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India, US hold talks to strengthen co- President Kovind presents production of defence equipment 2021 Padma awards IANS
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): India and the US have held talks to strengthen several co-production and co-development of defence equipment initiatives between two countries. The talks happened during the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Group meeting between both the countries virtually on November 9. The meeting was co-chaired by India's Secretary, Defence Production, Raj Kumar and
IANS
officiating Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, US Department of Defense, Gregory Kausner.
aircraft carrier technologies have been established under the group to promote mutually agreed projects within their domains.
The group meetings are normally held twice a year, alternating between India and the US. However, this meeting was held via video teleconferencing consecutively for a second time on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The groups reported to the co-chairs on ongoing activities and collaborative opportunities, including a number of near-term projects targeted for completion on priority.
The aim of the DTTI Group is to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment. Four Joint Working Groups focused on land, naval, air and
As evidence of their commitment to demonstrating the success of Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, the co-chairs agreed on a revised Statement of Intent (SOI) that declares their intent "to strengthen our dialogue on defence technology cooperation by pursuing detailed planning and making measurable progress" on several specific projects.
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New Delhi, November 9 (IANS): President Ram Nath Kovind presented four Padma Vibhushans, including to archaeologist B.B. Lal, five Padma Bhushans and 44 Padma Shri on
November 9. The awards were presented by the President at the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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Fully vaccinated Australians
96 nations give consent to After Australia, 5 free to travel overseas from Nov mutually recognise vaccination more countries Canberra, October 28 (IANS): country for the first time since who have been fully March 2020. recognise India's Australians certificates with India vaccinated against Covid-19 will Greg Hunt, Minister for Health
New Delhi, November 9 (IANS): A total of 96 nations across the globe have agreed to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates with India. The persons travelling to and from these nations are being provided certain relaxations.
"Reflecting worldwide recognition of India's vaccines and vaccination process, 96 countries have agreed to mutually accept its vaccination certificates," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on November 9. He added: "A total of 96 countries
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have also agreed to recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers fully vaccinated with Covishield, and other WHO approved and nationally approved vaccines." Mandaviya said that the Union government continues to be in contact with the rest of the world so that beneficiaries of the world's largest Covid vaccination programme are accepted and recognised, thereby easing their travel for education, business and tourism purposes.
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Covaxin
IANS
New Delhi, November 1 (IANS): After Australia recognised Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for allowing entry of travellers who had received the vaccine, five more countries on November 1 recognised India's vaccine Continued on Page 29 certificate.
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be able to travel overseas from November, the government said.
The federal government on October 23 night changed the Human Biosecurity Determination -- a law created in March 2020 to restrict international travel during the coronavirus pandemic to remove the need for fully vaccinated Australians to ask for permission to leave the country, reports Xinhua news agency. It means that from November 1, fully vaccinated Australians are now able to freely leave the
and Aged Care, said it was the first stage in Australia's reopening to the world. "Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Goods Administration -approved or recognized vaccine, with the second dose occurring at least seven days prior to travel," he said on Wednesday in Canberra. Continued on Page 3
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President Kovind presents 2021 Padma awards
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IANS
In view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the presentation of the awards are being held in two parts, the second will take place at 5 p.m. Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President N. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Apart from Lal, Padma Vibhushan awards were presented to cardiologist Belle Monappa Hegde (medicine), Narinder Singh Kapany (posthumous, for science and engineering) and sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo (arts). The second important award, the Padma Bhushan, was presented to former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan (public affairs), top bureaucrat Nripendra Mishra (civil service), and posthumously to former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi (for public affairs), Ram Vilas Paswan (public affairs) and former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel (public affairs). Honouring the talents across fields, the Padma Shri awards were presented to Sarod &
Afghan Rabani player Ustad Gulfam Ahmed (arts), basketball player P Anitha (sports), Assam banker Laxmi Baruah (social work), Rajani Bector (trade and industry), folk artist Gopiram Bargayn Burabhakat (arts), retired principal Sujit Chatterjee a.k.a. Chattopadhyay (literature and education), Ladakh's Tsultrim Chonjor (social work), painter from Bihar Dulari Devi (arts), dancer Prof Dr Iyu Bhuyan (arts), Gujarati poet and folk singer Dadudan Gadhavi (posthumous, arts), Haryana's Professor Jai Bhagwan Goyal (literature and education), mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, Dr Anshu Jamsenpa (sports), folk singer Purnamasi Jani (arts), author Namdev Chandrabhan Kamble (literature and education) and Dr Rajat Kumar Kar (literature and education). The other Padma Shri awardees included Punjab's Prakash Kaur (social work), renowned puppeteer K Kesavasamy (arts), phulkari artist Lajwanti (arts), folk singer Lakha
Khan Manganiar (arts), folk singer Dulal Manki (arts), Dr Chandrakant Mehta (literature and education), Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri (arts), Dr Chandrakant Sambhaji Pandav (medicine), Dr Jitendra Nath Pandey (posthumous, for medicine), Prof Sundaram Soloman Pappaiah (literature and education - journalism), Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat (trader and industry), Assam's Dr Birubala Rabha (social work), Rama Swamy Annavarapu (arts), famous Carnatic singer Bombay Jayashree Ramnath (arts) and Dr Dhananjay Diwakar Sagdeo (medicine). Further, the Padma Shri awards were also given to Orthopedic Dr Bhupendra Kumar Singh Sanjay (medicine), Prof Chamanlal Sapru (posthumous, for literature and education), Hanjaman Ongbi Radhe (arts), Dr Arjun Singh Shekhawat (literature and education), Prof Ram Yatna Shukla (literature and education), Jitender Singh Shunty (social work), athlete Sudha Singh (sports), former governor Mrudula Sinha (literature and education), West Bengal's Guru Maa Kamali Soren (social work), P Subramaniam (posthumous, for trade and industry), Dr Thiruvengadam Veeraraghavan (posthumous, for medicine), Dr Kapil Tiwari (literature and education), differently-abled sports person K Y Venkatesh (sports) and Bangladesh national Lt Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (social work). This year, the list of Padma awards consists of seven Padma Vibhushans, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 102 Padma Shri.
After Australia, 5 more countries recognise India's Covaxin
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These five countries recognised both Covaxin and Covishield.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that five more countries have recognised India's vaccination certificate, including Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, State of Palestine, Mauritius and Mongolia. In a tweet in the evening, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination certificates continues! Five more recognitions for India's vaccination certificate, including from Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, State of Palestine, Mauritius and Mongolia." Earlier in the day, Australia recognised Bharat Biotech's Covaxin along with Covishield for allowing entry of travellers who had received the vaccine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the
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Australian drug regulator, announced that it has recognised two more Covid-19 vaccines not registered in Australia but used widely internationally, which includes Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China).
The TGA further stated that with recognition of Covaxin, and BBIBP-CorV, along with the previously announced recognition of Coronavac (manufactured by Sinovac, China) and Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca), means many citizens of India and China as well as other countries in the region where these vaccines have been widely deployed will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia. The TGA stated that this will have significant impact for the return of international students, and travel of skilled and unskilled
workers to Australia.
"This recognition is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV," the TGA said in a statement. The TGA mentioned that in recent weeks it has obtained additional information demonstrating these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveller would transmit Covid-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to Covid-19. "The supporting information has been provided to the TGA from the vaccine sponsor and or the World Health Organisation (WHO)," it said. In addition, with input from the TGA, Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) (ATAGI) have determined
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COVER STORIES
India, US hold talks to strengthen coproduction of defence equipment Continued from Page 1
The co-chairs were also pleased to note that since the last Defence Technology and Trade Initiative Group meeting in September 2020, the first Project Agreement for Air-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle under the Joint Working Group Air Systems was signed which is a major accomplishment. To further encourage US and Indian industries to develop niche technologies under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative Group, the Defence Industry
Collaboration Forum (DICF) Virtual Expo was conducted on November 8.
It was convened by Joint Secretary, Defence Industries Promotion, Anurag Bajpai and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Industrial Policy Jesse Salazar. This forum offers an opportunity for Indian and US industries to be directly involved in DTTI and facilitates dialogue between government and industry on issues that impact industrial collaboration.
Fully vaccinated Australians free to travel overseas from Nov Continued from Page 1
Pexel
People who have not been vaccinated will still have to apply with the Department of Home Affairs to leave the country and face stricter quarantine protocols on their return. Recently, Australia reported more than 1,800 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths as the country continues to battle the third wave of the pandemic. The new figures raised the overall infection tally and death toll to 165,904 and 1,696, respectively. The majority of new cases were in Victoria, the country's second-most populous state with Melbourne as the capital city, where 1,534 infections and 13 deaths were reported. Till date, more than 74 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over were fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the Department of Health. On October 24, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for individuals 18 years and older, six months after
their second dose. Subject to the final advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), it is expected that a general population booster program will commence no later than November 8 with original priority groups, including people in aged care and disability care settings, to be offered the option to receive a booster as a priority, according to Hunt.
96 nations give consent to mutually recognise vaccination certificates with India Continued from Page 1
The UK government announced on November 8 that according to its new travel guidelines, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin will be added to its approved list of Covid vaccines for international travellers from November 22. "From 4 am on November 22, the UK government will recognise vaccines on the World Health Organization's Emergency Use Listing," said the UK government's new travel guidelines. The development came after that those who have received two doses of a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine at least 14 days apart are regarded as fully vaccinated from seven days after the second dose (with the exception of Janssen vaccine, where they are regarded as fully vaccinated seven days after the single dose). This includes homologous (two doses of the
WHO approved Covaxin for emergency use listing recently. The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country so far has exceeded 109.08 crore. India had achieved the milestone of 100 crore vaccinations on October 21. same vaccine) and heterologous (two doses of two different TGAapproved or recognised vaccines) schedules. "From 1 November 2021, vaccinated Australians and permanent residents aged 12 and over may depart Australia without the need to seek a travel exemption," the statement added.
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NEWS FROM INDIA
Chinese PLA in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, 'Chhath' festival ends after surveys villages and military posts 2nd 'argha' IANS
IANS
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) personnel are carrying out a survey of the border posts and villages in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir to strengthen the Pakistan military apparatus across Line of Control, said sources, adding Indian security forces are keeping an eye on the activities and motives behind the survey. Source said that around four dozen Chinese PLA soldiers arrived in the Kel, Jura and Leepa sectors of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir a month ago. Indian armed forces say that these areas -- Kel, Jura and Leepa -- are among those from where Pakistan pushes terrorists into Indian territory.
in building model villages along the Line of Control as they have done across borders with India?," questioned a senior government officer over Chinese PLA men visiting these regions.
Source said that the over 40 People's Liberation Army soldiers came to these regions, divided themselves into groups of five or six each, visited a number of villages and conducted surveys of villages, Pakistan Army posts and "infiltration routes used by terrorists to reach the Kashmir Valley". The groups were accompanied by Pakistan Army personnel, InterServices Intelligence (ISI) officers, and interpreters. Source said that the visit of Chinese troops in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir villages indicates the making of model villages -- which can be used both by civilians and military -- in these regions. "Are the Chinese helping Pakistan
Recently, the US Department of Defense in its annual report to Congress on military and security developments involving the People's Republic of China (PRC) had flagged that China has built a large 100-home civilian village inside disputed territory between the Tibet Autonomous Region and India's Arunachal Pradesh. The report also had stated that these and other infrastructure development efforts along the India-China border have been a source of consternation in the Indian government and media. About the US report, a senior security official, however, stated the said village being referred to has been under Chinese control since 1959. The village has been built by China in an area that was occupied by the PLA after overrunning an Assam Rifles post in 1959, in an operation known as Longju incident along the frontier in Arunachal Pradesh.
3rd non-bailable warrant against exMumbai top cop Param Bir Singh IANS
whereabouts are not known since the past several months. The Marine Drive Police had registered the extortion case against Singh and 7 others, including five police officials, on July 22 following a complaint by realtor Shyamsunder Agrawal.
Ex-top cop Param Bir Singh
Mumbai, November 10 (IANS): A Mumbai court on November 10 issued a non-bailable warrant against ex-city police chief Param Bir Singh in an extortion case lodged with the Marine Drive Police Station. The NBW, issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R.M. Nerlikar, is the third against Singh, whose current
Among the accused, two police personnel - Asha Korke and Nandkumar Gopale - were arrested on November 8 and sent to the CID custody for a week. The CID is also probing a case under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Agrawal, registered by Juhu Police Station, alleging links with the absconder mafia operative Chhota Shakeel. However, Agrawal claimed that
based on this "false case", Singh and other police officials extorted money from him at the best of his former business associate Sanjay Punamia, a co-accused with the ex-city police chief, and currently out on bail. Besides this, Singh is facing two other NBWs issued recently after extortion complaints were registered against him in Mumbai's Goregaon and adjoining Thane. Currently the CommandantGeneral of Home Guards, Singh has failed to honour summons for probe by various agencies, including a Maharashtra government-appointed panel, the retired Justice K.U. Chandiwal Commission.
Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar chosen as next Indian Navy chief IANS
November 9 named the next Indian Navy chief.
Incumbent Admiral Karambir Singh will retire from service on November 30. Born on April 12, 1962, Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar was commissioned into the Navy's Executive Branch on January 1, 1983. Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar
New Delhi, November 9 (IANS): Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar, presently the Western Naval Command chief, was on
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During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of command, staff, and instructional appointments. Vice Admiral Hari Kumar's sea command includes INS Nishank,
Patna, November 11 (IANS): The three-day 'Chhath' festival ended after devotees offered a second "argha" to the rising sun on November 11 morning.
"The Chhath is generally celebrated in Bihar and Purvanchal (east) Uttar Pradesh where people pray for the sun, the only god visible in the universe," said a devotee named Komal Sharma in Patna. 'Chhath" is celebrated among all sections of the society across the world where people of Bihar or Purvanchal regions live. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also given "Argha" to the rising sun in his official residence in Patna. His relatives did the Chhath Puja. Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Upendra Sharma also
Vice Admiral Hari Kumar has undergone courses at the Naval War College, US, the Army War College, Mhow, and the Royal College of Defence Studies, UK. He has been decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal(VSM).
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Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi was in his native village Barauli under Belshand village in Gopalganj district to take part in the festivities. His sister-in-law did the Chhath festival. Two Nigerian inmates, who are lodged in the Khudiram Bose central jail in Muzaffarpur for smuggling of contraband, also performed the Chhath Puja. They prayed to the sun to release them soon from the prison, said a jail source.
Action against NRIs for 'anti-India' activities impacted Khalistan referendum New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS): The recent action against NRIs and OCIs involved in "anti-India" activities acted as a "deterrent" against the call given by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for a referendum on Khalistan in the UK, sources in the government said.
The SFJ, which organised the referendum to carve out Khalistan in India, badly failed to garner support of the Sikhs living in London despite the efforts of different outfits associated with the Khalistan movement such as the Federation of Sikh Organization and the World Sikh Parliament. However, some British Sikhs travelled to London on Sunday to cast their vote. The sources also said that the SFJ based in the US, a banned organisation in India, "deliberately" tried to organise a referendum on November 1, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the UK to attend a global
summit on Climate Change.
They said that the organisers had arranged hundreds of buses to bring Sikhs from the remote areas of the UK but they could only gather less than 2,000 people. The SFJ had given a call to all the Sikhs above the age of 18 to vote in the referendum. Some them who arrived at the voting centre also raised slogans in favour of Khalistan. Recently, the Indian authorities had taken action against some NRIs and OCI cardholders for protesting before the Indian Embassies abroad and cancelled the long term visas and OCI status. Though, the exact number against whom the action was taken was not revealed but it was learnt that 12 Indians living in Canada faced the music. The Indian Government can take more action in such cases, the sources added.
Modi meeting Pope, momentous event in India's history: Goa CM IANS
an apex leader of Christianity. Modi's meeting with the Pope by travelling all the way from India is worthy of congratulations. I congratulate Modi ji on your behalf," the Chief Minister said in the Catholic-dominated Assembly constituency of St. Andre in North Goa during a government function.
Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant
"There has never been such a moment in the history of India. Through this, Modi has shown that India is moving ahead on the basis of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwvas and Sabka Prayas'," the Chief Minister said.
missile corvette INS Kora and guided missile destroyer INS Ranvir.
He also commanded the Indian Navy's Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat. He served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.
undertook the fast of 36 hours to celebrate the Puja. His wife helped him to complete the rituals of the Puja.
Panaji, November 10 (IANS): :Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the Vatican and his meeting with Pope Francis is an unprecedented moment in Indian history, Pramod Sawant, the Chief Minister of poll-bound Goa, said on November 10. "PM Modi went to Vatican City eight days ago and met world leader Pope Francis, a priest and
Modi met the Pope on October 30 and extended an invitation to the pontiff to visit India, which the latter has accepted.
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NEWS FROM INDIA
Heavy rains continue to lash Chennai Harsimrat seeks Modi's intervention in reopening Kartarpur Corridor IANS
city have been inundated, while the power supply has been cut off in many localities. According to the weather department, the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal is currently about 170 km eastsoutheast of Chennai and 170 km east of Puducherry.
Chennai, November 11 (IANS): Heavy rain continued to lash Chennai on November 11 morning since the previous night due to the depression over southwest Bay of Bengal, which according to the IMD is expected to cross northern Tamil Nadu and the adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by the evening. As a result, several homes in the
It continues to move westnorthwestwards. Localities like T.Nagar, Mylapore, Velacherry, Adyar, Ekkattuthangal and others are waterlogged. While the Greater Chennai Corporation is pumping out water with motors, the water level remains the same. "Wind is also blowing and the possibility of trees getting
uprooted is also one of the fears," a milk supply boy said.
Several subways have been closed for traffic as they are filled with water. According to Chennai Airport, flight operations are continuing as per schedule. Suburban train services from Chennai to Tiruvallur have been suspended due to waterlogging on the tracks and in other routes the services were delayed. According to the Railways, in the case of long distance trains, only marginal delays can be expected in arrivals and departures, especially for those trains going towards and coming from Arakkonam and Gudur.
Congress to take out 403 yatras in UP IANS
Lucknow, November 11 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh Congress unit will take out 'padyatras' in all the 403 Assembly constituencies of the state between November 14 and 24 in an effort to urge people to vote out the BJP in order to control inflation. In a statement, the party said: "A total of 403 'padyatras' titled "Mehngai hatao pratigya padyatra'
will be taken out from November 14, the birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. Every yatra will pass through at least seven villages or wards and cover a distance of at least 10 km in every Assembly constituency every day." The party proposes to cover a total distance of 32,240 km and hold 24,180 village level and 5,000 roadside public meetings during the period. Party workers would distribute the 'pratigya patra' (pamphlets listing Congress promises) and detail out the prevailing situation on the front of rising inflation.
After every two days, a day's rest will be given to the workers and this would bring down the effective number of days of the 'yatra' to eight days. Senior party leaders will address a roadside public meeting at local markets at the end of the day's 'yatra'. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu said that directives had been sent to all district city presidents of the party and asked them to fix responsibility of party leaders to make the 'yatra' successful in their respective districts/cities in the state.
India honours ex-Pakistan para brigade member for liberating Bangladesh IANS
Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (left) with President Ram Nath Kovind
New Delhi, November 11 (IANS): :India has honoured Qazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (retd), a former Pakistan elite para-brigade member in Sialkot who became a Bangladeshi Lt. Col., for his contribution in liberating Bangladesh from the atrocities of Pakistan.
Lt. Col. (retd) Zahir, a Pakistan Army officer who went on to serve the Bangladesh Army, is a highlydecorated officer. Interestingly, there is a death sentence for him for the last 50 years in Pakistan for showcasing his bravery.
recognising his sacrifices and contributions to India's success in the 1971 war against Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Lt. Col. (retd) Zahir turned 71 when India and Bangladesh celebrated 50 years of the war this year.
He was a young officer in the Pakistan army posted in the Sialkot sector and thereafter managed to cross over to India in March 1971, seeing the brutality and genocide in East Pakistan.
He was conferred with Bir Protik, the Indian equivalent to a Vir Chakra, for gallantry, and Bangladesh's highest civil honour, Swadhinata Padak. India has now conferred him with the Padma Shri -- one of the highest civilian awards --
He came to India when he was 20 with documents and maps about Pakistan's plans.
He had just Rs 20 in his pocket when he crossed the border. Initially, he was suspected as a Pakistani spy, but gained trust later on.
Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba accorded hero's welcome in Karnataka Dakshina Kannada, November 9 (IANS): Harekala Hajabba, a simple man who built a school by selling oranges on the streets and conferred with prestigious Padma Shri, India's fourthhighest civilian award, received a hero's welcome when he returned to his home town Mangaluru on November 9. The whole country saluted the 65-year-old Hajabba for his contribution and appreciated his humility for walking barefoot
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towards the dais to receive the honour from President Ram Nath Kovind on November 8. Hundreds of people gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport to welcome him. As soon as he landed and emerged from the lobby, his fans surrounded him and felicitated him with bouquets and shawls amid cheering and clapping.
Hajabba, who is not used to having a celebrity status, was taken aback
by seeing hundreds of people applauding him.
He was escorted to his residence in a government vehicle. Hajabba won more hearts when he requested for a PU college for his village near Mangaluru. He maintained that it was an honour to receive Padma Shri award from the President and also expressed his happiness over shaking hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Chandigarh, November 10 (IANS): Calling for reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in Pakistan, former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on November 10 urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene to open the proposal for a land swap between India and Pakistan for merger of the holy shrine at Kartarpur Sahib with India in exchange for a suitable chunk of land elsewhere on the lines of the Hussainiwala village exchange. She urged the Prime Minister to take the diplomatic initiative for the creation of a "Permanent Peace Corridor" to link all multi-faith sacred shrines left in Pakistan with the Indo-Pak border. Among other things, she said this would be "the first step towards the eventual fulfilment of the sacred Sikh prayer for 'khulle darshan deedare te seva sambhal
Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal
(unhindered access and the right to perform service of the Guru)' of all the sacred shrines which were weaned away from the devout Sikh masses in 1947". In her two-page letter to the Prime Minister, Harsimrat Kaur recalled that the proposal for the land swap to merge Kartarpur Sahib with India was first mooted by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in 1948.
Volatile situation on borders, forces must be ready to respond: Rajnath New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): Citing the volatile situation on the borders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on November 10 said that the armed forces "need to be prepared to respond at a short notice for any contingency". Addressing the second biannual Indian Air Force Commanders' Conference at the air headquarters, he stressed that the role of IAF in future conflicts is crucial and it needs to harness the capabilities and opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Handling, and Machine Learning. Rajnath Singh also mentioned that the efforts in the field of indigenisation through the 'Make in India' initiative of the government are showing results and the orders of LCA Mk 1A and C-295 will open new opportunities in the indigenous aerospace sector. Expounding on theatralisation, he
IANS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
noted that enhancing jointness is essential and the structure should be evolved after closely examining various options, and inputs from all stakeholders would be taken into consideration. He exhorted the commanders to brainstorm to evolve viable solutions towards the conference theme of "Ensuring Certainty amidst Uncertainties". The minister also appreciated the IAF for maintaining a high level of preparedness, ability to respond on a short notice and displaying high standards of professionalism in carrying out operational and peace time tasks.
12 lakh farmers benefit from paddy procurement in KMS 2021-22 New Delhi, November 9 (IANS): The Centre on November 9 said that it has procured over 210 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy from 13 states during kharif marketing season (KMS) 2021-22 till November 8.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution (F&PD) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said it procured over 209.52 LMT paddy during KMS 2021-22 from the procuring states and UTs like Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Telangana, Rajasthan,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar. As a result of this, about 11.57 lakh farmers have benefited with minimum support price (MSP) value of Rs 41,066.80 crore, a release from the Ministry said. The paddy procurement is progressing smoothly during KMS 2021-22 at MSP from farmers, as was done in previous years, the government said.
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Australians uncertain about foreign New South Wales crosses travel despite easing of border curbs 90% vaccination-mark
IANS
New Zealand and Europe are the most popular destinations for international flyers, while Australia's coastal areas were the most favoured tourist spots for 44 percent of domestic travellers. "Queensland is still perceived as being the safest place to holiday, closely followed by Western Australia and Tasmania," Walters said. "Queensland has low case numbers, great coastal locations and sunshine, while New South Wales and Victoria have been front and centre of negative Covid-19 publicity."
She said Australians were placing "more emphasis on vaccination status, Covid-19 numbers and hygiene standards when planning travel". Canberra, November 9 (IANS): A new survey revealed on November 9 that despite easing of border restrictions, Australians were unsure of travelling overseas. The survey conducted by the University of Queensland (UQ) showed that only 51 percent of Australians plan to visit foreign destinations, reports Xinhua news agency. About a third of those surveyed said they would prefer to travel domestically while 16 percent said they would not be travelling at all.
"I was surprised by the findings but, then again, I could understand the reasons for them," she told Xinhua. "On the one hand, people may be champing at the bit to travel again, but there are still a lot of indecisions and quick policy changes, so there remains a fair deal of uncertainty. Previously, people felt uncertain and uneasy about the virus and this makes sense because in April last year, no one knew what was to come," Walters added.
Associate Professor Gabby Walters from the UQ Business School said the "lukewarm" responses differed to a survey that had been conducted in April 2020, shortly after Australia banned international flights.
The Associate Professor said this time people were reporting more feelings of "restriction and frustration" as well as being "slightly more scared and anxious" than the earlier survey.
Canberra, November 5 (IANS): Australia's Northern Territory (NT) has introduced Covid restrictions after reporting its first locally-acquired case.
into a 72-hour lockdown that started at midnight November 5.
The survey also found that
In a separate study, Walters and colleagues Associate Professor Sarah Kelly, Thomas Magor and Ann Wallin also investigated the behaviour and preferences of travellers considering cruise holidays. International cruise ships have been banned from entering Australia since March 2020, following an outbreak on the liner Ruby Princess which led to more than 600 infections and 28 deaths.
Sydney, November 10 (IANS): Health authorities in Australia's most populous state, New South Wales (NSW), said on November 10 that the long-awaited 90 per cent double-dose target for its over-16 population had been passed.
Once the state reaches a 95 per cent vaccination rate, or by December 15, limits for all gatherings would be removed, and non-essential retail and dining venues would be opened to everyone, not just the fully vaccinated.
Data showed that as of November 8, 90.1 per cent of the state's residents aged 16 and over had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and 94 per cent had received at least one dose.
NSW reported 216 new locally acquired cases and three deaths in the 24 hours to 8.00 p.m. November 9 night.
Domestically, NSW is second only to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) which hit its 90 per cent target late in October. On November 9 afternoon NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet praised the reaching of the goal and called for one last push to 95 per cent vaccinations across the state. "Every extra vaccinated person strengthens our reopening, protects the vulnerable and gets us closer to the magic 95 per cent -- when even more restrictions ease," he tweeted.
Meanwhile, cases in the state of Victoria continued to hover around the 1,000-mark. The state reported 1,003 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 and 14 related deaths in the 24 hours to midnight November 9. Victoria is currently Australia's third-most vaccinated state or territory with 84 percent of its over-12 residents having been fully vaccinated. Nationally, 81.09 per cent of all Australians over-16 have been fully vaccinated, and 89.53 per cent have received at least one dose, according to data updated on November 9.
Aus exceeds 2020 Covid death toll amid 3rd wave
Hindustan Times
"Travellers are seeking smaller ships and lower occupancy as well as better health and medical facilities on board," Walters said. "We have also seen a market shift -- older generations are less likely to cruise now when previously they were a major market for cruise ships."
Australia's Northern Territory plunged into lockdown on 1st community case Michael Gunner, chief minister of the NT, on November 4 night announced that an unvaccinated man in his 20s was diagnosed with the virus in Katherine, about 300 km south of the capital Darwin, Xinhua news agency reported. He said the man has not travelled outside the NT recently. "We don't know where and we don't know when but this is community transmission," Gunner told reporters. "He has caught it from someone in the territory but we don't know who." It is the first confirmed case of community transmission in the NT since the start of the pandemic. Gunner said the man was likely infectious in the Katherine and Darwin communities from October 31 until November 2. As a result, Katherine plunged
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Under the lockdown, Katherine residents were only allowed to leave home for medical treatment, shopping for essential goods, performing essential work, exercising or providing care. Darwin residents who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are required to wear masks outdoors but can otherwise go about life as normal, while those who are not inoculated are subject to full lockdown restrictions. Anyone caught breaching the restrictions would have received a 5,000-Australian dollar (about 3,700 US dollars) fine. As of November 3, 77.8 percent of people in the territory aged 16 and over had received one vaccine dose and 64.7 percent were fully inoculated. "This is another reminder that the territory is absolutely vulnerable to Covid-19," Gunner said. "But you are more likely to catch Covid if you are unvaccinated, and you are way, way more likely to get seriously ill from Covid if
you are unvaccinated."
Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory on November 5 reported a total of 1,598 new locallyacquired coronavirus infections and 14 deaths. Meanwhile, Australia's most populated states, NSW and Victoria, reopened their shared border on November 5 in recognition of their high Covid-19 vaccination rates. It means that for the first time in months, NSW travellers, including those who are unvaccinated, can cross the southern border into Victoria without quarantining or testing. They do, however, need to have an entry permit and prove they have not tested positive for the coronavirus. Fully vaccinated Victorians can now travel freely into NSW unless they have been to a region of the state with a high risk for virus transmission. Unvaccinated Victorians aged 16 and over still, however, are not allowed to cross the border.
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Canberra, November 8 (IANS): Australia's coronavirus death toll for 2021 has surpassed that of last year as the country continues to battle the third wave of the pandemic. On November 8, the country reported 12 new Covid fatalities, taking the nationwide death toll to 1,827, reports Xinhua news agency. Of those, 918 have occurred in 2021 compared to 909 in 2020. New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state, has accounted for 544, or 59 per cent, of the deaths in 2021. By comparison, more than 90 per cent of Australia's coronavirus deaths in 2020 were in Victoria, the country's second-most populous state. According to federal government data, 35 per cent of Australians who died with Covid-19 were in their 80s, 23 per cent in their 90s and 20 per cent in their 70s. Also on November 8, there were 1,300 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases, of which 1,126
were recorded in Victoria. The new cases increased the overall infection tally to 181,617. Australia on November 8 started its Covid-19 booster vaccination program, with anyone aged 18 and over who had their second dose at least six months ago eligible for a third shot. So far about 89.3 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over have received one vaccine dose and 80.5 percent were fully inoculated, according to the Department of Health. Greg Hunt, the Minister of Health, said that in the context of boosters, it is important that people know that two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine provide very good protection, especially against severe disease. "A booster dose, six or more months after the second dose, will make sure that the protection from the first doses is even stronger and longer lasting and should help prevent spread of the virus," he said in a statement.
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Australia hits 80% vaccination milestone PM Morrison’s gaffe in Canberra, November 6 (IANS): Australia's Covid-19 vaccine rollout has hit a "magnificent milestone", with 80 per cent of the adult population fully inoculated against the virus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on November 6. "That's four out of every five, how good is that? This has been a true Australian national effort, in cities and suburbs and towns, in hospitals and pharmacies, aged care facilities, disability homes," he said in a video posted on social media. Before the announcement, Morrison said in a statement on November 5 afternoon
that National Cabinet noted the successful reopening of international borders with no quarantine into New South Wales (NSW), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Victoria for fully vaccinated international arrivals, as the country gradually reopens to the world, reports Xinhua news agency.
"Quarantine free travel into NSW, Victoria and ACT for fully vaccinated international arrivals, including Australians, permanent residents, immediate family, parents and exempt foreigners visa holders." "Already around 7,000 fully vaccinated travellers have arrived
through Sydney and Melbourne Airports."
On November 6 morning, Australia reported more than 1,500 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths as the country continues to battle the third wave of infections. The Northern Territory (NT) reported one new case - a household contact of a case that triggered the snap lockdown and lockout restrictions on November 4. The majority of new infections were in Victoria, the country's second-most populous state, where 1,268 cases and seven deaths were reported.
Annual booster vaccines likely in Aus for foreseeable future The Forward
another element of the Australian vaccination program." From November 7 any Australian who has their second coronavirus vaccine at least six months ago became eligible for a third booster shot.
COP26 speech goes viral
Wikipedia
Canberra, November 7 (IANS): A video clip of Prime Minister Scott Morrison making a mistake during a COP26 speech has gone viral on social media, with Twitter users saying it was a "Freudian slip". Morrison, supposed to say "global momentum to tackle climate change", mistakenly said "tackle China" during his address at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, reports Xinhua news agency. Krishani Dhanji, a political producer with Australia's SBS News, shared the video footage on Twitter, saying, "A faux pas from the PM?" Morrison, Dhanji added, appeared to say "global momentum to tackle 'China'" instead of "climate change" before correcting himself.
The post attracted lots of comments. "Poor fellow always switched on with anti-China mode," said a Twitter user who goes by the name Prasanna Shan. "Well spotted. A classic Freudian slip of the tongue," said another who goes by the name Leni Barid.
Australian cyber bullies facing bans under strict laws
Reconteur
So far about 89.3 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over have received one vaccine dose and 80.5 percent were fully inoculated, according to the Department of Health.
Canberra, November 7 (IANS): Australians will require annual Covid-19 booster vaccines for the foreseeable future, the nation's peak pharmacists body said on November 7. Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey said annual booster vaccines will be necessary "for the foreseeable future" to protect Australians from the virus, reports Xinhua news agency. "The question is what booster
and what interval we need to get that booster, whether it's every six, nine or 12 months. Those decisions need to be based on evidence and facts and at the moment that is an evolving space," he was quoted by Nine Entertainment newspapers as saying on November 7. "In time we will treat Covid like many other viruses that have been around for decades, and a Covid-19 shot will just be
On November 7, Australia reported more than 1,400 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths as the country continues to battle the third wave of infections. Polling conducted for the Pharmacy Guild found that 57 per cent of Australians who do not intend to get vaccinated cited long-term side effects as a reason. "These people aren't necessarily anti-vaxxers, they are hesitant. We need to communicate with these people differently, it can't be emotive, it has to be factual," Twomey said.
Sub-national Aus govts join forces on net zero emissions Canberra, November 8 (IANS): Three Australian local governments from across the political spectrum have joined forces to tackle climate change.
The governments of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA) on November 8 announced they have formed the Net Zero Emissions Policy Forum. Under the historic cross-party agreement, the conservative Coalition and Liberal governments in NSW and SA and left-wing Labor-Greens ACT government will help each other reach net zero emissions, Xinhua news agency reported. "Sub-national governments have
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a vital role to play in getting to net zero emissions because we have some of the most important levers such as transport, buildings and energy," ACT Chief Minister and Climate Action Minister Andrew Barr said.
from 1990 levels by 2025 and NSW has announced a 50 per cent reduction target from 2005 levels by 2030.
"This forum will drive a more collaborative approach to developing the policies to get to net zero emissions."
"Taking action on climate change is an economic and environmental imperative, and this is about ensuring states and territories are working together to address it," Matthew Kean, NSW's Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, said.
The announcement comes in the wake of the landmark COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Australia's plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the summit but was criticized over its lack of detail. The ACT is aiming to cut its emissions by 50-60 per cent
A ministerial group will lead the forum, which will be chaired by NSW for the first 12 months.
"Greenhouse gas emissions do not recognize borders, and to tackle climate change we need a globally collaborative approach and that is what this forum is about."
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Canberra, November 1 (IANS): Australian cyberbullies could have their online accounts banned under strict world-first laws. According to new regulatory guidance released by the eSafety Commissioner, Australia's worldfirst cyberbullying scheme is set to be significantly expanded to provide protection to children being bullied in online games and on private messaging platforms. Under an expansion of the Online Safety Act that will come into effect in January 2022, children will be able to report serious threats, intimidation, harassment or humiliation to eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant if social media giants fail to take action. Previously social media companies had 48 hours to take action on a complaint before it could be escalated to the Commissioner but that will be reduced to 24 hours, Xinhua news agency reported. "We know that around one in five kids have experienced bullying when playing online games and the more social media and gaming profiles they have, the greater the risk they face of being bullied," Inman Grant said in a media release on Monday.
Cyberbullying reports made to the agency increased 30 per cent over the last 12 months with people spending more time online due to the coronavirus pandemic, she added. "Kids are now spending a large proportion of their lives online, whether it's watching TV, gaming, or chatting with friends through popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Discord," she said. "These new updates allow us to help children in more places where they are spending their online time." The update to Australia's cyberbullying scheme is the first in a series of new regulatory guidance to be released by eSafety between now and the end of the year. Recently, Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked fellow G20 leaders to tackle online safety. "We need to ensure that the rules that we all apply differently in our own countries in the real world apply in the digital world and that we don't allow those digital platforms to be used as tools, weapons for others to oppress and coerce and harass people," he said in Rome.
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NEWS FROM VICTORIA
Outstanding Victorian women recognised Boost for farmers to grow Melbourne, November 13: Women leading their communities through disaster, helping address cybercrime and lifting-up vulnerable communities are some of the 23 remarkable inductees to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women this year. Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams today announced the 2021 Victorian Honour Roll of Women inductees – women from all walks of life who have made outstanding contributions to the Victorian community. Two new categories were also introduced this year, to recognise young women in the early stages of their career and acknowledge women’s leadership in bushfire and COVID-19 response and recovery. Jenny Lloyd was integral in the Mallacoota New Year’s Eve bushfire recovery and future planning, and Mary Agostino established the Mitchell Leadership Alliance to bring together local health and community service provider CEOs to develop a coordinated
approach for people affected by the pandemic.
The latest inductees have been recognised across diverse fields such as business, education, health and medical research, child welfare, gender equity and public life. Other inductees include founding chair of Women in Mathematics, Professor Asha Rao, leading Aboriginal Disability Cultural Trainer and Consultant, Jody Barney, Master Builders Victoria’s first female CEO Rebecca Casson and Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria founder Gulghotai Bezhan. The youngest ever inductee – Yasmin Poole, 22 – is a national ambassador for Plan International Australia and a passionate advocate for young women being included in Australia’s political conversations. Each year, the Honour Roll celebrates exceptional women in Victoria who have made significant and lasting contributions to the community.
Women were able to selfnominate for the first time in 2021 – resulting in the most nominations ever representing diverse women from across Victoria. The latest inductees join more than 700 women named in the Honour Roll since the program began in 2001. Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams said: “Women make outstanding contributions in every aspect of our lives, and through the Honour Roll we’re pleased to celebrate and recognise some of these significant and lasting contributions.
“Celebrating the achievements of women of all backgrounds and experiences helps open the door for the next generation of outstanding women to be leaders. “This year’s inductees are true leaders who contribute every day to making Victoria – and in some cases the world – a better place,” she added.
Top five scams exposed for Scams Awareness Week Melbourne, November 11: Requests for money transfers, phishing and fake missed call or text messages are among the top five scams targeting Victorians, according to data revealed by Consumer Affairs Victoria. Promises of large sums of money, in return for an upfront payment, topped the list with 660 reports in 2020-21, compared to just 330 in the previous financial year. Consumer Affairs Victoria received more than 2000 reports
of scams during 2020-21, with the top five being money transfer scams (the promise of a cash refund for a fee) – 660 reports phishing (stealing personal details via email, text, or voicemail) – 567 reports mixed call and text message scams – 315 reports investment and financial scams – 182 reports fake tradies. These figures make this year’s scams awareness week theme – Let’s talk scams – very timely. Many people who experience a
scam never report it to anyone due to feelings of shame, but it’s important to keep talking to reduce stigma and prevent scams from happening in the first place. Victorians are encouraged to keep the conversation going by reminding their family and friends to do their research before sending any payment to online sellers and to never give money or bank details to claim a prize.
Drive on to help more Victorians access Covid-19 vaccinations Melbourne, November 15: The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring nobody is left behind by addressing the barriers to getting vaccinated for vulnerable Victorians. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence today announced $2.5 million for community programs that remove practical barriers to vaccination and support increased vaccine uptake as we move past 90 per cent of Victorians with a second dose. It will fund practical
support such as help to book a vaccination appointment or arranging childcare to enable parents to attend their appointments. The program assists Victorians from vulnerable groups, such as people living with disability, young people, seniors, multicultural communities, social housing residents and victim survivors of family violence. Funding is also available for programs to increase vaccination
rates by addressing vaccine misinformation. Eligible community organisations and neighbourhood houses are invited to apply for up to $20,000 to deliver activities that make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated or reduce COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. Applications for the Local Communities Access Grants Program will be assessed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted.
Dining, Dancing & Delight – major boost for Melbourne CBD’s recovery Melbourne, November 7: A boost for cafes and restaurants, bigger Christmas events, popup attractions and new business support will turbo-charge the CBD’s recovery as workers and visitors return to Melbourne’s heart. A $44 million package unveiled by the Andrews Labor Government and the City of Melbourne today will inject renewed life into the city as Victorians enjoy hard-won freedoms and look to celebrate in the city over summer. The first initiatives from the $200 million jointly-funded Melbourne City Revitalisation
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Fund include a new Midweek Melbourne Money scheme, which follows the successful Melbourne Moneyprogram that generated $40 million in revenue for city cafes and restaurants in June and July. From Monday, 15 November, diners will be enticed into the CBD with significant savings when they visit destinations like Flinders Lane between Monday and Thursday.
This program aims to boost foot traffic on weekdays. This $5 million round of rebates will allow diners to claim up to $150 off their bill, with the 30 per cent saving up from the 20 per cent offered
mid-year. More than 200,000 rebates will be up for grabs at restaurants, cafes and bars where meals are served across the City of Melbourne – including the CBD, Lygon Street, North Melbourne, Southbank, South Wharf and Docklands. A total of $10. 4 million will go towards bolstering businesses, also including support for outdoor trading and dining through permit fee waivers and new infrastructure, and initiatives to boost the night-time economy. An allocation of $15.7 million will bolster the city’s events calendar, with an expanded Christmas
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their harvest workforce Civil Eats
Melbourne, November 10: The Andrews Labor Government is backing more safe accommodation, transport and support services to help the agriculture industry as it manages seasonal workforce challenges. Minister for Agriculture MaryAnne Thomas today met with members of the Cobram and District Fruit Growers’ Association, which has received various grants from the Victorian Government to support its seasonal workforce. The Association received $429,000 to assist local growers to provide COVIDSafe transport and accommodation for up to 500 workers in the region through the Government’s Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program (SWAP). SWAP has provided $3.1 million to 13 regional projects to deliver COVIDSafe accommodation, transport and support services for up to 2,000 seasonal horticultural workers. The Cobram and District Fruit Growers’ Association also received $51,450 to employ an industry liaison officer to help farmers attract and retain workers, and to develop online training materials for new workers, and education programs to ensure safer workplaces.
The work is focused on young people in the region and is being delivered in coordination with Moira Shire and the Goulburn Murray Local Learning and Employment Networks. Training materials are being produced in collaboration with Food and Fibre Gippsland. This grant is part of the government’s $1 million Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP), which has assisted 13 organisations and groups that support businesses in priority harvest sectors and regions. Fruit Growers’ Victoria has also benefited from both funding programs, receiving $100,000 through SWISP for an industry liaison officer to support farm businesses to attract and retain workers while ensuring the workplace is COVIDSafe. Fruit Growers Victoria also received $365,000 as part of SWAP to boost transport and accommodation for seasonal workers as well as providing pastoral care to vulnerable workers including culturally and linguistically diverse community members. These projects are part of the Labor Government’s $84 million package to support the Victorian agriculture industry as it recovers from the pandemic and builds a sustainable workforce for the future. These programs are focused on removing barriers that have traditionally prevented people from taking up what has proven to be a critical job in agriculture’s seasonal harvest.
Healthcare students join Victorian vaccination efforts
Melbourne, November 7: Hundreds of Victorian university students are helping deliver more jabs in arms, joining the frontline workforce administering lifesaving coronavirus vaccinations. More than 580 undergraduate and postgraduate university students have been hired as part of the vaccination workforce, administering jabs at state run centres while also gaining valuable real-life work experience. The program will also allow some students to reach their Festival starting two weeks earlier than usual – next Friday, 12 November. New attractions include a Christmas Carnival at Birrarung Marr, floating art installations on the Yarra, a Christmas maze at Docklands, a Christmas night market at the Queen Victoria Market and augmented reality “Elfie Selfie” stations across the city. The Christmas Festival will also see the return of family favourites including Santa’s Workshop at Federation Square and lighting projections on the Melbourne Town Hall, Hamer Hall and Chapter House Lane – plus
qualification sooner, with shifts contributing to placement hour requirements for some courses at some universities. The students are registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and come from a variety of courses including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, midwifery and paramedicine at universities across the state. They have been predominantly deployed at metropolitan vaccination centres, with even more directly recruited by health services. thousands of street decorations and a 16-metre-tall Christmas tree at Fed Square. Events businesses will be supported through grants, waivers of permit fees and charges, and sponsorships. On top of that, more than $14 million will be invested to enhance public areas, refreshing familiar places with pop-up libraries and creative spaces. A further $3. 6 million will provide city businesses with an enhanced Business Concierge service to provide greater support for new businesses and help existing city traders adapt to the post-COVID economy.
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INDIA NEWS
Two new state schools officially open in Palmview
Brisbane, November 11: Two brand new state schools have been officially opened in Palmview on the Sunshine Coast thanks to more than $130 million of investment from the Palaszczuk Government.Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Palmview State Primary School and Palmview State Special School were two of five new schools that opened this year, following an 11 month build that created up to 390 local construction jobs.“We’re investing in the infrastructure needed for our growing communities,” the Premier said.“There’s nowhere more beautiful to live and work so it’s no wonder we’re seeing huge demand for services in this region.“By building stateof-the-art schools like these ones, we’re able to give students on the Sunshine Coast the very best start in life.”Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt said this
was an exciting milestone for the Sunshine Coast community.“It’s great to see so many families choosing to make Palmview home and sending their kids to their local state schools.“We know the Sunshine Coast is booming and we’re responding to this growth.“That’s why we’ve also committed to building a high school in Palmview, which will open in 2023.“This year, we also opened the new Baringa State Secondary College, in Caloundra.“By building schools like these ones, we’re able to give thousands of local students a great start in life.” Education Minister Grace Grace said students walked into world-class facilities for the start of school this year.“Both schools feature new learning centres, libraries, canteens and administration centres.“Palmview State Primary School also features a state-
of-the-art sport and music centre, and Palmview Special School includes a multi-purpose activity centre, skills centre, and hospitality centre.“And to keep pace with growth, future stages of both schools will deliver more classrooms for our junior and senior students.” Palmview State Primary School Foundation Principal Andrew Walker said staff and students were enjoying the new school and its modern facilities.“Palmview State Primary School has been warmly welcomed by the local community and I feel incredibly proud to be leading this new school,” Mr Walker said.Palmview State Special School Foundation Principal Nick Alexander said the school was equipped with facilities that support inclusive access to learning.“These resources mean we can ensure our students are afforded every opportunity to access learning that supports them on a pathway to a life of choice rather than chance,” he said.Ms Grace said in addition to the two Palmview schools, doors opened for the first time this year at Baringa State Secondary College, Gainsborough State School and Brisbane South State Secondary College.“The opening of these five schools represents an investment of $460 million, supporting up to 1360 local jobs.“Building the schools where they’re needed most and maintaining a consistent pipeline of work for our local tradies is at the heart of our $14.5 billion Economic Recovery Plan.“Our investment of $1.9 billion in infrastructure across Queensland this year builds on the $5.2 billion the Palaszczuk Government has put into school infrastructure since 2015.”
Improvements in Queensland tourism afoot IANS
Brisbane, November 11: An audit of improvements to the accessibility of Queensland’s popular visitor experiences will be launched early next year to help maximise the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan for tourism. The $450,000 independent appraisal was announced at the 2021 DestinationQ Forum in Brisbane by Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.“We know from the work of Tourism Research Australia, people with a disability contribute 17 percent of all spending on tourism,” Mr Hinchliffe said.“The number of visitors to Queensland with
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a disability is growing.Our Economic Recovery Plan and the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s work with operators on a post-pandemic blueprint is an ideal opportunity to assess industry success in meeting the needs of visitors with a disability. We’re committed to making Queensland’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games the world’s most accessible and inclusive sporting events.Queensland’s tourism industry will be integral to our success.” Get Skilled Access (GSA) and Travability will review tourist infrastructure accessibility and tourism business capability in six regions of Queensland for people with a disability.Travability specialises in travel for visitors with mobility challenges and GSA is an Australian enterprise founded by wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott OAM.“Our partnership will make it easier for people with a disability to enjoy a holiday in Queensland and provide industry with the resources to cater to the growing accessible tourism market, capitalising on the opportunities
Brisbane 2032 will provide,” Mr Alcott said. Mr Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government had been working closely on the initiative with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. “Our tourism operators are united in their commitment to every Queensland holiday being an unforgettable, world-class visitor experience,” Mr Hinchliffe said. In 2017, a study by Tourism Research Australia with Tourism and Events Queensland and the Victorian Government found: Visitors with a disability spent $3.3 billion on tourism accounting for 17 per cent of all tourism expenditure On average, travellers with a disability account for 21 percent of all day trips and spend 5 per cent more Visitors with a disability generally spend 9 percent less on overnight trips. There are more 260,000 Queenslanders living with disability and more than 474,000 carers.
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NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND
Vaccine milestone to relax rules for home quarantine
Brisbane, November 10: Home quarantine will become more accessible for returning Queenslanders and eligible interstate travellers once the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination mark is reached.Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath on November 10 said the success of the recent home quarantine trial had informed the changes.“We evaluated the trial and it was very successful and safe,” Ms D’Ath said. More than 1000 people in eight local government areas in southeast Queensland took part in the trial and their feedback has been very positive.This trial has helped shape a new approach to home quarantine that will make the process more comfortable and accessible for all returning Queenslanders, not just those in the south-east. This policy will apply to eligible domestic travellers also. Minister D’Ath said the changes would take effect once the state reached the 70 per cent two-dose vaccination milestone.As at this morning 67.84 per cent of eligible Queenslanders had had their two doses.“You will be able to quarantine at any self-contained dwelling, as long as it has no shared common areas that are accessible by people outside the household,” Minister D’Ath said. “This may include a standalone house or a unit, townhouse or duplex that has its own entrance.You will be able to arrive at any Queensland airport, but you can only transit to
another destination if you transit through Brisbane. You can then drive to your home quarantine residents, as long as it's within two hours without stopping. You can travel by either private car, a hire car with contactless pickup, or an endorsed transport provider. These changes reflect our confidence in the vaccine’s protection. You’re 86 per cent less likely to get infected with COVID-19 and you’re 90 per cent less likely to die from it.” Minister D’Ath said the government’s quarantine policies had been instrumental in keeping Queenslanders safe.“As long as there is virus circulating in other states and countries, quarantine will remain an important part of our pandemic response,” she said.People wanting to home quarantine must still: be fully vaccinated (they must have had two doses of the vaccine, with at least two weeks between their second shot and their entry into Queensland) have returned a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to entry ensure anyone else residing in the household also quarantines use the home quarantine checkin service maintain contact records for anyone attending the property and get a PCR test at a drive-through clinic, using a private vehicle, on days 1, 5 and 12.
Business Boost for North Queensland
Brisbane, November 10: North Queensland businesses will be able to fast-track upgrades thanks to grants of up to $15,000 from the Palaszczuk Government. Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said the Business Boost program will help businesses in the Townsville region grow.“These Business Boost grants are all about helping businesses improve their efficiency and productivity and can be used for things like website upgrades, strategic marketing, training and coaching and advisory services,” Mr Walker said.“They are part of our Big Plans for Small Business grant programs, which also includes Business Basics and Business Growth Fund.The type of grants, business requirements and the
application process are a direct result of feedback from the Small Business Roadshow which toured around Queensland earlier this year.” Director of Townsville’s Evergreen Financial Services Roshan Pandalai said a $15,000 Business Boost grant will allow his team to engage a professional consultant to assist with training and professional development.“At Evergreen, we assist small business owners, veterans and families plan and achieve their financial goals,” Mr Pandalai said.“This grant will make a big difference to our team by funding further education and training so we can better support our community members.”Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said backing small businesses was vital to the State’s economic growth.“This round of Business Boost gives 210 small businesses the opportunity to fast-track upgrades thanks to more than $2.6 million in Palaszczuk Government support,” she said.“Our strong health response has kept lockdowns short and sharp, our economy growing, and our businesses open and trading.”
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FICQ hosts Diwali 2021 in Brisbane
F
ederation of Indian Communities of Queensland organised their annual flagship mega event Diwali 2021 - Indian Festival of Lights at King George Square in Brisbane CBD on November 5. With music, Bollywood and Indian dances and food stalls, the event, as every year, was a mega success, despite COVID restrictions. The day, which started at 11am and finished at 11pm, was full of fun, including non-stop cultural performances, various stalls for foods, jewellery, clothes, artifacts and much more. The day started with lighting of the lamp and the inauguration of the Diwali souvenir by the special guests, advisors, and EC members. Later on in the day, a citizenship ceremony for 99 new citizens of Australia was organised. The President of FICQ, Mr. Shyam Das, Mr. Graham Perrett MP, the presiding officer, Mr. Peter Russo MP, and Cr Angela Owen welcomed all the new citizens of Australia. All the dignitaries started arriving
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for the Indian traditional High Tea at 4.30pm, including the Minister for Children, Youth Justice, and Multicultural Affairs Hon. Leanne Linard, in a saree, represented the Premier of Queensland. Lord Mayor of Brisbane Cr. Adrian Schrinner and Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner also arrived in Indian attire. Mr. Trevor Evans MP was representing the Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Scott Morrison MP. Mr. Graham Perrett MP represented the Federal opposition leader Hon. Anthony Albanese MP. Mr. John-Paul Langbroek MP represented the State Opposition Leader, Mr. David Crisafulli. Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Brian Swan represented the Police Commissioner of Queensland. Cr Teresa Harding, the Mayor of Ipswich, and many more dignitaries from different backgrounds were among the guests. The official ceremony started at 6.00 pm and finished at 8.00 pm. In his speech, the FICQ President, Mr. Shyam Das, highlighted the importance of celebrating Diwali,
which means the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance, and also emphasised on promotion of multiculturalism and getting vaccinated. Then began the mesmerising evening with more colourful and exciting cultural performances, DJ, Dhol, and much more, with the effect that the crowd danced till the end. FICQ President Mr Shyam Das appreciated the big crowd turnout in a big way and said in a statement: “FICQ thanks everyone for their tremendous support. The Committee members and volunteers of FICQ left no stone unturned to make this iconic event a great success, and we’re delighted that it could bring out the true spirit of Diwali among the audience despite COVID 19 hovering over our heads. “People loved everything about the event from performances, decorations, food stalls and above all the presentation of the event. FICQ extend their sincere thanks to all the guests, volunteers and performers.”
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KSQ hosts Kannada Australia strengthening Rajyothsava 2021 tech partnership with India
K
SQ's iconic event Kannada Rajyothsava 2021 and Deepawali Sambhrama was held on 14 November at Coorparoo Secondary College in Coorparoo, Brisbane. Present at the occasion were Cr
Angela Owen and FICQ President Shyam Das, among the other community members. Their Platinum sponsor Swades Foods provided support and funds for the organisation of the event.
A
ustralia is strengthening its technology partnership with India through the establishment of a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru and a Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy, also to be based in India. Bengaluru is the world’s fitsthlargest technology cluster, and home to a third of India’s unicorn companies. Bengaluru and its vibrant business community will play a determinative role in India’s rise as a technological superpower. It is home to significant biotech, aerospace and defence industries, a thriving start-up ecosystem, India’s national space agency as well as leading education and research institutions. The new Consulate-General will focus on deepening Australia’s ties to India’s vibrant innovators, technologists and entrepreneurs. It will support Australian businesses in one of the world’s most important commercial centres. Half of the next billion internet users are projected to be in India, and India’s digital economy, centred on Bengaluru, is set to grow to US$1 trillion by 2025. The Consulate-General will expand Australia's diplomatic
PM Scott Morrison unveils Mahatma Gandhi statue
presence in India to five diplomatic posts, further to its High Commission in New Delhi and Consulates-General in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, deepening the engagement with Indian governments at all levels. This will promote engagement with India’s southern states and Australia's outreach to its diaspora and alumni communities. Through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, India and Australia are at the forefront of determining the design, development and use of emerging technologies. Australia's existing Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership and its bilateral grants program were a significant first step in strengthening these ties. As the Prime Minister said at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, we are elevating this cooperation even further. The Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy will bring together Australian and Indian technologists, policy practitioners, academics, researchers and thought leaders. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative that will help guide the responsible development and use of critical technologies.
Senator The Hon Marise Payne
It will promote stronger investment opportunities and cutting-edge innovation in cyber, critical and emerging technologies. It will amplify Australia’s and India’s policy impact globally, while visiting fellows from around the IndoPacific will broaden the Centre’s influence. The Centre of Excellence is among the flagship initiatives of Australia’s new Action Plan for Critical Technologies, and an important part of delivering on Australia’s strategy for protecting and promoting technologies, the Blueprint for Critical Technologies. It will provide a practical platform for Australia and India to work together to shape technology governance that aligns with its values and supports an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.
Gandhi's statue vandalised in Melbourne
second occasion where I’ve had the great honour to be able to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Here, of course, today in Victoria, and some years ago when the President of India was in Australia, and I had the great honour to join him in unveiling the statue in Parramatta.” “There is just an easiness, a natural connection between Indian culture and this wonderful land. And it just sits very comfortably and it comes so naturally. And that’s why community centres such as this are so important. But, also, between Australia and India, we do, we do share very important beliefs and values in democracy and liberal democracy, in believing in the individual, their enterprise and their freedom, in particular. And to unveil a statue in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, this is a very important opportunity for us to reflect on that particular element of the relationship, ” he added. Melbourne, November 12: Amid rain and strong winds, Melbourne had its first Mahatma Gandhi statue installed on 12 November, and Prime Minister
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Scott Morrison himself unveiled the statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre at Rowville. While unveiling the statue, PM Scott Morrison said:“It is the
The Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) is the driving force behind the statue's installation at the Australian Indian Community Centre.
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Melbourne, November 13: Mahatma Gandhi's life-sized bronze statue was vandalised after it was unveiled by PM Scott Morrison the previous day in Melbourne, as reported in SBS News.
be tolerated. It is disgraceful and extremely disappointing to see this level of disrespect. Whoever is responsible for this has shown great disrespect to the Australian Indian community and should be ashamed," Mr Morrison said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison had unveiled the statue on November 12, and it was donated by the Government of India.
Victoria Police immediately issued a public appeal for witnesses to come forward and provide vital information.
PM Morrison said he was devastated after hearing about the disgraceful incident.
Victoria Police are calling for any witnesses, anyone with CCTV or dash cam or anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or email at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
"Australia is the most successful multicultural and immigration nation in the world and attacks on cultural monuments will not
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ICGC hosts mega Diwali at Dreamworld
T
he Indian Community of Gold Coast (ICGC) hosted a never-seen-before Diwali (festival of lights) at Dreamworld, Gold Coast on 6 November. This was the biggest Diwali celebration in the city and was a sold-out event. Over 5000 people celebrated Diwali at one of the most fun places in Australia. There were several special guests present at the event, including Indian Hon Consul for Qld Mrs Archana Singh. The event started with the official welcome of the audience by Ree Ali at 5:30pm, and she also briefly discussed the importance of Diwali and the role it plays in bringing people together. She then invited Manish Saini (President of ICGC) to introduce Ivy and talked about her untreatable brain condition in Hindi with a request to help the family out by donating at GO FUND. Ivy along with her sister Elise and their family got invited to the stage and presented with small present for little girls. Mrs Archana Singh was then invited to the stage to lighten up the night with a few words
and present gift hampers to the sponsors. After the brief introduction of sponsors and the ICGC team, the ribbon cutting ceremony was done by the event’s platinum sponsor Mr. Manish Khanna along with Mrs Archana Singh at 6:00 pm to officially commence the festival. Kids ran over to the ride section with excitement to get on them first. There were numerous cultural and dance performances, which were enhanced by DJ Ashu’s great song selection which kept the audience entertained throughout the night. There were many cultural performances, laser lights show, tiger island show, fireworks and much more. The event was a huge success and audience loved every part of it. ICGC team said in a statement: “We appreciated the support and faith that our sponsors and audience put in us and promise to deliver something better/ greater in the future. Till then stay tuned to our upcoming newsletters. We would also like to thank Hon. Archana Singh for making time from her busy schedule to bless us with her presence.”
Lord Mayor hosts civic reception for Indian community
L
ord Mayor Adrian organised a reception and high tea event for the Indian community leaders and Diwali events organisers on November 3 and thanked them for their contribution towards bringing the communities together with such events. Lord Mayor Schrinner shared the photos from the event and said in a Facebook post: "Diwali
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festivals bring many in our community together to celebrate the Festival of Lights. These wonderful community events wouldn't be possible without hard working groups and volunteers and yesterday I joined Brisbane's Indian community groups to thank them for everything they do."
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AIBC hosts Diwali Dinner in Brisbane A
ustralia India Business Council (AIBC) hosted Diwali Dinner 2021 and Members Meet on 11 November at Curry n Cask - Indian Bistro at Fortitude Valley in Brisbane. The event was very well attended by members and many new businesses based in Queensland wishing to come forward and be part of AIBC. Some of the key attendees included Mrs. Archana Singh (Hon. Consul of India, Brisbane), Jim Varghese AM (National Chair AIBC), Mr Parsram Punj, Bhoomi Punj and family, Nik Senapati (President AIBC Qld) along with the Queensland Committee, National Education Chair Amritha
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Zachariah, National Health Chair Dr. Chaitannya Unni, National Treasurer Amit Mehta. Some members joined from Gold Coast too. Diwali event is an annual semiformal gathering facilitated by AIBC for members to have discussions and network and enjoy the flavour of Indian festivities. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event and shared very positive feedback. Kritika Bansal and team AIBC, Qld Chapter, organised the event, which was ably sponsored by Parsram, the leading importers of Indian food, in business since 1977.
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Ceremony honours 2021 Multicultural Queensland Award winners Q ueenslanders working to build equity and inclusion have been honoured at the 2021 Multicultural Queensland Awards ceremony at the Queensland Museum. More than 150 people gathered for the award ceremony including award winners, highly commended recipients and dignitaries including members of the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard congratulated the four award recipients on their work to build an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland. “Passion unites our winners and guests who attended the awards night – a passion for creating inclusive communities and a passion for creating equitable access to services,” Minister Linard said. “These awards highlighted the outstanding work performed by individuals and organisations each and every day to achieve these shared goals.” The awards celebrated and recognised contributions from newly arrived Queenslanders, state champions of inclusion and belonging, and exceptional multicultural sector efforts that
were innovative and intercultural. The winners of the 2021 Multicultural Queensland Awards were:
• Outstanding Contribution from a new Queenslander:15-year-old Zimra Hussain who is on her way to becoming the first woman from a Muslim background to play for the Brisbane Lions AFL Women’s team • Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever: Habib Jamal, President of the Islamic Council of Queensland, Multicultural Ambassador for Mental Health Foundation Australia and trustee of the Gold Coast Mosque
to supporting young people who may be feeling disconnected from community support,” she said. “The winner of the Minister’s award shares this commitment and is an excellent collaborator with all levels of government and a passionate advocate for Queenslanders of African backgrounds. “I congratulate Beny Bol OAM, President of the Queensland African Communities Council who received this year’s Minister’s award for his tireless work towards our shared goal of creating a safe and welcoming community for all.”
• Diversity and Inclusion Champion: Pushing Barriers, a not-for-profit organisation linking refugees to sports opportunities • Minister’s Multicultural Award: Beny Bol OAM, President of the Queensland African Communities Council.
Pushing Barriers
The Minister said a highlight of the night was the Minister’s Multicultural Award which recognised genuine collaboration between government and the community. “As Minister for Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs I am deeply committed
Habib Jamal, President of the Islamic Council of Qld (ICQ)
Beny Bol OAM, Queensland African Communities Council
Zimra Hussain
Gujrati Community QLD celebrates Diwali
G
ujrati Community Qld celebrated Diwali Mahotsav 2021 at Unidus Community Centre at Willawong in Brisbane on October 31. It was an evening full of multicultural performances and social interaction. But due to COVID restrictions, there were limited seats and the event was booked out quickly, with the result that many people could not attend the event despite waiting for it for days.
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Premier Palaszczuk hosts Indian community reception at Parliament House
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on. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP hosted the annual Indian Community Reception at the Parliament House on November 16, and members of the Indian community interacted with the premier and other political leaders. Minister of Multicultural affairs Leanne Linard MP, dressed in traditional Indian attire, played an amazing MC for the event, which was organised in recognition of the festival of Diwali.
Among the prominent people who attended the reception were Minister for Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP; India's Hon Consul in Brisbane, Mrs Archana Singh; Chairman, Springfield City Group, Mr Maha Sinnathamby; FICQ President Shyam Das; Dr. Ram Mohan, publisher, India News Australia; Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-inChief, India News Australia; Prof Sarva Daman Singh; Mrs Usha Chandra, among others.
Australia ratifies landmark RCEP agreement Canberra, November 3 (IANS): Australia on November 3 announced that it has ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which will take effect next year as the world's largest free trade agreement (FTA).
Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said in a statement that RCEP would be a major boost for the country's economy, reports Xinhua news agency. "Australia has ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, ensuring that our farmers and businesses are able to access the benefits of what will be the world's largest free trade agreement," according to the statement.
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The 15 signatories to the agreement -- 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Australia, New Zealand, China, South Korea and Japan -- account for approximately 30 percent of the world's population and global gross domestic product (GDP).
It is designed to remove tariffs on as much as 90 percent of goods traded between the countries and standardise rules on investment and e-commerce. "When in force for all 15 signatories, RCEP will be the world's largest free trade agreement, bringing nine of Australia's top 15 trading partners into a single economic framework," the statement said. RCEP will enter into force 60 days
after ratification by at least six ASEAN states and at least three non-ASEAN countries, according to the statement. Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth Phil Twyford announced on November 3 that the country has also ratified the deal to unlock huge economic benefits for exporters and businesses, as well as new market access. Representatives from the 15 countries signed RCEP in November 2020. The signing came after more than 30 rounds of negotiation, which was launched in November 2012, as well as a number of specific leaders and ministerial meetings between the participating countries.
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Afghan territory must not be used for terror activities IANS
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): Afghan territory must not be used for terror activities, the eight nations participating in the third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in New Delhi asserted in a joint declaration adopted on November 10.
"Afghanistan's territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts," the joint declaration stated after the crucial meeting. The five Central Asian countries -- Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan -- along with Russia, Iran and India participated in the meeting, while China and Pakistan did not join the dialogue. At the meeting chaired by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, all the participants discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, especially the
At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the US and China recall their joint statement addressing the climate crisis of April 17. The US and China, alarmed by reports including the Working Group Contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report released on August 9th, 2021, further recognize the seriousness and urgency of the climate crisis, it says. The US and China are committed to tackling it through their respective accelerated actions in the critical decade of the 2020s, as well as through cooperation in multilateral processes, including the UNFCCC process, to avoid catastrophic impacts. The US and China recall their firm commitment to work
together and with other Parties to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement. The two sides also recall the Agreement's aim in accordance with Article 2 to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2 degrees C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees C. In that regard, they are committed to pursuing such efforts, including by taking enhanced climate actions that raise ambition in the 2020s in the context of the Paris Agreement, with the aim of keeping the above temperature limit within reach and cooperating to identify and address related challenges and opportunities, says the joint statement. Moving forward, the US and China welcome the significant efforts being made around the world to address the climate crisis. They nevertheless recognize that there remains a significant gap between such efforts, including their aggregate effect, and those that need to be taken to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Without naming Pakistan, all the participating nations reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasising on respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.
importance of closing that gap as soon as possible, particularly through stepped-up efforts.
They declare their intention to work individually, jointly, and with other countries during this decisive decade, in accordance with different national circumstances, to strengthen and accelerate climate action and cooperation aimed at closing the gap, including accelerating the green and low-carbon transition and climate technology innovation. The two sides intend to cooperate, among others, on: regulatory frameworks and environmental standards related to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in the 2020s; maximizing the societal benefits of the clean energy transition; policies to encourage decarbonization and electrification of end-use sectors; key areas related to the circular economy, such as green design and renewable resource utilization; and deployment and application of technology such as CCUS and direct air capture.
The two sides stress the vital
Afghan refugees' forum seeks grant of e-Visas for 222 Afghan citizens IANS
applied for Visa. It also demanded the Indian government to look after their evacuation at the earliest due to the political and security situation in the war-torn country.
New Delhi, November 8 (IANS): The 'Afghan Minorities Group', a representative forum for all Afghan minorities living in India, has sought assistance from the Indian government for immediate grant of e-Visa for 222 Afghan citizens, both Hindu and Sikh, living in Afghanistan who have
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The forum requested the Indian authorities to consider not to facilitate their travel back to Afghanistan or not grant any exit permission to the Afghan citizens belonging to Hindu and Sikh communities due to the unforeseen incidents seen in the past against minorities in Afghanistan. In a letter sent recently to the
Germany's Covid incidence rate peaks to all-time high IANS
security situation and its regional and global ramifications. They also paid special attention to the current political situation in Afghanistan and the threats arising from terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking as well as the need for humanitarian assistance.
Despite strain, US, China pledge to enhance climate action at COP26
Glasgow, November 11 (IANS): Despite strained relations, the US and China -- world's top two polluters -- just ahead of the culmination of the 12-day-long UN climate change negotiations on Wednesday in a major development pledged to work together, saying they recognise "the urgency of the climate crisis".
WORLD NEWS
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Secretaries in the Ministries of Home and External Affairs, the Afghan Minorities Group also requested the Indian government to extend assistance in the maintenance and management of the historical gurdwaras and temples in Afghanistan. Thanking the Indian government for taking proactive steps for the safety and well-being of minorities living in Afghanistan as per the UN Charter, the Afghan body said that it is obliged for all the assistance provided to the minorities till date.
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Berlin, November 10 (IANS): Germany's seven-day Covid-19 incidence rate continued to rise to a new all-time high of 213.7 cases per 1,00,000 inhabitants, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases has said.
cancel all scheduled procedures. The rising number of Covid-19 patients made this step necessary, a spokesperson said.
On November 8, the incidence rate was already at a record high of 201.1. The previous peak -just below 200 -- was registered during the second Covid-19 wave in December last year.
"Everyone must now work together," German Chancellery Minister Helge Braun told the public broadcaster ARD on November 9, reiterating the need for mandatory testing and the better organization of booster vaccination by the federal and state governments.
The daily number of Covid-19 cases also continued to rise as 21,832 new infections were registered within one day, around 11,000 more than a week earlier, Xinhua news agency reported.
"We still need to achieve around 20 million booster vaccinations by Christmas," Braun said. According to the RKI, only 2.8 million people in Germany have received additional booster shots so far.
According to the German Intensive Care Availability Register (DIVI), the number of Covid-19 patients requiring treatment in intensive care units (ICUs) also kept climbing and reached 2,687 on November 9.
Although Germany is far from achieving herd immunity, its vaccination campaign has slowed down. As of November 8, around 55.9 million people had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, bringing the country's vaccination rate to 67.2 percent, according to the RKI.
In the capital Berlin, the Charite University Hospital started to
India, Israel to jointly develop dual use tech for defence New Delhi, November 9 (IANS): India and Israel signed an agreement on November 9 for development of dual use technologies in the defence sector. India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel's Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), have entered into the agreement to promote innovation and accelerated research and development in start-ups and MSMEs of both countries for the advancement of dual use technologies, a statement said. The agreement was signed between DRDO Chairman, G Satheesh Reddy and DDR&D head, Brig Gen Dr Daniel Gold (retd). The Indian Defence Ministry said that it is a tangible demonstration of the growing Indo-Israeli technological cooperation. Under the agreement, start-ups and industry of both countries will work together to bring out next generation technologies and products in the areas such as drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, photonics, biosensing, brainmachine interface, energy storage, wearable devices, natural language processing and others, it
said in the statement.
Products and technologies will be customised to meet unique requirements of both the countries. The development efforts will be jointly funded by the DRDO and the DDR&D, it added. The technologies developed under bilateral innovation agreement will be available to both countries for their domestic applications and the development efforts will be jointly funded by the DRDO and the DDR&D, the ministry said. To enhance bilateral defence cooperation between both the countries, formulation of a task force was announced last month, during the 15th joint working group meeting in Tel Aviv. The meeting was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and the Director General of Israel's Defence Ministry, Maj Gen Amir Eshel (retd). The joint working group is the apex body of both countries' Defence Ministries to comprehensively review and guide all aspects of cooperation in this sector. The two sides had reviewed the progress made in military engagements including exercises and industry cooperation.
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INDIA NEWS
WORLD THIS WEEK Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
Compiled by Keerthana Nambiar, Sukanya Bali, Rashmi Ramesh and Avishka Ashok
COP26: Focus on Deforestation, Methane, and Coal
What happened? On 31 October, COP 26- the UN Climate Change Conference began in Glasgow, United Kingdom. It is being hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy and will culminate on 12 November. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked: "We face a stark choice: either we stop it- or it stops us. It is time to say enough." On 2 November, the Global Methane Pledge was signed by 103 countries; it aims to reduce human-induced methane emissions by at least 30 percent. On the same day, around 110 countries committed to the UKled Declaration on Forests and Land Use, which aims to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030. On 3 November, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero or GFANZ (created jointly by the UN and COP26 presidency in April 2021), pledged to commit to the Paris Agreement's provisions. The alliance of more than 450 banks, insurance companies, and asset managers has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. On 4 November, the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement was announced. It calls for phasing out coal power by 2030 in the case of major economies and by 2040 for poorer countries. Over 45 countries have signed the Statement to date. Twenty countries, including Canada and the US, committed to halting financing of fossil fuel projects abroad. On 4 November, the UNEP released the sixth edition of the "UNEP Adaptation Gap Report: The Gathering Storm." It talks about the glaring gaps between the Global South and North in terms of the cost of climate adaptation. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UNEP commented: “Those in poorer countries are going to suffer the most, so ensuring that there is a degree of equity and a degree of global solidarity for adaptation finance is critical." What does it mean? First, the silence of major economies on key sectors. The
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45 countries that signed the statement on phasing out coal, did not include the major coal consumers and producersAustralia, India, China, and the US. China, Japan, and India were also not among the 20 countries committed to halting funding for fossil fuel projects abroad. Asian countries are major funders of such projects. Second, high targets. Setting high targets can demotivate an actor and also provoke it to stay away from such agreements in its interest. The pledge on deforestation is unrealistic, given the already existing inequalities in terms of development and climate finance. While development is not necessarily antithetical to environment protection, it may not be fair to demand a complete halt of deforestation and reversal, by the developing world. Indonesia's take on the Declaration represents this perspective. Third, finding a middle ground. The Paris Agreement pushed for maintaining 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming. The recent IPCC report stated that at the present rate, the world was on track to become warmer by 2.7 degrees Celsius. COP26 tries to find a balance between the two. There was a larger opinion in the conference that restricting global warming to 1.8 degrees Celsius is still within reach. According to the International Energy Agency, the 1.8 degrees limit is achievable, given stringent and timely implementation of the COP26 commitments. Meeting this middle ground will go far in combating anthropogenic climate change.
Japan: LDP secures a comfortable win in the 2021 elections
What happened? On 31 October, Japan conducted its 49th general election. The new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's coalition secured a safe and comfortable majority in the Parliament. Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) claimed 261 seats in the 465-member lower house. The LDP's junior coalition partner Komeito won 32 seats, together with sharing 291 seats in the lower house. The center-left
Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), the biggest opposition group saw its fall by 13 seats to 96. On 1 November, Fumio Kishida said, "It was a very tough election, but the people's will — that they want us to create this country's future under the stable LDPKomeito government and the Kishida administration — was shown." He further added "We received a precious 261 seats for the LDP. As a responsible party, we will meet the public mandate." What does it mean? First, Kishida's first public test. This is the first test for Kishida who took over as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in October and became the party leader and prime minister. The new government will face the task of steering the world's thirdlargest economy battered by the coronavirus, tackling a very fastaging and slumping population and major security challenges from China and North Korea. Second, the question of stability or the return to a revolving door. A weakened LDP majority in the elections could possibly mean further losses in the upcoming upper house elections. While the LDP has been in power almost continuously, only five politicians in the course of eight decades have hung on to the prime minister's post for more than five years or longer. A poor showing of the LDP power in the electorate could encourage and embolden Fumio Kishida's rivals within the party. Thus, threatening Japan to once again return to an era of short-lived government administrations.
ALSO IN NEWS China threatens to hold Pro-Taiwan independence individuals criminally liable
For the first time, Beijing has spelled out the punishment for people who push for Taiwan's independence. These punishments include not entering the mainland and its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. On 6 November, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian said, Beijing will hold individuals deemed pro-Taiwan independence "criminally liable" for life. On the same day, Taiwan's premier, speaker, and foreign minister were blacklisted. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted:
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"I've received countless notes of congratulations after being blacklisted and sanctioned, for life, by the #CCP." China: Hong Kong trial begins for eight pro-democracy activists; the economy grows by 5.4 percent On 1 November, trial began for Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai and seven others who were charged over an unauthorized Tiananmen vigil. The eight prodemocracy activists faced charges of "organizing, participating, and inciting others" to participate in a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 1989 crackdown. On the same day, the HKSAR government announced, Hong Kong's economy grew by 5.4 percent in the third quarter, following 7.6 percent growth in the second quarter. Xinhua reported: HKSAR spokesperson said, "Hong Kong's economic recovery became more entrenched in the third quarter alongside the continued revival of global economic activity and stable local epidemic situation." Japan: Germany expands military ties with Tokyo
WORLD THIS WEEK Asean-led regional economic architecture." India: Pentagon reports of a China village in Arunachal Pradesh On 6 November, Pentagon's annual report to the US Congress highlighted China's construction of a large village on the disputed area of Arunachal Pradesh. The Economic Times reported these settlements are described as "dual purpose" by India officials. Afghanistan: Pentagon probe reveals that there is no violation of law in Kabul drone attack On 4 November, a pentagon review concluded that there was no negligence or misconduct in the August drone strike, in which 10 civilians were killed. The US Air Force Inspector General said: "their investigation found no violation of law, including the law of war." He further added, "there were execution errors that led to civilian casualties." The Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson expressed their dissatisfaction. He said, "The international community is yet to see any investigation or accountability in the US." Russia: Diplomat found dead next to the embassy in Berlin On 5 November, the BBC reported that a Russian diplomat was found dead outside the embassy in Berlin last month. Although the cause of the death is still unclear, he seems to have fallen from a height as the body was found on the pavement by the police guarding the Berlin compound. The Russian embassy also called it a "tragic accident" but has not revealed any details regarding the individual nor the accident.
On 6 November, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Tokyo would have a military setup with Germany in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the first German warship's visit in about 20 years. Frigate Briyam visited Tokyo after two days of joint exercise in the Pacific Ocean with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense force destroyer, Samidare. The Mainichi reported: Kishi said, "The ship's visit is an important turning point in pursuing a free and open IndoPacific and securing one of the world's most important shipping lanes." He further added, "It shows Germany's strong commitment to actively contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific." Australia: Canberra ratifies RCEP trade deal On 3 November, Australia joined New Zealand to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal. The deal will come into effect in Jan 2022. RCEP will set common rules around the trade in goods and services, intellectual property, e-commerce, and competition. The Strait Times reported: Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said, "the deal would strengthen the country's trade ties with Asean, signaling its commitment to an
The US: Senate passes USD one trillion infrastructure plan On 2 November, the US Senate passed the USD one trillion worth of infrastructure plan. The passing of the bill is a huge step for the Democrats and for the leadership of President Joe Biden. A total of 19 Republicans joined the 50 Democrats to produce a 69-30 vote for the bill. The bill now includes USD 550 billion in new funding, which will be utilized for transportation, telecommunication, and more. The Senate majority leader said: "Today, the Senate takes a decade's overdue step to revitalize America's infrastructure and give our workers, our businesses, our economy, the tools to succeed in the 21st century." About the Authors Keerthana Nambiar is a Visiting Research Scholar at NIAS, she is currently pursuing her postgraduation in International Relations from the University of Mysore. Sukanya Bali is a Doctoral candidate at OP Jindal University. Rashmi Ramesh is a PhD scholar in the School of Conflict and Peace Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Avishka Ashok is a Research Associate at NIAS. The report has been specified by India news due to space considerations.
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
EDITORIAL
From the editor's desk Aircraft carrier - a reality check for Indian Navy
This is the new India IANS
Harekala Hajabba being awarded by President Kovind
M
uch newsprint was devoted to a naval exercise undertaken between the USA and India. The exercise was designated a two day "passage exercise", and, inarguably, contributed to strengthening bilateral cooperation and military coordination. Apart from the myriad advantages accrued, the exercise also threw up a somewhat worrying aspect, viz the stark disparity in the two naval forces participating. While the US Navy fielded a full 'Aircraft Carrier Strike Group' with USS Ronald Reagan, India was represented by two ships and shore based aircraft, and aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma
T
he Padma Awards have been conferred upon the awardees in India since 1954 in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). Over the last seven decades 3225 awardees have received these honours from the President of India. But the 2020 awardees have made bigger headlines and attracted a much wider publicity on the social media for being largely obscure and unknown but deeply and passionately devoted to their cause. Ranging from man curing elephants, a fruit seller who built a school from his meagre earnings, a former revenue officer who founded libraries for tribal children, a tribal woman who has planted over 30,000 trees and a botanist who translated a 17th century Latin botanical treatise. It is the new India where many ordinary citizens with bare minimum resources, negligible social status and poor educational background have been recognised for their passion and selfless commitment to their life mission. Some of the key awardees who received the award from President Ram Nath Kovind are: Himmatram Bhambhu (Nagaur, Rajasthan): For raising a forest with 11,000 trees on 25 bigha land and planting more than 500,000 trees, and saving the flora and fauna from poachers. Harekala Hajabba (Mangalore, Karnataka): A humble fruit seller who built a school for the children from his life earnings. Tulsi Gowda (Uttara Kannada, Karnataka): An environmentalist and conservationist who has planted more than 30,000 saplings over 60 years since the age of 12. Despite never been formally education her knowledge of plants and herbs has wone her
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Himmatram Bhambhu
the popular title of ‘Encyclopedia of the Forest’. Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh ( Jharkhand): A folk singer known for ‘Gaon Chhodab Nahi’ song who made a mark in the development sector as well. Professor K.S. Manilal (Kerala): A botanist and taxonomist who researched, translated and annotated Hendrik van Rheede’s 17th century Latin botanical treatise, and documented extensive details of Kerala’s 700 indigenous plants and discovered 14 species with the help of his students. Sathyanarayanan Mundayoor (Arunachal Pradesh): A former revenue officer-turned educationist, founded 13 libraries as a prt of the Home Library Movement in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh, creating awareness and interest for decades in tribal children. K. Munusamy (Villianur village, Puducherry): A terracotta artist known for making miniatures as small as 1.5 inches and dramatic life-size terracotta statues and training hundreds in the art. Bata Krishna Sahoo: A fish farmer who with his earnings trained college students and farmers in spawn production.
Earlier, in March this year, the two navies had undertaken a similar exercise. Then too, while the US Navy had a full carrier strike group participating, India sent a single ship and shorebased aircraft. Apart from these bilateral exercises, the Indian Navy also took part in a French Navy led multilateral exercise named La Perouse in April, where two ships and shore-based aircraft were deployed, though in this instance other participating nations did not field an aircraft carrier. Evidently, with its sole aircraft carrier being under maintenance, the Indian Navy is constrained in operating across all dimensions at sea, including during such exercises that bear the potential for valuable lessons and experience to be gleaned. Exacerbating the situation further is the fact that, given the size and complexities of a large ship like an Aircraft Carrier, its maintenance durations are likely to be of an extended nature. Consequently, the naval fleet remains hamstrung in undertaking operations related to maritime air power in such periods. Orchestrated deployment of shore-based aircraft over the seas is unlikely to fructify or indeed be available during a live conflict, where there will be concurrent requirement of air operations on land as well.
Clearly, here and now air capability at sea will have to manifest from the sea itself. This operational reality has motivated all significant navies of the world to include aircraft carriers in their forces levels. Military experts across the world are unanimous in the view that aircraft carrier operations are a skill learnt and perfected through sustained practice and long experience. This is borne out by the fact that China, despite having inducted its first aircraft carrier nearly a decade back, is still figuring out carrier operations. The UK, with its return to being an aircraft carrier navy, has also been dependent on USA to assist in re-learning the ropes of such operations. Does a long lay-off period for the Indian carrier then not have an effect on India's ability to protect its interests at sea?
Evidently, with its sole aircraft carrier being under maintenance, the Indian Navy is constrained in operating across all dimensions at sea, including during such exercises that bear the potential for valuable lessons and experience to be gleaned. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently during his visit to Kochi in end June to review the progress of construction of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier or IAC, had highlighted the historical fact that all major powers in the world have boasted powerful navies. In the present day, as evident from China's focus on building aircraft carriers and UK's U-turn on doing away with its carriers, it is clear that any navy will need to have such capability if it hopes to be a serious contender on the global
or even regional stage. While the minster's pronouncement indicates a clear understanding about this aspect within the government, ancillary agencies and organisations appear to be stuck in a state of flux. The abysmally slow progress on the IAC project is a case in point. In case the ship had been built and delivered in a timely manner, the Navy would have been able to keep one of the two ships operationally available. Whatever be the past, unless the relevant agencies wake up and smell the coffee at least at this point, India and its Navy are staring at a bleak operational capability for the near future. A reality check is long overdue and the problem is fast approaching critical mass. An attitude of business-as-usual is unlikely to get the second ship inducted any time soon. Every possible effort needs to be channelized into the project, including working round the clock, imposition of stringent penalties on every source of delay, daily monitoring at the PMO itself, etc. India needs to act now lest we are left behind � because China would act and is acting with a clear aim. We also need to think about what lies in the future � 15 to 20 years down the road. When the existing carrier gets de-inducted. What then? Given the long lead time to build carriers, how will India retain her edge as a major naval power? Well, the answer is obvious. Sumit Kumar Singh is the Deputy Bureau Chief at the Indo Asian News Service and can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in
Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma: The ‘Elephant Man of India’ or the ‘elephant surgeon’, a veterinarian and Professor of Surgery and Radiology at the College of Veterinary Science in Assam who has treated 600 plus elephants and saved 140 rogue bull elephants over the decades. The Awards have certainly taken a new meaning and chosen those who over the years have been overlooked and not been recognised for their work. It is the new India definitely where now even the ordinary and obscure citizens can hope to be felicitated for their passion and work.
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
SPECIAL FEATURE
India paves the way for transgender inclusivity India News Bureau, Nov 10: India created history on November 8 this year when transgender dancer from Karnataka Manjamma Jogathi was bestowed with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award, by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind for her contribution to folk dance. Manjamma’s honour has set a long-awaited and much-needed precedent for the hitherto ostracized transgender community at large despite perceptible efforts to appeal to the moral and ethical sense of the masses to stop treating them as second class citizens. Resounding triumph after years of struggle and injustice Manjamma’s incredible ascent from destitution to a nationally celebrated personality speaks volumes about the Indian government’s genuine efforts to integrate the socially segregated transgender community with the mainstream society in India. Born as Manjunatha Shetty in Karnataka’s Ballari district, she began to accept her true identity from the age of 15. Unfortunately, she could complete her studies only till Grade 10 and once her true identity made its presence felt, she had to perform Jogappa, a ritual in which she was married off to a god. Subsequently, she was denied entry to her own house and had to fend for herself as a beggar. She was subjected to sexual abuse and many other misfortunes. However, a fatherson duo helped her to learn dance forms and she then, found her calling in folk dance. She went on to popularize a dance form “Jogathi Nrtiyaa” across Karnataka. Manjamma’s radiant and vibrant personality and the unique manner in which she received her award (she blessed the President with the pallu of her saree while performing a dance step) has undoubtedly made the
members of the transgender community proud of their identity and needless to say, many of them will embrace their true self with more alacrity without feeling the need for validation from the less-enlightened sections of the masses. Legislations to encourage transgender inclusivity The transgender community has been an integral part of India from ancient times. In fact, their prominent status in the Indian society is corroborated by the reference to Lord Shiva as being “Ardha-Narishvara” which means God who is half male and half female. Yet narrow-mindedness fuelled by ignorance has been the root cause for the cruel treatment and ridicule meted out to the transgender people. However, the Indian government has not left any stone unturned to counter this grave injustice by taking certain legislative measures. 1. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 was enacted, which imposed a stringent prohibition on discrimination in any form against transgender persons in all spheres of life and also obligated every state to ensure their inclusion in society by providing social security, education and health facilities. The Act along with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 also confers the right to self- perceived gender identity and mandates issuance of the certificate of identity solely on the basis of affidavit submitted by the person “without any medical examination.” Moreover, the law also imposes heavy penalty on any individual found guilty of violence against or abuse of transgender persons, for restricting their entry in public places, removal from residence or for compelling them into labour. 2. National Portal for Transgender
Persons: In order to make it convenient for transgender persons to apply for certificate and identity card in a digital mode, the National Portal for Transgender Persons became operational in November 2020, which guarantees an end-to-end online facility explicitly for this purpose. 3. Government schemes: The Government of India has several comprehensive schemes to combat issues of accessibility to basic amenities related to health, education, welfare, skill-upgradation, shelter and economic support and livelihood for the transgender community. In November 2020, for the first time a shelter home, ‘Garima Greh’ was opened to provide shelter, food, medical care, recreational facilities, and support for capacity-building and human resource development. Thirteen such shelter homes are slated to come up in ten cities. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has allocated funds to National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation for organising skill enhancement activities for members of transgender community. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020 provides for inclusion of Transgender community into all conversations related to gender equity as well as promote their representation in science, technology and innovation. A short-term skill development programme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), launched in 2015 was reoriented as PMKVY 3.0 with an enhanced component specifically for the marginalised groups including women and transgender. 4. Initiatives by states: Various states in India have adopted initiatives to develop and improve the quality of life of
Manjamma Jogati (left) with President Kovind
transgender persons and this includes an umbrella scheme by the state of Odisha called Sweekruti to create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of transgender persons. Similarly, the Bihar government has taken all possible steps to safeguard the rights of the transgender community. A State Transgender Welfare Board to monitor their social development has been established. The state said that other welfare measures are also being taken and a case on this issue is being monitored by the Patna High Court which has passed several orders from time to time. 5. Recognition in government forms/applications: The government has now made the third gender an official category in various government applications and platforms. India has been ahead of the Western countries as since 2005, the third gender option was included in the Indian passport. In 2005, however, the third option was ‘E’ symbolising eunuch, but in the wake of the 2014 ruling of the apex court, in March 2015, those applying for passport online had the option of choosing ‘transgender’ apart from ‘male’ or ‘female’ in the gender category. Not only this, from
August 2013, AADHAAR, India’s Unique Identification Service acknowledges transgender as a separate category under the head of gender, and granted 1,600 transgender persons unique identification cards. Also, since April 2015 all the banks include a ‘third gender’ option in all their forms and applications as per a directive issued by the Reserve Bank of India. In 2016, the Indian Railways and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) added ‘transgender/third gender’ to the gender category along with the other categories. Most recently, the official COVID-19 vaccine portal, CoWIN, includes three gender categories: male, female and others. 6. Transgender Bill 2016: As per the transgender persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016, discrimination against a transgender person, including unfair treatment or denial of service in relation to employment, education, healthcare, access to public goods and facilities, etc is strictly forbidden. Also, in 2018, the Supreme Court of India decriminalized homosexuality by removing Section 377 of the Indian Penal Court, terming it unconstitutional with regard to consensual homosexual sex between adults.
Lesser known Indians shine in Padma awards glory New Delhi, Nov 8: A man who cures elephants, a fruit seller who built a school, a former revenue officer who started libraries for tribal children, and a botanist who translated a 17th century Latin botanical treatise are among the lesser-known Padma Shri awardees for the 2020.
No wonder, the local environment hero, Bhambhu was recipient of what is now called the 'People's Padma". Bhambhu was one of the 60 people who received Padma Shri award for 2020 on Monday from the President.
President Ram Nath Kovind presented them the awards at the civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.
Clad in a simple white cotton shirt and a dhoti, when Harekala Hajabba from Mangalore in Karnataka walked to receive the Padma Shri award at the august assembly in Rashtrapati Bhavan, the audience erupted in little louder claps for him than others.
Himmatram Bhambhu from Rajasthan's Nagaur district has not just raised a forest with 11,000 trees on 25 bigha land in a village near Nagaur but has planted more than five lakh trees in five years. His fights for saving the environment includes taking cudgels on behalf of the wild animals against hunters and poachers and being more vigilant than the Forest Department.
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But he is not the only lesser known person in the list.
After all, not every day you meet a humble fruit seller with megre earnings who has spent his life earnings to build a school for the children of his village that did not have one. His 'Gaon Chhodab Nahi' song
from the last decade made him famous in the development sector but for the 1948-born folk-singer Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh from Jharkhand, keeping the flame alive for traditional songs from his region, earned him the prestigious award.
started 13 libraries and the Home Library Movement in remotest villages in Arunachal Pradesh. The septuagenarian spent more than three decades in creating awareness and interest for reading in children of tribal areas there.
Another Padma Shri awardee Professor K.S. Manilal is a name to reckon with in the field of botany but not for the masses. The award recognises his tremendous work as a botanist and taxonomist, for his research, translation and annotation of Hendrik van Rheede's 17th century Latin botanical treatise documenting extensive details of Kerala's 700 indigenous plants and discovery of 14 species along with his students.
And then there is the terracotta artist V.K. Munusamy from Villianur village, near Puducherry, who is known not just for making miniatures as small as 1.5 inches and dramatic life-size terracotta statues but also training scores of others to earn livelihood.
Former revenue officer turned educationist, Kerala-born Sathyanarayanan Mundayoor
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Similar is the case of fish farmer Bata Krishna Sahoo, who received Padma Shri for animal husbandry. He has, from his own pockets, trained several college students and farmers in spawn production (eggs of aquatic animals) by traditional breeding methods. The list of lesser known awardees
will be incomplete without the 'Elephant Man of India' or the 'elephant surgeon' Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma, a veterinarian and Professor of Surgery and Radiology at the College of Veterinary Science in Assam. For more than a decade, he has treated 600 plus elephants and saved 140 rogue bull elephants.
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MAKE IN INDIA
MAKE IN INDIA
India poised to achieve Services Export target of $1 Trillion by 2030 The 2021 G20 Summit in Rome: India’s steady endeavours towards achieving G20 goals Reuters
By Ranjana Prasad.
P
eople, Planet, Prosperity’ are three pillars of this year’s G20 agenda that resonate, more than any other thematic topic of discussion, with the current thinking around trade and investment. The massive collapse in global trade and investment flows during the prolonged wave of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 was unprecedented. Foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide fell 35% from $ 1.5 Tn in 2019 to a $ 1 Tn1 in 2020, urging countries across the world to refocus their attention to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global economy on the path to postpandemic recovery. The G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting, held on 12 October 2021 in Sorrento, concluded with precisely the recognition that a future-ready economy is founded on the basis of a rulesbased, non-discriminatory and transparent multilateral trading system which works to ensure prosperity for the people of this planet2. An extensively engaging year of deliberations within this uniquely challenging context, with Italy leading the framework as G20 President, culminated in the G20 Summit on 30-31 October 2021 in Rome. India’s FDI figures reveal a remarkably positive upswing when viewed in contrast to comparable world figures. Total FDI inflows amounted to $ 64 Bn in 2020, a 27% increase from $ 51 Bn in 2019, making the country the fifth largest FDI recipient in the world3. Foreign investment in India has been boosted, along with the robustly growing appeal of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, also by the country’s fierce commitment to develop its trading and investment environment through coordinated action and joint partnerships. These tenets form the core of the G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration adopted at the end of the G20 Summit, which pledges to act upon specific points of action agreed through consensus in areas including healthcare, innovation and technology, environmental sustainability, trade and investment, and
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support to vulnerable countries for ensuring a level playing field. Over the duration of 2020-21, India has brought to the table a host of policy changes and taken concrete initiatives that have, going forward, set a solid foundation for the country to jointly support other world leaders in accomplishing the goals of the Sorrento Declaration. The importance of developing a robust public health system to support future trade and investments has been brought to the forefront amidst the global pandemic. India has particularly been a champion in the healthcare space, with the number of coronavirus vaccine doses administered reaching a landmark threshold of 1 Bn on 21 October 2021, making it the second country in the world after China to achieve this mark4. This tremendous feat in the fight against the global pandemic has been aided by the allocation of INR 35,000 crores (around $ 4.7 Bn) as part of the Union Budget 2021-22 towards the development and manufacturing of vaccines, leading to a whopping 137% increase in the total budget outlay for healthcare in FY 2021-22 compared with the previous year5. Equitable, timely, affordable, and cross-regional access to emergency medical products and services forms an essential backbone of a strong business operating environment. The recently launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices6 is another testament to India’s efforts at guaranteeing a level playing field for domestic manufacturers of medical equipment and further boosting domestic manufacturing for critical future supplies across the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge during the G20 Summit to make India ready to produce 5 Mn vaccine doses by the end of 20227 shows India’s unwavering commitment to work with G20 leaders to address the inequity in access and distribution of vital healthcare goods. Equipped with essential industry resources and competent health professionals, India’s capacity to contribute to international public health efforts and creating resilient industry supply chains is all the more heightened and proven to yield enormous gains. Another G20 priority revolves around utilizing the enormous potential of technology as a major conduit through which a post-pandemic recovery can emerge. The Union Budget 2021-22, for the first time,
comprises a pillar specific to innovation and research and development (R&D)8. While recognizing the existence of a persistent digital divide across nations of varying income levels, the ability of various pockets of India’s economy to continue functioning highlights the encouraging impact that the development of digitalization can have, particularly in building resilience against future shocks. India’s population is already on its way to get ready for a digital transformation. Between June 2020 and June 2021, digital transactions based on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) increased by 110% in volume and 109% in value9, indicating consumer ease and preference for digital payments. The ever-growing market of digital consumers in India provides the country with an unparalleled competitive edge in harnessing technology to facilitate the operations of entrepreneurs and businesses, whether big or small. The National Single Window System, launched in September 202110, capitalizes on this digital boom to provide for unified and integrated business procedures for foreign companies investing in India. The country’s latest initiatives to build a robust digital ecosystem supported by skilled human capital directly coincides with the long-term G20 objective of building a more inclusive and accessible digital economy that constantly innovates to find new solutions to evolving challenges in our world today. During the past year in the lead up to the main G20 Summit of 2021, India participated in crucial consultations and achieved defining successes along with the leaders of today’s major economies. Clear-cut objectives were outlined, languages for actionable points were refined, and stronger commitments were made to engage in purposeful multilateral action. India, in particular, proposed large-scale and ambitious plans for its own development, making it clear that the steps taken henceforth on the path to economic recovery will require a new lens through which joint partnerships and collaborations are viewed with peer countries in the G20. Multilateralism has indeed taken on a new meaning in today’s uniquely challenging and demanding world, and there is new hope that the goals defined resolutely on one of the largest global platforms will seek to truly benefit every citizen. Source: Invest India, Government of India
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Ministry of Commerce Release,
9 November 2021: The Minister
of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Goyal on November 9 said that India is poised to achieve services export target of $1 trn by 2030. He was addressing the gathering at the 'Services Export Promotion CouncilGlobal Services Conclave 2021” in New Delhi on November 9. The Minister said that Services are a key driver of India’s economic growth. He added that the services sector provides employment to nearly 2.6 crore people and contributes approximately 40% to India’s total global exports. He added that Services trade surplus was $89 bn in FY 2020-21 and it has been the largest FDI recipient (53% of FDI inflows 2000-2021). The theme of the Global Services Conclave 2021 was ‘India Serves: Exploring Potential Growth Sectors Beyond IT/ITes'. Emphasizing that the Service sector is our competitive advantage, powered by Skills, Startups and IT Solutions, the Minister said that today, Indian services have the twin power of universal acceptance & universal attraction. Lauding India's commitment to enable ‘work from Home’ during the pandemic, Shri Goyal said that, while services trade remained depressed in other countries, India’s services sector showed immense resilience. "Sectors like tourism, hospitality, etc. which suffered due to COVID-19 are showing revival signs" he added. Appreciating the spirit that led to rise through the tough times faced by the sector, Shri Goyal said that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. He expressed his admiration for the selfless service of all frontline workers during the COVID 19 pandemic. The Minister said that in 2020, India became the 7th largest services exporter in the world, moving up the ladder by two positions. Services PMI rose to a decade high of 58.4 in Oct’21, he said. Emphasizing that India had the potential to become the top services exporter in the world, Shri Goyal said that Services is boosting India’s
transition from an assembly economy to a knowledge based economy. Global sentiments are changing from ‘why India’ to ‘why not India’, he said. Observing that India has transformed from being the ‘Back office’ to the ‘Brain office’ of the world, Shri Goyal said that today, India’s Services export largely comprises IT/ITes and stressed that we need to focus on other potential growth sectors. The Minister listed certain crucial sectors which can catapult India’s services sector on a high growth trajectory such as higher education. He observed that students from US, Canada etc. prefer India for heritage, art and culture studies. The Minister assured that the Government was actively pursuing market access opportunities (FTAs) and working on a scheme alternative to SEIS. He said that the Government supported service sector through Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package, collateral-free Automatic Loans for Businesses, including MSMEs. Rs. 56,027 Crore was released under various Export Promotion schemes. He spoke of India's initiatives in Skill development, especially in emerging areas like AI, Big Data, Robotics, etc. The Minister also highlighted the need for assisting states in formulating a comprehensive export strategy with districts as Export Hubs. Shri Piyush Goyal said that the Government as a facilitator and enabler, helped Indian Services to grow & touch lives across the globe. He emphasized that Zero Government interference has enabled IT sector to excel. He appreciated the sector for not pursuing incentives but standing on its competitive strength. Charting the way forward, the Minister said that we must introduce more standards & improve quality. We must move up the value chain in services and pick areas where our strength lies and expand on that, he said. He also said there is a need to expand markets for Legal/Accounting professionals. Quoting Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri Goyal said that "Our aim may be as high as the endless sky, but we should have a resolve in our minds to walk ahead, hand-in-hand for victory will be ours".
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Covid will take a toll on another 1 lakh people, warns Germany's top virologist New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): Christian Drosten, one of Germany's top virologists, has warned that a further 100,000 people will die from Covid-19 if nothing is done to halt an aggressive fourth wave, the BBC reported. Case numbers have soared as Germany on November 10 registered its highest rate of infection since the pandemic began, with almost 40,000 cases in a day. "We have to act right now," said Drosten, who described a real emergency situation, the report said. Doctors in the intensive care
Covid ward at Leipzig University Hospital have warned that this fourth wave could be the worst yet. The state of Saxony has the highest seven-day infection rate in Germany at 459 cases per 100,000 people. The national rate is 232. It also has the lowest take-up of vaccine: 57 per cent of the population here have been immunised, the report added. Germany's Health Minister has publicly blamed those people for the soaring cases, describing the current situation as a "pandemic of the unvaccinated".
Previously, Saxony had banned unvaccinated people from bars, restaurants, public events and sport and leisure facilities. At least several other states are expected to follow suit, the report said. Germany's anti-vaxxers are furious with several thousand people protesting in Leipzig last weekend. Sixteen million Germans over the age of 12 have not been fully vaccinated. The German government has admitted that it's unlikely to persuade many of those people now, and politicians worry that social divisions might deepen.
SGPGIMS gets Australian patent for study on steroid toxicity IANS
conditions like diabetes and cataract. "The challenges became the base for research and evolved into an innovation, which earned the Australian patent. Valid for eight years, the patented method recognised new biomarkers -- called P-gp and MRP-1 in this case -- to identify steroid resistance so that the alternative regimen may be introduced," said Prasad.
Lucknow, November 10 (IANS): The Australian government has awarded an international patent to the nephrology department of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) for innovation in management of common renal disease in children called nephrotic syndrome. According to Prof Narain Prasad, head of nephrology department at SGPGI: "As a result of the disease, children lose a heavy amount of protein in the urine and swelling appears all over the body. Gradually, it may lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis and renal transplantation. The treatment for this disease rests on steroids, but while some children
are resistant to steroids from the beginning, many develop resistance during treatment." At least 8,000 cases of this common renal disease are reported at SGPGI alone each year and about 10-20 percent of children do not respond to steroid therapy. Nearly one-third of the remaining 80 percent develop steroid resistance after initial response, while another proportion develop it in the later stages. Prasad said that prolonged resistance to steroids leads to a kind of toxicity in the body, which predisposes them to infections, weakens their immunity, results in stunted growth, produces bone weakness, many metabolic
He said that in case of resistance, the body treats steroids like a foreign substance and triggers release of glycoproteins P-gp and MRP-1. These proteins on the body cell surface work like an efflux pump and bloat to prevent penetration of the medicine inside. As a result, the medicine does not work and the symptoms show up. The puffiness goes up further as the medicine does not act. Prasad said that exposing children to tests to determine P-gp and MRP-1 levels in blood can help. He said the study establishing the success of the method has been published in high impact medical journal Nature's publication Pharmacogenomics.
HEALTH
Bengal to launch house-to-house campaign for vaccination Kolkata, November 10 (IANS): In an effort to make vaccination a social event and reach out to the remotest part of the state, the West Bengal Health Department has decided to launch a houseto-house campaign to identify the beneficiaries who are yet to be administered the first dose of the vaccine. A notification issued by the Health Department to all the chief medical officers of the districts said, "The state of West Bengal has been successfully implementing the Covid vaccination programme since its inception on January 16, 2021, and till date it has administered 7.4 crore doses cumulatively (including 1st and 2nd doses)." Now, to ramp up the vaccination programme further, a houseto-house campaign may be undertaken to identify the beneficiaries who have not yet taken the first dose. This can be
done by forming a team with the frontline workers who can reach all the families, register all such beneficiaries, create awareness and encourage people to get their dose. This strategy can also be used for mobilising the due beneficiaries of the second dose," the notification said. "The team of frontline workers conducting the house-to-house campaign may also prepare the line list of all such vulnerable and bedridden unvaccinated persons for vaccinating them early," it added. On November 9, West Bengal had reported 788 new Covid cases, 185 more than the previous day's tally, pushing the state's overall caseload to 15,99,878, the Health Department said in its bulletin. The number of fresh cases in the city, which was 149 on November 8, shot up to 202 on November 9, while 12 deaths raised its overall death toll to 19,252.
UP crosses 10 cr mark in 1st dose vaccination
IANS
Lucknow, November 11 (IANS): Uttar Pradesh has crossed the 10-crore mark in administering the first dose of vaccines against Covid-19. The state, according to a government spokesman, has already administered over 13.53 billion vaccine doses. Nearly 68 per cent of the state's total eligible adult population has received at least one dose, with approximately 24 per cent fully immunised. It has administered more than 13,53,77,271 vaccine doses, including 10,00,02,539 first doses and 3,53,74,732 double doses. Despite being the most populous state, Uttar Pradesh is outpacing others in its efforts to prevent the anticipated third wave of the
pandemic through vaccination.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already issued orders to speed up the immunisation drive, with a target of delivering 25 to 30 lakh doses per day over the next two months. Meanwhile, mega vaccination campaigns are being held in the state on a regular basis. The spokesman said that the Yogi Adityanath government has now implemented the 'Cluster Model 2.0' to improve second dose coverage in the state. Prioritising full vaccination, the second dose is being administered under the cluster model 2.0 in villages and localities where the first dose was successfully administered using the same model. The state-wide rollout of the cluster model for the Covid-19 vaccination drive earlier in June made the task simple, equitable, and seamless, removing critical roadblocks such as transportation and the digital divide.
Indian govt initiates digital mission for digitisation of health records
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): :The Indian Union Health Ministry has initiated digital registration of all medical facilities and doctors under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. In a letter to the state secretary and directors of health mission, the health ministry made it mandatory for all its health facilities to participate in the mission. Accordingly, all the health facilities like hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, radiology centres etc , where any healthcare facility is provided, are requested to register for the
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digital mission, the letter read.
Under the digitalisation of health records mission, government hospitals are advised to procure Hospital Information Management System Software. The Centre has also made available two solutions for the digitalisation of the health records for hospitals - e-Hospital by NIC (National Informatic Center) and e-Sushrut by C-DAC (Center for Development of Advanced Computing). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission via video conferencing on September 27.
IANS
Under the mission, every Indian will get a unique health ID that will also work as a health account to which personal health records can be linked.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, while inaugurating Aarogya Manthan 3.0 to mark the third anniversary of Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on September 25, had said: "Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana has reformed the entire healthcare system of India. It gives me great happiness that the scheme has served more than 2.2 crore people in the last three years to the people residing in the remotest of
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the areas". The National Health Authority
(NHA) has been entrusted with the task of implementing this initiative.
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Australian central bank signals early economic recovery Bloomberg
Lowe chalked the increase to higher petrol prices and disruptions in global supply chains. "A further, but only gradual, pick-up in underlying inflation is expected," he said. Lowe hinted that, as wage growth picks up, interest rates could be raised as early as late 2023. He said the central bank's board would be "patient" while waiting for the gradual increase of wages growth.
Canberra, November 2 (IANS): The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced on November 2 that it would remove its 2024 target to increase interest rates, signalling an early economic recovery. "The decision to discontinue the yield target reflects the improvement in the economy and the earlier-than-expected progress towards the inflation target," said RBA Governor Philip
Lowe. The bank has cut interest rates to "rock-bottom levels" and engaged in quantitative easing to help Australia's economy weather the economic impact of the pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.
In regards to Australia's soaring property prices, which have surged over 20 per cent nationally in the last year, Lowe emphasised the importance of banks ensuring home-buyers were granted serviceable loans. "It is important that lending standards are maintained at a time of historically low interest rates," he said.
However, recently inflation rates in Australia rose to an almost seven-year-high of 5 per cent, which has meant higher prices on particular goods.
The bank would maintain Australia's cash rate at 0.1 per cent as well as its bond buying policy at A$4 billion per month until mid-February 2022.
and significantly much smaller IPOs like Nykaa and PolicyBazaar, where more than 90 per cent of the QIB bids, and also overall bids, came in on Day 3.
Indian IPO.
Paytm makes history as India's largest IPO bidding ends with 1.89x oversubscription The Economics Times
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): India's leading digital payments and financial services platform Paytm has closed the bid/offer for its IPO by being 1.89 times oversubscribed. From once being India's highest valued unicorn to being on the verge of being the country's largest stock market debut today, the company stands as a testament to the true Indian entrepreneurial story. As per data from the exchanges, the subscription at the end of Day 3 saw the largest IPO being over 2.79 times oversubscribed by QIBs and 1.66x by retail investors. A total of 9,14,09,844 Paytm shares have been bid for, as opposed to the 4,83,89,422 shares available. The Paytm IPO has seen surplus demand rushing in as QIBs, domestic institutional investors and mutual funds bid on the final day of the IPO offer. Historical records have proven that when it comes to large IPOs, while retail investors bet on the first day, QIB and HNIs invest in the later days of the subscription. Some of the largest IPOs from before like Coal India had seen the highest subscription on the final day of bidding. Coal India was only 1.71x on Day 2, but closed at 15.28x on the last day. The same trend was seen even for recent,
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Earlier on Day 1, Paytm's IPO had secured the highest ever retail percentage subscription for IPOs with retail sizes in excess of Rs 1,000 crore over the last decade, which was subsequently oversubscribed early on Day 2. With IPOs whose size is as large as Paytm's, subscriptions cannot be viewed in the same way as recent internet IPOs. Paytm's large issue also meant that its retail size is much larger in absolute terms of value than that seen in recent internet IPOs like that of Zomato or Nykaa. All eyes are now on when Paytm will ring the bell in the stock exchange. Paytm, when listed, will be one of India's most valued companies. Paytm will be heading to the markets with a whopping $20 billion valuation. The analysts at Reliance Securities also spoke of Paytm's valuation, saying it stands for its worth as it "has created significant scale and brand equity that are likely to sustain". The company is expected to list itself by November 18. Paytm had closed India's largest anchor round on November 3 as it raised Rs 8,235 crore. Bluechip global investors and techfocussed funds have made their first-ever investment in Indian public markets through the Paytm IPO while investment giants like Blackrock, CPPIB and GIC have made their largest bets in an
The company has also attracted world's top pension funds, superannuation funds as well as sovereign wealth funds like the Government of Singapore, CPPIB, ADIA, APG, City of New York, Texas Teachers Retirement, NPS Japan, University of Texas, NTUC Pension out of Singapore, and University of Cambridge. The largest emerging markets dedicated investors like Standard Life Aberdeen, UBS and RWC have also taken part in Paytm's anchor round. Paytm, which started off as a mobile wallet in 2009, has gone on to add many more businesses -- Paytm Payments Bank, Paytm Payments Gateway, Paytm Payout, Paytm Money, Paytm Insider, Paytm Insurance, Paytm Postpaid (Buy Now, Pay Later), Paytm for Business, Paytm Credit Cards, Paytm First Games along with utility bill payments, offline merchant payments, rental payments, content and much more. The company has seen a huge uptick in its revenues driven by its payments and financial services offerings. The company's revenue is up by 46 per cent to Rs 9,480 million in Q1FY22, from Rs 6,494 million in Q1FY21. It is on the path to profitability as the company has already reported contribution margin profits. Paytm has also grown to be a financial services giant, which brings with it more opportunities. Paytm's payments and financial services alone contribute to almost 80 per cent of its revenue.
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BUSINESS & TRADE
Fuel prices hold for a week despite firm global oil rates New Delhi, November 11 (IANS): Petrol and diesel prices in India remained unchanged for the seventh consecutive day on November 11 under the daily price revision mechanism followed by oil marketing companies, thus providing further relief to consumers.
$85 a barrel now. The rise in US inventory has pushed down crude prices a bit but OPEC+ decision on only gradual increase in production in December could push up crude prices further. This could put pressure on oil companies to revise fuel prices upwards again.
The pump price of petrol in Delhi, which fell to Rs 103.97 a litre at 6 a.m. on November 4 from the previous day's level of Rs 110.04 a litre, remained at the same level. The diesel prices also remained unchanged in the capital at Rs 86.67 a litre.
Before price cuts and pause, diesel prices have increased 30 out of the last 48 days taking up its retail price by Rs 9.90 per litre in Delhi.
In the financial capital Mumbai, petrol continued to be priced at Rs 109.98 a litre and diesel Rs 94.14 a litre. Prices also remained static on November 10 in Kolkata where the price of petrol reduced by Rs 5.82 to Rs 104.67 per litre and that of diesel by Rs 11.77 to Rs 89.79 per litre . Petrol price in Chennai also remained at Rs 101.40 per litre and diesel Rs 91.43 per litre. Across the country as well, the price of fuel largely remained unchanged on November 11 but the retail rates varied depending on the level of local taxes. After softening, the global crude prices have again touched a three-year high level of over
Petrol prices have also risen on 28 of the previous 44 days taking up the pump price by Rs 8.85 per litre. Since January 1, petrol and diesel prices have risen by more than Rs 26 a litre before the duty cuts. The excise duty cut by the Centre previously was the first such exercise since the onset of Covid pandemic. In fact, the government had revised excise duty on petrol and diesel sharply in March and again in May last year to mobilise additional resources for Covid relief measures. The excise duty was raised by Rs 13 and Rs 16 per litre on petrol and diesel between March 2020 and May 2020 and was standing high at Rs 31.8 on diesel and Rs 32.9 per litre on petrol before finally the centre decided on duty cut.
Zomato's loss widens to Rs 430 cr as delivery costs rise IANS
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): Online food delivery platform Zomato on November 10 declared that its consolidated loss widened to Rs 430 crore for the quarter that ended on September 30, and increased delivery cost was one of the main reasons. The company, which went public recently, had posted a loss of Rs 229 crore in the same period last year. According to CEO Deepinder Goyal, the losses went up owing to investments in the growth of its food delivery business. "Three reasons to be specific - a) increased spending on branding and marketing for customer acquisition, b) increased investments and growing share of smaller/emerging geographies in our business (which are less profitable today compared to more mature cities) and c) increased delivery costs due to unpredictable weather and increase in fuel prices," Goyal said in a statement. Adjusted revenue for Zomato stood at Rs 1,420 crore ($189
million), a 22.6 percent growth (on-quarter) and 144.9 per cent growth (on-year). "We don't expect the delivery costs to go up further and overall feel confident about our Contribution margin staying positive in the mid, as well as long term," Goyal pointed out. The company also announced that it has invested $75 million in Bigfoot Retail Solutions Pvt Ltd (Shiprocket) for an 8 per cent stake as part of a larger $185 million round. Shiprocket is a B2B logistics-tech company that enables online commerce by providing seamless shipping and fulfillment services to direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands and omni-channel sellers. We have also signed definitive documents for investing $50 million in magicpin for a 16% stake as part of a total round size of $60 million. magicpin drives omni-channel growth for local retailers," Zomato said. The company had earlier invested $100 million in Grofers.
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ENERGY & RESOURCES
US joins International Solar Alliance India launches ebook to IANS
New Delhi, November 10 (IANS): In what can be termed as a big boost to accelerate global adoption of solar energy, the US on November 10 joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as the 101st member country, a development welcomed by India. IANS had reported on September 13 about the likelihood of the US joining the ISA when Indian Environment, Forest & Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry had jointly launched the Climate Action and Finance Mobilisation Dialogue (CAFMD), which is one of the two tracks of the India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda
2030 partnership launched at the Leaders' Summit on Climate in April 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joseph Biden. Signing the framework agreement of the ISA to catalyse global energy transition through a solarled approach, on the sidelines of the ongoing climate change conference, COP26, at Glasgow, Kerry said: "It has long been coming, and we are happy to join the International Solar Alliance, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in making. We worked out the details and this is a process we are pleased to be a part of." "This will be an important contribution to more rapid deployment of solar globally. It will be particularly important for developing countries." Welcoming the US as the 101st member of the ISA, Yadav said: "This move will strengthen the ISA and propel future action on providing a clean source of energy
to the world." ISA Director General, Ajay Mathur, said: "The US' endorsement of ISA's framework and approach is an heartening development, especially as our 101st member nation, which is a significant milestone in itself, demonstrating that nations across the world are recognising the economic and climate mitigating value of solar, as well as this energy source's potential as a catalyst for global energy transition." The launch of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was announced by Prime Minister Modi and then French President Francois Hollande on November 30, 2015 at the 21st session of United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. Then UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-moon had attended the launch, alongside the heads of about 120 nations, who had affirmed their participation in the Alliance to dedicate efforts for promotion of solar energy.
Adani companies AGEL, ATL declare energy compact goals as part of COP26 New Delhi, November 9 (IANS): Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), the world's largest solar power developer, and Adani Transmission Ltd (ATL), India's largest private sector power transmission and retail distribution company, have declared their Energy Compact Goals as part of COP26, primarily adhering to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7).
AGEL and ATL's commitment will also support the targets taken by the Government of India and its commitment to the UN Energy Compact.
national level. Further, AGEL will invest $20 billion in renewable energy development over the next decade and develop a 2 GW per year solar manufacturing capacity by FY 2022-23.
SDG 7 defines a set of targets to be achieved by 2030. The companies are to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services and increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
India has committed to increase the installed capacity of renewable energy to 450 GW by 2030 and to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to add 10 GW solar PV manufacturing capacity by 2025. India has also committed to 'enhance energy efficiency in agriculture, buildings, industry and transport sectors and promote energy-efficient appliances/equipment to reduce India's emissions intensity of GDP'.
Both AGEL and ATL have centred their business strategy around the achievement of SDGs across all their activities, with SDG 7 as the cornerstone.
AGEL has set a target of achieving 45 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030, with the average tariff below the Average Power Purchase Cost (APPC) at the
ATL's role as a transmission provider and distributor of energy is also in line with SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, as it provides resilient infrastructure and ensures community access to a consistent and secure power supply.
Glasgow, Nov 4 (IANS): As pressure mounts for urgent climate action, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a global roadmap to achieve a radical transformation of energy access and transition by 2030, while also contributing to net zero emissions by 2050.
to $35 billion and $25 billion, respectively. The required investment represents only a small fraction of the multi-trillion dollar global energy investment needed overall, but would bring huge benefits to one-third of the world's population.
potential of energy as a crucial enabler for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the Paris Agreement, ensuring a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for people and the planet."
"We face a moment of truth," the Secretary General said.
The global roadmap is a major outcome of the UN high-level dialogue on energy held on September 24, at which more than 130 Heads of state and government and global leaders from business and other sectors announced more than $400 billion in new finance and investment for clean energy as part of voluntary commitments called Energy Compacts.
ATL is on course to increase the share of renewable power procurement from the current 3 per cent to 30 per cent by FY 2023 and to 70 per cent by FY 2030 through its utility subsidiary in Mumbai and reduce its carbon intensity on per unit of revenue basis to support SDG 13 for climate change mitigation.
Global roadmap to achieve clean energy transition by 2030
The roadmap, released on November 3, sets an aggressive timeline to ensure that 500 million more people gain access to electricity in a mere four years' time by 2025, and 1 billion more people gain access to clean cooking solutions. This would require that annual investment in access to electricity and clean cooking increase
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"Close to 760 million people still lack access to electricity. Some 2.6 billion people lack access to clean cooking solutions. And how we produce and use energy is the main cause of the climate crisis. We must solve these challenges this decade. And we must start today. With the global roadmap at hand, we can together realize the
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generate concern for planet
IANS
Glasgow, November 5 (IANS): India on November 5 released a digital publication titled, "Climate Literacy: Beyond the Written Word" that includes contributions from 20 academic institutions that have defined effective methodologies to generate concern for the planet amongst their students. These approaches also help build awareness of how anthropogenic activity has harmed the planet, in particular, by increasing the carbon footprint and pollution, reducing green cover, and mismanaging waste. All the innovative methods described in this ebook are replicable. EARTHDAY.ORG firmly believes that the key to earth's future lies in climate and environmental education opportunities for youths of all ages and backgrounds to develop them into informed and engaged environmental stewards.
Considering the grim conclusions presented by the 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which prompted the U.N. Secretary General to announce a 'Code Red for Humanity,' EARTHDAY. ORG appeals to every country around the world to put in place educational systems that lead youths to climate stewardship and action for the environment. This necessitates making climate education compulsory for all grade levels and providing an environment to empower climate literacy. Such initiatives will also enhance the skills needed for jobs in the rapidly expanding green economy, including those related to conserving natural wealth; reducing air, water, and land pollution; managing waste; and shifting to renewable energy sources.
50 percent global fossil fuel assets will be worthless by 2036 IANS
New Delhi, November 5 (IANS): About half of the world's fossil fuel assets will be worthless by 2036 under a net-zero transition, The Guardian reported. It highlights the risk of producing far more oil and gas than required for future demand, which is estimated to leave $11tn-$14tn in so-called stranded assets -- infrastructure, property and investments where the value has fallen so steeply they must be written off, the report said. Countries that are slow to decarbonise will suffer but early movers will profit; the study finds that renewables and freed-up investment will more than make up for the losses to the global economy. The lead author, Jean-Francois Mercure of the University of Exeter, said the shift to clean energy would benefit the world economy overall, but it would need to be handled carefully to prevent regional pockets of misery and possible global instability, the report said. "In a worst-case scenario, people will keep investing in fossil fuels until suddenly the demand they
expected does not materialise and they realise that what they own is worthless. Then we could see a financial crisis on the scale of 2008," he said, warning oil capitals such as Houston could suffer the same fate as Detroit after the decline of the US car industry unless the transition is carefully managed. The challenge is evident at the ongoing Cop26 climate conference, where some of the nations most at risk of being left with stranded assets -- such as the oil and gas exporters Russia and Brazil -- are likely to try to slow down the transition as they have done at previous climate meetings, while those most likely to gain -- such as the fuelimporting EU -- are pushing for faster action, the report added. The new paper, published in Nature Energy, illustrates how a drop in demand for oil and gas before 2036 will reshape the geopolitical landscape. Current investment flows and government commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050 will make renewable energy more efficient, cheaper and stable, while fossil fuels will be hit by more price volatility. Many carbon assets, such as oil or coal reserves, will be left unburned, while machinery will also be stranded and no longer produce value for its owners.
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Marsh and Warner lead Australia to first Men's T20 WC Trophy India.com
Marsh welcomed James Neesham in the 11th over with a six over fine leg. It was followed by Warner reaching his half-century in 34 balls with a hoicked six over deep mid-wicket.
Dubai, Nov 14 (IANS): A clinical unbeaten knock from Mitchell Marsh (77 not out off 50 balls) along with a crucial half-century from David Warner (53 off 38 balls) led Australia to their first Men's T20 World Cup trophy, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium here on Sunday. Chasing 173, Australia reached the target with seven balls to spare. Warner began by taking backto-back boundaries off Tim Southee in the second over. In the next over, Aaron Finch chipped Trent Boult over long-off for
a boundary. But Boult had the last laugh as Finch top-edged a pull to a running deep square leg for a diving catch. Mitchell Marsh welcomed Adam Milne by whacking pace-on deliveries for a six and two fours. But the rightarm pacer conceded just three runs in the final over as Australia reached 43/1 in Power-play. Post Power-play, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi kept things tight but Marsh and Warner were quick to thwart the plans of stemming the run-flow. While Marsh slogswept Santner for a six over deep square leg, Warner slammed Sodhi for two fours and a gigantic six straight down the ground.
Boult provided a much-needed breakthrough in the 13th over, ending the 92-run stand by dislodging Warner's stumps. In the next over, Marsh brought up his half-century in 31 balls with a flat slog over long-on off Sodhi, bettering Kane Williamson's record for the fastest fifty in Men's T20 World Cup final. Two balls later, he went on to smash Sodhi for a pull through midwicket. Glenn Maxwell took a brace of boundaries against Milne and Southee in 15th and 16th overs as Australia inched closer to the target. Marsh struck two more boundaries before Maxwell finished off the chase with a reverse-sweep past the third man to send Australia into the celebratory mood. Brief scores: New Zealand 172/4 in 20 overs (Kane Williamson 85, Martin Guptill 28, Josh Hazlewood 3-16, Adam Zampa 1-26) lost to Australia 173/2 in 18.5 overs (Mitchell Marsh 77 not out, David Warner 53, Trent Boult 2-6) by eight wickets
Indian women's team to tour New Zealand ahead of 2022 ODI World Cup Wellington, Nov 12 (IANS): The Indian women's cricket team will play five ODIs and one T20I in New Zealand next year as part of their preparations for the 50-over World Cup scheduled for MarchApril. The six-match series will get underway with a one-off T20I on February 9 and end on February 24. "The White Ferns will put the finishing touches on their preparations for the upcoming World Cup, to be hosted in New Zealand for the first time in 22
years, when they play India in a six-match series comprising a T20, and five ODIs," New Zealand Cricket announced on Friday. The two teams last faced each other in a bilateral series in January-February 2019, when New Zealand hosted India for six limited-overs games. India clinched the ODI series 2-1 while New Zealand handed them a 3-0 sweep in the T20I leg of the tour. India's last international outing was a seven-match tour of Australia in September-October this year, which featured three
ODIs and T20Is apiece and a pink-ball Test.
"The India series is a crucial part of the White Ferns' World Cup preparations," NZC chief executive David White said in a statement. Schedule: Feb 9: 1st T20I, Napier Feb 11: 1st ODI, Napier Feb 14: 2nd ODI, Nelson Feb 16: 3rd ODI, Nelson Feb 22: 4th ODI, Queenstown Feb 24: 5th ODI, Queenstown
Indian women cricketers express wish for Women's Indian Premier League Mackay, Nov 12 (IANS): Indian women cricketers Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Radha Yadav and Smriti Mandhana have expressed their wish for a Women's Indian Premier League to begin. As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had organised a three-team womens T20 Challenge in the past. In a video posted by cricket. com.au, Jemimah, Harmanpreet, Radha and Smriti, currently participating in the women's Big Bash League (WBBL) have given their views on a full-fledged
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women's IPL. "I think it is now time that we need to have a women's IPL in India. Because if you see the standards of England and Australian girls, it's not that we don't have that much skill. It is just that the amount of exposure they are getting and these kind of games, it helps them improve so much drastically," said Jemimah, currently playing for Melbourne Renegades. "All these things are so new for us. Just imagine if a youngster goes into the women's IPL, does well and gets selected for India and
then she'd be like, 'ok, I've been in a familiar place'. You never know you might get so much, so many better talents out of that like Shafali Verma. I think it's high time, it'll just make women's cricket better in India," added the youngster. Harmanpreet, the India T20I captain and Jemimah's team-mate in the Melbourne side, agreed with her views. "We have seen how Australian cricket has grown when the WBBL started, and I hope we will also get a platform like that." Smriti, currently plying her
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SPORTS
When Hussey took the game away from Pakistan 11 years back Dubai, Nov 12 (IANS): The Marcus Stoinis-Matthew Wade blitzkrieg on Thursday night for Australia against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup semifinal here brought back memories of the Michael Hussey special, which almost singlehandedly swung the game at the 2010 T20 World Cup in the Kangaroos' favour.
In 2010 in the West Indies, it was Michael Hussey who, with the help of six sixes in his unbeaten 24-ball 60, achieved an almost improbable task of chasing Pakistan's score of 191 in the semifinal played at Gros Islet, winning by three wickets with just one ball remaining. Pakistan looked to be on their way to a third straight final reducing Australia to 144 for seven in the 18th over. A player at the peak of his powers, Hussey was able to do something that few thought possible at the time, the sort of destructive knock that has become more commonplace as the format has developed. Still, Hussey was regarded as arguably the best white-ball finisher in the game at the time. If someone was going to turn a game like that, it was probably him. His three sixes off Saeed Ajmal were matched by Matthew Wade in Dubai, who went one better by getting three in a row off Shaheen Shah Afridi to seal a stunning chase of 177. On Thursday, Wade was a more unlikely hero than Hussey. Not that he is not a capable batter, but he had only crossed 30 on one occasion in a chase in T20Is, and that came when opening. He did not have anywhere near the pedigree of Hussey when it came to finishing. In fact, it was his batting partner Stoinis who seemed the more likely match-winner, and for Wade, the all-rounder was the man who turned the game when he took 13 off Haris Rauf in the 17th over including a six and a four. That brought the required rate down to just over 12 an over from the last three, the sort of numbers that have become easily
IANS
attainable, particularly with the rapport between the batters that Wade and Stoinis possess. They did just that, Stoinis finishing unbeaten on 40 and Wade a blistering 41 from just 17 deliveries. Asked about how the pair have become such good finishers, Wade said, "It's confidence, confidence in your ability to finish the game. To be able to bat with Marcus has been awesome, I've played a lot of cricket with him (Stoinis) at Victoria early on in his career so I've seen him grow into the cricketer he is today. "I know if I can hang with him for four or five overs, he's going to find the boundary, he's too big and strong not to. The reason that he and I worked well towards the back end is that we know each other's game so much. "Trying to keep calm is probably the biggest thing towards the back end. That's quite easy for me because I look down the other end and I see his big rig ready to send it out of the park. It might not be as easy for him at the other end," said Wade. While it was a one-man effort from Hussey 11 years back which stunned Pakistan, this time it was a joint effort from the new generation of Australian finishers. In 2010, Hussey's heroics did not lead to a title as England won the final. With Wade and Stoinis, perhaps this is the year that Australia end their wait for a men's T20 World Cup crown. IANS
trade for Sydney Thunder, firmly believes that organising women's IPL will help in forming a bench strength for the Indian team. "That's the next step for Indian women's cricket, I think. Having an eight-team IPL or whatever teams BCCI decides, I think that's going to add a lot of depth to women's cricket in India." "You can see the standard of Australian women's team going up and not only by their main
players, even the bench. That's what these kind of leaguesdo, like, strengthen our bench. So that's something which are much needed in Indian cricket." Radha, associated with Sydney Sixes, too had the same opinion. "Absolutely. We have really good talent in India. It would be nice if we get a full IPL. For the other girls also in India, it will be really good."
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
CLOSE-IN: Why was the Indian team not brave enough?
T
he reality of not qualifying for the knock-out stage of the T20 World Cup has finally hit the millions of Indian die-hard cricket followers. One hoped and wished that the festival of lights, Diwali, would bring in some divine blessings. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
The Indian team played their last three matches like champions, but it was all in vain. The defeat against Pakistan and New Zealand in the two initial matches was a telling blow. Maybe, if India had played the lower-order teams earlier, they would have got the initial momentum to get them started. Indian captain Virat Kohli's remark as regards his team not being brave enough after the loss against New Zealand made one think seriously as to why he said so. When one thinks about it, one wonders as to why a team that showed such aggression and positivity went into a shell. Quite understandably, the loss against Pakistan had taken a major toll on the mental state of all the Indian players. A defeat against their foremost opponent is one that is unacceptable. This applies to both the countries and one that was the downfall of the Pakistan team in the last ODI World Cup when they lost to India.
cupboard full of players where players are easily replaceable and interchangeable. In the last five years, India has had a battery of bowlers and batters not only in the playing eleven, but also as a part of the Indian squad. The selection of players has become the most confusing aspect of Indian cricket. A good show in the Indian Premier League and a player finds himself directly into the Indian squad. The bio-bubble could be another reason that may have had a severe effect on the Indian team, being on the road for the last six months. However, on the other hand it has been a boon for the players on the bench. Earlier the touring squad consisted of 15 players who would replace one another. However, this was not the case in the present situation. A massive squad of batters and bowlers accompanying the side gives one many alternative options. India's magnificent performance in Australia showed how players who normally would never have played for the country were thrown into the deep end and most of them came through with flying colours.
The Indian team was unsettled when they played New Zealand and when put in to bat, the dewfactor syndrome put them further downhill mentally.
Another reason could be the excessive amount of cricket that has not only required players to take a break but also because of this, many have succumbed to injuries. This looked fine on paper, but what finally happened was that the chopping and changing did not give India a settled batting or bowling unit.
The main reason that one can pinpoint is the plethora of cricket that the Indian side is playing. The country boasts of a
The newer players who did well were replaced by the older reputed ones on their return. One more factor was that the
IPL became the benchmark of a player's skill, ability and mental strength. The difference between playing cricket for a franchise side and for one's country is like chalk and cheese. There may have been a few players who have emerged and been successful, but should not be made into a practice. India became a victim of its own cricket success. The options of many players and the shuffling of players regularly have brought about the biggest worry of a player -- "the scare of failure". Both in the ODI and the T20 World Cup, the Indian batting and bowling never looked settled because most of the players had someone else looking over their shoulder. This is why the Indian side was tentative in both the limitedovers World Cups and did not show the bravery one expected from them. The thought of losing and not being the villain is what the prime reason was for this mental state of the Indian cricketers. This, one feels, have been the reasons for India to fail time and again on big occasions. The next T20 World Cup will be held next year and the ODI the year after. The Indian think tank of the selectors and Rahul Dravid the coach have to identify the players for each spot and pursue with them relentlessly. They need to show consistency in their thinking and be brave in their selections. Indian cricket has all the ingredients to be world champions; it is putting it all together effectively that is a matter of concern.
With eye on 2022 T20 WC, Australia to tour New Zealand for T20I series IANS
Sydney, Nov 12 (IANS): Australia's men's side will travel to meet trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand for a T20 International series in March next year. While a chance to claim the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday (Nov 14) may stand in front of both teams, the teams have locked in a T20I series with an eye on next year's tournament, to be hosted by Australia in October. New Zealand Cricket confirmed the series on Friday, locking in key international play at the backend of their home summer. On top of the tour to New Zealand, Australia will also travel
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to Pakistan, their first tour there since 1998. "New Zealand's home summer schedule has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, and we are pleased to be able to support our closest neighbour with this T20I tour," Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley stated in a media release. "As well as supporting New Zealand Cricket to host a full summer of international cricket, it will also be a great opportunity for our men's T20 team to ramp up their preparations ahead of our home ICC Men's T20 World Cup in October and November next year." New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White said the series is a testament to the relationship between the two boards. "The impact of Covid-19 has meant a number of changes to our
schedule -- and we want to place on record our thanks to Cricket Australia for agreeing to send a team across the Tasman at such short notice. "NZC and CA have always enjoyed a close relationship and we really appreciate the lengths they've gone to in order to help us." The matches will be the first T20Is between the teams after their meeting in Sunday's ICC T20 World Cup final, to be held at the Dubai International Stadium. Australia overcame a strong Pakistan side in their semifinal on Thursday, while New Zealand exacted revenge after their 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final defeat to England, defeating Eoin Morgan's men by five wickets, with six balls to spare. Australia's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour will comprise of players not required for the Test matches in Pakistan.
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SPORTS
Kohli might quit captaincy in other formats in near future to focus on batting, hints Shastri
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New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS): Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said Virat Kohli might give up captaincy in other formats in the near future after doing so in the T20Is to deal with mental fatigue and focus on his batting. Shastri's tenure as head coach ended on a bittersweet note as India finished their T20 World Cup campaign with three emphatic victories but failed to make the semi-final of the showpiece event in the UAE. On the other hand, Kohli, who has stepped down as T20I captain, has taken rest for the T20 series and one Test against New Zealand to manage his workload. Speaking to India Today, the former India captain talked about Kohli's workload in the future. "In red ball cricket, India have been the No. 1 team in the world for the last five years under Virat Kohli. So unless he wants to give up or if he is mentally fatigued and says he wants to focus on his batting -- which can happen in the near future, don't think it will happen immediately -- it can happen," Shastri told India Today. "The same might happen with the ODI. He might say he wants to focus just on Test captaincy. It is his mind and body that will make that decision. He won't be the first, there are many players in the past who have had very successful tenures and captains and then given it up to focus on batting," he added. The former coach also mentioned that Kohli remains the fittest cricketer in the team and he is also hungry to do well. "He is hungry for sure, fitter than anybody in the team. No doubt about that. When you are physically fit, your longevity only increases. On the captaincy part of it, it will be his decision but I see if anything he might say no to white-ball cricket but the red ball, he should carry on because he has
been the best ambassador for test cricket. That will make him carry on," he said. Shastri also admitted that India's inability to win an ICC trophy during his 4-year tenure was a disappointment but he doesn't regret anything. He added that the India cricket team transformed into a steely side during his helm, which is more important for him. "It is a disappointment, not regret. We could have won, if not one, then maybe two tournaments but such things happen. In whiteball cricket, things change very quickly. If you don't start well you could be behind very quickly like it happened in this World Cup," he said. "But let me tell you something, that is silverware. We have enough silverware if I have too much of it, it's a problem polishing it after a few years when I get a little older. But for me, steel is more important and what we have done with this team is to infuse steel. You can ask anyone around the world, actually which is the best team. They will say it is the Indian cricket team across formats," he added. India won their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2019 under the Shastri-Kohli leadership group while they repeated the feat in 2021, breaching Australia's fortress at Gabba. Shastri was in charge of the dressing room even as Ajinkya Rahane led the team to a memorable victory. India lost the ICC World Test Championship final earlier this year but they bounced back to lead England 2-1 in an incomplete Test series. "The highs, it has to be Australia, just cannot take that away. Backto-back wins in Australia after almost 70 years is something that was unimaginable. Makes it extremely special. And of course, leading the series in England," Shastri said.
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
INDIA NEWS
ART & CULTURE
Kashi Utsav to celebrate luminaries from Kashi
K
ashi Utsav, a three-day festival, is being organised in Varanasi to celebrate the centuries old luminaries from Kashi who are Goswami Tulsidas, Sant Kabir, Sant Raidas, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Munshi Premchand and Shri Jaishankar Prasad. It will be hosted at Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre, Varanasi from November 16 to 18, 2021.
IGNCA is organising the programme on behalf of Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with the support of Uttar Pradesh State Government and Varanasi Administration under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India. A theme has been dedicated to each day of the festival and these are: ‘Kashi ke Hastakshar’; ‘Kabir, Raidas ki Bani aur Nirgun Kashi’ and ‘Kavita aur Kahani - Kashi ki Zubani’. The first day will focus on eminent literary figures, Bhartendu Harishchandra and Shri Jaishankar Prasad. The second day will highlight prominent poets, Sant Raidas and Sant Kabirdas and the final day will have Goswami Tulsidas and Munshi Premchand as focal points. The festival will emphasize these personalities from Kashi through panel discussions,
exhibitions, film screenings, music, drama and dance performances. Eminent artists will be performing in the event. Dr. Kumar Vishwas will be presenting a performance on ‘Main Kashi Hun’ on November 16, 2021 while Shri Manoj Tiwari, Hon’ble Member Parliament will be delivering a musical presentation on ‘Tulsi ki Kashi’ on the final day. The festival includes several devotional performances by artists like by Ms. Kalapini Komkali, Shri Bhuvanesh Komkali, Padma Shri Shri Bharti Bandhu, Ms. Maithili Thakur. A play based on Rani Laxmi Bai, ‘Khoob Ladi Mardani’, will be presented by artists from National School of Drama (NSD) which has been directed by Ms. Bharti Sharma from NSD on November 18, 2021. Alongside another theatrical presentation will be made on ‘Kamayani: Dance Drama’ based on the classic poetry of Shri Jaishankar Prasad on November 16, 2021. The play has been directed by Shri Vyomesh Shukla from Varanasi. IGNCA films on Varanasi have also been included in the festival. These are: ‘Banaras Ek Sanskritik Prayogshala’ by Shri Virendra Mishra; ‘Meri Nazar mein Kashi’ directed by Shri Pankuj Parashar; ‘Manbhawan Kashi’ directed by Shri Pankuj Parashar; ‘Kashi Pavitra Bhugol’ directed by Shri Deepak Chaturvedi; ‘Made in Banaras’ by Shri Satyaprakash
Upadhyay; ‘Kashi Ganga Vishveshvarai’ by Ms. Radhika Chandrasekhar; ‘Muktidham’ by Ms. Radhika Chandrasekhar; ‘Kashi ki Aitihasikta’ by Shri Arjun Pandey; ‘Kashi ki Hastiyaan’ by Shri Arjun Pandey. An exhibition of books and six literary personalities will be showcased in the festival; the themes of which have been planned and prepared by IGNCA and Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
Renowned speakers will be participating in the panel discussions on six luminaries of Kashi and they are: Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Prof. Maruti Nandan Tiwari, Shri Virendra Mishra, Prof. Niranjan Kumar Shri Anant Vijay, Prof. Poonam Kumari Singh, Prof. Vishambhar Nath Mishra; Dr. Sadanand Shahi, Dr. Uday Pratap Singh. In order to ensure maximum Janbhagidari, local artists, personalities and cultural scholars will also be invited to participate and present their views and thoughts either through videos or personally in the festival. 150 artists are participating in the event. Dr. Priyanka Mishra, IPS Director Administration, IGNCA is the Nodal Officer for Kashi Utsav at IGNCA and the management of the event is being carried out under her guidance. IGNCA wishes to dedicate this festival to people of India,
wherein role of each and every Bhartiya has been instrumental in the growth of Indian nation, be it culturally, economically, socially. Through Kashi Utsav, IGNCA is not only showcasing the
glorious past of the nation but also generate the awareness that Indians have the utmost abilities to become a self-reliant (Atma Nirbhar) nation.
Duty of a teacher never ends, Hope future generations will carry forward musical legacy: Anwar Khan says Padma Shri awardee
IANS
IANS
contribution in the field of folk music," he said, adding that other singers of the country should also be respected and awarded. "I am happy that I was born in an artistes' family. My grandfather and great grandfather were also folk artistes. Since childhood, I have learnt from my parents and got to know that which song will be sung at what time. "The 'raga', 'taal' (rhythm) and 'geet' (song) that were developed then have been embellished since then," he said.
F
olk artist Anwar Khan Manganiar, who was conferred the Padma Shri on Monday by President Ram Nath Kovind, said that he hopes that his musical legacy will be carried forward by his future generations. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Anwar Khan, whose culture and music is recognised across the country and abroad too, said: "It was all the blessings of my elders that I bagged the award."
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Residents of Baiya in Jaisalmer, his father and grandfather were also folk artistes and he kept their legacy alive with his efforts. Anwar Khan, who has shared the stage with various celebrities, said: "I am honoured so much that my future generations will also have to take care of the respect I have drawn." "I thank the Indian government for awarding me with the fouth-highest civilian award for
"We will carry forward the tradition of folk singing. There is a history and story behind every song. That's why we will keep the old things alive without any change and Will continue to sing using the same words and costumes," Anwar Khan added. Anwar Khan, who has been singing for more than 50 years, said: "When a child cries in his family, it is also in 'sur' (rhythm)." Anwar Khan, who has taken Rajasthani and Sufi singing to the world stage, also wishes to take Marwari, Urdu, Punjabi, and Sindhi language folk music to new heights.
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S
ujeet Chattopadhyay, a retired teacher from West Bengal who is teaching around 300 students only for Rs 2, was conferred with the Padma Shri award by President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday. After his retirement, Chattopadhyay (78), a resident of Burdwan district, has been teaching poor children. He teaches students of Class X, XI and degree college students. Talking to IANS, Chattopadhyay said that it is a matter of pride for him to be honoured by the President. "I have got the message conveyed to my students that our school has been awarded. I am a teacher and a teacher's duty does not end even after retirement. That's why I teach poor children of my area," he said.
"My students are proud of me and they have also sent a message for the President which needs to be conveyed to him," Chattopadhyay said. The students have demanded a degree college and a branch of SBI in the Ramnagar Gram panchayat, he said. Explaining further, Chattopadhyay said that the students have to travel 30 km for banking transactions. He said that he had made the same demand with the state administration, but in vain. Besides providing education, he also buys clothes and other essentials for the poor students. Chattopadhyay also looks after Thalassemic patients. He, along with his students, organises a camp for such patients and try to help them financially too.
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
INDIA NEWS
BOOKS & LITERATURE
British-Indian writer launches Modi 'The Disruptor' details VP Singh's repeated crises monograph at Sharjah Book Fair IANS
Times editor of The Sunday Times. During an hour-long interactive session on Thursdayat the Sharjah Expo Centre where the 11-day festival is being held until Saturday, the BBC's first sports editor told how he first got the idea of first writing the book after coming across a graffiti in 1981 in Mumbai's Kemps Corner that read: "Mrs Gandhi save the Hindus."
A
62-page monograph on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, originally launched in the UK in February, was unveiled at the Sharjah International Book Fair here for a wider audience. Written by British-Indian journalist-turned-author Mihir Bose, the book, "Narendra Modi e The Yogi of Populism", has been described as "a fascinating and original take on one of the most interesting political leaders of our age", by David Smith, Economic
"That was the start of the idea that you have lost your country and that you needed someone to salvage it. (Donald) Trump used it, Boris Johnson has used it and so has (Narendra) Modi," said Bose while comparing the former US President's 'Build the Wall' narrative with Modi's 'Build the Temple' before elaborating on why he thought the Indian Prime Minister's playbook for winning elections provided a template for both Trump and Johnson. "There's this strong belief that India was once a great nation and that the greatness that was lost because of misadministration by previous government for decades is now being reclaimed
by Modi's government," Bose said while talking about Modi and contemporary India.
"I would have loved for India to go on and win the ICC World T20 here in UAE but sadly that isn't to be anymore and I will have to update my book with those disappointing results," he said while referring to India's string of poor performances in their group matches that saw them lose to Pakistan, first time in a world cup game, and then New Zealand before crashing out of the tournament. Talking about the proliferation of T20 and 100-ball cricket, Bose said: "T20 is a nice appetizer but Test cricket to me is the main course. Yet we do need the appetizer and it only enhances overall skills."
event organised on Wednesday by the Indian Consulate at the Intellectual Hall of the Expo Centre in the emirate of Sharjah where the 11-day festival – recently declared the largest in the world – is being held.
T
he Arabic version of a book containing 3,000-year-old Indian poetry was launched at a private ceremony on the sidelines of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). "100 Great Indian Poems" is an anthology of 28 poems in 28 languages including Kashmiri, Bengali, Tamil and Urdu and boasts the works of legendary Indian poets like Mirza Ghalib and Firaq Gorakhpuri. "Some of the poems in the book are as old as 3,000 years,"
said Abhay Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to Madagascar, who edited the book that was first published in 2018 and then translated in various languages (Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Malagasy, French, Irish and Nepalese). "It will help to take Indian poetry to millions of readers in the Arab world and it is a great moment of pride not only for me but also all Indian poets – living and from the past," Kumar said in a video message during the
Minni Bounama, Director of Content and Publishing at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage that translated the book as part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Dubai, that organised the launch event said: "We translated this book to introduce (to the Arab world) the Indian poetic heritage and to enhance the cooperation and cultural ties between the UAE and India." "This is just the beginning of a project that aims to strengthen the cultural bridge between the two sides by publicising the heritage of the two countries on the widest scale."he added, hinting at more translations to follow.
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IANS
Bose, who started his journalism career with London Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) in the late 1970s, also discussed cricket, its future and how India has come to dominate world cricket, based on his book "The Nine Waves: The Extraordinary Story of Indian Cricket".
3,000-yr-old Indian poetry translated into Arabic IANS
during his 11-month tenure
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V
ishwanath Pratap Singh, Indias seventh Prime Minister, struck Indian politics with the force of a tornado. Primarily remembered for implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission report, which provided reservations in Central government services for the first time to the Other Backward Classes, he deserves a place in history for much more -- from conducting raids on the biggest business houses of his time when he was Finance Minister to investigating defence deals as Defence Minister (which cost him his job); from bringing together a divided Opposition to form an unlikely coalition government at the Centre comprising the BJP and the Communist parties to spearheading the biggest airlift evacuation in Indian history -- of Indians stranded in the Middle East during the first Gulf War. V.P. Singh weathered repeated crises during his eleven-month tenure: The rise of insurgency in Kashmir, starting with the kidnapping of his Home Minister's daughter by terrorists; L.K. Advani's Rath Yatra in support of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which led to communal riots; and, above all, the backlash that followed the Mandal Commission report's implementation. V.P. Singh ended up antagonising both the Congress and the BJP -perhaps one of the reasons he has not been given the posthumous attention he deserves. Debashish Mukerji's "The Disruptor" (HarperCollins) is a richly detailed account of his extraordinarily eventful life, told in the context of his times. Here's a sneak peek into the book: The rivalry with Amitabh Bachchan; as Finance Minister, V.P. Singh's �raid raj' against corporate corruption; Taking on Reliance; the V.P. Singh�Rajiv Gandhi fallout and his dramatic resignation as Defence Minister; Defamatory campaign against
V.P. Singh by the Congress; V.P. Singh curtailing his own security cover, accused of reducing Rajiv Gandhi's; India could have gone nuclear but V.P. Singh chose not to; Biggest airlift evacuation in world history; steps initiated by V.P. Singh's government, but completed and claimed by later governments: RTI Act, Lok Pal Act, OROP, MNREGA; and, of course, implementing the Mandal Commission Report. "By bringing together a divided Opposition to usher in an era of coalition governments at the Centre, as also by implementing the Mandal Commission report which provided job reservations for the Other Backward Classes, Vishwanath Pratap Singh permanently altered India's political landscape," says author Debashish Mukerji. "A politician ambivalent about pursuing power, and obsessed with financial integrity, he was also an extremely complex human being. The main issues he confronted - caste disparities, communal tensions and corruption - continue to bedevil the country even today. All these reasons prompted me to attempt this biography, which sets V.P. Singh against the context of his turbulent times," Mukerji adds. Says Siddhesh Inamdar, Executive Editor, HarperCollins India: "V.P. Singh was Prime Minister of India for just about eleven months, and yet his short time in office proved immensely consequential in shaping the country. As a leader who took on a party with an overwhelming majority in Parliament, his career is also relevant in the context of the politics of today." "For all his achievements, V.P. Singh remains an understudied former Prime Minister. November marks the anniversary both of his death (in 2008) as well as of the fall of his government (in 1990), and this meticulously researched biography by a seasoned journalist will throw much-needed light on Singh's extraordinary life and times," Inamdar adds.
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
TRAVEL
Airbnb reveals the most sought-after holiday season destinations for Indians A
s travel restrictions ease across most borders, hopeful tourists can finally look forward to tick-marking their longawaited holiday bucket lists. Airbnb’s search data proves that vacationers are undeniably eager to travel again, and all set to go the distance within India and abroad. Airbnb reveals the top destinations on India’s wish list to help you plan your next getaway.
As tourists in India have started flocking to cooler destinations, the resort town of Manali continues to remain a favourite, offering gorgeous mountain views, trekking trails, and relaxing retreats. Its close cousins Shimla and Darjeeling are also some of the most searched destinations in India. The top 10 most searched destinations by Indian guests for the upcoming holiday season are: (Stays between 1st December 2021, to 31st January 2022): Manali Goa New Delhi Bengaluru Pondicherry Mumbai Jaipur Shimla Udaipur Darjeeling Goa has always been a preferred
destination, especially around the end of the year, offering its lovely palms and beaches to Christmas and New Years’ revellers. It also offers a range of Airbnb stays to suit many budgets, likes, and preferences, for individuals as well as a group of travellers.
Pexel
Bengaluru, the Garden City of India are immensely popular as well. For those travelling to Bengaluru, the beautiful cities of Pondicherry, Ooty, Coorg, and Wayanad are at drivable distances for a short vacation. Known for its rich history along with its lip-smacking culinary delights, New Delhi is amongst the top searched destinations. The city is an important hub for international tourist arrivals, with some of the most favoured destinations such as Jaipur, Udaipur, and Manali being just a road trip away. Along with its diverse culture and vibrant nightlife, Mumbai and quick get-away destinations such as Lonavala, Alibaug and Mahabaleshwar are also popular for Indian travellers. Dubai, Toronto, and New York, along with cities in Europe are amongst the most popular international searches. The top 10 most searched international destinations by Indian guests for the upcoming holiday season are: (Stays between 1st December 2021, to
31st January 2022): Dubai London Paris Toronto New York Amsterdam Barcelona Berlin Bangkok Zurich With more international destinations easing restrictions, Indian travellers are looking towards the United Arab Emirates for quick getaways. While the City
of Gold is a short flight away, it is quickly followed by the bustling and cooler cities of London, Paris, Toronto, and New York. European cities, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, and Zurich along with the always popular destination of Bangkok round up the list, making for attractive and fun winter getaways for the end of the year. Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, General Manager - India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Taiwan, talking about the new dawn of travelling, says, “Indian travellers have been eagerly searching for tourism to reopen for domestic and international destinations.
Following a long wait of almost two years, recreational travellers are now keen to fly abroad as countries have begun easing travel restrictions. The last few days have seen several travel restrictions being lifted across the globe. In India too, travel confidence is gradually picking up and more people are looking forward to travelling again, as shown through Airbnb’s search data.” As travel restrictions ease, it is encouraged to travel responsibly, while keeping in mind the necessary government advisories and precautions.
Plan a winter getaway to Rajasthan
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ach one of us is looking to escape the city bustle and as the season of cold breeze is knocking on our doors, its tempting to plan a long-awaited staycation with your loved ones. And what better than a staycation in the lap of luxury, serenity and heritage in the royal state of Rajasthan! Here are some destinations to plan your pictureperfect winter getaway: Pushkar Quiet. Beautiful. Historical. These are just some of the words to describe the experience at Pushkar! Take a walk through centuries of heritage in Pushkar Valley or indulge in the colourful traditions of the city. Pushkar has something for everyone. While indulging in the serenity of the city, stay at The Westin Pushkar Resort and Spa that offers luxurious and immersive experiences with its breathtaking pool villas, renowned breakfastin-the-pool, where you are bound to be in for a delight of a lifetime! Enjoy an array of activities that are fun for guests across all age groups. Ranthambore
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Are you an ardent lover of wildlife? Does the thought of sighting a royal tiger or a jungle safari excite you? Then plan for Ranthambore as the perfect destination for your winter weekend getaway! Located at a short distance from the Pink City, Ranthambore provides a plethora of activities and attractions for the wild heart! And it is not just the jungle safari! Anuraga Palace, the luxury boutique palace in Ranthambore is an excellent option for luxury accommodations and personalized services that are bound to bring a smile to your face. Indulge in fresh food at their restaurants that has been sourced from their in-house farm, Shabri or make your evenings even more wholesome with cultural celebrations! Jaipur When it comes to planning a quick weekend getaway staycation with your family, Jaipur tops the list! With its beautiful scenery, heritage history and sumptuous food, Jaipur is a delight to visit and discover during the winters. One of the most visited cities in
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Rajasthan, Jaipur is a favourite as it has something for all. The city is an appropriate example of the perfect amalgamation of heritage and modern essentialities. With the Hotel Diggi Palace in the heart of the city providing a heritage experience, one can plan a weekend that feels nothing less than royalty and regal comfort! With the royal family adding that
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essential flavour of history and glamour, the hotel in the middle of the Royal City gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the many flavours of the city! Be it visiting the famed monuments of Jaipur or shopping at the known Johri and Bapu Bazaar or enjoying a lazy winter afternoon in the hotel verandah with a cup of specially concocted tea at Hotel
Diggi Palace. For those looking for a luxury getaway closer to the scenic Aravalli range, need a stay at Rajasthali Resort and Spa on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway! Away from the hustle of the main city, Rajasthali gives you that perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy with your family in the lap of luxury!
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
INDIA NEWS
Siddhant weighs in on the 'insider vs outsider' debate Instagram
ENTERTAINMENT
Box-office extravaganza: Eight much-anticipated films set for release on remaining weekends Instagram
of my career. I would be no one today without their hands over my head. I know I'm one of the fortunate strugglers who have got the attention that we truly deserve. I know of many who didn't. It's sad but it's the truth."
Commenting on the insider vs outsider debate, he explains, "Yes, insiders do get spotted early, they have it easy to get their first break and also get many more opportunities than the outsiders get. It's a reality of this industry and every other industry of the world. It's almost like a law of the land. Nepotism exists and outsiders have to work that much harder to make their presence felt but there's beauty in that hard work too."
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iddhant Chaturvedi, who will be soon seen in the YRF comedy 'Bunty Aur Babli 2' as the new 'Bunty', has charted a path on his own. His performance in Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy' made audiences take notice of him and since then there has been no looking back for him. The actor recently shared his thoughts on nepotism and the grind that outside talents have to go through. The actor says, "It is a known fact that outsiders take way longer to
make their presence felt in the industry. I have seen many who have gone through a lot before they were even spotted to do something substantial despite having serious talent. I too have had my fair share of struggles for many years, which I truly cherish, before I got my break." He goes on to thank his mentors for empowering him, he adds, "I will be forever grateful to Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and Ritesh Sidhwani for the opportunities they have given me at the start
But, Siddhant is of the opinion that hardships mould a person and prepare them for the long battle that comes with success. "It (being an outsider) shapes you and your thoughts and steels your mind to achieve what you truly want in life. The only way outsiders in Bollywood can survive is by getting the love of people through our craft and I'm concentrating on doing just that. Hope I manage to entertain the audiences so that they keep coming back to watch me on the big screen and give me wind beneath my wings to soar," he concludes.
Casting coup! Vidya, Pratik, Ileana, Sendhil to star in upcoming 'date movie' Instagram
always cherish. Yes, I'm nervous, but this journey so far has been truly special." Talking about the film, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, said, "The film is a sparkling, sophisticated romance that subverts all notions of love and fidelity in modern times. Alchemy best describes the coming together of this incredible cast. And we're thrilled to collaborate with Shirsha Guha Thakurta, who has an extraordinarily perceptive understanding of human relationships. We're also excited to partner with Ellipsis once again, to bring this witty, charming and passionate story to life."
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idya Balan, 'Scam 1992' star Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D'Cruz and Indian-American sensation Sendhil Ramamurthy are coming together for Applause Entertainment and Ellipsis Entertainment's upcoming yetto-be-titled film. Directed by leading ad filmmaker Shirsha Guha Thakurta, the film will present a progressive and uninhibited take on modern
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relationships and is touted to be the ultimate 'date movie' of 2022 with the quartet of stars looking to fire up the big screen. Shirsha, who is now shooting the film across Mumbai and Ooty, said: "When I first heard this story, I was instantly attracted to its universe -- honest, funny and so today. The actors have been a dream to work with. Their generosity is something I will
Producers Tanuj Garg, Atul Kasbekar and Swati Iyer, partners at Ellipsis Entertainment, said: "The subject of love remains intriguing and debated. We were keen to tackle relationship fatigue by coming up with something that is dynamic, nuanced, relatable, uplifting and humorous, all in the same breath. This is probably the story of your life or definitely one that you've seen one or more of your friends go through."
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ith cinema theatres reopening in Maharashtra and Rohit Shetty's 'Sooryavanshi' starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif opening to an unprecedented response, the momentum is expected to continue over the next few weeks with the crop of muchanticipated forthcoming releases waiting to hit the big screen. Here's a look at what the film industry has to offer in the weeks ahead:
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui: One can easily trust Ayushmann Khurrana to bring a novel story each time he's on the screen. And he doesn't disappoint this time, too. The actor, who is credited with making offbeat content mainstream, stars in this film opposite Vaani Kapoor, who plays a trans woman. Ayushmann essays the role of a conflicted lover in this Abhishek Kapoor directorial. The film is all set for a December 10 release.
Bunty Aur Babli 2: First up, it's the Yash Raj Films production 'Bunty Aur Babli 2'. The film is a sequel to the memorable 2005 film and it narrates the story of two sets of con artists and their game of one upmanship. The film, directed by debutant Varun V. Sharma, will release on November 19.
The Matrix Resurrection: The film that clearly stands out in this lineup is this Keanu Reevesstarrer sci-fi action film, which can send an entire generation on a joyride of nostalgia. The fourth instalment of 'The Matrix' franchise follows the events 20 years after 'The Matrix Revolutions'. Directed by Lana Wachowski, the film will be released on December 22.
Satyameva Jayate 2: Next, we have the John Abraham-starrer 'Satyameva Jayate 2', which will see the actor playing three roles. The film is billed as the spiritual sequel to the 2018 vigilante action thriller directed by Milap Milan Zaveri. Its release is slated for November 25. Antim - The Final Truth: Releasing just a day after 'Satyameva Jayate 2' is the Mahesh Manjrekar directorial starring Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma. A remake of the successful Marathi film 'Mulshi Pattern', the film has Salman playing the character of a Sikh cop. 'Antim - The Final Truth' will hit the theatres on November 26. Tadap: The romantic action drama is Ahan Shetty's debut film opposite Tara Sutaria. The film has already hooked the audience with its maiden song release and looks all set to bring another love story with Tara and Ahan's palpable chemistry. Directed by Milan Luthria, the film will be released on December 3.
83: The penultimate Bollywood release of the year is a biographical sports drama based on India's maiden World Cupwinning team spearheaded by Kapil Dev. Directed by Kabir Khan, '83' stars Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev. In addition, it has a powerful ensemble case consisting of Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi, Boman Irani, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Harrdy Sandhu, Saqib Saleem, Ammy Virk, Sahil Khattar and Jatin Sarna. The film is due for release on December 25. Jersey: Finally, we have this Shahid Kapoor-starrer. It is the official remake of a Telugu film of the same name. Gowtam Tinnanuri, who directed the Telugu original, is also at the helm of its Hindi remake. It is about a 36-year-old cricketer, who returns after a hiatus with the aim of playing for the Indian team. The film will be released on December 31.
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Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
ENTERTAINMENT
Katrina, Vicky to tie the knot at Sharvari credits parents for encouraging her to Six Senses Fort in Rajasthan take up performing arts Instagram
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ebutante Sharvari, who currently awaits the release of her maiden film 'Bunty Aur Babli 2', credits her parents for encouraging her to explore herself in performing arts.
Sharvari said: "Growing up, going to the mall with my family meant that my dad (Shailesh) and I would look for any kid's contests happening there and participate. Be it dance, singing, acting or running, my father used to encourage me to participate and have fun.
in different hotels in Sawai Madhopur. On the other hand, the team of Katrina and Vicky Kaushal has also started preparing for the wedding. A 10-member team reached Six Senses Barwara Fort on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
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ollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal are all set to tie the knot at the Six Senses Fort Hotel in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district. The wedding celebrations will be held from December 7-12 and the booking has been done in the hotel for the wedding.
However, its formal announcement is yet to be made. Many event companies will work together to organise the VIP wedding. Different companies are being hired for different events, confirmed officials. Representatives of these event companies are searching rooms
According to the information received from the hotel management, the team monitored all arrangements related to the wedding. They did a recce from which place the groom will come sitting on the horse, where will the mehendi be organised and so on. However, the wedding programs have not been announced yet.
"I have no concept of stage fright thanks to both my parents. When I was a kid my mom (Namrata) used to sign me up for all activities in my neighbourhood functions from dancing to comparing the show." She added: "I remember she used to stand backstage and help me change into different outfits throughout the show." Sharvari says she grew up believing that she was meant to be an artiste because of her parents. She said: "Being an actor became my calling. I'm fortunate that I have parents who always wanted me to explore various things before I decided what I wanted to do in life. Fun fact, they both sat me down when I was 16 years old and told me that if I truly love acting then that's what I should do."
hope to make them proud with all the work I do in my life." 'Bunty Aur Babli 2' also features Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji as the original Bunty and Babli. This comedy will pit two sets of con-artists, from different generations, against each other as they try to prove who is the better con-couple!
Parineeti Chopra feels blessed to Arijit Singh: Love be shooting in Kargil A songs have no season Instagram
Sharvari called her parents as her biggest cheerleaders and that she is "to have them in my corner. I
ctress Parineeti Chopra is currently in Kargil, shooting for her yet-to-be-titled film. This is the first time that the actress has travelled to shoot amid the snow-clad mountains of Ladakh, and she seems to be absolutely in love with the place.
Yash Raj Films' 'Bunty Aur Babli 2' is set to release worldwide on November 19.
Talking about her experience, Parineeti said, "I feel honoured and ecstatic to be shooting in Kargil. I always wanted to come here because I have grown up hearing stories from my dad because he works with the Indian Army and to be finally here as an actor is such a blessing." However, it's not all fun and games for the crew on the sets as sub-zero temperatures come with their own set of troubles and many times can thwart the shoot schedule. The actress explains, "The temperature is crazy, we shot in -18 and -12 degrees yesterday and our bottles of water were frozen and the guys with beards on our set had frozen beards." "It was crazy to see that level of cold. I have never experienced that temperature before in my life but still feels exciting to be here as an actor and shooting in these beautiful gorgeous locations," she concludes.
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inger and composer Arijit Singh says his latest track 'Tera Hua' from the upcoming film 'Cash' is a romantic number with beautiful composition and that love songs have no season.
out the sensitive and empathetic perspective of a lover. I am sure that audiences will enjoy this song as much I did while composing.''
"Love songs have no season and 'Tera Hua' is a beautiful track," says Arijit.
It is based on the issue of demonetization and how it has affected the people. It stars Amol Parashar and Smriti Kalra in the lead roles. The trailer of this movie is already out and it will be released on November 19 on Disney+ Hotstar.
The track, featuring Amol Parashar and Smriti Kalra, released Friday. Music composer Akull added that his composition brings out the emotions of love and care. He says: "'Tera Hua' is decorated with words that seek to bring
'Cash' is directed by Rishab Seth and produced by Vishesh Bhatt.
Produced by Sony Music, 'Tera Hua' is one of the four tracks from the movie.
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Luxury, lifestyle, location — welcome to Dress Circle
Nov 16-30, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 9
Located in the heart of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, Brookwater is Brisbane’s best kept secret for luxury living. Crafted around the Greg Norman designed golf course, Brookwater provides a rare combination of prestige golf-side living and natural bushland beauty. With over 800 families already calling Brookwater home, we are pleased to introduce the next stage of this exclusive community — your own architecturally designed piece of paradise — Dress Circle.
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We welcome you to experience Brisbane’s best kept secret when it comes to luxury living, and choose from our leading architectural collaborators to design your dream home — with all architectural fees complimentary with your Dress Circle land purchase.
READY TO BUILD ON LARGE PREMIUM HOMESITES FROM $566,000
Life on Brookwater’s Dress Circle is within 10 minutes of everything you need — commuter rail to the city, private and public schools, childcare centres, a university, a private hospital, shopping centres and a thriving commercial precinct.
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