala. "But that does not mean, the two faction leaders will be given a free hand. Overall there is a feeling this time the list will contain more young faces as the need of the hour is to build the party at the grassroots and it's here the youth power is needed," said a critic.

TN Cong chief blames Modi govt over Twitter blocking Rahul Gandhi 'Parliament being made irrelevant, presiding officers complicit' Photo Courtesy: IANS

Chennai, Aug 13: The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee Chief K.S. Alagiri has blamed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for using political power to get the social media giant Twitter to block the handles of senior Congress www.indianabroad.news

leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. He said that even the official Congress handle was blocked by Twitter and said that the "autocratic" Narendra Modi government was behind this action from Twitter. The senior Congress leader said that the Modi government was taking away even the freedom of expression given by the Constitution to every citizen of this country. The senior leader also said that the Narendra Modi government was acting against anyone who is criticizing the government on its misdeeds. K.S. Alagiri said that the Congress party cannot be cowed down by such actions of the Narendra Modi government and said that the party would fight for the democratic rights of the citizens of this great nation.

K.S. Alagiri told IANS, "The Narendra Modi government is insecure and this feeling is taking it to such lows as making Twitter block the handles of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi as well as blocking the official handle of the party. This is not democracy and Modi will have to pay a heavy price for muzzling the voice of the opposition." He also said that the party would conduct a series of programmes across Tamil Nadu against the lynching of democracy by the Central government. The senior leader said that the centre has failed to provide solace to the common man and to cover this up it was resorting to such tactics as blocking the voices of the Congress leaders.

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BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Macros power indices' to rise 'Rigorous' work underway to achieve privatisation targets: FM as Sensex cross 55K-mark

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Mumbai, Aug 13: Healthy macro-economic data, as well as hopes of a faster economic revival, lifted India's key equity market indices' during the pre-noon trade session on Friday. Initially, the market indices had a gap up opening and continued to

move higher in the morning session. Accordingly, the S&P BSE Sensex breached the 55,000 points mark, while NSE Nifty50 reached 16,486.10 points. Consequently, the S&P BSE Sensex at 11.40 a.m. closed the day's trade at 55,254.15, higher by 410.17 points or

0.75 per cent from its previous close. The NSE Nifty50 ended the session at 16,483.90, higher by 119.50 points or 0.73 per cent from its previous close. "In the Asian region, Nifty has gained the most. Advance decline ratio continues to be positive. Among large-caps, Capital Goods and Telecom stocks lead the up run," "Companies who have come out with encouraging results over the last 1-2 days are seeing an uptick in their prices." According to Likhita Chepa at CapitalVia Global Research: "Domestic sentiment remains positive as the industrial output data has shown signs of recovery in the manufacturing sector adding to more buying in the market." "Retail inflation has also started to decrease which is another positive sign for the market. Our research suggests that if the market sustain above the zone of 16350-16370, we can expect the market to achieve the new level of 16480-16500."

New Delhi, Aug 12: Exuding confidence that the targets for the proposed strategic sales would be achieved, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday that the government is undertaking all the "necessary rigorous" work to complete the planned privatisation processes by the end of this financial year. Speaking at the CII annual conclave, Sitharaman said: "Our commitment to disinvestment and privatisation is firmly ingrained in policy. There is no discretion and there is a calendar." The government has set a target to complete the privatisation of Air India and BPCL, among other staterun companies and banks, in FY22. Calling upon the industry to invest

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

more in the country, the minister further said that it is time that the Indian industry comes out and shows its risk-taking abilities and takes decisions to expand.

She also said the core sectors' growth of about 8.9 per cent was largely because of public capital expenditure.

Franklin Templeton returns Rs 21,080 cr to investors of 6 shut schemes

Photo Courtesy: IANS

That Rs 20L-Cr pandemic package expires, bequeathing @ 15% as 'loans'! Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 11: Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has so far returned Rs 21,080 crore to the unit holders of its six shut debt funds. In a letter to investors, Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Pvt Ltd President Sanjay Sapre said that the cash available for

distribution stands at Rs 1,111 crore as on July 31, 2021. "The six schemes have disbursed a total of Rs 21,080 crore to investors till date. This equals 84 per cent of the AUM as on April 23, 2020, and ranges from 62 per cent to 99 per cent across the six schemes," he

said. Sapre also said that the average NAV at which the 5 tranches have been disbursed for each of the six schemes is higher than the NAV as on April 23, 2020. "We believe this supports the decision made by the Trustee in consultation with the AMC and its investment management team to wind up the six schemes in order to preserve value for our unit holders," he added. With respect to the appeals filed before the SAT, the fund house noted that the SAT has issued orders staying enforcement of the SEBI's orders conditioned on deposit of a portion of the monetary penalties. The SEBI filed an appeal before the Supreme Court against the interim order issued by SAT in the matter of AMC. On July 26, the SC disposed of the appeal after recording its statement that they will not launch any new debt scheme till the disposal of appeal by the SAT, the company said.

Twin crises of Covid, climate change offer opportunities: Amitabh Kant

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Pune (Maharashtra), Aug 11 (IANS): It's official. The much-touted Rs 20-Lakh-crore special pandemic package, announced in May 2020 to revive the Covid-hit economy, was apparently a dud, according to reply under RTI released here on Wednesday. Hoping to unravel the exact benefits of the historic financial package after its validity ended in March 2021, a Pune businessman Prafful Sarda filed a query under RTI, but after over four months, got a shocking reply from the Centre. The Centre has said that in view of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, "additional borrowing limit of up to 2 per cent GSDP was allowed to the state" under the 'Atmanirbhar Package' for the year 2020-2021. Accordingly, under this head, the Centre permitted states to make 'additional borrowings amounting to Rs 319,939-crore during the fiscal 2020-2021, the RTI response said. Of this (Rs 319,939-crore), the states which availed the highest 'additional borrowings' are: Maharashtra (Rs 30,788-crore), Uttar Pradesh (Rs 29,108-crore), Tamil Nadu (Rs 28,880-crore), Karnataka (Rs 27,955-crore), Gujarat (Rs 26,112-crore), and Rajasthan (Rs 21,301-crore) ï¿½ in the upper bracket. State like Andhra Pradesh (Rs 19,192-crore), Kerala (Rs 18,087-crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 18,034-crore), Telangana

(Rs 17,558-crore), West Bengal (Rs 13,574-crore), Haryana (Rs 12,878-crore), and Punjab (Rs 10,917-crore) - are in the middle bracket. Rest include: Odisha (Rs 9,716-crore), Bihar (Rs 7,754-crore), Uttarakhand (Rs 5,617-crore), Assam (Rs 5,418-crore), Chhattisgarh (Rs 5,374-crore), Jharkhand (Rs 3,530-crore), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 2,892-crore), Goa (Rs 1,738-crore), Tripura (Rs 1,127-crore) ï¿½ fall in the lower bracket. Incidentally, all the smaller states of north-east dared to avail 'additional borrowings' of less than Rs 1-K-crore: Meghalaya (Rs 542-crore), Manipur (Rs 497-crore), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 399-crore), Sikkim (Rs 373-crore), Nagaland (Rs 314-crore), Mizoram (Rs 264-crore) ï¿½ totaling to just Rs 2,389-crore. Sarda pointed out that this innocuously-worded 'additional borrowings' are repayable sometime in the future, maybe with interest and this comes to Rs 24 per head loan on each Indian, against the promised Rs 150 per Indian under the total (Rs 20-LCr.) package. "If that's so, then what about the so-called 'stimulus package' that was announced with much fanfare by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman? When the intention was to allow only 'additional borrowings', states could have anyways done it without the green signal from Centreï¿½" Sarda said. Moreover, he argued that out of the

total Rs 20-LCr, package, even under the garb of 'additional borrowings', barely 15 per cent has actually been given ï¿½ so what is the fate of the remainder of the 'Atmanirbhar Package', lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly. Referring to past instances, Sarda wondered whether "the Finance Ministry will now reveal some new data" to overturn its own RTI reply (Aug 10, 2021), issued by an authority, Sumit Agrawal, the CPIO and Assistant Director, Public Finance State Division. Interestingly, the Centre had earlier said that under the same package, an Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme was introduced till October 31, 2020, or till the Rs 3-LCr sanctioned under it was exhausted, but even under that by December 2020, the government disbursed only Rs 1.20-LCr (@ 40 per cent) as 'loans' to various states. (IANS ï¿½ Dec 11, 2020). "The major question is where is the remaining amount of the Rs 17-LCr, over a year after it was announced and nearly six months after the grandiose scheme ended. Was this another mega-jumla (fraud) on the Indians," Sarda asked pointedly. Meanwhile, in the jugglery of figures, he added that the country continues to reel under the pandemic after-effects, crores of people and lakhs of businesses still suffer, but the Centre has given hardly anything to normalize the situation.

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New Delhi, Aug 13: As the world is confronted by twin crises of the Covid-19 pandemic and the extreme impact of climate change, these offer an opportunity to industry for bringing in sustainable and competitive change for transition to green measures, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Thursday. "The industry organisations have to 'restructure', 'resize' and 'redesign' and the role of the CII is to prepare and guide its membership to adapt to the new environment. The pandemic has presented the industry with an opportunity to be globally competitive by developing quality products and becoming a part of global supply chains," he said in his opening remarks at the Plenary Session on 'India's Development Transition and Climate Change' on the second day of the CII Annual Meeting held virtually. To that effect, the Indian industry has to adopt a three-pronged approach of "Go Green, Go Digital, and Skill your Workers," Kant said,

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adding that developing digital reliance requires digital transformation of manufacturing, intelligent network of machines, and processes with IT and communication technology. His suggested pathways included deploying Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Analytics, Augmented Reality, Robotics, Cyber Security, Machine-to-Machine communication in order for manufacturing processes to create "astute digital factories of tomorrow". "We are in the midst of a new transition for a growth pathway defined by Climate Change," said the CEO who has been at the helm of NITI Aayog's initiatives to define and deploy India's climate change goals. On the Sixth Assessment Report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he said: "India ranks among the top 10 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index. Our practices have been considered as compliant to UNFCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris

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Agreement. India is the only G20 country with 1.5-degree Celsius compliance. But we need the support of the industry to translate policy into action." He highlighted the areas where India needs to focus on, its current industrial profile being considered as cost-effective, medium quality products with islands of excellence, lack of high value, cutting-edge product leading to low exports, decent value-added growth but low job growth, low green manufacturing practices and high cost of power and logistics and high cost of capital. "Green industries will be the industries of the future as the world is moving away from old high-carbon energy," he asserted. India's strategy for growth is to focus on developing Green Hydrogen that can be made available at competitive rates which will, according to him, make other forms of energy redundant, especially in heavy carbon-guzzling industries like steel, transportation etc. India actively is looking to invest in R&D in developing Green Hydrogen. Kant also highlighted the need for new ways of plan for urbanisation by mandatorily redesigning and reinstating water recycling and harvesting mechanism to mitigate the impending water crisis. CII past President CII and Triveni Turbine Ltd Chairman & Managing Director, Dhruv M. Sawhney highlighted Kant's mentorship to CII in driving its direction in climate change through the three Centres of Excellence working on this - the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Development, the Green Business Council, and the Water Institute. "We are going to be in a scenario of unpredictability of extreme heat, marine heat waves, tropical cyclones, droughts, floods. In cities there may be a combination of factors. CII will play an active role under the guidance and mentorship of NITI Aayog in tackling the Global Climate Change crisis," he said.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Global crypto market hits US charges crypto executives $2tn, Bitcoin surges again for 1st time amid larger scrutiny Photo Courtesy: The Gaurdian

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: As the global cryptocurrency market hit $2 trillion for the first time in nearly three months, the industry players on Friday said the surge in the market cap indicates a wider acceptance of crypto assets across the globe, including in India. Bitcoin has crossed the $46,000 mark (more than Rs 34 lakh for single coin) once again. The most popular cryptocurrency has been

trading in the green with a market cap of more than $848 billion, according to CoinMarketCap. "The world's oldest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has witnessed a fantastic rally recently and the latest Ethereum upgrade, also known as London Hard Fork, has boosted the Ether price," said Shivam Thakral, CEO, BuyUcoin. Crypto assets are moving towards becoming mainstream with many

brands around the world accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment. "The current bull run is expected to continue, and we are highly optimistic that Bitcoin will hit the $100,000 mark by the end of this year," Thakral said in a statement. In India, Cryptocurrency exchange WazirX has witnessed a massive 2,648 per cent growth in user signups from tier 2 and 3 cities in the country, observing higher participation from women from smaller towns compared to their urban counterparts. The cryptocurrency exchange currently has more than 7.3 million users and has clocked over $21.8 billion in trading volume in 2021 till date. "Crypto has immense potential to remove the financial barriers for rural India, and provide cheaper access to capital, more online jobs," Nischal Shetty, CEO, WazirX had said. There are more than 1.5 crore Indians holding over Rs 1,500 crore worth crypto assets. According to industry experts, crypto may become the most important asset class of the 21st century.

An upcoming NFT marketplace for creators, collectors

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 8: As the art world begins to open up and go digital at the same time, art-tech organisation Jumbish has announced the launch of an exclusively art-based NFT (non-fungible token) marketplace that platforms both upcoming and established artists and creators, and connects them with collectors in an online blockchain-powered marketplace, it said. NFTs are digital assets that have existed for years, but the last few months have given a fresh lease of life to cryptocurrency and crypto-art. Artists conversant with technology have been able to drive the NFT surge through digital art, however, it is a misconception that NFT marketplaces are only for digital art. Combined with Jumbish's JDAT technology that authenticates provenance for physical artworks, the NFT marketplace will allow

stakeholders to buy and sell art with a unique identity, said Jumbish in a statement. Moreover, the Jumbish NFT Marketplace will enable sale and purchases of NFTs in all currencies. "While all the existing NFT platforms charge exorbitant gas fees, creators will spend only $1 (Rs 70) per artwork on the Jumbish NFT platform. The new platform is built using a layer-two blockchain architecture, and will go a step ahead of competition with their low energy impact and considerably low gas fee to support the upcoming artists in the arts ecosystem in the country." "The currently available NFT platform works on an architecture which demands a heavy consumption of energy to mint a NFT and so the gas fees are high too. Newer blockchain solutions are making the gas fees significantly lower and will make it easier for the artists to reach

out to the art connoisseurs of the world," says Shankar Mridha, CEO, Jumbish. According to visual artist Madhuri Badhuri, whose works will be sold on the NFT Marketplace, we have been practicing the conventional and successful approaches in fine arts which have "their own benefits and challenges". "However, the pandemic has altogether changed the way artworks are showcased. With the advent of NFT in the art world it has introduced better and safer ways to connect with art connoisseurs globally. Issues which were beyond human abilities like differentiating an original artwork with its duplicate counterpart, maintenance of record over generations and even ensuring royalties for Artists, seems to have been getting some real solutions," she says. "For the serious art collectors, a short-term trading approach will not be so lucrative. For the short term, it only remains as a trading instrument and the true aesthetics, thought behind a painting, is lost in this process. At Jumbish, we will encourage both serious art collection as well as briefly holding and selling an artwork if it's getting popular," says Mridha. The platform says that it is directly approaching senior Indian and South Asian artists -- "something that will also set the Jumbish NFT Marketplace apart". It is currently open for pre-registration.

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San Francisco, Aug 8: As the US goes after the unregulated cryptocurrency market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has for the first time charged two crypto industry executives of illegally selling over $30 million of securities in unregistered offerings. The two executives from the Blockchain Credit Partners company used the Ethereum blockchain to sell cryptocurrencies to investors while misleading them about the company's profitability, reports The Verge. "Full and honest disclosure remains the cornerstone of our securities laws -- no matter what technologies are used to offer and sell those securities," Gurbir S. Grewal, SEC Enforcement Division director, said in a statement. "This allows investors to make informed decisions and prevents issuers from misleading the public about business operations," he added. The charges came as the Joe Biden government is working on new regulations for the decentralised finance and cryptocurrency markets. The bipartisan infrastructure bill has left cryptocurrency players fuming in the US. The administration intends to pay for $28 billion of its planned infrastructure spending by tightening tax

compliance within the historically under-regulated arena of digital currency, reports TechCrunch. Crypto companies like Square, Coinbase, Ribbit Capital and others have warned of "financial surveillance" and unintended impacts for cryptocurrency miners and

developers. The Electronic Frontier Foundation and Fight for the Future have also criticised the bill. It's, however, unclear how cryptocurrency will fare under the new infrastructure bill.

More women from small-town India signup for digital coins: Report New Delhi, Aug 11: Cryptocurrency exchange WazirX on Wednesday said it has witnessed a massive 2,648 per cent growth in user signups from tier 2 and 3 cities in the country, observing higher participation from women from smaller towns compared to their urban counterparts. Tier 2 and 3 cities have driven almost 55 per cent of total user signups on WazirX in 2021, overtaking tier 1 cities which demonstrated a signup growth of 2,375 per cent. The cryptocurrency exchange currently has more than 7.3 million users and has clocked over $21.8 billion in trading volume in 2021 till date.

Photo Courtesy: The Gaurdian

"Crypto has immense potential to remove the financial barriers for rural India, and provide cheaper access to capital, more online jobs," said Nischal Shetty, CEO, WazirX. Cities like Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Patna have reported an average growth of 2,950 per cent whereas

Ranchi, Imphal and Mohali have reported an average growth of 2,455 per cent on WazirX. Moreover, women from these regions contribute to 65 per cent of the total signups by women from all over the country. Starting from August 11, the company said it has organised a week-long giveaway to thank the crypto community and support home-grown projects and talent. There are more than 1.5 crore Indians holding over Rs 1,500 crore worth crypto-assets. According to industry experts, crypto may become the most important asset class of the 21st century.

Popular Indian music artists to drop NFTs celebrating freedom Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 12: Celebrating the spirit of unity and freedom this August, renowned artists Priya Malik, Vinay Kaushal, DJ Shaan, Nehha Rajpal, Abhishek Bhaskar, among others, are set to launch non-fungible digital tokens on the WazirX NFT Marketplace. A special tribute to 75 glorious years of Indias Independence, the creations dropped by these top artists are bound by a common theme of challenging the norms, staying fearless, and breaking free. Taking the center stage in the NFT marketplace, popular poet and writer Priya Malik have bowled the NFT marketplace over with some of her stellar creations 'Broken But Beautiful' and 'Main 2019 mein 1999 dhoond rahi hoon'. Her next NFT drop, 'Azadi', which consists of a poem, written exclusively for WazirX, will be a tribute to women

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and their journey towards financial freedom. Musician Vinay Kaushal's creation 'Trapped - Moral Boxes' is one of the most talked-about NFT creations on the marketplace. His breakthrough theme to bust the stereotypes that we are often kept boxed in makes it an apt freedom day release. The three-part series consists of parallels drawn about society and greed, through music and dance. Along with the digital asset, for the first collector, Vinay Kaushal will be giving a physical copy of the album with additional perks. Symbolising strength and individuality, DJ Shaan minted a masterpiece called 'The Forbidden Tiger', which sold for 799 WRX, within a few hours of dropping on the platform. The reason why he chose a tiger for his creation for this occasion is special to DJ

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Shaan and the country. The National animal of India, the tiger symbolizes individuality, fearlessness, strength, and stealth. The music in this symbolizes the energy and strength a tiger possesses while the visual art is meant to depict the royal and fierce nature of a tiger. Identifying this massive trend, Vice President of WazirX NFT Marketplace Vishakha Singh says: "The passion economy has presented a new way for artists to capitalize on creativity and engage with a wider community. WazirX NFT marketplace has been on a mission to create more opportunities for our South Asian native artists who inspire their community every day through their creations. "No matter what the form, art, and tech has been uniting people for centuries. NFTs is that business solution for the passion economy. For the month of August, we are excited to have onboard some of the most sought-after artists who will be dropping NFTs based on their personal interpretation of unity and freedom." Since the crypto market gathered momentum in India, NFTs have been gaining traction amongst the millennials and Gen Z. NFT marketplaces are a great platform for artists to monetize their work. Because the sales of the NFT majorly depend on virality, Indian creators are gaining popularity in the international NFT market as well. NFTs not only puts the power back in the hands of the artists but these are also considered a tool for artists and creators to engage with their audience and unite them with the power of art.

SCI-FI

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

'iPhone 13' to launch in Sep with bigger batteries: Report

OPPO, Spotify to bring personalised playlists for users Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

San Francisco, Aug 13 (IANS) Tech giant Apple is likely to unveil all four models of its upcoming "iPhone 13" lineup in September with larger batteries, an updated chipset and expanded mmWave 5G support, a new report said. According to AppleInsider, research firm TrendForce had outlined its

expectations for the device, which it said will return to a typical September release. Driven by the new models, the research firm believes that total iPhone shipments could surge 30 per cent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2021. The report also outlines some of the

features that TrendForce expects on the new "iPhone 13" models and they largely line up with previous rumours and reports. Additionally, other reports suggest that the "iPhone 13" could sport a new 120Hz ProMotion display and additional professional camera features like ProRes video recording. A report from July also indicated that the "iPhone 13 Pro" models would swap Pacific Blue for a bronze-like "Sunset Gold" colour. Recently, a survey has revealed that 43.7 per cent of iPhone users said they plan to switch to iPhone 13, up 2.7 per cent compared to iPhone 12 purchase intent from a survey last year. Whereas 56.3 per cent revealed they are not interested in the upcoming iPhone range. The report mentioned that higher refresh rate display, under-display Touch ID, always-on display and smaller notch/notch-less design topped the list of most exciting rumoured features of iPhone 13 at 22 per cent, 18.2 per cent, 16 per cent, 10.9 per cent, respectively. Apple typically unveils new iPhone models in September. In 2020, largely because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it launched the iPhone 12 lineup in October.

New Delhi, Aug 12: Smartphone maker OPPO on Thursday announced its partnership with music-streaming platform Spotify to bring personalised playlists for users that suit their moods and emotions. The tie-up with Spotify is in keeping with OPPO Reno6 Series cameras that allow users to capture every

emotion in portrait with Bokeh Flare Portrait Video in professional-grade quality, the company claimed. "We are excited to associate with Spotify, the world's largest music streaming app, to deepen our relationship with consumers by providing a personalised listening experience," Damyant Singh Khanoria, Chief Marketing Officer,

Google Meet users can add 25 co-hosts, limit & mute participants Photo Courtesy: IANS

Zoom aims to make virtual classes distraction free with 'Focus Mode'

Photo Courtesy: IANS

San Francisco, Aug 12: With the aim to make virtual learning distraction free, video conferencing platform Zoom has announced a new Focus mode that will help students stay attentive during the classes. The company said that Focus Mode allows educators to see their students' videos and students to see their teachers without seeing other

class participants. "With this feature, teachers can supervise their class, but students won't be distracted by their peers' video feeds or feel self-conscious about turning on their own camera," the company said in a blogpost on Wednesday. The platform has also released a

new Zoom for Chrome progressive web application (PWA). The PWA improves the Zoom experience for Chromebook users, giving them access to even more Zoom features on Chrome OS devices. To use it, users will need to find the PWA on the Google Play store and install it on Chrome OS. The company also said that designating a space for schoolwork can help a child get into the right mindset when learning from home. "Help your student set up a dedicated spot for studying and joining Zoom class sessions. It can be anywhere in your home, but ideally, it should be quiet and distraction-free," the company said. "Also clear off a shelf or find a box or bin where your child can store school stuff out of sight until the next day, especially if their learning space is in a communal area like a kitchen or living room. This helps reduce clutter and allows your child to 'leave the classroom' at the end of the day, creating some separation between school and home," it added.

New Delhi, Aug 13: Google Meet users can now add up to 25 co-hosts per meeting, limit who can share their screen, send chat messages, mute all users and end meetings. Google said it is expanding meeting moderation controls in its video chat app Meet with several highly-requested features "You'll now be able to assign up to 25 co-hosts per meeting, allowing them to access and utilise the host

controls," the company said in an update. "Use the ‘Quick access' setting to easily control who needs to request permission to join a meeting," it added. Previously, these safety features were only available to Google Workspace for Education customers. These controls will now be available for all Google Meet users on the

Google bans location tracking tool that sold Android users' data

Photo Courtesy: The Indian Express

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desktop and mobile. "Additionally, delegated co-hosts can handle responsibilities such as muting participants, launching polls and managing Q&As, giving you more time to focus on leading discussions and guiding attendees through presentations," said Google. When enabled, hosts can now limit who can share their screen, limit who can send chat messages, mute all with one click and end the meeting for all, For applicable Google Workspace editions, Meeting hosts can share hosting privileges with other meeting participants — up to 25 per meeting — by granting them host controls in the People panel. The quick access control will be on by default. When quick access is enabled, meeting participants from your domain can automatically join the meeting from a mobile or desktop device, and by dialing in, informed Google. For admins, in the coming weeks, Google will introduce a setting that controls whether the Host Management settings will be on or off by default.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

FB bans Russian network for claiming vax will turn humans into chimps

San Francisco, Aug 12: Facebook has banned hundreds of accounts which shared links with Russian disinformation network that claimed Covid-19 vaccines developed by drugmakers Pfizer and AstraZeneca can turn people into chimpanzees. The network originated in Russia and targeted users primarily in India, Latin America and in the US. Facebook investigation found that the anti-Covid vaccine campaign is linked to Fazze -- a subsidiary of a UK-registered marketing firm, whose operations were primarily conducted from Russia, the social media giant stated in its "Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour Report" released on Tuesday. "We removed 65 Facebook accounts and 243 Instagram accounts for violating our policy against foreign interference, which is coordinated inauthentic behaviour on behalf of a foreign entity. This network operated across over a dozen platforms and forums but failed to build an

OPPO India, said in a statement. "This partnership will allow users to capture their emotions in portrait and listen to their favourite music curated to their moods. Music transcends boundaries and speaks to your deepest emotions and that is what this personalised playlist is designed to do. By understanding how exactly you are feeling, it fetches music that truly resonates with you," Khanoria added, OPPO's partnership with Spotify allows existing users to listen to their favourite songs, along with fresh selections, curated on the basis of moods and emotions. New users are introduced to new playlists and songs that are gradually fine tuned to the listener's tastes. "We worked with OPPO to bring the power of our personalisation through a first of its kind digital experience to launch the Reno6, where users can get a playlist personalised to their current mood," Arjun Ravi Kolady, Head of Sales, Spotify India.

audience. Our investigation found links between this campaign and Fazze. Fazze is now banned from our platform," said Ben Nimmo, Global IO Threat Intelligence Lead, and the IO Threat Intelligence Team at Facebook, in the report. The disinformation network first posted memes and comments, in November and December 2020, claiming that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine would turn people into chimpanzees. It then remained inactive. After a gap of five months, in May 2021, it surfaced again and questioned the safety of the Pfizer vaccine by posting an allegedly hacked and leaked AstraZeneca document. "Both phases coincided with periods when a number of governments, including in Latin America, India and the United States, were reportedly discussing the emergency authorizations for these respective vaccines," Nimmo said. Facebook investigation showed that the campaign created misleading articles and petitions on multiple forums including Reddit, Medium, Change[.]org, and Medapply[.]co[.] uk. It then used fake accounts on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, to seed and amplify this off-platform content, using crude spammy tactics. But the campaign aimed at engaging

influencers with pre-existing audiences on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to post content and use particular hashtags without disclosing the origin of the posts. The Instagram activity, on the other hand, was "crude and spammy", and was centered around a handful of hashtags: #AstraZenecakills and #AstraZenecalies, #stopAstraZeneca. Between December 14 and December 21, about 10,000 posts that included the operation's hashtags were made, often with links to the operation's off-platform articles, Facebook said. The campaign used fake accounts, some of which Facebook says probably originated from account farms in Bangladesh and Pakistan. The sloppy campaign also mixed languages -- such as posting Hindi language memes accompanied by hashtags in Portuguese, it added. "Our teams continue to focus on finding and removing deceptive campaigns around the world -- whether they are foreign or domestic. We know that influence operations will keep evolving in response to our enforcement, and new deceptive behaviours will emerge," Facebook said in the report. "We are making progress rooting out this abuse, but as we've said before -- it's an ongoing effort and we're committed to continually improving to stay ahead," it added.

New Delhi, Aug 13: Google has banned a location data platform SafeGraph from its Play Store that allegedly sold Android smartphone users location data for Covid mapping and other purposes. According to a report in Motherboard, SafeGraph whose whose investors include a former head of Saudi intelligence, was one of several companies that collected geolocation records through plugins in other Android apps.

"SafeGraph markets its data to government entities and a wide range of industries, but it also sells the data on the open market to essentially anyone," the report said on Thursday. "The ban means that any apps working with SafeGraph had to remove the offending location gathering code from their apps," it added. SafeGraph was yet to respond to the ban from the Google Play Store. According to the report, SafeGraph

collected at least some of its location data by having app developers embed the company's code, or software development kit (SDK), into their own apps. "Those apps would then track the physical location of their users, which SafeGraph would repackage and then sell to other parties". Google reportedly told app developers in early June they had seven days to remove SafeGraph's SDK from their apps. SafeGraph also offers customers an opportunity to buy related data sets from other providers to enrich the location information. "Last year, the New York Times used SafeGraph data (and data from other location data brokers) to create maps that showed where people were spending their time after coronavirus lockdowns were loosened," the report mentioned. SafeGraph's users included the US CDC and at least one county health department, according to documents and online records reviewed by Motherboard.

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HEALTH

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

US Covid cases, hospitalisations, Covid-19 may likely become deaths continue to rise: CDC childhood disease: Study

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Washington, Aug 13: New Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths across the US have continued to increase at a record level as the majority of the country is experiencing substantial or high transmission, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rochelle Walensky said. "We continue to see cases, hospitalizations, and deaths increase across the country. And now over 90 per

cent of counties in the United States are experiencing substantial or high transmission," Walensky said in a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing on Thursday. According to Walensky, the seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases reached about 113,000 per day, a nearly 24 per cent increase from the previous week. Hospital admissions rose 31 per cent, to an average of 9,700

hospitalisations per day, and fatalities increased to 452 per day, a 22 per cent spike from the prior seven-day period, she said. "As we've been saying by far, those at highest risk remain people who have not yet been vaccinated," the CDC Director added. Walensky's comments came a day after the latest CDC forecasts indicated that the country's Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths are likely to increase over the next four weeks. The ensemble forecasts released on Wednesday predict 3,300 to 12,600 new deaths, 550,000 to 2,340,000 new cases likely reported in the week ending September 4. As of Friday morning, the US' overall caseload and death toll stood at 36,305,005 and 619,098, respectively, according to the Johns Hopkins University. The two tallies are the highest in the world, making the US the worst-hit country. Till date, 50.3 per cent of the US population have been fully vaccinated against the virus, according to CDC data.

It's time to think of HIV positive patients during Covid Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 12: As India is reeling under the second Covid wave and the spectre of the third looming, the focus is on to curb the corona infections leaving aside other such deadly diseases like the AIDS or HIV. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, India has the third largest number of HIV patients in the world. As per government estimates, India has around 23.49 lakh people living with HIV/AIDS in 2019, though, the epidemic saw a decreasing trend with estimated annual new infections declining by 37 per cent between 2010 and 2019. While the Covid pandemic is challenging the health infrastructure and systems across the globe, it has caused uncertainty among people living with HIV. Commenting on this, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital Medical Director Dr B.L. Sherwal said, "The number of HIV patients seems to have shrunk during the Covid pandemic as immunity plays an important role in both diseases - HIV AIDS and Covid and people have become more

aware of building immunity". "Outdoor activities and other reasons that may contribute for HIV infections like contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids or others have largely reduced during the lockdown", Dr Sherwal cites another reason for decreasing trend of HIV infections during the pandemic. Talking about the HIV-positive people undergoing treatment during the pandemic, he advised that such people need to take extra care of their health and must avoid taking treatment into home isolation as they have a higher risk of developing severe complications like pneumonia, Septicemia, ARDS and various infections. He said that HIV infection causes immunity deficiency; hence, chances are more to get a severe infection. He recommended parallel treatment of Covid with AIDS in case of infection. Dr Vineeta Singh Tandon, Consultant, Internal Medicine at PSRI Hospital, said, HIV is an immuno-suppressive disease and hence patients will have an increased risk of acquiring any infection including SARS CoV-2. They have a higher risk of developing Covid related complications like pneumonia, septicemia, ARDS and various other infections and are associated with a higher risk of mortality. Several factors like patients' commitments to adhere to ART therapy, CD4 count and viral load, determine

the possibility and the risk of acquiring Covid-19 infections. On being asked about treatment protocol, she said, "They should continue their ARV as previously and should not change or stop it in order to prevent Covid-19. For hospitalized patients also, ARV is important. The same Covid treatment regime protocol based on categories of severity is followed for them as for people without HIV infection. Special focus is being given on potential drug interactions, possible overlapping of drug toxicities and managing opportunistic infections". She agreed that decreasing tendency has been seen for HIV patients during the first and the second Covid wave as hardly 10 patients visited the hospital during the pandemic. No evidence has been put forward yet to substantiate the claim that people with HIV will have more side effects due to vaccination than people with no underlying health conditions. With the emergence of effective prevention and treatment strategies, the risk to people with HIV in clinical trials will decline over time. Also, more contagious and pathogenic Covid variants are emerging across the globe and may continue to pose new challenges to all including those with HIV. "In such a situation, people with HIV positive must avoid outdoor activities that may contribute to spreading the infection", counsels Dr Sherwal.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New York, Aug 12: Risk of Covid-19 may shift from older adults to younger children as the SARS-CoV-2 virus becomes endemic, according to new research. Once endemic in the global population, Covid-19 may behave like other common cold coronaviruses, affecting mostly young children who have not yet been vaccinated or exposed to the virus. "Following infection by SARS-CoV-2, there has been a clear signature of increasingly severe outcomes and fatality with age," Ottar Bjornstad, of the Department of Biology at the Pennsylvania State University, said. "Yet, our modeling results suggest that the risk of infection will likely shift to younger children as the adult community becomes immune either through vaccination or exposure to the virus," he said. Bjornstad explained that such shifts have been observed in other coronaviruses and influenza viruses as they have emerged and then become endemic. Historical records of respiratory diseases indicate that age-incidence patterns during virgin epidemics can be very different from endemic circulation. "For example, ongoing genomic work suggests that the 1889-1890 pandemic, sometimes known as the Asiatic or Russian flu -- which killed one million people, primarily adults over age 70 -- may have been caused by the emergence of HCoV-OC43 virus, which is now an endemic, mild, repeat-infecting cold virus

affecting mostly children ages 7-12 months old," Bjornstad noted. For the study, appearing in the journal Science Advances, the team developed what is known as a "realistic age-structured (RAS) mathematical model". They examined disease burden over immediate, medium and long terms -- 1, 10 and 20 years, respectively as well as for 11 different countries -- including China, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the US, Brazil and South Africa -- that differed widely in their demographics. Interestingly, due to variations in demographics, the model predicts different outcomes for different countries.

"Given the marked increase of the infection-fatality ratio with age, countries with older population structures would be expected to have a larger fraction of deaths than those with relatively younger population structures," said Nils Chr. Stenseth, Professor of ecology and evolution, University of Oslo. "Consistent with this, for example, South Africa -- likely due, in part, to its younger population structure -- has a lower number of deaths compared to older populations such as Italy. We found that such 'death disparities' are heavily influenced by demographics. However, regardless of demographics, we predict a consistent shift of the risk to the young," he added.

Nutrition and protein plays a substantial role in kids' health Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 14: Ever since the world has been hit by the pandemic predicament, attention can now be channelled towards more important concerns like that of health and nutrition, especially that of children. Sitting inside our safe spaces has allowed us to invest time in adopting better eating habits for our pretty little ones. A well balanced and nutritious diet plays an essential role in the holistic development of a child. The tiny toddlers tend to be highly selective when it comes to food which might miss out on the crucial components of their nutritious needs. It is therefore very important to ensure a substantial intake of nutrients for a child's proper growth and development which further can be provided with desirable milk powders or supplements. During the growing years of a child's life, some nutrients carry more weightage than others like that of proteins. Right from the initial years of infancy through adolescence, proteins fuel a child's physical and mental growth leading to stronger bodies and minds. Protein is a crucial component because it is

responsible for building tissues such as muscles, skin and bones. Kids require more proteins during their childhood than at any other time in their lives. As suggested by the National Academies of Science, 1-3 year olds should get at least 13 grams a day, 4-8-year-olds should get at least 19 grams a day and 9-13-year-olds should get at least 34 grams a day, says Yashna Garg, CMO E-Commerce, ZeoNutra. Here are a few things she suggests to focus on in your child's development years -Try to engage your kid in as much physical activity from their initial years itself. Activities like -- dance, skating, cycling, swimming, etc. will

not only help them to grow physically but mentally as well. Including foods rich in healthy fats is also very essential. Try to add olives, nuts, avocados and seafood which provide essential fatty acids and vitamin E. The best results are found by consuming just the milk powder in the milk without additional sugars. The compound has clinically the ideal amount of sweetness to intake by the kids to help them grow well. Kids these days are in high contact with electronic gadgets which restricts brain development and also increases lethargy in them. It is suggested to pursue them in brain teaser activities and reading books.

Revive family doctor system: Raghu Ram

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Hyderabad, Aug 13: At a time when India, like the rest of the world, is in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing into focus the huge inadequacies in the already fragile healthcare system in the country, revival of the family doctor system is one idea which can go a long way in improving healthcare delivery, feels eminent physician P. Raghu Ram. The leading breast cancer surgeon www.indianabroad.news

is of the view that revival of family doctor/general practitioner (GP) system and making them the first point of contact for the patients for any sickness or for preventive visit will ensure that expensive hospital resources are used on those who need them the most. "The once upon a time ubiquitous family doctor/GP concept has almost become extinct in the country. Most 'worried well' who are

asymptomatic, and equally, those with minor common ailments rush to the hospitals, which are already overwhelmed with sick patients," the Padma Shri awardee doctor told IANS. He cited the 2020 report of the Medical Council of India, which says that around 44,000 postgraduate seats are available for 55,000 doctors who graduate every year. "In other words, the vast majority will become specialists. It is indeed an irony that the new MBBS curriculum does not even include a mention about the family doctor/ GP concept in its voluminous 890-page document. There are not many applicants for the 'Family Medicine' DNB postgraduate courses conducted by the National Board of Examinations because the number of centres accredited to train doctors wishing to pursue a career as a family physician are few and far between," said Raghu Ram, Director, KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases, Hyderabad. The doctor, who recently received the Order of British Empire (OBE), pointed out that the concept of

visiting the family doctor/GP before a patient sees a specialist is the standard practice in the UK's National Health Service (NHS). "The GP is the principal treating doctor who manages most minor issues sensibly based upon evidence and refers patients to specialist centres only when needed. An effective primary care sorts the serious from the non-serious by speedy and accurate diagnosis, directs hospital referrals to the most appropriate speciality and ensures that expensive hospital resources are expended on those who will benefit the most," he said. Stating that the ongoing Covid pandemic has brought to sharp focus the huge inadequacies in India's already fragile healthcare system, he said that India must invest in training GPs in addition to popularising and sensitising young impressionable students who have joined MBBS courses about the family medicine concept. "Furthermore, primary healthcare infrastructure in rural India (where more than 70 per cent of our population resides) must be strengthened so that more patients are served

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locally by GPs, thus obviating the arduous and time consuming task of travelling long distances for assessment/treatment," he said. "GPs must be 'gatekeepers' of our healthcare system. They should be the first point of contact for patients for any sickness or preventive visit. The UK's NHS model of providing universal primary healthcare through public-private partnership (PPP) may be appropriate for adaptation in the Indian context. Most healthcare in India is provided by the private sector and there is a robust potential for private sector involvement in improving primary healthcare delivery in the country," he added. Raghu Ram wants to see the Government of India initiate concrete and implementable measures to ensure that the family doctor concept is revived. "It is time to make primary healthcare in the country more innovative, inclusive, collaborative and sustainable. An important component of the Hippocratic Oath is to 'keep the good of the patient as the highest priority' and this landmark step

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would pave the path in this direction by ensuring well controlled uniform effective healthcare to the citizenry," said Raghu Ram. Among the foremost surgeons in the Asia Pacific region, Raghu Ram established South Asia's first comprehensive Breast Health Centre and founded a charitable foundation to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer nationwide. Immediate past president of the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI), he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and all four surgical Royal Colleges in the British Isles - Edinburgh, England, Glasgow & Ireland. He was conferred the Honorary FRCS by the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand (2019), Honorary Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka (2020), and is the only surgeon of Indian origin in over 100 years to be conferred the Fellowship of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland (2021).

ART & CULTURE

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Pt Ravi Shankar taught me to be a global citizen: Bickram Ghosh Photo Courtesy: IANS

abla maestro Bickram Ghosh is one of the most well-known names in the world of Indofusion music. Having performed the world over with the greatest names in classical music, he is also one of the pioneers of experimental fusion music. He is also a successful film music director, having scored for 40 feature films, including Mira Nair's 'Little Zizou'. In the past, he had teamed up with Sonu Nigam and together the duo composed music in Bollywood for three films, the first of which was director Girish Malik's 'Jal', which went for Oscar contention for best original score. Several of his Bengali films as a music composer have been well-received by the audience. Bickram entered the OTT space with music composition for the film 'Torbaz', directed by Girish Malik

and starring Sanjay Dutt. Talking about his experience of creating music for the digital space, Bickram told IANS: "'Torbaz' was a very challenging score, as it was set in Afghanistan. I had to create the soundscape of the Afghan world. So I used a lot of Afghan instruments. It is an important score for me and I got a lot of accolades for it. Girish Malik shot it beautifully. The soundtrack is very special as it adheres to a very unique soundscape of the middle-east." The son and disciple of illustrious tabla maestro Pt Shankar Ghosh and well-known vocalist Sanjukta Ghosh, Bickram also learnt the nuances of Carnatic percussion, the mridangam, from Pt S. Sekhar. He also learnt the intricacies of accompaniment from Pt Ravi Shankar with whom he played for over a decade at several global venues.

Talking about the influence of the stalwart in his life, he told IANS: "Pt Ravi Shankar was my guru. The opportunity of performing with him for over a decade honed me as a tabla player. It brought me recognition. When you are playing with the best, everybody knows you well. I understood how to be a global citizen from him. Even my film music compositions have a lot of influences from him. He was a huge influence on me. He changed my life forever." As a tabla player, Bickram's four albums were nominated for Grammy awards, including George Harrison's 'Brainwashed'. He played on 'Full Circle' with Pt Ravi Shankar which won the latter a Grammy. After travelling the world and performing in concerts with illustrious artistes, Bickram tapped on to create the pioneering fusion band 'Rhythmscape' in 2000. "The inspiration behind 'Rhythmscape' was to find a new sound, a new mode of expression musically. I worked on it for a long time and made the compositions that have sustained for 20 years. The band is one of the most long-lasting ones in the country. It was also to express the person I am -- not just one person but a mish-mash of cultures, so that needed to be expressed through music and 'Rhythmscape' was that voice for me." Bickram's band has performed throughout the length and breadth of India and made its UK debut in 2003 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Later, they performed at the Forum in Barcelona where the band shared the stage with Sting, Phil Collins, Norah Jones and Bob Dylan. Asked what inspires him to create music each day, Bickram said: "Music is the sound of god. Those who have been blessed with music, their lives are coloured. I wake up in the morning and I just wait to go to my studio every day. I enjoy the studio, the concerts, the stage, the travel and the collaborations. And at the same time, I get paid for it. What better career can somebody expect? And to top it, we have accolades and love of the people. Every day I am charged just by music." The artiste has an interesting lineup of upcoming projects in Hindi and Bengali films. "I am currently working on the music of a Hindi film titled 'Band of Maharajas' directed by Girish Malik. Several Bengali films are also loined up such as 'Golandaaz', 'Mayakumari', 'Mahananda' and 'Abhijatrik'," Bickram signed off.

NSD to celebrate 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'

Photo Courtesy: IANS

he National School of Drama (NSD) will stage three plays on tales of freedom on August 12, 13 and 14 -- 'Jagdamba', 'Bapu' and 'Pehla Satyagrahi'. The three-day event will showcase the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, along with that of Kasturba Gandhi and others towards the freedom struggle. The event will be inaugurated

at Abhimanch Auditorium, NSD campus by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Culture and Parliamentary Affairs). NSD Chairman, Paresh Rawal said, "The struggles and events in the freedom struggle have their own inspirations and messages, which contemporary India can imbibe. We have to use different mediums to spread these inspirations to the

Photo Courtesy: IANS

masses, this platform is one of them. In these plays, from Mahatma Gandhi's South Africa movement to Champaran, Salt Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation Movement, Dandi March Quit India Movement along with Kasturba Gandhi's contribution towards independence will be displayed. ' All Covid protocols will be implemented.

'Access For All' gives call for all-inclusive arts festival ccess For All' has given an open call for 'Manifesto for Accessible Art Festival' (MAAF), where accessibility is at the apex of planning an all-inclusive arts festival celebrating artists and audiences with disabilities. The project in India is a first of its kind between 'Access For All' and performer and creative consultant, Jonny Cotsen, to develop MAAF. The aim of this project (Virtual Artist Residency) is to design a Manifesto for an all-inclusive festival co-hosted between Wales and India. MAAF will be a structured toolkit that focuses on providing a global platform for artists with disabilities and will cater to the needs of audiences with disabilities and provide a universally designed space, without adopting an 'able-ist' approach. MAAF is one of the British Council's 'Connections Through Culture' grants, supported by the Wales Arts International/Arts Council of Wales to develop co-created projects between artists, arts organisations, and festivals in both India and Wales. Commenting on the project, Siddhant Shah, Founder and Access

ArtEast 2021 kicks off, focuses on art as storytelling

Consultant, 'Access For All', said, "The entire process of MAAF will be documented and we aim to use it as a resource toolkit to aid and assist art festivals, organisations and others to incorporate an accessible approach from conception." In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project will take place as a digital artist residency, using digital media to virtually connect six artists (three

each from Wales and India) with one another in a virtually intensive, collaborative workshop over the course of two weeks from September 28 to October 8. At the end of the process, the project organisers will be looking to invite artists to join the full MAAF project. The program will be conducted in English, supported by a sign language interpreter.

In an unusual art form, UP student paints on banana leaves Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

he 2021 edition of the ArtEast Festival, which is being held virtually this year, will focus

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on art and storytelling, and is "an effort to revive our interest through an understanding and reinterpretation

of art that tells a story". It is ongoing till August 22. Curated by Kishalay Bhattacharjee, ArtEast 2021: Tell me a Story is a virtual documentation of a very strong and sustained element of art-storytelling. Through paintings, illustrations, photo collages, visual poetry, dance, cinema and conversations, ArtEast 2021 is an attempt to understand and reinterpret narrative art practices. An underlying focus of the festival is on art, history, livelihood, migration, documentation and discussion. It began as an attempt to present India's Northeast region and its neighbourhood from a more contemporary perspective. But the project now seeks to go beyond the region and trace the lineage of art and narrative practices that defy geography and has been at odds to endure and sustain, said the festival. The online exhibitions available to see on www.iicdelhi.in include displays of Pattachitra Paintings of Odisha, photographic collages and painting by Isaac Tseten Gergen, illustrations by Sirawon Tulisen Khathing from Shillong, illustrations by Sirawon Tulisen Khathing on Shillong and its cherry blossom season, collated art by Siddhartha Das, photographs by Parasher Baruah on the lives of migrant workers in Mumbai and more. Speaking about the pandemic, the curator's note said: "Art and artists

were amongst the worst hit. But art heals and people found solace in visual narratives, shapes, colours and imagination. ArtEast 2021, a virtual festival invokes Art as Storytelling and showcases a slice of folk or traditional craft and contemporary art that were originally storytelling rituals with a visual and performative aspect that over time became a practice. Many such practices today suffer from lack of patronage or support and have either succumbed to commercial pressures or have slowly faded to the margins. Some have disappeared. "The intersection of art and storytelling is part of Indian art tradition. The tellers of these tales were not only artists but carriers of knowledge. The Patachitra or narrative scroll painting of Bengal for example depicts episodes from mythology, religion and folklore. The various versions of the epics provide rich content. The geography of such practice extends from the Patua painters and poet performers of Bengal, the Pattachitra art of Odisha to the bards of Rajasthan's Phad scroll, the Garoda picture-tellers in Gujarat to the Chitrakathis of Maharashtra." The festival collaborators Lalsawmliani Tochhawng , Ashima Sharma and Kishalay Bhattacharjee have tried to put together art traditions from folk to the contemporary that tell us a story.

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t is an unusual art and Manoj Kumar, a fine arts postgraduate student of the Allahabad University, is practising it to perfection. He paints on banana leaves and says that this is much more difficult than painting on any other surface. "The tenderness and fragility of the banana leaf makes it extremely difficult to paint on it. The oil acrylic colours on the green and dry banana leaf often skids off," he said. Manoj further explains, "The biggest challenge I face with banana leaves is that an image outlining with pencil is not possible on it. Moreover, oil acrylic colours also do not hold firmly on leaves and the colour skids on the leaf just as it would on a wet

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human body." "Unlike working on other surfaces like canvas, paper and walls, painting on green banana leaves takes a much longer time," said Manoj. He now ensures the leaves do not break or tear by putting them in a unique solution before drying them. He refuses to divulge the details of the solution. "Let me perfect it and then I will talk about it," he said. "I was able to do better after trying and trying and trying to get better at it," said Manoj Kumar. Since this is the month of 'Shravan', Manoj is making paintings of Lord Shiva on banana leaves and he hopes this will win him appreciation.

LITERATURE

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Premchand, the reformist Agra poet makes mark on English literary scene writer of India G Photo Courtesy: IANS

urgaon-based The Poetry Society of India has released three collections of poems by noted poet from Agra, Rajiv Khandelwal. The volumes are titled 'Crazy Class', 'Adventure' and 'Magic Moments'. Khandelwal has written 150 poems for children and teenagers to provide them "wholesome healthy entertainment as also some inspiration". Julia Devardhi, Principal, Nalanda Educational Institute, Hyderabad, said, "In Rajiv Khandelwal's poems, simple and interesting themes have

been animated with appropriate poetic diction that holds the reader spell-bound. The language is clear and crisp with words that rhyme and produce their verbal music." Five collections of poems by Khandelwal have already been published. Most of the poems of these collections have been published in English magazines, journals and anthologies in India and abroad. Trained as an electrical engineer from BITS, Pilani, 65-year-old Khandelwal is a businessman with keen interest in literature and arts.

Of Partition and the resilience of the human spirit

Photo Courtesy: IANS

ere's a powerful story of a family in Delhi living through the heartbreak of Partition, set during Indias Independence, by Melody Razak, one of the London Observer's Ten Debut Novelists of 2021. Ma and Bappu are liberal intellectuals teaching at the local university. Their 14-year-old daughter -- precocious, headstrong Alma -- is soon to be married: Alma is mostly interested in her wedding shoes and in spinning stories for her beloved younger sister Roop. Her husband-to-be is training to be a doctor and is fair-skinned - both highly regarded attributes. Alma's enthusiasm is focussed on which wedding shoes she'll wear or which wild story to tell the death-obsessed Roop next. Ma and Bappu, liberals at heart, are unsure about marrying their eldest daughter off so young - but with political unrest brewing they feel it could be the safest thing for her. "Moth" (Orion) is set against a conservative backdrop, yet deals head-on with realities such as rape, grief and displacement.

It's a story with a dark heart, an examination of the human condition looking at what it means to love and lose beyond anything we could imagine. But ultimately it is a celebration of the human spirit and its resilience, beauty and strength. What it proves is that the resilience of the human spirit is an extraordinary thing. Melody Razak owned a cake shop in Brighton for eight years (Treacle & Co, serving, she says, "the best cake on the south coast") and most recently worked as a pastry chef at London-based restaurant Honey & Co. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck and has had short stories published in the Bath Short Story Anthology, the Brick Lane Short Story Prize and the Mechanics Institute Review. "Moth" was inspired by her ongoing love affair with India and was written on long train journeys across the country (when she'd often have to pretend she was travelling with a husband to avoid unwanted attention).

Siddharth Roy Kapur launches 'riveting' book by filmmaker Nidhie Sharma Photo Courtesy: Starsunfolded

ilm producer Siddharth Roy Kapur launched the book of filmmaker Nidhie Sharma on Tuesday. The book is titled 'Invictus: The Jungle that Made Me'. Talking about the book, Siddharth said, "Nidhie Sharma's 'Invictus' is a compelling read and what makes it riveting is the courage and resilience it depicts, while bringing to life a world as stunningly visual as it is daunting. The book is inspiring, poignant and is a work of arresting originality." Nidhie has directed documentaries for climate change activist Al Gore's

Current TV, co-directed the second season of Anil Kapoor's action-thriller '24' and written the third season of the Emmy Award-nominated cricket drama 'Inside Edge' on Amazon Prime Video. "I learnt quickly that the jungle was alive and it found your fears faster than you found your strength. And if you did not square off with your fears, the jungle would square off with you. My Teen vs Wild survival memoir carries within itself a whole host of life lessons, transformations and epiphanies which I believe must be shared," said Nidhie.

Actor-author Tisca Chopra proud to be related to Khushwant Singh

ctress Tisca Chopra is also an author and an avid reader. The actor-author hails from the family of late celebrated author Khushwant Singh. Carrying forward the lineage, she has penned two books 'Acting Smart' and 'What's Up With Me?'. The actress recalls the time spent with the illustrious author for the last time at his home in Delhi. Tisca told IANS: "When I met him for the last time many years ago, I remember we had gone to the Sujan Singh Park house where he lived, there were mountains of books, like tall towers of books in his house. I asked him, 'Have you read all of these?' He said, '100 saal ka saamaan aur kal ki khabar nahi'. He meant the books but I think it applies to everything." She added proudly: "I am very proud to be related to him and that I have in some very tiny miniscule way managed to continue writing." Tisca reflects on her favourite books by the renowned Indian writer. "My favourite Khushwant Singh book is 'Delhi: A Novel' because I love the relationship between Bhaagamati and the protagonist which I think is autobiographical. The Delhi one

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Photo Courtesy: The Statesman

is familiar with the history of Delhi and the way it has been interwoven with the interplay of characters, it's something that stays with you, so poetic is the prose. I also like 'A History of the Sikhs', being half Sikh myself," she told IANS. She shared that her life is inspired by Khushwant Singh's writing in a major way. "Khushwant Singh is a writer, whom I have been a fan of for very many

years. His writing has a fluidity which we can only aspire to. He lived so fully and had such rich experiences," said Tisca. Tisca's recent book 'What's Up With Me?' has garnered a lot of interest among young readers. She said: "The response to the book has been phenomenal. It has generated a lot of interest within families which to me is the biggest success of the book. Young girls, who are the intended readers of the book, have picked it up, started reading it and are discussing it with their friends. Mothers-daughters and fathers-daughters are getting together in small groups to read the book and discuss it." Tisca's book talks about teenage girl issues like puberty, periods and teenage emotions. She told IANS: "So many mothers have reached out and said they've found the book useful because it's a difficult conversation for them to have. But, for them 'What's Up With Me?' becomes a launch pad to have a deeper conversation based on the way the families want to process puberty with their child."

Munshi Premchand broke the barriers of language, religion, and region in communicating his message of equality and social justice for the oppressed by virtue of the relevance of the themes of his stories, and novels, and the indelible impression the characters of his stories left on the readers, feels Devashish Chakraborty.

Munshi Premchand (a pseudonym, his real name being Dhanpat Rai) was an Indian author, who was instrumental in popularizing modern Hindi and Urdu literature. He initiated his literary career with his first novella, Asrar- e-Ma’abid, which was published for the first time in Awaz-e-Khalq, an Urdu weekly. It is well-appreciated by his fans and critics alike that he brought the element of realism into Indian literature, of which readers and writers of his time were completely unfamiliar. Those were the days of fantasy, fictions, and religious works. A change was on the horizon as years of subjugation and oppression under the British Raj were being confronted by those who had tasted the sweetness of liberty, equality, and justice after receiving Western education. There was little room for mere fantasy in an environment that called for a realistic approach to life. Fantasy was more of a luxury for the rich and the elite, the working class yearned for a narrative based on the principles and philosophy of realism, even if it was a fictionalized account of the real story of the day. Premchand’s works held the mirror high enough for the society to discern its true reflection, and not a contrived one that was far from the reality of the time. It is, therefore, no wonder that he is hailed as one of the greatest authors that the previous century has produced in India. His Childhood and Early Life Born on 31 July, 1880, in a village near Varanasi, in India, Premchand lost his parents when he was very young. However, he was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after his stepmother, and his siblings. Premchand was married twice, first of which was a child-marriage, a custom prevalent at that time. After the unhappy ending of this marriage in 1899, he remarried again, this time a child-widow, in 1906. After a stint as schoolteacher, he became headmaster of a school, near Allahabad, and then was elevated to the position of deputy sub-inspector of schools and was stationed in Kanpur. His Early Literary Career Premchand’s literary career began during his stay in Allahabad. He started as a freelancer and penned many short stories in Urdu. His first novella, Asrar-e-Ma’abid, was published in Awaz-e-Khalq, an Urdu weekly. Later, he wrote columns on national and international issues for Zamana, an Urdu magazine. He started gaining popularity in the literary circles of Kanpur after he authored Soz-e-Vatan, a collection of short stories in Urdu. His Contribution to Indian Literature Besides being a writer, Premchand was also a thinker and social reformer. The hallmark of his writings was the portrayal of reality in his short stories and novels. His forte was the depiction of life stories that were suffused with pathos and were full of tragic moments in the storyline. In one of his short stories ‘Sadgati’ (Salvation), which formed the basis of a film by Satyajit Ray in later years, the protagonist is a low caste man regarded as untouchable, who dies of utter exhaustion in an attempt to chop wood for a high-caste priest in exchange for a petty reward. The story is a social commentary on the prevailing injustice at the time. It leaves the audience dumbfounded to visualize the corpse of the man being dragged off with a rope dangling around his ankle, like the carcass of a dog taken to the burial ground. Through such portrayals Premchand has tried to depict realistically the plight of the poor, the downtrodden, and those belonging to the lower caste. Such depictions throw light on the characteristics of the author himself who does not shy away from laying bare the barbarism of an era to which he belongs. Premchand was a realist to the core, and his works bear testimony to this fact.

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His commitment to honesty and social justice for the oppressed is exemplary, and he chooses the pen rather than the sword to wage war against perpetrators of crime against humanity in whatever form. His writings were far from the romantic fiction of his time. If his rawness in portraying the reality appears grotesque and abominable to some readers, it may be ascribed to the times he belongs to. It is every writer’s prerogative to tell the story he perceives, either truthfully or by resorting to a fantasized account of the events that unfold before him. Premchand would prefer to do the former, as he was also, at heart, a social reformer. He understood the burden of responsibility a writer carries on his shoulder. Stories are always told, and read, or listened to, implying that the narratives leave an impression on the readers. At times, in fact more often than not, readers trust the writer as a witness and keeper of history, rather than trusting official accounts of history. Premchand’s stories are not tales springing forth as an act of mere creative imagination or fiction. His stories are a reflection of socio-political reality of the time. Even as his stories depicted the society of his time, Premchand also wrote tales of immense personal tragedy such as in Nirmala (The Unblemished One). In this story a young woman is compelled to marry an old man, whose sons from his earlier marriage are older than the woman he now takes as his wife. The tragedy is heightened when the husband is overcome by jealousy and blinded by suspicion believing, erroneously of course, that Nirmala is having an affair with his eldest son, though Nirmala is only performing the duty of a mother to an ailing son. The death of the son leaves Nirmala devastated, as would happen to any mother who has lost her child. Though Premchand was a realist with pathos being the feature of most his writings, sadness isn’t the only theme he dealt with in his stories. For instance in ‘Moteram Ji Shastri’, the humorous side of the author comes to the fore when he portrays a lovable charlatan. Then, the story of ‘Bade Bhai Sahab’ evokes in the readers a roller-coaster of emotions when the author depicts the character of his not-so-bright elder brother, who, none-the-less has a golden heart. Premchand’s stories have the characteristic of being timeless in their own right. His stories touch the depth of human conscience, without in the least being even close to superficial unleashing of words and ideas. The plots of his stories reach out to the readers to evoke in them a variety of emotions ranging from love, lust, fear, anger, violence, helplessness, and a yearning for freedom, which they share with protagonists of these stories. Therefore, his stories, irrespective of their themes, are always relevant and never lost in the mists of time. Besides delineating working-class characters, Premchand’s works also find depiction of modern characters in urban settings. In Seva Sadan, which was released as Bazar-e-Husn in Urdu, and also chosen to be made into a Tamil film, Suman, a highcaste damsel, has to put up with a loveless marriage out of compulsion. The writer provokes his readers to question the established norms of society, impelling them to reconsider the notions of a holy and an unholy alliance while entering into a relationship. The writer, through his

themes of stories, upholds women’s right to liberty, equality, and social justice, in an environment where these aspects of a woman’s life were conspicuous by their absence. In fact, the reader is poked to shed any modicum of hypocrisy he may have during the very act of absorbing the underlying message of the writer, and realize the human folly in treating one of their own kind, here women, in not-so-tasteful manner. Some of his stories, unlike most of the works of his contemporaries, give the impression that Premchand was ahead of his time in championing women’s right to choose the life they want to live. In ‘Miss Padma’, which was penned in 1914, the story revolves around a young modern woman who opts to enter into a livein relationship with a man, rather than marrying him. It is, however, another matter that the very object of her love abandons her and robs her of her jewels. Even these days it is not much different, as a woman is still at risk if she follows her heart’s call and decides to forge a close relationship of the kind not sanctioned by the society. Premchand’s works include more than 300 short stories, novels, and many essays, letters, and plays. Godaan, his first novel, is hailed as one of the best novels of his time. His other significant contributions include Gaban, Kafan Poos ki Rat, Idgah, and Bade Ghar ki Beti, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, and Sevasadan. His Later Years and Demise Throughout his life Premchand had conviction in the educative value of literature. Without being didactic his writings served the purpose of educating the readers. His fictions were not products of lazy fantasy, but fruits of careful consideration of ‘ailments’ afflicting the society of his time. His themes have a universal appeal and an element of timelessness. Most of his stories are a sort of critical appreciation of the society and its norms and value systems, yet the narratives are entertaining and far from being boring. Though he had established himself as a respectable writer, financial crisis continued to chase him forever. However, this state of affairs did not dampen his spirit as a writer as he continued his crusade with the pen. Premchand breathed his last on October 8, 1936, leaving behind him an unfinished novel--- Mangalsootra. No writer worth his salt goes without influencing others and without being similarly influenced by others of his kind. In this respect Premchand was no exception, as he was influenced by writers within the country and beyond its shores. One of the stalwart writers who influenced him was Saratchandra Chatterjee, an accomplished Bengali writer, whose writings he would voraciously devour. He was also inspired by the works of foreign writers such as Maxim Gorky. As for his own works, these have the power to leave an indelible impression on his readers, irrespective of the time and the region they belong to. This aspect has popularized his works the world over as is evident from the multitude of translations of his works, both in Indian and foreign languages.

Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey in Shatranj ke Khiladi

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SPORTS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

TOKYO

Neeraj Chopra suffering from high fever, tests Covid negative Photo Courtesy: India Today

2021

OLYMPICS

Neeraj Chopra bags India’s firstever athletics gold in Olympics Photo Courtesy: The Indian Express

Tokyo, Aug 7 (IANS): Neeraj Chopra on Saturday made history by becoming the first Indian to win gold medal in athletics at Olympic Games when he clinched first position at Tokyo 2020 with a throw of 87.58 metres in javelin competition.

Chopra has also become only the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. Bindra had won gold at the 2008 Olympics in shooting. The 23-year-old Chopra now holds gold medals in javelin throw at

the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympics, all at the same time. Chopra's gold means India, with seven medals at Tokyo Games, have surpassed the tally of six medals won at 2012 London Olympics. This

lot of sacrifices" and that the "love and support we have received" from across the country and even abroad during the Games has been "overwhelming". "Through this letter, we wanted to share with you some of the emotions we have experienced over these past three weeks and also let you know just how much your support meant to us during our campaign at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. "After a memorable tournament and a euphoric welcome we received upon our arrival in New Delhi on Monday, we have finally reached our respective homes. We must admit that the love and support we have received from across the country and even abroad has been overwhelming to say the least," the two skippers wrote. While the Indian men's team finished with a bronze, ending a 41-year medal drought, the women's team narrowly missed third place, going down to Great Britain 3-4 in

the bronze-medal match. "The historic Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign was the culmination of five years of intense hard work, dedication and a lot of sacrifices. We knew it wasn't going to be easy at all, we have had our ups and downs, but we never gave up. We were focused and gave our everything on the field in each game to show that we are fearless and can beat any team in the world. "Our achievement could not have been possible without the constant support and help from the team support staff, Odisha state government, Hockey India, Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. We would like to thank each one of them for helping and encouraging us throughout the journey," said the two skippers. "We would also like to thank each one of our fans, who have supported both teams at every step of the way. We are aware of you waking up early

is the biggest tally of medals won by India in a single edition of Olympics. Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch bagged silver medal with a throw of 86.67m while compatriot Vitezslav Vesley took bronze medal with a throw of 85.44m. Both got their season's best throws on their fifth and third attempts respectively. After finishing first in the qualification round on Wednesday with a throw of 86.59m, Chopra continued his impressive performance in the final on Saturday, recording a first throw of 87.03m. He followed it up with 87.58m in his second attempt. It turned out to be the best throw of the night. The 23-year-old's third attempt was well below the 80m mark at 76.39m. He followed it up with two fouls on his fourth and fifth throws. His last attempt was 84.24m. By then, however, the inevitable was confirmed as the other competittors couldn't match his best throw. World No. 1 Johannes Vetter of Germany, a favourite to win the gold alongside Chopra, continued his rough form from qualification to the final and was ousted after the initial three of the six throws. The 28-year-old, who came into the Olympics after seven massive throws of over 90m between April and June, opened with 82.52m.

Hockey success culmination of five years of sacrifices: Manpreet, Rani Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: Indian men's and women's hockey team captains Manpreet Singh and Rampal wrote an open letter to hockey fans across the world, saying that "The historic Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign was the culmination of five years of intense hard work and

just to watch us play, you backed us all the way, you celebrated when we won, and you cried with us when we lost. This unconditional support we received from you means the world to us and we hope that you will continue to support us in the forthcoming Olympic cycle too." The duo said that their teams were looking forward with renewed vigour to the Commonwealth and Asian Games next year. "We have big tournaments coming up and while we are now on a break for a few weeks, we are constantly thinking about 'what next'. The support and encouragement we have received over these past few weeks has motivated us more than ever to bring laurels to the country and we have set our sights firmly on the big-ticket events coming up this Olympic cycle namely the Asian Champions Trophy, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Asia Cup, the FIH Hockey Pro League and the FIH Men's and Women's World Cup."

New Delhi, Aug 14: Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra is suffering from high fever for the past two days. He even didn't attend the felicitation function organised by the Haryana government on Friday. Following doctor's advice, his Covid-19 test was done. The report came negative. Speaking to IANS, a person close to Chopra said the athlete is recovering now.

"His temperature was 103 till yesterday. But he is getting better now. His (Covid) report also came negative. Doctor has advised him rest. He had a hectic schedule and that is the reason he fell ill," the person said. "Neeraj might attend the function at Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening. He will come there directly. Rest (all the other) players are currently at Ashoka Hotel," he added.

It took courage to break stereotypes: Mirabai Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: "You know my name, not my story. You know what I have done, not what I have been through". This quote by writer Jonathan Anthony Burkett fits well the life of Tokyo Olympics silver medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu - the new poster girl of Indian sports. Mira nowadays is a very busy person. Wherever she goes, people gather around to take a selfie with her. The 27-year-old weightlifter from Manipur's East Imphal district clinched a silver medal in the recently-concluded Tokyo Olympics. Mira on Friday met young weightlifters and spent time hearing about their aspirations, the challenges they face, and what inspired them to take up weightlifting as a sport, during her visit to an adidas store in the Capital. Tokyo was Mira's second Olympics. She had qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women's 48 kg category. However, she failed to finish the event, owing to no successful lifts in any of her three attempts in the clean & jerk section. "It was pretty tough to come out of the Rio debacle. I was so disheartened after failing to lift. I

didn't know what to do, and then I called up my mother and asked her what I should do. She supported me throughout this journey. I promised myself that I would work harder in the coming 4-5 years to win a medal in the Tokyo Olympics," Mira told IANS. "After breaking the world record at the Asian Championship (in April 2021), expectations had increased. I knew I could do it this time and make the nation happy." With Indian girls proving their mettle in the international sporting arena, Mira feels that more girls will come forward and take up sports. "My journey from a remote village to representing our country at an international event, clearly showcases that sport doesn't care about gender or stereotypes. In our society, weightlifting has always been perceived as a male-dominated sport, it took a lot of courage and hard work to break such stereotypes. I want women to dream and believe in themselves to be able to see possibilities." Before the Tokyo Olympics, there was a feeling that Mira's 'clean and jerk' was always strong but 'snatch' was a cause for concern. To this, the weightlifter said, "My shoulder got injured and I had some trouble in snatch. But I worked on my technique and it proved fruitful. My confidence after Asian Championship success was boosted a lot which later helped me in Tokyo." Since winning the Olympic medal last month, Mira is getting congratulatory messages from all over India. She recently met cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai. "It was great meeting Sachin sir. He was so happy about my performance. He motivated me for future competitions, I will continue to make my country proud," Mira added.

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Yogeshwar supports Vinesh: It was just not her day Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, Aug 13: Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt on Friday came out in support of under-fire wrestler Vinesh Phogat, saying "it was just not her day". The 23-year-old grappler is facing criticism from all quarters after failing to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, as she was India's one of the best medal prospects. Later, Vinesh was suspended by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on grounds of not training with the Indian team and also not following training the guidelines. She also faced backlash for not wearing the

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team jersey. Hurt by the suspension, Vinesh wrote a column, revealing her struggle with mental health issues, saying she is "truly broken". "We celebrate Simone Biles as she said that I am not mentally prepared to perform at the Olympics and did not do her event. Try just saying that in India. Forget pulling out of wrestling, just try saying that you are not ready. I don't know when I will return (to the mat). Maybe I won't. Now my body is not broken, but I'm truly broken," she was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

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Yogheshwar then came forward in support of Vinesh. "I think we need to respect Vinesh's achievements. She is a good wrestler but it was just not her day, that's it. Winning and losing are part and parcel of the game. When we win, the mistakes get covered up while after defeat, the good things are hidden. One must understand that no athlete wants to lose," said Yogi, as he is fondly called. Asked about his comments on the suspension, the former international wrestler said the federation never harms any wrestler. "It has been done earlier also and I think that is not a major issue. She has been

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asked to answer a few questions, which she will give for sure and the federation understands the players very well and nothing major will happen, I guess. What the federation must do is to solve the problems she might have faced," Yogeshwar said. Questioned about wrestlers Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia's showing in Tokyo, Yogeshwar said, "Ravi and Bajrang both are very talented wrestlers and they both have a bright future. I believe they can win gold in the next Olympics. See, wrestlers have been winning medals for India in the Olympics since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

SPORTS

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Australian Olympic Committee Former New Zealand cricketer slams further quarantine Chris Cairns stable after surgery restrictions on returning athletes Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, Aug 11: The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has slammed the South Australian government over the decision to force athletes returning from Tokyo Olympics to complete an additional 14-day home quarantine on return to the state. There are 56 Australian team members returning to South Australia with 16 currently quarantined in Sydney. Through a statement released on Wednesday, the AOC has expressed its frustration over the "decision to ignore expert medical advice" by South Australia. They also added that the decision will lead to 28 days of quarantine, presenting a significant risk to mental health of athletes who are returning from a highly constrained Tokyo Olympics. "While other countries are celebrating the return of their athletes, we are subjecting ours to the most cruel and uncaring treatment. They are being punished for proudly representing their country with distinction at the Olympic Games," said AOC CEO Matt Carroll. He further said, "We are all

promoting the obvious benefits of vaccination, but this important layer of protection is not working in favour of these athletes, given this decision. By any measure, this group of returning Olympians is extremely low risk. Not only are our Olympians fully vaccinated, but they have also been living in a highly controlled bubble in Tokyo, taking the upmost precautions - tested daily over many weeks." Carroll confirmed that an application was written to the Chief Medical Officer of South Australia to convince them for exemption for athletes. But the application was rejected. "We have received no explanation as to why our application on behalf of these athletes has been rejected. If you run an exemption process, presumably that includes the prospect that exemptions can be granted based on scientific advice. We have received no response related to the expert advice we have provided." Dr. David Hughes, Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), has called the decision

by the South Australian government " profoundly flawed". "To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is in my opinion unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified. It poses a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals concerned," said Dr Hughes. Carroll said that the home quarantine option is no less impactful. The athletes are first required to apply for home quarantine, with no certainty of approval. "Athletes subject to home quarantine will not be permitted a welcome home hug. Either the athlete's family must move away, the athlete must find a way of isolating from the family or the entire family goes into quarantine. That is not an acceptable option for someone who is fully vaccinated and who has already just completed two weeks' quarantine," concluded Carroll. Australia won 46 medals at the Tokyo Olympics, winning 17 gold medals along with 7 silver and 22 bronze, finishing at sixth place in the medals table.

Olympics: Feats in track & field beyond Chopra's historic gold Photo Courtesy: IANS

Tokyo, Aug 9: While Neeraj Chopra's success in getting India their first-ever Olympic medal in athletics, and that too a gold, was the highlight of the Tokyo 2020 Games for Indian fans, there were other achievements that also made news. Here's a look at them: MARATHON EFFORT Eliud Kipchoge won second consecutive gold medal for Kenya in the men's marathon to mark the end of an enthralling track and field competition. Kipchoge timed 2:08:38 and was finished 80 seconds ahead of Abdi Nageeye (of the Netherlands) and Bashir Abdi (of Belgium), who got bronze medal with 2:10:00. The 36-year-old Kipchoge was six seconds quicker than what he timed at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games for his first Olympic gold. U.S. LEAD MEDAL TALLY The United States headed the athletics medals table with seven gold, 12 silver and seven bronze medals. Five of Team USA's gold medals were won by women,

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Xinhua reports. The team's triumphs included victories in the men's and women's 4x400m relay events. The men's team consisted of Michael Cherry, Michael Norman, Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin, while the women's team comprised Sydney McLaughlin, Allyson Felix, Dalilah Muhammad and Athing Mu. There were also golds in the men's shot put (Ryan Crouser), women's 400m hurdles (Sydney McLaughlin), women's 800m (Athing Mu), women's discuss throw (Valarie Allman) and women's pole vault (Katie Nageotte). ITALIAN GOLD RUSH Italy was the surprise package of the track and field events with five medals, all of which were gold. The haul included Lamont Marcell Jacob's victory in the men's 100m, Italy's first Olympic gold medal in the event. Jacobs, who was born in Texas to an African American father and Italian mother, also guided Italy to

the 4x100m relay title alongside Lorenzo Patta, Eseosa Desalu and Filippo Tortu. When asked about the secret to Italy's track success, Jacobs told reporters: "Work hard, dream big. We believed for real that we could [win]." JAMAICA'S HERO Elaine Thompson-Herah cemented her place in the pantheon of Olympic greats by successfully defending her 100m and 200m titles. The 29-year-old is the first woman in history to win the 100 and 200m in back-to-back Olympics. Elaine suggested she might compete again at the Paris 2024 Games in a bid to equal the record of compatriot Usain Bolt of 100 and 200m gold medals at three successive Olympics. "There's more that I'm looking forward to accomplishing," she said. ALLYSON'S RECORD Elaine's great rival Allyson Felix became the most decorated U.S. athlete in Olympic history when she was a part of the team that won the 4x400m women's relay. It was her 11th medal, which helped her surpass the mark previously held by sprint and long-jump legend Carl Lewis. Just 24 hours earlier, the 35-year-old took bronze in the individual 400m race in 49.46 seconds, the second-fastest time of her career. DOWN BUT NOT OUT Sifan Hassan's hopes of securing a medal in the women's 1,500m event looked over when she fell to the ground after tripping in the final lap of her heat. But the 28-year-old quickly rose to her feet and overtook 11 rivals to win the heat. "When I fell down I said to myself, OK life doesn't always go the way that you want. After the [race] I felt like somebody who drank 20 cups of coffee. I couldn't calm myself down," said the Dutch athlete. Sifan went on to claim bronze in the event but won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Sydney, Aug 11: Former New Zealand cricketer, Chris Cairns who was in a critical condition and on life support after suffering a major medical emergency, is reportedly stable. "Latest re: Chris -- Cairns Cairns was stabilised in Canberra last night, before being transferred to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital -- a recognised leader in Cardiology. He underwent surgery shortly after arrival, and is in a serious but stable condition in ICU," tweeted Newshub sports presenter Andrew Gourdie, who has been giving updates on the

cricketer. In an earlier tweet, he wrote, "Speculation Cairns requires a heart transplant is NOT true. A transplant remains a possibility, but surgeons will wait to see how he responds to the latest procedure before further options are explored." A statement from Cairns' wife, Melanie, tweeted by the presenter but later removed, said, "Statement Regarding Chris Cairns: As has now been widely reported in the media, Chris suffered a major medical event in Canberra late last week. He initially underwent surgery in

Canberra, but the seriousness of his condition is such that he has now been transferred to St Vincent's hospital in Sydney, where he has undergone further cardiovascular surgery. "Chris' family and friends are heartened by the respectful and warm manner in which this terrible news has been reported, and received by the pubic, both in New Zealand and around the world, and thanks everyone for their warm wishes, prayers, and kind words. For now, no further statements will be made regarding Chris' situation, and the Cairns family asks that people continue to respect their privacy as they deal with this difficult, upsetting and concerning situation. Melanie Cairns." Cairns, 51, collapsed after suffering an aortic dissection -- described as a tear in the inner layer of the body's main artery -- while on a visit to Australia's capital Canberra last week, according to reports in several media outlets. Cairns, one of the legends of New Zealand cricket is the son of former New Zealand star Lance Cairns, was a right-handed batsman and medium pacer, one of the best all-rounders of his generation. He has played 62 Tests, 215 One-day Internationals and two T20 matches for New Zealand between 1989 and 2006. He is currently a commentator with Sky Sport.

Aus coach Langer in heated exchange with CA staff over B'desh video Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, Aug 11: Australian cricket team coach Justin Langer and manager Gavin Dovey were involved in a heated exchange with a member of Cricket Australia (CA) staff over a video of Bangladesh team's celebrations posted on cricket.com.au, the official website. According to a report in the Melbourne-based The Age newspaper, both Langer and Dovey were

unhappy that the video of a happy Bangladesh team singing their team song after a series win over Australia last week was posted on Australian cricket's official website. Bangladesh won the five-match T20I series 4-1. "Dovey and Langer both took umbrage over a video added to the cricket.com.au website,

commemorating Bangladesh's first bilateral series victory over Australia after the Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the sides' Twenty20 international series," said the report. "Sources close to the Australian team have confirmed that a member of CA's digital team -- who The Age and the Herald have chosen not to name to protect their privacy -- was given a stern talking-to about the contents of the video," added the report. The incident took place after host Bangladesh had taken a 3-0 unassailable lead to register their first-ever bilateral series win over the Aussies. Aussies won the fourth match before Bangladesh sealed the fifth game to win series 4-1. "Dovey initially raised the matter with the staffer in a conversation that escalated when the staffer stood their ground over the issue. Dovey had argued that it was inappropriate for the Bangladesh team song to be posted on a CA-operated website," said the report further.

It's very, very special: Rahul on Test century at Lord's Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, Aug 14: Indian opener KL Rahul termed his knock of 129 at Lord's as 'very, very special'. Speaking to his opening partner Rohit Sharma in a video chat posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, Rahul dubbed as 'the man of the hour' by Sharma, talked about how he felt his return to Test cricket was destined. "It's very, very special. Not because it was a hundred at Lord's, that adds to the excitement and joy. I have been away from Test cricket for a couple of years now. I have grown

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up wanting to be a Test cricketer and to play Test cricket. That was the generation I grew in. My father loves Test cricket. My coaches always wanted me to be a Test cricketer. I always wanted to do well in Test cricket," said Rahul. He added, "Getting dropped from Test cricket was disappointing. It did hurt but I had nobody else to blame but myself. Performances weren't there; I just had to wait for my opportunity. The way it came to me I think it was meant to be for me. Just enjoyed my batting and getting

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a hundred at Lord's makes it even more special." Quizzed by Sharma on anything specific he focused upon, Rahul said, "Before I got dropped, I played in various conditions like South Africa, England, Australia. Though I toured there first time, I realised that my mind was very cluttered. I felt like I had two shots for every ball and thinking about 'runs, runs and runs.' But this time, I am telling myself to just play the ball and not look go searching for runs. It was a conscious effort from me. It's not something that happened overnight." He further explained, "When I was watching the game in the time away for two years, I used to watch you getting runs in India, the processes remained the same. How the batsman builds his innings, it remains the same. Watching that made me realise that this could be something I could bring into my game can be helpful for me. So, I am glad that it's helped me and the whole batting group." Rahul and Sharma put on an opening stand of 126 runs in the second Test. Sharma missed out on a century after being dismissed for 83 but Rahul went on to score his sixth century in Test cricket. At stumps on second day, England were 119/3 and trail India by 245 runs.

TRAVEL

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

A weekend getaway with your bestie A

fter having spent most part of the last 18 months at home, travel bucket lists have only become longer with the number of must-visit places constantly adding up every month. With restrictions easing across the country, it looks like the wait is finally over. It’s finally time to hit the reset button, get set for a much-needed break, and tick some destinations off the bucket list with your best friend. To help you get started, here is an exciting selection of a few Airbnb Homes across India for your next getaway**. So, dust off those travel journals, bring down the suitcases, and plan your next outing! Meraki @ The Woodhouse Farm, Satoli, Uttarakhand Located in the picturesque village of Satoli, Meraki, one of Airbnb’s most popular stays is ideal for an off-thebeaten-track holiday. Surrounded by beautiful peach, plum and apricot orchards, this two-bedroom wooden getaway is literally a breath of fresh air. Each room is designed with floor-to-ceiling windows for the best view of the Himalayas, open skies, and endless fields of trees. The unique cottage also comes with a mini kitchenette and a private dining space, making for the perfect escape from everyday life. Cosy Cabin In The Woods, Kufri, Himachal Pradesh Get ready to be mesmerized in Himachal’s Kufri, famous for pine trees, apple orchards, and flying squirrels. The fantastic and rugged style of this wooden retreat makes it an excellent getaway from the hustle and bustle of locked-down life. The log cabin comes with a sunny balcony, a lovely, rustic lawn and a fantastic view! A stay at this cosy cabin is a great way to bask in the charms of nature and appreciate the simple things in life. Living Waters, Kerala No matter what time of the year, Kerala always feels like a fresh catch for vacation-goers. After all, who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by backwaters first thing in the morning? Living Waters in the fishing

Meraki @ The Woodhouse Farm, Satoli, Uttarakhand

Photo Courtesy: IANS

village of Kuzhipally is a wonderful retreat, allowing you to unwind into its spacious verandas and comfortable rooms. The highlight of this stay would, however, have to be the selection of freshly caught fish that you can tuck into any time of the day! Stellar Assagao, Goa If you need a reason to visit Goa, then let it be this gorgeous Airbnb villa. You can expect all that Goa is known for - sunshine, blue skies, pleasing trees, and inviting waters – under one roof, so you absolutely don’t have to leave the beautiful three-bedroom two-storey stay. Each room is clean, spacious, and comfortable and includes all modern conveniences. The most fitting way to make the most of your holiday would be to spend the day by the poolside and take in all of Goa’s laid-back vibes. Midhill Cottage: Wildrose Suite, Shillong Say goodbye to deadlines and say hello to cloudy mornings. If you’ve missed being outside, then Midhill Cottage is just right to fulfil all your outdoor cravings. Whether you’re travelling solo, or with friends or family, the stay which boasts a lovely lawn and comfortable interiors is sure to make you feel comfortable right away. It is situated close to the main market, so whenever you feel the need to learn more about the quaint and quiet suburb of Nongshilliang-Nongthymmai, put on your walking shoes and simply head out. Breeze On The Beach, Alibaug If you don’t feel like venturing very far, then Alibaug is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and yet be close to nature. On the outside, the beachfront villa extends breath-taking views, a lovely garden area, complete with shamianas, a bar and a pool. On the inside, it’s a homely set up with airy rooms, each providing enough natural light. Also, on offer are also a lot of outdoor and indoor activities, including a jetty, electric bicycles, pool tables, table tennis, and much more.

Tree House @ Kailasa Woods,Dehradun Living amongst the trees is the best way to stay indoors and yet feel like you’re out in the open. Surround yourself with greens instead of staring at your screen. The stay is easily accessible by a well-built stairway, it has modular interiors, with a neatly designed look and most modern amenities. Great food, fresh air, and the sound of birds, probably the best way to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Traditional Villa in Heritage town, Pondicherry While the beaches of Pondicherry are already high on most bucket lists, here’s another attraction. The Traditional Villa, which is situated in the lovely Heritage town, and at a walking distance from all its famous cafes and restaurants, is as charming as it can get. The two-storey stay comes with a living room, dining room, a gorgeous courtyard and a convenient kitchen. A lovely green spiral staircase leads to the floor housing three large bedrooms, one pink, one green, and one mauve. A perfect place to catch up on lost time with family and friends. The Barn, Delhi The barn is guaranteed to help you beat the lockdown blues. The farm stay encapsulates everything a dream holiday is made of! The cottage is situated on a two-acre farm with abundant Palm, Ashoka and Champa trees. The romantic suite offers the best combination of nature and adventure, where you can visit the stables, indulge in horseback riding, hold bonfires and barbecues and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a peacock. Villa Habu, Rajasthan What better way to enjoy the lovely city of Udaipur than from a room with a lake view? The stay is a cool mix of modern design in a backdrop of traditional architecture. The luxury villa on the island comes with a heated infinity pool only accessible by boat. Secluded and opulent, the villa is a treat where you can create more everlasting memories.

Tree House @ Kailasa Woods,Dehradun

Midhill Cottage: Wildrose Suite, Shillong

Breeze On The Beach, Alibaug

Stellar Assagao, Goa

New Delhi & Mumbai, top searched domestic destinations by Indian travellers Photo Courtesy: Reetu k Photography

ndicating an intent to travel, USA, Russia and Maldives are among the top 3 most searched international destinations for August 2021 as Indians hope for an ease in international travel restrictions revealed a survey by Booking.com. Closer to home, in addition to metro cities, travellers are looking forward to enjoying nature and escaping to the outdoors - searching for leisurely destinations like Lonavala and Leh which are amongst the top most searched domestic destinations by Indian travellers in August 2021. With a bank of accrued vacation days and restrictions finally starting to ease in India and other parts of the world, travellers are looking to escape their lockdown surroundings. Destination preferences for international travel: With hopes for an ease in international travel restrictions, especially for fully vaccinated travellers, Indians have shown interest in travelling to international destinations. For travellers who are open to flying and cross borders again, USA, Russia, Maldives, Switzerland and Qatar are amongst the top 5 most searched destinations for outbound travel as per the list which includes

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1. USA 2. Russia 3. Maldives 4. Switzerland 5. Qatar 6. Canada 7. UK 8. Mexico 9. Armenia 10. France Domestic travel preferences Domestic travel continues to remain prevalent with many Indian travellers looking forward to exploring their own country and choosing destinations closer to home. Booking.com data backs this, with earlier research revealing 52 percent of Indian travellers are looking forward to exploring their home country this year. Metro cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru continue to be the top searched destinations. Closer-tohome and leisurely destinations such as Lonavala, Jaipur and Leh are also some of the top searched destinations. 1. New Delhi 2. Mumbai 3. Lonavala 4. Bengaluru

5. Chennai 6. Kolkata 7. Jaipur

8. Hyderabad 9. Leh 10. Udaipur

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Photo Courtesy: IANS

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TRAVEL

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Destinations for home grown handlooms

th August has been declared as National Handloom Day with an aim to generate awareness for the handloom industry in India. In its 7th year, this day focuses on the contribution of handloom to the socio-economic development of the country and the aim to increase the income of weavers. From Madhya Pradesh’s Maheshwari to Karnataka’s Ilkal fabric, Booking. com, one of the world's leading travel platforms has curated a list of destinations for fabric, fashion and handloom loyalists to visit: Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) for Maheshwari handloom: Home to India’s richest handloom fabric traditions, Maheshwar is a small town in the city of Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh. The history of the fabric dates back to the 18th century when its intricate design became a huge hit amongst the royal circle. This fine handloom today not only represents Indian handlooms at an international market but also promotes the craftsmanship of Indian labourers. Travellers visiting Maheshwar must definitely get their hands on colourful Maheshwari sarees. While in Maheshwar, travellers can also visit the Ahilya Fort

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

situated on the banks of Narmada, Holkar fort and the famous Rajwada. Ilkal (Karnataka) for Ilkal handloom: Located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, Ilkal is an ancient weaving centre famous for its Ilkah handloom. Travellers visiting Ilkal will be fascinated with the detailing of the saree which is made with a technique called Tope Teni, where the pallu is weaved with the body of the saree. Ilkal saree also takes its name from the town of Ilkal and the distinctive feature of Ilkal sarees is the use of a form of embroidery called Kasuti. The designs used in Kasuti reflect traditional patters like palanquins, elephants, and lotuses which are embroidered onto Ilkal sarees. After trying on Ilkal sarees, travellers can also explore the city of Ilkal by visiting Banashankari Temple, Badami Cave temple, Lad Khan temple, and Durga Temple. Sualkuchi (Assam) for Golden Muga Silk: Situated on the northern banks of the Brahmaputra, Sualkuchi is famous for its centuries-old heritage of weaving. Other than the picturesque tea gardens, the beautiful monasteries and delicious local food, travellers should visit the village of Sualkuchi and shop

the lovely Muga silk. This rare form of quintessential fabric has gained popularity and has been worn by women for centuries. The gorgeous fabric is known for its extreme durability and natural yellowish-golden tint. Legends have it that it was once only reserved for the ladies of the royal family. In fact, it is often compared to being as expensive as buying gold. Bishnupur (West Bengal) for Baluchari sarees: The word ‘Baluchari’ means sandy riverbank, signifying the origins of the handloom to a small village called Baluchar situated on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. The handloom is known for its depictions of mythological scenes on the pallu of the saree. Located in West Bengal, Bishnupur is a small town that is currently the only place where one can find authentic Baluchari sarees. When it is safe to travel, one can visit Bishnupur to add Baluchari saree to their collection. Bishnupur is also home to temples, heritage sites and museums which can make your trip a memorable one. Patan (Gujarat) for Patola saree: Patola, a double ikat woven saree, translates into ‘Queen of Silk’ and

is one of the finest silk sarees produced in Patan, known to be the capital of Gujarat in medieval times. The history of the Patola sarees dates back to the 12th century, where it is said that the handloom craft was introduced by the Salvi caste who are believed to migrate

to Gujarat with the intention of acquiring the patronage of the Solanki Rajputs, who used to dress in patola silk themselves on special occasions. The patola saree is quite an expensive handloom due to the nature of its technique and is today manufactured only by a handful

of weavers in Patan. Patan has an old-world charm, where travellers can find beautiful attractions like Jain temple, Hemachandracharya Gyan Mandir, Khan Sarovar, Rani ki Vav and Sahastrilanga Talav.

traditional Cantonese fare, western classics, sweet confections or a crafted cocktail. The shared space with cuisines from the East and West is ideal for intimate gatherings amongst family and friends. A contemporary take on British tradition, it also serves an Afternoon Tea set daily. Savoury delights include the house smoked salmon and tuna tartare, poached chicken and seared foie gras puff followed with the classic British summer sweets such as Summer Berry Pudding and Strawberry Charlotte Royale, a wickedly rich dessert of genoise sponge cake, strawberry

bavarois and jelly. Guests can also indulge in different “Cream Tea” sets featuring a selection of English scones and delectable cakes for the perfect accompaniment to their coffee or tea selections. The Tea Room offers grab-and-go from breakfast till late, while Three Bottles is a Londonesque pub and restaurant and Chaan, a nostalgic Cantonese kitchen serves noodles and dumplings. The Sweet Shop is a sugar lover’s paradise with traditional British-inspired sweets, cakes and lollies, perfect for occasions and gift giving.

Five best train journeys Sheraton Grand Macao launches The Conservatory within India Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: fb/Backbencherboots

Kalka to shimla Himalayan Queen

rains in India are special and are one of the most reliable and affordable modes of long-distance transportation. Despite all the great things that they offer, one factor stands paramount: the unparalleled scenic beauty that we experience during the journey. A window to the unmarred beauty of nature, and even the briefest glimpses make a train journey exciting. Dinesh Kumar Kotha, CoFounder & CEO, Confirmtkt shares a list of five Indian journeys by rail that one should never miss out on: Kalka to Shimla on The Himalayan Queen: It can be best described as a 96 km dream journey. Started in 1903, this train transports you through 102 tunnels and 82 bridges. You also get to experience the steepest rise in altitude. For five hours, you are immersed in scenic beauties that are primarily showcased in Indian cinema. You will be travelling upwards till you reach Shimla, and there you get to gape at the stunning beauty that Pine & Oak

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trees, valleys, and an abundance of rhododendrons provide. This journey has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, and the picturesque treat it provides justifies the honour. Vasco Da Gama to Londa: Much like the explorer, its derived name, this journey is explorative. From Goa to Karnataka, you get to witness the unique environment that Goan villages showcase. As the journey proceeds and you glide across the Western Ghats, you bear witness to the most breathtaking views of the Western Ghats and its picturesque waterfalls. You get to treat yourself to nature’s best sights for almost 145 kms. This journey is recommended, especially after the monsoon season, as you get the added treat of viewing the vibrant red of the clay soil. Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram: This route is a testament to the fact that great things come in small packages. This is probably the shortest train route on the list, yet it holds

no comparison to the sensory experience it can provide. It takes you through lush coconut groves and the best view of the bewildering Tamilian and Kerala architecture. You will be constantly surprised at the grandeur of the temples and the uniqueness of the Keralite churches throughout the journey. Matheran Hill Railway: This train is truly special when it comes to its historical relevance. The train tracks were laid down by Akbar Peerbhoy somewhere between 1901 to 1907. It is also the only remaining heritage railway in Maharashtra. While on the train, you get to explore the tranquillity of nature for about 20 kms on the narrow gauge rail lines. Combined with the desolate ambience, the view is both eerie and exciting and genuinely a definite thing to experience. New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling on The Toy Train: Unlike its name, the train is very much real, and a journey on it can be fascinating. The tiny steam-operated train moving at a speed of 12 km/hr takes you through an immersive journey. In 7 hrs 15 mins, you get a chance to view dense forests, bountiful tea plantations and experience travelling the spiral at Agony point. This journey is best taken during a clear day, as you get to see the snow-capped tip of Kanchenjunga. Trains are an engineering marvel, and the routes listed above are guaranteed to provide you with an amazing experience. The glimpses of extensive farmlands, astounding hill regions, lush flower beds, and the calming presence of still river water can produce a surreal effect. So next time if you’re thinking of taking a break from the rut of daily life, consider these journeys.

he Conservatory at Sheraton Grand Macao draws inspiration from London’s classical architecture and contemporary urban lifestyle, with food and beverages available at any time during the day. It is an eclectic food and beverage venue containing three distinct experiences – a Cantonese restaurant and tea room, a candy and confectionery store and a British pub and restaurant. The menus have been designed to create a harmonious connection between the three experiences, enabling guests to satisfy their cravings whether for

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BEAUTY

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Home remedies to Neem & Aloe Vera fight hormonal acne should be on your list Photo Courtesy: Pexel

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

hat happens inside our bodies is reflected on the outside and hormonal disbalances are one of the most prominent outbreaks that we can see on the skin. Our hormones keep changing and lose their balance due to age, and other factors that cause problems on the outside and one such problem is hormonal acne. Some people experience them during their periods, or pregnancy because those are the times when your body goes through major hormonal changes and hence the acne starts showing up. But how to get rid of this acne? Is there a permanent solution? While we can’t say if these solutions

are permanent, Paridhi Goel, Founder of Love Earth, Herbal and Organic Skin Care Brand shares definitely worth a try tip to help you reduce acne formation by manifolds. Start with washing your face multiple times because the dirt particles sitting on your face lead to hormonal acne. But if the outer layer of your skin is clean, the chances of getting acne reduces. Use a very mild face wash, and wash it at least 2-3 times a day. Keeping your face clean and dirt-free will really help in reducing dirt settling on the skin, clogging the pores, and leading to acne formation. Stay hydrated at all times. Drink as much water as prescribed so

that your skin is hydrated as well. Also include green tea in your daily routine because it works internally and decreases acne formation on your face. It is a magic potion that works beautifully on the inside. Start using Fuller’s Earth (Multani mitti pack) because it cools your skin. You can find it easily at any departmental store. All you need to do is mix it with some rose water and apply the pack to your face. Apply it 2-3 times a week because it works great on hormonal acne. Always use less moisturizer because your skin must be oily already. And use a gel-based moisturizer with a pea-size application. Use retinol or retinoids, both derived from Vitamin A and great for the skin. It removes dead skin which causes hormonal acne and also increases skin cell turnover. They clean the pores and let the medication penetrate through the skin for better results. Tea Tree is a holy grail product for all sorts of acne. It decreases inflammation on the skin that causes acne. Just take a drop of oil and apply it to the active acne. Don’t use the same finger on every acne to prevent germs transfer. The quantity has to be just one drop because tea tree oil dries the skin too fast and you don’t want that. So, go light on the quantity but use it every day, preferably in the night hours. Talk to your gynaecologist and consult them about the hormonal disbalance that is causing the acne. Once you figure out the reasons for disbalance, you can start your medication accordingly and that acne will disappear eventually. Always wear sunscreen whenever leaving the house. Your skin needs protection to stay away from more acne. Don’t wear makeup that clogs your pores. It is advisable to avoid makeup as much as possible because the products that clog your pores will lead to more acne formation. Hormonal acne is unavoidable but still controllable. You can use these home remedies and make your skin look better this season!

The wonders of saffron during pregnancy Photo Courtesy: Medical News Today

o matter whether it’s your first time, second, or third pregnancy, it's one of the most cherished times in a woman’s life. It’s an emotion that cannot be described in words. Motherhood is undeniably a life-changing experience but it comes with great responsibility too. When you find out your pregnant, the first thing that probably comes to mind is taking care of your overall health and of the little one growing inside of you. Being healthy becomes very important to you. A balanced diet, good habits, and being happy are important; however, amid these, saffron is highly recommended during the nine months. Saffron aka Kesar is an exotic spice, derived painstakingly from the flowers of Crocus sativus, which usually forms a part of several Ayurvedic recipes and has numerous health benefits. Ayush Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Rasayanam, shares all you need to know about how it helps you during your pregnancy. Tackles your mood swings www.indianabroad.news

Mood swings have always been the most common issue that women face during these nine months. It’s due to a variety of factors such as rapid hormonal changes or the physical discomforts of pregnancy. At one moment, you might be on top of the world, at another, you might find yourself rolled into one corner of your bed with tears in your eyes. These mood swings make you short-tempered and irritable. Saffron works wonders as it produces serotonin, which modulates your mood by amplifying the blood flow in your body. This helps you cope up with your emotional ups and downs, and lets you remain in high spirits. Lets you sleep well All the physical discomforts that you feel during this journey have adverse effects on your sleep. You probably waste a lot of time tossing and turning around all night, while all you had to was drink a warm glass of saffron milk. It soothes anxiety and uplifts your overall mood, therefore, helping you sleep well.

Relieves cramps Cramps occur more frequently because of the hormonal changes that a mother-to-be goes through during pregnancy. They can be mild and bearable or at times, severe and intolerable. These can easily be prevented. The exotic spice, saffron, acts as a painkiller to relieve the pain and soothes all the muscles in your body. Reduces high blood pressure Pregnancy affects blood pressure levels as the blood circulation usually increases during this time. When taken in small amounts, saffron significantly reduces your blood pressure. High blood pressure leads to hypertension, which is common during these months. Saffron rescues you from it. Boost heart function All those junk food cravings during pregnancy surely increase your calorie intake, which, in turn, increases your cholesterol levels and affects cardiovascular health. Saffron helps in reducing cholesterol levels. Thus, protect your and your baby’s heart health. The substances in saffron prevent the clogging of arteries and increase the oxygen levels in your body. Prevents allergies Allergies and infections are bound to happen when you are pregnant. Saffron potentially helps you in fighting all the seasonal allergies, difficulty in breathing, chest congestion, and more. This magic spice is sure to free you from all the unwanted diseases in your body. Saffron is packed with amazing benefits, especially for pregnant women. Consuming a small quantity of it is safe and very beneficial for your overall health. It has no side effects as long as it has been taken in the right quantities. It’s advisable to consult with your doctor.

ho doesn’t love dewy skin during monsoon with minimal fuss? The season of monsoon brings its own set of challenges that demand a different kind of skincare routine. The humidity present in the air during this time definitely adversely impacts the texture of our skin. Like we change our clothes seasonally, it is important to keep adapting our skin care routine to the changing season. For monsoons, it is essential to treat our skin with products that nourish without leaving behind a layer of grease, that moisturises and softens the skin. The rains cause dryness, itchiness, dull skin that leads to acne and other skin allergies. The need for germ protection also goes up in monsoons with the extra sweating due to

increased humidity. Therefore, the best ritual to include in your bathing routine is using ingredients like Neem Oil and Aloe Vera regularly. Let’s look at their benefits: Neem and Aloe Vera have active natural constituents with benefits like nourishment, soothing and protection of skin from pollutants and germs. These ingredients are enriched with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are suitable for all skin types as they deeply cleanse the skin, and maintain the balance in oil production. They are rich in vitamins A, C and E, which are antioxidants that neutralise the free radicals / waste released by our cells and boost overall skin health. A combination of the two can help with healing infinite skin issues that concern us during the monsoon season: Clears excess oil accumulation and breakouts - Neem and Aloe Vera helps in deep cleansing of skin. This further helps in removing excess oil that gets accumulated and causes severe acne, and redness on the skin. The magical combination with its antibacterial properties helps prevent surface build up or oil build up on the skin to improve overall texture. Regular use of both the ingredients together leaves the skin looking radiant and rejuvenated. A boost of natural hydration - When the weather is humid, greasiness can be the biggest bane. Aloe Vera has water dense properties. It performs a role of natural hydrator and prevents the skin from

dehydration without packing in the greasy element that you might find in normal creams and moisturisers. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, it helps in minimising clogged pores. If used daily, aloe vera provides moisturisation and freshens up the skin. Prevents skin infection – Neem is one of the best antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agents on planet earth. It prevents the skin from various skin infections especially if you getting wet in the rain, wading through water-logged streets or wearing sweaty clothes for an extended period of time. If used in a combination with aloe vera in an everyday product like a bodywash, one can stay protected from infections, while keeping skin healthy, smooth and supple. Acts as an exfoliating and anti-pollution agent - The humidity in the weather during this season leads to expansion of pores that increases blackhead and whitehead breakouts. Excessive sweating can also create germ load on our skin especially under our arms, at the back of knees which need deep cleansing. A Neem and Aloe Vera body wash can help rid your skin of these unwelcome guests. Their exfoliating properties help unclog pores, clean the skin from the inside out without drying or hurting the skin in any manner. This also goes a long way in neutralising the ill-effects of pollutants, they cleanse daily toxins and environmental aggressors from urban environments and restore your skin’s look and feel.

A new therapy to curb hairfall and increase thickness

ale and female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia, continues to remain a prominent area of concern, especially in the age groups of 25 and onwards. Clinicians and cosmetologists have been investigating modalities for a long time now. While nonsurgical hair regrowth treatments like over-the-counter topical minoxidil, prescription oral finasteride, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and light & laser therapy treatments help reduce hair fall when used in combination, there might be some adverse side effects. QR 678 - a proprietary, first in class hair fall and hair regrowth therapy, invented by Dr. Debraj Shome and Dr. Rinky Kapoor, celebrity cosmetic surgeons from India and co -founders of The Esthetic Clinic. They observed that male pattern baldness, known as Androgenic Alopecia characterised by progressive hair loss in men growing at a rampant rate of 58 percent in males aged 30-50 years which initiated their urge to research and find a solution to this cosmetic issue leading to the invention of QR 678®. “The therapy curbs hair fall and increases the thickness, the number and density of existing hair follicles, offering greater hair coverage to the ones with alopecia,” they say. The formulation has received patents in the United States and in India. For patients struggling from hair loss, mesotherapy is carried out using the QR 678 formulation, that are branded development elements, used by little practically pain-free administration into the scalp. Growth of hair calls for 5-8 sessions dispersed 2-3 weeks aside each. Typically 1 ml of solution is inserted per sitting, each sitting requires 15 mins, no medical center stay is needed, and every hypodermic shot costs Rs. 6000 per ml of hypodermic shot per sitting.

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

Dr. Shome says: “The hair-regrowth treatments available currently have many limitations; they cannot revive hair beyond a certain stage. QR678® is a process where growth factors are injected in the hair follicles, which not only arrests hair fall

but also stimulates hair growth. QR678® is a non-surgical, pain-free and non-invasive procedure for the hair regrowth treatment which has shown very good results in over 10,000 patients.”

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FASHION

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

The Sabyasachi x H&M collection is finally here Photo Courtesy: Instagram

By Tanya Banon (IANS) hat you seek is seeking you…” says designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee of his latest collaboration with H&M. The international fashion giant was looking for a partner to carry their voice in India and carry the Indian sensibility internationally, who better than the iconic label Sabyasachi to take the India narrative forward. “I’ve done many collaborations and each one is diverse, but what I try to do with every collaboration is further the India story, take it forward; if I cannot have an Indian narrative, I don’t want to do it… with H&M it was such a proud moment, it’s like a lifetime achievement award when it comes to recognition of one’s work. It’s only when your label has a strong voice that it can traverse the mind space of many countries,” says the designer. In what is a truly proud moment for Indian fashion, for the first-time ever fashion giant H&M collaborates with an Indian label to create a capsule collection for its customers across the globe. The Sabyasachi x H&M collaboration themed “Wanderlust” will present rich textiles in modern as well as classic Indian silhouettes that resonate with the modern global nomad mindset. “At H&M, we are thrilled to be able to announce the new date for our collaboration with iconic Indian designer Sabyasachi . At a time like this, we believe people value the use of homegrown crafts and textiles more than ever and that’s something no one can do better than Sabyasachi . We look forward to taking this stunning collection to as many people across the global as we can.” states Maria Gemzell, Head of New Development, H&M. Due to the complexities of the Covid-19 situation, the launch was put on hold, but the wait is finally over. The much awaited ‘ready-towear’ collection will hit the shelves this Thursday, 12th of August at selects retail stores across the globe and online. The range will bring relaxed sophistication to everyday life in an understated, yet glamorous style. The pret collection with H&M, gives the Sabyasachi label an opportunity to spread its aesthetic to a wider audience in India and worldwide. “I’m often asked why I can’t make my clothes more affordable, but an outreach like pret requires huge investments and logistics costs which I couldn’t delve into. Now I can proudly say I’ve made a special pret line which belongs to H&M and the world, it comes at a great time celebrating 20 years of my label,” says the Kolkata based designer. H&M has always collaborated with the biggest names across the globe, so it should come as no surprise then that Sabyasachi was their pick, as Gemzell adds, “H&M’s iconic collaborations cater to a global audience. We want to collaborate with partners who share are values and progress. Fashion is not only about clothes, but also about giving dreams and hopes to people, and so we choose talent and values which resonate this. It’s important to give something more to our customers all over the world and that’s why this collaboration was important to us.” “Collaborations create emotions and fashion is both global and local at the same time. India is a super

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important market for H&M and it’s a privilege to work with a talent and creative designer like Sabysachi,” asserts Gemzell. In soothing but rich fabrics, the collection is the perfect modern statement for glamorous lounge wear for fashion lovers who want a chic yet eclectic ensemble. A key highlight of this collection will be Indian textile and print traditions brought to life by the Sabyasachi Art Foundation, meticulously crafted and embroidery in multicultural silhouettes. Speaking about the collection the designer revealed, “What was important for us is embroidery and print. It was important to showcase these handmade creations designed and digitized into a commercial scale by H&M to create timeless, beautiful and affordable clothing. A lot of H&M’s manufacturing is done in India, they brought their best teams in, and we put our heads together to create a line I’m extremely proud of.” The Sabyasachi x H&M collection will offer a complete fashion wardrobe for both ladies and men, including accessories, jewellery, footwear, sunglasses all at accessible price points. Some highlight pieces include long flowy dresses, tunics, blouses, breezy shirts, wide pants and more. It will also offer a first of its kind collaboration saree which is exclusively designed for customers in India. “The collection is amazing, and it really shows the aesthetics of Sabyasachi-- its eclectic, fluid, decorated; it has all the elements all fashion lovers across the globe love. In our brand D&A we talk about dressing for your personality, to dress as the best version of yourself, not as anyone else… that is the power of fashion. We have a great process of production and talented people in development, it’s about choosing the right components and an efficient production line, it’s many ingredients which have to come together perfectly for a successful collaboration,” states Maria. The collection is topical in that it is gender fluid which is an conversation that fashion can no longer ignore. “When we talk about inclusion and diversity, these are very important values for H&M,” asserts Maria. Adds Sabyasachi, “It’s topical but at Sabyasachi we have maintained this fluidity since the brands inception. I was brought up in a house where we were taught to respect and treat men and women as equals, gender fluidity was normal it was not something which had to be specifically addressed. When it comes body positivity, gender fluidity, these are important conversations we present through our collections, where both men and women can borrow from each other’s sections, try different sizes, interact mix and match for a completely new wardrobe.” “We had a great sense of chemistry and when a brand and a fashion house understand each other magic happens,” reveals the designer. IANSlife spoke to Sabyasachi and Gemzell at the launch to get more details. Read excerpts from the interview: H&M is famous for its collaborations... how important was it for the brand to onboard an Indian designer for its India market and that too Sabyasachi who is undeniably India’s leading couturier? Maria Gemzell : H&M has been offering fashion fans a constant stream of designer collaborations since the start with Karl Lagerfeld back in 2004, with our partnerships becoming eagerly awaited events. We chose Sabyasachi for a designer collaboration because he is the undisputed master of Indian couture, with an amazing ability to dictate new silhouettes. We were drawn to how he speaks to the modern woman and man, as much as the craftsmanship and beauty of his designs, which you will be able to see throughout the collection. But what really makes this collaboration unique is the personal signatures included in the collection, such

as the unmissable Bengal Tiger— Sabyasachi’s signature logo as well as the signature textiles & prints from the Sabyasachi Art Foundation. While the collection is quintessentially Sabyasachi; from prints and embroideries to craftsmanship, he was extremely generous making the process of collaboration a wonderful experience. From being invited into his creative process where we created this collection together to breaking bread together! What a happy surprise to see his ability to remain so down to earth while working so hard and being so successful. We were also surprised at how fun the process was- he was excited about making prêt-á-porter and we were excited about working with him. With the pandemic, there’s a whole movement towards sustainable and conscious fashion, how does a fast fashion brand like H&M evolve and inculcate this sentiment?  Maria Gemzell: Sustainability has always been at the heart of all that we do - it is even in our business vision of offering everybody fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way. H&M group wants to lead the change towards a more conscious fashion future, and we have high set goals: By 2030 all materials used should be sustainable sourced or recycled, and our vision is to become fully circular by 2040. This collection is what fashion enthusiasts in India have been waiting for, but how important is this collaboration for you within the larger context of international branding and visibility? Sabyasachi Mukherjee: When I look at what this collection can do for me as an individual, I think it will help me grow a consumer base for a lot of important verticals that we plan to climb, which will be essentially global in nature, like accessories, perfumes, beauty. It helps me create a connection with the customer who is not known to me and who I am not known to. When I look at this from the

perspective of business and that of a country, I think what it does is that it firmly cements India as a market that the globe can no longer ignore. Maybe India is not a market as significant as China in terms of scale but it definitely is a very significant one that is emerging out of the East and if I am able to create a bridge between my world and the International audience by staying true to who I am, at the same time keeping my authenticity alive, this collection will probably pave the way for a lot of Indian designers who want to scale the world but on their own terms. The theme of the nomad is a recurring one in your design trajectory, do you feel it’s because you’re a gypsy at heart with a passion for the world that it reflects your ‘Wanderlust’ spirit?  Sabyasachi Mukherjee: A designer does the best body of work when he/ she is the closest to who they are and what they feel. I have always been a traveller, either physically or through my mind’s eye. I have a gypsy heart which is curious about global cultures, that picks up elements from different parts of the world and puts it together in terms of design and reflects in everything that I do - crockery, cutlery, clothing, jewellery or even homes. I am happy that I have been able to put this curious mind of mine to good use by creating a collection that attest helps you travel through your mind’s eye, considering you are confined to your homes and cannot travel physically at the moment. The collection will be available on 12th August 2021, 11:00am onwards at select H&M stores in India by appointment only as well as on HM.com and Myntra. To ensure a responsible shopping experience in stores, customers have to pre-register their preferred visit date and time to the nearest H&M store on HM.com. Shopping is only possible if the customer has made a prior appointment via HM App/www. hm.com in - stores.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Khurrana: I tell stories that are Kriti Sanon on pressures of Ayushmann essentially rooted in Indian microcosm having several films lined up A Photo Courtesy: Instagram

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riti Sanon is having a golden run in the Hindi film industry with several films lined up. The actress feels no pressure and instead is motivated and would not want it any other way. Kriti's latest release is 'Mimi'. She has her diaries full as her line-up includes 'Hum Do Humare Do', 'Bachchan Pandey', 'Bhediya' and 'Adipurush'. With so much riding on Kriti, does it get pressuring? Pat came the reply: "No, there is no pressure." "I feel excited, motivated and thrilled because this is what I wanted to do. This is where I wanted to be and when I have reached where I have these kinds of opportunities in front of me," added the actress, who appeared in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list of 2019. The 31-year-old is happy with the kind of work coming her way. "I am doing films which are not similar in any genre or flavour at all. I am getting to play so many different kinds of characters, getting to work with such amazing directors and stories that I would want to be a part of. I don't think there is anything more that you can ask as an actor and in a stage where you are getting your due and appreciation you crave for as an actor," she said. Kirti added: "All the love and validation is the only thing we get in return. Once that starts pouring you feel more satisfied, and motivated. I am thrilled and enjoying this beautiful phase and I am looking forward to each and every film I have done."

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone: Aahana Kumra Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ctor Aahana Kumra, who is quite excited about her upcoming film for which she has travelled to London, said that the new film is taking her out of her comfort zone. The actress said, "I am super duper excited about the movie and one of the reasons for the same is because it is a crime thriller. Since we flew to London recently, we are currently quarantining, and taking this time out to indulge in the necessary preparations. The protocols are also being worked out for the shoot,

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ensuring maximum safety. We are also chalking out the shoot schedule. I will also make sure to stay safe myself. "The movie will see me in an unseen avatar for which I will be stepping out of my comfort zone. In the end, that's what an actor looks for -- to be able to push the boundaries every day. I am glad this project is giving me a chance to do so. Apart from work, I am also looking forward to exploring the city and have a good time while shooting."

ctor Ayushmann Khurrana feels he has celebrated and represented India correctly through his films which have resonated with the world. "I try to tell stories that are essentially rooted in the Indian microcosm and are about real people and their real lives in our culturally diverse country," said the 36-year-old actor. He added: "I think that's why these stories have resonated with people not just in India but also with Indians who live abroad or with people who are interested to know more about our country." Ayushmann will continue delivering important messages through next projects such as "Chandigarh Kare

Aashiqui", "Doctor G" and "Anek". "It is an honour for anyone to represent their country well on the global

Gurnazar Chattha: Couldn't have asked for a better debut

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unjabi singer Gurnazar Chattha is making his Bollywood debut with a song 'Marjawan' from the upcoming Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Bell Bottom'. The singer, who has also written and composed the soulful track, says that he couldn't have asked for a better debut! Gurnazar is joined by Asees Kaur on the vocals while Actors Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor feature in the video. Talking about the song, the singer said, "I couldn't have asked for a better debut than this. 'Marjawan' is a song that I think is made for me. I can't put in words how much this means to me. This is for my fans and the people who have believed in me." "Being a playback singer for Akshay Kumar sir's song is truly magical. I am cherishing this moment. Thank you to the people who have been pouring out their love to this song," he added. Espionage thriller 'Bell Bottom' featuring Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor and Lara Dutta is slated to release on August 19.

Dulquer, Sunny Deol to join Pooja Bhatt in Balki's next

. Balki has announced his new film, a thriller starring Sunny Deol, Dulquer Salmaan, Pooja Bhatt and Shreya Dhanwanthary in lead roles. The writer-director is best known for directing ‘Cheeni Kum', ‘Paa' and ‘Pad Man'. He'll be trying his hand at the thriller genre for the first time. Talking about being back to shooting films, Balki said: "After months of waiting, it is exciting to start shooting anything. And to make a film in a genre that I haven't attempted before is even more exciting. I have had the idea for a long time but never quite got around to writing it, and while it's fundamentally a thriller, it banks so much on these four stunning performers. I just can't wait to get into the edit room." On getting Sunny Deol to join the ensemble, Balki couldn't hide his excitement: "I am ecstatic to be working with Sunny, an actor whose booming screen presence conveys so much. Am glad he is back and hoping this new adventure will add a new dimension to his glorious filmography." Balki is also excited about directing Salman Dulquer, rising star of Malayalam cinema and son of superstar Mammootty. He said: "Dulquer is possibly one of the most charming actors in Indian cinema today, and even though I cannot say much about his role at this point, I am really looking forward to his distinct and cool interpretation of it." Talking about Pooja Bhatt, he said, "Pooja is one of the most versatile actors in our industry and I must thank (writer-director) Alankrita (Shrivastava) for convincing her and getting another extraordinary performance from her in ‘Bombay Begums'. She is clarity personified and just born to be in front of that camera and on-screen." Balki was equally positive about Shreya Dhanwanthary. He said: "After watching her performance in both ‘Scam 1992' and ‘Family Man', I just knew I would eventually work with this talented girl. She is one of the most exciting and contemporary performers and I am looking forward to the on-screen chemistry between her and Dulquer." The upcoming film is expected to be released in early 2022.

stage and if I'm doing this through my content-oriented films then I'm humbled," he said.

Aamir Khan in Andhra for 'Laal Singh Chaddha' shooting

Photo Courtesy: IANS

ollywood star Aamir Khan has arrived in Andhra Pradesh town in East Godavari district for shooting of his upcoming movie 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. The actor along with other unit members will visit various locations on Friday and Saturday for the shoot. The shooting is scheduled at Amalapuram, about 60 km from Kakinada, on Friday while the unit will shoot some more scenes at Kakinada beach on Saturday. Khan checked into a hotel in Kakinada, where tight security arrangements were made. The private security personnel did not allow anyone to meet the actor in view of Covid-19 pandemic. 'Laal Singh Chaddha' stars Kareena Kapoor in the female lead. Telugu actor Naga Chaitanya is also playing the role of an army officer. This is

the first Bollywood film for Naga Chaitanya, son of leading Tollywood actor Nagarjuna. Being produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Viacom18 Studios and Paramount Pictures, 'Laal Singh Chaddha' has already completed most of the shooting in Srinagar, Ladakh, Kargil, Chandigarh and other locations. Directed by Adavit Chandan, the film is adaptation of the 1994 American film 'Forrest Gump' which was based on Winston Groom's 1986 novel of the same name. It was in 2018 that Aamir Khan bought the rights of the film and officially launched production in 2019. It was originally scheduled for a release on Christmas 2020 but the shooting was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic. It is now likely to hit the screens by the end of 2021.

Engineering Girls 2.0 releases on Aug 27

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he all-girls engineering college drama 'Engineering Girls' is set to release its five-episode new season - 'Engineering Girls 2.0' on August 27. Featuring Barkha Singh, Sejal Kumar and Kritika Avasthi - the new season, directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, revolves around Maggu, Sabu and Kiara and how they are beginning to get serious about life after college as it is their final year. The new season follows their daily misadventures and how they solve their way out of every situation to make their dreams come true, coming together, better, and stronger in the end. As the show is releasing on the OTT platform ZEE5, Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India said,

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"Engineering Girls is an established and iconic show and via our partnership with TVF, we aim to cater to the youth of the country who enjoy such fun, entertaining and relatable content. We are happy to bring Season 2 of this much-loved college drama and break the stereotype around engineering colleges and how it only revolves around boys." Adding to that, Arunabh Kumar, TVF Founder said, "This show is very special to us as there are a lot of Female Founders and Engineers who are doing some amazing work in STEM fields, but we have rarely seen their perspective and world in mainstream content and Engineering Girls aimed to change that with the 1st season itself."

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

Yami Gautam: Isn't easy to shift Bhojpuri actress trolled after from one character to another private video gets leaked

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ami Gautam has her diary full as she has several movies lined up such as 'A Thursday', 'Dasvi' and 'Lost'. The actress says it isn't easy to shift from one character to another and believes a character should not suffer because of tight schedules. The 32-year-old actress will play a crime reporter in Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury's 'Lost', a kindergarten teacher, who takes children as hostages in 'A Thursday' and an IPS officer in 'Dasvi.' She also has the spooky adventure comedy 'Bhoot Police' in the pipeline. Yami said: "I have always wanted to play versatile roles. I am glad that filmmakers have faith in me with their material and are offering diverse projects. It isn't easy to shift from one character to another. "I remember being on the sets of 'A Thursday' just a day after wrapping 'Dasvi', and immediately after that, I was in Kolkata for 'Lost'. I believe a character should not suffer because of the tight schedules." The newly-married actress says one should not take "pride in exhaustion". She added: "And for that, an actor should take a moment to breathe or just spend time with family in order to avoid burning out. One should not take pride in exhaustion. We need to start respecting that little space for a better performance."

opular Bhojpuri actress Trisha Kar Madhu is making headlines for all the wrong reasons after a private video of her was leaked online. Madhu was spending a private time with her so-called boyfriend. After the video got leaked, Madhu took to social media to warn the people who reportedly made the video go viral on social media. However, she did not clarify as to who shot the video, or how did it reach the social media platforms. Madhu also put out a Facebook post where she said: "God is watching everything. In a bid to defame me, some people made this video viral. I did not even imagine that some people of Bihar are having such low standards." After the video went viral, the actress was even trolled on social media, with many saying that she did this intentionally to get publicity. The 27-year-old actress is a native of West Bengal and made her screen debut with the Bhojpuri serial "Ham Hai Hindustani". She has also featured in many item songs with the leading actors of the Bhojpuri film industry.

Kirti Kulhari says she hasn't understood what makes a film a success or failure

Divya Agarwal: Ekta Kapoor K has been a true cheerleader

ivya Agarwal, currently seen in 'Bigg Boss OTT', will be portraying a mysterious character in the upcoming action-drama 'Cartel'. She reveals about being lauded by television czarina Ekta Kapoor. "Ekta Kapoor ma'am has been a true cheerleader for me. She has believed in me and has always encouraged me to push the envelope. When she shared the first 'Cartel' Instagram story about me, I was overwhelmed and had tears of joy. She was proud of my work," shares Divya. When asked about being a part of 'Cartel', she adds: "Honestly, this series will be a game-changer for me. I like to be recognised for the characters that I play in my life. I have taken a lot of time and effort along with such a humongous team who worked to bring this masterpiece to the audience. I would say that this will definitely position me as an actor in the industry as the makers of the show brought the best out of me." 'Cartel' is set in present-day Mumbai and the story revolves around five crime lords. The show features Supriya Pathak, Tanuj Virwani, Jitendra Joshi, Rithvik Dhanjani, Pranati Rai Prakash, Divya Agarwal, Girija Oak Godbole and others. 'Cartel' will be streaming from August 20 on ALTBalaji and MX Player Gold.

irti Kulhari agrees that if actors have not performed they are to take a part of the blame for a film's failure. However, the 'Pink' star added that she has not really understood what makes a movie successful or a failure. Talking about if she finds it fair if actors are blamed for a film's failure, Kirti told IANS: "Well, if the actors have not performed well yes, they are to take a part of the blame but honestly, I have been in Bollywood for a while and I really haven't understood what makes a film successful or a failure." The box-office is unpredictable, says the 36-year-old actress. "And really a film's failure and success at the box-office most of the time is really something you cannot predict and sometimes some not-sogood films become successful and sometimes very good films fail and you just don't know why. I am still in that state like I don't know why. Haven't figured it out and I think it will be very tough to figure it out," she added.

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Kirti is now gearing up for the release of her upcoming web-series

'Human', which also stars Shefali Shah.

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Richa Chadha was hungry to get back on set after lockdown icha Chadha says an actor's motivation to sign a project can be different depending on the state they are in. The actress says she wants to work as she was hungry to be back on sets after the Covid-19 lockdown. Talking about picking work in terms of quantity or quality, Richa told IANS: "Any actor's motivation to sign a project can be different depending on the state they are in their personal lives, headspace and careers." She added: "Sometimes you just want to work because after the lockdown I was just hungry to get back on set because it creates employment also and I was sick of sitting at home." For everyone, the motivation is different. "Sometimes it is money, sometimes it is the fact that the dates are free and sometimes if you are really lucky it is something that is close to your heart and something that you believe in," she added.

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Vol 1, Issue 13, Aug 16 -31, 2021

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