India News - July 1-15, 2023

oath as Stafford Mayor

in as the Mayor of Stafford in US state of Texas.

New York, June 30 (IANS) Kerala

native Ken Mathew has become the first Indian-American and the first person of colour to be sworn

Mathew, a former Stafford City Council member, won the race defeating incumbent Mayor Cecil Willis by 16 votes in a run-off race this month, crediting his victory to his faith in god, the Fort Bend Star reported.

He was administered the oath of office by Missouri City Mayor

Robin Elackatt, also an IndianAmerican, at a special event attended by his family members and top officials.

Indian-American Fort Bend County Judge, K.P. George, who was present on the occasion, tweeted: "Congratulations to Stafford Mayor-elect Ken Mathew! It was an absolute Chennai , June 30 (IANS) Hours after issuing a controversial order on Thursday sacking Tamil Nadu

PM Modi ends US visit with a ringing endorsement of Biden

said on Friday in his address to a packed auditorium of IndianAmericans who had travelled from all over the US.

phrase that roughly translates to "he is a wise and experienced leader".

Minister Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers, Governor R.N. Ravi has withdrawn it, as per highly-placed sources in Raj Bhavan.

Balaji, who was Minister without portfolio, will continue as a minister in the Stalin cabinet. Immediately after the Governor

Washington, June 24: While ending his four-day US visit, Prime Minister NarendraModi, who is an astute politician, left behind a gift for his host, President Joe Biden: a resounding endorsement.

"Over the last three days, we have been together continuously," Modi

Modi was at the White House for a private dinner on Wednesday, the day he arrived here from New York, and the whole of next morning, starting with a ceremonial reception, which was followed by bilateral talks and a new conference where they both took questions from reporters.

"We have had frank discussions over a whole host of issues, and I say this from experience that he is a 'suljhe hue anubhavineta'," Modi said using a colloquial Hindi

The comment was greeted with loud applause.

"Bharat, American partnership koeknaiuchai per le janey wale, wyaktigatroop se, unkabahutprayasrahahaiaurmein, sarwajankroop se, unke in prayasonkisarahankartahoon," the Prime Minister pressed on in Hindi about his personal impression of the US President based on their many meetings in private and public over the past few days.

NYC officially declares Diwali as school holiday

honouring the city's South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities.

On Monday, Mayor Adams made the announcement at City Hall while being flanked by Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu American and first South Asian American woman elected to state office, reports ABC 7.

"Today we say to over 600,000

Imphal, June 30 (IANS) A day after he was stopped by a huge

Manipur Police contingent, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday visited relief camps in Moirang, Bishnupur district, where he met people affected by the ethnic violence.

Manipur state Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh said that Rahul went to Moirang

2023’ contestant Adi Nevgi wins judges’ hearts with pani puri

Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain Americans, we see you," Rajkumar said.

"Today we say to families from India, Guyana, Trinidad, Nepal, and Bangladesh, we recognise you."

Taking to Twitter later in the day, Adams said: "I'm so proud to have stood with Assemblymember

Mumbai, June 27 (IANS)

‘MasterChef Australia 2023’ contestant and Indian - Origin chef Adi Nevgi in a surprise mystery box challenge decided to make Indian street favourite pani puri with a Mexican twist.

Commenting on her excitement to make the classic Pani Puri, the

31-year-old said: “I’m making Pani Puri which is an Indian street snack. The normal dish is this little pillow of inflated dough which is hollow in the middle. Then you fill it up with potato and lots of spices. Today I’m going to fill it with surprising flavours — salmon roe and avocado.”

“Surprising them (judges) with what’s inside of it so that when they bite into it, they’re like, ‘Oh! Didn’t expect that.”

For Adi Nevgi, nothing beats the taste of crispy, spicy Pani Puri as

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7 electrocuted to death, 14 injured after chariot touches overhead wire in Tripura

Agartala, June 28 (IANS) At least seven people, including two children, were electrocuted to death while 14 others were seriously injured on Wednesday after a chariot made of iron came in contact with an overhead high-tension wire in Tripura’s Kumarghat area, the police said. Officials said the death toll is likely to increase as many of the injured are stated to be critical. A police spokesman said that the chariot taken out on the occasion of ‘Ulto Rath’, the return journey part of the annual Rath Yatra procession, was carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra

and Lord Balabhadra.

The police spokesperson told IANS that six injured people have been referred to the Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in Agartala.

“Nine-year-old Diya Ghosh succumbed to her injuries on way to Agartala from Kumarghat,” he said.

Local people were shocked by the sudden mishap, following which Fire and Emergency Service personnel rescued the injured and rushed them to the hospital. Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people were pulling the rope

TN Governor withdraws

controversial order sacking

of the chariot taken out by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which came in contact with the 11,000volt high-tension wire, as proper precautionary measures were not taken.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. Modi tweeted: “The mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat is saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover soon.”

In a first, Indian-American takes oath as Stafford Mayor

Continued from Page 1

pleasure to attend his swearing-in ceremony this evening. Wishing him all the best as he embarks on this important role."

Texas representatives, Ron Reynolds and Suleman Lulani, and former Missouri City Mayor Owen Allen also graced the occasion.

Back home, Minister of State for Electronics and

Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, also congratulated Mathew in a tweet.

"Congratulations to Ken Mathew from Kerala for becoming the elected Mayor of Stafford, US. He is the first Indian to be elected to the post, in 67 years' history of Stafford," Chandrasekhar wrote.

Mathew served on Stafford Council since first being elected in 2006, and served on the city's

Minister Senthil Balaji

Continued from Page 1

issued the order, Chief Minister MK Stalin had lashed out against the decision, saying that the Governor does not have any power to remove a minister from the Council of Ministers on his own.

The Governor, in the statement dismissing Balaji, has said that he was misusing his power as a minister and influencing an ongoing case against him. Sources told IANS that the Governor has hurriedly withdrawn his earlier order after Stalin has said that the DMK and Tamil Nadu government would fight the move legally and

approach the Supreme Court against this.

Officials in Raj Bhavan told IANS that the Governor had withdrawn the decision following intervention from the Central government and that the Governor was advised to take a legal opinion.

Balaji, who was the Electricity and Excise and Prohibition Minister, was arrested earlier this month, amid high drama by the Enforcement Directorate in an old cash for job scam, and is now in judicial custody. While he was divested of the key portfolios, he continued to be a minister in the DMK government.

Planning and Zoning Commission for several years before then. He immigrated to the US in the 1970s after earning a degree from the University of Bombay, the Star reported.

An MBA, Mathew worked as an accountant and financial executive for several corporations, including Toshiba in the Houston area. He has lived in Stafford since 1982.

PM Modi ends US visit with a ringing endorsement of Biden

Continued from Page 1

That would translate roughly to:

"He (President Biden) has been personally responsible for driving the India-US relationship to new heights and I publicly commend him for his efforts."

The Prime Minister is very popular in the Indian American community and he has sought to cultivate this constituency as a pillar of the broader relationship between the two countries. But he has also used it to weigh in in presidential elections.

Prime Minister Modi had sought a second term for former President Donald Trump at a joint appearance in a rally of IndianAmericans in Houston in 2019,

called the "Howdy Mody" event.

It didn't help. Trump lost.

There are an estimated 4.5 million people in the US of Indian descent. They include this reporter, who has lived in the US for 13 years but remains an Indian citizen.

Less than a quarter of these Indian-Americans vote, but many of them donate heavily to their political party of choice, which has been the Democratic party traditionally.

But polls show some Indian Americans are gravitating towards the Republican party, although their numbers remain statistically insignificant.

Close to 70 per cent of Indian-

Rahul visits relief camps in Manipur’s Bishnupur

Continued from Page 1

by helicopter and after returning to Imphal, he will meet 10 like-minded party leaders and members of civil society organisations.

He will also hold talks with leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC), influential women bodies, prominent citizens and intellectuals.

of the distressed people,” Singh told the media, adding that the Congress leader had dinner at the relief camp in Imphal.

Americans identify themselves as either Democratic or leaningDemocratic, according to polls. And Biden has the support of most Indian-Americans, both donors and voters. But the Prime Minister's endorsement of the US president, who is seeking a second term, could stanch the flow of Indian-Americans to the Republican Party, no matter who is the presidential nominee. Modi is popular in the IndiaAmerican community but there is no evidence he can influence their voting. He openly rooted for Trump in the 2020 election and he lost -- Indian Americans voted mostly for Biden, wherever they were.

NYC officially declares Diwali as school holiday

Continued from Page 1

Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday.

"I know it's a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali!"

The Mayor's announcement comes after the New York State legislature on June 9 passed a Bill to make Diwali a school holiday in the city.

However, Governor Kathy Hochul is still yet to sign the bill to make it into a law.

Two earlier attempts to pass the legislation in 2021 and 2022 did not succeed.

An estimated 200,000 students from these communities will be able to celebrate the festival of lights in their own way, free of school.

In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated

on Sunday, November 12, so it will be a day off school for the first time in 2024.

The New York Department of Education said there will be four new days off during 2023-24 school calendar including April 1, the day after Easter, April 29 and 30, the two days of Passover, and June 17 for Eid.

Upon his arrival on Thursday, the senior Congress leader visited relief camps in Imphal West District and Churachandpur, where displaced people have taken shelter in the wake of the violence which has killed 120 people, injured over 400 others and also led to the damage of a massive number of properties, houses, vehicles and important installations since it erupted on May 3.

“In both districts, Rahul Gandhi patiently listened to the hardship

But when Rahul Gandhi left for Bishnupur by road on Thursday, his convoy was stopped some 20 km from Imphal by a huge contingent of police led by Bishnupur SP Heisnam Balram Singh, citing law and order issues. Tear gas shells were fired by police in front of the Bishnupur police station to disperse the women-led demonstrators, who shouted slogans to allow Rahul Gandhi to visit the violence-affected people. Rahul Gandhi later tweeted: “I came to listen to all my brothers and sisters of Manipur. People of all communities are very welcoming and loving. It’s very unfortunate that the government is stopping me. Manipur needs healing. Peace has to be our only priority.”

‘MasterChef Australia 2023’ contestant Adi Nevgi wins judges’ hearts with pani puri

Continued from Page 1

she said: “I love Pani Puri. I think it is one of the best Indian street foods.”

The dish was an instant hit among the judges and Nevgi wowed the judges with her impressive fusion dish. However, she did not stop the adventure cook in her from taking a pause, instead, she took to Instagram and said, “Following the success of Mexican pani puri, I would like to try: Taiwanese Pani Puri (bubble tea-inspired), Dessert Pani Puri (dunked in chocolate milk), and Dance Floor

Pani Puri (a shot of vodka). The original one is perfect but let's galaxy-brain this and see how far

we can go."

Previously, she earned praise for her spicy and aromatic Maharashtrian squid curry and butter chicken.

Having travelled to over 55 countries, Nevgi from Melbourne is inspired by flavours around the globe. However, she also holds a special place in her heart for her ancestral Indian cuisine. Being a doctor by profession, her exploration of general medicine and endocrinology has enhanced her passion for food, deepening her understanding and creativity for its scientific aspects.

MasterChef Australia airs on Disney+ Hotstar in India.

Adani launches ‘Jeetenge Hum’ campaign for the 2023 Cricket World Cup

1983 World Cup Cricket legends lend their support to the campaign to fire up cricket enthusiasts

JeetengeHum urges die-hard cricket fans to share their heartfelt wishes to recreate the magic of 1983 and 2011 on Twitter and Instagram

Ahmedabad, 24 June 2023: At the Adani Day, Adani Group collaborated with the heroes of the 1983 World Cup Cricket victory to launch the 'Jeetenge Hum' campaign, displaying unwavering support for Team India for the highly anticipated ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. The Adani Group ignites an unstoppable spirit for Team India in the upcoming World Cup, marking the momentous 40th anniversary of India's historic conquest. Led by Chairman Gautam Adani, the campaign sets ablaze with heartfelt wishes, kindling outpouring of support from the 1983 World Cup winning cricket legends and passionate fans. The campaign encourages Indian cricket fans to unite as one, and rally behind Team India with #JeetengeHum on Twitter and Instagram, backing the team's

quest for victory and boosting their morale.

"Cricket is a binding force in our country invoking a wide spectrum of emotions. Legends are not born, they are made through

resilience and perseverance. TeamIndia must have had both these attributes that led us to win the World Cup in 1983.”

“With the hope of seeing history repeat itself, join us and the legends in wishing the Indian Cricket Team for the upcoming World Cup through #JeetengeHum," said Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group.

Cricketing legend and the captain of the 1983 winning squad Kapil Dev said, “We are honoured to unite with the Adani Group in rallying Team India for the ODI World Cup 2023. This campaign symbolizes the excitement and the indomitable spirit that propelled us to victory in 1983. In preparation for the World Cup 2023, it is imperative for the team to foster a collective mindset that centers on wholeheartedly committing to giving their absolute best. The true measure of success lies not solely in the outcome, but in the unwavering dedication to the relentless pursuit of personal excellence."

Echoing similar sentiments, Roger Binny, one of the heroes of the 1983 team and the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said, “Being part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team was an incredible journey filled with determination and team spirit. Together, we believe in the potential of our current players to bring back the coveted trophy. Let's unite as fans and inspire them

to create history!" Amidst a heartfelt gathering in Ahmedabad to celebrate Adani Day, the 1983 World Cup-winning team received an unforgettable reception. Enhancing the magnificence of the occasion, Mr Kapil Dev, the captain of the historic team, presented Mr Gautam Adani with a special bat signed by the 1983 team. This treasured gift will serve as an inspiring token to be presented to the Indian Contingent before the much-awaited World Cup 2023. The program witnessed a

captivating moment as celebrity anchor Gaurav Kapur engaged in a riveting conversation with the heroes of 1983 and Mr Adani, seamlessly drawing parallels between the realms of cricket and business. Coming soon, as part of the ongoing campaign, a digital wishing wall will be unveiled, inviting

cricket enthusiasts from around the globe with the opportunity to contribute their heartfelt wishes, messages, and support for Team Indias journey to the World Cup. It aims to create a resounding

display of support, amplifying Team Indias determination to achieve victory. This campaign draws inspiration from the Adani Groups ethos, "Kar ke dikhaya hai, Kar ke dikhayenge," symbolizing an indomitable spirit of achievement in both cricket and business. The “Jeetenge Hum” campaign champions the belief that winners, having tasted victory before, will inevitably relish it again—an inner conviction that precedes their satisfaction and pride in the public eye.

Bat signing by team 83 and Gautam Adani

Kickstarting JeetengeHum caimpaign

Gautam Adani with 83 Cricket team and AVM students wishing chairman happy birthday

The Zones quickly attracts interest for new commercial project

Springfield City Group that fully sold a combined 25 units.

Springfield City Group’s Sean Ranchigoda said The Zones was created for the growing interest among small and medium businesses.

demanded by the market.”

the benefits in purchasing units compared with leasing.”

The increasing demand for commercial property in Greater Springfield has sparked The Zones – a new development already proving popular for small and medium businesses.

Springfield City Group has started earthworks on The Zones – a

project in excess of $7 million that will offer 22 strata-titled units for mixed use including retail, office, warehouses, a café and a gym. The concept includes hybrid units with office and warehouse space. The Zones complements two neighbouring strata projects by

“We have eight of the 22 units under contract already and that’s due to this increasing demand for units that can be purchased by small and medium businesses who understand the benefits of Greater Springfield,” Mr. Ranchigoda said.

“We developed Hub 23 in the same precinct with 10 units that were quickly snapped up. That was a warehouse-based complex whereas The Zones provides a mix of options now being

Prices for The Zones vary from $4600 per sqm for warehouses to $5700 per sqm for showroom tenancies and $6500 per sqm for ground-floor office space. Units range between 55sqm and 296sqm in size

“These projects are being developed every few years in this area to meet the demand,” Mr. Ranchigoda said. “And the demand is mostly coming from local buyers who understand

The Zones is bounded by Technology Drive, Gateway Drive and Success Circuit, offering three-street frontage.

ICM Construction has begun work on The Zones with a completion date of November 2023. The development is being marketed by Springfield City Group and Raine & Horne Commercial.

The Springfield Anglican College Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence in Education

generations of students and watched them grow into accomplished individuals, making a positive impact in their communities. Soon, our current Year 12’s will join the ranks of TSAC alum on their journey into adulthood. Today, we remember the College’s past with fondness, embrace the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with hope and optimism.”

Luke Jamieson, College Leader, adds, “Over the past 25 years, TSAC has developed a strong sense of community and pride. As a College leader, I am thankful for the teachers, staff, and administrators who work tirelessly to create a positive learning environment, my fellow students who inspire each other with their passion and enthusiasm for learning, and our parents and community members who support us every step of the way.”

Mr Morris continues, “TSAC ensures that each student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We are committed to providing students with opportunities for personal growth and development, as well as academic excellence, through a wide array of educational opportunities. Our students are encouraged to explore their interests and passions through our extensive curriculum, cocurricular, and service programs.

“I am proud that TSAC has consistently achieved impressive results in both academic and cocurricular arenas, with our students consistently ranking among the top in the state. Importantly, they go on to be the leaders of tomorrow, making a positive impact on the world.

On Friday, 5 May, The Springfield Anglican College (TSAC) proudly celebrated its 25th year of educating young people in the Greater Springfield area. Since the College’s establishment in 1998, TSAC has grown into one of the state’s leading Colleges, known for providing exceptional education to students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The College started in 1998 with 12 students, two teachers and a Head of College. Since welcoming these first families, the College continued to grow and proudly lay the learning and faith foundations that have helped shape the future lives of thousands of students

over the last 25 years. Since 1998, the College has expanded its facilities, grown its faculty, and enriched its curriculum to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that equips them for success in all areas of life. Today, TSAC educates more than 1,100 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, with a professional team of almost 170 teachers and support staff, on two expansive campuses.

Mr Steven Morris, Principal of The Springfield Anglican College, said, “I am incredibly proud of all that has been achieved over the past 25 years. The College’s

founders had a vision for a new vibrant independent school even before there was a Greater Springfield community. Our students are the embodiment of our forerunners’ greatest dreams.”

The 25th-year celebrations will be a time for reflection, appreciation, and gratitude for the College community. The College will host a series of events throughout the year to celebrate the milestone, including Foundation Day Assembly and Chapel services (5 May) and a 25th-year Gala Ball (29 July).

Olivia Harding, College Leader, says, “TSAC has taught

This year, the College will be launching the TSAC Alumni Association, to encourage past students to remain connected with the College community, and will commence the building of a new Sports Centre. The multi-court Sports Centre will be built on the College’s Secondary Campus and will support the College’s mission to provide a holistic education that develops students’ physical health and wellbeing, as well as their academic abilities.

“As a College, we are still growing, and our history continues to be written by our dedicated staff, students, parents, and the wider Springfield community. We look forward to celebrating this milestone and continuing to provide an exceptional education for generations to come.”

On its Foundation Day, 5 May, students on the Primary and Secondary Campuses participated in a dedicated Assembly and Chapel service before enjoying a birthday party styled lunch, complete with party games, balloons and cake.

Cong has ‘Bharat Jodo’ ideology, BJPRSS have ‘Bharat Todo’ doctrine: Rahul

we will win the entire country," Gandhi said.

"Currently, the fight of ideology is underway in Bihar. The Congress party has an ideology of 'Bharat Jodo' while the BJP-RRS has the ideology 'Bharat Todo'. We are spreading love in the country and talking about Mohabbat while BJP-RSS are talking about hatred and dividing the society," the Congress leader said.

Lalu Prasad still strong enough to fight BJP: Mamata

claimed that Rahul Gandhi was the one who had taken an initiative to unite the people of the country. He took the initiative to talk to every political party in the country," Kharge said.

residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.

The Trinamool Congress leader touched Lalu Prasad's feet to seek his blessings and offered him a shawl.

Patna, June 23 (IANS) Ahead of the opposition meeting, Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday appealed to his party leaders to stay united in a fight with the BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and that the BJP-RSS has 'Bharat Todo' ideology in contrast to Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' faith. "The opposition parties are assembled here in Patna to chalk out the plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. If we win Bihar,

"When the Bharat Jodo Yatra was underway, wherever we went, we found people of Bihar. Those who were coming to meet me and when I asked them about their native places, they informed me it was Bihar. I walked in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and Kashmir and we found people of Bihar everywhere," Gandhi said.

Earlier, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge

"We are 20 opposition parties meeting in Patna, and we will fight together in 2024. I want to ask the people of Bihar to remove internal disputes among ourselves. If we win Bihar, we will win the entire country," Kharge said.

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge reached Patna airport where a large number of Congress party supporters were present. Both the leaders straight away reached the Congress office 'Sadakat Ashram' where they were welcomed by party leaders from the state. A large number of hoardings highlighting the 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' slogan and other display boards were installed in Patna by the party.

Jamia improves position in Asia University rankings

13 performance indicators/ parameters as the THE World University Rankings, but they were recalibrated to reflect the attributes of Asia's institutions.

The universities were judged across all their core missions -- teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook -- to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available.

Patna June 22 (IANS) West Bengal

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that RJD leader Lalu Prasad is still "strong enough" to fight the BJP.

Trinamool Congress chief Banerjee made the remarks immediately after her meeting with Lalu Prasad in Patna. Banerjee arrived here at around 4 p.m. on Thursday and reached directly to 5 Desh Ratna Marg

"Lalu Ji is a very senior leader in the country and I respect him a lot. He stayed in jail for a long time. Due to illness, he also stayed in hospital for a long time.

I am very happy after seeing him healthy. He is a very strong man who will fight with the BJP," Banerjee said.

"We will participate in the opposition unity meeting on Friday and will contest together. We will brief you after that meeting," she told reporters.

Oppn meet: Omar accuses BJP of breaking the country

country where democracy has been murdered. There was a discussion about democracy in the White House yesterday. But why does this democracy doesn't reach Jammu and Kashmir?"

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) Jamia

Millia Islamia (JMI) has achieved another milestone by entering into the top 10 institutions of the country in the London-based Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings-2023. The university has moved upward to 128th rank in Asia and remarkably improved its position from 160th rank last year. With an improvement of 32 ranks, JMI is one of the very few institutions of the country which has performed exceptionally well in the ranking.

The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings assessed performance of 669 universities from 31 countries on the same

The Jamia administration said that JMI has been consistently maintaining its rank in THE World University Rankings also. It was ranked at 601-800 in the recently declared THE World University Rankings- 2021.

Elated over the performance

JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar said, "It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for the whole Jamia fraternity as this achievement reflects the hard work put in by teachers, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders of the university. Our efforts have been recognized internationally and I hope that the university will continue

its endeavours to improve its performance further in coming years."

It is worth mentioning that JMI has been continuously improving its national and international ranking over the last few years. The university not only maintained 3rd rank among universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) - India Rankings-2023 released by the Ministry of Education (MoE) but improved its performance by 13 positions to 12 in overall category, she added.

JMI also improved its position in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings-2023 released in October, 2022.

Globally, JMI moved to the 501600 ranking band from 601- 800 in previous year ranking. The university also improved its position in QS Asia University Rankings- 2022 released by the London-based QS University Rankings Agency where it was ranked at 186th improving its position from 203 last year, Jamia VC said.

Maharashtra to cover entire population under Rs 5 lakh health insurance

Mumbai, June 28 (IANS) In a major public healthcare initiative, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced that its flagship health insurance scheme will now cover the entire 12.50 crore population in the state.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said after a Cabinet meeting that

the government has decided to hike the premium of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) from the existing Rs 150,000 to Rs 500,000, and the scheme will now be applicable all the people in the state.

Until now, the MJPJAY benefits were available only to certain

categories of ration card holders or farmers from 14 distressed districts and some other sections.

“This health insurance scheme will now cover and benefit all the 12.50 crore people in the state,” Shinde told media persons.

Patna, June 23 (IANS) National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the BJP government at the Centre for breaking the country and asked why democracy does not reach Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking after the mega opposition unity meeting in Patna, for J&K CM Abdullah said, "We met to save the country from devastation and to bring back democracy. Me and Mehbooba Mufti belong to that part of the

Another former J&K Cm and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti said: "Whatever is happening in our country is an attack on democracy, the Constitution and secularism."

She also said that Jammu and Kashmir has become a laboratory for such an experiment.

"It was started in J&K and replicated in the rest of the country. J&K has only 5-6 Lok Sabha seats, but it reflects the idea of India. Our aim is to not to let Gandhi's India turn into Godse's India," she said.

Ten US students arrive in Lucknow University to learn Urdu, Persian

said, that in line with this collaboration, Lucknow University is offering a short-term course spanning eight weeks to teach Urdu and Persian to American students.

Lucknow, June 21 (IANS) Ten American students have arrived at the Lucknow University (LU) to learn Urdu and Persian during their eight-week stay in the city. The university will hold classes for them twice a week and will also acquaint them with Indian culture and ethos.

These students already have a knowledge of these two languages and have come here to hone their skills and diction.

This development is a result of an MoU signed between the University of Lucknow and the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), New Delhi.

Prof RP Singh, director, international collaboration,

Julia Norman from Los Angeles says they are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to study Urdu in Lucknow. Julia hopes to develop language skills here at LU. "This city's rich culture and vibrant history makes this an ideal place," she said.

Meredith Church from the University of Colorado says they are fascinated by the history and confluence of culture in Lucknow. "Honoured to have the opportunity to learn Urdu here," she said.

Nikash Harapanahalli from the US state of Texas said that the opportunity to learn Urdu in Lucknow is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Lawrence Bishnoi sought ‘Mahagathbandhan’ with gangs: NIA charge sheet

New Delhi, June 27 (IANS) The NIA has mentioned in its charge sheet that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi had proposed an idea of forming alliances with other gangs, a 'Mahagathbandhan' to confront rivals and expand terror network.

The NIA states that Bishnoi utilised social media tools and various websites to reach a wider audience.

"The accused, Lawrence Bishnoi is the mastermind behind this syndicate, orchestrating the dangerous concept of forging alliances with gangs in almost all states of northern India, except Punjab.

"He formed alliances with Sandeep alias Kala Jatheri and Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana in Haryana, Jitender Maan Gogi in Delhi, Anandpal in Rajasthan, and later his protege, Anuradha Choudhary alias Revolver Rani, also joined this terror syndicate. These alliances significantly augmented Lawrence Bishnoi's influence as a gangster," stated the charge sheet.

According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), after establishing these alliances, Bishnoi was able to operate even from jail. The profits from targeted killings and extortion were shared among all members, including Rajesh Kumar alias Raju Mota, Kala Rana, Dalip Bishnoi, Surender Singh alias Chiku, and others, to support the foot soldiers and invest in properties.

The NIA investigation also revealed that Bishnoi aimed to reach a larger audience,

prompting him to employ various social media tools and platforms to showcase his terror network.

"Bishnoi gained notoriety by exploiting Facebook and YouTube to his gang's advantage, promoting all their terror activities through these platforms. From sharing pictures of his court appearances while in custody to ensuring widespread coverage on social media, Bishnoi used Instagram and YouTube to amplify the slogan 'Jai Balkari ji,' which became synonymous with him.

"The hundreds of thousands of views boosted his image and facilitated more extortion demands. Inspired by his tactics, gangsters in Delhi and Haryana also became active on social media. In addition to social media, news articles and stories in TV and print media satisfied the syndicate's thirst for publicity, particularly Lawrence Bishnoi," the charge sheet said.

Influencer marketing in India to reach up to $3.5 bn in 2028

There are about 3.5 to 4 million influencers (accounts with more than 10,000 followers) in India influencer marketing ecosystem, according to Redseer Strategy Consultants.

India likely to see 147 unicorns in next 5 years: Report

shines through. The 51 Gazelles and 96 Cheetahs in this index likely to go Unicorn in the next 5 years are a testimony to this,” he added.

New Delhi, June 27 (IANS) India which is currently the third largest startup ecosystem in the world, is likely to see 147 unicorns in the next five years, disrupting financial services, healthcare, business management solutions and education sectors, a report showed on Tuesday.

India is currently home to 83 unicorns, 51 gazelles (most likely to go unicorn within three years) and 96 cheetahs (to achieve unicorn status in five years), according to the 'ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Future Unicorn Index 2023' report. It is a ranking of India’s startups founded in the 2000s, worth at least $200 million, not yet listed on a public exchange and most likely to ‘go Unicorn’ in the next five years.

The future unicorns, on average, were set up in 2015, with the vast majority selling software and services, with only 20 per cent selling physical products. About 37 per cent are selling to businesses, while 63 per cent are consumerfacing.

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) With an estimated up to 4 million social media influencers, the influencer marketing in India is likely to be worth $2.8–$3.5 billion in 2028 as more brands are leveraging the credibility of influencers to promote their products, a report showed on Wednesday.

Influencer marketing has gained much momentum in last 12 months as it helps brand improve its reach to their target audience more effectively.

“One of the primary challenges in influencer marketing is the effective matching of influencers with the specific campaign requirements of brands, along with the ability to accurately assess influencer engagement metrics,” said Mukesh Kumar, associate partner at Redseer.

“Simultaneously, influencers often encounter difficulties in achieving price transparency and securing favourable deals. The advent of emerging models, such as creator marketplaces, holds significant potential in resolving these challenges,” he added.

Redseer estimates that the number of Internet users in India is set to cross 1 billion landmark by the end of the decade. As engagement of these users across internet platform increases, digital ad spends to grow steadily to $21 billion by FY28.

Most of the influencers in the Mid-tier, Micro, and Nano categories start out as hobbyists and aspiring influencers.

“Influencers are becoming the centre piece of digital advertisement as UGC generates 2X more engagement than PGC. These new age celebrities have a direct connection to their followers, and the relationship is a crucial tool for advertisers.” the report noted.

India’s third moon mission slated between July 12-19, lander modified

Speaking to the media, ISRO Chairman and Secretary in the Department of Space, S. Somanath, said the space agency will look at launching the moon mission at the earliest date, which could be July 12 or July 13.

He said the launch window is there between July 12 and July 19.

Chennai, June 28 (IANS) Indian space agency ISRO is gearing up for its third moon mission -Chandrayaan-3 -- slated between July 12 and July 19, officials said.

“We have the launch window between July 12 and July 19. The exact date has not been finalised,” a senior official of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), not wanting to be named, told IANS.

According to Somanath, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has been tested and encapsulated inside the rocket’s payload fairing/heat shield and the rocket -- LVM3 -- is getting ready at the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh.

The main purpose of Chandrayaan-3 is to safely land

the lander on the moon soil. Following that a rover will roll out to do the experiments.

As regards the changes made in the lander this time as compared to the one that crash landed on the moon during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the official said the lander will have four motors instead of five. The space agency has also carried out some changes in the software.

As regards the naming of the lander and rover, the official told IANS that it has not been decided yet.

ISRO might even retain the names of the earlier lander -- Vikram and Pragyan.

“Despite the headwinds, we have seen founders demonstrating unwavering determination, adaptability, and resourcefulness. The funding winter serves as a catalyst for innovation, urging startups to think creatively, optimise resources and refine their strategies,” said Rajesh Saluja, CEO & MD, ASK Private Wealth.

“It is during these times that the true spirit of entrepreneurship

“Gazelles and Cheetahs provide an insight into the economy of tomorrow. What they are doing and where they are doing it gives an indication into which sectors are attracting the world’s top young talent and smartest capital, and which countries and cities have the best startup ecosystems,” explained Anas Rahman Junaid, Hurun India Founder and Chief Researcher. Peak XV Partners (earlier Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia) is India's most successful VC platform at finding and investing into Gazelles and Cheetahs, followed by InnoVen Capital, Tiger Global Management, Accel and Blume Ventures.

In India, quick commerce company Zepto, financial services start-up Vivriti Capital and EV space start-up Ather Energy are expected to play a critical role in solving credit, last mile logistics and renewable energy for India. Online furniture platform pepperfry is the most valuable Cheetah, according to the report.

7 electrocuted to death, 14 injured after chariot touches overhead wire in Tripura

Agartala, June 28 (IANS) At least seven people, including two children, were electrocuted to death while 14 others were seriously injured on Wednesday after a chariot made of iron came in contact with an overhead high-tension wire in Tripura’s Kumarghat area, the police said.

Officials said the death toll is likely to increase as many of the injured are stated to be critical.

A police spokesman said that the chariot taken out on the occasion of ‘Ulto Rath’, the return journey part of the annual Rath Yatra procession, was carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra.

The police spokesperson told IANS that six injured people have been referred to the Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in Agartala.

“Nine-year-old Diya Ghosh succumbed to her injuries on way to Agartala from Kumarghat,” he said.

Local people were shocked by the

sudden mishap, following which Fire and Emergency Service personnel rescued the injured and rushed them to the hospital. Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people were pulling the rope of the chariot taken out by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which came in contact with the 11,000volt high-tension wire, as proper precautionary measures were not taken.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased.

Modi tweeted: “The mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat is saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”

New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Delhi University has played a major role in creating a strong generation of talented youngsters, and that India's rich education system is the carrier of the nation's prosperity.

Addressing the gathering during Valedictory Ceremony of Centenary Celebrations of the University of Delhi, PM Modi said the contributions of the personalities which have emerged out of the University give a glimpse of the life of Delhi University.

Earlier, PM Modi took a metro ride to reach the University. He also interacted with the students during the journey. Upon arriving, the Prime Minister took a walk-through of the exhibition - 'Journey of 100 Years of the University'. He was the chief guest of the Valedictory Ceremony of Centenary Celebrations here.

PM Modi pointed out that there were only three colleges under Delhi University when it began but today there are more than 90 colleges under it.

He also underlined that India which was once considered a fragile economy and has now become one of the top 5 economies in the world. Noting that the number of women studying at DU is more than men, the Prime Minister pointed

out that the gender ratio has significantly improved in the country.

The PM said, "If during these hundred years, DU has kept its emotions alive, it has kept its values vibrant too".

Underscoring the importance of knowledge, the PM noted that when India had vibrant universities like Nalanda and Takshila, it was at the peak of prosperity. "India's rich education system is the carrier of India's prosperity," he said, underlining the high Indian share in the global GDP of that time.

Continuous attacks during the period of slavery destroyed these institutions leading to obstruction of the intellectual flow of India and bringing the growth to standstill, he added.

He said after Independence, universities played a crucial role in giving concrete shape to the emotional swell of postindependence India by creating a strong generation of talented youngsters. Delhi University too played a major part in that, he said. This understanding of the past gives shape to our existence, shape to our ideals and expansion to the vision of the future, he said.

He emphasized the importance of an interconnection between the resolutions of a University and a nation and said that the deeper the roots of the educational

institutions, the higher the progress of the country.

The Prime Minister noted that the goal of Delhi University was India's independence when it first began, but now that the institution will complete 125 years when India reaches 100 years of Independence, the goal of Delhi University should be to make India a 'Viksit Bharat'.

"The third decade of the last century gave new momentum to the struggle for India's Independence, now the third decade of the new century will give impetus to the development journey of India," PM said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that education is not merely a process of teaching but also a way of learning. He pointed out that after a long time, the focus is shifting to what a student wants to learn. He talked about the flexibility in the new National Education Policy for selecting subjects.

PM said that due to the futuristic educational policies and decisions, recognition of Indian universities is increasing. He informed that while in 2014, in the QS world ranking there were only 12 Indian universities, today this number has reached 45. He credited India's youth force as the guiding force for this transformation.

Foreign students in Aus miffed over repeated English test requirements

study in Australia, such as Master’s or PhDs.

Yusef, a student who has had to pay $1,600 on four three-hour IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests during his eight years in Australia, believes it is a conflict of interest.

Ten US students arrive in Lucknow University to learn Urdu, Persian

Lucknow, June 21 (IANS) Ten

American students have arrived at the Lucknow University (LU) to learn Urdu and Persian during their eight-week stay in the city. The university will hold classes for them twice a week and will also acquaint them with Indian culture and ethos. These students already have a knowledge of these two languages and have come here to hone their skills and diction. This development is a result of an MoU signed between the University of Lucknow and the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), New Delhi. Prof RP Singh, director, international

collaboration, said, that in line with this collaboration, Lucknow University is offering a shortterm course spanning eight weeks to teach Urdu and Persian to American students. Julia Norman from Los Angeles says they are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to study Urdu in Lucknow. Julia hopes to develop language skills here at LU. "This city's rich culture and vibrant history makes this an ideal place," she said. Meredith Church from the University of Colorado says they are fascinated by the history and confluence of culture in Lucknow. "Honoured to have the opportunity to learn Urdu here," she said. Nikash Harapanahalli from the US state of Texas said that the opportunity to learn Urdu in Lucknow is a once-in-alifetime opportunity.

India Today announces launch of its Best Colleges website

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) India

Today Group has launched a brand-new online portal for its Best Colleges Survey - the most credible and exhaustive ranking of institutions of higher learning in India for over a quarter century-featuring six years of ranking data as well as a wealth of granular information on thousands of institutes of higher learning.

comparisons on five major indicators of quality: intake and quality of governance, academic excellence, infrastructure and living experience, personality and leadership development and placement and career.

New York, June 27 (IANS)

International students in Australia are frustrated as they are spending hundreds of dollars on mandatory English language tests that expire after two years, according to a Guardian report. The students, who have to take the test again even if they have completed degrees in English and lived in Australia for years, say there is a conflict of interest between the organisations that set the rules and administer the test.

The Australian government's Department of Home Affairs accepts five English language tests for student visa applications, which includes IELTS, PTE, CAE, TOEFL and OET.

However, even after they have passed and finished their study in Australia, they have to retake language tests to enter some workplaces or undertake further

“You have to again sit the test that universities have shares in... There is a definite conflict of interest,” he told The Guardian. Sharing that one of his friends had to take the test 12 times, Yusef told the paper that paying $400 for the test burns a hole in the pocket, especially after spending tens of thousands of dollars to study in Australia.

Most international students from countries like India, Pakistan, China, take the $400 IELTS test, which is jointly owned by the British Council, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and the Australian company IDP Education.

Australian universities expect students to get a minimum IELTS score of 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL score of 90 or PTE score of 72 or CAE score of 60-79 or above for admission.

Australia's IDP has 19 public

universities from the country as its shareholders, including Monash University, University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney and UNSW. These universities are responsible for regulating IDP as its education agent, providing course selection assistance, visa and admission applications and accommodation advice.

A government inquiry into international education has said there should be more oversight of universities’ responsibility over education agents.

When it comes to IELTS, universities are regulating a company that has universities as shareholders.

The institutions are also reaping rewards from millions in profits generated by the IELTS test, the report, authored by Caitlin Cassidy, said. "Forcing international students who already pay a fortune to study in Australia to repeat tests was yet another example of the way this country treats international students like cash cows to be milked," Mehreen Faruqi, spokesperson of The Greens education, told The Guardian.

The interactive portal offers easy access, analysis, and guidance to our Best Colleges of India survey results for 2,000 colleges across 14 major streamsEngineering, Architecture, BBA, Mass Communication, Hotel Management, Fashion Design, MSW, BCA, BCom, BSc, BA, Law, Medical and Dental.

Students and their guardians can now make informed choices at a click of the button. Aside from the college ranking-which can be filtered by state and city-our site also allows cross

The goldmine of information also provides a wealth of data about each college, from courses offered and eligibility requirements to admission fees, cut offs, placements, faculty data, and information on the institute's industry connect.

One of the USPs of this new portal is the Jobs in Demand section which offers insights on the positions and salaries on offer for graduates from different streams. A separate section on the Best Emerging Colleges presents new institutions of excellence while information on important exams, including JEE, NEET, CUET, LSAT and BITSAT is also available for easy reference.

Kerala HC recommends inclusion of sex education in curriculum

Kochi, June 26 (IANS) The Kerala High Court has urged the state government to look into the need for including safe sex education in the curriculum of schools and colleges. The Court made the observation while disposing of a petition filed by a man to medically terminate the pregnancy of his minor daughter who was impregnated by her own brother. “Nobody can blame the parents. But we the society are responsible for this. Sibling incest may occur in a family system that does not provide a safe

environment for its members. But it may also happen because of the lack of knowledge about safe sex. I am of the considered opinion that the Government should seriously think about the necessity of proper ‘sex education’ in schools and colleges ... A good family atmosphere is necessary for the society. To attain this, every citizen of this country should join together without pelting stones at such unfortunate people," read the judgment and asked to see that a copy of the judgment be send to the Chief Secretary of the state.

India’s rich education system is carrier of nation’s prosperity, says PM Modi

MAKE IN INDIA

As world economies restart their engines in a bid to regain lost ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India too shows signs of economic buoyancy and promise. India’s Make in India initiative holds a key to the global economic revival, something that should interest Australian government ministries, corporate sector, entrepreneurs, institutions seeking R&D collaborations and Australia Inc in general, among others. India assumes greater importance as several major world economies including American, Japanese, German, British and South Korean look to move out and diversify their businesses from China. India has jumped to 63rd rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Development 2020 report, and has also been ranked as the 9th largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment destinations in 2019 by the World Investment Report 2020 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Musk says after meeting Modi, Tesla coming to India

By Arul Louis

New York, June 21 (IANS) After hearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" pitch, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced a change of plans, saying that his electric vehicle and battery company will now come to India "as soon as it is humanly possible".Musk told reporters in conversations following his meeting with Modi on Tuesday, "He really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something that we intend to do and we're just trying to figure out the right timing." It was a change of plans for the mercurial Musk who had earlier refused to consider manufacturing in India unless India lowered tariffs for imported Teslas to be sold in India. Modi "really wants to do the right thing for India," he said. Modi wants to make sure that the advantage from investments "accrues to India's advantage, which is, you know, obviously,

that's the job," he added. India has more "promise than any large country in the world," he said. If Tesla comes to India, it will be following the pattern of companies like Apple diversifying their manufacturing from China because of geopolitical and supply chain issues. Musk gushed about his "fantastic meeting with the Prime Minister" and declared, "I am a fan of Modi." He said that Modi had invited him to visit India and that he would next year. Musk added that India has tremendous potential for "the three pillars of sustainable energy future" -- a goal of Modi. These were power generation using solar and wind energy, deploying batteries to store it, and having electric vehicles that run on it, the Tesla CEO said. "The interesting thing you will find is that this is a lower-cost way to go as well," he added. Another Musk venture is Starlink which uses low-orbit satellites to provide broadband internet connections. He said that he was "hopefully looking forward" to bringing it to India.

Asked about former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's assertion that the Indian government had asked the company to shut down a large number of accounts, Musk said bluntly that a company "doesn't have a choice but to obey local governments". "If we don't if we

don't obey local government laws, then we will get shut down. So the best we can do is really to hew close to the law in any given country," he added. It is impossible for us to do more than that (or) we will be blocked and our people will be arrested, Musk said. He added that there are "different rules and regulations, different forms of government, so what we'll do, the best to provide the freest speech that is possible under the law". Modi met earlier with Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the nemesis of Musk. The author and thinker who expounds on the quirks of history and how they impact the world. Taleb and Musk have been engaged in twitterfights, and Taleb took a dig at Musk on his own Twitter: "Elon Musk, while attacking me on Twitter, was next (in line to meet Modi) but I did not run into him." After Modi's meeting with Taleb, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Baghchi tweeted, "PM lauded Prof Taleb for his contribution in bringing complex ideas of risk and fragility in popular conversations. Highlighted India's growing start-up ecosystem and the risktaking abilities of India's young entrepreneurs." (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

From Rafale to Make-in-India armoury, India gets force multipliers

an overall cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore. The project is under the IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category comprising contemporary and niche technologies. Last week, the Indian Navy has achieved another milestone. The first MiG29K fighter jet has made a night landing on INS Vikrant. The Navy says that this is an important step towards promoting the defence sector. According to the Navy, a MiG-29K has successfully made a night landing on indigenous INS Vikrant warship. This achievement of the Navy is a big step towards the growing power of self-reliant India. It is worth mentioning that earlier the naval version of Tejas aircraft had successfully landed on INS Vikrant. A Kamov 31 helicopter also landed on INS Vikrant on March 28. Destroyer warship INS Mormugao has also added to the strength of the Indian Navy. A successful testing of an advanced missile has been done from Mormugao this month. During the testing, the missile - 'Sea Skimming' - hit the target floating in the sea from below. According to the Navy, the missile was accurately tracked during the

test and was successful in hitting its target. The Navy says that this missile is capable of hitting its target up to a distance of 300 km. In March, the Navy successfully tested the BrahMos missile. This missile is equipped with an indigenous booster. The Navy has tested this missile from its naval ship in the Arabian Sea. According to the Defense Ministry, DRDO has designed the booster of this BrahMos missile. During the test conducted by the Navy, the BrahMos missile hit its target with precision in the Arabian Sea. The Navy is going to commission Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari-class. The submarine is capable of anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and various surveillance missions. The submarine will further enhance the strength of the Indian Navy when it joins the Navy's fleet. The Navy has commissioned it into the Navy on January 23. However, amid these successes, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its MiG-21 fighter jets. Significantly, the MiG-21 fighter jet has been an important aircraft for the IAF fleet for the last five decades.

Vaishnaw meets Pichai at Google HQ, discusses India Stack

digital transformation, and the opportunities ahead".

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) India

has one of the largest armies in the world, the bravery and the courage of Indian army is discussed all over the world. The country's military strength has increased rapidly in the last few years. India has received the consignment of fighter aircraft Rafale bought from France. Modern and indigenous warships like INS Vikrant and INS Mormugao are part of Indian forces. The Vagir submarine and several missiles have also enhanced the country's military capabilities. The last installment of Rafale reached

India in December last year. India has now got all 36 Rafale jets. According to information, a squadron of Rafale fighter jets will monitor the western border and northern border with Pakistan, while another squadron is for monitoring the eastern border. Defence experts believe that with the completion of the Rafale deal has given a major boost to the Indian Air Force. Especially at a time when tensions and conflicts have erupted along the international borders with China. In another major development, the Defence Ministry has approved the proposal for construction of 41 sets of indigenous Modular Bridges for the Indian Army Corps of Engineers this year. These bridges can be employed over various types of obstacles like canals & ditches with quick launching and retrieval capabilities. These

game-changing bridges have been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be produced by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as DRDO-nominated production agency. According to the Defence Ministry, the contract for the procurement of Modular Bridges was signed with L&T on February 08, 2023 at an estimated cost of over Rs 2,585 crore. Each set of Modular Bridge will consist of seven carrier vehicles based on 8x8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles and two launcher vehicles based on 10x10 Heavy Mobility Vehicles. It will be capable of mechanically launching a single span fully decked 46-meter assault bridge. Similarly, the Defence Ministry, on March 24, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems 'Project Himshakti' at

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) IT and Railways Minister Ashwini

Vaishnaw on Tuesday posted an image on social media with Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai at the tech giant's headquarters in the US, saying they had a good discussion on India Stack and the 'Make in India' programme.

Pichai last met Vaishnaw during his India visit in December, saying it was important for the government to create regulatory frameworks that help companies innovate on top of those local laws of the land.

"Met @sundarpichai at the @ Google HQ. Good discussion on India Stack and Make in India programme," tweeted Vaishnaw.

Pichai replied: "Thank you for taking the time to visit us at the Googleplex, Minister @ AshwiniVaishnaw. Enjoyed discussing the many ways we're working together on India's

In December, Pichai had said that India has a leadership role to play. "It's important to make sure you're balancing the safeguards you're putting for people and creating innovative frameworks so that companies can innovate on top of certainty in the legal framework," he said in the presence of Vaishnaw, at Google India's flagship event in New Delhi.

Vaishnaw said that the government is working on a range of bills that will safeguard users' data and create a robust legal regulatory framework around the new internet economy.

Pichai had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pledged support for India's G20 Presidency.

"Thank you for a great meeting PM @narendramodi. Inspiring to see the rapid pace of technological change under your leadership. Look forward to continuing our strong partnership and supporting India's G20 Presidency to advance an open, connected internet that works for all," Pichai tweeted after the meeting in the Capital.

New reporting system launched to address Indigenous deaths in custody

Australians have died in custody since 1991.

Defence Minister pledges to hold officers accountable for war crimes

Canberra, June 21 (IANS) The Australian government on Wednesday launched a real-time reporting system to hold criminal justice systems accountable for Indigenous deaths in custody.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney announced the launch earlier in the day, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to a report published by the Productivity Commission earlier in June, there were 22 deaths in police custody in 202122.

More than 500 Indigenous

The new system will aggregate information on all deaths in police, prison and youth detention nationally, including custody type, Indigenous status and the sex and age of the deceased.

The measure is part of the government's historic A$99 million First Nations Justice Package announced in its 2022-23 Budget, to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system.

"National real-time reporting of deaths in custody enables greater public transparency of deaths in custody and accountability of all governments for their criminal justice systems," Dreyfus said. "The dashboard will record data for every death in custody, not just Indigenous deaths.

Consistent with the central finding of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the government is committed to reducing the over-incarceration of First Nations people."

Minister Burney said that "every death in custody is a heartbreaking tragedy for families and communities and for far too long, there has been a lack of trusted information available when a death in custody occurs".

"Real-time data on deaths in prisons, police custody and youth detention centres will provide greater transparency and accountability for all governments."Having more timely data is a key step towards betterinformed early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce First Nations deaths in custody and improve justice outcomes,"

Canberra, June 21 (IANS)

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday vowed that military commanders will be held accountable for war crimes in Afghanistan. Marles had recently said the government would hold Australian Defense Force (ADF) top brass who oversaw the war in Afghanistan responsible for the unlawful killings allegedly committed by the troops, reports Xinhua news agency.

it had found credible evidence that Australian special force soldiers murdered 39 civilians and prisoners in the country between 2005 and 2016.

One soldier has been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with the war crime of murder, with investigations into others ongoing.

Lambie called on the government to hold commanders accountable for the actions of their subordinates.

She said there is "a culture of cover-up" at the highest levels of the ADF.

In response, Marles said the government would "make this right".

"The Chief of the Defense Force has been pursuing a process in respect of command accountability, consistent with the recommendations of the Brereton Report," he said.

Jindal School of Art & Architecture offers unique dual degree Architecture Masters with University of Adelaide

Sonipat,

June 23 (IANS)

The Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA) at O.P. Jindal Global University is proud to announce the unique Dual Degree Architecture Masters with the University of Adelaide (UoA).

Under the Jindal-Adelaide Architecture Pathway (JAAP), students will be able to receive a Bachelor of Arts (hons.) Built Environment Studies from JGU, the Bachelor of Architectural Design from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Architecture from the University of Adelaide within a total period of 6 Years (3+1+2).

The JSAA students undertaking Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Built Environment Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University will be able to transfer to the Bachelor of Architectural Design at the UoA after three years at JGU completing another one year at UoA.

The Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, "I congratulate the Dean and the faculty members of the Jindal School of Art and Architecture (JSAA) and The School of Architecture at the University of Adelaide for developing this unique programme.

"The Jindal Adelaide Architecture

pathway is the first and only architecture program in India that is designed to graduate global architects who will be eligible for licensure across Australia, New Zealand, India and many other countries through reciprocal arrangements. As part of this path breaking collaboration for creating a unique dual degree programme for our students at JSAA, the University of Adelaide and JGU are committed to work together on promoting global experiences for our students in the areas of Architecture and Design."

Some of the key elements of the JAAP programme include:

1. Only Architecture programme in India that will produce architects eligible for registration across India, Australia, New Zealand and other commonwealth countries (through reciprocal agreements)

2. Graduating students eligible for minimum three-year post study work visa in Australia

3. Global Curriculum which blends architectural education and expertise across India and Australia

4. Study in two top ranking universities with highly accomplished global faculty; get to meet top architects and

designers across India, Australia and New Zealand

5. Be a part of the Deloitte Academy of Studies at the University of Adelaide

6. Access state of the art facilities in BIM, 3D modelling, Motion Capture and Rapid Prototyping across JGU and UoA Prof. (Dr.) Jaideep Chatterjee, Dean-JSAA said, "The JindalAdelaide Architecture pathway is an absolute game changer for the discipline of architecture in India today. For the first time ever, this remarkable programme brings together two highly sought undergraduate architecture degrees and a professional Master of Architecture degree under the same roof. This combination will finally allow students from India to graduate and directly be a part of the global workforce of architects from which they had been long excluded.

"As a premier institution, the Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA), OPJGU is extremely glad to be partnering with the University of Adelaide, a top university in Australia to bring this unique program to aspiring architects in India."

Dr. Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), University of Adelaide welcomed the partnership and said, "It is with great enthusiasm that we launch this new agreement with OP Jindal Global University. We look forward to continuing to build upon this relationship and welcoming their students to Adelaide in the future. Indian students greatly contribute to the cultural richness of our University campuses and Australian society more broadly."

His commitment came a day after after Senator Jacqui Lambie, a former Australian army member, on Tuesday revealed she has referred ADF officers to the International Criminal Court for investigation over war crimes.

A landmark inquiry into allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan in 2020 revealed that

Before Kabul's fall to the Taliban in August 2021, Australia maintained an operation of around 400 soldiers in Afghanistan.

NSW to protect retail workers with tougher penalties for assaults

while 11-year imprisonment is applicable if physical injury is involved.

Sydney, June 21 (IANS) The government of Australia New South Wales (NSW) state on Wednesday announced that it will introduce a new bill to Parliament to impose tougher penalties on those who assault retail workers. According to the NSW government, the bill will introduce three offences to the state's Crime Act, reports Xinhua news agency.

The reforms make it an offence to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 4 years' imprisonment; assault a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 6 years' imprisonment; and wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years' imprisonment.

Under the new bill, physical and verbal attacks on a retail worker could lead to a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment,

The state government cited a survey from the McKell Institute, which showed that a staggering 85 percent of retail workers in Australia have been abused or assaulted at work.

"The new offences will carry more severe penalties than general assault provisions, and send a strong message that this behaviour is unacceptable," said NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.

Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the country's peak retail body, welcomed NSW's new legislation, as it is in response to the growing prevalence of customer aggression and assaults.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra praised the NSW Government's commitment to protecting retail workers and consulting with industry via the ARA on the development of the initiative.

"We've seen a frightening escalation in retail crime, where it is now becoming a matter of life-or-death for workers simply trying to do their job," Zahra said.

"It is shocking that in recent months in different locations across the country, we've seen several retail workers stabbed -in addition to the broader issue of staff being harassed, intimidated, and physically assaulted.

Inflation remains major challenge for Australian economy: Treasurer

Inflation is due to fall from 7 per cent recorded in the March quarter this year to 3.25 per cent in 2023-24, before returning to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)'s target band the year after.

commodity prices resulting in higher tax receipts.

"Today, I can reveal that we're expecting the surplus will be bigger than forecast in May," he said.

Parliamentary panel recommends ban on gambling ads

Canberra, June 28 (IANS)

Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday said that no state or territory in the country was immune from economic headwinds, including the challenge from inflation. In an address, Chalmers said inflation and interest rate increase along with global challenges, will significantly slow the economy, with the growth expected to fall from 3.25 per cent this year to 1.5 per cent next year, reports Xinhua news agency.

"In the Northern Territory (NT), consumer price index (CPI) reflects these national trends, and you, along with the rest of the country, have been impacted by the response," he said.

"The 400-basis point increase in rates since before the election last year is the most significant tightening cycle the RBA has undertaken since the inflation targeting era began."

Chalmers also said Australia's first budget surplus in over a decade will come in bigger than previously forecast.

The improvement has been driven by low unemployment and high

"We welcome this because it means delivering on what we've set out to do -- rebuilding our buffers -- and taking more heat out of the economy just as it's needed to combat inflation."

His speech came as data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday revealed the rate of inflation fell.

The monthly CPI indicator rose by 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to May this year -- down from 6.8 per cent in April and the smallest increase since April 2022, according to ABS.

Births in Australia hit record high in 2021

Xinhua news agency.

In 2021 the birth rate was 61 per 1,000 women of reproductive age (aged 15-44 years), up from 56 in 2020 but still lower than the 2007 peak of 66 per 1,000.

Canberra, June 28 (IANS) An Australian parliamentary committee on Wednesday recommended a ban on gambling advertising in the country within three years.

The standing committee on social policy and legal affairs tabled a report from its inquiry into online gambling and its impacts, reports Xinhua news agency.

comes to gambling. We have a culture where sports and gambling are intrinsically linked. These behaviors are causing increasingly widespread and serious harm to individuals, families, and communities," she said in a statement.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), citizens lost approximately A$25 billion ($16 billion) on gambling in the financial year 2018-19, representing the largest per capita losses in the world.

Canberra, June 29 (IANS) A new report published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) on Thursday said the country registered a total of 315,705 births in 2021 -- a record high.

The latest figure represents an increase of approximately 20,000, or 6.7 per cent, from 2020, reports

The average age of first-time mothers increased to 29.7 years compared to 28.4 years in 2011 as the trend of Australians having children later in life continued.

In 2021, around one in four women who gave birth were aged 35 years and over.

Despite higher risks of health complications associated with later-in-life pregnancies, most

mothers aged 35 years and above and their babies do well, according to AIHW.

"We continue to see a consistent downward trend in the number of women who smoke while pregnant," AIHW spokesperson Deanna Eldridge said in a statement.

In 2021, 8.7 per cent of mothers reported smoking during their pregnancy, down from 13 per cent in 2011.

Furthermore, more than one in five mothers who smoked at the start of their pregnancy quit after the first 20 weeks.

Australia cancels satellite program for budget consideration

government still "values the role our space sector plays".

"That's why in our recent budget we placed the Australian Space Agency on a sustainable financial footing," he was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday.

The federal budget for the financial year 2023-24 was handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in May, with a strong focus on cost-of-living relief as inflation remains the "primary economic challenge" for the country.

After months of hearings and submissions, the committee made 31 recommendations including a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling, to be introduced in four phases, over three years.

Peta Murphy, chair of the committee, said the three-year time frame would give sports broadcasters time to find alternative advertisers.

"Australians are the biggest losers in the world when it

The inquiry also called on the federal government to implement a comprehensive national strategy on online gambling harm reduction, supported by national regulation, an online gambling ombudsman, a harm reduction levy on online wagering service providers, a public education campaign, more independent research and improved data collection.

It recommended a crackdown on illegal gambling websites and a requirement for gambling companies to verify a customer's identity before accepting their bets.

Minor stabbed to death in Melbourne

Canberra, June 29 (IANS)

The Australian government on Thursday canceled the National Space Mission for Earth Observation program for reportedly "budget repair" reasons.

Announced by the former government before the 2022 election, the program would have funded the design, construction and launch of four satellites from Australia, reports Xinhua news

agency.

The satellites would have added to Australia's global earth observation data and aided responses to bushfires and floods. Instead, the government will continue to rely on international partners to provide the information.

Despite canceling the program, Ed Husic, the minister for industry and science, said the

On Wednesday Chalmers said the final budget surplus for the current financial year -- the first since 2008 -- will come in bigger than forecast by the government in May.

However, Chalmers also said inflation and interest rate increases along with global challenges will significantly slow the economy, with the growth expected to fall from 3.25 per cent this year to 1.5 per cent next year.

Melbourne, June 28 (IANS) A 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Australia's Melbourne city, police said on Wednesday. According to a statement released by the police in Victoria, of which Melbourne is the state capital, emergency services were called to Bailey Street in St Albans following reports of an injured male having been found on the road, reports Xinhua news agency.

Paramedics treated the boy at the scene, but he died on the way to the hospital.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday morning, Victoria Police Detective Inspector David Dunstan said the victim and his

two friends were in the CBD of Melbourne, then caught a train to Ginifer railway station and after leaving Ginifer they were walking home.

"A vehicle approached them. The vehicle turned and struck them on the road. After that occurred, the vehicle stopped and two males exited the vehicle," said Dunstan. They were armed with knives and it appears that they have assaulted the victim fatally wounding him, he added.

The police officer noted that the other two boys, who were with the victim at the time, then fled the scene and they were physically uninjured.

‘This is the moment’ to invest in India, Modi tells US biz

Washington, June 24 (IANS) In a direct appeal to the US business community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said "this is the moment" to invest in India as both the Indian and the US governments have done everything to prepare -- "plough" -- the ground for them to come, play, and thrive.

The Prime Minister said on Friday that this was the clear message from the technology handshake event at the White House earlier in the day in which he and President Joe Biden met leading CEOs from the US and India, which included Google's Sundar Pichai, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, OpenAI's Sam Alt (of ChatGPT fame), FMC Corporation's Mark Douglas on the American side, and Reliance's Mukesh Ambani and Mahindra's Anand Mahindra. The event sent a clear message to

the companies, the businesses, the manufacturers, the innovators of both countries, and that message is: "This is the moment. This is the moment. The governments of India and America have done the groundwork for you all. You know, like you plough the field, we've done that. And whatever else is needed further we will keep doing it for you all. However, it is now your responsibility to wholeheartedly play, wholeheartedly thrive."

"And the one that plays is the one that thrives," he added.

Modi was addressing attendees at an event organised at the iconic Kennedy Centre here by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, an advocacy group promoting ties between the two countries.

On the stage with Modi were Secretary of State Antony Blinken -- their second meeting after the US State Department lunch for the visiting leader -- and John Chambers, who is chairman of the USISPF and Chairman emeritus of Cisco.

Modi pressed on with the hard

sell, telling business leaders in the audience that they should not let go of this opportunity.

"I assure you that you will find a better environment in India. The ease of doing business is a commitment of our government," he said to them.

The Prime Minister presented India as a reliable and trusted economic power and player, detailing how it came to the aid of the world during the worst crisis faced by the world in a century -the Covid-19 epidemic.

"When the world needed medicines India enhanced its production and sent medicines to more than 150 countries," he said, and added, "When the world needed coronavirus vaccines, India increased its production and sent vaccines to more than 100 countries."

In conclusion, Modi said, "I, once again, invite you all to move forward together in this development journey of India. And I had once said this in my speech from the Red Fort, and I said. That this is the time. And this is the right time."

Modi meets parade of intellectuals, business leaders, health experts in US

the government to foster economic growth, including reduction of compliances and decriminalisation of large number of legal provisions", and invited him to invest in India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

"Talks focused on possibilities of enhancing research collaborations and two-way academic exchanges under India's New Education Policy. Academics also shared perspectives and experiences from their respective areas of expertise."

Another such meeting was with a group of health experts.

They discussed the use of digital technologies for quality healthcare, greater focus on integrative medicine and better healthcare preparedness, according to Bagchi.

On Wednesday, Modi will lead the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at the UN with General Assembly President Csaba Korosi and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

Later, he will travel to Washington for a private meeting with President Joe Biden.

On Thursday, his state visit to the US will start formally at a White

House ceremony. Congress has invited him to address a joint session.

When he arrived by India1, the VVIP Boeing 777, at JFK Airport he was welcomed by Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, New Delhi's Ambassador to Washington, and by a crowd of supporters.

When he came to the Lotte Palace Hotel in midtown Manhattan, he flouted security to greet supporters deliriously chanting his name and dancing, while worried Secret Service agents and security personnel tried to put him in a tight physical cordon. More supporters waited for him in the hotel lobby where he autographed pictures of him.

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

New York, June 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met a parade of intellectuals, business leaders and health experts, making a pitch for investments in India and discussing a range of subjects from economic development and space exploration to Buddhism and the "scientific temperament" on the first day of his visit to the US. The meeting that drew the most attention was with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Musk, who also owns Twitter, said after the meeting that he was a "fan" of Modi and that he would bring the electric vehicle and battery maker to India as soon as it was "humanly possible".

Modi tweeted: "Great meeting you today @elonmusk! We had multifaceted conversations on issues ranging from energy to spirituality."

At his meeting with hedge fund founder, investor and author Ray Dalio, Modi "highlighted reforms undertaken by

After meeting Nicholas Nassim Talib, the thinker who is known for explaining how quirks of history impact mankind, Modi tweeted that he "has interesting perspectives on many issues and I had the opportunity to hear them on some of those subjects".

"He was greatly interested in India's development strides. I emphasised on how we are nurturing a spirit of enterprise and risk-taking among our youth," he added.

Taleb tweeted that they discussed risks, reaction to Covid, how successful interventions like controlling the virus that averted catastrophes look excessive in hindsight and "repeated small losses vs. blowup risk".

Modi's meeting with Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Romer touched on "India's digital journey", including the use of the biometric identification system Aadhaar and Digilocker, which enables universal paperless access to government documents, according to Bagchi.

"Talks also covered various initiatives being undertaken by India for urban development," he

added.

With Neil deGrasse Tyson, the astrophysicist who popularises science, Modi discussed "inculcating scientific temperament among youth" and India's space exploration missions", Bagchi tweeted.

Modi and Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman spoke about "how Buddhist values can act as guiding light for finding solutions to global challenges" and India's efforts to preserve that religion's heritage, according to Bagchi.

Modi tweeted that he admires "his passion towards research and scholarship" on Buddhism.

The Prime Minister met with the Grammy-winning musicianA Falguni Shah, better known as Falu Shah whose song, "Abundance in Millets" raises awareness of healthy and environment-friendly millets, Bagchi tweeted.

Modi "appreciated her for bringing the people of India and USA together through her music", he said.

She tweeted that the song was inspired by Modi's "proposition to the @UN to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets".

Besides the one-on-one meetings, Bagchi tweeted that Modi met with a group of eminent US academics from diverse fields of agriculture, marketing, engineering, health, science and technology.

Mumbai, June 26 (IANS) In a fresh disclosure notice, te Adani Group has clarified that Adani Portfolio Companies are listed on the Indian exchanges i.e. NSE & BSE. Certain listed companies, including subsidiaries, have issued the bonds in the global capital market and the same has been listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).

The notice said: “In our listed portfolio, six of our companiesAmbuja, ACC, AWL, NDTV, APL and ATGL are purely domestic issuers and listed on the Indian exchanges.

“Four of our portfolio companies - AGEL, ATL, APSEZ and AEL issue global capital market papers with only APSEZ being a corporate issuer. AGEL has one instrument issued on corporate basis. All of the other issues are restricted group issuances.

“Most of the bond issuance by Adani Portfolio Companies are under the Regulation S and 144A and Regulation D. Almost all the bonds (non Regulation D) are listed on SGX and/or India INX.

“Further, these bonds have been raised under the ECB guidelines of Reserve Bank of India, in the form of Non-Convertible Debentures and are subject to stringent extant ECB guidelines and regulation of the Reserve Bank of India.

“The offering circulars for these bonds contain full and complete disclosures. Further, postissuance disclosures/filings are made, as per applicable relevant regulatory requirements, in a timely manner, consistent with the covenant package.”

On the SEC news article, the Group stated: “We are not aware of any subpoena to the US investors. All of our disclosures are a matter of pubic record. It is routine that various regulators will seek access to public material in an easy & referenceable manner.

“Adani Portfolio Companies and its businesses have acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate.

“The expert committee, appointed by the Honourable Supreme Court of India, has already filed an Report. The report states that Adani Group has taken mitigation measures such as paring down debt, fresh infusion, which led increase in investor confidence.

SEBI (Indian securities regulator) is examining certain aspects and their queries are being responded by Adani portfolio entities. We request to avoid needless speculation at this time and wait for SEBI and the Hon'ble Supreme Court to complete their work and submit their findings.

All Adani portfolio companies listed on Indian bourses: Adani Group

ARUL LOUIS

Annual clean energy investments will need to more than triple from $770 bn: Report

Paris, June 21 (IANS) Annual clean energy investments in emerging and developing economies will need to more than triple from $770 billion in 2022 to as much as $2.8 trillion by the early 2030s to meet rising energy needs and align with the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement, a new report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) said on Wednesday.

The report, Scaling Up Private Finance for Clean Energy in Emerging and Developing Economies, shows that public investments alone would be insufficient to deliver universal access to energy and tackle climate change.

Increased public funding can be used most effectively in partnership with private sector capital to reduce project risks -- a concept known broadly as blended finance.

According to the report, twothirds of the finance for clean energy projects in emerging and developing economies (outside China) will need to come from the private sector.

Today's $135 billion in annual private financing for clean energy in these economies will need to rise to as much as $1.1 trillion a year within the next decade. "Today's energy world is moving

fast, but there is a major risk of many countries around the world being left behind. Investment is the key to ensuring they can benefit from the new global energy economy that is emerging rapidly," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

"The investment needs go well beyond the capacity of public financing alone, making it urgent to rapidly scale up much greater private financing for clean energy projects in emerging and developing economies. As this report shows, this offers many advantages and opportunities, including expanded energy access, job creation, growing industries, improved energy security and a sustainable future for all."

The report emphasizes the need for greater international technical, regulatory and financial support to unlock the potential for clean energy in emerging and developing economies (EMDEs).

By strengthening regulatory frameworks, energy institutions and infrastructure, and improving access to finance, this support can help governments overcome obstacles that deter clean energy investments today, including relatively high upfront costs and a high cost of capital.

"The battle against climate change will be won in emerging and developing economies where the potential for clean energy is strong but the level of investments is far below where it should be. To address the pressing energy demands and emissions reduction goals in EMDEs, we need to mobilize

private capital at speed and scale and urgently develop more investable projects," said IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop.

"This report is a call to action and offers a clear roadmap on what is needed to meet both climate and energy goals."

The report also identifies the importance of concessional financing for projects that involve newer technologies that have yet to scale and are not yet costcompetitive in many markets, such as battery storage, offshore wind, renewable-powered desalination or low-emissions hydrogen, or that are in riskier markets.

The report estimates that $80$100 billion of concessional finance will be needed annually by the early 2030s to attract private investment at the scale required for the energy transition in emerging and developing economies outside China. Another finding highlights the potential for issuing more green, social, sustainable and sustainability-linked bonds -provided that industry guidelines, harmonized taxonomies and robust third-party certification are developed.

It details the opportunity in platforms that aggregate and securitize many investments, which could overcome the asymmetry between the relatively small size of energy transition projects in emerging and developing economies and the relatively large minimum investment size that major institutional investors require.

London, June 20 (IANS) Two UK researchers, who are alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), have developed a new method to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from industrial processes -- or even directly from the air -- to clean, sustainable fuels, using just the energy from the sun. The researchers currently working at the Department of Chemistry in the University of Cambridge, UK, developed a solar-powered reactor that converts captured CO2 and plastic waste into sustainable fuels and other valuable chemical products.

In tests, CO2 was converted into syngas -- a key building block for sustainable liquid fuels --, and plastic bottles were converted

into glycolic acid, which is widely used in the cosmetics industry. Although improvements are needed before this technology can be used at an industrial scale, the study, reported in the journal Joule, represents another important step toward the production of clean fuels to power the economy, without the need for environmentally destructive oil and gas extraction.

"This solar-powered system takes two harmful waste products -- plastic and carbon emissions -- and converts them into something truly useful," said Dr. Sayan Kar, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur.

"The fact that we can effectively take CO2 from air and make something useful from it is special. It's satisfying to see that we can actually do it using only sunlight," Kar said.

The researchers adapted their solar-driven technology so that it works with flue gas or directly from the air, converting CO2 and plastics into fuel and chemicals using only the power of the sun.

Govt provides Rs 66,413 crore

12 states for power sector reforms

period from 2021-22 to 2024-25. This additional financial window is dependent on implementation of specific reforms in the power sector by the states.

Bengaluru, June 19 (IANS) A total of 1,61,958 consumers have registered for the Gruha Jyothi scheme under which 200 units of power will be given for free in two days, the Energy Department said on Monday.

to 1,06,958 on Monday. The registration process was hassle free at Karnataka One, Grama One, and Bengaluru One counters. Registration for the scheme is done on the Seva Sindhu portal (https:// sevasindhugs.karnataka.gov.in).

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS)

Government has given financial incentives to states to accelerate power sector reforms, under which 12 states have received Rs 66,413 crore during the past two fiscals, while for the current fiscal, Rs 1,43,332 crore have been given to them for the purpose. The finance ministry has been providing financial incentives in the form of additional borrowing permissions.

This move aims to encourage and support the states in undertaking reforms to enhance the efficiency and performance of the power sector.

The initiative was announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech for 2021-22.

Under this, an additional borrowing space of up to 0.5 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP) is available to states annually for a four-year

The initiative has spurred state governments to initiate the reform process, and several states have come forward and submitted details of the reforms undertaken and achievements of various parameters to the power ministry. Based on the recommendations of the power ministry, the finance ministry granted permission for reforms undertaken in 2021-22 and 2022-23 to 12 state governments.

These are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

In 2023-24, states can continue to avail themselves of the facility of additional borrowing linked to power sector reforms.

Compared to Sunday, the scheme saw an enthusiastic response and doubled the registration

Steel,

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Hindalco, NTPC Mining, and NLC India Ltd are among the major entities which have submitted bids for blocks on offer for commercial coal mines.

JSPL and NLC have submitted three bids each, while NTPC Mining and Hindalco have submitted two bids each.

The auction process of 103 coal and lignite mines for sale of coal was launched by the Coal Ministry

The E-governance Department has made the registration process very simple. The consumer has to enter the customer ID of the electricity bill, their Aadhaar number, and mobile number. "There is no deadline fixed for the registration process. Therefore, there is no need for the consumers to panic," an official said.

among

in March this year.

A total of 34 bids were received for 17 coal mines under two tranches of commercial coal mine auctions.

The last date for submission of technical bids for all the coal mines was June 27.

As part of the auction process, technical bids comprising of online and offline bid documents were opened today. As many as 22 companies had submitted their bids.

to

K’taka: 1,61,958 consumers register for Gruha Jyothi free power scheme

2 IIT alumni developed sustainable fuel from ‘thin air’ and plastic waste

Jindal

Hindalco

22 companies submitting bids for coal mines auction

Queensland’s

• Resources Minister Scott Stewart will host over 20 mining, investment, industry and international government executives on a tour of regional Queensland.

• The tour is part of the World Mining Congress, being held in Australia for the first time.

• The tour will showcase investment and development opportunities and the new $245

mining

opportunities on show for international visitors

million Queensland Critical Mineral Strategy.

Brisbane, 30 June: A delegation of international investors and resources leaders will see the potential of Queensland’s potential multi-billion dollar critical minerals sector.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart will lead a delegation of more than 20 people on a tour of Mt Isa, Cloncurry and Townsville.

The delegates have spent the week in Brisbane at the World Mining Congress, which is being held for the first time in Australia.

The Palaszczuk Government has this week released a new strategy to oversee a $245 million investment that will position Queensland as a global leader in delivering the critical minerals the world needs to move to a netzero emissions future.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner re-appointed

• Ivan Frkovic extends his time as Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner for the next three years.

• Mr Frkovic will continue to oversee development and implementation of the whole-of government strategic plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.

• Queensland Government has committed a record-breaking $1.64 billion to continue expanding mental health support.

Brisbane, 30 June: Ivan Frkovic has been re-appointed as Commissioner of the Queensland Mental Health Commission for the next three years, seeing his time in the role extend to nine years.

Mr Frkovic was appointed to the

role in 2017, boasting 30 years’ experience in the Queensland mental health sector.

His new three-year term as Commissioner will begin on July 1, tasked with driving ongoing reform towards a more integrated, evidence-based and recovery-oriented mental health, drug and alcohol system in Queensland.

The Commission’s objectives are achieved primarily through the delivery and implementation of its whole-of-government strategic plan, Shifting Minds. With further plans – Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan 2022–2027 and Better Care Together –released last year to assist with driving reform in this space.

Development of the plans support recommendations from the Mental Health Select Committee’s Inquiry, looking at the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.

The Queensland Government has already announced several initiatives following the inquiry, including the establishment of Head to Health adult and children’s services, an expansion of Queensland’s Police Drug Diversion Program and the introduction of drug checking services in Queensland for the first time.

A record-breaking $1.64 billion was also announced as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s 2022-23 Budget to fund mental health support over the next five years.

Holocaust Museum officially opens in Brisbane

• The Palaszczuk Government has today opened Queensland’s first holocaust museum and education centre in Brisbane

• The centre honours the legacy of those who faced human rights abuse and genocide

• Jointly funded by the Palaszczuk Government and Brisbane City Council, the centre aims to inform and inspire Queenslanders to stand up to all forms of racism and prejudice Brisbane, 30 June: Queensland’s first holocaust museum and education centre has been officially unveiled today in Brisbane’s Cathedral Precinct. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today joined Chair of the Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre Jason

Steinberg and Queensland Holocaust survivors to officially open the Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre.

Locally-recorded stories of Holocaust survivors and their families living in Queensland feature prominently alongside tributes to non-Jewish people who risked their lives to save Jewish people, including those awarded the prestigious "Righteous Among Nations" honour.

An online museum will shortly be available, and a unique mobile facility is being developed to travel throughout the state to ensure all Queenslanders have access to the valuable resources available through the centre.

The Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre

will stand as a legacy to inform and inspire Queenslanders to stand up against racism and prejudice in all forms.

The museum and education centre was established thanks to $3.5 million in funding from the Palaszczuk Government, which will be matched by the Australian Government, and a Brisbane City Council pledge of $500,000. The opening follows the introduction of new Hate Crimes legislation to ban the display of hate symbols, such as those representing Nazi ideology. When enacted, the legislation will impose increased penalties for offences that are motivated by hatred or serious contempt and the existing offence of serious vilification.

Queensland confirmed as Australia’s favourite holiday destination

• Queensland welcomes 26 million domestic visitors in the year to March 2023.

• Record number of interstate holiday makers.

• Domestic and international visitors spend $32.9 billion.

Brisbane, 28 June:New Tourism Research Australia data for the year to March 2023 confirms Queensland as Australia’s top

holiday destination.

A record 11.3 million Australians holidayed in Queensland, up 24 percent, delivering an unprecedented 50.5 million holiday nights and a nationleading $16.7 billion, 29.8 per cent share of holiday Overnight Visitor Expenditure.

Interstate holiday makers to Queensland jumped 17 per cent

regions broke records for domestic visitor spending. Spending on business travel to Queensland including conventions and conferences was up 12.7 per cent on pre-pandemic 2019 data to a record $4.5 billion.

Overall, Queensland welcomed a record 26 million domestic

visitors and 1.3 million international visitors generating $29.3 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively, for a $32.9 billion total visitor spend.

In the year to March 2023, New Zealand was Queensland’s leading source of international visitors, followed by the UK, US, India and Japan.

on pre-Covid data to a record 3.9 million, spending $9.8 billion in the year to March 2023.

Brisbane (2.46 million), the Sunshine Coast (2.48 million) and the Fraser Coast (460,000) welcomed more domestic holiday visitors than ever before with total visitors to the Gold Coast hitting a record 4.22 million.

10 of Queensland’s 11 tourism

• FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy lands in Brisbane, as part of an international trophy tour.

• More than 200,000 tickets sold for Brisbane’s eight World Cup matches, showcasing Queensland to the world.

• The 2023 event will be in the biggest female sporting event ever, as 32 teams compete for the first time.

Brisbane, 28 June: Queenslanders will this week have a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to see the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy up close, ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The trophy will visit Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Moreton Bay this week. It has already visited Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand’s Auckland, Hamilton and Dunedin.

Premier and Legacy ‘23 Ambassador Annastacia

Palaszczuk joined FIFA legend and two-time Women’s World Cup winner Kristine Lilly to unveil the trophy at South Bank today.

Brisbane’s iconic Lang Park will host eight of the 64 matches held between Australia and New Zealand, including a quarter final

Queensland seeing gold ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Strategy to grow Queensland’s critical mineral sector

• The Palaszczuk Government has unveiled a new strategy to oversee a $245 million investment into the state’s critical minerals sector.

• Queensland has an abundance of critical minerals which are needed to build the infrastructure required to transition to a netzero emissions future.

• The strategy will support thousands of good jobs in regional Queensland Brisbane, 28 June:The Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk unveiled the Queensland Critical Mineral Strategy at the World Mining Congress in Brisbane today. The new strategy positions Queensland as a global leader in delivering the critical minerals the world needs to move to a netzero emissions future.

The Strategy will oversee a $245 million investment into growing Queensland’s critical mineral sector, it will:

• Reduce rent for new and existing exploration permits for minerals to $0 for the next five years, worth $55 million.

• Establishing critical mineral zones, initially at Julia Creek/ Richmond and around Mount

and the third-place playoff. More than 200,000 tickets have been sold to the eight matches, with some still available.

On the back of a successful Women’s State of Origin competition, women’s football participation in Queensland is rising rapidly.Last year more than 70,000 women and girls across the state participated as players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers - that number is set to soar with a 19 per cent yearon-year increase seen already in 2023.

This is encouraged by $10 million committed in this year’s State Budget for inclusive facilities at Queensland’s community sport clubs, particularly improving access and inclusivity for women, girls and people with a disability. This funding builds on $2.6 million invested to upgrade community sporting facilities including a number being used as training sites and base camps. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is forecast to generate $30.5 million for Queensland’s visitor economy and support 107 fulltime jobs.

Isa, with $75 million to support investment and renewed focus in advancing critical minerals projects.

• Establish Critical Minerals Queensland, a one-stop office to oversee the development of the sector and help drive and attract international investment.

• Invest $5 million to target mining waste and tailings for critical minerals, and $8 million towards scientific research including circular economy initiatives

• Provide $1 million to foster research and ESG excellence

• Deliver the $100 million Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund to support new investments in projects “In Queensland we have some of the world’s richest mineral-producing areas, which in North Queensland alone is estimated to be worth $500 billion dollars.

“This is why our government is investing $5 billion to build CopperString 2032, to connect the North West Minerals Province, with the largest renewable energy zone on the east coast of Australia to mine and process critical minerals with renewable energy.

WORLD THIS WEEK

In collaboration with National Institute for Advanced Studies

Authored by

Shreya Upadhyay, Harini Madhusudan, Rishika Yada, Sneha Surendran, Prerana P, Sreeja JS and PadmashreeAnandhan

India and the US: Bilateral Collaboration on Technology dominates PM Modi’s Visit

Shreya Upadhyay

What happened?

During 21-23 June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a State visit to the United States, aiming to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. The carefully planned visit showcased the importance of international cooperation. It was reiterated in PM Modi's words: (the cooperation) "will reinforce ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity, and freedom." The visit witnessed the symbolism of India's cultural reach, with Modi practising yoga at the UN headquarters on International Yoga Day and including millet during the state dinner held in honour of the Prime Minister.

On 22 June, a 58-paragraph joint statement was issued after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders focusing on the domains of technology, defence, space, climate, economic investments, trade, education, health, peopleto-people links, and strategic convergences across geographies, platforms, and institutions.

On the same day, Modi addressed the joint US Congress. He emphasized India's commitment to climate goals, women's empowerment, the fight against terrorism, and other important issues. Talking about a growing economy, he said: "When India grows, the whole world grows."

On 23 June, Modi interacted with the Indian American diaspora— one of the largest immigrant groups in the US. He said: "The partnership between India and the United States will make the world better in the 21st Century. You all play a crucial role in this partnership."

What does it mean?

First, the expanding collaboration in the technology domain. Some

of the deliverables included the co-production of jet engines in India by General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited to power Indian military aircraft, Indian purchase of armed drones, defence industrial collaboration with the launch of innovation platform - 'INDUS-X', semiconductor cooperation, space exploration and cooperation framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023. The US is wooing India with a USD500million military equipment and technology package that includes jet engines, critical minerals technology, and tech transfers to lessen India's dependence on Russian weaponry.

Second, intensifying people-topeople contacts. There have been announcements regarding the opening of new US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad and an Indian consulate in Seattle. The Biden administration will also make it easier for a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas to renew those visas in the US without having to travel abroad, which could be expanded in the coming years. Other wins include new investments in semiconductor production with chip assembly and test plants being set up in India. In trade, both countries have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs, which it had imposed in response to the US Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminium, on US products, including chickpeas and apples.

Third, exploring new domains. India has agreed to join the US-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and to work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station

in 2024. The accords will give India access to information and advance its space exploration. It can potentially bring the Indian space companies as part of a global supply chain, along with Indian SMEs and New Space startups.

The visit was about managing the differences that continue to exist between the two.

Fourth, likely obstacles and deal breakers between the two countries, based on the recent bilateral history. The star items, such as the co-production of jet engines, have a long and bumpy regulatory road ahead. It remains to be seen how much technology will be transferred and whether India will be okay with the conditions attached, if any. Notably, the India-US nuclear deal still needs to be fully operationalized. Regarding the Artemis accord, critics argue it will limit opportunities for the Indian space program to develop indigenously. During this visit, no talks took place about the restoration of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status for India. About 2,000 products, including auto parts and textile materials, were allowed to enter the US duty-free. India's stance on Russia remains a prickly issue for Western countries, even as India and the US have agreed to disagree.

The thorny issue is the allegations of human rights violations and the backsliding of democracy in India. Before Modi's upcoming visit, 75 members of the US Congress issued a letter to President Biden urging him to publicly address concerns regarding human rights and democracy in India. Yet, the White House was pragmatic and avoided broaching the subject, even referring to India as having a vibrant democracy. Both sides want to showcase "mutual trust and shared strategic priorities."

Russia: Anatomy of Wagner Revolt, and its Fallouts

PadmashreeAnandhan

What happened?

On 23 June, Prigozhin, a longtime ally of Putin and the leader of the private army Wagner Group revolted, claiming that the Russian military had killed many of his fighters in an airstrike. The Russian Defence Ministry denied these claims. Prigozhin said: "There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in this country." He also threatened to destroy checkpoints or air forces

the Wagner group proclaimed that its mercenaries had seized all military facilities in Voronezh and added that they would march on Moscow to topple the defence minister Sergei Shoigu. On the same day, President Putin made an emergency address, saying Russia was facing "treason." According to his statement: "All those who consciously stood on the part of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, stood on the part of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, before the law and before our people." Prigozhin responded, saying that his troops were "patriots of our motherland," and the president was "deeply wrong" to talk of betrayal.

By 24 June evening, the Wagner fighters were advancing through the Lipetsk region, around 450 km from Moscow. The Wagner Group also announced that most Russian army units in the area were switching sides. There were also reports of Wagner fighters leaving the missions in Africa, and Syria, to join the revolt against Moscow. On the other hand, according to state reports, Russian air forces have struck Wagner convoys, and defensive positions around Moscow were set up.

In a late-night development on 24 June, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko broke a deal between Russia and the Wagner Group. Prigozhin agreed to halt his advance towards Moscow and relocate to Belarus. Through a Telegram post, he had ordered his forces to return to their bases to avoid bloodshed. Following the deal, the Wagner fighters initiated their departure from Rostov-on-Don, which served as the starting point of their mutiny. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, announced that the criminal case against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, and the Wagner fighters involved in the "march for justice" would not face the consequences due to their previous service to Russia. Non-participating fighters are expected to sign contracts with the Russian Defence Ministry by 01 July as part of efforts to centralize volunteer forces. Specific concessions made to Prigozhin remain undisclosed. What does it mean?

being ineffective in holding control.

Second, the blow to bring the Wagner Group under the effective control of the Russian military. The Wagner's head did not accept the military's efforts to bring the mercenary units under one contract. The revolt could be seen as a reflection of unwillingness of the Wagner to work under direct Russian military command. This highlights an internal divide between supporters of Putin and Prigozhin and a more significant question to the leadership of Russia.

Third, the impact of the Wagner revolt on Russia's war in Ukraine. For Russia to fight in Ukraine, a new mobilization was launched to recruit more. The recruits and not-so-fully trained soldiers led to the gap between operations and command. Although there was not much awareness or objection against Russia on mobilization, Russia slowed down the recruitment to prevent domestic dissent. On the other hand, the Wagner was allowed to recruit prisoners across Russia and command better despite the shortage of equipment. Human resource is the strength of any war; Russia's operation in Ukraine will have consequences of Prigozhin leaving for Belarus. Ukraine will benefit from the recent development. The immediate impact will be on the Wagner units deployed inside Ukraine, which may pause their operations or stop fighting for Russia. The damage caused to the M4 highway, and Rostov-on-Don is crucial to Russia's offensive in southern Ukraine and can help Ukraine gain in its counteroffensive.

Fourth, Putin's reputation. As stated by Putin, the motive of the Ukraine invasion was to bring back USSR or reinstall Russia as a geopolitical power, but the fallouts of the war have been nothing but a backfire. From Finland joining NATO to minor incursions into Russia, the Wagner group's revolt should question Putin's reputation within Russia.

About the Authors

that got in Wagner's way. On the same night, security in Russia was tightened, and the internet was restricted while military trucks were spotted on Moscow streets.

On 24 June, according to reports, the Wagner mercenaries had seized military facilities in Voronezh, a city halfway between Rostov and Moscow. Prigozhin said his fighters had entered Rostov-on-Don after crossing the border from Ukraine, and his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. Further,

First, the fractured equation between Wagner and Russia. The Wagner group is considered Russia's most effective unit among the mercenary groups. From its extensive role in Africa, Syria, in the Crimean annexation in 2014 to the battles in Soledar and Bakhmut in the Ukraine war, Prigozhin has been at the forefront for Russia. The relations began to crack when Russia grew dependent on the Wagner group. Russia's shortage of personnel and constraints to restrict new mobilization delegated Wagner's head to deploy his forces. Wagner group's major role in Soledar and Bakhmut battles showcased its capability, while the Russian military was criticized for not giving enough ammunition and

Dr Shreya Upadhyay, Deputy Director (Hon) Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies. Harini Madhusudan, Rashmi Ramesh, Akriti Sharma and Ankit Singh are PhD scholars in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. PadmashreeAnandhan, Anu Maria Joseph, Femy Francis and Rishika Yadav are Research Associates at NIAS. Sneha Sunrendaran, Prerena P and Ryan Marcus Manuel are Research Interns at NIAS. *This report has been modified by Australia India for space considerations.

Harini Madhusudan, Rishika Yada, Sneha Surendran, Prerana P, Sreeja JS and

invites 500 healthcare workers in its first category-based Express Entry draw

Canada

Toronto, June 29 (IANS) Canada has invited 500 healthcare workers to immigrate under its new category-based Express Entry selection draws with candidates requiring a minimum comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score of 476.

Following this first categorybased selection draw since six new categories were announced in May, a second round inviting 1,500 workers to apply will take place on July 5.

"We are bringing more health care workers to Canada! We’ve changed the approach to immigration by bringing an additional focus on certain sectors facing serious labour shortages. The first sector to benefit from this new process is healthcare," Sean Fraser, Minister

of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) tweeted on Wednesday.

According to Fraser, the new program is expected to double the number of healthcare workers coming to Canada through the federal Express Entry system this year.

A draw inviting eligible candidates from STEM fields is also expected to occur in the same week.

The 15th draw of the country's flagship economic immigration management system, which invited 4,300 candidates in total, follows the most recent draw on June 8, inviting 4,800 candidates.

On May 31, the IRCC announced new category-based selection for Express Entry, focusing on

Russian General arrested over Wagner mutiny: Report

candidates with work experience in fields like healthcare, agriculture and agri-food, STEM professions and trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors transport.

Among the new categories, healthcare jobs make up the largest number of eligible occupations, 35 in total, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and optometrists.

Health field is one of several key sectors of Canada’s labour force which is facing unprecedented shortages, according to Fraser who said the sector needs more workers to continue delivering the quality care that the citizens deserve.

Recent job vacancy data from Statistics Canada shows that there were 144,500 vacant positions within the healthcare and social assistance sector as of March 2023, or 17.7 per cent of all unfilled positions, a CIC report said.

Between 2017 and 2022, 21,656 skilled newcomers arrived in Canada to work in health occupations.

Immigration accounts for almost 100 per cent of Canada’s labour force growth, helping to address labour shortages in key sectors.

Biden downplays impact of ‘dictator’ remarks on Xi

the US Department of State" about the remarks, which Beijing's Embassy in Washington called a "smear" that "seriously contradicts basic facts, breaches diplomatic etiquette, infringes on China's political dignity, runs counter to the commitments made by the US side, and undermines mutual trust".

Moscow, June 29 (IANS) General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russian military operations in Ukraine, has been arrested over his alleged involvement to the short-lived rebellion staged by the Wagner mercenary group last weekend, a local media report said.

Although there was no official confirmation of his arrest, The Moscow Times reported citing sources close to the Defence Ministry, saying that the "the situation with him (Surovikin) was not 'OK'". The General, who is also Commander of the Aerospace Forces, has not been seen in public since June 24, the day when Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an armed rebellion against the country's military leadership.

One of the sources told The Moscow Times that the arrest was carried out "in the context of Prigozhin".

"Apparently, he (Surovikin) chose Prigozhin's side during the uprising."

When asked about the General's whereabouts, the source replied: "We are not even commenting on this information through our internal channels."

Earlier on Wednesday, prowar military blogger Vladimir Romanov had said that Surovikin was detained on June 25, a day after the mutiny, and claimed that the General was being held in Moscow's Lefortovo detention centre.

In a Telegram post, Alexei Venediktov, editor-in-chief of the shuttered Ekho Moskvy radio station, said that Surovikin had not been in contact with his family for three days and his guards were also not responsive, The Moscow Times reported.

On June 24, mercenary troops led by Prigozhin took over the southern Russian city of Rostovon-Don, marched on Moscow and shot down Russian military helicopters and a plane on their way, the BBC reported. Their mutiny was later aborted after a deal was struck with the help of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Russian authorities have said that the Wagner will be disarmed but its members will escape prosecution over its short-lived rebellion.

Russia sanctions 48 Australian citizens in retaliatory move

Washington, June 23 (IANS)

Despite the Beijing government warning of "consequences" for his remarks, US President Joe Biden has downplayed the impact of his comments comparing his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to a "dictator".

Addressing a joint press conference alongside visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biden on Thursday said that "I don't think it's had any real consequence" and called rejected concerns over worsening USChina ties as "hysteria", reports CNN.

The President also said he expected to meet Xi in the near future, and suggested he would not going to tone down his rhetoric.

"The idea of me choosing and avoiding saying what I think

is facts with regard to the relationship with China is just not something I'm going to change very much."

At a fundraiser in California on Tuesday, President Biden said that Xi was embarrassed over the recent tensions involving a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting the US which was shot down by an American fighter jet

"The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn't know it was there. That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened," he said.

In response, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng on Wednesday "made serious representations and strong protests to senior officials of the White House and

"We urge the US side to immediately take earnest actions to undo the negative impact and honour its own commitments. Otherwise, it will have to bear all the consequences," CNN quoted the Embassy as saying in a statement.

Biden made the remarks just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken became the highest ranking American official to meet Xi in Beijing.

Blinken's meeting with Xi in Beijing on Monday was part of efforts to improve the strained relations between the two largest economies. On the outcome of the meeting, Xi had said that some progress was made, while Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks as major differences remained. Blinken's visit to Beijing, which was the first by a Secretary of State to China in five years, restarted high-level communications between the two countries.

Moscow, June 22 (IANS) Russia has imposed sanctions against 48 Australian citizens, who will be barred from entering the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The decision was made in response to the “politically motivated” sanctions imposed by Australian authorities against Russian individuals and entities, the Ministry added on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry, the 48 Australians, among whom are

military contractors, journalists, and municipal deputies, were responsible for promoting an anti-Russian agenda, Xinhua news agency reported.

It added that Moscow would continue updating its entry ban list, taking into account Canberra’s anti-Russian course. Australia imposed a new round of financial sanctions against 21 Russian entities and three individuals on May 19, 2023.

Covid-19 was created as a ‘bioweapon’ by China: Wuhan researcher

Beijing, June 28 (IANS) The deadly SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19, was deliberately engineered as a "bioweapon” by China, claimed a researcher at the infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology, media reports said.

In an interview conducted by Chinese-born human rights activist and author Jennifer Zeng, Chao Shao claimed that the researchers were tasked with identifying the most effective strain for spreading among various species, including people, Jerusalem Post reported.

Chao Shao also shared an incident involving another researcher at the institute named Shan Chao, who admitted to being provided with four strains of coronavirus by a superior to test and determine which one had the greatest potential to infect multiple species, including humans. Chao Shao mentioned that several of his colleagues were

sent to hotels accommodating athletes during the 2019 Military World Games held in Wuhan in the pretext of "checking the health or hygiene conditions".

However, Chao Shao suspected they were potentially involved in spreading the virus.

Chao Shao also emphasised that the information represented only a fraction of the entire puzzle, the report said. The true origin of the pandemic, which has claimed the lives of 7 million lives worldwide, remains a subject of ongoing investigation. The recent revelations by the newly declassified intelligence report by the US government on the origins of Covid-19 also did not confirm whether the pandemic was the result of a lab leak or the virus jumped into people from an infected animal.

“All agencies continue to assess that both a natural and laboratory-associated origin

remain plausible hypotheses to explain the first human infection,” said the long-anticipated declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Importantly, almost all intelligence agencies “assess that SARS-CoV-2 was not genetically engineered”, the report said. “Most agencies assess that SARS-CoV-2 was not laboratory-adapted; some are unable to make a determination. All intelligence community agencies assess that SARS-CoV-2 was not developed as a biological weapon,” it added.

The report acknowledged the research conducted at the lab, including on animal sampling and genetic analysis. “We continue to have no indication that the WIV’s pre-pandemic research holdings included SARS-CoV-2 or a close progenitor, nor any direct evidence that a specific researchrelated incident occurred involving WIV personnel before the pandemic that could have caused the Covid pandemic,” the report said.

US editor apologies to Indian Americans, Ramaswamy for ‘racist’ cartoon

candidate who used the antiIndian epithet.

The Quad-City Times is a regional newspaper based in Davenport, Iowa, which also covers parts of neighbouring Illinois. It is owned by the media company Lee Enterprises which publishes over 70 newspapers across the US, including the Dispatch-Argus, which also published the cartoon.

Air quality in Chicago among world’s worst due to Canadian wildfires

Chicago, June 28 (IANS) Smoke drifting from the raging wildfires in Canada has caused the air quality level in Chicago to rank among the worst in the world.

As of 4 p.m.on Tuesday, AirNow. gov listed Chicago's air quality at 258, under the "very unhealthy" category, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an air quality alert in effect until midnight Wednesday and encouraged Chicago residents to limit their time outdoors.

Air Quality Alerts were also in effect for the states of Wisconsin and Indiana.

The Chicago Park District has moved programs, including summer camps, indoors, while all beaches in Evanston have been closed, local media reported . AirNow.gov recommends people who must be outside wear an N95 mask and those with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and

teens to reduce exposure.

Mayor Brandon Johnson stated the air quality, saying the City of Chicago is carefully monitoring and taking precautions.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has categorised Chicago's Air Quality Index as "unhealthy" due to Canadian wildfire smoke . "We recommend children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and individuals who are pregnant avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors," Brandon said in the statement.

"Anyone who needs immediate medical attention should dial 911," the statement added.

Detroit had the second-worst air quality in the world Tuesday. The National Weather Service issued poor air quality alerts for northeastern Illinois, northwestern Indiana and all of southeast Michigan for Tuesday and Wednesday.

New York, June 28 (IANS) A US newspaper editor has apologised to Indian Americans for publishing an “offensive” cartoon that played on stereotypes of the community while trying to criticise Vivek Ramaswamy who is seeking the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.

“Racist and hateful ideas, words or images have no place in our publications, much less our society”, Tom Martin, the executive editor of the Quad City Times said in the apology to the community and Ramaswamy published in his paper on Friday. He said that the cartoonist, Leo Kelly, has been banished from the newspaper.

But Ramaswamy came to the defence of the cartoonist in a letter published in the paper.

“Let's not go further or see people get fired over it; the cartoonist should in no way be 'cancelled.' We are all human”, he wrote. “I'm empathetic to people who make mistakes once in a while”, he wrote while accepting the editor's apology.

The cartoon sought to show Republicans as bigots with whom Ramaswamy was aligned, but it backfired as it was someone opposed to that party and the

“We apologise today for letting such an image slip through our editorial process and into our opinion page Wednesday in the form of a political cartoon," Martin wrote.

He added: “The cartoon, while intended to criticise racist ideas and epithets, uses a phrase that is racist and insensitive to members of our Indian American community."

The phrase apparently is “Get me a slushee, Apu” that a character in the cartoon is shown shouting at Ramaswamy in an almost empty hall. "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" runs a store in the popular animated TV cartoon serial, “The Simpsons”, and spoke in an exaggerated Indian accent voiced over by a White American comedian, Hank Azaria.

“Apu” has been turned into a racist taunt used against Indians, especially for bullying school children. The problem was highlighted in a documentary, “The Problem with Apu”, produced by Indian American comedian Hari Kondabolu.

Because of protests over the way Apu was presented and how it became a tool for harassment, the character was taken off the show but has returned occasionally with non-speaking background

appearances.

Azaria has repeatedly apologized for his role in spreading the stereotype of Indians telling an interviewer, “I did not know any better”.

After the cartoon was published, Ramaswamy tweeted, “It’s sad that this is how the MSM (mainstream media) views Republicans. I’ve met with grassroots conservatives across America & never *once* experienced the kind of bigotry that I regularly see from the Left."

“Iowa’s @qctimes absolutely has the right to print this, but it’s still shameful”, he added.

Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, the Indian American candidate for the Republican nomination, along with Tim Scott, an African American senator seeking the nomination have come for intense criticism from Democrats and their supporters who believe that non-Whites should be loyal only to their party. The cartoon sought to convey the idea that Ramaswamy was under bigoted attack by Republicans with the other characters shouting “Muslim” and “Show us your birth certificate” while he greets them saying “Hello, my MAGA friends”. (MAGA standards for Make America Great Again, a rallying cry of former President Donald Trump taken up by the Republican right.)

“It is the dripping disdain from the far left — the elite condescension from the Democrat Party — that we will never escape”, said Emily Compagno, a conservative TV host, referring to the cartoon.

All 5 people on board missing submersible dead

Hamish Harding, a billionaire and explorer; Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a French explorer; Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood, members of a prominent Pakistani family; and OceanGate Expeditions CEO and Titan pilot Stockton Rush.

Ottawa, June 23 (IANS) The US Coast Guard has announced that a debris field found by searchers near the Titanic is wreckage from the missing Titan submersible, with all the five people on board declared dead.

In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) discovered the tail cone of the Titan submersible about half a kilometre from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor.

"The ROV subsequently found additional debris. In consultation with experts from within the unified command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," Mauger added.

"I offer my deepest condolences to the families," he said. Shortly before the announcement, OceanGate Expeditions, the USbased company that owned and operated the submersible, said in a statement that it believed the five passengers of the Titanicbound submersible have "sadly been lost".

The five passengers included

The submersible went missing more than 600 kilometre off the coast of Newfoundland in eastern Canada early Sunday morning during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic, Xinhua news agency reported. An international search effort led by the US Coast Guard had been racing against the clock to locate the missing submersible which was estimated to have a 96-hour supply of oxygen and its air supply was expected to run out on Thursday morning.

There were reports saying that the underwater sonar devices picked up banging noises on Tuesday and Wednesday in the area where the submersible vanished.

Mauger said there didn't appear to be any connection between the noises and the location of the submersible on the seafloor. OceanGate Expeditions used the five-person submersible to reach the wreckage 3,800 metre below the ocean surface.

On its website, the company advertises a seven-night voyage to the Titanic for $250,000 per person with the money raised by tourists going toward Titanic research.

From the editor’s desk Evolution of India-US relations

Reaching new heights in Modi-Biden era

New visa rules will encourage Indian students

The Australian government’s move that from July 1, 2023, Indian graduates from Australian tertiary institutions can apply to work in Australia for up to eight years, is a welcome one. The new visa rule follows the culmination of a bilateral agreement signed between India and Australia in May in 2023.The implementation of the agreement will benefit many Indian students who will now be able to study and support themselves financially with work in Australia. This is in keeping with the spirit of strong relations between Australia and India. One of the important features of this agreement is the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES). The fact that this programme will give opportunities to 3,000 spots annually for young professionals from India to spend two years in Australia without needing a visa sponsorship is a great initiative that will encourage more aspiring students to arrive in Australia and study. Moreover, the top rankings which some of Australia’s universities have bagged in the QS University Rankings, will encourage more Indian students to come to Australia for studies.

Also, that Australians aiming to conduct research in India can now apply for an S-5 visa, granting them a stay in India for up to three years or for the duration of their research project is a right step in strengthening bilateral relations. More specifically, as media reports suggest, the MATES visa is a temporary visa programme that accommodates recent graduates from established and recognised Indian universities with degrees in specialised fields of study. These initiatives will go a long way in further strengthening Australia and India relations taking it to a new dimension.

In this connection, as media reports say, from July 1, 2023, international higher education graduates with requisite qualifications will be granted an extra two years of post-study work rights. This implies that now eligible international higher education graduates will benefit from an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate Visa. This important initiative is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas. This is certainly a welcome step in fortifying bilateral relations.

Australia has always been at the forefront of addressing the

nation’s workforce requirements and the needs of those who offer their work for the benefit of the nation. This is precisely why Australia relaxed student visa work restrictions throughout the pandemic, which was subsequently removed in January 2022 to pave the way for primary and secondary student visa holders to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight, a step that was taken with a view to dealing with workforce shortages.

But from July 1, work restrictions will be back for all student visa holders except those in the aged care sector, though it will now be capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight from an earlier cap of 40 hours. There is a well thought out plan for doing so. It is important that the student visa holders must focus on their education, along with being able to support themselves financially. Moreover, with studies they will also receive valuable work experience, which is of utmost importance these days for further employment. Also Australia’s workforce needs will be fulfilled, which is an added benefit for all.

Significantly, according to media reports, keeping in view the needs of this sector, the student visa holders who are already employed in the aged care sector as on May 9, 2023, can continue to work unrestricted hours in the aged care sector until December 31, 2023. This is also a prudent step taken in the interest of this sector, as also in the interest of those who are working in this sector.

Australia’s approach to policy measures related to education, employment , healthcare and other pertinent sectors have always been keeping in view the interests of all those who are part of these sectors. The measures taken by the government has been both for fulfilling the needs of the present and also for the future. The country prioritizes education and employment, and India has a special place given the fact that Australia continues to be one of the favourite places where Indian students like to go in large numbers to enhance their career. The recent deals between Australia and India in the fields of education are setting the benchmark for more initiatives that will benefit both the countries. There is another advantage of such initiatives. As more youths reach Australia from India to study and work there, there is an opportunity for more people-to-people contact. This augurs well for Australia and India relations.

By Rabindra Mukherji

When Narendra Modi became India’s Prime Minister, the IndiaUS relations were still being conducted with a lot of caution. Going back in time, since India’s Independence, India aligned more towards the Soviet Union despite the fact that officially India was one of the founding members of the non-aligned movement. Nehru’s economic policy was more attracted to the Soviet socialist model than the capitalist model of the US. In those circumstances, when India was reeling under extreme poverty and low productivity levels, it was pertinent that India adopted a socialist model that protected its farmers and manufacturers. In the conduct of foreign policy, India’s approach was not to align with any of the two blocs – the USSR bloc and the US-led bloc. But what was apparent even during the Cold War days, was India’s heavy dependence on Soviet Union and its unofficial aligning with the USSR. That was of course the need of the hour then. Even after Nehru, the subsequent governments, especially during the government of Indira Gandhi, the Soviet model of economic development, and a foreign policy heavily aligned towards the USSR continued. This had of course irked the US, and Pakistan took the advantage by being openly aligned to the US. But those days were different, especially if we consider India as a nation which was taking every step internationally with a lot of caution, and sometimes with little conviction of its potential. It was natural because India became Independent after having had to tolerate the atrocities and injustices of several years of foreign rule.

Now the situation is different. The India-US relations began to improve after both India and the US made a renewed effort to understand each other’s positions. The collapse of the USSR in 1990’s meant India needed to look beyond Russia for support in the international arena. A shift in India’s foreign policy initiatives was apparent during the reign of Dr Manmohan Singh’s government. But even

during Dr Manmohan Singh’s era, India and the US relations were one full of caution lacking in the sort of confidence in partnership between the two countries that is now apparent. Therefore the Modi government had to be very clear of what India needed to do in a fast changing geopolitical environment. The non-aligned movement seemed to have lost its relevance and significance since it was understood that having an ambivalent approach in international politics was no longer an option for the government. With two belligerent neighbours in China and Pakistan, India had to start asserting itself in international forums. In the first two years of the Modi government, India and the US began their political exchanges with a calibrated approach, each side awaiting and watching closely the response of the other. But the intentions from both sides had been clear. Both India and the US wanted to transform bilateral relations leaving the hangover of the past not-so-friendly relations behind them. The Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to the US must be seen as a culmination of his government’s relentless effort to take India-US relations to a new dimension altogether. US President Biden is just the right leader who has always supported India in the past, and continues to accord importance to relations with India.

Interestingly, the current era of US–India relations did not start as smoothly as one would expect. It all began after former US President Bill Clinton’s administration did not succeed in containing India by imposing sanctions on it after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

The then Prime Minister of India

Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not give in to the US pressure, and India emerged from these sanctions with a renewed conviction of its potential to deal with any challenge. The US gradually began to understand India’s position and adopted a policy of accommodation towards India. This started a new chapter of mutual understanding and strategic partnership between the two countries.

But it goes to the credit of Modi government that leaving aside the baggage of the past not-sosavoury relations with the US, which were not very remarkable then, Modi began an effort to strengthen bilateral relations with the US. This was essential, for in the new world order after the Soviet collapse, and with a strong China emerging, India needed the support of the US in all international forums. This became obvious when Modi made a state visit to the United States in September 2014 on the invitation of President Obama. When Obama became the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in January 2015, the first US President, trajectory of the IndiaUS relations was now becoming apparent.

Modi’s recent state visit to the US is a culmination of his government’s efforts to forge a strong relationship with the US, a relationship that is built on rock solid foundations of mutual trust and understanding of each other’s positions, both domestically and internationally. Both US President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi believe in talking frankly about various issues of international importance. Addressing the US Congress this time around, Modi reminded the Congressmen of what India is and stands for. He underscored the common vision that both India and the US share. India’s vision, just like that of the US, goes beyond the welfare of their respective countries. Both the countries work for the welfare of the whole world, and India has time and again shown it through its humanitarian works wherever such acts were needed, be that during the Covid-19 pandemic or the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria more recently. The US now understands India, its people and its culture. The defence agreements that India and the US signed during Modi’s recent US visit will not only enhance India’s defence capabilities but also solidify its position as a dependable partner of the US for advanced technology collaborations. Modi’s ‘Make in India’ policy is in sync with the deals India has had with the US. The semiconductor production deals with the US have elevated India to a position where it can become a global manufacturing hub for advanced technologies. These deals with the US will give a boost to India’s economy, and encourage innovation and technological progress in India. Also, the US recognizes India as an important partner for the US in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Biden’s way of running news conferences could be primer for leaders on managing media

with journalists, while carefully manipulating the interaction.

By Arul Louis

New York, June 27 (IANS) While speculation swirls around the two-questioner limit at the press encounter of US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the American leader has a record of carefully managing news conferences and picking in advance who asks him questions.

His method could be a primer for other leaders on how to hold news conferences while controlling how the messaging.

At least during Modi’s visit last week he allowed two reporters to ask questions.

During Modi’s last visit in 2021, he didn’t allow any questions at their joint appearance and, in fact, told the Prime Minister: “I think, with your permission, we could not answer questions because they won’t ask any questions on point."

And contrasting the journalists from the two countries, he said: “I think what we're going to do is bring in the press. The Indian press is much better behaved than the American press. I have to watch out…”

Those remarks, which he may have meant to be private, were caught on a hot microphone.

On June 22 as Biden and Modi appeared at the White House East Room, the President faced the prospects of awkward questions about his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings, which were being aired that day by Republicans on a House of Representatives panel.

In one of the transcripts of WhatsApp messages to a Chinese businessman, released by the committee, Hunter Biden made threats over a money dispute asserting that he was with his

father and said, “I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father”.

That appeared to implicate the President who has maintained he was not involved in his son’s questionable business dealings.

Hunter Biden, according to the transcript, also said: “I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction.”

The President likely would have wanted to avoid questions about his son and, therefore, limiting questioners would be to his advantage.

His handlers try to put guardrails also against his gaffes making his encounters with journalists often appear scripted.

His staff determines who will ask him questions -- and provides him with cue cards with pictures of journalists (so he can recognise them and call them up) along with likely question topics and answers to them.

The gambit was given away when he accidentally turned a cue card for an Indian American reporter, Courtney Subramanian, towards the camera in April making it visible to all.

That lets him -- and friendly media -- keep up appearances of being open to encounters

(The Los Angeles Times denied colluding with the White House.)

Biden also has a record of getting angry in public view with reporters who break the media sanitary cordon and ask questions he doesn’t like.

He has called a Fox News correspondent, “What a stupid son of a b***h”.

And he retorted back to a CNN reporter who persisted with questions, “If you don’t understand that, you’re in the wrong business”.

“What the hell, what do you do all the time?” he asked her.

On June 22 at the White House, after Modi and Biden had read out their prepared statements, the President said: “I’m told there are two questioners: Sabrina (Siddiqui) from The Wall Street Journal and (Rakesh) Kumar from the (Press) Trust of India”.

Siddiqui asked him about criticisms from some in Biden’s party about the treatment of religious minorities and “crackdown on dissent”.

“It is in America’s DNA and, I believe, in India’s DNA that the whole world -- the whole world has a stake in our success, both of us, in maintaining our democracies. It makes us appealing partners and enables us to expand democratic institutions across -- around the world,” Biden said.

He said that they had a “good discussion about democratic values”, and added, “we’re straightforward with each other, and -- and we respect each other”.

And Siddiqui asked, Modi “what steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech?"

Speaking in Hindi, Modi repeated Biden’s remarks about the DNA of democracy in both countries. He said: “Our ancestors have actually put words to this concept, of democracy and that is in the form of our constitution.

“We have always proved that democracy can deliver. And when I say deliver, this is regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender (and) here’s absolutely no space for discrimination."

And in answering Siddiqui’s question about him calling China’s President Xi Jinping a “dictator”, Biden seemed to mix up India and China, but quickly corrected himself: “The idea of my choosing and avoiding saying what I think is the facts with regard to the relationship with India — with China is — is just not something I’m going to change very much”.

Kumar lobbed soft questions about the environment and climate change, a favourite topic of both Biden and Modi.

Notwithstanding growing ties with India, US will not junk Pakistan

is increasing. Thus, after the US-India joint declaration, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome moved his pawn diplomatically on June 23, keeping Pakistan under US wings and saying "Our people-to-people ties have taken forward the USPakistan relationship for 75 years. Perhaps the most meaningful result of our diplomatic engagement is the network of personal and professional connections made by tens of thousands of Pakistanis who have gone to the US on US-funded academic programmes and exchanges and those Americans who come to study in Pakistan".

Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar in an interview to the Washington Post said “Pakistan can no longer try to maintain a middle ground between China and the United States”. US-Pakistan relations have served vital interests for over six decades, but it has not been a ‘normal’ bilateral relationship. In Pakistan, the US connection strengthened the army and enhanced its political profile. Washington was not happy with Pakistan’s relations with China, the 1965 war, its nuclear programme, and Pakistan’s contribution to the failure of the Afghanistan war.

broadly.

It was a bold and clear message from the US and India statement that has thrown an open challenge to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. The statement has unnerved Pakistan as well as China.

A South Asia expert at the Hudson Institute describes US-India as a boon to President Biden to declare to the world that the US has got India as ally on his side. The US considers China the most serious long-term challenger

to the United States, despite renewed efforts to manage tensions.

The joint statement by US-India has also insisted Pakistan take immediate action "against all terrorist groups", leaving an option of asking the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to further tighten its anti-moneylaundering and terrorism financing standards.

Both India and Pakistan are relevant to the US for different reasons. India is on the geopolitical centre stage. Its strategic value for the West

The US's top priority for Pakistan is to eliminate terrorism, counter emerging terrorist threats, and address the causes of instability.

The US has supported 120,00 Pakistani police officers' training programmes and encouraged female officers' recruitment and professional development. Not only these more than 2,000 Pakistani officers have gone on US-funded military education and training programmes, Pakistan is among the top two countries in the world for participation in US military exchanges.

Minister of State for Foreign

It is widely believed by political observers that incidents of instability in Pakistan are Washington’s hidden ‘agenda’ to destabilise Pakistan so as to take out its nuclear assets. Washington wants to punish Pakistan for being an ally of China. In 2002 Richard Armitage, then-deputy secretary of state admitted that Pakistan was never important to the United States in its own right. It was important, because of third parties. The implication was that Pakistan had no permanent value for the US, and its importance for Washington derived from the importance of South Asia more

In the given economic and politically wreck situation, Pakistan is left with no option but to seek US support for an IMF loan. The US is taking advantage of Pakistan’s precarious financial situation, pressuring Islamabad to keep a distance from Beijing. The IMF has recently raised serious objections over the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, which has further narrowed the chances of revival of the Extended Fund Facility programme. Donald Blome expressed confidence in the policies and programmes of the Pakistan government for economic sustain¬ability and socio-economic uplift of the masses. He extended his support to further promote bilateral economic, investment, and trade relations between both countries. Pakistan is the only regional country that has not thrown its weight behind any single global power. Islamabad seems to be seeking good ties with Moscow and Washington. It does not want to harm American interests but at the same time, it will not go against Beijing.

R.C. GANJOO

North Qld Mater surgeon gives hope to refugee women globally

For more than two decades, North Queensland surgeon Professor Ajay Rane OAM has been dedicated to improving the lives of thousands of refugee women suffering from severe childbirth issues in developing countries.

Prof Rane, a Mater Private Hospital Townsville urogynaecologist, has led the fight against women’s health problems, such as obstetric fistula, by training medical staff in eight countries – and is shining a spotlight on his work to mark National Refugee Week (18-24 June)

Obstetric fistula is a medical condition in which a hole develops in the birth canal in a woman as a result of childbirth. Left untreated, it can cause incontinence and can lead to a range of other physical ailments including frequent infections, kidney disease, infertility, or death.

The World Health Organization

(WHO) estimates that two million women worldwide suffer from untreated genital fistulae and 100,000 new cases occur each year.

Prof Rane is one of the directors of Flourishing Women, a charity set up to treat and prevent birth trauma, genito-urinary fistulae, incontinence and prolapse in women who live in the less developed world.

Later this year, Prof Rane and a team of Queensland doctors will travel to India, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji in December to operate on suffering women.

Since 2004, he has treated women in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Congo, Tanzania, China, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Recently Prof Rane and his team (Dr Usama Shahid and Dr Anthony Cerqui), returned from Bangladesh after providing lectures to doctors and medical students about pelvic anatomy and management of stress,

including incontinence and prolapse.

The team donated and set up the first urodynamics machine in Bangladesh, and provided medical equipment including surgical instruments, sutures and anaesthetic.

Dr Shahid said they operated at a fistula hospital providing “liferestoring surgery” for vulnerable women living with prolapse and urinary incontinence.

“As part of this trip, we travelled to the Rohingya refugee camp near Cox’s Bazar – the largest refugee camp in the world – to see what future work they can provide,” Dr Shahid said.

Prof Rane described his team’s work as “very important”.

“We aim to train doctors so that eventually they will not need our help,” Prof Rane said.

“In the Pacific alone, we have trained more than 50 specialists in women’s health.

“While the developing world continues to optimise progressive patient outcomes, the majority of urogynaecological patients around the world are battling more rudimentary targets.”

Many of the gynaecologists Prof Rane has mentored have furthered their medical practice in “some of the most remote places on Earth, like Kiribati and Tuvalu”.

“We have managed to liaise with local teams and form specialised centres that aim to provide holistic urogynaecology care,” he said.

“We provide lectures to doctors (from residents to consultants) as well as midwives and physiotherapists.

“Over time, this has led to the development of proficient urogynaecological teams, who can appropriately assess patients, safely operate while knowing their limitations, manage complications and follow up

patients.”

Prof Rane, an advocate and activist for the health and reproductive rights of disadvantaged women, established Queensland’s first non-metropolitan urogynaecology subspecialty clinic in Townsville and has led world-leading research into vaginal reconstructive surgery. Mater Private Hospital Townsville General Manager Stephanie Barwick acknowledged Prof Rane’s efforts in helping vulnerable women around the world through his high-quality medical care.

“The humanitarian work Prof Rane is doing is life-changing and helping so many women who have suffered for too long,” Ms Barwick said.

‘He has given them a chance to access healthcare they would not have otherwise had.”

Yoga a solution to major health concerns

An ancient Indian medical practice is yoga. Yoga is a method of maintaining internal wellness.

A holistic approach to health and wellbeing

By IANSlife

June 21, 2023 (IANSlife) As the world struggles with the virus and pollution, yoga can help with the stress brought on by disease. Those who make yoga the cornerstone of their existence never lose their vigour.

Yoga offers several advantages whether you are an expert or a beginner. It is a current fad that is actually quite beneficial for boosting immunity. There is no longer a need to take time out of your busy schedule to go to the gym or anywhere else to practise yoga; you can do it whenever you want, even at home. It is simple and simple to carry out. Yoga provides a wide range of advantages, including increased flexibility, lowered stress levels, improved fertility, solutions for serious skin issues, a flawless skin glow aids in reducing hair loss, and many more.

Yoga can help in boosting your fertility

Asanas, pranayama, and meditation are a few of the various variations of yoga. Research has shown that people with infertility can benefit greatly from practising yoga. For example, practising yoga will not only make you feel less stressed, but it will also help to boost your immunity, which is typically weakened throughout the process and even during treatment. It will also encourage better sleep and more physical activity, among other things.

“Try practicing yoga to unwind, realign your pelvis, and improve blood circulation. all elements that can encourage conception more quickly. According to studies, yoga can assist in reducing stress, which can have an impact on fertility. Certain poses can also help promote childbirth by increasing blood flow to your pelvis, stimulating hormone-producing glands, and easing muscle tension.” said Dr. Shobha Gupta Medical Director and IVF specialist from Mother’s Lap IVF Centre, New Delhi and Vrindavan.

Dr. Shobha Gupta further adds “Yoga, meditation, and breathcontrol techniques all help to

relax the mind and lessen worry. You can strengthen the muscles and reproductive organs that are required throughout pregnancy and childbirth by doing fertility yoga. Their deep breathing approach encourages better blood circulation, lessens stress, and makes it simpler to unwind”. A holistic approach to health and wellbeing is offered through yoga. For those who are dealing with infertility, life is filled with significance; when one learns they are unable to have children, their entire outlook on life is affected. The age-old science of yoga offers practical methods for dealing with the diagnosis and therapies as well as for promoting maximum health during the healing process.

For Expecting mothers

According to Dr. Shobha Gupta, prenatal yoga is another great exercise for expectant mothers since it "encourages relaxation, flexibility, focus, and deep breathing." Indoor cycling is a great method to work up a sweat without straining your ankle and knee joints because you can bike at your own pace without falling. Yoga therapy not only aids in conquering infertility, but it also relieves stress, which aids in the treatment of many serious illnesses, including cancer. It

can aid with pain management, sleep improvement, energy boosts, fatigue reduction, stress and anxiety reduction, and psychological wellness, including depression. Those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are receiving cancer treatment can benefit greatly from yoga therapy. "We have frequently observed that infertile couples need a lot of patience when undergoing IVF therapy because this is their only remaining hope. Therefore, by claiming both the body and the mind, deep relaxation helps to relieve tension and anxiety while promoting a condition of balance. Since stress and worry weaken the immune system, this calming effect normally helps to support and promote the immune system”, added Dr. Shobha Gupta.

Do yoga to get rid of skin conditions

Dr. Sandeep Babbar, Medical Director and Dermatologist from Revyve Skin, Hair and Nail Clinic Faridabad explains that the main causes of skin issues are our unhealthy lifestyles and food habits. What we eat is what we display on our faces. The skin won't appear radiant and healthy if our bodies are not in good health. When digestion is improper and the stomach is upset, skin issues including

acne, pimples, dry skin, eczema, leucoderma, psoriasis, and others are directly correlated. Skin injury can also be caused by renal issues and weak digestive function. Yoga asanas and pranayamas are crucial for preventing this.

Dr. Sandeep Babbar suggests start the day with Surya Namaskar as it helps to maintain the body healthy and free from disease. It also aids in keeping the mind clear of stress and worry. Additionally, performing the asanas bhujangasana, vakrasana, shashakasana, and uttan padasana is quite good at enhancing skin texture and warding against infections.

Pranayams for glowing skin

Everyone should perform five pranayamas each day to achieve beautiful, healthy skin. Dr. Sandeep Babbar advises performing kapalbhati for 30 minutes and anulom vilom for an hour.

Yoga helps in controlling hair fall

There are various yoga asanas that can truly aid in hair development if you're tired of your short bob and want your locks to be longer. Yoga for hair growth and better health has gained some appeal around the world.

Brisbane River and local waterways to feature in latest Outdoor Gallery exhibition

From Lord Mayor’s Newsdesk: The Brisbane River and suburban waterways will be the focus of new artworks installed this month as part of the Outdoor Gallery’s Indigenous Art Program.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said this year’s program, Reflections – A Reflection of Brisbane’s Waterways, showcases and celebrates Brisbane-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

“The Brisbane River, or Maiwar, has long held a special connection to First Nations people and continues to be significant to residents and visitors today,” Cr Schrinner said.

“The artworks in this year’s exhibition focus on the beauty and significance of the Brisbane River and surrounding waterways across our suburbs.

“The popular Indigenous Art Program provides more to see and do for residents and visitors while also supporting local artists.”

Council’s Indigenous Art Program is an important part of our Outdoor Gallery and features everything from large scale banners to showcase installations and night-time projections.

This latest exhibition showcases artworks from 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, including curator BINGKIN and Luke Mallie.

Cr Schrinner said the exhibition featured emerging and established artists who responded to a community call-out to share their stories.

“The Outdoor Gallery is a way to celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Canada rejects 595 Indian study permit applications this year till May: Data

Islander people’s depths and strength of culture, and understanding of the land,” he said.

“The exhibition also offers a range of events and activities, including walking tours, artists talks, workshops and some guided virtual reality experiences.

“These events give audiences an opportunity to explore and engage with the artists and their stories.”

Reflections runs from 19 June –2 October in various locations across Brisbane. Visit brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Indigenous Art Program’ for more information and plan your visit.

The 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists include:

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) A total of 7,528 study permit applications from India were rejected by the Canadian authorities between January 2018 to May 2023 over misrepresentation, involving false or altered documents, according to an Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data. Beginning this year, a total of 595 of these applications by Indian students, which also included extensions, were refused till May 31, with 195 cases of misrepresentation detected in a single month, the data shared with IANS said.

Misrepresentation involves giving information that is untrue, misleading, or incomplete, which can make an applicant inadmissible to the country for five years, or permanent removal from the country. Consequently, the applicant is ineligible for permanent residency and has a permanent record noting fraud in their immigration file.

"The Government of Canada takes any kind of citizenship or immigration fraud seriously... We are committed to upholding the integrity of our immigration programmes and protecting our systems against fraud and misrepresentation," a spokesperson from the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi told IANS.

"IRCC employees receive training on how to detect and combat fraud, and they work hard to protect the integrity of Canada’s citizenship and immigration system," the spokesperson added. Most applications were refused under A40(1)(a), according to the data. In Canadian Immigration law, misrepresentation is defined in section 40(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Examples of misrepresentation include not mentioning a family member; not mentioning a change in family status; or providing a false document

declaring employment experience, among others.

Recently, hundreds of Indian students faced removal from Canada after letters of acceptance submitted as part of their study permit application were determined to be fraudulent. Acknowledging the contribution of international students, Canada's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that the genuine students would be issued a Temporary Resident Permit. The minister stressed that the focus is on identifying those who are responsible for the fraudulent activity and not on penalising those who may have been affected by fraud.

The Canadian High Commission also told IANS that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act require that people who provide paid immigration or citizenship advice or representation be "authorised".

"It is an offence for anyone other than: a member in good standing (lawyer or paralegal) of a Canadian law society; the Chambre des notaires du Québec; or the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to represent or advise for a fee at any stage of an application or proceeding," the spokesperson from the High Commission said. With 226,450 students, India became the top source of new international students entering the North American nation in 2022, according to an IRCC data released this year.

The country’s primary department for immigrationrelated matters also announced last year that Indian citizens make up 35 per cent of study permit holders in Canada.

Home to the largest Punjabi diaspora in the world, Canada is the most preferred destination for students in Punjab, who roughly make up about 70 per cent of the Indian cohort in Canada.

A Canadian study visa offers these students easy passage to permanent residence within five to six years.

(Meenakshi Iyer can be reached at meenakshi.i@ians.in)

Indian-origin British expert to head UN Outer Space Office

United Nations, June 27 (IANS)

UN Secretary-General Antonio

Guterres has appointed Indianorigin expert Aarti Holla-Maini to head the Office for Outer Space Affairs.

Announcing the nomination, Guterres’s Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday that she “brings to this position over 25 years of professional experience in the space sector including

in managerial and advocacy functions”.

Haq also said that Usha RaoMonari of India will be leaving her position as the associate administrator of the UN Development Programme which has the rank of Under Secretary General and will be succeeded by Haoliang Xu of China.

The Vienna-based UN space office “works to promote international

cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilisation of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development”, Haq said.

Holla-Maini, who is from Britain, has been the Secretary-General of the Global Satellite Operators Association, Executive Vice President at NorthStar Earth and Space, and founder and President

of Orbitz Consulting. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Satellite Industry Association of India.

Rao-Monari, who is an infrastructure investment expert, previously served as CEO of Global Water Development Partners, a Blackstone company where she was also a senior advisor before her appointment to the UN post in 2021.

She was also a director of the Sustainable Business Advisory Group at the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation.

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

Aus state to protect retail workers with tougher penalties for assaults

Sydney, June 21 (IANS) The government of Australia New South Wales (NSW) state on Wednesday announced that it will introduce a new bill to Parliament to impose tougher penalties on those who assault retail workers. According to the NSW government, the bill will introduce three offences to the state's Crime Act, reports Xinhua news agency.

The reforms make it an offences to assault, throw a missile at, stalk, harass or intimidate a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, even if no actual bodily harm is caused to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 4 years' imprisonment; assault a retail worker in the course of the worker's duty and cause actual bodily harm to the worker, with a maximum penalty of 6 years' imprisonment; and wound or cause grievous bodily harm to a

retail worker in the course of the worker's duty, being reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to the worker or another person, with a maximum penalty of 11 years' imprisonment.

Under the new bill, physical and verbal attacks on a retail worker could lead to a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment, while 11-year imprisonment is applicable if physical injury is involved.

The state government cited a survey from the McKell Institute, which showed that a staggering 85 percent of retail workers in Australia have been abused or assaulted at work.

"The new offences will carry more severe penalties than general assault provisions, and send a strong message that this behaviour is unacceptable," said NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.

World Bank’s Ajay Banga named in Carnegie’s 2023 ‘Great Immigrants’ list

Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the country's peak retail body, welcomed NSW's new legislation, as it is in response to the growing prevalence of customer aggression and assaults.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra praised the NSW Government's commitment to protecting retail workers and consulting with industry via the ARA on the development of the initiative.

"We've seen a frightening escalation in retail crime, where it is now becoming a matter of life-or-death for workers simply trying to do their job," Zahra said.

"It is shocking that in recent months in different locations across the country, we've seen several retail workers stabbed -in addition to the broader issue of staff being harassed, intimidated, and physically assaulted.

New York, June 29 (IANS) World Bank President Ajay Banga has been named to this year's "Great Immigrants" list by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which honours contributions by immigrants to American life.

Indian-American Banga, who became the 14th president of the top bank this year, was among 35 honorees from diverse backgrounds and fields whose contributions and actions enriched and strengthened American society and democracy.

From India, he is the only honouree in the prestigious Carnegie list, which has named more than 700 "Great Immigrants" since 2006.

With over 30 years of experience in key positions, Banga is expected to usher in transformative policies at the World Bank to combat poverty and address climate change, opening opportunities for people around the globe, a Carnegie statement said on Wednesday.

“We need to find ways to embrace the value and talent immigrants have to offer -- not the least of which is their diversity. Their diverse perspectives and experiences make us stronger,” Banga was quoted as saying in the statement.

Earlier this month,Banga became the new president of the World Bank, the first-ever Indian American to lead the institution. He started his career in India, spending 13 years at Nestle India and two at PepsiCo, and in 1996, he joined Citigroup, eventually leading the Asia-Pacific region as

CEO.

Later moving to the US, he served as President and CEO of Mastercard for 12 years before being named executive chairman. Among numerous honors, he was awarded the Foreign Policy Association Medal, Padma Shri and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

The Class of 2023 Great Immigrants has individuals from 33 countries, who, according to the Corporation, "have fostered opportunities for others through their work as educators, mentors, philanthropists, job creators, public servants, storytellers, and advocates".

“The 35 naturalized citizens honored today embody that tradition, reminding us that the contributions of immigrants make our country more vibrant and our democracy more resilient,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a naturalized citizen who first came to the US from Ireland as a graduate student.

Other honorees in the list are esteemed leaders in their fields, including two Nobel Prize laureates, an Olympian, a member of Congress, a university president, a public theologian and immigration advocate. It also includes celebrities such Elle magazine editor-inchief and TV personality Nina Garcia, bestselling novelist Min Jin Lee, seven-time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette, Hollywood star Pedro Pascal, and Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan.

BAPS celebrates Rath Yatra festival in Brisbane

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Brisbane celebrated Rath Yatra festival in Brisbane with great pomp and devotion on June 18. Rath Yatra is a festival suffused

with devotional sentiments for the Lord Jagannath. For thousands of years, Hindus have celebrated this spectacular festival. Gathering together, they earnestly pray to the Lord to steer

the chariots of their lives on the path of devotion and faith.

Following a traditional Vedic ceremony, two beautifully decorated chariots, one bearing the murti of Harikrishna Maharaj, Jagannathji, Baldevji & Subhadraji and the other bearing the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan & his disciple Gunatitanand Swami were ceremoniously pulled by hand to the singing of devotional songs by the devotees.

The procession was a 1.2km walk from BAPS Temple in Kingston. Present amongst the crowd of around 1100 devotees, Pujya Arshpurush Swami, PujyaBhaktinidhi Swami and well-wishers were the invited delegates, David Crisafulli, Leader of opposition; James Martin, MP Stratton, representing Minister for Environment and Minister for Multicultural affairs; Teresa Lane and Jon Rovan, councillors Logan City Council, Mr Palani Thevar and Mr Parsram Punj and various

other community leaders.

Logan City Council and QLD police provided their generous support to enable a hugely successful event. The event concluded with Arti and prasad. The celebrations invoked cherished memories of the Rath Yatra celebrations.

BAPS

Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a global non-governmental Hindu socio-spiritual organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. BAPS has representative centres (Mandirs) in some of the major Australian cities, including Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane.

BAPS is dedicated to the collective spiritual and social progress of society by promoting harmony between individuals, within families and amongst diverse communities.

In Brisbane, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Kingston, which was inaugurated in 2014 promotes harmony, inspires values of co-existence and selfless service to the community, nurtures spirituality, Hindu culture and heritage, and encourages integration and social cohesion.

Queensland added 320 people a day in 2022!

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia experienced a net migration of 496,800 people as of December 2022. This translates to an average of 1,361 people arriving in the country every day. Here are some interesting numbers:

Australia’s population was 26,268,359 people at 31 December 2022.

The quarterly growth was 127,078 people (0.5%).

The annual growth was 496,800 people (1.9%).

Annual natural increase was 109,800 and net overseas migration was 387,000.

The reopening of international borders and the return of international students are expected to contribute to the continued influx of migrants. This significant population growth is particularly prominent in Queensland, making it an attractive destination for both domestic and international investors.

Queensland has consistently experienced the largest population growth in Australia, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The continuous increase in population will have a profound impact on the housing market. As the demand for housing surpasses supply, property prices and rents will naturally rise. Investing in Queensland now means getting ahead of the curve and taking advantage of the future market conditions, which are poised to favour property owners.

Moreover, despite the talk of an impending recession and 12 interest rate increases, reputable property research houses and banks unanimously agree that the housing market bottom was reached early this year. This means that the market has already gone through a correction phase and is now on an upward trajectory. Seizing the opportunity to enter the market at the beginning of a new property cycle is rare and can potentially yield significant returns on investment. While attempting to time the market perfectly is not advisable, it is an opportunity that most investors dream of. The current conditions in Queensland's real estate market align with the factors that make investing attractive: population growth, increasing demand for housing, and a market that has already bottomed out. By taking action now, you position yourself to benefit from the anticipated growth and appreciation in property values.

In conclusion, the current statistics and trends in Queensland indicate that now is the ideal time to invest in the state's real estate market. The continuous population growth, tightening housing supply-demand equation, and the confirmation from industry experts that the market has already bottomed out all point towards a favorable investment climate.

Are you eager to initiate the research process and embark on the path towards your investment or dream home in South East Queensland? Take the opportunity to connect with Anna Khandhar today for an

informative discussion on how she can provide valuable assistance in turning your real estate aspirations into tangible achievements. You can easily reach Anna at 0424 164 980 or via email at anna@lyrahomes.com. au. Don't hesitate to take this important step towards realizing your property goals.

Majority of docs, nurses in UK came from India: Study

study.

The report by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said the country's immigration system brought unprecedented numbers of overseas workers into the health and care workforce in 2022-3.

followed by Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

Against a backdrop of staff shortages, the recruitment of non-EU citizens on skilled work visas in the health and care sector increased from 2017 onwards, with a particularly sharp increase in 2021 and 2022.

London, June 28 (IANS) A majority of care workers sponsored for skilled work visas in the UK in 2022 came mostly from non-EU countries with India leading the pack and just one per cent coming from the EU countries, according to a new

India was the top country of nationality for newly-recruited overseas doctors (20 per cent) and nurses (46 per cent), followed by Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines, the study said.

India (33 per cent) was also among top countries of citizenship for workers using Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) in 2022,

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that vacancies in the UK’s health and social work sector peaked at 217,000 in July to September 2022 before falling somewhat in late 2022 and early 2023. Following this, the UK immigration system admitted unprecedented numbers of overseas health and care workers

in the year ending March 2023. In the year to March, 57,700 care workers received skilled work visas, according to the report. The study, commissioned by the employment group ReWAGE, warned that the UK risks becoming too dependent on overseas care workers after nearly 58,000 visas were issued for the sector last year. Official figures showed overall migration into the UK for 2022 at 606,000 -- a 24 per cent increase on the previous high of 488,000 the year before.

“Health and care employers have benefited a lot from international

recruitment. But relying this much on overseas recruits also brings risks," Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, was cited as saying in The Guardian.

Dr Sumption said care workers on temporary visas are vulnerable to exploitation and "the rapid growth in overseas recruitments makes monitoring pay and conditions a real challenge".

The report comes with consultant doctors in Britain set to go on strike on July 20 and 21 for better pay.

An Artist from Bangalore who painted like Van GoghA talk at the Watercolour Society of Queensland Inc

On July 6th at 10:30am, Mr. Sanjay Kabe will give a talk on the renowned Artist from Bangalore Shri Rumale Chennabasaviah. Sanjay Kabe will join from India via zoom meeting and members of Watercolour society of Queensland will attend the talk at 140 Weller Rd. Tarragindi. The event is the first of its kind event where the collaboration between an Indian Art house is established. Sanjay Kabe who currently looks after the Rumale Art House is more than grateful for this opportunity where the Watercolor Society of Queensland inc. will also keep the prints of Shri Rumale Chennabasaviah at its Annual Exhibition happening in September from 8th to 10th.

A little brief about who is Shri Rumale Chennabasaviah?

Rumale Chennabasaviah was born on September 10, 1910 in Doddaballapur, Bengaluru district. He was a freedom fighter, an activist, and an artist. He participated in the nonviolent freedom movement for India’s Independence during the period 1930 to 1947. Shri Rumale often thought of his works in watercolour paintings as a message to the viewer. Thus, through his art and his social work in nation building he built the youth movement “The Seva Dal” to train youths, across the religious and socio-economic divide and induced the idea of service to work for the nation-

India. Shri Rumale also served as the Member of the Legislative Council of the State of Mysore for two terms from 1952-1960. He was the editor of the Kannada daily called the ‘Tainadu’.

For Rumale, Art was his first love, hence he enrolled himself to study art at the Kalamandir School of Art. He also joined the renowned Chamarajendra Technical Institute, in Mysore to pursue a career in art. For more than three decades, Shri Rumale has created a body of work inspired by nature, based in the impressionist style of art. Most of his works are plein-air paintings done in fast brush strokes and vibrant colours. He often painted the beautiful landscapes of

Karnataka, the south of India as far as reaching Sri-Lanka. Rumale has immortalized the floral beauty of Bengaluru through his paintings.

He loved trekking which made him travel to the top of mountains to get that perfect view to paint the landscape in front of him. He often took his painting gear with him on his trekking expeditions. In the year 1973, Shri Rumale Chennabasaviah started Bengaluru's first private art gallery, and called it the Rumale Art Gallery, with a view to get a dedicated space to display his works. Shri Rumale received several awards for his artwork, including the Dasara, Lalit Kala,

Watercolour Society of Queensland Inc.

Presents

A talk by Mr. Sanjay Kabe on a renowned watercolour Artist Shri. Rumale Chennabasaviah from Bangalore India.

All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society and Karnataka State Rajyotsava awards.

In February of 1988, he passed away because of the injuries he suffered through an accident in Bengaluru. That same year, Shri Rumale was posthumously conferred the status of the Distinguished Citizen of Bangalore. Shri Rumale thus is the painter-laureate of Bengaluru. Please join the Watercolour Society’s Casual Painting session on July 6th for the talk and to see as well as know about Shri Rumale Chennabasaviah’s Art.

On 6th Ju ly during o ur Casual painting Session at 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Mr. Sanjay Kabe w ill jo in us via Zo o m link and Ms Deepa Kabe will be present in person to show us the artworks create d by Shri. Ru male Chennabasaviah.

Yo u are Welco me to attend in person at 140 Weller Rd. Tarragindi 4121.

New visa rules for Indian students in Australia, work-hour cap from July 1

Earlier this month, India and Australia signed a migration and mobility partnership pact to open up opportunities for students, academic researchers and business people.

technology and renewable energy.

New Delhi, June 26 (IANS)

Beginning July 1, Indian graduates studying in Australian tertiary institutions will be able to apply for work without visa sponsorship for up to eight years.

In addition, the allowable work-hour cap for international students will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight, along with a two-year work visa extension.

Coming under this pact, the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) will make 3,000 annual spots available for young professionals from India, allowing them to spend two years in the country without requiring visa sponsorship.

As a temporary visa programme, MATES includes graduates from recognised Indian universities with degrees in specialised fields of study.

The eligible fields of occupation for the MATES Visa, include engineering, mining, financial technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology, agricultural

To be eligible for the MATES visa program, candidates must be below the age of 31, should have obtained their education from a recognised and verified university, and must be at the early stages of their careers. The fee and visa processing time for the MATES visa is yet to be announced.

Australia said this April that it intends to overhaul its immigration system to speed up getting highly skilled workers into the country.

In a bid to lure skilled migrants, the government said the visa process for high-skilled professionals will be made swift and easy, and steps would be taken to retain international students.

Also, starting July 1, the allowable work-hour cap for international

students will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight, along with a two year work visa extension. The revised cap will help international students to support themselves through their studies, while maintaining study as the primary purpose of their visa.

Student visa work restrictions were relaxed throughout the pandemic, and they were completely removed in January 2022 to allow primary and secondary student visa holders to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight to address workforce shortages. The government also announced that a two-year extension of poststudy work rights is available for international graduates with select degrees that are in areas of verified skill shortage.

This extension will give eligible international higher education graduates an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

The extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live, and work in regional areas.

For select Bachelor degrees, post-study work rights will be increased from two to four years, three to five years for select Masters degree, and four to six years for all doctoral qualifications.

There are 1,00,009 Indian students studying across various Australian universities, according to a 2022 Ministry of External Affairs data.

Genuine students not subject to ban from reentering Canada: High Commission

Chandigarh, June 26 (IANS) If a student came to Canada with a genuine intent to study and without knowledge of the use of fraudulent documentation, they can remain in the country and will be not subjected to the five-year ban from re-entering Canada that normally follows in cases of misrepresentation, the Canadian High Commission said on Monday in response to fears among "victims" of the fake admission acceptance letters by Indian agents.

“For those who are no longer in Canada, their cases will be reviewed on a priority basis. As appropriate, IRCC will seek to contact the individual directly,” a spokesperson for the High Commission of Canada in Delhi told IANS.

Responding to multiple queries of IANS related to international students, a majority of them from Punjab, facing deportation after the federal government found the letters of admissions that formed the basis of their entry into Canada were forged, the spokesperson warned the government of Canada “takes any kind of citizenship or immigration fraud seriously”. “We are dedicated to protecting prospective newcomers from those who try to take advantage of them. We are also committed to upholding the integrity of our immigration programs and protecting our systems against fraud and misrepresentation.

“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) employees receive training on how to detect and combat fraud, and they work hard to protect the integrity of Canada’s citizenship and immigration system,” the spokesperson told IANS. When asked about a mechanism to keep tabs on unscrupulous immigration agents, the spokesperson said the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Citizenship Act require that people who provide paid immigration or citizenship advice or representation be authorised. It is an offence for anyone other than: a member in good standing (lawyer or paralegal) of a Canadian law society; the Chambre des notaires du Quebec; or the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to represent or advise for a fee at any stage of an application or proceeding.

“Therefore, if new applicants choose to use these services, it is important to ensure that the person they use is authorised, otherwise there is no guarantee of accurate and quality advice, and there is a risk of fraud and financial loss to the applicant and their family.”

On June 23, Canadian authorities charged Punjab-origin agent, Brijesh Mishra, for issuing fraudulent university letters of acceptance to students and other immigration-related criminal offences.

Mishra is facing five charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said in a statement.

Issuing an advisory to the students to prevent immigration frauds, the High Commission said: “We also offer extensive information on our website regarding how to detect, prevent and report fraud. The IRCC believes that the best way to protect the public from fraud is to inform the public.”

At the same time, it says the IRCC sympathises with victims of immigration fraud and recommends reaching out to the local police force of the city or country they are in, as Canada does not have jurisdiction on fraud or scams committed internationally.

Replying to the query, the spokesperson told IANS there are several ongoing investigations linked to the media reports, involving multiple unauthorized agents located in India.

Would you like to clarify regarding the fear among ‘victims’ of the visa fraud that the immigration record, rendering them ineligible, will hamper their future visa prospects too?

At this, the spokesperson told IANS: “If the facts of an individual case are clear that an international student came to Canada with a genuine intent to study, and without knowledge of the use of fraudulent documentation, the minister (Sean Fraser) has provided instructions for officers to issue a Temporary Resident Permit to that individual.

“This will ensure that these well-intentioned students and graduates can remain in Canada, and ensure that they are not subject to the five-year ban from re-entering Canada that normally follows in cases of misrepresentation.”

India is now the second largest source of foreign students coming to Canada, just behind China.

As per the IRCC, Canada issued study permits to 551,405 international students from 184 countries, in 2022, an increase of 24 per cent on 2021, in what Canadian immigration described as a “record-breaking year” for visa applications.

Out of the total international students, 41 per cent (226,450) are Indian students, a majority from cash-rich Punjab, up from 169,460 the previous year.

Recognising the contribution of international students, especially students from Punjab who have been facing deportation from Canada, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on June 14 halted the deportation of the students by saying the focus is on identifying those who are responsible for the fraudulent activity and not on penalising those who may have been affected by fraud.

Giving reprieve, he announced that the genuine students would be issued a Temporary Resident Permit.

“We recognise the immense contributions that international students make to our country, and we are committed to providing a path to Canada that is honest and transparent,” Fraser said in a statement.

Asking the students to be alert

and not to become the victims of fraud, he said all applicants must continue to ensure that, before applying for a study permit, they do their research, have an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institutions (DLI), and refer to the official website to get information about our programmes.

Seeing the craze of students to study in Canada with flexible work opportunities on work permit, hundreds of immigration and admission consultancy firms have opened their offices across Punjab and its capital city Chandigarh. They are regulated by the government. Still unscrupulous and fly-by-night operators are there. Also there is the mushrooming of English language coaching

institutes even in villages that prepare students for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

After completing Grade 12, students are preparing themselves in coaching institutes to score a band higher than six in a language ability test for admission to undergraduate courses abroad.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)

GOPIO-GC’s annual Gala Dinner held at Sea World Resort

GOPIO Gold Coast hosted its annual Gala Dinner on June 24 at the Sea World Resort which was sold out days before the closing date.

The word gala is usually associated with a festive and lavish social event. There was no doubt that GOPIO-GC annual dinner was indeed a gala event. The whole setup of the venue, including the red carpet to welcome the guests, the photo

booth, the table, and the stage decorations, were both spectacular and classy. There was plenty of time to catch up with old friends and also make new ones. The event was graced by Hon. Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, Queensland MP and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, and Hon. Rob Borbidge, ex-Premier of Queensland.

The MC, Zain Chams, with his poise and audience engagement, ensured the smooth running of the program. The various performances, including the Bihu dance by Abhilasha Sarmah, highly energetic and vibrant dancing by the Tapori Squad, and the music and singing by Yousuf Alikhan, Steve Shankar, and Binny had the audience mesmerised. After the cheerful and enthralling entertainment, the guests were

treated to a sumptuous feast.

As part of the program, various young high-achievers from the community were acknowledged.

The attendees also had the opportunity to try their luck as more than $8000 worth of gifts were raffled. The event had a serious side where there were fundraisers for those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

The organisation acknowledged the contributions and

participation of the sponsors, community leaders, and special guests in a statement: "GOPIOGC acknowledges the generous contributions from all the sponsors of the event, those who donated the prizes for the raffle and the fundraisers, the special guests and community leaders who took time out of their busy schedule to attend, and all the participants who made the event a huge success."

GOPIO-GC hosts International Yoga Day

GOPIO Gold Coast celebrated the 2023 International Yoga Day on the 24th of June at the Sea World Resort. The theme for the 2023 International Yoga Day was Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning the entire world is like one family.

In keeping with this theme,

GOPIO-GC hosted three different styles of Yoga practices. Nicole and Petra, from Sunshine Harmony Yoga, showcased how one could combine very soothing music using monochords, bells, and idiophones with classic pranayamas (breathing exercises).

Ranjitha, from Ranjitha's School of Yoga, demonstrated various

asanas (postures) which helped everyone stretch their bodies gently on a cold morning. The final session was conducted by John, from the Heartfulness Institute, where he focused on deep meditation. During this deep meditation session, there was pin-drop silence. The entire program lasted for over an hour

and a half and witnessed full engagement from more than 65 participants.

The event culminated with tasty snacks which meant that at the end of the event the body, mind, and soul were well nourished.

The organisation said in a statement: "GOPIO-GC

acknowledges the generous contributions from all the sponsors of the event, the special guests, including Cr. Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden (Division 7) who graced the occasion, and all the participants who made the event a huge success."

On violations of Hindu temples, spokesperson says Guterres concerned about attacks on places of worship

India has been concerned about what it has described as the exclusion of non-Abrahamic religions in formal statements and resolutions at the UN about bigotry and anti-religious violence.

humanity's worst impulses" is "the bloody heart of conflict".

access information".

United Nations, June 14 (IANS)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "is concerned about the attacks that we've seen around the world on various religions and especially on places of worship", his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday when asked about the recent attacks on Hindu temples in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Earlier, Guterres, in remarks to the Security Council focused only on the three Abrahamic religions, saying: "Around the world, we are witnessing a groundswell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent misogyny, anti-Muslim hatred, virulent anti-

Semitism, and attacks on minority Christian communities."

Referring to the statement, Dujarric was asked about Guterres' concerns about Hinduism in view of the rising attacks on its places of worship.

"When religious groups have are living in a community where they're a minority, and where they're vulnerable", Dujarric said, "it is incumbent on people to lower [the rhetoric], to increase the dialogue, increase tolerance, and on host communities to ensure that minorities are protected".

Former Permanent Representative T. S. Tirumurti said last June at the General Assembly: "India has time and again emphasised that combating religiophobia can never succeed if it continues to be exclusionary and remains restricted to one or two religions only, while completely ignoring the rise in hatred and discrimination against non-Abrahamic religions including Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism."

In December, Counsellor at India's UN Mission, Ashish Sharma, told the Assembly: "This august body fails to acknowledge the rise of hatred and violence against Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism" while speaking on bigotry only against the three religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam, that trace their origins to the Jewish prophet Abraham. At the Council on Wednesday on "The Values of Humanity in Promoting and Sustaining Peace", Guterres said that hate that "fuels

"And that heart is pumping venom and division throughout the bloodstream of the global body politic," he said. While "demonisation of the other" and disregard for human rights have always been there, the advent of social media has been a force multiplier, he said.

"Social media has equipped hatemongers with a global bullhorn for bile" and "hatefueled ideas and language are moving from the margins to the mainstream, coarsening the public discourse, and triggering real-life violence", he said. "The perpetrators of the heinous attacks on a mosque in Christchurch, a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and a church in Charleston all were radicalised online," he pointed out.

"We must reign in the hate that is spreading online," he said. For that, he said he has proposed "a code of conduct to help Member States, digital platforms and other stakeholders make the digital space more inclusive and safer for all - while defending the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to

He also said that religious leaders had a duty to prevent the "instrumentalisation of hatred" among their adherents.

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

W e understand that buying a home or investment property is a significant

and we're here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as

Kerbside collection coming to a street near you

Brisbane residents can now mark their calendars for when Council’s popular kerbside collection service will go through their suburb.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the release of the 2023-24 kerbside collection schedule will help residents plan for the service and potentially avoid having to pay to have items taken to a Council resource recovery centre.

“We’re committed to keeping Brisbane clean and green and our kerbside large item collection service is a big part of that,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Kerbside collection provides a safe and free way to discard large items, helping residents keep their homes clean while also reducing illegal dumping.

“There’s also a significant amount of items that are picked up and reused by other residents.”

Cr Schrinner encouraged residents to also consider whether items can be donated or recycled rather than discarded.

“These could include donating items to friends, family, a local charity or recycling eligible items at one of Council’s four resource recovery centers,” he said.

Kerbside collection accepts a range of large items including fridges, mattresses, and furniture. Items should be placed on the curb in front of the property by 6 am on the first day of the collection period.

Cr Schrinner said in addition to the $8.7 million investment into kerbside collection service, Council’s budget also confirmed the cost of green waste recycling bins is being slashed from $93 to $45.

“By encouraging more households to take adopt a green waste recycling bin, we can reduce the amount of green waste ending up in landfill,” he said.

Inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants

29 June 2023

Today I announce the six recipients of the inaugural Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants. The Cultural Partnerships are one of a suite of Maitri (meaning friendship) initiatives administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“The Albanese Government is strengthening creative collaboration between Australia and India to further our cultural understanding and enhance our economic ties.”

The Centre is working across

government, industry, academia, and the community to build greater understanding within the Australia-India relationship and support businesses to seize the opportunities of our economic partnership.

“The Maitri Cultural Partnerships will deepen our creative sector engagement from major cultural institutions to smaller, community partnerships,” says Senator Wong

Each of these projects will support new and exciting collaborations with India and enhance the connections between our creative sectors and India's thriving cultural industries. Mona Foma, the Tasmanian

Festival of Music and Arts, will lead a two-year Australia-India music collaboration with artistic exchanges and music residencies, culminating in a major concert in 2025.

Bábbarra Women's Centre in Maningrida Northern Territory will work with Tharangini Studios in Bengaluru to engage emerging women artists in textiles development.

Raghav Handa will lead a joint effort between FORM Dance Projects and Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts to be performed at the 2024 India Biennale in Bengaluru.

Western Australia's Undercurrent Theatre Company will collaborate

“That is why from 1 July 2023, we will be reducing the annual cost of our green bins by more than 50 percent, to just $45.

“The cut price green bin initiative is part of Council’s $80 million relief package announced in the budget.”

For more information on the kerbside large item collection services, or to see your suburb’s collection date, visit www. brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘kerbside large item collection service’ or download the free Brisbane Bin and Recycling app today.

Accepted items include:

bath and laundry tubs

bicycles and sporting equipment

carpet and rugs

electronic waste (e.g. televisions and computers)

furniture and white goods (e.g. fridges and stoves)

mattresses

small household appliances (e.g. fans and toasters)

wood products less than 1.5 meters

Unacceptable items include:

batteries of any kind (including car, rechargeable, and lithium batteries)

bean bags (including the polystyrene bean filling)

bricks and concrete

car parts and tires

commercial builders waste (e.g. equipment and tools)

dirt and stones

garden waste (e.g. hoses, rakes, potted plants)

gas bottles general household waste (e.g. food scraps) that normally goes into your waste or recycling bin glass and mirrors hazardous wastes (e.g. chemicals, oil, asbestos)

“With cost of living a big issue for residents, this practical measure will also directly benefit the almost 140,000 households who already have a green waste recycling bin.

with the Kerala-based Void Ensemble on a new production to be performed in Perth and Trivandrum.

Benjamin Knapton, a leading Australian circus and physical theatre director, will work with performers of traditional Indian physical theatre on a production that will premiere at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.

Melbourne's Liquid Architecture and Sarai-CSDS in New Delhi will co-host a symposium, workshop, and exhibition on creative practices that utilize new technologies in sound and media.

Tim Thomas, CEO, of the Centre for Australia-India Relations says:

lino and fibro sheeting (potentially contains asbestos) iquids (e.g. paint)

“The Maitri Cultural Partnerships grants are a key element of the Centre for Australia-India Relations' work to deepen understanding and connections between Australia and India. Strong cultural ties will increasingly be a feature of our strong relations.

“The Centre is pleased to support these projects to bring fresh and innovative perspectives to the AustraliaIndia relationship and to foster creativity in our own multicultural ecosystem.” Further details on the successful grant projects can be found at

Yoga at Queensland Cricket embraced warmly by the community

By Dr Ashutosh Misra

The inaugural International Day of Yoga was held at the iconic Home of Cricket — the Allan Border Field hosted by Queensland Cricket in association with the Indian High Commission Canberra, the Institute for Australia India Engagement, Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland, BAPS Swaminarayan, Bharatiya Samaj, Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh and Australia India News.

The Yoga demonstration was led by Ms Seema Lathker of the Art of Living, accompanied by Mr Sharad Lathker and Ms Radhika, a PhD student.

The event was kickstarted by the introductory remarks of Dr. Ashutosh Misra— Multicultural Project Leader, Queensland Cricket, followed by the welcome speech of Mr Liam Hibbert, Chief Operating Officer, Queensland Cricket who represented Mr Terry Svenson, CEO QC.

The Honorary Consul of the Government of India Mrs Archana Singh welcomed the guests and thanked Queensland Cricket and all the partnering institutions on behalf of the government of India.

Mr. Adam Dale— General Manager, Partnerships at Queensland Cricket delivered the vote of thanks expressing his gratitude towards the Government of India, partnering institutions and the guests for making the event such a

tremendous success.

Also, a special note of thanks goes to Dr Ram Mohan, Chairman Australia India News and Mrs Amrita Deshpande, Mr Jaynesh Brahmbhatt and Brijesh Banwadiya—BAPS Swaminarayan, Ms Kriti Bharadwaj—BHP Billiton, Mr Yashpal, Suresh Limbini and Hitesh Modi—HSS, Ms Lucy Hicks—Venue and Facilities Manager Queensland Cricket, Mr John Butterworth— Operations Manager, Community Cricket

QC, Mr. Nick Stuart—Head of Premier Cricket, Integrity & Projects, QC Mr Daniel Kearney— Area Manager, Metro, QC, Mr Abhishek Sharma—Bharatiya Samaj, Mr Anil Subramaniam— Vice President, FICQ; Mr Jinendra Khara- Redland Bay Council, and Dr Amol Wagholikar—Program Director, Sports and Wellness IAIE and the amazing shutterbug Pablo Lanata, among others.

Exclusive retreats for Mindfulness and Yoga

by IANSlife

June 21, 2023 (IANSlife) Yoga

is much more than just body bending and twisting, it has the potential to help you discover your true self.

India, the country where this beautiful practise originated, is brimming with exquisite yoga retreats where you can study and engage in yoga. Some of the most exclusive ones include :

Soneva Soul, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, Maldives

Mindful Movement

Soneva Soul is a new, transformative wellness concept that blends thousands of years of ancient healing wisdom with the latest science and innovation. Guided by the principle of ‘lifestyle evolution’, the experienced therapists, medical experts and wellness specialists create personalised wellness experiences that empower you

SwaSwara, A yoga retreat at Gokarna beach, Gokarna

Inspired by the first sound of creation, OM, the resort in Gokarna on Om Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the ‘voice of the inner self’. SwaSwara in Gokarna, India, offers healing holidays that connect the body, mind and soul through yoga & ayurveda. Set in wilderness on the shoreline of the Konkan Coast, SwaSwara is cast in the colours of the earth and its form and spirit

Check

into these luxury properties

guided Meditation practices at SwaSwara instill serenity and peace in you, which in turn makes it easy for the body and mind to converge in a spirit of harmony

and total wellbeing.

More information: https:// www.cghearth.com/wellbeing. aspx?id=4&title=SwaSwara

SwaSwara, A yoga retreat at Gokarna beach, Gokarna

to realise your utmost potential, achieve your long-term wellness goals and reconnect your mind, body and soul.

Relax and unwind in the serenity of Soneva Soul, spanning two wellness complexes at Soneva Jani – the original over-water Spa and our new Island Spa. Indulge in transformative wellness experiences, from our yoga pavilion and meditation platform commanding panoramic views across the turquoise lagoon, to our open-air treatment rooms bathed in the soothing soundtrack of ocean waves. Relax and unwind with indulgent rituals at the Over-water Spa, or explore raised walkways that wind their way through the treetops at the Island Spa, with relaxation areas, consultation rooms, and suites dedicated to state-of-the-art integrative medicine therapies and functional fitness. A yoga pavilion and meditation platform

sit high above the treeline, commanding panoramic views across the sparkling turquoise lagoon, while open-air treatment rooms are bathed in the soothing natural soundtrack of ocean waves or the gentle sea breeze rustling through the leaves.

Start each day with a salute to the rising sun with group or one-toone yoga and meditation sessions on the soft white sands. Re-align your wellness goals with your lifestyle through the help and support of our resident experts, alongside visiting wellness specialists and healers from around the globe. Throughout the year, we also welcome a line-up of leading names from the world of sport and fitness through the Soneva Stars programme, from legendary tennis and football players to champion free divers. Check out: https://soneva.com/ soneva-soul/

Soneva Soul, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, Maldives

Prakriti Shakti, Panchalimedu

Hills, Kerala

Prakriti Shakti was started in 2018, which offers naturopathy healthcare, another system of holistic healing with roots in indigenous wisdom. Yoga and Naturopathy complement each other as a holistic healthcare system, they enhance each other’s healing capabilities. Every day during

Prakriti Shakti, Panchalimedu Hills, Kerala

Amanbagh, Rajasthan, India Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat

With its ancient forts and tigerinhabited wilds, Rajasthan is renowned for its beauty, nowhere more concentrated than in the Aravalli Hills in the garden oasis that is Amanbagh. Once the staging area for royal tiger hunts, today the rose-hued cupolas and vaulted entrances of the resort's Mughal-inspired structures soar from the greenery – utterly peaceful and consummately private.

Since its inception in ancient India, yoga has been adopted globally as a transformative pathway to a stronger body and a calmer mind. Here in the practice’s motherland, Amanbagh’s bespoke programme of movement and meditation

the morning Yoga therapy session, ailments related to the respiratory system, reproductive organs, metabolism, joint health etc. are addressed. Based on your treatment plan, the doctors create a personalised schedule that includes a combination of Asanas, Kriyas and meditation.

Yoga Therapy - https://www. prakritishakti.com/yoga-therapy/

celebrates simplicity and purity, in keeping with our ethos of a well-being holiday. SwaSwara is a sanctuary for your Prakruti or the innermost nature of an individual - that special blend of qualities and features that grant it uniqueness! Its goal is to offer a time away from all the clutter in your life and transport you into a nurturing space that is calming, renewing and exhilarating for you and your loved ones.

At SwaSwara there are

classical Yoga and Meditation sessions mediated by qualified practitioners. The Yoga offered at SwaSwara is Hatha Yoga and it is a form that focuses on physical suppleness and flexibility. It maintains that the basis for spiritual well-being lies in strengthening the body, which in turn benefits the mind. While food, Yoga and art take care of the body and mind. We have included Meditation to address the inner self and complete the unity. The

is designed to offer those new to yoga a comprehensive introduction, and to enhance the practice and understanding of more experienced yogis.

The Immersion begins with an in-depth consultation with Amanbagh’s resident Ayurvedic physician to determine individual health goals, identify internal obstacles, and develop a balanced daily practice itinerary. Over a minimum of four nights, private movement and meditation classes are supported by a personally optimised nutrition plan based on the sattvic diet, focusing on fresh, organic foods rich in prana, or life force.

Check out : https://www.aman. com/resorts/amanbagh/wellness/ immersions/yoga-mindfulness

Match schedule announced for Cricket

World Cup, India vs Pakistan on Oct 15

Experienced Australia pumped up to take on India in World Cup opener

Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) The fixtures list for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India has been released along with the ten venues for the mega event that will span across 46 days later this year.

The World Cup kicks off on October 5 with a repeat of the 2019 Final as England take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Hosts India begin their campaign on October 8 against five-time World Cup winners Australia in Chennai.

A total of 10 teams will participate at the showcase event, the first eight having already qualified through the Cricket World Cup Super League. The final two spots will be determined at the end

of the Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe, which concludes on July 9.

Each team plays the other nine in a round robin format with the top four qualifying for the knockout stage and semi-finals.

Apart from the cracking opening encounter and India’s face-off with 2019 semi-finalists Australia, the tournament is filled with a host of crucial clashes.

Australia take on South Africa on October 13 in Lucknow hoping for a reversal of fortunes as a dramatic meeting in the last edition ended in the Proteas’ favour.

The much-anticipated IndiaPakistan clash is scheduled for Sunday, October 15 in Ahmedabad. Their last encounter in the 2019

World Cup was a high-scoring affair with India achieving a huge victory in Manchester.

Pakistan will face Australia in Bengaluru on October 20, while England clash against South Africa the next day in Mumbai. India will go up against New Zealand to try and avenge their 2019 semi-final defeat on October 22 at the picturesque Dharamsala venue and Australia face their arch-rivals England on November 4 in Ahmedabad. The defending champions had thrashed the Aussies to storm into the final four years ago.

India will be waiting for England on October 29 in Lucknow, who defeated them in the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup just last year.

New Delhi, June 27 (IANS)

Australia captain Pat Cummins is excited to take on hosts India, in their opening match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Chennai on October 8, saying his team is pumped and will be ready to give their all to achieve success. The marquee tournament will be held from October 5 to November 19. Ten teams feature in what will be the biggest Cricket World Cup ever, across 10 venues, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the tournament opener and final. Australia are the most successful team in the World Cup, having won the last of their five titles in 2015.

The five-time World Champions will rely on their wealth of experience as they search for a sixth title against two-time winners India, who will be a challenging adversary at home.

"Everyone in the cricketing world draws their attention and focus on a World Cup, so we can't wait to be in the middle of it. The Aussie team has had some success over recent years in ODI and T20 cricket, so we’ll be pumped to be there," Cummins was quoted by the ICC website.

Cummins further said facing India on their home turf in a World Cup match poses a substantial test as the Men In Blue stand among the elite teams in the world.

"You know there’s going to be big crowds, but no bigger than playing India at home in a World

Cup game, so that’s going to be exciting for us. It will be a huge challenge, they’re a top-class team, but if you want to win a World Cup, you’re going to have to be better than everyone else, so why not take on India straight up?

“Winning a World Cup is huge. Luckily enough a few of us have won an ODI World Cup and a T20 World Cup, so there’s lots of confidence in the group and a lot of experience as well. These are the kind of tournaments that at the end of your career, you look back on, so we’ll be there, pumped, and giving it everything.

"It's a bit of a different group, we all get on really well, so we’re excited. We'll have a lot of fun when we get over there and we can’t wait to get there," he said. The tournament retains the round-robin format of last time with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.

The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals to be played in Mumbai on 15 November and in Kolkata on 16 November. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

Kaya Kumar: The rising cricket sensation that has made community proud

Kaya became the youngest girl in the world to score a century—a historic feat. Playing with U14 girls, she remained unbeaten, scoring an incredible 111 runs off just 67 balls, leaving spectators and opponents in awe of her masterful performance

the Grand Finals, Kaya played a pivotal role, contributing 26 runs and capturing 4 crucial wickets. She emerged as the highest wicket-taker and showcased her talent and determination.

Kaya's success extended beyond the zone level when she was selected to represent the U12 NSW state team. Additionally, she was appointed as the Vice-Captain for the National Championship held in Darwin.

Furthermore, her outstanding performance in the U14 girls' division earned her the highlycoveted Player of the Year award. With an exceptional average of 78.57 percent, she scored over 550 runs and proved herself as the leading wicket-taker with the best bowling average throughout the competition.

accomplishments, one milestone stands out prominently. Kaya became the youngest girl in the world to score a century—a historic feat. Playing with U14 girls, she remained unbeaten, scoring an incredible 111 runs off just 67 balls, leaving spectators and opponents in awe of her masterful performance.

Sydney, 30 June (Australia India

News Bureau): At the tender age of 10, Kaya Kumar made an indelible mark in the record books with a stunning display of cricketing prowess. She set a new world record for the season, accumulating a remarkable 1,326 runs and taking 60 wickets—an unparalleled achievement. Kaya continues to astonish with her exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to the sport. From breaking records at the age of 10 to her current achievements at

11, Kaya's journey has been truly extraordinary.

Representing the esteemed Parramatta district and its affiliated clubs, this young prodigy embodies the essence of the sport.

As the captain of the Sydney West team, Kaya's leadership proved instrumental in their historic victory at the State Championship. This triumph marked the team's first-ever title since its inception. During

Combining her impressive leadership skills with sheer talent, Kaya played a pivotal role in securing the coveted championship. Not only did she fulfil her duties as Vice-Captain, but she also emerged as the top scorer for NSW, boasting an extraordinary strike rate exceeding 130 percent. The cricketing sensation's achievements were not limited to representative cricket. She displayed her mettle in the U12 Division 1 boys' cricket, outshining her peers and claiming the top scorer title with an impressive tally of 303 runs.

PM Modi congratulates Indian athletes for incredible success at Special Olympics

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the national capital on Tuesday.

Motivating the athletes, the Hon'ble 14th President of India, Ram Nath Kovind said, "Our Indian athletes won 202 medals, with 76 Gold, 75 Silver and 51 Bronze medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023. It makes me elated that out of 202 medals, our daughters won 89 medals. This fact paints a picture of a happy India."

Recognising Kaya's outstanding achievements, Hills Barbarians club under Parramatta District Cricket Association (PDCA) honoured her with the prestigious Junior Cricketer of the Year Award for girls. This accolade serves as a testament to her unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Kaya's journey was not without its share of challenges. Despite starting the season with a disappointing duck (0), the young prodigy never lost faith. Her perseverance and determination led to an astonishing turnaround, resulting in an impressive fourdigit run tally that left spectators astounded.

Among her many extraordinary

Beyond cricket, Kaya also established herself as the leading scorer in basketball within the state, showcasing her versatility as an athlete.

In addition to her sporting endeavours, Kaya nurtures a deep interest in music, particularly the piano and euphonium. Balancing her time between the cricket field and the melodies of these instruments, she showcases her multifaceted abilities and proves that true talent knows no boundaries.

When asked about her unwavering determination at such a young age, Kaya simply responds, "If you believe, you will achieve."

Ashes 2023: Nathan Lyon limps off the field after suffering right calf injury

New Delhi, June 28 (IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Indian athletes who took part in the recently concluded Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin for their incredible success. India finished their campaign with 202 medals (76 gold, 75 silver and 51 bronze) at the Special Olympics, which celebrates unity, diversity and special skills among people with intellectual disabilities.

"Congratulations to our incredible athletes who represented India at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Berlin and won 202 medals including 76 Gold Medals. In their success, we celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and applaud the perseverance of these remarkable athletes," said PM Modi in a tweet.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind had earlier attended a felicitation ceremony of the Special Olympics athletes at the

"As we move forward, I hope you all remember that your journey does not end here. Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 Berlin was a platform to showcase your talents and sheer determination. I am sure your victory here will motivate you to achieve more each day. Remember your nation stands behind you and you are never alone. We are proud of all our Special Athletes and their achievements will remain in our hearts and minds forever. Dream big, keep your targets high and never forget the unimaginable power inside you," he added.

London, June 29 (IANS) Australia were dealt with a major injury scare on Thursday when premier off-spinner Nathan Lyon limped off the field while fielding during day two of the second Ashes Test against England at Lord's. Lyon, who was playing in his 100th consecutive Test, was running in to take a catch of Ben Duckett off the bowling of Cameron Green in the leg-side after tea, when he pulled up sharply while running towards the ball.

The injury looked so serious that Lyon had to go off the field by taking the support of a member of the Australian team medical staff and shook off in pain while clutching the calf region of his right leg.

A statement from Cricket Australia confirmed Lyon has suffered a right calf injury and would be further assessed after

the close of day’s two play. "A further update, if available, will be shared in the morning," it further said.

The 35-year old had completed 13 overs of his off-spin bowling, taking the wicket of Zak Crawley while maintaining an economy rate of 2.69. The ongoing Lord's Test saw Lyon become the first specialist bowler to bring up a century of consecutive appearances in the longest format of the game.

Lyon, who made his Test debut in July 2011, has also become only the sixth player in the history of cricket to feature in 100 consecutive Tests. Other players in the list are Alastair Cook (159), Allan Border (153), Mark Waugh (107), Sunil Gavaskar (106) and Brendon McCullum (101).

Maison Shantnu, Nikhil presents “Shantnu Nikhil Cricket Club”

10 Wedding Sari Trends to Know Jadau Jewellery, India’s traditional craftsmanship

An art form that involves embedding precious gemstones into semi-solid gold

By Aaliya Deeba

June 11, 2023 (IANSlife) When it comes to weddings, the sari has always been a timeless and elegant choice for brides. With its rich heritage and versatility, the sari offers endless possibilities for creating a stunning bridal ensemble. If you are planning your wedding and want to stay on top of the latest trends, here are ten wedding sari trends to know. From sustainable fabrics to bold color combinations and personalized embroidery, these

trends will help you create a unique and memorable look that showcases your individual style. Whether you are a bride-to-be or simply a lover of fashion, these trends will inspire you to embrace the beauty and artistry of the wedding sari.

Bold Colours: Move away from traditional reds and experiment with vibrant colors like deep purple, emerald green, or royal blue for a unique and modern twist. While bold colors can suit anyone, it's essential to consider

your skin tone when choosing the right shade.

Intricate Embroidery: Opt for saris adorned with intricate embroidery work, such as zardozi, mirror work, or threadwork, to add a touch of opulence and elegance to your wedding ensemble. For example, opt for Chikankari from Lucknow, Zardozi from Varanasi, or Kantha from West Bengal. This adds a unique cultural element to your sari.

By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Contemporary Drapes: Explore unconventional draping styles like the butterfly drape or the modern half-sari drape, which give a contemporary edge to the traditional sari and create a distinct look. Add a stylish and contemporary twist to your sari by accessorizing it with a belt. Choose a statement belt in a complementary color or metallic finish to cinch the waist and enhance your silhouette.

Mix and Match: Embrace the trend of mixing fabrics, patterns, and textures to create a one-ofa-kind wedding sari. Combine textiles like silk, chiffon, or organza to create a unique and interesting visual effect. Play with color combinations that are unexpected but harmonious. For instance, pair a pastel-colored sari with a vibrant, contrasting blouse.

Fusion Blouses: Experiment with fusion blouse designs by incorporating elements from

Western fashion. Consider off-shoulder styles, statement sleeves, or intricate back designs to add a contemporary touch to your wedding attire. Try a halter neck blouse for a sleek and sophisticated look. This style accentuates the shoulders and neckline, giving a contemporary and chic vibe to your sari.

Floral Prints: Instead of traditional motifs, choose saris with bold and oversized floral prints. This trend adds a fresh and modern feel to your wedding look while maintaining a connection with nature. Select saris with a border featuring intricate floral designs. A well-placed floral border can frame the sari beautifully and draw attention to the floral motifs, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.

Metallic Accents: Add glamour to your sari with metallic accents like silver or gold foil printing, sequins, or threadwork. These

embellishments catch the light beautifully and create a luxurious and eye-catching effect. Consider a sari with metallic printed motifs or designs. Metallic prints in gold, silver, or bronze tones create a lustrous and radiant effect.

Statement Borders: Instead of the usual plain or intricate borders, opt for saris with bold and statement borders. Look for geometric patterns, contrasting colors, or metallic embellishments to make your sari stand out.

Sheer Elegance: Incorporate sheer fabrics like net or lace into your sari design to create an ethereal and romantic look. Choose a sari with a sheer pallu or experiment with a sheer blouse for a modern and graceful ensemble.

(This article is website exclusive and cannot be reproduced without the permission of IANSlife)

June 23, 2023

(IANSlife)

Jewellery holds a significant place in Indian culture, particularly when it comes to bridal adornment. Every bride aspires to look her absolute best on her wedding day, and one style of jewellery that instantly elevates the bridal ensemble is Jadau.

Derived from the word "jad," which means root, Jadau is an exquisite art form that involves embedding precious gemstones such as uncut diamonds, pearls, emeralds, rubies, coral, turquoise, sapphires, and other jewels into semi-solid gold.

"Jadau is a labour-intensive craftsmanship crafted with utmost care and skill by talented artisans. Chiterias, a group of craftspeople, create the jewellery's design. Ghaarias, who work with flexible gold, engrave and space the pieces thereafter. The enameller embellishes the back of the jewellery with meenakari work after the stones are naturally set in the gold setting," says a spokesperson at MK Jewels.

"Depending on the type of jewellery being made, different pieces take different amounts of

time to produce. It's a laborious process that calls for extreme caution and delicacy. Therefore, whereas a simple item might be completed in a few days, a complex piece may really take many months to complete."

In today's era, Jadau jewellery has evolved to incorporate intricate craftsmanship and delicate engravings. This unique concept has expanded the possibilities for brides to wear these pieces on various occasions, beyond just weddings and traditional ceremonies.

If you're looking to adorn with blue and pink Sapphires, that exude a sense of royalty and make a perfect addition to any bridal trousseau, the latest collection of MK Jewels' Jashn-e-jadau, is meticulously crafted with 22kt Gold that displays a colourful piece, enhancing its grandeur and capturing the essence of Indian heritage.

(This article is website exclusive and cannot be reproduced without the permission of IANSlife)

N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians. in

Get that instant poreless matte finish in 15 minutes

Breakthrough foundation in 15 shades curated for Indian skin tone lasting upto 12 hours!

Psychodermatology- Holistic skincare

A field exploring the relationship between the mind and skid

animals.

By IANSlife

June 22, 2023 (IANSlife) After all the love received in 2018 for the Matte To Last liquid lipsticks, Nykaa Cosmetics is all set to take the country by storm with the brand new Matte To Last Foundation range. Promising to take one from dusk to dawn with its revolutionary liquid to powder technology, this foundation will provide a poreless matte finish and last up to 12 hours. Enriched with Sebustop, the revolutionary foundation has got your covered with 15 shades that cater to all Indian skin tones, staying true to its promise of, Matte To last, Made For You.

What sets the Matte To Last Pore Minimizing Foundation apart is its infusion of a unique technology that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines in 15 minutes, resulting in a smooth and even complexionoffering buildable coverage. The hero ingredient, 2% Sebustop, a phyto-active compound obtained from Chinese plants, is proven to reduce proliferation of bacteria, excess oil and pore size through its astringent effects. Suitable for oily as well as combination skin, the foundation range is completely vegan, dermatologically tested, paraben-free, and not tested on

Vishal Gupta, Executive Vice President of Nykaa Brands, says, "Extreme weather conditions call for creative beauty solutions. Keeping this in mind, we have launched the Matte to Last Foundation with an exceptional liquid-to-powder formula with our new advanced technology, which is made to last for a long time and eliminates the need for an extra step in our consumers' regimes. This product is another important addition to our existing foundation range, and we look forward to launching more innovations to cater to the shade diversity of Indians."

Nykaa Matte To Last Pore Minimizing Foundation is available on Nykaa.com and in Nykaa stores across India and is priced at Rs. 849/- only.

Must-have Ingredients for your Bathing Ritual

Almond Oil, Chandan, and Badam oil to name a few

of Saffron, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Sesame oil, Turmeric extracts, Rose oil, Manisha, Almond oil,andis used for promoting youthful and healthy-looking skin. This ingredient has been used to resolve uneven skin and to provide radiance. In addition to this, Kumkumadi also has antiageing and hydrating properties. It can help in brightening and evening out the complexion while also improving skin elasticity and firmness.

By Dr. Atul Kathed

June 16, 2023 (IANSlife) The internet is flooded with umpteen dermatology skincare tips, and even, the AI keeps popping derma suggestions to you. However, despite trying numerous approaches, have you noticed that your skin is not responding positively? Well, the reason for this Sisyphean task can be that your skin is unable to establish a holistic relationship with the derma skincare approaches. Yes, a ‘holistic’ relationship indeed. A genuine healthy approach towards your epidermis is the answer to all the skin woes. Welcome to the world of luxury beauty, where the mind-skin connection is the talk of the town. And, it's time to consider the power of psychodermatology in your beauty regime. This emotional skincare uses a combination of stress relief sessions and contemporary applications like bio-remodeling and hyaluronic acid.

Knowing Psychodermatology

system interaction in a better frame, hence affirming that your skin problems be psychosomatic. Also, the hypothalamicpituitary adrenal (HPA) axis of your body can be termed the control centre of your stress response, a most important part of your neuroendocrine system (nerve-hormonal system). The HPA triggers the production of hormones such as cortisol when the body senses stress. The skin also has its own HPA system, which can also trigger it to produce hormones that cause an inflammatory response, thus, delaying healing and disrupting the skin barrier.

Discovering the transformative power

Simply putting it, Psychodermatology is a concoction of essential holistic factors. The first step is seeing a therapist who specialises in psychology, dermatology, and psychiatry. Did we say, it all starts from your mind?

By IANSlife

June 14, 2023 (IANSlife) After a hard day, taking a soothing shower is a beloved ritual and a revitalising pleasure. You could, of course, occasionally take a longer bath and indulge in more skincare regimens, but have you ever taken a royal bath? Although it may seem like a grand proposal, it can help you acquire the natural beauty that has traditionally been the distinguishing feature of Indian queens and princesses.

Indian aristocracy is revered throughout the world for their exquisite beauty, which is attributed to the beauty secrets that their predecessors passed down to them. These techniques comprise complex rituals and practises that increased skin health while leaving it nourished from within, producing a beautiful sensory experience. These materials include flowers, herbs, roots, and oils.

Versatile actor and Vivel VedVidya Brand Ambassador, Sharmila Tagore said, “In today’s world, we are inundated with information on various complex beauty

regimens that promise to give us beautiful, vibrant skin. However, my mother and grandmother had kept things very simple and used concoctions made of natural ingredients, recipes of which were passed down. Drawing inspiration from them, one of my go-to ingredients is incorporating Sandalwood–as a skincare essential.”

Here is a list of natural ingredients that will make your bathing experience royal and luxurious:

Nargis Flowers – The essential oil of the fragrant Nargis flower is incredibly rare and highly valuable. Nargis, commonly known as daffodils, have been used for their calming effects and delicate aroma. The flower oil tones the skin while also keeping it hydrated at the same time. This remarkable flower works like a magic remedy for boosting skin health and curing a variety of skin diseases.

KumkumadiTailam– Kumkumadi

Tailam is a traditional Ayurvedic oil blend with numerous benefits for the skin. It is usually a mix

Nagarmotha-Nagarmotha's Kashaya (astringent) property helps prevent excessive oil production and retain skin radiance. Nagarmotha- is known to balance out skin tone, unclog pores, and prevent the signs of ageing. The ingredient also known for its antimicrobial properties and helps to tighten and firm the skin. It also acts as a natural exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture. Nagarmotha acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals

Bahumanjari Oil - The Bahumanjari oil, commonly referred to as Tulsi oil, is renowned for promoting good and healthy skin.Bahumanjari oil helps the skin by having a deepcleansing effect on it. It eliminates excess oil along with dirt and other contaminants. Bahumanjari oil improves skin elasticity and firmness while reducing dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.

The idea of attaining flawless skin consciously or subconsciously keeps perturbing all. But the idea should not add to your anxiety levels when the same can be easily achieved through a holistic approach. A comprehensive approach that recommends the usage of gentle products, avoiding harsh ingredients such as parabens, and synthetic fragrances, and keeping it protected from harmful radicles, along with meditation, exercise, nutrition, and good sleep. A holistic approach can make it easier to attain your goal, rather than relying solely on skincare products. By addressing the root cause of your skin concerns, you can achieve a more sustainable solution.

Psychodermatology is a field exploring the relationship between our mind and skin. As alternative wellness gains momentum and people seek to understand the root causes of their skincare issues, it's becoming clear that topical treatments alone may not be enough. It may require more effort, but it is worth investing in the mind-skin connection. In simple terms, psychodermatology is the idea that your emotions can impact your skin health. Psychodermatologists have invested almost a decade studying the brain-skin axis, which puts your emotions and the nervous

Both your therapist and you will dive into a layer of emotional factors that might be contributing to your skin woes, such as stress or anxiety. It covers conditions like acne, scarring, tissue regeneration and growth, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, alopecia, and even vitiligo.

Psychiatry zeroes in on internal mental issues, whereas dermatology focuses on the externally visible issues. Examples of psychodermatological treatments include psychotherapy, meditation, relaxation, hypnosis, acupuncture, yoga, and antianxiety medications. So while newer skincare products such as sheet masks, AHAs, BHAs, chemical peels, hyaluronic acids, and bio-remodeling products like Profhilo are also used to give you a 360-degree solution.

Checking efficacy

Just like any other medical treatment, doctors' suggestions for psychological treatments should be based on concrete evidence. While some studies have shown positive results of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in dermatology, more rigorous studies are needed. However,

(Dr. Atul Kathed, Founder and Director of Aesthetic Skin & Laser Centre,

Indore)

The rebellion play: Gujarat’s ‘Voh Ladkiyon Wala Natak’ challenges the norm

JANVI SONAIYA

Prayagraj

to get new film museum

is centred around women and their take on love, lust, anger, frustration and various other emotions. This Gujarat-based production has also performed at Thespo Theatre Festival, Mumbai.

and therefore, they came up with their side of the story." Other team members include Teertha, Anannya, Aayushi, Neha, Lipi, Yashi, Kanksha, Chaitali, Snigdha and Paridhi.

Ahmedabad, June 18 (IANS) While Gujarat was battling with one of the worst cyclones this week, there was another wave too - this one was of feminism.

At the experimental theatre space Prayogshala in Ahmedabad, a bunch of young girls could be seen in loose black clothes, without makeup, dancing to Bollywood songs on unchoreographed stepseverything liberating that a woman would do in her room; they were doing it on stage.

In Gujarat, people cannot afford to take a stand - be it political or feminist, because no one wants to do anything that might disturb his/her dhandha, business. Here, 'Voh Ladkiyon Wala Natak' comes as a breath of fresh air.

The all-woman, non-linear piece of theatre (rebellion actually)

Written by a young Gujarat-based writer Chaitali Das, the play opens up with a conversation around masturbation and why it's alright if women want to experience desire and pleasure. A reference to a vibrator in a play in Gujarat - is worth noting. In another scene, a youngster Durga (a reference to the goddess) is seen fighting against Mahishasura but in the middle of the yuddha (war) -- Durga gets a phone call from her family (Lord Shiva) about where the milk is? What's the OTP? And who will bring their little Ganesha home? With humour, they address the glorification done around women and multitasking.

One of the leading characters in the play, Kamala, is played by Preeti Das. She is Laadli awardee journalist, now, an academician, who talks about feminism through comedy and theatre.

Das said, "These young girls were tired of the male narrative in theatre and in life in general

There are moments in the play where one could feel like they said out loud, what you have been feeling and experiencing as a woman for so long. After all, the idea of suppression is universal. At the end of the play, the women come together and talk and talk... and a character says "Ladkiya to sirf baate kar sakti hain, nahi!" (Women can only talk, right!?) With this, the houseful audience gave thundering applause. The end brings more questions than answers. Can violence ever be called love? As a housewife, what is my purpose in this relationship? Is it alright if women don't meet the beauty standards set for them?

The play gives the feel-good factor of breakfast, not the satisfaction of lunch. But the silver lining is, some at least scratched the surface in a state where everyone else is too scared of taking a stand - politically or otherwise.

Land art exhibition in Ladakh

Sa, which means ‘soil’ in the Ladakhi language, is South Asia’s highest contemporary land art group exhibition held at 3600m altitude in Ladakh

Prayagraj, June 16 (IANS) Plans are afoot to convert the age-old film centre located in Prayagraj's Civil Lines area into a museum. The proposed museum will showcase the rich legacy of the film history of North India.

An amount of around Rs 4 crore will be spent on the project, said officials.

The dilapidated centre which was once part of education extension department, was earlier proposed to be auctioned a few years ago.

The new museum will be one of its kind.

The Smart City authorities would be taking the help of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for making this closed centre a museum.

The centre was established in 1938 to make educational films during the British rule and was the only film centre in North India at the time.

Mission manager (technical) of Prayagraj Smart City Limited, Sanjeev Sinha said: "After reading

the history of the movie centre, it was found that the projector and sound system here was better than the cinema halls of Mumbai. Projectors were taken from the centre in buses to show films in schools and other places and big stalwarts of the cinema world used to come to the cinema hall to give lectures to the students of cinema."

After converting it as the film museum of North India, it will be the centre of attraction for the tourists as well, he added.

In its hey days, the Centre used to make short films to propagate education and as such it had the best cameras, high quality trolleys, cranes, and recording equipment of those times. But since 1990, the process for making educational films was discontinued and all the equipment has been locked up since then.

The Centre had made films on Maithilisharan Gupta, Sumitranandan Pant, Mahadevi Varma, Acharya Mahavir Prasad etc.

Also, films were made on biographies of Mahatma Gandhi, former President Rajendra Prasad, former Vice President Dr Radhakrishnan, former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malviya etc.

Luminous Legacy

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Progressive Artist Group (PAG)

By Sukant Deepak

June 27, 2023 (IANSlife) Sa, which means ‘soil’ in the Ladakhi language, is South Asia’s highest contemporary land art group exhibition held at 3600m altitude in Ladakh.

To be organised from August 1 to 23, the exhibition will focus on climate, culture, and community in high-altitude environments.

Sa Ladakh will feature works by Ladakhi, Indian, and international; Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Phillip Frank, Sharbendu De, Jigmet Angmo, Vibha Galhotra, Skarma Sonam Tashi, Tsering Gurmet Kungyam, Sagardeep Singh and Tsering Motup.

“The inclusion of local artists is a testament to the growing

recognition of contemporary art from the region on a global scale", as highlighted by Dr. Monisha Ahmed, co-founder of Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation (LAMO) and Sa co-curator. The festival will also include projection and video art at night.

Artists such as Philipp Frank from Germany, internationally known for his projections in nature, will explore connections between spirituality and the natural world. The exhibition will be set against the scenic backdrop of Disko Valley near Leh, a land strip, used by the local youth to express themselves and celebrate, hosting a downhill mountain bike path and breathtaking views. In the heart of Disko Valley, will offer an immersive experience through captivating site-specific art installations, cutting-edge video

projections, and sculptures.

Raki Nikahetiya, the co-founder of Sa Ladakh, said, "Our primary focus will be on a 20-acre expanse of land, where we will delve into our interpretation of 'climate optimism.' Through the medium of land art, our aim is to foster an inclusive dialogue on climaterelated issues, engaging and inspiring communities amidst the breathtaking yet delicate Himalayan landscape."

Supported by LAMO, Snapchat, and Plus.tv, Let Me Breathe, the Australian Cultural Forum, the embassies of Germany and Switzerland, to India, and Local Futures, amongst other partners, the exhibition will be open to the public from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The final list of participating artists and programming will be announced in early July 2023.

By IANSlife

June 24, 2023 (IANSlife)

Masterpieces from the iconic masters, dating back to their early years, will be on display in an exhibition, "Luminous Legacy", commemorating the 75th Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of Progressive Artist Group (PAG). The exhibition is being held in collaboration with the Raza Foundation and Triveni Kala Sangam, two prestigious institutions that have supported art and artists for decades.

With a preview on June 29, the exhibition, showcasing well over 30 works from legendary M F Husain, S H Raza, F N Souza, K H Ara, H A Gade, and S K Bakre will be showcased in Shridharani Art Gallery, and Triveni Gallery at Triveni Kala Sangam, from June 30 to July 10.

"The PAG had a plural vision of art: It accommodated different styles, idioms, art practices, and aesthetic approaches... The show is a modest attempt to underline their continuing presence and relevance," said Ashok Vajpeyi, Managing Trustee, of Raza Foundation.

A young woman who wants to use an unexpected legacy to revive an Australian outback town, a retired professor saddled with the responsibility of taking six children to safety through Nazi-invaded France, a dying salesman determined to repay some wartime debts, and a barmaid who seeks to clear her pilot paramour of a 'friendly fire' charge were among the protagonists in the singular stories of this once popular author.

Yet like many other of his contemporaries or successors - Frederick Forsyth, Desmond Bagley, Jack Higgins, Alistair Maclean, et al - with whom his works usually adorned bookshelves in houses of avid readers in the late 20th century, Nevil Shute has gradually faded away from public memory and interest.

An accomplished aeronautical engineer and pilot, who began writing novels as a hobby, Shute was much in demand for most of the 20th century, with his two-dozen-odd engrossing and eminently readable books with compelling plot lines - straddling various genres from romance to redemption, religion to reincarnation, and cross-cultural relations to a post-apocalyptic scenario, and sometimes, some supernormal elements - but not enough to stretch credulity.

Exotic and unconventional settings - spanning from South Pacific islands to dense Canadian forests to the Australian outback, themes revisited without getting repetitive, and sometimes, a framing device of a narratorwho introduces the main story but otherwise does not take partwere other features of his books. However, while many of his works made the transition to films, he deserves more appreciation for the new ground he broke. Most of his heroes were middle-class professionals - lawyers, doctors, bank managers, engineers, and most of them have some flaws, or other shortcomings - and the dignity of work and service is particularly emphasised. And most importantly, his handling of class, gender, and race relations most unprecedented for his era - given that he began writing from the mid-1920s when these issues were far placed from what we are

familiar with in our age. His politics were a bit more conventional and even a bit reactionary - but not out of the ordinary for his time.

Nevil Shute Norway (1899-1960) shortened his author's name to Nevil Shute to guard his engineering career "from any potential negative publicity" from his novels - as per his memoirs (the predictably-named 'Slide Rule: Autobiography of an Engineer', 1954).

However, he shouldn't have bothered - being as renowned in his engineering endeavours, including having a key role in developing the R100 airship for Vickers and then heading his own aircraft construction firm that made a multi-engine bomber trainer for the Royal Air Force during World War II. This background was well reflected with Shute's heroes often being pilots or even aircraft designers - 'No Highway' (1954) has metal fatigue of the aircraft chassis as a key plot point!

He begin writing in 1923 though his first two (novellas 'Stephen Morris' and its continuation 'Pilotage' (1923-24), about a young pilot taking a dangerous mission) were only posthumously published in 1961, and his first published work was 'Marazan' (1926), where an escaped convict, framed for drug-running, rescues a pilot who helps him clear his name.

The next was 'So Disdained' (1928) where the protagonist, who discovers his friend is spying for the Soviets, does not report him but surreptitiously foils his bids - and finally takes on Soviet spies with the help of Italian fascists! (remember it is pre-Hitler times).

'Lonely Road' (1932) was, however, where Shute displayed his flair for innovative writing with a surrealistic, dreamlike first chapter and his first flawed hero, in this case, one foiling a conspiracy to influence the coming British elections.

A masterly intertwining of romance and an attempt (not all ethical) to revitalise a community - impacted by lack of economic opportunities - was explored in 'Ruined City' (1938) - a theme Shute would reprise in the more famous 'A Town Like Alice' (1950), which also brings in the horrors of the war in the Far East - and as well the resilience of people who faced them.

'What Happened to the Corbetts' (1938), which was prescient about the effects of aerial bombing of cities, can be considered the first of his WWII novels.

The others were 'Landfall: A Channel Story' (1940), where a young RAF pilot comes under a cloud after sinking a 'British' submarine before his girlfriend comes to his aid, 'Pied Piper' (1942) about an elderly teacher on holiday in France suddenly responsible for taking seven

children to safety as the Germans invade, and 'Pastoral' (1944) about an unhappy love affair impacting a bomber pilot's performance and imperilling his crew - it climaxes with an unforgettable scene with the hero, alone in his damaged aircraft waiting for the time till he can safely land.

Shute's wartime-themed works also included 'Most Secret' (1942) about unconventional attacks on Germans on the French coastbut due to its sensitive nature, its release was held back till the war ended.

The fanciful 'An Old Captivity' (1940) about a pilot, in Greenland on a mission, suffering a drug-induced flashback to the Viking era, was the first with a supernatural theme - a motif that would be reprised in 'In the Wet' (1953), with some extraordinary time travel, and criticism of socialism.

The sombre 'Requiem for a Wren' (1955), set in Australia, could also be included here as all its protagonists are grappling with the effects of the war.

Shute's postwar works grew a bit more to be vehicles of his viewsdislike of post-war Britain (which led him to emigrate to Australia in 1950) figures in 'The Far Country' (1952) and of the 'White Australia' policy in 'Round the Bend' (1951) - his own favourite - about an aircraft engineer finding a new religion based on good work. While cross-cultural romance

'Beyond the Black Stump' (1956), and unconventional romance 'The Rainbow and the Rose' (1958) are part of his Australian corpus, his most famous novel (thanks to its film adaptation starring Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner) was the dark 'On the Beach' (1957) about a nuclear holocaust depopulating most of the world and a few survivors in the Melbourne region living it up as they await their turn.

However, for those piqued by Shute, three of his representative best could begin with 'Round the Bend' - which has usual Shute tropes - aviation professionals as heroes, exotic locales spanning from the Gulf to South Pacific in a thought-evoking story.

'The Chequer Board' (1947) is about a cereal salesman, after a wartime wound is pronounced a death sentence, wondering about what happened to three distressed comrades in a hospital and decides to use his remaining time to find out. The search for the three - a rather immature RAF pilot concerned about marital infidelity, a commando accused of murder, and a black GI, who attempted suicide after being accused of rape - is eyeopening. Then there is his final novel 'Trustee from the Toolroom' (1960), showcasing how a mildmannered English mechanical whiz, working in a low-paying job at a specialised technical newsletter, has to mount a desperate mission into South

Pacific to safeguard the legacy of his recently-orphaned niece, how he fares on a "mission impossible" that takes him all around the

storyteller

world, and most important, what makes it possible.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

concerns of drug addiction and the NDPS Act with reference to the historical context. Indian society, which may not have celebrated the use of psychoactive substances, but nonetheless had space for their use, granting them social acceptance, which in turn kept in check the problem of addiction and the escalated situation of people dying from it. "Usage does not mean addiction," he clarified. "We socialise over drinks but we may not be alcoholics." Explaining further, he emphasised the fundamental human need for an altered state of mind from time to time.

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS)

Rampant addiction to substances may seem like a contemporary problem, but the use of psychotropic intoxicants long predates the awareness of the menace of drug addiction. Dispelling common myths surrounding addiction, and delving into the new understanding of the issue and the menace it has come to be, Dr Anirudh Kala, a Punjabbased psychiatrist, in his third book 'Most of What You Know About Addiction Is Wrong' (published by Speaking Tiger), presents a meticulously detailed, comprehensive and insightful account of the very phenomenon of engaging in psycho-active substances and what leads it to become the menace of addiction. Speaking at the book launch, Kala opened his address with a reminder: "People took opium and were by and large functional. You could have a four-hour-long discussion with someone on politics and be surprised that he is regularly opiated."

The difference, though, is that people are dying from overdose, and getting infected with hepatitis and HIV from shared needles, Kala said, pointing out that jails have a significant number of inmates held for drug-related crimes but these are the people who need treatment and rehabilitation.

Dr Atul Ambekar, a fellow psychiatrist who has also written the foreword to Kala's book, highlighted the "draconian" NDPS Act and how it is not the solution but the major contributor to rampant addiction, which is both a public health concern and a policy matter.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, prohibits production, manufacturing, cultivation, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and/or consumption of any psychotropic substance or narcotic drug. Ambekar explained the twin

"It is a common need to periodically want to feel different, as much as a human needs food or sex or sleep. Some people use art, rock climbing, mysticism (for this purpose)," he said, marking a shift from substance to behaviour, both of which could lead to addiction.

"It becomes addiction not from regular use but from its salience -- when a lot of mind space is taken up by the intoxicant," Ambekar emphasised. "Addiction is as much a disease as diabetes or hypertension is."

The experts also highlighted the predisposing factors for addiction: traumatic experiences and genetics are significant determinants of who gets addicted and who doesn't. Contrary to common perception, however, they maintain that mere availability of substances may have an impact on its use, but not on its addiction: "Alcohol is freely available but most Indians are teetotalers."

The problem of drugs is a problem of policy

Ambekar went on to talk about the legality and policy matters surrounding substance abuse and addiction. "When opium was available, there were fewer addicts," he said, adding that "most of the problems related to drugs are a problem of policy matters."

He specifically pointed out three pitfalls of the NDPS Act. The law puts all psychoactive substances in the same category without any distinction based on effect and intensity upon procurement or consumption. Further, it criminalises personal consumption, thereby stigmatising it and, in turn, making it challenging to provide suitable treatment on time and addressing the public health concern at large.

(Kavya Dubey may be reached at kavya.d@ians.in)

The aeronautical engineer who became a master

New book says law must allow controlled use of ‘native natural intoxicants’

VIKAS DATTA

Apple Pay on course to arrive in India soon after initial talks with NPCI

which now sits at the top on the company's global map.

finds conservative

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) Apple

Pay is likely to arrive soon in India and the tech giant, which has had preliminary discussions with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch a localised version of its digital payments app in the country, is once again firming up on the talks.

Sources told IANS on Friday that initial talks were done and the Cupertino-based iPhone maker may soon launch its Apple Pay services in India, a country

The iPhone customers in the country may scan QR codes and perform unified payments interface (UPI) transactions the way they do with other digital payments apps, according to sources.

Apple or NPCI did not immediately comment on the development.

India has created a significant and robust innovation ecosystem, like the unified payments interface (UPI) to benefit millions of its people.

The UPI accounted for 75 per cent of retail digital transactions in the country during 2022-23, and is projected to record 1 billion

transactions per day by 2026-27. In May, the UPI hit a record 9 billion transactions, according to the NPCI.

Apple Pay offers an easy, secure, and private way to pay on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. One can add credit, debit, or prepaid cards from participating banks and card issuers in several countries, including 10 in the Asia-Pacific region.

Earlier this year, Apple introduced its Pay Later service in the US which allows users to split purchases into four payments with zero interest and no fees. Users can easily track, manage, and repay their Apple Pay Later loans in one convenient location in Apple Wallet.

AI to drive advancements in cancer diagnoses

leading data and analytics company, showed that currently, there are 569 clinical trials focused on developing IVD devices in oncology out of 1,490 active clinical trials.

more happier, attractive in pictures: Study

were found among those the model identified as likely to be conservative. These results are credible given that previous research using human raters has also highlighted a link between attractiveness and conservatism," the researchers said.

San Francisco,

June 23 (IANS)

Researchers found that conservative female politicians tend to appear happier and more attractive in pictures than liberal politicos, a new AI study has shown.

Moreover, the study showed that the accuracy of facial recognition was even higher for men, at 65 per cent, before researchers removed all visual cues from the photos other than the men's faces, such as shirt collars.

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS)

Incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in oncology-based in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products is expected to result in advancements in cancer diagnosis, according to a report on Friday.

AI-based IVDs have the potential to exponentially improve healthcare decisions by identifying disease signatures that can help in early detection and treatment. It can also improve patient care, management, as well as outcomes.

The report by GlobalData, a

Out of the total IVD trials, nine are being conducted to test partial or full analysis by AI to improve oncology diagnosis. AI-driven machine learning is pushing the advancement of IVD device development in terms of accuracy and reliability.

"Some of the active oncology clinical trials with AI are focusing on using AI to optimise workflows, such as which patients require additional analysis and prioritising severe cases. Another use for AI in oncology IVD devices is to predict which treatment responses would be the most

effective using patient samples," said Selena Yu, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement.

One of the trials is using AI to assess treatment responses in patient samples, while another is currently testing the AI's ability to detect central nervous system (CNS) tumours unsupervised and fully automated.

"These advancements will push more manufacturers to partner with AI algorithm providers to improve their existing cancer diagnostic software," Yu said.

"This, in turn, will not only decrease the time needed for diagnosis feedback to patients and early diagnosis with more sensitive software but also provide effective treatment options for patients and decrease the workload for healthcare professionals," she added.

WhatsApp rolling out new icons for communities & groups on Android beta

community announcement group. Also, the group associated with that community follows the same concept, with the community icon always showing behind the group icon.

These new changes will help users easily identify communities and their linked groups directly from the chat list.

According to the study published in the Nature-owned journal Scientific Reports, the research said that AI can predict a person's political ideology with 61 per cent accuracy by analysing just one headshot, reports New York Post. The scientists used Microsoft Azure's Face API tool to assess the emotional state of about 3,200 publicly submitted photos of political candidates who ran in the 2017 Danish municipal election.

According to the analysis, 80 per cent of the faces had a happy expression, while 19 per cent were neutral.

"For females (though not males), high attractiveness scores

Left-leaning male politicians had more neutral, less happy expressions than their conservative counterparts, according to the study.

"Attractiveness was not the only correlate of model-predicted ideology. We also found that expressing happiness is associated with conservatism for both genders," the researchers explained.

"Previous work has found smiling in photographs to be a valid indicator of extraversion, and while extraversion is not broadly associated with ideology some studies have found that right-wing politicians are more extraverted," they added.

NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft captures ultraviolet image of Mars

Washington, June 23 (IANS)

NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission has acquired stunning views of Mars in two ultraviolet images taken at different points along the Red Planet's orbit around the Sun. By viewing the planet in ultraviolet wavelengths, scientists can gain insight into the Martian atmosphere and view surface features in remarkable ways.

In this colour scheme, atmospheric ozone appears purple, while clouds and hazes appear white or blue.

San Francisco, June 23 (IANS)

Meta-owned messaging platform

WhatsApp is rolling out new icons for communities and their linked groups, on Android beta.

Earlier, the icon for the community appeared with rounded edges, to make it easy to distinguish it from other conversations, reports WaBetaInfo.

Additionally, one of the groups connected to the community was

shown with several group icons, demonstrating that it is a group connected to others and that it is part of a community.

However, with the new icons for communities and their linked groups, the platform is enhancing the ability to differentiate them from other types of chats. With the new update, a megaphone icon with the community icon positioned behind it is now displayed for the

"Note that these refreshed icons are only visible to certain beta testers as they are available to selected beta users that install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android update from the Google Play Store," the report said.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, it was reported that the messaging platform was rolling out an enhanced media picker with numbered thumbnails on Android beta.

The images were taken using MAVEN's Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument in 2022 and 2023 when the planet was near opposite ends of its elliptical orbit.

The IUVS instrument measures wavelengths between 110 and 340 nanometres, outside the visible spectrum.

To make these wavelengths visible to the human eye and easier to interpret, the images are rendered in false colour, with the varying brightness levels of three ultraviolet wavelength ranges represented as red, green, and blue.

The surface can appear tan or green, depending on how the images have been optimised to increase contrast and show detail. The first image was taken in July 2022 during the southern hemisphere's summer season, which occurs when Mars passes closet to the Sun.

The summer season is caused by the tilt of the planet's rotational axis, similar to seasons on Earth. Argyre Basin, one of Mars' deepest craters, appears in the image filled with atmospheric haze, while the deep canyons of Valles Marineris appear with clouds.

The southern polar ice cap is also visible, shrinking from the relative warmth of summer.

The second image is of Mars' northern hemisphere and was taken in January 2023 after Mars had passed the farthest point in its orbit from the Sun.

AI

women

TIGER 3

RELEASE DATE: Diwali 2023

LANGUAGE: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: Yash Raj Films

DIRECTOR: Maneesh Sharma

CAST: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi

DUNKI

RELEASE DATE: 22 December 2023

LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)

DIRECTOR: Rajkumar Hirani

CAST: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu

PIPPA

RELEASE DATE: TBA

LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)

PRODUCER: RSVP, Roy Kapur

Films

DIRECTOR: Raja Krishna Menon

SYNOPSIS: About Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron who fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 along with his siblings.

JAWAN

7 September 2023 | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu

LANGUAGE: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada (With English Subtitles)

DIRECTOR: Atlee Kumar

CAST: Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Yogi Babu

After ‘Ghungroo’, Hrithik and Vaani to ignite the stage in UK Tour ‘Stars On Fire

Adipurush: Ramayana Remixed!

but, when Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan or B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat were telecast every Sunday morning, people bathed and got ready to watch them. Streets used to be empty.

don’t always make sense. I know the language well! There is no meaning, meter or rhyme in what he comes up with.

Mumbai, June 27 (IANS) Actors

Hrithik Roshan and Vaani Kapoor, who set the screens on fire with their dance moves in the song ‘Ghungroo’ from ‘War’, will now ignite the stage in their UK Tour ‘Stars On Fire’.

The first-ever UK tour ‘Stars On Fire’ will take place in London and Leeds. It will take place on September 1 at OVO Arena, Wembley, London, and September 2 at First Direct Arena, Leeds.

Vaani said: "It's a special moment and feeling to share the stage with Hrithik Roshan. He is immensely talented and I am elated at this opportunity to set the stage on fire alongside him. Hrithik is not only an exceptional performer but also an inspiration. I can't wait to create unforgettable moments

and give our fans an electrifying experience they will cherish forever."

She added: "I’ve been blessed to have super-hit songs as part of my filmography be it Gulabi, Nashe Si Chad Gayi, or Ghungroo. Indian song and dance is celebrated worldwide and has a massive fandom."

On the film front, Vaani is all set to captivate audiences as the leading lady in the upcoming film 'Sarvagunn Sampanna' by Maddock Films.

Furthermore, she will be headlining YRF Entertainment's streaming series, 'Mandala Murders', a gritty crime thriller created and directed by the acclaimed Gopi Puthran, known for his work on 'Mardaani 2'.

Malaika sets the dance floor ablaze with ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ moves on Arjun’s b’day bash

A lot of films have been at the centre of controversies in all the years I have been an observer of the film trade.

Some, because they chose a subject where a certain community was at the centre of the story, some, while they were attempting a realistic film, and some others who loved a book penned by a renowned writer, decided it was worth retelling it as a film and getting brickbats in return.

Take, for instance, 'Ramnagari' by Ram Nagarkar. The film was made by the National Award-winning filmmaker Kantilal Rathod in 1982. Objections were raised against certain references in the film and the Censor Board stalled its release. The problem Shah Rukh Khan's 'Billu Barber' faced some 27 years later was similar. The community known as Nayi or Hajam is called Barber in English. In later years, these examples were followed by communities on a larger scale and somewhere along the way, various political groups with vested interests got involved and films such as 'PK', 'Ramleela' and 'Padmavat', among others, had to pay the price. There were mild objections to 'The Accidental Prime Minister' as well as 'The Kashmir Files' and the recent release, 'The Kerala Story'. These protests, again, had political hues. Films are a soft target. Sadly, film folk never speak up either way. But, never in my long career in film trade journalism have I been a witness to something like 'Adipurush'! Who is Adi here?

Lord Rama? Adi, I presume, has different definitions depending on a culture. Does it mean someone as ancient as Adam (of Adam and Eve). As the Hindi saying goes: Baba Adam ke zamane ka. 'Adipurush' reminded me of the 1977 Kannada movie, 'Aadi Manava'. I suggest you Google for its poster.

Lord Rama was not Adipurush. He was described as Purushottam, a complete man, a man above all other men.

Indians are quite attached to their beliefs and are proud and protective about them. I remember two films. One was 'Jai Santoshi Maa'. Not many people had heard about this particular deity. But when the film was released in 1975, people, especially women, flocked to the cinemas to watch the film.

There were reports of viewer leaving their footwear outside cinemas. The film created such a huge following of believers that people took to keeping a fast for 16 Fridays to please the deity.

Earlier, in 1969, we had a film titled 'Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai', a film based on the Sikh faith. One had to live in that era to see what a frenzy the film had created in the North, particularly in Punjab. In the case of this film, too, no one entered the cinemas with footwear on.

In the recent past, we had 'Chaar Sahibzaade', an animated film on the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last Sikh guru, who sacrificed their lives to protect the faith.

And, now, somebody goes and makes 'Adipurush'! What is it all about?

I think 'Adipurush', as the film has been titled, is a chapter out of one of the greatest epics of India, Ramayana, where the protagonist, Lord Ram, has earned the place of a god among Hindus. Call this mythology or call it an epic, it is a story revered across India. The tomes are not oral and have been written by rishis. Then there comes a media-bred, self-styled genius on Indian culture and beliefs who claims he has written the film 'Adipurush' to suit the ethos of 2023!

So, what does he do to make it contemporary? He redefines the characters of Ram, Sita, Hanuman and Ravan. He also redefines the way they dress! Come on, if you are casting them in the present times, Rama should be sporting fatigues and an automatic rifle and the same goes for Ravan!

As for his research for the film 'Adipurush', what research can one do? The age-old story of Ramayana is all one needed to follow. What research showed that Sita was an Indian and that Nepal was a part of India? In Mumbai and in the South, the Ramayana has been made as a film many times. They have never disappointed viewers or created controversy.

Now that everything, from the presentation of characters to the costumes, has been mucked up, Muntashir promises to rephrase the dialogues. When I heard them the first time, they sounded like the kind 'Gully Boy' or a Manmohan Desai film would have!

I wonder if any filmmaker has the courage to make a 2023 film on Jesus Christ wearing jeans and T-shirts and mouthing f-words. Or, on any other religious head?

Muntashir is a media-made scholar and that same media wants his head today!

What has 'Adipurush' achieved? It has displeased the believers and earned their anger.

It has also upset a neighbouring country, Nepal, which has been screening Indian films forever, but has now decided to ban not only 'Adipurush' but all films from India!

This ban was lifted by a local Katmandu court but the city mayor, who had banned the movies, is still adamant. The promo of 'Adipurush' was launched at Ayodhya. Reportedly, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was to do the honours.

The CM is said to have changed his mind after he got wind of the film's content.

This should have been the first warning for the makers.

Manoj Desai, who manages the G7 multiplex in Mumbai’s Bandra area, laments that he is forced to continue screening 'Adipurush' even if there are 30-35 people in the halls.

Mumbai, June 26 (IANS) On her boyfriend Arjun Kapoor's 38th birthday bash, diva Malaika Arora set the dance floor on fire with her killer moves on her iconic number 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from the 1998 film 'Dil Se'.

A video of her acing the moves 25 years after the film was released

is doing the rounds on social media. The clip is from Arjun's birthday party which took place on Sunday night. Malaika is seen dancing in a white and red bodyfit dress.

She even performed all her hooksteps from the number.

The films on the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata have been made many times, in Hindi as well as by the southern film industries. And, not only have they always adhered to the tomes written aeons ago, but also have been successful without depending on controversy. The fact is, mythological films are a popular genre in the Indian film industry with the biggest of banners making them on a regular basis. That was till the television medium came in and relieved filmmakers of this genre. A Sunday morning is meant for sleeping till late and starting late,

Why does Ravan look as if he's from ISIS, sporting an Islamic beard and look? Why is Sita draped in whites? Don't you know that is the dress of a widow in our culture?

Manoj Muntashir, who is presented as the face of the project, 'Adipurush', and mostly responsible for mucking up this project, earned fame and public recognition through his song, 'Teri mitti...' from the film 'Kesari'. Since then, I have seen him on music-based television serials where he composes on-thespot couplets. Frankly, they

He cannot discontinue the film as there is no other film available to screen. The G7 property has its own loyal audience, whatever the film.

The cinema is also considered an indicator of the success or failure of films.

From this past Thursday, admission rates for the film have been brought down to Rs 150 flat. Is that an achievement?

No filmmaker has ever needed police protection for the film he has made, but the writer and director of 'Adipurush' have sought it! Now, that is an achievement.

Randeep Hooda wraps up ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’

For now, big heartfelt thanks to my team, cast and crew, to have rallied day and night behind me through thick and thin and made it happen (sic)."

"Finally now I can eat properly, so looking forward to a scrumptious meal. Btw, there are a lot of MISCONCEPTIONS on what I ate and didn't eat during this stretched period of shoot and I'll clarify that VERY SOON.

Vande Mataram! #ShootWrap #Gratitude," he added.

Breathing exercises, throat warm-up help Shirley Setia hone her vocal prowess

Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, who is known for films like 'Jannat 2', 'Rang Rasiya', 'Sarbjit' and several others, has wrapped up the shooting of his upcoming film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'.

The actor took to his Instagram on Thursday to share a video on

the occasion of the film wrap up. The video consists of several moments from the film's production.

Along with the video, the actor wrote: "It's a wrap for VeerSavarkar. I have been to death and back for this film but that is a topic for another day.

Earlier, the first look of the film generated a lot of buzz owing to historical inaccuracies as was pointed out by the Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who said that Netaji was not inspired by Savarkar as they belonged to opposite ideologies.

'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' marks Randeep's directorial debut.

Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor-starrer ‘Bawaal’ to have grand screening at Eiffel Tower

Actress-singer Shirley Setia has shared what she does to hone her singing skill. She shared that breathing exercises and throat warm-up exercises come in handy. She said: "I try to do breathing exercises, and also throat warmup exercises by singing along music that I'm listening to. I do find that very helpful, especially after covid and with all the pollution levels so high around us. Breathing exercises really do help to also keep my mind calm."

She also spoke about how music gives her a new dimension: "Music

adds soul to my life, and I am so grateful to be able to share that through my work with all my fans."

Talking about how she manages constant travel due to shows and studio time, she said: "Well constant travels is unavoidable as an artiste, and yes it can surely take a toll on your health if you are not getting enough rest. But if you try to factor in your rest and health, travelling is amazing, and meeting your fans during shows is even better."

Actors Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor are all set for the worldwide premiere of their upcoming film 'Bawaal'. Before hitting OTT however, the movie will have its first screening at the Salle Gustave Eiffel in Paris.

The movie will make it the first Indian film to get a screening at the Eiffel Tower.

The film is a love story set in the backdrop of World War 2 and will feature a gripping narrative, taking the audiences on a journey through Europe.

"'Bawaal' will be the first Indian Film to have its premiere at the Eiffel Tower. The premiere will take place at the exquisite Salle Gustave Eiffel, offering a panoramic view of the city of love as the backdrop. Apart from Varun, Janhvi, Sajid, and Nitesh, the premiere will be attended by movie enthusiasts and French delegates, making it one of the

biggest premieres for an Indian film," a source told Pinkvilla.

Directed and co-written by Nitesh Tiwari, the romance drama is produced by Nadiadwala Grandsons.

The film was announced in 2020 and wrapped up production in July, 2022. Additional writing credits include Piyush Gupta, Shreyas Jain, Nikhil Mehrotra and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari.

Janhvi who was last seen in the 2022 releases 'Mili' and 'Goodluck Jerry' will also be seen in 'Mr. & Mrs. Mahi' and will be making her Tollywood debut in the Koratala Siva directorial 'Devara' starring NTR Jr alongside other projects which include and Saif Ali Khan.

Varun who was last seen in the film 'Bhediya' will now be starring in the Indian version of the American spy-thriller web series 'Citadel' alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Bollywood actress Kajol's upcoming courtroom web drama series 'The Trial- Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha' will give audiences a strong and very relatable character on screen in Noyonika Sengupta. As Noyonika is a character she has never explored before, Kajol described her as essentially a "woman's core".

Kajol said: "Noyonika's character is an ambitious woman who is doing whatever she can to save her future and her children's future and that, I think, is pretty much most women everywhere."

"Most powerful, strong women and housewives at the end of the day and who supposedly don't

have a job but actually do the most unpaid job in the world. So yeah, that's who she is. That is her core and that is I think most every woman's core," she added. Due to her husband's imprisonment, Noyonika is forced down a tumultuous path full of hardships for her and her family as she takes up a job at a law firm and works hard to support her family. Caught in a web of choices, 'The TrialPyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha' follows Noyonika as she embarks on a journey that forces her to navigate the curveballs life has thrown at her.

The series is the Indian adaptation of the American legal

drama 'The Good Wife' and is directed by Suparn S. Varma. The courtroom drama also stars Sheeba Chaddha, Jisshu Sengupta, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait and Gaurav Pandey in key roles.

For Kajol, her character Noyonika from ‘The Trial’ is ‘every woman’s core’