Indian Abroad - April 16-30, 2022 by IndianAbroad

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Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

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Australia and India sign agreement to double bilateral trade in 5 years We know what we are doing Jaishankar in US - Page 5

India’s HC visits Gold Coast - Page 8

Indian woman-led tech start-up secures $200 mn - Page 15

Courtesy: NewsX New Delhi, April 03: Australia and India on April 2 signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) that is likely to almost double bilateral trade between the two countries in the next five years bringing the value of the trade up from the current $27 billion to $45-50 billion. The Australia-India ECTA was signed in a virtual ceremony by Australian minister for trade, tourism and investment Dan Tehan and Indian Commerce and industry minister PiyushGoyal, in the presence of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister NarendraModi. It is being said that the agreement is likely to be implemented in another

four months. Highlighting the opportunities offered by ECTA, Morrison said the agreement would create enormous trade diversification avenues for Australian producers and service providers in India, which would be at nearly $14.8 billion each year. Australia, on the other hand, will provide duty-free access to 96.4% of Indian exports, which by value comes to 98% of tariff lines. Some of the key Indian sectors to benefit include textile, leather, jewellery and sports goods from the day this agreement is implemented. India expects that one million jobs will be created in the country in the next five years due to this agreement taking effect.

Continued on page 4

2+2 leaders discuss cooperation in areas of defence, geography

A timely agreement in a volatile global environment

IMF to downgrade forecast for over 140 economies

New Delhi, April 03: While the trade deal with Australia is certainly going to benefit India, there are pragmatic reasons in Australia and India expediting the deal. From Australia’s perspective increasing strategic and economic tensions with China, and declaration of election in May have necessitated that Australia give approval to a free trade agreement with India that had been on the cards for quite some time. Relations between Australia and China deteriorated sharply a year ago after Australia favoured a call for a global probe into China’s dealing of its initial Covid-19 outbreak. Since then those tensions began to brew and culminated into Chinese sanctions on Australian goods. That has ranged from levying tariffs to imposing other bans and restrictions impacting Australian goods, including barley, wine, beef, cotton and coal. Moreover Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also said recently that Australia is “not immune” from the economic fallout of Russia’s war on Ukraine, which he and many experts feel, will be “profound” in the longer run. The real cause for concern is “global oil prices have traded over $130, the highest since 2008. And this reflects expectations of supply interruptions for many months to come,” he said. Even so, Australia is likely to witness limited direct impact because its “merchandise trade with Russia and Ukraine is 0.2% of our total two-way

Washington, April 15 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief said the organisation will revise down its global growth forecast amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the impact of which will contribute to downgrades for 143 economies this year. "To put it simply: we are facing a crisis on top of a crisis," IMF Managing Director KristalinaGeorgieva said on Thursday in a curtain raiser speech ahead of the 2022 spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank scheduled next week. "In the past seven weeks, the world has experienced a second major crisis -- a war on top of a pandemic. This risks eroding much of the progress we have made over the past two years, climbing back from Covid," Georgieva added. In an update to its World Economic Outlook report released in January, the IMF already cut 2022 global growth forecast by 0.5 percentage point to 4.4 per cent amid Omicron surge, as economies grapple with supply disruptions, higher inflation, record debt and persistent uncertainty, Xinhua news agency reported. "Since then, the outlook has deteriorated substantially," largely because of the war and its repercussions," she said. She warned that emerging and developing economies face the added risk of economies.

trade with the rest of the world,” Morrison had said. However, according to the Prime Minister commodity price rises will be affected, and petrol prices in Australia have already shown an upward trend like they have elsewhere. “These are just the first order impacts of Russia’s actions. The longer term geostrategic and economic implications, though, are much more profound,” Morrison said. The Prime Minister said the trade deal would “open one of the biggest economic doors there is to open in the world today” and that India and Australia had a “like-minded partnership” on security and humanitarian issues in the Indo-Pacific regions.

Indian, Aussie navies to conduct ops to enhance interoperability

Virochana the wronged asura - Page 22

Nothing greater than magic of shared experience - Page 23

Almonds in a tastier way - Page 26

Politicians leverage my popularity Mahesh Babu - Page 28

New York, April 12 (IANS):The diplomatic and defence leaders of India and the US have discussed expanding their cooperation into new defence areas like space and cyberspace to enable their militaries to jointly meet the challenges of this century, according to a readout of their 2+2 meeting that stressed "common strategic interests". External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin "committed to deepening cooperation in new defence domains, such as space and cyberspace, as the US and Indian militaries jointly meet the challenges of this century", the readout issued by the Pentagon after Monday's meeting said. "They also agreed to launch an inaugural Defence Artificial Intelligence

Dialogue, while expanding joint cyber training and exercises," said the readout that was heavy on defence and strategic cooperation. Extending multi-national cooperation beyond the Indo-Pacific to Europe was also on the table. They "discussed ways to coordinate more closely with like-minded nations -- including Australia, Japan, and European partners -- to ensure that our shared principles of the rule of law, freedom of the seas, and respect for the territorial integrity of sovereign states prevail today and far into the future", the readout said. "Today's 2+2 Ministerial reaffirmed that the United States and India will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, rooted in common democratic values, as two pillars of a free and open Indo-Pacific", it added. "In support of India's leading role as a net security provider, the leaders Continued on page 4

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) The Indian and Australian navies carried out maritime operations, information exchange, and training together from April 11 to April 13 to enhance collaboration and interoperability. A meeting in this regard was co-chaired by Royal Australian Navy's Deputy Chief Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, and Indian Navy's Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence, Rear Admiral J. Singh. Commodore Stewart Dunne, Hydrographer to Australian government, also attended the meeting. The event witnessed active participation from both navies. "Both sides also acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two navies amid the emerging challenges on the maritime front, and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability towards ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region," said the Indian Navy in a statement. On Tuesday, a P8I Maritime Patrol

and Reconnaissance Aircraft of the Indian Navy went to Darwin in Australia to undertake an operational turnaround at Darwin. During its stay, the team from the Indian Navy's maritime patrol squadron, Albatross, is scheduled to engage with its counterparts from the 92 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force. P8 aircraft from both the countries would be conducting coordinated operations in Anti-Submarine Warfare and surface surveillance to enhance maritime domain awareness. The P8 aircraft, with their demonstrated long reach, have operated jointly during Malabar and AUSINDEX series of exercises, and have a common understanding of operating procedures and information sharing. Both India and Australia share strategic interests, promoting a free and open Indo- Pacific and rules based order in the region.

US joins 90-odd nation coalition to protect 30% earth New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) At the Our Ocean Conference in Palau, the US officially announced to join the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People, a group of more than 90 countries, encouraging the adoption of the global goal to protect and conserve at least 30 per cent of the planet -- land and sea -- by 2030, commonly referred to as “30x30.” Scientists have issued repeated warnings that nature is in a state of crisis, threatened by habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, invasive species, and climate change. The ongoing and rapid loss of natural areas across the world poses a grave threat to the health and security of all living things. However, overwhelming scientific evidence shows that conserving at least 30 per cent of the global land and ocean can not only help curb biodiversity loss and prevent extinctions but also store carbon, help prevent future pandemics, and bolster economic growth. The announcement from US Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina was made on Thursday that the US will join the HAC. The US is considered a “megadiverse” country with the second largest territorial waters and the fourth largest landmass in the world. The Biden administration has already pledged to conserve 30 per cent of the US land and sea; it is now pushing for the goal.

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Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

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LEAD STORIES

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

War in Ukraine

Ukrainian officials probe use of chemical weapons by Russian forces in Mariupol

Kiev, April 12 (IANS) Ukrainian military officials are currently confirming information regarding the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces in Mariupol. Hanna Maliar, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence, said on the national joint news broadcast, "We are currently confirming this information, trying to understand what it was. According to preliminary

information, we can say that it is possible -- that it was, rather, phosphorous munitions. Official information will be finalised later." Maliar stressed that the risk of Russia deploying chemical weapons remains, and is quite high, Ukrayinska Pravda reported. On the evening of April 11, it was reported that Russian soldiers dropped a poisonous substance of

unknown origin on Mariupol. According to AndriiBiletsky, leader of the Azov regiment, the army of the Russian Federation deployed chemical weapons on the Azovstal plant, which is held by Azov fighters, the report said. The victims of the poisonous substance of unknown origin spread by Russian forces in Mariupol are in a relatively satisfactory condition, Azov Regiment has claimed. Civilian contact with the substance was minimal, as the epicentre was at a certain distance from civilian areas. Servicemen were somewhat closer. In a video released by the Azov Regiment, the victims describe seeing something resembling smoke or fog. The main symptoms of the victims are facial flushing, high blood pressure, dryness and a burning sensation in the nasopharynx and mucous membranes of the eyes, tachycardia, tinnitus, shortness of breath, and dizziness, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.

EU must act faster in sending weapons to Ukraine: Zelensky

Kiev, April 12 (IANS) The Office of the Ukrainian President has said the European Union member states have become faster in providing weapons to Ukraine but they must act faster still in order to secure victory over Russia. AndriyYermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on Telegram: "We will have more weapons." According to JosepBorrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, all 27 EU member states supported the supply of weapons to Ukraine, Ukrainian newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda has reported. "The EU is speeding up, but we need to work even faster. We will win together," Yermak said.

Peace talks with Ukraine have reached a dead-end, says Putin

London, April 12 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 12 said that peace talks have reached a "dead-end situation" after Ukraine made allegations about war crimes, media reports said. In a rare public appearance alongside his Belarus counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, Putin dismissed the discovery of dead bodies lying in the streets in the Ukrainian town of Bucha as "fake", the BBC reported. He insisted that Russian military's goals in Ukraine are "noble".

The Russian President said talks with Ukraine had derailed because the Ukrainian side had made "fake claims" about war crimes and extra demands for security guarantees. "We have again returned to a deadend situation for us," he said. He added that Russia would continue its operation to defend the Russian speakers of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Lukashenko said allegations of atrocities in northern Ukraine were "a psychological operation carried out by the English" in Ukraine, BBC reported. Ukraine and Russia are building up their military forces in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas as Moscow switches the focus of its offensive, BBC reported. The US and Britain say they are looking into reports that chemical weapons have been used by Russian forces attacking Mariupol.

Zelensky seeks to address AU on Russia’s invasion

Over 4.5mn people flee Ukraine since starting of war: UNHCR Kiev, April 11 (IANS) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said that more than 4.5 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its ongoing war on February 24. As of Sunday, the UNHCR said there were 4,503,954 Ukrainian refugees, 62,291 more than the previous day, the BBC reported. According to the UN agency, this is the first time for Europe to witness such a large number of refugees since the Second World War. The UNHCR said that 90 per cent of those who have fled are women and children, as most men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine as they must stay and join the country's forces.

Support pouring in for Ukraine refugees’ children

Poland currently hosts the largest number of refugees from Ukraine, with 2,593,902 people crossing into the country since the beginning of the invasion, it added. Ninety-four per cent of the registered refugees in Poland are women and children. According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), around 210,000 non-Ukrainians have also fled the country. Figures published by the IOM on April 5 had revealed that an additional 7.1 million people, or more than a quarter of the overall population, have been displaced within the country.

Ukraine foils Russia-backed cyber attack on power grid

Kiev, April 12 (IANS) Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelensky has reached out to the African Union (AU) for support against Russia's aggression and requested to address the continental organisation. Zelensky called Senegalese President MackySall on Monday and their conversation touched on an AU statement in February that called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. African nations have showed

disunity in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, BBC news reported. Senegal was among 17 African countries that abstained from a vote at the UN on a resolution demanding that Russia ends its military operations in Ukraine. In the telephone conversation, Zelensky informed Sall of Ukraine's "struggle against invasion and heinous crimes of the Russian aggressor", according to a tweet.

191 children killed in Ukraine since Russian invasion New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Expanding on the $5 million Ukraine First Emergency Response grant announced in March, 'Education Cannot Wait' (ECW) on Thursday announced a new, initial $1.5 million allocation to support the education in emergencies response for the Ukraine refugee crisis in Moldova while on mission with strategic partners. This new allocation brings ECW's total Ukraine crisis education response to $6.5 million to date. The new grant will be delivered in partnership with the government of Moldova to ensure refugee children and youth can access safe and protective learning opportunities. Investments will also benefit children in the host communities. The development of the grant will be facilitated through the coordination mechanism established for the education response. During the high-level mission, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an additional $18 million contribution to the ECW global trust fund to further support ECW education responses in crisis-impacted countries across the globe. This contribution makes the US the third largest donor to ECW -- the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises -- after Germany and the UK. With an estimated $30 million

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funding gap for the emergency education response in Ukraine, ECW calls on donors and strategic partners to urgently provide additional funding to respond to the vast humanitarian crisis unfolding across the region. According to recent reports, approximately 400,000 people have crossed the border into Moldova fleeing the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine since February. While the majority continued their journey towards other neighboring countries and Western Europe, Moldova hosts today an estimated 100,000 refugees. These include about 50,000 refugee girls and boys, of whom only 1,800 are currently enrolled in school. "Refugee children from Ukraine have fled a brutal war and have arrived dispossessed and traumatized in Moldova. They are very vulnerable and need immediate support. Public schools are open to refugee children, however the capacity is over-stretched and there is a need for urgent mental health and psycho-social services, sanitation, and teachers to respond to the influx of pre-school and school-aged refugee children," said Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait. The war is putting children and adolescents living in Ukraine at grave risk. Recent estimates indicate that almost five million refugees have fled Ukraine, with an additional 7.1 million people internally displaced.

Kiev, April 14 (IANS) Ukraine has foiled a massive cyber attack on its power grid that was the handiwork of Russia-backed hackers. Ukrainian officials said they stopped an attack on an energy facility with the help of researchers from cybersecurity firm ESET and Microsoft, reports The Record. "They discovered a new variant of Industroyer, an infamous piece of malware that was used by the Sandworm APT group in 2016 to cut power in Ukraine," the report said. According to the Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (or CERT-UA), the hackers used 'Industroyer' to target "several infrastructural elements" including high-voltage electrical substations, computers at the facility, network equipment and server equipment running Linux operating systems. "The group planned to shut down computers that controlled substations and infrastructure belonging to a particular power company," the government agency added.

This attempted attack involved a wide variety of malware. "Ukraine is once again at the centre of cyberattacks targeting their critical infrastructure. This new Industroyer campaign follows multiple waves of wipers that have been targeting various sectors in Ukraine," ESET said in a statement. Ukraine last month neutralised a massive cyber-attack on core IT infrastructure that impacted the entire nation. According to global Internet access tracker NetBlocks, the nation's online connectivity collapsed to 13 per cent, leading to the most severe Internet disruption registered in Ukraine since the invasion by Russia. The Ukrainian Internet Service Provider Ukrtelecom was the target of a "massive cyberattack". Ukraine has been the victim of Russia-sponsored cyber attacks since the February 24 invasion.

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Kiev, April 13 (IANS) At least 191 children have been killed and over 350 have been injured so far in the war-torn Ukraine due to Russian invasion. Moreover, juvenile prosecutors of the country emphasised that this data is not final, as work is still going on in places of 'active hostilities', in the temporarily occupied territories, Ukrayinska Pravda reported. Most affected children have been found in regions like: Donetsk - 113, Kiev - 102, Kharkiv - 79, Chernihiv - 54, Mykolaiv - 40, Kherson - 38, Luhansk - 36, Zaporizhzhia - 23, Sumy - 16, Zhytomyr - 15, the report said. Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General issued a statement saying: "During the recording of criminal offences committed by Russian

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occupiers in Borodianka and Korolivka in the Kiev region, the charred bodies of a 16-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were found. "On 11 April, the Russian armed forces fired on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv. A one-and-a-half-monthold child and a 12-year-old teenager died. Four other children aged one, four, five and nine were injured. "On the same day, a 15-year-old girl was also seriously injured inside a residential building in the Kherson region. "Indiscriminate bombings and shelling of Ukrainian towns and villages by the Russian armed forces have damaged 957 educational institutions, 88 of which have been completely destroyed."

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Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

J&K Delimitation Commission likely to submit report by April end

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission is likely to submit its report to the government by the end of April, sources have said. As per the sources, once the commission submits its report, the Centre may take a call on holding the Assembly elections in J&K.

The sources also said that the Centre will review all aspects including the security facets. The draft roll will be published, following which a 'door to door' verification of the electoral roll will be done. Centre will discuss the same during an all party meeting, the government sources elaborated.

Australia and India sign historic agreement to double bilateral trade in 5 years

Expressing his country’s commitment Tehan, “Our government’s goal is to lift India into top three export markets by 2035 and to make India the third largest destination in Asia for outward Australian investment.” The agreement also paves the way for concessions in services also as both Australia and India are willing to provide for the recognition of professional qualifications, licensing and registration procedures between professional bodies. Australia has also agreed to give young Indians the opportunity to avail working holidays in the country. Emphasizing on the benefits to India, Indian commerce and industry minister Goyal said that in the services sector benefits for his country will include post-study work visas of two-four years for Indian students on a reciprocal basis; and work and holiday visa arrangements for young professionals. Goyal further said that post-study visas would provide extended options for working in Australia to eligible Indian graduates, postgraduates and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) specialists.

He added that there would be aggressive engagement on Mutual Recognition Agreements in the next 12 months. Cooperation in agricultural trade likely in future Though India continues to be sensitive to agriculture and dairy items which have so far been kept out of the agreement, a provision has been made that both countries will cooperate to promote agricultural trade as part of the agreement by signing an enhanced agricultural Memorandum of Understanding. Australia has also agreed for amending its domestic tax law to stop the taxation of offshore income of Indian firms providing technical services in Australia. A statement issued by the Australian Trade Ministry said that duties up to 30% on avocados, onions, shelled pistachios, cashews in-shell, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries would be eliminated over seven years. A greater cooperation is expected in areas of sustainability, supply chain and cooperation in the digital space, according to the Indian commerce and industry minister.

1,000 families receive relief aid in Afghanistan

Kunduz, April 14 (IANS) About 1,000 destitute and drought-affected families in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz received relief assistance on Thursday, a provincial official said. "The Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) distributed 50 kg flour, 10 litres of cooking oil, and 25 kg of rice together with packages of tea, sugar, salt and biscuits to each of the 1,000 surveyed families in Qala-i-Zal district on Thursday," Mohammad RizaNasiri, head of the province's

ARCS department, told Xinhua news agency. More relief assistance would be provided to needy families in Kunduz, 250 km north of Afghanistan's Kabul, in the coming days and weeks, according to the official. Following the US pullout from Afghanistan last August, Washington has imposed sanctions on the Taliban-run administration and frozen more than $9 billion assets of Afghanistan's central bank, which battered the economy in the country.

The commission has proposed six new assembly constituencies in the Jammu region which would be carved out from Udhampur, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Samba and Kishtwar districts, the sources said. This will increase the number of Assembly seats from 37 to 43 in the Jammu region. Similarly, one new seat has been proposed in Kashmir valley, to be carved out from the existing Kupwara district, thus making the assembly seats to 47 from 46 in the Kashmir region. The commission is headed by the former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai, and comprises Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and State Election Commissioner K.K. Sharma. The commission was established on March 6, 2020, with a one-year term to redraw the parliamentary and assembly constituencies of the J&K, six months after the reorganisation of the Union Territory. The Commission was given one year extension in 2021 and again of two months by the Centre on March 6, 2022.

New York, April 11 “In support of India’s leading role as a net security provider, the leaders discussed new opportunities to coordinate more closely together to ensure that the United States and India’s shared vision for a free and open IndoPacific region continues to thrive,” the readout said. “As the Indian military emerges as a more jointly integrated force, the 2+2 Ministerial advanced initiatives that will allow the US and Indian militaries to work more seamlessly together across all domains of potential conflict, from the seas to

cyberspace,” the readout said. “The United States and India finalised major bilateral initiatives on information-sharing, liaison exchanges, and joint service engagements to support high-end, combined operations”, it said. Agreeing to “continue charting an ambitious course in the US-India partnership,” they “forged new and deeper cooperation across the breadth of the US-India partnership, including defence, science and technology, trade, climate, public health, and people-to-people ties,” the readout added.

Kathmandu, April 12 (IANS) Nepal has restricted imports of non-essential goods, including cars, cosmetics and gold, after its foreign currency reserves dropped, BBC reported. It comes as a fall in tourism spending and money sent home by Nepalis working abroad helped drive up the government debt. Meanwhile, the governor of the country's central bank was removed from his role last week. Nepal's finance minister said he was "surprised" the issue was being compared with the crisis in Sri Lanka, BBC reported. According to the country's central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank, foreign currency reserves fell by more than 16 per cent to 1.17tn Nepali rupees ($9.59bn) in the seven months to the middle of February. Over the same period, the amount of money sent to Nepal by people working abroad fell by almost 5 per cent. Last week, the Nepal government removed central bank governor Maha Prasad Adhikari from his role, without giving a reason for the decision. The government debt in Nepal has risen to more than 43 per cent of its gross domestic product, as officials increased spending to help cushion the economic impact of pandemic, Nepal's finance ministry said on Monday, BBC reported. The ministry also said the indicators of the country's economic health were "normal". "However, due to some pressures in the external sector, some steps have already been taken to manage imports and increase foreign exchange reserves," it said. Earlier in the day, Nepal Finance Minister Janardan Sharma said the country's debt was lower than other countries in the region and elsewhere. Sharma told reporters: "I am surprised why people are comparing with Sri Lanka," BBC reported. Sri Lanka is facing its most serious economic crisis since Independence from the UK in 1948.

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On the contentious issue of Ukraine, where India and the US have diverged in some of their approaches, the leaders appeared to have found unanimity on humanitarian assistance and brutality in Bucha. The readout said, “They agreed to maintain close consultations on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, including on humanitarian assistance efforts, and echoed support for an independent investigation into the brutal violence deployed against civilians in Bucha.”

With South Asia in turmoil, India needs to play its cards carefully

Nepal curbs imports of cars, cosmetics as it gets compared with Sri Lanka

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2+2 leaders discuss expanding cooperation to new areas of defence, geography

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS): South Asia is in turmoil. In August 2021, Afghanistan went the Taliban way - now the country faces a humanitarian crisis with development indicators touching rock bottom and nearly five million people seeking shelter in Iran. The rest of the world worries that the country does not again turn into a nursery for global jihadis. Next door, Pakistan’s evergreen tussle between the political dispensation and its military continues even as the latter faces fatal attacks from Baloch nationalists, Taliban militants and Pashtun groups. This is not to mention Islamabad’s soaring debt and attacks on Chinese nationals resulting in the grounding of the famed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Sri Lanka leads with bad news since last year over its debt burden, rising inflation, fuel crisis and food shortage. People are camping on the streets, asking strongarm President Gorabaya Rajapaksa and his family members to quit. The country has accumulated foreign loans worth $51 billion on which it officially defaulted on Tuesday. Reports over the past week suggest that Nepal is headed the Sri Lanka way as the government removed

Central Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari. It also curbed imports of cars, cosmetics and gold after the government noticed foreign currency reserves going downhill. The previous Communist government by KP Sharma Oli left no stone unturned to drive governance downhill. On India’s eastern border, Myanmar has been in a state of military rule since February 2021 soon after it held successful elections, derailing a fledgling democracy. Now the country is rife with internal conflict. Experts say India cannot remain immune to this political, economic and social instability in its closely-knit neighbourhood where people enjoy close cross-border ties. Dhananjay Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, South Asian University, tells India Narrative that India will have to act proactively. “It will have to provide humanitarian aid to countries that are facing a food crisis, which we are already doing in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka”. He adds that any other support that India provides to its neighbours will have to be subtle and without political motives. Tripathi advises caution: “We can look at stabilising the situation in the neighbourhood

but will have to tread cautiously as neighbouring communities are sensitive. They should not feel that we are interfering in their internal dynamics”. A watchful India will have to ensure that external influences do not get a foothold in the neighbourhood. Interventions by China to prop up governments or provide help will not just be detrimental to the countries seeking help but will also undermine India. Prolonged instability in the region can also be fertile ground for international terror groups. The 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka is one such example where the ISIS militants killed 269 innocent people and harmed the country’s tourism sector. Last year, former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed was sought to be assassinated through a bomb attack in capital Male. The Indian Ocean archipelago country, located south-west of India has been battling strong Islamist influences. Besides unfriendly foreign influences, India will also have to protest its investments in these countries. Any anti-India feeling could lead to mob attacks on Indian projects in these countries. Besides investments, India is executing High Impact Community Development Projects related to education, health, tourism and others in friendly nations as part of its development assistance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invested considerably in the Neighbourhood First policy by visiting neighbours like Maldives and Bangladesh in his second term. Any turmoil around Indian borders will upstage Neighbourhood First and create known and unknown complications for India. As Tripathi says: “India has the economic capacity to give aid to neighbouring countries. We have the political will as well”.

Ailing Sri Lanka’s health to be saved by India’s credit line

Colombo, April 14 (IANS) Suffered by economic crisis with inflation and dried foreign reserves, Sri Lanka's ailing healthcare with major shortage of some of the most essential and life-savings drugs, India has once again come to the rescue of the island nation. The Sri Lankan government has admitted that orders on medicines and equipment could not be placed as it failed to open Letter of Credit (LoC) due to the financial crisis. "As a solution to the current crisis, firstly LoCs to obtain medicines and medicinal equipment, could be opened using India's credit line," Director General of the Department of Government Information, Mohan Samaranayake, said.

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India, Sri Lanka's closest neighbour had offered $1 billion credit line to purchase fuel, food and medicines. Since January India has provided nearly $2.5 billion financial assistance. Sri Lanka has also received $10 million from the World Bank to purchase medicines, Samaranayake added. "In addition discussions are continuing to get aids or medicines from the World Health Organisation and Asian Development Bank. As a further measure, Sri Lankan heath authorities and the health trade unions have urged Sri Lankans living expatriates," the DG Information said. Economic and political crisis

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leading to health disaster, Sri Lanka is facing an acute shortage of some of the life-saving drugs, specially used for cardiac, cancer and kidney patients. A few days ago neonatologists appealed for the urgent medical supplies to save newborn infants in the emergency care. The World Bank, which has given $10 million for urgent medical supplies, on Wednesday announced Sri Lanka's economic outlook is highly uncertain due to the fiscal and external imbalances. "Urgent policy measures are needed to address the high levels of debt and debt service, reduce the fiscal deficit, restore external stability, and mitigate the adverse impacts on the poor and vulnerable, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional update," World Bank said. "The World Bank is deeply concerned about the uncertain economic outlook in Sri Lanka and the impact on people," said FarisHadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. "We are working on providing emergency support for poor and vulnerable households to help them weather the economic crisis and we remain committed to the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka, and to a narrative of sustainable and inclusive growth that will require concerted and collective action," he added.

No progress in denuclearisation, inter-Korean tie

Seoul, April 14 (IANS) South Korea's Unification Minister-designate Kwon Young-se said Thursday it would be "difficult" to normalise inter-Korean ties as long as nuclear-armed North Korea continues to advance its nuclear development. Kwon, a four-term People Power Party lawmaker, made the remarks as he appeared at his office for the first time in central Seoul after being nominated to lead the ministry

handling Seoul-Pyongyang affairs, Yonhap news agency reported. "Amid a situation that North Korea has nuclear weapons and is continuing to make advancements in its nuclear development, I think the normalisation of inter-Korean relations is difficult," he told reporters. "One of the big obstacles (to inter-Korean relations) is the nuclear

issue," he said. Kwon took issue with the latest statement by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North's leader, which carried a thinly-veiled threat to mobilise its "nuclear combat force" against the South. She was angrily responding to South Korean Defense Minister SuhWook's remarks that the South's military has "preemptive strike" capabilities that can be used if needed to destroy the origin of an imminent North Korean missile attack. The nominee made clear that the South can't incessantly dangle "carrots" for the North while it refuses dialogue. He added the incoming government will explore how to create momentum for dialogue although that is not an easy task under the current circumstances. "For sure, (we) will make a request for dialogue," he said in response to a question about whether the Yoon Suk-yeol administration to be launched in May has an intention of proposing talks with the North. The North has recently ratcheted up tensions in the region, resuming the test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile last month that ended its years long moratorium on such tests.

Jallianwala Bagh memorial vigil in Canada Vancouver, April 14 (IANS) South Asians came together to pay tributes to those who laid down their lives during a peaceful protest against the British occupation of India in 1919, at the annual commemorative event held in Surrey in Canada. Organised by Mehak Punjab Di TV in partnership with Radical Desi, an online magazine that covers alternative politics, on Wednesday the vigil is aimed at educating people about the massacre of the supporters of passive resistance movement against colonialism. Close to 1,000 people had died when the British troops opened fire on the demonstrators, who had gathered to oppose repressive laws at JallianwalaBagh in Amritsar 103 years ago. The ugly episode was recognised on its centenary by the BC government in 2019 following sustained campaign by the organisers of the vigil which has been attended in the past by the current Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann. Nevertheless, the participants condemned Mann and other Indian politicians for not only failing to protect human rights of the people in post-British India, but

also denounced those indulging in blatant abuse of the civil rights. The event here was started with a moment of silence in memory of Ajit Singh Bains, a retired judge-turned human rights defender who passed away this year leaving behind a rich legacy of struggle for social justice. The fliers drafted by a Gandhian activist Vipin Kumar Tripathi, a strong advocate for secularism and diversity, were distributed on the occasion.

Among those who spoke on the occasion included prominent Punjabi poet AmritDiwana, an elderly Sikh activist Kesar Singh Baghi, well-known broadcaster GurvinderDhaliwal, anti-racism activists ImtiazPopat and Annie Ohana, besides retired trade unionist Larry Johnston. Kamaljit Singh Thind and Gurpreet Singh from Mehak Punjab Di TV and Radical Desi, respectively, also spoke.

PLI scheme boosts production of over 35 products in India: Mandaviya

New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Through Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the Union government has tried to reduce import by encouraging domestic manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. PLI scheme has led to initiate production of more than 35 products in India, said Union Health Minister MansukhMandaviya on Thursday. Mandaviya said the pharmaceutical industry has a vital role to play in www.indianabroad.news

realising the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. While addressing 'Indian Pharma -- Global Health Care' event to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association in Mumbai on Thursday, the Union Minister underlined how government initiatives such as PLI scheme have been benefiting the health sector. Mandaviya said the government

has been acting proactively in order to extend necessary support to the sector. "Government is helping industry by amending Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and promoting Ease of Doing Business. We are involving the industry in decision-making processes. Also, through a series of webinars, government has tried to reach out and consult industry and other stakeholders on the implementation of Union Budget provisions," the Union Minister added in his address. Recalling the contribution of the pharma sector, he said the Indian pharma industry has earned India the honour of being referred to as the 'pharmacy of the world'. "Government does not view health sector as a profit-making industry. When we export medicines, we do it with an attitude of 'VasudhaivaKutumbakam'. During the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied medicines to 125 countries," Mandaviya added.

We know what we are doing: Jaishankar’s parting message in US

Washington, April 14 (IANS) Indian's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a clear message to both US officials and non-officials during his visit this week: India follows global developments closely, it is fully aware of its national security interests, and, lastly, it knows how to protect and pursue them. In short: please stop thinking for us, stop telling us what is in our best interest, what isn't, and what is it that we should do. Countless US officials, lawmakers, policy experts and media personalities had taken upon themselves in recent weeks to tell India what is in its best interest regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, why it should condemn Moscow and drastically reduce its reliance on Russian military hardware or its support, specially in any future conflict with China. "Thank you for the advice and suggestions in your question. I prefer to do it my way and articulate it my way," Jaishankar said at a joint press availability with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday. A reporter had asked him if condemning Russia for invading Ukraine would "best reflect India's foreign policy goals and international standing". If Jaishankar seemed snappy, he probably meant it. "This seems to be my day to get a lot of advice and suggestions from the press, so thank you for joining that," the minister said to another reporter at the availability. "But look, we watch what's happening in the world, like any country does, and we draw our conclusions and make our assessments. And believe me, we have a decent sense of what is in our interest and know how to protect it and advance it. So I think part of what has changed is we have more options than we did before." This reporter had asked if India was concerned over the growing diplomatic, military and economic ties between China and Russia. And in light of that concern, is India going to reduce its reliance on Russia economically and militarily? Though directed at reporters, Jaishankar's remarks could not have

been lost on the two US officials on the stage with him, Blinken and Austin. Multiple American officials � including Under-Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh � had pressed India in recent weeks to forcefully condemn Russian invasion suggesting that Moscow cannot be a reliable partner any longer because of its growing ties with Beijing; they underscored the vow of "no-limits" in the relationship professed recently by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Singh kicked up a furore during a visit to India in March when he tried to hard-sell this line with a threat of "consequences". Nuland sought to clean up the mess left behind by Singh telling NPR last week: "In our conversations with India, whether it was my conversations to Daleep Singh's or Secretary Blinken, it is not a matter of warning. It's simply a matter of reminding India that Russia will try to abuse their longstanding defence relationship to get advantages here, and that it is not a good bet to help Russia out during this brutal conflict." Jaishankar did not name any of the US officials or mention their remarks, but probably meant them as well for trying to "remind" India of its security concerns as if India was unable to see them for itself. So the minister continued in the same vein Wednesday when he said this in an interaction with Indian media reporters: "We follow everything and international relations which are of interest to us, which affects us. And obviously, you know, where there are developments or interactions. You mentioned Russia and China, we also follow America and China. So, and rightly so, because that then gives us a view of, you know, what is happening in the world and how our interests are impacted in some way, from that. So, we do monitor and do assess and do on where, where it is warranted, respond to what happens in international relations, especially between major, major states." The career diplomat-turned-politician left Washington DC and all who live and work here and fret about India with a clear and unequivocal message: We know what is best for us and we know what we are doing.

Int’l community voices concerns over Japan’s ‘planned’ release of radioactive wastewater Tokyo, April 14 (IANS) Japan continued to push forward with its plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea despite a host of local and international opposition. "The contaminated water released into the ocean will spread across the entire Pacific Ocean in 10 years and affect almost all of our sea," said South Korean Representative Seo Sam-seok at a forum on Monday to seek ways of cooperating with neighbouring countries to tackle Japan's plan to dump the nuclear wastewater next spring, Xinhua news agency reported. "Marine pollution will be inevitable, so the government and political circles should proactively act for the safety of the people," he added. Civic activists in South Korea also voiced their concerns through protests. The Pohang Citizens Behavior, composed of six civic groups and residents, held a protest rally against Japan's plan last week.

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The port city is forecast to be one of the hardest-hit fishing areas by the polluted water. The current Moon Jae-in government has banned imports of marine products caught in Japanese waters near Fukushima prefecture. The Japanese government's decision would cause danger to the safety of the maritime environment of the neighboring countries, said Anna Malindog-Uy, researcher of Philippine-BRICS Strategic Studies, noting the decision was made "unilaterally without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries." "If something goes wrong with the sad plan, developing countries like the Philippines, like my country, we're surely be adversely affected and left on their own to suffer the negative consequences," she added. "Japan is exposing the world to multiple and far-reaching consequences with the nuclear discharge," he added.

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There will never be another martial law in Pakistan: DG ISPR Rawalpindi, April 14 (IANS) There will never be another martial law in Pakistan, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Major General Babar Iftikhar said on Thursday, media reports said. Asked about the events on the night of April 9 and rumours of an impending martial law, Gen Babar said there was no such thing happening at the time, the Express Tribune reported. "Do you have any evidence of it? Are courts under the Army? Our courts are free and if something happened at the courts, it was their own action. "It is the duty of everyone to strengthen democracy and the strength of our democracy are our national institutions. Whether it's the parliament, the Supreme Court or the armed forces, Pakistan will progress with democracy," he said. About the role of the armed forces in the country's politics, Babar said the army has "nothing to do with politics" and said the institution has decided to remain apolitical in the future as well. "A better word than neutral is apolitical for describing our role," said the army spokesperson. Referring to former Premier Imran Khan's visit to Russia, Gen Babar said the army was onboard with the decision to go to Moscow and said there was "institutional input" that he should go. "It was not in anyone's wildest dreams that they (Russia) would start the war when the Prime Minister was there and it was obviously very embarrassing." Major General Iftikhar also categorically stated that Chief of the Army Staff General QamarJavedBajwa is not seeking an extension and will neither accept one. He added that the chief will complete his tenure in November this year. "Let me put this to rest. The Chief of Army Staff is neither seeking an extension nor will he accept an extension. No matter what, he will be retiring on the 29th of November 2022."

Singapore FM inching towards premiership

Singapore, April 15 (IANS) Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been endorsed to be the leader of the fourth-generation (4G) team of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which paves the way for him to be the next Prime Minister, the Straits Times reported. Lee HsienLoong, the current Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the PAP, said in a statement on Thursday evening that cabinet Ministers affirmed their choice of Wong as the leader of the 4G team after a consultation process, Xinhua news agency reported. Singapore's Finance Minister won the overwhelming majority of those consulted, Lee added. The decision on succession is crucial for Singapore, which will ensure the continuity and stability of leadership, the Prime Minister said. According to the statement, with this decision, the Prime Minister will make adjustments to cabinet appointments, which will be announced in due course. Lawrence Wong said in a Facebook post that it is his privilege to be called upon to lead this team. "Together with the rest of the 4G team, I will continue to serve Singaporeans wholeheartedly, and strive to earn the trust and support of each and every one of our fellow citizens," Wong added.

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi GUSTATORY DELIGHTS WITH DAHI VADA AND GREEN CHUTNEY DAHI VADA INGREDIENTS: For 4-6 people • One cup urad dal ( no skin ) • 1/4 cup moong dal ( no skin ); • Two green chillies finely chopped • One tablespoon ginger again finely chopped • 10-15 Raisins METHOD • Soak the two dals overnight for at least 5-6 hours in enough water . • wash the dals really well under running water until the water runs clear • grind these dals with very little water ( a couple of spoons ). • Transfer the dal paste to a mixing bowl • whisk it in one direction for at least 10 minutes STEP TWO • Now prepare your yogurt: • use half yogurt and half

DAHI VADA

buttermilk to have a bit of consistency. Mix it together . • Put two teaspoons of powdered sugar and keep it in the fridge . • In another bowl take about a litre of hot water . Put two teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon of hing ( asafoetida) This water is to soak the vadas after frying • Now heat enough oil to fry the vadas • bring the heat down to medium strength, and either with your fingers or using a spoon fry little ball-shaped vadas. • Once they are golden brown, put them straight into the hot water mixture we prepared. • Once they have been in the hot water for a couple of minutes, very lightly squeeze out the excess water and dip it in the yogurt gently and organize it on a platter STEP THREE • Pour the yogurt, tamarind

•

chutney and green chutney, and garnish it with dahi vada masala, fresh pomegranate seeds and freshly chopped coriander. Serve cold . It is simply delicious

MRS. LATA MODI

ello and Namaste to one and all! In Australia it is Easter Time. School holidays have started ! Kids are home ! Friends are getting together for lunches and dinners . So when I was invited to a friend’s place the other day, I made some yummy Dahi Vada , tamarind chutney and green chutney to share with them . Everyone really enjoyed eating it and it was a popular dish even among the children as I had made some vadas without green chillies and ginger. Kids loved it and that made me very happy . Let’s start with the recipe then.

GREEN CHUTNEY

GREEN CHUTNEY INGREDIENTS: for 4-6 people • • • •

• • • •

Sipping through summer on premium iced teas

One bunch fresh coriander chopped roughly 1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves two fresh chillies one tablespoon lemon juice or two teaspoons of Amchur powder which is dry mango powder ( it can be found at any Indian grocers ) salt to taste one teaspoon of cumin powder one teaspoon of coriander powder one tablespoon yogurt

METHOD • Chop and wash coriander leaves and mint • Chop tomato and chillies as well • First put tomatoes in a blender • Now put fresh coriander leaves and mint leaves. • Add all the spices, salt and lemon juice • Blend it to a smooth paste • In the end add yogurt and blend it in pulse mode or quick blend • Transfer it to a serving bowl • The leftovers can be in the fridge for three or four days

The Master of Spices

Time-honored culinary splendours by Chef Sweety Singh at The Lodhi’s Elan

Jade Forest launches a great all-day drink for people who value taste above all else Berry Blush, Floral Rush and Citrus Crush... you can just taste summer as the names of Jade Forest's newly launched iced teas roll of the tip of your tongue. This premium non-alcoholic beverage brand has created unique and refreshing drinks in fast-growing categories, and has just released their brand new summer 2022 range. The Premium Iced Tea line comes in three exciting new flavours. These iced teas, created in collaboration with leading flavour specialists in Denmark, are high in antioxidants and real fruit juice. Jade Forest is poised to disrupt the segment in unprecedented fashion.

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These iced teas are perfect for the upcoming summer months because they are naturally low in calories and sugar and use black tea, green tea, and infused hibiscus tea to pack on flavour in a big way. The flavours in this new line are as follows: Berry Blush: The Berry Blush Premium Iced Tea, infused with antioxidant power, is a beautiful melancholy of green tea, six different berries and fruits, and a pinch of herbs. Make each sip of this expertly crafted tea a celebration of various flavours and aromas. It’s more than just a drink with its fresh and fragrant ingredients; it’s an experience.

Floral Rush: Floral Rush Premium Iced Tea combines the natural sweetness of hibiscus with the tart crispness of raspberry and other botanicals, all infused with antioxidant power. This creatively crafted iced tea is rejuvenating and a little bit indulgent, igniting a flavorful experience with each sip. Citrus Crush: Citrus Crush Premium Iced Tea by Jade Forest is a bold and energising twist on an all-time classic, infused with the power of antioxidants. Lime, lemongrass, and mint blend seamlessly with black tea to create a flavorful iced tea.

Harjinder Singh, also known as Chef Sweety Singh, has been preparing Punjabi cuisine since the age of 19. His father began working as a chef at a young age and moved to Delhi from Amritsar in the 1950s to start a food business. Chef Singh's father instilled in him a love of food at a young age, and he inherited his distinct cooking style. Years later, he continues the original family business while also running his own catering business, despite having no formal cooking training. Chef Singh's first food festival was

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at a hotel in Chennai in 1998, and he hasn't looked back since. For the last three decades, he has done popups at hotels across the country and has risen to the position of Punjabi cuisine Ambassador. He has been featured in the Discovery Channel shows 'Rhodes Across India' by Gary Rhodes, 'Feeding Frenzy' by NDTV Good Times, and 'Khaana Khazaana' as the mastermind behind the 'Art of Spice.'

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Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

AusIndia Fair 2022 held in ACT

he AusIndia Fair was organized on April 2 at Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is the largest Indian event in the ACT which seeks to promote a holistic approach to the onward journey of AusIndian culture. The Fair offered the guests an opportunity to experience the culture, food, cultural performances, spirituality and sports in an absorbing interactive and fun-filled way. The highlights of the Fair included a visit to food stalls with sumptuous meals, an opportunity for henna tattoos and face painting. More than 30 organizations, along with the Federation of Indian Associations of ACT, were responsible for bringing the annual AusIndia Fair to Thoroughbred Park this year. Several dignitaries also joined the celebrations. Among the dignitaries who visited include High Commissioner of India to Australia Manpreet Vohra, Michael Pettersson MLA, Shane Rattenbury MLA, Andrew Leigh MP, Tara Cheyne MLA, Elizabeth Lee MLA, Leanne Castley MLA, Dean Sahukhan Sesi Kolikonda, Rebecca Vassarotti MLA - Member for Kurrajong, Peter Cain MLA - Liberal for Ginninderra, Mark Parton MLA, Andrew Braddock MLA - Member for Yerrabi and many others.

Kite Flying Festival organized

he Kite Flying Festival 2022 was organized on April 3 at the EPIC Exhibition Park in Canberra. The event was held from 10am to 5pm which offered an opportunity to all kite-flying enthusiasts to participate in it. The kites and threads were made available at the venue. The entry was free for the participants. The event was welcomed enthusiastically as it was the first outdoor festival of 2022 given the spoilsport played by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last couple of years. This time the weather was wonderful, and the variety of colours of kites made the setting more colourful. The delicious food and plenty of kids’ entertainment added even more appeal to the event.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Indian HC visits Gold Coast

ndian High commissioner to Australia ManpreetVohra and family paid a visit to Gold Coast recently. The visit concluded with a

GCQ’s senior citizens meet

meeting of the senior citizens’ of the Gujarati Community Queensland (GCQ) was held recently. It was attended by many senior citizens from Queensland’s Gujarati community. Tarakbhai Jani, a senior member, provided some useful pieces of information to the group at the meeting. The meeting was organized and supported by the volunteers of the Gujarati Community Queensland.

relaxed evening at The Indian Place on Chevron with Honorary Indian consulate Qld, Archana Singh.

Skilled refugees to get job opportunities in Australia

AIBC hosts FICCI delegation T

he Australia India Business Council Ltd (AIBC) hosted the FICCI delegation in Sydney, NSW, recently. The delegation had excellent discussions on the opportunities from the recently signed Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

he Morrison Government has announced that it is partnering with global skilled refugee employment organisation, Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) to offer more opportunities for employment in a range of critical

The AIBC has said that it looks forward to more opportunities to facilitate bilateral discussions between Australia and India, which will enable people-to-people connections for business-to-business outcomes.

roles in Australia via the expanded Skilled Refugee Pilot program. Taking forward the already successful Pilot which began in 2021, the expansion will be an opportunity for candidates to gain employment in a range of new occupations, which will further allow skills recognition and also provide additional visa flexibility for candidates inside Afghanistan. The size of the Pilot program is also likely to increase from the current allocation of 100 primary places tothe addition of 50 primary places to candidates from Afghanistan and another 50 primary places to candidates from Ukraine with the Pilot program reaching to 200 primary places. About this agreement Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke feels this agreement follows Talent Beyond Boundaries’ global success in matching skilled refugees with employers and theiraspirations to give opportunities for those fleeing conflict zones, including in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Talent Beyond Boundaries Global CEO Steph Cousins says the program is already giving real opportunities to skilled refugees and Australian employers by way of a straightforward job matching service.

Photography contest to celebrate Victoria’s multiculturalism

The AIBC has been fostering bi-lateral relations between the two countries for the last 35 years. Its mission is to promote trade relations between India and Australia by nurturing and maintaining close relationships in both Australia and India, with Federal and State government agencies, the diplomatic corporations, and industry bodies.

he Victorian Multicultural Commission has begun a photography competition to celebrate community resilience with a view to creating a visual historic record of Victoria’’s experience of the pandemic. The competition, named as Capturing Culture: Multicultural Victoria in Focus will recognise

the experiences of multicultural Victorians during, before and after lockdowns – including the meals shared and Zoomed, the highs, and the lows from March 2020 Victoria’s first lockdown, to the present day. This competition is for people in Victoria with a multicultural background irrespective of their photography experience. The last day for registering names for the competition is 17 April 2022.. Entrant’s photographs will be a visual record of a unique time in Victoria and increase the representation of multicultural Victorians in government publications. The shortlisted entries will be shown in an exhibition of 24 artworks slated for June 2022 at the Immigration Museum. Winners will be announced at the launch of the exhibition, where prizes will be awarded to the collective amount of $9,000. There are six award categories: the Minister’s Choice, People’s Choice, Days of Significance and Cultural Celebrations, Portraiture, Daily Life and Family, and Community Resilience.

Indian business executives’ visit an opportunityto boost

delegation ofthe Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India's leading business and industry group, paid a visit to Deakin University recently as part of a student internship initiative with a view to strengthening bilateral ties between Australia and India. The signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement recently is likely to boost the initative. FICCI Deputy Secretary General Manish Singhal and FICCI Director Gaurav Vats had a meeting with DrAmeeta Jain, a senior lecturer at Deakin Business School, and team

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members Professor Alex Newman and Associate Professor Harsh Suri, who are at the forefront of directing the internship programme. The initiative, which is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australia-India Council, is aimed at strengthen industry-university collaborations in Australia and India by giving opportunities for 'virtual internships' in both countries. Students are prepared for partnership with organisations and engage in cross-cultural work focused on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which gives them experiences in the

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emerging area of corporate social responsibility. As of now more than 30 students have done internships in India and Australia, where they worked on projects at NGOs in both countries.

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Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

TAG to celebrate Ugadi festival in May

elugu Association of Gold Coast (TAG) will be celebrating the Ugadi festival on 1st May 2022, at Robina Community Hall. The event attracts over 300 spectators annually and provides a regional platform for a brilliant display of meticulously crafted cultural activities. The festivities will be followed by a delicious South Indian traditional meal. TAG organises a number of cultural and literary events every year that showcase the rich traditions of the region. Among these is their flagship event Ugadi and Sri Rama Navami. Ugadi, literally means the beginning (ādi) of the year (yuga), and is celebrated in the South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh,

Telangana, and Karnataka. While Sri Rama Navami, celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. TAG was established as an incorporated body in 2018. The organisation’s mission is to foster a sense of togetherness, celebrate cultural values and adopt, acquire and adjust to the Australian culture without losing the ethnic identity. TAG aspires to become a cultural hub that will not onlycelebrate its cultural identity but also propagate its essence to the next generation by engaging the youth. For it is they who will carry forward the traditions. For more information, visit TAG’s website www.telugugc.org

Queensland Telugu Association to celebrate Ugadi on April 23

ueensland Telugu Association welcomes guests to Ugadi celebrations on 23rd April 2022 at Kurparu Secondary College in the middle of East Stanley Street and Cavendish roads. The program starts at 4.30 pm. According to the Hindu Calendar, Ugadi is the New Year's Day which is celebrated in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. It is celebrated enthusiastically in these regions on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra. This is in the month of April of the Gregorian calendar and also in Tamil month Panguni or Chithrai, and sometimes on the day after Amavasya with 27th Nakshatra Revati.

131st Birth Anniversary of Ambedkar celebrated

he Consulate General of India, Perth, along with the Ambedkarite Buddhist Community, celebrated the 131st Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar. A driving force for modern India, his relentless fight against injustice and inequality will continue to inspire generations.

Qantas and Jetstar to begin new direct flights to India and Korea

antas and Jetstar are all set to grow their global network having introduced new direct routes to India and Korea that will take off in 2022. Qantas is slated to operate four weekly return flights direct between Sydney and Bengaluru in the Indian state of Karnataka, from 14 September through Airbus A330 aircraft. These will become the first nonstop flights between Australia and Southern India by any airline and will save nearly three hours as compared to the current fastest travel time from Sydney to Bengaluru.This will be a big advantage for corporate travellers who travel from Bengaluru as they will also have the added benefit of connectivity available on the Qantas domestic network, with daily flights from Sydney onto Brisbane and

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Melbourne. The Bengaluru communitywith a population of 13 million peoplehas strong links with Australia for both business travel and people visiting friends and relatives,. Qantas has announced that it will operate up to five flights a week between Melbourne and Delhi, and so will become the only airline to offer direct flights between Australia and both northern and southern India. Planned codeshare deal to benefit Indians Qantas and IndiGo, India's largest domestic carrier are likely to sign a codeshare agreement that will offer improved one-stop access to more than 50 Indian cities. The agreement will pave the way forone can transit seamlessly from Qantas flights in Bengaluru, Delhi,

or Singapore onto IndiGo services to other major Indian cities and smaller towns like Pune and Goa. With this agreement, Qantas Frequent Flyers will earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights (QF code only) and IndiGo will recognise Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits for tiered members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One) that include priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and priority baggage. Qantas customers deciding to travel on IndiGo will have the benefit of the same baggage allowance for the entire journey as well as complimentary food and drinks. The partnership is said to extend to Jetstar customers who will have the opportunity to book connecting flights on IndiGo services through its Jetstar Connect platform on jetstar.com from late April.

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INDIA

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

‘Unfortunate’ new trend of government Arunachal launches online course maligning judges has started: CJI on prevention of drug abuse IANS

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Chief Justice N.V. Ramana on Friday orally observed that a new trend of the government maligning the judges has started and termed it “unfortunate”. A bench headed by the Chief Justice was hearing two special petitions, which included a plea by the Chhattisgarh government against high court order, which quashed the FIR registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the state’s former Principal Secretary Aman Kumar Singh saying that the allegations were prima facie based upon probabilities.

The other petition was filed by activist Uchit Sharma against the high court decision. Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing a petitioner, submitted before the bench, also comprising Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli, the reason for quashing the FIR is that the allegation was based on probability. The Chief Justice remarked: “Don’t try to malign the courts. I’m watching in this court also....”. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the Chhattisgarh government, contended that they are not pressing that point at all. To this, Chief Justice Ramana said: “No, we are watching every day. You are a senior counsel; you’ve seen this more than us. “It’s a new trend, government started maligning the judges, it’s unfortunate.” Dave submitted that they haven’t maligned anyone in the matter. “Please see the reasoning, it’s not the trend and not vindictiveness,” he

submitted, citing that the allegation is of disproportionate assets. The bench said based on surmises and the allegations levelled, it can’t allow this kind of victimisation. As Dave said it was not a surmise, and somebody has accumulated Rs 2,500 crore, which is shocking, the bench said the special leave petition was an exaggeration. Dwivedi submitted the respondent had one property worth Rs 11 lakh, when he joined service, and now he has purchased 7 properties worth Rs 2.76 crores. After hearing arguments, the bench posted the matter for further hearing on April 18. Sharma had contended that due to his complaint against Singh and his family members, the state government initiated a preliminary enquiry, which revealed that the private respondents held assets, which were disproportionate to their income. This led to registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

First-ever sports carnival in Chandigarh for persons on wheelchairs

Chandigarh, April 8: Thirty-eightyear old Kaushalya from Himachal Pradesh is wheelchair-bound but she does not let her disability overpower her ability. She is training for archery and fencing, as she is excited to be a participant at the first-ever sports carnival for persons on wheel-chairs to be held on April 16 at the famed Sukhna Lake here. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Banwarilal Purohit will flag off the event at the Sukhna Lake Sports Complex next Saturday at 4.30 p.m. The event is being organised by the Chandigarh Spinal Rehab, Sector 28, a non-profit organisation working for the empowerment of lives of persons facing severe disabilities caused due to spinal cord or brain injury. The uniqueness of the event is that all participants have been given an opportunity to participate in all

sporting activities. Giving information, Nicky P. Kaur, founder of Chandigarh Spinal Rehab, said: “Participants from across the country are participating in the event, including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. “This is a unique event which will see participation from over 50 wheelchair-bound persons and will include national boating and canoe racing championship for para-athletes, archery, fencing, javelin and a friendly kabbadi match.” “It is our constant endeavour to add dignity and joy to their lives, which is why we are organising such an event.” Earlier such events included amputees but this is a first time event in the country where persons with such severe neurological conditions like the spinal cord injury who have limited trunk balance are

participating in canoeing and dragon-boat racing, she added. Sumit, 29, one of the participants, said, “It is a wonderful experience to be a part of the event as it is helping in exercising as your full body is being used. “I was earlier very scared of getting inside the water but once we had started, the fear was gone now. I was also apprehensive if I would be able to maintain our balance, but after I started, I managed that also,” said Sumit, who suffered spinal injury in 2010 in a car accident. Hari Krishan is also one of the participants and is excited for this event. “I went into the water for the first time after suffering the injury in 2017 while he was skiing and fell on his back after he made an attempt to jump from 20 feet. I feel such activities should be held in every state.”

NIA chargesheets 25 persons in J&K terror conspiracy case New Delhi, April 8: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday chargesheeted 25 persons in connection with the Jammu and Kashmir terror conspiracy case. According to the NIA, the case pertains to hatching a conspiracy, including in the cyberspace, for carrying out terrorist acts in J&K and other parts of the country by the cadres of proscribed terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr and their affiliates like The Resistance Front (TRF) and People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF). The accused have been identified as Bashir Ahmed Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam, Imtiyaz Kundoo alias Fayaz Sopore, Bilal Ahmed Mir alias Bilal Fafoo, Owais Ahmed Dar, Tariq Ahmed Dar, Tariq Ahmed Bafanda, Mohd Haneef Chairalu, Hanan Gulzar Dar, Mateen Ahmed Bhat, Kamran Ashraf Reshi, Rayid Bashir, Mohd Manan Dar, Zamin Adil Bhat, Hariis Nisar Langoo, Rouf Ahmad Bhat, Sobiya Aziz Mir, Amir Ahmad Gojree, Sadaat Amin Malik, Ishfaq Amin Wani, Rashid Muzafar Ganai, Nashir Ahmad Mir, Irfan Tariq Antoo, Suhail Ahmad Thokar, Adil Ahmad War and Arif Farooq Bhat. The NIA said that the investigation has unearthed a deep-rooted conspiracy of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations joining hands to form of a united group and shifting their

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modus operandi by floating pseudo offshoot outfits portrayed as indigenous resistance groups, in whose name terrorist acts are committed with an intention to claim deniability at the international level. “After the abrogation of Article 370, this shift was discernible in claims of terrorist acts done in J&K,” the probe agency said. Many affiliate and offshoot outfits such as TRF, PAFF, United Liberation Front J&K, Muslim Janbaaz Force (MJF), Kashmir Janbaaz Force (KJF), Kashmir Tigers, Kashmir Fight, Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind, Kashmir Gaznavi Force etc. had suddenly mushroomed, laying claims to various terrorist acts. The NIA probe established that all these pseudo-outfits are in fact offshoots/rechristened versions of proscribed terrorist organisations based in Pakistan which have been floated under a deep-rooted conspiracy to portray terrorism in J&K as home-grown insurgency. “A well-organised propaganda machinery was operating in the cyberspace through various websites, blogs, social media handles, closed channels on encrypted communication platforms etc., wherein concocted and skewed narrative was presented to radicalise the youth,” the NIA said, adding that the probe revealed that all such “media propaganda” of different terrorist outfits was epicentred

Itanagar, April 8 (IANS) In a first of its kind initiative by any northeastern state, Arunachal Pradesh on Friday launched the online certificate course on prevention of drug abuse, with an aim to eradicate narcotics’ abuse . The 4-month online course would consist of modules on understanding drug abuse, types and harmful effects of drugs, signs and symptoms, myths and facts, counselling and intervention, management of alcohol, cannabis, opioid use and related disorders, behavioural change, communication and family role, workplace prevention, law enforcement. The course has been developed by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA) in collaboration with New Delhi based National Institute of Social Defence, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The online certificate course would be coordinated by the Arunachal Pradesh Psychoactive Substance Control Authority (APPSCA). Launching the course Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that to begin with all Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ employees of the state government would have to mandatorily undergo the course. The objective is to make these groups of employees ambassadors of creating change in society by being aware and equipped on drug abuse prevention and management. Terming the initiative a strong push in the government’s fight against drug abuse, Khandu said alcoholism and substance abuse is a major concern for the state as the menace is alarmingly engulfing the youths in its vicious grip.

“Most of us only hear about drug abuse and its effect on life of the people. We hardly have seen the effects as families facing the menace suffer in isolation,” he said. Khandu, accompanied by SJETA Minister Alo Libang, said only after watching the Arunachalee movie “I killed my son” recently, he realised the fatality of drug abuse on families and persons in the vicious grip. “It broke my heart to realise how dangerous the menace is and how families suffer in silence,” he said. The Chief Minister appealed to all to voluntarily undergo the online course and join the fight against drug abuse as the government alone cannot win the battle no matter how hard it tries. On Khandu’s initiative, the Arunachal Pradesh Psychoactive Substances Policy 2021 has already been adopted by the state government to eradicate the menace from the society. The Chief Minister said the state government has sanctioned funds to establish six rehabilitation centres across the state and directed the

concerned agencies to immediately start the work. He suggested that these centres should be fully equipped for the purpose and also have provisions for vocational and skill development training for the inmates. As these centres will take some time to become functional, Khandu suggested that meanwhile, reputed NGOs working on drug abuse and rehabilitation outside the state may be roped in through an MoU so that addicts can be immediately sent for treatment. He asked the chief secretary to work on it urgently. “There are many addicts who are from poor family, and many have been disowned by family members. These groups of addicts ought to be identified first and immediately sent for rehabilitation,” he said. A certificate will be awarded to those successfully completing the course. Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and other senior officials were also present in the online certificate course launching ceremony.

TN prepares for arrival of more refugees as crisis looms large in S. Lanka IANS

Chennai, April 9: With the arrival of four more Sri Lankan Tamils into the state, the Tamil Nadu government is preparing itself for more refugees hitting the shores of the state. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has already sent directives to various state government departments to prepare themselves for the arrival of more Sri Lankan Tamils as crisis in the island nation continues. A senior bureaucrat while speaking to IANS said: “Already 20 Sri Lankan Tamils are housed at the Mandapam refugee camp since their arrival following the financial crisis in Lanka and our Chief Minister has directed all the departments concerned to take a benevolent view of the refugees.” Chief Minister Stalin has already sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar requesting them to involve in the

matter. In the latest incident of refugee arrival, a family of four -- husband, wife, and two children -- reached Dhanushkodi. The Marine police took them into custody and handed them over to the Mandapam Camp. The Sri Lankan Tamil family, while speaking to reporters at the Mandapam camp, on Friday said that they were in abject poverty and did not have the means to provide even food to the family hence they had no other option but to reach India. Speaking to mediapersons, Kishanthan (34) said that there were no food and the family had to go to sleep without food for several days. He said that the family was helped by Sri Lankan fishermen to cross Indian shores and reach Dhanushkodi. He said that more refugees from the island nation will reach the Indian shores soon and that they were

jobless. Kishanthan said that he was a fisherman but lack of fuel has led him to shift to masonry but regular power cuts have affected that job also. The Sri Lankan Tamil refugee said that this made him leave for India along with his family. Kishanthan also said that he had stayed at the Pudukottai refugee camp between 2006 and 2010 and his wife Ranjita has stayed from 2006 to 2010 at Krishnagiri refugee camp and hence were familiar with the Indian surroundings. He also said that he had a few relatives in Tamil Nadu who would be of help. Notably, 16 Sri Lankan Tamils had reached the shores of India as refugees on March 22 in two batches. They are housed at the Mandapam refugee camp after the advisory issued by the Commissioner of Rehabilitation and Welfare of NonResident Tamils. The Mandapam Marine coastal police told IANS that no cases were registered against them.

MP’s historical Daly College gets its first woman principal

around common nodes operating from Pakistan. The investigative agency also said that a key element of the conspiracy was inducting new cadres in the form of ‘hybrid terrorists’ belonging to various walks of life, who could use their cover to remain rooted in the society and simultaneously carry out instructions of their terrorist handlers. While acting as Over Ground Workers, they were also found indulging in terrorist activities such as grenade lobbing, undertaking lone attacks on vulnerable targets, arson etc. The investigation has also revealed a clear shift in the strategy of the terrorist organisations towards targeted killings of minorities, civilians, migrants, government officials and unguarded security personnel, the NIA added.

Bhopal, April 9: The historical co-educational institution - Daly College in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district has got its first ever woman principal - Gunmeet Kaur Bindra. The appointment made on Friday was necessitated as outgoing Neeraj Singh Bedhotiya’s term was not extended by the board. However, the move came following a controversy as the chairman of board of governance of the school Narendra Singh Jhabua and his son Jai Singh Jhabua were removed from the board panel. Their ouster followed a complaint by Sathbir Singh Bhatia with the Registrar Firms and Society alleging that Narendra Singh Jhabua brought his son Jai Singh Jhabua to the board of governance illegally. Subsequently, an investigation was ordered into the matter, which resulted in the removal of father-son duo from the board. The new board was set up and Vikram Singh Puar was made the chairman, BJP MLA Rajyavardhan Singh was appointed as vice-president, while Dheeraj Lulla, Harpal Singh Bhatia, Sumit Chandhok and Sanjay Pahwa form the board members.

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Established in 1870, Daly college of Indore is one of the oldest educational institutions the country and royal families of Indore-Dewas had influence in the governing body. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, who also belongs to a royal family in the state and he is addressed to as ‘Raja Sahab’ by his supporters, raised his objection in a manner in which the former chairman of the board was removed and a new set up. Digvijaya Singh reacted stating that Daly College is a 150-year-old College where the President, Prime Ministers, Governors, Central

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Ministers, CMs, Corporate Giants, eminent social activists have been chief guests. It is one of the top 10 Public Schools of India. Singh has accused the BJP-led state government and Indore administration of making the historical college a ‘political akhada’. “It has always been above party politics. Unfortunately because of some vested interests GOMP and Indore Administration are openly flouting rules and interfering in the functioning of the School. This must stop. For God’s sake don’t make Daly College a Political Akhada,” Digvijaya Singh tweeted on Saturday.

INDIA

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Modi inaugurates Prime Ministers’ Mumbai: After 2 years, Dabbawalas let their load down for ‘festival break’ museum, buys first ticket

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Prime Minister NarendraModi on Thursday dedicated to the nation "PradhanmantriSanghralaya" (Prime Ministers' museum) which will provide information regarding all the previous prime ministers of the country and their contribution in nation building. Modi also bought the first ticket of the museum. Starting from the displays on freedom struggle and the framing of the Constitution, the museum tells the story of how our Prime Ministers

navigated the nation through various challenges and ensured the all-round progress of the country, the PMO had said earlier. Guided by the vision of Modi to honour the contribution of all the Prime Ministers of India towards nation building, the museum is a tribute to every Prime Minister of India since Independence, irrespective of their ideology or tenure in office. It is aimed at sensitising and inspiring the younger generation about the leadership, vision and achievements of all our Prime Ministers. The design of the museum building is inspired by the story of rising India, shaped and moulded by the hands of its leaders. The design incorporates sustainable and energy conservation practices. No tree has been felled or transplanted during the course of work on the project. The logo of the museum represents the hands of the people of India holding the 'Dharma Chakra' symbolising the nation and democracy. Representing a seamless blend of the old and the new, the museum integrates the erstwhile Teen MurtiBhawan designated as Block I, with the newly constructed building designated as Block II. The total area of the two blocks is over 15,600

square metres. There are a total of 43 galleries in the museum. Information for the museum was collected through resources / repositories with institutions such as PrasarBharati, Doordarshan, Films Division, Sansad TV, Ministry of Defence, Media Houses (Indian and foreign), Foreign News Agencies, etc. Appropriate use of Archives (Collected Works and other literary works, important correspondences), some Personal items, Gifts & Memorabilia (Felicitations, Honours, Medals conferred, commemorative stamps, coins, etc.), speeches of Prime Ministers and anecdotal representation of ideologies and different aspects of the lives of Prime Ministers have been reflected in a thematic format. The museum has employed cutting-edge technology-based interfaces to encompass heterogeneity in content and frequent rotation of display. Holograms, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Multi-touch, Multimedia, interactive kiosks, computerised kinetic sculptures, smartphone applications, interactive screens, experiential installations, etc., enable the exhibition content to become highly interactive and engaging.

NHA seeks technology providers to build national digital health network

New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) The National Health Authority (NHA) has extended an open invitation to all for sharing Expression of Interest (EoI) for developing innovative solutions that will help build a national digital health ecosystem for India. NHA, the implementing agency for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, said that this collaborative approach will not just help speed up the development but also will help in making digital public goods available to public and/or private entities. The interested parties will provide these solutions as a service at no cost to public. "The ABDM endeavours to give impetus to open and interoperable

standards in the digital health ecosystem. Such an undertaking will not only expedite Universal Health Coverage goals in India, but also have ripple effects on the global health ecosystem", NHA CEO, R.S. Sharma said. The NHA is giving an open call inviting all interested parties to contribute to the Unified Health Interface (UHI), Health Claims Protocol (HCP), and various other open-source digital public goods being created to expand the digital health ecosystem. The ABDM has developed building blocks and interoperable APIs to offer a seamless digital healthcare experience for all stakeholders

Goa to have AmbedkarBhavan, work to begin this year: CM

Panaji, April 14 (IANS) The Goa government has started the process of building an AmbedkarBhavan in the state, Chief Minister PramodSawant said on Thursday. "The issue about setting up an

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AmbedkarBhavan has been pending for a while. You have been giving me proposals for setting up of an AmbedkarBhavan somewhere in Porvorim. But in my last tenure, we were able to provide land through the aegis of the Social Welfare Department," he said, while addressing a function organised on the occasion of Ambedkar's birth anniversary on Thursday. "We will lay the foundation stone, when the project will be tendered. We will start work on it as well as lay the foundation stone this year. While constructing the AmbedkarBhavan, our thoughts will be on youth who want to come to Panaji study and can stay there. AmbedkarBhavan will be used for such purposes," he added.

- health facilities, patients and healthcare professionals. The key building blocks of ABDM are the ABHA, Healthcare Professionals Registry, Health Facility Registry, and Health Information Exchange & Consent Manager. These building blocks are designed to enable identification of participating entities (health care providers, patients and health professionals) and enable exchange of interoperable health data with patient consent. The digital ecosystem developed is now accessible to health facilities and health tech players for integration.

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) For the first time after the two years of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Mumbai's famed Dabbawalas have gone on a five-day break to celebrate the annual village festivals with their near and dear ones, a spokesperson said here on Thursday. Since the start of the pandemic, this is the first opportunity for over 5,000 Dabbawalas to take time off to travel to their villages, mostly in Pune district and celebrate the festivities of DevKhandoba, their deity. "Prior to the pandemic we used to announce our annual festival leave in advance to enable customers to make alternative arrangements.

Environmental Clearance validity for hydropower, nuclear, mining projects extended New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Close on the heels of proposed amendments in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006, the Environment Ministry has amended the notification - of extending validity of Environmental Clearance (EC) to hydro-power and nuclear projects among others. The Ministry also did away with issuing notice under relevant clauses to seek public and expert opinion on the same as the notification, issued late on Wednesday night but dated April 12, directly mentions the changes and not proposals. The amendments include revising EC validity for hydropower projects - also termed as river valley projects - to 13 years (plus two years after consulting the Expert Appraisal Committee), 15 years for nuclear projects, 30 years for mining projects, extendable by 20 years and 10 years for other projects, such as townships. The EIA notification of September 2006 is for mandating prior environmental clearance for certain categories of projects. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, while bringing about the changes also gave reasons, which were contested by the environmental experts. The Ministry claimed that based on the past experiences, it is noted that "nuclear power projects and hydro-power projects have high gestation period due to various issues such as geological surprises, delay in Forest Clearance, land acquisition, local issues, rehabilitation and resettlement, etc., which are often beyond the control of project

PM Modi’s special attachment to Sikh community not political: Nadda

New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) BJP Chief J.P. Nadda on Thursday said Prime Minister NarendraModi's special attachment to the Sikh community is not political but of soul and feeling of patriotism. He was speaking at the launch of a book "Heartfelt -- The Legacy of Faith" at Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

This year, there are four holidays of the five-day sojourn, so our patrons readily cooperated," said Ritesh S. Andre, spokesperson for Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Charity Trust and Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association (NMTBSCT and MTBSA). Since Tuesday, a majority of the Dabbawalas -- 95 per cent of the tribe -- have reached their villages like Khed, Junnar, Maval, Mulshi, and the rest scattered across Maharashtra, he added. During the pandemic lockdown, the Dabbawalas were among the worsthit service sectors with business trickling down to virtually zero and many took up alternative jobs or

even quit their world-renowned profession. The NMTBSCT and MTBSA also explored options like large community kitchens for large-scale deliveries, tying up with other organisations in similar businesses, etc., to ensure livelihood for the then jobless Dabbawalas. "Presently, of the 5,000 barely 1,200 Dabbawalas are on duty and serving around 20,000 customers who have started attending their offices after the restrictions were lifted in March... We expect more to join gradually and substantially by June," Andre said with hopes of hard times finally passing them. Returning to their villages, many Dabbawalas were accorded a welcome with cheers and tears by their families from whom they had been separated and not congregated to celebrate the DevKhandoba festival for two consecutive years. "This year, we have been selected for the prestigious 80th 'Master DeenanathMangeshkar Award' which will be presented to us in Mumbai on April 24," said Andre proudly, of yet another recognition to his toiling ilk. Well before the award ceremony -- which is likely to be attended by Prime Minister NarendraModi -- the Dabbawalas shall return to their daily grind from Monday (April 18) to ferry the tiffin-boxes filled with good food for their familiar customers.

"Prime Minister Modi's attachment to the Sikh community is not political but of soul and a feeling of patriotism. It is the dedication of our Prime Minister to the contribution of Sikhism in making India strong," Nadda said. Mentioning that Prime Minister Modi has fulfilled many long-pending demands of the Sikh community, the BJP Chief said he (Modi) has deep understanding of Sikhs and Sikhism. Talking about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the Modi government, he said, "Some political leaders do not understand the issues of national importance and created a lot of noise and tried to disturb the atmosphere."Pakistan and Bangladesh," he said.

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proponent and in this context, the Central Government deems it necessary to extend the validity of Environmental Clearance (EC) for such projects". Invoking the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), on and from the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, the notification for the proposed amendment read that "all mining leases are being granted for a period of 50 years, and accordingly, the Central government deems it necessary to align the validity of mining ECs which is currently permissible up to a maximum duration of 30 years, subject to review and appropriate environmental safeguards".

Similarly, it claimed that for other projects also, considering the time taken for addressing local concerns including environmental issues related to the implementation of such projects, the Centre deems it necessary to extend the validity of such ECs. "The Ministry should not have done it. The situation in the river valleys is changing so fast, especially in view of climate change. It would be incorrect to assume that the conditions mentioned in the EIA would remain the same in 15 years. Moreover most EIAs do not even mention climate change," said HimanshuThakkar of South Asia Network for Dams, River and People (SANDRP).

56 Forward Operating Bases up in Maoist-affected areas, more soon: CRPF New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday said that a total of 56 Forward Operating Bases have been established in Maoist-affected areas till March 2022 and 25 to 27 more are planned to come up by the end of this year. So far 20 FOBs have been established in Chhattisgarh, 18 in Jharkhand, 11 in Odisha, six in Madhya Pradesh, and one each in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Bihar, CRPF officials said, adding that five FOBs have been set up this year till March 14. Out of the proposed new bases, 10 more will be set up in Chhattisgarh, six in Jharkhand, seven in Maharashtra, including the Gadchiroli area, and one each

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in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, they said. The lands for constructing the FOBs have already been identified where work will begin soon, the officials said, adding that this will further help the force penetrate deep into the hard-core areas of Maoist dominance. The new FOBs established in 2021 and 2022 are better fortified while the security forces will be equipped with the latest weapons, ammunitions and land mine proof vehicles and better medical facilities, they said. A source in the operational team deployed in the Maoist areas said that these bases will have better medical treatment facilities.

AUSTRALIA

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Australia gifts 20 all-terrain Bushmasters to Ukraine here’s what the 11-tonne, 4x4 combat vehicle is capable of ATEET SHARMA

New Delhi, April 8: Eight days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky specially requested it, Australia on Friday sent the first lot of Bushmaster armoured personnel vehicles to boost Kyiv’s defence capabilities in the ongoing conflict

against Russia. The first three Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) were loaded onto a C-17 at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, 40 kms south-west of Brisbane today.

The Australian government is gifting a total of 20 Bushmasters, including two ambulances, to Ukraine worth 50 million AUD ($38 million) following a direct request from Zelensky during his address to the Australian Parliament on March 31. The 20 vehicles are painted olive green to suit the operating environment. Additionally, a Ukrainian flag is painted on either side with the words “United with Ukraine” stencilled in English and Ukrainian to acknowledge Australia’s commitment and support to the government and people of Ukraine. The ambulances will have the traditional Red Cross emblem. “The Bushmaster was built in Australia to provide protected mobility transport, safely moving soldiers to a battle area prior to dismounting for close combat. The Bushmaster is well suited to provide protection to the Ukrainian Armed

Forces soldiers and Ukrainian civilians against mines and improvised explosive devices, shrapnel from artillery and small arms fire,” the Australian Department of Defence said in a statement. The addition of these vehicles takes Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine to around $165 million. Canberra said that, in addition, it is delivering 70,000 tonnes of coal to power Ukraine’s resistance, on top of $65 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. “The government will not disclose further specific details of delivery arrangements at the direct request of Ukrainian officials and our other partners,” the statement added. Will Bushmasters be a game changer in Ukraine? Fitted with radios, the Bushmasters will also have a global positioning system and additional bolt-on armour increasing their protection.

The Australian defence ministry said that it will continue to work with the government of Ukraine to develop a suitable logistics support package, while training will be conducted through army video training with Ukrainian subtitles. Developed by Thales Australia, the 11-tonne, 4x4 Bushmaster is a combat proven Multi-Role Protected Vehicle with a 4-tonne payload which has been successfully deployed by armies on operations in the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific. According to Thales, its variants include troop carrier, command, patrol, support, weapons deployment and ambulance.It can rapidly deploy up to 10 battle-ready troops in all environments combining high levels of blast and ballistic protection with excellent off-road mobility. It is also fully air-conditioned and can sustain itself for a period of up to three days.

In service with six countries on four continents, Bushmaster carries one complete spare wheel and all fitted wheels have run flat tyre inserts and a central tyre inflation system allowing them to continue travelling with punctures. The vehicle uses an armoured v-shaped hull to protect its passengers from landmines and other explosive devices. The sloped sides on the bottom of the hull act to deflect blast upward away from the vehicle. Bushmaster’s welded one-piece shell is designed to protect troops against all small arms fire. Windows also carry similar ballistic protection. The Bushmaster’s fuel and hydraulic tanks are positioned outside the crew’s compartment to protect troops from possible fires. There is also a protected emergency fuel tank so the vehicle won’t be left stranded.

Flu set to return to Australia after 2 year reprieve Senate inquiry calls for Royal Commission

IANS

Sydney, April 7 (IANS) Australia’s two-year drop in influenza cases have ended as flu numbers are on the rise ahead of winter here. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, when large sections of the population were in lockdown and international borders were closed, flu numbers plummeted to record lows, Xinhua news agency reported. Urging people to get inoculated against influenza, experts noted that the flu cases will rise in the coming months while Covid lingers on. That was the message at an online journalist briefing hosted by the science-based website Scimex on Wednesday, where leading epidemiologists and immunologists discussed what the next few months could hold. Prof. Catherine Bennett, the chairperson of Epidemiology at Deakin

University, said that with international borders having reopened, there was “no way” Australia would avoid a rise in flu cases. Bennett also stated that many people, having not encountered the highly contagious flu virus for a long time, could now be even more susceptible. That is because previously when flu was widespread in Australia even unvaccinated people could have gained a partial immunity from having been exposed to the virus from those around them. “People really need to understand the importance of protecting themselves against both these viruses (flu and Covid),” Bennett said. Health authorities are especially keen for the community’s most vulnerable members, which includes pregnant women, children aged under five and people aged over 65 and those with weakened immune systems, to get their flu jabs. “Everyone six months and older is recommended to get a flu jab but particularly those high-risk groups, as the virus is extremely contagious and potentially deadly,” said Dr. Richard Broome, NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection.

Just how serious it will become, however, remains open to speculation with specialists such as microbiologist Dr. Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland (UQ) telling Xinhua on Wednesday that there were some mitigating factors which might reduce its severity. “One thing working in our favour is that some people will continue to adhere to behaviours they adapted during the pandemic,” Griffin said. “So they will continue to wear masks, regularly wash their hands and be more aware of the contagious risks of large crowds. “But on the other side of the equation, many of us didn’t get around to getting flu shots for the past few years and so we need to remind people that getting vaccinated is extremely important.” The return of the flu has, in fact, already begun with the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance having recorded 409 flu cases in March alone compared to only 509 cases throughout 2021. The experts also noted that it is mid-autumn in Australia and the height of the flu season will be in winter.

examining Aus response to Covid

Canberra, April 8: Australia’s senate Covid committee has called for a Royal Commission inquiry into the nation’s pandemic response. The Senate Select Committee on Covid-19 on Thursday evening handed down its final report, finding that while Australia “fared much better than other countries” throughout the “first wave”, a failure to learn lessons as the pandemic progressed, and “significant failures” of implementation with, at times, “catastrophic consequences”, reports Xinhua news agency. The committee, which was chaired by member of the opposition Labor Party, recommended the

establishment of a Centre for Disease Control to improve Australia’s pandemic preparedness, operational response capacity, and communication across all levels of government. It said a Royal Commission, the highest form of inquiry in Australia, should be established “to examine Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic” and that the government should open a review of its preparedness for future pandemics. The report identified the failure to open quarantine facilities, the slow start to the vaccine rollout and handling of Covid-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities as government failures. As at tabling, Australia has had over 4.6 million Covid-19 cases resulting in 6,462 deaths. Approximately 30 per cent of deaths occurred in aged care facilities, residents of which were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, being just 0.7 per cent of the Australian population, according to the report.

“This is a terrible outcome for the community and is particularly tragic as some of these infections and deaths could have been avoided had the government responded more effectively to the pandemic,” it said. The report also said that this failure to establish stand-alone quarantine facilities resulted in overseas arrival caps being imposed, which severely restricted the number of people able to return to Australia, denying thousands of citizens entry to their own country. “The government has also failed to address the serious and dangerous vaccine misinformation promoted within the government’s own parliamentary ranks.” In a dissenting report, government members of the committee accused the opposition Labor Party of using it as a vehicle for “partisan attacks on the government” rather than investigating “issues of concern during a rapidly evolving pandemic”. On Friday morning, Australia reported more than 30,000 new Covid-19 cases.

Morrison cooks Modi’s Prime Minister Morrison calls favourite delicacy to celeFederal election for May 21 brate Australia-India ties

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a federal election for May 21.This has been confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office. The date makes for a 41-day campaign, slightly longer than the standard five weeks.

Howard, who had won four elections before losing his premiership to Labor’s Kevin Rudd in 2007.

As reported by the BBC, Morrison’s announcement of the date follows his talks with the Governor General in Canberra.

Since then Australian politics has been marred by what some critics call the ‘coup culture’ which becomes a hurdle on the way of premiers as they are unable to complete their full term in office. Considering that Morrison’s Liberal-led coalition has done well to hold on to a slender but significantone-seat majority. However, analysts feel the coalition’s previous feats notwithstanding, it might be a tightrope walk for them to repeat previous election victories.

As a matter of fact Morrison is the first leader who will have served a full term in office after John

However, Albanese feels that though the most recent polling has shown Labor ahead, his opponents are still

Currently, the Prime Minister’sLiberal-led coalition has 76 seats in the House of Representatives, the minimum seats needed to continue in power.

the ‘favourites’ to win the election and form the government, as history shows his party has only won government from opposition thrice since World War -II.

Australian state extends pandemic declaration for 3 months

Sydney, April 7 (IANS) The Australian state of Victoria has announced that it would extend its public health order issued under the pandemic for three months, citing the serious risk of the BA.2 Omicron wave in the state. The extension would begin from Tuesday next week and would last three additional months. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement on Wednesday night following advice from the state’s acting chief health officer, Xinhua news agency reported. “This extension enables us to keep modest and sensible settings in place to reduce transmission and hospitalisation -- that means more support for health workers and limiting its impact on our community,” www.indianabroad.news

said Andrews. “We don’t want rules on any longer than they need to be -- we’ll continue to follow the advice to protect what we’ve built while protecting our community.” Covid cases have surged in the state since the highly transmissible Omicron BA.2 sub-strain has become the dominant strain of the virus in Australia. On Thursday, Victoria reported 12,314 new cases and 4 additional deaths. The highest single-day increase since the tail end of its initial Omicron wave at the beginning of February. All of Australia’s states and territories are fighting similar battles against the raging subvariant.

In his own unique gesture Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison celebrated the strong bonds of India-Australia ties by cooking Indian delicacies on his “curry night”. As reported by Indian

On Thursday, New South Wales (NSW) recorded 22,255 cases and 16 deaths. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Australian Government Department of Health estimated that there are nearly half a million active cases of Covid across the nation.

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newspapers and news magazines, Morrison posted the photos of his cooking Indian delicacies on his Instagram handle. “To celebrate our new trade agreement with India, the curries I chose to cook for curry

night tonight are all from my dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gujurat province, including his favourite Khichdi,” Morrison wrote on Instagram, which showed photos of the food and him in the kitchen. “Jen, girls and mum all approve,” he further wrote, as reported by Indian newspapers and magazines. There are some good reasons to commemorate India and Australia ties as recently both the countries signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement under which Australia will provide duty-free access to its market for more than 6,000 sectors of India, which will include textiles, leather, furniture, jewellery and machinery. Significantly, Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India, and India is Australia’s 9th largest partner.

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WORLD

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

India’s goodwill gestures to Sri Lanka 132 bodies found in Ukraine mass grave give TN fishermen cause for hope IANS

Chennai, April 9 (IANS) Indian fishermen are hoping that the Narendra Modi government will get back Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture for helping the island nation financially and materially as it is facing a dire economic situation. “We hope India gets back Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka. If Katchatheevu comes back to India, then the Indian fishermen will have about 20 nautical mile of fishing area and they will not venture into Sri Lankan waters,” P. Jesuraja, President, All Mechanised Boat Fishermen Association, told IANS from Rameswaram. Indian Prime Ministers and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers have come and gone but the one persistent unresolved issue between two is getting back Katchatheevu islet that was transferred to Sri Lanka decades back. The news of the arrest of Indian fishermen and apprehension of their boats by the Sri Lankan Navy is almost a daily occurrence. However, the only consolation is that the earlier reports of Sri Lankan Navy opening fire on and killing Indian fishermen no longer figures in the news. “More than 500 Indian fishermen were shot dead by Lankan Navy and an equal number seriously injured and maimed,” Jesuraja said. Now the fishermen are hoping that India will try to secure a permanent solution for the vexed issue - say by getting back the Katchatheevu as a gift or even on a long lease. “If Katchatheevu is returned back

to India by Sri Lanka it is a welcome move and the fishermen issue will get solved,” Tamil Nadu BJP Fisherman Cell President S. Satish Kumar told IANS. The 285-acre islet in the Palk Strait was transferred to Sri Lanka by India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s regime in 1974. At that time, DMK President, late M. Karunanidhi was the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and he didn’t raise any objection to the transfer nor did he approach the courts against the transfer to protect the interests of the state’s fishermen. As per the India-Sri Lanka agreement in 1974, fishermen of both countries can use Katchatheevu to rest and dry their nests and can worship at the St. Anthony shrine there. According to Jesuraja, till 1983, there was no problem between the Indian and Lankan fishermen as both fished even crossing the borders. “At that time, the number of Indian fishermen was less. But now the number of fishermen and fishing boats have increased several times, resulting in the pressure on fishing areas,” he said. The Sri Lankan Navy was focussed on preventing arms smuggling by the Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eelam (LTTE). With LTTE vanquished, the Navy is focusing on International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) violators. Jesuraja said the IMBL from Rameswaram is about 12 nautical miles - the shortest for any nations - and the first five nautical miles are left for small boats to fish. Between five and eight nautical miles, the area is rocky and fishing nets cannot be laid. Fishing can be done by about 1,500 mechanised boats only between 8-12 nautical mile from Rameswaram coast. This resulted in pressure on fishing and fishermen knowingly or unknowingly crossed the IMBL, which, in turn, results in their arrest by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Jesuraja said as per the Katchatheevu transfer agreement, Sri Lanka cannot have its security force in that island but the island nation violates that. In recent years, Tamil Nadu leaders are seeking the return of Katchatheevu. In 2008, then AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa filed a case in the Supreme Court contending that the transfer of the islet to Sri Lanka is illegal as the Indian Parliament has not approved the same, citing an earlier apex court order in what is known as Berubari case. Following this, resolutions for retrieval of Katchatheevu and restoring the fishing rights of Indian fishermen have been passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. In a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said: “More than 3,500 mechanised fishing boats and 9,000 traditional craft are engaged in fishing in the Palk Bay area. Often the fishermen are apprehended by Sri Lanka on the pretext of crossing IMBL, which strains the bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.” He said the retrieval of Katchatheevu back to India and restoration of the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay area are on the topmost agenda of his government. “The government has been taking proactive steps for the retrieval of Katchatheevu Island unilaterally given by the Government of India to Sri Lanka in 1974, so as to protect the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen,” Stalin added. According to the Tamil Nadu government, during the past 11 years, 3,690 fishermen were arrested and released by the Sri Lankan Navy. “From 2014, about 300 Indian fishing boats were apprehended by Lanka and about 150 were released. Only 35 boats were taken back,” Jesuraja said.

Due to prolonged berthing and due to vagaries of nature, Tamil Nadu boats berthed in various Sri Lankan harbours were damaged beyond salvage which resulted in permanent loss of livelihood to the Tamil Nadu fishermen. Stalin has also urged Modi that the Indian government may arrange for fishermen level talks between the fishers of two countries as the Joint Working Group meeting is likely to be convened shortly. Meanwhile, Jesuraja said that Indian fishermen have no quarrel with the Sinhalese fishermen as they are into deep sea fishing. The quarrel is only with the Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen who don’t go deep sea fishing. The Sri Lankan fishers who use gill nets for fishing are against bottom trawling by Indian fishers as it damages the marine ecology. Sri Lanka has banned bottom trawling. According to Jesuraja, Indian fishermen need time to switch over from trawlers to other vessels and deep sea fishing under the Blue Revolution Programme of the central government is not remunerative. Initially it was said the total outlay per deep sea fishing boat including net would cost about Rs 80 lakh out of which fishermen would give about Rs 8 lakh, there would be a bank loan of Rs 16 lakh while the Central government would provide Rs 40 lakh and the state government Rs 16 lakh, he said. “But the boat cost after fitments came to Rs 90 lakh and nets to Rs 30 lakh. We had to borrow about Rs 40 lakh. Meanwhile the diesel prices went up while fish catch came down and the operation is not economical. We would want the loan to be written off and return the boats,” Jesuraja said. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

Caught in Chinese debt trap, India’s neighbours stare at economic ruin Islamabad/Colombo, April 9: Indias neighbourhood, especially Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is in peril as the Chinese debt trap strangulates these economies. After taking huge debt from China, servicing it is becoming a crisis for these nations, giving rise to fears of a sovereign default. In order to avert the Balance of Payment (BoP) crisis, Pakistan has made alternate plans for meeting the yawning dollar financing gap for avoiding plunging into a full-fledged crisis till the stalled IMF programme is restored, The News reported. Pakistan requires dollar inflows on an immediate basis to restore confidence, as the current account deficit has risen sharply while the foreign currency reserves are depleting at an accelerated pace. Pakistan and the International Monetory Fund (IMF) are so far unable to strike a consensus on the completion of the 7th Review and release of the $960 million tranche under the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility. The IMF has indicated holding talks with the ‘new’ government and keeping in view the fluid political situation, the restoration of the IMF programme seems in danger. Top official sources said that China had agreed in principle for granting a rollover of a $2.5 billion commercial loan last week, but so far Beijing authorities are processing its rollover, The News reported. However, there is another possibility that the Chinese might have refused to roll over loans earlier,

but after intervention at the highest level when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited China, Beijing authorities might have shown willingness to move ahead, the report said. Sri Lanka has plunged into the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948, after President Gotapaya Rajapaksa announced an economic emergency in September 2021, Global Times reported. According to the country’s central bank, there is only $2 billion foreign exchange reserve and $1 billion worth of notes maturing in July 2022. The country’s debt-to-GDP has increased from 85 per cent in 2019 to 104 per cent in 2021. The current foreign exchange shortage has led to great difficulties in obtaining the supply of daily necessities, including fuel, electricity, paper, milk powder, etc. The country is facing hours of power cuts each day and even the newsprint has halted as a result of the shortage of printing paper. The general inflation rate in the country is more than 17 per cent while the food inflation rate reached 30.2 per cent in March, the report said. Colombo borrowed the most from the global capital market, which constitutes 47 per cent of its total debt, then comes the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with 13 per cent, Japan 10 per cent, China 10 per cent, the World Bank 9 per cent and India 2 per cent.

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Kiev, April 9: At least 132 bodies have been found at a mass grave in Ukraine’s Makariv town, located some 50 km west of capital Kiev, an official has confirmed. Speaking to the media on Friday, Makariv’s Mayor Vadym Tokar said: “As of yesterday, we have found 132 civilians who have been shot dead by the Russian ‘orcs’,” Ukrayinska Pravda reported. He said besides the bodies in the mass grave, corpses were also found in the streets of the town. Tokar added that 40 per cent of the entire town has been destroyed and many of the buildings cannot be restored. “The occupiers destroyed almost all infrastructure, bombed (homes) and apartment buildings, completely destroyed hospitals and kindergartens,” he said. According to the Mayor, 15,000 people lived in Makariv before Russia began its invasion on February 24 and now less than 1,000 remain. The development comes more than a week after another mass grave

containing more than 300 bodies were found in Bucha city in the Kiev region. The city’s authorities had claimed that corpses also lined the streets, some with their hands tied behind their backs and shot dead. The Bucha killings have led to a global outcry. On Thursday, the UN General Assembly suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council in the wake of the killings. The resolution, proposed by the US, Ukraine and their allies, came after stark images and horrific narratives of killings and atrocities emerged from Bucha after Russian troops withdrew from the city on April 2.

‘Russian soldiers who were at Chernobyl have a year to live at most’ Kiev, April 9: A Ukrainian Minister has claimed that the Russian troops who were posted at the Exclusion Zone of the now-defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant were exposed to high levels of radiation due to which they have at the most a year to live. Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident, fell to the Russian troops on the first day of Moscow’s invasion on February 24. On April 5, National Guard of Ukraine seized it and took control of the facility after the troops fully evacuated the premises on March 31. Speaking to the local media on Friday, Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that not only were the troops exposed to the radiation, but their military equipment has also been contaminated. “The Russian soldiers’ ignorance went as far off the scale as the dosimeters we used to check the background radiation in the places where the invaders were deployed,” Ukrayinska Pravda quoted Galushchenko as saying “They dug into contaminated soil with their bare hands, put radioactive sand into bags for fortifications, and inhaled the dust. After a month of that kind of exposure, they have at most a year to live. Or rather, they

won’t be living, but slowly dying of their illnesses,” he added. He further said that the Russian forces also looted the plant’s administrative offices, “taking everything from crockery to spare parts and instruments”. “It’s not just all of the occupiers’ troops and their ‘trophies’ that are contaminated. So is all the military equipment that has passed through Chernobyl – about 10,000 items. Every Russian soldier will bring a piece of Chernobyl home, whether he’s alive or dead,” Galushchenko said. He also noted that metal is particularly susceptible to radiation and becomes radioactive, adding that there is a high risk of radioactive contamination for anyone who comes into contact with property or machinery from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The plant, some 110 km north of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, witnessed the worst nuclear accident in human history on April 26, 1986.

Akshata Murty to pay UK taxes on income from Infosys after controversy London, April 9 (IANS) British Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty has said she will pay UK taxes on her overseas income, following a row over her non-domicile status, the BBC reported. She owns 700 million pounds in shares of the Indian IT giant Infosys, founded by her father, from which she received 11.6 million pounds in dividend income last year. As a non-domiciled (non-dom) UK resident she is not required by law to pay UK taxes on her overseas income. But she told the BBC she did not want to be a “distraction” for her husband. Her decision to change her tax arrangements follows accusations of hypocrisy against the Chancellor, with opposition parties saying Sunak’s family is benefiting at a time when the cost of living is going up. The BBC estimates Murty would have avoided 2.1 million pounds a year in UK tax through her non-dom status. Murty said her tax arrangements had been “entirely legal”, but added: “It has become clear that many do not feel it is compatible with my husband’s role as Chancellor. “I understand and appreciate the British sense of fairness and I do not wish my tax status to be a distraction for my husband or to affect my family.” Sunak has accused political opponents of “smearing” his wife to get at him. He has also said she is entitled to use the non-dom arrangement as she is an Indian citizen and plans to move back to her home country in the future to care for her parents. Murty will retain her Indian

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citizenship and her non-dom status which allows her family to avoid paying inheritance tax in the UK - which at current valuation could amount to 280 million pounds, the BBC reported. On Thursday, it emerged that she pays 30,000 pounds a year to maintain her non-dom status. In her statement, Murty also said she would now be paying UK tax “on all my worldwide income, including dividends and capital gains, wherever in the world that income arises”. “I do this because I want to, not because the rules require me to. These new arrangements will begin immediately and will also be applied to the tax year just finished (202122),” she added. Opposition Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said questions remained over Murty’s tax arrangements, at a time when people were “feeling the pinch” of the cost of living crisis. “Once again, senior government ministers seem to be taking the public for fools,” she told the BBC. Liberal Democrat’s Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine called on the Sunak household to backdate the taxes in full, adding: “Doing something just because you’ve been found out isn’t good enough”.

POLITICS

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Can’t ban promise of freebies by political Language Row: VCK, Dravidar Kazhagam to take out protest marches across TN parties, amount to overreach: EC to SC IANS

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) The Election Commission (EC) told the Supreme Court that offering freebies either before or after elections is a policy decision of a political party, and it cannot regulate state policies and decisions taken by the parties. In an affidavit, the EC said: “Offering/distribution of any freebies either before or after the election is a policy decision of the party concerned and whether such policies are financially viable or its adverse affect on the economic health of the state is a question that has to be considered and decided by the voters of the state. “The Election Commission cannot regulate state policies and decisions which may be taken by the winning party when they form the government. Such an action without enabling provisions in the law,

would be an overreach of powers.” The EC clarified that it does not have power to deregister a political party, except on three grounds, which were outlined by the top court in case of Indian National Congress Vs Institute of Social Welfare and others (2002). The grounds are -- registration obtained on fraud and forgery, party ceased to have faith and allegiance to the Constitution, and any other alike ground. The EC added that it has also made recommendations to the law ministry to enable it to exercise the power to de-register a political party and to issue necessary orders regulating registration and de-registration of political parties. The affidavit added: “Barring political parties from promising/

distributing freebies from public fund before electiona..may result in a situation where the parties will lose their recognition even before they display their electoral performance in the lections”. The EC’s response filed the affidavit in response to a PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The PIL claimed that the promise or distribution of irrational freebies from public funds before polls shakes the roots of a free and fair election, and vitiates the purity of the election process. The plea sought a direction from the top court to declare that the promise of irrational freebies, which are not for public purposes, from public funds before election, violates Articles 14, 162, 266(3), and 282 of the Constitution. On January 25, the apex court had issued notice on the plea. The plea contended that a condition should be imposed on the political party that they would not promise or distribute irrational freebies from the public fund. The EC responded that it “may result in a situation where the political parties will lose their recognition even before they display their electoral performance”. It also contended that political parties’ promises to lure voters in their favour is analogous to bribery and undue influences.

Receiving foreign donations can’t be absolute or even vested right, says SC (Lead) IANS

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday said that receiving foreign donations cannot be an absolute or even a vested right, and free and uncontrolled flow of foreign contribution has the potential of impacting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The observations came as it upheld the constitutional validity of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020, which imposed restrictions on the way foreign contributions are handled by Indian organisations A bench, headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C.T. Ravikumar, said: “There is no fundamental right vested in anyone to receive foreign contribution (donation) or foreign exchange.” Justice Khanwilkar, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench, said: “Indubitably, foreign contribution is qualitatively different from foreign investment. Receiving foreign donations cannot be an absolute or even a vested right. By its very expression, it is a reflection on the constitutional morality of the nation as a whole being incapable of looking after its own needs and problems.” Upholding the series of amendments made by the Centre in Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign funds by NGOs, associations, and individuals and also to trace the utilisation of

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the funds, the bench noted that serious concern about the impact of widespread inflow of foreign contribution on the values of a sovereign democratic republic had been repeatedly expressed at different levels, including in the Parliament. Philosophically, foreign contribution is akin to gratifying intoxicant replete with medicinal properties and may work like a nectar, it said. “However, it serves as a medicine so long as it is consumed (utilised) moderately and discreetly, for serving the larger cause of humanity. Otherwise, this artifice has the capability of inflicting pain, suffering and turmoil as being caused by the toxic substance (potent tool) a” across the nation,” it added, in the 132-page judgment. The bench pointed out that the purport of the principal Act and the impugned amendments are only to provide a regulatory framework and not one of complete prohibition. It said that there was unanimity amongst the members of both the Houses cutting across party lines to have such a strict regime as indiscriminate receipt/inflow and more so utilisation of foreign contribution had been threatening the sovereignty and integrity of the country itself. “In that, free and uncontrolled flow of foreign contribution has the potential of impacting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, its public order and also working against the interests of the general public,” said Justice Khanwilkar.

The bench pointed out that statement of objects and reasons for the amendment Act of 2020 makes it amply clear that the annual inflow of foreign contribution had almost doubled between 2010 and 2019 and many recipients of foreign contribution had not utilised the same for the purposes for which they were registered or granted prior permission under the Act. It cited how many recipients had also failed to adhere to and fulfil the statutory compliances - which resulted in cancellation of as many as 19,000 certificates of concerned persons/organisations during this period. Justice Khanwilkar said: “It is open to a sovereign democratic nation to completely prohibit acceptance of foreign donations on the ground that it undermines the constitutional morality of the nation.” The bench said earlier transfer of foreign contribution was permitted as per the unamended provision, and that by itself cannot be the basis to challenge the validity of the amended provision. “For, it is open to the Parliament to change the benchmark of restriction from higher standard to lower standard or vice versa on the basis of the exigencies and experience gained during the implementation of the applicable provision at the relevant time,” it added. It said the argument of the writ petitioners about lack of rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved by the Principal Act, much less the Amendment Act, must also fail. The top court judgment came on petitions challenging provisions of the FCRA Amendment Act prohibiting transfer of foreign funds (Section 7), requiring Aadhaar as identification for prior approval, registration etc (Section 12A), while also, mandating opening of an FCRA primary account exclusively in a branch of State Bank of India, New Delhi, notified by the Centre (Section 17).

Chennai, April 9: The Tamil Nadu police have been put on high alert following intelligence inputs of a possible violence in the state over Union Minister Amit Shah’s statement regarding Hindi to be made the communicative medium. Political leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Congress state president M.K. Alagiri, had come out against Shah’s statement. Security has been beefed up in several pockets of the state where the possibilities of eruption of violence are on the high. The preventive measure, according to a senior intelligence officer with the state police, comes after Dalit outfit Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Dravidar Kazhagam(DK) based on the ideals of Tamil social reformer EV Ramaswami Periyar, called for protests across the state against the minister’s statement. Founder leader of VCK and Member of Parliament, Thol Thirumavalavan while speaking to IANS said: “The statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah is part of the fascist designs of the BJP and the people of Tamil Nadu will reject and defeat the imposition of Hindi language in the state.” He said that the party would conduct protest marches across the state against this highly provocative statement from the Union Home minister. Thol Thirumavalavan said that the party executive committee

has chalked out the protest programmes against the statement of the Union Home minister. Thol Thirumavalavan said: “Amit Shah and the BJP do not know the history of Tamil Nadu and the protests that had emanated in the state against imposing Hindi language. The imposition of a link language would create a wedge and divide the people of the country and BJP should refrain from doing this.” He, however, did not elaborate on the protest march plans and the date of conducting the marches. Sources in the state intelligence told IANS that the state police are prepared for any spontaneous protests in certain pockets where the party is strong. Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) leader K. Veeramani also said that the organisation will conduct protest marches across Tamil Nadu against the arbitrary move of the Union government to impose Hindi on the people of Tamil Nadu.

“The people of Tamil Nadu are already agitated over the Union Home minister’s statement on imposing Hindi on our people. There will be stiff resistance from Tamil Nadu and we will line up the people of Tamil Nadu against this unilateral move of the Union government and Amit Shah,” Veeramani said. He also asked Amit Shah to study the history of the long struggles undertaken by the Tamil people in earlier days against the imposition of Hindi. The protest marches, he said, would be conducted in a peaceful manner and called upon the Union Home Minister to apologise to the people of the country and not to create a wedge between the different states using such statements. Veeramani said that the protest marches will be conducted on Monday in various parts of Tamil Nadu against this move of the Union government.

Yechury is scared to say in Kerala what he says in Delhi: Congress Thiruvananthapuram, April 9: The Congress on Saturday attacked CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury for being “powerless” against his party’s Kerala wing. “The 23rd edition of the Party Congress will go down in the history as one where it has become evident that the national leadership of the party is being controlled by the Kerala unit of the CPI-M. Yechury is unable to say here, what he says in Delhi,” Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan claimed. Alleging that the agenda of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is to see that the Congress is shown the door, while his party’s national leadership wants the Congress in the scheme of things to take on the BJP, he said: “But, with Vijayan determined, as he has had a secret pact between the national leadership of the BJP/ RSS to see that Congress is not in the picture, he has decided that the national leadership of the CPI-M will not have its way.” Satheesan said that the “pact

between Vijayan and the national leadership of the BJP/RSS has been worked out through an intermediary based in Delhi”. Yechury has all along adopted a soft attitude towards the Congress across the country, but in Kerala, his

hands are tied, he alleged. Incidentally in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, both the Congress and the CPI-M are allies in the DMK-led alliance, and is the same in most states of the country.

I was born in centre of power but it does not interest me: Rahul Gandhi New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that despite being born in the centre of power, he has no greed or temptation for it. The Congress MP was speaking while launching a collection of essays edited by former IAS officer K. Raju at Jawahar Bhawan. “There are politicians who are constantly in search of power.... I was born in the centre of power but honestly, it does not interest me at all. On the contrary, I try to understand the people and the country. In the process, I came to know that India is the only country in the world where untouchability still exists. We need to break free from this regressive mindset,” he said. Expressing his gratitude for the constant love that he received from the people, Gandhi said: “My

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country has loved me unconditionally for which I shall be indebted eternally. Definitely, there have been times when I have received brick bats as well which caused immense pain but deep within I know that my country wants to teach me, so I try to understand it.” On people being targetted only because they belong to a particular caste or creed he said: “I have also seen times when mobs assaulted innocent people like animals with sticks and batons simply because they belonged to a different caste or religion. This is happening only with Dalits in the country.” K. Raju in his new book “The Dalit Truth: The Battle for Realizing Ambedkar’s Vision” has attempted to depict the Dalit voice. It depicts their fight against the mob of Dalit truth and the lies perpetrated by the caste system.

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This is the eighth volume of Penguin Random House India’s ‘Rethinking India’ series. K. Raju, who is also the National Coordinator of Congress’s SC, ST, OBC and All India Minority Departments, said: “This book is a companion for the truth seeker who seeks to demolish the caste architecture that engenders inequality and discrimination in society, maintains it.”

TECHNOLOGY

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Hubble finds new planet forming in intense, violent way IANS

Washington, April 6 (IANS) NASA and European Space Agency’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of a Jupiter-like protoplanet forming through what researchers describe as an “intense and violent process”. This discovery supports a long-debated theory for how planets like Jupiter form, called “disk instability”, the researchers said. The new planet under construction is embedded in a protoplanetary disk of dust and gas with distinct spiral structure swirling around surrounding a young star that’s estimated to be around 2 million years old -- the age at when planet formation was underway in our

solar system. Our solar system’s age is currently 4.6 billion years. “Nature is clever; it can produce planets in a range of different ways,” said lead researcher Thayne Currie from the Subaru Telescope and Eureka Scientific. The newly forming planet, called AB Aurigae b, is probably about nine times more massive than Jupiter and orbits its host star at a whopping distance of 8.6 billion miles - over two times farther than Pluto is from our Sun. At that distance it would take a very long time, if ever, for a Jupiter-sized planet to form. This leads researchers to conclude that the disk instability has enabled this planet to

form at such a great distance. And, it is in a striking contrast to expectations of planet formation by the widely accepted core accretion model. All planets are made from material that originated in a circumstellar disk. The dominant theory for jovian planet formation is called “core accretion”, a bottom-up approach where planets embedded in the disk grow from small objects - with sizes ranging from dust grains to boulders - colliding and sticking together as they orbit a star. The new analysis, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, combines data from two Hubble instruments: the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrograph. These data were compared to those from a state-of-the-art planet imaging instrument called SCExAO on Japan’s 8.2-metre Subaru Telescope located at the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Understanding the early days of the formation of Jupiter-like planets provides astronomers with more context into the history of our own solar system. This discovery paves the way for future studies of the chemical make-up of protoplanetary disks like AB Aurigae, including with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

Elevation Capital launches new $670 mn fund for early-stage startups in India IANS

Sharechat, Spinny, Swiggy, Unacademy, Urban Company, Xpressbees and several others. With the $670 million Fund VIII, the VC said in a statement that it will once again focus on the seed/Series A stage as its core. According to the company, its investment pace has been accelerating and went up by 100 per cent in the past 12 months. The firm has to date invested in over 150 companies across consumer internet, SaaS, fintech, consumer brands, edtech, healthtech and

Web3/Crypto, and has offices in Bengaluru, Gurugram and Salt Lake City in the US. “Fund VIII will allow us to demonstrate a greater commitment to exceptional founders with a larger initial investment and continued support to them until much later in their journeys,” said the VC. Elevation (earlier SAIF Partners) first started investing in India 20 years ago. India’s equity market capitalisation is already the fifth-highest in the world, at $3.2 trillion, and is expected to approach $10 trillion over the next 10 years. “We have just scratched the surface of India’s tech potential. The 100 unicorns in India alone have a combined valuation of $240 billion. We believe that this will grow over 10x over the next decade and Indian tech companies will have more than $2 trillion of market cap,” said the company. The firm is led by co-managing partners Ravi Adusumalli and Mukul Arora, along with three managing directors Mridul Arora, Deepak Gaur and Mayank Khanduja.

Indian woman-led deep tech startup Instoried secures $200 mn

Bengaluru, April 7: Deep tech platform Instoried on Thursday said it has secured $200 mn commitment from global investment group GEM Global Yield, and will use the funds to expand operations globally and develop artificial intelligence (AI)-based content generation tools. Led by a woman founder, Sharmin www.indianabroad.news

Ali, Instoried uses AI to help people write original and more lively content, make messaging crisper, improve headline impact, improve empathy and tone. Utilising 30 million data points, the platform’s proprietary algorithm powers a top-notch collaborative content creation tool that provides

instant feedback in real-time. “Instoried helps people convey the proper tonality in everything they write from email to blogs, from marketing copy and advertising to long-form articles,” said Sharmin Ali, also the CEO of Instoried. The platform will further invest in its technology to add a Google Chrome extension, a WordPress plug-in and other elements to its product portfolio. Under the agreement, GEM will provide a share subscription facility of up to $200 million, to be drawn at the option of the company, for a 36-month term following a public listing. Instoried aims to go public via SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) or the traditional IPO route. Additionally, the platform has plans to grow its executive team and presence globally. For the India market, Instoried will focus on hiring for leadership and technology roles, develop the tech stack to launch their own content generation tool and invest in marketing in India and Asia markets. GEM is a $3.4 billion, alternative investment group with offices in Paris, New York and the Bahamas.

‘Beginning of many beginnings’: Private mission Ax-1 lifts off to space station IANS

Washington, April 8 (IANS) American company Axiom Space has launched the world’s first private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday. The 4-member crew lifted off on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 11.17 a.m. EDT (8.47 pm IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the company said. The Ax-1 crew members includes Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria of Spain and the US, Pilot Larry Connor of the US, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe of Israel, and Mark Pathy of Canada. “This is a very special moment for us. The launch of Ax-1 is a beginning of many beginnings. Ax-1’s launch to ISS is part of our journey to build a first private commercial space station,” Kamal Ghaffarian, Executive Chairman, Axiom Space during the launch. “We will usher in a new era in private human spaceflight when they cross the threshold to enter the ISS,” added Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space. He thanked SpaceX, the astronauts and Axiom team for “long hours of training, planning, and dedication”. Suffredini also thanked NASA for its “vision to develop a sustainable presence in low-Earth orbit”. “This takes commerce to a whole new level. Axiom_Space’s #Ax1 mission is on its way to the Space Station in SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavoura”a key step in our ongoing work to open opportunities for

space travellers in low-Earth orbit,” NASA said in a tweet. During their 10-day mission, the crew will spend eight days on the ISS conducting scientific research, outreach, and commercial activities. The crew has shared that they are bringing over 25 different scientific experiments to work on during their eight-day station stay. NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts already aboard the space station will welcome the Ax-1 crew after docking. Founded in 2016, Axiom has the ultimate goal of building private space stations Axiom Station, in lowEarth orbit that can serve as a global academic and commercial hub. “What a historic launch! Thank you to the dedicated teams at NASA

who have worked tirelessly to make this mission a reality,” said Administrator Bill Nelson. “NASA’s partnership with industry through the commercial cargo and crew programs has led our nation to this new era in human spaceflight a” one with limitless potential. Congratulations to Axiom, SpaceX, and the Axiom-1 crew for making this first private mission to the International Space Station a reality,” he added.

Panasonic unveils its flagship mirrorless camera in India New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Consumer durable major Panasonic India on Thursday launched its flagship mirrorless camera -- LUMIX GH6 in India for Rs 2,34,990. The company said that LUMIX GH6 offers outstanding mobility and high video performance, making it a perfect partner for the content creator community worldwide. It is available across all Panasonic brand shops in India. “In the growing needs of video streaming, content creators are more keen on the quality and uniqueness of the video contents they provide. To cater to these needs, we have developed LUMIX GH6 with advanced image processing technology to empower content creators with stunning mobility and innovative video performance,” Fumiyasu Fujimori, Managing Director, Panasonic Marketing India (PMIN), said in a statement. “The GH6 additionally introduces new codecs directly to internal camera recording and we hope this feature will be appreciated by creators. I believe LUMIX GH6 can be widely used for various purposes including films, music videos, documentaries and short clips as

photo and video hybrid camera,” it added. The body of the LUMIX GH6 is built with magnesium alloy and is a perfect amalgamation of performance, mobility, and rugged design, the company said. The new 25.2MP Live MOS Sensor boasts a high-resolution, high-speed signal readout, and a wide dynamic range running on the Venus Engine that allows faster rendering

IANS

of high-resolution images with natural noise texture and rich color reproduction, which is a hallmark of LUMIX cameras. The 2D and 3D Noise Reduction features enhance the visual quality of the video with dynamic motion and advanced capabilities that exceed professional standards. The autofocus performance of the LUMIX GH6 has been enhanced by utilizing the new sensor and image-processing engine.

Google ‘multisearch’ tool to help users search with photos

IANS

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Google has introduced multi-search on its platform that allows people to use text and images at the same time to find the most relevant results. Currently available as a beta feature in English in the US, multisearch allows people to search with both images and text at the same time, to help them with their visual needs, including style and home decor questions. “With multisearch, you can ask a question about an object in front of you or refine your search by colour, brand or a visual attribute,” Google said in a statement late on Thursday. To get started, simply open up the Google app on Android or iOS, tap the Lens camera icon and either search one of your screenshots or snap a photo of the world around you, like the stylish wallpaper pattern at your local coffee shop. Then, swipe up and tap the “+ Add to your search” button to add text.

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You can take a screenshot of the orange dress and add the query “green” to find it in another colour. You can also snap a photo of your dining set and add the query “coffee table” to find a matching table. “All this is made possible by our latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence, which is making it

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easier to understand the world around you in more natural and intuitive ways,” said Google. “We’re also exploring ways in which this feature might be enhanced by MUM -- our latest AI model in Search -- to improve results for all the questions you could imagine asking,” the company added.

SPORTS

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

IPL 2022: It was good fun, says Pat Cummins on whirlwind 14-ball half-century IANS

Pune, April 7 (IANS) From out of nowhere, Pat Cummins turned out to be the chief architect of Kolkata Knight Riders stunning Mumbai Indians by five wickets with a whirlwind 14-ball half-century, equalling the record for fastest fifty in the history of the tournament. In his 15 balls, Cummins scored 56 runs with the help of four fours and six sixes at a jaw-dropping strikerate of 373.33 on a pitch at MCA Pune where a majority of the batters in the match were asked tough questions. But Cummins batted like a man possessed and took Kolkata home in a chase which looked tricky when he walked in. Asked by his Kolkata team-mate Venkatesh Iyer in a video posted by the IPL website on Thursday, Cummins tried to recall

how his blistering knock happened. “I don’t know (on how his knock happened). I think you guys did the hard work upfront, so for when I come in, I was trying to hit big sixes, trying to think really clearly: If it’s in my area, I am going to go for it, if it’s not in my area, I’ll just try and take a single. Batting at the end of the game, it’s not swinging, it’s not seaming so it’s a bit easier for me. It was good fun.” When Cummins was smashing boundaries off Tymal Mills, Jasprit Bumrah and Daniel Sams (taken to cleaners for 35 runs in the 16th over), Iyer had the best seat in the house to witness the carnage, holding one end for an unbeaten 41-ball 50. “Felt really good. Honestly, barring you, everyone felt the wicket was a

little bit tricky to bat on but that was some unbelievable display of hitting from you. So it was important for me to stay there till the end and play that anchor role,” stated Iyer. Till the match against Mumbai, Iyer struggled to get going. But he took his time against Mumbai to reach his first fifty of the IPL 2022 season. “Obviously, I didn’t have the best of starts with the bat. I wasn’t hitting the ball with the middle of the bat. But those are the days. I spoke to myself about staying there till the end. You need a batter from the topfour to stay there till the end when chasing a decent total in front of the bowling attack like that. So that was my plan.” This was Cummins’ first IPL 2022 match after missing the first three games due to tour of Pakistan, where he featured in the Test leg before being rested for the whiteball fixtures. “Had about five to six days off then I flew over here, three days quarantine and then had two days leading into this game which was really good.” “Like, the more I bowl, the better I feel like I bowl. Coming off Test cricket means that I don’t have to upskill too quickly. So it’s been good preparation, the body feels great, (I’m) just itching to get out there,” explained the Australia Test skipper. Cummins signed off by saying that he will take really good care of the bat which fetched his a 14-ball fifty against Mumbai. “I’ll hang on to it. Yeah, I’ll look after that one.” Now on top of the points table with six points, Kolkata will meet Delhi Capitals on Sunday at Brabourne

12 teams confirmed to get automatic qualification for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Dubai, April 11 (IANS) The International Cricket Council Board has announced the qualification route to both the Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024, with 12 teams confirmed to get automatic qualification in the men’s tournament, to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States. The ICC also confirmed South Africa as the host of the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. The top eight teams from the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia along with hosts West Indies and the US,

and the next highest-ranked teams on the ICC Men’s T20 rankings table as on November 14, 2022 will get automatic qualification for the 2024 men’s tournament. If the West Indies finish among the top eight in Australia later this year, three teams will progress based on rankings. If the Caribbean side finishes outside the top eight, only two teams will qualify from the rankings table. Since the tournament will feature 20 teams, the remaining eight spots will be decided through a regional qualification process. Africa, Asia and Europe each will have two spots open, while the Americas and East Asia Pacific (EAP) will have one each. For the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, eight countries will book berths to the showpiece event automatically, including the top three teams from each group of the 2023 event besides the host (if not in the six) and the next highest-ranked team(s) on the ICC Women’s T20

rankings table at a pre-determined date. The remaining two teams will be determined through the Women’s T20 World Cup global qualifier. The eight-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025 will see the five highest-placed teams at the end of the 2022-25 ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) qualify automatically alongside the host which is yet to be confirmed. The remaining two teams will be identified through a global qualifying event between the four bottom-placed teams in the IWC, besides an additional two teams from the ODI rankings. The inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 will be staged in January next year as a 16-team event. The 41-match event will be hosted by South Africa, who were also the inaugural hosts of the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007.

Social media goes crazy after Tewatia’s match-winning consecutive sixes

IANS

Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) The social media has gone berserk praising Rahul Tewatia’s consecutive sixes off the last two balls of the match as Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets in an IPL thriller at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday. Tewatia struck the sixes off Odean Smith to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. From 21 off nine deliveries to 18 off the last five, Tewatia and David Miller brought it down to 13 off three balls when Miller scrambled for a single, leaving Tewatia the unenviable task of hitting two sixes off the last two deliveries of the match and win it for Gujarat Titans, who successfully chased a target of 190. The 28-year-old first carted Smith over deep mid-wicket with the fielder nearly catching him before falling over the rope. He then played a slog-sweep over the long-on boundary to seal a memorable victory for Gujarat Titans. Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag said Punjab Kings should

have Tewatia’s statue in their dugout. “Waah Lord Tewatia,... Need his statue in Punjab Kings dugout. What a brain fade by (Odean) Smith to concede an overthrow with 13 needed of 2. #PBKSvGT,” tweeted Sehwag. Former England captain Michael Vaughan was ecstatic with Tewatia’s knock, tweeting, “No tournament gets close to the drama & finishes the #IPL brings... That was ridiculous... #Tewatia.” Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya’s brother, Kruna, who plays for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), tweeted, “Tewatia, you beauty. What a finish! What a knock, well played Shubhi (Shubman Gill). Wonderful match! @rahultewatia02, @ShubmanGill.” Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif wrote, “Forget Titans, if Tewatia was on Titanic even that wouldn’t have sunk. #GTvsPBKS.” Former India spinner Amit Mishra tweeted, “Gujarat Titans are yet to be defeated this season. If they continue the same form, we might

see other coaches also giving up laptop and picking up pen and paper like (Ashish) Nehra ji (Gujarat Titans head coach).” Former India pace bowler Venkatesh Prasad wrote, “12 needed to win off 2 balls and 2 sixes in 2 balls. Rahul Tewatia... Remember the name...”

Korea Open: India’s campaign ends with Sindhu, Srikanth’s loss in semifinal Suncheon (South Korea), April 9 (IANS) India’s campaign at the Korea Open Badminton Championships 2022 came to an end on Saturday after the country’s top shuttlers -- PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth -- lost their respective semifinal matches at the Palma Stadium, here. Sindhu lost her women’s singles last-four match 14-21, 17-21 against the world No. 4 An Seyoung in 48 minutes. Heading into the fixture, Sindhu, a former world champion had failed to beat the 20-year-old South Korean in any of their three previous meetings. The last time the two played each other, An Seyoung had denied the Indian ace the BWF World Tour Finals 2021 title. Sindhu tried to start the match aggressively but some astonishing retrievals from An Seyoung frustrated her as the South Korean raced to a 7-1 lead. The Indian shuttler managed to offset the early blows with a series of good points of her own but it was An Seyoung with an 11-6 lead heading into the first mid-game interval of the match.

Despite Sindhu’s best efforts, An Seyoung controlled the flow of the match and won the first game 21-14. Looking for a sharp response, Sindhu took a 3-0 lead in the second game but it was not long before An Seyoung responded and it was the South Korean again who led by two points at the break. An Seyoung’s court coverage was exquisite and her range of shorts continued to baffle the Indian star as the match progressed. Trailing 14-9, Sindhu upped the ante and managed to bring down the deficit to just a single point with the help of some brilliant cross-court winners. However, it wasn’t quite enough to topple the in-form South Korean who wrapped up the match. Meanwhile, Kidambi Srikanth also lost his men’s singles semis against Indonesian second-seed Jonatan Christie by a 19-21, 16-21 scoreline. Srikanth, seeded fifth, started the match well and led for most of the first game but the world No. 8 Cristie flipped the script right at the end to take the lead.

The second game was a tight affair in the initial stages but from a 14-all scoreline, Christie stepped up to take control and ended the match in 49 minutes. Srikanth’s loss brought India’s campaign at the Korea Open to an end.

Kuldeep Sen - Rajasthan Royals’ new pace sensation! Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh’s right-arm pacer Kuldeep Sen on Sunday made his debut for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium here. The fast bowler from Rewa, around 450 kms from the state capital Bhopal near the Utar Pradesh border, impressed everyone with his good pace. He cleaned up Deepak Hooda for 25 in his second over.

The 25-year-old bowler later successfully defended 15 off the last over to help his team register a win in a close contest. He conceded just 11 off the last six balls to finish with figures of 1 for 35. For the records, RR management picked up the right-arm fast bowler for a price tag of Rs 20 Lakh during the IPL 2022 mega auction. He made his T20 debut against Mumbai in 2019 and has the experience of playing for the domestic Madhya Pradesh state cricket team.

As per initial reports, his father Rampal Sen runs a small salon in the city. In 16 first-class matches, Kuldeep has bagged 44 wickets, while he has four List A scalps in his kitty.

From being a nets bowler to making an impact for RCB, Akash Deep’s journey into the big league Pune, April 11 (IANS) Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) pace bowler Akash Deep was so enamoured with the franchise since his childhood days that he always dreamt of playing for them during his growing years. And when the opportunity finally came his way, the 25-year-old knew that he had to gain as much experience as possible despite the limited exposure and make an impact. He started out as an intern, bowling at the RCB nets during IPL 2021. But cut to 2022, the young pacer has shown he has plenty in the kitty to hang around with the big boys on the big stage. Growing from strength to strength in the last four games of the 2022 season, Akash was instrumental in restricting Mumbai Indians to 151/6 at the Maharashtra Cricket www.indianabroad.news

Association Stadium on April 9, helping his side win the crunch contest by seven wickets. Not only did he bowl one of the most economical spells on that day -- Akash conceded just 20 runs in his four overs, which also included a maiden -- but also took the prized wicket of Ishan Kishan when the MI opener looked well set on 26. Speaking about his experiences with the Bengaluru franchise, who bought him back during the Mega Auction this year, Akash said, “I have liked RCB since my childhood and ever since I’ve known cricket. I used to like RCB a lot because of Virat sir (Virat Kohli) and AB sir (AB de Villiers). I would never miss out on an RCB game even if I missed any other game. I would not watch any other team’s games, but I would watch this team’s right from my

childhood. So, even joining up with this team for me was a big deal.” “During the first 2-3 months after joining up with RCB, I got to learn a lot. When I went back home from here, I realised that the confidence I had gained through this experience helped me a lot in domestic cricket,” he added. Playing for Bengal at the domestic level, Akash has superb first-class figures of 45 wickets in 11 matches, with an economy rate of 3.16. However, things didn’t go smoothly for the bowler during the 2021 season as he had to leave the RCB nets mid-season. “Whenever I come to this ground (Bandra Kurla Complex), it reminds me of the experience. When I was at practice, I got a call from home that my elder aunt was in quite a serious

condition, as were my sister-in-law and my mother. They were at the hospital and my mother was home. I went back to the hotel and was hoping to hear that the situation had gotten better. I kept delaying going back for 4-5 days. “But after five days, I got the news that my elder aunt had passed away, and then my sister-in-law did too. My mother was in quite a critical condition too. I felt that I had to go back because family is very important, and the situation was also very tough,” said the Bengal pacer. “After going home, I took care of my mother’s medicines, getting her injections. The hospital at our place did not have anything -- there were no doctors, no medicines. But, going back helped because even the RCB management had spoken to the people back home, to help arrange

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for oxygen cylinders; I administered the injections myself. Thankfully, my mother is alright now,” he told RCB Bold Diaries. Things took a positive turn for Akash, who was drafted into the squad for the second half of the

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2021 season in place of the injured Washington Sundar. There has been no looking back since then as he was bought back by RCB in the 2022 auction, and has played every game of the IPL 2022 season thus far.

BITCOIN UPDATES

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Strong dollar dents India’s foreign Global headwinds: RBI lowers reserves, forex down by over $11 bn FY23 GDP growth forecast to 7.2% IANS

currencies and securities such as US treasury bonds. As per the RBI data, the FCAs edged lower by $10.727 billion to $539.727 billion. India’s overall forex reserves, thus, fell by $11.173 billion to $606.475 billion from $617.648 billion reported for the previous week

Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Global currency fluctuations, due to a rise in US dollar strength, depleted India’s foreign reserve by over $11.173 billion during the week that ended on April 1.

The foreign currency assets (FCAs), the largest component of the forex reserves, got negatively impacted due to the rising US dollar strength against other global currencies. The FCAs consist of global

The country’s forex reserves consist of FCAs, gold reserves, SDRs, and the country’s reserve position with the IMF. The value of the gold reserves also decreased by $507 million to $42.734 billion. While SDR value gained by $58 million to $18.879 billion, India’s reserve position with the IMF also gained by $4 million to $5.136 billion.

Mumbai, April 8 (IANS) Reserve Bank of India on Friday lowered India’s FY23 GDP growth projection to 7.2 per cent from an earlier estimation of 7.8 per cent. In a statement after the Monetary Policy Committee’s bi-monthly meet, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the real GDP growth is projected at 16.2 per cent in Q1FY23, at 6.2 per cent in Q2; at 4.1 per cent in Q3 and Q4 at 4 per cent, assuming that crude oil (Indian basket) price is at $100 per barrel during 2022-23. “As the horizon was brightening up, escalating geopolitical tensions have cast a shadow on our economic outlook. Although India’s direct trade exposure to countries at the epicentre of the conflict is limited, the war could potentially impede the economic recovery through elevated commodity prices and global spillover channels,” he said.

“Further, financial market volatility induced by monetary policy normalisation in advanced economies, renewed Covid-19 infections in some major countries with augmented supply-side disruptions and protracted shortages of critical inputs, such as semi- conductors and chips, pose downside risks to the outlook.” Besides, the governor said that going forward, robust Rabi output should support recovery in the rural demand, while a pick-up in contact-intensive services should help in further strengthening urban demand. “Investment activity may gain traction with improving business confidence, pick up in bank credit, continuing support from government capex and congenial financial conditions.”

IANS

manufacturing sector recovered further to 72.4 per cent in Q3:202122 from 68.3 per cent in the previous quarter, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 69.9 per cent in Q4:2019-20.” On Friday, the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the central bank maintained the repo rate, or short-term lending rate, for commercial banks, at 4 per cent. In addition, the growth-oriented accommodative stance was also retained.

FY22 tax collection exceeds budgetary Elevation Capital launches new $670 mn estimate, rises to over Rs 27 lakh cr

IANS

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Accelerated economic recovery along with enhanced compliance pushed India’s FY22 tax collection to Rs 27.07 lakh crore, almost Rs 5 lakh crore above the Union budget’s estimate of Rs 22.17 lakh crore. Accordingly, the current tax collection grew by 34 per cent over last year’s revenue collection of Rs 20.27 lakh crore, led by a growth of 49 per cent in direct taxes and supported by a 20 per cent growth in indirect taxes. “This revenue growth has been propelled by rapid economic recovery after successive waves of Covid, supported by one of the largest immunisation programme of the world run by the government,” the Ministry of Finance said. “It also signifies a robust recovery in the economy. This was also supplemented with better compliance efforts in taxation. Various efforts were taken by tax administration on direct as well indirect taxes to nudge higher compliance through use of technology and artificial intelligence.” Besides, FY22 marked the highest tax-GDP ratio of 11.7 per cent, with direct tax to GDP ratio at 6.1 per cent and indirect tax to GDP ratio at 5.6

per cent. “The tax buoyancy (which is a measure of growth in tax revenues as compared to GDP growth) is at a very healthy figure of 1.9, with 2.8 for direct taxes and 1.1 for indirect taxes. The ratio of direct to indirect taxes recovered from 0.9 in 2020-21 back to 1.1 in 2021-22.” As per the ministry, the gross corporate taxes during 2021-22 was Rs 8.6 lakh crore against Rs 6.5 lakh crore last year, which shows that the new simplified tax regime with low rates and no exemptions has lived up to its promise. Furthermore, the ministry said that during the year, the income tax department gave refunds of Rs 2.24 lakh core. “During last two years, the effort has been to clear backlog of refunds to infuse liquidity into the hands of businesses.” “During the year, 2.4 crore refunds were issued that included 2.01 crore related to the year 2021-22, for which the returns were filed till 31st March 2021.” Additionally, this has been possible due to faster processing of returns. “During 2021-22, 22.4 per cent returns were processed on the same day and around 75 per cent returns were processed in less than a month

time. The average processing time for returns during 2021-22 was 26 days. During the year, 7.14 crore returns were filed as compared to 6.97 crore last year.” According to the ministry, on the indirect tax front, GST saw “an exemplary growth during 2021-22 despite two waves of Covid-19 pandemic”. “CGST revenues increased from Rs 4.6 lakh crore last year to Rs 5.9 lakh crore in 2021-22. The average monthly gross GST revenue in 2021-22 was Rs 1.23 lakh crore as compared to Rs 94,734 in 2020-21 and Rs 1.01 lakh crore in 2019-20.” “This again signifies a robust rebound in the economy. This has been complemented due to various measures taken to improve compliance. This shows that the GST ecosystem has appreciated the invoice-based discipline in GST, which not only benefits GST revenues but also contributes to overall formalization in the economy.” Additionally, the ministry said that the level of economic recovery can also be seen from the value of e-way bills generated every month, which has improved from Rs 16.9 lakh crore in January 2021 to Rs 25.7 lakh crore in March 2022. In addition, during 2021-22, Customs duty has witnessed a growth rate of 48 per cent. “During the last two years, the government has undertaken comprehensive review and rationalisation of the Customs tariff structure through extensive consultations and crowd sourcing and has rationalised various exemptions and simplified the tariff structure.” “It is expected that the trend of recovery in the economy and tax revenues of the government will continue to grow.”

Meta planning ‘Zuck Bucks’ digital currency as crypto dream fails IANS

San Francisco, April 7 (IANS) Meta is reportedly planning to launch a digital currency called ‘Zuck Bucks’ -- named after its Founder Mark Zuckerberg -- and virtual tokens, coins and other financial services, after its pet cryptocurrency project failed to take off. According to a report in The Financial Times citing sources, Facebook’s financial arm called ‘Meta Financial Technologies’ is exploring a virtual currency for metaverse, dubbed “Zuck Bucks”. “The company is seeking alternative revenue streams and new features that can attract and retain users, as popularity falls for its main social networking products such as

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Facebook and Instagram -- a trend that threatens its $118 bn-a-year adbased business model,” the report mentioned on Wednesday. “Zuck Bucks” will not be a cryptocurrency but more like in-app tokens that would be centrally controlled by the company, similar to those used in gaming apps like ‘Robux’ currency by popular kids’ gaming platform Roblox. Roblox has built a massive business selling ‘Robux’, and Meta could try to emulate some of that success on its own social networks. Meta is also planning to create “social tokens” or “reputation tokens”, which could be issued as rewards for meaningful contributions in

Facebook groups. The company is also aiming to produce “creator coins” for influencers on its photo-sharing platform Instagram. “Insanely great. Please let this be real,” posted Twitter founder Jack Dorsey on Thursday on the Meta plans to create “Zuck Bucks”. Meanwhile, Meta is planning to launch a pilot for posting and sharing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Facebook next month. NFTs may be monetised via “fees and/or ads” in the future, according to the report. Facing regulatory hurdles, the cryptocurrency dream of Zuckerberg was officially over as the company in February announced it has sold its digital coin known as Diem for around $200 million to Silvergate, a crypto-focused bank. Originally launched as Libra and later renamed as the Diem Association, the cryptocurrency initiative faced regulatory backlash, and the US Federal Reserve was a key opponent to Diem launching. Facebook and 20 partner organisations formally joined the digital currency project during a meeting in Geneva in October 2019.

“’Capacity utilisation’ (CU) in the

fund for early-stage startups in India

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Leading venture capital firm Elevation Capital on Friday announced its eighth $670 million fund for early-stage startups in India and to help their founders realise their dreams. Over the past two decades, the company has invested almost $2 billion of capital in over 150 companies across seven funds, with 13 early-stage investments becoming unicorns. These include category leaders such as Acko, FirstCry, Makemytrip, Meesho, NoBroker, Paytm, Sharechat, Spinny, Swiggy, Unacademy, Urban Company, Xpressbees and several others. With the $670 million Fund VIII, the VC said in a statement that it will once again focus on the seed/Series A stage as its core. According to the company, its investment pace has been

IANS

accelerating and went up by 100 per cent in the past 12 months. The firm has to date invested in over 150 companies across consumer internet, SaaS, fintech, consumer brands, edtech, healthtech and Web3/Crypto, and has offices in Bengaluru, Gurugram and Salt Lake City in the US. “Fund VIII will allow us to demonstrate a greater commitment to exceptional founders with a larger initial investment and continued support to them until much later in their journeys,” said the VC. Elevation (earlier SAIF Partners) first started investing in India 20 years ago. India’s equity market capitalisation is already the fifth-highest in the world, at $3.2 trillion, and is expected to approach $10 trillion over the next 10 years. “We have just scratched the surface

of India’s tech potential. The 100 unicorns in India alone have a combined valuation of $240 billion. We believe that this will grow over 10x over the next decade and Indian tech companies will have more than $2 trillion of market cap,” said the company. The firm is led by co-managing partners Ravi Adusumalli and Mukul Arora, along with three managing directors Mridul Arora, Deepak Gaur and Mayank Khanduja.

‘KGF’ sets foot in metaverse, fans snap up NFTs in record time Bengaluru, April 7: Racing towards its theatrical release this month, ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ is making waves in the metaverse as well. A record number of Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have been snapped up by collectors in what is being termed as the biggest NFT sale in India till date. The sale saw the first 500 NFTs getting sold in the first 10 minutes. KGF franchise makers Hombale Films have introduced a set of three NFTs - Bombay Rocky, Narachi Rocky and Toofan Rocky avatars. Hombale Films along with Lysto and Bookmyshow, on Thursday unveiled ‘KGFVerse’, a digital avatar-based universe in the metaverse, dedicated to the fans of the film. Excitement had been building since the initial announcement regarding the sale, and a huge number of prospective buyers were looking to get their hands on the especially rare Rocky Bhai NFT, which caused quite a stir. The sale received great response from the buyers, resulting in the first 500 NFTS being sold in first 10 minutes, which is an Indian record for any sale of NFTs in the country. As cinemas ready to welcome the much-awaited sequel on the big screen, fans get to own KGF franchise-themed digital collectibles, NFTs and membership in this innovative space created on the metaverse. The makers believe that the time is right for the production house to enter the lucrative NFT marketplace arena and the partnership with Lysto and Bookmyshow enables Hombale Films to take advantage of their marketing and technological infrastructure. With the endless possibilities of fan engagement and digital community building that the metaverse offers, this initiative follows a phased approach that has kickstarted with the launch of 10,000 ‘El-Dorado’ digital tokens that cinephiles can either buy using MATIC (Polygon) cryptocurrency, or win across the many contests which have gone live on the social media platforms of Hombale Films, Lysto and BookMyShow. The ‘El-Dorado’ digital tokens

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named after the mythical city made of gold, enables its owners to become members, granting them access to the gated collection of the KGFVerse and get first grabs on the future next-generation avatar drops, KGFverse land sale, special events including real-life meetups and interactions with the KGF team, amongst other exciting possibilities. Through various phases that will follow, fans will get a chance to experience many more exciting drops that will be released soon. Speaking on the KGFverse, Vijay Kiragandur, Founder of Hombale Films, said, “Metaverse is the new frontier of the Internet and an innovative way to engage with audiences and movie fans. Every artwork that one sees in KGF is a unique one and one, that cannot be seen in any previous films. This further propelled us in going big into the Metaverse. “We also want our fans to be part of this and experience it. The future of virtual hangouts and a new way of consuming content is upon us and we are excited to explore this space to enable our fans to interact with elements of both chapters of KGF in the metaverse.” Speaking further about the NFT market and their plans ahead, Chaluve Gowda, co-founder for Hombale Films said, “While Indian fans are getting their dose with international market in NFT and the artwork available online, the unconditional love that KGF has received and fans extend, offer an immense potential for us in ushering into this new world of Web 3.0.

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“We are witnessing this that any Indian fan is not just a spectator or silent admirer of art, they want to be active stakeholders and want to go out of their way to support their idols. We know what our fans want and the whole purpose is about giving power to the fans to make their favorite stars closer and more accessible. Our KGFverse is giving fans an opportunity to support their artist directly, flaunt their fandom and become a part of the larger community. “NFTs intrinsically capture the value that fandom has always had, this value is now a direct relationship and with ownership too. We are going to get bigger and better in this field, as the NFT market grows and it’s surely going to be the next big phenomenon for the entertainment and art industry.” Releasing nationwide on April 14, in Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, ‘K.G.F: Chapter 2’ is written and directed by Prashanth Neel, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur, under the Hombale Films banner. One of the emerging pan-India production houses, Hombale Films is set to showcase some of the biggest films in Indian cinema over the next two years, including the much-awaited film ‘Salaar’ starring Prabhas. The film is being presented in north Indian markets by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and AA Films. Excel has given super hits like ‘Dil Chahata Hai’, ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’, and ‘Gully Boy’, among others.

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BUSINESS

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Record High: India’s agri exports touch $50 bn IANS

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) India achieved a record high of agriculture exports in 2021-22, which crossed the $50 billion-mark, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Wednesday. As per the provisional figures released by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), agri exports grew by 19.92 per cent in 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion. “The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66 per cent at $41.87 billion achieved in 2020-21, and it has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the form of high freight rates, container shortages etc.,” the Ministry said. “This achievement over the past two years will go a long way in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of improving farmers’ income,” it added. According to the Ministry, highest ever exports have been achieved for staples like rice ($9.65 billion), wheat ($2.19 billion), sugar ($4.6 billion) and other cereals ($1.08

billion). “Wheat has recorded an unprecedented growth of more than 273 per cent, jumping nearly four-fold from $568 million in 2020-21 to touch close to $2,119 million in 2021-22. “Increase in exports of these products has benefitted the farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. India has captured nearly 50 per cent of the world market for rice,” the Ministry said. Besides, the data showed that export of marine products, at $7.71 billion, is also the highest ever, benefiting farmers in the coastal states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat. “Spices exports have touched $4 billion for the second year in a row. Despite facing tremendous supply side issues, coffee exports have crossed $1 billion for the first time, which has improved realisations for coffee growers in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” it said. The ministry said that this achievement is the result of sustained efforts on the part of the Department of Commerce and its various export promotion agencies like APEDA, MPEDA and various commodity boards. “The Department has made special efforts to engage state governments and district administrations in promoting agricultural exports. In order to ensure that the farmers benefit from exports, the Department of Commerce has made special efforts

to provide export market linkage directly to farmers and FPOs. “A ‘Farmer Connect Portal’ has been set up for providing a platform to the farmers, FPOs or FPCs, and cooperatives to interact with the exporters. This approach has resulted in agriculture exports taking place from hitherto unexplored areas,” the Ministry said. The statement also said that exports have taken place from clusters like Varanasi (fresh vegetables, mangoes), Ananthpur (banana), Nagpur (orange), Lucknow (mango), Theni (banana), Solapur (pomegranate), Krishna and Chittoor (mango), among others. “Initiatives like ‘Happy Banana’ train, an exclusive train with reefer containers to transport bananas from Anantapur to JNPT, Mumbai, have been taken to boost exports from unconventional areas,” it said. In addition, the Ministry said that the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic during the first quarter of 2020 resulted in increased demand for staples, which provided an opportunity for increasing agriculture exports. “Because of the institutional framework already in place at the state and district levels, and the special efforts made to overcome the pandemic-induced bottlenecks, India has been able to rise to the occasion and emerge as a reliable supplier of food. “Even during the current crisis triggered by the Russia–Ukraine war, the world is looking at India for supplies of wheat and other foodgrains,” the statement said.

Righteous GST implementation to bolster online skill gaming sector in India IANS

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) With the GST Council expected to meet soon, there has been a lot of conversation around GST restructuring, rate rationalisations, for and against views around minimum thresholds and more. Online skill gaming sector, one of the recognised sunrise sectors which has of late seen a lot of positive feedback from the Centre, has also been waiting to hear on GST for many distinct reasons. The online skill gaming industry has been on an upward trajectory for the last 4-5 years and the pandemic put this industry growing at the rate of 38 per cent CAGR into the spotlight. As per a recent BCG report, this sunrise sector in India has gained significant momentum with excellent Internet service providers, penetration of the use of mobiles across social and demographic barriers and India’s enthusiasm to adopt and adapt to the online gaming platforms. India’s share is currently at 1-2 per cent of the global gaming market with a market size of $1.8 billion of which Real-Money gaming has the largest constituent of revenue pool driven by higher user paying propensity (around 20 per cent of total market size). The total number of users of gaming services are close to 433 million and is expected to touch 650 million by 2025. However, apart from fine-tuning the regulatory mechanism, there’s an urgent need to look at the GST levied on the sector. Last year on May 24 a Group of Ministers (GoM) formed by the GST council to examine the taxation regime applicable to online gaming was seen as a progressive move, the industry hopes to see a stable and

clear taxation regime. However, the committee was dissolved and a new one was formed earlier in February 2022. Currently, services provided by online skill gaming platforms are classified under service accounting code 998439 of the GST services classification and through this attracts a rate of 18 per cent on the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for the service provider whereas, the games of chance (including gambling, casinos and more) are subjected to 28 per cent GST. The industry operators believe that the legislative view as proven by the jurisprudence in the country multiple times, clearly differentiates games of skill from games of chance and so the taxation levied should continue to take into account this differentiation. Furthermore, international practices related to taxes on gaming have proven that tax-rate shouldn’t exceed 20 per cent. Some of the developed economies like the UK, the US (Pennsylvania), Singapore have tax rate of GGR 15 per cent, 14 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. A report by Copenhagen Economics (one of the leading economics firms in Europe) also concludes that a tax rate in the range of 15 per cent to 20 per cent of GGR produces the most favourable

outcomes for both operators and tax revenue. Malay Kumar Shukla, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Games24x7 says, “The international experience relating to taxation of gaming in the context of the platform-fee/GGR based gaming models has clearly shown the downside of excessive taxation. The GGR-based gaming platforms can only absorb an optimal range of taxation which is in the range of 15 per cent to 20 per cent of GGR. Higher tax incidence of tax is bound to alter player and compliance behaviour and will neither work in the benefit of the gaming industry nor the government. Therefore, the interpretation taken by the ‘games of skill’ industry in India to be taxed on Gross Gaming Revenue is supported by the legal provisions of GST law and is also in line with most international practices relating to taxation of gaming platforms.” At a time when the country has seen positive tax policies for some of the other identified sunrise sectors like biotechnology, chemical and renewable energy; it is only legitimate for this fastest growing tech industry within the M&E sector, to demand for a GST regime that can protect and promote the segment.

Maruti Suzuki to recall Coca-Cola to set up Rs 1,000 Cr plant in Telangana 19,731 units of Eeco

IANS

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Automobile major Maruti Suzuki India on Wednesday announced a voluntarily recall of 19,731 units of its ‘Eeco’ model. According to the company, the recall is being undertaken to inspect and rectify “incorrect marking of wheel rim size”, if any, on the wheel in some of these vehicles. “In a routine inspection, Maruti Suzuki found that in some units of EECO, manufactured between July 19, 2021 and October 5, 2021, the wheel rim size was incorrectly marked. This issue has no implication on performance, safety or environment,” the company said. “Affected vehicle owners will be receiving communication from Maruti Suzuki authorised workshops for vehicle inspection and necessary rectification, if wheel rim size marking is found incorrect.” In industry parlance, a voluntary recall is conducted to rectify defects in the product. This exercise is done free of cost to the consumer.

Hyderabad, April 7 (IANS) Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) on Thursday announced that it will set up a second factory in Telangana with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The plant for carbonated beverages, juices and water will come up at Food Processing Park at Bandathimmapur in Siddipet district. The company will invest Rs 600 crore in the plant in the first phase and another Rs 400 crore in the subsequent phases to take the total investment to Rs 1,000 crore in the next five years, said Telangana’s minister for industries K.T. Rama Rao at an event with the company leadership. HCCB CEO Neeraj Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Bottling Investment Group, Juan Pablo Rodriguez Trovato, Principal Secretary, industries and commerce, government of Telangana, Jayesh Ranjan were present. This will be the second bottling plant for HCCB in Telangana. This is

expected to double the company’s manufacturing capacity to cater to the sales in the region for the next 10 years. The state government has allotted 49 acres of land for the upcoming plant. The minister assured the company that they can go ahead with the construction without waiting for approvals under the state’s self-certification industrial policy. KTR, as the minister is popularly known, said the plant would employ a lot of personnel. He hailed the company’s announcement that more

than 50 per cent of the employees will be women. The company plans to commence operations by the end of 2023. HCCB also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Telangana government for a long-term strategic partnership. Under the MoU, HCCB will help other industries in the state in water resource management, better management of solid waste and build skills among youth. To begin with, the company will train 10,000 youth in partnership with Telangana Academy of Skills and Knowledge (TASK).

‘Hope, I don’t get to hear this case again’: CJI on Amazon, Future Retail matter IANS

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Chief Justice N.V. Ramana on Wednesday said he hopes he does not have to hear this case again, while recording that Amazon and Future Retail Ltd (FRL) will move the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) to resume arbitration proceedings. A bench headed by him added that

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the tribunal will consider FRL’s application on priority for termination of arbitration proceedings, and pass orders. Concluding the hearing in the matter, the Chief Justice said: “I hope, I don’t get to hear this case again”. As senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, representing Amazon, said: “We look forward to appearing before you”, he replied: “no, no, some other case!” Amazon and Future Group are locked in multi-forum litigation in connection with FRL’s merger deal to the tune of Rs 24,500 crore with Reliance Retail Ltd, after Amazon dragged FRL into arbitration at the SIAC in October 2020. The top court was considering an application by Amazon seeking a direction to restrain FRL from alienating its assets. Amazon has alleged that FRL surrendered its stores to Reliance. Senior advocate K.V. Viswanathan, representing FRL, submitted before the court that the tribunal should decide on his client’s application for

termination of arbitration proceedings. FRL has sought termination of arbitration proceedings citing Competition Commission of India (CCI) order. In December last year, the CCI had imposed a penalty of Rs 202 crore on Amazon and suspended its approval for the deal with Future Coupons, a promoter firm of the group’s public listed company Future Retail Ltd, seeking more information. Subramanium submitted that the single judge of the Delhi High Court has taken over the enforcement application. “Thus, we don’t have to bother you and the other side also cooperated with us,” he submitted before the bench, also comprising Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli. The bench noted parties agree that proceedings are underway before the single judge of the high court and thus, these applications are also sent to the single judge. Disposing of the plea, the bench said parties will approach the tribunal to resume arbitral proceedings and

the tribunal will consider the termination application by FRL as under Section 32(2)(C), of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, and pass orders. Earlier, the top court had asked FRL and Amazon to jointly urge the Delhi High Court to first hear Amazon’s enforcement petitions, in connection with preservation of assets of FRL. Last week, senior advocate Harish Salve, representing FRL, told the Supreme Court that nobody wants

to do business with it as Section 7 of the IBC may come any day, and the company owes landlords thousands of crores in rentals, as Amazon could not get Future Retail, it destroyed the company. He added that Reliance entered into agreement with the landlords (of its shops), and Future Retail owes Rs 3,000 crore in rentals. Subramanium had vehemently objected to the sudden handover of Future Retail assets. Citing a prayer in Amazon’s application,

Subramanium opposed the alienation of Future Retail assets, saying: “Can’t be a magical switch... Future Retail shops should continue to remain with it; operated by FRL until matter is resolved by an arbitral tribunal.” Amazon moved the apex court challenging Delhi High Court’s January 5 order, which stayed the proceedings before the arbitral tribunal over FRL’s merger deal with Reliance Retail.

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HEALTH

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Flipkart launches health app to supply Australian researchers open new insights into genetic caus- affordable medicines in remote places es of Alzheimer’s, dementia IANS

IANS

Sydney, April 6 (IANS) An international team, including Australian researchers, have identified novel areas of DNA that are linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia. Researchers believe that the findings could lead to a better understanding into how the debilitating disease takes hold. The research, published in Nature Genetics and released on Tuesday, was based on a two-stage study of genomes of more than 111,000 people suffering from AD and some

670,000 controls who don’t have the disease, Xinhua news agency reported. The research found people with AD had numerous risk regions within their genomes which occur less among the control group. They initially found 42 risk regions, and further research in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes. One of the researchers, Associate Professor Michelle Lupton from Australia’s QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, told Xinhua that the findings pinpointed the actual genes and genetic regions that are contributing to heritability. Based on the findings, they refined a previously existing “genetic risk score” which is used in identifying people who are more likely to get the disease. “As you get older, you could be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. So that’s when people start to just see reduced cognition. Around 50 per cent of people with mild cognitive impairment may go on to get dementia, however others won’t.” “This shows that people who have a

high-risk score are more likely to get AD within three years, so you could try to prevent them developing the disease.” The research also confirmed previous findings regarding the protein amyloid-beta and tau, which build up in and around nerve cells as Alzheimer’s progresses, and pointed to new evidence for the role of genes involved in inflammation. “We see that a lot of genes that are involved in inflammation in the brain contribute to AD, especially the involvement of microglia, the immune cells in the brain. It gives clues to drug targets, and what to aim for when looking for drugs to treat or prevent AD,” Lupton said. Researchers said their findings suggest that AD is caused by a multitude of different factors. As one of the factors, the heritability of the disease is estimated to be between 60 per cent and 80 per cent. These newly identified genetic components provide an opportunity to determine the pathophysiological processes in the disease and to identify new biological features and new therapeutic targets through translational genomics.

Bengaluru, April 6 (IANS) E-commerce platform Flipkart on Wednesday announced the launch of an app that will enable access to affordable medicines and healthcare products and services for customers across over 20,000 pincodes in India. The app Flipkart Health+ aims to partner and strengthen the healthcare ecosystem by solving the critical gap of accessibility to genuine medicines and healthcare products in remote locations to address unmet healthcare needs. It will also contribute to ‘Swasth Bharat’, the company said. “Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Indians have witnessed a tremendous shift in favouring wellness and preventative healthcare and there is an increased focus on health and wellness, like never before,” said Prashant Jhaveri, Chief Executive Officer, Flipkart Health+, in a statement. “We want to leverage technology in a way that strengthens the healthcare ecosystem and enables it to serve customers better by making accessibility to healthcare simpler even for those residing in distant areas of the country and contributing towards a healthier India,” he added. In November, last year, Flipkart forayed into the healthcare sector

through the launch of Flipkart Health+. As part of this, the Flipkart Group signed definitive agreements to acquire a majority share in Sastasundar Marketplace, which owns and operates SastaSundar. com, an online pharmacy and digital healthcare platform. The new app would benefit from the expertise and experience of the Flipkart Group’s reach and last-mile supply chain capabilities, coupled with Sastasundar.com’s robust healthcare network across the country, the company said. Flipkart Health+ app has been designed and developed with a user-friendly interface that will appeal to customers, irrespective of their technological adeptness. To begin with, the Flipkart Health+ platform will have around more than 500 independent sellers who have a network of registered

pharmacists for validation of medical prescriptions and accurate dispensation of medicines. Even though it is an intermediary marketplace platform, the company said it has put in place various quality checks and verification protocols, which will facilitate delivery of genuine medicines and healthcare products from independent sellers to the customer’s doorstep. In the coming months, Flipkart Health+ also plans to onboard third-party healthcare service providers who will offer other value-added healthcare services like teleconsultation and e-diagnostics to the customers. The app is initially available on the Android Play Store and will be made available on iOS in future. It can be accessed on low bandwidth as well, making it accessible to customers across the country, the company said.

Diabetes, BP, asthma signifiNot just lungs, smoking affects every cell of human body: AIIMS Professor cantly high in India post Covid

IANS

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Not just lungs but also every cells of human body and the hard organs like bones and teeth get adversely affected by smoking, said Professor Uma Kumar, Head of Rheumatology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

Kumar said that the first hand smoke and second hand smoke both are equally harmful for health. Expressing concerns on rising smoking habits among women, she said that it may result into infertility, cases of which is also rising these

days. Also, smoking may lead to premature birth. People generally think that smoking affects lungs only, but the case is different, it affects every parts and is one of the important risk factors for growing numbers cases related to autoimmune diseases, Kumar said while speaking on the prevention of deaths caused by tobacco on the occasion of World Health Day. The event was organised by Tobacco Free India. Dr Vishal Rao of HCG, Bangalore said that the reason for the rapidly increasing cases of oral cancer in India is tobacco products. To save the lives of 13 lakh Indians annually, it is need of the hour that the strictness on tobacco products should be increased, said eminent economist and BJP’s national spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal.

Use of viagra may lead to blindness: Study IANS

Toronto, April 8 (IANS) Regular use of viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction, can harm your vision leaving you blind, a study has claimed. Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada have found that people regularly taking the common erectile dysfunction pill may be at increased risk of sudden losses of vision, flashes of light, and dark spots, Daily Mail reported. The reason may be an increase in blood flow to the genitals which could be hindering its supply to the eyes, the researchers said. The team also named

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other impotence medicines - Cialis, Levitra and Spedra - as being potential triggers of eye problems. Regular users of the impotence pills are 85 per cent more likely to develop serious vision-robbing conditions, revealed the study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. “These are rare conditions, and the risk of developing one remains very low for any individual user. However, the sheer number of prescriptions dispensed each month in the US - about 20 million - means that a significant number of people could be impacted,” lead researcher Dr Mahyar Etminan, an ophthalmologist at the varsity, was quoted as

saying. “Regular users who find any changes in their vision should take it seriously and seek medical attention,” he suggested. In the study, the team analysed insurance claim records of 213,033 men using ED pills: 123,347 men took sildenafil - the medication branded as Viagra by Pfizer, 78,609 were on tadalafil (Cialis); 6,604 took vardenafil (Levitra), and 4,473 were on avanfil (Spedra), the report said. The team followed the claim records from 2006 to 2020 to see which ones went on to develop eye conditions. None of the men had suffered eye problems in the year before they became regular users of the medication. They found that regular intake of one of the medications was 158 per cent more likely to lead to serious retinal detachment. It occurs when a collection of fluid builds up behind the back of the eye and causes the sudden appearance of spots in the field of vision and flashes of light. The men were 102 per cent more likely to suffer ischemic optic neuropathy - a compromised blood supply to the optic nerve. The condition causes a loss of central vision. And they were 44 per cent more likely to develop retinal vascular occlusion - a type of blood clot in the retina. People with it suffer a sudden loss of vision and dark spots or ‘floaters’ in their vision, the report said.

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The prevalence and distribution of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, asthma, and obesity is significantly on the rise across the country after the two years of Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report, ahead of the World Health Day. World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7. The Health of the Nation 2022 report, by Apollo Hospitals, indicated a national prevalence for diabetes mellitus of around 7 per cent, over 8 per cent for hypertension, and around 2 per cent for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) and asthma. NCDs pose devastating health consequences for individuals, families, and communities with socioeconomic costs that can derail India’s achieving the target of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030 in line with the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development. In India, NCDs kill 6 million people every year of which around 23 per cent are between 30-70 years of age. “As we emerge from the shadow

of Covid, it is imperative to bring the focus back on the pandemic of NCDs, a focus that faced a disruption impacting diagnosis and treatment for millions of patients,” said Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, in a statement. “For a developing country like India, NCDs are a critical matter that need to be addressed. Considering our population of 1.2 billion, these are huge numbers that will increase the burden of disease and impact productivity and economic growth,” he added. He suggested addressing the NCD challenge through promotion of healthy lifestyles, early diagnosis and management. The increasing risk of NCDs such as diabetes, BP, and cardiovascular

diseases in India are majorly the result of physical inactiveness clubbed with genetic factors, revealed a report by Indus Health Plus. Regular preventive screening and a healthy lifestyle with physical activities may help curb the NCDs in the country. According to Dr Tilak Suvarna, senior interventional cardiologist, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai, correcting six lifestyle choices such as unhealthy snacking habits, excessive salt consumption, lack of physical activity, overindulging in alcohol, smoking and chewing tobacco, and excessive stress can help people live with not only a healthy heart but overall fitness and well being.

IIT Madras launches indigenously developed polycentric prosthetic knee Chennai, April 8 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have launched India’s first indigenously developed polycentric prosthetic knee, which aims to improve the quality of life for thousands of above-knee amputees. Called Kadam, the prosthetic knee has advantages over a hinge joint because of the multiple axes of rotation, which provide the user greater control over the prosthesis while walking and maximum knee flexion of 160 degrees to make it easy to sit in cramped spaces like buses and autos. It is designed for durability with high strength stainless steel and aluminium alloy along with hard chrome plated EN8 pins and high fatigue life polymer bushings. Indigenously developed Kadam is affordable and at the same time, of high quality and performance, complying with ISO standards including 30 lakh cycles of fatigue testing. It provides stability, reduces the risk of stumbling and its patented geometry is specifically optimised for use on uneven terrains. “Functional needs, socioeconomic and environmental challenges of

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IANS

Indian users are unique. Kadam’s user-centric design takes these into account. It meets international quality standards while being 4-5 times more affordable than comparable imported knees,” said Prof Sujatha Srinivasan, Head, TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), IIT Madras, in a statement. A team at TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras developed Kadamin association with Society for Biomedical Technology (SBMT) and Mobility India. Through Mobility India, extensive clinical trials have been conducted in various geographical settings. The feedback has ensured that the

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design is user-centric and functional in different environments. Users instantly recognise the stable nature of the knee. The ability of the user to let go of the safety of parallel bars in the very first trial is a testimony to the performance of the knee. It is also customisable stability adjustment depending on the user’s need and provides frictional swing control adjustment for different walking speeds. IIT Madras’ TTK Centre had previously developed and commercialised Arise - the country’s first standing wheelchair - and NeoFly-NeoBolt - active wheelchair and motorised add-on for seamless indoor-outdoor mobility.

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DIASPORA

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Indian student shot Indians top as Canada admits 108,000 dead in Toronto new immigrants in 1st quarter IANS

Toronto, April 9 (IANS) A 21-yearold Indian student was shot dead at the entrance of a subway station in Toronto. Kartik Vasudev was shot several times at about 5 p.m. on Thursday at the entrance to the Sherbourne subway station, which is not far from the Indian Consulate in Toronto. According to Toronto Police, its officers responded to a radio call at Sherbourne TTC Subway station for a shooting. The victim, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was initially

attended to by an off-duty paramedic. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police are looking for a black male who was seen walking with a handgun from the crime scene. The motive of the attack is not known. Vasudev, who was a student of marketing management program at Seneca College, had arrived in Canada in January. Expressing shock at the killing, the Indian Consulate tweeted on Friday: “We are shocked & distressed at the unfortunate killing of Indian student Kartik Vasudev in a shooting incident in Toronto yesterday. We are in touch with the family and will provide all possible assistance in early repatriation of mortal remains.” In a statement, Seneca College said, “The Seneca community is saddened to hear of the tragic death of Kartik Vasudev, a first-semester Marketing Management student. Our thoughts are with Mr. Vasudev’s family, friends and classmates. Counselling support is being made available to students and employees.”

Canadian province proclaims Dalit History Month IANS

fought against caste-based discrimination against his community, was born in Maharashtra on April 14 in 1891. He also stood up for the rights of the women and challenged Hindu supremacy. Phule, who was a well-respected social reformer who had denounced untouchability, was born on April 11, 1827. He was known as an educator, who believed in scientific thinking and women empowerment. Mugowalia and Udasi on the other hand hailed from Punjab. Mugowalia, who had participated in an armed resistance against British occupation of India, was instrumental behind Dalit emancipation movement in Punjab. He died on April 22, 1980.

Chandigarh, April 1 (IANS) In a historic move, the New Democratic Party (NDP) government in Canada’s British Columbia province has recognised April as the Dalit History Month. Responding to an application moved by Radical Desi, an online magazine that covers alternative politics, the provincial Attorney General and the Lt. Governor signed the proclamation declaring April 2022 as Dalit History Month. Since April is the birthday month of a towering Dalit leader and world renowned scholar Dr B.R. Ambedkar, it has a special significance for the Dalits across the globe. Also, the month of April is important because of the birth and death anniversaries of other Dalit icons, such as Jyotirao Phule, Mangu Ram Mugowalia and Sant Ram Udasi. Both Ambedkar and Phule were born in Maharashtra. Ambedkar, who was the architect of the Indian constitution and had

Udasi was a revolutionary poet, who was born on April 20, 1939. He was influenced by communist revolution and later became an inspiration for the poor working class and those resisting repression. The British Columbia proclamation not only recognises these individuals, but also acknowledges “the strength and resiliency of the Dalit community in overcoming hardships and advocating for social justice and equality for all”. Decreed in the name of Queen Elizabeth II, the proclamation noted that British Columbia is “a culturally diverse province comprising many peoples and communities”. “Indigenous people, Black people and people of colour in British Columbia continue to experience systemic racism, injustices, discrimination and hate and the government of British Columbia is committed to address all forms of racism.” Last year, the province celebrated the 130th birth anniversary of Ambedkar on April 14 as ‘Equality Day’.

Toronto, April 1: Canada, which plans to admit a record 432,000 new immigrants in 2022, is on target to hit this mark as the country welcomed 108,000 newcomers in the first three months of the year. “Canada is proud to be a destination of choice for so many people around the world, and we will continue to work hard to provide the best experience possible for them,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, releasing the figures for the first quarter on Thursday. Though there is no country-wise break-up of the numbers, Indians are the top immigrant group to take

up residence in Canada this year. In 2021, nearly 100,000 Indians became permanent residents of Canada as the country admitted a record 405,000 new immigrants in its history. During 2021-2022, over 210,000 permanent residents also acquired Canadian citizenship. As per figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), it also issued 450,000 study permit applications. There are over 622,000 foreign students in Canada, with Indians numbering 217,410 as of December 31, 2021.

Libel case against neighbour: Court rejects Salman’s plea with costs

QUAID NAJMI

Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) In a huge loss of face for Bollywood actor Salman Khan, a Mumbai court has rejected his interim plea for a ‘gag order’ in a defamation suit against his NRI neighbour, along with costs. The verdict of Bombay City Civil and Sessions Court Judge A.H. Laddhad, rejecting Salman’s plea against his neighbour Ketan R. Kakkad, with social media giants like Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, Sandeep Phogat, Paras Bhat and Ujjwal Narain as parties, was pronounced on March 23 and the detailed order came out on Wednesday. Judge Laddhad rejected Salman’s notice of motion awarding costs to Kakkad and disposed of the matter. Referring to the alleged utterances against Salman by viewers on social media, the court said the plaintiff failed to explain that these pertained to him or how they related to him. The judge also said on perusal of some of the social media posts/videos transcripts, he found that they were not “entirely not defamatory per se”. The court referred to some of the posts like “rapists of nature”, “white terror”, “loot-atyachara, “naked dance by Miya Salman Khan”, “mega-corruption” etc. purportedly tweeted by Kakkad, and statements by some journalists comparing Salman with the Taliban, how the

actor was “mafia”, “bully terrorising the locals”, “fudging records”, etc. that were produced by the actor’s team. In contrast, the verdict noted that Kakkad had placed on record evidences like complaints and show-cause notices to Salman about the allegations of encroachments by the latter in his Panvel property, the 100-acres Arpita Farms, in public interest as a “whistle-blower”. Incidentally, Kakkad has already complained about these to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other bigwigs in Maharashtra, but had got no respite nor allowed to enter his property which is adjacent at a higher level with Salman’s Arpita Farms since the past few years. At the preliminary stage of the defamation suit, Judge Laddhad found Kakkad’s plea of justification as more probable than Khan’s prima facie case, as the former had come with specific material to defend himself. The order mentions issues raised by Salman against his neighbour like building a gate to block Kakkad’s entry to his property to which there was no denial, accusing the actor of “raping mother nature” with illegal constructions on Arpita Farms, keeping wild animals illegally and more. Plus, there were claims of links with the mafia ‘D-Company’ and keeping

a “gang” of absconding don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar on his property, speculation of drug/child trafficking, organ trafficking, dead body found on his property, using explosives, influencing officials to stall Kakkad’s works, attempting to “communalise” the issue and connect Sushant Singh Rajput’s death with Khan’s Panvel property. The verdict speaks of Kakkad’s social media statements of 265 acres of land sold to one company, political links extending to Dubai, Bahrain, grabbing not only his (Kakkad’s) money but of thousands of other NRIs, how Salman had invited former BJP Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar though Kakkad’s complaint against the actor was pending, comparisons with Emperor Babur or Emperor Aurangzeb, but the court said it was not clear nor was Khan’s name mentioned.

On the Rajput death episode, the court said that Kakkad was expressing his opinion but he had not named Salman, his farmhouse or that the actor was involved in the (Rajput) death case. During the hearings, the judge noted that the social media giants and the others had pleaded how they were unnecessarily dragged into the Kakkad matter by Salman though they had nothing to do with both the parties and had sought their names to be deleted, as the case became one of the most avidly-monitored globally. Stung by the contentions of Salman, Kakkad later indicated that he is contemplating filing a counter-defamation case against the actor and is seeking legal advice in the matter. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)

Over 1.33 lakh Indians went abroad this year for higher studies: Govt New Delhi, March 31: A total of 1,33,135 Indian students went abroad for higher studies this year, as on March 20, the Parliament was informed on Thursday. As per information received from Bureau of Immigration (BoI), the number of Indian students, who departed India for higher education in the current year, is 1,33,135 so far while there were 4,44,553 students in 2021 and 2,59,655 in 2020, Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan told Rajya Sabha in a written reply. He also said that according to information received from the BoI, the top preferred countries for education in 2021 were the US, Canada, and the UK. He also said that granting visas is the sovereign right of a country

and various countries have been granting visas to Indian students for studying in universities of their countries. However, if there is temporary restriction or delay in the grant of visa then the Ministry and the respective Indian Mission take it up proactively with the country concerned. Responding to a query from CPI-M member K. Soma Prasad, Muraleedharan said that the Student Module of the MADAD portal, launched on July 15, 2016 enables Indian students studying abroad or aspiring to study abroad to register voluntarily and provide information on their course, institutions, contact details, emergency contact etc. His Ministry, through its missions/ posts abroad have been regularly interacting with Indian students studying abroad to register their

details on the student module and also encouraging Indian student organisations and Indian community associations for the same including through social media platforms. In response to another question, Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi informed the House that overall, 22,500 nationals have returned to India since February 2022 after the RussiaUkraine war broke out in February. “Around 40-50 Indian nationals are still in Ukraine, of which only a few are willing to return to India and their return is being facilitated by the Embassy.” She also informed that during the global Covid-19 pandemic, the government had launched the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indian nationals and to facilitate the travel

of passengers between India and other parts of the world. “Around 2.97 crore passengers (in-bound and out-bound) have been facilitated in the flights operated under the Vande Bharat Mission and Air Bubble Arrangements till date,” Lekhi said Under Operation Devi Shakti, a total of 669 people were evacuated from Afghanistan. This included 448 Indian nationals, 206 Afghans (including Hindu and Sikh community members) and 15 people of other nationalities (Nepal, Lebanon and Uganda) in seven flights (six flights operated between August 16 to 25, 2021 and the last flight on December 10, 2021). All Indian nationals who had sought repatriation to India were evacuated, she added in her reply.

Non-dom status of UK Chancellor’s heiress wife means she could have avoided 4.4m pounds in UK tax last year: Report London, April 7: UK’s Chancellor of Exchequer Rishi Sunak is scrambling to quell a row over his billionaire heiress wife’s ‘non-dom’ status amid claims she could have avoided millions of pounds in UK tax, Daily Mail reported. Akshata Murthy, whose father is one of India’s richest men, is facing scrutiny after it emerged she has kept the status despite living in 11 Downing Street with the Chancellor and their children. It means she was not liable for tax on overseas earnings, including dividends from her father’s company that reportedly came to 11.6 million pounds last year. That sum could have meant paying 4.4 million

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pounds to HMRC. A spokeswoman for Murthy pointed out she is an Indian citizen and stressed she pays UK taxes on UK income. There is no suggestion any laws or rules have been broken. However, reforms brought in by the Tory government in 2015 stated that non-dom status is intended to “support those from overseas who come to the UK but don’t intend to stay here permanently”. Labour Party chief Keir Starmer said the arrangements appeared to represent “breathtaking hypocrisy” and showed Sunak is “out of touch” with ordinary people, Daily Mail reported. Shadow Business Secretary Ed

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Miliband said there was no legal issue but pointed out the government was making Britons pay more tax, after the national insurance hike came in on Wednesday. “He is the UK Chancellor asking people to pay more in taxes. Is it right that his immediate family is sheltering from UK taxes? I think

Rishi Sunak and his family should reflect on that,” he told Sky News. Miliband also sparked questions by suggesting non-dom status should have been abolished by the last Labour government - although it is not clear whether that is the party’s current position.

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TRAVEL

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Re-plan your travels How does COVID-19 fit into your travel plans?

re you gearing up to get away for a vacation? As many people are planning for spring break travel and summer vacations, just see how does COVID-19 fit into your plans? Must skip the following countries from your travel list as their travelling protocols changed amid a surge in the cases again. Israel Israel is one of the countries reporting an increase in COVID cases. According to reports, more than 14,000 new cases are reported on a daily basis, which is one of the reasons why the country has

decided to postpone relaxing travel rules. Greece Despite the fact that Greece has opened its borders to travel, all arrivals must produce a negative RT-PCR test report that is no more than 72 hours old or an antigen test report was taken within 48 hours of arrival. According to reports, the country reports more than 20000 new infections per day on average. France Vaccinated travellers are no longer required to be tested before

departure, and their proof of full vaccination expedites their entry into France, regardless of their country of origin. Those who have not been immunised, however, must still provide negative test results in order to enter the country. France is also experiencing an increase in hospitalisations, with more than 20,000 cases reported per day on average. United Kingdom Following a positive COVID test, the UK relaxed all COVID-related restrictions and waived the requirement for self-isolation. The country now reports an average of 70,000 new infections per day, according to reports. Italy Throughout all COVID waves, Italy has been one of the world’s most severely affected countries. According to the most recent news reports, daily COVID cases in the country are on the rise again, with an average of around 70,000 cases per day. Indoors, one must maintain social distance and wear a mask.

David Beckham talks about the FIFA World Cup™ The England legend says he thinks football fans will enjoy what Qatar has to offer

5 reasons to choose Seychelles for the summer Seychelles is an exclusive holiday destination with a very small population,

ummer is synonymous with beach fun, and Seychelles is every beach lover's dream vacation destination. Summer activities for visitors include lounging on pristine beaches, participating in outdoor adventures such as hikes and treks, island excursions, and sailing. Travellers who would rather avoid the sun than bask in it can indulge in world-class wellness at spas and luxurious hotels that provide relaxation with a breathtaking view.

Travelers can expect especially calm waters at this point. Island hopping Seychelles is a 115-island archipelago. Even on a long vacation, you will struggle to cover all of them. Excursions by boat can introduce you to the refreshingly unique landscape that can be found on various islands. Seychelles has something for everyone, whether you want to wander through bustling markets, take enviable photos around colonial-style mansions, or explore coastal mangrove forests and unspoiled nature reserves. Nature lovers will thrive in this reincarnated Eden, which is home to over fifty endemic

nature's lap. Weather Window Some visitors enjoy the overall summer vibe, the vibrant colours that everything takes on in the brilliant sunlight, and, of course, the fact that children are off from school, but would rather enjoy a pristine beach from the comfort of a restaurant, spa, yacht, or hotel room with a view. Spend the day relaxing in your luxurious hotel room, which offers 360-degree views of azure waters and powder-white beaches lined with palm trees. Step outside to savour sumptuous Creole cuisine. On a sheltered boat ride, you can get a dose of both vitamin sea and adrenaline. Relax in a relaxing spa session and let your stress melt away. Whatever you do, ocean views are almost always present.

La_Digue_Source_d'Argent Here are 5 reasons why Seychelles is the ideal summer getaway:

David Beckham cannot wait for the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world. The Football legend, 46, has played and scored in three World Cups, and has witnessed Qatar’s preparations for the 22nd edition of international football’s showpiece event. Beckham looks forward to the final draw, which will take place in Doha on 1 April, and gives a keen assessment of England’s chances heading into the tournament, outlining what fans can expect when they travel to Qatar in November and December. The final draw for Qatar 2022 takes place this week. How exciting is this milestone for players and fans? Beckham: It’s a really big moment and something you always look forward to as a player and fan. It’s exciting for players as you get to know who you’re coming up against and who you have to prepare for. It’s a moment for players and fans to realise that the World Cup is almost here and for the excitement to begin to build. This is the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world. How important is that? Beckham: It’s a massive moment for everyone in Qatar and very inspiring. I’ve always talked about the legacy of the World Cup for Qatar – but also the legacy of the World Cup everywhere. That’s what the World Cup brings to a nation – it’s an inspiring moment. For Qatar, it’s a chance to show off the country and its love of football, its history and culture. Having some of the biggest players in the sport descend on Qatar is a huge moment for the country and region. It’s going to be a compact World Cup, with all the stadiums near to one another. How will this benefit the players? Beckham: It’s a huge benefit. The furthest a team is going to have to travel is 40-45 minutes on a bus. In the World Cups I played in, it could take two or three days to recover www.indianabroad.news www.indianabroad.news

from the game and the travelling. The tournament will take place in November and December. For many countries, it will mean the World Cup takes place in the middle of the football season. What kind of benefits will that have? Beckham: As an England player, we went into every World Cup after a gruelling season in the Premier League, which is one of the toughest leagues in the world. When you come to the end of the season, you’re exhausted and it takes a while to recover – more than a few weeks. This time, it will be mid-season, so this is perfect for English players – and other teams – who can go into the tournament with a real opportunity. With many players coming in fresh, are you expecting a better standard of play during this World Cup? Beckham: Without a doubt. You always expect a high standard during the World Cup – but coming in mid-season, the standards are going to be even higher. The weather is going to be perfect, the stadiums are amazing, the facilities are amazing, the fans are going to have a great time. It’s set up perfectly. What are your expectations for England heading into this tournament? Beckham: My expectations for England are always high. Ours fans will have high expectations – and rightly so. I feel Gareth [Southgate] has done an incredible job. We’ve got a team that’s been together for quite a few years. You can’t really call them a young team anymore – but many of the players are pretty young, while they also have experience in there with the likes of Harry Kane. I feel this is a real opportunity for us. We’re coming into the tournament in good form. We just have to keep that up. Who is England’s key player? Beckham: I would have to say Harry Kane. He’s a leader, he’s our captain and he’s our goal scorer. With him

performing at the highest level, he’s massively important to our team. England will be one of the favourites to win the tournament – but who will be their main rivals? Beckham: When you think about the World Cup you automatically talk about Brazil, Argentina and France. They are all great nations who have won many tournaments. Another country I am excited to see play is Denmark. I think they could be the surprise package. They’ve had a good lead-up and always do pretty well in major tournaments. I’m also looking forward to seeing the host nation, Qatar. They have a young team who have been together a long time. They know each other well and I think they’ll be boosted by the atmosphere in the stadiums. What advice would you give to players playing in their first World Cup? Beckham: Enjoy it. The World Cup is the pinnacle. It’s the best and highest level any player can reach. My advice is to enjoy it because it might be the only one you’re involved in. You’ve visited many stadiums here – when you walk out on the pitch, how much do you wish you were still playing? Beckham: I’m 46 years old but I still feel I can put my boots on and play in a World Cup. Even at my age – which is not old – I still feel I could play in the Premier League or La Liga or for England. When I walk into a stadium I always want to put my boots on. What’s your message to the fans heading to Qatar for the World Cup? Beckham: They’re going to have a great experience. In the past, fans have had to travel between games but in Qatar, they’re going to be able to go to more than one match a day because it is such a compact tournament. I think the fans will enjoy what Qatar has to offer. There will be great food, a warm welcome from the local people and lots to see and enjoy besides the football.

Pure shores The beaches of Seychelles draw visitors from all over the world. Whether seeking lively or secluded beaches, long never-ending stretches of sand or tiny half-moon patches fringed by trademark boulders, visitors are sure to find their signature style of beach. Did you know that the typical summer vacation months in India, April and May, coincide with one of the best times to visit Seychelles?

Sailing in Seychelles A mild dose of adrenaline People all over the world have rediscovered their love of the great outdoors in the last two years, and there is no better place to get your fix. Take a leisurely stroll along a nature trail or put yourself to the test by ascending a steep mountain path. Indulge in bird-watching or simply enjoy the sensation of life slowing down as you take a deep breath in

Sunset over granite Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue Wide, open spaces The last two years have made everyone more conscious of their personal space than ever before. Seychelles is an exclusive holiday destination with a very small population, allowing visitors to enjoy just the right level of seclusion and ease.

Top destinations for the best mood-boosting activities Shillong, known as the “Scotland of the East,” is home to several scenic waterfalls and has been named one of the best waterfall destinations where visitors can enjoy sunset sun scuba diving and paddleboarding. salutations by a natural spring, or Explore the easy cycling trails sunrise for early risers. Whether you immersed in nature inland, or head practise Vinyasa or Bikram, a yogi to the beach to sunbathe, read, or novice or a yogi master will find a simply lie down. relaxing retreat. Wellness in Auroville, Tamil Nadu Waterfalls in Shillong, Meghalaya Auroville is a quiet town in Tamil Shillong, known as the "Scotland of Nadu that is an experimental townthe East," is home to several scenic ship. It's well-known for hosting waterfalls and has been named one weekly workshops, therapies, and aking a vacation is the ultimate community yoga, making it the ideal of the best waterfall destinations by the platforms travellers. Meghalaya vacation for rest and relaxation way to feel good, with 85 has 16 major waterfalls, one of – and one of the top destinations percent of Indian travellers which, Nohkalikai Falls, at 1,115 feet, for wellness according to Booking. stating that their motivation for is said to be India's tallest plunge com travellers, which is a key travelling is to improve their mood. waterfall. This waterfall is fed by factor in feeling content. Visitors Travel can lift spirits and boost rainwater that collects on the top, can de-stress and relax in its wet happiness levels for weeks after making the once-in-a-lifetime and dry tropical climate, as well returning home. sound of water plunging to the as take walks on its open roads to Booking.com has chosen five of earth difficult to forget. The city is instill inner peace. The township's the top destinations with the best also notable for its towering pine community is very close-knit, and mood-boosting activities based on conifers, pineapple shrubs, and the atmosphere is very welcoming. traveller reviews. From scuba diving undulating terrain. Along with the Matrimandir is a secular gathering in the Andamans to yoga on the breathtaking waterfalls, visitors place in town where people can beach in Varkala, adventure sports meditate and experience tranquillity can stroll through Mawlynnong, to wellness therapies and delectable in peaceful silence. This lovely town Asia's cleanest village known for food, include a mood-boosting its wood carvings and traditional has become synonymous with activity in your next vacation to craftsmanship. community healing and is a haven make it the most joyful yet. for those seeking inner peace. Nature in Munnar, Kerala Outdoor activities in Neil Island Yoga in Varkala, Kerala Munnar, located 1,600 metres above Neil Island is a perfect gem of sea level and a few hours from Varkala, a coastal town in southern the Andaman Islands, blessed Alleppey, is one of Kerala's most Kerala, is a hipster's paradise, with with magnificent biodiversity, scenic areas. With its vast tea plantapalm-covered red cliffs, pristine unexplored coral reefs, white sandy tions, beautiful cottages, and vibrant golden beaches, and pilgrimage beaches, and tropical woodlands. hiking trails, it's no surprise that the sites. Varkala is more of a state of Officially known as 'Shaheed city is one of the top destinations for mind than a location, but it is one of Dweep,' it is one of the platforms nature walks. Few people visit the the top recommended yoga destinatravellers' top-recommended lush green mountains, eat authentic tions on the travel site, according outdoor activity destinations. It's the food, or indulge in an ayurvedic to travellers. Head to Papanasam ideal place to find happiness, with spa while still embracing the sheer Beach, ten kilometres from Varkala, activities ranging from surfing to

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SPIRITUALITY & DEVOTION

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Virochana: A wronged Asura? Artha

In post-Covid ‘Navratri’, teens take to spirituality

By Paddy Krishnan

irochana was the son of Prahalad and hence an Asura. Although he was an Asura, his behaviour was not demonic. He was kind to people and also took care of the earth. In the story of Prithu, who saved the earth from over-exploitation (see the https://goldcoasthindu. wordpress.com/2019/08/17/ environmental-issues-are-people-following-scriptures/ for details), the earth is depicted as a cow and Virochana is depicted as a calf. The message is that the calf takes only what it needs from the cow. The calf does not exploit the cow by overconsuming the milk that could result in the cow’s death. Prithu tells the people that they need to behave like Virochana in taking only what is needed. Virochana was also a worshipper of Vishnu and earned great merit by taking care of temples to Vishnu. Virochana did penance to Surya, and was blessed by Surya with a crown that had special powers. As long as Virochana was wearing the crown, no one could kill him. Overall, Virochana was a good spiritual and religious person. * But there are many stories that show him in poor light. These stories are used to justify why he was killed. I will summarise some of these stories and raise some questions related to the way Virochana is portrayed. * The first story is that Virochana, as a great devotee of Vishnu, wanted all temple offerings to be made to Vishnu. This resulted in the people not performing Vedic yagnas. Because of this, the Devas were deprived of offerings and could not enjoy material benefits. Hence, Indra, Varuna and Surya plotted to kill Virochana. Once when Virochana was travelling, Surya increased his brightness. Virochana, who felt thirsty because of Surya’s heat, stopped at a hut where Indra and Varuna were in disguise. Indra and Varuna asked Virochana to wait while they fetched some water. They waited till Virochana fainted when they removed his crown and killed him. Indra and Varuna were worried that Shukracharya could use Virochana’s dead

body to bring him back to life. So they cremated Virochana’s body. Because of this, Mahabali, Virochana’s son, could not perform the Vedic rituals for his dead father. This is the main reason why Mahabali hated the Devas. * The second story tells that when Virochana got his special crown from Surya, he became conceited. Hence Vishnu decided to kill him. Vishnu took the form of a woman who enticed him and took away the crown. Virochana could now be killed by Vishnu. A variant of this story is that Vishnu changed Virochana’s wife to become a crazy person. This made Virochana weak and Vishnu was able to kill him. * The third story is from the Matsya Purana. Brihaspati, was the guru of all the Devas. His wife was kidnapped by Chandra (the moon god). Despite Brihaspati’s pleas, Chandra refused to return Tara. So Brihaspati declared war on Chandra. All the Devas were against Chandra. Since Shukracharya did not like Brihaspati, he fought on Chandra’s side. Hence Prahalad and Virochana also fought on Chandra’s side. During this battle Indra killed Virochana. This killing is not based on any bad thing Virochana did -- he was just a casualty of war. The killing of Virochana also appears in the story of the Samudramanthan (see https://goldcoasthindu.wordpress.com/2021/04/10/lessonsfrom-the-samudra-manthan/ for details). Because the Asuras were deprived of the nectar, they fought with the Devas. Virochana died as part of this war. * The final story I present here is from the Chandogya Upanishad. Both Indra and Virochana go to learn about the Atman. After a few years, their guru tells them that the reflection they see of themselves in the pond is the Atman. Virochana accepts this at face-value.

Rahul sends ‘puja samagri’ for Amethi temples

Amethi (UP), April 6 (IANS) Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has sent ‘puja samagri’ (worship material) for the Devi temples in Amethi on the occasion of Navratri. Amethi is the former constituency of Rahul Gandhi which he lost to Smriti Irani of BJP in 2019. Congress MLC, Deepak Singh confirmed that on the occasion of Chaitra Navratri, Rahul Gandhi has sent worship material for the

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temples of Goddesses in the district. He said that Amethi district Congress chief Pradeep Singhal, district media in-charge Anil Singh would monitor the proper distribution of the material among the temples and party leaders will regularly participate in the worship of the goddesses. The prominent temples where materials have been supplied include Maa Kalika Bhavani Dham Sangrampur, Maa Devi Patan Dham Amethi, Maa Durga Bhawani Dham Bhawan Shahpur Gauriganj, Budhan Mata Dham Gauriganj and Samsarian Dham. “This is a token of respect form Rahul Gandhi for Amethi and there is no politics in it,” said the Congress MLC. This is the first time that Rahul has sent puja samagri to Amethi that he represented in Lok Sabha for three terms.

Virochana thus believes that the body represents the Atman. He taught this to his followers. Indra, on the other hand, questions his guru and concludes that the body cannot be the Atman. The Upanishad concludes that Virochana had to be killed because he taught incorrect knowledge. Now I present a few general questions. Why was Virochana, who had an exalted position in the story of Prithu, demoted in other writings? Is this purely because he was an asura? It is interesting to observe that the Matsya Purana does not view Virochana in a negative light. His death had nothing to do with any improper behaviour. * Why is it okay for the Devas to plot to kill Virochana just because he advocated praying to Vishnu? If Virochana was such a devotee of Vishnu, why did Vishnu not protect him from Indra and Varuna? Why is Vishnu partial to the Devas? * Why was Mahabali at fault for hating the Devas when his father was killed by them? Indra is often shown behaving like an entitled feudal lord. * These days very few people perform Vedic yagnas and more people make offerings to non-Vedic deities. Does this mean that all the current devotees of Vishnu, Shiva etc. are in danger from the Vedic Gods? * Were the Devas, who were annoyed at Vedic rituals not being followed, right in preventing Mahabali perform the last-rites for his father? Is the performance of the last-rites (Antyasti) not demanded by the Vedas? * How did making Virochana’s wife crazy, enable Vishnu to kill him? * If Surya was pleased with Virochana’s penance, why did

he join forces with Indra and Varuna to kill Virochana? As per the story, Virochana had done nothing wrong. Was this Surya’s way to undo the act of giving a great boon to Virochana? * Why should someone who has not understood deep philosophy be killed? Was it because he decided to teach his incomplete and incorrect understanding? The Upanishads admit that understanding the true nature of the Atman is not easy? Is it not better to educate them? Did Virochana’s guru fail him by letting him go with incorrect knowledge? Is the lack of correct knowledge just an excuse to kill an asura to protect the Devas? I suspect these questions do not have real answers as the aim is to show Virochana in poor light, and thereby, justify his killing. References: S. Radhakrishnan: The Principal Upanishads, 2016 V. Mani: Puranic Encyclopedia, 2021 The Sacred Book of the Hindus, Volume 17, Part I (Edited by B. D. Basu)

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

Lucknow, April 4: More and more youngsters are turning spiritual and observing the nine-day fast during the ongoing Navratri. Temple priests claim that the number of youths -both boys and girls- visiting temples this year is much more than older citizens. “The priest at the Maa Lalita Devi temple, Raghuraj Mishra, said: “It is surprising for me to see teenagers queuing up for ‘darshan’ this Navratri. Almost all of them are observing the fast too.” Reyansh Mathur, 18, a regular visitor to the temple, said: “This is the first time that I am fasting for nine days and visiting the temple regularly. My younger sister, who is 16 years old, and my three cousins are also fasting.” Asked what made him turn spiritual at this age, Reyansh said: “The pandemic made me realise the futility of life. I lost three close family members last year and we could not save them despite having financial resources. This year I decided to fast and even though it has been just two days, I am already feeling a sense of peace within.” Interestingly, none of the other members in his family are fasting. “My parents are diabetic and my grandparents are too old so, this

time, is me and my siblings who are fasting,” he added. The Hanuman temple in Hazratganj also has a long queue of young boys and girls, lining up to offer prayers during Navratri. “For me God is one - whether it is Hanuman or Durga or Shiva. I am coming here regularly since Navratri began on Saturday because it gives me a good feeling,” said Pooja Sinha, a young bank executive. Revati Roychaudhuri, who runs a working women’s hostel in her home in Mahanagar, said: “Surprisingly, there has been a spurt in the number of girls fasting during Navratri. In fact, I have completely switched to ‘falahar’ menu because of the 17 girls, only two are not fasting.” Most of the teenagers who are fasting in Navratri still cannot remember and recite the shlokas. Almost all of them have downloaded the shlokas and aartis in their mobiles and use it for puja. Mahant Divyagiri of Mankameshwar temple said that it was a good sign that young generation were becoming increasingly spiritual. “The pandemic is slowly taking us back to our roots and this is a healthy sign for tomorrow,” she stated.

India marching ahead towards Ramrajya, TN Guv Chennai, April 2: Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has said that India is marching ahead towards the goal of Ramrajya envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was delivering the inaugural address of the 69th Ram Navami celebrations in Chennai organised by Sri Ram Samaj and described Sri Ram as an icon of India’s shared cultural spirituality. The Tamil Nadu Governor said that lessons from the life of Sri Ram are ideal values for all to imbibe. R.N. Ravi said that Mahatma Gandhi invoked the idea of Ramrajya to unite the country against colonial rule and said that as an ideal son, brother, friend, and king, Sri Ram teaches us the value of mutual love and respect.

Gerukatte Gangayya shetty as Virochana

Sri Ram Samaj president S. Ravichandran and others participated in the function.

Muslim sculptors, mango traders face the heat of Hindu activists in K’taka Bengaluru, April 7 (IANS) After campaigning against the hijab, halal and banning Muslim traders in temple fairs, Hindu organisations in Karnataka now are planning a campaign to ban Muslim mango traders and sculptors from making idols of Hindu Gods. The Hindu organisations have also prepared to challenge the issue of halal certification in the country in the court. These organisations are prepared to wage a legal battle questioning the system of halal certification against the Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI), the governing and monitoring body of food business in India. Sources said that the list of halal products was being prepared. The halal certification is illegal and the only authority to certify food is FSSI. The matter will be taken to the court

about halal certification, sources said. Though the ruling BJP tried to distance itself from banning mango traders, it is maintaining silence on other issues. Opposition Congress and JD(S) are slamming the ruling BJP for these developments and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has stated that the Karnataka government was enforcing untouchability on Muslims. Melukote Cheluvanaraya Swamy temple Sthanik Srinivasan on Thursday said that he will take up a campaign across the state to ban Hindu idols being sculpted by Muslim sculptors. “The idols of Hindu gods sculpted by Muslim artistes can’t be installed in the Hindu temples, it is against the traditions. I will tour the state and bring awareness in this regard,” he

/IndianAbroadNews

had stated. Sri Ram Sena has also extended the support to ban installing of idols in temples that are sculpted by Muslims and given a call for temple authorities not to get any idols made by the Muslim sculptors. Meanwhile, the campaign to ban Muslim traders in mango trade has

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gained momentum in the state. The Hindu activists are running an online campaign to take back the mango wholesale trade dominated by the Muslim businessmen. Chandru Moger, Hindu Janajagruthi Samiti coordinator appealled to Hindus to buy fruits from only Hindu vendors and boycott Muslim traders.

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LITERATURE

‘This time for Africa’: Fair writing of and from the continent (IANS Column: Bookends)

t was called the “Dark Continent”, not only due to lack of (European) knowledge of its expansive hinterland, but also for political reasons. Terming Africa backward and unenlightened gave colonial powers license to seize huge swathes of territory for “development” and “progress” of the natives. Unfortunately, the common stereotypes still persist in much of public - and literary - consciousness elsewhere. There are 54 independent countries on the continent, but for most of the outside world, all its (‘black’) people, outside the handful of Arabspeaking countries in the north, are thought as one. Take crime reports, usually relating to drug seizures, in Indian newspapers - “Narcotics worth Rs 1.5 crore seized, two Africans arrested”, “Three African nationals arrested in Dwarka; 1 kg heroin seized” or “Noida: Three African men arrested for cheating people by posing as customs officials”. Have you seen this used for people from other continents? This amorphous lumping is not far apart of the stereotypical cultural descriptions of Africa, as usually as the land of poor, illiterate, sick blacks living in hut villages/ untamed wilderness and at the mercy of repressive/grossly corrupt

governments led by unbalanced, egoistical leaders as political instability rages, since the transition from colonial rule. Big business and superpower rivalry also figures somewhere when it comes to national resources and aid. It is the “Wakanda” type (as from 2018 film “Black Panther” - but not that technologically advanced), a small country nestled somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa with thick jungles or parched savannahs, the residents a mix of white and blacks (the latter speaking pidgin English mostly).Evelyn Waugh’s Azania from “Black Mischief” (1932) and Ishmaelia from media satire “Scoop” (1938) are early examples. Then there is Zangaro in Frederick Forsyth’s “The Dogs of War” (1974), Zanj, Kush, and Sahel in John Updike’s “The Coup” (1978), and Zamzarin in William Boyd’s James Bond novel “Solo” (2013). Earlier, and even worse, there was “Darkest Africa” approach - even if the the setting was sandy wastelands, the grassy plains, the ruins of mysterious, unknown civilisations, or usually, the dense, treacherous jungle.You can see this in Lee Falk’s Phantom, Edgar Rice Burrough’s “Tarzan”, H. Rider Haggard’s “She” and “King Solomon’s Mines”, Michael Crichton’s “Congo”, Jules

Verne’s first-published work, “Five Weeks in a Balloon”, Edgar Wallace’s “Sanders of the River” series - posthumously continued bu Francis Gerard, Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” - using African wilderness to contrast a character’s descent to savagery, and almost everything written by Wilbur Smith. All, or most of these works, were also marked by the presence of the “Mighty White Hunter/Explorer” who made discoveries/restored peace/kept order, and so on, of course, helped, by the wise native advisor/warrior/tracker or other noble savages. As Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina remarked: “Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title. Subtitles may include the words ‘Zanzibar’, ‘Masai’, ‘Zulu’, ‘Zambezi’, ‘Congo’, ‘Nile’, ‘Big’, ‘Sky’, ‘Shadow’, ‘Drum’, ‘Sun’ or ‘Bygone’. Also useful are words such as ‘Guerrillas’, ‘Timeless’, ‘Primordial’ and ‘Tribal’.” “Taboo subjects: ordinary domestic scenes, love between Africans (unless a death is involved), references to African writers or intellectuals, mention of school-going children who are not suffering from yaws or Ebola fever or female genital mutilation,” he added in “How to Write About Africa”. However, there are a host of writers - American, British, Australian - who have dealt with Africa, be the colonial period or the present, with better understanding.They include William Boyd with “A Good Man in Africa” (1981), “An Ice-Cream War” (1982), “Brazzaville Beach” (1990), Robert Wilson with his West African noir crime series comprising “Instruments of Darkness” (1995), “The Big Killing” (1996), “Blood Is Dirt” (1997), and “A Darkening Stain”

‘There’s no greater thing than the magic of a shared experience’ From experiencing weekly concerts her grandmother hosted at home in Chennai to her formative education at the Jiddu Krishnamurti School, where her love for art and culture really took off, by the time Jaya Asokan, Director of India Art Fair, scheduled to take from April 28 to May 1 in the Capital, finished school, she went on to study Fine Arts at Stella Marris and Graphic Design at Parsons in New York.

rom experiencing weekly concerts her grandmother hosted at home in Chennai to her formative education at the Jiddu Krishnamurti School, where her love for art and culture really took off, by the time Jaya Asokan, Director of India Art Fair, scheduled to take from April 28 to May 1 in the Capital, finished school, she went on to study Fine Arts at Stella Marris and Graphic Design at Parsons in New York. Since then, she has worked broadly in diverse creative roles across design, fashion, jewellery as well as at an auction house and gallery. "The learning throughout was the value of continuously making bridges across fields, and to work to bring in new ideas and audiences to any creative endeavour. At the India Art Fair too, our hope and mission is to broaden our base of collaborators, collectors and visitors by continually creating exciting content and programmes," she tells IANS. Asokan, who took over as Fair Director in April 2021 says it has been a year of learning and experimentation, not just for her, but for the whole team, and that they used as an opportunity to trial and test new ideas to adapt to changing conditions. "Through the lockdowns and pandemic, we realised the immense potential of art and culture, as entertainment, therapy and an object, which led us to evolve the fair strategy and transition from a 4-day event into a year-round brand with 365 days of presence, whether through pop-up events, programming or editorial." Thrilled to return to the physical format in 2022 in partnership with BMW India, the director adds they have expanded our digital activities massively with the goal of becoming a year-round platform championing Indian and South Asian art and artists. "Our refreshed website with newly commissioned artist films and stories, IAF Parallel exhibitions and events, a Noticeboard section with opportunities for artists and arts-professionals, virtual walkthroughs and workshops around the year will serve as the go-to source for all things Indian and South Asian

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(1998), while Nicholas Drayson’s “A Guide To The Birds Of East Africa” (2009) and “A Guide To The Beasts Of East Africa” are an engaging look at the Indian diaspora in Kenya. Then, there is Alexander McCall Smith’s “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series.But, let’s look at some five-six works of writers from across the continent, especially from countries usually underrepresented on the global literary map. This will rule out South Africa which has two Nobel Literature laureates already in Nadime Gordimer and J.M. Coetzee, Egypt with Nobel winner Naguib Mahfouz and a vibrant literary scene, and Nigeria, where Wole Soyinka became the first Black African to receive the Nobel (it took 35 years before Abdulrazak Gurnah became the second). Let’s begin with Sudan - the continuum between Arab north Africa and the rest of the continent where the people are mostly culturally Arab but look “African”. (Confusingly, there is also a geographical sub-Saharan area of ‘Sudan’, which doesn’t include the country, as it forms a belt between the Sahara Desert and coastal West Africa). Leila Aboulela is one of the foremost Sudanese authors, even though living in Scotland and writing in English. While her debut novel “The Translator” (1999) is the story of a young Muslim Sudanese widow living in Scotland and her developing relationship with Scottish Middle Eastern scholar, her “Lyrics Alley” (2011) is an absorbing read. Loosely adapted from her own family, it is an evocative account of a prominent business family in Khartoum as the country moves

towards independence from the UK (and Egypt) and how fate trumps its patriarch’s succession plans, and the conflict between his first traditional-living wife and second, modern one wreaks havoc for the latter’s daughter, but, above all, of the resiliency of the spirit. Algeria, the largest country of the continent, has also a vibrant literary scene, right from the colonial period - Albert Camus and Frantz “Black Skin, White Masks” Fanon being some prominent examples. It does fall in the Arab cultural space, though its version of the language is quite different for other Arab speakers, and there is also the Berber influence.Ahlem Mosteghanemi is deemed the top-selling woman Arabic author and her trilogy “Zakirat el Jassad” (1993), “Fawda el Hawas”, and “Aber Sareer” show why. They are available in English as “The Bridges of Constantine” (2013), “Chaos of the Senses” (2015), and “The Dust of Promises” (2016), a lyrical and heart-tugging about loss and remembrance, exile and belonging, and love and longing. The first covers over four decades of Algerian history as it interweaves the characters’ life trajectories and memories from 1945 to 1988 when Khaled, the protagonist-narrator who fought in the liberation war, is writing a memoir of his in the form of the novel we read. Living in exile, his life undergoes tumult when Hayat, the daughter of his old revolutionary commander and now an enticing young woman novelist, unexpectedly reenters his life. The second takes up the story of Hayat who is trapped in a loveless marriage to a senior security official as the Algerian civil war rages and finds solace in a forbidden and

singular love affair. while the third brings destiny of Hayat, Khaled, and the narrator of the second book to a heady conclusion in Paris. Travelling southeast to Zimbabwe of Robert Mugabe, we have Tendai Huchu’s “The Hairdresser Of Harare” (2015). It seems a frothy comedy of manners till its somewhat disturbing denouement but is actually deftly served socio-political commentary with pity observations on classism, racism, and homophobia.It tells of a woman stylist in a Harare hair salon, who seems upstaged by a new male employee. They get close eventually but then she discovers something untoward some readers might see where there is heading to. Kwei Quartey, the son of a Ghanian father and an African-American mother, started writing along his medical career in the US. His Inspector Darko Dawson series “Wife of the Gods” (2009), “Children of the Street” (2011), “Death at the Voyager Hotel” (2014), “Murder at Cape Three Points” (2014), “Gold of Our Fathers” (2016) and “Death by His Grace” (2017) are innovative, intricate, and atmospheric crime stories that well capture the flavour of Ghana.His latest - “The Missing American” (2020), and “Sleep Well, My Lady” (2021) - bring in woman private investigator Emma Djan, with a nod to Raymond Chandler’s style.Finally, we come back to Wainaina, who tragically succumbed to a stroke in 2019, aged 48. If the excerpt from his 2005 satirical essay whetted your appetite, wait for “How to Write About Africa”, a collection of his trenchant writings on politics, cultural heritage and redefining sexuality and more besides, due to be published in September this year.

First-ever international film festival begins in Manipur The first edition of the 'Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival' began on Saturday at the Palace Auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), manifesting a new feather in the cap of Manipuri Cinema as it completes 50 years.

art," she says. However, she feels there's no greater thing than the magic of a shared experience, and we really look forward to experiencing art in real-time and real space, instead of on screens. One of the major and most visible highlights will be the fair facade, which will be transformed into a work of art by the young artist and printmaker Anshuka Mahapatra, celebrating ideas of hope, love, life and togetherness through phrases taken from poems in seven Indian languages. The exhibition halls will welcome some of the most prominent galleries while the fair outdoors will be dotted with monumental art commissions, from the colourful 50-feet long mural titled 'The Future is Femme' along the front walkway of the fair created by trans and cis-women artists of Aravani Art Project supported by Saffronart Foundation, and a impressive metal sculpture made of reused silencer pipes evoking optimism in challenging times by the young Kolkata-born and bred Narayan Sinha supported by the Arts Ananda Trust. Asokan says that besides hosting some of the biggest collectors and art-patrons, we are launching a revamped Young Collectors' Programme to empower the next generation of collectors with the know-how and confidence to make

their first purchases, as well as support artists as patrons. Talk to her about the fact that Delhi heat in April end might keep many visitors away, and she asserts: "This is the first time that India Art Fair will take place in May, and we look forward to a memorable summer celebration. As always, the fair will ensure the comfort of visitors and will have fully air-conditioned exhibition space and sufficiently shaded outdoor areas." With a major focus on inclusivity and accessibility, India Art Fair will be working with 'Access for All' so as to create experiences that are welcoming to our diverse audiences. "We are committed to providing similar, if not identical experiences for all visitors participants regardless of their ability and strive for equity, accessibility and inclusion," she adds. The exhibition halls will show works of some major artists like Amrita Sher-Gil, V.S. Gaitonde and Nasreen Mohamedi (Chatterjee & Lal), and also contemporary ones Sujith S.N, Faiza Hasan and Subodh Kerkar who will reflect powerfully on climate change and sustainability. Achia Anzi, Kumar Misal and Baaraan Ijlal for who the personal is political; Tsohil Bhatia, Anupama Alias and Shine Shivan, Suchitra Mattai and Bushra Waqas Khan will make the viewer look at gender and sexuality with new eyes.

he first edition of the 'Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival' began on Saturday at the Palace Auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), manifesting a new feather in the cap of Manipuri Cinema as it completes 50 years. The five-day non-competitive festival, supported by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, is being organised as part of the year-long golden jubilee celebration of Manipuri Cinema. Speaking as the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the festival, eminent Manipuri filmmaker, Aribam Syam Sharma emphatically pointed out that special financial assistance from the government is a must for success of the festival in its future editions. Syam Sharma, who has been associated with Manipuri cinema since its inception, lamented that the government had always exuded indifferent attitude towards the growth of Manipuri cinema. Nevertheless, he drew the attention of the government to make the Manipur State Film and Television Institute fully functional at the earliest to facilitate professionalism and production of good films in the northeastern state. MSFDS Secretary, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, while delivering the keynote address, stated that the festival has been conceived to catalyse the amplification of motion picture storytelling in Manipur. He further expressed joy over realising the dream of an international film festival where one experiences world cinema which slices life and intrinsic cultural and political experiences beyond one's boundaries and transpires invaluable knowledge. Manipur government's Commissioner of Art and Culture Department, M. Joy stated that the Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival marks the new beginning for Manipuri cinema. He also exuded confidence that the festival will fill up the void of a voracious cinematic culture in Manipur. Deputy Director of Directorate of Film Festivals under the Union

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Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Tanu Rai, Assamese filmmaker Utpal Borpujari, Khasi (Meghalaya) filmmaker Pradip Kurban among other prominent personalities also attended the inaugural function. Eminent filmmaker, Romi Meitei's award winning film "Eikhoigi Yum" (ours home), in its Imphal Premier screened in the opening day of the festival. Prior to the screening, contemporary dance performance aMeepao', a tribute to the pioneer filmmakers, choreographed by Surjit Nongmeikapam was also showcased. Manipur Film Development Society (MSFDS) Secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that in the 5-day long international film festival, 11 feature films, 8 non-feature

/indianabroadnews

films and one short film would be screened. Films including those from Iran, Germany, Korea, Philippines and Norway would be screened.He said that two Manipuri films -- Romi Meitei's "Eikhoigi Yum" and Haobam Pabankumar's "Nine Hills One Valley", acclaimed Khasi (Meghalaya) film, "Iewduh", directed by Pradeep Kurbah and Assamese film, "Ishu", directed by Utpal Borpujari will also be screened in the festival. Bachaspatimayum said that the festival being organised jointly by MSFDS and Manipur State Film and Television Institute (MSFTI), with financial aid from the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

FASHION

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

TV stars taking over Instagram Timeless jewellery pieces you can pass down onto generations fondly with their fashion sense We cannot ignore television stars who are well-liked by audiences for their acting ability and fashion sense

side from Bollywood celebrities who have achieved name and fame in their own industry, we cannot ignore television stars who are well-liked by audiences for their acting ability and fashion sense. With a sizable fan base, these television actors are taking Instagram by storm.

Hina Khan (16.6M)

Make the most out of your high-value luxury goods

Nia gained notoriety after being named the sexiest Asian woman for the third time. Her sense of style is incredible, and you’d want to steal it. Just taking a look at her Instagram feed can teach you how to dress up in various avatars. Krystle D’Souza (7.1M)

Mouni Roy (22.6M)

With 22.6M followers on Instagram, we wouldn't be mistaken to say Mouni's fashion sense is always on point throughout her journey. She has never failed to look stunning and understated at any event, whether it is a party, a trip, or an award ceremony.

Hina Khan has not only put on a show with her acting abilities on the TV serial ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’, but she has also displayed fashion ranging from ethnic to modern, and she has looked stunning in all of them. Even when she isn’t on television, she tries to make a statement with her style, as evidenced by her Instagram profile. Jennifer Winget (12.2M)

J Krystle D'Souza, the stunning TV star, is the fashionista of television. Krystle is well-known among fans for her stunning appearance and high sense of style. Her hair, outfits, and make-up are always making headlines, and for good reason. Tejasswi Prakash (5.5M)

Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (18.9M)

Diva in Glamour Jennifer Winget is a television-style icon. Is it really necessary for us to say anything to her? Her fashion sense has always been in the spotlight, and the Diva never fails to dazzle her fans. Nia Sharma (7.3M) Tejasswi Prakash’s performance may have taken a topsy-turvy turn, but that hasn’t stopped her fans from showering her with love and acclaim for her style game. Tejasswi has always made headlines for her fashion choices, establishing her as one of the most talented actresses in today’s small screen industry.

Divyanka has received a lot of love from her fans for all of the different roles she has played on television, particularly her role as Ishita in the TV show ‘Yeh Hai Mohabbatein’, but that isn’t all. It’s incredible how much love she receives from her fans for her fashion choices.

Grand Finale: FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week 2022 A shimmery and spectacular end to the five-day fashion extravaganza being held in the Capital

ewellery, and particularly the fine jewellery industry is driven heavily by classics. Since they're high-value luxury goods, everyone wants to make the most out of them which is only fair and really supports the idea of investing in a quality that can be worn multiple times and still be passed down onto generations fondly. Prakshi Sharma, Creative Head & Designer of Prakshi Fine Jewellery shares timeless jewellery trends: • Tennis Bracelets - When we say Tennis Bracelets are never going out of fashion, we really mean it. It's truly a classical and timeless piece of jewel. It consists of a single row of handcrafted diamonds of any one shape, which encircle the wrist and can always be customized for your exact wrist size. It can also be made with coloured gemstones like emeralds, sapphires, or rubies. Wear one as it is, pair it with a watch, stack, mix and match with bangles, there's nothing you can't do with a tennis bracelet. It's an invincible piece of jewellery for everyone. • Fancy shaped eternity bands

Some low-maintenance summer hairstyles to keep our hair looking great while also keeping us cool

Actress Ananya Panday closed the show for Falguni Shane Peacock at the Lakmé Absolute Grand Final

Designer Siddhartha Tytler also showcased his summer collection, “Somestuke” earlier in the day. www.indianabroad.news

From casual swimwear, metallic jackets and layered tops to printed separates, heavily embroidered saris and lehengas, the designer opted for a variety of silhouettes and styles. Actor Aditya Seal and former Miss India Neha Kapur were his showstoppers. There were a bunch of other celebrities who were spotted on Day 5. Neha Dhupia walked for ALL – the plus-size store, Urvashi Rautela for Reynu and Nikitha Tandon, Divya Khosla Kumar for Sejal Kamdar and Nargis Fakhri for Romaa. Like all good things must come to an end, this fashion week did too and we can only wait to see what’s in store next season.

Siddhartha Tytler at FDCI x LFW

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together they look extravagant and yet approachable. These days the chains also have closures at different lengths for your convenience and can also be worn as chokers or even anklets. It's also always smart to have minimal jewellery that is multi-purpose and will remain evergreen. Solitaire Studs - Solitaire refers to a single gemstone, generally a diamond. A solitaire stud typically features a diamond mounted on the end of a post, which passes through a piercing in the ear or earlobe. With no visible point of connection, studs appear to float where they are located. They are so effortless, and with multiple cuts and shapes of gemstones, they look even edgier. They can be worn on both ears, on just one, or through different piercings across the body. It's hard to find someone who doesn't own a good old treasured and go-to pair of solitaire studs. This trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon but ear sliders are picking up in the market as well.

Hairstyles to beat the summer heat

he sun has finally shown its face, and we're eager to embrace our summer vibes. Though, in the blazing heat, no one needs a thick mop of hair around their neck, that's why some low-maintenance summer hairstyles are a must to keep our hair looking great while also keeping us cool. Plus, no matter how hot it gets, they're quick, don't require any heat, and remain out of your sweaty face. Here are some of our favourite summer hairstyles that will keep you looking cute while you're out and about.

lobally acclaimed designers Falguni Shane Peacock presented their collection, “Earth Bound” at the Lakmé Absolute Grand Finale. Keeping up with their maximalist aesthetic, their whimsical line-up consisted of cut-out dresses with exaggerated shoulders and feather detailing, sequinned bombers, embellished bodysuits, & shimmery gowns and skirts. For menswear, there were a variety of glittering statement jackets on display. Gen-Z star Ananya Panday closed the show for the power couple in a shimmery short pink trail dress.

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- An eternity ring typically consists of a continuous band of your preferred cut/shape of diamonds or gemstones. While round cut stones are most commonly used, choosing a different cut like marquise or oval can also make a lot of difference. Eternity band is the kind of jewellery that makes you happy season after season and year after year with its unhinged timelessness. One statement jewellery piece - Jewellery really has the power to make or break your look. While staples are staples for a reason, having a statement piece is another evergreen essential you must have in your jewellery box for when you want to look effortless, easy but still striking. Having a talking point such as your statement jewellery is what makes you stand out from the crowd. Dainty Diamond Necklaces - Necklaces and pendants in diamonds with the daintiest chains are staples individually and never go out of trend. When you layer some of them

of the ponytail, pointing up, to add volume. Low Slicked-Back Twisted Bun Pull all of your hair back into a low pony at the back of your head to achieve this sleek bun. Then, twist your hair clockwise all the way down and style it into the desired bun shape. You can make a classic bun shape. Space Buns Space buns are classic because they look chic and cool with very little effort. They are probably the easiest hairstyle out there. Simply create two small buns on either side of your head and secure them with an elastic or a bobby pin. This look works well whether it's sleek or messy, making it as versatile as it is. Braided Bun This style gives your low messy buns a little something extra. Part your hair on the side and braid it from the crown of your head to the back, where you want the base of your bun to be. Then, using elastic and bobby pins, gather the rest of the hair into a messy bun.

High Pony Brush your hair back and secure the elastic tightly for the perfect high pony. Add a bobby pin to the base

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Sleek Low Pony With Accessory Ponytails are popular because they can be styled in a variety of ways while remaining incredibly simple. Brush your hair back, removing any lumps or creases. At the nape of your neck, gather all of your hair and secure with an elastic. Complete the look with your favourite hair accessory. Messy Wrapped Ponytail This ponytail looks great because it highlights any natural texture or leftover curls. Make a ponytail at the nape of your neck with your hair. To keep the pony in place, use an elastic. To hide the elastic, pull a small piece of hair from underneath the ponytail and wrap it around it. Pin the end of your hair to your head with a bobby pin. Twisted Up-Do This simple updo looks elegant while requiring little effort. Pull your hair back into a ponytail with an elastic, and make a space at the base of the pony to pull the ponytail through and add a twist to the hair. Twisted Top Knot A sleek top-knot is one of the most popular hairstyles because it looks put together and looks good on almost any hair type. Pull your hair to the top of your head with a brush, making sure to brush out any creases or bumps. Gather your hair into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic to keep it tight and in place. Then, twist your hair into a bun and pin it in place with bobby pins.

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Your spring beauty overhaul Let’s get ready for beautiful new beginnings

he sunshine is illuminating the earth and everywhere feels light, bright and whimsical again. KIKO MILANO Blossoming Beauty Collection celebrates that perfect moment when everything is coming to life and bursts of colour begin to appear. • Blooming Rose Body Shower Mousse, Rs 1090: As the season changes, it’s time for a skincare overhaul. Shed the heavy stuff and make way for lightweight, high impact products that bring out your inner beauty. Begin with an invigorating shower using Blooming Rose Body Shower Mousse, letting the soft rose floral aroma awaken your senses. Now it’s time to give your face your full attention. • Secret Garden Face Toner Rs 1090: Begin with Secret Garden Face Toner, applying to your face, neck and décolleté for a refreshed feeling. Enriched with petals, it will have a hydrating and brightening effect that will help reveal a new complexion. • Refreshing Eyes & Face Serum Rs 1450: Reach for Refreshing Eyes & Face Serum in an easy to apply format. Roll across your face to reveal the perfect dose of a product designed to hydrate and refresh

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Hydrating Face Cream SPF 20, Rs 1690: Apply directly to your under-eye areas for a moisture-rich area. Finish with Hydrating Face Cream SPF 20, enriched with floral extracts and containing all UVB protection for skin that feels radiant and ready for the day ahead. 3-in-1 All Over Stick, Rs 1290: Create a perfect base with two products designed to deliver a look that feels effortlessly flawless. Pair 3-in-1 All Over Stick with Hydrating & Long Lasting Blurring effect Foundation combining a creamy, easyto-blend base with hydrating blurred effect. Multi-Finish Floral Blush, Rs 1890: Begin by dusting Multi-Finish Floral Blush to the apples of your cheeks, letting the extreme colour release enhance the natural radiance of your complexion, then create the first hint of sun-kissed radiance with Romantic Shades of Face & Eyes Palette, Rs 2390: Romantic Shades of Face & Eyes Palette, places radiant, sheer colour in places that might catch the gentle springtime light. Blooming Perfecting Powder, Rs 1890: Finish by sealing the look with Blooming Perfecting

Powder, dusting lightly across places that might feel shiny as the day wears on. The powder will glide on effortlessly bringing a glowy finish to your skin and making your look last longer. Tuck the powder away in your bag for touch-ups if you end up enjoying a day outside as the day goes on. Use the 4-in-1 brush as one side is designed for face powder products: face powder, blusher and highlighter. • 3-in-1 Eyeshadow & Eyepencil, Rs 1250: Intensify the look a little further by bringing more pigment to your lash line and waterline with a 12 hour long-lasting 3-in-1 Eyeshadow & Eyepencil. Use the matte eyeliner and kajal end for definition. • 3-in-1 Mascara, Rs 1490: Now you’ve doubled down on colour, pick up a mascara that truly does it all: 12 hours long-lasting 3-in-1 Mascara, which creates volume, curl and length effects. The dramatic impact of volume effect delivered from one end and effortless length effect and definition from the other is guaranteed to do the most. • Long-lasting Matte Lipstick, Rs 1290: Select a springtime lip shade that will tell the world you’re ready to play again, whether that’s a vibrant pink or a rich, warm nude, and find a texture that you like to wear the most. For matte lip lovers, Longlasting Matte Lipstick creates 8 hours of creamy textured colour and a filler effect for your lips, making them defined. • 4-in-1 brush, Rs 1950: Use Kiko Milano’s magical 4-in-1 brush as one side is designed for face powder products: face powder, blusher and highlighter. And just like that, your springtime beauty overhaul is complete - you’re in bloom!

Travel skincare woes solved with a moisture enriched regime Following a minimal yet effective skincare routine while travelling is the key to overcoming travel skincare issues

Ajmal perfumes launches oath for him and her An aromatic woody fragrance with top notes of lemon, bergamot, black currant, and plum

ath Him & Her is the latest fragrance from Ajmal Perfumes, a globally recognised, homegrown perfumery brand with a rich heritage accumulated over 70 years of experience. Oath Him and Her is a limited-edition scented offering inspired by the power of written promises. Oath Her is a Floral Fresh accord with a chypre Woody Ambery base. Oath Him is a Fresh Woody fragrance that envelops the wearer in Amber and Woody notes. Abdulla Ajmal, Perfumist and Business Mentor, Ajmal & Sons – NHA division, India, elaborates on the launch, saying, “At Ajmal Perfumes, we have refined the art of perfumery to the point where we can create everlasting memories through our fragrance. We take pride in being one of the world’s leading end-to-end fragrance houses. We grow our raw materials and conceptualise designs in-house to ensure a world-class product. Oath Him & Her is not only a unique fragrance, but also a design breakthrough. The product line will be a collector’s item because the glass bottle appears to be resting on a solid stone slab, but it’s not. Oath Her & Him is a gesture of commitment, promise, and stability, in my opinion. “This is our product debut for the Indian market this year on International Fragrance Day, and we are excited to see how our customers react.” It’s also significant

from a market standpoint, as we just launched the Ajmal Perfumes India e-commerce platform, and the timing couldn’t be better. With the launch of our website, we have become the only established direct-to-consumer fragrance company in India that can meet the needs of our customers. “Oath for HIM and HER is an extension of Ajmal Perfumes’ ongoing effort to provide world-class fragrances at affordable price points,” says Saurav Bhattacharya, President – Ajmal & Sons – NHA Division, India.

adversity and stands firm. Price: INR. 5,000

Oath Her

Oath Him

Mood: Adventurous & Enigmatic Fragrance Family: Aromatic Woody Ajmal Oath Him is an aromatic woody fragrance with top notes of lemon, bergamot, black currant, and plum; it has notes of lavender and iris in the heart, which comes alive when surrounded by cedarwood and patchouli. Oath Him is inspired by the spirit of a daring man who refuses to back down in the face of

Mood: Sophisticated & Elegant Fragrance Family: Floral Chypre Ajmal Oath Her is an extravagant bouquet of fresh, floral, and citrusy notes that blend beautifully with patchouli's richness and vanilla's sweetness. Oath Her is inspired by the panache of a self-assured woman who ensures she leaves an impression on everyone's hearts and minds. Price: INR. 5,000

Changes to the Male Grooming Industry post COVID The content of men's grooming startups has shifted from looking attractive and attracting the opposite gender to feeling confident and looking presentable

othing beats packing your bags, planning your itinerary, and giving in to your wanderlust. Traveling to a new place full of endless adventures and possibilities is an unrivalled feeling that should be felt whenever the opportunity arises. While travelling has many advantages, there is one disadvantage that can put a damper on travel plans: the effect it has on the skin. If you frequently return from trips with irritated and flared-up skin, we've got you covered with the best travel skincare routine to follow. It is critical to first understand a problem before attempting to solve it. There are a variety of environmental factors that can cause skin problems when travelling. Changes in humidity, air quality, temperature, and even sun exposure can all have a negative impact on the skin. It can cause it to feel dry, irritated, itchy, red, flaky, or even break outs. Furthermore, factors such as travel stress and aeroplane dehydration can play a significant role in this. Changes in our external environment throw the skin off its usual routine and game, causing it to deviate from its normal health. While the causes, concerns, and treatments for these skin issues vary from case to case, there is a general skincare regimen and www.indianabroad.news

hacks that you can use to prevent damage and stay one step ahead. To begin, it is critical to maintain some consistency and familiarity in the midst of a lot of change. Pack one or two of your daily skincare products that your skin is familiar with and responds well to. Obtaining travel-sized versions of them or using mini travel containers and transferring some product into them is an easy way to accomplish this. One important skincare tip for travellers is to keep things simple but effective. Traveling may not be the best time to bring your 12-step skincare routine with you. What you require is a gentle cleanser capable of removing all dirt and excess makeup from your trip adventures. Following that, you’ll need a light yet deeply hydrating moisturiser to restore the suppleness of your skin. The skin frequently becomes dehydrated while travelling for a variety of reasons. As a result, a variety of other skin issues arise. Keeping a highly effective moisturiser in your suitcase is the best travel companion you can bring along to maintain your vacation look every day while keeping your skin healthy. It is critical to scale back the regime and eliminate products that serve only a single purpose. The key word here is efficiency. You need products

that contain all of the necessary ingredients and can assist you in addressing a variety of skincare concerns with the help of a single formula. This will save you space while also allowing you to maintain a minimalistic skincare routine that works wonders without breaking the bank. To name a few, essential ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid (to smooth and plump the skin), vitamin C (to reduce lines and boost radiance), activated C (to help increase skin clarity), salicylic acid (to visibly reduce discoloration and renew the skin’s texture), and peony extract (to prevent oxidative damage). When combined with activated C, the last few ingredients work wonders. This ingredient list is also beneficial for a variety of skincare issues, including dark spots, sallowness, post-acne marks, uneven skin tone, and loss of radiance. Travel is meant to be a blessing that allows you to explore the world and all that it has to offer, and something so wonderful should not come at the expense of your skin’s health. Following a minimal yet effective skincare routine while travelling is the key to overcoming these travel skincare issues.

While the male grooming industry in India is still in its infancy, it has tremendous growth potential and all of the building blocks to scale into a mainstream industry." COVID 19 caught everyone off guard and brought the world to a halt before the industry could react or adapt. Individuals have found the pandemic and involuntary time off to be eye-opening. We re-evaluated and realigned our priorities, which is the overarching emotion. We were able to spend more time with ourselves and look at ourselves objectively because we had taken a break from our routine. And when we put societal norms and trends on the back burner, many of us love how we look in our natural state and want to play with it. This accelerated the shift in mindset from beauty consciousness to self-care for a sizable portion of the market. Increased use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube exposes men to global fashion trends, contributing to an increase in demand for male grooming products. During the lockdown, sales of grooming products such as beard oils, hair gels, face washes, deodorants,

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perfumes, and electronic trimmers and clippers increased. The Indian male grooming market was worth $643 million in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 11 percent to reach $1.2 billion by 2024. The rise of ecommerce is having a positive impact on industry growth. Companies such as Nykaa launched a men's portal called NykaaMan in order to gain market share in the expanding men's industry. International cosmetics companies such as The Body Shop went from having one male product to having a dozen. Men began to seek out products that were specifically designed for them, rather than by-products of the women's range. As a result of this, the barbershop culture is gradually gaining a foothold in India. The content of men's grooming startups has shifted from looking attractive and attracting the opposite gender to feeling confident and looking presentable. We've also seen some innovative marketing campaigns in recent years, such as The Man Company's #GentlemanInYou campaign with Ayushmann Khurana, in which he debunks gender stereotypes in a heartfelt poem. On his social media, Hrithik Roshan also refers to himself as a Beardo. To reach a larger audience, all of the new Indian male grooming startups are investing in trying to create strong brand associations through content marketing and influencer marketing. According to a recent Mintel Reports study, 45 percent

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of GenZ men were encouraged to use products by their male friends, while only 23 percent were influenced by celebrities, 19 percent by promotional offers, and 17 percent by bloggers. So, while celebrity and influencer endorsements aid in brand awareness and investment in memorable content aids in brand recall, social circles have begun to dominate as an influencing power. Brands are shifting their focus to community building and storytelling in order to convert customers into brand promoters. We've noticed that since the reopening, a lot more customers are experimenting with looks they wouldn't have tried before COVID-19. Men who have traditionally worn deep fades and crew cuts are now experimenting with longer hairstyles such as top knots and man buns. Following the COVID-19 lockdown, a greater number of our customers want to understand and educate themselves about the products they use, and we're also seeing a shift away from styling products and toward more nourishing products. The pandemic has provided our industry with an opportunity, albeit an unwelcome one, to delve deeper and focus on why we're here in the first place. On the most basic level, The Lair, like all other salons and barbershops, sells haircuts and personal grooming. The Lair's experience is built on customer co-creation and positive network effects.

FOOD & CUISINE

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Almonds in a tastier way Now get green chilli powder on your table soon

IANSLIFE

By IANSlife April 3, 2022 (IANSlife) A healthy diet never sounds appealing because it reminds us of the rustic and bland taste of nuts. However, this is merely a misunderstanding that causes people to abandon a healthy diet. Chef Manish Mehrotra shares how to prepare almonds the right way. ALMOND & SWEET POTATO TOAST INGREDIENTS: • Almond with skin ¾ cup • Bread slice 3-4 no • Diced roast sweet potato 2 cups • Sea salt to taste • Black pepper powder ½ tsp • Chaat masala ½ tsp • Chopped fresh coriander 2 tsp • Lemon juice 2 tsp • Chopped root ginger 1 tsp • Chopped green chilli ½ tsp • Green chutney 1 tbsp • Olive oil 1 tsp • Mayonnaise 1tsp METHOD • Roast the almonds with skin in preheated oven at 180 degrees celsius for 4 minutes and cut into slivers once it is cool • In a bowl, add dice of roast sweet potato with salt, pepper, chaat masala, lemon juice, chop ginger, chopped green chilli, green chutney and mayonnaise. toss it well to mix evenly. • Toast the bread till golden colour. • Layer the mix of diced sweet potato over toasted bread and drizzle olive oil over it. ALMOND & CAULIFLOWER RICE SALAD INGREDIENTS: • Almond with skin 1 cup • Pulsed cauliflower 2 cups • Sea salt to taste • Black pepper powder ½ tsp • Chopped fresh coriander 1 tbsp • Lemon juice 2 tsp • Chopped root ginger 1 tsp • Chopped green chilli 1 tsp • Cumin seed ½ tsp • Olive oil 2 tbsp METHOD • Roast the almonds with skin in preheated oven at 180 degree celsius for 4 minutes and cut into slivers, once it is cooled. • In a pan, heat olive oil and crackle cumin seed, add chopped ginger, chopped green chilli and saute for 10-15 seconds. • Stir-in pulsed cauliflower and cook for a minute or till tender. • Take off the pan from flame and finish up with lemon juice, freshly chopped coriander and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. • Add roasted slivered almonds to it. • Serve fluffy textured pulao. ALMOND & AMARANTH KEBAB INGREDIENTS: • Whole almond ¼ cup • Amaranth flour ½ cup • Almond flour ½ cup • Chopped ginger 2 tsp • Chopped garlic 1 tsp • Chopped green chilli 1 tsp • Chopped red onions 3 tbsp • Boiled potato mashed 2 tbsp • Salt to taste • Red chilli powder ½ tsp • Garam masala powder ¼ tsp • Freshly chopped coriander leaves 1 tbsp • Oil (for grilling) METHOD • Roast almonds in preheated oven at 180 degrees celsius for 4 minutes and cut them roughly once cooled. • In a bowl, combine amaranth flour, almond flour, roughly chopped almonds, chopped ginger, chopped onion, chopped green chilli, mashed potatoes, salt, red chilli powder,garam masala powder and chopped coriander leaves and mix thoroughly. • Portion the mix in 25 gm size and keep aside in a plate.

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Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), April 7 (IANS) Ever thought of having a green chilli powder on your dining table? This is all set to become a reality because the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has now developed a technology of making powder of green chilli which will be launched in the market soon. Till now only red chilli powder was easily available in the market whereas green chilli powder, of its own natural colour of green chilli is not. The IIVR has got this technique patented in its name and is all set for the market launch of the product. The institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Himachal Pradesh-based firm. IIVR Director Tusar Kanti Behera, said the institute has inked an agreement with a Una (Himachal Pradesh)-based company for the production of green chilli powder.

ALMOND & SWEET POTATO TOAST

“The institute is promoting the public-private partnership to take its advanced technologies to the beneficiaries. According to the agreement, the IIVR will transfer the technology to the company to produce the green chilli powder and make it available in the market,” he added. According to him, the green chilli powder prepared by this technology also contains more than 30 per cent vitamin C, 94-95 per cent chlorophyll and 65-70 per cent capsin and thus prepared green chilli powder can be stored safely for several

months at normal temperature. The IIVR Director said he had discussed its quality standards and marketing with the company’s representative Yashoda Nand Gupta. The institute has also connected the farmers of eastern Uttar Pradesh with the company, so that the green chillies produced in this area can be directly purchased by this company. This will increase the demand for the produce of the farmers and fetch a fair price, which will increase their income.

‘Un-complicate the act of eating’, Rujuta Diwekar •

Sprinkle the almond slivers on it

By IANSlife April 06, 2022 (IANSlife) As World Health Day approaches, it is the perfect time to get into action and set your health goals right. In a nine-episode podcast available on Audible titled Rujuta’s Soch, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar advises adopting some simple yet effective tips for each meal during the day. Here’s the scoop from the episode! Don’t skip your breakfast and definitely have a home-cooked fresh breakfast: It’s not enough to eat the right dinner; you should also start your day with a home-cooked fresh breakfast that includes Idli, Poha, Dosa, and Eggs as part of your daily routine. Aside from that, you must include fresh fruit and nuts, which can be soaked almonds, walnuts, or simply bananas. Eat a hyper-local fruit as a mid-meal daily: Every day, include a hyper-local fruit as a mid-meal (between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner). A hyper-local fruit is one that does not have an English name, but rather one in your native language. It may be well-known in your region, but it is not necessarily well-known throughout the world. It differs from common or known local fruits such as bananas, guavas, jackfruits, grapes, and so on. To stay physically and mentally fit, eat fruits like ‘ber’ (jujube), maran, phalsa, ‘shahtoot’ (mulberry), karvanda, ranjana, jamun, bel, cashew fruits,

and serve.

ALMOND & CAULIFLOWER RICE SALAD

dhurchuk, tadgola, nimboli, ramphal, and others that are high in nutrition, vitamins, prebiotics, and bioactive compounds. Don’t starve yourself during lunch: Having a full-fledged Indian Thali is sufficient. Full-fledged means dal, roti, rice, green veggies, and a side dish, such as curd, pickle, or any sweet, if desired. As a result, make sure your lunch is nutritious and contains the necessary vitamins and minerals. This includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and a protein source. Take a short afternoon nap (10-30 mins): Rujuta emphasises the importance of taking a nap in the afternoon. She recommends taking at least a 20 to 30-minute nap in the afternoon, right after lunch. Begin taking an afternoon nap; it will help you sleep better at night. It

will assist you in obtaining optimal levels of growth hormones and IGF (Insulin-like growth factor). It will also hasten your fat loss. She also mentions that those who have had heart surgery, those who suffer from thyroid PCOD, hormonal problems, diabetes, acidity, and digestive issues, or those who struggle with insomnia and have broken sleep should try to take an afternoon nap. Wrap up with an early dinner: After all, eating a healthy and light dinner will help your body maintain its levels and functions. Rujuta says, “... never remove roti, rice, and ghee from your diet in order to have a perfect body,” when discussing how people nowadays focus on skipping dinner. Rujuta also emphasises the importance of good sleep after dinner for a full recovery, saying, “Sleep and Recovery are equally important.”

Love Beer? Know all about this drink ALMOND & AMARANTH KEBAB

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Heat oil in a pan on medium flame, pan-fry kebabs to golden and crisp. Serve hot kebabs with chutney. Add roasted slivered almonds to

•

it. Serve fluffy textured pulao.

By Prem Dewan April 02, 2022 (IANSlife) Beer is widely associated with beer bellies but on the contrary, it is actually a very healthy drink. Probably one of the healthiest drinks one can have as it is made mostly from barley but can also have small quantities of rice or wheat. The bitterness is created by the addition of hops, a flower that is very bitter and imparts its bitterness and flavour to the beer. Beer has all the natural goodness of barley, except for its starch, which is converted during the beer-making process into sugar with the help of enzymes available in the barley malt itself. This sugar is then converted into alcohol during the fermentation process, leaving all the other ingredients of the malted barley in the finished beer. A normal beer with about 4.5 per cent alcohol contains less than half a calorie per ml of beer while a strong beer with about 7 per cent alcohol can have just three-fourths of a calorie per ml. Beer has, however, for long been clubbed with other liquors in India for all regulations pertaining to the manufacture, distribution and sale. Nobody can trade in beer unless one gets an excise license from the concerned state government.

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The same norms as applicable to liquor are applicable to beer in manufacturing, wholesale, retail sale and even on-trade sale, i.e. in bars, clubs and hotels. There is even a limit to how much beer one can keep at home - normally just about a case of beer is allowed in most states across the country. This as a matter of fact is quite the opposite of how beer is viewed in Europe, the US and other developed countries where it is considered more a fun drink to be had in the company of friends, at parties and even in solitude at home. Beer comes in a number of styles, the main ones being a lager, pilsner, ale, and wheat, among others. Yeast plays a major part in the production of beer as it converts the sugars into alcohol and different yeasts impart different flavours and taste to the beer. It takes about a fortnight for a beer to be ready for bottling during which time it is processed at temperatures ranging from 10C to 20C. The processing temperature can go as high as even 25C in the case of ales. However, plant hygiene and quality control play a huge role in the final quality of beers and even a small deviation in the standard manufacturing procedures can result in the beer not meeting its final quality parameters. Beers can also be gold coloured or dark depending on the

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malt being used. The beer is bottled at about 3C and then immediately pasteurised before it is labelled and packed for dispatch to the market. Beer quality has improved tremendously over the past few years. Beer shelf life which was traditionally considered only three months in the sixties has now increased to 12 months with improved processes and manufacturing systems. However, Beer should be kept in a cool place away from light in order to retain its original flavours and taste. Manufacturers are now more focused on quality and the entry of international brewers into the country has spurred domestic manufacturers to improve their processes in order to match international quality standards. While this has resulted in increased consumption of beer, the per capita consumption of beer in India continues to be abysmally low when compared to other countries, being less than a litre. Compare this with the per capita consumption in Germany and Austria and even in Seychelles of over 100 litres! Obviously, we have a long distance to cover but this can only happen with a helping hand from the government and distancing beer from the liquor regulations. (Prem Dewan, Managing Director of DeVANS Modern Breweries)

WHAT’S ON

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Working on ‘Attack’ was Jasmin Walia releases ‘Fights N Nights’ an enriching experience in collaboration with Asim Riaz for Shreya Jain

inger, songwriter and composer Shreya Jain seems quite excited with her new project, John Abraham’s ‘Attack’. She opens up about her working experience in the film. As she says: “This was a rousing album that has a mix of pulsating and heart wrenching tracks. “ The 23-year-old singer, who made

her debut in Bollywood with three songs ‘Bomb’, ‘Crazy Now’ and ‘Durga Gayatri Mantra’, is all thankful to music composer Shashwat Sachdev for giving her opportunity to be part of Lakshya Raj Anand’’s upcoming film ‘Attack’. “I am grateful to Shashwat who allowed me to work on the score of the film and sing for such a diverse album. I am so excited for the world to listen to it.” Hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, she has been learning Indian Classical music from the age of 5 years. Despite holding a degree in interior design, music is like a passion for her. Currently with the release of the full soundtrack of ‘Attack’, she is gaining a lot of popularity on social media and she calls it a great experience to work in this movie. “It was personally enriching because everything I learnt from working on this album gives me confidence to take up new challenges,” adds Shreya.

‘The Kashmir Files’ now premieres in Ladakh V

ivek Agnihotri's 'The Kashmir Files' is making headlines and now widening its reach, the movie has premiered in Ladakh at Picturetime's inflatable theatre. Written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, 'The Kashmir Files' stars Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Pallavi Joshi and Chinmay Mandlekar. After '83', this is the next film that is being premiered in Ladakh. The inauguration happened on March 20 by Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, in the presence of Chief Executive Counsellor Tashi Gyalstan. These inflatable theatres aim to screen 3 shows a day. Namgyal says: "I want to thank this concept of Mobile Digital Movie theatre for bringing 'The Kashmir Files', a hard hitting film by Vivek Agnihotri, to Leh. I welcome this decision of these inflatable theatres to screen this film in Ladakh. This is indeed a great initiative where the people of Ladakh get access to watch films like this". Chief Executive Counsellor Tashi Gyalstan has all the praises for the entire initiative. He feels that a place like Ladakh where there not many sources of entertainment for people, nothing could be better than this. Tashi adds: "It's a brilliant initiative

ctor Mangesh Desai has been roped in to play the role of an investigation officer Sunil Kelkar in 'Crime Patrol 2.0'. www.indianabroad.news

asmin Walia, who’s known for the track ‘Bom Diggy’ released a new single titled, ‘Fights N Nights’ on Monday. The music artiste has collaborated with Big Boss fame Asim Riaz for the track. Sung by Jasmin Walia with a rap section by Asim Riaz, the track is a unique blend of urban pop sound with Hip hop and RnB. ‘Fights N Nights’ has been produced by Australian artiste Tyron Hapi , known for his hit track ‘Astronaut in the Ocean’. Shot in the UK, the video of ‘Fights N Nights’ features Asim

and Jasmin depicting the toxicity of a relationship and difficulties couples face with external influences. Talking about her experience working on this song, Jasmin Walia said, “It was a very fun project and an interesting collaboration for me. I was quite thrilled to put this all together and I’m glad it’s finally out there for the fans. This collaboration was a great opportunity for me musically to try something different to what I usually do.” “I worked on this beat with the producer who created ‘Astronaut in the Ocean’, a very urban/hip

hop international sound while incorporating Asim’s style of music. It was fun working and shooting with Asim, his vibe made the whole process quite smooth and easy. Glad that we could make this happen”, she further said. Adding to her, Asim said, “I’m happy to be a part of this song as we have tried something new and everything fell in place perfectly. I loved the song the moment I heard it and completely enjoyed shooting in the UK with Jasmin. Can’t wait for my fans to hear it!” ‘Fights N Nights’ is available to

'RRR' team visits Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings from Picturetime. This particular film has to be seen by everyone. Ladakh lacks source of entertainment. Except the inflatable theatre, there isn't much. Our people here have been deprived of watching films like this. I'm glad that this space is being filled up by these inflatable theatres. We are so thankful and glad that they decided to screen Kashmir Files here in Leh." On bringing 'The Kashmir Files' to Ladakh, Sushil Chaudhary, Founder and CEO, Picturetime says: "It is our duty to take good art all across this country. Yet another moment of pride for us to take a film like 'The Kashmir Files' to Ladakh. Our journey of taking cinema to the interiors and remote areas of the country, continues." 'The Kashmir Files' is based on the

Mangesh Desai dons khaki for ‘Crime Patrol 2.0’

Describing his character, he says: "Sunil Kelkar is an investigation officer, who has witnessed various kinds of cases in his career span making him an experienced resource for the police force. The character is kind of emotional and has immense love towards the country that he prioritizes the nation above his family." The actor is known for working in the Marathi film industry and has done projects such as 'Aahe Re Tikade', 'Sasar Maze Daivat', 'Ishq Wala Love' and 'Lost and Found'. He adds: "However, when it comes to solving any case, he does a lot of internal thinking and mapping which helps him to get to the root of the crime mystery. I have tried to be as natural as possible to give an authentic performance as a cop." 'Crime Patrol 2.0' airs on Sony

he team of S.S. Rajamouli’s magnum opus ‘RRR’ including NTR Jr, Ram Charan and Rajamouli visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings for their movie ahead its release. After Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Dubai, the pan-India cast of ‘RRR’ including director Rajamouli, and actors NTR and Ram Charan also visited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Statue of Unity in Baroda. From Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Baroda, Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kolkatta and Varanasi to Dubai, the makers have chalked out an extensive promotional plan wherein they will be visiting the major potential markets of the country for the film

promotions from March 18-22. The film includes a star-studded line-up besides lead actors Ram Charan and NTR Jr, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris will be seen in pivotal roles while Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, and Alison Doody join in supporting roles. Jayanti Lal Gada of PEN Studios has bagged the theatrical distribution rights across North India and has also bought worldwide electronic rights for all languages. Pen Marudhar will be distributing the film in the North Territory. The Telugu-language period action drama film is produced by D. V. V. Danayya of DVV Entertainments. RRR is releasing on 25th March

Politicians leverage my popularity but do nothing in return: Mohan Babu

Speaking on the occasion, Mohan Babu said that he has been taken advantage of by many. “I came from a humble family and have seen many odd days in my life. But, my poverty or my problems never made me feel bad. Some people have taken advantage of my popularity, and have given nothing but pain to me”, the ‘Pedarayudu’ actor said. Mohan Babu also expressed that many politicians who used him for publicity during elections never returned his help. Ever since MAA election brawl, Mohan Babu has faced a lot of criticism from the industry folks. It seems like the ‘Rayalaseema Ramanna Chowdary’ actor has been upset over the recent happenings in Tollywood as well. A Chiranjeevi-led delegation from Tollywood had met the AP CM regarding a government order. Mohan Babu, who wasn’t invited to the meeting, had earlier left his note, which expresses his sadness over this.

anchu Mohan Babu, the veteran actor, who celebrated his birthday as the annual day for

his Sri Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions in Tirupati, addressed the gathering.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 2, Issue 5 April 16-30, 2022

Different run-times for Hindi, Telugu versions of ‘RRR’

nching towards its global release, SS Rajamouli's magnum opus 'RRR' has gained much more attention, with the promotions by the team. Now that the reports about the

fictional drama's run-time have emerged, the Hindi and Telugu versions have different run times apparently. In an interesting update, the Telugu version of 'RRR' has a run-time of

3 hours 2 minutes, while the Hindi version has a run-time of a shade under 3 hours 7 minutes. The Hindi version is lengthier by 5 minutes, as reported. It is also informed that the makers might add a few additional minutes for the Hindi version if needed. Starring Telugu superheroes Ram Charan and Jr NTR as Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komara Bheem respectively, the movie has Alia Bhatt and Olivia Morris as the female leads in 'RRR'. 'RRR' refers to 'Roudram Ranam Rudhiram' in Telugu, while it refers to 'Rise, Roar, Revolt' in English. Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt in extended cameo appearances while Samuthirakani, Alison Doody, Ray Stevenson, Olivia Morris, and Shriya Saran play supporting roles. 'RRR' is hitting theatres worldwide on March 25.

Jared Leto urges people to be ‘thankful’ for Marvel films

ollywood star Jared Leto has said that people should be "thankful" for Marvel movies after recently causing a stir by saying the comic book films are keeping cinemas open. The actor recently claimed that the comic book blockbusters were the only thing keeping cinemas open, leading to other films being shut out. While he paid no attention to the debate sparked by his remarks, he still stands by what he said and insisted that he actually thinks it is a good thing, femalefirst.co.uk reported. He said: "I pretty much just bury my head in the sand, say a lot of stupid s*** and then let everybody go have fun with it. But I would say it again. I mean, are people upset with it? Do they agree with it? What are they,

confused about it? "If you look at the box office and what people are buying tickets for, I worked at a movie theatre as a kid, OK, and I'm talking about what's actually generating revenue to keep the buildings open and the people employed and the ecosystem thriving. "(Marvel movies) are probably the biggest generators of revenue. So, in a sense, we should be thankful. "Especially those of us who are big fans of cinema and theatres, we should be thankful that these films even exist. Because they help support the ecosystem, so that other films that are adult dramas, like 'House of Gucci', have theatres they can actually be in. That's my point. Maybe that was lost in translation, but it seems it's pretty hard to argue

with that. I mean, I think it's a sacred thing, cinema. And it's a beautiful thing. It changed my life." Leto will next be seen in his own Marvel movie, 'Morbius', and he relished the chance to tackle "three performances in one" with the title role. He told 'Entertainment Tonight': "I mean, I love that this is a guy, when we meet Dr. Michael Morbius, he's sick and frail and fragile, he's searching for a cure for a really rare disease that he has and others like him, and then he becomes strong and powerful and ultimately monstrous. "So I liked that there were really three performances in one, and there's quite a big transformation there." Leto said it was "quite an honour" to be approached for the project because no one has played the character before and it is a very different movie to anything he's done in the past. He said: "The other thing that excited me is this is the very first time this character has been on the big screen and it was, you know, quite an honour to be asked to do it. "I've never done anything like this before. I've never starred in a big movie like this before. I generally am doing different sorts of films and, you know, I just jumped at the opportunity." The 'WeCrashed' actor had caused a stir with his original remarks last week. He said: "If it wasn't for Marvel films, I don't even know if theatres would

‘Runway 34’ trailer takes off the flight to thrill and actions

he trailer of the upcoming thriller 'Runway 34' which stars Ajay Devgn in the lead role, was released on Monday. The film, which sees Ajay juggling three different roles of lead actor, director and producer, is inspired

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by true incidents, and also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rakul Preet Singh, Angira Dhar and Aakanksha Singh. The film revolves around Captain Vikrant Khanna played by Ajay Devgn, a flying prodigy, whose

flight takes a mysterious course after take-off from an international destination. With the thrill of the unknown in the sky, this film showcases Ajay collaborating with Amitabh Bachchan; whom he has directed for the first time. The film's trailer exhibits strong influences of the Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhart-starrer 'Sully' with the dialogue, "Brace for the impact" serving as an uncanny resemblance to Clint Eastwood's 2016 biographical drama where Hanks played the character of Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. The trailer launch of the film took place at a multiplex in Andheri area of Mumbai with Rohit Shetty, who is Ajay's childhood friend, in attendance along with the cast and crew of the film. Amitabh Bachchan, who couldn't attend the event registered his presence through a special pre-recorded message where he praised Ajay's acute sense of filmmaking technicalities. Produced by Ajay Devgn Ffilms, and co-produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Vikrant Sharma, Sandeep Harish Kewlani, Tarlok Singh Jethi,

'Godzilla Vs Kong' sequel to be shot in Australia later this year

currently untitled sequel to 2021 blockbuster 'Godzilla Vs Kong' is set to shoot in Queensland, Australia, according to government agency Screen Queensland. According to 'Deadline', State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today that cameras will roll later this year in locations across the Gold Coast and the southeast on the Legendary picture which will be the fifth in its Monsterverse franchise. Details of the sequel have been kept under wraps, although 'Godzilla Vs Kong' director Adam Wingard told Deadline last year he would "absolutely love to continue" with the franchise, reports 'Deadline'.

He added, "The clear starting point we teed up (in GVK), exploring Hollow Earth, I think there is a lot more to do there. This is a pre-history of Planet Earth, where all the titans come from. We tee up some mystery in this film, things I want to see resolved and explored and pushed to the next level." Legendary/Warner Bros' 'Godzilla Vs Kong' previously shot in Queensland and went on to gross over $468M globally. Prior to GVK, 2017's Kong Skull Island also set up shop in the region. Producer Eric McLeod commented, "The highly skilled crews, first-rate facilities, and unique locations make

filming in Australia a great experience. The Federal government's support has always been critical to our success in achieving a high level of filmmaking and an unparalleled audience experience." Added Palaszczuk, "The production is expected to inject more than double the $36.5 million that Godzilla Vs Kong brought to the state and is a welcome boost to our economy as we recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and southeast Queensland flooding events. These types of productions benefit our screen industry, deliver local jobs and provide a welcome boost to our small businesses and communities in and around our production sites."

‘Lock Upp’: Nisha Rawal reveals secret of kissing another man while she was married

V actress and ‘Lock Upp’ contestant Nisha Rawal spoke about her abusive relationship with her

ex-husband Karan Mehra and how she kissed her close friend while she was married.

She also talked about miscarriage and her trauma after going through all this. During the show, Bollywood actress and host Kangana Ranaut asked Nisha to share her secret if she wants to save herself from elimination. Nisha revealed: “I got married in 2012 and in 2014 I miscarried my baby. I was already in an abusive relationship. Miscarriage was a shocker for me. The incidents of abuse were constant, no one supported me. As a woman I was going through a lot. I wished for therapy or something.” She shared further: “I had an old friend and I shared a lot with him about my ex-husband and all other issues. And during that course of time only we both got close to each other and I kissed him. I also informed my ex-husband the same day. I told him that I kissed my friend. My ex-husband didn’t take this positively and this is my secret: I was attracted to a man when I was

‘Shabaash Mithu’ teaser sets the tone for a thrilling biopic

he teaser of the sports biopic 'Shabaash Mithu' starring Taapsee Pannu in the lead role was released on Monday. The film is based on the life of Mithali Raj, the skipper of the Indian women's cricket team, who is known as the game changer of cricket in India.

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The teaser showcases the achievements of the Mithali in the gentleman's game with a final shot of Pannu's character's eyes peeled on an incoming delivery. The film, which has been shot across domestic and international locations, follows the life, the highs and lows, setbacks, and moments of

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euphoria that define the legend of Mithali. 'Shabaash Mithu', which also stars Vijay Raaz in a key role, has been directed by Srijit Mukherji under Viacom18 Studios with a script by Priya Aven and Ajit Andhare serving as the creative producer.

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Indian Abroad - April 16-30, 2022

Articles inside

Indian woman-led tech start-up secures $200 mn

Nothing greater than magic of shared experience

Re-plan your travels

Almonds in a tastier way

Politicians leverage my popularity - Mahesh Babu