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Modi, Biden discuss Ukraine during virtual meet
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Election campaign commences even as Aus coalition makes up ground The Print
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden discussed Ukraine during the virtual meet on April 11. The two leaders had an extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Continued on Page 3
US President downplays differences on Ukraine, highlights India’s aid at summit summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 11 by highlighting India’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. “I want to welcome India’s humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine. We’re going to continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilising effects of this Russian war,” Biden said.
New York, April 11 (IANS): Downplaying the differences between India and the US on
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the approaches to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, US President Joe Biden began his virtual
Modi spoke of India’s relief supplies to Ukraine and condemned the killings of civilians in Bucha, which he called “very worrying”, adding that the Parliament had extensive discussions on Ukraine. “We have sent medicines and Continued on Page 3
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Canberra, April 11 (IANS): A new poll revealed on April 11 that Australia’s governing coalition has made up ground on the opposition ahead of the general election on May 21.
ground on Labor after trailing 4456 in late January.
According to the latest edition of Newspoll, the government now trails the Labor Party 47-53 on a two-party preferred basis, reports Xinhua news agency.
Despite making gains in the poll on April 11, the coalition still has to make up significant ground over the course of the campaign to win a fourth consecutive term in government.
It marks the second consecutive poll the coalition has made up
The poll was published after Prime Minister Scott Morrison on April 10 called the general election for May 21.
Over 30-member delegation visits J&K, to invest over Rs 70,000 crore in next 6 months Srinagar, April 11 (IANS): The global perspective about Jammu and Kashmir is changing fast. Known as one of the most soughtafter tourist destinations of India, it is now attracting investors’ eyeballs for all the right reasons.
A delegation of over 30 CEOs from Gulf countries came to the valley in March to look for business and investment opportunities in the region. The visit was coordinated by Bal Krishen, CEO of Century Finance who was a resident of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda Continued on Page 3
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Over 30-member delegation visits J&K, to invest over Rs US President downplays 70,000 crore in next 6 months differences on Ukraine, highlights
India’s aid at summit
Continued from Page 1
before relocating to Dubai. The Union Territory expects over Rs 70,000 crore investment in the next six months. There are members from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries - Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi; also people from Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia visited the Union Territory, J&K’s Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, said. The visit took place a month after India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a free trade agreement. Jammu and Kashmir’s Lt Governor had recently visited the UAE and invited individuals and corporates to invest in the Union Territory. There were around 12 Indianorigin businessmen also as part of the delegation. Krishen promised investment of $100 million in the region to build three hotels and one commercial-cum-residential complex in the Union Territory. He is hopeful that these upcoming projects will create 700 direct jobs and several indirect jobs. In an interview to News18 Krishen said: “It is a commitment from my side and my group that we are going to invest this amount in J&K. We are going to build three hotels and one residential complex there. When Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha was in Dubai, he interacted with a lot of groups, individuals, corporate groups and institutions as he invited everyone. I think that every individual and corporate house should participate in the development of Jammu and Kashmir and even the Union Territory should work towards making it a favourite (investment) destination of the world.” Krishen, who himself is from Doda, said: “I am attached to my native place and my district in Jammu and Kashmir. Almost everyone feels the same. My first hotel, I would prefer in Doda, second hotel in Jammu and third in Kashmir. And these will be
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star-rated hotels. “Keeping in mind the Covid situation, we would be doing the groundbreaking by the end of this quarter, or the beginning of the second quarter. Hopefully, we will finish all projects in less than three years. These three hotels and residential complexes will generate more than 700 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs.” “I think this is the right time to invest in the UT, we should not wait for the government to do everything. Every individual in the corporate house, as per their experience and expertise, should participate in the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. Sinha, during the meeting with the CEOs assured them of their redressal in minimum time period, especially in the health and medical education, real estate, hospitality, food processing, cold storage and cold chain and education sectors. “Last year, we had a total outside investment of Rs 15,000 crores. By now, we have cleared investment proposals of around Rs 27,000 crores. We hope that in the next six months, it will cross Rs 70,000 crore.” These investments are likely to generate a minimum of six to seven lakh jobs in Jammu and Kashmir. J&K is offering Rs 28,000 crore as incentives. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) worth Rs 3,000 crore was signed with companies in the UAE earlier this year. The big business groups including Emaar, DP world, Lulu and Noon.com have
evinced interest. Those will be taken to the final phase now. There are 17 focus sectors for investment in J&K. The J&K Government has been focusing on the industrial sector for accelerating the economic growth and for generating employment opportunities for the youth of the Union Territory. The Industries and Commerce (I&C) Department operates as the apex body for the development of the industrial sector in the UT. The vision of the I & C Department is to create sustainable, equitable, environment-friendly and balanced industrial growth in the MSME, Textile, Mining and Trade sectors. An integral part of this vision is creation of employment opportunities for the local skilled and educated youth. The I&C Department operates through two separate Directorates-one each for the Kashmir Division and the Jammu Division. It implements the government’s policies related to various aspects of industrial development. It also facilitates entrepreneurship in establishing industries by providing them the land, required clearances and incentives/concessions available under the Industrial Development Policies of the UT. At present, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has developed 57 industrial estates and many more are in the process of development.
Election campaign commences even as Aus coalition makes up ground Continued from Page 1
Applied on a uniform basis nationally, a 53-47 two-party margin would result in Labor winning 79 out of 151 seats in the lower house of Parliament where the government is formed. Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese on April 11 began their first official day of the campaign with multi-million dollar funding announcements. The Prime Minister visited the marginal New South Wales Labor seat of Gilmore where he announced A$40 million ($29 million) for local road upgrades. He accused Albanese of spending “the last three years fighting
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me while I’ve been fighting the pandemic and standing up for Australia”. Newspoll found that Morrison has extended his lead as voters’ preferred Prime Minister, with 44 per cent choosing the incumbent compared to 39 per cent for Albanese, down from 42 per cent earlier in April. Albanese, who has led Labor since the party’s shock loss in the 2019 election, began the first day of the campaign in the Tasmanian seat of Bass where he promised funding to provide better care for children with hearing loss. He said that the party faces an
“uphill battle” to win the election, noting that the Labor has won power from the Opposition only three times since World War II and dismissed Morrison’s assertions that he is an unknown quantity. “No one knew who Scott Morrison was when he became prime minister, when he knocked off a sitting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). “I’m not going that way. I’m not stabbing someone in the back to become Prime Minister. I’m asking the Australian people to elect me.”
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other relief materials to Ukraine and to its neighbouring countries, and on Ukraine’s request, we will be sending them another consignment of medicines very soon,” Modi said.
imposing sanctions, even though energy purchases are allowed under the US sanctions and European US allies continue to buy far higher amounts of energy from Moscow.
“Recently, the news about the killings of innocent civilians in Bucha was very worrying. We have instantly condemned the killings and have called for an independent inquiry,” he said, speaking in Hindi with simultaneous interpretation in English.
The Biden administration has tried to ward off criticism of India, which is a key player in its global strategy.
The summit took place before the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. Modi said the summit “is very important as it will provide direction for discussions” at the 2+2 meeting. At the White House, Biden sat at a semi-circular table with the US secretaries to his right and Indian ministers and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu to his left, facing Modi on a video screen. While ending his introductory remarks, Biden, who is known for his several slips of the tongue, addressed Modi as “Mr President” although elsewhere during the brief speech he called him the Prime Minister. The media that was in the room to watch the start of the summit was not allowed to ask questions and was ushered out even as they were shouting questions. Before the summit, Blinken and Jaishankar, and Austin and Singh, held separate bilateral meetings. Austin welcomed Singh to the Pentagon with an honour guard. India has stayed mostly neutral on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, abstaining eight times on Ukraine-related voting at the United Nations. This and India buying oil from Russia have led to criticism of India in the US and suggestions of
Hence, Biden stressed India’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine. “Our continued consultation and dialogue are key to ensuring that the US-India relationship continues to grow deeper and stronger, delivering our people and our global good, good that we all are seeking, managed particularly in your part of the world”, Biden said. Modi recalled that at their meeting in September, Biden had said “that the India America partnership can contribute to solving a lot of global problems”. “I totally agree with you. As two democracies that are the world’s largest and oldest, we are natural partners and progress that has taken place in our relations in the last few years, the new momentum that has been created, would have been hard to even imagine a few decades ago,” Modi said. Stressing the democracy link, Modi said, “At the beginning of your term in office, you used to use the very important slogan, ‘Democracies can deliver’. IndiaAmerica partnership and its success is the best means to make the slogan meaningful this year.” On US’ ties with India, Biden said, “We have the same concerns about the global challenges we faced with Covid-19. Advancing health security and tracking the climate crisis, and we share a strong and growing major defence partnership. “And our partnership is a deep connection between our people, ties of family, of friendship and of shared values.”
Modi, Biden discuss Ukraine during virtual meet Continued from Page 1
The ministry said they also took stock of the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years. Both leaders have agreed to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership which would be of tremendous benefit to the two countries, and would also contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, who
were in Washington for the IndiaUS 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, were also present at the White House during the interaction along with their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
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INDIA NEWS
Death toll in Jharkhand cable car mishap rises to 3
Cross FIRs lodged in JNU brawl case, probe continues written complaint.
an investigation. The focus currently is on rescuing the people stuck on the ropeway,” said sources. Trikut ropeway is one of the highest vertical ropeways and has a maximum lens angle of 44 degrees. It has been built some 20 km from Baba Baidyanath Temple and is about 766-metres-long. The Trikut hill is 392-metreshigh. The ropeway has 25 cabins and each can seat four people. Deoghar/Ranchi, April 12 (IANS): The death toll in Jharkhand’s Deoghar cable car accident climbed to three after a person fell down from a helicopter while being airlifted on April 11 evening. The accident took place on April 10 evening after two cable cars in a ropeway collided with each other at Trikut hills in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district even as the Indian Air Force on April 11 continued its operation to rescue stranded tourists. So far, 35 people have been rescued while several are still feared to be trapped in cable cars.
declared dead and several others injured in the mishap. Acting on the request of the state government, the IAF deployed one Mi-17 and one Mi-17 V5 helicopter early in the morning. The IAF contingent also has a component of IAF Garud Commandos to conduct the operations. “A recce was conducted by one of the helicopters in the morning and operations are underway in coordination with the district administration and NDRF,” Air Force said. “The exact cause of the mishap would be ascertained only after
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed deep sorrow over the accident. Talking to reporters at Ranchi airport, he said that after the accident, relief and rescue work is being carried out on a war footing. Efforts are being made by NDRF and rescue teams to rescue people safely and the government is closely monitoring the situation. On April 11, Jharkhand’s Disaster Management Minister Banna Gupta and Tourism Minister Hafizul Ansari also reached the spot. Local MP Nishikant Dubey, Deputy Commissioner of the district Manjunath Bhajantri and many high officials were present at the spot since April 10 evening.
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Later in the evening, the DCP said that another FIR was registered on the complaint of ABVP.
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS): Delhi Police on April 11 registered two FIRs against unidentified people in a case of violence inside Jawaharlal Nehru University ( JNU) campus that resulted in injuries of six students. “We have received a complaint from a group of students who are members of JNUSU, SFI, DSF and AISA against unknown ABVP students,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Manoj C. said, adding the students belonging to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have also said that they will also be giving a
Accordingly, the police registered two FIRs under same sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. “On receipt of the same, necessary appropriate legal action will be taken,” the senior official said. Two groups at the JNU clashed on April 9 following an argument. The Left alliance members accused the ABVP of forcefully prohibiting non-vegetarian food at a Hostel in the campus while the ABVP alleged that the members of the Left alliance including the NSUI were not allowing them to conduct a Pooja and Havan programme on the occasion of Ram Navami.
Current heat wave second JNU: A fulcrum of Left Vs Right rumble longest for April in Delhi in over decade: IMD Earlier, at least two people were
proved even after two years of the incident. It was not a fight for prestige between students, as is usually seen at other universities in the country, rather the violence was a result of Left and Right politics.
The JNU has always been a hotbed of politics and the politicians, both left and right, have a keen interest in whatever transpires within the campus walls. JNU is probably one of the most used words during election campaigns. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): Five years after the death of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a premier research university was established in his name by an act of Parliament in 1969. During the discussion in the Lok Sabha, parliamentarian Bhushan Gupta voiced the opinion that this should not be yet another university. New faculties should be created, including scientific socialism, and one thing that this university should ensure was to keep noble ideas in mind. However, 50 years after its formation, Jawaharlal Nehru University, with each passing day is becoming an epicentre, a podium and a battlefield of the Left Vs Right politics that is often marred by incidents of violence. Just a day ago on April 10, the University once again bore witness to bloodshed between warring camps. As many as 16 students were injured during a fight that allegedly started over
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consumption of non vegetarian food on the occasion of Ram Navami. Minor scuffles do take place in universities but April 10’s incident was not the first time that the students-turnedmiscreants became thirsty for each other’s blood inside the campus. In January 2020, masked men and women carrying sticks and rods barged into the hostels of the University, attacking students and teachers. The campus property was damaged. Nearly 30 students, including JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh were injured in the incident. The scale of violence was such that the administration was forced to call the police which had to conduct a march inside the campus. Several left leaning political parties blamed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad for allegedly creating mayhem, however, nothing has been
But the varsity received serious political attention after February 9, 2016 when the ‘Azadi’ slogans rent the air of the campus. Some alleged anti-India, antijudiciary slogans raised there in 2016, after six years still become the main point in TV debates. The term ‘Tukde-Tukde gang’ is often used to brand the left leaning alliances in JNU. It was coined after those slogans were raised. Interestingly, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in an RTI reply in January 2020, had said that it has “no information” concerning the ‘Tukde Tukde Gang’ -- a term that has been used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah themselves. Apart from all the misadventures that have taken place in the University, according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) -- the central government’s ranking for higher educational institutions in the country -- JNU is still the second topmost university in India.
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New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): The ongoing heat wave in Delhi NCR has become the second highest for the month of April, with five consecutive days, over the last 12 years with the highest being six days in April 2017 during the same period, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on April 11. “Heat wave days, when counted for Safdarjung airport, city’s base station, based on 5-days based Pented normal - the method IMD follows for heat wave and severe heat wave - for the month of April and corresponding actual maximum temperature observations for the last 12 years, i.e., 2011 to 2022, has shown that April 2017 had the longest heat wave with six days while the current month, April 2022 till Monday, April 11, has become the second highest with five days,” IMD’s senior scientist R.K. Jenamani said.
maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius against the normal of 36.3 degrees Celsius, six notches above normal, Palam recorded the maximum temperature of 41.8 against the normal of 38.8, a departure of 5, Lodi Road recorded 42 degrees Celsius against the normal of 36 degrees Celsius, a departure of 6, Ridge observatory recorded 43 degrees Celsius against the average of 36.1 degrees Celsius, a departure of 7 while the Aya Nagar station recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius against the normal of 36.8 degrees, also 7 notches above normal. The criterion for declaring a heat wave by IMD is when maximum temperature for any station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius or more for plains and at least 30 degrees Celsius or more for hilly regions. Also, when the departure from normal is 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius, it is declared as a heat wave while when the departure from normal is more than 6.4 degrees Celsius, it is declared as a severe heat wave. Based on actual maximum temperatures, a station recording a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius or more is declared as having a heat wave while the one that records 47 degrees Celsius or more is declared to have a severe heat wave.
On April 11, Safdarjung recorded
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Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
INDIA NEWS
PM Modi to be conferred with 1st Lata D. Mangeshkar memorial award
Disappointed with Akhilesh, Azam Khan may walk out of SP Fasahat added, “Now Akhilesh Yadav feels that our clothes stink.”
Mumbai, April 11 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be conferred with the First Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award at the annual 80th Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards ceremony here, a family member said here on April 11. The new award shall be given to Modi at a function to be jointly organised by the late Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratisthan, Pune and Hridayesh Arts. The announcement of the new award and other awardees was made by Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar here, to be given away on April 24, the 80th death anniversary of his father, Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, at the event to be presided over by Usha
Interestingly, a day ago, SP MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq had also alleged that SP was not working for Muslims.
Mangeshkar.
Special Individual category.
The awards in various fields were nurtured and conferred for 32 years by the late Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar who passed away here on February 6.
The late Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar shall be given to Rahul Deshpande, (Indian Music), Asha Parekh, Jackie Shroff, (Special Award for dedicated services to Indian cinema).
The Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award shall be given to only one individual every year, as decided by the family trustees, and the inaugural honour shall be conferred on the PM in the
Besides, the famous Mumbai Dabbawalas shall also be conferred with the honour for dedicated Social Work, and Sanjay Chaya for Drama.
Mamata Banerjee gives love-angle twist to Hanskhali minor girl’s rape Kolkata, April 11 (IANS): The controversy over the rape of a minor girl, who died later, at Hanskhali in Nadia district of West Bengal recently took a more debatable turn on April 11 afternoon after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave a love-angle twist to the incident. Speaking at the inauguration of the revamped Milan Mela, a permanent fair ground opposite the Science City at the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in Kolkata on April 11 afternoon, the chief minister referred to the minor’s rape in connection with which Brajagopal Goyal, son of a local panchayet member, Samar Goyal, was arrested by the police on April 10. “What has happened is not right. I condemn it. The police have arrested the accused. But the opposition parties and a section of the media are trying to give a political twist to the entire event. I have received the news that there was a love affair between the accused and the victim. So why come to a conclusion before the investigation is completed,” the chief minister said.
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However, legal experts have ruled out the logic of a love affair and consensual sex in this case since the victim was a minor. Senior criminal lawyer of the Calcutta High Court, Kaushik Gupta, told IANS that under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, even consensual sex is considered rape if it involves a minor girl. “A girl below the age of 18 is minor and law does not identify the right of a minor to give consent for sex. Consensual sex with a minor, as per the law is considered as aggravative penetration for sexual assault,” Gupta said. Meanwhile, Banerjee also launched a scathing attack on the media and said that a large section of the media is trying to project the state in a totally negative light. “Even minor events are highlighted nationally by a section of the media holding the ruling party responsible. The same media houses are remaining silent when journalists are stripped in Madhya Pradesh,” she said. A public interest litigation was filed in the Calcutta High Court
on April 11, demanding a CBI probe into the matter. On April 9, the parents of the victim filed a complaint at the Hanskhali police station against the accused. The victim’s parents alleged that the accused invited the victim to his residence on April 4 to celebrate his birthday. There, as per allegations, the girl was fooled into consuming alcohol and then raped. Later, the victim was dropped at her residence by a woman alleged to be a close associate of the accused. On the night of April 4, the girl started having severe pain in the lower abdomen and died late at night. The victim’s family took the assistance of the Child Line and was able to file the FIR at the Hanskhali police station on April 9. On April 10, the accused was arrested.
Samajwadi Party state spokesperson and national secretary Rajendra Chaudhary said: “I am not aware of any such meeting or comments. Azam Khan is with the SP and the SP is with him.” Lucknow, April 11 (IANS): The Samajwadi Party (SP) may soon face another major jolt as speculations about senior party leader Mohd Azam Khan leaving the party and, possibly, forming his own party, gained ground. Azam Khan’s media in charge Fasahat Khan Shanu said, “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was right when he said that Akhilesh does not want Azam Khan to be out of jail.” Fasahat made the remark at a meeting of Khan’s supporters at the party office in Rampur, late on April 10 night. According to sources, Azam Khan has been upset over the fact that Akhilesh did not visit him in Sitapur jail-except once-- where he is lodged since February 2020. Pragatisheel Samajwadi PartyLohia (PSP-L) chief Shivpal Yadav’s rift with Akhilesh and his possible shift to the ruling BJP has strengthened reports about Azam Khan also quitting SP. Azam Khan fought the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and won the Rampur seat for the 10th time from behind the bars in Sitapur jail. Fasahat said, “On the indication of Azam Khan, the Muslims not only in Rampur, but also in several districts voted for the SP. But the SP national president did not take the side of Muslims. Azam Khan is in jail for more than two years, but the SP president only once went to meet him in jail. Not just this, Muslims are not being given importance in the party.”
Azam Khan’s wife Tazeen Fatima is an ex-MLA and former Rajya Sabha member while his son Abdullah Azam Khan won the Suar assembly seat in Rampur. Azam Khan has been winning the Rampur seat since 1980. He lost only in 1996 to the Congress. Tazeen Fatima won the Rampur seat when he vacated it after winning the Rampur Lok Sabha seat in 2019. On March 22, Azam Khan resigned as Rampur Lok Sabha member to retain his assembly seat. This was done on the same day on which Akhilesh quit as the SP’s Azamgarh Lok Sabha member to retain his Karhal assembly seat. Azam Khan had been out of SP for almost a year after the party had expelled him in May 2009 for six years. The expulsion was revoked in December 2010 and he re-joined the party. During the period of his expulsion, he did not ally with or join any other party. Meanwhile, an MLA known for his proximity to Azam Khan admitted that Khan was being increasingly sidelined after Akhilesh took over the reins of power in the party in 2017 and even Mulayam Singh Yadav had been relegated to the wings. “Azam Khan may quit SP though he may not join any political party for some time-at least, till the Lok Sabha elections. He has every reason to feel betrayed by the party leadership,” the MLA said.
Indian Youth Congress starts poster campaign against rising inflation, fuel prices New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on April 11 launched a poster campaign against the Modi government over rising inflation, petrol, diesel and gas cylinder prices across the country. The IYC started the poster campaign outside the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and said such posters will be put up at various places in New Delhi and across the country. IYC National President, Srinivas B.V. said the burden of inflation is increasing continuously. “Ever since the elections are over, the people’s bad days
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have started. The government intoxicated by power is only engaged in doing good to itself and its friends. They do not see the miseries of the people nor are they concerned with their problems.” he added. The government should understand that repeatedly blaming others for its failure will not work. People’s trust and confidence in the Modi government has completely eroded. The IYC said that the real reason behind inflation and the rising fuel prices is known to every citizen of the country.
Petrol, diesel and gas prices have started zooming as soon as they were freed from electoral control, it said. “The people of the country have understood the BJP’s chronology of inflation. The public does not understand that when the price of crude oil has decreased by about 26.42 per cent in the international market, then why the prices of petrol and diesel are increasing continuously in the country. There is no other reason behind the ever-increasing inflation, but the greed of the government,” said Rahul Rao, Youth Congress’s National Media In-charge.
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VIPs converge at Future of Learning Seminar
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IPs converge at the Life Sciences Queensland and Springfield City Group second Future of Health Series to push biotechnology and manufacturing capability in Australia. Almost 100 dynamic stakeholders with a passion and ambition to build biotechnology and manufacturing capability met last month to address how biomanufacturing can grow across the sector. In the second Future of Health Series, Life Sciences Queensland and Springfield City Group partnered together to create a collaborative environment where experts were able to meet faceto-face to discuss biotechnology, medical technology, and manufacturing in Springfield.
Presentations sparked conversations and a continuing theme that emerged for scientists, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders was how new opportunities, partnerships and decisions will shape the sector for years to come. The Honourable Milton Dick, MP, Member for Oxley, gave the keynote address. In his presentation he stated that the future of medical technology and advancement sits with the smartest minds and partnerships with locations like Greater Springfield providing a place where innovative health technologies and manufacturing can grow. “There is extraordinary value in medical technology for the future of health,” he stated. “Medtech is saving lives, but it is also a key economic driver for our
country.” Life Sciences Queensland, CEO, Clare Blain, concurs and added organisationally they understand the key role innovation plays in the life sciences. “LSQ is the amplifier of the Queensland life sciences ecosystem,” stated Clare, “Our focus is to bring the best and brightest minds together to collaborate and rise to world challenges.” Mark Kendall, Founder and CEO of WearOptimo, and Australian grown Medtech company, provided an opportunity to address how Australia’s biotechnology industry is transforming health. He noted that a key element to a robust biotechnology industry is one where research and development or the ‘idea phase’ can lead to production without leaving
the country. “Ideally,” Mark said, “Australia should have the capability to do both.” Dr Kym Baker, General Manager of Patheon within Thermo Fisher Scientific stated that advancements have already been made to manufacture modern miracles that lead to improvements in immunotherapies, vaccines, and personalised treatments. “We have great potential in Queensland,” Dr Baker noted. “Don’t underestimate our capability.” Emeritus Fellow at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Springfield City Group Advisor, Professor Frank Gannon, provided a broad picture of experiences in biotechnology and manufacturing from all over the world. “What can we
learn from these international experiences and then apply to our own biotech ecosystems?” he posed to the audience. Among the common international themes identified, Professor Gannon highlighted that, “success comes from foresight,” and that an appropriate environment, specialised talent, and communication must be right if biomanufacturing is to gain a foothold. The Springfield Group believes BioPark Australia is this type of environment. Nestled within the fast-emerging city of Greater Springfield, the BioPark is well-placed as a location for biotechnology and manufacturing to thrive. For more information on BioPark Australia contact Dustin Welch at d.welch@ springfieldcity.com
Dress circle in Brookwater… surrounded by 345 acres of open space, manicured parks and a championship golf course.
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INDIA NEWS
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
ADVERTORIAL
Engineers encouraged to consider a career in north Queensland A
dani Australia’s Bowen Rail Company (BRC) civil engineer Nikita Nikiteev knows better than most the professional value of getting your hands dirty. “I played in the dirt a lot as a kid and had a love for the exact sciences, so civil engineering was always the job for me,” he said.
“But it wasn’t until I saw the opportunity of a graduate position working on Adani’s Carmichael Rail Network and getting my hands on to something challenging and meaningful that I knew where it would take me. “It turned out that was working alongside thousands of people building a railway in the middle of nowhere, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career.” Now the 26-year-old is encouraging his like-minded peers to seize their opportunity and consider a career with Adani’s businesses, Bravus Mining and Resources and Bowen Rail Company.
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“I’d strongly encourage anyone wanting an exciting and rewarding career to apply,” Nikita said. “It’s continued to open doors for me, and right now I’m working as part of the dynamic team building BRC’s provisioning yard in beautiful Bowen. It’s a lot of fun and I still get to get my hands dirty.” Bravus and BRC HR& IR Lead Rebecca Wells said recruitment for the 2022 Graduate Program, which is open to engineers up to two years post-graduation, has been one of its most popular programs to date. Six positions across Bravus’ Carmichael Mine and Bowen Rail Company’s rail freight services are on offer for graduates in the fields of mining, civil and mechanical engineering, and geology. She said successful applicants would benefit from 18 months of on-site work with senior engineering team members, as
well as off-site training with Central Queensland University.
“This is the opportunity for the many talented people who want to work in our industry to kick-start a fulfilling career in a well-paid, highly skilled job that lasts a lifetime,” Ms Wells said. “It is also an opportunity to be a part of the social fabric that makes regional Queensland so great. “Our people become part of the communities in which we operate, and lifestyle rosters ensure you will be able to make the most of the perks that life in Townsville and The Whitsundays has to offer.” Adani’s businesses and its contractors are also recruiting for other positions including Safety Advisors, Multi-Skilled Operators, Haul Truck Operators, Mining Engineers and more. For more information about the jobs on offer visit www. bravus.com.au or www. bowenrailcompany.com.au.
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Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
INDIA NEWS
PIYUSH GOYAL IN AUSTRALIA
Piyush Goyal visits Australia to foster ties in the wake of ECTA Shiva Vishnu temple in Melbourne today. A beautiful symbol of our faith & beliefs, it blends effortlessly into the multi-cultural fabric of Australia. I take back with me blessings and renewed energy to strengthen our close ties.“
Following the historic signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between Australia and India on April 2, Indian Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal was on a three-day visit to Australia to strengthen bilateral ties. The Minister paid a visit to the University of Melbourne on April 6 as part of his national tour. Despite the geopolitical scenario being less than ideal for both nations right now, Goyal emphasised the profound relationships of friendship, brotherhood, and trust that Prime Minister Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Modi have developed over the last few years. “The world is going through tumultuous times, has been grappling with Covid-19 and other situations that are a cause of serious concern for all of us,” the Indian Minister is quoted as saying in an ANI report. He further said, “I think that India and Australia have demonstrated a unity of mind, purpose, and a shared commitment to come together; certainly we would love to see this relationship grow over the years.” The Minister also paid a visit to the Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne. Trade Minister Dan Tehan and Allan Myers, Chancellor, University of Melbourne also went along with him. “We recognise education is a fundamental pillar of the
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Australia-India relationship,” University of Melbourne Provost Prof Nicola Phillips said, referring to the conditions of agreements that place an emphasis on students, education, and research. And it’s fantastic that this interim free trade agreement has opened up new prospects for students who want to live, study, and work in Australia and Melbourne.” In addition, the Indian Minister paid a visit to the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground. On April 5, Goyal met with Tony Abbott, the Australian Prime Minister’s Special Trade Envoy, in Melbourne. Goyal underlined the importance of the meeting in a tweet following the meeting, noting that Abbott was instrumental in bringing the ECTA to fruition. April 6 saw the Indian Minister having an important discourse with the Australia India Chamber Of Commerce. Goyal’s twitter feed later read, “Businesses on both sides have demonstrated great excitement for #IndAustECTA & the potential they see in it. The agreement (ECTA) is a stepping stone for much greater engagement between us.” Goyal ended the day in Melbourne with an address at a community event at Shiva Vishnu temple. Commenting on this visit, Goyal tweeted, “Offered prayers at the
On April 7, Goyal was at the University of New South Wales in Sydney The minister stated that education will serve as a bridge between India and Australia, noting that both nations will be launching dual degree programmes for students in the near future. Following his visit, Goyal tweeted, “Began the day with an interaction with students of University of New South Wales, Sydney which I had visited 6 years ago. Education is an important element of India-Australia partnership. #IndAusECTA will enable us to expand that engagement further.” Later in the day, he addressed business leaders at a lunch organised by the Business Council of Australia in Sydney. He also invited Australian businesses to ‘Make In India For The World’ at competitive prices & high quality. He also visited the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and addressed the community members. April 8 was also an eventful day for Piyush Goyal as he addressed business leaders at a luncheon in Perth hosted by Western Australia Deputy Premier Roger Cook. He also received a ‘Made In India’ football from Madeleine King, Shadow Minister for Trade & Resources, Australia. He went on to visit the WACA Ground in Perth where he spoke about the important role of cricket in bringing Indian and Australian people together and in fostering growth in business. Indian Society of Western Australia in Perth organised an event where the minister addressed the Indian diaspora members of Western Australia.
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Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
INDIA NEWS
Stawell Gold Cup shines extra bright this Easter Melbourne, April 14: The Stawell Gold Cup is the biggest raceday in the Wimmera region and will deliver a boost to the region’s economy, backed by a funding package from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Racing Martin Pakula today announced the Labor Government is allocating more than $5,500 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund – Raceday Attraction Program to support the meeting, with the Stawell Racing Club also investing more than $5,500 for the event on Sunday 17 April. This year’s Stawell Gold Cup will
also feature children’s activities, live music, umbrella and marquee packages and the addition of a fashion precinct to complete the racing experience. To make the most of the day, patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the complimentary shuttle bus service running between the town and racecourse. The Government is investing a further $297,000 from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support three critical infrastructure projects at the club: installation of a new automated irrigation system, an upgrade to the ambulance track and purchase of a new mobile
training barrier. The club, in partnership with Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria, is matching the investment. Installation of a new automated irrigation system will provide the club with a more consistent and safer racing surface, will reduce the time and cost of maintaining the track and the required volume of water. The system replaces a manual tow line system currently in use. The thoroughbred racing industry in the North-West region generates $60.5 million for the Victorian economy and helps sustain over 510 full-time equivalent jobs in the region.
Monash University’s No. 1 world rank confirms Victorian excellence Melbourne, April 7: Victoria’s excellence in taking worldleading research and developing life-changing medicines has been confirmed in a landmark ranking that names Monash University as the global leader in the field. Monash University overnight was named as the world’s top university in Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the authoritative QS World University Rankings. It is the first time that an Australian university has achieved this rank in life sciences, with Monash topping renowned institutions including the University of Oxford, Harvard University and the University of Cambridge. Monash’s confirmation as the leader in pharmaceutical sciences and drug discovery follows achievements including the development of Australia’s first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, manufactured locally for clinical
trials, and the launch of Septerna, a biotech company dedicated to discovering and advancing novel small molecule medicines. Monash researchers are also developing an inhaled oxytocin powder for postpartum haemorrhage, which could save many lives in developing countries where treatment for this condition is currently hard to obtain. The Andrews Labor Government backed Victorian universities to continue with their important work through the pandemic when the Commonwealth Government would not – headlined by the $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund and also through payroll tax deferrals. Since coming to office in November 2014, the Labor Government has committed more than $1.3 billion to medical
research, ensuring Victoria remains the nation’s leading hub for health and medical research, and the benefits are clear in achievements like those of Monash University’s global ranking. Victoria’s higher education sector is renowned for producing work-ready graduates, generating about one-third of Australia’s graduates from key disciplines including natural and physical sciences, IT, engineering and related technologies, agriculture, education and environmentrelated studies.
Victorians cutting costs with zero emissions vehicle subsidy Melbourne, April 2: Thousands of Victorians are saving up to $500 a month on fuel costs after taking advantage of the Andrews Labor Government’s nation leading Zero Emissions Vehicle subsidy. Subsidies of $3,000 for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) under $68,740 are assisting Victorians to take control of their costs of living while helping Victoria halve emissions by 2030. More than 4,000 Victorians have already taken advantage of the Labor Government’s $46 million ZEVs incentive program since May last year, with 2021 sales 310 per cent higher than the previous
year. Latest consumer survey data shows 99.2 per cent of customers are satisfied with their new car. Areas with the highest uptake of ZEVs include Melbourne’s western and eastern suburbs, with the Wyndham, Boroondara and Monash local government areas leading the charge. The $46 million subsidy program is part of the Labor Government’s $100 million Zero Emissions Vehicles Roadmap, which also installing charging infrastructure across Victoria to ensure drivers will never be more than one hour from a charging station.
The Government is leading by example by replacing 400 government fleet vehicles with ZEVs by 2023. In addition, from 2025 all new buses will be zero emissions and the metropolitan train network will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, similar to the Solar Trams initiative already in place. The transport sector accounts for 25 per cent of Victoria’s total carbon emissions – electric vehicles will reduce emissions, while also reducing the amount of air and noise pollution, making our cities and towns more liveable.
NEWS FROM VICTORIA
Geelong regional hub prepares for Victoria 2026 Melbourne, April 13: With Geelong officially announced as one of four regional hubs for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on with plans to deliver this global sporting event. Geelong’s Kardinia Park Stadium will host T20 cricket matches as part of Victoria 2026. In addition, Geelong will also host aquatics, para swimming, beach volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, table tennis, para table tennis, triathlon and para triathlon, with the venues for each sport to be determined as part of the Games’ final sport program. Work on Kardinia Park’s $142 million Stage 5 redevelopment is already underway, delivering a 14,000 capacity, two-tier northern stand that replaces the old Ford Stand and Ablett Terrace and boosts the stadium’s capacity to more than 40,000 people. Previous stages of the redevelopment have delivered new stands, broadcast-quality lighting and function rooms.
infrastructure upgrades will be required to host these events as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games has commenced. Victoria 2026 will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the Geelong region, including housing and world-class sports facilities. With up to 2,950 athletes and officials set to be housed in Geelong’s athlete village, the region will benefit longer term from more affordable housing following the Games. Geelong is also expected to benefit greatly from the influx of visitors and sporting fans travelling to watch the Games be played at Kardinia Park and other venues across the region. It is estimated the 2026 Commonwealth Games will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games, 3,900 jobs during the Games and a further 3,000 jobs beyond the Closing Ceremony.
A process to assess what further
Pandemic declaration extended to protect Victorians Melbourne, April 6: As part of Victoria’s continued response to the coronavirus pandemic, Premier Daniel Andrews has extended the pandemic declaration to apply to the state of Victoria from 11.59pm Tuesday 12 April for three months. The declaration was made under section 165AE of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 after consultation with and consideration of advice from the Minister for Health and Acting Chief Health Officer. In making the declaration the Premier was satisfied on reasonable grounds there remains a serious risk to public health throughout Victoria due to the coronavirus disease, including recent increases in case numbers and the anticipated BA.2 wave. This risk requires continued public health and other protective measures to reduce the risk of transmission and hospitalization. Over 94 per cent of Victorians over 12 years have received two vaccine doses against coronavirus
and over 66 per cent of Victorians over 18 years who have received a third dose. Continuing to provide access to drive up the rate of third dose vaccinations remains a public health priority - a third dose significantly reduces your chances of getting COVID-19, passing it on to others or going to hospital. The new extension will expire at 11.59pm, 12 July 2022 and subsequent extensions can last for up to three months. A pandemic declaration gives the Minister for Health the authority to make pandemic orders he considers reasonably necessary to protect public health after considering the Chief Health Officer’s advice and other relevant factors, including social and economic factors. After the first extension to the pandemic declaration the Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee of experts and community representatives was formed to advise on pandemic response and management.
UNESCO world heritage site opens as cultural destination Melbourne, April 1: One of the world’s oldest and most important cultural sites will be open to visitors across the state, after major works led by the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners have now been completed.
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the BudjBim Cultural Landscape in Southwest Victoria – where visitors can learn how Gunditjmara people worked www.indianews.com.au
with the natural resources and environment for more than 30,000 years.
stone houses – evidence of the Gunditjmara People’s permanent settlement in the area.
The Andrews Labor Government invested more than $12 million in the project, which has transformed the area while ensuring the site’s cultural heritage is protected and enhanced. BudjBim is home to fish traps and weirs used for farming eels as well as the remains of over 300 Aboriginal
The entire site will be a destination for locals and visitors to learn about its important cultural history and significance. It features a new eel aquaculture education centre, art installations, raised walkways, a cantilevered lookout, an upgraded information centre, carparks and
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interpretive signage.
The BudjBim Cultural Landscape project encompasses five sites including Tyrendarra Township, Kurtonitj, Lake Condah, Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area and BudjBim National Park. All sites are now complete with official tours of Lake Condah and Kurtonitj to begin in the coming months. The new works follow ongoing
consultation with Traditional Owners including the completion of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. The Labor Government has supported the project through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The Government also contributed to BudjBim’s successful bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage listed site in 2019, making it the only site to be listed solely for its Aboriginal cultural values.
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Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
INDIA NEWS
Save Soil movement sees Brisbanites walk through the city Soil is dying beneath our feet. Soil is becoming extinct. Yes, that’s right, soil can also go extinct. We know of creatures going extinct, but could we have imagined that perhaps the same could happen to soil? Soil is not an inert substance. It is the largest living system, not just on this planet but in the known universe. 52 % of the world’s agricultural soils are already degraded. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that continued soil degradation at the current pace could plunge the world into a severe food crisis in less than 50 years. Every second 1 acre of soil becomes sand, millions of hectares of cultivable land is becoming desertified and incapable of yielding crops. We are in a cusp of time right now – in 15 to 20 years, if major steps are taken to reverse the conditions of depleting soil, We can turn this around. There is hope. Firstly, people around the world should become aware of the urgency of the issue. The Conscious Planet movement To make this happen, Sadhguru, a yogi and visionary humanitarian initiated a movement called Conscious Planet (consciousplanet.org) to save the soil. This movement aims to raise awareness among global citizens and to change the narrative towards saving soil, by inspiring at least 3.5 billion people through the journey, events, and extensive social media outreach to support
government leadership to drive national policy changes towards raising the organic content of soil. On March 21, 2022, Sadhguru`s journey was flagged off from London`s Parliament Square. Risking his life on an arduous 100-day journey riding as a lone motorcyclist covering 30,000 kms across 24 countries in Europe, Middle East, Sadhguru will ride on to Cauvery Basin in Karnataka, India, to raise awareness and activate people`s support. Braving freezing cold weather in Europe, peak summer of Middle Eastern region and pouring monsoons in India to save soil. During this journey, Sadhguru is holding events in many locations in Europe and Middle East with eminent personalities, top government officials and celebrities who have pledged support for this global movement. Sadhguru has spoken at the UN in Geneva and will also address a session of the Convention of Parties (COP15) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Call to action In this direction Each One of us can do our bit by registering to become an Earth Buddy. Joining up is easy through the consciousplanet.org website by going to the ‘Act Now’ button. This is a very simple way to join the movement and ensure that the future generations have
nutritious food on their plates. Thousands of Earth Buddies are supporting Save Soil Movement all over Australia. Several are also participating in on-ground activities to bring awareness to public about ‘Soil Extinction’ and the urgency to act. As a part of this movement, on April 9th, Brisbane witnessed over 50 Earth Buddies walking in the city through the Edward Street Botanical Garden holding Save Soil placards and dressed in green save soil t-shirts. Dressed with soil on their bodies, a‘Soil Man’ and ‘Soil Woman’ reminded others that our body is nothing but soil. The enthusiastic earth buddies, including children, carried messages to save our soil. They walked to the Kangaroo Point cliff and engaged with passersby, who were made aware of this movement. Joyous singing and dance kept the group enthused through this walk. More walks will be planned in the Brisbane region in the weeks to come. Anyone is welcome to join and FB events are being created for these walks. For more information please call the hotline 1300 284 742. #SaveSoil Let us make it happen! Save Soil – Conscious Planet, is a global movement launched by Sadhguru to save soil from extinction and bring necessary policy changes to address the catastrophic issue facing humanity.
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Vaisakhi 2022 Message from the Prime Minister Sat Sri Akal! I’m delighted to send my warm greetings to all who will gather to celebrate the festival of Vaisakhi. Steeped in ancient tradition, Vaisakhi celebrates the qualities of empathy, justice, courage and commitment. In your acts of devotion — through song, prayer and service — you remember the timeless unity and dignity of humanity. As we farewell what has been another difficult year of pandemic, this message speaks to all Australians. It is a reminder to us all that strength is so often found through service to others. I honour the Sikh community for the acts of generosity and compassion that you show in communities across our land. I give thanks for everything you have done and continue to do to keep us all safe — looking after each other and ensuring the wellbeing of those around you. Here — in a country of acceptance and inclusion — we practice our beliefs and customs free from persecution and discrimination. It’s a reminder that Australia is an open, free, accepting multicultural nation — the most
successful multicultural nation on earth. At Vaisakhi, we reflect on the tough times we have been through these past few years, give thanks for our strength as a nation one and free, and look forward to a better year of opening up and reconnecting. May the spirit of Vaisakhi be a blessing of peace and unity in your lives. The Hon Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister of Australia
Message for Vaisakhi 2022 Happy Vaisakhi to our Indian and Sikh Australian communities joining with those around the world in celebrating this festive occasion. As you gather to celebrate with your loved ones and communities, I hope today is not only a celebration of your history and your culture, but a celebration of how the community embodies the principles of equality and justice, the foundations of Sikhism. The festival of Vaisakhi honours values of tolerance, generosity, peace and justice. The consistent generosity and spirit of service of our multicultural communities makes Vaisakhi an opportunity for us all to rejoice in the ways that Australians have remained united and resilient, despite the challenges we have faced. At this time I extend my sincere thanks to the Indian and Sikh Australian communities celebrating Vaisakhi for the continued support you have shown to each other and our wider community, ensuring we have remained together and cohesive.
I hope that this year’s Vaisakhi celebrations bring joy and prosperity for you and your communities. I wish you all a safe and happy celebration of Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan The Hon Alex Hawke MP Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
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Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
INDIA NEWS
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Senate inquiry calls for Royal Commission to Australia Post issues stamps to look into Aus response to Covid mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th the pandemic, being just 0.7 per cent of the Australian population, year on throne according to the report. “This is a terrible outcome for the community and is particularly tragic as some of these infections and deaths could have been avoided had the government responded more effectively to the pandemic,” it said.
Canberra, April 8 (IANS): Australia’s senate Covid committee has called for a Royal Commission inquiry into the nation’s pandemic response. The Senate Select Committee on Covid-19 on April 7 evening handed down its final report, finding that while Australia “fared much better than other countries” throughout the “first wave”, a failure to learn lessons as the pandemic progressed, and “significant failures” of implementation with, at times, “catastrophic consequences”, reports Xinhua news agency. The committee, which was chaired by members of the opposition Labor Party, recommended the establishment of a Centre for Disease Control to improve Australia’s pandemic preparedness, operational
response capacity, and communication across all levels of government. It said a Royal Commission, the highest form of inquiry in Australia, should be established “to examine Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic” and that the government should open a review of its preparedness for future pandemics. The report identified the failure to open quarantine facilities, the slow start to the vaccine rollout and handling of Covid-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities as government failures. As at tabling, Australia has had over 4.6 million Covid-19 cases resulting in 6,462 deaths. Approximately 30 percent of deaths occurred in aged care facilities, residents of which were disproportionately impacted by
The report also said that this failure to establish stand-alone quarantine facilities resulted in overseas arrival caps being imposed, which severely restricted the number of people being able to return to Australia, denying thousands of citizens entry to their own country. “The government has also failed to address the serious and dangerous vaccine misinformation promoted within the government’s own parliamentary ranks.” In a dissenting report, government members of the committee accused the opposition Labor Party of using it as a vehicle for “partisan attacks on the government” rather than investigating “issues of concern during a rapidly evolving pandemic”. On April 8 morning, Australia reported more than 30,000 new Covid-19 cases.
Qantas announces net zero emissions plan Professor Rico Merkert, chair in Transport and Supply Chain Management at the University of Sydney, told Xinhua on March 31 that the interim targets set by Qantas were a “good first step”.
Canberra, April 4 (IANS): Australia Post on April 4 released two postage stamps to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, as the nation commemorates her 70th year as Head of the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II is the most featured person on Australian stamps, and the Australia Post was the first postal authority in the Commonwealth to produce a stamp for her birthday each year, Zsolt said.
The two stamps depict portraits of Queen Elizabeth II from 1952, the year she rose to the throne, and 2019, highlighting her longevity as Head of the Commonwealth, which includes countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Australia Post had previously released stamps to celebrate the golden and diamond jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II, marking 50 and 60 years of her service.
Australia Post Group Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said the latest additions form part of the service’s tradition of honoring Queen Elizabeth II.
Her image is also displayed on Australian coins and the A$5 banknote.
By comparison, the Coalition received 41.4 percent of first preference votes in the 2019 federal election and Labor 33.3 percent. Newspoll found that Labor leads the Coalition 54-46 on a twoparty preferred basis.
He said it would be important to combine sustainably produced biofuels with more fuel-efficient aircraft. SAF is recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a key part of achieving net-zero emissions in the airline industry, citing that fuel can reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent.
The airline outlined its goals with four major initiatives, the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the phasing out of plastics, greater fuel efficiency, and a variety of Australia-based carbon offset projects, reports Xinhua news agency.
Qantas has committed to using 10 per cent SAF in fuel uptake by 2030, and 60 per cent by 2050.
“We’ve had a zero net emissions goal for several years, so today’s interim targets are about accelerating our progress and cutting emissions as quickly as technology allows,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce in the announcement.
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The airline has invested an initial A$50 million for the establishment of a domestic SAF industry and would purchase 10 million litres of SAF from British oil and gas company, BP, over 2022. “Hydrogen or electric powered aircraft are several decades away, particularly for the length of most flights, so our plan is focused on the technology that is within reach today,” said Joyce.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to call the general election for May within days. The poll was conducted after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg presented the federal budget for the financial year 2022/23, revealing billions of dollars in spending measures to address the rising cost of living.
He also noted that the complete phasing out of single-use plastics by 2027 included in the announcement would be significant, especially for longhaul flights. Until new technology is available it is impossible to completely eliminate emissions, as such the final reduction in emissions would need to come through carbon offsets. Representative for the IATA in Asia and the Pacific, Albert Tjoeng, told Xinhua on March 31 the association welcomed the Qantas climate action plan. “In October 2021, the airline industry committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Qantas’ efforts will contribute to the aviation industry’s collective efforts to make net-zero 2050 a reality.”
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The postage stamps and associated collectables went on sale from April 5.
Aus govt recovers ground ahead of election: Survey
“The 2050 net-zero target is feasible but it is equally important to show how to get there and as such, the 25 per cent reduction is a good first step,” said Merkert.
Canberra, March 31 (IANS): Australian flag carrier Qantas on March 31 revealed its full plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 with an interim target to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2030.
While Queen Elizabeth II has very little involvement in the governance of Australia, she still plays a prominent cultural role.
Canberra, April 4 (IANS): A new survey on April 4 revealed that the incumbent Australian government has made up ground on the Opposition ahead of this year’s general elections. According to the latest edition of Newspoll, the governing Coalition’s primary vote has improved a point to 36 per cent compared to 38 per cent for the opposition Labor Party, reports Xinhua news agency. The two-point margin represents a significant improvement for the government from trailing 41-35 in mid-March.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s budget reply speech was headlined by a A$2.5 billion pledge to fix a “crisis” in the aged care system. Morrison’s net approval rating rose two points to negative 12 while Labor leader Albanese’s fell to the negative one. Forty-three percent of voters identified Morrison as their preferred Prime Minister compared to 42 per cent for Albanese, with 15 percent undecided.
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INDIA NEWS
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Qantas and JetStar expand Sydney gateway Australian general election to is co-funded by the State with new direct flights to India which take place on May 21 Government and Sydney Airport. Sydney, April 8: Qantas and Jetstar will grow their international network out of Sydney, with new direct routes to India taking off this year, accelerating New South Wales’ post-COVID tourism recovery. Sydney to Bengaluru (Bangalore) direct Qantas will operate four weekly return flights from Sydney to Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) from 14 September, using its widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. These will be the first non-stop flights between Australia and southern India by any airline and will cut almost three hours off the current fastest travel time from Sydney to Bengaluru, a growing technology and financial services hub. With a population of 13 million people, the Bengaluru community has strong connections to Australia for both business travel and people visiting friends and relatives. These trade connections are expected to strengthen following the recent announcement of the AustraliaIndia free trade agreement. Qantas will continue to operate up to five flights a week between Melbourne and Delhi, making it the only airline offering direct flights between Australia and both northern and southern India. Planned codeshare agreement set to open up India Qantas intends to enter into a codeshare agreement with
IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, which will give customers improved one-stop access to more than 50 Indian cities. The proposed agreement will mean Qantas passengers can transit seamlessly from Qantas flights in Bengaluru, Delhi, or Singapore onto IndiGo services to other major Indian cities as well as smaller ones such as Pune and Goa. Under the planned agreement, Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights (QF code only) and IndiGo will recognise Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits for tiered members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One) including priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and priority baggage. Qantas customers travelling on IndiGo will enjoy the same baggage allowance for the entire journey as well as complimentary food and drinks. The partnership will extend to Jetstar customers who will be able to book connecting flights on IndiGo services through its Jetstar Connect platform on jetstar.com from late April. Qantas Group international restart Qantas has now added six new overseas routes in the past six months, including MelbourneDelhi, as it taps into new markets. All three new routes announced on April 8 are being supported by the NSW Aviation Attraction Fund,
Kempegowda International Airport has also supported Qantas’ Sydney-Bengaluru flights. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the new routes would help the State’s tourism sector recover from COVID. “Sydney is one of the world’s truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here. “It’s clear that Australia is back on the map for international travellers. Demand for our international flights has rebounded since borders reopened, and that’s giving us the confidence to launch these new routes together with the marketing support from Destination New South Wales. “The signing of the Australia-India free trade agreement is a driver of travel demand as trade and investment links expand between Australia and India’s population of more than one billion people. “Our new direct flights to Bengaluru, combined with the planned codeshare with IndiGo, have the potential to reshape the way many people travel between Australia and India. Classic Flight Reward seats between Sydney and Bengaluru start from 37,600 points one way and Sydney-Seoul start from 31,500 points, (plus taxes, fees and carrier charges). Flights are subject to government and regulatory approval. (Source: www.qantasnewsroom. com.au)
Australia sends Bushmaster to Ukraine New Delhi, April 8: Eight days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky specially requested it, Australia on April 8 sent the first lot of Bushmaster armoured personnel vehicles to boost Kyiv’s defence capabilities in the ongoing conflict against Russia. The first three Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) were loaded onto a C-17 at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, 40 kms south-west of Brisbane on April 8. The Australian government is gifting a total of 20 Bushmasters, including two ambulances, to Ukraine worth 50 million AUD ($38 million) following a direct request from Zelensky during his address to the Australian Parliament on March 31. The 20 vehicles are painted olive green to suit the operating environment. Additionally, a Ukrainian flag is painted on either side with the words “United with Ukraine” stencilled in English and Ukrainian to acknowledge Australia’s commitment and support to the government and people of Ukraine. The ambulances will have the traditional Red Cross emblem. “The Bushmaster was built in Australia to provide protected mobility transport, safely moving soldiers to a battle area prior to dismounting for close combat. The Bushmaster is well suited to provide protection to
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the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and Ukrainian civilians against mines and improvised explosive devices, shrapnel from artillery and small arms fire,” the Australian Department of Defence said in a statement. The addition of these vehicles takes Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine to around $165 million. Canberra said that, in addition, it is delivering 70,000 tonnes of coal to power Ukraine’s resistance, on top of $65 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. “The government will not disclose further specific details of delivery arrangements at the direct request of Ukrainian officials and our other partners,” the statement added. Will Bushmasters be a game changer in Ukraine? Fitted with radios, the Bushmasters will also have a global positioning system and additional bolt-on armour increasing their protection. The Australian defence ministry said that it will continue to work with the government of Ukraine to develop a suitable logistics support package, while training will be conducted through army video training with Ukrainian subtitles. Developed by Thales Australia, the 11-tonne, 4x4 Bushmaster is a combat proven MultiRole Protected Vehicle with a 4-tonne payload which has been
successfully deployed by armies on operations in the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific. According to Thales, its variants include troop carrier, command, patrol, support, weapons deployment and ambulance. It can rapidly deploy up to 10 battleready troops in all environments combining high levels of blast and ballistic protection with excellent off-road mobility. It is also fully air-conditioned and can sustain itself for a period of up to three days. In service with six countries on four continents, Bushmaster carries one complete spare wheel and all fitted wheels have run flat tyre inserts and a central tyre inflation system allowing them to continue travelling with punctures. The vehicle uses an armoured v-shaped hull to protect its passengers from landmines and other explosive devices. The sloped sides on the bottom of the hull act to deflect blast upward away from the vehicle. Bushmaster’s welded onepiece shell is designed to protect troops against all small arms fire. Windows also carry similar ballistic protection. The Bushmaster’s fuel and hydraulic tanks are positioned outside the crew’s compartment to protect troops from possible fires. There is also a protected emergency fuel tank so the vehicle won’t be left stranded.
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Canberra, April 10 (IANS): Australians will head to the polls on May 21 to vote in the country’s general election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on April 10. Earlier in the day, Morrison visited the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament and call the election for all 151 seats in the House of Representatives and about half of 76 Senate seats, reports Xinhua news agency. The governing Liberal-National Coalition has held power since 2013. If it retains power, Morrison will become the first Prime Minister to win consecutive general elections since 2004. Newspoll has indicated the opposition Labor Party and its leader Anthony Albanese lead in net satisfaction, with the party more preferred. Launching his re-election campaign on April 10, Morrison said that the Coalition could
be trusted to lead Australia’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. “This election and this campaign is incredibly important. That’s because there is so much at stake for Australia and our future,” he said. The election campaign, which will last about six weeks, is expected to be dominated by issues surrounding the pandemic, climate change, cost of living, and housing affordability. In a video posted on social media on Saturday night, Albanese promised that Labor would “get spending under control so we can keep taxes low” if victorious. “Debt has skyrocketed under the Liberals. They’d doubled the debt even before the pandemic,” he said. “Australians deserve a prime minister who shows up, who takes responsibility and who works with people.”
US, Britain, Australia to develop hypersonic missiles areas of cooperation “will add to our existing efforts to deepen cooperation on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities,” Xinhua news agency reported.
Washington, April 6 (IANS): The US, Britain and Australia have announced that they will cooperate on developing hypersonic missiles. In a joint statement issued on April 5 after conducting a review of the trilateral defence cooperation, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “Committed today to commence new trilateral cooperation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonics, and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as to expand information sharing and to deepen cooperation on defense innovation.” The leaders of the three nations, which formed a security alliance known as AUKUS in September 2021, said the newly announced
When the three nations announced the creation of AUKUS, under which the US and Britain promised to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, France considered it “a stab in the back”, because Canberra abruptly abandoned a conventionally powered submarine deal with Paris without prior notice. In addition, AUKUS also created fears about an arms race among great powers that will destabilise the Southeast Asian region. Shortly after the establishment of the alliance, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply concerned about the continuing arms race and power projection in the region”. Around the same time, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the nuclearpowered submarine project could “provoke other powers to take more aggressive action in this region.”
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NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Origin of ‘kangaroos’ being Qantas introduces new domestic routes smuggled through north to boost tourism Bengal unknown Kolkata, April 9 (IANS): At least five kangaroos, being smuggled through different pockets of north West Bengal, have been recovered in the past few days. However, since the mammal is not found in India, the origin of these recovered animals is not clear yet. Talking to IANS, wildlife experts in the state expressed doubts over the place of origin of these kangaroos that were recovered from Siliguri in Darjeeling district and Jalpaiguri. Raja Raut, the Secretary of Jalpaiguri Science and Nature Club ( JSNC), a reputed NGO working in the field of research and protection of flora and fauna in north Bengal for a long time, said it was not even clear if these were kangaroos at all. “The first doubt is whether the animals recovered are kangaroos or wallabies. From the size of the animals recovered, it is more likely that they are wallabies,” Raut told IANS. He said that kangaroos are generally much larger in size and heavier than wallabies. The height of the kangaroos can be as high as two metres and their weight can
be up to around 90 kgs. However, the height of the wallabies can go up to a maximum of one metre and their weight can be maximum up to 20 kgs, he said. The second doubt, according to him, is regarding the source of these animals recovered. “We doubt that the origin of these recovered animals is any foreign country like Australia. Rather, we doubt that these animals are some certain illegal breeding farms for artificial insemination that are operating in some remote pockets of northeastern India, especially in Mizoram. “Of late we have received information from fellow NGOs operating in the same field in the northeast that a few such illegal breeding farms have started reproducing kangaroos or wallabies through artificial insemination.” The third doubt, according to him, was the motive behind smuggling these animals. “One motive can be for delivery to any individual who wants to get a kangaroo or wallaby as a pet. The second reason could be delivery of these animals to countries like China or Thailand, where there
is high demand for these animals as their body parts are used for manufacturing of aphrodisiacs. Now keeping a kangaroo as a pet is quite hazardous against the backdrop of the weather conditions and space required at residence to house them. So, in probability, these recovered animals were destined for aphrodisiac producing countries,” he said. IANS also contacted the former Chief Conservator of Forests, West Bengal and Head of Forest Force, Atanu Kumar Raha. Although he did not comment on the origin of these animals or the motive behind smuggling them, he said: “The trend of kangaroo smuggling is something new. So, I am unable to comment on their source or origin.” Environmentalist S. Pandey said that although the news about mushrooming artificial insemination is circulating during the recent period, no agency has got any concrete proof on this matter. “I suggest a joint enquiry by all agencies concerned be started to crush this racket of wildlife smuggling,” he said.
Russia seeks to end US-dominated world order: Lavrov stage,” Lavrov told Rossiya 24 news channel. “This domination is built on gross violations of international law and under some rules, which they are now hyping so much and which they make up on a case-by-case basis,” he added.
Moscow, April 11 (IANS): Russia’s military action in Ukraine is meant to put an end to the USdominated world order, as per Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
He was referring to America’s attempts to impose its own socalled “rules-based international order”, which have met with strong resistance from Moscow and Beijing.
Washington has been seeking supremacy by imposing ad hoc rules and violating international law, he claimed, in an interview aired by Russian television on April 11, RT reported.
“Our special military operation is meant to put an end to the unabashed expansion (of NATO) and the unabashed drive towards full domination by the US and its Western subjects on the world
Russia is among the nations who would not submit to Washington’s will, the Russian leader said. It will only be part of an international community of equals and will not allow Western nations to ignore its legitimate security concerns, Lavrov said, RT reported. Lavrov blasted EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for appearing to encourage more fighting in Ukraine. The bloc’s top diplomat said the conflict “will be won on the battlefield” as he announced more military aid to Kiev on April 9. Lavrov called the statement “outrageous”.
GREATER SPRINGFIELD MEDICAL & OFFICE SUITES
Canberra, March 28 (IANS): Australian flag carrier Qantas on March 28 announced that it would launch four new routes across its domestic network to boost tourism and connectivity between regional centres and capital cities. Three weekly return flights will operate on the airline’s newly added routes, Darwin-Townsville, Brisbane-Wagga, and AdelaideNewcastle, reports Xinhua news agency. Another will see four weekly return flights run between Darwin and Cairns. They will together add more than 2,300 seats into Qantas’s domestic network each week. QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the new services were among 52 new routes added to its domestic network since the beginning of the pandemic as Australians looked for local travel opportunities. “Not only have we seen a huge
surge in demand for domestic tourism, but we have seen a real shift towards investment in our regional communities as economic and industrial hubs.” On March 27, Qantas also launched flights to the heart of Australia to bring tourists to the world-famous Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and part of the nation’s aboriginal culture. The airline will operate four flights a week between the nation’s biggest city of Sydney and Uluru to support the iconic tourist landscape. The national carrier said as Australians and international visitors are making up for two years of lost travel adventures, the airline has seen a huge surge in demand for domestic tourism. The launch of those new routes will meet pent-up demand for Australians in time for the upcoming peak tourist season.
Canada imposes new sanctions on Russian defence sector Ottawa, April 12 (IANS): Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions on Russian defence sector. According to a news release issued on April 11 by Foreign Affairs Ministry, these new measures will impose restrictions on 33 entities in the Russian defence sector, Xinhua news agency reported.
These entities have provided indirect or direct support to the Russian military, the news release said. Since February 24 when the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 700 individuals and entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Canada’s latest sanctions will impose asset freezes and prohibitions on listed entities, the release said.
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INDIA NEWS
2+2 starts off focuding on difference India, to defend and preserve our US can make values”, he said. He said that they will be discussing “a range of bilateral defence priorities including deeper information sharing and industrial cooperation. All this will help to ensure that our militaries are ready to meet any challenge”.
WORLD NEWS
India wants peace and stability in a region free of terror: Modi to new Pak CM
Singh said, “Our Major Defense Partnership is one of the most important pillars of India’s strategic relations as the largest country and central in the Indian Ocean”. New York, April 12 (IANS) “What India and the US do together will make a difference”, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said at the start of the 2+2 Dialogue between the two countries laying out the meeting’s broad agenda. The sentiment was echoed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, the other participants in the 2+2 meeting held on April 11 of the defence and diplomatic leaders. Jaishankar said that their discussions of contemporary developments would include Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Gulf and the subcontinent. There will be a significant focus on the Indo-Pacific, where “we have seen particularly over the
last year, both an elevation and an intensification of the Quad” he said referring to the fourmember group of India, the US, Australia and Japan. Austin, who said that “the Indian partnership is a critical building block and a more resilient regional security architecture”, spoke of standing up to China as it tries to refashion the regional and international system to serve its “authoritarian interest.” “Today we are positioning the US and Indian militaries to operate and coordinate closely together across all domains, and increasingly across the wider Indo-Pacific all in support of a rule of law, freedom of the seas, and regional peace and security”, he said. “And now more than ever, democracies must stand together
“As a democracy, India has a critical role to play in the Indian Ocean region and in the wider Indo-Pacific to the east and the neighbourhood”, he said. He added, “We are working to develop capabilities across conventional and emerging defence domains. We have made good progress in a number of defence cooperation activities”. Given the crippling dependence on Russia for India’s defence needs, Singh invited US defence manufacturers to invest in India and support the “Make in India” programme. He said that US defence purchases from the US have grown “from negligible in the latest round to over $20 billion”. Blinken said that they would also discuss strengthening cooperation on counterterrorism.
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS):Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 11 congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Modi said that India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror so that both countries can focus on their development challenges. “Congratulations to H.E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace
and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people,” Modi tweeted. Earlier on April 11, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan with 174 lawmakers voting in his favour after the MNAs of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf boycotted the election.
Sri Lankans launch worldwide protests amid social, economic and political meltdown
US will stand by India as it faces threats from currently the prime concern of China: Austin the US.
New York, April 11 (IANS): American Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin assured India on April 11 that the US will continue to stand by it in the face of threats from China. Welcoming Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for bilateral talks at the Pentagon, Austin said: “Beijing is eroding the security of the Indo-Pacific region from its construction of dual-use infrastructure along your border to its unlawful claims in the South China Sea, and we will continue to stand alongside you as you defend your sovereign interest.” He said that they were meeting “at a critical moment in the US-India defence partnership”. Austin said: “Our partnership is based on a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, one grounded in principles such
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as the rule of law and national sovereignty. We’re facing urgent and mounting challenges to this shared vision.” “China is attempting to challenge and undermine the sovereignty of its neighbours,” he said. Rajnath Singh, who was greeted by an honour guard at the Pentagon, did not mention China or Russia in his response, which was in Hindi with English language interpretation. He said that “our visit here shall take India-US comprehensive strategic partnership to the next level” and the 2+2 Dialogue that will include External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Secretary of State Antony Blinken “are indeed important landmarks in our bilateral relationship”. Austin also referred to the Russian invasion of Ukraine,
“Beijing is not alone in its efforts to undermine the security of its neighbours and to change the status quo by force. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the humanitarian devastation that it has created are blatant attempts to undermine the international order that is grounded in the rules and the principles that we share,” he said. “Just as India’s leadership is central to this rules-based order, so, too, is the US-India defence partnership and our collaboration with like-minded partners,” Austin added. “We now coordinate alongside each other across the Indo-Pacific region and across domains, which is truly extraordinary, and we are committed to working seamlessly with you across new and emerging domains, including space and cyberspace,” he said. India and the US are to sign a memorandum of understanding on Space Situational Awareness aimed at protecting the space assets of the two countries. Austin’s reference to China’s “construction of dual-use infrastructure” was about Beijing’s projects in the countries surrounding India that could fall into its hands as has happened with a Sri Lankan port that Colombo handed over to China on a 99-year lease unable to keep up loan payments.
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New Delhi, April 11: The Sri Lankan diaspora has intensified its protests across the world. Expat Sri Lankans have come out to protest against their government in some of the major cities in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US as life becomes tougher back home. As the food and fuel crisis grows in the island nation, people have a single-point agenda -they want President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to go. Many believe that the Rajapaksas, one of the most prominent and powerful families in the country, who held the positions of the president, prime minister, finance minister, irrigation minister, sports minister and other governmental posts have brought ruin upon the country due to their policies. People have been facing hardships since last year when the prices of fuel began to go up, scheduled power cuts were announced by the government and the prices of goods began inching up.
However, with the government running out of foreign exchange rather quickly, the last one month has been terrible for common Sri Lankans -- who eventually took to the street to express their discontentment and anger. Within Sri Lanka, protests continue unabated with people taking over the Galle seafront. The protesters have stayed put without a break even during the night. With the government unable to find solutions to the crisis owing to an almost depleted treasury, protesters too have hardened their stand. With President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa still holding fort, and unable to mitigate the public crisis, people are now echoing the opposition’s stand -- they want the entire Rajapaksa family out of politics, beginning with President Rajapaksa, whose name lends itself to the most-chanted slogan of the protests “Go home Gota”.
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INDIA NEWS
WORLD THIS WEEK Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
Compiled by Harini Madhusudan, Rashmi B R., Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan, Angkuran Dey and Meghna Manoj
New actions and sanctions on Russia
What happened? On 8 April, the European Union adopted a new set of sanctions, banning the import of wood, coal, and chemicals, among other products, from Russia. These sanctions are estimated to impact up to ten per cent of the total imports from Moscow. Further, the sanctions aim to prevent access to the EU to Russian trucks and vessels. A ban has also been imposed on all transactions with four Russian Banks. Furthermore, the Commission blacklisted an additional 217 people, including President Putin’s two daughters. It also banned the exports of quantum computers, jet fuel, advanced semiconductors, high-end electronics and other technology. The US and G7 member countries have launched an aggressive imposition of sanctions and estimate that it would erase or contract the Russian GDP by 15 per cent or more in 2022.
On the other hand, the sanctions have sufficiently managed to isolate Russia from most of the global- mostly western economy. However, this pressure has failed to dent in the Russian efforts in Ukraine. The Russian economy did not see a drastic fall in the value of its currency.
On 7 April, the UN General Assembly voted for a US-led resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. The “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” was cited as the reason. Following the resolution, the Russian representative stated that Moscow had already decided to leave the Council before the end of its term, claiming that the Council was monopolised by a group of States who use it for their short-term aims.
What happened?
What does it mean? First, the efficacy of sanctions and their likely implications. The primary impact of the economic sanctions on Russia has begun to show in the global economic slow-downs and rising prices.
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Second, the civilian targets. At the beginning of March, after Russian troops faced their initial losses, the strategy shifted to a war of attrition. Cities, ports, and civilian zones were all bombarded with disregard for the safety of the unarmed. In such severe cases, all actions to condemn the aggressor would always remain insufficient. The suspension of Russia from the UNHRC has made a statement on the civilian atrocities by the aggressor.
New IPCC report: Emphasis on mitigation and climate change action On 4 April 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report titled “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change”. The report is prepared by the Working Group III of the IPCC and is part of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report scheduled to be released in September 2022. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres remarked that the latest IPCC report is “a litany of broken promises” and added that “this is not a fiction or exaggeration. It is what science tells us will result from our current energy policies. We are on a pathway to global warming of more than double the 1.5-degree limit”. Following are the key takeaways
of the report. First, the growing anthropogenic GHG emissions. The net emissions have increased since 1850, courtesy the industrial revolution. Human actions have further accelerated the process and the total net anthropogenic GHG emissions have increased between 2010-19. There are clear regional and income variations contributing to GHG emissions, with 10 percent of households with the highest per capita income contributing the largest share of global emissions. Second, the rapid urbanization. Towns and cities have the lion’s share of increasing emissions. Redesigning the cityscape with changes in transport systemfrom electric private vehicles to electric public transport system, reduction of distances that must be travelled, sustainable infrastructure and smart city plans are some of the key focus areas of the report. Third, the warnings on the rise of global average temperature. The report highlights that the world is not on the course yet, to limiting the temperature rise in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Fourth, the emphasis on the co-existence of the SDG and mitigation efforts. The IPCC vice-chair Ramón Pichs-Madruga said: “we see that equity and just transitions can lead to deeper ambitions for accelerated climate action.” Fifth, the positives. The rate of growth of emissions during 2010-19 has been lower than the previous decade 2000-09. The cost of producing solar and wind energy has reduced by nearly 85 percent since 2010, though it is nowhere near to replacing the non-renewables. The report also takes a positive note on the visible climate action being undertaken in many countries. The IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee said: “there are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective. If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emission reductions and stimulate innovation.” What does it mean? First, more evidence on the Anthropocene. Compared with IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), the Working Group reports of the AR6 emphasises on the “unequivocal human influence” on the earth’s system. This provides more impetus to already loud calls to formally recognize the end of the Holocene and the beginning of the Anthropocene epoch. Second, prioritizing groundlevel actions. For the first time,
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an IPCC report has included a chapter on the social aspects of climate change. The chapter titled “Demand, Services and Social Aspects of Mitigation” emphasizes the demand-side of intervention such as the use of public transport networks, energy-efficient homes, and encouraging people to use cleaner modes of cooling and movement. In other words, there is a focus on motivating people to change consumption patterns which can potentially reduce GHG emissions between 40 to 70 per cent by 2050.
ALSO IN NEWS China: Embassy refutes allegations of launching cyber attacks on Ukraine
On 5 April, the spokesperson of China’s embassy refuted all allegations surrounding Beijing launching a cyberattack on Ukraine before the Russian invasion. The spokesperson stated: “It must be pointed out that for a time The Times reports on China have been untrue, deliberately distorting and even slanderous.” He also mentioned no official confirmation from Kyiv regarding a cyberattack, or any evidence over the allegations that appeared in The Times. Australia: Canberra to send armoured vehicles to Ukraine On 8 April, Australia announced that it would supply 20 Bushmaster armoured combat vehicles to Ukraine in response to president Zelensky’s request for arms. Australia’s defence minister Peter Dutton mentioned: “The idea will be to provide that support to keep people safe and to repel the Russians as quickly as possible from Ukrainian territory.” The Bushmaster is designed to shield soldiers and civilians from blasts. Furthermore, they can sustain the soldiers within the vehicle for three days. India: New Delhi abstains from voting against Russia at the UN On 7 April, India abstained from voting at the UN General Assembly, where 193 members voted to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. The vote came as Russia allegedly had killed civilians while pulling back from towns near Kyiv. India’s ambassador to the UN said: “India has abstained on the resolution. We do so for reasons of both substance and process.” The ambassador further mentioned how India had taken a peaceful and pragmatic stance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Pakistan: Political crisis worsens as Imran Khan fails midnight notrust vote On 9 April, Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan failed to win the no-trust vote held at midnight. The joint opposition secured the support of 174 members of the 342 member assembly. The motion would reconvene at 2 pm on 10 April to elect a new prime minister. Khan
WORLD THIS WEEK was not present at the voting and vacated his official residence. Afghanistan: Poppy prices double due to Taliban’s blanket ban on its cultivation On 6 April, the price of poppy doubled as the Taliban banned its cultivation. This blanket ban has led to a dramatic rise in prices with the stifling of supplies. However, an increasing demand and lack of supply have pushed farmers in the southern provinces to continue cultivating. The farmers in the southern provinces have further called on the Islamic Emirate to extend support to them. Sri Lanka: Government calls for USD one billion debt restructure On 7 April, Ali Sabry said the government plans to launch a USD one billion debt restructuring plan. This is to manage the international sovereign bond payment that will be maturing in July. Sri Lanka’s reserves dropped to USD 1.93 billion in March. Sabry further added: “We must discuss with the World Bank, and we must have a bridge-financing plan with the ADB. If we do not have stability, who will conduct these talks?” France: Le Pen is closing in on Macron in the French Presidential race On 8 April, polls suggest that president Macron’s rival Le Pen is close to winning France’s presidency. Macron’s act of shuttling between the war in Ukraine and the elections at home seemed to have helped him only to a minor extent. Le Pen, until March, was behind Macron by ten points. However, now for the first time, a victory for Le Pen seems possible. Le Pen is currently following Macron with just two points, and the 24 April presidential run would decide the outcome. The US: Senate confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson’s elevation as the Supreme Court justice On 8 April, the US Senate confirmed Jackson’s appointment to the Supreme Court after a vote approved her candidature. There would be two black women at the centre of power under the Biden administration in a historic first. Jackson mentioned: “It has taken 232 years and 115 prior appointments for a Black woman to be selected to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States,” she told the crowd. But we’ve made it. We’ve made it. All of us.” About the authors Harini Madhusudan and Rashmi B R are PhD Scholars at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan is a Project Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Angkuran Dey and Meghna Manoj are Postgraduate scholars at the Centre for South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
AIBC hosts FICCI delegation T he Australia India Business Council (AIBC) Ltd was delighted to host the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) delegation in Sydney, NSW recently, with excellent discussions on the opportunities from the recently signed Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. The AIBC looks forward to even more opportunities to facilitate bilateral discussions, enabling people to people connections for business to business outcomes.
Torrens University welcomes second Chancellor Jim Varghese AM T
orrens University Australia formally welcomed its new Chancellor Jim Varghese AM on 11th April, 2022 at Sydney Town Hall during the graduation ceremony which was held to celebrate the achievements of its graduates.
Mr Jim Varghese AM succeeded Michael Mann AO, who had been Chancellor of Torrens University since its inception. Mr Varghese assumed the role from 1 January 2022. Retiring Chancellor Michael Mann AO had then said that he was very pleased with the Board’s decision. His remarks then had been as follows:
connect the world for good.”
“He is highly regarded for his commitment to global citizenship, social justice, equality, and his belief that business has a role to play in ensuring greater public good.” “I have every confidence Jim will continue the extraordinary outreach that defines Torrens University. I’m proud to be handing over the reins to such a distinguished individual with his many accomplishments.”
“On behalf of the University Board, I am delighted to announce Mr Varghese as the University’s new chancellor.” “Jim is a highly effective, respected, and successful leader in both the private sector and public institutions. His reputation in the Higher Education sector is impeccable, with a commitment to the highest standards of governance, transparency, equity, and stakeholder management.” “Torrens University was founded with the vision to be Australia’s international university, and very few Australians better embody the ethos of Torrens’ vision to
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Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
COMMUNITY NEWS
Kite Flying Festival celebrated in Canberra
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n April 3, the EPIC Exhibition Park in Canberra hosted the Kite Flying Festival 2022. The event took place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and all kite-flying enthusiasts were welcome to attend. At the event, kites and threads were made available. The participants were given free admission. Given the dampening effect created by the Covid-19 pandemic in recent years, the event was well received as it was the first outdoor celebration of 2022. The weather was beautiful this time, and the range of coloured kites added to the scene’s vibrancy. The wonderful cuisine and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment contributed to the event’s appeal.
Photography competition capturing Victoria’s multiculturalism T
he Victorian Multicultural Commission has launched a photography competition to celebrate community resilience while creating a visual historic record of Victoria’’s experience of the pandemic. The competition, known as Capturing Culture: Multicultural Victoria in Focus will recognise the experiences of multicultural Victorians during, before and after lockdowns – including the
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meals shared and Zoomed, the highs, and the lows from March 2020 (Victoria’s first lockdown) to the present day. This competition - the first of its kind - is open to people in Victoria with a multicultural background regardless of their photography experience; entries will close on 17 April 2022.. Entrant’s photographs will form a visual record of a unique time in Victoria and increase the
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representation of multicultural Victorians in government publications. Shortlisted entries will be showcased in an exhibition of 24 artworks to take place in June 2022 at the Immigration Museum. Winning entries will be announced at the launch of the exhibition, where prizes will be awarded to the collective amount of $9,000.
award categories: the Minister’s Choice, People’s Choice, Days of Significance and Cultural Celebrations, Portraiture, Daily Life and Family, and Community Resilience. After the exhibition phase is over, the photos will be submitted to Victorian Libraries historical archives and be accessible for generations to come.
Prizes will be granted across six
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Apr 16-32, 16-30, 2022 2022 -- Vol Vol 2, 2, Issue Issue 18 19
COMMUNITY NEWS
ACT hosts AusIndia Fair 2022
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n April 2nd, the AusIndia Fair took place at Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham, Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is the largest Indian festival in the ACT, and it aims to promote a holistic approach to AusIndian culture’s onward journey. The Fair provided attendees with an engaging, interactive and entertaining method to learn about culture, gastronomy, cultural performances, spirituality, and sports. The Fair’s highlights included a visit to food vendors serving delectable dishes, as well as the opportunity to get henna tattoos and face painting. The annual AusIndia Fair was brought to Thoroughbred Park this year by more than 30 groups, including the Federation of Indian Associations of ACT. The festivities were also attended by a number of dignitaries.Among the dignitaries who visited were High Commissioner of India to Australia Manpreet Vohra, Michael Pettersson MLA, Shane Rattenbury MLA, Andrew Leigh MP, Tara Cheyne MLA, Elizabeth Lee MLA, Leanne Castley MLA, Dean Sahukhan Sesi Kolikonda,
Rebecca Vassarotti MLA Member for Kurrajong, Peter Cain MLA - Liberal for Ginninderra,
Mark Parton MLA, Andrew Braddock MLA - Member for Yerrabi and many others.
Qantas and Jetstar expand Sydney gateway with new direct flights to India and Korea journey as well as complimentary food and drinks.
Australia as the top destination they want to visit.
The partnership will extend to Jetstar customers who will be able to book connecting flights on IndiGo services through its Jetstar Connect platform on jetstar.com from late April.
Qantas Group international restart
New direct services to South Korea
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antas and Jetstar will grow their international network, with new direct routes to India and Korea taking off this year. Qantas will operate four weekly return flights direct between Sydney and Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore) from 14 September, using its widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. These will be the first non-stop flights between Australia and southern India by any airline and will cut almost three hours off the current fastest travel time from Sydney to Bengaluru, a growing technology and financial services hub. Corporate customers travelling from Bengaluru will also enjoy the added connectivity available on the Qantas domestic network, with daily flights from Sydney onto Brisbane and
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Qantas and Jetstar will both launch direct flights to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport later this year, providing travellers with business, premium leisure and low-cost travel options between Australia and Korea. Melbourne. With a population of 13 million people, the Bengaluru community has strong connections to Australia for both business travel and people visiting friends and relatives. These trade connections are expected to strengthen following the recent announcement of the AustraliaIndia free trade agreement. Qantas will continue to operate up to five flights a week between Melbourne and Delhi, making it the only airline offering direct flights between Australia and both northern and southern India. Planned codeshare agreement set to open up India Qantas and IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, will establish a codeshare agreement that will
give improved one-stop access to more than 50 Indian cities. The planned agreement will mean that one can transit seamlessly from Qantas flights in Bengaluru, Delhi, or Singapore onto IndiGo services to other major Indian cities as well as smaller ones such as Pune and Goa. Under the planned agreement, Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights (QF code only) and IndiGo will recognise Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits for tiered members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One) including priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and priority baggage. Qantas customers travelling on IndiGo will enjoy the same baggage allowance for the entire
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Jetstar will become the only low-cost carrier to fly direct to South Korea from Sydney, with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flights operating from 2 November 2022 three times per week. Qantas will begin direct flights between Sydney and Seoul from 10 December 2022 with its A330 aircraft, marking the first Qantas scheduled service to Seoul since January 2008. The launch of these new direct services recognises the increasing popularity of South Korea as a must-see destination for Australians, with its rich cultural history, vibrant nightlife, and incredible food. In return, South Korean travellers, who preCOVID, travelled more frequently than any other nation in the Asia Pacific, consistently rank
Since Australia’s borders reopened last November, almost 500,000 passengers have been carried on international services across 27 international routes, with another six routes restarting soon. Group international capacity is expected to reach more than 40 per cent of pre-COVID capacity by the end of April. Qantas has now added six new overseas routes in the past six months, including PerthRome and Melbourne-Delhi, Melbourne-Dallas Fort-Worth and Darwin-Dili as it taps into new markets. All three new routes announced recently are supported by the NSW Aviation Attraction Fund, which is co-funded by the State Government and Sydney Airport. Kempegowda International Airport has also supported Qantas’ Sydney-Bengaluru flights. Flights on sale Fares between Australia and India and Australia and South Korea are available to book now. Fares between Sydney and Seoul start from $1,224 Economy return, and between Sydney and Bengaluru from $1,349 Economy return. Flights are subject to government and regulatory approval.
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Indian business executives’ visit to increase internship possibilities Melbourne, April 8: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India’s leading business and industry group, paid a visit to Deakin University recently as part of an enterprising student internship initiative aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Australia and India. With the signing of the IndiaAustralia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement at the beginning of April, the endeavour is well-timed. FICCI Deputy Secretary General Mr Manish Singhal and FICCI Director Mr Gaurav Vats met with Dr Ameeta Jain, a senior lecturer at Deakin Business School, and team members Professor Alex Newman and Associate Professor Harsh Suri, who are directing the internship programme.
Professor Alex Newman, Mr Manish-Singhal, Dr Ameeta Jain, and Mr Gaurav Vats
The initiative, which is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
and the Australia-India Council, intends to strengthen industryuniversity collaborations in Australia and India by providing ‘virtual internships’ in both countries. Students are partnered with organisations and engage in cross-cultural work focused on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, allowing them to get experience in the emerging field of corporate social responsibility. Till now, more than 30 students have undertaken internships in India and Australia, where they worked on projects at NGOs in both countries, including the United Nations Association of Australia and the Goa Institute of Management’s Centre for Social Sensitivity and Action. FICCI is a big sponsor of the effort, which includes online masterclasses for its 250,000 member companies to learn more
about the internship programme and how it may help them integrate SDGs into their business models. The long-term goal is to expand the number of student internship opportunities with more member organisations. Dr. Jain, who is of Indian descent, expressed her delight at the prospect of improving ties between Australia, her adoptive nation, and India, her birthplace. “Our goal is to provide avenues for students to study and work in both nations, allowing them to acquire and share work-ready skills,” she explained. “By providing virtual internships, students have access to a broader range of options, and the flexibility of delivery is crucial for students seeking relevant work experience in a post-pandemic environment.”
Meeting held by GCQ’s senior citizens
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he senior citizens of the Gujarati Community Queensland (GCQ) recently conducted a meeting. Many older adults from Queensland’s Gujarati community attended. At the meeting, Tarakbhai Jani, a senior member, offered some important information to the group. The Gujarati Community Queensland volunteers organised and sponsored the conference.
Skilled refugees to fill critical Australian labour shortages Pilot which commenced in 2021, the expansion will allow candidates to gain employment in a range of new occupations, allow skills recognition and also provide additional visa flexibility for candidates inside Afghanistan.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke
The size of the Pilot program will also increase - from the current allocation of 100 primary places - with the addition of a further 50 primary places to candidates from Afghanistan and a further 50 primary places to candidates from Ukraine taking the Pilot to 200 primary places.
he Morrison Government has partnered with global skilled refugee employment organisation, Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) to provide more opportunities for employment in a range of critical roles in Australia through the expanded Skilled Refugee Pilot program.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke says this agreement follows Talent Beyond Boundaries’ global success in matching skilled refugees with employers and their ambition to provide opportunities for those fleeing conflict including in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Building on the already successful
“We have one of the most
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generous refugee resettlement programs in the world but we shouldn’t limit our thinking to that program,” Minister Hawke said. “The Morrison Government recognises that in many cases refugees come with a range of skills and qualifications that are highly sought after in Australia, and where they are able to, we should do everything in our power to support them to use those skills,” he said. Talent Beyond Boundaries Global CEO Steph Cousins says the program is already providing real opportunities to skilled refugees and Australian employers through a straightforward job matching service. “The Government’s Skilled Refugee Pilot Program recognises that many refugees have skills and talents that make them an incredible asset,” he said. “When we give displaced
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people opportunities to move internationally for work, they’re able to resume their careers, rebuild their lives, and enrich our communities in the process,” Ms Cousins said. Managing Director of Bluemar Consulting Engineers Dr Shaun Meares has worked with Talent Beyond Boundaries to employ Maya in Esperance, Western Australia. “As well as the obvious humanitarian outcomes, hiring a refugee adds further diversity of human capital and technical skills to our team. Attracting labour to regional Australia has always been difficult. The pilot program is an innovative way for us to grow our team and strengthen our business to the benefit of our regional community,” Dr Meares said. “Maya is fitting right in. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty (literally), she’s always up for a new challenge, and there are
plenty of opportunities for her to adjust her technical skills to suit the Australian environment. The wonderful thing about engineering is that the underlying mathematics and science are a common language all around the world,” he said. Maya is a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Maya is one of the first skilled refugees engaged under this pilot having moved to Esperance, WA with her husband and pre-school aged son in December 2021. “Being a refugee has always been a problem for me, but it was never a reason for giving up. I believed in myself and worked very hard to achieve my goals. Now, I am recognised as a professional civil engineer in Australia and looking forward to many more successful years,” Maya said.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Chennai-based Mithra school helps students run special bakery
by Doreen Awabdy
accepting life the way it is.
A passion for baking has turned into a real-life business for four students at the Mithra school for mentally and physically challenged children in Chennai.
The bakery students, three young men and a young lady, are a part of the Mithra Life Skills Training Program, and baking is teaching them important life skills that their trainer hopes will lead to opportunities beyond school.
Mithra supporter and Lifeskills initiator, Monica Arogyamary, helps these students run Wabi Sabi Bakery. The name is a Japanese concept that means, finding beauty in imperfections of life and accepting them gracefully. Monica felt it was an appropriate name because the Mithra special needs children are so graceful in
“I am really proud of what the students have achieved. And excited to taste each morsel,” said Sister Manju, getting ready to officially open the bakery. Selling the products of their labour to staff at Mithra seems
like more of a reward for these students. But it is also part of their training to learn how to run a business and work with customers. “The bakery is teaching them social skills, responsibility, reading and math,” Sister Manju said. “They know to work diligently, follow directions, and to follow recipes.” In this initiative, each student has a role. But working as a team is most important. “Seeing them communicate
with the people they serve, and seeing the customers embrace the students’ hard work is heartwarming,” Sister said. “Wabi Sabi is a great success story.” Niece of founder Sister Mary Theodore and the driving force behind Australia’s fundraising arm supporting Mithra, Mrs Helen Mahoney OAM, believes this is an outstanding milestone in the development of the program. “Sister Mary Theodore would be so proud to see the achievements of the young men and women of
Mithra,” Helen said. “To see their capabilities grow to another level, to help them become financially independent is rewarding for all supporters who belong to Friends of Mithra.” The goal is for these students to one day gain employment which will give them financial independence. It would be such a milestone for them. “This is showing them that finding their strengths will help them to achieve anything,” she said.
Indian High Commissioner visits Gold Coast
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ndian High commissioner to Australia Mr Manpreet Vohra and family visited Gold Coast recently. The visit culminated with a relaxed evening at The Indian Place on Chevron with Honorary Indian consulate Qld, Mrs Archana Singh.
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Australian central bank holds cash rate at 0.1% in a further lift in inflation over coming quarters.” Lowe and the bank have maintained that interest rates would not rise until Australia’s rate of inflation was sustainably in the 2 per cent to 3 per cent range, reports Xinhua news agency.
Canberra, April 5 (IANS): The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced on April 5 that it would not increase its 0.1 per cent cash rate despite pressures from rising inflation.
than in many other countries; in underlying terms, inflation is 2.6 percent and in headline terms it is 3.5 per cent,” said RBA governor Philip Lowe in the monthly monetary policy update.
“Inflation has increased in Australia, but it remains lower
“Higher prices for petrol and other commodities will result
Lowe said the bank would continue to monitor “inflation and the evolution of labour costs” over the coming months when deciding to raise rates above 0.1 per cent.
of living pressures with rising inflation also a significant concern,” said Zahra. The growth was predominant in spending on clothes, experiencing a 17.8-per cent increase, and hospitality venues, up 15.9 per cent, a sign that confidence was growing among consumers to get out and about.
The data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that sales had increased by 9.1 per cent compared with the
same time in February last year, reports Xinhua news agency. Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Paul Zahra flagged the increase as a sign of “robust performance” despite ongoing disruptions. “Retailers have navigated the worst of the pandemic, however, we’ve now entered a period of global economic uncertainty, which has strained global energy supplies and is impacting cost
The ARA touted optimism for the upcoming Easter long weekend in the second week of April. ARA research predicted that Australians are tipped to spend A$7.1 billion on overseas trips. “With the economy opening, people have been able to book local holidays with confidence and that’s set to be a major boost to tourism operators and local retailers who are heavily reliant on the visitor dollar,” said Zahra.
Shares of Adani Group surge following $2 bn foreign investments are leading the charge in energy transition, the group said. The company will invest Rs 3,850 crore in AGEL, Rs 3,850 crore in ATL, and Rs 7,700 crore in the three companies, respectively, in compliance with the SEBI regulations.
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): Shares of Adani Green Energy, Adani Transmission, and Adani Enterprises surged on April 11 on an otherwise broader market.
Holding Company PJSC, the Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate’s investment of $2 billion as primary capital in these Adani Group companies.
Adani Green Energy shares were locked in the 20 per cent upper circuit, Adani Transmission locked in at 10 per cent upper circuit, and Adani Enterprises rose 0.4 per cent.
On April 8, the boards of the three Adani companies’ Boards met and approved the transaction.
Analysts attribute the rise in share prices to International
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This investment is testament to the Abu Dhabi-based firm and the Adani portfolio’s shared vision and commitment of investing in sustainable companies that
High oil prices to keep rupee on a slippery slope
While the cost of many goods such as petrol and other commodities and their downstream markets have lifted, wage growth in Australia has staggered.
Australian economy continues to recover despite disruptions
Canberra, March 29 (IANS): Despite ongoing disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, widespread flood and global supply chain pressures, Australia’s economy continues its upward swing as seen in retail spending, official data revealed on March 29.
BUSINESS AND TRADE
The transaction is expected to be completed in a month, after all necessary approvals are obtained. The capital will be utilised for pursuing the growth of the respective businesses, further strengthening of the balance sheet, and for general corporate purposes, the regulatory filing said. Apart from the three stocks which received foreign investments, shares of other Adani Group companies- Adani Power, Adani Total Gas, Adani Wilmar, and Adani Ports- too surged on April 11.
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New Delhi, April 10 (IANS): High crude oil prices combined with fears of rising inflation are expected to keep the Indian rupee under pressure. Lately, the Brent crude oil price has remained elevated due to the Russian-Ukrainian war. The price has hovered in the range of $100-$110 lately. “Rupee has been under pressure due to rising US bond yields, inflation and high crude oil prices,” said Sajal Gupta Head Fx & Rates Edelweiss. “These circumstances are going to be tough for the Indian rupee to appreciate. Expect the rupee to trade between 75.50 and 76.25 in the next week.” Previously, the rupee closed at 75.90 to a greenback. “Next week is a relatively shorter week but market participants will be keeping an eye on the inflation and industrial production number to gauge a view for the currency,” said Gaurang Somaiya, Forex & Bullion Analyst, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. “Expectation is that inflation
could remain elevated following the recent rise in energy and food prices. On the other hand, industrial production could grow at a slower pace in January and could further weigh on the currency.” The Central Statistics Office is slated to release the macroeconomic data points of Index of Industrial Production, Consumer Price Index on March 12. On the other hand, expectations of India Inc’s healthy Q4FY22 results season should attract fresh equity focused foreign funds which might curb any sharp weakness in the Indian rupee versus the US dollar. “Dollar index surged in the past week and it is now trading near the crucial psychological mark of 100,” said Devarsh Vakil, Deputy Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities. “Rupee is likely to consolidate next week on the back of improving sentiments for equity markets. In the near term, spot USD INR is expected to trade in the range of 76.20 to 75.70. with bias towards appreciation.”
Strong dollar impacts India’s foreign reserves, forex down by over $11 bn Mumbai, April 9 (IANS): Global currency fluctuations, due to a rise in US dollar strength, depleted India’s foreign reserve by over $11.173 billion during the week that ended on April 1. The foreign currency assets (FCAs), the largest component of the forex reserves, got negatively impacted due to the rising US dollar strength against other global currencies. The FCAs consist of global currencies and securities such as US treasury bonds. As per the RBI data, the FCAs edged lower by $10.727 billion to $539.727 billion. India’s overall forex reserves, thus, fell by $11.173 billion to $606.475 billion from $617.648 billion reported for the previous week. The country’s forex reserves consist of FCAs, gold reserves,
SDRs, and the country’s reserve position with the IMF. The value of the gold reserves also decreased by $507 million to $42.734 billion. While SDR value gained by $58 million to $18.879 billion, India’s reserve position with the IMF also gained by $4 million to $5.136 billion.
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AI spending in Asia-Pacific to reach $32 bn in 2025 IDC forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.2 percent for the period 2020-2025.
BUSINESS AND TRADE
Global headwinds: RBI lowers FY23 GDP growth forecast to 7.2%
For the next five years, the next top spending industry is professional services, growing fast with 26.6 per cent CAGR. Smart business innovation and automation will optimise and streamline complex and repetitive business tasks to support organisational decision-making. New Delhi, April 9 (IANS): Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are set to spend $17.6 billion on artificial intelligence (AI) systems in 2022 and this is expected to reach $32 billion in 2025, a new IDC report has shown. Over the next five years, the banking industry will continue to invest the most in AI solutions. State/local government is the second-highest spender on AI solutions, focusing on public safety and emergency response, augmented threat intelligence, and prevention systems. “Many of the changes caused by the pandemic will stay and we
expect the adoption momentum of practical AI use cases such as remote or contactless engagement to continue,” said Jessie Danqing Cai, Associate Research Director, Cognitive Computing/Artificial Intelligence for IDC Asia/Pacific. In the long term, a clear guidance on the management of the associated risk factors of AI solutions will further boost the confidence level of buying organisations,” Cai added. Businesses invest in AI to gain a competitive advantage through improved customer insight, increased employee efficiency, and accelerated decision making.
“Increasing government regulations and mandates of AI’s trust, robustness, and its ethical use will need to be addressed by organisations,” said Vinayaka Venkatesh, Senior Market Analyst at IDC IT Spending Guides, Customer Insights & Analysis. Hardware will be the leading technology, accounting for more than 49.8 percent of AI spending. Software is the second leading technology with 31 percent of AI spending. Nearly 71 per cent of total AI spending in software goes towards AI applications and artificial intelligent platforms, the report noted.
Why Indian MSMEs need to move to Cloud faster experience, HR transformation, head procurement, people transformation with our enterprise resource planning (ERP) offerings, and so on,” Bawa informed. Indian startups are also lining up for SAP solutions in the digital era.
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The pandemic has accelerated the pace of digital transformation at such a level that more and more Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are seeking to move to the Cloud, and the country has to find newer ways to help them do it faster, Kulmeet Bawa, President and Managing Director, SAP Indian Subcontinent, said here on Saturday. Employing more than 11 crore people, the MSMEs contribute around 30 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and more than half of these MSMEs, running legacy infrastructure, cater to the rural parts of the country. “The Indian mid-market enterprises (MMEs) are asking us for a comprehensive cloud and a digital strategy. The questions they are asking us today are very different from earlier. Today, the conversation they’re having with us is how do we do it faster and in an integrated manner,” Bawa www.indianews.com.au
told IANS in a free-wheeling interview. Bawa said that the enterprise software major SAP India is looking at the possibility of how it can increase their digital adoption by 10 times. “There is a huge demand for digital growth, and the impact is so important for our country. We have to find ways to do it faster,” he added. A recent IDC report said that 74 per cent of Indian mid-market enterprises are likely to move applications to the Cloud in 2022. Bawa sees other growth areas in startups, including the ones who are transforming the way goods reach to the consumers in a faster and efficient manner, as part of their last-mile connectivity goals. “The SAP strength is twofold. First, we are catering to 26 industry segments and the second strength is that we are providing comprehensive solutions to them across customer
“They are adopting us to transform their core and deliver better customer and employee experiences. New verticals like agri-tech, apart from fintech platforms, are also coming to us,” said Bawa, who is guiding businesses in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to adopt a digitalfirst mindset.
Mumbai, April 8 (IANS): Reserve Bank of India on April 8 lowered India’s FY23 GDP growth projection to 7.2 per cent from an earlier estimation of 7.8 per cent. In a statement after the Monetary Policy Committee’s bi-monthly meet, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the real GDP growth is projected at 16.2 per cent in Q1FY23, at 6.2 percent in Q2; at 4.1 percent in Q3 and Q4 at 4 percent, assuming that crude oil (Indian basket) price is at $100 per barrel during 2022-23. “As the horizon was brightening up, escalating geopolitical tensions have cast a shadow on our economic outlook. Although India’s direct trade exposure to countries at the epicentre of the conflict is limited, the war could potentially impede the economic recovery through elevated commodity prices and global spillover channels,” he said. “Further, financial market volatility induced by monetary policy normalisation in advanced economies, renewed Covid-19 infections in some major countries with augmented supply-side disruptions and protracted shortages of critical
inputs, such as semi- conductors and chips, pose downside risks to the outlook.” Besides, the governor said that going forward, robust Rabi output should support recovery in the rural demand, while a pick-up in contact-intensive services should help in further strengthening urban demand. “Investment activity may gain traction with improving business confidence, pick up in bank credit, continuing support from government capex and congenial financial conditions.” “’Capacity utilisation’ (CU) in the manufacturing sector recovered further to 72.4 percent in Q3:202122 from 68.3 percent in the previous quarter, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 69.9 per cent in Q4:2019-20.” On April 8, the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the central bank maintained the repo rate, or short-term lending rate, for commercial banks, at 4 percent. In addition, the growth-oriented accommodative stance was also retained.
To help the MSMEs, enterprise software major SAP India this week launched an immersive mobile experience centre on the wheels. In 45 days, the SAP bus will travel over 7,000 km across cities, offering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a glimpse at how cloud-based digital cores may help enterprises plan and adapt more swiftly. The pandemic has accelerated the Cloud journey across industries and from big enterprises to startups, every organisation aspires Cloud to be at the core of their customer delivery experiences. “We are growing faster in most markets in the world. India is one of the fastest growing markets and continues to be quarter after quarter for us, as we continue to anticipate the demand and meet it,” Bawa told IANS. facebook.com/indianewsaustralia
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INDIA NEWS
Engineers encouraged to consider a career in north Queensland Company’s rail freight services are on offer for graduates in the fields of mining, civil and mechanical engineering, and geology. She said successful applicants would benefit from 18 months of on-site work with senior engineering team members, as well as off-site training with Central Queensland University.
Brisbane, April 11: Adani Australia’s Bowen Rail Company (BRC) civil engineer Nikita Nikiteev knows better than most, the professional value of getting your hands dirty. “I played in the dirt a lot as a kid and had a love for the exact sciences, so civil engineering was always the job for me,” he said. “But it wasn’t until I saw the opportunity of a graduate position working on Adani’s Carmichael Rail Network and getting my hands on something challenging and meaningful that I knew where it would take me.
peers to seize their opportunity and consider a career with Adani’s businesses, Bravus Mining and Resources and Bowen Rail Company. “I’d strongly encourage anyone wanting an exciting and rewarding career to apply,” Nikita said. “It’s continued to open doors for me, and right now I’m working as part of the dynamic team building BRC’s provisioning yard in beautiful Bowen. It’s a lot of fun and I still get to get my hands dirty.”
“It turned out that I was working alongside thousands of people building a railway in the middle of nowhere, and I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career.”
Bravus and BRC HR & IR Lead Rebecca Wells said recruitment for the 2022 Graduate Program, which is open to engineers up to two years post-graduation, has been one of its most popular programs to date.
Now the 26-year-old is encouraging his like-minded
Six positions across Bravus’ Carmichael Mine and Bowen Rail
“This is the opportunity for the many talented people who want to work in our industry to kick-start a fulfilling career in a well-paid, highly skilled job that lasts a lifetime,” Ms Wells said. “It is also an opportunity to be a part of the social fabric that makes regional Queensland so great. “Our people become part of the communities in which we operate, and lifestyle rosters ensure you will be able to make the most of the perks that life in Townsville and The Whitsundays has to offer.” Adani’s businesses and its contractors are also recruiting for other positions including Safety Advisors, Multi-Skilled Operators, Haul Truck Operators, Mining Engineers and more. For more information about the jobs on offer visit www. bravus.com.au or www. bowenrailcompany.com.au.
1,500-1,600 MW wind energy to be added in FY23 in India
Chennai, April 7 (IANS): Wind energy capacity addition during 2022-23 is expected to be about 1,500-1,600 MW and will be about 2,000-2,500 MW in the next year, a top wind turbine industry body official in India said on April 7. Last fiscal, the total wind power capacity that was added in the country was about 883 MW, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) Chairman
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Tulsi Tanti told reporters here. However, the generation capacity addition is very low as compared to the industry’s turbine manufacturing capacity of 10,000 MW per annum, he added. According to Tanti, the centralised bidding for wind power projects by the Solar Energy Corporation of India has taken small investors out of the market and the opportunity to increase green energy
generation was lost during the past several years. “In order to increase wind energy generation, the state governments should also start bidding out for projects instead of just the Central government,” he said. The total capacity that was tendered out by SECI in different rounds was about 16,300 MW and about 12,470 MW was awarded. Out of the total awarded projects, only about 3,200 MW was commissioned and several projects were surrendered by the bidders. According to Tanti, state governments can tender out wind energy projects and also come out with industry-friendly policies of captive power and inter-state transmission of power. He also urged the government to bring back the feed in tariff for small wind energy projects. Meanwhile, the fourth edition of ‘Windergy India 2022’ will be held in Delhi from April 27 to 29. According to the IWTMA, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy R.K. Singh, Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy, Chemicals and Fertilisers, Bhagwanth Khuba, Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane, and Karnataka’s Energy Minister Sunil Kumar, amidst other dignitaries and industry officials, would be part of the high-level conference that would run concurrently with the trade fair.
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ENERGY AND RESOURCES
India’s robust plans on EVs to ensure pollution-free environment
New Delhi, April 5 (IANS): India is the fifth largest car market in the world and has the potential to become one of the top three in the near future with about 40 crore customers in need of mobility solutions by the year 2030. Keeping in mind the goals set under the Paris agreement, the increasing number of automobile customers shall not imply an increase in the consumption of conventional fuels. The Indian government is religiously pushing the introduction of Electric Vehicles (EV) and this would not only reduce India’s oil import bills in the longer term but also ensure a cleaner environment. India’s initiative would also encourage many developing economies to adopt a similar strategy. Lately, there is a growing consensus among automotive professionals and the public alike that the future of vehicles is electric and India’s recent deal with Australia to source critical minerals will help its endeavour to produce electric vehicles. India is among a handful of countries that support the global EV30@30campaign, which aims for at least 30 percent new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. India’s advocacy of five elements for climate change -“Panchamrit” -- at the COP26 in Glasgow is a commitment to the same. Various ideas were espoused by India at the Glasgow summit, such as, renewable energy catering to 50 per cent of India’s energy needs, reducing carbon emission by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2070. The government of India has taken various measures to develop and promote the EV ecosystem in the country such as: the remodelled Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME II) scheme; ProductionLinked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) for the supplier side; the recently launched PLI scheme for Auto and Automotive Components for manufacturers of electric vehicles. EVs will contribute to improving the overall energy security situation as the country imports over 80 per cent of its overall crude oil requirements, amounting to approximately USD 100 billion. By 2030, 80 percent of two and three-wheelers, 40 percent of buses, and 30 to 70 per cent of cars in India will be electric vehicles, according to the NITI Aayog. As the nation gears towards its ‘Zeroemission’ 2070 dream, funds and focus are directed towards electric mobility. In March 2022, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari mentioned in the Parliament that between 20192020 and 2020-2021, the twowheeler EVs rose by 422 per cent; three-wheelers by 75 per cent and four-wheelers by 230 per cent. The number of electric buses also increased by over 1,200 percent. The push for EVs is also expected to play an important role in the local EV manufacturing industry for job creation. Additionally, through several grid support services, EVs are expected to strengthen the grid and help
accommodate higher renewable energy penetration while maintaining secure and stable grid operation. Opportunities for Battery Manufacturing and Storage: With recent technology disruptions, battery storage has great opportunity in promoting sustainable development in the country, considering government initiatives to promote e-mobility and renewable power (450 GW energy capacity target by 2030). With rising levels of per capita income, there has been a tremendous demand for consumer electronics in the areas of mobile phones, UPS, laptops and power banks that require advanced chemistry batteries. This makes manufacturing of advanced batteries one of the largest economic opportunities of the 21st Century. The Ministry of Power has prescribed at least one charging station to be present in a grid of 3 km and at every 25 kms on both sides of the highways. India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Model Building Bye-laws, 2016 has mandated setting aside 20 percent of the parking space for EV charging facilities in residential and commercial buildings and such an example is worth emulating by developing economies. Till such time that EVs become affordable, the Indian government has stepped in with a host of incentives under the umbrella FAME 2 Scheme. The level of incentives now on offer for EVs in India are the highest ever -- up to Rs 32,000 for electric twowheelers, Rs 3 lakh for electric cars and Rs 35-55 lakh for buses. There is an additional income tax rebate on loans taken for buying electric cars. As per a study by the CEEW Centre for Energy Finance (CEEWCEF), the market opportunity is worth nearly USD 206 billion (Rs 14,42,000 crore) with cumulative EV sales in all vehicle segments projected to jump to over 100 million units by FY30. It has been estimated that over USD 180 billion (Rs 12,50,000 crore) investment will be required in vehicle production and charging infrastructure until 2030 and this presents a huge opportunity for foreign investors. It is this opportunity that has lured many startups to this space. The solutions are also innovative. One-year-old Bengaluru-based Charzer, for example, wants to set up an electric two-wheeler charging station on every street of every city in the country. Vehicles zipping down roads and making zero noise and pollution. They can be recharged at malls, parking lots, overnight at home, docked at a supercharging station or even your friendly neighbourhood kirana store. Or a discharged battery itself can be swapped for a new one. That is the future of mobility.
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Covid boosters provisionally approved for Australian adolescents before it can be rolled out. Regulatory approval of the booster dose for this age group has also been granted in Israel, the UK and US, TGA said in a statement.
HEALTH
Delhi’s Covid positivity rate inclines to 2.7% with 137 new cases
“ATAGI will provide advice shortly on whether this vaccine should be included in the Covid-19 Vaccine programme as the final step in the two green light approval process.” According to the data from the Department of Health, so far about 68.6 per cent of the eligible population have received booster vaccines. Canberra, April 9 (IANS): Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved Covid-19 booster vaccines for adolescents as young as 12. The TGA announced provisional approval for Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine as a booster for Australians aged 12-15, recommending that people in that age group get a booster six months after their second vaccine dose, reports Xinhua news
agency. This decision follows the provisional approval granted to Pfizer for the use of Covid-19 vaccine as a booster in individuals 18 years and older on October 26, 2021 and in individuals 16 and 17 years old on January 27, 2022, said TGA. It is the first vaccine approved for the age cohort but must also receive approval from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
There have been 6,526 total Covid-19 deaths and approximately 4.78 million confirmed cases in Australia as of April 9. The rollout of a second booster dose for elderly and vulnerable Australians began on April 4 ahead of an expected winter spike in Covid-19 infections. On April 9, Australia reported more than 50,000 new cases and 24 deaths, including 10 in New South Wales (NSW), the country’s most populous state.
Global surge in Covid XE variant: Karnataka convenes technical advisory committee meeting
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): While Covid cases continue to decline nationally, the count has started inching up again in the national capital. Delhi reported 2.70 per cent Covid positivity rate on April 11 which is the highest in the last two months. It had recorded 2.87 percent on February 5. In 24 hours, a total of 137 fresh Covid cases were reported in the city, taking the total case count to 18,66,380. However, no Covid related deaths have been recorded in the same period and the toll remains at 26,157. With 144 patients recovering in 24 hours, the total number of recoveries has gone up to 18,39,622. A total of 447 Covid
patients are being treated in home isolation at present. The number of active Covid cases in the city stands at 601. The number of Covid containment zones has also declined to 741 in the city. Meanwhile, 5,079 new tests -3889 RT-PCR and 1190 Rapid Antigen - were conducted in 24 hours, taking the total to 3,74,94,131. A total of 2,856 vaccine doses were administered in 24 hours - 448 first doses, 1,884 second doses, and 524 vaccine precaution doses. The total number of cumulative beneficiaries vaccinated so far stands at 3,27,96,458 according to the health bulletin.
India reports 861 new Covid cases, 6 deaths
Covid wave around June and July. “A total of 4.77 crore (98 per cent) people under the 60+ category have taken the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and only 49 per cent of people have taken their precautionary dose. I urge everyone to please complete all the doses,” Sudhakar said. He said that in the 15-17 age group, 25,11,407 people out of 30,00,000 have taken the vaccine, amounting to 79 per cent, and only 65 per cent have taken the second dose.
Bengaluru, April 11 (IANS): Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar urged people on April 11 to ensure that all their vaccination doses are completed at the earliest after a meeting with the Covid-19 technical advisory committee (TAC) amid a rise in cases of the XE variant of Covid-19 in some foreign countries. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sudhakar said that there is an increase in cases of the XE variant in eight
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countries, including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the UK and Germany. After the meeting, Sudhakar said that the TAC has suggested thermal screening, strict surveillance, and mandatory quarantine for a period of 7-10 days for passengers arriving from these eight countries. The state government will soon release guidelines regarding this. Additionally, Sudhakar urged people to wear masks, stating that IIT Kanpur has predicted another
Among the 12-14 age group, only 13,96,000 children have received the vaccine out of 20,00,000 amounting to 69 per cent. He urged parents to have their children vaccinated. As there are no vaccines for young kids, Sudhakar said that 5,000 children will be tested across the state as per the recommendation of the TAC. “We have received complaints of some hospitals overcharging for vaccines. The government will not tolerate this. A high-level meeting has been held and a committee has been formed in this regard,” he said.
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New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): India reported a marginal decline as 861 Covid cases were reported in a span of 24 hours, and six deaths were also recorded, said the Union health ministry on April 11 morning. The new deaths have taken the toll to 5,21,691. Following a continuous downward trend, India’s active caseload has declined to 11,058. Active cases now constitute 0.03 per cent of the country’s total positive cases. A total of 929 patients have recovered in 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,25,03,383 Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76 per cent. Also in the same period, a total of 2,71,211 tests were conducted across the country. India has so
far conducted over 79.41 crore cumulative tests. The weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.23 per cent, however the daily positivity rate is also reported to be 0.32 per cent. On the vaccination front, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 185.74 crore as per provisional reports till 7 a.m on April 11 morning. This has been achieved through 2,24,81,173 sessions. Over 2.22 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of Covid vaccine since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket. More than 18.03 crore balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered, according to the health ministry as of April 11 morning.
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Lockdowns failed to curtail soaring pollution levels during second Covid wave: Study (around 300-400 kg/pyre) for open pyre and accounted for the chemistry of crematoria flue gases which contain higher percentage of organic, inorganic matter and particulate dust material. According to the study, the increased carbon rich PM2.5 and PM10, aggravated the severity of Covid patients and vulnerable population, further adding to the misery. New Delhi, April 10 (IANS): The second Covid-19 wave not only unleashed unprecedented devastation of human life but also some of the worst air pollution episodes in Delhi despite the lockdown during March-May 2021, a new study has revealed. According to the study in the journal ‘Chemosphere’ published by SAFAR, experts say that the biomass emissions of carbon rich tiny particles and rapid flow of distant dust were found to be primary reasons for the pollution.
was playing a leading role after balancing the impact of curtailed lockdown emissions. “The hidden source of emission is believed to be associated with additional carbonaceous biofuel burning related to crematories whose emissions could not be accounted for in the model,” an excerpt of the research paper read.
The study also made some shocking revelations that an “unaccounted emission source”
The steep surge in infection counts and the peak mortality (400 deaths/day) period was directly coinciding with peak levels of PM2.5. The study modelled the emission as per the wood required for cremation
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS): Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on April 11 said that the World Health Organisation has not declared any new variant of concern of coronavirus yet, so there is no reason to worry. Noting that around 100-200 Covid cases are being reported in the capital city daily, he said: “There
is no need to focus on positivity rate as the norms have changed. Earlier we used to focus but now 10 percent positivity rate is the new mark. “The rate of hospitalisation is an important point to be focused.(It) is going down in the city.” On the new Covid variant XE, Jain said that there is no need to create panic till any variant gets labelled as Variant of Concern. “Due to mutation in the virus, many variants of Covid will appear, but it is not a matter of concern till WHO declares it as Variant of Concern. It seems that Covid will continue for the next four to five years,” he added.
Researchers also found that other peaks in the later part of lockdown were related to the north-westerly winds which often brought dust particles from the desert region to Delhi. The frequency of such dust storms was unusually higher than normal, probably due to free and faster flow of dust without much resistance under this lockdown period. The paper concluded that since both Covid-19 and the dust storms can cause overlapping respiratory symptoms, a suitable strategy needs to be worked out during such emergencies.
No reason to worry until new variant of concern detected: Minister About precautions for all adults, he said that Delhi has complete preparation for administering the dose. For now it has been started in private centres, but government hospitals are also prepared to administer the dose, he said. “In private hospitals, precaution doses can’t be made available free of cost, but we will make it available free in government hospitals,” he said. To a question on the JNU violence, Jain said: “I am the Home Minister of Delhi. You should ask this question to the Home Minister under whom the Delhi Police is.” He, however, termed the incident “unfortunate”.
India stopping WHO to make global Covid deaths public, claims NYT New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) Terming it “flawed,” the government has questioned the World Health Organization’s (WHO) methodology for estimating the deaths caused by Covid-19 in India, media report says. According to the New York Times, the Indian government said that the WHO’s methodology to estimate the deaths caused by Covid-19 in India is flawed. “India feels that the process was neither collaborative nor adequately representative,” the Indian government was quoted as saying in a statement to the United Nations Statistical Commission in February. It also argued that the process did not “hold scientific rigor and www.indianews.com.au
rational scrutiny as expected from an organisation of the stature of the WHO”. According to the report, the global death toll from the pandemic has found that vastly more people died than previously believed -- a total of about 15 million by the end of 2021, more than double the official total of six million reported by countries individually. But the release of the staggering estimate has been delayed for months because of objections from India, which disputes the calculation of how many of its citizens died and has tried to keep it from becoming public, the report said. More than a third of the additional nine million deaths
are estimated to have occurred in India, where the government has stood by its own count of about 520,000, it added. The WHO will show the country’s toll is at least four million, according to people familiar with the numbers who were not authorised to disclose them, which would give India the highest tally in the world, they said. The Times was unable to learn the estimates for other countries. The WHO calculation combined national data on reported deaths with new information from localities and household surveys, and with statistical models that aim to account for deaths that were missed. Most of the difference in the facebook.com/indianewsaustralia
HEALTH
Fatty liver likely causing a surge in serious liver diseases in India New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Liver disease has become a lifestyle disease in India, with the incidence of non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease now much higher than hepatitis B virus as the main cause of liver disorders, said experts here ahead of the World Liver Day. World liver day is observed on every April 19, to spread awareness about liver related disease. The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, after the brain. It is a key player in our body’s digestive system. Fatty liver condition occurs when fat builds up in the liver that can cause liver inflammation, and damage your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, the scarring can lead to liver failure. Among people who drink a lot of alcohol, the condition is known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), while among those who don’t drink a lot, it’s metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), earlier known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MAFLD is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Lifestyle changes involving obesity, sedentary lifestyle, food rich in sugar, calories and fat, and alcohol are the main reasons behind the poor liver health. According to Dr Bhaskar Nandi, HOD - Liver & Digestive Sciences, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad, till a few decades back, the most common cause of chronic liver disease in India was hepatitis B infection, that led to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. “However, fatty liver, a metabolic disorder, now constitutes the largest burden of liver disease today due to changing lifestyle of people,” he said. Nandi added that as many as “80 per cent of people coming for an ultrasound checkup today are found to have fatty liver disease”. While about one in three of these will progress to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease, it is difficult to predict which ones will fall in that one-third bracket.
new global estimate represents previously uncounted deaths, the bulk of which were directly from Covid; the new number also includes indirect deaths, like those of people unable to access care for other ailments because of the pandemic. The delay in releasing the figures is significant because the global data is essential for understanding how the pandemic has played out and what steps could mitigate a similar crisis in the future. According to the report, India has not submitted its total mortality data to the WHO for the past two years, but the organisation’s researchers have used numbers
“India is seeing a significant rise in liver problems due to lifestyle changes. To fight liver disease, it is necessary to change our lifestyle - proper and healthy diet, exercise, avoid drinking alcohol or drink in moderation, increasing our screening,” Dr. Pankaj Puri, from Fortis Escorts Liver and Digestive Diseases Institute, told IANS. Often liver disease goes undiagnosed for years, as the initial stages generally have no symptoms and people feel well, and routine blood tests may not show liver abnormalities. Globally, liver condition is seen in about 25 per cent or one in four adults that often goes undiagnosed, raising the risk for heart disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement. Nandi said that liver disease is fast becoming a public health problem for India. In 2015, acute and chronic liver diseases accounted for 2 million deaths worldwide, 18 per cent of whom were from India. The burden of liver disease has consistently been increasing in the country since then. While hepatitis B vaccination is commonly given to children for immunisation, it is not popular among adults. “Every year, more than 115,000 people die in India due to hepatitis B related complications. About 4 crore people in the country are carriers of this virus but remain asymptomatic and unaware of the risk they pose to others,” Nandi said. “Unlike in the West where main causes of transmission of hepatitis B virus include infected needles and sexual contact, in India, the spread is due to horizontal transmission by staying in proximity with an infected individual, like a family member who is asymptomatic,” he noted.
gathered from at least 12 states. Jon Wakefield, a professor of statistics and biostatistics at the University of Washington who played a key role in building the model used for the estimates, said an initial presentation of the WHO global data was ready in December. “But then India was unhappy with the estimates. So then we’ve subsequently done all sorts of sensitivity analyses, the paper’s actually a lot better because of this wait, because we’ve gone overboard in terms of model checks and doing as much as we possibly can given the data that’s available,” Wakefield said.
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EDITORIAL
From the editor's desk India, Australia in geo-
IndAus ECTA a reality now economic partnership
Bloomsberg
By Anil Wadhwa
M
ore than a decade ago — a dream — is now a reality. After several rounds of negotiations, and years of lull and deadlock, the IndAusEconomic Cooperation and Tarde Agreement (ECTA) has been inked in April 2022 by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food, and Public Distribution and Textiles Piyush Goyal and Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, in the presence of the two prime ministers. The Peter Varghese and Anil Wadhwa reports had recommended that for deepening of the business and trade relationship the signing of ECTA was indispensable, which has now finally happened with the signing of this interim agreement. Minister Piyush Goyalsays that “India’s opening up of engagement and activities with Australia is a great morale booster for the entire world, especially during the pandemic,” and ECTA will have both bilateral and international economic benefits from both sides. “India can provide a core pathway for linking supply chains and provide trusted and reliable suppliers to the world”, he said. Simon Birmingham, former Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment had also advised Australia to look into alternative markets in the European Union and India. The ECTA is expected to raise the $24 billion current bilateral trade to $45 billion by 2035 and elevate India into top three trading partners of Australia. It will alter the bilateral business and trade arrangements completely by doing away with full and partial tariffs on 85% of the Australian exports and on almost all of the Indian exports to Australia, across various timeline. Major Australian exports include wool, coal, sheep meat, alumina, metallic ores such as manganese, copper, zirconium, titanium dioxide and certain non-ferrous metals. India will also import duty free barley, oats, hides and skins, and LNG. Since ECTA will enable cheaper energy raw material for India, it will make the Indian companies globally more competitive. Australia will benefit from immediate access to a duty-free quota for cotton and instant 50 per cent tariff reduction in quotas on lentils, almonds, oranges,
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mandarins and pears. What is very timely for the Modi government is that it will provide the much need respite by creating over one million jobs in the next 4 four years in the labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather and pharmaceuticals. ECTA will boost the Australian service sector in higher education and adult education, business services (tax, medical and dental, architectural and urban planning), research and development, communication, construction and engineering, insurance, banking, hospital, audiovisual and tourism and travel. It will also enhance mobility outcomes and promote people-to-people links, support trade and business and contribute to cultural exchange between the two sides. ECTA also mandates establishing a Professional Services Working Group to facilitate the mutual recognition of qualifications, licensing and registration procedures between professional services bodies. That double taxation will be removed on Indian IT firms is a good news given that India is a major global leader in the sector and has increased its investments in Australia. Both sides have shown pragmatism and kept contentious issues such as agriculture and dairy out of the ambit of ECTA due to domestic political sensitivities. Australia and India have resolved to ensure transparency in the application of any non-tariff measures and eradicate all unnecessary obstacles to trade. For this a Committee will be established to accelerate tariff elimination and address nontariff barriers to trade.
The current trend of geoeconomics favours enhancement of investment and trade relationships with reliable partners. The Comprehensive Strategic partnership between India and Australia announced in June 2020 along with agreements on providing mutual logistics access and enhancing defence and security cooperation provided a spur to their ties. Their partnership in the Quad and participation in Malabar exercises have reinforced their shared security outlook. The Australian, Indian and Japanese Trade and Commerce ministers have announced broad contours of a Resilient Supply Chains initiative. The recent Indian reforms in the mining, banking, MSME, agriculture, power, defence, space, electronics and textile sectors have been far reaching. Incentives have been announced in a slew of sectors under a Production Linked Incentive scheme to boost manufacturing. New funding has been announced for the healthcare sector. Corporate tax rate has been brought down, retrospective taxation abolished, and India today is focusing on simplifying the difficulties faced in land acquisition, labour laws reform, and liquidity in order to attract new investments. An India Economic Strategy to 2035 Report, launched by Australia in November 2018, and a reciprocal Australia Economic Strategy Report released in 2020 by India have both laid down the roadmap for the future. The Australian government’s update to the 2018 report was released on March 22 — it has responded to the rapidly changing global developments, the need to ensure safe and secure supply chains, and the ongoing Indian reforms and developments in the country. Australia also announced initiatives to address the bilateral investment cooperation in emerging sectors such as critical minerals, clean energy, cyber and critical technologies and space
as well as the priority sectors of infrastructure, education, tourism, agribusiness and energy. Ideal strategic partner India has emerged as an ideal strategic partner for Australia as it strives to overcome the challenges of rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development, resources like clean water, digital connectivity and health amenities for its growing and aspirational population. There are excellent prospects for collaboration between India and Australia in some critical areas like science, vaccines, pandemic management, space and defence, critical minerals and related technologies, water resources, training and education, the circular economy, wasteto-wealth processes, grains management and logistics, and cyber technologies. India needs Australian commodities like lithium, cobalt, vanadium, rare earths, coal and LNG for its development needs, as well as technology to solve problems in areas such as financial inclusion, healthcare, and education, jointly with Australia. Australia has reserves of 21 of the 49 minerals identified as critical for India’s future strategy, especially the e-mobility programme. The New Education Policy in India has opened up possibilities for further collaborations with Australian universities. New possibilities for collaboration have opened up in the defence and space sectors. India has a large technology resource pool which is complementary to Australian requirements. Australian super funds and infrastructure companies are presented with increasing opportunities in the infrastructure and toll roads sector. Investments are already driving the trade relationship between India and Australia — roughly $20 billion has been invested by them into each other’s economies. Bilateral trade this year is poised to cross $27 billion.
However, liberalisation of trade and services, and steps towards ease of doing business will add immensely to this momentum. Goods, services, rules of origin, sanitary and phyto sanitary measures, customs procedures, and legal and institutional issues including dispute settlement, have been included in the agreement. Over 95 per cent of India goods will get zero duty access on day one of the pact coming into force, with the rest set for phased concessions. About 70 per cent of Australian goods will get concessional duty access from the first day. India will gain from duty-free access for a host of labourintensive sectors like textiles, gems, and jewelry, leather and footwear and from a liberalised visa regime allowing easier movement of the professionals. Sensitive sectors like dairy, sunflower oil, wheat, rice, walnuts, medical devices, beef, etc., have been kept out of the agreement, while Australian wines will see reduced duty from 150 per cent to 25 per cent over a period of 10 years in two categories, thus taking care of the Indian domestic wine industry. Australian coal, which attracts 2.5 per cent duty, will also enjoy duty-free access. Liberalisation of the services sector in 100 different subsectors will encourage the flow of professionals. Corporates will now look at the opportunities provided by this agreement with renewed interest. (The writer is a former Secretary (East) in the MEA. Currently, he is a Distinguished Fellow with the Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi. This article was first published on Business Line, The Hindu on 5 April 2022)
Minister Piyush Goyal and Dan Tehan sum up the current mood quite aptly saying, “It is a relationship that is growing stronger. Our nations share common values and goals, for a peaceful, secure Indo-Pacific”. While elevating their bilateral engagements both sides have also not ignored their strategic bearings also kept an eye on their strategic interests in the IndoPacific. It is heartening that the bilateral interests have also got intertwined with their strategic interest and both cannot be seen in isolation. Happy days ahead!
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Imran Khan is the new Nazi of Asia the supreme decision making body. But the military was not willing to give in.
By Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza Imran Khan represents a peculiar phase in politics that emerges during periods of economic contradictions between the ruling elite and the wider population and which cannot be resolved through democratic and peaceful means. Pakistan is suffering from a dense political chaos that has stemmed from a debt dependent economy. The rift between the military and the civil government of Nawaz Sharif led to the ultimate demise of the latter. The question was who will be in charge of running the economy of Pakistan. When it came to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), former Prime minister Nawaz Sharif wanted Parliament to be
Imran Khan was launched by the military establishment to defame the two party system that according to Khan found the two parties in question taking turns to come into power to plunder the country. Khan was also fed the narrative of an imaginary Riyasat-e-Madina which to me is a utopian idea and was applied to Pakistani polity by Khan as a deadly political weapon. The military engineered Imran Khan’s ascent to power hence he was named the ‘selected’ prime minister by the opposition. The first task that Khan was given by the Pakistani military establishment was to trod across the globe begging for money. Khan did his best. However, an economy that solely depends on loans and borrowed money cannot erect a sustainable economic foundation. Therefore, with the passage of months and years, Pakistan’s current deficit, trade deficit as well as foreign debt continued to rise. A civil section of the Pakistan’s
ruling elite under the leadership of former President Asif Ali Zardari, former Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Jameet e Ullema Islam leader Maulana Fazal ur Rahman formed Pakistan Democratic Movement or PDM. Dozens of public rallies were held that pulled crowds in millions. Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif made fiery speeches accusing the military generals of conspiracies against elected civilian governments of the past.
Slogans such as ‘ye jo dehshat gardi hai, is kay pechay wardi hai’, became the anthem of the PDM rallies. The military generals were now clearly on the back foot. The economy that Khan was supposed to turn around slipped further into a downward spiral bringing Pakistan’s GDP into the negative.
Khan into power, was now trying to out maneuver the army Chief. The visit General Hamid made to Kabul in August 2021 to meet the Taliban and help them to come to a consensus to form a new government in Afghanistan was seen as a direct challenge to Bajwa’s authority. Then on October 6 last year the rift between Imran Khan and General Bajwa over the transfer of Lt. General Hamid as Corps commander Peshawar and appointment of a new DG ISI turned into a bitter conflict of interests.
General Bajwa and Khan became suspicious of each other as Bajwa realised that Khan was not only unable to deliver but on the contrary had thrown the country to the dogs.
Meanwhile, General Bajwa managed to elevate Shahbaz Sharif to replace Maryam Nawaz as the leader of the PDM. Sharif banned anti-army slogans to be raised at PDM rallies. Now it became clear that General Bajwa was backing the opposition against Khan. The man in Peshawar, the Khan loyal former DG ISI, was pulling strings from the Peshawar Corps headquarters to weaken the opposition.
The DG ISI at the time Lt. General Faiz Hamid, who is accused of the political engineering that brought
This led to a split in the military that was never heard of in the past. Such hybrid war in an
institution like the Pakistan army has seriously undermined the fighting spirit of the soldiers and lower ranking officers. It is in this backdrop that Khan decided to sabotage the whole democratic process and consolidate his grip on power. He devised a plan. On February 24, just one day before Russia attacked Ukraine, Khan landed at Moscow airport to meet president Putin. Khan knew that at a time when the western democracies were opposing Russia and NATO was being mobilised, Khan’s visit would be criticised by the west. (Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza is an author and a human rights activist from Mirpur in PoJK. He currently lives in exile in the UK. The views expressed are personal)
‘Moditva’: Hard work pays, more so in war-time diplomacy New Delhi, March 30 (IANS): India is the only country among the Quad which has not condemned Russia. But the geo-political standing is such that none can easily condemn India in media or in public. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says - “all countries have different levels of engagement with Russia, other countries in our own region, and so I am respectful of that”. The US had called India ‘shaky’ but soon it tried a damage control and described India as an ‘essential partner’. US State Department spokesman Ned Price has said: “....we have invested in that relationship (with India) in terms of our defence and security. So historical relationships notwithstanding, we are a partner of choice for India now, as are many of our partners and allies around the world”. Is this New India? Till date, Narendra Modi was known as a shrewd politician, who knew how to handle facts, campaigning and elections. But one month of war at the global stage after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there may be many admirers of his who would hail Narendra Damodardas Modi’s skills as a smart and crafty diplomatic operative. Needless to say, he has been well advised by the suave External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, a former career diplomat, and NSA Ajit Doval, a former intelligence wing chief and a spy. Foreign Secretary Harsh V
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Shringla is a dutiful lieutenant who was even deputed for a crucial engagement at the UNSC. History is rightly described as the most accommodating affair. Its pages are full of mortal men and women anointed with immortality. These spaces are not always given as accolades. Our good old journalism describes these characters better newsmakers. Modi was a ‘newsmaker’ in 2002, he became a ‘newsmaker’ in 2014 and even in 2022 - perhaps he is a ‘newsmaker’. Well, he is at least among the best of newsmakers. To be Prime Minister of India - that is the ship captain of the foreign policy engine room during a war between US and Russia - is no joke. Rather it is a thankless job. But even the worst critic of Modi and his government would admit privately perhaps that much to its credit India has attained a ‘unique and quite an unprecedented diplomatic platform’ for itself. The usual Modi-bashing even in relation to surgical strikes etc against Pakistan is missing. The obsession of a section of stakeholders to find fault with Narendra Modi and his government for everything has stopped. In the process, both Russia and the US and its allies appreciate India’s balancing tightrope walk. All these have been achieved so far without really displeasing either side. Ukraine may be complaining, but a tiny nation which was almost turned into a
pawn can always wait for another day to get sympathy. Between them, Prime Minister Modi and his handpicked diplomat-turned-EAM Jaishankar, they have shared at least 25 high profile international tele calls with global leaders and astute foreign ministers like the mercurial Sergei Lavrov from Russia or even the occasional “trouble-maker” Wang Yi. In fact, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi made an unscheduled visit to Delhi within 48 hours of his statement on Kashmir at an ‘Islamic stage’ in Islamabad. Dr Jaishankar has had half a dozen meetings with counterparts visiting New Delhi and Prime Minister Modi has had at least two major meetings with world leaders, including the Quad, besides numerous tele calls. If all these were not enough, top ministers and leaders from the UK, Nepal, Germany, European Union and some eastern European countries would be visiting New Delhi sooner than later. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will visit Delhi on March 31. So far a tendency has been pushed and promoted that the US and its western allies will decide for the world, what is right. Modi has stalled that theory. The west pushed the line that they are for ‘Globalisation’ that unites people and economic interests together. Nationalism on the other hand was rustic and backward. It connotes religious fanaticism and ethnic chauvinism. The Americans even pursued
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their holier than thou policy that from attack on Iraq, Afghanistan and NATO expansion,it was all unilateral. In the process, western nations and analysts preferred to explain the world’s most complex issue onto a binary choice.
of dialogue and diplomacy” and the global order being anchored on international law.
China thus could be a friend or a foe. India has to decide between guns from Russia or ‘friendship’ with the US and something else.
Dr Jaishankar said these principles further included the call for humanitarian access in a complex situation, and being in touch with the leadership of both Russia and Ukraine.
India’s neo-neutral and equi distance stance vis-a-vis RussiaUkraine conflict has irked the US and as much it has exposed the hollowness in ‘western smartness’. It may not be wrong to suggest that during the last one month, India has made the world realise that in the contemporary setting, simple binary choices of ‘black and white’ actually fail to come to grips with realities that are more complex. Dr Jaishankar and his team have made it possible to appreciate globally that despite not approving NATO expansion, Delhi did not back the Russian line that Moscow faces existential threats. India abstained from UNSC and UNGA voting and made it clear that Kremlin’s concerns ought to be understood and addressed. It has made a big difference globally and many global players hitherto underestimating New Delhi’s position have started showing a ‘new variety of respect’. Referring to the six principles on which India’s position on the situation in Ukraine is based, Dr Jaishankar said in Rajya Sabha that these include “immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities”, “a return to the path
He said the UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states are also vital.
PM Modi has spoken to Ukraine President Vlodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin thrice since the war began. The RIC axis is making sense to Putin also and between China and India, of course Americans have more faith in democratic India - paradoxically today denoted by someone whom Washington denied visa in 2005. Well, if they got shocked, the US policies and Americans’ superiority complex too are responsible. It is time Americans understood that it is not only Modi’s foreign policy that has changed the game for New Delhi. For some reasons it has always come as a surprise to Americans - according to Paul Bracken -that people who prefer Kentucky Fried Chicken and love MTV would not share American perception of war and perhaps even the ‘western values’ on a different plane. (Nirendra Dev is a New Delhibased journalist and author of ‘The Talking Guns: North East India’ and ‘Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth’. The views are personal)
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INDIA NEWS
MAKE IN INDIA
MAKE IN INDIA
As world economies restart their engines in a bid to regain lost ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India too shows signs of economic buoyancy and promise. India’s Make in India initiative holds a key to the global economic revival, something that should interest Australian government ministries, corporate sector, entrepreneurs, institutions seeking R&D collaborations and Australia Inc in general, among others. India assumes greater importance as several major world economies including American, Japanese, German, British and South Korean look to move out and diversify their businesses from China. India has jumped to 63rd rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Development 2020 report, and has also been ranked as the 9th largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment destinations in 2019 by the World Investment Report 2020 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
India-Australia ECTA: A deal of partnership Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, India and Mr. Dan Tehan, Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment, Government of Australia, agreed to sign the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, “IndAus ECTA” on April 2nd, 2022. The “IndAus ECTA”, which covers both goods and services trade, is a balanced and equitable trade agreement to strengthen the two countries’ already close strategic ties by significantly increasing bilateral trade in goods and services, creating new job opportunities, raising living standards, and improving the general welfare of their people.
India’s export touches record $418 bn in 2021-22, says Piyush Goyal Indian economy is also ready to break all records and the country Invest Guru India
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS): India’s exports touched a record high of $418 billion in 2021-22, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on April 3. “In March, India’s exports touched around $40 billion which is itself a record as we have never bagged such a huge amount from exports in a month ever before,” he added.
has the capability to achieve impossible targets. “The growth has occurred in sectors that have smaller enterprises and involve the agriculture sector. I congratulate the farmers for raising the agricultural produce. Wheat exports have grown from 2 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 21.55 lakh tonnes last year and to over 70 lakh tonnes in 2021-22,” the Commerce Minister said. Similar growth has been recorded in jute products, textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and other labour intensive sectors. “We will continue to work hard to enhance the capacity of MSMEs and the farm sector to raise exports and create jobs,” he added.
Addressing a media briefing here, Goyal said that during 2021-22, $30 billion export was recorded on a monthly basis, and this was despite the second and third wave of Coronavirus pandemic hitting the country hard. The engineering goods’ exports hit a record $111 billion, of which about $16 billion worth goods were shipped to the U.S. alone. “Our MSME sector, farmers, everybody together took India to new heights successfully,” Goyal said. Mentioning about ‘RRR’ film, the Union Minister said it has been learnt that the film has done the highest-ever business of Rs 750 crore in the history of Indian cinema. Goyal said that similarly, the
According to the terms of the agreement, India and Australia have already completed an early harvest deal, which aims to reduce tariffs on some items traded between the two nations or trading blocs before a comprehensive free-trade agreement is reached.
India’s aims to become world’s largest startup destination: Minister New Delhi, March 28 (IANS): India aspires to become the largest startup ecosystem in the world, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.
Addressing a session on “Gateway to Growth - Roundtable on Indian Startup Ecosystem” in Abu Dhabi, he said: “Today we are the third largest startup ecosystem, but our aspiration is to be the world’s number one startup destination,” as per an official statement. “The startup bug has caught India’s imagination. The entire innovation ecosystem that the
startup industry represents is giving a new direction, new momentum to India,” he said, as per the Commerce and Industry Ministry statement. “I have seen tremendous response from the Dubai Expo where our startups have got the opportunity to raise finances, sign MoUs and get angel investments. All these aspects will help strengthen India’s strong bond of friendship with the UAE.” The Minister also said that startups need to experiment, fail and learn from their experiences.
“I can assure you that we will take this partnership to newer heights in the areas of sustainability, aerospace, space technology, connectivity, AI, data analytics, 5G, Metaverse, etc. We look forward to leveraging each other’s offerings and expertise,” he said. In addition, Goyal said that the UAE-India partnership is destined to play an important role in the global economy and in ensuring a better future for billions of people around the world. “This will be a defining partnership for the 21st century.”
India’s agricultural exports grew by 19.92% during 2021-22 The agriculture sector in India has experienced buoyant growth in the past two years. The sector, which is the largest employer of workforce within the country, accounted for a sizeable 18.8% (2021- 22) in Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country registering a growth of 3.6% in 2020-21 and 3.9% in 2021-22. India’s agri exports crossed USD50 billion for the year 2021-22. As per Fourth Advance Estimates for 2020-21, total food grain production in the country is estimated at a record 308.65 MT. The production of rice, wheat and coarse cereals has increased at compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of 2.7, 2.9 and 4.8% respectively during the last six years i.e. 2015-16 to 2020-21. The
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CAGR for pulses, oilseeds and cotton has been 7.9, 6.1 and 2.8%, respectively during the same period. Cereals accounted for over 49% of the total products with $10,000 mn while fresh fruit and vegetables accounted for 6% with $1342 mn in 2020-21. India is one of the major oilseeds growing countries. The oilseed production in India has steadily increased since 2016-17. The oilseed production in India has grown by almost 43% from 2015-16 to 2020-21. India is projected to maintain a high per capita vegetable oil consumption growth of 2.6% per annum reaching 14 kg/capita by 2030 necessitating a high import growth of 3.4% per annum. Sugar and sugarcane industry in
India is the second largest Agrobased industry, in the country only next to cotton. About 70 LMT of sugar has been exported in sugar season 2020- 21 in comparison to 59.60 LMT of sugar export in sugar season 2019-20. Further, contracts of about 30 LMT for export of sugar have already been signed in the sugar season 2021-22. The Indian tractor industry is the largest in the world accounting for one-third of the total global production. The farm equipment market in India was estimated at $8.8 bn in 2017 and it is expected to reach $12.5 bn by 2022. The tractor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% by 2022. Source: Invest India, Government of India
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Under the agreement, Canberra will provide tax-exempt access to India for about 96.4 per cent (in value) of exports from day one. This is true for many products that currently have a 45 per cent obligation in Australia. India, on the other hand, provides duty-free access to more than 85 per cent of Australia’s tariff lines, covering metal ores such as alumina, manganese, copper and nickel, titanium and zirconium. India has also agreed to reduce tariffs on Australian wines, as tariffs on shipments with a minimum import price of $5 per bottle will be reduced from 150 per cent to 100 percent, and tariffs on $15 bottles will be reduced to 75 per cent. As part of the transaction, Australia has also agreed to solve the double taxation problem faced by domestic IT companies in this market as well. In addition, Australian regulatory agencies have agreed to use inspection reports and approvals from Canada and the EU in the evaluation process for Indian medicines and manufacturing sites, and this agreement will result in the Australian regulatory agency in India, and allows for faster approval of medicines. ECTA can also grant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Indian graduates a long-term graduate work visa. In the sphere of vital minerals, the two countries will sign a
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable India to gain access to metallic coal and lithium in Australia. Australia is also reported to announce a Rs 1,500 crore investment in India across different industries, which will be the Australian government’s largest-ever investment in India. This will be followed by a visit to Australia by India’s Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi. The deal also offers a tariff concession on Australian imports, but India has succeeded in protecting its dairy sector from tariff cuts. Some items are in the exclusion category and no preferential tariffs are levied on imports from Australia. These products include milk and dairy products, chick beans, walnuts, pistachios, wheat, rice, vajra, apples, sunflower seed oil, sugar, oil cake, gold, silver, platinum, jewelry, iron ore, and most medical equipment. The agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade in goods and services from approximately $27 billion to $4.55 billion over five years, creating more than one million jobs in India, according to a government statement. As Australia’s exports to India become more focused on commodities and intermediates, many industries in India will receive competitive and cheap commodities, especially in sectors such as steel, aluminum and textile/apparel. In addition, ECTA provides tax exemption access to India, so it enjoys more market access, which would enhance India’s export momentum. Relaxation of the regulatory process in the pharmaceutical sector will give India access to Australia’s attractive $12 billion sector. This agreement emphasizes how important bilateral connections are to both countries, as well as their close cooperation on regional and global challenges. The early harvest agreement would help to strengthen the countries’ trade and investment connections while also opening up new economic prospects to support mutual economic recovery and prosperity. Strengthened collaboration in defence and security, research and technology, vital minerals, and sustainable energy is at the heart of these efforts. Ultimately, it also emphasizes that the two countries’ strong bilateral relationship is built on a common goal of an open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
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IPL 2022: Rohit becomes 2nd Indian after Kohli to score 10,000 T20 runs dismissed off the very next ball and finished his innings with 28 off 17.
SPORTS
IBC to organise a six-team league for pro boxers in August 2022
Former India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli had become the first Indian to reach 10,000 T20 runs during the 2021 IPL. He was the fifth player to reach that mark and Australia captain Aaron Finch was the next player to get there before Rohit. West Indies great Chris Gayle is at the top of the run-chart in T20 cricket, with a whopping 14,562 runs in 463 games. Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (11,698), West Indies captain Kieron Pollard (11,474), Finch (10,499), Kohli (10,379) and David Warner (10,373) make up the list of players above Rohit. Pune, April 13 (IANS) Adding another feather to his cap, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday became the second Indian and overall seventh batter to cross the 10,000-run mark in men’s T20 cricket. The 34-year old Sharma achieved the landmark during Mumbai
Indians’ 5th match of IPL 2022 against Punjab Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, here. Rohit was just 25 runs away when he started his innings on Wednesday he raced past that mark in just 16 balls with a big six off fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. However, the stylish batter ended up getting
Notably, Rohit is also the third highest run scorer of all time in the IPL with 5719 runs in 213 innings. Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 70 on Wednesday to take his career tally to 5891 runs in 196 innings, is at the second spot. Kohli is the all time highest run scorer in the IPL with 6390 runs in 204 runs.
Indian batter Pujara, Pakistan’s Rizwan make Sussex debut together call upon the two new overseas players who recently joined up with the team this week. “I am extremely excited to be able to bring in players of Rizwan and Pujara’s quality into the side. Not only are they absolute world-class cricketers that will boost our performances on the pitch, but to have them around the boys and in the dressing room can only be a positive,” he said in a statement.
London, April 14 (IANS) India’s Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara and Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan made their Sussex debut for the game against Derbyshire in the County Championships on Thursday.
Looking ahead to the match itself, Salisbury is looking to see further improvement from the squad, “There was plenty for me to be happy about with our performance against Notts, but also there are areas in which we can improve. I am looking forward to the challenge and hope to see even more progression from the boys.”
artwork, players’ profiles and key moments of Indian professional boxing, the release said.
Shedding more light on the much-awaited league, Akshar Madhavaram, CEO, TIAR, said: “We will invite people to invest in NFTs through TIAR. Once you invest in the NFTs, you will be eligible to The league called Hell’s Bay Fight jointly own the team. There will League (HFL) will run on a unique be six teams, with 1,500 people concept of peoples’ ownership each for one team, there will be and run by IBC in association with a total of 9000 boxing and NFT TIAR. “Though it will be managed enthusiasts, who will manage their and governed by TIAR and IBC, respective teams. This has never each team in the league will be happened anywhere in the world jointly owned and collectively before,” Madhavaram said. managed by 1500 people, who Each team owner will get access to invest in the league. Shares of the the voting platform of the league, six franchises to people will be which will allow them to select sold to all those who will invest in the players for their team from the NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) the pool of boxers, manage their through TIAR, which is a web3 training as well as decide on the startup based in India which fight card. On the other hand, aims to bring innovation to the all boxers registered under IBC, art, sports and entertainment which is the governing body for industry in India through professional boxing in India, will blockchain,” the IBC said in a be eligible to be part of the boxers’ release here on Thursday, calling pool. the ownership pattern as a “first“It is a big step, and a unique of-its-kind” for Indian sports. A one, towards our aim of taking Non-Fungible Token (NFT) is a Professional Boxing to the doors non-interchangeable unit of data of every Indian household. With stored on a blockchain, a form of this league, pro boxing lovers will digital ledger, that can be sold and not only get a tournament to watch traded. Types of NFT data units but will also get to own a team. We may be associated with digital will announce details like the total files such as photos, videos, and number of players in the league, audio. In January, TIAR and IBC the number of fights and the venue had announced the launch of soon,” said Brigadier PKM Raja their NFTs, which would include (Retd), President, IBC.
With plenty of positives to build on from the opening defeat to Nottinghamshire, head coach Ian Salisbury has included both Rizwan Pujara has been a regular feature in England’s first-class cricket, and Pujara in the matchday squad but the Pakistan wicketkeeper against Derbyshire. is making his County debut on Salisbury is delighted to be able to Thursday.
IPL 2022: Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by 12 runs
Reykjavik (Iceland), April 14 (IANS) Young Indian Grandmaster (GM) Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa added to his growing stature as World's top upcoming chess star by winning the Reykjavik Open chess tournament with a victory against compatriot D Gukesh in the final round. Pragganandhaa, Pragg as he is fondly called, finished the 7.5 points from nine rounds, finishing half-point ahead of four players -- Max Warmerdam of the Netherlands, Mads Andersen
Pune, April 13 (IANS) Punjab Kings produced a clinical all-round performance to beat Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in an IPL 2022 match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, here on Wednesday. It was the fifthsuccessive loss for the five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2022 season. Invited to bat first, brilliant fifties by Shikhar Dhawan (70 off 50) and Mayank Agarwal (52 off 32) powered Punjab Kings to 198/5
India’s 16-year-old Praggnanandhaa wins Reykjavik Open chess tournament
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Pune, April 14 (IANS) The Indian Boxing Council on Thursday announced the setting up of a six-team league for professional boxers which will be held outside of India in August 2022, will be broadcast on a pay-per-view platform and offer a big purse to the contestants in every fight.
of Denmark, Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson of Sweden and American Abhimanyu Mishra, the world's youngest GM, all of whom finished with 7.0 points. Pragg had a few months back caused a sensation when he defeated World No 1 and reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen in a rapid game. On Tuesday, the 16-year-old topped the field comprising 245 players -- most of them youngsters like him.
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in 20 overs. Apart from Shikhar and Mayank's superb hitting at the top, Jitesh Sharma (30 off 15) and Shahrukh Khan (15 not out off 6) gave late flourish to Punjab's innings at lower down the order. Basil Thampi (2/47), Jasprit Bumrah (1/28), Murugan Ashwin (1/34), Jaydev Unadkat (1/44) were the wicket-takers for Mumbai Indians.In reply, the likes of Dewald Brevis (49 off 25), Suryakumar Yadav (43 off 30) and Tilak Varma (36 off 20) tried hard but it wasn't enough as Mumbai Indians were restricted to 186-9 in 20 overs, losing by 12 runs. Odean Smith (4/30), was the most successful bowler for Punjab while Kagiso Rabada (2/29) and Vaibhav Arora (1/43) also chipped in with crucial wickets.
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SPORTS
12 teams confirmed to get automatic Ashwin gets ‘retired out’, opens qualification for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 debate on the tactical move regional qualification process. Africa, Asia and Europe each will hitherto unknown in IPL have two spots open, while the IANS
Americas and East Asia Pacific (EAP) will have one each.
For the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, eight countries will book berths to the showpiece event automatically, including the top three teams from each group of the 2023 event besides the host (if not in the six) and the next highest-ranked team(s) on the ICC Women’s T20 rankings table at a pre-determined date. The remaining two teams will be determined through the Women’s T20 World Cup global qualifier.
Dubai, April 11 (IANS) The International Cricket Council Board has announced the qualification route to both the Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024, with 12 teams confirmed to get automatic qualification in the men’s tournament, to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States. The ICC also confirmed South Africa as the host of the inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. The top eight teams from the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia along
with hosts West Indies and the US, and the next highest-ranked teams on the ICC Men’s T20 rankings table as on November 14, 2022 will get automatic qualification for the 2024 men’s tournament. If the West Indies finish among the top eight in Australia later this year, three teams will progress based on rankings. If the Caribbean side finishes outside the top eight, only two teams will qualify from the rankings table. Since the tournament will feature 20 teams, the remaining eight spots will be decided through a
The eight-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025 will see the five highest-placed teams at the end of the 2022-25 ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) qualify automatically alongside the host which is yet to be confirmed. The remaining two teams will be identified through a global qualifying event between the four bottom-placed teams in the IWC, besides an additional two teams from the ODI rankings. The inaugural ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 will be staged in January next year as a 16-team event. The 41-match event will be hosted by South Africa, who were also the inaugural hosts of the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007.
ICC foresees Ashwin’s tactic to become a regular fixture in 20-over cricket Ashwin or not, but after pushing Avesh Khan to cover for a single, he kept running after completing the run and stopped only after reaching the dressing room. The fact that Riyan Parag walked out to bat straightaway means the team was expecting such a move from Ashwin. Ashwin’s batting partner at that time, Shimron Hetmyer struck Khan for sixes of successive deliveries and Parag too struck a big six before getting out, going for another big one off the penultimate delivery of the match to boost RR’s score to 165 for six. The winners of the inaugural IPL edition then restricted LSG to 162/8 for a narrow three-run win.
Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Rajasthan Royals’ director of cricket and head coach, Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, is mighty pleased with Ravichandran Ashwin’s “sacrifice” for the team’s cause, after the cricketer retired himself out in the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday to allow a better finisher to come in and tonk the ball a few times to boost their score. Whether it had been planned by
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Royals coach Sangakkara praised Ashwin, saying, “Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well, and we had discussed it just before that, as to what we would do. I thought the way Ashwin handled that situation, walking in (in the 10th over) under pressure, the way he batted to support the team. And then finally, (he) sacrificed himself in terms of being retired out, (which) was just magnificent,” said Sangakkara. “And then he went out in the field and backed it up with an excellent, excellent bowling effort,” he added. The successful tactic used by
the Royals in the IPL in Sunday’s game at Wankhede has won praise and could become a regular fixture in 20-over cricket prior to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later this year, felt ICC on Monday. The law states that retired batters can only resume their innings later in the innings due to injury or illness, unless there is consent from the opposing captain. Law 25.4.3 states, in part: “If a batter retires for any reason other than (injury or illness) ... the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his/ her innings is not resumed, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired - out’.” Commentators across the world also praised the move, with many believing it will become a regular occurrence in 20-over cricket by the time the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup commences in Australia in October-November. The tactic was also successfully used by the Sydney Sixers during the final of Australia’s Big Bash League earlier this year. On that occasion the Sixers decided to retire injured batter Jordan Silk with two runs required from the final delivery as Jay Lenton came to the crease to help scramble the winning runs.
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Mumbai, April 10 (IANS) R Ashwin is always ready to explore the rules of the game to their full extent. The India spinner on Sunday used a new mode of legal dismissal, getting ‘retired out’ in Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2022 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday. He became the first batter to get ‘retired out’ in IPL history. Ashwin, who has been famous for running out the non-striker for backing too far -- a previous mode of dismissal called ‘Mankading’ -- added the term ‘retired out’ to the cricket lexicon, using the rules that allow a batter to end his innings on his own without the intervention of the opposition bowlers. It was a well-thought-out tactical move by Rajasthan Royals that a batter will walk off the ground in the penultimate over so that a better finisher can come in and tonk the ball a few times to boost their score. Whether it was a plan for this match and it was agreed to was not clear but Ashwin, after pushing Avesh Khan to cover for a single, kept running after completing the run and stopped only after reaching the dressing room. The fact that Riyan Parag walked out to bat straight away means the team was expecting such a move by Ashwin. His batting partner at that time, Shimron Hetmyer struck Khan for sixes of successive deliveries and Parag too struck a big six before getting out, going for another big one off the penultimate delivery of the match. Hetmyer said he had no idea that Ashwin would take strategic retirement in the match. “I had
no idea about this, it was a really good decision that came off well.” Former West Indies great Ian Bishop called it a “fascinating T20 tactic”, ex-England captain Michael Vaughan loved it, and former Australia woman cricketer Lisa Sthalekar said it makes good sense to get out in such a manner. “Ashwin retired out is fascinating T20 tactics. T20 is causing us to rethink the way we conceive the game of the 21st century,” Bishop tweeted. Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted that he “loved it” while former Australian woman cricketer and commentator Lisa Sthalekar said the move “makes a lot of sense”. “Retired OUT….it was only a matter of time we saw it in the #IPL2022 Makes a lot of sense,” said Sthalekar. How much this move helped Rajasthan Royals is debatable as Parag could score only eight off four deliveries and Rajsthan Royals managed a modest 165/6 in 20 overs, recovering from 67/4 at one time. It looked like the Royals could have reached the same total even if Ashwin had not pulled off this stunt as it was Hetmyer who was on strike and Hammered sixes off successive balls to boost the score. Ashwin, who scored 28, could have done the same thing that Parag did, scoring eight off four as he had already blasted two sixes during his cameo. The all-rounder has highlighted a new tactical move to IPL teams as they can have a batter ‘retired out’ to send someone else to give the score a quick boost.
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Your spring beauty overhaul Let’s get ready for beautiful new beginnings
What is mobile radiation and how does it affect your skin? Lower down your screen timings. And don’t use your phone during bedtime
By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe March 31, 2022 (IANSlife) The sunshine is illuminating the earth and everywhere feels light, bright and whimsical again. KIKO MILANO Blossoming Beauty Collection celebrates that perfect moment when everything is coming to life and bursts of colour begin to appear.
product designed to hydrate and refresh Hydrating Face Cream SPF 20, Rs 1690: Apply directly to your under-eye areas for a moisturerich area. Finish with Hydrating Face Cream SPF 20, enriched with floral extracts and containing all UVB protection for skin that feels radiant and ready for the day ahead. 3-in-1 All Over Stick, Rs 1290: Create a perfect base with two products designed to deliver a look that feels effortlessly flawless. Pair 3-in-1 All Over Stick with Hydrating & Long Lasting Blurring effect Foundation combining a creamy, easy-toblend base with hydrating blurred effect.
Blooming Rose Body Shower Mousse, Rs 1090: As the season changes, it’s time for a skincare overhaul. Shed the heavy stuff and make way for lightweight, high impact products that bring out your inner beauty. Begin with an invigorating shower using Blooming Rose Body Shower Mousse, letting the soft rose floral aroma awaken your senses. Now it’s time to give your face your full attention. Secret Garden Face Toner Rs 1090: Begin with Secret Garden Face Toner, applying to your face, neck and décolleté for a refreshed feeling. Enriched with petals, it will have a hydrating and brightening effect that will help reveal a new complexion. Refreshing Eyes & Face Serum Rs 1450: Reach for Refreshing Eyes & Face Serum in an easy to apply format. Roll across your face to reveal the perfect dose of a
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BEAUTY
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
Multi-Finish Floral Blush, Rs 1890: Begin by dusting MultiFinish Floral Blush to the apples of your cheeks, letting the extreme colour release enhance the natural radiance of your complexion, then create the first hint of sun-kissed radiance with Romantic Shades of Face & Eyes Palette, Rs 2390: Romantic Shades of Face & Eyes Palette, places radiant, sheer colour in places that might catch the gentle springtime light. Blooming Perfecting Powder, Rs 1890: Finish by sealing the look with Blooming Perfecting Powder, dusting lightly across places that might feel shiny as the day wears on. The powder will glide on effortlessly bringing a glowy finish to your skin and making your look last longer. Tuck the powder away in your bag for touch-ups if you end up enjoying a day outside as the day goes on. Use the 4-in-1 brush as one side is designed for face powder products: face powder, blusher and highlighter.
3-in-1 Eyeshadow & Eyepencil, Rs 1250: Intensify the look a little further by bringing more pigment to your lash line and waterline with a 12 hour long-lasting 3-in-1 Eyeshadow & Eyepencil. Use the matte eyeliner and kajal end for definition. 3-in-1 Mascara, Rs 1490: Now you’ve doubled down on colour, pick up a mascara that truly does it all: 12 hours long-lasting 3-in-1 Mascara, which creates volume, curl and length effects. The dramatic impact of volume effect delivered from one end and effortless length effect and definition from the other is guaranteed to do the most. Long-lasting Matte Lipstick, Rs 1290: Select a springtime lip shade that will tell the world you’re ready to play again, whether that’s a vibrant pink or a rich, warm nude, and find a texture that you like to wear the most. For matte lip lovers, Longlasting Matte Lipstick creates 8 hours of creamy textured colour and a filler effect for your lips, making them defined. 4-in-1 brush, Rs 1950: Use Kiko
Milano’s magical 4-in-1 brush as one side is designed for face powder products: face powder, blusher and highlighter. And just like that, your springtime beauty overhaul is complete you’re in bloom!
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April 07, 2022 (IANSlife) Everything in the twenty-first century is easy-access; whether it’s the next show tickets or a place to crash for a weekend getaway. However, with the ease of information comes something even scarier, radiation! which we had no idea we were inadvertently ingesting. But somehow, we know that blue light can cause damage to our eyes and weaken our retinas, so imagine the amount of damage it can do to our skin. It can be really frightening! We are surrounded by electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers, and laptops that emit radiation. But do we know what radiation is exactly? and what kind of damage it does do to the skin? The cell phone you’re using right now, or the laptop you’re reading this article from, all have one thing in common, antennas. The antennas are chipped in to make a connection with the signal tower. These antennas as a form of connection emit radiation that harms our skin with time. We all know, as informative as the digital world can be but there are times when it can be overwhelming us with misleading information. Namrata Bajaj, Cofounder, of Tatsa - Skincare made Simple helps us deep dive into the harms of radiation to our skin and how to protect it. Skin discolouration: All electronic devices have one thing in common, and that is the harmful radiation effect on the skin. Skin damage is a major phenomenon nowadays, radiation penetrating the skin causes itchiness, and dryness leading to skin discolouration by turning red or dark. Premature ageing: Given our current lifestyle of being around electronic devices all the time, our skin cycle is heading in the wrong direction. Radiations emitted from devices or the sun create tanning beds on our skin. Overexposure to UV rays harms the inner layer of tissues by making them lose their elasticity. Hence radiation leads us to premature ageing and such side effects. The breakouts: When our skin dislikes the environment around
us, it showcases the same in different ways. Breakouts are one of the common problems noticed due to the environment. The skin loses its guards or becomes more sensitive, which eventually manifests itself in the form of breakouts. Skin pigmentation: Considering all of the skin damage caused by radiation and blue lights, skin pigmentation is one of the worst and possibly the most irritating skin conditions one adopts via radiation. As much as we want to avoid it, there is no escape, skin pigmentation is a condition where skin adopts darkening spots around the area. Skin sensitivity: As we age, skin sensitivity is one of the most significant factors that directly affect our skin and cause permanent damage to it, whether we get redness easily or dry skin all over it. Skin sensitivity weakens the strength of your skin, the more sensitive the skin, the less likely the skin is to fight against the harmful particles of the air. This is where the radiation enters the picture by weakening the skin to the point where it can no longer bear anything. Dark circles: Imagine the entire face is flawless and the red bags around the eyes sit rent-free! If you ask us, it’s time to act upon the skin damage. No amount of good skin can cover the weightage of the heavy dark circles. Namrata also suggests solution to protect our skin from radiation: •
Allow your skin to absorb more than just radiation by getting out in the fresh air and allowing it to heal in nature.
•
There is nothing like drinking too much water; the more you drink, the more your skin will thank you. So, drink water and shield yourself from radiation with water.
•
Wash your face on a regular basis, and make sure your eyes are getting enough water so the harmful radiation is washed away with each splash.
•
Use a radiation protection face cream as your daily moisturiser to protect you from all types of radiation.
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INDIA NEWS
FASHION
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
TV stars taking over Instagram with their fashion sense
Pin your favourite summer style
We cannot ignore television stars who are well-liked by audiences for It’s time to break out the bright colours, bold their acting ability and fashion sense patterns and strappy sandals
By IANSlife By Olivia Sarkar
Hina Khan (16.6M)
Nia Sharma (7.3M)
April 4, 2022 (IANSlife) Aside from Bollywood celebrities who have achieved name and fame in their own industry, we cannot ignore television stars who are well-liked by audiences for their acting ability and fashion sense. With a sizable fan base, these television actors are taking Instagram by storm. Mouni Roy (22.6M) Nia gained notoriety after being named the sexiest Asian woman for the third time. Her sense of style is incredible, and you’d want to steal it. Just taking a look at her Instagram feed can teach you how to dress up in various avatars.
With 22.6M followers on Instagram, we wouldn’t be mistaken to say Mouni’s fashion sense is always on point throughout her journey. She has never failed to look stunning and understated at any event, whether it is a party, a trip, or an award ceremony.
Hina Khan has not only put on a show with her acting abilities on the TV serial ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’, but she has also displayed fashion ranging from ethnic to modern, and she has looked stunning in all of them. Even when she isn’t on television, she tries to make a statement with her style, as evidenced by her Instagram profile. Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya (18.9M)
Jennifer Winget (12.2M)
White Kimono Shrug
April 3, 2022 (IANSlife) It’s time to break out the bright colours, bold patterns and strappy sandals. While we all love trends, no wardrobe is complete without the essentials. They’re the items that you turn to in order to create almost every outfit. Keeping up with the season, Cloth Haus introduces the new summer collection that rests on digital printing, pleating, burnouts, printing on non-conventional fabrics, woven jacquards, embossing and styling. Don’t forget to pin your favourite styles from the collection. Don’t forget to pin your favourite style from the collection.
White self-designed open front regular shrug with three-quarter sleeves and a high-low hem.
Multicoloured Tailored Jacket
Blue and White Floral Print Cape
Krystle D’Souza (7.1M)
Krystle D’Souza, the stunning TV star, is the fashionista of television. Krystle is well-known among fans for her stunning appearance and high sense of style. Her hair, outfits, and makeup are always making headlines, and for good reason. Tejasswi Prakash (5.5M)
A multicoloured printed tailored jacket with a lapel collar, two pockets, a button closure, long sleeves, a straight hemline, and a polyester lining.
Long sleeves and a straight hem in a blue and white printed kimono with intricate motifs in patterns of flowers and leaves. Floral Print Cape
Green & Pink Printed Shrug
Diva in Glamour Jennifer Winget is a television-style icon. Is it really necessary for us to say anything to her? Her fashion sense has always been in the spotlight, and the Diva never fails to dazzle her fans.
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Divyanka has received a lot of love from her fans for all of the different roles she has played on television, particularly her role as Ishita in the TV show ‘Yeh Hai Mohabbatein’, but that isn’t all. It’s incredible how much love she receives from her fans for her fashion choices.
Tejasswi Prakash’s performance may have taken a topsy-turvy turn, but that hasn’t stopped her fans from showering her with love and acclaim for her style game. Tejasswi has always made headlines for her fashion choices, establishing her as one of the most talented actresses in today’s small screen industry.
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Regular green and pink printed open front shrug with threequarter sleeves and a high-low hem.
Floral Cocoon Cape can be worn with a dress or two pieces to create a casual or party look.
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INDIA NEWS
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
CULTURE
Must read books written by Indian authors ‘100 Great Indian poems’ India is known for its art, literature, and writing from 28 languages translated & published into French By Olivia Sarkar
April 4, 2022 (IANSlife) India is known for its art, literature, and writing. There are many amazing Indian authors to pick from when it comes to Indian literature, thus here is a list of some excellent Indian author books you can read. CHETAN BHAGAT Chetan Bhagat is an author, screenwriter, columnist, and TV personality who was named the best-selling English-language novelist in India by The New York Times in 2008. He is best known for his comedy-drama novels about young Indian urban middle-class people. His most well-known works include “Five Point Someone”, “Two States”, “Half Girlfriend”, and “One Indian Girl”.
Five Point Someone The plot revolves around the lives of three students who are unsure of where they want to go in life. Hari, Alok, and Ryan are desperate to gain admission to one of India’s engineering schools.
story, the author sheds light on the problem that women faced during India’s partition. Raseedi Ticket
Raseedi Ticket is Amrita Pritam’s celebrated autobiography, in which she describes how she felt distressed by the influence of hatred; she was traumatised by the horrors of Partition, which inspired her poem ‘Vaaris Shah’. According to her autobiography, a writer should not be afraid of criticism, no matter how hostile the world becomes. The time between her intimacy with Sahir and her deep friendship with Imroz is beautifully described. Amrita’s story is told in a series of episodes that she considers to be significant in her life. JHUMPA LAHIRI Jhumpa Lahiri is a well-known author who has written novels, essays, and short stories. She was a struggling writer whose work was initially rejected by publishers until her breakthrough novel, “The Interpreter of Maladies”. Following her success, she went on to write a number of other novels that are wellknown throughout the Indian subcontinent and the rest of the world. “The namesake”, “Unaccustomed Earth”, and “The Lowland” are among the most well-known.
Half Girlfriend The book tells the story of Madhav and Riya, two people from very different backgrounds who fall in love. Madhav is a local, whereas Riya comes from a wealthy Marwari family. Despite the fact that they are diametrically opposed, there is something that connects them. Madhav wants to be in a relationship with Riya, but Riya only wants them to be friends. They finally arrived at a decision. Riya could be Madhav’s half-girlfriend. AMRITA PRITAM Amrita Pritam developed an early interest in poetry and literature, which influenced her later career as a poet and novelist. During the pre-partition period, she was a fearless woman who dared to write controversial texts. She experienced difficult times during India’s partition, which influenced her to write the Punjabi novel “Pinjar” (skeleton), as well as “Shadows of Words” and “Raseedi Ticket”, which are also considered her great works.
Pinjar Amrita Pritam wrote the novel Pinjar, which translates as Skeleton in Punjabi. Through this
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moving on to become the editor of major journals and magazines. As a writer, he is best known for his novels “Train to Pakistan”, “Delhi: A Novel”, “The Company of Women”, “Truth, Love, and a Little Malice”.
Train to Pakistan This is a story about religious persecution and the consequences of displacement. During India’s Partition in 1947, Hindus and Sikhs were forced to relocate to India, while Muslims were forced to relocate to Pakistan, regardless of family history. Some families were uprooted after generations of living in one location or another. The Company of Women Mohan Kumar, a millionaire businessman, decides to reinvent his life after separating from his nagging, ill-tempered wife of 13 years. Convinced that ‘lust is the true foundation of love’, he devises an audacious plan: he will advertise for paid lady companions to share his bed and his life. Thus begins his journey of unbridled sexuality in the company of some extraordinary women. ARUNDHATI ROY
The Namesake The novel depicts the struggles and hardships of a Bengal couple who immigrate to the United States to start a new life away from everything they know. The story begins when Ashoka and Ashima leave Calcutta and settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Central Square. Through a series of mistakes, their son’s nickname, Gogol, becomes his official name, an event that will shape many aspects of his life in the years ahead. The Interpreter of Maladies The story revolves around the three main characters, with a twist thrown in somewhere by the children. Mr. Kapasi is driving the car towards the Sun Temple when it stops at a tea stall where Mr. and Mrs. Das were arguing about who would take Tina to the bathroom, and Mrs. Das took Tina to the bathroom after losing the argument. Bobby saw a goat and was excited to give her chewing gum on this Mr. Das didn’t give any expression actually they were soo immature to be a parent according to Mr. Kapasi. KHUSHWANT SINGH Khushwant Singh was a journalist, editor, and novelist who began his career as a lawyer before
Arundhati Roy is a writer, essayist, and political activist best known for her novel “The God of Small Things”, which won her the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997. Other works by her include “The Algebra of Infinite Justice”, “Kashmir: The Case for Freedom”, and “Capitalism: A Ghost Story”.
The French edition of ‘100 Great Indian Poems’, selected and edited by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. has been translated and published into French by L’Harmattan, Paris By Sukant Deepak April 05, 2022 (IANSlife) The French edition of ‘100 Great Indian Poems’, selected and edited by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. has been translated and published into French by L’Harmattan, Paris. Titled ‘Cent grands poèmes indiens’ in French, the book includes poems from 28 Indian languages spanning over 3,000 years of Indian poetry. It has also been translated and published into Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Malagasy. On the publication of the book, editor Abhay K. said: “The French edition will provide a glimpse of the rich heritage of Indian poetry spread over three millennia to the French-speaking world and act
Enhancing kids understanding through Illustrations By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
April 05, 2022 (IANSlife) Even before a child learns to speak a language, one can begin to understand the world around them through pictures.
Sudarshan Vig, CEO, of Merlinwand, said: “The physical world around them in the initial stages can be bounded by the home or area where they live, but drawing, paintings, and illustrations open them up to a sort of awakening which teaches them about the whole gamut of emotions and knowledge of the world, in fact, the universe”. Vig further shares points on how illustrations help in the overall development of kids: Initial Learning
Kashmir: The Case for Freedom Kashmir: The Case for Freedom is a passionate attempt to correct this imbalance and fill a void in our moral imagination. Covering Kashmir’s past and present, as well as the causes and consequences of the occupation, the authors make a strong case for the withdrawal of Indian troops and the right of Kashmir to self-determination. Capitalism: A Ghost Story In Capitalism: A Ghost Story, best-selling author Arundhati Roy examines the dark side of Indian democracy-a nation of 1.2 billion people in which the top 100 richest people own assets worth one-quarter of India’s GDP.
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as a literary bridge between India and Francophone countries.” Abhay K. is the author of 10 poetry collections including ‘Monsoon’, ‘The Magic of Madagascar’, ‘The Alphabets of Latin America’, and the editor of ‘The Book of Bihari Literature’. He recently translated Kalidasa’s ‘Meghaduta’, and ‘Ritusamhara’ from Sanskrit, which received the KLF Poetry Book of the Year 202122 Award.
Exposure to not just colours but their application and visual cues during initial learning makes it easier for a kid to recall things. Early colour recognition aids in the development of a cognitive link between visual information and words. It improves their creativity, enabling them to express themselves. Visual Learning Everyone remembers A for Apple and B for the ball because of the visuals attached to it when they learnt it for the first time. Since illustrations can be language agnostic, they form a perfect teaching method, irrespective of linguistic skills. In fact, teaching language in the early stages is highly recommended using visual media like illustrations.
Easy on the memory A prevalent memory-enhancing technique is to picture the content in your head. Looking at illustrations, the attention and focus increase, allowing information to reach the subconscious mind and be imprinted on the memory. Illustrations are fun The primary difference between pictures and illustrations is that the illustrator has the freedom to enhance, exaggerate, or even tone down a situation. The variety of illustration styles and the freedom to choose colours make it an appropriate representation of free will. This also improves the viewer’s imagination since there may be visual freedoms an illustrator can portray (Pigs flying in the air, aliens and cowboys having a picnic)!. Once the imaginative boundaries are pushed, that fuels creativity and thereby innovation! Helps in teaching complex concepts When teaching concepts that are difficult to grasp are combined with illustrations, they become surprisingly simple. Think space-time continuum, quantum mechanics or even philosophies like existentialism; they can be used as a medium to tell stories or jokes which tell you exactly what a concept means without having to try to explain the meaning.
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INDIA NEWS
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
A summer getaway
TRAVEL
Munjoh resort in Andaman & Nicobar
Rest and Rejuvenate at these properties By IANSlife March 29, 2022 (IANSlife) Travelling with our loved ones, friends, or even on our own is always a thrill. With our hectic
Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa
Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to stay in a five-star resort? Here’s a sneak peek. When
schedules, it’s a great opportunity to take a few days off, get away from the daily grind, forget about your stress, turn off your phone, and reconnect with Nature. A hill station, a private beach resort,
looking for a luxurious experience with your valentine, you will find a cosy room, a great spa retreat,
or simply a getaway to explore a hidden location are all options, but which one should you pick? Here’s a curated list of resorts to choose from:
a view of the mountains, and a sense of relaxation and peace.
Munjoh - Luxury Boutique Resort is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Havelock and Port Blair. This resort is great for couples. Spa services, breakfast in bed, and event decoration are just a few of their specialties. It is a welcoming haven with a variety of rooms ranging from
suites to beachside rooms, as well as a private beach in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. One can plan a romantic date night under the stars, which admits the enchanting beaches, sparkling blue water, romantic tranquilly making it a perfect getaway.
Devi Ratn
The Upper Deck Resort
Devi Ratn, a luxury hotel in Jaipur, spans 20 acres at the foot of the Aravalli mountains and is a kaleidoscopic rendition of everything Jaipur stands for with its avant-garde, surreal, and intricate design. Courtyards,
gardens, and plunge pools put an end to any debate. Devi Ratn is a comprehensive work of art that includes an indulgent spa with signature treatments, stargazing, adventure activities, and indoor games.
Therasia
Set amidst the lush greenery of the mountains, this ideal retreat in Lonavala is a a few hours drive from Mumbai. The resort
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is secluded and surrounded by natural beauty and unspoiled tranquility. The fresh springs in the deep woods provide a
delightful experience for the couple. The on-site restaurant serves delectable fare with a stunning view.
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A slice of Santorini just two hours from Mumbai. A villa with a pool, stunning Santorini-style courtyards, and a separate section for parties and sit-down dinners,
ideal for your special occasions. This lakefront villa is perched on a hill in Talegaon, between Lonavala and Pune.
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INDIA NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
Neha Bhasin’s latest track ‘Parwah’ hits the airwaves
Sai Ketan Rao talks about his upcoming project ‘Pellikuturu Party’
Sai Ketan Rao
Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) Singer Neha Bhasin talks about her latest track ‘Parwah’ that also features popular TV actress Rashami Desai. The song has been shot in the slums of Mumbai. Neha, who has sung the song shares: “’Parwah’ is not just a song but an emotion that I am bringing which will connect with many women out there. This is a song that speaks of my journey. Being a woman and
being judged all my life for being me. If I cared about what people said and felt about me, I would’ve never accomplished anything or wouldn’t have had the courage to live life on my own terms.” She adds: “It was an amazing experience to work with Rashami Desai along with the young and dynamic Gunjan Sinha. Rashami and I despite being good friends outside, made sure to bring our own professionalism and our
respective forte to the table.” While briefing more about the music video, Neha says: Our main motto was to give an international vibe to the song, keeping the desi element in place. The output has been really great and kudos to the entire cast and crew. Really excited to be hearing all the lovely responses coming in from the fans and listeners of the song.” Parwah has been released on YouTube on 4th of April.
‘Lock Upp’: Azma Fallah reveals how she duped strangers of Rs 50 lakh! Kangana Ranaut called out the nominated ‘kaidis’: Payal Rohtagi, Nisha Rawal, Ali Merchant, Poonam Pandey and Azma Fallah. Poonam was safe. Kangana added: “Everyone has tormented one another during the week, whether it be hiding the dryer or the coins, now I’ll do something! I’ve hidden two joker cards and two ghulam cards around the yard area, go find them right now!”
Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) ‘Lock Upp’ contestant Azma Fallah revealed on the show that she used to work for a social media app wherein she defrauded strangers and duped them of Rs 40 to 50 lakh.
amount as it used to get deducted.
But she said she never got the full
Bollywood actress and host
Azma said: “I used to talk to strangers on social media and earned money from them. I earned upto Rs 50 lakh from this!” After revealing the secret she was saved from elimination.
Talking about his character in the film, Sai shares: “My character’s name in the film is Geeky Uday. The role here of a frustrated guy who is surrounded by his 4 cousins. He is also frustrated about the situation he is in. The character has all the shades of a guy who is has it all but still has nothing” He adds: “The film completed its shooting in November 2020. We all wanted the film to be released in theaters only and therefore its release got delayed as the theatres
were shut down due to pandemic and lockdown.” When asked about his take on his career in the South Film Industry, Sai replies: “I don’t differentiate the film industry based on language or any other factor. I think as a member of the entertainment industry we should be on the verge of making pan India films that are suitable to all audiences of India irrespective of language. As a country, we should strive to make a much bigger mark around the globe with our craft of filmmaking and the films we make. And I hope in the coming future we will start making pan world films as well.” ‘Pellikuturu Party’ is all set for theatrical release earlier next month.
Aishwarya Rajesh’s Insta account hacked or suspended
After a lot of hustle, Nisha and Azma received the ghulam card while Payal and Ali received the Joker card. Kangana urges everyone to save one Kaidi. After much deliberation, Ali was safe. Kangana also called out Azma and Nisha since they hold the gulaam card and had to reveal a secret. Then Azma revealed the secret to make her safe inside the show. ‘Lock Upp’ streams on ALTBalaji and MX Player.
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Mumbai, April 5 (IANS) ‘Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali’ fame Sai Ketan Rao is all set to be seen in Telugu film ‘Pellikuturu Party’. He is playing a prominent role the film starring Prince Cecil and Aneesha Dama.
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Actress Aishwarya Rajesh instagram account hacked or suspended.
Chennai, April 4 (IANS) Rising Tamil actress Aishwarya Rajesh on Monday said that her Instagram account had either been hacked or suspended. The actress, who has delivered several critically acclaimed performances in superhits like ‘Kaaka Muttai’, ‘Thirudan Police’, ‘Vada Chennai’, ‘Kanaa’ and ‘Ka Pae Ranasingam’, took to Twitter to make a plea to Instagram authorities to restore her account. She tweeted, “My Instagram handle has been hacked or
suspended. Please help me resolve it as soon as possible @ instagram” Aishwarya’s Instagram account does not appear at all and this has left the actress worried. On the work front, the actress has an interesting set of movies waiting to be released. She will be seen in a number of films including actor Vishnu Vishal’s much awaited action entertainer ‘Mohandas’ and the Tamil remake of the Malayalam hit ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’.
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INDIA NEWS
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
Ranbir-Alia wedding: Karisma Kapoor flaunts mehendi
Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) Bollywood star couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are finally sealing the deal on Thursday. The actor’s cousin Karisma Kapoor shared a glimpse of the mehendi from the wedding celebration that took place on Wednesday.
Karisma shared glimpses of their mehendi designs post the ceremony last night. She took to her Instagram story and shared a picture of henna on her feet. “I love mehendi,” she captioned the image. For the mehendi ceremony, the actress wore a yellow ethnic wear
ENTERTAINMENT
Ranbir-Alia wedding: Saif, Kareena twin in powder pink for celebrations
by Punit Balana. Ranbir and Alia, who are fondly called ‘Ralia’ by their fans, are set to tie-the-knot on Thursday afternoon. The couple have been dating for four years. The two fell in love on the sets of their upcoming film ‘Brahmastra’.
Vidyut Jammwal looks back at 9 years of ‘Commando: A One Man Army’ Mumbai, April 12 (IANS) Action hero Vidyut Jammwal’s film ‘Commando: A One Man Army’ has clocked nine years of its release on Tuesday and the actor has gone down memory lane. ‘Commando: A One Man Army’ is the first instalment in the action thriller series. Starring Jammwal, Pooja Chopra, Jaideep Alhawat, Adah Sharma, Esha Gupta and Freddy Daruwala, the movie revolves around the story of Karan, a disavowed Indian commando, who helps protect a woman from a local thug who is hellbent on forcing her to marry him.
Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) Actor Ranbir Kapoor’s brother-inlaw Saif Ali Khan and his cousin Kareena Kapoor Khan made a style statement on Thursday as they twinned in baby pink for actress Alia Bhatt and Ranbir’s wedding. Popularly called as ‘Saifeena’ by their fans, the husband-wife duo looked every inch royal in powder pink Indian attire. Kareena stunned in a saree embellished with silver while Saif looked dapper in a pink kurta paired with an ivory Nehru jacket and pyjamas. The ‘Ki & Ka’ actress completed her look with polki neck piece, earrings and maang tika.
Ranbir is all set to take home his ‘dulhaniya’ Alia on Thursday. The two celebrated the mehendi, haldi and sangeet ceremony on Wednesday at his Pali Hill residence Vastu. The two stars met on the sets of ‘Brahmastra’ in 2018. Their whirlwind romance was very much talked about and in 2020 it was Ranbir, who in an interview confirmed the news about their relationship. ‘Brahmastra’ is all set to release on September 9. This will be the first time the two will be seen together on screen.
On The Brawn: Sanjay Dutt talks about the physicality of his ‘KGF 2’ character
Vidyut, who is trained in the martial art of Kalaripayattu, performed his own stunts and martial arts in the film’s action sequences. Remembering the film, Vidyut says, “I’m grateful that the audience embraced the action thriller and showered so much love for the part I essayed. A hero is someone who inspires us to be better and playing Karan gave me the canvas and opportunity to make that impact. “The film was received with quite a lot of excitement. The highlights for me were the action sequences and the stunts. Nine years of the film brings back memories of what this film meant for action movie fans.” He is currently shooting for ‘IB 71’ and also announced to star in ‘Sher Singh Raana’.
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Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) As the second part of the period action film ‘KGF’ hits the screen on Thursday, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who makes an entry into the film’s universe with his character of Adheera, shared that he had to undergo a gruelling fitness regime to suit the part.
simpler terms, I didn’t only have to act the part, I also had to look the part.”
The actor said, “A looming frightening presence with hard action sequences against the protagonist not only requires intense acting but also a believable body physicality. In
Though adopting a fitness regime after the treatment was tough but, for him it all paid off when he saw the film’s rushes, “The training was hard but when I saw the rushes it was completely worth it.”
In 2020, Sanjay Dutt was diagnosed with cancer ahead of the release of his film, ‘Sadak 2’ where he shared the screen with Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Makarand Deshpande and Pooja Bhatt.
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INDIA NEWS
Luxury, lifestyle, location — welcome to Dress Circle
Apr 16-30, 2022 - Vol 2, Issue 19
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