The film fraternity, including celebrities, actors, filmmakers

BDL signs contract to supply Akash missiles to IAF

Hyderabad, July 8: Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) on July 8 signed a contract worth about Rs 499 crore with the Ministry of Defence for manufacture and supply of Akash missiles to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The contract was signed by Air Commodore, Guided Weapons Maintenance, Ajay Singhal on behalf of the IAF and BDL Executive Director, Marketing, Commodore T.N. Kaul (retd) on behalf of BDL in the presence of BDL's Director, Production, P. Radhakrishna, in New Delhi. BDL CMD, Commodore Siddharth Mishra (retd) stated that BDL is supplying Akash missiles to the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. With the announcement from the Union Cabinet regarding clearance of Akash Weapon System for export, the company is exploring to offer Akash for export to foreign countries. He said BDL has already received export leads from some countries expressing interest in procuring the missile. The company has a well-established infrastructure and expertise to execute these orders and meet the customer delivery schedule. BDL is the prime production agency for projects under India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). Akash is one of the missiles under IGMDP being manufactured by BDL, both for Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The missile has been successfully test-fired on several occasions and is regarded as one of the best missiles in its category. The company also manufactures anti-tank guided missiles, air to air missiles, air to surface weapons, launchers, test equipment, underwater weapons and countermeasure systems. The company bagged new orders worth about Rs 2,803 crore (including taxes) during the FY 2020-21 which includes antitank guided missiles order worth about Rs 1,820 crore and surface to air missiles order worth about Rs 793 crore. With the contract signed for supply of Akash to Indian Air Force, the order book position now stands at about Rs 8,683 crore. The company is also aiming to expand its footprints in the international market by offering air-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, underwater weapons and countermeasure systems in addition to Akash missiles to friendly countries.

Samsung India grants scholarships to 544 Navodaya Vidyalaya students

Gurugram, July 8 (IANS): Samsung India on July 8 gave scholarships to 544 meritorious students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) schools, who qualified for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and National Institute of Technology (NIT), as part of its Samsung Star Scholar programme. The programme offers scholarships every year to meritorious JNV students for pursuing full-term B Tech/Dual Degree (B Tech + M Tech) courses at any IIT or NIT. The scholarship is of up to Rs 2 lakh for expenses related to tuition, examination, hostel and mess for one academic year and it can be renewed every year up to five years. It has so far benefited 800 JNV students. The Samsung Star Scholar programme, currently in its sixth year, has granted 150 scholarships to new applicants from JNVs, of which 87 will begin their journey across different IITs and 63 at different NITs across India this year. In addition, scholarships have been renewed for the next year for 394 existing students. Recipients of renewed scholarships include 139 second year students, 171 third year students, 82 fourth year students and two fifth year students. "The Samsung Star Scholar programme is an embodiment of our vision of #PoweringDigitalIndia that seeks to empower the next generation of young India. As we enter the sixth year of the Star Scholar programme, we are excited to have supported these bright young talents who we wish to see as future leaders transforming the nation," said Partha Ghosh,

Vice President & Head, Corporate Citizenship, Samsung India, in a statement. The selection of first-year applicants is based on their All India Rank (AIR) in JEE Main, however, to get a renewal of the scholarship for the second -- 4/5th year, students are required to maintain a semester grade point average (SGPA) or cumulative grade point average (CPGA) rating of 5 or above. Samsung partnered with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti for the Samsung Smart School programme in 2013. As part of the programme, the company has so far added smart classes to 625 JNV schools, impacting close to 500,000 students. More than 8,000 teachers have also been trained on how to use interactive technology to teach effectively. Muslim woman accuses husband of 'love jihad'

Lucknow, July 7 (IANS): A Muslim woman has lodged an FIR against her husband, accusing him of running a 'love jihad' campaign, trading in illegal weapons, harbouring foreign nationals and torturing her for dowry. The complaint was lodged at Indira Nagar police station here on July 6 and the woman has named her mother-in-law as a co-accused. According to the complainant, the woman said that her husband, Ashraf, heads Khanqah-eAshrafia Hussainia Qutbe, a dargah (shrine) in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, Prachi Singh said an FIR under the Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020, and on charges of extortion and dowry harassment has been lodged in this connection. In the FIR, the woman claimed that she got married to Ashraf in 2019 and went with him to Bengaluru. Soon after marriage, he started pressuring her to befriend non-Muslim women and bring them home. The woman said she initially followed her husband's diktats as she was afraid of losing him. She claimed that Ashraf and his mother were running a 'love jihad' campaign and added that at Ashraf's behest, some hardliners of foreign origin tortured her. She also accused them of bringing visitors to the shrine to carry out their 'love jihad' campaign. The complainant claimed that Ashraf and his mother turned her out of their house saying they would allow her to return only if she paid Rs 17.5 lakh to them and brought four non-Muslim girls for religion conversion. Democracy has been ripped off in UP: Priyanka Gandhi New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): After violence was reported from various parts of Uttar Pradesh during the filing of nomination papers for the block pramukh elections on July 8, with allegations of opposition candidates being stopped by the administration, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra trained her guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the issue. "PM Saheb and CM Saheb should congratulate their workers in UP for firing, bombing, stone pelting, looting nomination papers and thrashing journalists and women. Law and order is blind-folded while democracy has been ripped off in UP," she said in a tweet in Hindi.

Photo Courtesy: IANS Widespread violence was reported on July 8 from various districts, including Siddharthnagar, Sitapur, Gorakhpur and Sambhal during the filing of nomination papers for the block pramukh elections. Majority of the incidents took place after the opposition candidates were prevented from filing their nomination papers. In Siddharthnagar, former Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker, Mata Prasad Pandey, was assaulted. In Sitapur, three people received bullet injuries when Independent candidate Munni Devi arrived to file her nomination in Kamlapur. She was prevented from going in even as unidentified persons opened fire in the presence of the police. Her supporters created a ruckus as some people even lobbed crude bombs. Munni Devi's supporters blocked the highway in protest. In Ambedkar Nagar, some miscreants snatched the nomination papers from the hands of former BSP minister Lalji Varma, leading to violent clashes. Terrorist hideout busted in J&K's Sopore, linkman apprehended

Srinagar, July 8 (IANS): A terrorist associate was arrested as police busted a terrorist hideout at Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said on July 8. "Today at about 1530 hrs (3.30 p.m.), based on credible input regarding presence of terrorists in Ganai Mohalla Doabgah, Sopore police, along with 22 RR and 179 Bn CRPF, launched a cordon and search operation in the said area," police said. "During search in the area, one hideout of proscribed terror outfit

Hizbul Mujahideen was found in the basement of a single storied house belonging to one person, (name withheld)," it added. Incriminating materials including a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the busted hideout, which was destroyed on spot in presence of an Executive Magistrate, police said, adding that in this connection, one terrorist associate was also arrested. All the recovered materials have been taken into police custody for the purpose of investigation. IYC stages protest against hike in fuel prices Photo Courtesy: IANS New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): Hundreds of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) activists staged a protest here on July 8 against the rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG gas cylinders by riding bicycles and with effigies of gas cylinders. Several IYC activists under the leadership of its national President, Srinivas B.V., joined the protest and raised slogans against the Central government. Speaking to the media, Srinivas said, "In the last seven years, the Narendra Modi government has earned more than Rs 22 lakh crore by increasing the prices of petrol and diesel, but nothing has come in the hands of the common man except helplessness." He said that despite the fall in crude prices in the international market, the prices of petrol and diesel in India are increasing almost every day. "Only the Modi government can give an answer as to why this is happening," he said. The protest came after fuel prices were increased for the second straight day on July 8 after already breaching the Rs 100-mark in all the metro cities. In the sixth hike recently, petrol got costlier by 35 paise in the national capital, while diesel rose by 9 paise, according to price notification by the oil retailers.

Sydney sees highest spike in months despite lockdown Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 8 (IANS): Sydney has recorded its highest daily rise in Covid-19 cases in months, despite being nearly two weeks into a lockdown. The city in the state of New South Wales reported 38 cases on July 8 - taking its outbreak of the Delta variant to about 370 cases, the BBC reported. Authorities say household visits and meet-ups between friends were still driving the virus' spread. They have pleaded with residents to follow the rules more strictly. "We just need people to stop interacting for this lockdown to work," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on July 8, which saw the highest figures in a day in the last 14 months. "Please stop visiting people indoors, outside your family, your household. Your immediate family means those you live with, it doesn't mean extended family or friends," she said. She added that people with symptoms moving around the community were also fuelling the virus' spread. Australia's biggest city, home to five million people, is under a stay-at-home order until 17 July. The neighbouring Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, and Shoalhaven regions are also affected. Under this direction, people are allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons like shopping, exercise and care-giving. Businesses such as restaurants offering takeaway and many retail shops remain open. Recently, authorities were forced to extend the lockdown by a week based on the continued trend in case numbers - at around 18-35 new infections per day. While a majority are being found in household contacts of infected people already in isolation - there are still a concerning number of those moving freely in the community. "Those numbers are too high. We need to get those numbers down," said Berejiklian. "We don't want to prolong the lockdown, we don't want to see Sydney going in and out of lockdown until we have the vast majority of our population vaccinated. It is up to all of us to step up, as difficult as it is." Sydney's Delta outbreak and scares in other cities previously has sparked public anger over the federal government's slow vaccine rollout.

Australia's Covid vax rollout phenomenal failure, says Ex-PM Photo Courtesy: IANS

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull Canberra, July 2: Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on July 2 described the country's coronavirus vaccine rollout as a "phenomenal failure of public administration". Turnbull, who served as Prime Minister from 2015 to 2018, said that Australia was "way behind" comparable countries, reports Xinhua news agency. "I can't think of a bigger black and white failure of public administration than this," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "Governments make lots of mistakes of course, as we all do, but this is something that was very doable." As of July 2, there had been 7.97 million coronavirus vaccines administered in Australia and about 8 percent of the adult population had been fully vaccinated. Despite the slow start to the rollout, the government insists that the program is on track and every adult who wants a vaccine will receive at least one dose by the end of 2021. Turnbull, who retired from politics after being deposed by incumbent Prime Minister

Scott Morrison in August 2018, also criticised the mixed messaging from federal and state governments around the AstraZeneca vaccine. Health authorities have rejected Morrison's move to open the vaccine to anyone under the age of 40 against the advice of the expert panel on immunisations. "It's mind-boggling. I mean, vaccine hesitancy is a problem everywhere and at every time, it is as though governments are trying to do their utmost to maximize it at the moment with all of the disagreements and confusion," Turnbull said. "It's a mess. But the fact that you've got so many other premiers and chief medical officers disagreeing with it, and very vocally, obviously undermines confidence in the vaccine." Consider AstraZeneca jab only in pressing circumstances: Vaccine panel head to young Aussies

Canberra, July 2 (IANS): The head of Australia's vaccine panel said that the younger population in the country should consider getting the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine only in "pressing" circumstances. Prime Minister Scott Morrison had said on June 28 that people under 40 could consult their doctor "if they wish to go and speak to their doctor and have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine", reports Xinhua news agency The announcement came weeks after the government restricted access to the vaccine to only over-60s on the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI). ATAGI Co-chair Christopher Blyth said on July 1 that younger people should consider getting the AstraZeneca vaccine only in "pressing" circumstances. "There are some situations where that would be warranted, but they are quite small," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio. "The ATAGI advice is that Pfizer is our preference for those under the age of 60 years." The Australian government acquired 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine - 50 million of which will be manufactured domestically while supplies of the Pfizer vaccine remain tight. According to a statement on July 1, the ATAGI said it examined estimates of risk of Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) by age group in Australia and "note that there have been 69 cases of confirmed or probable TTS (41 confirmed cases; 28 probable cases) in around 4.8 million doses of Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca given up to June 15, 2021".

NSW authorities warn against complacency despite dip in cases

Sydney, July 13 (IANS): Health authorities in Australia's most populous state of new South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday warned against complacency a there was a slight drop in Covid-19 cases following a triple-digit peak, saying it does not necessarily indicate a downward trend. On Tuesday, the state recorded 89 new locally acquired cases, compared with the 112 infections registered a day ago, reports Xinhua news agency. A total of 767 locally acquired cases have been reported in the outbreak. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the one-day drop should not be a cause for complacency. "One day is not a trend. The numbers will keep bouncing around, we have to say that." she said. Of the newly reported cases, 21 were infectious in the community and a further four remain under investigation. Berejiklian said in order for the lockdown to be lifted on Friday this number would need to be near to zero. The authorities would announce the decision on Wednesday or Thursday. Of the 89 new cases in NSW, 64 were recorded in Fairfield in Sydney's south-east, the current epicentre of Sydney's latest outbreak. Meanwhile, the NSW Health reported the second death related to the recent outbreak, a man in his 70s in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The authorities imposed some new rules for the area including mandatory testing for people going out of the area for essential working. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro warned that restrictions may be further strengthened in some local government areas if the situation goes worse. The state's Chief Health Officer, Kerry Chant also raised concerns about the geographical spread of the virus, after an essential worker who travelled to the regional NSW town of Goulbourn for work, 195 km south west of Sydney, tested positive for the virus. "It does highlight why people cannot be complacent about the risk anywhere," said Chant.

At the same time, the state of Victoria recorded three locally acquired cases after a family travelled from Sydney, while the state of Queensland recorded two local cases.

Government to cut arrivals cap Canberra, July 2: Australia's federal and state governments on July 2 agreed to halve the number of people allowed into the country each week in response to the widespread Covid-19 outbreaks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on July 2 that the international arrival cap will be cut by 50 per cent after a National Cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders, reports Xinhua news agency. It means the country will accept only about 3,000 people a week. It comes as much of the country fights outbreaks of coronavirus that started with leaks from hotel quarantine, with more than 10 million Australians subjected to lockdown measures. "We have seen breaches occur, predominantly as a result of infection control procedures and human error and so on," Morrison said. "Those issues need to continue to be strengthened, so simply reducing the caps doesn't necessarily provide a fail safe. "But because of the particular virulency of the Delta strain, it is believed that is a prudent action while we remain in this suppression phase of the virus," he noted. The National Cabinet also agreed to a four-phase "pathway out of Covid-19" with a goal of treating it like any other infectious disease. The first phase of the pathway will include a trial of alternative quarantine measures, including home quarantine, for fully vaccinated international arrivals in Australia. Under the second phase, which will begin when Australia hits an undetermined vaccination target, inbound passengers caps will be restored for unvaccinated returning travellers and there will be larger caps for the vaccinated ones. "Our measures may include to ease restrictions on vaccinated residents, such as lockdowns and border controls," Morrison said. "Lockdowns would only occur in extreme circumstances to prevent escalating hospitalization and fatality," he said. "We would be allowing a capped entry of student and economic visa holders, subject to quarantine arrangements and availability." Phases three and four will further ease travel restrictions.

University of Canberra students redesign Canberra icon

Canberra, July 7: With their round shape and bright orange windows, Canberra’s bus shelters have become a cultural icon. But what if they were reimagined? That was the task at hand for University of Canberra second year Bachelor of Architecture students, who were asked to produce a theoretical redesign of the Ainslie Avenue bus shelter for a competition supported by Canberra Centre. There were three joint winners, with each group receiving $1500 from the Canberra Centre. The final 12 designs will be on display until 29 July at the Canberra Centre. The first winners were Cedar Hernandez, Joshua Catanzariti and Aggie Rostagno, who designed a rounded, panelled wall that could be mass-produced. Cedar said the design, which “took about six weeks” to finalise, was inspired by spirographs and vacuum forming, where a sheet of plastic is heated in a machine to soften it. “The competition was in three different phases, the first was moulding the materials we could use, the second was looking at how to bring the panels together and the third was working digitally to come up with a shelter form. We were looking at futuristic techniques and pushing the boundaries into something that hadn’t been made before,” Cedar said. “We had to choose a base shape which for us was a hexagon, which was a matter-of-fact decision. We then had a panel piece which could connect with another panel piece fairly easily. This then led us to design a shelter which could be mass produced. We wanted something people could enjoy and experience in different ways.” Cedar said the group is “thrilled” their design will be appearing at the Canberra Centre. “We were very pleasantly surprised for it to be out there in the public spectrum,” Cedar said. “It’s reaffirming as well, because in

Safety Poster Competition judging panel with the winning design architecture degrees it can feel like you’re in a bit of a bubble sometimes. So to actually go out there and be part of a design competition is so encouraging and just gives you a bit of a push to keep going.” Canberra Centre Bus Stop Design Competition winners: Group One: Aggie Rostagno, Cedar Hernandez, and Joshua Catanzariti Group Two: Sage Tynan and Thomas Petersen Group Three: Stephanie Williamson Sustainability Prize: Katrina Cachia, Tiarne Smith, and Elizabeth McDonald

Stamp duty abolished on some home purchases

Canberra, June 30: Canberrans looking to purchase their first home or downsizing to a smaller property will save thousands of dollars, with stamp duty to be abolished on off the plan purchases of up to $500,000 for owner-occupiers. The changes mean that anyone purchasing an off-the-plan apartment or townhouse to live in valued at $500,000 will save $10,360. Duty on any owner-occupier purchase between $200,000 to $1,455,000 will be $1,040 lower in 2021-22 than in 2020-21. This is a further step in the ACT Government’s tax reform program that encourages an increased supply of housing below the $500,000 threshold, ensuring that more Canberrans will benefit from fairer, simpler and more efficient taxes and duties. Outline of duty changes

NIP vaccine providers begin mandatory reporting to AIR

Canberra, July 8: The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a whole of life, national immunisation register, which records vaccines given to all people in Australia. This includes: COVID-19 vaccines vaccines given under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) privately given vaccines, such as for seasonal influenza or travel. Mandatory reporting of vaccinations to the AIR commenced in February 2021 for: COVID-19 vaccines given on or after 20 February 2021 influenza vaccinations given on or after 1 March 2021. Further legislative changes mean that from 1 July 2021, vaccination providers are now also required to report to the AIR all NIP vaccines given. Reporting these vaccinations to the AIR means that the register contains a complete and reliable dataset and is able to monitor immunisation coverage and administration. It also means that individuals have a complete record of their vaccinations. Vaccines listed on the NIP Schedule are included in the National Immunisation Program schedule for all people. NIP vaccines are also available for individuals in particular circumstances. The Australian Immunisation Register Rule 2015 lists the specific vaccines, the data elements to report, and how and when to report these. These include: relevant vaccines: COVID-19 vaccines, influenza vaccines and NIP vaccines how to report: electronic, or if this is not reasonably practical then in written form when to report: within 24 hours, and no more than 10 working days after the vaccination. personal information: Medicare number (if applicable), name, contact details, date of birth, gender vaccine information: brand name, dose number and batch number, date given, for COVID19 vaccines - vial serial number (if known) provider information: provider number, name and contact details. Health professionals should use the latest version of their clinical software to make sure they meet reporting requirements. We continue to work with Services Australia to help software developers and vaccination providers meet their reporting obligations. The legislative changes do not make having a vaccine mandatory, only that vaccination providers must report vaccines they have given.

Primary school students exemplify recycling journey in sustainability

Canberra, July 2: For Bonython Primary School Deputy Principal Marc Warwick, sustainability is an ongoing journey and education is key. That’s why when the ACT Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) was launched in June 2018, it quickly became part of the school’s sustainability and recycling approach. The scheme allows people to return eligible bottles, cans and cartons in exchange for a 10 cent refund per item. “It was a way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill,” Marc said. “We put it to a group of our Year 5 and 6 student leaders and co-created a way forward. Student leaders took on the responsibility of developing and implementing a strategy for collecting and returning eligible drink containers, receiving 10 cents for each.” The students worked out how to collect and store containers and educated their peers about using the new container bins, with container returns incorporated into the classroom. “Students have looked at how many containers have been returned, graphed the amount of waste saved from landfill and the amount of money raised through using ACT CDS,” Marc said. “In addition students have visited the ACT Recycling Discovery Hub to learn more about the recycling process, with the site also hosting professional learning opportunities for Bonython staff.” Funds raised through container refunds supported school initiatives. “In the first year we made around $700, and we put that money towards our Year 6 graduation activities,” Marc said. Since then, refunds from the scheme have been used to support the school’s garden and sustainability work, where students learn about how things grow and how compost works. Garden produce has been used in cooking sessions with students, some of which has been supplied to the school canteen. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, produce was harvested by students and sold at an onsite market stall to the school community. “Students understand that recycling is the right thing to do and that their choices reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill,” Marc said. “They’re starting to see that they can really make a difference, and as we value integrity, doing the right thing is important.”

Poster competition winner sends powerful message

Safety Poster Competition judging panel with the winning design Canberra, June 25: “Making an impact” was the inspiration for the winner of the Light Rail Safety Poster Competition, Ada Miller. The year 12 Gungahlin College student’s bright blue and red design features a figure running in front of a tram and is emblazoned with a powerful message for pedestrians: “Don’t rush or be crushed” and a separate sign: “Tracks aren’t paths.” Transport Canberra and Canberra Metro Operations partnered with Gungahlin College for the competition, with entries by the school’s graphic design students. The poster will be showcased in the Gungahlin Town Centre over the coming months and on various Transport Canberra and Canberra Metro platforms including social media. Chloe Whybrow’s “Phone down, eyes up” and Folu Falaki’s “Pay attention, take responsibility” designs were the competition runners up. The artworks were assessed this week by a panel of expert judges representing the rail industry, the ACT Government, and the local community. Ada said she worked on her design for a “few months” inside and outside of class. “I wanted it to be pretty simplistic, so it sends a clear message,” she said. “I like that I have been able to make an impact.” Ada is keen to pursue a career in design and will study graphic design and cyber security next year at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). “I’ve been drawing since I was 5 and just kept it up, but it actually became a career opportunity when I went to Gungahlin College as they have a graphic design class,” she said. “Having the opportunity to be part of this competition has given me some great work experience in design.”

Historic new appointment at Queensland State Archives

Rose Barrowcliffe Brisbane, July 9: In a historical move for the state, Queensland State Archives has announced the appointment of its inaugural First Nations Archives Advisor. Minister for Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch congratulated Butchulla woman Rose Barrowcliffe on securing the role, and said it was a fitting announcement for NAIDOC week. “This year’s theme for NAIDOC week is ‘Heal Country’ and that is exactly what this appointment is aiming to do- ensuring our state’s archives have an accurate representation of First Nations voices and history,” Minister Enoch said. “Ms Barrowcliffe is the perfect candidate for this role, currently undertaking research at the University of the Sunshine Coast on the representation of Indigenous peoples in archives and historical narratives. “Many aspects of First Nations perspectives have been absent in historical government records, leaving us with a narrative that does not include those important voices. “Queensland State Archives holds the evidence of our uncomfortable shared past and has a crucial role to play in supporting the Path to Treaty’s commitment to truth telling. “It is our duty to not shy away from these truths, but to hear and learn from them, so we can continue on the path towards healing,” Ms Enoch said. Newly appointed First Nations Archives Advisor Rose Barrowcliffe said she is excited by the challenge and opportunities of her appointment. “I’m really excited about the initiative that Queensland State Archives and the Queensland Government have taken with redressing the representation of Indigenous people in our

historical narrative and I’m honoured to be asked to be a part of that,” Ms Barrowcliffe said. “The role at Queensland State Archives closely aligns with my doctoral research which examines the ways representation of Indigenous peoples in archives can impact historical narratives. “Truth-telling is a crucial step to moving Queensland forward in a way that respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as its First Peoples, and archives need to play a key part in that process. “It is always a challenge to be asked to be a representative of such a large and diverse group of people. “This is something I will be mindful of as the First Nations Archives Advisor, that the different lived experiences, perspectives and needs need to be brought forward and respected.” Queensland state archives also established the role to respond to the Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration which challenges archives around the world to include the experiences and perspectives of First Nations people in their collections. Treasurer Cameron Dick invites India News team to budget breakfast

From left-Kartik Pratap Singh, Srihan Misra, Jennifer Howard, Cameron Dick, Anu Perera and Ashutosh Misra

From left- Charis Mullen MP, Lance McCullum MP, Treasurer Cameron Dick, Jennifer Howard MP and Jim Madden MP Brisbane, June 28: India News was invited by Mr Lance McCallum, MP for Bundamba and Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 to attend the Budget Breakfast with Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick. Other key personalities present at the event included Charis Mullen MP, Lance McCullum MP, Jennifer Howard MP for Ipswich, Jim Madden MP for Ipswich West, Srihan Misra, the Youth Member of Parliament from Inala and Mr Anu Perera, a prominent Sri Lankan community leader among others. India News was represented by Dr Ashutosh Misra Editor-in-Chief and Mr Kartik Pratap Singh, India News YouTube Director. The Queensland government recently presented its budget which according to Treasurer Cameron Dick will create more jobs in the state leading to faster economic recovery, as the state goes under another three-day snap lockdown. The budget has allocated $3.34 bn under Queensland Jobs Fund focused on investment attraction and industry development to attract the investment needed to drive on-going growth, and provide wider economic and employment benefits; $52.2 bn under the infrastructure program over the next four years creating over 46,500 direct jobs in 202122; $22.2 bn on health during 2021-22 for creating a worldclass health system, which is critical for effectively managing the pandemic; $18.3 bn under education and training during 2021-22, including $460 mn toward targeted investments in flagship skills and training and employment programs Skilling Queenslanders for Work and a revitalised Back to Work program; $14.2 bn on economic support initiatives, $6.1 bn in concessions and lowering cost of living and $1.9bn on social housing and homelessness investment over the next four years. Under the 2021-2022 budget targeted measures have been announced to support small businesses and regional economies. The Queensland Government says that the Economic Recovery Plan will continue to support businesses, workers, families and communities across the state, and the Government has successfully handled the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the state, putting the $360bn economy on the path to a robust recovery. Over 10 years the Government will have supported over $110 bn in infrastructure works, as per the Plan, the Budget plan demonstrates.

Record high export earnings drive Queensland's economic recovery

Brisbane, July 9: The latest Resources and Energy Quarterly report from Australia’s Chief Economist predicts the nation's resource and energy export earnings will reach a record high $310 billion in 2020-21, rising to $334 million in 2021-22. Resources Minister Scott Stewart said surging demand for steel across the globe has turbocharged exports of Queensland metallurgical coal, with our resources sector benefitting from a rising price tag for the essential commodity. “This report forecasts Australia’s revenue from metallurgical coal exports will skyrocket from $22 billion in 2020-21, to almost $32 billion by 2022-23,” Mr Stewart said. “The metallurgical coal industry is a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, and it’s great news for Queensland that metallurgical coal prices have more than recovered from the fall caused by the pandemic and international import restrictions. “This industry is so vital to Queensland, supporting our economy by exporting steel that helps build the world.” “It’s encouraging for our economy that base metal prices across the board have recovered to reach pre-pandemic levels.” The price of premium Australian thermal coal has also reached its highest level in almost three years. The report shows good signs for Queensland’s role in building a low-emissions future, with the outlook for battery minerals like copper improving as demand for new energy technologies rises. The price of copper reached a record high in May, with Australia’s copper export earnings expected to reach $13 billion in 2021-22, up from $10 billion in 2019-20. “As that demand for battery minerals grows, prices for those minerals are rising – generating jobs and economic growth for Queensland,” Mr Stewart said. “You can’t have a strong renewable energy future without a strong resources sector, that’s why the Palaszczuk Government will continue to fight for the industry. “Queensland’s vanadium, cobalt and rare-earth mineral deposits place our state in a prime position to help drive the world’s energy transition. “Many of these can be found in the North West Minerals Province, and that’s why our Government is investing in exploration of these new economic minerals. “We have invested more than $6.8 million in exploration grants and programs since 2017. “Investment in exploration today will mean new projects tomorrow, and jobs for Queenslanders for generations. “The Palaszczuk Government is ensuring Queensland remains a leader in resources exports by promoting exploration and investment in the sector." Meanwhile liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are forecast to increase by 5.3 per cent to 83 million tonnes in the next financial year, with LNG export earnings predicted to climb from an estimated $32 billion in 202021 to $49 billion in 2021-22. Last year alone the Palaszczuk Government released 8,205 square kilometres for gas exploration to maintain a pipeline of future resources projects.

School students, parents urged to follow COVID safety protocol ahead of Term 3

Brisbane, July 8: Queensland school communities are urged to stay COVID safe even as Term 3 started on Monday, July 12. Education Minister Grace Grace and Health Minister Yvette D’Ath today reminded Queensland teachers, students and parents to adhere to the COVID practices in place. Ms Grace said Queensland state school communities are no strangers to listening to the health advice. “Our schools have done a stellar job in keeping COVID safe throughout the pandemic,” she said. “It is imperative that until 6pm on July 16, state schools in South East Queensland*, Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island follow the below health advice. Adults, including volunteers and family members, are required to wear a face mask if they cannot socially distance from each other at school (e.g a gathering of adults in a staff room if they can’t socially distance in the room). No Queensland students are required to wear a face mask at school or when travelling on school transport. School staff are not required to wear masks when working with children. The Minister said parents and caregivers everywhere needed to follow the health advice to continue keeping the communities safe. “Parents/carers across the state are discouraged from congregating in or around the school, in the car park, at drop off and pick up, outside classrooms or at the school gate.” Ms D’Ath thanked school communities for following the rules. “We’re not out of the woods yet and I encourage Queenslanders to continue to do the right thing so we can all stay safe,” she said.

India Technology Hub Summit

A report by Mrs. Sheba Nandkeolyar, Former National Chair, Australia India Business Council and Founder and CEO, Multi Connexions Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief, India News and CEO, Institute for Australia India Engagement

7 July 2021, Quest Hotel, Springfield, Queensland The high-impact India Technology Hub Summit was conducted successfully on 7 July 2021 at the Quest Hotel at Springfield Central by the Springfield City Group and Australia India Business Council (AIBC) with wide participation of stakeholders from Australia and India connecting the Indian tech companies with the Springfield City Group and AIBC. Key stakeholders included Tech Mahindra, TATA Consulting Services (TCS), WIPRO, Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL), Infosys, and NSDL eGovernance and 3 Dot Digital among others. The Summit discussed a range of opportunities and possibilities for Greater Springfield and build the tech and innovation hub. Export Council of Australia, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Business Council of Australia shared their insights on the scope of international business and investments between Australia and India. HE Manpreet Vohra, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia underlined the growing Australia-India trade and investment relationship. India News Australia participated as the media partner and was represented by its Chairman and Publisher Ram Mohan and Ashutosh Misra, along with Agastya Yeturi, India News Cinematographer. The Summit was moderated by Jim Varghese AM, National Chair, AIBC Australia India Business Council moderated the summit session. Launching the Summit, the Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby rightly stated, “What binds us together is what we are all about today – and what binds us today will be the increasing trade opportunities and cultural sharing between Australia and India. Information and technology is one form of trade that will certainly fast track this relationship.” Senator Paul Scarr emphasized that Springfield City Group’s that this burgeoning relationship was limitless including the global talent visa system and advocacy for India as the way forward. Federal MP for Oxley, Queensland Milton Dick strongly urged more action, more content, more dialogue between businesses to fast track this bilateral relationship, which was later seconded by HE Manpreet Vohra. Charis Mullen State MP for Jordan, Queensland highlighted how location such as Springfield can play a major role in facilitating the bilateral business and investment relationship. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding reminded the delegates of the unique opportunities that Springfield and Ipswich offer for investors. Former Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and current Chancellor, University of Queensland Peter Varghese AO illuminated the importance of science and technology being at the forefront of this bilateral relationship, as highlighted in his India Economic Strategy to 2035. India’s former Secretary (East) Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, the author of Australia Economic Strategy grew attention to how India was simplifying the ease doing business environment for prospective investors. The Australia Economic Strategy has underlined joint opportunities, especially in the areas of cyber security, data analysis, cloud and fintech. He called for Australian and Indian policy makers to consider setting up a joint innovation fund. HE Manpreet Vohra in his brief remark spoke about more business meetings and engagements to facilitate this bilateral relationship and flagged the possibility of a free trade agreement and discussions commencing shortly. Ross Buchanan from the Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) very effectively articulated the benefits of setting up businesses in Queensland and in Springfield as well as the various incentives that the Queensland Government had in place for prospective businesses and investors. In addition, C. P. Gurnani, CEO and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra and Girish Ramchandradas, President, Asia Pacific, Tata Consultancy Services admired the visionary outlook that Indian IT companies bring to the table and noted their contribution to economies across the world. Jim Varghese shared the views and flagged that Australia can certainly play a pivotal role in setting up operations here and expanding globally. In the session on Industry perspectives, Ted Burger, Senior AdvisorGlobal Engagement, BCS laid emphasis on the need for changing mindsets of Australians about doing business with India – and reiterated that with the rise of Asia especially in IT, India remained central and well positioned in this relationship. Dianne Tipping, Chair, ECA and Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, both highlighted the immense trade

Dr Nik Senapati, President AIBC Queensland Chapter and Dr Ashutosh Misra (R), E-I-C India News and CEO, IAIE Mr Bob Sharpless (L), Deputy Chairman Springfield City Group and Dr Maha Sinnathamby

HE Manpreet Vohra presenting his remak

Dr Maha Sinnathamby (L) and Senator Paul Scarr

India News Chairman Dr Ram Mohan (L) and Ms. Raynuha Sinnathamby is the Managing Director of Springfield Land Corporation opportunities between the two sides, especially the opportunities for manufacturing in India, Smart Cities, and Logistics.“COVID has changed everything, and most businesses have gone digital, which puts IT at the heart of any industry”, said Dilip Chenoy. Jim Varghese, added that it was heartening that Austrade was addressing perceptions and driving an understanding of contemporary India in Australia as well as driving business & investment opportunities that Indian businesses have in Australia. Deputy Chair of Springfield Bob Sharpless very eloquently presented to the audience the value proposition that Springfield offered especially to IT companies from India and Australia, and shared that Springfield was aiming to achieve a zero-net energy target by 2038 (produce as much energy it consumed). Ashok Mysore, IT Chapter Chair, AIBC while moderating the session on strategies brought to bear the importance of technology and Indian companies’ contribution to the Australian and globally economy and growth. This was followed by the last session covering future goals for Australian and Indian companies for growth featuring Vikram Singh, Country head, TCS; Sarah Adam-Gedge, Country Head, Wipro; Michael Horton, Executive Vice President, HCL;Andrew Growth, Senior Vcie President and CEO, Australia and New Zealand and Industry head, Financial Services Infosys, Asia Pacific; and jeff Ferdinand, Senior Vice President and Country Tech Mahindra. The session emphasizes on the need for government and academic collaboration and the role of New Colombo Plan program in nurturing future leaders in the field. The session made a significant point about the lack of talent in Australia in IT and why growing business and trade collaboration in the sector would be ideal to address that gap. In the post Summit interview with Ashutosh Misra, Editor in Chief, India News, Jim Varghese, Senator Paul Scarr and Bhanu Sud, COO, 3 Dot Digital agreed that the Summit was indeed a watershed in the history of Australia-India business and trade engagements which should encourage not only the tech giants but also small and medium business enterprises in both countries, through memorandums of understanding. They were in agreement that from hereon Australia and India ties will grow deeper and more meaningful. The Summit concluded with the closing remarks from the Summit moderator Jim Varghese summarizing the key points of the Summit, followed by vote of thanks from Nik Senapati, President, AIBC Queensland Chapter.

Mr Jim Varghese, National Chair, AIBC moderating the Summit

Country libraries and tertiary students are the winners from National Backyard Cricket fundraising campaign

13 July: The LBW Trust has now distributed the funds raised during the inaugural National Backyard Cricket program, held last summer to country libraries across Australia and tertiary education projects in India and Sri Lanka. 54 country libraries across Australia have received funding grants which will enable these libraries to complete projects ranging from computer access for young people, to ESL classes, special needs programs and coding classes. Almost half the grant applications requested funding for technology equipment. Harvey Norman has generously matched the funds raised for libraries during the National Backyard Cricket program enabling grants to meet the technology needs of 21 libraries. In total, nearly $70,000 in grants will be distributed to country libraries working with our partner, Friends of Libraries Australia. Tertiary students in India and Sri Lanka have also been the recipients of the funds raised by the National Backyard Cricket program for overseas education. At a time when the pandemic has devastated the lives of so many in the Indian subcontinent, the support provided to the students to support their education and relieve pressure on their families has been invaluable. There were 125 games of backyard cricket played during the National Backyard Cricket program, with over 320 donors helping to raise more than $125,000. The program was supported by cricketing royalty including; Justin Langer, Alex Blackwell, Ryan Carters, Russel Arnold, Alyssa Healy, Ed Cowan and Michael Holding. David Vaux, Chair of The LBW Trust said, “National Backyard Cricket was an opportunity for families and communities across Australia to come together and have fun playing our iconic game after an extremely challenging 12 months, while supporting an important cause at the same time. We are so thrilled we can support local libraries and overseas tertiary education as we know they both have a powerful impact on learning and life outcomes.” “We are heartened by the generosity of the Australian public who participated in National Backyard Cricket. The program exceeded our expectations. Together with our partners, we are proud of National Backyard Cricket’s success in its first year. We have established a great platform for National Backyard Cricket to build on.” For more information, please visit https://nationalbackyardcricket. com.

Melbourne Food And Wine Festival embraces winter

Melbourne, July 13: The renowned Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is proving itself a celebration for all seasons, today unveiling its first ever Winter Edition to attract visitors into the city over 10 fabulous days and nights next month. Supported by the Andrews Labor Government, the Winter Edition will be held from 20-29 August with more than 150 events scheduled across the city, including the new home of the festival – the Queen Victoria Market. Queen Victoria Market will host a range of ticketed and free events, workshops and demonstrations, including “The Remixed Grill” – a day of fire-fuelled eating and drinking featuring leading chefs such as Shane Delia, Jerry Mai, Tina Li and Tom Sarafian, as well as campfire stories and cool-climate wines. Program highlights for the Winter Edition also include a family-friendly pasta festa, an epic celebration of hot chips, a jungle adventure of plant-based eating and drinking, and a signature chef series. Now in its 29th year, the festival is the mainstay of Melbourne’s stellar major events calendar and strengthens Melbourne and Victoria’s brand as a premier food and wine destination. The 2021 Winter Edition will support the CBD’s ongoing recovery by encouraging people to head into the city to experience the culinary delights on offer. The 2021 festival is running throughout the year, with the inaugural World’s Longest Brunch delivered as part of the March Edition, and the Regional Edition still to look forward to later in the year. The festival is supported by the Labor government’s Major Events Fund, which was boosted by $152 million in the November budget to provide an annual pool of $100 million to ensure that Victoria continues to secure the best cultural and sporting events.

First Nations artwork to bring Geelong Arts Centre to life

Geelong Arts Centre Melbourne, July 9: Geelong Arts Centre’s ambitious redevelopment continues to take shape, with exciting new plans to integrate public artwork by First Nations artists into the $140 million Little Malop Street redevelopment. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Acting Minister for Creative Industries Gabrielle Williams today launched an Expressions of Interest process that will select up to four First Nations artists to create work that reflects the significant indigenous connection to country, history and culture of the region. Expressions of Interest are open to experienced First Nations sound and visual artists. All EOI submissions must be considerate and respectful of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners’ cultural rights and responsibilities. The selected artists will work with managing contractor Lendlease, project architects ARM and the project partners - Geelong Arts Centre, Creative Victoria and Development Victoria – to turn their creative concepts into artwork and soundscapes that will be integrated into the design of the redeveloped centre. Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street redevelopment commenced in 2020 and is expected to be complete in 2023. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Acting Minister for Creative Industries Gabrielle Williams said: “Geelong Arts Centre’s Little Malop Street redevelopment is a transformative project for the local creative community and for the region.”“It’s a project with creative people at its heart and these art commissions will be an incredible opportunity to showcase the talents of our First Nations artists to audiences visiting the new centre, which is expected to grow to more than 400,000 each year.” Expressions of Interest for the First Nations design opportunities are now open via the Buying for Victoria and Geelong Arts Centre websites: www.tenders.vic.gov. au and geelongartscentre.org.au. Submissions close on 29 July.

Genetic clues to medicinal cannabis unlocked in Victoria

Melbourne, July 10: Advanced DNA analysis has allowed Victorian scientists to unlock the genetic code of medicinal cannabis, creating the world’s most complete genomic reference. Minister for Agriculture MaryAnne Thomas has congratulated scientists at Agriculture Victoria who have paved the way for faster precision breeding of medical cannabis, highlighting the importance of scientific research. Laboratories have been fitted with state-of-the-art technology that can precisely measure and quantify cannabinoids and are being used by Victorian scientists to identify the cannabis varieties quickly and accurately with the best medicinal properties. It aims to improve outcomes from plant breeding programs. In 2016, Victoria became the first state to legalise the use of medicinal cannabis. Since then, safe and secure trials have allowed scientists to breed improved strains of the plant which in turn has made better health products available to patients. Every plant and animal have a unique set of DNA including genes, and this is referred to as its genome. Understanding the genome of medicinal cannabis is important because it allows scientists to select the best traits to make the most effective health products for people suffering from health conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Scientists at Agriculture Victoria have been at the forefront of genomic analysis and DNA testing for agriculture in Australia for more than two decades. Over the past four years, the research team used their expertise in genomic DNA testing to create new tools which made extracting genetic information from strains of medicinal cannabis from across the world possible. This information was then able to be put into a database. This means scientists can link millions of DNA markers with traits such as growth rate, bud size and disease resistance, and quickly and cost-effectively test plants to meet compliance and regulatory requirements. In 2018-19, Agriculture Victoria scientists sequenced 50 trillion bases of DNA. Advances in technology mean the same amount can today be done in just three weeks, which is equivalent to 60,000 cannabis genomes or 66,000 chickpea genomes. The Andrews Labor Government’s 10-year strategy for agriculture in Victoria highlights the ongoing importance of investing in research and innovation. The strategy also outlines the need to maximise the growth potential of key emerging industries in order to grow the value and output of the agriculture sector.

Wage theft now a crime in Victoria

Photo Courtesy: Green Left

Melbourne, July 1: From today, wage theft is now a criminal offence in Victoria, and employers who deliberately underpay or don’t pay their workers now face fines of up to almost $1 million for companies and up to 10 years’ jail or up to $200,000 for individuals. Under the Wage Theft Act 2020, which took effect today, it is a crime for an employer in Victoria to deliberately underpay employees or dishonestly withhold wages, superannuation, or other employee entitlements. The new laws deliver on the Labor government’s commitment to establish criminal offences targeting employers who commit wage theft. The law also makes it a crime to falsify, or avoid keeping, employee entitlement records to gain a financial advantage. The legislation covers dishonest conduct by employers who are seeking to deliberately avoid their lawful responsibilities. Employers who make honest mistakes or who exercise due diligence in paying wages and employee entitlements are not guilty of wage theft offences. A new statutory body, Wage Inspectorate Victoria, also begins operations today and has the power to investigate and prosecute wage theft offences. Led by newly appointed Commissioner Robert Hortle, Wage Inspectorate Victoria will also promote and enforce existing Victorian laws covering child employment, long service leave, and contractors in transport and forestry. Allegations of wage theft can be reported to Wage Inspectorate Victoria via its website at wageinspectorate. vic.gov.au, which also contains comprehensive frequently asked questions, fact sheets, and information for employers about their responsibilities.

Australia’s first Pride Centre opens in Victoria

Melbourne, July 11: Victoria is now home to Australia’s first purpose-built community hub for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities, with the opening of the landmark Victorian Pride Centre. Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Equality Martin Foley today joined Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQ+ community to officially open this centre and announce the main date for Melbourne Pride 2021. The Andrews Labor Government invested more than $25 million to deliver the centre, which will celebrate our LGBTIQ+ communities, honour their past, and support organisations and groups driving equality across the state. The Labor government is also investing $1.9 million to deliver Melbourne Pride 2021, which will be one of the most significant LGBTIQ+ events in Victoria’s history. Marking the 40-year anniversary of the decriminalisation of sex between men in Victoria, Melbourne Pride will let Victorians show their support for LGBTIQ+ communities with activities across regional Victoria and a one-day street party in Melbourne’s inner north, which the Premier today announced would be held on

Sunday, 5 December. From today at the centre, LGBTIQ+ communities can access inclusive services, connect with each other, celebrate who they are, learn about LGBTIQ+ history and appreciate LGBTIQ+ art and performances at the centre’s theatrette and gallery. A range of deeply trusted LGBTIQ+ organisations will be based at the centre, including health services, LGBTIQ+ media outlets, and others such as Minus18, the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, Transgender Victoria, Switchboard Victoria, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Thorne Harbour Health and bookshop Hares and Hyenas. The Australian Queer Archives will be based at the centre, enabling the public to have unprecedented access to its collection. The centre also includes a reflection room and other event, social and coworking spaces. Designed by Brearley Architects and Urbanists and Grant Amon Architects, the centre is one of the largest purpose-built pride centres in the world, with the City of Port Phillip generously donating the land on which it stands. The building is accompanied by a virtual Pride Centre. This online directory of LGBTIQ+ resources and events will support LGBTIQ+ people to celebrate who they are and connect with each other, wherever they are in the state. Supporting workers to make a move to regional Victoria

Melbourne, July 8: The Andrews Labor Government is backing regional businesses and industries to attract critical workers through new investments to tackle housing shortages and other barriers to regional workforce attraction. Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas today announced state-wide initiatives to support worker shortages including a $5 million investment for Regional Workforce Pilots. The pilots have been developed to tackle housing shortages and other barriers to regional workforce attraction, which is threatening economic recovery and growth. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in unprecedented numbers of people moving from metropolitan Melbourne to regional and rural Victoria, increasing demand on the already tight housing market in many areas. This is demonstrated by recent data highlighting regional Victoria’s extremely low vacancy rate of 1.2 per cent, low turnover rate of 7.7 per cent and a yearon-year decline in new lettings - down by more than 20 per cent. The pilots will include targeted and localised support in four areas of regional Victoria experiencing high demand for workers and increasing challenges in attracting them. Pilots will be in the region surrounding Ararat in the Grampians, along the Great South Coast, the High Country, and at Robinvale in northern Victoria. In the Grampians, the Ararat East Development Zone will be established to prepare the site for a future housing development. The pilot will develop homes for an additional 317 people, creating 134 full time equivalent jobs during construction. On top of the pilots, the government is investing a further $300,000 in the Ararat East Development Zone through the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund (RJIF). The Regional Workforce Pilots are part of the Government’s almost $30 billion investment in regional and rural Victoria since 2015, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing to the lowest regional unemployment rate in the nation. More than $3 million in funding has also been provided by the Labor government to support other immediate interventions identified by regional businesses and councils to support workforce attraction to improve housing. These include $550,000 for the continuation of the OPAN initiative to fill up to 1,000 unskilled positions, $825,000 to Tourism North East to plan for long-term affordable housing and more than $410,000 for Buloke Council to establish a housing development at Sea Lake. The Regional Workforce Pilots and regional housing initiatives build on the Government’s historic $5.3 billion Big Housing Build to construct more than 12,000 new secure and modern, social and affordable homes throughout the state – with $1.25 billion being invested in regional Victoria.

2021 Australian Grand Prix, Moto GP cancelled

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 6: The state of Victoria on July 6 announced the cancellation of the 2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian MotoGP citing low rates of vaccination that has made it impossible to stage the events. The F1 Grand Prix, normally held in March in Melbourne's Albert Park, was initially postponed to November in the hope that the state would be ready for an international event by then, reports Xinhua. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that it would be hard for Melbourne to host the event given that vaccination rates are not at the "critical mass" needed. "Running big international events is very challenging, but until that point [of vaccinations] we have to do everything we can to safeguard not bringing the virus in," said Andrews. The cancellation was confirmed by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) on July 6 afternoon. AGPC chairman Paul Little shared his disappointment that the events will be cancelled for the second year in a row. "We're deeply disappointed. We appreciate the challenge Australia faces with current international travel restrictions and the importance of vaccinations," Little said. The cancellation is a huge blow to Melbourne's economy and Victoria's tourism and sport events industry, but organisers and authorities are now looking towards 2022. "We are getting to work on plans for 2022 immediately and can't wait to welcome the world's best drivers and riders and all motorsport fans back to Albert Park and Phillip Island," said Victoria's Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula. Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo said: "It's a huge disappointment for all of the drivers that we won't be coming down to Australia in November, but we understand the reasons. "For me personally, I can't wait to have the chance to race at home again, and it'll be even sweeter when we do because it's been so long. Fingers crossed things can change for 2022."

Vaccination must for Fijian civil servants: PM Photo Courtesy: IANS

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama Suva, July 9 (IANS): Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said his government will ramp up the Covid-19 vaccination campaign soon, adding that all civil servants and private workers have to get inoculated "as a condition of their employment". Vaccines are the best possible protection, "for us, for those around us; those in our homes; those who ride the bus with us; those who share our places of work. Remember, this is not only about protecting ourselves -- getting vaccinated is a responsibility we all owe to each other", Bainimarama said in an address to the nation on Thursday. "That is why the government is asking that all employers and employees in Fiji, including civil servants, be vaccinated as a condition of their employment," he said. Under government guidelines, civil servants who have not received their first dose of the vaccine will have to go on leave from July 12, reports Xinhua news agency. They cannot come back to work until they have received at least the first dose of the vaccine before August 15 and get fully vaccinated by Noveber 1. Anyone who does not adhere to the guidelines will be dismissed from work. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, all employers and employees in the private sector and statutory bodies must also get vaccinated or else lose their jobs. "No jabs, no job, that is what the science tells us is safest and that is now the policy of government and enforced through law," Bainimarama said. He said the AstraZeneca vaccine administered in Fiji has been shown to offer 92 per cent protection against hospitalisation from the Delta variant. With other potentially deadlier variants spreading around the world, including the highly contagious Lambda variant in Australia, Fiji cannot afford to waste time as vaccination is the only way forward, he said. With enough vaccines supplied by Australia, India, and New Zealand, Fiji has been administering a steady average of 40,000 doses of vaccines every week, and so far 335,000 Fijians have been vaccinated, said the Prime Minister.

Fiji's target population for vaccination is 586,651 adults. By November 1 this year, the government expects to have at least 80 per cent of that group fully vaccinated. Fiji has so far reported 7,940 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 42 deaths. Japan announces 4th Covid state of emergency

Tokyo, July 9 (IANS): The Japanese government has decided to place capital Tokyo under the fourth Covid-19 state of emergency, covering the entire duration of the upcoming Olympics, in an effort to curb a recent surge in infections. The government announced on July 8 that the emergency will be effective from July 12 to August 22, which may cause the Summer Olympic Games to be held without spectators at venues in the capital, Xinhua news agency reported. Addressing a news conference here, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that the occupancy rate of hospital beds and the number of patients in serious condition remain low due to the vaccine rollout, but infection cases in Tokyo were rising due to the spread of the Delta variant. "We must avoid another outbreak starting in Tokyo. With that in mind, we decided to take preemptive measures, and declare a state of emergency for Tokyo once again," Suga was quoted as saying by the public broadcaster, NHK. With two weeks until the Olympic Games, Suga pledged safety above all. "Holding a safe and secure Games amid the coronavirus pandemic is a good opportunity to show our global unity to overcome the current difficulties together," he said. Infection cases in the capital have been going up. Health authorities reported 896 new infections on July 8, marking the 19th straight day cases have gone up. Japan has so far reported 811,712 coronavirus cases, with 14,897 deaths. At least 37,214,200 vaccine doses against Covid-19 have been administered in the country till date.

UK records another 32,551 coronavirus cases

London, July 9 (IANS): Britain has reported another 32,551 coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period, bringing the total in the country to 5,022,893, according to official figures released on July 8. The country's coronavirusrelated death toll rose by 35 to 128,336. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, the Xinhua news agency reported. More than 45.6 million people in Britain have received the first Covid-19 vaccine jab and over 34.1 million people have received two doses, the official figures showed. British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced July 8 that fully vaccinated British residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will no longer have to quarantine from July 19. Shapps said in the House of Commons, the lower house of the British parliament, that British residents who have received two vaccine doses and those aged under 18 will not need to quarantine when they return to England from a place on the amber list. For the time being, individuals returning from the British government's amber or red list destinations, regardless of vaccine status, must be isolated for 10 days. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on July 5 that most Covid-19 restrictions are set to end on July 19 as part of the final step of England's roadmap out of the lockdown. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

US initial jobless claims rise after hitting record low

Washington, July 9: Initial unemployment claims in the US increased to 373,000 recently, after hitting the lowest level since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Labour Department reported. In the week ending July 3, the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased by 2,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised level of 371,000, according to a report released on July 8 by the Department's Bureau of Labour Statistics. The four-week moving average, a method to iron out data volatility, edged down by 250 to 394,500, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying. It also revealed that the number of people continuing to collect regular state unemployment benefits in the week ending June 26 decreased by 145,000 to reach nearly 3.34 million. That number peaked in April and May last year, when it was over 20 million. Meanwhile, the total number of people claiming benefits in all programs, state and federal combined, for the week ending June 19 also decreased by 449,642 to reach 14.2 million, as the country continues to grapple with the fallout of the pandemic. Over 20 states, nearly all of which are Republican-led, previously announced plans to end the $300 weekly federal unemployment benefits in June or July, weeks ahead of their expiration date of September 6, citing labour shortage. Last spring, as Covid-19 shutdowns rippled through the workforce, initial jobless claims spiked by 3 million to reach a record 3.3 million in the week ending March 21, 2020, and then doubled to reach a record 6.87 million in the week ending March 28. After that, the number, though at record highs, has been declining overall, but the trend was reversed multiple times amid resurgences and a bumpy economic recovery. Initial jobless claims unexpectedly rose to an upwardly revised level of 418,000 in the week ending June 12 after hitting pandemic lows in prior weeks, marking the highest level in a month - a recent example to illustrate the twists and turns in labour market recovery.

Taliban continue to occupy more territory as fighting escalates in Qala-e-Naw Photo Courtesy: IANS

Herat, July 8 (IANS): With the US withdrawal inching closer, Taliban continued to make quick captures of major territories in Afghanistan, putting the Afghan security forces under extreme pressure and intensifying confrontations. In the latest move, the Taliban claimed to have entered and captured Qala-e-Naw, the first regional capital to face an allout offensive by it. The Afghan government has flown in its commandos to push back the Taliban and take control of the provincial capital in northwestern Badghis province. The fight between the Taliban and the Afghan commandos has entered into the second day with President Ashraf Ghani stating that his security forces had the capacity to defeat the Taliban, even after the complete withdrawal of the US troops. The locals of Qala-i-Naw were forced to either flee the city or barricade themselves in their homes as fighting continued to intensify with each passing hour. The Taliban have launched a major assault since the US has fast paced the withdrawal of its troops. The Pentagon claims that the pullout of troops from Afghanistan is 90 percent complete. Taliban, on the other hand, have started capturing new territories and are making fast forward movements into claiming major provincial capitals like Qala-i-Naw, prompting serious concerns that Afghan forces may not be able to handle the Taliban assault without the American air support. President Ghani admitted that the transition, of the shifting of power and control from the foreign troops to the Afghan government, has entered into the most complicated stage.

Biden cancels Trump proposal to restrict student visas to four-year term Photo Courtesy: IANS

New York, July 9 (IANS): US President Joe Biden's administration has announced it is cancelling a proposal by his predecessor Donald Trump to limit student visas to a four-year term for scholars from India and most other countries. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the decision on July 6 and said that it would also drop the proposed limits on visas for journalists. The DHS said that it had received about 32,000 public comments, of which 99 per cent were critical of the proposal made by the Trump administration last September and, therefore, it was withdrawing the proposed changes. It said that it "is concerned that the changes proposed unnecessarily impede access to immigration benefits." By keeping the current visa regulations, students on F and J visas would be able to keep their visas in the US as long as they are continuing their studies and journalists on I visas while keeping their jobs. If the changes had gone through, they would have had to apply to the Citizenship and Immigration Service for extensions or leave the country and apply to the Customs and Border Protection agency for readmission. The Trump administration proposal would have further reduced the limits on student visas to two years for certain countries whose citizens were overstaying their visas. The DHS reported that those opposing the time limit said "would significantly burden the foreign students, exchange scholars, (and) foreign media representatives" and "impose exorbitant costs." "Higher education groups were alarmed by the plan to change the policy, which, they argued, would create uncertainty and confusion for students who would have to navigate a burdensome and costly new reapplication process in order to continue their studies in the US," Inside Higher Education reported. The businesses that wrote in against the proposal said that "many noncitizens may not be able to apply for an extension of stay or have it approved in a timely fashion, thereby delaying the possible start dates of employees and/or cause them to lose potential job candidates," the DHS added. The DHS, however, said that it still supports the goal of the proposal, which was "to protect the integrity of programmes that admit nonimmigrants in the F, J, and I" visa categories and would analyse it while ensuring that it conformed to Biden's executive order issued in February on "restoring faith in our legal immigration systems." Typically, students in PhD or research programmes or pursuing other advanced degrees require more than four years. Students transitioning to practical training programmes could also be affected, impacting businesses that rely on foreign students to power their development.

US military mission in Afghanistan to be over by Aug 31: Biden

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Washington, July 9 (IANS): US President Joe Biden said on July 8 that US military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on August 31, days ahead of his original September 11 deadline. "In this context, speed is safety," Biden said in his remarks at the White House. "Conducting our drawdown differently would have certainly come with an increased risk of safety to our personnel." Biden in April ordered all US troops to leave Afghanistan before September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the US into its longest war, the Xinhua news agency reported. In defending the withdrawal, he noted that the US military had achieved its counter-terrorism objectives in the 20-year war. "We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build," Biden added. "It's the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run their country." Biden reaffirmed that the US will continue providing support to the Afghan government and planned to move Afghan nationals who worked with US forces out of the country to wait for their US visa to be processed. "Starting this month, we're going to begin relocation flights for Afghanistan SIV (Special Immigrants Visa) applicants and their families who choose to leave," he said. The Wall Street Journal in June reported that the US intelligence community assessed that the Afghan government could collapse as soon as six months after the complete withdrawal of the US military. Biden rejected the collapse scenario on July 8. "They didn't reach that conclusion," he told reporters, saying he had confidence in the capacity of the Afghan troops. Meanwhile, the security situation in the war-torn country has deteriorated as Taliban militants continue heavy fighting against government forces and captured about 100 suburban districts out of the country's 400 districts since the drawdown of US troops on May 1. US and NATO forces recently evacuated the Bagram Airfield near capital city Kabul, handing over the largest coalition base to Afghan government troops. US Central Command said on July 6 that the US military had completed over 90 per cent of the withdrawal. According to media reports, around 650 troops are expected to remain in the country to provide security for diplomats. Over 2,400 US troops have been killed in Afghanistan over the past two decades, with 20,000 wounded, according to the Pentagon. Estimates show that over 66,000 Afghan troops have been killed, and over 2.7 million people have had to leave their homes.

Pfizer, BioNTech working on Covid booster shot to target Delta variant

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Washington, July 9: Pfizer and BioNTech have announced that they are developing a Covid-19 booster shot intended to target the highly transmissible Delta variant, according to US media reports. Concerns continue to rise as the Delta strain has already become the dominant variant in the US, causing increasing infections, Xinhua news agency quoted the reports as saying on July 8. The two companies said they believe a third shot of their current two-dose vaccine has the potential to preserve the "highest levels" of protection against all currently known variants, including Delta, but they are "remaining vigilant" and developing an updated version of the vaccine, a CNBC News report said. "These findings are consistent with an ongoing analysis from the companies' Phase 3 study," the companies said in a statement issued on July 8. "That is why we have said, and we continue to believe that it is likely, based on the totality of the data we have to date, that a third dose may be needed within six to 12 months after full vaccination." Clinical studies could begin as early as August, subject to regulatory approvals, the companies said. Executives from Pfizer and BioNTech have said people will likely need a booster shot, or third dose, within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated because they expect vaccine-induced immunity to wane over time.

Global Covid-19 caseload surpasses 185.5 mn

Washington, July 9 (IANS): The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 185.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 4 million and vaccinations soared to over 3.35 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on July 9 morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload, death toll and the total number of vaccine doses administered stood at 185,500,538, 4,009,084 and 3,351,337,474, respectively. The US continues to be the worsthit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,790,136 and 606,468, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 30,709,557 cases. The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (18,962,762), France (5,861,128), Russia (5,638,901), Turkey (5,465,094), the UK (5,040,053), Argentina (4,613,019), Colombia (4,450,086), Italy (4,267,105), Spain (3,915,313), Germany (3,741,470) and Iran (3,327,526), the CSSE figures showed. In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 530,179 fatalities. Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (405,028), Mexico (234,458), Peru (193,743), Russia (138,441), the UK (128,601), Italy (127,731), France (111,473) and Colombia (111,155). 11 injured in hot air balloon crash in NZ

Wellington, July 9 (IANS): Eleven people were injured due to a hot air balloon crash near Queenstown, South Island of New Zealand on July 9, reported the local media. A police spokesperson at the scene confirmed that at least one person was seriously injured, with the 10 others suffering minor or moderate injuries, the Xinhua news agency reported. Visual contents from the scene showed a large semi-deflated balloon seen through tree branches. It is said that there were numerous power lines visible at the site. At the request of the emergency services, the power company turned off the power, leaving at least 160 houses in nearby suburbs without electricity. Hot balloon flight is one of the popular touring attractions in New Zealand, but another tragedy did happen before. A balloon crash accident in 2012 took 11 lives. There is no evidence this crash was caused by misconduct, but a witness reported a plummet landing being seen this time.

WORLD THIS WEEK

Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru Compiled by Sukanya Bali, Avishka Ashok and Joeana Cera Matthews

Haiti: Political crisis follows the assassination of President Moise

Photo Courtesy: Voice of America

What happened? On 7 July, Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his residence in Port-au-Prince. Hours later, Joseph Claude Joseph took charge as interim Prime Minister and stated: "A group of individuals who have not been identified... attacked the private residence of the President of the Republic and fatally injured the Head of State." He then declared Haiti to be in a state of siege. A statement made by Claude – Ariel Henry, who Moïse suggested as Prime Ministerial replacement highlights the issue of leadership: "It's an exceptional situation. There is a bit of confusion. I am the Prime Minister in office." On 8 July, amidst suspicions of external involvement, US President Joe Biden said: "We condemn this heinous act, stand ready to assist as we continue to work for a safe and secure Haiti." Also on 8 July, Colombian Defense Minister Diego Molano, on the identity of the perpetrators, stated: "Interpol has officially requested information about the alleged perpetrators of this crime. Initially, the information indicates that they are Colombian citizens, retired members of the National Army." What does it mean? The assassination has raised more questions over immediate and long term issues. With the power struggle already in motion – who will lead the country? The political crisis will exacerbate the security situation. Though Haiti would be looking for some international support to maintain order in the immediate future, the US is less likely to get involved. The deteriorating economic and social situation will only worsen the situation for Haiti. What happened? On 9 July, Beijing authorities ordered the removal of 25 more apps operated by Didi Global Inc, which provides ride-hailing and related online services. On 7 July, China's antitrust authority imposed fines on Didi and another tech for failing to report their merger deals in advance. The regulator also stopped Didi from adding new users. On 6 July, China announced new rules on data security and crossborder data flows for Chinese companies, which seek to trade their shares abroad. On the same day, Didi's share value fell 4.6 per cent for the fifth day, which is 15 per cent below its debut price on the New York Stock Exchange, a week ago. a day. What does it mean? Beijing's action against the homegrown tech companies shows that politics and tech in China are intertwined. It also shows that the government discourages Chinese tech companies from listing in the US. Second, this shows Beijing's interest in keeping essential data within its borders and help domestic players to grow in an environment without unfair practices. Also, it indicates the government's interest in tech giants to show their loyalty towards the CCP.

China: Didi, a ride-hailing company in regulatory crosshairs ALSO IN NEWS

China: 14 companies blacklisted by the US on Human Rights issue On 9 July, the Biden administration added 14 more companies to the 'entity list' of alleged human rights abuses and high-tech surveillance in Xinjiang. The US Commerce Department said the companies had been added to the entity list "for their involvement in, or risk of becoming involved in, activities contrary to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States." Chinese Foreign Minister said: "The Chinese side will take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and reject the US attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs." Japan: North Korea considered a major cyber threat On 8 July, a Japanese government cybersecurity organization in a draft "Cybersecurity Strategy" assessed North Korea as a threat to the country. With the increasing cyber capabilities of China and Russia, along with North Korea, they aim to achieve political goals or foreign currency by conducting cyberattacks. The draft calls for Japan to strengthen its capabilities. According to NK News, EST security Response Centre (ESRC) head said: "the singling out of the three countries reflects their outsize role in the current cybersecurity landscape." He further said: "It's not that there's no attack from countries like Vietnam or Iran, but China, Russia, and North Korea take up a large volume." Myanmar: NLD's ViceChairperson charged with corruption time-tested and trust-based relationship is very much not just in place but remains very strong, continues to grow." Afghanistan: Biden reiterates the exit, as Taliban violence expands On 8 July, US President Joe Biden announced that the US War in Afghanistan would end on 31 August 2021. He said: "While we will not stay involved in Afghanistan militarily, our diplomatic and humanitarian work will continue. We'll continue

On 6 July, the military regime announced filing corruption charges against National League Democracy Vice-Chairperson, Zaw Myint Maung and former Mandalay Region Minister of Electricity, Energy and Construction, U Zarni Aung under the anti-corruption law. Zaw, who is already detained by the military regime, is further accused of taking bribes from private companies and for receiving 65 million kyats for the Amarapura urbanization project. Similarly, U Zarni has been accused of charging below-market-rate rent for properties leased to the NLD offices. Both the former leaders are already facing incitement charges under the regime. India: Foreign Minister meets Russian counterpart in Moscow On 9 July, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a three-day visit to Moscow, held "productive" talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, for bilateral cooperation on space, nuclear, energy, and defence sectors. Both the leaders also discussed global and regional issues of Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria. Jaishankar said: "the talks were as always very warm, comfortable, comprehensive, and productive." He further added, "despite the fact that so many things are changing in our world both before and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our to support the government of Afghanistan. We will keep providing assistance to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces." President Biden pledged to fund and equip the Afghan security forces and urged all Afghan leaders to unite to ensure peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. On 7 July, the Taliban launched an offensive on Qala-e-Naw and showcased a deadly battle with the Afghan security forces. With the offensive on the city, the Taliban defied the US-Taliban agreement on not attacking major cities and provincial capitals. On 7 July, the Taliban and Afghani politicians agreed to a joint declaration in Tehran. Despite the joint declaration on working towards a peaceful solution, violence perpetrated by the Taliban is on a rise in multiple parts of the country. Europe: UK and EU differ over the Brexit settlement On 9 July, the UK government responded to the EU's assessment that Britain would owe the regional bloc a total of EUR 47.5 billion as a part of the Brexit settlement. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We don't recognize that figure. The UK's estimate remains in the central range of EUR 35 to 39 billion." The assessment was published in a budget document and accounts for Britain's commitments that continue to benefit the country and other incomplete obligations. An EU spokesperson revealed that the estimated amount of EUR 47.5 billion was considered to be final. The US: President Joe Biden pledges to take action against Russian cyber-attacks

On 9 July, the US stated that it would take all necessary steps to end the increase in cyber-attacks from Russia. The statement was made by President Joe Biden while he discussed the threat with President Vladimir Putin via phone call on the same day. However, Russia denied having a conversation regarding the issue. President Biden said: "I made it very clear to him that the United States expects when a ransomware operation is coming from his soil, even though it's not sponsored by the state, we expect them to act if we give them enough information to act on who that is." The US: Pro-slavery Confederate General's statue removed from the base On 10 July, the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee was taken down from Charlottesville in Virginia. The move took place four years after white supremacist protests led to the death of a woman. Along with General Robert Lee, the statue of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was also taken down while the people cheered the gesture. On 29 June, the House of Representatives passed legislation to enable the removal of statues of individuals with a legacy of supporting slavery. The removal of pro-slavery Confederate Generals' statues is now becoming a key focus of the anti-racist movements across the US as well as the world. About the Authors Sukanya Bali and Avishka Ashok are Research Associates at NIAS and Joeana Cera Matthews a research intern in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the NIAS. The report has been modified by India News due to space considerations.

That racism unites people more than it divides is heartening Jammu twin drone attacks: Dawn of new trend in warfare

Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho

Racism is as old as the history of human societies. them, speaking volumes about his leadership. Modern states have responded appropriately: legislatively and normatively and so to have sporting codes and institutions. However, we cannot wish it away. It will remain amongst us in one form or the other. Racism in sports has risen by 67% in 2018, in professional sport – soccer, basketball, boxing, cricket, golf, motorsport and tennis. Remember how Jesse Owens and other athletes, faced similar experiences during the 1936 Olympics in Germany, held under Adolf Hitler’s “Aryan-race only” formula? Interestingly, contrary to popular belief that Hitler refused shaking hands, Jesse said it was actually the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt who refused to meet him. Imagine that? Recall Zinedine Zidane’s headbutting act after being racially slurred by Macro Materazzi during the France and Italy match in the world cup. An Algerian sculptor has even built a sculpture to immortalise the headbutting. Tiger Woods was also subjected to a racist jibe from a veteran golfer after his 1998 major win, and so did Magic Johnson in basketball. Racism again raised its ugly head in the aftermath of the Euro 2021 final between England and Italy in which England lost 3-2 in the nerve-wrecking penalty shootout after extra-time ended with a 1-1 score line. The pain of losing the final was in itself heartbreaking for England, but the barrage of racist slandering and attacks on the three key English players, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka was even more excruciating, drawing widespread condemnation. The trio had narrowly missed the penalty kick, costing England the cup. The upset English fans in a fit of rage not only resorted to vandalism and rioting outside the Wembley Stadium, but went on to target the three players with racist attacks, leaving them heartbroken, and the nation and sporting world in shock. While the loss was in itself brutal for the team, more so for the three players, being singled out on racial grounds was too much to bear for them, as well as for other English supporters. But, it was a touching sight to see the brave England captain Harry Kane embracing the players to console In the post-match madness, a large group of highly agitated England supporters reportedly defaced the murals of Rashford in his suburb of Withington, in south Manchester. Appalled by the racist attacks, hundreds gathered to throw their support behind the trio, repainting and restoring the defaced mural of Rashford. The gathered supporters also took the knee at the Stand Up to Racism demonstration. #SayNoToRacism and #BlackLivesMatter has been trending on the social media ever since, in solidarity with the players, which is a powerful symbol of racism uniting people more than dividing them. BBC reported that the 61-years old Karen Reismann, protested despite being fined £10,000 for breaching Covid rules during a National Health Service pay protest. Another NHS worker Felicite Sora, who recently moved to UK from France shared that the French player Kylian Mbappe was also subjected to racist attacks after he missed the penalty for France in the competition. She said that she joined the solidarity protest with her six-year old son to instil in him the need for standing up to such incidents of racism. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned the racist attacks unequivocally and thrown his weight behind the team, especially the trio. The Greater Manchester Police is now reportedly investigating the incident of the defacing of Rashford’s mural. Ed Edward, the co-founder of Withington Walls said that the perpetrators need more education than any punishment. According to the BBC, the crowdfunding page has raised over £34,000 which will go toward painting more such murals, said Edward. The message in all this here is that racism will raise its ugly head periodically involving players, officials, referees and spectators, therefore, what matters is how we respond. It is heartening to see in the latest instance how people have stood up against racism. This is how it must be addressed: unequivocally and strongly. Because racism won’t vanish, so what matters is how we respond as a society. By Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain

It needs no research to write about the long expected arrival of the phenomenon of delivery of explosive material on targets by small drones. The Jammubased Indian Air Force facility at the airport technical area was subjected to a drone-based IED attack in the early hours of June 27, causing a minor damage and an odd non-serious casualty (as reported). For a couple of years now, quad copters (rotary wing drones) of varying sizes have been crossing the LoC and the international border (IB) from Pakistan and PoK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir) into Punjab and J&K in an effort to exploit an emerging technology for effective use in hybrid warfare. It had started some years ago mainly in J&K, to photograph and map possible locations of manned positions on the Indian side, to facilitate infiltration. For the last five years or a little more, the focus shifted to terror groups attempting to use these airborne vehicles to transport a limited amount of warlike stores to the areas slightly in depth of the defensive canals in Punjab. With the counter infiltration posture becoming far more effective, the supply chain of these stores had been disrupted causing a negative turn in terrorist capability. The experience of terrorists and their sponsors in logistic supply by drones did not really overcome the challenge but a possible indulgence in explosive payloads using these was expected sooner than later. The employment of small size unarmed drones capable of delivering a payload of explosives up to a standoff distance is actually the terrorists’ dream. Ideally, they would like to indulge in heavier drones for greater terminal effect but for a beginning this would be considered suitable in changing the complexity and direction of hybrid war. It’s the message of capability which is important because that puts the regular forces on alert with an out of proportion quantum of effort, energy and deployment, all of which are resource sapping. Neutralizing small size drones is difficult due to the limited time they are likely to be in the air. If launched over short distances from just across the border or LoC their low flight path and short time to target precludes any manual acquisition of targets, especially at night. The devices used at Jammu were probably crude technology demonstrators but they put all military and other sensitive deployment on notice, requiring round-the-clock surveillance (more of the manual kind) to prevent a repeat. Given the fact that these devices can be GPS-enabled and locations of important installations can all

be surveyed by satellite, the accuracy with which targeting can be executed cannot be underestimated. The sensitive border region of North Punjab and Jammu has a plethora of such targets in the vicinity of the IB. The advantage which the terrorists enjoy of physically infiltrating and striking in a single night can also be applied using such drones. They can in fact be used to strike at multiple objectives on a broad front, divert attention and then use physical infiltration to exploit the resultant chaos. It may be recalled that on September 14, 2019 Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked an Aramco oil refinery in Saudi Arabia’s

Photo Courtesy: Navbharat Times The devices used at Jammu were probably crude technology demonstrators but they put all military and other sensitive deployment on notice, requiring round-theclock surveillance (more of the manual kind) to prevent a repeat.

capital city, Riyadh. They used six bomb-laden drones along with 11 missiles to paralyze the working of the refinery. This is not something difficult to replicate in our context where oil installations at Jammu or Pathankot and various communication centres at a depth of no more than 10-20 km remain vulnerable. The incident we have witnessed saw only two drones in use but the entire phenomenon of drone swarms is not something unknown to us; it’s a methodology which could eventually be the adopted tactics. Swarms may offer large targets but carry a higher surety of some of the payloads reaching the target even if a few get shot down. More important for us is the counter measures that we propose. Passive defence is fine and will have to be resorted to through more air sentries and quick reaction teams (QRTs) trained to fire in a virtual air defence role. Hybrid wars in the subcontinent need not be fought only on the basis of absorbing Pakistan’s deceitful cooperation with terrorist elements. Rotary or fixed wing drones do not require very high technology. But before these become a nuisance for us and a source of unnecessary embarrassment the right offensive options must be clearly thought through. It’s not long before a few such drones will be launched to target our ammunition dumps, from within the precincts of the LoC or just outside it. Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM is a retired General of the Indian Army. He was the Military Secretary of the Indian Army and the Indian Army's 15 Army Corps Commander in Jammu and Kashmir. The article was originally published by News18 in India.

Investment climate in India has improved considerably since the opening up of the economy in 1991

This is largely attributed to ease in FDI norms across sectors of the economy. India, today is a part of top 100 club on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). FDI inflows in India stood at $45.15 bn in 2014-15 and have consistently increased since then. Moreover, total FDI inflow grew by 65.3%, i.e. from $266.21 bn in 2007-14 to $440.01bn in 2014-21 and FDI equity inflow also increased by 68.6% from $185.03 bn during 2007-14 to $312.05 bn (2014-21). India has attracted total FDI inflow of $76.30 bn during April to March 2021. It is the highest ever for the first ten months of a financial year and 19% higher as compared 2019-20 ($62.72 bn). India is the fifth largest recipient of inflows in the world. FDI inflows in India during April to December were $67.54 bn. It is the highest ever for the first ninth months of a financial year and 22% higher as compared to the first ninth months of 2019-20 ($55.14 bn). Total FDI inflows in the country in the last 21 years (April 2000 - March 2021) are $763.5 bn while the total FDI inflows received in the last 5 years (April 2014- September 2019) was $319 bn which amounts to nearly 50% of total FDI inflow in last 20 years. During FY 2020-21, total FDI inflow of $58.37 bn, 22% higher as compared to the first 8 months of 2019-20. FDI equity inflows received during April - November 2020 is $43.85 bn which is 37% more compared to April - November 2020 ($32.11 bn). Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes Hon'ble Finance Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman has

Photo Courtesy: PIB announced an outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crores for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes across 13 key sectors, to create national manufacturing champions and generate employment opportunities for the country’s youth. In addition to the three schemes announced earlier in March 2020, GoI has further introduced the following 10 new PLI schemes in November 2020: March 2020 Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates (DIs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): Department of Pharmaceuticals Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Manufacturing of Medical Devices: Department of Pharmaceuticals November 2020: Electronic/Technology Products: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Pharmaceuticals drugs: Department of Pharmaceuticals Telecom & Networking Products: Department of Telecommunications Food Products: Ministry of Food Processing Industries White Goods (ACs & LED): Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Automobiles & Auto Components: Department of Heavy Industry Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery: Department of Heavy Industry Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles: Ministry of Textiles Specialty Steel: Ministry of Steel OPPORTUNITIES IN STATES Rajasthan Highest solar energy potential in India - 142 GW Agriculture sector contributed close to 29% to Rajasthan's GDP in 2020-21. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of pulses, oilseeds, and the largest producer of coarse cereals, as of FY19. The state provides opportunities in the areas of organic and contract farming as well as in infrastructure developments related to agriculture. The state is home to over 850 factories in the food processing sector. Rajasthan is among the largest mineral-producing states in India. Around 81 varieties of minerals are available in the state and 57 minerals are produced on a commercial scale. The state is the leading producer of cement grade limestone and the sole producer of lead and zinc in India.The state attracted about 54 mn tourists including foreign tourists in 2019. The state is home to India's first successful Japanese Industrial Zone located at Neemrana, spread across 473 ha. Rajasthan is the largest state in India (area wise). It shares its border with five major Indian states — Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. An area of 13,447 sq km of the state falls in the National Capital Region (NCR), which is around 24.5% of the total NCR. The state has the solar potential of 142 GW, highest among Indian states, and wind potential of 1,27,750 MW. The total installed power capacity is 25,740 MW. Rajasthan ranks #1 in Export Preparedness Index 2020 under Landlocked states category. Moreover, it has a vast network of national highways and railways, which provides excellent connectivity to major cities and ports of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The state's total road length is approximately 264,244 km, while the railway length stands at 5,937km. The state has an international airport and an air-cargo complex in Jaipur, the state’s capital, and seven inland container depots. Sikkim Highest hydropower generation capacity in India’s North-East Sikkim exhibits diverse climatic conditions from tropical moist to temperate and alpine zones. Agriculture is the primary occupation of the inhabitants of the state. The major crops of the state include rice, maize, tea, soybean, ginger, orange, pears, potato and tomato. It is the top producer and exporter of large cardamoms in the country. Sikkim has also done well on the sanitation front and is World’s first fully organic state. Sikkim enjoys a strategic locational advantage, sharing its boundary with Bhutan, China and Nepal. Teesta and Rangeet are the two major rivers flowing through the state with nearly a hundred tributaries. The state is home to 315 glacier lakes and world's third highest mountain peak Mount Kanchenjunga that attracts a large number of tourists from across the world. Tamil Nadu Home to the highest number of factories in India - over 37,220 units Tamil Nadu has a diversified manufacturing sector and features among the leaders in several industries such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather products, chemicals, among others. Tamil Nadu is situated at the South-Eastern extremity of the Indian Peninsula. The state is bounded on the north by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, on the west by Kerala, on the east by the Bay of Bengal, and on the South by the Indian Ocean. Tamil Nadu has a well-developed infrastructure with an excellent road and rail network and seven airports. The state’s coastline of 1,076 km, is the second-longest in India and has 4 major ports. Tamil Nadu ranks #3 in Export Preparedness Index in 2020. Moreover, the state is the highest contributor to India's renewable energy capacity at 16 GW and has a total installed power capacity of 32,620 MW. Telangana Telangana ranks #2 in Export Preparedness Index 2020 under Landlocked States category 2nd highest contributor to India's IT exports Telangana's capital, Hyderabad, is a major IT hub of the country. The state also contributes nearly one-third to India’s production and one-fifth to its exports in the pharmaceutical sector. The state has a road network of over 27,600 km, with 24 national highways (NH) and an international airport in Hyderabad that connects it with major domestic and international markets. The state has an installed power capacity of over 15,800 MW, with about 42% contribution from green energy sources. Hyderabad ranked 2nd most dynamic city in JLL’s City Momentum Index (CMI) 2019 unveiled in World Economic Forum. As a pharma and life sciences hub, Hyderabad is poised to grow to a $100 bn business generator by 2030, up from $13 bn now. Hyderabad won 3 Smart Cities India (SCI) awards by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at the 28th Convergence India 2021 International Exhibition and 6th Smart Cities India Expo, in the categories – green and clean city, smart waste disposal, and startup Hyderabad retained its position as the top city in India for the fifth year in a row in Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey 2019 The state is one of the leading producers and exporters of horticulture crops, including lemons, oranges, and turmeric among others. Sericulture and fisheries are other sustainable sectors, with the state having the third largest pool of inland fisheries resources in the country. The state has a large number of manufacturing units in pharmaceuticals, food processing, non-metallic minerals, plastics and electrical equipment sectors. The world's largest film studio complex, Ramoji Film City, is also based out of Hyderabad. The resilience of Telangana economy was aided by agriculture and allied sectors, which grew by 20.9%, dwarfing the 3% growth at the national level. Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Selfcertification System (TS-iPASS) Act in 2014 to provide clearances to mega projects within 15 days and projects of other nature within 30 days, i.e., shortest in the country. The state is also the only one in the country to have introduced the 'Right to Clearance' for industrialists to get industrial clearances. TS- iPASS has facilitated cumulative investments of over INR 2,14,951 Crores creating 15.6 lakh jobs. In FY 2020-21, TSIIC has developed 10 new Industrial Parks and allotted 810 acres of land to 453 industries with an expected investment of INR 6,023 Crores and potential employment of 7,623. Source: Invest India, Government of India

Hon’ble Finance Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman has announced an outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crores for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes across 13 key sectors Telangana's capital, Hyderabad, is a major IT hub of the country

Indian Union Cabinet announces Rs 23K cr package to fight Covid

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): The Union Cabinet on July 8 announced a Rs 23,000 crore second emergency Covid package to improve the facilities in the health sector across the country, which will be used by both the Central and state governments to deal with the issues facing the country with regard to the second wave of the pandemic. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 8, a day after a major reshuffle in the Union Cabinet. Addressing a press conference here, newly-appointed Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said: "Rs 23,000 crore package will be given to deal with the problems that occurred in the second wave of Covid-19. The package will be used jointly by the Central and state governments." He said the Centre will share Rs 15,000 crore while the state governments will share Rs 8,000 crore of the said package. "We have to collectively fight the Covid pandemic. The limitation period is a maximum of nine months. We have to get it done quickly," he said. "Our duty is to help the states in every possible way," Mandaviya added. The Health Minister said that the package includes works like what should be done to ensure supply of critical medicines, oxygen supply and to stop the spread of Covid among children in the future. Mandaviya said the package aims to increase 2.44 lakh beds in community and primary health centres across all states, to construct paediatric care units in 736 districts across the country, and to build an additional 20,000 ICU beds. He also said that through this package, the government aims to install 10,000 litre storage capacity for oxygen in the next nine months in every district to overcome oxygen shortage. "This emergency package is designed to deal with the Covid surge, which will be implemented in nine months," the Health Minister said. He also said that in April last year, the government had announced the first emergency Covid package of Rs 15,000 crore, which was utilised well and showed good results.

Delhi witnesses highest increase of NO2 in air pollution in last 1 yearPhoto Courtesy: IANS

Aus states prudent on federal's vaccination recommendations

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Canberra, June 30 (IANS): Australian states were prudent on the federal government's new remarks on the Covid-19 vaccination program which said anyone under the age of 40 can now approach their general practitioner and request the AstraZeneca jab. Chief Health Officer of the state of Queensland Jeannette Young told a press conference on June 30 that she doesn't want people aged under 40 to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine due to the blood clot risks, reports Xinhua news agency. "I do not want under-40s to get AstraZeneca. It is rare, but they are at an increased risk of getting the rare clotting syndrome. We've seen up to 49 deaths in the UK from that syndrome," she said. "I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got Covid, probably wouldn't die. We have had very few deaths due to Covid-19 in Australia in people under the age of 50 and wouldn't it be terrible that our first 18-year-old in Queensland who dies related to this pandemic, dies because of the vaccine." The state chief health officer's remarks came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on June 29 that anyone under the age of 40 can now approach their GP and request the AstraZeneca vaccine. After several reports of blood clots and low blood platelets were confirmed to be linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the vaccine was recommended to Australians over the age of 60. Pfizer, the recommended vaccine for Australians under the age of 60, however, needs to be imported from overseas. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk echoed Young saying there was no national cabinet decision about providing AstraZeneca to the under 40s. "Now, in Queensland, we always follow the advice of the chief health officer. So I urge Queenslanders to listen to Dr. Young, and follow the advice of our chief health officer." The state, with some areas entering a snap three-day lockdown at 6 pm June 29, recorded three new local cases and one in returned travellers on June 30. Premier of the state of New South Wales (NSW) Gladys Berejiklian also urged people to go to GP about AstraZeneca. "What we need to do as a state government is follow the federal regulatory health advice which is that AstraZeneca is offered for over-60s, and obviously second doses are strongly, strongly advised," she said. "Anyone under 60 who wants AstraZeneca needs to have a conversation with their GP." NSW continued its widespread testing with 68,220 tests reported by June 29 night, and recorded 22 new locally acquired cases, all of which were linked to previously confirmed cases, and half of which were in isolation during their infectious period. The current outbreak has grown to 171 local cases in just two weeks since June 16. To better conduct contact tracing, the NSW government on June 30 also announced the use of Service NSW QR code to be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses from July 12. Businesses such as hospitality and hairdressers that were already using the Service NSW QR code will also need to ensure staff and visitors such as maintenance workers and delivery drivers check-in, when they resume services after the lockdown period. NSW Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said expanding the mandate would give NSW Health contact tracers real-time access to QR code data from a greater number of venues including supermarkets, retail stores, gyms and offices. New Delhi, July 7 (IANS): There has been huge increase of up to around 125 per cent in NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) in Delhi's air pollution during the period of last one year, claimed Greenpeace India, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in its study report which analysed NO2 concentrations in India's eight most-populous cities. As per its reports, between April 2020 and April 2021, NO2 pollution has increased in all the eight capitals of states studied -- Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Lucknow. The report claimed the national capital has seen the 'most dramatic increase' during the period. NO2 is a dangerous air pollutant that is released when fuel is burned, as in most motor vehicles, power generation, and industrial processes. Exposure to NO2 can severely impact people's health at all ages, affecting the respiratory and circulatory systems and the brain, leading to an increase in hospital admissions and mortality. "Satellite observations reveal NO2 pollution increased to 125 percent of April 2020 levels. The analysis suggests the increase would have been even greater (146 per cent) had weather conditions been similar to 2020," read the report. It further added, "Behind the Smokescreen - Satellite data revealed air pollution increase in India's eight most populous state capitals." It further revealed that Mumbai witnessed an increase in NO2 pollution by 52 percent, Bengaluru by 90 per cent, Hyderabad by 69 per cent, Chennai by 94 percent, Kolkata by 11 per cent, Jaipur by 47 per cent and Lucknow by 32 per cent in April 2021 compared to the same month last year. According to Avinash Chanchal, senior climate campaigner at Greenpeace India, the air quality levels in these eight cities are alarming. People are already paying a huge price for our reliance on burning fossil fuels and suggested that it should not continue. "Motor vehicles and industries based on fossil fuel consumption are the major drivers of NO2 pollution in Indian cities. The governments, local administration and city planners must initiate the transition from privately owned vehicles to an efficient, clean and safe public transport system that is run on clean energy that of course, must provide Covid-19-related safety measures," Chanchal said.

Australians below 40 might be eligible for Pfizer, Moderna vax Canberra, July 7 (IANS): Australians under the age of 40 could become eligible for the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccines around September or October, a top official announced here. Following a meeting with authorities on July 6 Lt. Gen. John Frewen, who heads the federal government's Covid-19 vaccination task force, revealed that the country expects to have enough doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines to make them available to people under the age of 40 from September to October, reports Xinhua news agency. "On the current supply forecasts that we have, I think that's when we are getting closer to having greater choice," Frewen told reporters. "But I won't tie myself to specific dates at this stage." Frewen said that younger Australians could be given a choice about which mRNA vaccine they receive when there is enough supply available. "When we have adequate supplies I think that's a logical step, but for now we have to prioritise because the supplies of one of the vaccines is limited," he said. Till date, about 8.4 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Australia, including approximately 8,000 younger Australians who have received the AstraZeneca jab. "AstraZeneca is open to under 40s with informed consent with their GPs," Frewen said. "We're seeing demand right now in that group of people to take AstraZeneca now rather than wait for an alternate later in the year." Since the onset of the pandemic, there have been 30,832 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia, with 910 deaths.

Google faces another antitrust lawsuit over Play Store fees in US San Francisco, July 8 (IANS): Google is facing a new multistate antitrust lawsuit in the US that accuses the tech giant of abusing its market power to stifle competitors. The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of 37 attorneys general co-led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleged that Google is forcing consumers into in-app payments that grant the company a hefty cut, reports TechCrunch. Google was yet to comment on the fresh lawsuit. "Through its illegal conduct, the company has ensured that hundreds of millions of Android users turn to Google, and only Google, for the millions of applications they may choose to download to their phones and tablets," James said in a statement late on July 7. "Worse yet, Google is squeezing the lifeblood out of millions of small businesses that are only seeking to compete," James added. The bipartisan coalition of states allege that Google uses "misleading" security warnings to keep consumers and developers within its walled app garden, the Google Play store. "Not only has Google acted unlawfully to block potential rivals from competing with its Google Play Store, it has profited by improperly locking app developers and consumers

Photo Courtesy: IANS into its own payment processing system and then charging high fees," said District of Columbia Attorney General, Karl Racine. In December last year, 35 states filed a separate antitrust suit against Google, alleging that the company engaged in illegal behaviour to maintain a monopoly on the search business. Earlier in October, the US Justice Department and 11 states sued Google for antitrust violations, alleging that it weaponised its dominance in online search and advertising to kill off competition and harm consumers. The lawsuit marks the US government's biggest move since its case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago. This comes after 15 months of investigation and could be the opening scene of more antitrust actions against other Big Tech companies. Rajeev Chandrasekhar new MoS, Skill Development, Electronics and IT Photo Courtesy: IANS

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar New Delhi, July 7 (IANS): Rajeev Chandrasekhar will be the new Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Electronics and Information Technology in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers. Meenakshi Lekhi is now the new Minister of State for External Affairs, and Culture, and S.P. Singh Baghel the Minister of State, Law and Justice among the new faces inducted on July 7. Shobha Karandlaje is the new Minister of State of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, while Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma is the Minister of State, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Darshana Vikram Jardosh is Minister of State, Textiles, and Railways. Annpurna Devi is Minister of State, Education, A. Narayanaswamy in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Kaushal Kishore in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ajay Bhatt Minister of State for Defence, and Tourism. B. L. Verma is Minister of State, Development of North Eastern Region, and in the newly set-up Ministry of Cooperation while Ajay Kumar is Minister of State, Home Affairs. Devusingh Chauhan is Minister of State, Communications, Bhagwanth Khuba, the Minister of State of New and Renewable Energy, and Chemicals and Fertilisers, Kapil Moreshwar Patil is Minister of State, Panchayati Raj, Pratima Bhoumik Minister of State, Social Justice and Empowerment and Subhas Sarkar the Minister of State, Education. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad is Minister of State, Finance, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh Minister of State, External Affairs, and Education and Bharati Pravin Pawar will be Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare. Bishweswar Tudu is Minister of State, Tribal Affairs, and Jal Shakti, Shantanu Thakur Minister of State, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Munjapara Mahendrabhai Minister of State, Women and Child Development, and AYUSH. John Barla is Minister of State, Minority Affairs, L. Murugan is Minister of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Information and Broadcasting and Nisith Pramanik is Minister of State, Home Affairs, as well as Youth Affairs and Sports.

Global cues subdue equities, markets in red

New Delhi, July 9 (IANS): India's key equity markets opened in the red on July 9 as negative global cues subdued investors' sentiments. Accordingly, market watchers cited that weak global cues continued to trigger profit booking. Consequently, the S&P BSE Sensex traded at 52,337.13 points around 9.55 a.m. lower by 231.81 points, or 0.44 per cent, from its previous close. Similarly, the Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange closed at 15,669.85, lower by 58.05 points, or 0.37 per cent, from its previous close. "After showing sharp weakness on July 8, Nifty has slipped into follow-through weakness at the opening on July 9 taking cues from its Asian counterparts. Metal stocks are seeing some buying in the morning while Bank stocks are facing some selling pressure," said Deepak Jasani- Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities. "Nifty needs to stay above 15635, the intra day low so far, for the Nifty to try to recover; else a sharper fall could ensue." According to Gaurav Garg, Head of Research at CapitalVia Global Research: "As expected the markets opened negative fueled by profit booking yesterday which was intensified in the second half of the session as well as weakness in the global market with Dow Jones closing 0.75 per cent down." "Today, we expect the market to trade with a negative bias with Nifty50 having a major support at 15600 and BankNifty at 34900. If both these levels are respected, we might see some recovery coming in the second half of the session."

Cash-driven informal credit market touches $500 bn in India

Bengaluru, July 8: The cashdriven informal credit and shared spending market among the households in India is now a massive $500 billion opportunity which has a vast digitisation potential, a new report showed on July 8. While India has a highly underpenetrated formal credit market, it has a very large informal credit market. As per estimates by the Bengaluru-based market research firm RedSeer, more than $200 billion of loans are given informally to friends and family in India each year. Moreover, more than $300 billion of spending is shared with family/ dependents. Together, this creates a massive $500 billion 'shared spending/ credit' market in the country. "The shared credit and spending market in India is not much talked about but in many ways is the foundation of the economy. Traditionally, this market has been very cash-driven and informal," said Mrigank Gutgutia, Associate Partner at RedSeer. However, with the rapid rise of tech solutions and growing comfort with digital payments, "we believe that the time is right for a digital sharing solution to emerge in the market," he said in a statement. New-age apps such as Xare and Fampay, among others, are at the forefront of bringing about this digitisation. Xare offers features like controlled sharing of un-used credit limit and debit cards, all without the beneficiary needing their own bank account. This allows for multiple use cases such as family finance management, lending and free instant remittances to name a few. Another is Fampay which provides pre-paid parental control cards for online and offline transactions, thus allowing sharing of finances without needing another bank account, the report noted. "The digital solution which could potentially have an end-toend platform for tracking and managing all shared spends, can unlock massive efficiencies and drive large gains in customer experience," said Gutgutia. The major growth driver for the shared spending and credit market is mobile payments. India has now grown to become the second largest mobile payments market in the world, with more than 250 million mobile payment users. India's mobile payment growth story is driven by UPI, which grew to have more than $500 billion in disbursals in CY20, along with over 20 billion processed transactions. "With this ongoing revolution, India's digitally-savvy user base has a chance to leapfrog the challenges of low financial services penetration," the report noted.

Petrol, diesel prices continue to soar touching new highs across India

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): Petrol and diesel prices continued their upward march on July 8 also, the second successive day of rate increase, taking the prices to cross new highs across India. Accordingly, the price of petrol increased by 35 paise from Rs 100.21 on Wednesday to Rs 100.56 a litre on July 8 in Delhi. Diesel prices also increased in the city but a tad lower by just 9 paise per litre to touch Rs 89.62 a litre. Across the country as well retail prices of both petrol and diesel increased for the second consecutive day but the actual rates varied depending on the level of local taxes in states. Fuel prices have been rising in the country for over two months now. On July 7, the increased rate took petrol prices to cross a centurymark in Delhi and Kolkata, the two metros where the rates were still below the three digit-mark. Petrol price is now over Rs 100 a litre almost all across the country. Diesel is also catching up and may soon be available over Rs 100 a litre across the country soon. Officials in oil companies attribute the consistent increase in fuel prices to the development in global oil markets where both product and crude prices have been firming up for the past couple of months on demand rise amidst slowing of pandemic. However, a closer look at the fuel retail prices in India gives a picture that it is the high level of taxes that is keeping fuel rates higher even in times when global oil prices are firm. Global crude oil price is now hovering around $75 a barrel. It was over $80 a barrel in October 2018 but even then, the petrol prices hovered around Rs 80 a litre across the county. So, even with lower oil prices now, petrol prices have hit the century and crossed it by a wider margin now in several parts of the country. The only way retail prices could be brought down in this period is by way of tax cuts by both the Centre and States, suggest experts as crude oil prices are seen rising from here on.

Sidhu ridicules Punjab govt, asks to follow AAP's Delhi electricity model Photo Courtesy: IANS

Congress leader Navjot Sidhu Chandigarh, July 2 (IANS): Mocking at his own government in the Indian state of Punjab over power outages, Congress leader and former Cabinet minister Navjot Sidhu on July 2 asked the government to follow the AAP's Delhi model of extending subsidies to generation companies. "There is no need for power cuts in Punjab or for the Chief Minister to regulate office timings or AC use of the Common People. If we act in the right direction," said a sulking Sidhu, who met Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi separately in New Delhi on June 30 and apprised them of the political situation in Punjab that will go to the polls early next year. Facing severe electricity crisis, the Punjab government curtailed timings of government offices from July 2, and cut down power supply to high energy consuming industries with immediate effect to save crops and ease the domestic power situation. Sidhu, in a series of back-to-back tweets, said, "Punjab already gives Rs 9,000 crore power subsidy but Delhi gives only Rs 1,699 crore as power subsidy. "If Punjab copies the Delhi model, we will get merely Rs 1,600-2,000 crore as subsidy. To better serve the people of Punjab -- Punjab needs an original Punjab model, not a copied Model!!" Indirectly hinting at a nexus between the government and power generating companies by revealing the truth of power costs, cuts, power purchase agreements and how to give free and 24-hour power to the people of Punjab, Sidhu said: "Punjab's revenue per unit of consumption is one of the lowest in India, due to gross mismanagement of the complete power purchase and supply system.” "PSPCL pays Rs 0.18 per unit 'extra' on every unit supplied, even after receiving over Rs 9,000 crore in subsidy from the state." Favouring investing in renewable energy, that he said, is becoming cheaper along with being environmentally-friendly, Sidhu said, "But Punjab's potential from solar and biomass energy remains unutilised even though Central financial schemes can be availed for these projects. Speaking on the lines of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sidhu explained that about the Punjab model for power by saying that the money spent on giving unreasonable and exuberant profits to private thermal plants should be utilised for welfare of people, i.e., giving power subsidy for free power for domestic use up to 300 units, 24 hours supply and to invest in education and healthcare. According to Sidhu, Punjab is buying power at an average cost of Rs 4.54 per unit, while the national average is Rs 3.85 per unit and Chandigarh is paying Rs

3.44 per unit. Blaming the power purchase agreements (PPAs) that the previous Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP government had signed with three private thermal power plants, he said till 2020 Punjab has paid Rs 5,400 crore due to faulty clauses in these agreements. It is expected to pay Rs 65,000 crore of people's money just as fixed charges. Favouring the need to set aside the PPAs, Sidhu said the state can purchase power from the national grid at much cheaper rates. "But these Badal-signed PPAs are acting against Punjab's public interest. Punjab may not be able to re-negotiate these PPAs due to them having legal protection from honourable courts, But there is a way forward." The cricketer-turned-politician had resigned from his post as a Cabinet Minister in the state on July 14, 2019 after differences with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh over portfolio allocation. Sidhu was in-charge of local bodies but was shifted to the Power Department. Party sources said a section of the Congress central leadership wants to suitably compensate Sidhu, who has been pushed to sidelines, by making him as the state party chief. However, a section of Hindu legislators, owing allegiance to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, are not accepting Sidhu's induction. Their agreement is that the party cannot afford to have two Jat Sikh leaders in prominent roles -- one as a Chief Minister and another as state party chief. Speculations in political circles are rife that Sidhu may join the AAP ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections. India's first just energy transition centre launched

New Delhi, June 29: In the run-up to UN climate summit named COP 26, New Delhi-based International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST) on June 29 launched its India Just Transition Centre (IJTC). Its inaugural virtual session was attended, among others, by MPs Jairam Ramesh and Jayant Sinha and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, Vinod Kumar Tewari. At the event a new report titled ‘Five Rs: A cross-sectoral landscape of Just Transition in India' was also released. Speaking at the event, Ramesh emphasised on the need to create capacity in India on just transition. The 2015 Paris Agreement has made just energy transition an important part of the climate change agenda. Just transition has been gaining momentum worldwide. Developed countries are building capacity and knowledge on how to implement a just energy transition roadmap to meet netzero targets. Sinha, who is from the Hazaribagh constituency, which is a key coal district of Jharkhand, emphasised the need to start planning for a just transition in coal mining areas. Presenting the vision of IJTC, Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, said, "The IJTC will be a platform to bring stakeholders together to work on various aspects of just transition in India. Envisioned as a centre of excellence, the IJTC will provide thought leadership, support policies and planning, provide technical support, promote best practices, and build capacity of various stakeholders." The IJTC is planning to launch a resource centre for just transition in the coming months. Coal India Limited (CIL) has also started investing in renewable energy. In April, the company had announced establishing two wholly-owned subsidiaries -- CIL Solar PV and CIL Navikarniya Urja Ltd -- for undertaking solar PV manufacturing and renewable energy projects. Experts say that India has major challenges of just transition with three-fourth of the country's primary energy need being met by fossil fuels. Also, there are 120 districts that are significantly dependent on fossil fuels and related industries for revenue and livelihood. At least 20 million workers, a large majority of them being informal, are dependent on fossil fuel and related sectors. The new report of iFOREST, ‘Five Rs: A cross-sectoral landscape of Just Transition in India', brings out the urgent need to start planning a just transition in certain key sectors like coal mining, thermal power and automobile. It highlights 60 districts, many of them in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, where industrial restructuring will be required to avoid social and economic disruptions due to ongoing energy transition.

R.K. Singh appointed as Indian Minister of Power and Renewable Energy New Delhi, July 8 (IANS): Raj Kumar Singh assumed charge as Cabinet Minister in the Indian Ministry of Power and New and Renewable Energy. Singh has already been steering the ministries in independent

Photo Courtesy: IANS charge as a minister of state. In the latest cabinet reshuffle, he has been promoted to the rank of cabinet minister. Soon after taking charge in the new role, Singh said that he would try to live up to expectations that the prime minister has reposed in him. He said that the focus of the ministry now would be to ensure that the benefits of the power and energy sector reach the common man. Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh The minister said that the government has achieved targets of electrification. One of the challenges before the minister is to take forward reforms in the sector. In this regard, getting Parliamentary approval for the new electricity act will be one of the priorities. NTPC subsidiary invites bid for Hydrogen buses for Delhi, Leh

New Delhi, July 5: NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, has invited tenders for deploying of Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses (FCEBs) in Delhi and Leh. The bid document sale commenced from June 30 and continued till July 16. These e-buses would be zeroemission vehicles in true form, as the hydrogen would be generated from renewable energy making it a pure green initiative ushering a new era of Hydrogen-based Zero Emission futuristic mobility solutions.

The green hydrogen would be supplied to the buses by the NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy and electrolysis to split water. Also, NVVN is providing comprehensive mobility solutions in all e-vehicle segments targeting reduction of carbon footprint and achieving energy security. Earlier this year, NVVN executed a turnkey project of supplying 40 e-buses and building charging stations in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a move to reduce pollution in the region. Indian govt gives extension to renewable projects delayed due to Covid

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS): The Indian government has extended relief to renewable sector amid the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic by allowing an extension of two-and-a-half months for power projects with commissioning dates between April 1 and June 15, 2021. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has notified the changes that will prevent developers from being charged a penalty for delaying commissioning of projects beyond the agreed timelines. With the second wave of the pandemic resulting in lockdowns in different parts of the country, work on several power projects also got suspended resulting in delays in commissioning. In June, MNRE had issued notification allowing renewable projects with commissioning dates on or after April 1, 2021, an extended schedule subject to continuing of existing PPAs and no increase in project cost due to delays. Even last year during the Covid outbreak and lockdowns, MNRE had given an extension of five months to projects getting commissioned between March 25 and August 24, 2020. The power ministry has also granted an extension of three months to all interstate transmission projects under construction, with the scheduled commercial operation date (SCOD) falling after April 1, 2021, hit by the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have struck coal at our Carmichael Mine!

Bravus has now struck coal and exposed the first of the coal seams at our Carmichael Project. This is an exciting day for the 2,600+ people on the Project; a day that has been in the making for over a decade. Throughout the last two years of construction and during the many years when we fought to secure our approvals, our people have put their hearts and souls into this Project – it is wonderful that we have now struck coal. Nearly two years ago we received our final approvals to develop the Carmichael mine and rail Project. We have faced many hurdles along the way, but thanks to the hard work and perseverance of our team, we have now reached the coal seams. Bravus remains on track to export first coal as promised, in 2021, and despite reaching this significant milestone, we will not take our eyes off our larger goal of getting coal to market. India will be a foundation customer for the Carmichael mine and is the fourth largest global user of electricity as well as the source of the biggest growth in global energy demand. We have already secured the market for the 10 million tonnes per annum of coal which will be produced at the Carmichael Mine. The coal will be sold at index pricing and we will not be engaging in transfer pricing practices, which means that all of our taxes and royalties will be paid here in Australia. India gets the energy they need and Australia gets the jobs and economic benefits in the process. Carmichael coal will contribute to Adani Group’s burgeoning energy portfolio that is designed to create a sustainable energy mix, incorporating thermal power, solar power, wind power and gas. The Adani Group secured its position as the world’s largest solar company, following the announcement in May that Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has acquired SB Energy Holdings Ltd, which will see AGEL achieve a total renewable energy capacity of 24.3GW. For context, the 24.3 GW would be enough energy to power more than 8.5 million homes, or nearly all the households in Australia (*9.2 million) each year. Adani’s solar farm at Rugby Run in central Queensland is part of this portfolio, with a total capacity of 65 MW going into the regional Queensland grid, equivalent to powering about 27,500 homes each year. As a global company we are walking the talk when it comes to delivering a sustainable energy mix.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Banks, insurers undermining jobs and communities in Queensland: Adani to parliamentary enquiry

CEO and Country Head of Adani Australia, Lucas Dow, has recently given evidence to the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth that Australian banks and insurance companies are destroying Australian jobs and communities to satisfy demands from green activists. Photo Courtesy: IANS

The Joint Standing Committee is holding a public hearing for the Inquiry into the prudential regulation of investment in Australia’s export industries. Mr Dow said Australian banks and insurance companies are withdrawing support from the Australian coal industry by refusing to provide finance, increasing insurance premiums dramatically, or even refusing to insure at all while continuing to profit from the strong economy that the industry creates. The banks and insurance companies’ current actions threaten the viability of the Australian export coal industry and the jobs, small businesses and communities it supports. The banks and insurance companies current actions will have no effect on the global environment given that if Australian coal is not exported, other countries will simply fill the void with lower quality higher emissions coal. “It is hypocritical for Australian banks to benefit financially from the hard work of Australian coal miners but refuse to support the very industry that employs them,” Mr Dow said. “It appears banks and insurers are kowtowing to the demands of green activists for no benefit to the global environment. “They are happy to profit from the coal industry when employees pay interest on loans for their houses, four-wheel drives and jet skis, but they refuse to provide the relevant financial facilities to the coal export industry as they do to other Australian industries,” he said. “Hard working Australians are the ones who will suffer from coal mining jobs disappearing if the industry becomes noncompetitive because of rising insurance and finance costs as banks and insurers withdraw support for the industry. “This is a matter of national interest, Australia must require its banks and insurance companies to support the economy and communities that they build their profits from.” The Committee will have heard from a variety of organisations across the resources industry, outlining their concerns about the behaviour of Australian banks and insurance agencies, including: Whitehaven Coal, Resource Industry Network, Queensland Resources Council, Minerals Council of Australia, New Hope Group, BMD, Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association and Adani Australia.

ADVERTISE WITH US Call us at

1300 859 066

Of learning everyday and carrying forward tradition Photo Courtesy: IANS

Destiny decided for them... Before they were born, their father, Pt. Shambhu Dayal Kedia, an accomplished tabla player, attended Pt Ravi Shankar & Ustad Ali Akbar Khan's concert in Dhanbad. There and then he decided to teach his two children to play the Sitar and the Sarod. Looking back at their journey, the Kedia brothers of SeniaMaihar Gharana -- Pt Mor Mukut Kedia and Pt Manoj Kedia insist that every moment has been about learning, and the same has not stopped even now. "That is perhaps one of the best parts of Indian classical music. One lifetime is just not enough. We are glad that we started learning music right from childhood and it eventually became an indispensable part of our beings," says Pt. Mor Mukut. Known for their depth and style in presenting the traditional Maihar Gharana, both brothers trained by their father & guru Pt. Shambhu Dayal Kedia, along with Pt Sunil Mukherjee and Pt Raja Ram Shukla stress that the multiple music training institutes coming up in the country just cannot replace the magic of the Guru-Shishya parampara. "Music education under our age-old tradition is wholesome in the true essence of the word. It goes beyond music and incorporates many other indispensable factors that are instrumental in making a fine musician," says Mor Mukut Kedia. Lamenting that very few classical musicians in the country can think of surviving solely on their art, Manoj Kedia feels that the government needs to play a more active role in promoting classical music. "We believe that whoever is willing to make music their career should be fully devoted towards it. And that is possible only if survival is not at stake. Also, let us not forget that Indian Classical music is not very popular among the general public. Now, hockey may be our national sport, but it is cricket that rules, right?" Talking about the lockdowns, the brothers say that music and riyaaz played an instrumental role in keeping them stress-free. Admitting that digital concerts cannot replace the magic of physical ones, Mor Mukut asserts, "A musician sees and can easily feel the energy from the audience, something that 'completes' the concert. How can one derive that in a digital space?" The brothers, who were recently part of 'baithak' organised by HCL Concerts say that unlike abroad very few corporates are actively involved in promoting art and culture. "We hope more companies like HCL will come forward and understand the importance of culture and heritage in the scheme of things." The duo, who give free music lessons to promote Indian classical music conclude, "We want to take forward the Sitar - Sarod Duet Parampara of Maihar Gharana as taken forward by Pt Ravi Shankar & our Guru Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ali Akbar Khan."

Meet the poet who translated Kabir's verses into Urdu

Young poet Hashim Raza Jalalpuri, who translated the poetry of 16th century saint poet Mirabai into Urdu, has now achieved another great feat. He has translated 100 hymns of saint poet Kabir into Urdu. Hailing from Jalalpur in UP, which is considered to be the land of poets and writers, Hashim was born on August 27, 1987 to famous poets Zulfikar Jalalpuri and Sarvari Bano, known for their 'Nohas' (elegies) and 'Salaams' (poems in praise of the Prophet's descendants, and is well-known name in poetry circles and has attended several 'Mushairas' and 'Kavi Sammelans'. "I read the first lesson of Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb in Jalalpur, which I remember till today," he says. Hashim Raza, while rendering the verses of Kabir in Urdu, says: "There is no caste or community of saints, there is equality for all in the hearts of saints." "There is no difference of religion, there is no difference of nations, everyone is the same in the path of humanity, Hindus and Muslims are one, slaves of only one God, human beings are one." Hashim says that he "inherited poetry from his father", but his sources of inspiration are noted poet Anwar Jalalpuri, who translated the Gita into Urdu, and Prof Nayar Jalalpuri, Head of the Department of Urdu at Lucknow University. On why he chose to translate Kabir, Hashim told IANS that "at

Photo Courtesy: IANS

this time, not only India but what the whole world needs the most is love and brotherhood." "Kabir is the biggest propagator of love and brotherhood, so his works should reach the people in easy language, so that the distance between people of different sects can be reduced." After translating Kabir's verses into Urdu, is now seeking help in publishing his book. A B.Tech from Rohilkhand University, Bareilly and M. Tech from Aligarh Muslim University, Hashim has also done his masters in Urdu literature. Having worked as a lecturer in the Aligarh Muslim University and the Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, he is also the chairman of Mirabai Foundation, an organisation empowering rural India with employment-oriented education.

Having lost his job, man with a violin winning hearts in Kolkata Photo Courtesy: IANS

Like many others he lost his job during the lockdown but he took recourse to his artistic capability and impressed film director Raj Chakraborty and the Kolkata Police Commissioner with his violin. The newest Internet sensation Bhagwan Mali, an outof-work hotel musician, is now hitting the streets and winning hearts in the city. Mali, who originally hails from Gujarat, came to Malda during the Gujarat earthquake. He then moved to Darjeeling and Siliguri and started performing in the tourist hotels there. When the pandemic hit, he lost all his income. "During last year's lockdown I lost my job and at around the same time, my daughter, married and settled in Kolkata, was in an advanced stage of pregnancy. I had to move to Kolkata to take care of my daughter and because of the lockdown I couldn't leave the city. Ever since my daughter delivered a baby, my wife and I have been living on the street as the one room in which our daughter and son-in-law live doesn't have enough space for us," Mali said. It was then that he started to play music to make ends meet. The local police in the Burotolla area of the city have provided him a place to stay for now. "Mali told us that he began performing on the streets to arrange food for himself and his wife. Whatever extra that he saved was spent in buying baby food and fruit for the baby and the mother. However, disaster struck yet again and Mali's violin got damaged a couple of weeks ago," a police officer of Burotolla police station said. That was when Burotolla police -- and later the community policing wing -- decided to step in. Kolkata Police Commissioner Somen Mitra was so impressed with Mali that he gifted him a violin on Monday under the community policing scheme. "Met Mr Bhagwan Mali, who is a very talented musician. Few weeks ago, a video of him playing his violin in the city streets had gone viral on social media. Last week, he was financially assisted by our Community Policing Wing. Today, @/CPkolkata gifted him a new violin," he said. Director Raj Chakraborty, who is also the Trinamool Congress MLA from Barrackpore, first noticed Mali playing his violin on June 21 at Beadon Street and Girish Park crossing. Impressed with his music Chakraborty got in touch with the local MLA and minister Sashi Panja and arranged for his food and medicine. A video that has gone viral on the Internet shows Chakraborty speaking to Mali and offering him an opportunity in his film. Chakraborty also plans to give Mali a chance to perform in his forthcoming music reality show. Mali, who has so far refused any financial help stating that he will only accept money after performing, has also been provided a roof over his head at Burotolla by the police. "We have arranged some performances for him at some of the leading hotels and restaurant chains in the city. He has been performing for the past one week," said a senior officer of Kolkata Police. If you walk through the crossing of Beadon Street and Girish Park, you also might hear the magic melodies �Diwana Hua Baadal' by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi from the 1964 movie �Kashmir ki Kali' and Lata Mangeshkar's �Ajeeb dastan hai yeh' from the 1960 movie �Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai' floating on the empty streets of North Kolkata. This octogenarian man who sits on the pavement with his violin to arrange food for his grand-daughter will surely make everyone forget the harshest realities with his magic melodies.

One evolves with every written and unwritten sentence, says author Akanksha Sharma

Photo Courtesy: IANS

She says fiction is the best way to tell complex stories of the world, that she loves love stories. While her debut book eFor the Greater Common Good may fall in the non-fiction genre, author Akanksha Sharma smiles, "We need more literature to collectively break through the imagination of our times." Published by Bloomsbury Publishing India, eFor the Greater Common Good' brings together the author's varied perspectives, gathered in around one and a half decade of eclectic global experience on International Development at the intersection of public-private-social sector. Sharma, a Social Impact, Sustainability & Policy Leader, says about the book, "It is about embracing many worlds. Both within and beyond, which is fractured into infinite things -- lie many other worlds waiting to be embraced. This is what the book brings forth. It presses upon eliberating hope' colonized into our fragmented world, reflecting stark disparities all around." The Jaipur-born author says that for long she has always been intrigued with the larger question of eWhat all happens in the name of Development?' "And the journey to seek answers to this, was full of wandering and wondering. In around one and a half decade, my work took me to a wide spectrum of development issues addressing growing inequalities, cries of hunger and poverty, struggles for basic amenities like healthcare, education, clean water and sanitation. But there is so much to it that demands eurgent intervention'. In some way, this book is the outcome of many questions that have perturbed me for years to solve some of these issues." Adding that the book has travelled a long way with me, she says writing is fluid process. "I feel it is a natural progression of my work over the years and how I imagine the possible solutions. But then writing is an art too, and during the process, one evolve with every sentence that's written and also with the ones' that cannot be. My contention of writing this book was to redesign the narrative to believe in a world that carries many bridges but no walls, a world where our battles for love take over all other battles, a world where each one of us finds a place." Stressing that the post-pandemic world has brought to the surface several ugly truths that need to be looked into with urgency, for Sharma, a major aim of the book has been to to simplify the complex issues of the world for everyone. "Also, the fact that we all experience, witness, navigate through or suffer due to all these problems which are very part of our existential system. They have not been borrowed from anywhere, so this whole perspective of ewhy should we be bothered about it' needs to be abandoned. We can no longer afford to ignore these issues that affect all of us. We can't change the world with old ideas that have been part of the problems from ages. I have tried to literally cut through the opacity of narrative for the importance of both etruth' and the idea of a better world'." Adding that the research process involved much more than factual precision, she says that her debut work brings years of research to look at the global problems and their possible solutions with a fresh perspective. "Considering the present global world order, in order to ascertain socioeconomic progress, sustainable development must be pluralized. However, our dissonance of development would neither be sustainable nor inclusive, if it is seen as mere philanthropy by the advantaged and influential agents of the economic order. This book deconstructs those complex notions of development for addressing some of the most pressing issues of the world without any ideological polarisation. I have tried to create a simplified narrative that's written with as much warmth as courage, as many facts as poetry." Sharma feels we are not only living in complicated, but also alarming times. Apart from the pandemic that has brought a global turmoil, growing inequalities of all kinds, and climate disruptions are pushing us together into a dangerous future.

Vijay Singh's 'Jaya Ganga' now in Hindi Photo Courtesy: IANS

Jaya Ganga, a novel by Parisbased Indian writer Vijay Singh that traces the quest of a young Indian from France journeying down the Ganga, has been translated into Hindi by (late) Manglesh Dabral and published by Rajkamal Prakashan with the support of the French Institute in India. The book has also been made into a cult Indo-French film. When this travelogue-novel was first published in France in 1985, it received a ravishing response from the critics, who pointed to the unprecedented coming together of the author's inner and outer worlds. Later, the author himself adapted the book into a film which ran for a record 49 weeks in Paris and the UK cinemas after being screened in 40 countries in all continents. Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, said, "Jaya Ganga being translated into Hindi represents the completion of a cycle and a perfect example of cross fertilisation between Indian and French cultures. Vijay Singh masters many universes and is an outstanding driving force in cultural exchanges. The French government is enthusiastic about this project and supports it fully. I have no doubt it will bring delight to many Hindi speakers." Translated into Hindi by renowned poet and writer, Mangalesh Dabral, it will sadly be listed as one of those books whose translator succumbed to Covid almost soon after the work was completed. In a moving tribute to Dabral, Vijay Singh writes in the book, "I had never met him. I had never seen him. I had never read him. He was only a voice to me, a telephone voice that came into my life just before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. But this was also the voice that I exchanged with for hours and hours over 2020, and we spoke of virtually everything under the sun - love, life, death, poetry, music, rivers, mountains..." Commenting on the Hindi translation, Ashok Maheshwari, Managing Director, Rajkamal Prakashan, said, "We at Rajkamal Prakashan are thrilled that 'Jaya Ganga' is being published in Hindi in India. It is also a poignant moment for us as this is going to be the last piece of translation done by Mangalesh Dabral. The written word and Ganga will both continue their journey forever, etching newer and newer impressions on the reader's mind." The novel has been in print for over 35 years and the new English edition will shortly be re-issued.

What's it that makes people take a bet on you?

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Heres a groundbreaking book that boldly claims that the key to success in business is not talent but the ability to persuade people to take a bet on potential. Suneel Gupta, a visiting scholar at Harvard, contends in "Backable" (Hachette) that no one ever makes it alone and asks: What is it about certain people that makes us want to take a bet on them? As it turns out, it's not what you think. Backability is not driven by having the best experience, the finest pedigree or the most innovative ideas. In fact, many highly successful people are backed long before they are qualified. We tend to view these people as lucky. But the decision to back them is neither an accident nor a mistake, and rarely the result of good luck. Drawing from his own business experience, countless interviews with some of tech's biggest innovators and compelling case studies of classic success stories such as Howard Schultz and Elon Musk, Gupta breaks down the qualities of backable people. "Backable" pulls back the curtain on the elusive X-factor that some people just seem to have and offers concrete tools like crafting the right pitch and scaling the vision for a project. Anyone from aspiring entrepreneurs to startup stars can master these skills and jumpstart their next big idea. Suneel Gupta was the co-founder and CEO of Rise, a mobile health company focused on preventative health, which he sold to One Medical in 2016. Fast Company ranked it the number 1 most innovative company in healthcare and he was named the 'New Face of Innovation' by the New York Stock Exchange. He then served as an Entrepreneur-inResidence at Silicon Valley's top venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins before moving from San Francisco to his hometown in Michigan to run for US Congress. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune and Vanity Fair. Website: suneelgupta.com. Twitter: @suneel. Carlye Adler, who assisted with the book, is an award-winning journalist and four-time New York Times bestselling coauthor-collaborator. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters.

Super Nova-k: Djokovic wins Wimbledon, his 20th Grand Slam crown Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, July 11 (IANS): World No.1 Novak Djokovic defeated Italy's Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final on Sunday to clinch his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam crown overall. The Serb celebrated his victory by chewing on the grass from the hallowed centre court. By winning the title on Sunday, the Serb top seed joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the other two members of the Big Three, as the players with the most number of Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era. Djokovic came back after losing the first set in the tiebreaker and dominated the proceedings, breaking his Italian r'val's serve at crucial junctures in the next three sets. Though Berrettini, playing his first Grand Slam final, started tentatively, he recovered to take the first set into the tiebreaker as Djokovic made an indifferent start. This was the first set that Djokovic lost after winning 18 in a row. However, the Serb fought back, found his rhythm in the second set, and slowly ground down his opponent. Though at 34 he is nine years older than Berrettini, Djokovic relied on his supreme fitness to subdue an opponent who had come into the final with an 11-match winning streak after winning the title 't Queen's Club here. Though both players won nearly equal points on their first serve, Djokovic attacked 'errettini's second serve -- he had a higher conversion rate as compared to his rival. As usual, Djokovic returned well and committed only 21 unforced errors as compared to 48 by Berrettini. This was Djokovic's third Wimbledon title (2018, 2019, 2021; there was no event in 2020) in a row and this Grand Slam title

of the year after winning the Australian Open and at Roland Garros. He has now set himself up perfectly for a calendar Grand Slam -- winning all four majors in the same calendar year, a distinction that was last achieved by Australian legend Rod Lever in 1969. Though it appears from the scoreline that the last three sets of the four-set encounter were easy for Djokovic, the Serb said it was not. He said it was more than a tough battle, though Berrettini was playing his first Grand Slam final. "It was more than a battle. Tough match today. He's got a very powerful game, a true Italian hammer, an Italian hammer and I felt it on my skin a few times today," said Djokovic. Explaining what this trophy means to him, Djokovic narrated the story he has often told previously -- of dreaming of winning the Wimbledon by making a replica of the trophy in his room when he was seven years old. "Winning Wimbledon was my biggest dream as a kid. I will repeat this story just to remind myself how special this is and not take this for granted," Djokovic said at the prize distribution ceremony. "A seven-year-old boy preparing Wimbledon trophy with improvised material in his room, and today standing here with my sixth Wimbledon trophy, it's incredible." Wimbledon: Ex-cricketer Ashleigh clinches title in three sets

Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, July 10 (IANS): World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia won the women's singles title at the Wimbledon Championships here on Saturday, beating eighth seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in three sets 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes. Ashleigh, who had become the first world No. 1 in five years to reach the final at SW19, is the first Australian woman player in 41 years after Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1980) to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish. This is her second Grand Slam title after the 2019 French Open. In what was the first Wimbledon women's final since 2012 to stretch to three sets, Ashleigh got off to a flying start, winning the first 14 points and four games in a row before clinching the first set 6-3. She also led 3-1 in the second set but Karolina fought back to take the set to tie-breaker and win it. Ashleigh, at one point in time, was even serving for the second set. Karolina committed errors in the final set as Ashleigh won it with ease. The tie was evenly matched. While the Aussie sent down seven aces, her opponent managed to fire six. Interestingly, Ashleigh could win only 65 per cent of the points on first service as against 67 per cent by her 29-year-old opponent. The 25-year-old converted six of the eight break-points she got as against four out of five by Karolina. For Karolina, this is the second loss at a Grand Slam final. Her previous loss came during the 2016 US Open final when she went down to Angelique Kerber of Germany, also in three sets. Ashleigh, who began playing tennis at the age of five, has also been a cricketer. She represented Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League in 2015-16 when she was on a break from tennis. However, failing to make much impression - 68 runs in nine matches -- she returned to tennis in 2016.

Federer, Nadal lead tributes to Djokovic after 20th Grand Slam win

London, July 12 (IANS): Swiss ace Roger Federer, Spaniard Rafael Nadal and several present and former tennis greats hailed world No. 1 Novak Djokovic for winning his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam crown overall at the hallowed Wimbledon centre court. By winning the title on Sunday after beating Italy's Matteo Berrettini, the Serb top seed joined Federer and Nadal, the other two members of the Big Three, as the players with the most number of Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era. Federer, the winner of eight Wimbledon titles, was among the first to wish Djokovic, saying, "Congrats Novak on your 20th major. I'm proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful performance, well done!" Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in the French Open semifinal this year after a gruelling four hour and 10 minute battle tweeted, "Congrats @DjokerNole on this amazing achievement. 20 Grand Slam titles is huge and it is amazing

that we are 3 players tied on this. Well done and, again, congrats to you and your team for this!@ Wimbledon." Tennis great Billie Jean King urged the Serb to continue his sublime form and win the Olympic gold. "Congratulations to @DjokerNole, 6x #Wimbledon champion! He's simply the best, and thrives on pressure. The Golden Slam is still in his sights. Next up: the Olympics." Legendary tennis player Rod Laver, winner of four Wimbledon titles in the 1960s, tweeted, "Congratulations Novak. Amazing achievement, you are on your way to a Grand Slam. Matteo, you played a fantastic tournament and I have no doubt your time will come." India's cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, tweeted, "Great win @ DjokerNole! Many congratulations on winning the @Wimbledon & your 20th Grand Slam title. Despite a challenging start and taking time to find your groove, you fought on and took your game to the next level. Absolute champion mentality to win this one." Indian-American Banerjee wins Wimbledon boys' title Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, July 11 (IANS): IndianAmerican Samir Banerjee won the boys' singles title, beating Viktor Lilov 7-5, 6-3 in an allAmerican final at the Wimbledon championships on Sunday. Banerjee, who reached the final by beating France's Sascha Gueymard Wayenburg in the semi-finals, is the first American junior champion at Wimbledon since Reilly Opelka in 2015, and 12th overall. Banerjee, who is from New Jersey, and Viktor traded serves in the first set in the clash of two 17-year-olds before the IndianAmerican won two consecutive games from 5-5 to take the set. In the second set, Banerjee broke his opponent's serve in the sixth game and went on to win it 6-3, completing his triumph in one hour and 21 minutes, when Viktor made a backhand error. Banerjee is committed to play for Columbia University in the autumn and draws inspiration from several players who took the college tennis route to success before. "Growing up, I think college was always in the picture, I was going to use tennis to get to college. Obviously trying to play at the highest level I could and then go to college and maybe after college try to go pro. I think I didn't really expect this," he told the Wimbledon official website after his semi-final victory. "I'm really happy with my commitment to Columbia, the coaches there I'm really buying into their vision. I think it's a really good stepping stone. Obviously, with Indian parents, they definitely want me to go to college and not just skip the whole…and just go right to pros. And I think it would be a good character-building kind of thing, because I'm not sure if I'm fully ready to just fully go pro yet, so as of right now, I'm still probably going to go to college," he had said.

Italy beat England in penalties to win Euro 2020 Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, July 12 (IANS): Italy became the European football champions after a gap of 53 years by defeating hosts England in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Euro 2020 final at the historic Wembley stadium here. Italy had won their first Euro title in 1968 and they won their second one when goalkeeper Donnarumma blocked a poor effort by 19-year-old Bukayo Saka of England, after Jorginho had missed the last Italian kick, to win the penalty shoot out 3-2 after both teams were deadlocked 1-1 after 120 minutes of action. Playing in front of 60,000 fans despite the pandemic, Italy came back after conceding an early goal to tie the game 1-1 and then showed steely nerves in the penalties. England added to their list of miserable history in penalty shootouts as despite being put ahead of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who saved a couple of penalties. Earlier, England took early lead when defender Luke Shaw scored at one minute and 57th second -- the fastest goal of a Euro final. Luke Shaw started the counter and rushed ahead to meet a long cross by Kieran Trippier near the six-yard spot and shot home off the left-hand post. Italy equalised midway through the second half when defender Leonardo Bonucci, scored off a goal-line scramble in the 67th minute. Off a corner, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford forced Marco Verratti's header onto the lefthand post but the ball fell for Bonucci and he did not make any mistake to make it 1-1. Both teams made efforts to break the deadlock but failed as the match went into extra time and penalties.

India's Olympic dreams, a story of soaring hopes & meagre pickings Photo Courtesy: IANS

Mumbai, July 11 (IANS): By now, every Indian would have heard this sarcastic jibe many times over about how a country of more than a billion has so few Olympic medallists. As another edition of the quadrennial showpiece is set to begin in less than two weeks, the question can be heard loud and clear as to how many medals Indian athletes will win in Tokyo. While India has won at least one medal at each Olympics since 1996 Atlanta, when Leander Paes bagged a bronze medal in tennis, there is no denying that the achievement is nothing compared to countries a fraction of the size of India, who have won medals by the bagful. In more than 100 years of participation at the Olympic Games -- starting from the 1900 edition when Calcutta-born British Indian athlete Norman Pritchard won silver medals in men's 200m and the now discontinued 200m hurdles -- India has won only 28 medals in all (9 gold, 7 silver, and 12 bronze). Though in recent times, India has become a force to reckon with at the Commonwealth Games -- over 100 medals in 2010 New Delhi and 66 in 2018 Gold Coast -- and at the Asian Games -- 69 medals in 2018 Jakarta -- sportspersons have returned meagre picking in successive Olympics despite some courageous performances from the likes of Milkha Singh (1960), Gurbachan Singh Randhawa (1964), Sriram Singh (1976) and PT Usha (1984). In between, wrestler Khashaba Jadhav won a bronze at the 1952 Games in Helsinki. From 1928 till 1980 -- barring 1976 in Montreal when the synthetic turf was introduced -- the men's hockey team has ensured a medal in each edition -- eight gold medals in all with six of them in successive Games. The last gold in hockey came in 1980 and after that India endured a barren patch till 1996 when Paes won bronze and Abhinav Bindra clinched the country's first individual gold in 10m air rifle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. India's best medal haul was at 2012 London when the sportspersons rode on the money pumped in for training and competition for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, bagging six medals -- two silver and four bronze. Though the pickings have been meagre, there is always hype and hope around India's Olympic Games participation. And, Tokyo 2020 is no exception. With 12 days to go for the Olympics, it's time to take stock of how realistic these expectations are. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Sports Ministry expect a double-digit count in Tokyo. "India, with its vast population must play a bigger role in the Olympic Movement and that is possible by winning more medals. India must cross double digits (in medals)," the then sports minister Kiren Rijiju had said on the occasion of 100 days to Tokyo. IOA president, Narinder Batra, too had said that he was expecting medals in double digit. "We are expecting 120-130 athletes to qualify for the Olympics. I expect the medal haul to be in double digits this time." Batra told a leading sports website recently that a double-digit haul was possible. "We should be competing in 41 medal positions. I am confident that we should be touching double-digit, I won't mention the colour," Batra had said last month. Whether India's medal count in Tokyo gets into double figures or not is not the issue. What is important is that athletes give their best-ever performances in the Japanese capital and live up to people's expectations even if the medals tally doesn't go into double digits. Hopes are being built mostly around shooting, boxing, wrestling, badminton, archery, and hockey. Besides, there is also hope that javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will become the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal. Massive efforts have gone into preparing the 126 Indian athletes for the Games, despite the hurdles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a look at some of the efforts that have raised hopes of a decent haul in Tokyo. 1. As many as 160 athletes -- 124 individual athletes besides the men's and women's hockey teams (18 players each) -- are part of the 'core group' of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, the government's flagship programme for sportspersons. 2. The government has ensured that national camps resume in a safe and secure manner in the National Centres of Excellence post lockdowns. 3. The government ensured the availability of foreign coaches and experts to the sports federations. Nearly 43 overseas coaches and support staff have got contracts extensions till the end of the Olympics. 4. A budget of Rs 1,091.52 crore has been allocated to 18 federations between 2016 and 2021 for Olympic and Paralympic Games preparations. 5. In all, Rs 44.41 crore has been sanctioned under TOPS for 32 Olympics-bound athletes in seven disciplines since 2016. 6. A contingent of 15 shooters and support staff is in Croatia training for Tokyo. 7. Nine boxers who have qualified for Tokyo are training in Italy since June. There is no denying that India's major medal hopes rest on its shooters and boxers. The 15-member shooting squad includes world championship medallists and world cup winners. Flyweight boxer Amit Panghal, who won gold at the 2018 Asian Games and silver at the 2019 World Championships in Russia, is seeded No. 1 in his category, while six-time World Championships gold medallist MC Mary Kom, bronze medallist at 2012 London Olympics, is ranked third. "Preparations are going very well here in Italy; we are getting good sparring partners as we have many good boxers here, many of them who have qualified for Olympics. The motivation is high and it is evident in their behaviour and body language. They were motivated," Indian boxing's high-performance director Santiago Nieva told IANS from Assisi, Italy. The men's hockey team too has done well in recent times, climbing up to fourth in the FIH rankings. It gave a good display in the Pro League matches against World Champions Belgium and Netherlands last year and against reigning Olympic champions Argentina in April. Though their Pro League campaign ended prematurely due to the second wave of COVID-19, the team is confident of a podium finish.

Fans break into scuffle after Euro 2020 final

London, July 12 (IANS): London Metropolitan's riot police came down to London's West End after thousands of football fans roamed on the streets post England's loss against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Scores of officers wearing riot gear and clutching shields were making their way through the streets of central London when large crowds attempted to push into the fan zone at Trafalgar Square without tickets. The fans dispersed quickly, though, as rain arrived in the city. The riot police were also seen at Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square in London after football supporters were climbing over street lamps, over the roofs of buses and setting off fire in front of hundreds of fans following England's defeat. The chaotic scenes came after England lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties 2-3 to Italy, extending the wait for a major trophy after the 1966 World Cup. The Metropolitan Police posted on Twitter, "Our policing operation for the #Euro2020 final is drawing to a close. Thank you to the tens of thousands of fans who had good spirits and behaved responsibly. We made 49 arrests during the day for a variety of offences. We will have officers on hand throughout the night." Another tweet by the Metropolitan Police further said, "Frustratingly, 19 of our officers were injured while they confronted volatile crowds. This is wholly unacceptable. A big thanks to officers across London and our blue light colleagues for their part in keeping Londoner's safe and moving tonight. #Euro2020." Ahead of the game there were chaotic scenes at Wembley Stadium, with footage showing dozens of fans trying to force their way past barriers to get into the stadium. In a statement which came later on, a stadium spokesperson said: "There was a breach of security and a small group of people got into the stadium. We are now working closely with stadium stewards and security to remove these people. Anyone inside the stadium without a ticket will be instantly ejected."

5 offbeat destinations to visit in India

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

India is renowned for its diversity as it is home to not only a mix of cultures and cuisine, but also varied landscapes. While the country houses a plethora of well-known tourist attractions, it also has a myriad of such lesserknown jewels that make even the most intrepid traveller swoon in awe-struck delight. With travel restrictions easing and Covid cases consistently dropping across the country, domestic travel is booming. In fact, visiting smaller, unknown destinations, far from the city, away from the crowds and stress helps to satiate your travel appetite. Avoid the crowd with EaseMyTrip. com shares list of India's most enchanting and lesser-known destinations: Jawai, Rajasthan A hidden gem in India for tranquillity seekers is Jawai, named after the river with mesmerising views. The experience offers a one-ofa-kind opportunity to engage with nature and wildlife. The granite landscape and highlands that surround Jawai are a sight to behold. As leopards dwell wild and free, Jawai symbolizes human-nature coexistence. The leopard safari is one of its kind in this wildlife haven, the city is home to wild animals including nilgai bears, wolves, hyenas, and chinkaras. In addition, Jawai is a well-known winter haven for migrating birds. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh While rolling over Scotland's lush green pastures may appear to be a distant travel goal on your bucket list, you can get all of this in India for half the price and twice the joy. With abundant reserves of untapped natural beauty, Ziro is a modest picturesque town, nestled away in the enchanting mountain-scape of Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to its unrivalled scenery and wildlife splendour, the tranquil town is known for its distinctive Apatani tribe. Verdant greenery and breath-taking paddy fields, a fascinating tribal culture unlike any other, and a pleasant weather all year round makes it a mustvisit travel destination. Since the past few years, there has been a growth in airline routes to the region resulting in swifter travelling options. Morachi Chincholi, Maharashtra Located 50 km away from Pune, this quaint village is the unofficial peacock sanctuary of Maharashtra. As the name suggests, Morachi Chincholi is a village of tamarind trees and dancing peacocks. Legend has it that the tamarind trees were planted during the Peshwa dynasty, which attracted peacocks to the village. A visit to this picturesque village will provide travellers a unique Maharashtrian village life experience as the villagers here offer visitors a bullock cart ride to the farm and help them get a practical experience of irrigation and farming life. One can also enjoy a simple meal of organic vegetables against the backdrop of lustrous ruby-green farms and dancing peacocks, which is a perfect escape into tranquillity. Varkala, Kerala Varkala, located in the southern part of Kerala, is known for its calm ambience and vibrant, serene beaches. The red sandstone cliffs and lush greenery around is a sight to behold. The coastal area is home to a black sand beach which is a hidden gem within the area. Itis also a hub for the adventure enthusiasts as it is known for its water sports and adventure activities such as paragliding, rafting and parasailing. The destination is home to several fisheries, freshwater springs, hills and forts. Apart from holding the charms of a quiet beach, the coastal area is also home to pilgrimage sites such as the 2000-year-old Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Sivagiri Mutt, which can be spiritually rewarding as you travel to explore the unexplored. Chaukori, Uttrakakhand With majestic Himalayan peaks and verdant woods surrounding it, Chaukori is a lesser-known hamlet with jaw-dropping splendour. It is one of India's finest and most distinctive hill stations, with breath-taking views of Nanda Devi, the Panchachuli peaks, and Nanda Kot. It is noted for its numerous Hindu temples, picturesque scenery, and tranquil ambiance, and should be in the travel wishlist for a peaceful getaway. In Chaukori, one may engage in leisurely walks and high-intensity treks, both of which provide a magnificent perspective of the landscape. Right from the scenic hill stations to gorgeous beaches to peaceful getaways among nature and culture, there is an interesting melange of landscapes across country which are perfect alternatives for curious travellers looking for something different from the hustle and bustle of big, crowded cities. While travel slowly resumes in the country, it is important to ensure that safety remains paramount.

Chaukori, Uttrakakhand

Photo Courtesy: IANS Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

Photo Courtesy: IANS Jawai, Rajasthan

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Telangana's Ramappa temple, Dholavira city nominated for World Heritage List

Places as diverse and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the natural and cultural places inscribed on the World Heritage List to date

Photo Courtesy: wikipedia

The cultural sites of Dholavira, a historical Harappan city, and the glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways – Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple in Telangana, are India's nominations for the UNESCO World Heritage List, and are among the global sites to be reviewed by the World Heritage Committee’s 44th session slated to be chaired from Fuzhou (China) from July 16-31. On July 16, UNESCO DirectorGeneral Audrey Azoulay will take part in the opening of the session, during which the World Heritage Committee will notably examine the state of conservation of 255 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List, 53 of which also figure on the List of World Heritage in Danger, says UNESCO. The World Heritage Committee has inscribed 1,121 sites in 167 countries on the World Heritage List to date, says UNESCO. India currently has 38 properties inscribed on the prestigious list, ranging across the cultural, natural and mixed sites. The cultural sites, along with the year in which they were inscribed, include Agra Fort (1983), Ajanta Caves (1983), Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016), Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989), ChampanerPavagadh Archaeological Park (2004), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004), Churches and Convents of Goa (1986), Elephanta Caves (1987), Ellora Caves (1983), Fatehpur Sikri (1986), Great Living Chola Temples (1987,2004), Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986), Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984), Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987), Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013), Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017), Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993), Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019). Also included are Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986), Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002), Mountain Railways of India (1999,2005,2008), Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993), Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014), Red Fort Complex (2007), Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003), Sun Temple, Konârak (1984), Taj Mahal (1983), The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016), The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010), and Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018). For the natural sites, those included from India are: Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014), Kaziranga National Park (1985), Keoladeo National Park (1985), Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985), Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988,2005), Sundarbans National Park (1987) and Western Ghats (2012). The Khangchendzonga National Park (2016) is a mixed site from India on the List. The session this year will combine current work and issues left outstanding since last year, when the annual meeting was postponed due to COVID-19. Starting on 24 July, the World Heritage Committee will start inscribing nominated sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, beginning with nominations that could not be reviewed last year. World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Places as diverse and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the natural and cultural places inscribed on the World Heritage List to date.

The Oberoi Group successfully vaccinates all its team members Photo Courtesy: IANS

The second wave of Covid-19 hit India hard. Perhaps there wasn’t a single family that was not affected – almost everyone was, in some way or the other. The hospitality industry being one of the most affected can only begin to recover once people feel safe. To that end The Oberoi Group undertook a vaccination drive and successfully vaccinated all eligible team members at the Group, including Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Trident Hotels and Oberoi Flight Services. It is no secret that the pandemic can begin to end only when the entire population is vaccinated. Ending of weekend curfews and opening up the hospitality industry and educational institutions all depends upon a population that is vaccinated. The hospitality major has ensured that everyone under its umbrella, be it all eligible employees of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Trident Hotels and Oberoi Flight Services or third-party contractual workers have received their vaccine. “Vaccination would ensure that our staff remains safe and healthy. Additionally, it will give confidence to everyone who interacts with them as well as our guests,” says Sanjiv Kapoor, President, The Oberoi Group, adding that the safety, hygiene and wellbeing of both the employees and guests is of paramount importance as upon this depends on the revival of the hospitality business. While the Group has not made the vaccine a mandatory condition before re-joining work for its staff, it is nevertheless educating them on how getting vaccinated will save them from the severity of Covid-19, if at all they get infected. "Vaccination will not only make the teams and guests safer, but it will also send across a positive message to society. We have involved our training managers and are sharing all vaccinerelated facts with them,” says Kapoor, adding that the even the governments, both at the centre and state, should allow those who are fully vaccinated to travel freely without testing or quarantine requirements. The Travel industry can start to recover only after this happens, Kapoor said.