Indian Abroad - Aug 1-15, 2022

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

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Smriti Irani meets President Murmu amid ‘Rashtrapatni’ remark row My election shows poor can not only dream but also fulfill them in India: Prez Murmu - Page 3

Janaki Thevar: the inspiring life story of an INA soldier - Page 5

Defence Ministry clears arms procurement worth Rs 28,732cr for Army - Page 7

Monkeypox cases in US rise to 3,487 - Page 9

New Delhi, July 29 (IANS): Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday met President Droupadi Murmu amid controversy over Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s ‘Rashtrapatni’ remark.

“Smt Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs along with Dr Mahendra Munjpara, MoS for Women & Child Development and Shri John Barla, MoS for Minority Affairs, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” said Rashtrapati Bhavan in a tweet.

woman from a poor family who created history is being continuously demeaned by the Congress,” Irani said.

She alleged that the Congress has been maliciously targeting President Murmu ever since the BJP-led NDA named her its Presidential candidate.

Irani said: “She was called a puppet and a symbol of evil by Congress leaders. The attacks do not seem to stop even after her election to the highest constitutional office of the country.

By Indian Abroad Newsdesk In a bid to reduce the dangers of any domestic spread of the foot-andmouth disease (FMD), the Albanese government has ordered that parcels from China and Indonesia be checked in mail centres. This is a part of extraordinary biosecurity measures that are essential given the experience during Covid-19 pandemic worldwide.

While the Opposition in Australia has not been able to build a consensus on the issue whether Australia should close the border with Indonesia, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt was opposed to any preemptory border closure because it could provoke trade reprisals from the country’s near neighbour.

Guardian Australia reported that Watt said the government had not taken the step of shutting the border with Indonesia because the science didn’t necessitate such a measure.

Moreover local agricultural producers were against such a move and thought that would be “a disproportionately drastic measure to take”.

According to Guardian Australia Watt elaborated on the reasons not to take such a drastic step saying, “There are 70 countries around the world that have foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks at the moment and we’ve never shut the borders to any of them, so it’s unclear why we would do that now.”

“We never shut the borders when the UK had an outbreak in 2001. We haven’t shut the borders for any of the countries that had outbreaks while the former government was in office – whether that be Vietnam,

Murray Watt China, India, South Africa and a whole bunch of others, he told Guardian Australia. Watt made it clear that “the biosecurity advice is the current risk doesn’t demand that. It would be a massive blow to our trade and diplomatic relationship with Indonesia which is not justified by the level of risk.”

He further said, “The reason farm leaders don’t support it is Indonesia is our largest market for live cattle and wheat exports, it’s our third to fifth-biggest market for a whole range of agricultural products, and I think we are kidding ourselves if we think we could close our borders – which would have a huge economic cost to Indonesia – and they wouldn’t consider taking action themselves. That could be a massive own goal for Australia’s agricultural industry.”

But contrary to the Albanese government’s stand, the Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, asked the government to shut Australia’s border to Indonesia, till it is understood that the outbreak of this disease is under control”

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Albanese for legal status Covid-19: Infections and death rates in Australia among world’s highest per capita to carbon reduction target

Guru Purnima celebrated - Page 12

Prof Michael Toole

By Indian Abroad Newsdesk s the fight against Covid-19 continues throughout the world, Australia has shown some worrying signs given the fact that the country has reported the third highest cases and death rates in the world per capita during the past week, and if experts are to be believed the numbers are worsening.

According to the latest data more than 12,625 Australians have died with Covid, and more than 5,000 are in hospital with the virus, including 159 in intensive care.

Analysing the situation Professor Mike Toole, an epidemiologist from

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Sabyasachi’s Couture Show 2022 Page 20

Taking a tough stand, Irani has sought Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s apology in the Lok Sabha.

After meeting the President, Irani tweeted: “Had the privilege of calling upon the Honourable President of India Droupadi Murmu Ji along with MOS @DrMunjparaBJP Ji & @johnbarlabjp Ji.” The Congress and BJP are at loggerheads over the issue with both sides attacking each other since Thursday.

Irani, on Thursday, demanded an apology from Congress to the President and the country. “A tribal

Foot-and-mouth disease: Govt orders checking of parcels; border with Indonesia to remain open for now

the Burnet Institute, said Australia was probably in the worst phase of the pandemic.

He underscored the fact that ninety-five per cent of reported cases were reported in 2022. Professor Toole research showed that Australia had some of the highest COVID-19-related numbers per capita.

Public urged to wear masks Though authorities in Australia have asked the public to wear masks in high-risk settings such as aged care, hospitals and public transport, it may not be enough, feels Professor Toole. He points out that a number of countries in Europe still have stronger mask mandates than Australia, and they have a lot higher compliance.

Professor Toole argument is that there is a lack of clear signals on mask-wearing and other precautionary measures which is leading to confusion among the Australians.

Besides he says that “the other thing they must do is get boosters. Two doses are not enough.”

But Chief Medical Officer Paul

Kelly says that he has released a statement in which the advice is clear — people should wear masks in crowded indoor environments beyond their homes.

Health workers feel the heat Meanwhile health workers are having a tough time dealing with the situation and are under a lot of stress. As is evident across the world, an overburdened healthcare system is putting enormous pressure on doctors and nurses.

About the condition of health workers Kylie Ward, the chief executive of the Australian College of Nursing, said she was very concerned. “It’s not only their physical health but their emotional health and mental health and wellbeing I’m concerned about,” she said.

Asking for empathy for health workers she said, “We don’t have enough nurses, and those that we do have must be well over exhausted now. So, please be patient, be kind, wear masks, wash hands and practice really good infection-control measures to minimise the spread of this infection.”

By Indian Abroad Newsdesk Prime Minister Albanese is determined to have a greenhouse gas reduction target having the sanctity of a law. This is precisely why Australia’s Parliament sat recently for the first time since May elections to thrash out a legal strength behind the target.

The legislation would compel Australia to reduce its emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by the end of the decade. The situation in the Parliament is such that while Prime Minster Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party holds a narrow majority in the House, it requires the support of senators from outside government ranks to get the bill passed in the upper chamber.

While the Greens want Australia to reduce its emissions by 75% by 2030, the conservative coalition that was in power for nine years until the May 21 election, is steadfast on its 2015 Paris commitment to reduce emissions by between 26% and 28%.

it is not immune to any of these despite the best efforts of the country’s government.

Interestingly, Australian inflation has increased despite all measures to stymie it, according to new data released recently. This will keep the central bank on its toes and it might hike interest rates for a fourth consecutive month.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics data, inflation in the year through June was 6.1%, up from 5.1% in the year through March. Compare it with the last calendar year when inflation only rose by 3.5%.

Predictions are rife that the Reserve Bank of Australia will lift the cash rate by half a percentage point to 1.85% at its August 2 meeting.

To put the whole thing into

perspective, the bank had already made rises of that size in its July and June meetings. In more precise terms, the rate rose by a quarter of a percentage point in May, which was the first rate hike in more than 11 years.

What is more to the story is that Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned Australians that inflation would rise further. “We are not surprised to see inflation north of 6%, but it’s still confronting,” Chalmers said.

“Inflation is high and rising. It will get tougher before it starts to ease,” he added.

Experts in March had predicted that Australia’s gross debt as a share of the economy would peak in mid-2025 at 44.9%, or 1.117 trillion Australian dollars ($773.2 billion).

By Indian Abroad Newsdesk

PM Albanese In this regard Albanese says voters and business groups favour his government’s 43% target.

“Our policy is well thought through.

It was announced, it was campaigned upon, indeed, it received a mandate,”Albanese said.

Some of the Greens’ demands including the one saying that the bill would state that any target was a floor, not a ceiling and that there would be no reduction in the government‘s ambition, has the Continue on Page no. 5

Finally US wakes up, sends As inflation rises, hike in interest rates inevitable delegation to Solomon Islands Twitter says whole business will close due to account blocking orders, K’taka HC issues notice to Centre Page 25

By Indian Abroad Newsdesk t is almost as if the world has not had enough. First the pandemic wrecked economies throughout the world, and while it has not ended yet, here is the raging RussiaUkraine war, which is showing no signs of ending anytime soon. With shortages mounting everywhere, inflationary pressures are bound to build up and Australia has shown

I Priyanka won’t sing with Nick, but acting together on the cards - Page 30

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With China spreading its footprints in Solomon Islands, the US has also woken up to the Chinese threat and is sending a high-profile diplomatic delegation to visit the Solomon Islands. Led by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and including Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, the trip, according to the U.S. State Department, is to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal. This provides an opportunity for the diplomats to meet with Solomon Islands officials to “highlight the enduring relationship” between the two nations.

Recently, the U.S. and several Pacific nations had expressed deep concern

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Caroline Kennedy about the security pact the Solomon Islands signed with China in April, which could result in a military buildup in the region.

This trip will also highlight the reopening of the U.S. embassy in the capital, Honiara, which is part of Continue on Page no. 5

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LEAD STORIES

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

CONGRESS UNDER ED SCANNER Only truth will end this dictatorship: Rahul Gandhi New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): Soon after being detained by the Delhi Police on Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in an apparent reference to the BJP government in the Centre, said only truth will end this dictatorship.

“Look at the dictatorship, cannot hold peaceful demonstrations, cannot discuss inflation and unemployment. By misusing the police and agencies, even by arresting us, you will never be able to silence us.

Only ‘Truth’ will end this dictatorship,” Rahul tweeted.

The former Congress president

was detained by the Delhi Police and taken to some unknown location in a bus along with other parliamentarians.

The Congress MPs had carried out a protest march from Parliament House to Rashtrapati Bhavan in wake of questioning of Congress interim-president Sonia Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate and no discussion of important issues like price rise in Parliament.

However, as they moved forward to give a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, the Delhi Police stopped them midway near Vijay

Chowk.

Subsequently, the parliamentarians, including Rahul Gandhi, sat in protest in front of Vijay Chowk.

The protesting Congress leaders, holding placards, raised slogans against the probe agency and the Central government.

There was heavy police deployment, including paramilitary and Rapid Action Force.

Initially, the police began detaining other leaders, including women MPs, and at last Deepender Singh Hooda and Rahul Gandhi were left at the spot.

Women MPs’ clothes torn for asking people’s questions, alleges Priyanka Gandhi

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday shared a video and alleged that clothes of women MPs, agitating against Central

government, were torn and they were manhandled by the police during the protest.

“Prime Minister, these MPs have been elected by the people and sent.

Questions on the issues of inflation, unemployment are the questions of the public. Tearing the clothes of women MPs for asking questions, dragging them is cruelty to the extreme. In a democracy, you have to listen to questions on issues. Why are you so scared of questions?” she asked, tweeting a video excerpt from the agitation.

Several Congress parliamentarians were detained near Parliament on Wednesday as they tried to take out a protest march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan to raise the issue of GST, inflation, and alleged misuse of investigative agencies against political rivals.

The MPs had planned to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu over the Central

government’s alleged vendetta politics and no discussion on important issues like price rise in the Parliament. However, as they moved forward to give a memorandum to the President, the Delhi Police stopped them midway near Vijay Chowk.

“We wanted to give a memorandum to President Murmu but the Delhi Police has for the second consecutive day stopped and detained us,” party leader Manish Tewari said as he was detained by the police.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “The Modi government is not allowing us to discuss the issues like GST and price rise in Parliament.”

DROUPADI MURMU ELECTED PRESIDENT My election shows poor can not only dream but also fulfill them in India: Prez Murmu

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said her election to the top constitutional post shows that the poor can not only dream but also fulfil those dreams in India.

She was addressing the nation after taking oath as the 15th President of India. Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana administered the oath.

She started her speech by greeting people and said, “I humbly greet all the fellow citizens from this

sacred Parliament, a symbol of the hopes, aspirations and rights of all the citizens of India. Your affection, trust and support will be my greatest strength in discharging my functions and responsibilities.”

President Murmu thanked all MPs and MLAs for electing her.

“My election to the post of President is proof of the fact that in India, the poor can dream and also fulfil those dreams. Reaching this office is not my personal achievement but that

of all the poor people in the country.

It is the power of India’s democracy that a girl born in a poor tribal home could reach the topmost constitutional post,” President Murmu said.

President Murmu noted that it is also a coincidence that her political career started when the country was celebrating its 50th year of Independence and today in the 75th year of independence, she got this new responsibility.

She assured the countrymen,

especially the youth and the women that their interests will be paramount for her while working in this office.

“I want to tell the youth of our country that you are not only building your own future but also laying the foundation of future India. As the President of the country, I will always support you fully.

The President stressed on speeding up efforts to meet the expectations that the freedom fighters had from the citizens of independent India.

Rahul Gandhi released from detention: Delhi Police

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was released by the Delhi Police almost over six hours after he was detained during his party’s march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhawan, officials said Tuesday.

“They have been released,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Amrutha Gugolth said while responding to a query about the Congress party leaders’ detention.

The Congress MPs carried out a protest march from the Parliament House to Rashtrapati Bhawan in wake of questioning of Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate and no discussion on important issues like price rise in Parliament.

However, as the parliamentarians moved forward to give a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, the Delhi Police stopped them midway near Vijay Chowk.

Subsequently, the Congress parliamentarians, including Rahul Gandhi, sat in protest in front of the Vijay Chowk. The protesting Congress leaders, holding placards,

raised slogans against the probe agency ED and the Central government.

There was a heavy police deployment, including para military and Rapid Action force. Initially, the police began detaining other leaders, including women MPs, and at last Deepender Singh Hooda and Rahul Gandhi were left at the spot.

The woman Congress MPs could be seen being dragged by the police personnel and bundled in a bus.

“What is the problem? We want to go there to meet the President and handover the memorandum. Why are we not allowed?,” Rahul Gandhi could be heard while he was talking to a Delhi Police official.

After detaining every protesting leader from near the Vijay Chowk, Rahul Gandhi was then detained and taken from there in a bus along with other MPs to new police lines, Kingsway Police camp.

Apart from Vijay Chowk, hundreds of party workers were also detained from outside the Congress party headquarters at 24, Akbar Road.

PM wishes President Droupadi Murmu a fruitful presidential tenure

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday wished President Droupadi Murmu a fruitful tenure and said that her assumption of office is a watershed moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden.

In a series of tweets, Modi said: “The entire nation watched with pride as Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji took oath as the President of India.

Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India

especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. I wish her the very best for a fruitful Presidential tenure.

“In her address after taking oath, President Droupadi Murmu Ji gave a message of hope and compassion. She emphasised on India’s accomplishments and presented a futuristic vision of the path ahead at a time when India is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.”

Murmu took oath earlier in the day as the 15th President of India.

Raj BJP leaders watch Droupadi Murmu’s Congress ‘demeaning’ swearing-in as President with tribals on LED President Droupadi

Jaipur, July 25 (IANS): The Rajasthan unit of BJP headed by state president Satish Poonia on Monday watched the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu as the first tribal President of the country, along with thousands of tribals on a LED screen in Banswara district.

To mark the occasion, the party had

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organised “Vagad Tribal Gaurav Yatra”, a 41-km long foot march in the tribal belt of the state which started on Sunday and culminated this morning with the watching of the ceremony at a tribal leader Kanji Katara’s house in Banswara on a LED screen.

The daughters of these villages

are equally excited and are eager to follow the footsteps of Murmu and are dreaming to work on top positions of the country as officers and leaders, said a party leader.

BJP officials said that the padyatra started from Maa Tripura Sundari temple to Beneshwar Dham at 9 a.m on Sunday where the team was joined by thousands of people of tribal society.

Poonia, along with his team, walked 41 km to Beneshwar Dham to express gratitude and greetings to BJP National President J.P. Nadda.

Passing through Tripura Sundari to Kohala Valley, Sagwadiya, Sundani, Bhimpur etc. areas BJP members along with villagers travelled for around 25 kms on Sunday and on Monday reached Beneshwar Dham by walking about 16 kms.

Tribals accorded a warm welcome to Poonia and team during this yatra and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team for selecting Murmu as President of India.

During the march, the BJP members enumerated the schemes being run

by the Centre for the tribals by PM Modi and highlighted the promises and false promises of the Congress government of the state.

Poonia had breakfast at homes of tribal families in the villages where they discussed tea and had food at the district president’s house.

Meanwhile, the village girls told him: “Becoming the first woman President of the country from a tribal community is a matter of self-respect and pride for the tribal society. Now we can also think that to become big officers and holding senior positions in politics.”

On this occasion, people of the tribal society presented arrows to Poonia and the team, while women tied Rakhi for the victory resolution of BJP’s mission 2023 and offered lotuses to them.

BJP State General Secretary Sushil Katara, State Vice-President Hemraj Meena, MLA Kailash Meena, former Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, ST Morcha State President Jitendra Meena along with local officials and public representatives were present during the occasion.

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Murmu: Smriti Irani New Delhi, July 28 (IANS): Hitting out at Congress and its leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for referring to President Droupadi Murmu as ‘Rashtrapatni’, union minister Smriti Irani on Thursday accused the opposition party of “demeaning” her.

Irani said that Chowdhary knowingly used the term as it demeans President Murmu and her office and is against India’s values.

Addressing mediapersons at her official residence here, Irani demanded an apology from Congress to the President and country. “A tribal woman from a poor family who created history is being continuously demeaned by the Congress,” Irani said.

Irani alleged that the Congress has been maliciously targetting President Murmu ever since the BJP-led NDA named her its Presidential candidate.

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“She was called a ‘puppet’ and a ‘symbol of evil’ by Congress leaders.

The attacks do not seem to stop even after her election to the highest constitutional office of the country.

Chowdhury’s comment is also demeaning to the rich tribal legacy she represents and to the poor who rise through hard work.”

“Murmu, country’s first tribal President, had led a life of struggle and represented the country’s aspirations from panchayat to Parliament,” Irani added.

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Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

WBSSC SCAM WBSSC scam: The high drama so far

Kolkata, July 26 (IANS): The high drama started on Friday (July 22) as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials began a direct action on the probe into the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment irregularities scam by simultaneously conducting raids in 13 places throughout the state including the residence of former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress secretary-general, Partha Chatterjee.

As the day passed on, ED sleuths got information about Chatterjee’s close aide, Arpita Mukherjee and started conducting search operations at the latter’s flat in the posh Diamond City Complex in Tollygunge in south Kolkata.

There started the process of revealing the huge financial involvement behind the WBSSC recruitment scam, as the ED sleuths started recovering huge treasures and supporting documents from Arpita Mukherjee’s residence, that showed direct connections of Partha Chatterjee and the teacher’s recruitment scam.

On the very next day, ED sleuths

arrested both Partha Chatterjee, currently the West Bengal commerce & industries minister and Arpita Mukherjee and both of them are currently under the central agency custody facing the constant questioning of their sleuths.

IANS takes a bird’s eye view of the developments so far. * Recovery from Arpita Mukherjee’s residence: ED sleuths have recovered cash worth Rs 21.20 crore, foreign currencies worth around Rs 60 lakhs, gold ornaments worth around Rs 90 lakhs, 20 high- end Apple iPhones, sale deeds of eight flats and documents of multiple high- end passenger vehicles. * Two mysterious diaries: From the residence of Arpita Mukherjee, ED sleuths have recovered two mysterious diaries, which include one black executive diary and one pocket diary. On the black executive diary, it was written “Department of Education- Government of West Bengal”. Both the diaries are full of coded messages, which the ED sleuths are trying to decipher with the help of experts in the related fields. ED sources confirmed that the handwriting in both the diaries neither matches that of Chatterjee or Mukherjee, which deepens the doubt of the existence of a third person in the scene. * Second woman under ED scanner: In face of interrogation, Arpita Mukherjee has informed the ED officials the name of another woman as a close associate of Partha Chatterjee, the lady concerned is Monalisa Das, the head of the department of Bengali at state-run Kazi Nazrul University in Asansol in Burdwan district.

Her elevation to the post of the head of the department, according to ED

sources is questionable as to accommodate her for that position Das was promoted from the post of assistant professor to associate professor directly, which the agency sleuths believe was not possible without the nod of Partha Chatterjee as the-then state education minister.

ED sources said that the agency has come across at least 10 flats which are registered in the name of Das and most of these flats are located in Bolpur-Santiniketan in Birbhum district and the total value of these flats is highly disproportionate to the declared income of Das. * Three bogus companies with Arpita Mukherjee as director: The ED sleuths have come across three bogus companies with Arpita Mukherjee as director. These companies Symbiosis Merchants Private Limited, Sentry Engineering Private Limited and Echhay Entertainment Private Limited. The second and the other director in all the three companies is Kalyan Dhar who is absconding currently. ED sleuths suspect that these companies were used as a medium to route the collections from the teachers’ recruitment scam to different channels. * How much does Partha Chatterjee own: ED sleuths are now trying to figure out the exactly property owned by the former state education minister as well as to category-wise segregate the properties under heads of directly owned by him, jointly held with close associates like Arpita Mukherjee and those he gifted to his aides. Initial estimates suggest that the total value of such assets will touch or even cross Rs 100 crore.

Superhigh ambitions prompted Arpita Mukherjee to abandon her widow mother: ED

Kolkata, July 24 (IANS): Arpita Mukherjee is currently in the news after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered a huge amount of cash, gold and other costly items from her residence in connection with the agency’s ongoing probe on the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC)’s recruitment irregularities scam.

A background check of Arpita by the central agency officials has revealed that she had always been driven by super high ambitions and shortcut methods to achieve that in her journey from a small-time Odia actress to her present status as a confidant and close aide of West Bengal Commerce & Industries Minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general, Partha Chatterjee, also had also been arrested by ED in this connection.

In fact, ED sources said that, this

over and super high ambitions prompted Arpita to even abandon her widow mother, Minoti Mukherjee at her humble ancestral flat at Belgharia in the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

Minoti Mukherjee has informed a section of the media here that since the time her daughter started residing at her flat at the posh Diamond City residential complex in South Kolkata, from where the cash and gold were seized, her connections with her daughter became highly occasional.

“From the media flashes I came to know that huge cash has been recovered from her flat. I asked her several times in the past about what job she was doing. But I never got any definite answer. Had I known such things I would have surely got her married,” Minoti Mukherjee told mediapersons.

Meanwhile, ED sources said that Arpita Mukherjee’s deceased father was a Central government employee, who passed away before his retirement.

It is learnt that during her initial years of modelling and acting in insignificant roles in Odia films, she was in touch with her mother.

However, things took a different turn around six years ago after she was introduced to Partha Chatterjee, as the-then West Bengal Education Minister by a real estate promoter whom Arpita knew for a long time.

Soon after that she was spotted in several public programmes with Partha Chatterjee and even at a Durga Puja inauguration programme, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present.

Soon after that Arpita started residing at her Diamond Park Complex posh residence.

On Sunday morning, ED officials escorted by central armed forces jawans, took Arpita to the central government-run ESI hospital at Joka in the southern outskirts of Kolkata for a medical check-up.

There she talked to the mediapersons and said that she was innocent.

“I am innocent. But I have faith in law, which will take its due course,” she said.

Partha Chatterjee removed from all three ministerial posts

Kolkata, July 28 (IANS): The Mamata Banerjee government on Thursday removed Partha Chatterjee, who has been arrested in connection with the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), from all three of his ministerial posts.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet at the state Secretariat, Nabanna that lasted for little less than 15 minutes. Soon after the meeting, Chief Secretary, H.K. Dwivedi issued a notification on the removal of Chatterjee, who held the portfolios of Commerce and Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information Technology and Electronics. www.indianabroad.news

The Chief Minister said that for the time being, she will be in charge of the three departments held by Chatterjee. “I might not be able to do anything now. But till the time a fresh arrangement is reached, the present status will continue,” she said.

A crucial meeting of the disciplinary committee of Trinamool Congress will be held on Thursday evening to decide on whether Chatterjee will be stripped of his party posts or not.

“The decision was inevitable since whatever is transpiring for the last few days is not just maligning Chatterjee’s personal image but also the image of the party and the state

government in general. Almost all the members of the cabinet present at the meeting voiced for his removal from the ministerial chairs,” said a member of the state cabinet who did not wish to be named.

Indications on Chatterjee’s removal became clear since the last couple of days after the Assembly Secretariat withdrew the vehicle allotted to him as a minister. The state government also removed his security personnel on Wednesday. The party’s organ in Bengali Jago Bangla (Wake up Bengal) also stopped referring him as party Secretary General or minister. Pressure was also mounting from within the party to strip off Chatterjee of his ministerial and party portfolios.

The opposition parties, while welcoming the decision, said that it is unfortunate that Banerjee had to wait for the second round of treasure recovery from Arpita Mukherjee’s Belgharia residence on Wednesday night. The opposition leaders also said that by just taking action against Chatterjee, the Trinamool or its government would not be able to wipe out the curse, since the beneficiaries of the scam were not just the minister and his close aide.

Rs 27.90 crore, 6 kg gold recovered from Arpita’s house Kolkata, July 28 (IANS): The Enforcement Directorate has recovered Rs 27.90 crore and six kg gold from another house of Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of arrested West Bengal Commerce & Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee.

A truck of RBI left Arpita’s residence ferrying recovered cash and gold in ten steel trunks on Thursday morning.

Soon after the ED sleuths on Wednesday evening witnessed the bundles of cash in Rs 500 and Rs 2,0000 denominations in the cupboard of the bedroom in Arpita’s Belgharia flat on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, they guessed that that the cash stacked here might be much higher than what was recovered from her Diamond City residence.

“So, we did not take the risk and requested jumbo currency counting machines which can count more notes at one go. Our request was adhered to and soon officials from State Bank of India reached with four such jumbo currency counting machines which can count 1,000 notes at one go and in a minute. Still, it took till early Thursday morning to complete the counting process as well as loading them in the steel

trunks,” the official said.

“In addition to that, we have also recovered around six kg of gold, in the form of bars and ornaments, valuing more than Rs 4 crore. So total cash recovery from the two flats of Arpita Mukherjee amounts to Rs 49.10 crore,” the official said.

Several silver coins have also been recovered from the Belgharia residence, the market value of which is yet to be ascertained.

The officials said that the total cash recovery from the Belgharia residence of Arpita Mukherjee has been recorded at Rs 27.90 crore, as against Rs 21.20 crore recovered from her Diamond Park residence.

On the huge cash and gold recovery, Trinamool Congress’ state general secretary and party spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that whatever

is happening is a matter of grave concern and really very shameful.

“However, I am sure that the party leadership is keeping a close watch on the entire development and will take the appropriate decision at the right time,” Ghosh said.

Leader of the opposition in the state assembly Suvendu Adhikari said that even after this huge cash recovery if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee does not remove Partha Chatterjee from the Cabinet, it will be evident that the share of the illegal cash is not just restricted to Partha Chatterjee.

Partha Chatterjee was arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government schools when he was the state education minister.

My flats used as storehouses of illegal cash: Arpita Mukherjee confesses to ED Kolkata, July 28 (IANS): In the wake of the two consecutive recoveries of massive amounts of cash and gold from two of her residences in Kolkata’s Tollygunge and Belgharia, Arpita Mukherjee on Thursday confessed to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that she was forced

by West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee to allow her houses to be used to store the illegal cash.

According to ED sources, Mukherjee also admitted that the cash recovered from her residences was parked there by Chatterjee with the help of one of his close associates unknown to her.

“She has confessed that Chatterjee used to come to both her Tollygunge and Belgharia residences once or even twice a week, and during his visits, he was accompanied by a person unknown to her. Mukherjee has also confessed that she did not even have access to the keys of the cupboards from where the cash recoveries were made. There were strict instructions from Chatterjee not to fiddle with the cupboards and also avoid frequenting the rooms where these cupboards were,” an ED official confirmed.

It is learnt that whenever Chatterjee

visited Mukherjee’s residences, the Minister had closed-door meetings with the unknown person which she was not allowed to participate in.

“While making these confessions, Mukherjee into tears a number of times and was constantly claiming that she was exploited. Now we have to get access to that unknown person referred by her. It is only Partha Chatterjee who can answer this,” said an ED official.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress leadership is under immense pressure from within the party to relieve Partha Chatterjee of his ministerial and party posts with

immediate effect.

“Partha Chatterjee should be removed from ministry and all-party posts immediately. He should be expelled. If this statement considered wrong, party has every right to remove me from all posts. I shall continue as a soldier of AITCofficial,” Trinamool Congress state general secretary and party spokesman, Kunal Ghosh said in a tweet.

Without naming the Minister, youth Trinamool Congress leader Debangshu Bhattacharya said in a social media post that “it is better to puncture that boil to give the body a relief”.

ED arrests Partha Chatterjee’s aide Arpita Mukherjee Kolkata, July 23 (IANS): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the multi-crore financial scam related to recruitment irregularities in the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) on Saturday arrested Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee.

The ED move came hours after Chatterjee, who is currently the state Commerce and Industries Minister, was arrested by the financial probe agency in the same case on Saturday morning.

Mukherjee’s arrest from her residence in South Kolkata was officially announced by the ED at 5.14 p.m. on Saturday, about seven hours after the probe agency nabbed Chatterjee.

The ED sleuths said that since it will not be possible to present her at any court on Saturday and Sunday, for these two days she will be lodged at the ED’s office in the CGO complex in Salt Lake.

Incidentally, Chatterjee, following an order passed by a lower court, will also be lodged at the same ED office before being produced at a special PMLA court on Monday.

ED officials said that in the interim period, agency sleuths will integrate the duo by placing them face to face.

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While the ED sleuths were taking away Mukherjee from her residence, she kept saying “I am innocent. I am being unnecessarily framed by the BJP”.

It is learnt that the ED has recovered cash and other items worth over Rs 40 crore from Mukherjee’s residence, including cash in Indian and foreign currencies, gold ornaments, sales deeds of eight flats and two high-end Apple iPhones, among others.

According to ED sources, Mukherjee was a small-time actress in Odia movies. However, her fortunes changed after she was introduced to Chatterjee six years back following which the two were frequently spotted together at different public

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programmes.

She was even spotted at the inauguration of a Durga Puja where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present.

Mukherjee reportedly told the ED sleuths that she was introduced to Chatterjee by a real estate promoter.

As per information available with the ED, she event went to a foreign tour with Chatterjee, when the latter was the state Education Minister.

Mukherjee’s late father was a Central government officer. After his sudden demise, a job offer was also made to Mukherjee on compassionate grounds. However, she refused to accept the offer and claimed that she intended to make a career in the silver screen.

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Janaki Thevar: the inspiring life story of an INA soldier several occasions including the bombing of the Red Cross Hospital in Rangoon during which she carried wounded soldiers away from the place. The Burmese contingent became strong under her leadership and played an important role in the Independence struggle in Burma.

Women empowerment- a purpose in Janaki’s life Janaki was an ardent supporter and promoter of women empowerment.

She publicly said that the reason for her joining the RJR was the need to break the chains of gender and promote gender equality.

T

he stories of Indian freedom struggle unique for more reasons than one. Not many country has seen two entirely different colours of revolution raging- one which was non-violent by nature, and the other being a fight using weapons with sole aim of reaching the destination which was nothing less than freedom for the teeming Indian population suffering atrocities at the hands of the British colonial power. Both the forms of revolution went on almost simultaneously and perhaps complemented each other in many ways.

And when one talks about India’s freedom struggle, the name of Subhas Chandra Bose and his brave soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA) come to the fore. Though many would have read about INA’s

heroic deeds, not much finds mention about the historic Rani Jhansi Regiment of the INA which was the regiment led by women of extraordinary courage, will power and enthusiasm. One of the brave soldiers was Janaki Thevar, who launched the independence fight and led the all-female Rani Jhansi Regiment of the INA at the young age of 18 years.

The Rani Jhansi Regiment (RJR) was created during the Second World War and it has etched itself a name in the history. It was inaugurated in Singapore in October 1943.

The Regimentcomprised about 5000 women under the leadership of Commander Lakshmi Swaminathan.

rally of 50,000 people in Singapore while recruiting for the INA and trying to raise funds. Janaki who was barely 16-year old was there and was inspired by Bose’s words. She decided to join the INA and fight for her country. Janaki hailed from an upper middle-class family and was subjected to the restrictions that women experienced at the time.

Despite leading a life of comfort and luxury, she knew her family would not let her join the INA. Soshe sold her most expensive jewellery and plunged herself into the freedom struggle by joining the RJR. While her family were arranging for her marriage, she was into the fight for freedom of the country.

Janaki’s initial phase of life

Janaki’s RJR journey

It is said that in July 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose was addressing a

Since she hailed from an upper-middle class family and lived

her life comfortably, her initial days after joining RJR were a realization of how hard it was going to be there. The RJR had difficult training sessions every day and every day, she would wake up and go through a set of intense drills, marches and training with weapons and for girls like Janaki, who had lived a comfortable life back home, it was harder.

But her passion and determination soon shone through and her willingness to push herself led her to quickly climb the ranks. She soon became the second in command to Commander Lakshmi.

In 1944, at the age of18 years Janaki took over command from Lakshmi when the latter was wounded and she became the captain of the Rani Jhansi Regiment in Burma. Janaki showed her leadership ability on

Historian Vera Hildebrand wrote in her book Women at War: Subhas Chandra Bose and the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, the reasons for women joining the RJR varied immensely with some doing so to fight for Independence while many had other reasons including making an effort to do away with gender inequality and empower themselves.

Janaki’s desire to join the regiment originated from her aversion to being married off. This regiment’s fight for Independence also gave her a purpose to fight for her personal freedom from social bondage based on gender inequality.

Janaki’s peacetime contributions The war was not the only time Janaki Thevar worked intensely. She was also busy after the war when she joined the Indian Congress Medical Mission in Malaya and worked relentlessly. In 1946, she helped a Malaysian Indian

politician John Thivy and laid the foundation of the Malaysian Indian Congress which was instrumental in representing the interests of the Indian people in Malaysia. Janaki was passionate about social welfare which led her to become a part of several women’s organizations like the Girl Guide Association and the National Council of Women’s Organization. She also received invitation to become a senator in the Upper house of the Malaysian Parliament.

Janaki’s achievements were many and the Indian government honoured her with the Padma Shri Award in 2000, the fourth highest civilian award. She became the first female residing outside India to have go the award.

Janaki Thevar – an exemplary life Janaki led an exemplary life especially in the light of the fact that at a time when women were hesitant to venture out of homes, she was participating in the Independence struggle. She had left behind a life of comfort only to pursue the goal of the country’s freedom. Janaki encouraged equality of women and their importance in the fight.

Breaking all barriers of gender stereotypes, she would openly encourage women empowerment and equality. Janaki continued to encourage young girls to find their goals in life. Her life story will continue to inspire and encourage many today and in times to come.

Brisbane Super Kings hosts inauguration ceremony C ricket club Brisbane Super Kings (BSK) proudly hosted the inauguration ceremony of Matthew Conwell Sporting Fields Amenities Building which was officially opened by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Cr Angela Owen - Councillor for Calamvale Ward on the 16th July at HeathwoodPark. The event was an opportunity for the local community to come together and celebrate the occasion.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Cr Angela Owen - Councillor for Calamvale Ward, Milton Dick MP, Queensland Cricket Delegates - Sam Curtis, John Butterworth, and Nathan Spencer, Heritage Bank - Belinda Killey, Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) Australia - Krishnan Menon, Brisbane Indian Times - Umesh Chandra , Mathew Conwell’s Family, Rotary Club of Forest Lake, FinTax Partner - Anjaneya Reddy, Jeremy Crighton (former MSW Cricket Manager - QLD Cricket), BalaRajan

Century 21 Performance, and other stakeholders joined the inauguration ceremony.

The ceremony saw the presence of hundreds of delighted and enthralled spectators attending the Grand event in the memories of Late Matt Conwell, who was one of the avid supporters of BSK and played a vital role in promoting junior and girls cricket initiatives in the region.

The celebration is also – first and foremost – a majestic show, through which each community exhibits its culture, history, and achievements.

This facility includes separate changing rooms for girls and boys, showers, a storage room, a parents’ room, extended toilets and much more.

This club was created to make a difference, among the culturally and linguistically diverse participants in the community in the eyes of the public, and in history.

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Finally US wakes up, sends delegation to Solomon Islands Albanese for legal status the U.S. strategy to counter China’s growing influence. The U.S. had been operating an embassy earlier in the Solomon Islands for five years before closing it in 1993.

“We’re putting our embassies back in and the Peace Corps is coming, and USAID is coming back and we’re coming back,” Kennedy said.

The trip holds a great personal significance for Kennedy because her father, the late President John F. Kennedy, had served there during World War II and, according to her; he “was rescued by two Solomon Islanders and an Australian coast watcher.”

Sherman’s father Mal Sherman, who

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was a Marine, was wounded during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Besides Sherman and Kennedy, the delegation will include Kin Moy, a state department principal deputy assistant secretary, and Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, the deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

New U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said recently there is a need for the United States to engage more with the Pacific region especially because China is asserting its presence.

Kennedy was addressing a gathering of reporters at Sydney International Airport after arriving

to take on her new role. When she was asked if the U.S. had drifted away from the Pacific in recent decades, Kennedy said she was focused on the future.

“This is a critical area in the region, and I think the U.S. needs to do more. We’re putting our embassies back in and the Peace Corps is coming, and USAID is coming back and we’re coming back,” she said.

“We haven’t been there for a while, but I think that is all tremendously positive, and I think the U.S. and Australia working together will make a big impact,” she said.

Reminiscing her past Kennedy said the Pacific holds great personal significance, she said, “Since my

father served in the Pacific (during World War II) and was rescued by two Solomon Islanders and an Australian coast watcher.”

“My family legacy is something I’m really proud of, and I try to live up to,” she told reporters. “I think the fact that it means something to people around the world makes me really proud and want to be worthy of it and do what I can to continue the values that my father lived by.”

When asked about China’s growing assertiveness in the region, she said her focus was on the U.S. partnership with Australia on issues like security, economic engagement, climate change and health.

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to carbon reduction target

government’s stamp of agreement.

“We have been very concerned that the bill might put that weak target into law in a way that would put a handbrake on future governments that might be willing to act according to the science,” Greens leader Adam Bandt.

The 43% target has already been notified to the UN. The Albanese government wants it to be enshrined in law to dissuade any future administration from attempting to reduce the target.

About the impact of climate

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change on Australian elections, Ian McAllister, an Australian National University political scientist who surveys voters after elections, said a large number of voters wanted more action on climate change than the major parties were prepared to take.

“We asked about climate change.

These days it’s about the second or third most important issue, whereas 10 or 15 years ago it was maybe fifth or sixth and it’s very much associated with younger voters,” McAllister said.

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‘Seek views of Finance Commission on promise of freebies by political parties’, SC to Centre

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central government to engage with the Finance Commission on the issue of political parties inducing voters through freebies, and examine if there is a possibility to regulate it by taking into account money spent on freebies.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli told Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the Central government, “please find out from the Finance Commission. Will list this sometime next week...what is the authority to initiate debate...”

During the hearing, Justice Ramana asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was present in the courtroom for some other matter, his views on a PIL questioning freebies announced during polls by political parties. The Chief Justice said: “Mr. Sibal is here as a senior parliamentarian. What is your view?”

Sibal replied that freebies are a serious matter but it is difficult to control politically and the Finance Commission, while making allocations to various states, should take this into account -- debt of states and then freebies. “Centre cannot be expected to issue directions,” Sibal said, adding that the Finance

Commission is the appropriate authority to examine this issue. The bench said: “We direct the government of India to get instructions in this matter...”

The Election Commission of India counsel submitted that it was held in previous judgments that a manifesto was part of the promises of a political party. The bench replied, “We are on freebies to bribe the electorate.

Now if you say it’s hands off for you, then what is the purpose of the Election Commission of India?”

The ECI counsel suggested that the Central government could bring a law to deal with the issue, however Nataraj suggested that it falls under the domain of the ECI. The bench responded that under this scenario, it will record that the Central government has nothing to say on this, and queried, “Why is the Centre hesitating to take a stand?”

The top court was hearing a PIL by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay against the announcements made by political parties for inducing voters, through freebies, during elections.

During the hearing, Upadhyay contended, “If I’m a citizen of UP, I have a right to know as to how much debt we have...”

Upadhyay argued that ECI should debar state and national parties from making such promises. After

hearing arguments, the top court scheduled the matter for further hearing next week.

In April this year, the ECI told the Supreme Court that offering freebies either before or after the elections is a policy decision of the political party, and it cannot regulate state policies and decisions taken by the parties.

In an affidavit, the ECI 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 effect on the economic health of the state is a question that has to be considered and decided by the voters of the state.”

It further added, “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.”

Upadhyay’s 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.

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”.

On January 25, the top court had issued notice on the plea.

PM Modi congratulates Neeraj Chopra on historic achievement

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Neeraj Chopra on winning a silver medal at the World Championships in men’s javelin.

In response to a tweet by Sports Authority of India, Prime Minister Modi said, “A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes!

“Congratulations to @Neeraj_ chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships.

This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours.”

Sports Authority said, “History Created by Neeraj Yet Again @ Neeraj_chopra1 becomes the 1st Indian Male to win a medal at the

#WorldChampionships. Neeraj wins Silver in Men’s Javelin Throw with his best throw of 88.13m at @ WCHoregon22. Absolutely Brilliant. “@Neeraj_chopra1 becomes the only the 2nd Indian after @anjubobbygeorg1 to win a medal for India at the Worlds. All Hail the Champion,” Sports Authority of India added.

‘Bandit Queen’ Phoolan Devi’s kidnapper dies of TB in UP

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), July 27 (IANS): Fifty-two years after he was charged with the alleged kidnapping of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi in 1980 and the murder of her paramour, Chheda Singh passed away at the Sefai Institute of Medical Sciences in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah district at the age of 69.

He was being treated for tuberculosis.

Chheda Singh was declared an absconder in 1998 and was arrested from Bhasaun village in Auraiya district on June 5, 2022.

He was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head. After arrest, he was sent to Etawah jail.

When arrested in Auraiya, he had told the police that he was living at an ashram near Janki Kund in Chitrakoot in the guise of a www.indianabroad.news

‘baba’ (seer) where he worked as a ‘sevadar’ (helper) for more than two decades.

Etawah Jail Senior Superintendent Ram Dhani told reporters that Chheda Singh’s health deteriorated while he was lodged in Etawah Jail on June 27, following which he was shifted to the Sefai medical facility.

Former Auraiya Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Verma said that Chheda had joined the Lalaram gang of dacoits in the ravines of Chambal when he was in his early 20s.

“He was among the most active members of the gang headed by Lalaram and his brother Sitaram.

Lalaram killed his rival gang’s leader Vikram Mallah and got Mallah’s gang member Phoolan Devi kidnapped in 1980. She was also gang-raped. Later, Phoolan took revenge by executing the Behmai massacre on February 14, 1981, when she and her gang gunned down 21 people,” he added.

Chheda and others also executed 16 Mallahs to avenge the Behmai killings at Asta in Auraiya district in June 1984.

“He was very clever. He had shown himself dead in the documents and had given the entire property to his brother Ajai Singh,” said the police

official.

He was wanted in more than 20 cases of murder, dacoity, abduction and extortion. Chheda was declared absconder by the court in 1998.

At the time of the arrest, the police had recovered fake ID proofs, including a PAN card, an Aadhaar card and other documents, made in the name of Braj Mohan from him.

However, with the help of locals, police ascertained his real identity.

Meanwhile, Phoolan Devi evaded arrest for two years after the Behmai massacre before she and her few surviving gang members surrendered in 1983. She was charged with 48 crimes, including multiple murders, plunder, arson and kidnapping for ransom.

She spent the next 11 years in jail.

In 1994, the state government headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party withdrew all charges against Phoolan, and she was released later.

She was fielded by the SP in the Lok Sabha elections from Mirzapur in 1996. She won and was re-elected in 1999.

In 2001, she was shot dead near her official bungalow in New Delhi by Sher Singh Rana.

Droupadi Murmu takes oath as 15th President of India

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) Droupadi Murmu on Monday took oath as the 15th President of India.

Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana administered the oath of office to Murmu in the Central Hall of Parliament.

Outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and Murmu arrived in Parliament in a ceremonial procession shortly before the swearing in commenced.

She is scheduled to deliver an address later.

Before leaving for the swearing-in ceremony, Murmu reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan, her home and office for the next five years, where she was welcomed by Kovind and his wife Savita.

The outgoing President had then escorted Murmu to the Presidential study for a brief meeting.

Earlier in the morning, Murmu

paid tributes to the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Members of the Council of Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, MPs and principal civil and military officers of the government are in attendance at the swearing in ceremony.

Chief Justice N.V. Ramana slams ‘media trials’, terms it ‘kangaroo courts’ New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) Chief Justice N.V. Ramana on Saturday hit out at electronic and social media ‘trials’, saying that media run ‘kangaroo courts’ at times on issues and even experienced judges find it difficult to decide.

Speaking at the inaugural ‘Justice S. B. Sinha Memorial Lecture’ on “Life of a Judge” organised by National University of Study & Research in Law, Ranchi, the Chief Justice stressed the need to ensure proper judicial infrastructure, the problems created by media trial in judicial administration, future challenges of the judiciary and the importance of judicial review in protection of the Constitution.

Asserting that we are living in a complex society, Ramana said that the role of a person holding a position in the judiciary or governance becomes extremely crucial as their decisions at critical junctures influence the growth and progress of humanity.

“Doing justice is not an easy responsibility. It is becoming increasingly

challenging with each passing day,” he said, pointing out the increasing number of media trials.

“New media tools have the enormous amplifying ability but appear to be incapable of distinguishing between the right and the wrong, the good and the bad and the real and the fake. Media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases,” he said in the speech.

Rapping the biased views appearing on social media, he said:

“Ill-informed and agenda-driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy.”

He said further that biased views propagated by media are affecting people, weakening democracy, and harming the system.

In the process, justice delivery gets adversely affected. “By overstepping and breaching your responsibility, you are taking our democracy two steps backward,” he blasted.

IMF slashes India’s 2022 growth forecast to 7.4% Washington, July 26 (IANS): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday slashed its annual growth projection for India by 0.8 percentage points to 7.4 per cent for 2022 and forecast “increasingly gloomy developments” for the global economy such as high inflation, downturn in China because of Covid. and spillovers from the war in Ukraine.

The fund cut its 2023 projection for India also by 0.8 percentage points to 6.1 per cent. These revised forecasts are relative to those in the fund’s April world outlook report.

The 2022 cut for India “reflects mainly less favorable external conditions and more rapid policy tightening”, said the fund’s World Economic Outlook Update, titled “Gloomy and More Uncertain”.

The World Bank has also slashed its projections for India to 7.5 per cent from 8 per cent for 2022-23, blaming it on a surge in Covid-19 cases, related mobility restrictions and the war in Ukraine.

The IMF forecast for India was called “rational” by an official who spoke on background.

“Given the gloomy global outlook and inflation contagion, IMF’s growth forecast for India moderating it down by 0.8 percentage point is rational. Indian economy seems to be far more resilient at this point in time as others like US and China are talking a bigger hit with the forecast cut down to 1.4 and 1.1 percentage points respectively,” the official said.

“Further, IMF continues to project India’s growth rate in 2022 as the fastest growing major economy with 7.4 per cent and only other country around this rate is Saudi Arabia with 7.6 per cent. Nearest to this ASEAN-5 at 5.3 per cent while China is way

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down to 3.3 per cent.”

The IMF projected a rather grim outlook for the world at large, saying it was facing “increasingly gloomy developments in 2022 as risks (that it had warned in April) began to materialise”.

And they are: higher inflation worldwide, specially in the US and major European economies, triggering a sharp tightening in global financial conditions; a sharper-than anticipated slowdown in China, reflecting Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns; and further negative cross-border effects from the war in Ukraine.

The IMF slashed its global growth forecast to 3.2 per cent for 2022 and 2.9 per cent in 2023, down from April estimates of 3.6 per cent for both years.

“The outlook has darkened significantly since April,” IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said in a statement. “The world may soon be teetering on the edge of a global recession, only two years after the last one.”

The report acknowledged that though it had warned of inflation, it had not expected it to go so high. At 9.1 per cent for both, inflation has been the highest for the US and the UK in 40 years and at 9.8 per cent

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in the euro area, it’s the highest since the inception of the unified monetary system; and, the report said, emerging and developing economies are also expected to be experiencing inflation at the rate of 9.8 per cent.

With wages not keeping pace in both advanced and emerging markets and developing economies, the report shows that household purchasing power will be eroded.

In China, ongoing Covid-19 outbreaks and mobility restrictions have “disrupted economic activity widely and severely”, the fund said, and slowdown in China “has global consequences”.

It added: “Lockdowns added to global supply chain disruptions and the decline in domestic spending are reducing demand for goods and services from China’s trade partners.”

The continuing war in Ukraine is causing “widespread hardship”, the report said, detailing the disruptive and debilitating effect it’s having on life -- 9 million Ukrainians fleeing the country, for instance -- and economy with existing sanctions on Russia and those coming on its energy export to Europe.

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Defence Ministry clears arms procurement worth Rs 28,732cr for Army

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS): The Union government has approved the arms procurement proposals worth over Rs 28,000 crore, including swarm drones, bulletproof jackets and close-quarter battle carbines.

The proposals were cleared on Tuesday by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

These proposals will enhance the overall combat prowess of the armed forces along the northern and western borders.

“The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals of the armed forces amounting to Rs 28,732 crore were accorded by the DAC,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The approval to the new procurement proposals came amid India’s lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

The Ministry said the approval to procure four lakh close-quarter battle carbines was granted to combat the “current complex paradigm of conventional and hybrid warfare” and terrorism at the borders.

“To combat the current complex paradigm of conventional and hybrid warfare and counter-terrorism at the borders, AoN for induction of approx. Four lakh of close quarter battle carbines for the services have also been accorded by the DAC,” it said.

The Ministry said the decision is set to provide a major impetus to the small arms manufacturing industry in the country and enhance “Atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in small arms.

“Considering the demand for enhanced protection against the threat of enemy snipers to our troops deployed along the Line of Control,

and in close combat operations in counter-terrorism scenario, the DAC accorded AoN for bulletproof jackets with Indian Standard BIS VI level of protection,” it said.

On the procurement of the armed swarm drones, the Ministry said these are being acquired as drone technology has proved to be a force multiplier in military operations.

“In the recent conflicts across the world, drone technology proved to be a force multiplier in military operations. Accordingly, to augment the Indian Army’s capability in modern warfare, AoN for procurement of autonomous surveillance and armed drone swarms has been accorded by the DAC under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category,” it said.

The DAC has also approved the Navy’s proposal to procure an upgraded 1,250-KW capacity marine gas turbine generator for power generation application onboard the Kolkata class of ships through the Indian industry.

“This will give a major boost to the indigenous manufacturing of gas turbine generators,” the Ministry said.

To enhance the security in the coastal region of the country, the DAC has also approved the proposal of procurement of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) with 60 per cent indigenous content, the Ministry added.

Lok Sabha passes Family Court Amendment Bill

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Family Court Amendment Bill.

The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 18, 2022. It allows state governments to establish Family Courts, and the Central government is empowered to notify

dates for the Act to come into force in different states.

Speaking in the Parliament, Law Minister Kiren Rijuju has expressed concern over the pendency of cases which are reaching 5 crore despite fast disposal of cases.

He said the rate of disposal is also

high but the cases are being filed as well.

The Minister also that the government does not interfere in the appointment of judges but it can’t appoint anyone as it has also the process of due diligence and the government has every right to do that.

The Bill seeks to extend retrospectively the Act to the state of Himachal Pradesh, with effect from February 15, 2019, and to the state of Nagaland, with effect from September 12, 2008.

The establishment of Family Courts in both the states will be retrospectively valid from these dates. All actions taken under the Act in both the states, including the appointment of judges, and orders and judgments passed by the Family Courts, will also be deemed to be valid from these dates retrospectively.

Indian minister hosts dinner for WA Deputy Premier I

ndian Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi recently hosted a dinner

reception for the Deputy Premier of Western Australia (WA) Roger Cook

and the Australian delegation in New Delhi.

J&K to focus on homestays to cater to increasing tourist rush Srinagar, July 27 (IANS) To cater to growing footfall of tourists to Kashmir valley, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration is committed to make availability of 50,000 rooms for the increasing demand of accommodation through the ‘Homestay’ initiative.

This was announced by J&K Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta while inaugurating a homestay cluster at Srinagar’s Jharokha Bagh on Tuesday.

Maintaining that tourism has grown manifold in J&K during 2022 as compared to 2021, Mehta said that the benefits of this bumper arrival of tourists to the Valley should trickle down to all, especially locals of various tourist destinations.

“In order to cater this growing footfall of tourists, the Union Territory administration is encouraging, guiding and handholding local population at various tourist destinations for the Homestay initiative,” Mehta added while interacting with one of a proprietor of homestay cluster at Jharokha Bagh village

reaffirmed and added that a lot of people from outside J&K are willing to visit it and the Homestay initiative would send a positive message to them to visit this beautiful place.

Railway is coming and there is better road and air connectivity now for Kashmir, people will definitely throng Kashmir in huge numbers for its beauty, he added.

‘Adequate stocks’: Govt says amid HIV patients’ protest over drugs shortage New Delhi, July 27 (IANS): A group of HIV patients from last few days have been protesting before the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) office in Delhi over the shortage of crucial anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs at government centres recommended to control the infection from progressing.

NACO centrally procures ARV medicines for people living with HIV as per national guidelines.

India provides free ARV medicines for life-long treatment of more than 14.5 lakh People Living with HIV (PLHIV) through 680 anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres under its National AIDS Control Programme, funded by the Government of India.

The protestors said ART centres claimed that there was a shortage of medicines at Delhi’s major hospitals such as Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

However, the sources from the Health Ministry said that there is adequate stock nationally for nearly 95 per cent HIV patients in the country, who are on first and second line ARV regimens like tablet TLD (Tenofovir + Lamivudine + Dolutegravir) and other ARV regimens.

“The mainstay of treatment for more than 85 per cent PLHIV is Tablet TLD (a fixed-dose combination of three

anti-retroviral drugs -- Tenofovir (300mg) + Lamivudine (300mg) + Dolutegravir (50mg)), for which there is sufficient stock nationally to last more than three months,” the source added.

Tablet Dolutegravir (DTG)- 50mg is required for nearly 50,000 PLHIV who are either on alternate --first/ second or third-line regimens or those with TB co-infection.

“There is no reported stock out for any ARV drugs at the state level and the fresh supply orders for procurement of the next lot of several drugs are already placed. Individual ART centres may have this issue at times but the medicines are immediately relocated from nearby centres,” said

the source from the Ministry.

The source also said that after persuasion by NACO and with active cooperation of national networks of persons living with HIV (PLHIV), four representatives of the protestors had a round of discussion with senior officers of NACO on Monday afternoon.

They were informed about the position regarding drugs availability and they were told to jointly work with state AIDS control societies and NACO for the availablity of drugs at those few ART centres which were running short on supplies, temporarily, it added.

478 technical snag-related incidences reported in planes in one year, says Ministry New Delhi, July 28 (IANS): A total of 478 technical snag-related occurrences were reported in planes between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.

“During operations, an aircraft may experience technical snags due to malfunctioning of components/ equipment fitted on the aircraft which require rectification by the airlines for continued safe, efficient and reliable air transport service.

These technical snags are reported by the flight crew on receiving an aural or visual warning in the cockpit or an indication of an inoperative/faulty system or while experiencing difficulty in operating the aircraft,” said Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

A total of 177 surveillance, 497 spot checks and 169 night surveillance have been carried out by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on engineering and maintenance aspects of scheduled operators during the last one year (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022).

Based on the violations found during surveillance, spot checks, night surveillance carried out during 2021-22, enforcement action has been taken by DGCA against responsible personnel of the airline operator in 21 instances of violations, which inter-alia includes

www.indianabroad.news

overseeing Manasbal Lake.

He hoped that nearly 50,000 rooms would be made available through the Homestay initiative across the various tourist destinations for which 75 locations have already been identified in other districts of J&K. “This is just a beginning,” he

/IndianAbroadNews

suspension of license, withdrawal of post holder (approved personnel to the airlines involved in the maintenance of aircraft), issuance of warning letters, etc.

The DGCA has laid down regulations under Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) which requires that the aircraft is maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ guidelines and all snags reported on the aircraft are rectified before the aircraft is released for flight.

Further, CAR lays down the requirements for the approval of maintenance organisation which mandates the organisation to have required manpower, equipment and literature commensurate to the type and fleet to be maintained. Under the system, airline operators are required to ensure that the aircraft

/indianabroadnews

are maintained in a continuous state of air-worthiness and all defects are rectified, said the Minister.

DGCA has a laid down mechanism of conducting surveillance, spot checks, night surveillance etc. of the airlines/organisations and personnel to ensure safety of passenger and aircraft. The findings made during surveillance, spot checks and night surveillance are provided to the airline for taking corrective action.

The action taken to correct the observations are reviewed. DGCA takes enforcement action in accordance with laid down procedures which may consist of warning, suspension, cancellation including imposition of financial penalty to the personnel involved/airline, said the reply.

7

AUSTRALIA

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Australia extends military support Australia’s largest music festival forges ahead despite extreme weather to Covid-hit aged care sector

Canberra, July 25 (IANS): The Australian government has extended military support for the Covid-hit aged care sector.

On Monday, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployment into aged care facilities has been extended until the end of September, reports Xinhua news agency.

It comes as more than 900 aged care centres are combating Covid-19 outbreaks, with more than 6,000

residents and 3,000 staff currently infected.

“It’s important that we need to be doing everything we can to meet the challenge,” Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television.

“It’s not just extending the military support to aged care, it’s actually increasing it up to 250 personnel through until the end of September.”

According to the Aged and Community Care Providers Association, more than 2,000 aged care residents have died with

Covid-19 in 2022 alone, accounting for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s total deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The decision reflects the seriousness of the Omicron variant’s high community transmission rates and the challenges faced by aged care homes as a result, said Marles.

The ADF has provided clinical and non-clinical support to aged care homes hit by Covid-19 related staffing shortages since February this year.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the sector was struggling to find enough staff.

“We simply cannot find the staff,” she said on Monday.

“People are doing double shifts.

People are working every single day without breaking, which is an incredibly stressful environment.”

Australia on Monday reported more than 30,000 new Covid-19 cases and over 10 deaths.

The country’s total pandemic death toll surpassed 11,000 over the weekend, only about three weeks after hitting 10,000.

Sydney, July 23 (IANS): After a last-minute cancellation on day one, Australia’s largest music festival, Splendor in the Grass, has decided to reopen over the weekend despite concerns over extreme weather, flooding and poor conditions on the grounds.

After being met with a barrage of criticism over the cancellation of day one, the event organisers cautiously announced on Saturday that the final two days of the threeday festival would go ahead. reports Xinhua news agency.

“Expect delays, please work with us when entering the festival... You’re going to have to allow for extra travel time,” said a spokesperson for Splendor in the Grass on Saturday.

They added that most programming is expected to go ahead with partial refunds being issued due to the disruption, organisers had been conducting repairs overnight including pumping out water from flooded campsites and repairing stages and walkways.

Organisers have advised patrons to wear gumboots and warm clothing over the weekend.

The three-day event, held in Byron

Bay, a town along the coast of New South Wales (NSW), was due to begin on Friday.

However, festival-goers were met with an eight-hour-long car queue and flooded campgrounds.

Festival organisers made the decision to cancel the main acts early on Friday afternoon, citing warnings from the state’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

Responding to the disruptions, ticket holders have complained that the site festival is flood-prone and

unsuitable for such an event and that there was a lack of communication ahead of the last-minute cancellation.

Many took to social media to vent their frustrations and call for greater financial reimbursement.

The sudden weather has led to an anticlimactic end to a three-year wait for the annual festival which normally attracts between 40,000 and 50,000 people, and was cancelled for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Monkeypox: 95% spread occurred Aussie researchers create spray via sexual activity, says study to keep viruses, bacteria at bay

Sydney, July 22 (IANS): Sexual closeness is the most likely route of transmission in 95 per cent of monkeypox cases, according to a global case study series from across 16 countries.

However, the virus can be transmitted by any close physical contact through large respiratory droplets and potentially through clothing and other surfaces, said researchers at Queen Mary University of London.

In the study, the team reported 528 infections diagnosed between April 27 and June 24, 2022, at 43 sites in 16 countries.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), showed 95 per cent of the persons presented with a rash (with 64 per cent having less than 10 lesions), 73 per cent had anogenital lesions, and 41 per cent had mucosal lesions (with 54 having a single genital lesion).

Overall, 98 per cent of the persons with infection were gay or bisexual men, 75 per cent were white, and 41 per cent had human

immunodeficiency virus infection.

Common systemic features preceding the rash included fever (62 per cent), lethargy (41 per cent), myalgia (31 per cent), and headache (27 per cent); lymphadenopathy -swelling of lymph nodes -- was also common (reported in 56 per cent).

Concomitant sexually transmitted infections were reported in 109 of 377 persons (29 per cent) who were tested.

Among the 23 persons with a clear exposure history, the median incubation period was 7 days.

Monkeypox virus DNA was detected in 29 of the 32 persons in whom seminal fluid was analysed.

In addition, the study also identified new clinical presentations in people with monkeypox, not recognised in current medical definitions of monkeypox.

These symptoms include single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus. The clinical symptoms are similar to those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis or herpes and can easily

lead to misdiagnosis.

In some people, anal and oral symptoms have led to people being admitted to hospital for management of pain and difficulties swallowing. It’s important that these new clinical symptoms be recognised and healthcare professionals be educated on how to identify and manage the disease - misdiagnosis can slow detection and thus hinder efforts to control the spread of the virus, the team said.

“We have shown that the current international case definitions need to be expanded to add symptoms that are not currently included, such as sores in the mouth, on the anal mucosa and single ulcers. These particular symptoms can be severe and have led to hospital admissions so it is important to make a diagnosis,” said Chloe Orkin, Professor of HIV Medicine at QMUL. “We have also found monkeypox virus in a large proportion of the semen samples tested from people with monkeypox. However, this may be incidental as we do not know that it is present at a high enough levels to facilitate sexual transmission.

More work is needed to understand this better,” added Dr John Thornhill, Consultant Physician in Sexual Health.

These findings will improve future diagnosis, help to slow the spread of infection and help the international community prioritise the limited global supply of monkeypox vaccines and treatments to communities most at risk, the researchers said.

Australia’s first gas-to-grid project kicks off in Sydney 95,000 gigajoules of biomethane from organic material in wastewater to supply gas to around 6,300 homes by the end of the year, with the capacity to double production by 2030,” said NSW Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson.

“This five-year pilot will put gas directly into the supply network and will also help industries across NSW meet their net-zero emissions targets, with the facility able to turn waste material into a new clean energy source.”

Sydney, July 19 (IANS): Australia has started its first trial of generating gigajoules of biomethane from wastewater, which will see renewable biomethane support the energy demands of up to 13,000 homes.

The government of the New South Wales (NSW) state announced the trial on Tuesday, which has www.indianabroad.news

commenced at Sydney Water’s Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant. It will deliver reliable and cleaner gas to Sydneysiders and help to reduce the carbon footprint of households, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The wastewater resource recovery facility will create approximately

Sydney Water’s General Manager for Asset Lifecycle Paul Plowman said this project is expected to remove 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, the equivalent of almost 2,000 cars off the road.

The first renewable gas products are due to be completed by the end of this year. They will be supplied to Sydney’s network soon after.

Sydney, July 22: Researchers from Australian universities developed a spray that can stop the spread of bacteria and viruses, including the Covid-19 virus.

Published in the journal Advanced Science, the long-lasting spray coats common surfaces and repels viruses and bacteria through an air-filled barrier as well as killing pathogens, Xinhua news agency reported.

One of its inventors, biomedical engineer Professor Antonio Tricoli from the University of Sydney, said the spray used a combination of plastics strong enough to be considered an alternative to bullet-proof glass.

“Without a barrier, viruses such as coronaviruses can stay on surfaces and remain infectious for up to a week,” Tricoli added in an article published in Scimex on Thursday.

“Other viruses, which can cause colds or diarrhoea, can remain on surfaces for several weeks, causing large outbreaks in health and agedcare facilities.”

The research team, which also includes scientists from the University of Melbourne and the Australian

National University, said the spray had taken five years to develop.

They believed its advantages over rival products are that it lasts much longer than standard disinfectants and unlike other non-disinfectants, which contain silver nanoparticles, there are no harmful side effects, meaning it would be suitable for public settings such as lift buttons, stair railings, hospitals, schools and restaurants.

University of Melbourne Professor David Nisbet said the spray has been tested on a wide range of materials, including metals, blotting paper, plastic, bricks, tiles and glass.

“We have identified the mechanical processes underpinning how the spray works and quantified its effectiveness in different environments,” Nisbet added.

“We believe our explanation of the mechanism behind the antimicrobial and antiviral effects could significantly advance research in antipathogen technologies that could see affordable manufacture of an effective surface spray to protect people from viruses and bacteria.”

The research team has created a start-up company to make the spray commercially available within the next three years.

Many Australian businesses struggling to find workers Sydney, July 21 (IANS): Almost 40 per cent of Australian small and medium business owners are facing labour shortages, according to one of the nation’s largest banks.

New research by the National Australia Bank (NAB) revealed on Wednesday that hundreds of small and medium enterprises say their staffing shortfalls were having a “very significant” impact on their ability to operate.

The survey, based on the responses of about 800 small and medium enterprises, which are businesses with less than 200 employees, showed that about one in three bosses expected the impact to continue over the next 12 months.

NAB Business and Private Banking Group Executive Andrew Irvine said the findings aligned with comments he had been hearing from business owners throughout the year.

“When I’m out talking with customers, the number one issue they continue to raise is labour shortages -- and this is across all sectors, and all parts of the country,” Xinhua news agency quoted Irvine as saying.

“Businesses owners are crying out for more workers -- people on the shop floor, labourers to finish off jobs, drivers, pharmacy workers -- you’d be hard pressed to find a business owner who hasn’t had

/IndianAbroadNews

trouble finding people to do the job.”

By state, 43 per cent of small and medium enterprises in Western Australia reported significant labour shortages, followed by 37 percent in Victoria, 35 percent in Queensland and 33 percent in New South Wales.

Businesses in the health and construction sectors reported the greatest concern, with around half labelling labour shortages as being a key issue.

For businesses in agriculture, hospitality and tourism, the data was more promising. In the last quarter, labour shortages in accommodation fell 32 percent, likely due to state and international borders reopening.

Almost half of the small and medium enterprises believed

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the shortages could be solved by increasing traineeships and apprenticeships and increasing migrant intake.

“As borders have opened, there have been some improvements -- but there’s much more to do,” Irvine said.

“We need to look at our migration settings, how we can get more people into the labour force and our skills and training systems.”

Irvine also said further government investment in training and upskilling the Indigenous workforce was important.

“Finding skilled Indigenous workers is a challenge, so we want to see more skilled Indigenous people in the workforce,” he said

8

WORLD

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

SL’s Wickremesinghe congratulates Ukraine’s campaign to retake India’s new President Kherson gathering pace: Sources

Colombo, July 25 (IANS): Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday congratulated his new Indian counterpart, Droupadi Murmu on assuming office as the 15th President of India.

Extending warm felicitations, Wickremesinghe said in a statement: “Your appointment to this chief responsibility in one of the largest democracies is testimony to

the trust and confidence the government and the people have placed in your caliber and political acumen.”

The Sri Lankan leader also mentioned the friendship and cooperation shared by the two neighbouring nations, as well as the support provided by New Delhi to Colombo in the wake of the ongoing economic crisis in the island nation.

“India and Sri Lanka enjoy warm

and long-standing relations which stemmed from people to people interactions over millennia and I am glad that the time tested bonds of friendship between the two nations continue to be reinforced through ever growing cooperation and support in many spheres of strategic interests that we share.

“Your leadership offers fresh impetus to our joint endeavours to nurture and strengthen the cordial ties we enjoy and I look forward to working closely with you towards this end. Please accept, excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” Wickremesinghe noted.

Facing the worst-ever economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has received from India the biggest support that would have provided by any individual country.

India offered over $3.5 billion financial support since January this year in addition to essential aid, including food, medicines and fertilizer.

Kiev, July 28 (IANS): Ukraine’s campaign to retake Kherson, the southern city which was the first to fall to Russia in March, is “gathering pace”, according to Western military sources.

The sources described Kherson as “politically the nearest Russia has to a jewel in the crown of its occupation”, and its loss, they say, “would severely undermine Russia’s attempts to paint the occupation as a success”, the BBC reported.

The key Antonivskiy Bridge into Kherson was forced to shut on Wednesday after being damaged by a Himars artillery rocket system fired by Ukrainian forces.

The attack left the crossing “completely unusable”, the sources said.

Moscow depended on the crossings to resupply their troops stationed west of the river, and are now at risk of becoming isolated from the rest of Russia’s occupying forces, they added.

Meanwhile, Russian officials posted in Kherson also confirmed that

a Ukrainian artillery strike had seriously damaged the Antonivskiy Bridge, forcing its closure to traffic.

For days the Ukrainian military has targeted bridges using highly effective rocket systems supplied by the US, reports the BBC. According to the Western military sources, Wednesday’s attack was part of a Ukrainian counter effort to isolate Russian troops, with the ultimate goal of recapturing the entire Kherson region.

In his nightly Wednesday address, President Volodymyr Zelensky

vowed that Ukraine would eventually rebuild the Antonivskiy Bridge as well as other crossings in the Kherson region.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that the occupiers’ logistical operations on our land are thwarted. Whatever their plans are, we will prevent their realisation,” Ukrayinska Pravda quoted Zelensky as saying.

The President stressed that Ukraine will liberate its territory “with military, diplomatic and every other tool at its disposal”.

At least 41 structures destroyed in Zelensky appoints new commander California’s largest wildfire of 2022 of special operations forces

Los Angeles, July 27 (IANS) At least 41 structures have been destroyed by the Oak Fire, now the largest wildfire this year in US western state of California, authorities said.

The fast-moving wildfire that began on Friday afternoon near the Yosemite National Park in central California’s Mariposa County scorched 18,087 acre (73.2 square km) with 26 per cent containment as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Around 1,440 structures are still under threat as nearly 3,000

firefighters, with aircraft support, are continuing their efforts against the massive wildfire, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Fire crews continue providing structure defense, extinguishing hot spots, and building and improving direct fire lines,” said Cal Fire in an update on Tuesday.

“Persistent drought, critically dry fuel and tree mortality continue to contribute to the fire’s spread.

Humidity levels were slightly higher overnight as monsoonal moisture began to move in,” the agency added.

The Oak Fire has forced thousands of local residents to evacuate.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday due to the effects of the explosive fire.

Another explosive wildfire, the Washburn Fire, has burned more than 4,875 acre (19.7 square km) to date with 87 per cent contained after nearly three weeks near the Yosemite National Park. The Washburn Fire has drawn national attention as firefighters are battling the blaze to protect some of the world’s oldest and largest trees in the park.

Many of the largest wildfires, including the top five, in California’s history have happened in the past few years amid severe drought.

“California continues to experience longer wildfire seasons as a direct result of climate change,” said Cal Fire in its 2022 fire season outlook, noting that “continued dry conditions, with above normal temperatures through spring, will leave fuel moisture levels lower than normal, increasing the potential for wildland fire activity.”

Wildfires have swallowed more than 53,000 acre (214.5 square km) so far this year in the state, according to data released by Cal Fire.

Court in China jails poet who called on Xi Jinping to step down

Shandong, July 28 (IANS): A court in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong has handed down a six-year jail term to an outspoken poet who called on ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping to step down, two years after his trial, a media outlet reported.

Zhang Guiqi, 49, who is widely known by his penname Lu Yang, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by the Liaocheng Intermediate People’s Court, which

found him guilty two years ago of “incitement to subvert state power”, RFA reported.

“They informed his family by phone that he has been sentenced,” Independent Chinese PEN’s freelance coordinator Zhang Yu told RFA. “He was convicted of incitement to subvert state power, sentenced to six years in prison and deprived of political rights for three years.”

Lu pleaded not guilty, and plans to appeal, Zhang said. “(His family) wanted to see the judgment, but they wouldn’t show it to them because they said it was a crime involving national security, and was a state secret,” Zhang said.

Lu’s arrest came after he posted a video of himself calling on Xi to step down, and calling for “an end to the CCP dictatorship”.

“At least three years of that sentence is linked to his mention of Xi Jinping, because if he’d called on

anyone else to step down, it wouldn’t have been aggravated, which would have meant a three-year sentence,” Zhang said.

“That’s one year each for each character (in Xi Jinping’s name).”

Zhang said the video had been seen by a fairly small number of people to start with.

Lu Yang was among a group of rights activists who went to the Shandong Jianzhu University in January 2017 to support a former professor there, Deng Xiangchao, who was targeted by Maoist protesters after he retweeted a post satirizing late supreme leader Mao Zedong.

Independent Chinese PEN issued a statement condemning the sentencing of Lu on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Lu’s wife, who gave only a surname, Zhang, said she has been barred from giving interviews to foreign media, and has been threatened with the loss of her job by her current employer.

Monkeypox cases in US rise to 3,487 and Prevention’s (CDC) latest update on Tuesday.

The update reveals that New York accounts for the largest number of cases at 990, followed by California (356) and Illinois (344).

Washington, July 26 (IANS): The number of monkeypox cases in the US has increased to 3,487, according to the Centers for Disease Control www.indianabroad.news

The other states where the caseload is in three digits are Florida (273), Georgia (268) and Texas (220), as well as the District Of Columbia (139).

Health experts have opined that given the testing bottlenecks in the US, monkeypox cases are likely to be undercounted.

On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

As of Tuesday, the global caseload stands at 18,095.

Kiev, July 26 (IANS): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree to appoint a new commander of the Special Operations Forces (SOF), a branch of the Armed Forces.

a commander of the special reserve of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defence Ministry.

According to the decree, published on the presidential website, Viktor Khorenko was appointed the commander of the SOF, reports Xinhua news agency.

Last week, Zelensky dismissed Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova and head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov, blaming them for insufficiently dealing with a large number of traitors in their agencies.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko wrote on Facebook that Khorenko previously served as

Khorenko will replace Hryhorii Halahan, who was dismissed by Zelensky earlier on Monday.

‘Next UK Prime Minister will inherit a mess’ London, July 23 (IANS): The next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom will inherit a mess that some members of the governing Conservative Party believe will be impossible to manage, media reports said.

With just six weeks until Boris Johnson’s walks through the famous black door of 10 Downing Street, the two remaining candidates are making a bad situation worse by rubbing acid into the wounds of a party so badly divided it could be forced to call an early election and hope for the best, CNN reported.

Johnson’s replacement will not be elected by the 47 million adults registered to vote, but by a much smaller group of around 160,000 grassroots Conservative Party members. The winner will be announced on September 5.

This means running on campaign issues that the candidates believe are most likely to appeal to this very small and hardly diverse group of people.

“The average age of a party member is late 50s. Just under half are of a pensionable age and they are predominately White,” says Tim

Bale, who is professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London and has studied the Conservative Party extensively.

“They mostly live in southern England and are (financially) comfortable. They support a strong line on law and order, they approve of low taxes but believe that public services are important and should be funded properly, especially schools, police and, of course, the health service,” Bale adds.

Unsurprisingly, given the costof-living crisis, the main issue of debate has been how to handle the economy. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is one of the two, is calling for a different approach from Johnson’s tax rises, and claims that cutting taxes immediately would create growth. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak argues that he believes this is fantasy economics, given the UK is still recovering from the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Seconds after it was decided the final two were Truss and Sunak, an even less optimistic Conservative MP told CNN: “We’ve just lost the next election.”

The job of reinventing and uniting the party, which has been struggling in the polls for months and publicly flagellating itself for almost as long, would be tough for anyone. It will be even harder for either of the leadership contenders, both of whom have their hands dirty from previous government jobs and whose supporters have been flinging mud at one another over a long, hot summer, CNN reported.

And if the warring factions cannot overcome these differences, they may find that they’ve wrecked their own chances of staying in power and hand the keys over to an opposition party that’s been locked out of Downing Street since 2010, CNN reported.

Over 14,000 kids drown in B’desh every year: WHO, Unicef Dhaka, July 26 (IANS) Drowning has become the second leading cause of death among children under the age of five in Bangladesh and the country reports over 14,000 such fatalities every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef said in a joint statement.

In the statement, the two UN agencies called on the government, development partners, communities and individuals to do their part to raise awareness and work to prevent the untimely deaths of thousands of children across Bangladesh, reports Xinhua news agency.

“It is heart-breaking that so many lives are lost each year in this country. We know that these deaths are preventable,” said Sheldon Yett, Unicef representative to Bangladesh.

“We urge individuals, communities and the government to join us in raising awareness and doing all we can to ensure every child’s right to survive and thrive.”

/IndianAbroadNews

Globally, drowning claims the lives of over 230,000 people every year.

Nine in 10 drowning cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, with children under the age of five being at the highest risk.

In Bangladesh, where large areas of land remain submerged due to yearly floods, the absence of awareness and swimming skills can prove to be life-threatening.

Children in rural areas who grow up near bodies of water are also exposed to the risk of drowning daily.

“Drowning is a significant public health concern and the third leading cause of unintentional death worldwide. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children in Bangladesh,” said WHO Representative to Bangladesh Bardan Jung Rana.

“By enhancing multisectoral collaboration, promoting strong

/indianabroadnews

leadership on drowning prevention, and implementing necessary actions, we can prevent the tragedy of drowning and achieve a safer, healthier future for all.”

Evidence shows that drowning is preventable through low-cost solutions.

Increased awareness among families and communities, providing safety and swimming skills for children and adolescents, ensuring childcare facilities for pre-school children, and national policies and investments for prevention can make a significant difference.

9

FOOD & CUISINE

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Tasty and health snacks for monsoon cravings

Recognising the best talent in the food industry

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Chef Ranveer Brar recognized as Culinary Icons of the Year at India Food & Beverage Awards 2022

Quick snacks for the perfect chai or filter coffee July 20, 2022: The arrival of the Monsoon season brings with it the desire for something delicious, hot, and refreshing. We enjoy bingeing on our favourite hot treats to satisfy our hunger. Certain foods are nutrient dense and provide us with

long-lasting energy, so they must be included in our monsoon snacking.

Oatmeal has become a popular evening snacking item in recent years, and the best part is that it is easy to prepare. Saffola Masala Oats is a blend of Indian spices and essential

Pepper Curd Oats & Filter Coffee

It is a simple dish made by combining the Curry & Pepper Oats with yoghurt. The magic of well-loved spices of the South in three delicious south flavours that would leave everyone craving for more! Be it

nutrients, making it not only chatpata but also a power-packed snack.

It’s made with whole grain oats and real vegetables, so it keeps you ‘full’ for longer. It is available in five delectable flavours: Classic Masala, Peppy Tomato, Veggie Twist, Masala

Coriander, and Curry & Pepper.

Here are some Monsoon Snack Combos prepared with Oats that will satiate your monsoon cravings:

Oats Risotto & Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

aromatic Sambar or fiery Chettinad or hot Curry Pepper, these flavours make for delightful warm family snack, serve it with the classic filter coffee.

Prepare a tangy red Risotto with aromatic spices and the tingling tomato aste of Peppy Tomato variant. In a pan add oil, garlic and ginger paste, add tomatoes, onions, capsicum

sauté the mixture for a few mins and add peppy tomato oats. Once ready, serve it with cinnamon hot chocolate.

Masala Toast Sandwich & HaldiDoodh

Air Fried Oats Cutlet & Masala Chai Give a fun and nutritious twist to our monsoon snack by incorporating mouth-watering Veggie Twist Oats in it. In a pan add Veggie Twist Oats, cook it for 3 mins. Then take a bowl - add oats, boiled mashed potatoes, carrot, beet root, cabbage and salt to taste and mix it well. Create equal portions of the mixture, preheat the air fryer at 200 degrees C for 5 Mins, then place the cutlet portions in the air fryer and cook them for 15 mins at 200 Degrees C. Once ready, serve it with hot Masala Chai.

Monsoon days are incomplete without the toasty goodness and chatpata flavours of a Masala Toast Sandwich. Relish the same taste at home with just 5 mins of prep time.

Cook Classic Masala or Masala &

Coriander for 3 mins, when ready take a multi-grain bread and spread coriander chutney, add Masala Oats filling in the toast, put it in the toaster till brown and serve it with Haldi Doodh and enjoy.

New Delhi, July 19: The recently held India Food & Beverage Awards 2022 (IFBA), hosted by Godrej Vikhroli Cucina, a platform by Godrej Industries dedicated to food and culinary space, and the Food Bloggers Association of India (FBAI), at Nine Dine, Jio World Drive, Mumbai.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Chef Ranveer Brar were awarded the people’s choice - Culinary Icons of the Year at the awards. Both experts were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to the food and culinary space.

Chef Sanjyot Keer, content creator and founder of Your Food Lab, was honored as the Social Media Star of the Year. Curly Tales’ Founder Kamiya Jani won two awards - Instagram Star of the Year and Travel YouTuber of the Year.

Apart from these 58 winners were announced at IFBA 2022. This list includes chefs, restaurants, content creators, bloggers, media houses, communities, and TV personalities across India, who did commendable work in the year in the food space.

They were recognized under 7 main award categories - Facebook, Instagram, Blog, YouTube, Media, Hospitality, and Celebrated Chefs.

Furthermore, these awards were divided into 29 sub-categories.

Commenting on the initiative,

Sujit Patil, Vice President and Head - Of corporate Brand and Communications, Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies, said, ‘Vikhroli Cucina is a first-ofits-kind brand agnostic platform by Godrej where brands operating in the food space, chefs, food bloggers, influencers and all food lovers engage and exchange ideas. We are very happy to associate with the Food Bloggers Association of India (FBAI) for the India Food & Beverage Awards 2022. The platform recognizes the best work done in the food space. We believe that this recognition of the best talent in the industry can lead to even better work and raise the stature of this great industry. We wish the winners a great journey ahead in the food and beverage ecosystem.’

Speaking about the awards, Sameer Malkani, Co-Founder, of the FBAI, said, ‘Unearthing new talent and encouraging entrepreneurship has always been one of the key objectives of #IFBA. The increase in the number of entries from across India showcases the need and interest levels for such recognitions. I would like to thank the participants, stakeholders, and our Jury, who have been very supportive of our Initiative and deserve a special mention along with our co-host Godrej Industries and its brands which always add value to #IFBA.’

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi INGREDIENTS (For 4-6 people )

SABUDANA VADA

AALOO METHI AND WHOLE BHINDI

•

1/4 cup self raising flour

•

•

4-5 boiled potatoes

METHOD

•

Fresh green chillies to taste

•

Fresh chopped coriander

•

Salt to taste

•

One tea spoon cumin powder

•

One tea spoon coriander powder

We need to grind dry sabudana into smooth powder. Boil and grate potatoes In a mixing bowl put sabudana powder , grated potatoes and rest of the ingredients. Mix them together like a dough Roll into round shape or flat oval shape . Heat oil in a frying pan or wok Deep fry the vadas in batches of four five at a time on medium heat until they are golden crispy on both sides . Serve hot with green chutney.

• INGREDIENTS (for 4-6 people)

•

H

www.indianabroad.news

/IndianAbroadNews

Oil for deep frying

One cup sabudana

MRS. LATA MODI

this Subzi which turned out to be delicious . And the second dish is a starter or an afternoon tea snack . Let’s get started and hopefully you will all like these two recipes .

Happy cooking friends .

One tea spoon amchur powder ( dry mango powder )

•

•

ello friends In today’s recipes I am trying out a new kind of vegetarian Subzi . We always make Aaloo methi Or sometimes Aaloo bhindi But I cooked this Subzi which I think is pretty tasty unique and healthy . I invented

•

Two or three medium sized potatoes ( peeled and sliced lengthwise) One bunch fresh methi leaves washed and chopped . Or one packet frozen methi leaves.

•

Thawed and squeezed , ready to be cooked .

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250 grams of small whole okra washed , both ends taken away and pat dried .

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One onion sliced lengthwise

•

Two fresh green chillies chopped

/indianabroadnews

• •

Two table spoon oil One tea spoon mustard seeds

•

One tea spoon fennel seeds crushed

•

Two tea spoon coriander powder. Salt to taste .

METHOD In a big wok or frying pan heat oil.

Put mustard seeds , let it crackle . Now add onion and Fry onions until golden crown Add chopped chillies Now add potato Sauté for couple of minutes Add methi leaves Add whole okra Add all the spices and salt Stir well Cover and cook on medium heat until tender and cooked through

10

DIASPORA

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

2 Indians in UN peacekeeping operation killed in DR Congo Arul Louis

United Nations, July 26 (IANS): Two Indian police personnel in the UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were killed on Tuesday during attacks on peacekeepers by local people.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted that the two were from the Border Security Force and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said that at the Butembo base “violent attackers snatched weapons from Congolese police and fired upon our uniformed personnel”, killing three persons with the UN mission.

He said that a peacekeeper had also been killed in the rioting at Butembo in the DRC, but did not disclose that victim’s nationality.

Guterres sent his condolences to the

Indian government on the death of the two Indian police personnel, he said.

Haq said that Mobs threw stones and petrol bombs at UN facilities and broke into bases, looting, vandalising and setting them on fire in Eastern DRC. At the Security Council on Tuesday afternoon, India will be raising the attacks on UN personnel in the DRC, diplomatic sources said.

There are 139 police and 1,888 military personnel from India in the DRC mission known by the French initials MONUSCO for UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC. MONUSCO started operations in the DRC in 2010 from an earlier operation set up in 1999 to stabilise the country wracked by rebel attacks.

Haq said that the situation in the DRC aceis very volatile and reinforcements are being mobilised”.

“Our quick reaction forces are on high alert and have been advised to exercise maximum restraint, using tear gas to disperse protestors and only firing warning shots when UN personnel or property are under attack,” he said.

Tuesday was the second day of protests against the UN in Eastern DRC. Haq blamed “hostile remarks and threats made by individuals and groups against the UN, particularly on social media” for the attacks by hundreds of assailants on UN bases in Goma as well as other parts of North Kivu province.

MONUSCO staff residences were

targeted in four incidents and staff have been relocated to camps, he added.

The protests were reportedly called by a section of the youth wing of the ruling, the UDPS. They were complaining about the UN’s inability to stop the attacks by rebel groups on civilians and the government.

There are several rebel groups operating in the DRC, chief among them is the M23 organisation, which has targeted UN peacekeepers.

There were reports of several casualties, including civilians, in the protests against the UN in the DRC that entered its second day on Tuesday.

DRC Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya tweeted on Tuesday that at least five people were killed in Goma during the protests.

“Warning shots (were fired) to disperse the demonstrators and prevent any attack on the @MONUSCO base and installations”, he said.

Several news reports from the DRC said that UN personnel had opened fire on the demonstrators.

In April, a Nepali peacekeeper was killed in the DRC in an attack by the militia of the Cooperative pour le developpement du Congo (CODECO).

Six Pakistani peacekeepers were killed when a helicopter was shot down in an area where the M23 was active.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at aru.l@ians.in and followed at @ arulouis)

Instacart’s Indian-American Founder Apoorva Mehta calls it quit

New Delhi, July 23 (IANS): USbased Instacart’s Founder and Executive Chairman Apoorva Mehta has announced to step down from the online grocery delivery service he founded nearly a decade ago.

Instacart announced that CEO Fidji

Simo has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors, effective as Mehta moves out from the board once Instacart becomes a public company.

“Since I transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman a year ago, I realised that I want to pursue a new mission and I want to do it with the same singular focus that I had while building Instacart. Stepping off the board will allow me to do just that,” Mehta said in a tweet late on Friday.

Simo, a former Facebook executive, took over as CEO of Instacart when Mehta departed that role, and will be the future executive chairman of the board.

“Mehta realised more than a decade ago that grocery delivery was a core consumer need. He worked

tirelessly with the team to create and build a successful model that allows consumers to access same-day delivery from their favorite grocers,” said Simo.

Simo thanked him “for all he has done for Instacart over the last decade”.

Instacart, partners with more than 800 national, regional, and local retail brands to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 70,000 stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America on its Marketplace.

“Mehta created a company that is transforming the grocery industry.

His hard work and dedication brought Instacart into the homes of millions of customers,” said Instacart Board Member Jeff Jordan.

I will run the economy like Margaret Thatcher: Rishi Sunak

London, July 13 (IANS): Rishi Sunak, the Indian origin contender for the prime ministership of the UK, said he will run the British economy like former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, if he wins.

In his first campaign interview to The Daily Telegraph, the pro ruling Conservative party daily broadsheet, he remarked: “We will cut taxes and we will do it responsibly.” He added: “That’s my economic approach. I would describe it as common sense Thatcherism. I believe that’s what she would have done.”

He continued: “If you read her speeches -- and I’ve quoted her and Nigel Lawson (an erstwhile Conservative chancellor of the exchequer) in other lectures I’ve given -- her approach to these things was to make sure that as a nation you have to earn what you spend.”

Sunak was speaking in the context of a serious cost of living crisis gripping Britain, with a recession feared

www.indianabroad.news

by economists. This has catapulted the UK’s economy as the main issue in the ballots to determine who will be the next leader of the ruling Conservative party and therefore the prime minister.

Thatcher was a shrill right-wing, pro-market leader, who served as Britain’s prime minister between 1979 and 1990. She is a revered figure in Conservatives circles; but generally reviled in the now opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.

As chancellor of the exchequer in the government, Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- until he resigned a little over a week ago to signal the beginning of Johnson’s end -- he raised taxes after borrowing heavily to protect lives, livelihoods and businesses in the face of the Covid-19 challenge. Unlike his rivals in the leadership contest that is underway, he has refused to cut taxes until national debt is brought down.

In the newspaper interview, published on Wednesday morning, he likened his upbringing to Thatcher’s.

He cited that akin to her upbringing above her father’s grocery shop, in his childhood he helped out at his mother’s pharmacy.

“My mum was a small businesswoman, she was a chemist,” Sunak stated, “I worked in my mum’s small chemist shop in Southampton. I did my mum’s books -- that was part of my job. I also did payroll and accounts every week and every

month.”

On Tuesday, four potential runners either dropped out after entering the race or desisted from doing so, because of a failure to muster support from fellow MPs, who will vote to whittle down the contestants to two, before the entire Conservative party membership indicate their preference. The quartet, who pulled out, were home secretary Priti Patel, transport secretary Grant Shapps, former health secretary Sajid Javid and junior minister in the Foreign Office Rehman Chishti.

The first ballot in the contest will take place on Wednesday afternoon and the result will be revealed by 1600 hours GMT or 2130 Indian Standard Time. The eight candidates in the field will be required to attract at least 30 votes from MPs to go forward to the next round on Thursday.

Sunak’s opponents are Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch, Liz Truss (who appears to have adopted a ‘stop Rishi’ mode), Jeremy Hunt, Tom Tugendhat, Suella Fernandes Braverman, who is also of Indian descent, and Nadhim Zahawi.

In informed groups, Sunak and Mordaunt are assessed to be neck and neck in terms of support from MPs, with the latter, according to Conservative Home, a Conservative news and analysis site, enjoying an edge among the wider party activists.

The Conservative party is largely white, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant.

Two Indian-origin men shot dead in Canada, 10 days after Ripudaman’s killing New York, July 25 (IANS): Two Indian-origin men have been shot dead in Canada, 10 days after an eerily similar killing of Ripudaman Singh Malik, who had been acquitted of charges of bombing an Air India plane, according to media reports.

Meninder Dhaliwal and Satindera Gill were killed on Sunday at the British Columbia resort village of Whistler.

The two latest victims were shot in broad daylight while sitting in a car in a public place like Ripudaman Malik and as in that incident, a car was also found burning nearby, according to media reports.

The two incidents, however, have not been linked by officials.

Two persons who have not been publicly identified have been arrested in connection with the latest killings, CTV reported quoting officials.

But there have been no arrests as yet in the killing of Malik.

Dhaliwal, along with his brother Barinder, was on a list of six men, four of them of Indian descent, released last year by the Vancouver Police Department which called them “gangsters” who “pose a significant risk to the safety of the public”.

Police Chief Adam Palmer warned while releasing their pictures, “Our police intelligence leads us to believe that the individuals we have identified today may be targeted by rival gang members”.

Dhaliwal was a member of a gang known as “Brothers Keeper” (BK), while Gill was not known to be involved with gangs, the Vancouver

Sun reported.

Dhaliwal’s brother was killed last year in April, the newspaper’s website said.

CTV said that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed Dhaliwal and Gill had been targeted and the shooting was linked to an ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland region that includes Vancouver.

The Sun said that the BK has been involved in violent conflicts over the years with the gang known as “United Nations” and with some members of “Red Scorpions”.

It said that last year Dhaliwal’s brother Harb was killed outside a Vancouver restaurant when he was with him and Barinder.

Meninder chased the gunman, Francoise Gauthier, and stabbed him in the eye, but did not face charges, it added.

Gauthier admitted last month in a Canadian court to carrying out the murder and was sentenced to life in prison, the Sun reported.

It said that both Meninder and Barinder had been shot several times in the past.

Ripudaman Singh was acquitted on charges linked to the bombing of Air India’s Kanishka that killed all on board the Boeing 747 on a flight from Canada to India in 1985.

Once a supporter of the Sikh separatist Khalistan movement, he later made peace with the Indian government, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year: “I am writing you this to express my deep heartfelt gratitude for the unprecedented positive steps taken by yourself to redress long-reading Sikh demands and grievances.”

He was taken off the Indian government’s blacklist and granted a visa to visit India in 2019.

Three-day northeast festival in Bangkok from July 29

Guwahati, July 24 (IANS): A threeday festival would commence in Bangkok on July 29 to showcase northeast India and explore the shared history, officials said on Sunday.

In the second edition of the ‘Northeast India Festival’, a series of discussions, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, cultural progammes and fashion events would be held at the Central World in Bangkok, which will also be a part of the events to celebrate 75 years of India-Thailand diplomatic ties.

The first edition of the festival was organised in February 2019 when it was inaugurated by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi.

With support from the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and various state governments in the northeast, the festival is being organised by the Guwahati based socio-cultural trust, Trend MMS. An official statement said that the chief ministers and tourism ministers of several northeastern states, Union Minister for State for External Affairs R.K. Ranjan, senior officials of Central and state governments in the northeast and top industrialists, among others, would attend the festival.

Ambassadors of various ASEAN and QUAD countries, experts, and

the local Thai community are also expected to attend the festival.

An extensive campaign is presently highlighting the festival at various Metro stations of Bangkok.

Over 30 MSME entrepreneurs will showcase their products from the northeastern region at the festival with special focus on tea, handicraft, agri-horti products and tourism.

Festival spokesman Shyamkanu Mahanta said that more than 400 delegates are travelling to Bangkok to participate in the festival.

Mahanta also informed that the northeast diaspora in Thailand under NEIA is supporting the event.

2 hitmen charged with killing Ripudaman Singh Malik Vancouver, July 28 (IANS): Two hitmen have been charged with the killing of one-time Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik who was gunned down in Surrey near here on July 14.

The alleged killers Tanner Fox, 21, and Jose Lopez, 23, were arrested by The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team on the basis of tips from the public.

Police have not yet confirmed whether the two men were hired to kill Malik.

Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, who heads the investigation team, told the media: “We’re in the infancy of this investigation as it’s only 13 days old. So there’s many follow-up tasks.”

About the hitmen’s motive, he said: “I think that’s going to be part of our ongoing tasks here. It’s very difficult 13 days in as these investigation sometimes takes years to develop and that’s why in these initial stages, the swift reaction of all of our teams coming together was amazing work to identify these individuals, and charge them.”

/IndianAbroadNews

Police said both the suspects have a criminal past. They were on bail in other criminal cases at the time of their arrest.

While one suspect was charged with nine gun-related criminal counts last year, the other faced gun charges.

Malik was gunned down when he reached his business office in Surrey in the morning. The hitmen burnt the stolen vehicle, a white Honda CRV, used in the crime just a few blocks away.

Public tips about the vehicle being seen near a business complex about 80 minutes before the killing, helped police nab the alleged hitmen.

Malik, along with Ajaib Singh Bagri, was an accused in the bombing of Air Indian Kanishka flight 182 in June 1985 off the Irish coast, killing all 329 people on board. The bombing was carried out by Sikh radicals to take revenge for the army action at the Golden Temple in June 1984 to flush out Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his supporters.

The two were acquitted in 2005.

Malik visited India after the Indian

/indianabroadnews

government in 2019 deleted black lists of pro-Khalistan radicals living abroad.

In January this year, Malik wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking him for his pro-Sikh actions.

It is speculated that Malik’s letter to Modi angered Sikh radicals and that’s why he was targeted.

Malik was also targeted by hardliners when he printed the Sikh holy scripture at his printing press in Surrey.

11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Guru Purnima celebrated

J

ET Australia Foundation Perth Chapter celebrated Guru Purnima on 17 July 2022 from

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Corinthian Park Hall, Beatrice Avenue, Leach Hwy, Shelley WA 6148

Seva Dharma Mission distributes essentials

S

eva Dharma Mission distributed free food on July10at 7am at the Adra Community Centre in Woodridge (near train station) Logan Brisbane .

Fresh fruits, vegetables, varieties of breads and normal essentials were distributed. As compared to

www.indianabroad.news

the past, more needy people like the poor, disabled and the one’s with low income came to get food.

The community group has also been serving lunch in Loganlea Community Centre on 2nd Saturday of every month at 11.00 am. The next one is on the 13th of August.

/IndianAbroadNews

/indianabroadnews

12

COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Cannington Punjabi Club holds MelaTrinjana Da 2022 T

he Cannington Punjabi Club organised a fairMelaTrinjana Da

2022 which turned out to be a huge success due to immense support

from the sponsors, media partners and all the participants.

Special tea event for Multicultural Affairs minister

T

he Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) organised a special tea event with Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant

Services and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood MP.The minister, representatives of Queensland Indian Community Organizations, including Tamil Forum, spoke with

the Shadow Minister for Australian Social Security, Immigrant Services and Multiple Affairs.

Rath Yatra organised

T

he Annual Lord JagannathRathYatra (from 2 July to 9 July 2022) was organised by the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre (HTCC) in association with the Hindu Council of Australia and ORIOZ. On 2 July 2022, Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, Balram and Sudarshan

www.indianabroad.news

/IndianAbroadNews

Chakra were taken in a chariot around the streets of Florey from 10.30 am to 12 pm followed by Arati, Bhajan and Mahaprasad at the HTCC, Florey.

Despite windy weather and 80-90% rain forecast, everything went well as was planned. When Rath was going around, people came out of

/indianabroadnews

their homes and greeted the Yatra by chanting, singing and clapping.

BahudaYatra (with Havan, Bhajan, Arati and Mahaprasad) was conducted on 9 July in association with the Vishnu-Shiva Mandir, and Lords were taken to the Vishnu-Shiva Mandir, Mawson, from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm.

13

BUSINESS

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

India set for 5G spectrum auction, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel lead the race experience never seen before.

The 5G auction -- entailing 72 GHz of the spectrum - will conclude by July-end and the rollout is expected

by September this year.

The Department of Telecom has released a notice inviting applications (NIA) for the auction of spectrum in 600, 700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 MHz and 26GHz bands.

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): With the mega 5G spectrum auction (worth Rs 1.9 lakh crore) beginning from Tuesday amid the tussle over captive private 5G networks, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are set to boost their market share as India prepares for a 5G era.

The four big players in the race -Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Adani group -- having submitted a combined Rs 21,400 core in earnest money deposit (EMD), are ready with their war chests and strategies for the mega bid, that is likely to be around Rs 1.5 lakh crore if the last two auctions are kept in mind.

Reliance Jio Infocomm has submitted an EMD of Rs 14,000 while Bharti Airtel has put in Rs 5,500 crore.

The NIA provides explicit clarity on the subject of Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPN).

The telcos are allowed to surrender spectrum that will be auctioned after a minimum period of 10 years from the date of acquisition.

Last month, in a big relief to telecom companies, the DoT scrapped the 3 per cent floor rate on spectrum usage charge (SUC).

5G in India will empower tech companies, enterprises and ecosystem players to build private networks and bring next-generation digital transformation which is critical for the country to achieve the goal of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy, according to industry leaders and experts.

In the 2021 auctions for 4G spectrum, Reliance Jio used 77.9 per cent of their earnest money deposit while Airtel used 87.7 per cent.

According to Broadband India Forum (BIF), this will lead to better efficiencies, productivity and output for the enterprises, accelerate digitisation, boost capabilities, propel indigenous manufacturing and eventually garner greater economic gains for the country.

The 5G era will open 10 times faster than 4G and 30 times faster than 3G, allowing millions to have an

“As we look to cement India’s position as a global hub for manufacturing, supply chain and R&D,

as well as one of the leading digital economies across the world, the advancement of enterprises through dedicated captive private 5G networks will help gain efficiencies in all vital industry verticals,” BIF President T.V. Ramachandran said.

Private 5G networks are about the deployment of high speed, enhanced data capacity, and ultra-low latency applications inside a closed manufacturing unit, hospital, airport, shipping port, etc.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the industry’s apex body representing telcos, has urged the government not to allow Big Tech companies to enter the 5G spectrum auction via back door channels.

The COAI said that the 5G spectrum should not be provided on an administrative basis as it leads to no business case for the rollout of 5G networks in the country.

“If the independent entities set up private captive networks with direct 5G spectrum allotment by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), it will diminish the revenue so much that there will be no viable business case left for the telecom service providers (TSPs) and there will not remain any need for 5G networks rollout by TSPs,” COAI Director General, Lt. Gen. Dr S.P. Kochhar, said.

With the 5G auctions, India is one step closer to realising a 5G-led future, with a strong base of 5G-capable devices already in place.

Airlines can’t charge additional fee for issuing boarding pass: Ministry

New Delhi, July 21: The Civil Aviation Ministry said on Thursday that airlines can’t charge any additional fee for issuing boarding pass

at check-in counters in airports.

Many Airlines currently charge a fee of Rs 200 if a passenger wants the boarding pass to be issued at the

check-in counter instead of going for web check-in.

“It has come to the notice of the MoCA (Ministry of Civil Aviation) that airlines are charging additional amount from the passengers for issuing boarding passes,” the ministry said.

This additional amount is not in accordance with the provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, it said.

In view of the above, the airlines are advised not to charge any additional amount for issuing boarding passes at the airport check-in counters, as the same cannot be considered within the ‘tariff’ as provided under Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, the ministry said.

Rupee depreciates to 80 against US dollar Chennai, July 19 (IANS): As predicted earlier, the Indian rupee on Tuesday crossed Rs 80 for a US dollar. The fall in rupee’s value is owing to multiple factors like Russia-Ukraine war, outflow of foreign institutional investors and others, said experts.

Experts also said though the rupee has depreciated against the dollar, it has appreciated against other currencies.

Global risk aversion has led to rupee depreciation against the dollar; however, the decline is pretty tolerable. Even though rupee touched the psychological mark of 80 per dollar, rupee has indeed appreciated against the majority of leading currencies like Euro, GBP and Yen, said Aishvarya Dadheech, Fund Manager, Ambit Asset Management.

Dadheech said, forex reserve remains at healthy levels and recent measures by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will help overcome dollar shortage.

Fundamentals of Indian rupee are intact and the recent correction (due to global risk off sentiment) is an overreaction.

“We believe INR (Indian Rupee) will remain range bound and foreign investors will see this as an opportunity, and will be tempted to lock in at these levels,” Dadheech added.

“The major reasons for the weakening of Indian Rupee against the US Dollar are global factors that include Russia-Ukraine war, rising crude oil prices, tightening of global liquidity and significant FII outflows,” Arun Kumar, Head of Research, FundsIndia. www.indianabroad.news

Uber admits covering up data breach involving 57 mn users San Francisco, July 26 (IANS) Uber has admitted that it covered up a massive data breach in 2016 that exposed data pertaining to approximately 57 million users and 600,000 drivers’ license numbers.

The ride-hailing platform has entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors to resolve a criminal investigation into the coverup of a significant data breach suffered by the company in 2016, according to the US Department of Justice.

As part of a non-prosecution agreement to resolve the investigation, Uber admitted concealing its 2016 data breach from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which at the time of the 2016 breach had a pending investigation into the company’s data security practices.

“Uber admits that its personnel

failed to report the November 2016 data breach to the FTC despite a pending FTC investigation into data security at the company,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

The hackers responsible for the Uber breach used stolen credentials to access a private source code repository and obtain a private access key.

The hackers then used that key to access and copy large quantities of data associated with Uber’s users and drivers.

The breach was not reported to the FTC until approximately a year later, when new executive leadership was managing the company, revealed the Justice Department.

Uber settled civil litigation with the attorneys general for all 50 States and the District of Columbia related to the 2016 data breach, paying $148

million and agreeing to implement a corporate integrity programme.

Recently, a leaked trove of internal Uber documents revealed that the ride-hailing platform allegedly broke laws and secretly lobbied governments to expand globally.

Adani Group market capitalisation exceeded $200 bn: Gautam Adani Ahmedabad, July 26 (IANS): Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, has said that the combined Group market capitalisation this year exceeded $200 billion.

“We were able to raise billions of dollars from the international markets, a direct validation of confidence in the India and Adani growth story. Our growth and success have been recognised around the world.

Several foreign governments are now approaching us to work in their geographies and help build their infrastructure. Therefore, in 2022, we also laid the foundation to seek a broader expansion beyond India’s boundaries,” he said at the annual general meeting (AGM) of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).

The success of the Adani Group is based on its alignment with the India growth story, and it is my strong conviction that there is no other nation that is as well positioned as India, said Gautam Adani.

“The best evidence which showcased our confidence and belief in the future, is our investment of $70 billion in facilitating India’s green transition. We are already one of the world’s largest developers of solar power. Our strength in renewables will empower us enormously in the effort to make green hydrogen the fuel of the future. We are leading the race to turn India from a country over-reliant on import of oil and gas, to a country that might one day become a net exporter of clean energy.

“While we now hold a major global renewable energies portfolio, we have made also remarkable progress in several other industries over the past 12 months. In one stroke, we have become the largest airport operator in India.

“Around these airports that we operate today we are engaged in the adjacent businesses of developing

aero-tro-polises and creating localised community based economic centres. We continue to grow as builders of India’s infrastructure, winning some of the largest road contracts in the nation and growing our already substantial market share in business such as ports, logistics, transmission and distribution, city gas and piped natural gas.

“Our successful IPO of Adani Wilmar makes us the largest FMCG company in the country. And following the acquisition of Holcim’s assets in India that include two of the most recognised brand names across the country, ACC and Ambuja Cements, we are now the second largest cement manufacturer in India. This is a classic example of our adjacency based business model at work. In addition, we have also made entries in sectors ranging from data centres, digital super apps, and industrial clouds to defence and aerospace, metals, and materials, all aligned with the government’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he says.

Gautam Adani said the group’s rising market capitalisation has been supported by a robust and sustained growth in our cash flows.

“Our focus on operational excellence across our portfolio and the accretive capacity addition delivered an EBITDA growth of 26 per cemt.

Portfolio EBITDA stood at Rs 42,623 crore. This diversified growth was reflected across our range of businesses. Our utility portfolio grew by 26 per cent, our transport and logistics portfolio grew by 19 per cent, our FMCG portfolio grew by 34 per cent, and Adani Enterprises Limited, our incubator business, grew by 45 per cent. AEL’s unique business model has no parallel and we intend to leverage this further.”

The high growth of AEL provides the Group with a reliable foundation for the continued development of new businesses for yet another big decade.

“While we may look back and feel content, it is only now that we are gathering real momentum. What we have been able to achieve in two decades, is become India’s largest integrated infrastructure business based on a rapid extension into adjacent businesses. This has resulted in our transformation into an integrated ‘platform of platforms’ that combines an energy platform with a logistics platform, both of which help us with unprecedented access to the Indian consumer. I today know of no company that has such an unique business model with potential access to an unlimited B2B and B2C market for the next several decades,” Gautam Adani said.

Boeing forecasts demand for 2.1mn new commercial aviation personnel over 20 yrs Chicago, July 26 (IANS): US aerospace major Boeing’s 2022 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts demand for 2.1 million new aviation personnel over the next 20 years to safely support the recovery in commercial air travel and meet rising long-term growth.

The company said on Monday that the long-term forecast shows that 602,000 pilots, 610,000 maintenance technicians and 899,000 cabin crew members will be needed to support the global commercial fleet over the next two decades, reports Xinhua news agency.

The worldwide fleet is expected to nearly double and grows to 47,080 airplanes by 2041, according to Boeing’s recently released Commercial Market Outlook.

This year’s Pilot and Technician Outlook represents a 3.4 per cent increase from 2021.

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China, Europe and North America represent over half of the total new personnel demand.

The fastest growing regions are Africa, Southeast Asia and South Asia, with all three regions expected to grow more than 4 per cent over the forecast period.

“As the commercial aviation

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industry recovers from the pandemic and plans for long-term growth, we anticipate a steady and increasing demand for aviation personnel, as well as the ongoing need for highly effective training,” said Chris Broom, vice president of Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services.

14

BITCOIN UPDATES

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Tesla reveals $170 mn loss from Top crypto exchange Blockchain. com cuts 25% of its workforce $1.5 bn Bitcoin investment new subpoena from the SEC, related to Musk’s tweets about taking the company private in 2018.

The SEC had issued subpoenas to Tesla in connection with Musk’s prior statement that he was considering taking Tesla private.

“On November 16, 2021, and June 13, 2022, the SEC issued subpoenas to us seeking information on our governance processes around compliance with the SEC settlement, as amended,” the company informed.

San Francisco, July 25 (IANS): Elon Musk-run Tesla on Monday revealed it incurred $170 million loss from its Bitcoin investments in the first six months of the year.

Tesla revealed last week that it has sold 75 per cent of its Bitcoins, adding $936 million in cash to its balance sheet in the second quarter (Q2) this year, as it deals with economic meltdown amid cryptocurrencies falling off the cliff.

In a new filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tesla said that in the first quarter of 2021, it invested an aggregate $1.50 billion in Bitcoin.

“In the six month period ended June 30, 2022, we recorded $170 million of impairment losses resulting from changes to the carrying value of our bitcoin and gains of $64 million on certain conversions of bitcoin into fiat currency by us,” the electric car-maker revealed.

“As with any investment and consistent with how we manage fiat-based cash and cash-equivalent accounts, we may increase or decrease our holdings of digital assets at any time based on the needs of the business and our view of market and environmental conditions,” it added.

The carmaker also said it received a

In the Q2 earnings call with analysts, Musk said that the reason the company sold a bunch of its Bitcoin holdings “was that we were uncertain as to when the COVID lockdowns in China would alleviate”.

“So it was important for us to maximise our cash position, given the uncertainty of the COVID lockdowns in China. We are certainly open to increasing our Bitcoin holdings in future. So this should not be taken as some verdict on Bitcoin,” he noted.

Musk said that the company was concerned about overall liquidity for the company given shutdowns in China.

“And we have not sold any of our Dogecoin,” he added.

Chinese authorities grill Alibaba executives in data leak of 1 bn people

Hong Kong, July 16 (IANS): Rattled by the alleged data leak of nearly 1 billion residents, the Chinese authorities summoned executives and senior technicians from Alibaba Group, after the hacker claimed the data came from Alibaba server.

According to a report in Nikkei Asia, Alibaba executives were called by Shanghai police as the law enforcement agency suffered one of the biggest data breaches in history.

The hacker had claimed that the

Shanghai police data covering 1 billion Chinese citizens came from an Alibaba private cloud server.

The leaked data from the Shanghai National Police (SHGA) database was put up for sale on Dark Web for 10 Bitcoins earlier this month.

The data included names, addresses, identification numbers and mobile phone numbers. The size of the alleged hack has triggered serious concerns in China, at a time when state authorities are allegedly

collecting data from its citizens for social surveillance.

China Premier Li Keqiang last week stressed data security, calling on government bodies to “defend information security” after the incident.

According to South China Morning Post, the Premier said that Chinese government bodies must “defend information security to protect personal information, privacy and confidential corporate information”.

“China has 1.4 billion people. The seller claimed to include the data of 1 billion, and considering it was leaked from the police database, the quantity and quality of the data could be quite high,” said Zhao Xuan, a cybersecurity lawyer at Beijing Bairui Law Firm.

Those responsible for the leak and hacking could be charged under China’s criminal law.

“In 2022, the Shanghai National Police (SHGA) database was leaked.

This database contains many TB of data and information on Billions of Chinese citizens,” said the post by the user named ‘ChinaDan’ that also went viral on social media platforms.

Minecraft junks Blockchainbased NFTs on its platform have a safe and inclusive experience, Blockchain technologies will not be permitted to be integrated inside Minecraft’s client and server applications.

“Nor may Minecraft in-game content such as worlds, skins, persona items, or other mods, be utilised by Blockchain technology to create a scarce digital asset,” the company announced.

The company further said that NFTs and other Blockchain technologies creates digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which does not align with its values of creative inclusion and playing together.

New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Popular Microsoft-owned game Minecraft has announced not to support non-fungible tokens (NFTs), giving a shock to the Blockchain developer community.

like JPEGs.

An NFT is a unique, non-editable digital token that is part of a blockchain and often purchased with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

“The speculative pricing and investment mentality around NFTs takes the focus away from playing the game and encourages profiteering, which we think is inconsistent with the long-term joy and success of our players,” the company added.

An NFT can be associated with any form of digital asset such as an MPEG or a GIF, but the most common use case today is digital art

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“NFTs are not inclusive of all our community and create a scenario of the haves and the have-nots,” Minecraft said in a statement late on Wednesday.

To ensure that Minecraft players

“We are also concerned that some third-party NFTs may not be reliable and may end up costing players who buy them. Some third-party NFT implementations are also entirely dependent on Blockchain technology and may require an asset manager who might disappear without notice,” Minecraft warned.

There have also been instances where NFTs were sold at artificially or fraudulently inflated prices.

“We have no plans of implementing blockchain technology into Minecraft right now,” it added.

New Delhi, July 23 (IANS): Leading cryptocurrency exchange Blockchain.com has laid off 25 per cent of its workforce, nearly 150 employees, amid the global economic meltdown.

The digital assets trading firm said it will shut its Argentina-based offices and halt its expansion plans globally, reports CoinDesk.

Severance benefits ranging from four weeks to 12 weeks will be offered to those who are laid off, said the crypto platform.

The company, which recently disclosed a $270 million shortfall from lending from now-bankrupt hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, said the decision to cut the workforce is taken amid “harsh bear market conditions and the need to absorb financial losses”.

Nearly 44 per cent of the sacked employees are in Argentina, 26 per cent in the US, 16 per cent in the UK and the rest in other countries.

Blockchain.com is also downsizing its institutional lending business, halting all mergers and acquisitions and placing a pause on efforts to expand gaming and non-fungible

token (NFT) marketplace.

20 per cent of its total employees.

Several crypto exchanges and lending platforms have downsized their workforce in recent months.

Cryptocurrency lending company Celsius Network, that recently laid off 150 employees, has filed for bankruptcy in the US amid extreme market conditions.

After terminating nearly 10 per cent of staff some time back owing to “turbulent market conditions’”, crypto exchange Gemini earlier this week laid off more employees in the second round of layoffs.

Gemini is likely to lay off more employees in the next rounds.

Last week, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace OpenSea’s co-founder and CEO Devin Finzer announced that the platform is laying off about

The bankruptcy came as popular crypto tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum nosedived by nearly 70 per cent from their record highs amid the economic meltdown.

Last month, cryptocurrency exchange Vauld, which has frozen all activities on its platform, decided to reduce its headcount by about 30 per cent.

US Senators want crypto miners to share emission, energy use data San Francisco, July 17 (IANS): US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and other Democrat leaders have asked the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy in the US to crack down on crypto mining.

They urged the authorities to ask crypto miners to provide data on emissions and energy use.

Mining operations for Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market cap, are increasingly moving onshore, with the United States’ share of global mining increasing from 4 per cent in August 2019 to nearly 38 per cent in January this year.

The networks of Bitcoin and many other tokens are secured through a “proof of work” algorithm, which involves “miners” using highly-specialised and power-intensive computers known as “mining rigs” to verify transactions by solving a mathematical puzzle, with the

winning miner being rewarded in new tokens.

“Cryptomining facilities’ energy consumption is also causing significant increases in energy costs for many small businesses and residents, the Senators wrote.

They said that the results of their investigation, which gathered data from just seven companies, are disturbing.

“Crypto miners are large energy users that account for a significant -- and rapidly growing -- amount of carbon emissions. Our investigation suggests that the overall US cryptomining industry is likely to be problematic for energy and emissions,” said Warren.

It is imperative that your agencies work together to address the lack of information about cryptomining’s energy use and environmental impacts, and use all available authorities at your disposal,” she

added.

The Senators asked the authorities to provide them with a staff-level briefing on this matter by no later than August 15.

Tesla sold 75% of its Bitcoin, Musk says Dogecoin still with him New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Tesla has sold 75 per cent of its Bitcoins, adding $936 million in cash to its balance sheet in the second quarter (Q2) this year, as it deals with economic meltdown amid cryptocurrencies falling off the cliff.

Last year, Tesla made a $1.5 billion investment in Bitcoin and announced that it would accept Bitcoin as payment.

In the second-quarter (Q2) earnings call with analysts, Tesla Ceo Elon Musk said that the reason the company sold a bunch of its Bitcoin holdings “was that we were uncertain as to when the COVID lockdowns in China would alleviate”.

“So it was important for us to maximise our cash position, given the uncertainty of the COVID lockdowns in China. We are certainly open to increasing our Bitcoin holdings in future. So this should not be taken as some verdict on Bitcoin,” he noted.

Musk said that the company was concerned about overall liquidity for the company given shutdowns in China.

“And we have not sold any of our Dogecoin,” he added.

Zachary Kirkhorn, Chief Financial Officer at Tesla, said the company converted a majority of Bitcoin holdings to Fiat for a realised gain, “offset by impairment charges on the remainder of our holdings, netting a $106 million cost to the P&L included within restructuring and other”.

After less than two months of going bullish on Bitcoin, Tesla applied

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brakes on the popular cryptocurrency as a payment mode to buy its electric vehicles, citing environmental harm.

Musk then said that the electric car maker will not sell any Bitcoin and intends to use them for transactions as soon as mining moves to more sustainable energy.

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15

POLITICS

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Rahul Gandhi detained by Delhi Police PM wishes President Droupadi Murmu a fruitful presidential tenure New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Tuesday detained by the Delhi Police after he sat in protest with other parliamentarians against the Central government in between Parliament house and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Nitish Kumar tests positive for Corona New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday wished President Droupadi Murmu a fruitful tenure and said that her assumption of office is a watershed moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden.

In a series of tweets, Modi said: “The entire nation watched with

pride as Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji took oath as the President of India.

Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. I wish her the very best for a fruitful Presidential tenure.

“In her address after taking oath, President Droupadi Murmu Ji gave

a message of hope and compassion. She emphasised on India’s accomplishments and presented a futuristic vision of the path ahead at a time when India is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.”

Murmu took oath earlier in the day as the 15th President of India.

Tamil Nadu CM congratulates President Droupadi Murmu nation would stand to benefit from your services as the President of this great country and I wish you all the best.”

The Chief Minister also sent a letter to the outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind.

“I write this to congratulate you on the successful completion of your term as the President of India. On this occasion, I wish to recall your gesture of accepting my invitation to grace the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly in August 2021.

Chennai, July 25 (IANS): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday greeted Droupadi Murmu as she assumed office as the 15th President of the country, saying that her election “conveys the nation’s trust in democracy”.

In his letter to the President, Stalin said: “I wish to congratulate you on your election as the President of India. Your election conveys and strengthens nation’s trust in democracy and in the principle of inclusiveness. I am sure that the

“I take this opportunity to thank you all for the support you have extended for the state as the President of the country. I am sure that the country would continue to benefit from your rich experience and I wish you good health and peace,” Stalin added.

Patna, July 26 (IANS): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has tested positive for Corona, an official said on Tuesday.

Kumar, who has been unwell for the past four days, is on bed rest.

His report came positive on Monday evening.

The cabinet meeting which was scheduled on Tuesday has been cancelled.

On Monday, the chief minister skipped the swearing-in ceremony of President Droupadi Murmu. It led to a huge speculation in the political circles of the state with analysts concluing that the relationship between BJP and JD-U has run into

not a big issue. People should stop giving so much attention to it,” he said.

I will not spare my own minister if found guilty: Mamata Kolkata, July 25 (IANS): After the top leaders of Trinamool Congress distanced themselseves from state minister Partha Chatterjee following the latter’s arrest by the ED in connection with the teacher recruitment scam, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday made it clear that the onus of the scam lies with Chatterjee and his close associate Arpita Mukherjee.

a viral video, where she could be seen sharing the dais with Arpita Mukherjee during the inauguration ceremony of a Durga Puja.

Breaking her silence on the issue during a state government event to felicitate acclaimed persons from different fields, Banerjee said, “Supporting corruption is neither my passion nor my habit. I cannot say that everyone is innocent. I want to clearly say that the money recovered from the residence of a woman (Arpita Mukherjee in this case) has no connection either with the Trinamool or the state government.

The Chief Minister’s attempts to disown Chatterjee became evident when she blamed a section of the media for allegedly linking her and Trinamool Congress with the cash recovery from Mukherjee’s residence.

“If anyone is found guilty, let him be imprisoned for life. But I am saddened by the way my name is being dragged into the issue of recovery of cash. I will not tolerate such false propaganda any more.”

The Chief Minister also referred to

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rough weather.

Justifying Nitish Kumar’s absence, JD-U parliamentary board president Upendra Kushwaha said that the chief minister could not make it to Delhi for the ceremony as he had loads of work to finish.

He also claimed that it is not necessary for Nitish Kumar to go to every event.

“JD-U had supported Draupadi Murmu in the presidential poll.

When Draupadi Murmu came to Patna for the election campaign, Nitish Kumar announced his party’s support to her. Going to an oath ceremony is just a formality. It is not necessary to go to every event. It is

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“I go for inauguration of many pujas.

How am I supposed to know whom the organisers have invited? How could I know that she was Partha’s friend? I do not spare even my partymen if they are at fault. I do not and will not spare my own minister if found guilty,” Banerjee said.

“Why are you all dragging me and the Trinamool Congress in this issue? You should write against the person who is responsible for these irregularities. Stop dragging me into the matter,” Banerjee said.

Meanwhile, party insiders said the Chief Minister is miffed about the entire incident, especially after it was revealed that ED’s arrest memo for Chatterjee had her name and

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phone number in it as the contact person.

Reacting to Banerjee’s comments, the leader of opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said the Chief Minister is trying to save her own skin by putting the entire onus on Chatterjee.

“She (Banerjee) is claiming that she was not aware that Arpita Mukherjee was Partha Chatterjee’s friend. But in that same programme, she could be heard praising Mukherjee and even referring to her fluency in Odia language. What is the Chief Minister trying to prove,” Adhikari asked.

16

HEALTH

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Monkeypox may not be limited to gay, bisexual men, can spread to others: WHO

Washington, July 26 (IANS): Monkeypox infections may not be limited among men who have sex with men, as seen currently, but may spread beyond the community, a World Health Organization (WHO) official has warned.

Men who have sex with men are currently deemed at highest risk of infection. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine last week, which looked at infections across 16 countries between April and June, found that 98 per cent of cases were in gay or bisexual men.

According to Dr. Catherine Smallwood, senior emergency officer at the WHO, there is little evidence to suggest that the disease will remain confined to gay and bisexual communities, NBC

reported.

More severe cases could become apparent if the virus spreads to more immunologically vulnerable groups like young children, pregnant women and the immunocompromised, Smallwood was quoted as saying.

She cautioned against complacency in the rapidly escalating monkeypox outbreak, which has so far caused more than 16,000 cases in about 75 countries and five deaths in Africa.

“At the moment, cases continue to be reported among men who have sex with men for the most part, but we should not expect that to remain as such,” Smallwood said.

“If it does spread to other groups, particularly to people who are vulnerable to severe monkeypox disease, which we know there are certain groups that are more prone to severe illness, then we might see increased public health impact,” she added.

It is not uncommon for a virus outbreak to start in one particular group or setting before spreading more widely in the general population,

Smallwood said, noting that health authorities could take cues from the early findings.

“This really might be the canary in the mine that’s alerting us to a new disease threat that could spread to other groups,” she continued.

While several countries have already stepped up vaccination programmes for people most at risk, the vaccines are designed primarily for treating smallpox, said Smallwood adding more information is needed to determine their efficacy as the monkeypox virus continues to spread.

“We don’t have full information on how effective and how efficacious these vaccines are against monkeypox,” she said.

The WHO has activated its highest alert level for the escalating outbreak, declaring the virus a public health emergency of international concern.

This would now draw more attention to the outbreak and, as a consequence, research on vaccines and other modes of treatment, Smallwood said.

Explained: What is monkeypox, how does it spread, how to avoid New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): Monkeypox virus, that has crossed over 16,000 cases worldwide, is now a declared public health emergency of international concern like Covid and polio.

Four cases of the infectious disease have also been confirmed in India, including New Delhi.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease, related to smallpox and cowpox.

The virus generally causes pimples or blister-like lesions and flu-like symptoms such as fever.

The lesions typically concentrate on the arms and legs, but in the latest outbreak, they’re showing up more frequently on the genital and perianal area.

It is transmitted from infected animals to humans via indirect or direct contact.

Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or lesions, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, and respiratory droplets.

Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics and clothing that have infectious skin particles.

Touching objects that have been contaminated by monkeypox

lesions or fluids may also increase the risk of spreading.

“We should all know about the transmission root of this virus. It spreads by close contact, skin to skin contact and droplet infection.

So, we have to be careful about all these factors,” Dr Satish Koul, Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, said.

The disease has also been reported among three children -- two in the US and one in the Netherlands.

Monkeypox, even though is not a sexually transmitted disease, in the latest outbreak, it has mostly been spreading among men who have sex with men, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

“We do have seen now two cases that have occurred in children. Both of those children are traced back to individuals who come from the men who have sex with men community, the gay men community,” Walensky was quoted as saying in an interview with the Washington Post.

Monkeypox is usually considered mild and most people recover within four weeks without treatment.

However, the disease is frequently uncomfortable or painful, and can

sometimes lead to complications that require close medical follow-up.

If one has “fever after travelling recently, or you have come in contact with somebody who has manifested symptoms of monkeypox, you should immediately seek consultations from your physician.

As of now, prevention is the cure,” Koul said.

According to Dr Manisha Arora, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, avoid coming in contact with an ill person.

The primary measures to control the outbreak are contact tracing and isolation.

It is also important that people confirmed with monkeypox disclose their contacts so they can be alerted to monitor for symptoms.

“Always wash hands properly and use an effective alcohol-based sanitiser. Never avoid using masks,” Arora said.

Understaffing concern escalates in Australian hospitals as Covid outbreak accelerates

Sydney, July 18 (IANS): Covid outbreak has been accelerating in Australia’s most populous states, escalating understaffing issues in the hospital system.

On Monday, nurses in two major hospitals in Sydney walked off the job to highlight their low staffing levels, as emergency departments were overcrowded by Covid patients and non-Covid patients over long periods, which has caused “chronic understaffing”.

The state of New South Wales (NSW) recorded 9,761 new Covid cases and five deaths in the 24 hours to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. There were 2,169

people in hospital with the virus with 64 in intensive care, Xinhua news agency reported.

A spokesman for NSW Health told local media that there were 2,719 health workers in isolation across the state. During the peak of the outbreak in January, more than 6,000 staff were forced to isolate on a single day.

The state of Victoria is also battling rising Covid hospitalisations with hospital staff shortages. The Victorian government is urgently hiring about 400 additional specialist staff at 12 major hospitals.

The additional staff will be

responsible for assessing patients and discharge coordinators to focus on the timely transition of care from the ward to home or another health facility.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the plan will help lower the pressure in emergency departments and will ensure Victorians get the care they need faster, though recruiting the staff will not be easy and could take a couple of months.

“Since June 22, Victoria has experienced a 99-percent rise in people in hospital with Covid, a 60-per cent increase in Covid-related ICU admissions and a 47 per cent spike in workforce furloughs,” said a statement from the Victorian government last Sunday.

Meanwhile, another Covid-hit cruise ship was reported in the country, the second such vessel in less than a week. It was docked in Sydney on Monday morning and will head to Moreton Island in the state of Queensland.

The Pacific Explorer, which has about 2,800 crew and passengers on board, carried more than 100 Covidpositive people. Infected passengers will be transported to their homes or hotel accommodations for isolation, but the NSW health department said there would be no supervision for the isolation, according to the Daily Telegraph.

10 Yoga Asanas that can be Easily Done at Your Desk

By Dr Rajeev Rajesh July 17, 2022 (IANSlife): It should come as no surprise that spending 8-9 hours a day sitting at a desk can be harmful to your health. Sitting at your desk for long periods of time can put a lot of strain and pressure on your lumbar spine, shorten your hips and chest, and overstretch your upper to mid-back, resulting in shoulder, lower back, and neck pain.

However, even if you are unable to attend a yoga class or establish a home routine, there are various yoga poses you can practise at your desk to alleviate such issues and instil a sense of calm and inner

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peace. A few minutes of daily practise can do wonders for your body and mind. So, here are 10 yoga poses that you can do at your desk.

Chair Pigeon Pose How to do: Keep your feet flat on the floor while sitting on your chair At a 90-degree angle, cross your left foot over the right Maintain equal weight while sitting on the chair You will feel a slight stretch on the outer part of your left thigh Stay in this position for 10-15 seconds and repeat on the other leg

Benefits: This pose stretches the hip flexor muscles and glutes and supports mobility and flexibility.

Desk Chaturanga How to do: Keep your hands at a shoulder width distance on the edge of the desk Keep your feet back so that your torso is diagonal to the floor Inhale and bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle While exhaling, press the chest back to the initial position Repeat it 10-12 times Benefits: The pose rejuvenates the muscles of the arms and relaxes the neck Chair Lower Back Stretch How to do: While sitting on your chair, keep your legs hip-distance apart Bend forward by dropping your head and allow your body to relax Keep breathing normally and stay in this position for a few minutes Benefits: It reduces tension in the muscles that support the spine and improves overall mobility.

Seated Crescent Moon How to do: Sit on your chair in a comfortable position

Slowly lift your arms overhead and connect the palms Gently lean on one side and stay in the position for 3-4 breaths Repeat the same on the other side Benefits: It stretches the sides, lengthens the spine and allows you to return to work with better focus.

Sit and Stand Chair Pose How to do: Sit on your chair and keep the feet flat on the floor Press on your heels and using the glutes and legs only lift yourself to the standing position Gently sit back down again and repeat the process 10 times You should not lean forward while practising the pose Benefits: This pose can strengthen the hamstring and glute muscles that become weak over time from long periods of sitting.

Yoga Upward Dog How to do: Stand in a similar position as the desk chaturanga pose Keeping your arms straight, lean the hips towards the desk and open the chest Keep the legs straight and hold the position for 1 minute

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Gently exhale and release Benefits: It lengthens the spine, opens up the chest and improves overall posture.

Finger and Wrist Stretch How to do: Extend your arms overhead and make 5 to 10 circles outward and inward through the wrists Now release your hands, spread the fingers and close the fists Repeat it 5-10 times Now place the hands on the desk with the palms upwards and fingers pointing towards you Put gentle pressure to counter-stretch the forearms and wrists.

Benefits: It helps release tension in the tendons and muscles of the fingers and increases blood flow to these areas.

Seated Twist How to do: While sitting on your chair, place your hands on the back of your chair Slowly twist your abdomen and chest to one side Hold the position for 5-10 breaths and repeat on the other side Benefits: It massages the abdomen and lengthens the spine.

Blinking

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How to do: Sit with your eyes wide open Blink your eyes 10 times quickly Then close your eyes and focus on your breath for 20 seconds Repeat the process 5-6 times Benefits: This asana lubricates and cleans the eyes by spreading the tears over the eyes’ outer surface.

(Dr Rajeev Rajesh, Chief Yoga Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute) Palming How to do: Sit quietly in your chair and take some deep breaths Rub your palms and place them over the eyelids Feel the warmth and relax your eyes Keeping your eyes closed repeat the process again Do it 6-7 times Benefits: The warmth of the hands relaxes the muscles around the eyes and attracts more blood flow.

While a desk job can be taxing on your body, performing these exercises on a regular basis can promote flexibility, increase blood flow, and relax the body’s various muscles.

So, keep practising and living a healthier, more fulfilling life.

17

SPORTS

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Axar Patel blitz guides India to two-wicket win against West Indies; clinch ODI series

Port of Spain (Trinidad), July 25 (IANS): India overhauled a massive West Indies total to win the second One-day International at Queen’s Park Oval by two wickets with a smashing unbeaten 64 from Axar Patel at the back end helping the visitors to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series here.

Chasing a mammoth 312 for victory in a 50-over game is always an uphill task and India were in a sport of bother when they required 100 from the last 10 overs with Axar Patel and Deepak Hooda at the crease and just five wickets remaining on Sunday night (IST).

But the two combined patience with pluck and found the boundaries when needed to chase down the target with just two balls remaining.

With Hooda departing for 33 in the 45th over, it was left to Patel to complete the task as the all-rounder hit five sixes and three boundaries

in his 35-ball 64 to complete the job.

Earlier Shai Hope’s century and Kyle Mayers’ quick-fire 39 had given the hosts a confident start after they won the toss and opted to bat first.

Mayers was the more aggressive of the two openers as the left-hander found gaps in the field to fetch boundaries at ease. He raced to 39 off 22 balls when India brought in Hooda, the part-time off-spinner, to bowl at Mayers.

In nine overs, West Indies had already crossed 65 with Mayers on 39 when Hooda came into the attack.

He sent back Mayers first ball with an off break that the left-hander could only chip back to the bowler.

India’s pace battery looked ineffective early on with Avesh Khan, making his ODI debut, going for 36 runs in his first three overs. He finished with 64 runs conceded in nine overs and went wicketless in a

forgettable ODI debut.

Hope smashed a hundred in his 100th ODI to join a select list of players in Port of Spain, according to ICC. The hundred, his 13th in the format, came with a massive six off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 45th over of the innings and the West Indian opener celebrated it with another big hit for six off the next ball.

Chahal went for runs on a day when India’s other spinners, Hooda and Axar, kept a leash on the scoring rate. Hope was initially slow to start off but brought up his fifty off 69 balls in the 21st over with a six. India, however, struck in quick succession after that with the wickets of Shamarh Brooks and Brandon King off back-to-back overs from Axar Patel and Chahal.

Hope, however, found an partner in Nicholas Pooran and the duo put on a brilliant stand worth 117 runs with Pooran taking the initiative on to take the attack to the Indian bowlers.

Hope continued to build on his solid start and completed his landmark hundred late in the innings. Pooran would go on make a half-century, but before the expected big acceleration in the death overs, Shardul Thakur bowled him around his legs.

Brief scores: West Indies 311/6 in 50 overs (Shai Hope 115, Kyle Mayers 39, Shamarh Brooks 35, Nicholas Pooran 74; Shardul Thakur 3/54) lost to India 312/8 in 49.4 overs (Shubman Gill 43, Shreyas Iyer 63, Sanju Samson 54, Deepak Hooda 33, Axar Patel 64 not out; Alzarri Joseph 2/46, Kyle Mayers 2/48) by two wickets.

CWG 2022: All eyes on Sindhu and Srikanth as India look to dominate badminton competitions Malaysia, South Africa, Jamaica and Zambia, who came in place of Nigeria who pulled out after the draw was made a few weeks back.

The top two teams after the preliminary round matches will qualify for the knockout quarterfinals.

Birmingham, July 28 (IANS): Two days before the Indian women’s T20 cricket team meets archrivals Pakistan in a preliminary league match in the cricket competition in the Commonwealth Games, the two countries were scheduled to meet in another sport that is unlikely to create much buzz.

But the preliminary round match may not go ahead as there are reports that Pakistan may not send their team because of the team’s inability to win a medal. Even if the team takes the court in the Mixed Team competition their clash with India is unlikely to create much buzz because the two teams come from the opposite ends of the spectrum.

India, who emerged as the most successful team in Gold Coast with six medals -- the same as England who had a silver medal less, are the defending champion in the Mixed Team competition having won the

title four years back in Gold Coast ahead of Malaysia. They have in their ranks stars like former World No 1 and ex-World Champion PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medallist, Kidambi Srikanth, silver medallist in the World Championship in December 2021 and Lakshya Sen, bronze medallist in the World Championship who had made a brilliant start to the year by winning the India Open and finishing runner-up in the All-England Championship here.

In the men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are ranked eighth in the World.

Besides Pakistan, the other teams in Group 1 are Australia and Sri Lanka in the four-team preliminary round. The other three groups in the 16-team competition are: Group 2 -hosts England, Singapore, Mauritius and Barbados; Group 3 -- Canada, Scotland, Maldives and Uganda while Group 4 will have second seed

India and Malaysia are likely to contest for the gold medal if things go as per the seedings. However, Indian players like Srikanth and Lakshya have had indifferent results in BWF tournaments in the buildup for the Commonwealth Games, and therefore the team management is likely to put them up in the first few matches to help them warm up for the tougher encounters later in the competition.

India are the world champion in men’s team competition having won their maiden Thomas Cup title a few months back and Sindhu is also in top form and won the Singapore Open earlier this month.

She will be the favourite for the singles title while in men’s singles, Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the reigning World Champion, and Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia are ranked higher than the Indian players and will be the favourite for the title.

In the 2018 edition, Sindhu and Saina Nehwal contested the women’s singles final with Saina winning the gold. This time around Sindhu looks the best suited to win the women’s title as World No 7.

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra ruled out of Commonwealth Games due to groin injury New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): The strong Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham suffered a massive setback as star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, fresh from his silver medal-winning performance at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene (US), has been ruled from the quadrennial showpiece due to a groin injury.

Speaking to IANS, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general Rajiv Mehta said, Chopra had been advised rest for a month by doctors after an MRI showed an injury in his groin.

Neeraj Chopra was a strong contender for the title at the Commonwealth Games as he had won gold at the 2018 Games at Gold Coast.

www.indianabroad.news

IOA, Sports ministry take note of boxer Lovlina Borgohain’s angry tweet New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): The Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) were quick to take note of the allegations made by Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist boxer Lovlina Borgohain against the authorities for derailing her preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

Responding to Lovlina’s tweet, the IOA said in a statement that it has taken cognizance of the concern raised by team India boxer Lovlina on social media regarding her coach Sandhya Gurung’s accreditation at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“The matter of Ms. Gurung’s accreditation was a late request received following the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee’s Delegation Registration Meeting with the national delegations. However, given the 1OA places the convenience of the Indian athletes at the highest level, a special request has been made to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on a priority basis to provide Ms. Gurung with the requisite accreditation,” the IOA said in a release.

Earlier, the sports ministry had directed the IOA to arrange the accreditation for Lovlina’s coach Sandhya Gurung.

“We have urged the Indian Olympic Association to immediately arrange for the accreditation of the coach of Lovlina Borgohain,” the tweet read.

The Indian boxing squad arrived at the Games Village in Birmingham on Sunday night, following a 15-day training camp in Ireland.

However, Lovlina’s personal coach

Sandhya Gurung was not allowed entry after she failed to produce an accreditation. Lovlina then took to Twitter and shared her plight in a long post.

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has also issued a statement on Monday, saying that the federation is trying to give her all kinds of support.

The BFI said that the federation is closely working with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) so that Sandhya Gurung, coach of Lovlina Lovlina Borgohain, could be a part of the team in Birmingham.

“Only 33 per cent of the playing contingent is allowed as ‘Support Staff’ which in BFI’s case for the 12 boxers (8 men and 4 women) stands to be 4 support staff, (including coaches) who were to travel with the

Team to Burmingham,” BFI said in a release.

“The Boxing Federation of India ensured that Sandhya Gurung was at the training camp in Ireland. BFI is closely working with IOA so that Sandhya Gurung could be a part of the team in Birmingham. In the meanwhile, delegate transport and accommodation at ETO’s hotel has been already provided to her.”

“The requirements of boxing with respect to coaches and support staff is a little different as there are multiple bouts, which could be one after another. The IOA understood BFI’s point of view and therefore, extended help with maximum possible additional support staff. With IOA’s help the number of support staff went up from 4 to 8 for the entire contingent of 12 boxers,” BFI said.

Rain frustrates Australia for second time in T20I Tri-Nation series vs Pakistan Bready (Ireland), July 24 (IANS) Rain once again frustrated Australia batters as they looked to be cruising along nicely against Pakistan in a Tri-Nation Women’s T20I series match, after the bowlers had restricted the opponents to a meagre 94/8 in the allotted 20 overs.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof gave some respectability to the total with an unbeaten 32 off 39 deliveries even as Jess Jonassen’s 4/17 in her four overs rattled the opponents.

Australia were in a dominant position at 28 without loss in 4.2 overs, but a downpour ended the proceedings when just four balls were required for a result -- a minimum of five overs constitute a match.

This is the second time in the series that the Australia-Pakistan match has bene abandoned. Earlier in the opening game of the Tri-series, Pakistan had been reduced to 56/6 before a steady downpour forced the match to be called off.

A victory for Australia would have

sealed a Tri-series win, but now the outcome of the tournament will be decided in Sunday’s final game between Ireland and Pakistan, with Australia currently two points clear on top of the table.

A win for Pakistan over Ireland will draw them level on points, but given Australia’s better net run rate (NRR) (3.23 to 0.929), Pakistan would need

to pull off something special to leap ahead of Meg Lanning’s side, according to cricket.com.au.

Brief scores: Pakistan Women 94/8 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 32 not out; Jess Jonassen 4/17) vs Australia Women 28 for no loss in 4.2 overs (Beth Mooney 11 not out, Alyssa Healy 12 not out). Match abandoned.

2022 Commonwealth Games going to be something completely unique: Jess Jonassen Belfast, July 24 (IANS): With women’s T20 cricket set to make its debut in the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games at Birmingham, Australia’s left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen feels that the multi-nation event is going to be a completely unique experience.

Australia enter the competition as 20-over and 50-over World Cup winners and are tipped to clinch the gold medal. The women’s team, led by Meg Lanning, are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and Barbados. They will kick off the competition against India on July 29 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

“It’s going to be something completely unique. But I think the fact that we’ve been to World Cups and been right through to the business end of those will hopefully in terms of every game being almost a knockout. You’ve got so few games, but then to try and make sure you’re in those metal matches is probably the ultimate goal,” Jess was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

/IndianAbroadNews

Jess felt that adapting quickly to the conditions at Edgbaston will be the key for Australia to have a chance of winning the gold medal. “Obviously, you want to win gold, but there’s still a lot of cricket to go before you get there. I think it’s going to be completely different and it’s something that we haven’t experienced before.

But for us, our team is really good at adapting and we’re making sure that’s the way we approach this campaign. It’s really exciting times.”

Australia will reach Belfast by bus, leaving Bready after their tri-series match against Pakistan was washed off due to rain and fly to Birmingham, where they will be housed alongside the men’s beach volleyball team in the Games Village.

They will use Monday and Tuesday to adjust to the Games environment before kick starting their training on Wednesday.

“I think once we’re in the village, we’ll be like little school girls. We’ll be pretty excited for a little while, then it’ll be down to business and

/indianabroadnews

getting back to what we’re used to doing, training and playing.”

“We were hoping that the first game would be a night game, so we’d be able to easily go to the opening ceremony (on Wednesday night).

But I think that’s up in the air at the moment whether we go or whether we don’t. But the ultimate goal is to make sure we’re ready to go and ready to perform our skills come that first game against India,” concluded Jess.

18

SPORTS

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

International Boxing Day to celebrate Rajinikanth, Vishal wish participants courage, fairness, diversity of boxing of Chennai Chess Olympiad

Lausanne, Switzerland, July 28 (IANS): The one-month countdown to the International Boxing Day (IBD) has begun, with the celebration taking place on August 27 worldwide. Courage, fairness and diversity of boxing will be the main values of the celebration this year.

As it is currently the ‘Year of Africa’, the central celebration will take place on the continent on August 27.

National Federations all around the world are encouraged to organise their celebrations on-site with various activities, including training and master classes, communication between young boxers and champions as well as social initiatives.

“The more people that are involved in boxing, the better for the development of our sport,” IBA president Umar Kremlev said.

“I sincerely welcome everybody to

www.indianabroad.news

try boxing. You might never become a top-level athlete, you may even not have a real fight in the ring, it does not matter. What really matters is that boxing will give you as much as it gives to everyone involved: courage, strength, competitive spirit, self-confidence and much more. From our side, we are about ensuring the fairness of boxing, its diversity and equality to give everybody a fair chance.”

“IBA is the home of boxing for everyone involved in the sport. I would like to remind everyone that boxing is a universal sport with equal opportunities. It challenges you and brings you joy and the satisfaction of overcoming yourself. People do not need much to practice boxing, it is accessible in every corner of the world,” he added.

The International Boxing Day was originated by Kremlev in 2017 and

transformed from a national celebration to an international one. In two years, the IBD was recognised by the Executive Committee as the International Boxing Association’s official celebration, originally held on July 22.

In 2021, the International Boxing Day was rescheduled to August 27 to celebrate it within the dates of the first AIBA World Boxing Championships which took place in 1974 in Havana, Cuba.

The IBD unites all those who love boxing no matter of their age, sex, nationality, race, skin colour, beliefs etc. International Boxing Day is a global celebration of the sport of boxing in all its forms for all athletes, coaches, officials, managers, and fans. The IBD is called to unite and celebrate the sport together, it is high time people showed their love and dedication to boxing.

Chennai, July 28 (IANS): Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and actor Vishal were among those who wished the participants of the Chess Olympiad 2022, which kickstarts in the city on Friday.

Taking to Twitter, Rajinikanth shared an old picture of him playing chess and said: “#ChessOlympiad2022 An indoor game I love the most Wishing all the chess minds the very best .. God bless.”

In fact, Rajinikanth had only recently met young Indian Grand Master Praggnanandhaa and his family.

The young chess player had shared pictures of their meeting and had said: “A day to remember!!! Met Rajinikanth uncle today with my family! Inspired by his humbleness despite reaching great heights!”

Actor Vishal too took to Twitter to greet and wish those participating in the Chess Olympiad that is

happening in Chennai until August 10.

Vishal said: “Wishing the very best to Team India and all the other participants of the Chennai Chess Olympiad 2022. Congrats to CM Stalin Sir and the Tamil Nadu government.”

This is the first time that participants from over a 188 countries will be participating in a chess Olympiad in India.

Continued from Page 1

Foot-and-mouth disease: Govt orders checking of parcels; border with Indonesia to remain open for now Talking to 2GB Radio as reported

by Guardian Australia Dutton said, “I believe the borders should be closed, absent the information the government’s got.” “If there’s an argument why the border shouldn’t be closed, that’s for the prime minister to make. If he’s got a reason, then let him explain it,” Dutton added.

Guardian Australia reported that

/IndianAbroadNews

Dutton had asked Anthony Albanese to himself “take the lead, not the hapless [agriculture] minister in Murray Watt, the most junior minister, who I don’t think instills anyone with confidence”.

Unlike Covid-19, the FMD is not dangerous to humans. But its detection could force the widespread destruction of livestock.

/indianabroadnews

However, the Nationals leader, David Littleproud, and the shadow employment minister, Michaelia Cash, do not seem to agree with Dutton’s views on this issue. Talking to reporters in Canberra Cash said it was for Labor to take the decision whether to close the border.

19

FASHION

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Sabyasachi’s Couture Show 2022 Extravagant, glamorous, and decadent!

S

abyasachi was the fist Indian designer to showcase his couture collection on social media, this was years before the pandemic. Since then, the designer continues to do so each time he releases a new line of clothing, accessories or jewellery, avoiding a physical showcase at any fashion event in the country.

This season, North Calcutta’s

crumbling grand mansions, venetian chandeliers, and tarnished silverware played muse and backdrop for the designer’s couture showing launched on the 14th of the month. The collection and the showcase featured an intense integrity beneath the patina of age bit in design and style.

gold, and withering grey hand-dyed colour palette. Layering silk, wool, velvet, and tulle creates a textured depth. Handcrafted old-world zardozi, printed vintage florals, and artisanal embroidery add drama.

Sabyasachi’s Couture 2022 honours the timeless elegance of nonchalant glamour.

slightly dark. It comes from the very private chambers of the mind,” says the designer.

“Fading sunlight through dusty chandeliers—the old palaces of Calcutta are mesmerising. Smoky colours with glints of gold and silver that carries the veneer of the timeless.”

But as you walk through its narrow and overcrowded alleyways, they stand with an inherent dignity through their battle with time.

Maybe it’s the sobriety of experience or the wisdom of the ages—but they remain silently imposing and mysteriously beautiful,” states. the artiste.

Strong, sophisticated, and self-assured. A brooding silver, dusty

“The glamour of Calcutta. I can’t put a finger on it… it’s almost sexual and

“The old homes of North Calcutta might be decrepit and crumbling.

Here’s a look at what the designer presented:

A

tulle kurta embroidered with bevel beads, hand cut sequins and trimmed with hand dyed wool and an embroidered tulle dupatta. Paired with the Bengal Tiger Medallion drop earrings from Sabyasachi Fine Jewellery and the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière by Sabyasachi Accessories.

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hand dyed tulle lehenga embroidered with sequins, bevel beads and crystals with an embroidered tulle dupatta made for a perfect cocktail ensemble. The sleeves were detailed with bevel beads, hand cut sequins and trimmed with hand dyed wool.

A

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hand dyed portrait gown layered with embroidered tulle and embellished with bevel beads, and sequins. Paired with diamond

earrings from Sabyasachi Fine jewellery and the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière by Sabyasachi Accessories.

hand dyed tulle sari embellished with bevel beads, semi-precious stones, crystals and sequins with an embroidered sequin blouse and jacket. Paired with statement jewellery from Sabyasachi High

Jewellery’s Tropic of Calcutta and Heritage Collection and the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière

by Sabyasachi Accessories.

A

hand dyed tulle lehenga embroidered with sequins and semi-precious stones. Paired with the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière by Sabyasachi Accessories.

A

hand dyed portrait gown layered with embroidered tulle.

The sleeves are embellished with bevel beads, hand cut sequins and trimmed with hand dyed wool.

Paired with statement jewellery from Sabyasachi High Jewellery’s Heritage Collection and the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière

by Sabyasachi Accessories.

A

hand dyed layered tulle kurta embroidered with sequins.

With a hand embroidered sharara and dupatta. Paired with statement jewellery from Sabyasachi High Jewellery’s Tropic of Calcutta and Heritage Collection.

A

tulle portrait gown embroidered with hand dyed silk velvet appliqué, sequins and crystals.

Layered over a printed velvet slip.

Paired with statement jewellery from Sabyasachi High Jewellery’s Tropic of Calcutta and Heritage Collection and the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière by Sabyasachi Accessories. www.indianabroad.news

A

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hand dyed lehenga embroidered with sequins and an embroidered tulle veil. Paired with

statement jewellery from Sabyasachi High Jewellery’s Heritage Collection.

A

hand dyed tulle sari embroidered with sequins and semi-precious stones. Paired

/IndianAbroadNews

with diamond drop earrings from Sabyasachi Fine Jewellery.

/indianabroadnews

hand dyed tulle portrait gown embroidered with bevel beads, hand cut sequins and trimmed with hand dyed wool. Paired with the craft edition of the Royal Bengal Minaudière by Sabyasachi Accessories.

20

BEAUTY

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

We all love new stuff, don’t we?

From tech to beauty, check out these monsoon launches ByN. Lothungbeni Humstoe he monsoon is here to bring some respite from the oppressive heat. Your needs also change with the weather, and the joy of unboxing brand-new supplies is

T

Go Bananas with a delish body care range by Plum Body Lovin’

always welcome ! IANSlife curates the most recent launches from the lifestyle industry to welcome the season.

Deep dive to explore some treats:

The Lakmé 9To5 Primer + Matte Liquid Lip Color!

SunScoop Invisible Sunscreen

NIVEA India’s all-new Deo Roll-On range

he Lakmé 9To5 Primer + Matte Liquid Lip Color, which is soon T to be your one-stop-solution for a

are a minion fanatic and like sweet, the latest collecItionfallyoubythings Plum Bodylovin’ is sure to esearch suggests that around 75 percent of urban Indian R women aged between 23-30 years

remove underarm hair once or twice a month, 7/10 of women do it themselves. Present hair removal routines can also lead to rough and patchy underarms that can undermine one’s self-confidence

ultimately reflecting in one’s clothing choices and inhibiting their freedom of expression. Reinforcing its skincare expertise, two new variants to its Deo Roll-On range --Radiance and Fine Fragrance which are available in both spray and deo roll-on formats.

get you exhilarating! A collaboration with Universal, this limited edition pack is a true delight for those on the lookout for fab-smelling body

care! The sweet fleeting notes of bananas with the most appealing packaging will take you to a gummy banana paradise, a body care combo that is so fruity and yum, you won’t be able to resist!

Priced at Rs 1455/- Shop here.

unScoop Invisible Sunscreen is an ultra-thin, translucent gel that S moisturises, protects, and gives your

velvet matte lip look that gives you a gorgeous creaseless finish and lasts all day. With a 24-hour long stay in a single application, now you can effortlessly transition from office to party or brunch to dinner!

skin a gorgeous, natural finish. It’s a chemical sunscreen with an SPF of 40 that resists sweat and water.

Pregnant women and new mothers can safely use SunScoop Invisible Sunscreen, however, always consult with the doctor first.

Price: Rs. 675/- available here

Kama Ayurveda’s Eladi Hydrating Light Cream

Athleisure Brand CAVA is now available on Meolaa

Let watermelons radiate your best glow this monsoon

Vogue Eyewear VO5422

ama Ayurveda, India’s leading K authentic Ayurvedic beauty brand, launches a new lightweight unglasses are undeniably the S perfect accessories that take your entire outfit up a notch! No matter

Vogue Eyewear to bring in that much-needed quirk to any look. #LetsVogue the style you choose, they add the Priced at Rs 5390/- Available at all perfect finishing touch to beat the leading stores and online portals heat, provide sun protection, and like Titan Eyeplus, Amazon India, add that touch of glam and fashion AJIO, Nykaa, TataCliq, and Sunglass appeal. Therefore get ready with Hut. Adidas India launches a new range of walking shoes

ay goodbye to stickiness with S Aqualogica’s Radiance+ Dewy Sunscreen that brings exactly

what your skin has been searching for! Lightweight and Non-greasy,

fast-absorbing, fragrance-free, and color-free, the Radiance+ Dewy Sunscreen is here to master protection this monsoon.

and non-greasy cream, Eladi Hydrating Light Cream. Inspired by ancient Ayurvedic texts, coupled with Light Emulsion Technology, the cream provides moisture to the skin, without leaving it greasy, while a natural emollient base leaves a soft, smooth and nourished feel.

Shop from www.kamaayurveda. com or at Kama Ayurveda stores across India. Priced at Rs 795 for 12ml and 1595 for 30ml.

he inclusive, purpose-driven T and most generationally relevant platform Meolaa has announced the launch of the indigenous athleisure brand CAVA on its marketplace.

With the introduction of a wide variety of products such as joggers, sweatshirts, crop tops, hoodies and sports bras, the association with CAVA helps enhance Meolaa’s inclusive athleisure category.

Available on Meolaa

Lenovo’s new range of Yoga and Legion laptops are fueled with the power to Create & Play

Stay Refreshed and Rejuvenated All Day Long with Nykaa Wanderlust Roll-On Deodorants

didas launches a new category A of walking shoes starting from INR 2499. Walking has become

India’s preferred form of physical activity and to cater to this emerging trend, Adidas has conceptualized and created its walking range with superior technology and at highly

competitive price points for the Indian consumer. The versatility of this range makes it perfect for anyone looking for an all-day comfort shoe.

Available in men’s and women’s sizes starting from Rs 2499/- at Adidas.co.in and select retail stores.

Jaipur Rugs’ Brahmaand collection

orried about sweaty underW arms while traveling? Fret-not as Nykaa Wanderlust launches Roll

On Deos in three refreshing variants - French Lavender, Mediterranean Sea Salt, and Country Rose that promise to keep your skin clean, provide long-lasting freshness, and help combat body odor. Infused with

mesmerizing scents, these Roll On Deos will take you back in time to your favorite travel escapades.

Nykaa Wanderlust Roll-On Deodorants are priced at INR 299 for 50 ML and will be available on the Nykaa website/ app and in stores across India.

Manetain’s Hair Product

Lenovo has unveiled its next generation jewel crafted Yoga series; the battle ready Legion and IdeaPad gaming laptops, in India, empowering consumers to Do More, Their Way. Launched at the #ExperienceSmarter event: Legion 5i, Legion 5i Pro, Legion Slim 7i and

the IdeaPad Gaming 3i along with Yoga 9i, Yoga Slim 7i Pro, and Yoga 7i. All laptops are equipped with 12th generation Intel® Core™ processor, faster graphics, improved battery performance, and sustainable design to further Lenovo’s Smarter Innovation for consumers.

Nykaa launches cult K-Beauty Brand Saturday Skin in India nspired by a series of original IAshiesh watercolor paintings by designer Shah, the ‘Brahmaand’

collection by Jaipur Rugs turns humankind’s ceaseless search for cosmic relevance and age-old questions of greater designs into thought-provoking visual art with an inventive line of luxurious hand-knotted carpets. Through the enduring transient craft of rug weaving, the collection styles a never before seen concoction of celestial elements, history, and craftsmanship. Capturing the mysteries of starlit night skies through its gradients and textures, Bhramaand’s deep indigo-hued rugs draw inspiration from ancient Indian science and mysticism. Its unique primitive

shapes and organic forms pay homage to the civilization’s largerthan-life past. Precise gultarashi molds the rug pile like troughs and crests of space-time, while timeless motifs and constellations crafted with intricate zardosi embroidery paint discourses of chaos and calm, being and non-being, illusion, and reality; of the bhram and the brahmaand, while beckoning to a world far out of our reach. With the careful processes of picking, hand-carding, and the spinning of wool into fine yarn, it’s meticulous weaving into rugs by skilled Indian artisans, and more than 18 finishing processes to ensure the highest quality, Brahmaand paints a picture of the infinite universe in living spaces.

t Manetain, they offer products A like Soft Moisturising Shampoo among other products formulated with natural and green ingredients

like Baobab protein, seaweed extract, aloe vera extract and marshmallow extract for healthy-looking hair.

Nykaa, the country’s leading Beauty & Lifestyle Destination, launches iconic K-Beauty Brand, Saturday Skin on its platform. Bridging the gap between scientific research and innovation with natural ingredients,

Saturday Skin is bringing you the extremely sought-after ideals of K-Beauty to India, through their range of cutting-edge skincare products.

21

ART & CULTURE

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Unearthing broken clogs Roy’s interest is the relationship between land and labor

Christie’s release: Half-Year Results 2022

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BySukant Deepak

uillaume Cerutti, Chief Executive Officer, Christie’s says, “Our results in the first half of 2022 have been remarkably strong, with many memorable moments like the sales of Warhol’s Marilyn and of the Bass collection in New York, and of the Givenchy collection in Paris. These results have been achieved in a challenging economic and political environment, partly thanks to the natural resilience of the art market and partly thanks to the transformation of Christie’s business model over the last years. We have accelerated our technological innovations and diversified the range of services for our clients (live and digital auction, private sales, art financing) to allow them to take advantage of a growing demand for art and luxury. In the second half, our strategy will be to continue to present the best objects and the best collections.

Broken cogs in the machine July 21, 2022: In times that have witnessed an emergence of assertions of various types -- tribal as well as environmental movements, Dalit movements, the farmers’ and anti-CAA-NRC protests, he feels that there are voices, who perhaps are not able to physically express their dissent but are still not necessarily conforming to the system.

“The system, which appears well-oiled from the outside, is not actually as smooth as it projects itself. The cogs in the machine are not necessarily well-aligned, not just physically or visually, but sometimes even conceptually,” says artist Anupam Roy, whose exhibition ‘Broken Cogs in the Machine’ is being presented by Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia in collaboration with Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art at Vadehra Art Gallery (till August 5) in the national capital.

The artist says that the works in the exhibition attempt to capture the “brokenness” of our times and beyond our immediate present, the historical evolution of working-class subjects.

“We can no longer represent the worker as has been represented previously, for example in Soviet posters. ‘Brokenness’ is a conceptual proposition in how the

Art holds strong, despite challenging economic and political environment: Christie’s CEO

subject of political change is being envisioned today. Through this exhibition, I have tried to conceive this proposition.”

Roy, whose large-scale works talk about injustice and violence, says that as an art practitioner, his task is to capture the present political times.

He also creates propaganda material in cooperation with protests and political movements which are used at different protest sites, both physically and virtually.

“The scale of my work, therefore, differ depending on the medium of propaganda. Large works are made so that they are clearly visible from far away in protest sites. Within the space of an exhibition, however, the scale, medium, and form of the work can vary. The mobile character of an image is important to a propagandist, and in that sense, the scale of my work is chosen from a utilitarian perspective.”

For someone who uses black textile pigment, distemper, ink, and watercolor on paper and cloth -- all materials which are cheap and easily available, and have a mobile character of their own, he stresses that the works are in black and white because it makes them readily and economically reproducible in different formats and sizes.

“The form of my work is close to post-expressionist. This allows me to draw quickly, and helps me capture the “brokenness” in images.”

Adding that his 90-day residency in Switzerland, supported by Pro Helvetia proved to be quite engaging as he was able to communicate with different movements in that country and in broader Europe -- racial politics and the politics of immigrants.

“My stay helped me understand the larger-scale migrant issue, and the politics of asylum and helped nurture trans-national solidarity in me. I got an opportunity to understand the new alternative art spaces within Europe, their ideas and implementations related to sustainability, etc.”

With political wall graffiti in West Bengal serving as a major inspiration in his journey as an artist, in Roy’s art practice, his core interest is the relationship between land and labor.

“I make attempts to understand the history of every land and its contemporary politics. This constant inquiry into the relationship between land and labor creates my interest in regional landscapes,” concludes the artist.

Delhi Art week DAW’s website and Instagram pages provide resources to those interested in engaging in Delhi’s art world

Some of the key insights released by Christie’s reveals that total sales for H1 2022 surpass H1 2021 total (+34 percent in GBP/ +18 percent in USD), establishing the auction house’s best performance since 2015 (surpassing H1 2018, when it sold the Rockefeller collection).

Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn for $195 million sold by Christie’s in H1, is the most expensive 20th Century artwork ever sold.

30 percent of all buyers in H1 are new to Christie’s, and 34 percent of these new buyers are millennials (up from 31 percent in 2021):

The house also saw remarkable results for its major collections, namely the Thomas and Doris Ammann, Anne H. Bass, Rosalind Gersten Jacobs and Melvin Jacobs and Hubert de Givenchy.

Christie’s innovative 20/21 sales format brings new, younger, and more diverse artists to the international auction stage, achieving record prices for 21st Century art.

It’s philanthropic sales raise nearly $440 million in H1 2022, with $13.7 million for aid to Ukraine.

There was a superior sell-through rate of 87 percent across all Christie’s auctions, and a strong influx of new and younger clients.

Caste, age no bar at Vedic gurukul in the Buddha’s shadow in Bodh Gaya Gaya (Bihar), July 17 (IANS): Apart from the famous religious site ‘Bodh Gaya’, Gaya also has the distinction of housing a vedic school (Gurukul) which imparts knowledge of Vedas and ‘Karma Kanda’ rising above a person’s caste and age.

‘Karma Kanda’ refers to the section of the Vedas that lists the performance of rituals and sacrificial rites for material benefits or for liberation, which were traditionally performed by Brahmins in exchange for a ‘Dakshina’.

The gurukul prepares future teachers (‘gurus’) or learned Hindu scholars (pandits) in the city of Gaya, which is home to the famous Vishnupad temple.

In the Gurukul ‘Mantralaya Ramacharya Vedic Pathshala’ located in Gaya’s Vishnupad Marg, more than one hundred students are being taught Vedas, prayers, yagya-rituals, astrology, Karma Kanda etc. After completing their education from the gurukul, such students return to their their cities to become a teacher (guru).

In Indian culture, a guru is considered to be the one who studies the Vedas, Shastras and the Upanishads and has the knowledge of vedic chants or mantras of worship, yagya and rituals.

Even though in today’s modern age, teachers in schools and colleges have been accorded the status of ‘gurus’ but traditionally still the ‘pandits’ conducting worship and prayers are considered as gurus.

This gurukul in Gaya has been in existence since the last 48 years where more than 10,000 students have completed their education and serving as a gurus with vast knowledge of Vedas, worship, astrology and Karma Kanda enlightening other people with spiritual knowledge in their own native cities or in Gaya.

Guru Shree Mantralaya Pandit Ramacharya Swami Maharaj had established this gurukul in Gaya region and the tradition of running it is now being carried forward by his son Pandit Raja Acharya.

July 27, 2022: The second edition of Delhi Art Week (DAW) will be held from August 24 to 31 in a hybrid avatar- not only will galleries and institutions showcase their programming physically in their own spaces, but DAW 2022 will also be online on the internationally recognized platform, Artsy. This virtual presence of the week aims to provide the global audience with a sense of the diversity of Indian contemporary and modern art

www.indianabroad.news

available in the Capital city. DAW exhibits will be virtually on view on Artsy till September 14, 2022.

The first edition, held from 3-10 April 2021, brought together, for the first time ever, a variety of art programs from 37 participating galleries and four institutions, including 2 museums. DAW 2021 also organized the city into four distinct “art zones”, thereby providing easy access and navigation through the Capital’s gallery and museum network.

DAW’s website and Instagram pages further provided resources to those interested in engaging in Delhi’s art world.

It was conceived of as a result of the dramatic changes brought about in the art world owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of which was the cancellation of many art fairs, and the identification by many galleries that working together rather than in isolation was the call of the times.

Pandit Raja Acharya told IANS that since last 48 years, Sanatan Dharma education is being imparted free of cost to students by this ‘gurukul’.

Students coming from far-flung areas are taught about Vedas, Dharmashastra, Astrology, Vastu, Karma Kanda and many other religious prayers here, he says.

Raja Acharya told that in the ancient times, many Gurukul schools were established to protect Vedic Sanatan Dharma but in the later years Mughals and other foreign invaders

/IndianAbroadNews

destroyed the Hindu Sanatan culture.

Many ‘vidyapeeths’ (knowledge centres), gurukuls and spiritual books were burnt, he added.

He said that now there are only a few Veda pathshalas left in which students are being prepared for nation building in the years to come with the sole aim of saving the Sanatani culture.

Several educational courses relating to Vedas, Dharmashastra, astrology and Karma Kanda are taught in this gurukul.

A five-year course teaching Vedas, three-year course teaching Karma Kanda and two-year course teaching about astrology is taught to students here. After completing these courses, a student is also awarded a certificate from Sri Gurusarvabhouma Sanskrit Vidyapeeth situated in Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh.

Raja Acharya says that the students getting education from this gurukul are serving people across the country as well as in foreign countries.

No fee is charged from any student taking admission in this gurukul.

He says: “This gurukul was established by Guru Shri Ramacharya ji to save religion, Indian culture and

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Vedic teachings. In these 48 years, the gurukul has seen a lot of ups and downs. Today nearly 100 students are getting education from this gurukul.”

Raja Acharya tells IANS that any person of any caste and creed can take admission in this gurukul and get education at any age. Living arrangement for students studying here is also made available here, but is permitted only for a certain age limit.

He said that many small children, who want to pursue education apart from Sanatan Dharma knowledge, they can take admission in other educational institutions with the help of this gurukul.

The purpose of establishing this gurukul is to carry forward the Sanatan Dharma tradition, he added.

A student, who is learning about Karma Kanda in this gurukul, stated that after getting education about Karma Kanda, he will be able to conduct ‘Pind daan’ (a Hindu ritual which is conducted after the cremation of an individual) in Gaya.

There is no need of employment after completing education from this gurukul which is serving other people imparting religious and spiritual knowledge.

22

LITERATURE

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Translation Travails: Inept or outdated guidebooks that only provoke hilarity Vikas Datta

Banaras Talkies, one of India’s greatest coming-of-age novels Embark on a laughter-filled ride back to your college corridors, bantering with friends, conspiring to skip classes

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anaras Talkies is one of India’s greatest coming-of-age novels, following three friends as they navigate undergraduate college life, which is full of ups and downs, stealing exam papers, struggling to speak to women, and forging friendships that will last a lifetime over bad mess food. This story is relatable and reminiscent to many people who would like to relive their college experience through this book.

Banaras Talkies is a slice-of-life novel that captures the struggles, aspirations, and lives of young Indians through the idiomatic flourish that is the hallmark of Banarasi colloquialism from the halls of Banaras Hindu University, one of India’s most vibrant colleges.

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s humanity evolved sufficiently to communicate articulately with each other, the foundations of language -- and all its benefits -- were laid.

our postillion has just been struck by lightning” (which he encountered in a book for travellers to Norway) was “Look, our ostler has been eaten by a tiger”.

At this time, it is generally believed that there was one common tongue, but as increasing population led to migrations, languages began diverging and proliferating. So did the scope for mutual unintelligibility and misunderstanding.

Among other gems he found in this were “Your cuirass is dirty” and “He will be hanged tomorrow morning”.

Of current languages, take Macedonian and Marathi, Spanish and Sinhala, or say, Punjabi and Portuguese. They appear all different and are even spoken on different continents, but they all happen to be members of the Indo-European family that accounts for most languages -- primary, recognised, or used -- across all world.

All stem from various historical languages, developing from different proto-languages, said to originate from one common language -- Proto-Indo-European, in this case.

But due to their succeeding levels of divergence, and other influences and impacts, only linguists and philologists can point out the similarities, and for the common speaker, other Indo-European family languages may seem as mysterious, as those from other families, such as Sino-Tibetan (Chinese, Japanese, and so on) or Afro-Asiatic (Arabic), or even fairly contiguous ones like Uralic (Finnish).

So, despite being an essential attribute of humanity and serving the purpose of communication, their multiplicity and variations make languages more liable to creating barriers to understanding, than demolishing them. Though human ingenuity evolved translation to bridge the gap, this didn’t entirely solve the problem, given the differences in syntax, idioms, and connotation -- or even mindsets for that matter.

In the world of technological distractions and limited attention spans that we are in, the interest in learning foreign languages is seeing a decline too. While there are online translation tools and even websites with key phrases for tourists -- and these are far advanced from the time when the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” was translated into another language, and on translation back into English, came out as “invisible lunatic”, these can only help to an extent.

There are good and reliable phrasebooks, say by the likes of Berlitz or Lonely Planet, with pronunciation guides or even transliterations, what happens when the translators are inept, or have not kept pace with times? Let us see some examples, when they make for uproarious humour -- and incredulous disbelief.

British reporter and author Trevor Fishlock, in his travelogue “India File” (1987), tells us about coming across a Raj-era Hindustani phrasebook for newly arrived British visitors. In this, he tells us, he found that the Indian equivalent of “Hark, www.indianabroad.news

There is a manual for learning Pushto -- compiled by a British Army surgeon-cum-Political Officer somewhere in the mid-19th century, but even well into the 21st century, apparently the only English primer available.

In Henry Walter Bellew’s “A Grammar of the Pukkhto Or Pukhto Language” (1867) has examples of phrases, and dialogues, like “What has become of my sword? I don’t see it. I put it under the bed before I went to sleep” or even “Don’t shoot at the people, fire your matchlocks above their heads”.

Conversational dialogues range from instructions to servants about what to take for a hunt, and convincing local maliks to hand over fugitives, and so on.

Then there is G.G. Rogers’ “Colloquial Nepali”, whose 2006 reprint’s cover page says that it “is not a run-of-the-mill tourist handbook.

It teaches you how to communicate with anyone, anywhere in Nepal.”

Especially, if you are still fighting in the Second World War. Sample phrases, mostly in the imperative tone, in it include “Our soldiers will beat the Japanese” (or alternatively, what the outcome of a clash with the enemy in the jungle was). Then, there are more helpful dialogues, such as “Fall in, in lines of 10 men each”, “No. 7 Platoon is advancing”, “Has the General Sahab arrived yet?”, “If you do this, the Colonel sahab will get angry”), and so on .

All this is understandable when we learn Lt Col Rogers, who wrote the book in 1950, was the Nepali Instructor with the Gurkha Brigade during World War II. But the ace as it happens to be is Portuguese author Pedro Carolino’s “O novo guia da conversacao em portuguez e inglez” (1855), intended as a Portuguese-English conversational guide. Its quality became apparent when it was translated as “English as She is Spoke” (1883).

As its introduction said, it was incredible for the author to “perpetrate -- at his own expense -- the monstrous joke of publishing a Guide to Conversation in a language of which it is only too evident that every word is utterly strange to him.

“A little consideration of the shaping of our author’s English phrases leads to the conclusion that the materials used have been a Portuguese-French phrase book and a French-English dictionary. With these slight impedimenta has the daring Lusitanian ventured upon the unknown deep of a strange language, and the result, to quote again from the Preface, ‘May be worth the acceptation of the studious persons, and especially of the Youth, at which we dedicate him

particularly’...”

We learn that in it, “among what are denominated ‘Eatings’ we find ‘some wigs’, ‘a dainty dishes’, ‘a mutton shoulder’, ‘a little mine’ ... the menu is scarcely appetising, especially when among ‘Fishes and Shellfishes’ our Portuguese Lucullus sets down the ‘hedgehog’, ‘snail’ and ‘wolf’.”

We can also find compliments: “This girl have a beauty edge”, or maybe “He is valuable his weight’s gold”, as well as puzzlement: “I am confused all yours civilities”, or despair: “I dead myself in envy to see her”, and advice: “Take out the live coals with the hand of the cat”.

Carolino’s spirit lived in the Correctly English Society of Shanghai, which produced “How to Correctly English in Hundred Day” (1934), “prepared for the Chinese young man who wishes to served for the foreign firm”.

Jerome K. Jerome also deals with inept translators in his “Three Men on a Bummel” (1900), the lesser-known sequel to his “Three Men in a Boat” (1889), about the trio planning a bicycling trip through the (then) German Empire.

His friend George picks up a phrase book intended for German tourists to England, and proposes that they use it the other way round on their travels.

‘It is an award-winning Hindi bestseller,’ author Satya Vyas says of the upcoming English translation.

For years, readers in Hindi have been entertained by this ‘hostelgic’ fiction. It gives me great pleasure that we can now reach out to new English readers through Penguin Random House.’

‘Translating the book has been a journey of love, laughter, and adventure,’ said Himadri Agarwal, the book’s translator. I was honoured to translate it, and I’m excited to hear what English readers think of it.’

‘Banaras Talkies is a witty novel that takes readers on a laughter-filled ride back to their college corridors, bantering with friends, conspiring to skip classes, the heartbreaks and lucky successes in love, and the ever-looming pressure of having

In the same book, Jerome also offers some wise insights into why his countrymen did not make efforts to learn foreign languages and why even those who try do not succeed as much as they should -- with the example of a leading textbook of the time.

But this passage about a clever Frenchman, with a book of gentle satire, and a perceptive but positively amoral publisher, and their diabolical agreement, needs reading in its entirety to appreciate.

And finally, there is the “Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook” -- from which we have the invaluable phrase for all occasions: “My hovercraft is full of eels”. Too bad, it was just a Monty Python sketch.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

Publishing & Vintage, Penguin Random House India.

Books for the month of July month

B

ooks are essential in every person’s life because they introduce them to a world of imagination, provide knowledge of the outside world, improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills, and boost memory and intelligence.

Books influence our lives in a variety of ways: they provide insight into how other people live, they broaden our worldview, they influence our thoughts on politics and social issues, they show us how to be better people, and they help us not feel alone.

themselves.

This book has been endorsed by Hrithik Roshan and Rahul Dravid.

LILAVATI: A LIFE (translation)

BHAGAT SINGH: A LIFE IN REVOLUTION

NO LIMITS: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE

Jerome is sceptical, noting “its longest chapter being devoted to conversation in a railway carriage, among, apparently, a compartment load of quarrelsome and ill-mannered lunatics” and he feels “some educated idiot, misunderstanding seven languages, would appear to go about writing these books for the misinformation and false guidance of modern Europe”.

Yet, they resolve to try it out and hilarity ensues, when a coachman outdoes them, a boot-seller gets angrily agitated, and in a hat shop, they are again outsmarted, but somehow, complete the purchase.

Still, “comparing views in the train, we agreed that we had lost the game by two points to one; and George, who was evidently disappointed, threw the book out of the window.”

to one day leave college and ‘get serious about life,’ says Elizabeth Kuruvilla, Executive Editor, Ebury

A

A

A

new book on the art of high performance by Mukesh Bansal, founder of Myntra and CEO of Cult.

Fit, one of the largest fitness chains in India.

Mukesh has also been listed in the Best 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurs by Fortune magazine.

Through his entrepreneurial experience and studying the field of health and fitness, Bansal came to understand the enormous power of plasticity: the ability of the human brain to rewire itself at will as we develop new skills.

‘No Limits’ distils Bansal’s findings on talent, deliberate practice, mindset, habit, willpower, and learning.

Readers can expect it to be a guide to maximising one’s potential with well-defined strategies.

It is a must-read for not only entrepreneurs but also people from management, business, students, and anyone in general who wishes to be a superior version of

/IndianAbroadNews

timely antidote, this meticulously researched biography is an expansive foray into the life of Bhagat Singh.

The volume deliberates upon his family from before when he was born, examining along the way the role that various episodes, policies and people played in shaping the identity of a legendary revolutionary, while also delving into his opinions on important questions of the time.

It shines a bright light on the oft-ignored personal influences that made Singh who he was, along with the issue of his contested identity in today’s politics. This is the definitive Bhagat Singh biography of our times.

Dr. Satvinder S. Juss, Phd (Cantab) is a Professor of Law at Kings College London, a practising Barrister in London, and a Master of the Bench of Gray’s inn.

n exemplar of Indian literature - the only heart-rending biography of a daughter by her father. The author of this book, Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi, was an Indian Gujarati language novelist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known for his four-volume novel, Saraswatichandra, acclaimed as one of the masterpieces of Gujarati literature.

Lilavati was Govardhanram Tripathi’s eldest daughter. She was raised to be the perfect embodiment of virtue, and died at the age of twenty-one, consumed by tuberculosis. In moments of ‘lucidity’ , she spoke of her suffering and that challenged the very foundations of Govardhanram’s life. In 1905 he wrote her biography, Lilavati Jivankala.

The translator, Tridip Suhrud’s introduction dwells on the themes of the cultivation of selfhood, of nation and the ideal of sacrifice, which is sure to resonate with contemporary readership, especially women.

ADVERTISE WITH US 0488-067-243

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23

TRAVEL

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts gets yet another feather in its cap Oberoi Hotels & Resorts voted the World’s Best Hotel Brand at the Travel + Leisure, USA World’s Best Awards, 2022

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ravel + Recreation The World’s Best Awards in the United States are among the most prestigious in the travel industry,

as readers define excellence in hospitality and travel.

In a Readers’ Poll conducted by

The Oberoi, Marrakech

Travel + Leisure magazine, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts received this recognition from 9.5 million readers.

The Oberoi Amarvilas

Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group said, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and honoured to have

contributed in our own small way to the “Make in India” initiative. My heartfelt gratitude to our valued guests for their continued support

and our exceptional colleagues for their dedication and commitment to excellence.”

around the world through a signature blend of smart advice, immersive photography, expert reporting,

and award-winning coverage of hotels, food, design, style, culture, and trends.

The Oberoi, New Delhi

Vikram Oberoi, CEO and MD, The Oberoi Group further added, “The awards are an affirmation of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts unwavering commitment towards offering

guests exceptional facilities and unparalleled levels of service. Our founder Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi and Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi our former Chairman and mentor have always

maintained that people are our most important asset – time and again our colleagues live up to this enduring belief.”

Travel + Leisure, USA, the world’s most influential travel brand, provides insider access to destinations

10 interesting things I have learnt as a homestay founder Bulky wallets are an absolute no-no for Gen-Z travellers, they prefer digital payments

ByVarun Arora illenials, also known as generation Y, are a group of people born between 1980 and 1999. They are demanding, daring, and eager to explore the world. Following the pandemic, millenials have embraced local travel, driving down demand for homestays. So, let’s take a look at my learning and adaptability strategies as a homestay founder.

Providing a memorable experience: Millenials have altered the travel landscape by willing to forego branded clothing, an expensive coffee, or even Netflix in order to save money on travel. To meet these expectations, it is critical to provide an authentic experience that makes people feel at ease while enjoying the luxury of a well-designed

M

www.indianabroad.news

homestay.

Understanding a customer’s need: Why does a traveller visit your hotel is critical to understanding.

Is it the interiors, the local cuisine, the balcony view, or the 24*7 Wi-Fi with an indoor Jacuzzi? Since travellers craved private accommodations with zero intervention, which a luxury villa or homestay provides, demand for homestays and luxury villas has plummeted post-pandemic.

There are no time or space constraints, no shared pools, and the freedom to use the property at the discretion of the traveller. The idea is to tailor offerings to the traveller’s reason for visiting your location.

If your homestay is near a wildlife reserve, you should be aware that a traveller chose your homestay, not

only because they liked the property, but also because of the forest reserve. As a result, it makes sense to focus on your guests’ interests and create a potential homestay experience.

Communicate with your peers: Working with local homestays, their owners, and travel operators is a great idea. Making beneficial connections will almost certainly lead to better opportunities.

International and domestic travellers are always looking for great safety, hygiene, and cleanliness when visiting a new homestay.

Getting the fundamentals right, such as a warm welcome, clean bed sheets, sparkly napkins, and excellent room service, can do wonders for the business. It’s also critical to hire staff with clean credentials and

to inform guests if they need to be cautious of their surroundings.

Curating unforgettable experiences: There is a reason why a traveller chooses a homestay over a hotel; they want to connect with the local culture and experience the local people’s traditions, cuisine, and life stories. Curating a homestay that includes lunch at a local’s home, hosting local activities, or arranging a local dance performance with high tea will set your homestay apart.

Communicate: Communication is the key right from sharing perfect GPS locations, checking on guests for any special food requirements or informing them if your homestay is in a network-challenged area.

It is always a good idea to provide your guests with emergency contact information as well as contact information for local tour operators.

Maintain a strong social media presence and prioritise online reviews: When it comes to millenials and Gen Z, social media engagement drives your business. Every tour is planned on their smartphones by millenials based on recommendations from a blogger or an Instagram story of a friend or follower.

If you work in the hospitality industry and don’t already have a social presence, go make one. Involving travel bloggers, live streaming your property, and mandatory check-ins will undoubtedly get you trending.

Maintain a positive online hotel reputation in order to increase bookings. Respond politely and provide solutions to negative social media reviews.

Be approachable: Millenials are impulsive and impatient when it comes to services. They would prefer to speak with a person when

/IndianAbroadNews

making a reservation, checking in, or dealing with any other property-related issues. A mobile app can help to simplify the process and ensure a pleasant experience.

Create loyalty programmes: Whether it’s millenials or other travellers, everyone is looking for appealing packages and memberships to help them save money.

Creating loyalty programmes, happy hour discounts, and free/add-on services can help your business significantly.

Set boundaries: If you feel the need to separate private and public areas in your homestay, go ahead and do so. Make it clear and polite to guests which areas are accessible to them.

Setting boundaries is essential for avoiding future misunderstandings and ensuring smooth operation.

Embrace digitization: Bulky wallets are an absolute no-no for Gen-Z

/indianabroadnews

travellers. They prefer digital payments even for minor transactions because they are more convenient and provide benefits such as points, cash back, free tickets, and better savings. Accepting digital payments via the appropriate payment gateway is a sure way to attract Gen-Z to your property.

At Ekostay, we truly believe that millennial travellers will have a greater impact on the travel and tourism industry than any other group. Homestay travel experiences, adventures, and urban destinations are expected to expand and dominate the tourism industry.

Being technologically viable while also providing a curated homestay experience is exactly what your business requires.

(Varun Arora, CEO and Co-founder of Ekostay)

24

SCI-TECH

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Twitter says whole business will close due to account blocking orders, K’taka HC issues notice to Centre

Bengaluru, July 26 (IANS): Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the ruling BJP government at the Centre in connection with the order asking to block nearly 1,100 Twitter accounts by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The single division bench headed

by Justice Krishna S. Dixit gave the order after the arguments by senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Twitter, explained that if the blocking order continues, the whole business of Twitter will close. For the accounts to be blocked, as per rules reasons have to be recorded and given to the microblogging

platform which is not being done.

The petitioner (Twitter) is answerable to account holders for blocking their accounts, he submitted.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on August 25, and assured to consider the plea by the counsel of the central government to make the hearing in-camera.

Twitter had submitted in its petition that blocking orders by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) under IT Act are demonstrating excessive use of powers and disproportionate.

The microblogging platform contended that, MeiTY has served a notice warning serious consequences of non-compliance of blocking orders. The notice has also warned of criminal proceedings and stated that it would be a lost opportunity if not complied with the orders of blocking accounts.

Drone covers 20 kms in 30 minutes to deliver frozen food in Gurugram

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): Get ready to receive mouth-watering cuisines right in your balcony as homegrown drone startup Skye Air Mobility on Monday said that it has successfully delivered frozen food to Cloud kitchen startup Curefoods via its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that travelled an aerial distance of 20 kms in less than 30 minutes.

After receiving food at its Cloud kitchen outlets in Gurugram, Curefoods now looks at food deliveries to the customers in the near

future.

The trials witnessed up to six flights per day, each carrying a payload of 5 kg in temperature-controlled boxes that maintained a negative 20-degree temperature to keep the frozen food fresh.

The deliveries of frozen food happened with a series of BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) trials from Curefoods warehouse in Jhundsari to the Curefoods Kitchen Outlet at Golf Course Road, Gurugram.

“This is indeed a first-of-its-kind

initiative in the direction to utilise cutting-edge technology to deliver food. With the ongoing BVLOS trials, we anticipate gathering more data on route, flight, cost-economic viability in order to develop models for commercial flights to begin in the next few months,” said Ankit Kumar, CEO, Skye Air Mobility.

Skye Air used its most reliable UAV, Skye Ship One, to facilitate real-time deliveries ensuring optimal flight safety and throughout temperature monitoring.

Skye Ship One is currently the most reliable delivery drone in India, having completed more than 1,200 flights.

“Starting with B2B pilot kitchen deliveries which ensure a larger quantity at a lesser cost, we will be looking at B2C food deliveries soon in the future,” said Ankit Nagori, Founder, Curefoods.

Founded in 2020, Skye Air has successfully operated over 1500 flights so far.

Skye Air has been offering its expertise spanning different verticals such as healthcare supplies, agri-commodities, food and grocery delivery.

Apple ships 1.2 mn iPhones in India in Q2, logs 94% growth

New Delhi, July 25 (IANS): Continuing its growth in India driven by local manufacturing, Apple sold over 1.2 million iPhones in the country in the second quarter (Q2) this year, registering a massive 94 per cent growth (year-on-year), the data showed on Monday.

According to data shared by market intelligence firm CyberMedia Research (CMR), the growth was driven by the stupendous sale of iPhone 12 and 13 models.

Nearly 1 million of the total shipped iPhones were ‘Make in India’ devices.

“Through the course of the second quarter, Apple continued its

India market momentum with a stupendous YoY growth, driven by increased local iPhone manufacturing. The iPhone 12 series, along with the iPhone 13 series, accounted for the most iPhones shipped into the market,” said Prabhu Ram, HeadIndustry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR. Apple iPads logged an impressive 34 per cent growth (on-year) in India and the company sold over 0.2 million devices in the country.

“Apple iPad (Gen 9) and iPad Air 2022 accounted for a lion’s share of the iPad shipments, according to the Q2 data.

CMR expects iPhones to garner 4

per cent smartphone market share in India while iPads are set to log 20 per cent market share in its respective category.

The macro environment continues to be tough for the smartphone brands in India, owing to inflationary pressures, weakening rupee, and mellowed consumer demand.

“The premium smartphone segment continues to be immune, and has benefited from consumer inclination for revenge buying in the new normal,” said Ram. Apple’s enhanced and diversified iPhone production capabilities in India, along with aggressive retail initiatives, continue to contribute to its strong growth momentum in India.

Earlier this year, the tech giant confirmed it has started manufacturing its top-selling iPhone 13 smartphone in India.

Apple first started manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017, with iPhone SE. In Q1 2022, Apple shipped nearly 1 million ‘Make-in-India’ iPhones, registering an overall growth of 22 per cent led by iPhone 12 and 13.

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Google Play gets new logo on its 10th anniversary San Francisco, July 26 (IANS): As tech giant Google’s Play Store officially completed 10 years, it is now getting a new logo to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The tech giant has slightly tweaked the overall shape of its Google Play Store logo, but the most notable changes are the less vibrant colours that more closely match the green, yellow, blue, and red hues that Google uses for many of its other services.

It is a subtle adjustment that also complements the new Chrome logo updated earlier this year, reports The Verge.

“We are introducing a new logo that better reflects the magic of Google and matches the branding shared by many of our helpful products -- Search, Assistant, Photos, Gmail and more,” Tian Lim, VP of Google Play, was quoted as saying.

The new logo and iconography also

mark 10 years of Google Play after it was rebranded from the Android Market in 2012.

“A decade later, more than 2.5 billion people in over 190 countries use Google Play every month to discover apps, games and digital content,” Lim said.

“And more than 2 million

developers work with us to build their businesses and reach people around the globe,” Lim added.

To mark the 10 years of Google Play, Google is also offering a boost to Google Play Points. If users activate the points booster, they will earn 10x points on purchases, including most in-app items.

Google Meet allows users to livestream meetings on YouTube San Francisco, July 24 (IANS): Tech giant Google is adding a new feature to its Meet app to allow users to livestream meetings to its streaming platform YouTube.

According to the company, an admin can enable this by navigating to the meeting’s Activities panel and selecting “Live Streaming”.

Users can then select their channel to begin streaming the meeting they are holding, reports AndroidCentral.

Google explained that live streaming “is useful in situations where users want to present information to large audiences outside of their organisation, allowing them to pause and replay as needed, or view the presentation at a later time”.

There is a channel approval process for live streaming on YouTube.

Google warns users to let them know that their channel must be approved to livestream before they can do so through Google Meet.

Its help page explains that when host management is on, only

the host and co-hosts can begin livestreaming the meeting. If that option is off, anyone attending the meeting can start livestreaming it. Google also provides a privacy option if someone is interested in livestreaming the meeting.

A feature such as live streaming a meeting seems like another way Google is looking to diversify and separate Meet from other platforms,

the report said.

The new feature will be rolled out in stages. The first is “rapid release,” with the feature rolling out to select domains within three days beginning on July 21.

The second will be for domains under a gradual “scheduled release” that may take up to 15 days beginning on July 25.

MediaTek to use Intel Foundry Services to manufacture new chips San Francisco, July 26 (IANS): Leading chip makers Intel and MediaTek have announced a strategic partnership to manufacture chips using Intel Foundry Services’ (IFS) advanced process technologies.

The agreement will help MediaTek to build a more balanced, resilient supply chain through the addition of a new foundry partner with significant capacity in the US and Europe.

“With its commitment to major capacity expansions, IFS provides value to MediaTek as we seek to create a more diversified supply chain,” NS Tsai, corporate senior vice president of Platform Technology and Manufacturing Operations at MediaTek, said in a statement.

“We look forward to building a long-term partnership to serve the fast-growing demand for our products from customers across the globe,” Tsai added.

MediaTek plans to use Intel process technologies to manufacture

multiple chips for a range of smart edge devices.

IFS offers a broad manufacturing platform with technologies optimized for high performance, low power and always-on connectivity built on a roadmap that spans production-proven three-dimensional FinFET transistors to next-generation breakthroughs.

“As one of the world’s leading

fabless chip designers powering more than 2 billion devices a year, MediaTek is a terrific partner for IFS as we enter our next phase of growth,” said IFS President Randhir Thakur.

IFS was established in 2021 to help meet the surging global demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing capacity.

Meta brings new monetisation tool for Facebook creators San Francisco, July 26 (IANS): Tech giant Meta has introduced a new monetisation tool -- Music Revenue Sharing -- that allows creators to use licensed music from popular artists in their Facebook videos and earn a share of in-stream ad revenue.

The company said creators must be eligible for in-stream ads in their content to access the tool. They will receive a 20 per cent revenue share on eligible videos, with a separate share going to music rights holders and Meta.

“We are introducing Music Revenue Sharing on Facebook, making it easier for creators to monetise their videos that use licensed music from popular and emerging artists like Post Malone, Tove Lo, Grupo La Cambia, Leah Kate, Bicep and more,” the company said in a blogpost.

“This gives both creators and music rights holders a new way to earn money from videos on Facebook,” it

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added.

Meta claimed that this feature is the first of its kind within the music industry -- no other platform offers creators this type of revenue model at this scale.

Music Revenue Sharing is powered

by Rights Manager, a video, audio and image-matching tool

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the company developed to help content owners protect their rights and manage their content at scale.

The tool is now rolling out to video creators globally. Eligible videos will monetise with in-stream ads delivered in the US to start, and the company said it will expand the tool to the rest of the world in the coming months.

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26

SPIRITUALITY

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

Puranjana: A Symbolic Story

By Paddy Krishnan hapter 6 of the Bhagavata Purana has the story of Puranjana (meaning city dweller). The story is narrated

by Narada to a king who was focused on only performing Vedic rituals, including animal sacrifice with a view to getting Moksha. The story is symbolic of humans and their living, and suggests that one can become spiritual only by transcending the usual living.

Puranjana was always looking for pleasure. He was always travelling to different places with a mysterious and invisible friend seeking new and more intense pleasures. But he was always unhappy as he found deficiencies in everything. One day he met a beautiful lady called Pramada who was accompanied by 10 servants with hundreds of wives. Pramada was protected by a five hooded serpent. She was the queen of a city that had nine gates and was filled with everything that was pleasurable.

She offered to marry Puranjana so that they could live in the city for 100 years. Puranjana gladly married her and went to her city.

There he made friends with various men and was very happy enjoying his life. Once Puranjana went on his chariot to hunt in

C

the forest outside the city and killed many animals in a ruthless fashion. This annoyed Pramada who forbade him from leaving the city. As Puranjana wanted to be with Pramada, he gave up his love for hunting.

Puranjana had many children and grandchildren who were unscrupulous and looted the kingdom. This weakened his kingdom. Another king and his allies used this opportunity to attack Puranjana. Puranjana was defeated and his kingdom was burnt down. Puranjana was banished to the forest.

In the forest Puranjana was killed by the descendents of the animals he had slaughtered.

Even when he was being killed, Puranjana was thinking of his wife, Pramada, and their life of pleasure together.

Puranjana was reborn as Vaidharbi and married a great king. Towards the end of his reign, the great king, gave up this throne and went to the forest.

Vaidharbi accompanied him and helped him in his spiritual journey. When the king died, Vaidharbi was about to join him by jumping into the funeral pyre.

A sage suddenly emerged and stopped her from doing this. He explained that Vaidharbi was Puranjana in her previous life.

Jumping into the funeral pyre will not save her from Samsara.

The different items from the story and their symbolic representation are explained below.

The invisible friend accompanying Puranjana represents all the subtle pressures imposed by one’s mind to seek only pleasure.

Pramada represents illusion and signifies the transient nature of everything in the material world.

Pramada’s servants and their wives represent instruments of sensory perception and actions along with all the different activities initiated by these instruments. The five hooded snake protecting Pramada represents Prana (breath) in its five forms, namely, Prana, Apana, Udana, Vyana, and Samana. The role of these forms is explained in the Prashna Upanishad and reiterated in the Nirvana Shatkam. The nine gates to the city are mapped to the two eyes, two nostrils, one mouth, two ears, anus, and genital opening.

Thus the city symbolises the body and Puranjana was focused purely on his body (and hence called the city dweller). The fact Pramada says that they can enjoy life for 100 years denotes that everything, however long lasting, will come to an end. Puranjana, like most of us, got fascinated by the long duration and accepted Pramada’s conditions.

Puranjana’s various friends represent light, air, etc. which enable one to see, breathe, smell and talk. But these friends steer Puranjana towards enjoying only physical pleasures. There is also a person who can lead one to spiritual wisdom but Puranjana does not listen to him.

Puranjana going for hunting using a chariot characterises

unbridled passion and the ability to overcome obstacles at speed to achieve one’s goals.

The slaughtering of the animals represent the impropriety of his actions. Pramada asking Puranjana to give up hunting signifies how Puranjana did not want to disobey Pramada as he was bound to her for all his pleasure. It is such a bondage that brings long-term pain.

The kings and supporters who attack Puranjana are called Chandavega (time), Jara or Kalaya Kanya (old age), Durbhaga (misfortune), Bhaya (fear), and Prajvara (fever). These represent afflictions that one will face in old age. Puranjana losing his kingdom signifies how the bodily instruments of pleasure cease to work after sometime. The burning down of his kingdom signifies the death of the body.

Puranjana being killed by the animals relates to Karma. He, needlessly killed various animals.

In the end he paid the price with his life. Similarly, Puranjana was born as Vaidharbi because he was thinking of Pramada while being killed. It illustrates the grip of attachment and its consequences.

The sage instructs Vaidharbi about Samsara (cycle of life and death) and the difference between the Jivatma (the soul that is associated with the different bodies during Samsara) and Paramatma (or the ultimate soul).

He also explains how dispassion is the only way to get released from Samsara.

Narada uses the above story to suggest that Vedic rituals should not be used for selfish reasons. Furthermore, they should not cause pain to others.

Pain is caused because one has Ahamkara (notion of ‘I’also called ego). The Ahamkara controls Buddhi (the ability to discriminate) to focus on things that do not bring eternal joy. This is the

difference between Shreyas (which is good for one in the long run) and Preyas (pleasure that is short-lived).

In summary, the story of Puranjana is, on the surface, easy to understand. The aim is to go beyond the story to really understand aspects of Hindu philosophy and spirituality. This is very much in keeping with the style of presentation in the Puranas, including the Bhagavata Purana.

References: P. K. Devi: Bhagavata Purana abridged translation, 2016 N. Krishnaswamy: The Bhagavata Purana for the first time reader

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

‘India forging bilateral ties to make country Vishwaguru’ and culture Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday said that India was forging bilateral ties with the international community to make the country a ‘Vishwaguru’.

Felicitating top diplomats from seven countries, including Kazakhstan and Mongolia, the Union minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has stepped up efforts to forge mutually beneficial bilateral ties with the international community to make India a ‘Vishwaguru’.

New Delhi, July 26 (IANS): Union

Minister of state for external affairs

She was virtually addressing a meeting of ambassadors at Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence from countries like Mongolia, Rwanda, Guyana, Peru,

Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, and Kazakhstan.

“The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of External Affairs have been working extensively as part of the government to nurture and promote the cultural uniqueness of India and take pride in developing a new India spiritually, economically, and militarily,” Lekhi told the group of international diplomats, adding that following in the footsteps of spiritual gurus and that of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, India has now become a Vishwa Guru.

The minister described the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence as the flag bearers of India’s message of spirituality and

well-being to the entire world.

“Development of spirituality, practise of yoga and meditation, and development of conscience are key to creating responsible young citizens who would value their own lives and also take care of society and build this nation,” the Union minister added.

The minister said that “as India moves ahead to emerge as one of the world’s most influential countries economically and militarily, we also need to be deeply connected once again with our spiritual heritage and philosophies to have a better understanding of the world and the essence of being born a human being”.

How can Numerology help in daily Life?

I

f you calculate the personality number it can help you to give insight into yourself.

It can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses to overcome obstacles in life and not just this, it helps you to take alternative approach towards your goal.

It can help you to take the right decisions at the right time. e.g.: when to start a new venture, when to travel, etc.

It can also help you to understand whom to approach at the time of need.

It can help you to find out the soul’s purpose.

It helps you to know about future possibilities and how to change or alter them as per your characteristics.

It helps you to build better relationships by knowing the personality of a person.

It helps in making many great choices in life.

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Let’s talk about some lucky colours as per the birth numbers

Number 2: Silver, white, Light shades

Number 4: Light Blue, Light Grey

Number 7: Light Blue

Number 5: Green

Number 8: Grey, Green

Number 1: Yellow, sunrise orange or gold

Jacqueline Mukangira, High Commissioner, Republic of Rwanda; Charrandass Persaud, High Commissioner, Co-operative Republic of Guyana; and Monica Cecilia Campos Fernandez, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Peru were present on the occasion.

The other foreign diplomats and high embassy officials who took part in the event were Ria A. Sital, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Suriname; Dr Roger Gopaul, High Commissioner, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; and Ardak Kakimzhanov, First Secretary of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India.

Ridhi Mehta Ridhi Mehta is a practicing numerologist,healer,tarot card reader, crystal expert and hypnotherapist.

She entered the field of occult around 5years back.She has her Youtubechannel by the name Insights by Ridhii. Ridhi comes from a corporate background having an experience of more than 10 years.

However, she has always inclined towards the world of divination.

So, she followed her heart and after taking professional qualifications she started practicing the science.

She also taught over two hundred students in the above fields.

Number 3: Yellow, Saffron

Number 6: White, Pink

Number 9: Light shades

She has many success stories and believes that if we understand to work with energies then there are many things that we can alter in our lives.

She can be contacted on ridhi22_mehta@yahoo.co.in / +918054317326 for any queries/ consultations/ classes.

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WHAT’S ON

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

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28

NEW RELEASES

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

BHEDIYA

BRAHMASTRA

RELEASE DATE: 25 November 2022 LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles) PRODUCER: Maddock Films, Jio Studios DIRECTOR: Amar Kaushik

RELEASE DATE: 9 September 2022 LANGUAGE: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam & Kannada PRODUCER: Dharma Productions, Fox Star Studios DIRECTOR: Ayan Mukerji CAST: Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna Akkineni SYNOPSIS: BRAHMASTRA - the Trilogy, is a 3-part film franchise and India’s ‘first modern mythology’.

It is an original cinematic universe inspired by deeply rooted concepts and tales in Indian mythology with epic storytelling of fantasy,

CAST: Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon SYNOPSIS: Bhediya revolves around the story of a werewolf, has its roots in popular folklore and is inspired by legendary tales of Arunachal Pradesh, where the movie was also

shot. The movie is part of Vijan’s horror comedy universe and also marks his second venture with director Amar Kaushik.

LAAL SINGH CHADDHA

adventure, good vs evil, love and hope; all told using cutting edge technology and never-seen-before visual spectacles. Our story is set in modern-day India, against the premise of a secret society called the Brahmansh; who generation after generation have protected many divine ‘Astras’ (weapons) that were created in ancient India, and safe-guarded from the eyes of the world. The most powerful and the most deadly amongst these divine weapons; the Lord of all the Other Astras - named after the most powerful weapon of the Gods, the BRAHMASTRA, is now waking

up. And it threatens to completely destroy the universe we know today.

BRAHMASTRA: PART ONE, is the story of SHIVA - a young man and our protagonist, who is on the brink of an epic love, with a girl named...

Isha. But their world is turned upside down, because Shiva learns that he has a mysterious connection to the Brahmastra... and a great power within him that he doesn’t understand just yet - the power of Fire. In this movie, we experience Shiva’s adventures as he journeys into the world of Astras and in turn, discovers his destiny as the DIVINE HERO of the universe.

VIKRAM VEDHA

RELEASE DATE: 11 August 2022 LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles) PRODUCER: Aamir Khan

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Productions, Viacom18 Studios and Paramount Pictures DIRECTOR: Advait Chandan CAST: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor

SYNOPSIS: LAAL SINGH CHADDHA, a simple man whose extraordinary journey will fill you with love, warmth & happiness.

RELEASE DATE: 30 September 2022 LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)

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PRODUCER: S. Sashikanth, Bhushan Kumar DIRECTOR: Gayathri, Pushkar CAST: Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan,

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Radhika Apte SYNOPSIS: A tough police officer who sets out to track down and kill an equally tough gangster.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam’: Looking Ulka Gupta happy to play a strong female back at Geeta Dutt’s stellar but sad career lead in ‘Banni Chow Home Delivery’

By Vikas Datta What moves the heart more when listening to a song? Polish and perfection, or the raw emotion that the performer brings to its rendition?

For those who prefer the second, there can be no better option than Geeta Dutt, who, in a short but stellar career, bequeathed to the Hindi film industry some rare gems, before the tragedy her life had become, dampened and finally stilled her evocative voice.

Geeta Dutt, born Geeta Ghosh Roy Chowdhuri, who passed away on this day (July 20) 50 years ago, seemed to have all it needed to make a successful career in films.

Performing in front of a mike for the first time as a teenager, she left industry veterans open-mouthed at the wealth of feeling she could convey with her voice, went on to do a string of songs that resonated across the country, and capped it all with a fairy-tale wedding to an intense and capable emerging star -- Guru Dutt.

Born in 1930 into a wealthy landlord’s family in what is now Bangladesh, her family left it behind in the early 1940s and moved to Calcutta and then Bombay. She was just 16 when composer Hanuman Prasad chanced upon her and gave her a few lines in his mythological film “Bhakta Prahlad” (1946).

It was S.D. Burman, who was then impressed with her, and made her sing in “Do Bhai” (1947) -- where the initially reluctant producer Chandulal Shah was so impressed that he signed her on the spot.

It was the Dilip Kumar-Nargis starrer “Jogan” (1950), where she rendered a brace of Meera bhajans with a rare sensitivity and restrained anguish that brought her to the spotlight, and “Anandmath” (1952) only increased her value.

Geeta Dutt went on to proving that her sketchy training in music was no bar to her effortless and effective rendition of a wide range of songs, from the deeply spiritual to the skillfully sensuous, to those dripping with pathos to the gently flirty, and the playful to the profound.

Out of her more than 1,400 songs, those in landmark films like “Anandmath”, “Aar Paar”, “Baazi”, “CID”, “Pyaasa”, “Devdas”, “Jogan”, “Kaagaz Ke Phool”, “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam”, among others, are ample evidence of her talent.

A few years down, however, it all began to go wrong -- her husband not only proved insecure of her talent and tried to restrict her to his own productions, but also engaged in an affair with a leading lady, which drove Geeta Dutt into a vortex of despair and made her turn to drink to assuage her sorrows.

If that wasn’t all, Guru Dutt’s accidental death/suicide in 1964, along with the problems and debts he left behind, hung heavy on her, and forced her to do stage shows to sustain herself and her family, till the health problems caused by her heavy drinking in her unhappy life led to her untimely -- and much mourned -- death.

Let’s revisit her voice, which so transfigured with the feelings she brought to her lyrics, with some of her best, in the height of her fame and renown, in free India’s first decade (1947-57), where she stood her ground against Lata Mangeshkar.

“Khayalon Mein Kisi Ke” - Sung along with Mukesh, this wistful and haunting love song from “Bawre Nain” (1950) was the best vehicle for the poignancy that Geeta Dutt could bring to her voice. The song was picturised on Raj Kapoor and Geeta Bali. The lyrics were by director Kidar Sharma himself, and the music by Roshan -- the grandfather of Hrithik.

“Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol” - This Meera bhajan was rendered with verve and feeling by Geeta Dutt in this offbeat film, inspired by the life of the legendary poetess herself.

She did many other Meera bhajans in this, with all the pain and fervour that could entail, though later confessing her personal choice was the rendition of “Mar jaa jogi”. Bulo C. Rani was the music composer.

“Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer” Showing that she was at home with Western/jazz-based music too, Geeta Dutt did full justice to this nightclub number in the noirish “Baazi” (1951), starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali.

S.D. Burman provided the music and Sahir Ludhianvi the lyrics.

“Ye Lo Main Haari Piya” - It is difficult to pick the best from “Aar Paar” (1954). Should it be the duets “Mohabbat Kar Lo, Ji Bhar Lo” or “Arey, Na Na Na, Tauba Tauba” (with Mohammad Rafi) or the playful “Babuji Dheere Chalna” that show Geeta at her best. But this one, with the air of sweet resignation that she portrays, makes it stand out. O.P.

Nayyar was the music director and Majrooh Sultanpuri did the lyrics.

“Na Yeh Chand Hoga” - Showcasing her capability, Geeta marked her presence with this song from “Shart” (1954), where Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle sang the majority of the numbers. The dreamy music of Hemant Kumar was well suited to this song, which came twice -- once in his voice and once in hers, with she matching the languor he brought to it.

“Udhar Tum Haseen Ho” - “Mr. & Mrs. 55” (1955) again spoils us for choice. Do we pick the playful “Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji”, where Geeta Dutt is paired with Rafi, or the classical-tinged “Preetam Aan Milo”, which she sang both as a solo and a duet, or “Thandi Hawa, Kaali Ghata”, where she proves that she is a match for the redoubtable Shamshad Begum as well. This soft romantic duet with Rafi also stands out. Nayyar and Majrooh provided the music and the lyrics, respectively.

“Jaata Kahaan Hai Dewaane” - When it comes to “C.I.D.” (1956), it was Shamshad Begum all the way with “Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re”, “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar”, and above all, “Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana”, but Geeta Dutt shines with this gently beguiling song in what is termed as one of the best Hindi thriller films ever. It was the same Nayyar-Majrooh team again.

“Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Lagalo” - This Baul music-influenced and subtly sensuous song from “Pyaasa” (1957) more than holds its own, than her other solo “Jaane Kya Tune Kahi”, or the waltz duet “Hum Aap Ki Aankhon Mein”. The music was by S.D. Burman and the lyrics by Sahir.

“Na jaao saiyan chhuda ke baiyan” - Coming to know of her husband’s affair with Waheeda Rehman, Geeta Dutt flatly refused to sing for her any longer, but unbent to sing for Meena Kumari in “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962), where both the actress and the singer proved that they were literally made for each other in portraying hapless pathos. Hemant Kumar was the music director and Shakeel Badayuni the lyricist.

This song could have been an appeal to Guru Dutt - but it seems to have gone unheeded.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

Vidyut-starrer ‘Commando’ to be adapted into web series with new actor

Mumbai, July 21 (IANS): Action movie franchise ‘Commando’ will soon be adapted into an OTT series.

The new show will feature Para SF Captain Karan Singh Dogra’s

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(originally played by popular actor Vidyut Jammwal) adventures in finer detail, giving viewers a close look at his life and mission.

The series will release exclusively on OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar and will be backed by filmmaker-producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who earlier made the medical drama series ‘Human’ for the streamer.

Commenting on the development, Vipul said in a statement, “It’s an absolute pleasure and joy to extend the action franchise like ‘Commando’ into the OTT world.

The franchise has been very special because we launched the supremely talented Vidyut Jammwal and it went on to become one of the most successful action franchises. It will be very exciting as this is going to be another experiment with the same

franchise that has never happened in India.”

Vipul, who will take over the reins as the show creator, is currently on a search for a fresh face to portray the lead character in the new show. “’Commando’ as a film only has Vidyut Jammwal but OTT will launch a new Commando. Moreover, action is a genre that is pretty unexplored on OTT in India so in that sense, it will be a new thing for the OTT, so it will be fun to do that.

I am super thrilled to associate with Disney+ Hotstar after “Human” as they are an amazing team with great vision”, he added.

This will be the first time in India when a film franchise will be converted into a digital series from scratch.

From TV show ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ to her Tollywood debut ‘Andhra Pori’, actress Ulka Gupta has a number of works to her credit. Now, the actress is being seen in ‘Banni Chow Home Delivery’, playing the titular role.

She opens up about portraying a strong woman character in the daily soap and says: “I believe it’s always been my motto to contribute to the empowerment of women by educating them, strengthening their abilities and inner qualities, and in the process becoming one. We’re not all born strong women. We toughen ourselves, and we create ourselves into a strong person.”

The 25-year-old actress says she is proud of being a woman and ready to face all the challenges.

“I feel so happy to be a woman, a girl, who has dealt with this world and created a place for others like me.

I believe in achieving the required attributes, honing their skills, which will lead women to realize their self-worth.”

“It’s true that women haven’t been given any chances in the past, history proves it. This is actually a perfect era to be born in, to be a girl in, where the world has changed thanks to all the amazing and strong ladies who fought for our rights.

Shout out to ‘Jhansi ki Rani’ and many more!”

She shares further about her role, saying: “Banni is someone who speaks for herself, and always

stands up to injustice. She has an answer for every finger pointed at her, and always has a logic to support it.”

“Banni feels that it’s important to speak up for yourself, and having a say is extremely important. I’m super proud of Banni for being who she is, and I love the way she maintains her femininity too,” she

concludes.

The show is about the journey of a strong and fierce girl, Banni who runs a food delivery business where she cooks home-cooked meals for people who have moved to the city in quest of a job but miss homecooked food.

‘Banni Chow Home Delivery’ airs on Star Plus.

Priyanka won’t sing with Nick, but acting together on the cards Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who recently celebrated her birthday, doesn’t want to share the mic with her husband Nick Jonas although she is a singer herself and has lent her voice to songs like ‘In My City’ and ‘Exotic’.

Priyanka, is diversifying in other avenues as an entrepreneur, after setting up her New York City restaurant named ‘Sona’ and investing in home decor, the actress along with Nick has recently invested in a UK-based luxury fashion and sportswear brand specialising in ski and surf clothing, reports ‘Variety’.

While talking to ‘Variety’, the ‘Barfi’ actress mentioned, “I love working with Nick so you’ll see things happen as the years unfold. But I’ll never sing with him.”

When she was asked the reason behind her decision especially when she is a singer herself, PC responded by saying, “Not like him! No chance.

He’s a musical prodigy.”

But, the actress assured that someday they will share the screen.

‘Variety’ quoted her saying, “We’re definitely developing a bunch of TV and film stuff together.”

Bhojpuri actress Pakkhi Hegde has no qualms about playing a negative character Pakkhi Hegde is a well-known name in the Bhojpuri industry. She worked with megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the film ‘Ganga Devi’ and Manoj Tiwari in ‘Bhaiya Hamar Dayavaan’.

Now, the actress is excited about playing a strong negative character in ‘Udti Ka Naam Rajjo’. The show is all about a young girl Rajjo (played

by Celesti Bairagey), who wants to be an athlete and Arjun (Rajveer Singh) motivates her to pursue her dream.

Pakkhi talks about being part of a Hindi TV show and says that though audiences always loved to see her in positive roles she has no hesitation in playing a negative character.

She says: “I know that people have always liked me in positive characters. This character also has a positive side, though she does certain things which showcases a negative side of her but it’s because of her possessiveness about her family.”

“The character is about a woman who is very strong headed. I know that people will love my performance and they will relate to it as I’m showcasing human emotions which can be both negative and positive. I know people will accept and enjoy my character in this show as well as they have done in the past.

She further adds about making a

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comeback with the TV show: “I have worked in Bhojpuri films. My fans were not able to see me for a while in any project as I was being very selective with my work, but finally

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they will get a surprise when they will see me coming back with a bang on TV.” ‘Udti Ka Naam Rajjo’ is all set to start from August 8 on Star Plus.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 2, Issue 12, Aug 1-15, 2022

From onion bhajis to jogging in the rain: TV stars celebrate monsoon

From enjoying assorted pakodas with masala chai to going out for long drives or just getting drenched in the rains of Mumbai, TV actors share their memories and what they like to do during monsoons.

‘Naagin 6’ actor Simba Nagpal calls monsoon his favourite season of the year and loves to play guitar or listen to his favourite song.

As he says: “My favourite season of the year is monsoon and I love rain because it triggers something in me emotionally. I love playing guitar while I’m looking out towards the rain- and it gives me a beautiful feeling. I feel really nice.

He recalls his initial visit to Mumbai and visiting Marine Drive: “It was just my third or fourth day in Mumbai and I decided to visit Marine Drive just to see how it is; because I had seen it a lot in movies.

And this happened during monsoon.

While I was there, I was listening to this song, ‘Ek Taara’ from the film ‘Wake Up Sid’, with my earphones on, and I was sitting by the shore and suddenly it started raining.”

“Although I was drenched with my phone, I was engrossed in that beautiful feeling that I wanted to make it last forever,” he adds.

While actress Anjali Tatrari is fond of Mumbai’s kanda bhaji or crispy onion pakodas.

“I truly love eating onion bhajis while gazing at the Mumbai rains.

In fact, everyone in my family loves the onion pakoras that I make, so every year when I am not shooting on a rainy day, I make bhajiya for everyone and we end up watching a movie together,” adds the actress who is seen in the show ‘Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na’.

‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’’s actress Sunayana

Fozdar loves maize and getting drenched in rain.

“I used to enjoy getting drenched in the rain as a child just as much I do now, and I remember doing that despite of being told by my mother not to. Another thing that I enjoy during rain is going on long drives and eating corncobs.”

On the other hand, Aishwarya Sharma is not a fan of monsoon but of course she likes the cool breeze and the earthy smell.

“I’m not particularly a fan of monsoon. But when it rains there’s this unique scent of soil which is absolutely enchanting. When it rains for the first time, the first thing I do is go out and take in that earthy scent.

Later she shares how she and her husband and actor Neil Bhatt go out for long drive.

“Although we both sometimes enjoy the drive when it rains, Neil is fan and he loves jogging in the rain but I don’t. It’s just my opinion. We’re all on set for most of the day, and it rains like cats and dogs but we do not have much time to go out and appreciate monsoon,” shares the ‘Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin’ actress.

Cezanne Khan recently seen in ‘Appnapan’ shares: “I am a romantic person and so monsoons for me will always be rose tinted. Add on to that the charm of the city of Mumbai and its just as perfect as a cup of chai and some pakodas on the side.

He reminisces: “The earliest memories I have of the rains is just dancing in heavy pouring rain and my dear mother scolding us for getting wet and catching a cold. I love shooting and in the midst of that the soft pattering of the rain drops on our set.”

Krishna Kaul of ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ is not so fond of the chaos created in Mumbai because of rains. The actor says that this time he is shooting for a rain sequence in the show.

“While the Monsoon season creates a lot of chaos in Mumbai, I personally love rain. Every year, I make it a point to get drenched, but this year, for the first time, I was being paid to get wet in the rain. This was because we shot a rain sequence for ‘Kumkum Bhagya’, and I must say that it was truly a fun shoot,” he concludes.

Samantha Prabhu to grace Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2022 has been invited by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne as one of the key guests for their 2022 festival, which is set to flag off on August 12.

The festival is returning physically after two years, thanks to the pandemic restrictions.

Commenting on the development, Samantha said: “Last year, even though I was a part of IFFM virtually, I could feel the energy and vibe because of the enthusiasm of all the participants. With the world opening up and given the opportunity to travel to Australia to be part of it in person, to experience that energy first hand, is something I’m looking forward to.”

She further mentioned: “Celebrating Indian cinema, in all its diversity with communities of both Indians and cinema lovers unanimously together is an exciting feeling”.

The actress will meet her fans in the capital city of the Victorian State in Australia during the course of the fest. She will also deliver a special in conversation chat with a live audience, speaking of her career and trajectory on August 13.

Mumbai, July 18 (IANS): Actress Samantha Prabhu, who received positive response for her work in

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the OTT series ‘The Family Man 2’ and made the nation go gaga over her moves in the song ‘Oo Antava’,

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, the festival director, added, “Samantha has such an ardent fan following here in Australia. Her fans are eagerly waiting for her to be part of IFFM and celebrate her, and her work at the festival this year. She’s such a versatile actor and has found such impeccable respect amongst her fans for her work”.

Kapil Dev to be guest of honour at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Mumbai, July 8 (IANS): Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev will be seen as the guest of honour at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which will be celebrated physically after a gap of two years.

Set to take place in the Victorian capital, the festival is set to take place from August 12-20 both in person and virtually.

The festival, which for the last two years was held virtually, will make its physical comeback with programming spanning both in person and online to keep up with the current times.

This year the festival will kick off with its opening night on August 12 and will have its yearly annual awards gala on August 14. The film programming is more diverse than ever before with over 100 films in 23 languages having been selected for the festival.

Speaking of being part of IFFM 2022, Kapil Dev said: “I look forward to being part of IFFM 2022. It’s a great platform celebrating the best in Indian cinema. I truly do believe that sports and cinema are two

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major cultural experiences for not only Indians but various communities and countries that bind us together.

“It’s something for decades now that has united people. It’s a deep rooted emotional connection and love we have for both cinema and sports, and when they come together it’s a rewarding experience for everyone.”

Speaking of the festival and it coming back physically, the festival director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, shared: “We are absolutely delighted to have IFFM come back physically this year alongside an exciting virtual programming. To have with us a legendary cricketer Kapil Dev in honour of a film based on his iconic 83 World Cup Win, we are excited to have him in Melbourne.

“Being a city of cinema and cricket lovers alike, we are certain the audiences will be excited to see him here. The festival this year has over 100 films from across the India sub-continent and we are excited to celebrate Indian cinema in all its glory and diversity.”

Minister for Creative Industries,

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Steve Dimopoulos said: “From its diverse programme of film and joyous celebration of culture to the star power it attracts, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is an unmissable event.”

“The Victorian Government is a proud, long standing supporter of IFFM, this year boosting our support for the festival to extend its reach and impact, and we look forward to seeing Victorians from all communities join the celebration.”

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