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Shami, Iyer & Kohli dazzle as India break knockout jinx to storm into WC final The speedster captured 7/57 to significantly help India beat New Zealand by 70 runs and enter the final of the ICC ODI World Cup.
Mumbai, Nov 15 (IANS) The magic of Mohammed Shami, his unerring seam bowling, extricated India from a tricky situation on a batsman’s paradise of a pitch at the Wankhede Stadium here on Wednesday.
Daryl Mitchell’s heroic 134 went in vain. He ultimately flicked Shami uppishly to midwicket. Mitchell and skipper Kane Williamson put up 181 runs for the 3rd wicket, before Shami had the latter caught at square leg for 69. This made amends for him dropping the same batsman at mid-on off Jasprit Bumrah. Shami followed that by immediately trapping Tom Latham for a duck.
He had earlier removed openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra with deliveries that deviated away from the left-handers off the seam. It was skillful bowling on an unresponsive pitch. After the fall of the fourth wicket, Glenn Phillips struck 41 off 33 balls until Bumrah, a bit below his best on this day, had him pouched at widish long-off. Then, left-arm wrist spinner Continued on Page 3
Continued on Page 16
Israel, Hamas reach initial agreement on humanitarian truce: Report
Xinhua news agency that the delegates have to report to senior authorities on both sides for approval and the agreement could be "implemented at any moment".
Gaza, Nov 15 (IANS) Delegates of Israel and Hamas have reached an initial agreement to implement a temporary humanitarian ceasefire under international and Arab sponsorship, a media report said, citing an informed Palestinian source. The source, who requested to remain anonymous, told
The source refused to talk about the details of the agreement, but said that "it will be implemented in stages". He added that a humanitarian truce was expected to be announced soon, under which civilian hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be released in exchange for the release of women and children detained by Israel.
INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
EDITORIAL BOARD Amrita Deshpande, Community News Editor Paras Sharma, Assistant Editor Dr Uttam Kumar Sinha, Senior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, India Mr Shaun Star, Director, Centre for Australia India Studies, Jindal Global University, India
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ms Kriti Bharadwaj
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News from India
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Zaisha and Annesha Chakraborty shine bright with Best Duet Performance on India’s Emerging Talent
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Community News
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS Institute for Australia India Engagement Australia India Business Council Page 13
Special Features
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Community News Men’s ODI World Cup: Team India records history, first team to go unbeaten in roundrobin format
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Sports Mouni Roy reveals key to strong relationship: ‘Don’t talk about your ex too much’
Destinations to visit this Diwali
DESIGNER
News from Australia Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Multicultural Cricket Cup organized by the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc (QKCSS)
Would Kashmiris ever listen to Hatim’s tales again?
WRITERS Mr Rabindra Mukherji
WEBSITE DESIGN & MANAGEMENT Cosmos Media www.cosmosmedia.info
Australian govt to review major telecom outage
Opposition leaders also to be invited for Ram Temple consecration
EDITORIAL TEAM Dr Ram Mohan, Chairman Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief Ms Priyadarshini Rana, Bureau Chief, Victoria
INDIA NEWS TV Mr Karthik Pratap Singh, News Director Mr. Agastya Yeturi, Cinematographer Mr Nishit Chandan, Special Correspondent
CONTENTS
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
Shami, Iyer & Kohli dazzle as India break knockout jinx to storm into WC final Continued from Page 1
Kuldeep Yadav, who turned the odd ball a fair amount, got his reward when Mark Chapman slog swept him to deep square leg. However, Ravindra Jadeja on Wednesday seemed to bowl too quickly for a slow left-arm spinner. Earlier, Shreyas Iyer further repaid the faith reposed on him by the team management. Selected to bat at No. 4 in the tourney, he has grown in stature with every innings in the competition.
On Wednesday, he blasted 105 off 70 balls, with eight sixes at a strike rate of 150, to star in a stellar showing by the Indian batters. On Indian wickets, Iyer has undoubtedly become a class act. By comparison, veteran Virat Kohli’s ton looked like a leisurely display. He disclosed during the interval that he had been assigned to be a sheet anchor by the team’s think-tank. "I’ve been given a role in this tournament and I’m trying to dig deep," he remarked. Yet, it was a history-making
afternoon for Kohli, probably the greatest one-day international batsman of all time – and Sir Vivian Richards, the West Indian master-blaster of the '70s and '80s, was in the audience to witness it! Kohli’s ton was his 50th, thus sailing past Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries. With the 80th run enroute his century, his tally of runs in the ongoing edition also surpassed Tendulkar’s aggregate of 673 in the 2003 World Cup. Tendulkar described him as a ‘Virat’ (massive) player on X.
Biden asks Xi to keep communication lines open
Washington, Nov 16 (IANS) US President Joe Biden told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday that they should keep their communications lines open and get to understand each other so as “to ensure that competition (between their countries) does not veer into conflict” while the Chinese President reiterated his opposition to describing the relationship as competition saying it “is not the prevailing trend of current times”. The Chinese leader went on to warn that conflict and confrontation between the two countries will have “unbearable consequences” for both sides. Biden hosted Xi at a mansion
outside San Francisco where they are for the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This was their first meeting in more than a year; they last met in Bali, Indonesia in September 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Ties between the two countries have been on a rollercoaster ride since, hitting a new low in June when a Chinese spy balloon entered US airspace and wafted across the American mainland till it was shot down by the US Air Force over the Atlantic Ocean. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had postponed his visit to Beijing in protest and communications between the two sides plummeted even further. Beijing had snapped the military-to-military communication in August 2022 in anger over then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The Biden administration had been pressing the Chinese to reopen communications arguing, as the President reiterated to his
Chinese counterpart, that the two sides need to talk to prevent a conflict of miscommunication or the failure to understand each other. Several top-level visits were exchanged between the two sides, leading up to the leaders’ summit in San Francisco. “I value our conversation because I think it's paramount that we understand each other clearly, leader to leader with no misconceptions or miscommunication,” Biden said to Xi as they sat across a table with their delegations ahead of the talks. “We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict. And we also have to manage responsibly the competition.”
COVER STORIES
Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Rescue operations continue on third day is being taken to supply oxygen to the labourers trapped in the tunnel.
Uttarkashi, Nov 14 (IANS) Rescue operations to save 40 labourers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, continued for the third day on Tuesday. A portion of the underconstruction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district collapsed due to a landslide in the wee hours on Sunday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in touch with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and is continuously taking updates from him. To rescue the workers from the tunnel, 900 mm diameter steel pipes and drill machines have reached the spot. Special care
To ensure that no untoward incident occurs when the workers are taken out of the tunnel, the Health Department has set up a six-bedded temporary hospital to give them immediate medical help. Chief Medical Officer Dr. RCS Panwar said that the hospital has been set up near the incident site in which oxygen cylinders have also been installed. Ten ambulances along with a 24-hour medical team have also been deployed in this hospital. Manikant Mishra, Commandant SDRF, who is leading the rescue operation, on Tuesday talked to the workers trapped in the tunnel through a walkie-talkie and inquired about their well-being. The workers told him that they were all fine and hoped that they would be rescued soon. Manikant Mishra encouraged them and asked them to have patience and courage. He also assured them that they would be rescued soon.
Int’l arrivals to Australia rise to 3-year high
The Biden administration had framed the relationship with China as competition between two of the world’s largest economies and has announced major investments into equipping the United States for it,
Australia, India must increase defence cooperation, military training: Liberal Party leader Dutton Australia Relations, organised by the Center for India-Australia Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University where he also dwelt upon economic cooperation and energy security.
New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) Peter Dutton, Federal Member for Dickson and Leader of the Liberal Party, Australia spoke about enhancing the security and defence cooperation between India and Australia especially in view of the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He also called for frequent military training operations with other countries in Asia to enhance regional security. The Minister was speaking in New Delhi at a distinguished public lecture on the theme India-
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"We have been looking at events around the world with increasing concern; in Eastern Europe, Ukrainians continue to fight valiantly to repel Russian forces from their territory. In the Middle East 27 days ago, terrorists from Hamas attacked Israel. With the end of the Cold War, many prophesised the coming of a world of democracies. But they were wrong in the forecast regrettably. "The days of disputes and the age of autocrats is not behind us. Times of terrorism have not disappeared. Recent world events are a reminder that civilisation does not tilt naturally towards democracy. Democracy is always under threat. Democracy needs to be nurtured and defended. This is a time for India and Australia
to demonstrate the strength of our democracies."First, and most importantly, it's in defence and security. In these precarious times, we should aim to increase the tempo and the frequency of our joint military training activities and deployments. And not just at the bilateral level, but also multilaterally with our other partners in the region. The former Australian coalition government of which I was a senior member, signed two defence agreements with India, the Defence Science and Technology agreement to improve collaboration between our research organisations and to facilitate a greater industrial partnership and mutual logistic support agreement to enhance our military engagement. Such arrangements are just the foundations for what we can do together," Dutton said. Dutton also warned about the true nature of authoritarian regimes.
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Canberra, Nov 14 (IANS) The number of international arrivals to Australia has increased to the highest number since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, official data showed on Tuesday. According to the data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 1.74 million people arrived in Australia from overseas in October, up from 1.6 million in September, reports Xinhua news agency. It marked an increase of 43 per cent from 1.21 million arrivals in October 2022 and the highest monthly figure since January 2020 when arrivals to Australia hit an all-time high of 2.26 million before strict Covid-19 border restrictions were put in place in February 2020. Detailed data for September, also published on Tuesday, revealed that 939,000 of the 1.6 million arrivals in the month were Australian residents returning
from short-term international trips. There were 640,210 overseas visitor arrivals to Australia in September.Of those, 584,620 (91.3 percent) visited Australia for short-term stays, up from 371,850 in September 2022, while 55,590 stayed for long-term visits. There were 11,850 permanent arrivals from overseas, an increase of 36.3 per cent from 8,690 in September 2022. New Zealand was the biggest source of overseas visitors to Australia in September, accounting for 128,820 trips, followed by China at 59,080 and the US with 36,400.More than three quarters of international visitors who arrived in Australia in September said they were either visiting friends and relatives or on a holiday.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
ADVERTORIAL
Bravus Mining & Resources recognized for environmental mgt & indigenous engagement
Woongal Environmental Services’ First Nation rangers in the field doing water sampling near the Carmichael mine
Research ecologists observing a group of Black-throated Finches on Bravus Mining and Resources’33,000-hectare conservation area
Woongal ecologist Janelle Vanderbeek and ranger Cecil Sullivan heading out to do biomass and fauna surveys at the Carmichael mine
Townsville, November 7 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Resources Head of Community, Communications and ESG Kate Campbell said the nominations acknowledged the company’s significant investments in responsible mining practices.
their day-to-day behaviour.
Bravus Mining and Resources has been recognised in prestigious mining awards for its leading environmental management and Indigenous engagement programs at the Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland. The regional Queensland business was a finalist in both the Excellence in Environmental Management and Sustainability and the Indigenous and Community Engagement categories at the 2023 Australian Mining Prospect Awards. The Prospect Awards are among the most respected national industry awards for Australia’s mining and minerals processing sector. Bravus Mining and
About the Carmichael mine’s track record in adhering to environmental norms, Campbell said, “The Carmichael mine has some of the strictest environmental conditions of any resources project in Australia’s history. That means we also have some of the best environmental monitoring and scientific research programs in the world, especially in the areas of groundwater and species management.” Campbell further said, “Being a finalist in these awards was due recognition of the outstanding work
About the Carmichael mine • The Carmichael mine is producing high quality coal for export to nations around the world that want to lift their people out of energy poverty. • The mine continues to safely
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and efficiently ramp up to a consistent rate of production which is in the order of 10 million tonnes per annum. • Townsville and Rockhampton remain the primary employment
our talented environmental teams and their research and Traditional Owner partners do at Carmichel to ensure we continue to operate in a way that is responsible, sustainable, and protects the environment and our neighbours.” The Excellence in Environmental Management and Sustainability nomination is for innovative AI-supported monitoring of the endangered Black-throated Finch. Bravus Mining and Resources developed a targeted Management Plan to protect local Black-throated Finches and their habitat and researchers built an automated call recogniser to help track bird movements and to identify individual bird's home ranges, providing insights into hubs for the Carmichael mine and we continue to recruit workers who can drive to site from the Isaac Region. • More than 2,600 people were employed and more than A$2 billion paid to regional Queensland contractors and
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The automated call recogniser has proved a more accurate method to detect the finches than visual surveys and the findings have been published in scientific journals to improve surveillance of other rare birds around the world. The Indigenous and Community Engagement nomination is for collaboration between Bravus Mining and Resources and Wangan and Jagalingou Traditional Owner business, Woongal Environmental Services, for ecological management of the 33,000-hectare conservation area that surrounds the Carmichael mine. Bravus Mining and Resources’ Indigenous Participation Plan businesses since construction began on the Carmichael project in 2019. •Although the primary construction phase is finished, Carmichael still has more than 750 people on site at any time while another third are on days
has a $250 million First Nations contracting and business development commitment. Woongal was initially engaged for monitoring and surveying across the mining lease and in the Doongmabulla Springs Complex area but has since expanded its services at the Carmichael mine to include fauna spotting and catching, erosion and sedimentation control, weed and pest management, fencing, research into groundwaterdependent ecosystems, and road and track maintenance. A dozen people have been employed by Woongal Environmental Services the service the contracts the business has received.
off. •Carmichael coal is sold into the international seaborne export market and its ultimate destination depends on market demand.
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
DIWALI 2023
Brookwater Diwali lights up night with dazzling performances Springfield, November 7 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The Brookwater Golf and Country Club was ablaze with color and light as the Indian Cultural & Sports Club Inc., in collaboration with Ecutas Productions, successfully hosted the muchanticipated Diwali Festival. The event saw an overwhelming full house, with attendees treated to a spectacular array of over
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150 performers and 35 vibrant market stalls, culminating in a breathtaking laser light show. The festival, which is a cornerstone event for the local Indian community, also welcomed a diverse crowd from various backgrounds, all coming together to celebrate the Festival of Lights. The quality of the event was evident in every detail, from the top-notch lighting that
illuminated the golf course to the seamless organization that ensured a memorable experience for all. The event manager for Ecutas Productions and ICSC, Paviter Noori said, "We are thrilled with the turnout and the energy of the festival this year. It's a testament to the hard work of our volunteers, performers, and the generosity of our sponsors.
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A special thanks to Brookwater Residential and Springfield City Group for their unwavering support, which was instrumental in bringing this event to life." The festival's success was not only in numbers but also in the quality of cultural exchange and community spirit it fostered. The array of food, crafts, and performances showcased the rich tapestry of Indian culture,
while the laser light show added a modern twist to the traditional celebrations. "We aimed to create an event that not only celebrated Diwali but also brought together people from all walks of life to appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity," said Noori. "Seeing the community engage and enjoy makes all the effort worthwhile, "Noori said.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
Opposition leaders also to be invited for Ram Temple consecration VHP sources said that the organisation has been advised by seers and saints to ensure that the inauguration of Ram Temple remained a “non-political” event. Ayodhya, Nov 10 (IANS) Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress and Samajwadi Party, will soon receive the specially worshipped rice ('akshat') as an invitation to the grand inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22. According to sources, the VHP will start approaching the political outfits for the same from January 1 next year as part of a nationwide campaign that would “cut across party lines”. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, “There will be no discrimination on the basis of political ideology. Every willing person, irrespective of their political affiliation, will be invited with the sacred ‘akshat'.”
“It is a temple of Ram Bhakts, a rashtra mandir,” said a senior VHP leader. The development has come to attain much significance days after the opposition leaders, primarily those from the Congress, questioned if Ram Temple inauguration would become a “BJP event”. This was immediately after seers and a host of officials of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerath Kshetra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended an invitation for the inauguration for the temple. The ‘Akshat Kalash’ which were flagged off from Ayodhya on November 5 have already reached the VHP’s 45 prants, the organisational state units. From here they will be redistributed and multiplied into thousands of
A senior VHP leader said that the kalash will reach “every village, every household”. “In all, the campaign will cover at least 5 lakh villages and more than 60 crore people,” he said. The VHP plans to carry out the campaign similar to the ‘Ram Janmabhoomi Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan’ of 2021 when it collected thousands of crores of funds for the construction of Ram temple. Sources said that a special focus will be laid on reaching out to the families of Kar Sewaks who contributed their bit during the “struggle” days and the lawyers who fought the battle in the courts.
BJP, RJD MLAs engage in verbal duel over Mandal commission, Nitish’s controversial remarks During the confrontation, Kundan Kumar asked Vijay Mandal to advertise condoms in the Assembly. Security personnel present at the spot intervened and calmed them down.
Patna, Nov 9 (IANS) While the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan leaders were confronting each other over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's controversial remarks on women, BJP MLA Kundan Kumar engaged in a verbal duel with RJD MLA Vijay Mandal inside the Assembly over the Mandal commission on Thursday.
The incident took place when both the leaders were giving statements separately to the media persons on Mandal commission and Nitish Kumar's controversial remarks. As they were standing close, RJD MLA Vijay Mandal asked Kundan Kumar about what he knew about the Mandal commission and Nitish Kumar. "Go and learn about them," he told the BJP MLA. On which, Kundan Kumar said
that the BJP supported the Mandal commission. "You do not know about the Mandal Commission. You should go and support the blunders of Nitish Kumar," he said addressing the RJD MLA. Vijay Mandal claimed that when the Mandal commission was implemented, BJP objected to it. "Due to this, Advani Ji started the Rath Yatra to make a temple," he said. BJP MLA Kundan Kumar went angry on this and asked Vijay Mandal to advertise condoms in the Assembly. "At present, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are educating people about sex, you should go and advertise condoms in Vidhan Sabha," he told the RJD MLA.
Nagaland Assembly passes Municipal Bill with 33% reservation for women cent reservation for women. Many powerful Naga organisations had earlier claimed that reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) would go against their community's customary laws. Kohima, Nov 9 (IANS) In a significant development, the Nagaland Assembly on Thursday passed the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 by voice vote with 33 per cent reservation for women. The Bill was passed after the select committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang presented the report on the Nagaland Municipal Bill in the House, recommending 33 per
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In Nagaland, over 95 per cent of the land and its resources belong to the people and the community, while the government owns only about 5 per cent of the total area, including reserve forests, roads. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, while participating in the discussion on the Bill, said that it was moved after threadbare consultation with civil society organisations and Naga tribal hohos.
Congress announces final list of candidates for Telangana objection to the announcement of Mudiraj's candidature.
similar copper ‘kalash’ and sent further down the line. The exercise, sources said, would be completed by the end of December after which the VHP and its associated groups will start reaching out to the households.
He also said that provisions related to taxes, land and buildings have been excluded from the Nagaland Municipal Bill. However, the provision for 33 per cent reservation for women in the ULBs has been retained as directed by the Supreme Court. The provision for one-third reservation for women in the office of the chairperson in the ULB, which was there in the earlier Municipal Act, was also not included in the Nagaland Municipal Bill. Rio said with regard to taxes, the elected body of a particular Municipality or Town Council would decide on tax or fees in their own jurisdiction.
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NEWS FROM INDIA
Hyderabad, Nov 9 (IANS) The Congress on Thursday released its final list of four candidates for Telangana Assembly elections and replaced candidate in Patancheru constituency. Senior leader and former minister Ramreddy Damodar Reddy has been fielded from Suryapet. The other candidates are Madula Samual (ThungathurthiSC), Bathula Laxman Reddy (Miryalaguda), and Mohd Mujeeb Ullah Shareef (Charminar). The party has changed the candidate in Patancheru,naming Katta Sreenivas Goud as the candidate in place of Nilam Madhu Mudiraj who was included in the third list. The party decision had evoked strong protest from followers of Sreenvias Goud. Senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha had also raised an
After the announcement of Mudiraj's name, supporters of Srinivas Goud had staged protest at the party headquarters and also at the residence of Telangana Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday. Mudiraj had resigned from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) last month after the ruling party denied him the ticket and once again fielded sitting MLA G. Mahipal Reddy. Mudiraj joined the Congress on October 28. Srinivas Goud had unsuccessfully contested on Congress ticket in the 2018 election. With the announcement of the final list, the Congress has declared candidates for 118 seats, leaving one seat (Kothagudem) for the CPI. Seat sharing agreement could not be reached between the Congress and the CPI-M as the latter insisted on allotment of Wyra and Miryalaguda seats. Miffed with the Congress’ approach, the CPI-M decided to go alone and contest 24 seats. Elections to the 119-member Assembly are scheduled on November 30.
Delhi govt to bear all expenses of artificial rain to tackle air pollution: Officials has committed to covering the costs of artificial rain, with the potential for implementation by November 20, pending support from the Central Government.
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) The Delhi government has decided to bear the full expense of artificial rain as a measure to combat the severe air pollution in the city, officials said on Thursday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has issued an order directing the Chief Secretary to represent the government's standpoint in front of the Supreme Court on Friday. In the event that the Central Government lends its support to this decision, the Delhi government aims to implement the first artificial rain in the city by November 20. A senior government official said that the Delhi government
The Chief Minister regretted the delay in reaching a consensus on ULBs, but sounded optimistic that the passage of the Nagaland Municipal Bill would lead to better administration, development, cleanliness, and beautification of cities and towns. On his part, Zeliang expressed his happiness that the Bill includes 33 per cent reservation for women, which he believes will empower women to become elected
In a bid to curb the air pollution in the national capital, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government is mulling for an artificial rain through cloud seeding by November 20. The idea of the artificial rain was discussed during the meeting of the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai’s meeting with the IIT Kanpur experts here on Wednesday. According to the official, the artificial rain could be done by November 20 as the IIT Kanpur has submitted the plan to the Delhi government. The government said that it will put the entire plan before the Supreme Court on Friday and will also seek its permission to get the help from the Central government for the same. representatives in the ULBs and contribute to the decisionmaking process for municipalities and towns. The Deputy CM urged women to support the Bill and not let the reservation for the post of chairperson become a bottleneck in the implementation of ULB elections.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
INDIA NEWS
Indian Army doctor wins 5 gold medals at 50-nation Health Games meet Sanjeev Malik, who is presently posted in the President's Body Guards at Rashtrapati Bhawan, has scripted history by winning five gold medals at the 42nd World Medicine and Health Games in Colombia. His victories in the 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 5,000m, and crosscountry events make him the only athlete to achieve this feat in 2023 and one of a select few since the games began in 1978, the Defence Ministry said.
New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS) Indian Army Medical Corps officer Lt Col
The World Medicine and Health Games, often regarded as the Olympic Games for health professionals, has evolved into the most prestigious global sporting event within the medical community. With a legacy dating back to 1978,
the Games annually attract over 2,500 participants from more than 50 different nations. These healthcare professionals engage in approximately twenty sports disciplines, both individually and collectively, all while upholding the core values of Olympism. Lt Col Sanjeev's success not only highlights his personal excellence but also showcases the dedication of healthcare professionals globally, blending their medical expertise with athletic achievements. The DG of the Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Daljit Singh has congratulated Lt Col Malik for his spectacular performance.
NEWS FROM INDIA
Diwali gift for Mumbai: Amid air pollution crisis, Adani Electricity supplied 1,200 MW ‘green energy’ Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Unknown to the masses grappling with the air pollution crisis, Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd (AEML) supplied 1,200 MW of ‘green energy’ to Mumbai on Diwali day, (November 12), officials said here on Monday. For the first time, around three million homes and establishments comprising 12 million Mumbaikars, AEML gave a Diwali gift of sorts by powering them with ‘clean’ energy from renewable sources for four hours on Sunday -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These included renewable power from sources like solar and wind energy providing uninterrupted electric supply to the city.
Kandarp Patel termed it as “a significant milestone in Mumbai's energy transition”, while demonstrating that renewables can significantly power Mumbai with reliable and sustainable electricity at competitive tariffs. In 2023, the AEML has met up to 38 per cent of the consumers’ demands through green energy and is hoping to achieve a target of 60 per cent by 2027, to reduce the carbon footprints of the city. AEML supplies nearly 2000 MW power to over three million consumers spread across 400 square kms in Mumbai and suburbs with 99 per cent reliability, ranking among the highest in the country.
AEML Managing Director,
Agra man wins 5-year battle for Rs 440 from Railways
Agra, Nov 13 (IANS) A 63-year-old man from Agra fought a battle for more than five years and attended 45 hearings, to get a sum of Rs 440 from the Railways. He finally won the battle when the Agra District Consumer Forum court ruled in his favour, ordering
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the Railways to hand over the amount along with a 7 per annual interest.
junction to Agra Cantt station in the Uttar Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express for Rs 1,570.
The court said that if the payment was delayed beyond 45 days, the interest would increase to 9 per cent.
However, when the train arrived, it had no 2nd AC coach attached to it.
Railway officials were further asked to pay an extra Rs 8,000 for causing financial and mental distress, alongside the legal fees, to the complainant. This saga began back in 2017, when Munnalal Agarwal bought a 2nd AC ticket through ‘Tatkal’ quota to travel from Banda
“I sprinted across the platform, and jumped into any coach I could,” he said. Once the train started moving, instead of the comfort he paid for, the TTE allotted him a seat in the 3rd AC coach, an option cheaper by Rs 440. “It was a chaotic scene,” Munnalal recounted.
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“In the 3rd AC coach, I discovered that the seat I was assigned to someone else and was already occupied,” he said.
He got a response after five months on April 10, 2018, with the railways not recognising the grievance as genuine.
He voiced his objections, but the TTE shrugged them off.
After fruitless attempts through complaints and legal notices, Munnalal decided to take the railways to the Agra District Consumer Forum in September 2018.
The ordeal worsened his health, he said. Despite Munnalal’s efforts, the extra money he shelled out was never returned. After not getting any response to complaints filed online and through letters, Munnalal issued a legal notice to the North Central Railways on November 28, 2017.
The Railways tried to dodge the case, saying the complaint should be handled by a railway claims tribunal, but Munnalal and his team cited Supreme Court precedents to prove their point.
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NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Government to review major telecom outage Universities to help refugees telecommunications provider, Media Authority (ACMA) has access higher education crashed and remained offline for launched a separate investigation over 10 hours, causing massive disruptions to train lines, hospitals and digital payment systems, reports Xinhua news agency.
Canberra, Nov 9 (IANS) The Australian government on Thursday announced that it has ordered a review of the major telecommunications outage that left more than 10 million people across the country without phone, mobile and Internet services. On Wednesday, Optus, the country's second-largest
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland on Thursday announced that her department would conduct an investigation into the outage so the industry could learn from the incident. "Connectivity is absolutely essential for Australian consumers and businesses, and the impacts of this outage were particularly concerning," she said in a statement. Government agency the Australian Communications and
In a statement, Optus said it would fully cooperate with both reviews and was looking for ways to thank customers for their patience. Businesses that were affected by the outage have called for Optus, which is owned by Singapore's Singtel, to compensate them for losses. Rowland said that the community expected Optus to right its wrongs and that it is "reasonable" for Optus to recompense people who were impacted.
5 Indians, including two children, die in pub crash people in quarantine.
conference on Monday, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the victims were all visitors to the area, and described the incident as "an absolute tragedy". Melbourne, Nov 8 (IANS) Five Indians, including two children aged nine and 11, were killed and several others injured after a car driven by an elderly man ploughed into the beer garden of a pub in the Australian state of Victoria, police said. Vivek Bhatia (38), his son Vihan (11), Pratibha Sharma (44), her daughter, Anvi (nine), and partner Jatin Chugh (30) died after an SUV mounted a kerb and hit patrons on the front lawn of the Royal Daylesford hotel on Sunday evening. Five other people, including Bhatia's wife, Ruchi (36), younger son Abeer (six) and an 11-monthold child, are in hospital being treated for injuries. While addressing a news
Patton said the driver of the white BMW, a 66-year-old man from Mount Macedon, was taken to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries, where he was breath tested and did not have alcohol in his system. The police chief said it was too early to determine if speed was a factor in the fatal crash. Gurjit Singh, secretary of the Australian Sikh Support group, confirmed to The Age that Pratibha Sharma and her partner, both from Point Cook, died on the spot. Her daughter was taken to hospital where she succumbed to injuries. Singh said Sharma joined the group as a volunteer in 2020 during the pandemic and helped deliver food and groceries to
She also ran for Victorian parliament and local council and, according to friends, was involved in multiple charities in the communities, the Melbournebased newspaper reported. Bhatia's parents are now reportedly on their way to Victoria from India to watch over Ruchi and her son as they recover in the Royal Melbourne Hospital intensive care unit after suffering broken legs and internal injuries. Meanwhile, hundreds of members from the Daylesford community turned up for a vigil for those who met with a tragic end. Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on X: "We are all shocked by what happened in Daylesford, and so deeply saddened -- for those whose lives were so cruelly cut short, and for those who can never be the same again. The hearts of all Australians go out to everyone affected, including loved ones, friends, first responders and the Daylesford community.” A total of 204 people have reportedly died on Victorian roads so far this year.
Court asks India’s ex-High Commissioner to way to Australian regulatory compensate domestic help authority,Fair Work Ombudsman, The court heard that in total, Sherghill received about A$3,400 for her 13 months of work, which included cleaning the house, preparing meals and tidying the garden, and walking Suri's dog.
Melbourne, Nov 6 (IANS) Australia's federal court has asked India's former High Commissioner Navdeep Singh Suri to compensate a former domestic help who was forced to work seven days a week for 17.5 hours and paid just A$9 per day, a media report said. Seema Sherghill, who arrived in Australia in April 2015, spent about a year working for Suri at his Canberra home, the ABC News reported.
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Sherghill, who was granted Australian citizenship in 2021, said she was solely responsible for the upkeep of the eight-bedroom house. She told the court that Suri's wife was "very demanding". "She often nagged me to work harder, and said to me things such as, I was earning too much money," the ABC News cited Sherghill as saying. She fled the residence in May 2016 without taking any of her belongings, and found her
the successful, harmonious multicultural society we have today. They have also made significant inputs to our economy and can play a key role in driving our future prosperity and social wellbeing," she said.
into whether emergency calls from mobiles were affected during the outage.
who put her in contact with the Salvation Army. Justice Elizabeth Raper of the federal court found Suri contravened four separate sections of the Fair Work Act.
She ordered Suri to pay Sherghill more than $136,000 plus interest, within 60 days in compensation for unpaid wages and unfair working conditions. "Her passport was taken from her, she worked seven days a week, was never permitted to take leave and was only allowed outside the house for brief periods a day when looking after Mr Suri's dog." In addition, Justice Raper also found that Suri was ineligible to claim foreign state immunity, because Sherghill did not work for the High Commission.
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Canberra, Nov 6 (IANS) Twelve Australian universities have established a new consortium to help build pathways to higher education for refugees, it was announced on Monday. Led by Canberra's Australian National University (ANU) , the Australian Refugee Welcome University Sponsorship Consortium (ARWUSC) will offer refugees in the country who were displaced by conflict the opportunity to restart their education, reports Xinhua news agency. Bronwyn Parry, a leading global health and social medicine researcher from ANU and colead of ARWUSC, said in a media release that the formation of the new organisation marks the start of a new chapter in Australia's refugee history. "Refugees have historically made a very important contribution to modern Australia, building
The consortium will represent the 12 participating universities and work with the federal government, businesses and not-for-profit organisations to identify best practice models of refugee education. The government has committed to increasing Australia's humanitarian refugee intake to 20,000 places in the financial year 2023-24, an increase of 2,125 from 2022-23. Brian Schmidt, the ViceChancellor of ANU, said the consortium would deliver long-term benefits to Australia by offering opportunities to "extremely talented" young people who have had their educational journey disrupted. "We need to do something to address this, and this team of higher education experts, led by ANU, is leading the charge with the help of the Australian government," he said.
Majority of Australians struggling financially: Poll February when 46 per cent of participants in the poll said they were either financially struggling or in serious difficulty.
Canberra, Nov 7 (IANS) A majority of Australians are struggling financially, a new poll revealed on Tuesday. The poll, which was published by independent market research company Essential, found that 41 per cent of Australians say they are "struggling a bit" to pay bills and 13 per cent reported they are in "serious difficulty" with being able to pay bills a regular concern, reports Xinhua news agency. It marked an increase from
Among respondents to the poll, 22 per cent said rising interest rates were having a "very negative" impact on them, up from 19 per cent. The Reserve Bank of Australia, has raised the cash rate 12 times since May 2022 from 0.1 per cent to 4.1 per cent. Its board of governors will meet on Tuesday afternoon to decide on whether another increase is needed to bring down inflation. The Essential poll found that 56 per cent of Australians think the rate will continue to rise and has not reached its peak.
Reserve Bank of Australia lifts cash rate to 4.35% Canberra, Nov 7 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) on Tuesday decided to raise the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.35 per cent, after keeping the rate on hold for four consecutive months. Following a monetary policy meeting on Tuesday, RBA Governor Michele Bullock said in a statement that the rise in interest rates was warranted to be more assured that inflation would return to target in a reasonable
timeframe, reports Xinhua news agency. "Inflation in Australia has passed its peak but is still too high and is proving more persistent than expected a few months ago. The latest reading on CPI inflation indicates that while goods price inflation has eased further, the prices of many services are continuing to rise briskly," said Bullock.
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INDIA NEWS
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
2024 Australian of the Year Award recipients for Queensland announced The founder of the Men of Business (MOB) Academy Marco Renai is the 2024 Australian of the Year for Queensland. The MOB Academy provides leadership and mentoring programs to support at-risk young men for a brighter future. Acting Premier Steven Miles MP congratulated Mr Renai and three fellow award recipients at a ceremony held in Brisbane. The recipients in other categories were: • 2024 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland - Havafeed Relief Founders Reverend Robyn and Reverend Dr Lindsay Burch • 2024 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland - Australia’s most successful Olympian and UNICEF Ambassador Emma McKeon AM •2024 Local Hero for Queensland - Co-founder of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History and outback tourism operator David Elliott OAM There were 17 nominees who were celebrated and recognised for their outstanding achievements, with five recipients announced for the four awards. The Queensland recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national Australia Day awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January, the eve of Australia Day 2024. Acting Premier Steven Miles said: “The 2024 award recipients
are inspiring, everyday Queenslanders from all walks of life who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to enrich and empower communities across Queensland. “The recipients have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to Queensland and Australia, and their tireless efforts and dedication to making positive change and improving the lives of others. “Congratulations to the recipients and all of the nominees for their great work in our communities and for making a positive difference for Queenslanders.” 2024 Australian of the Year for Queensland recipient profiles 2024 Australian of the Year for Queensland: Marco Renai Founder, Men of Business Marco Renai is founder of Men of Business (MOB) Academy. The senior secondary school focuses on empowering at-risk-young men with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to be happy, healthy and successful. After experiencing troubles at school as a teen and later volunteering in youth justice, Marco realised there were no programs for young men who struggled to engage with life and education. Inspired by his Italian heritage, which holds that family, food and doing good can make a difference, he piloted the first MOB program in 2011. Marco and his community raised $1 million to open the
MOB Academy in 2020. Young men participate in education, work pathways and social and emotional wellbeing programs. Meals are provided and they can also engage with community in real-world experiences. Today MOB is a federal and statefunded accredited academy with two branches, 35 passionate staff, thousands of past graduates and 195 thriving students. 2024 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland: Reverend Robyn and Reverend Dr Lindsay Burch Founders, Havafeed Relief Reverend Robyn and Reverend Dr Lindsay Burch’s not-for-profit organisation Havafeed Relief has fed more than one million people. The couple started Havafeed in 1994 with a van and donated loaves of bread. It’s now a regular fixture at the Mermaid Beach Community Centre. Six days a week, visitors can enjoy a hot meal, pick up a hamper, connect with others or talk with a local support service if they need help. Robyn and Lindsay have dedicated their retirement years to Havafeed. They start before dawn to make sure they have enough food and volunteers for each day’s work. The organisation receives no funding and relies entirely on donations from the community. The couple have never asked for wages, often using their own funds to keep their work afloat. Havafeed Relief currently provides more than 300 meals a
‘Matilda’ named Australia’s Word of the Year following Women’s World Cup It comes after the national women's football team - the Matildas - made the semifinals at the 2023 tournament held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
Canberra, Nov 15 (IANS) "Matilda" has been named Australia's Word of the Year for 2023 following the success of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Amanda Laugesen, director of the ANDC, said that the selection of "Matilda" as the word that gained the most prominence in Australia in 2023 was an easy one and reflected the nation's growing interest in women's sports.
It was announced by the Australian National Dictionary Centre (ANDC) at Canberra's Australian National University (ANU) on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.
"It's only since the mid-1990s that the women's soccer team has been called the Matildas, but after this year's World Cup the word has once again cemented itself in the Australian lexicon," she said.
The Matildas' semifinal defeat to England was the most-watched television program in Australia since current records began in 2001, drawing 11.5 million viewers. According to FIFA, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was the most attended in history, with 1.97 million people watching games inside stadiums, up from the previous record of 1.35 million in Canada in 2015. FIFA president Gianni Infantino labeled the 2023 Women's World Cup "the best ever," crediting it for transforming the face of women's football globally.
Australian life expectancy falls in 30 yrs amid Covid death spike Canberra, Nov 8 (IANS) Life expectancy in Australia has declined for the first time in almost 30 years due to deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic, the national statistics bureau said on Wednesday. According to data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) , life expectancy for all Australians fell by 0.1 years between 2020 and 2022, reports
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Xinhua news agency. As a result, an Australian female born in 2022 was expected to live 85.3 years -- down from 85.4 in 2021, and a male 81.2 years -down from 81.3 in 2021. It marks the first time that Australia's life expectancy has declined since 1995 when newborn females were expected to live 80.8 years and males 75 years.
Beidar Cho, head of demography at the Canberra-based ABS, said in a statement that the fall could be attributed to a spike in deaths in Australia due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The impact of the increase in deaths on life expectancy was minimal because, according to ABS data, 56 per cent of all deaths in 2022 were of people aged 80 years and over, Cho said.
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week and has raised almost $2 million in donations over the last 30 years. 2024 Young Australian of the Year for Queensland: Emma McKeon AM Olympian Emma McKeon AM is the most successful Australian Olympian of all time – a title she claimed before her 28th birthday. She comes from a strong family of Australian swimmers. In fact, her father, uncle, brother and mother have all represented Australia. Back in 2012, Emma just missed out on being chosen for the London Olympics. She took a break, but rediscovered her passion and went on to make a splash at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she claimed six medals from six races. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Emma became the first female swimmer and the second woman in history to win seven medals in a single Olympics. She has also broken Commonwealth Games, Olympic and World records. Now aged 29, Emma has other titles to her name. In 2022 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia, and in 2023 she was named Gold Coast Young Australian of the Year. 2024 Queensland Local Hero: David Elliott OAM Co-founder, Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History David Elliott’s chance discovery
of a dinosaur fossil during routine sheep mustering in 1999 led to the revival of Australia’s palaeontology field – and the creation of a palaeo-tourism industry that put outback Queensland on the map. David’s initial fossil discovery was followed by others. As palaeontologists began to return to the region to investigate, David and his wife Judy founded the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in 2002 as a not-for-profit charity. The Museum first operated on the couple’s property, where they conducted dinosaur digs and built an impressive collection of fossils. Later, it was moved onto donated land. Today, it houses Australia’s most significant collection of fossils from the country’s largest dinosaurs. A major tourist attraction, it serves as a centre for Australian paleontological research and discovery in Australia. David was recognised for his contributions to science with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2015. For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards, visit www.australianoftheyear. org.au The Australian of the Year Awards is a program of the National Australia Day Council, managed in Queensland by the Queensland Government.
Ports shut after huge cyber attack, Christmas goods shortage looms economy and help trigger another interest rate rise”.
Sydney, Nov 13 (IANS) Ports in several Australian cities have been shut down due to a massive cyberattack, triggering concerns about shortages of key supplies amid the festive season for several days ahead. A “serious and ongoing” cybersecurity incident hit port operator DP World Australia, which controls 18 ports in the country through terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle. The port operator said late on Sunday it was in talks with rival operators to get freight moving at the ports while it worked to restore its operations, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver was quoted as saying that a lengthy disruption to UAEowned DP World’s operations “could ripple through the broader
“It goes to the nature of the supply shock here, and this could have an impact on the prices, and inflation rate, of goods, which has been coming down. If this stops that, or it pushes up prices, then the Reserve Bank could be looking at it at their December meeting,” he was quoted as saying. Major Australian ports are expected to remain closed, following a "cyber security incident". However, online shoppers are likely to escape the worst as most of them use air freight for delivery. The Australian Federal Police confirmed it was investigating the incident, which cyber experts believe to be a ransomware attack. Home Affairs and Cybersecurity Minister Clare O’Neil described the hack as serious and ongoing. “This incident is a reminder of the serious risk that cyberattacks pose to our country, and to vital infrastructure we all rely on,” she said.
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Jaishankar visits BAPS temple, interacts with The visit came just after he was Indian community in UK The minister also spoke to the Indian community there and thanked them for their contributions that "are raising our profile around the world".
London, Nov 13 (IANS) Praying for peace and harmony for Indians across the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London on Diwali as part of his five-day visit to the UK. "Blessed to visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Deepavali. Prayed for the peace, harmony and prosperity of our community around the world," Jaishankar, who was accompanied by his wife, wrote on platform X.
Also known as the Neasden Temple, the BAPS temple thanked the minister for taking time out to meet the devotees and taking part in the Diwali celebrations. "Thank you @DrSJaishankar for taking time out to join the #Diwali celebrations at #NeasdenTemple today. We appreciate your kind words, which inspired the thousands of devotees and visitors from the local community who had joined the celebrations," the temple wrote in a message posted on X. "May the #LivingBridge between Great Britain and Great Bharat grow and glow from strength to strength," it added.
invited for Diwali tea at Downing Street with British Prime Minister Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty on Sunday.
He is also expected to address a Diwali reception organised by the High Commission of India in London on Monday and attend an event at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
White House rubbishes poll surveys on Biden’s projected loss in five states decide their choice at the ballot box as evidenced by the trends in the off-year 2023 elections to legislatures, governors, and judges' vacancies in the Supreme Court. It cited the overwhelming Democrat victories in Ohio and Kentucky, where the Republican agenda against abortion rights were rejected outright, media reports said. Washington, Nov 9 (IANS) The White House has rubbished various polls claiming that President Joe Biden is trailing behind his predecessor Donald Trump in five states, as it pointed to Democrat victories in three states -- Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky -- in the off-year elections, saying "Voting matters and not Polls".
Politicos spent the early part of this week talking up a New York Times poll that found Biden losing to Trump in five key swing states and trailing a generic Democrat by 13 points.
The White House pointed at the 'limitations' of polling surveys, especially attacking the New York Times/Ipso survey, and others such as NBC and CBC to say that ultimately voters
'ABORTION RIGHTS WIN OUT IN 2023 ELECTIONS, SHOWING GOP HASN'T FOUND FOOTING FOR 2024' - screamed a Washington Examiner headline on the 2023 elections results.
That came to an abrupt end when election results started rolling in, something the Biden administration was happy to point out, the reports said.
"We have always said that voting matters and polls do not," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "Our focus is going to remain on our work to grow the economy, lower costs for families, and protect fundamental freedoms against dangerous agendas that are out of touch with the American people." Democrats won big in Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia, with Governor Andy Beshear winning reelection against a Trump-backed challenger, Ohio passing statewide abortion protections, and Virginia holding off Governor Glenn Youngkin's plans to turn the state legislature red. The White House was quick to take a victory lap afterwards. Biden called several of the winning candidates, and both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris released statements about abortion, media reports said. "President Biden's values and agenda won big across the country last night," Jean-Pierre said.
UN agency seeks Macron’s support for ‘immediate ceasefire in Gaza’ where Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops are engaged in a fierce battle with the Hamas group. UNRWA Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini made the appeal while addressing an International Peace Conference called by Marcon in Paris on Thursday. Tel Aviv, Nov 9 (IANS) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees has appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron to lend support towards ensuring an immediate ceasefire in Gaza Strip
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The commissioner in his appeal said that he was seeking urgent support from the French president for a humanitarian ceasefire along with strict adherence to international humanitarian law.
King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday today ceremonial gun salutes will mark the day, including at the Tower of London, reports the BBC.
Delighted to call on Prime Minister @RishiSunak on #Diwali Day. Conveyed the best wishes of PM @narendramodi. India and UK are actively engaged in reframing the relationship for contemporary times. Thank Mr and Mrs Sunak for their warm reception and gracious hospitality," Jaishankar wrote on X. During his visit, which began on November 11, Jaishankar will be holding discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, and will meet several other dignitaries.
He said that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including UN facilities hosting displaced people, must be protected and accessible to humanitarian assistance everywhere in Gaza and at all times. The UNRWA Commissioner also said that a continuous flow of aid was essential in Gaza and that the aid coming through the Rafah border was quite inadequate. He also said that the aid should come to Gaza from all crossing points, including the point with Israel, Kerem Shalom.
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WORLD NEWS
Highlighting the Coronation Food Project in an article in the Big Issue magazine, the King said: "Food need is as real and urgent a problem as food waste." He told the magazine that "cost-of-living pressures" were resulting in "too many families and individuals missing out on nutritious meals".
London, Nov 14 (IANS) The UK's King Charles III will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday with the launch of the Coronation Food Project, which seeks to bridge the gap between food waste and food need across the the nation. Besides launching the project, the monarch will also host a reception for 400 NHS nurses and midwives at the Buckingham Palace, while
The project aims to create distribution hubs to connect surplus food with what it says are 14 million people facing food insecurity. An animation promoting the project will be shown on Tuesday evening on the digital advertising hoardings at Piccadilly Circus in London. When the King was born on November 14, 1948, there was still food rationing in post-war Britain.
CIA director, Mossad chief meet Qatar PM in Doha met the Qatar Prime Minister for discussions regarding the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas and other terror outfits on October 7. It is to be noted that several top Hamas leaders were staying in Qatar, and the country has been turning into a key mediator in the current crisis.
Tel Aviv, Nov 10 (IANS) The chief of the Israeli intelligence body -- Mossad, and the US' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director have met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Doha. Mossad chief, David Barnea, and CIA head, William Burns,
According to information available in Tel Aviv, the Qatar Prime Minister had met the Hamas leadership who are in Doha. The meeting was held on Wednesday night. It was, however, not clear regarding what the next round of meeting would be, as the Prime Minister had met both sides.
Slovakian govt rejects military aid package for Ukraine ammunition, missiles, mortars and mines. Slovakia has supported Ukraine with 13 packages of military aid worth 671 million euros since the beginning of the conflict. Bratislava, Nov 9 (IANS) The Slovakian government has rejected a 14th package of military aid for Ukraine worth 40.3 million euros ($43.1 million), local media has reported. The proposal for the aid was prepared by the former technocratic government, Xinhua news agency reported. The News Agency of the Slovak Republic reported that the military aid would have included
However, the new Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and his Smer party have repeatedly said that the government will stop military aid to Ukraine. Nevertheless, the government has announced that military aid to Ukraine provided on a commercial basis by companies operating in Slovakia and the Czech Republic has no influence on the position of the Slovak government, and will continue. (1 euro = $1.07)
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ISRAEL SPECIAL
Israel to begin 4-hour daily 34 patients die in Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital as oxygen machine shuts down truce in Gaza for aid to flow
Gaza, Nov 14 (IANS) At least 34 patients have died in the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza -- the largest in the enclave -- as a result of the shutdown of oxygen machines caused by a fuel outage, the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry said. In a statement late Monday, the Ministry said that seven newborns were among the dead, adding it was difficult to evacuate patients and injured people from the hospital, which is under siege and frequent attacks from the Israeli army, reports Xinhua news agency. The Al-Shifa Hospital currently
has more than 60 patients in its intensive care units, over 40 infants in its neonatal ward, and somen 500 patients in its kidney dialysis department, according to the Ministry.
and northern Gaza are reportedly out of service due to the lack of power, medical consumables, oxygen, food and water, compounded by bombardments and fighting in their vicinities.
As of Monday night, there were some 600-650 inpatients, 200500 staff, and 1,500 internally displaced persons believed to have remained in the hospital.
The Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza city, which currently accommodates over 500 patients, is reportedly the sole medical facility able to receive patients, amid increasing shortages and challenges.
Among the patients at heightened risk of death were reportedly 36 babies in incubators and a number of kidney dialysis patients. The attacks continue as the Israeli military has repeatedly alleged that Palestinian armed groups operate a military compound within and underneath Al-Shifa. But the hospital management and the Health Ministry have strongly denied these allegations and have called for an independent investigation. As of Tuesday morning, all but one of the hospitals in Gaza City
While the Israeli authorities have called for the evacuation of hospitals in the north, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, this would be a “death sentence”, given that the entire medical system is collapsing and hospitals in southern Gaza cannot admit more patients. On Monday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said that attempts to evacuate the al-Quds Hospital, the secondlargest hospital in Gaza, failed due to "continuing shelling and shooting."
Israel demands action against int’l media outlets whose photojournalists were present during Oct 7 massacre The watchdog also raised questions whether these journalists had permission to cross into Israel from Gaza.
Tel Aviv, Nov 10 (IANS) The Israel Communications Ministry has contacted international media outlets -- New York Times, CNN, Associated Press (AP) and Reuters -- after an Israeli media watchdog, HonestReporting.com, brought out details regarding the photojournalists employed by these outlets had been with Hamas terrorists when they swarmed into Israel on October 7 early hours and massacred civilians. The HonestReporting.com, which works to expose false narratives against Israel in foreign press, asks whether these photojournalists were aware of such a massacre as they were present on the scene of crime.
The investigation by HonestReporting.com revealed that these photographers had documented the kidnapping of civilians and soldiers by the Hamas terrorists. The burning of tanks and murder of an IDF soldier was also documented by these photojournalists. The spokesperson of AP responded to this stating that it had no advance knowledge of the October 7 massacre. The spokesperson of AP, Nicole Meyer, in a statement said, "AP had no advance knowledge of the October 7 attack." The statement also added, "AP's role is to capture news and images worldwide, at any point, even if they are terrible and involve victims." The National Public Diplomacy Directorate in the Israeli Prime Minister's office said, "We view
this with utmost gravity that photojournalists working with international media joined in covering the brutal acts of murder perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7." The statement further said that these journalists were accomplices in crimes against humanity and that their actions were contrary to professional ethics. The Israel Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi contacted CNN, New York Times, AP and Reuters.
In a statement, the military said the Nahal Infantry Battalion captured the stronghold named as 'Outpost 17' in the Jebaliya region.
Tel Aviv, Nov 9 (IANS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday said that it has captured a key stronghold of the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip after a 10
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The IDF further claimed that several Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants were killed in the fierce fighting. The military said it also located a tunnel shaft adjacent to a kindergarten school that leads to an extensive underground route.
Washington, Nov 9 (IANS) Israel will commence a 4-hour truce daily in military operations in selected areas of northern Gaza where its forces are fighting the Hamas fiercely in order to allow humanitarian aid from UN and other agencies to flow into the enclave, the White House announced on Thursday. The pauses are meant to allow for humanitarian assistance to get into the besieged enclave and allow civilians to flee the fighting zone, media reports said quoting White House officials. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said Israel would announce the timing of the pauses three hours beforehand. "We've been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas over the duration of the pause, and that this process is starting today," Kirby said, calling it "steps in the right direction". Israel's crucial decision to allow four-hour pauses came after "an awful lot of engagement by the administration to try to make sure that humanitarian assistance could get in and people could get out safely", Kirby said adding the pauses would provide "brief
The Israeli decision for humanitarian pauses daily in the besieged enclave followed intense discussions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, characterized as a "significant" first step. There were also followup discussions at the top levels of bureaucratic hierarchy in both governments, media reports said. "We have been urging the Israelis to minimize civilian casualties and to do everything that they can to reduce those numbers," Kirby said, adding they would provide "breathing space for a few hours" for civilians to move out of harm's way, CNN reported. Israel has been repeatedly warning civilians to move to southern Gaza as it attacks targets in the north, but southern Gaza is no safe zone either for them as the attacks have left that perimeter in rubbles and there is acute shortage of essentials for daily living. Civilians are unable to leave Gaza in large numbers since the war began; groups of foreign nationals and some injured Palestinians were allowed out of the enclave recently, reports said . The US would like to see the daily pauses continue for as long as humanitarian assistance in Gaza is sustained at the required levels.
IDF conducts airstrike in Syria in retaliation to drone attack
After the denial by AP, Reuters also said that it did not have any prior knowledge of the October 7 massacre. The Reuters in a statement said, "We are aware of a report by HonestReporting and accusations made against two freelance journalists and accusations made against two freelance photographers who contributed to Reuters coverage of the October 7 matter."
IDF captures key Hamas stronghold in Gaza after 10 hour-long battle hour-long battle.
windows of opportunity" for safe passage of hostages being held by Hamas.
The fighting took place within the tunnel system as well as on the ground. The military however, did not specify the number of casualties on the IDF's side. This development comes as Israeli forces have intensified its ongoing ground offensive in Gaza against the Hamas in retaliation to its unprecedente attack on October 7.
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Tel Aviv, Nov 10 (IANS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday said that it conducted an airstrike in Syria in retaliation to a drone attack fired from the neighbouring country towards a school in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
It also held the government in Damascus responsible for any attack from the Syrian soil.
In a statement, the military said that it identified the location in Syria from where the drone attack was carried out in Eliat on Thursday.
"The IDF will respond forcefully to any attempt to attack Israel," it added.
Without specifying, the IDF also said that it "attacked the organization that launched it (drone attack) in response".
The military said in the statement that “the Syrian regime is completely responsible for all terrorist activity that takes place on its soil".
Earlier on Friday, the IDF had posted on X that a "UAV hit a civilian building in the city of Eilat".
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
From the editor’s desk Australia’s diplomatic balancing act Australia’s relations with both the US and China are crucial Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Chinese President Xi Jinping recently, and following that meeting he said that he had a "very positive" engagement with China. Xi on his part said that a stable relationship between the two countries served each other's interests and that Australia and China should further enhance their cooperation. This is a clear signal from China that it was ready to move on, leaving behind the recent strain in relations between the two countries. Interestingly, Albanese is the first Australian leader to visit Beijing since 2016. Prior to his China visit, the Prime Minister had visited the US in October this year. The Prime Minister’s talks with US President Biden was aimed at strengthening Australia-US relations, and they also discussed issues related to common interests, including global issues. As Australia tries to repair its relations with China, and at the same time maintain strong ties with the US, it finds itself in a unique geopolitical position, straddling the interests of two major powers- the United States and China. The dynamics of Australia’s relations with these giants shape its foreign policy, economic stability, and regional influence. Examining the nuances of Australia’s ties with the US and China reveals a delicate balancing act that involves economic interdependence, security alliances, and standing up to the challenges of a changing global order. To begin with, Australia’s economic relationship with both the US and China plays a vital role in shaping its domestic prosperity. Historically, the US has been a significant investor in Australia, and the economic relations between the two nations are deeply entrenched. The US is Australia’s thirdlargest trading partner and a major source of foreign direct investment, particularly in sectors such as finance, technology, and defence. On the other hand, China has emerged as Australia’s largest trading partner, driven primarily by the demand for Australian natural resources. China’s insatiable appetite for commodities like iron ore, coal, and agricultural products has fueled Australia’s economic growth for decades. This economic interdependence has been a double-edged sword, providing economic benefits while exposing Australia to the risks associated with China’s economic policies and geopolitical assertiveness. Then there are Australia’s
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security alliances, which are a critical aspect of its foreign policy. Historically, Australia has maintained a strong defence alliance with the United States through the Australia, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS). This treaty, forged during the Cold War, underscores the security umbrella provided by the US to Australia and New Zealand. In recent years, the USAustralia alliance has gained prominence as both nations work together to address common security challenges, including counterterrorism, regional stability, and the rise of China. Australia’s commitment to the Quad, a strategic forum comprising the US, Japan, India, and Australia, reflects its alignment with the US in shaping a free and open IndoPacific region. Despite the historical relations with the US, Australia has also recognized the importance of engaging with China on security issues and on trade. The shifting geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region poses challenges for Australia’s diplomacy. The rise of China as a global power is perceived as a threat for the countries in this region, forcing Australia to navigate carefully its relations with both the US and China. While the US remains a crucial security ally, China’s economic importance and regional influence cannot be ignored. However, Australia’s commitment to the Quad has drawn criticism from China, which perceives it as part of a containment strategy. The Quad serves as a platform for Australia to collaborate with likeminded nations in addressing common challenges without completely alienating China. The South China Sea dispute further complicates matters. While the US has been a relentless critic of China’s territorial claims and has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the region, Australia has taken a more cautious approach, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution and adherence to international law, Striking a balance between supporting its allies and maintaining a diplomatic dialogue with China remains a delicate challenge. The realm of technology has become a significant battleground in the broader geopolitical competition. Australia, like many other nations, faces the challenge of balancing its technological partnerships with the US and China. The US has been a longstanding collaborator in defence technology, intelligence sharing, and space exploration. At the same time, China’s technological prowess and
EDITORIAL
Democracy in the era of AI: Opportunities & challenges By Rabindra Mukherjee The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering in a new era that poses both challenges and opportunities for democratic governance. As AI technologies advance, they have the potential to reshape political landscapes, influence decisionmaking processes, and impact the very foundations of democratic principles. Understanding how to navigate this intersection of AI and democracy is crucial for societies around the world. To begin with there are opportunities for enhancing democracy in many ways, first being related to facilitating informed decision-making. AI can empower citizens by providing access to vast amounts of information, enabling more informed decision-making. Through data analysis and information synthesis, AI systems can present diverse perspectives on complex issues, fostering a more educated electorate. Then there is an opportunity for AI to bring efficiency in governance. Governments can leverage to enhance the efficiency of public services and policymaking. Automating routine administrative tasks, analyzing data for evidence-based policy decisions, and optimizing resource allocation contribute to more effective governance. AI provides an opportunity for increased civic engagement. AIdriven technologies can facilitate innovation cannot be ignored, especially in sectors like telecommunications and artificial intelligence. Australia’s relations with the US and China will continue to evolve in the context of a rapidly changing global order. As the US and China compete for influence in the IndoPacific, Australia must adapt its foreign policy to safeguard its national interest and promote regional stability. Maintaining a pragmatic and nuanced approach is crucial. Australia’s leaders must balance the benefits of economic engagement with China against the imperatives of security alignment with the US. Investing in diversified economic partnerships, enhancing technological resilience, and fostering open communication channels with both nations will be key strategies for Australia to navigate the complexities of its dual relationships. It is pertinent to point out that Australia’s diplomatic balancing act between the US and China reflects the intricacies of modern geopolitics. As economic relations, security alliances, and technological considerations shape any nation’s foreign policy in modern times, Australia must navigate carefully to maximize opportunities, remove risks, and contribute to regional stability in what is now a multipolar world.
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greater civic engagement by providing platforms for public participation. Online forums, Ai-assisted town halls, and participatory budgeting tools enable citizens to have a direct impact on decision-making processes. Personalized governance, which would make governance meaningful and percolate to the grassroots, could be seen with AI taking centrestage. AI has the potential to tailor governance to individual needs. From personalized public services to targeted policy recommendations, AI can enhance the responsiveness of governments to the unique requirements of their citizens. Inclusive decision-making is another advantage, if AI fulfils the promise it makes. AI systems can help identify and address biases in decision-making processes. By analyzing data objectively, AI has the potential to promote inclusivity and reduce discrimination in various aspects of governance, including policy formulation and resource allocation. But the picture is not full of roses, as it may seem, initially. Challenges and concerns will always remain with each step AI takes towards becoming more powerful. What are these concerns? First, after all, AI is based on algorithms, and hence, algorithmic bias is a concern. This is one of the primary concerns, where AI systems inadvertently reflect and perpetuate existing social inequalities. If the data used to train AI models contain biases, the outputs may disproportionately impact certain demographics, potentially undermining democratic principles of fairness and equality. There are privacy concerns as well. As AI systems process vast amounts of personal data, privacy concerns become paramount. Striking a balance between leveraging data for public good and safeguarding individual privacy is a challenge that requires robust legal frameworks and ethical considerations. Manipulation of information can be a major challenge as AI technologies can be exploited to manipulate information, influencing public opinion and elections. Deepfakes, automated disinformation campaigns, and algorithmic amplification of certain viewpoints pose threat to the integrity of democratic processes. Then there may be a lack of transparency, which is of utmost importance in democracy. The complexity of AI algorithms can lead to a lack of transparency, making it difficult for citizens to understand how decisions are reached. Transparency is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, and efforts must be made to ensure AI systems are explainable and accountable.
As we understand the concerns from the perspective of a democratic political system, there are other general concerns of AI, which are often talked about in public discourses. Job displacement and economic inequality are two of them. The automation facilitated by AI has the potential to displace certain jobs, leading to economic inequality. Ensuring a just transition and addressing the social and economic implications of AI-driven automation is crucial for maintaining social cohesion in democratic societies. Then there is the challenge of overreliance on technology. The overreliance on AI and technology in decision-making processes may sideline human judgment and intuition. Striking a balance between technological advancements and the humancentric values that underpin democracy is essential to avoid blindly relying on algorithmic outputs. These concerns related to AI may seem overwhelming, but there can be some measures taken to safeguard democracy. First and foremost, as with every piece of technology developed in human history, ethical AI frameworks could be the answer to address some of the concerns. Establishing robust ethical frameworks for the development and deployment of AI is essential. These frameworks should address issues such as transparency, fairness, accountability, and privacy. Adopting ethical guidelines ensures that AI technologies align with democratic values. Then, promoting public awareness and education about AI is crucial for fostering an informed citizenry. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI empowers individuals to critically assess information, recognize potential biases, and actively participate in discussions surrounding AI governance. There is also the need for involving citizens in the development and deployment of AI systems to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered. Participatory approaches, such as citizen juries or public consultations, can provide valuable insights into the societal impacts of AI and help shape policies that reflect democratic values. Along with citizen participation, mandating transparency in AI algorithms and holding developers and organizations accountable for the impact of their systems is essential. Governments should establish clear regulations requiring transparency in AI decision-making processes, especially when these processes have significant societal implications. Safeguarding democracy in the AI era requires a collective effort from governments, technologists, and citizens.
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
SPECIAL FEATURES
Would Kashmiris ever listen to Hatim’s tales again? art of storytelling has suffered immensely in Kashmir as the present generation is more interested in science fiction films, crime and family TV serials, adventure and disaster movies etc. The tradition of storytelling has been and is a very important part of Kashmir’s history and culture. Many Kashmiris, mostly in their 60s and above, still vividly recall the magic of the local storyteller. They still believe that despite the popularity and reach of cinema and television, the attraction and thrill of the storyteller remains unmatched.
Srinagar, Nov 14 (IANS) The art of storytelling has been an essential element of Kashmir’s folklore and a great source of inspiration for researchers and explorers. Sir Marc Aurel Stein, the Hungarian born British archaeologist and explorer spent six summers in the Himalayan meadow called Mohand Marg in Valley’s Ganderbal district to translate Kalhana’s epic chronicle, the ‘Rajatarangini’ (River of Kings) from Sanskrit to English. During his stay in the Valley, Stein came to know of a great storyteller called Hatim Teli (Hatim oil-seller) who lived in the present Panzin village of Ganderbal which Stein called ‘Panzil’.
The village is situated at the confluence of the Sindh stream and the waters from the Harmukh glacier. Harmukh peak is believed to be the abode of Hindu Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Local Pandits believe that the divine couple went to the Amarnath Cave from their Harmukh abode to give ‘Darshan’ to the devotees. With the help of a local scholar, Pandit Govind Kaul, Stein managed to translate Hatim’s stories and songs into English which he published in England in the early 20th century. Hatim used to be in great demand during public gatherings and weddings. His list of hosts ran
long, especially, during the winter months when his visits would be long awaited. Families would gather around Hatim during long winter nights and under the light of an oil lamp, the lanky storyteller would start his narration of ‘Mahmud of Ghazni and the fisherman’, or the romantic story of ‘Prophet Yusuf and Zulaikha’ or the adventure of ‘Forsyth Sahib to conquer Yarkand’. The master storyteller, Hatim was the narrator of Kashmir’s folklore and storytelling tradition that existed centuries before him and continued for many years after his death. With the advent of cinema, television and mobile phones, the
Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, 86, is a retired school headmaster. He lives in a village in Ganderbal district. His face gets back the long lost glow when he is reminded of the days and nights he spent as a child and youth listening to the storyteller. “Winters used to be tough. There was no electricity and the roads were hardly motorable. “Snow would begin in the afternoon and keep falling till morning. “Everything would be covered with a white blanket in the morning as we looked forward to a hot cup of salt tea gathered around the hearth managed by mother. “Days would mostly be spent indoors as parents cautioned us of frostbite and chilblains if we played in snow.
the storyteller was coming home that evening. “Dinner would be served early and a large steaming ‘Samovar’ with ‘Kehwa’ would be placed close to the storyteller. “He would begin his narrative with masterly craft matched by the widening of his eyes, raising and lowering of his eyebrows and hands as the prince in the story fought the ‘Jinn’ to retrieve his beloved. “There was advice and wisdom in every story he told. The triumph of good over evil, crime never pays and despite all our cunning and craft, a straight line is still the shortest distance between two points, etc. “It was a marvellous entertaining system of education the likes of which is not seen today despite audio-visual gadgets at our schools and colleges. “I wish the art never dies and our department of culture does something to revive the tradition. “It is like the dying street theatre. We owe it to posterity to preserve these historical assets”, the retired headmaster said. The good news is that he is still able to narrate many of the tales he heard from the storyteller. But, the bad news is that this gentleman could be among the last of such Kashmiris who saw a storyteller come home when the long, dark shadows of winter nights extended over towns and villages in Kashmir.
“Once every fortnight, our home would become the centre of attraction for the entire village as
Last 50 years, I have been fighting with whoever has been in power: Filmmaker Anand Patwardhan but they are interrelated and unfortunately do go out of date. The fact that they are still relevant can be depressing, as the same means that things around have not changed much. Half my life I was fighting the Congress with my art, now it is BJP,” he tells IANS.
Sukant Deepak New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS) When the doyen of Indian documentary filmmaking, Anand Patwardhan, who has been making films for half a century now, says casually that he has not "evolved", it can be quite a shocker. For someone, who has made internationally acclaimed documentaries including 'Bombay: Our City' ('Hamara Shahar') (1985), 'In Memory of
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Friends' (1990), 'In the Name of God' ('Ram ke Nam') (1992), 'Father, Son, and Holy War' (1995), 'A Narmada Diary' (1995), 'War and Peace' (2002), 'Jai Bhim Comrade' (2011), and 'Reason', with virtually all his films facing censorship, and eventually being cleared after legal action, it can be said that they are relevant even today. “I feel like I have been saying the same thing for 50 years. I have made films on different issues
While several of his films have been screened once on Doordarshan after court orders, and have remained underutilized, and not entered the mainstream, the filmmaker asserts that there have been several instances where people after watching them have given him feedback he never expected them to. “Once, a man who was part of the Babri Masjid demolition told me that seeing ‘Ram Ke Naam’ ‘woke’ him up,” says Patwardhan, whose cinema deals with religious fundamentalism, sectarianism, casteism, nuclear nationalism, and unsustainable development. Patwardhan was in Dharmshala recently for the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF)
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where his latest ‘The World is Family’ was screened. In his most personal film to date, the filmmaker looks at his family through interviews with family members, and old albums and captures the family’s links with the Indian freedom movement and how they formed close ties with Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and other important figures of the independence movement. It may not be an overtly political film, which he started shooting in the late 1990s, but is definitely an act of recovering memory at a time when history is being rewritten and looks at his contemporary concerns. “Frankly, I was just recording my parents because I did not want to lose them, they were getting old. After they passed on, it was during the Pandemic that I started editing the home videos, and realized that they must be shared. While the film looks at the past, it also offers a bridge to look at the future divorced from hate politics,” he
says about 'The World is Family' that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, his fourth film to be screened there. As the conversation veers towards OTT platforms and the initial euphoria that they would welcome diverse content, Patwardhan asserts that they do not even touch his movies, and even the most popular free video streaming platform puts restrictions on his content. “For certain kinds of filmmaking, there are funding and pitching sessions, and they do get foreign television channels to put out their films. I have not done that as I want my films to be made in India. Sadly, while there are movies made through international financers, there is no mechanism to support indigenously made films. But then people are making films without money too, so there is hope,” concludes the filmmaker.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
INDIA NEWS
BUSINESS & TRADE
RBI allows NRIs to buy Apple, US govt reach $25 mn settlement over job bias allegations Sovereign Green Bonds make it harder for someone to seek a job because of their citizenship status will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department’s Civil Rights Division. New York, Nov 10 (IANS) Apple Inc reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve allegations that the tech giant illegally discriminated in hiring and recruitment against American citizens and certain non-US citizens whose permission to live in and work in the country does not expire. Pursuant to the $25 million agreement, Apple is required to pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and establish an $18.25 million back pay fund for eligible discrimination victims. This is the largest award recovered under the antidiscrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the DOJ announced on Thursday. “Creating unlawful barriers that
“This resolution reflects the Civil Rights Division’s commitment to ending illegal discriminatory employment practices,” Clarke added. The settlement agreement resolves the department’s determination that Apple violated the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements during Apple’s recruitment for positions falling under the permanent labour certification program (PERM). The PERM program is administered by the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security. It allows employers to sponsor workers for lawful permanent resident status in the US after completing recruitment and meeting other program requirements. Any US employer that utilizes
The Department’s investigation, which started in February 2019, found that Apple engaged in a pattern or practice of citizenship status discrimination in recruitment for positions it hired through PERM. It also found that the company’s unlawful discrimination prejudiced US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents, and those granted asylum or refugee status. These less effective recruitment practices deterred protected workers from applying to positions that Apple preferred to fill instead with PERM beneficiaries. Specifically, the department’s investigation found that Apple did not advertise positions Apple sought to fill through the PERM program on its external job website, even though its standard practice was to post other job positions on this website.
Logistics unicorn Xpressbees’ net loss surges 6X to over Rs 180 cr in FY23 The operating revenue for FY23 grew 33 per cent to Rs 2,531.5 crore, from Rs 1,904.4 crore in FY22.
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) B2B logistics service provider Xpressbees saw its net loss surging to over six times in FY23, owing to higher cash burn. The Supam Maheswari-led startup reported a net loss of Rs 180.4 crore in FY23, an increase of 566 per cent from Rs 27.1 crore in FY22, reports Startupnews.
Initially, Xpressbees was the logistics arm of ecommerce firm FirstCry, but the former was spun out as a separate entity in 2015 under Busybees Logistics Solutions. Earlier this week, Xpressbees raised $80 million from Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG), the investment arm of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The Canadian pension fund acquired a stake in the Puneheadquartered startup at about $1.4 billion valuation, according to
RBI circular states.
the PERM program cannot illegally discriminate in hiring or recruitment based on citizenship or immigration status.
reports. This investment will be used to help drive further growth for the Xpressbees platform and support the company’s management team with their future ambitions, the company said in a statement. Xpressbees turned unicorn after a $300 million round in February 2021. The logistics platform provides supply chain solutions including B2B/B2C express delivery service, crossborder logistics, and warehousing services to e-commerce, pharma, heavy industries, and banking institutions.
The directions in the notification, issued on Wednesday, are “applicable with immediate effect,” RBI said.
Mumbai, Nov 9 (IANS) The RBI has issued a notification allowing NRIs to invest, without any restrictions, in the Government’s Sovereign Green Bonds issued for 2023-24. “It has now been decided to designate all Sovereign Green Bonds issued by the government in the fiscal year 2023-24 as ‘specified securities’ under the FAR (fully accessible route),” the
The government plans to borrow Rs 20,000 crore through green bonds in the current financial year. Green bonds can be issued by countries, companies and multilateral organisations to only fund projects that have positive impacts on the climate and environment and provide investors with fixed income payments. Examples of green projects include renewable energy, clean transportation and green buildings.
SoftBank reports unexpected $6.2 bn loss after WeWork bankruptcy
in the same quarter last year after selling a stake in Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba, the report said.
Tokyo, Nov 9 (IANS) SoftBank Group posted an unexpected 931 billion yen ($6.2 billion) net loss in the second quarter, compounding the pain for shareholders and founder Masayoshi Son after one of the group’s biggest bets, WeWork, filed for bankruptcy earlier this week, a media report said. It was the fourth consecutive quarter in the red for the Japanese conglomerate, as gains from the initial public offering of chip designer Arm failed to offset pain from the weak yen and worse than expected writedowns in private market valuations in the three-month period ending September, Financial Times reported. Analysts had expected a net profit of 180.8 billion yen, according to S&P Capital IQ. The group had made 3 trillion yen in net profit
“It was a disappointing quarter. We didn’t expect them to take impairment charges for private investments and at a higher rate than the last quarter,” said Kirk Boodry, a SoftBank analyst at Astris Advisory in Tokyo, highlighting $2.9 billion of writedowns in the private portfolio at the group’s flagship Vision Funds, Financial Times reported. “There was an expectation when they took some pretty steep writedowns in the fourth quarter that they had sort of kitchen-sinked everything,” Boordy added. SoftBank said on Thursday that after some accounting adjustments, its tech-heavy Vision Funds made an overall investment gain of $300 million in the second quarter -- with Vision Fund 1 making a gain of $2.5 billion on the back of selling its stake in Arm to SoftBank, but Vision Fund 2 fell to a $2.1 billion loss.
Adani Ports posts Rs India’s economy to outperform, G20 1,748cr net profit in Q2 growth to moderate: Moody’s which impacted its profit.
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Moody’s expects global G20 growth to moderate in 2024 to 2.1 per cent from 2.8 per cent in 2023 and accelerate in 2025 to 2.6 per cent, the firm said in its Global Macroeconomic Outlook 2024-25 report. Economic strength across emerging market countries
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varies considerably, with some like India, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia outperforming expectations, while outlooks for Turkey and Argentina are highly uncertain, the report states.
At the same time rural demand, which has shown nascent signs of improvement, remains vulnerable to uneven monsoons that could lower crop yields and farm income, the report states.
The report states that India’s sustained domestic demand growth is propelling the country’s economy.
Expanding manufacturing and services PMIs and healthy core industries’ output growth add to evidence of solid economic momentum, it added.
Robust goods and services tax collections, surging auto sales, rising consumer optimism and double-digit credit growth suggest urban consumption demand will likely remain resilient amid the ongoing festive season.
With exports remaining weak amid an unfavorable global economic backdrop, strong domestic demand will likely to sustain growth in the near-term, according to the report.
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Its revenue from operations came in at Rs 6,646.41 crore, up 27.55 per cent from the same quarter of the previous year, the company said in an exchange filing.
Mumbai, Nov 9 (IANS) Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone on Thursday reported a 4.19 per cent increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,747.85 crore for the July-September compared to the same period of the previous year. The company had to write off Rs 455 crore as past MAT credit on switching to the new tax regime
The operating margin of the company during the quarter stood at 58 per cent, down YoY from 63 per cent. Net profit margin came in at 27 per cent, falling from 33 per cent, the company said. For the first half of 2023-24, revenue increased by 26 per cent YoY to Rs 12,894 crore while EBITDA increased by 49 per cent YoY to Rs 7,429 crore.
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
DIWALI 2023
Sharmila Tagore, Alia, Ranbir, Sara Akshay Kumar pays tribute dazzle at Saif, Kareena’s Diwali bash to Indian army, celebrates black and white ethnic ensemble. Ranbir greeted the paparazzi and wished them a happy Diwali.
Diwali with jawans
Sara was accompanied by her brother Ibrahim. She looked gorgeous in a purple Anarkali kurta, and paired it with red churidar and a matching dupatta. Ibrahim wore a black ethnic jacket and white trousers. They posed for the lenses while giving major sibling goals. Kunal Kemmu wore a white kurta and pyjama, while Soha Ali Khan donned a red saree. Karisma Kapoor wore a brown ethnic ensemble as she attended her sister's Diwali bash. Saif’s sister Saba was also present at the party and wore a yellow outfit, while Arjun Kapoor looked dapper in black kurta and matching pajamas. He sported a beard look and a ponytail. Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Saif Ali Khan and his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan hosted a lavish Diwali party for their family and close friends at their residence, and welcomed Sharmila Tagore, Randhir Kapoor, Babita Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and others. Kareena looked beautiful in a red saree with floral embroidery on it, while Saif exuded royal vibes in
black ethnic wear. The video shows legendary actress Sharmila Tagore in a black saree, and she looked absolutely graceful. Kareena’s father and actor Randhir Kapoor was seen wearing a pastel green kurta, while Babita wore a pink outfit. Alia looked gorgeous in a red lehenga, while Ranbir wore a
The party also saw the presence of Amrita Arora and her husband, Aadar Jain, who came with his rumoured girlfriend, and Armaan Jain and his wife Anissa Jain. Karisma shared some pictures on social media and wrote: “Family, food and festivities.” Soha posted the Diwali pictures on Instagram and said: “Here’s to love and light.”
Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Actor Akshay Kumar spent a day with the Jawans and even celebrated Diwali with them. This Diwali, 'Jai Jawan' featured Akshay, dedicated to honouring the courage and valour of the Indian Army. Akshay said: “I am very excited to be here. My father was a soldier in the army, so my heart since childhood is connected to the army. Seeing the uniform makes me proud and I am honoured to be here.” The actor also witnessed demonstrations of different
techniques employed by the army, including the water plume technique, various ied techniques, and combat engineer activities such as bridge construction, helipad construction, and demolition. Akshay, with his characteristic zest, actively asked questions and absorbed insights into the challenges faced by the army in safeguarding the nation. During his interactions with the jawans, Akshay expressed his excitement about being part of the episode and conveyed his deep connection to the army.
Sushmita, Hema, Vidya, Shraddha light up the night at Shilpa Shetty’s Diwali party Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra hosted a Diwali party for the industry, and saw the presence of Suniel Shetty, Sushmita Sen, Vidya Balan, Hema Malini, Anupam Kher, among many others. Shilpa exuded royal vibes in a maroon halter neck blouse, and a matching lehenga. She completed the look with a dupatta, her hair open, and accessoried the look
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with earrings. Raj wore a golden kurta pyjama, and a maroon dupatta. Suniel Shetty was accompanied by his wife Mana Shetty. Shilpa’s mother and sister Shamita were also present at the party. Sushmita looked radiant in a golden saree, and completed the look with a diamond necklace. She was accompanied by her exboyfriend Rohman Shawl. The party also saw the presence
of Hema Malini and her daughter Esha Deol. The ‘Dream Girl’ of Bollywood wore a magenta saree with a golden border, while Esha wore a brown floral gown.
Anupam Kher donned a white ethnic kurta and pajama.
Raveena wore a pastel yellow sharara set, while Shraddha Kapoor was seen in a blue lehenga.
National Award Winner Kriti Sanon graced the party in a golden outfit and paired it with a multi-coloured jacket. She was accompanied by her sister Nupur Sanon. The two gave sibling goals as they posed for the lenses.
Tamannaah Bhatia wore a purple lehenga, while her boyfriend, actor Vijay Varma, was seen in a black outfit.
Bhumi oozed hotness in a green saree, sleeveless blouse, and a matching clutch. She completed the look with a choker necklace,
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and tied her hair in a bun. The ‘Baby Doll’ singer Kanika Kapoor wore a Barbie pink coloured saree to the party. The others who attended the party were Shahid Kapoor and his wife Mira Rajput, Vidya Balan and her spouse Siddharth Roy Kapur, Farah Khan, Huma Qureshi and Nushrratt Bharuccha.
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
DIWALI 2023
FICQ celebrates Diwali with music and cultural programs Continued from Page 1
Brisbane, November 11 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) organized the annual Diwali celebrations at the iconic King George Square stand as a highly anticipated event on the calendar, particularly for the expanding Indian diaspora in Brisbane. The essence of 'Unity in diversity' is deeply ingrained in the Indian community's ethos. Staying true to its mission, the FICQ has consistently fostered connections between the Indian diaspora and the broader community, paving the way for unity at the FICQ Diwali since 2010. The High Commissioner
of India to Australia Manpreet Vohra attended the event and shared with the attendees the information that the Consulate General of India office in Brisbane will open shortly. Representatives from all three levels of government attended the FICQ Diwali celebrations. Notable guests included Jim Chalmers, MP, Federal Treasurer and Member for Rankin, Senator Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management, Luke Howarth MP, Member for Petrie, and Mr. Stephen Bates MP, Member for Brisbane, Jarrod Bleijie MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member
for Kawana, and Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner and Inspector Damien Houston, Officer in charge of the City Patrol Group, all eloquently delivered a speech about Diwali celebrations and the Indian Community that resonated well with the attendees. To mark the special occasion, the Brisbane City Council lit up City Hall, King George Square, Victoria Bridge, and Story Bridge with the Indian tricolours, creating a festive and captivating atmosphere. Annually, more than 15,000 people of Indian origin and members of the wider Southeast Queensland community participate in the event, underscoring the festival's enduring success.
Despite the presence of rain this year, it failed to diminish the enthusiasm and energy of the attendees. Dhol Tasha Sunshine Coast accorded dignitaries a Dhol Tasha honour while the expansive crowd joyously partook in and commemorated the festivities. Culinary and cultural entertainment played a pivotal role in the celebrations, unfolding throughout the day with diverse food offerings, songs, and dance performances representing various regions of India. Recognising the relentless efforts of the FICQ committee members over several months, Anoop Nannuru, president of FICQ,said, "Diwali holds immense significance for the Indian
community, and organizing such a grand event is an enormous undertaking. From securing funds to ensuring financial viability to the meticulous execution and subsequent cleanup, each step requires tremendous effort. Additionally, the crucial role played by the families of the committee members is noteworthy. It's truly gratifying to witness the unified support of the Indian community during this Diwali celebration. We extend our gratitude to all committee members, advisors, member organizations, volunteers, sponsors, dignitaries, and community members for their continued support."
Kajol, Deb Mukherjee, Sumona attend Kali Puja; NASA shares Diwali greetings with celestial image by Hubble Ajay Devgn, son Yug twin in ethnic outfit Goddess Kali, while singers were crooning bhajans of the goddess in Bengali language. Kajol was seen wearing a red saree with silver lotus motifs on it. She kept her hair open, and completed the look with red bangles. Actor Deb Mukherjee, who is the uncle of Kajol was also present at the pandal. Both can be seen in a candid conversation and later posed for pictures. Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Bollywood actress Kajol looked ethereal as she attended the Kali puja in Santacruz, here. The video shows a grand and beautiful idol of
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Known for her stint in ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, actress Sumona Chakravarti was also present at the puja. She wore a black saree, with golden work on it. Sumona
and are associated with all types of galaxies.
tied her hair in a ponytail, and opted for silver and golden coloured jhumkas, and golden bangles. Kajol also took to her Instagram handle and shared pictures from the Diwali night. In the photos we can see Ajay Devgn is wearing a green kurta and he was twinning it with his son Yug. Actress Tanuja, who is Kajol’s mother, looked beautiful in a pink saree with a pearl necklace. Kajol’s younger sister Tanishaa Mukerji was also present on the occasion.
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"Happy #Diwali to all those who celebrate," NASA wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) NASA on Monday took to social media to extend Diwali greetings with a celestial image captured by Hubble Space Telescope. The US space agency called the globular cluster, located 30,000 light-years away from Earth, a "celestial festival of lights". A globular cluster is a stable, tightly bound cluster of tens of thousands to millions of stars,
"NASAHubble captured a celestial festival of lights -- a globular cluster -- 30,000 light-years away from Earth, near the dense and dusty center of our own Milky Way galaxy," it added. NASA stated that the cluster contains stars ranging from 12 billion years old to about 2 billion years old. "This globular cluster is unlike others, containing both old and young stars," the agency posted on Instagram.
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Victorian premier organizes Diwali reception Melbourne, November 13 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The Victorian premier Jacinta Allan MP hosted a grand Diwali reception, recently. Consul General, Melbourne, joined the
Diwali reception. The Victorian premier’s reception was attended by about 1200 members from the community and faith leaders. It was a celebration filled with light, music, and cultural
performances. The event was a vibrant display of multiculturalism, which saw the large number of attendees from the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities gather to celebrate
the occasion, in a spirit of togetherness. The ceremony started with the traditional lighting of the lamp. Victorian premier Allan was joined by notable figures, including the
Multicultural Minister Ingrid Stitt, Deputy Opposition leader David Southwick, Indian Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar, and Hindu Council of Australia’s president Makrand Bhagwat among others
Diwali gift for Mumbai: Amid air pollution crisis, Adani Electricity supplied 1,200 MW ‘green energy’ AEML Managing Director, Kandarp Patel termed it as “a significant milestone in Mumbai's energy transition”, while demonstrating that renewables can significantly power Mumbai with reliable and sustainable electricity at competitive tariffs.
Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Unknown to the masses grappling with the air pollution crisis, Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd (AEML) supplied 1,200 MW of ‘green energy’ to Mumbai on Diwali day, (November 12), officials said here on Monday. For the first time, around three million homes and
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establishments comprising 12 million Mumbaikars, AEML gave a Diwali gift of sorts by powering them with ‘clean’ energy from renewable sources for four hours on Sunday -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These included renewable power from sources like solar and wind energy providing uninterrupted electric supply to the city.
In 2023, the AEML has met up to 38 per cent of the consumers’ demands through green energy and is hoping to achieve a target of 60 per cent by 2027, to reduce the carbon footprints of the city. AEML supplies nearly 2000 MW power to over three million consumers spread across 400 square kms in Mumbai and suburbs with 99 per cent reliability, ranking among the highest in the country.
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Brisbane Bayside South Indian Association celebrates Diwali Brisbane, October 29 (Australia India News Newsdesk) Brisbane Bayside South Indian
Association organized Diwali celebrations on October 28, at Judy Holt Park, Redlands. The
event featured non-stop cultural performances and a grand fireworks display. It was the
endeavour of team BBSIA Inc., volunteers, and performers that culminated in the success of the
event.
Sikh community of Greater Geelong celebrates Diwali Melbourne, November 13 (Australia India News Newsdesk) Diwali was celebrated at
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Gurudwara Sahib Geelong - Sikh Community of Greater Geelong Inc, recently. Consul General Dr
Sushil Kumar attended the Diwali celebrations and sought blessings on this auspicious occasion. He
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interacted with the management committee members and thanked them for organising the
joyful Diwali celebrations and for promoting Indian cultures and community harmony in multicultural Victoria.
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Music & fireworks light up India’s Diwali celebrations Melbourne, November 6 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The Celebrate India inc.
organised Diwali celebration with display of rich Indian cultural heritages, performances and
fireworks at Victorian Festival of Lights at the iconic Fedration Square Melbourne, recently.
Nick Staikos MP, parliamentary secretary to the premier, John Pesutto, Leader of opposition,
Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar and dignitaries from various walks of life participated in the celebrations.
Swaminarayan aarti & classical dance mark Diwali celebrations Perth, November 8 (Australia India News Newsdesk) BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organized Diwali and Annakut celebrations at the parliament of Western Australia (WA), recently. Minister for Multicultural
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representing the WA premier Interests Dr Tony Buti MLA, , and Shane Love MLA - The Member for Moore and leader of opposition applauded Indian community's contributions to the local economy and society.
They underscored the significant contributions made by Indianorigin local MLAs - Yaz Mubarakai MLA, Dr Jags MLA and Kevin Michel MLA. Several Ministers, including Minister for Police and Defence Industries Paul
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Papalia CSC MLA, Minister for Science and Innovation Stephen Dawson MLC, Members of WA parliament, Federal MPs Tracey Roberts - Federal Member for Pearce and Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, senior government officials,
and prominent community representatives attended the event. The Diwali and Annakut celebrations began with Shanti Mantra and classical dance presentation and concluded with Swaminarayan aarti.
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Multicultural community joins ISWA Diwali celebrations Perth, November 6 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The Indian Society of WA (ISWA) organized its beautiful Diwali celebrations at Langley Park in Perth city, recently. The celebrations showcased the richness and cultural diversity
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of India. The multicultural community of WA joined the two-day celebrations culminating in fireworks on both days. Several senior state ministers, MPs, MLAs, Senators, Mayors, Councillors and prominent dignitaries, including the
Multicultural Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti MLA representing the WA premier, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, Mining and Energy Minister Bill Johnston MLA, Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam, Indian-origin MLAs Dr Jags MLA and Yaz Mubarakai
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MLA, Parliamentary Secretary Meredith Hammat MLA, Senator Dean Smith, Federal MP Zaneta Mascarenhas MP, Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas - Lord Mayor of Perth , Mayor Mayor Terresa Lynes - City of Gosnells, Councillor Keyur Kamdar -
Ranford Ward, City of Armadale, and Councillor Hardeep Singh - City of Canning, and Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi joined the celebrations. Celebrity choreographer Terence Lewis led the participants, including the dignitaries, in dancing to the popular songs of Hindi cinema.
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Grand Diwali at Movie World grips attendees Australian Indian Events Co. (AIEC), which is based in Gold Coast and led by Shrey Baluja, organised Diwali celebrations on November 4 at the Warner Bros Movie World on the Gold Coast.
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The Indian cultural event proved to be one of the most popular Indian festivals on the Gold Coast with more than 5000 attendees. Presented by Saffron Indian
Gourmet, the event included live parade by Brisbane Dhol Tasha, more than 20 unique performances, 10 plus retail shops, five variety food stalls. Inaugurated by chief guest Mark
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Boothman MP, the event was attended by Pinky Singh Manvi OAM (Guest of honor), community leaders like Pushpinder Oberoi, Pradip Gorasia, Kishor Nallapu and the organiser Shrey Baluja.
More than 35% of ticket holders were from multicultural backgrounds and Australian locals. Tickets were rightly priced at $35 per person only.
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FICQ’s Diwali celebration televised Brisbane, November 10 (Australia India News Newsdesk) Team FICQ's Diwali celebration
was televised on the Channel Nine Today Show, on November 10, at Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point. This was an opportunity to
showcase the spirit of Diwali on a live televised platform. The events televised consisted of celebrating the occasion with diyas and
sparkles. Indian sweets and Diwali treats were showcased. There was a display of Indian traditional costumes. Other items
DIWALI 2023 were also presented such as musical performance by Sargam; information about Diwali; dance performance; and wishing "Happy Diwali" in all Indian languages. This was a beautiful opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Diwali to a broad audience.
Lord Mayor’s Diwali reception organized Brisbane, November 8 (Australia India News Newsdesk) Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner hosted a civic reception
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for Diwali oganisers, recently. Dignitaries from Queensland, members of Indian diaspora and team FICQ attended the
reception. The Lord Mayor addressed the attendees. About the festival of light, Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner,
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said, “Happy Diwali. Diwali is the festival of colour and light. It is the season that celebrates love and joy, and victory of light over
darkness. Most importantly, one that unites people across cultures. Hope you and your family enjoy this wonderful time of the year. And once again happy Diwali.”
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THE HON PETER DUTTON MP LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DICKSON DIWALI - DEEPAVALI 2023 On behalf of the Coalition, I send my best wishes to Australians of the Hindu faith for your Diwali celebrations. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, holds a significant place in the hearts of Hindu communities across the world. Diwali is more than a celebratory occasion. It also symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Across Australia, many Hindu families will mark Diwali by illuminating their homes with diyas, dressing in traditional clothes and sharing gifts and sweets. During the Festival of Lights, many parents will recount to their children the epic of the Ramayana – Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king, Ravana. That story encapsulates the enduring importance of perseverance through difficulty and the value of faith and truth in our lives. More than 680,000 people practice Hinduism in Australia. And every year, testimony to our nation’s migration and multicultural success story, increasing numbers of Australians from all backgrounds attend a growing number of Diwali celebrations. As Australians of the Hindu faith gather to celebrate Diwali, I wish you well for your celebrations. And I thank you for your contributions to our nation in many fields of endeavour. May the radiant festival of Diwali bring light, prosperity and happiness. Shubh Diwali.
Hon Peter Dutton MP Leader of the Opposition November 2023
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TAQ celebrates Deepavali Festival of Lights in Willawong Tamil Association of Queensland (TAQ) celebrated the Deepavali
festival of lights on November 4 in Willawong, Brisbane
It was a fun-filled night with various performances for
audiences' entertainment. Ticket prices were $30 for non-
members and $25 for members. Food cost was included in the ticket prices.
Kannada Sangha Queensland hold Kannada Rajyotsava and Deepavali 2023 Kannada Rajyotsava and Deepavali, organized by Kannada Sangha Queensland on 5th Nov 2023 at Coorparoo Secondary College, captivated audiences and marked a resounding success, celebrating Karnataka's statehood and the Festival of Lights with fervour and enthusiasm. The festivities kicked off with vibrant colours, traditional music and dance performances that showcased the rich heritage of the state, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity. The event not only
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commemorated the linguistic and cultural diversity of Karnataka but also fostered a sense of pride and belonging among the Kannada-speaking community in Queensland. Families, dressed in traditional attire, added to the splendour, bringing alive the spirit of Deepavali. A diverse range of cultural activities engaged attendees throughout the day. The Kannada Sangha's commitment to inclusivity was evident in the varied program, catering to the tastes of a broad audience.
Team Aigiri - PresidentSowmya Gowda, Vice President -Vardhinedi NagaJyothi, Secretary - Jay Chandra Rathnakar, Treasurer - Sushma Shankar, PRO- Roopa Rao have all worked tirelessly to ensure smooth operations, while the attendees' enthusiasm and support created an infectious energy. Karnataka's popular singers, Shashikala Sunil and Chethan Naik's performances, set against the backdrop of Kannada Rajyotsava and Deepavali celebrations, contributed to
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making the event a holistic cultural experience. The echoes of their performances lingered as a harmonious reminder of the state's musical legacy. Joe Kelly MP for Greenslopes, Councillor Fiona Cunningham from Coorparoo ward, Councillor Angela Owen representing Calamvale ward, and Prakruthi Gururaj, the representative for Stretton MP James Martin, along with Anoop Nannuru- the President of FICQ, were honoured as chief guests at the event. KSQ also extended a warm welcome
to representatives from various organizations, sponsors, and supporters who graced the occasion with their presence. Kannada Sangha Queensland's dedication in organizing a memorable celebration was evident in every detail. As attendees departed with hearts full of cultural pride and memories, the event stood as a testament to the vibrancy of Karnataka's heritage and the unity of the Kannada-speaking community in Queensland.
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Queensland premier’s annual Diwali reception organized Brisbane, November 14 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The premier’s annual Diwali reception was organized on November 14, at Queensland’s parliament house. Leaders and dignitaries from the Queensland government, including the premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP attended the reception. The
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event also saw members of the Indian community, all decked up in colourful attires, including colourful saris. About the celebrations, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP wrote on her facebook post: “Tonight we celebrated the Indian Community of Queensland at Parliament House. It was such an honour to
get together with all the colour and light of Diwali too – which I know many Queenslanders celebrated over the weekend.” Celebrating the spirit of the occasion, Member for Nudgee in the Queensland parliament Leanne Linard wrote on her facebook post: “What a fantastic night, MC’ing once again the
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Premier’s annual Diwali reception at Parliament for Queensland’s Indian community. The relationship between our two nations, and with our state, is an important one, and I am proud to be part of a government that is focused on strengthening and honouring that bond.
It is always a special highlight of the year to welcome the Queensland- Indian diaspora and community leaders to Parliament, including some dear friends from my electorate of Nudgee to celebrate the special meaning of Diwali - good over evil, light overcomes darkness. Hope above all things.”
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Celebrating Unsung Heroes: An evening of inspiration The fundraiser event, "Celebrating Unsung Heroes’, which took place on October 14 in Brisbane The Simply Human Inc. – Superheroes Without Capes, proved to be an unforgettable evening and brought together a diverse community to support and inspire cancer patients. The event featured the remarkable Lisa Ray, celebrated actor, performer, author, and cancer survivor, as the keynote speaker. The evening began with an insightful panel discussion moderated by the founder and president of Simply Human organisation, Ms. Prerna Pahwa. Ms Prerna had the distinct privilege of engaging in a candid conversation with Lisa Ray, allowing her to share her inspirational journey, which captivated the audience and left them profoundly inspired. Her inspirational journey left the audience spellbound and reignited the flame of hope in the hearts of everyone present.
One highlight of the event was the recognition of the unsung heroes who have been making a significant impact in our community. The Unsung Heroes Award was conferred upon Lisa Ray, Dr. Neelima Gandham and Mr. Madhu Naiker, acknowledging their exceptional contributions and selfless dedication to giving back to the community. The magical musical ensemble Yatra took the stage, weaving a melodious tapestry with their extraordinary combination of sitar, tabla, violin, and didgeridoo. Their performance was met with a mesmerised audience. Distinguished guests, including the CEO of Multicultural Australia, Ms. Christine Castley, and Mr. Peter Russo MP, who represented the Honorable Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, graced the event. Their presence underscored the importance of this fundraiser in the community. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout, with multicultural community and business leaders
coming together to support the cause and make ‘Celebrating Unsung Heroes’ truly exceptional. The audience was treated to a captivating performance by Infusion World music group, who presented an array of Bollywood classics and lively musical numbers, keeping everyone entertained throughout the night. The event also featured a spectacular dance performance by the 2023 Duo category winners, Twin Brothers, who showcased their incredible talent, adding to the evening's vibrancy. A unique aspect of the event was the live painting sessions, featuring the talented artists Mili and Khushi Dakshin, who travelled all the way from Sydney to create exquisite artworks. These paintings were then auctioned to raise funds for the mission. Additionally, Ms. Deepika Keni, an abstract artist from Brisbane, generously donated a painting for the auction, further enhancing the organisation's efforts to support cancer patients.
PRS Oberoi, The Oberoi Group Chairman Emeritus passes away morning. He was 94. The last rites will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS) Iconic hotelier P.R.S. Oberoi, Chairman Emeritus of the Oberoi Group breathed his last on Tuesday
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In an email to the Oberoi Group family, Vikram and Arjun Oberoi said, "It is with profound grief and sorrow that we wish to inform you of the peaceful passing of our beloved leader, P.R.S. Oberoi, Chairman Emeritus earlier today. His passing is a significant loss for The Oberoi Group and the hospitality industry in India and overseas." They said that P.R.S. Oberoi was a visionary leader whose
The heart-warming event was a momentous occasion that celebrated strength, resilience, and the impressive spirit of cancer survivors and patients. "The event, co-presented by Swades Foods, and cosponsored by Platinum sponsors Cornzal Workforce Development and Mahindra Automotive Australia, would not have been possible without their unparalleled generosity, support, and co-operation. The event's artist coordination was expertly handled by Shaurya Entertainment – Samika Bhandari, Deepak Bhandari and Silky Kanthed. The event wouldn’t have been possible without their support. The event was beautifully conceptualised and executed by Ecutas Productions – Mr Paviter Kumar Noori and team," said the organisation in a statement. As the evening concluded, the founder and President of Simply Human, Ms. Prerna Pahwa, expressed her heartfelt
They said that under P.R.S. Oberoi's leadership, The Oberoi Group achieved "unprecedented success", expanding globally and setting new standards for luxury, quality and excellence.
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She also extended her gratitude to the partners and sponsors for their continued support and kindness, acknowledging that their contributions were instrumental in making the event possible. In closing, Ms. Pahwa requested the continued support of all attendees and the community at large, encouraging them to look forward to next year's event, where the organisation will continue in its mission to provide essential support to cancer patients and their families. For more information and to be part of the Simply Human Inc., please follow them on Facebook and Instagram: /@ SimplyHumanAustralia.
Sahara Group founder Subrata Roy passes away at 75 ‘Saharasri’ Subrata Roy Sahara, Managing Worker and Chairman, Sahara India Pariwar.
unwavering dedication and passion for excellence shaped The Oberoi Group and its hotels, to be recognised amongst the best globally. "His legacy extends far beyond our organisation, influencing the hospitality landscape in India and across the globe," the mail read.
gratitude to the entire team, the performers, and the volunteers who played a pivotal role in making the event a resounding success. She credited their dedication and commitment for the evening's triumph.
Mumbai, Nov 14 (IANS) 'Saharasri' Subarata Roy, the founder of Sahara India Pariwar, breathed his last on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest after a prolonged illness. He was 75. Mourning the demise of Roy, the Sahara India Group said in a statement, "With profound sadness, the Sahara India Pariwar informs the demise of our
"Saharasri ji was an inspirational leader and a visionary, who passed away on November 14 at 10.30 p.m. due to cardiorespiratory arrest following an extended battle with complications arising from metastatic malignancy, hypertension, and diabetes. He was admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute (KDAH) in Mumbai on November 12 following a decline in health."
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Investing in properties is scary! How do I overcome this? Investing in property can be an enticing yet daunting prospect, especially for beginners in Queensland. While the allure of potential gains is strong, so too are the fears that accompany this journey. Understanding and overcoming these fears is crucial for budding property investors to navigate the market successfully. My friends and family are my key advisors. One of the primary challenges for novice investors is determining whom to trust for advice. In a world inundated with information, it's vital to seek guidance from reliable, knowledgeable sources. Consider consulting experienced professionals, such as financial advisors, real estate agents, or property mentors, who possess a
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market dynamics, and having a contingency plan. Diversification, proper insurance coverage, and setting realistic investment goals are key components of risk management. Always factor in potential downsides and have exit strategies in place to mitigate losses. Biggest risk is inaction! One of the most significant risks in property investment is the fear of inaction. Many potential investors hesitate due to fear of failure, uncertainty, or the belief that they aren't adequately prepared. However, the truth is that not taking action can be the biggest risk of all. Markets evolve, and opportunities come and go. By remaining on the sidelines, one might miss out on potential gains and the chance
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Multicultural Cricket Cup organized by the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc (QKCSS) The inaugural Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Multicultural Cricket Cup, organized by the Queensland Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc (QKCSS), was a resounding success, celebrating multiculturalism and sportsmanship. The event occurred on October 29, 2023, with Honourable Councillor Fiona Hammond for Marchant Ward officially inaugurating the tournament and participating in the toss.
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Four esteemed teams, namely Aust-Ind, Rebelstar, Squad Pakistan, and AusMix showcased their cricket prowess in intense matches. Aust-Ind and AusMix emerged as the top contenders, securing victories over Rebelstar and Squad Pakistan, respectively. The thrilling finals concluded with Aust-Ind Cricket Club clinching the trophy, asserting their supremacy in this year's tournament.
The closing ceremony was graced by the distinguished presence of Mr. David Crisafulli, Leader of the Opposition of Queensland, and Mr. Auhutosh Misra from Queensland Cricket, adding significant weight to the event. The organizing committee expressed immense gratitude to community leaders and sponsors for their contributions, emphasizing their crucial role in the seamless execution and the overwhelming turnout.
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Given the success of the event, plans are already in motion to make the next edition even grander. The vision for the next year includes expanding the tournament over two days or spanning multiple weekends, aiming for a richer cricketing experience and broader community participation. As the community reflects on the spectacular moments from the tournament, the Queensland
Kannadigas Cultural & Sports Society Inc (QKCSS) is committed to elevating the experience in the coming years, always in memory of Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar and his monumental contributions to multiculturalism. The Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Multicultural Cricket Cup has not only become a significant sporting event but also a platform for fostering unity and diversity within the community.
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Zaisha and Annesha Chakraborty shine bright with Best Duet Performance on India’s Emerging Talent In a mesmerizing display of talent and harmony, Zaisha and Annesha Chakraborty emerged victorious in the highly competitive global talent hunt competition, "India’s Emerging Talent, held in New Delhi on the 29th October 2023" with their soul-stirring fusion rendition of the classic songs "You Raise Me Up" and "Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba." Both the sisters captured the hearts of the judges
and the audience, earning the title of Best Duet Performance in an evening filled with remarkable performances. As the music began, Zaisha and Annesha's voices intertwined, creating a harmonious atmosphere that left the audience captivated. Their rendition of "You Raise Me Up," a poignant ballad, resonated with heartfelt emotions, evoking a sense of
inspiration and hope among the listeners. The sisters' flawless execution and emotional depth drew thunderous applause from the audience and praises from the esteemed panel of judges. Transitioning seamlessly, they embraced the lively beats of "Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba," infusing the performance with infectious energy and enthusiasm. Their synchronized choreography
and dynamic vocal delivery added a vibrant touch to the classic song, making it a joyous celebration of music and dance. The crowd couldn't help but join in the infectious rhythm, creating an electrifying atmosphere in the auditorium. The judges, renowned personalities in the Indian music industry, Mr Saleem Merchant and Mr Gagan Rana
were effusive in their praise for Zaisha and Annesha's exceptional performance. Their seamless blend of two diverse songs, coupled with their remarkable vocal talent and stage presence, left an indelible mark on the competition. The sisters' dedication, passion, and hard work were evident in every note they sang and every move they made on stage.
Compendium highlights Australia & India business successes Melbourne, November 6 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The compendium “Case Studies: Advocating Business Success
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between Australia and India” was launched recently. The compendium was brought out by the Newland Global Group with
support of DFAT and the Centre for India Australia Relations formally known as Australia India council. The compendium
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covers diverse sectors like healthcare, technology, education, e-commerce, manufacturing, logistics etc. and includes success
stories of businesses between the two countries.
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Ayurveda Day: ‘Ayurveda for everyone every day’ organized Melbourne, November 13 (Australia India News Newsdesk) The Consulate celebrated Ayurveda Day under the theme "Ayurveda for everyone every
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day", recently. The event featured active participation from Ayurvedic doctors, enlightening talks on Ayurveda, an engaging question and answer session,
and a stall showcasing Ayurvedic medicines. The celebration aimed to promote the accessibility and significance of Ayurveda in the daily lives of everyone.
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Ayurveda is an ancient India medical system, which is still popular in India. Its merits as a scientific system are now getting recognized in other countries as
well. It is a system of medicine which is cost effective and highly beneficial.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
Men’s ODI World Cup: Team India records history, first team to go unbeaten in round- robin format Previously, Sri Lanka (1996) and Australia (2003) came close to as many as eight wins.
Bengaluru, Nov 12 (IANS) India on Sunday scripted history by becoming the first team to go undefeated in the round-robin format, winning all nine games after they beat Netherlands by mammoth 160 runs, here.
After a convincing win in the Asia Cup lifting the trophy, Indian dominance continued in the World Cup as well as they started the campaign with a thumping victory over mighty Australia. India will now face New Zealand on Wednesday in the semifinals in Pune. The Blackcaps struggle for semis quakification was threatened
Indies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with CA Chair of Selectors, George Bailey and selector, Tony Dodemaide to discuss selection of the squad.
Melbourne, Nov 13 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) announced that the Prime Minister’s XI match against Pakistan will happen from December 6-9 at Manuka Oval. The fixture will be played in the week leading up to the first Test of the Men's Test Series between Australia and Pakistan in Perth. The match, whose tickets have been put on sale from Monday, returns to a four-day red ball fixture after last year’s day/night pink ball match against the West
“Pakistan is such a proud cricketing nation. I’ve previously loved watching players like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis steaming in with the new ball, so I’m excited the PM’s XI will face the talented Pakistan squad in Canberra. In the coming weeks, I will meet with the National Selectors to discuss what I suspect will be a strong PM’s XI,” said Albanese in a statement. The first PM’s XI fixture was played in 1951 and will be the second under Albanese after a two-year hiatus prior to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be the third time Pakistan will face the Prime Minister’s XI after matches in 1990 and 2005 while Mr Albanese is the 10th Prime
Cummins open to staying on as Australia ODI captain, eyes IPL return going to have different priorities. This is a bit of a one-off year where there's three or four big off-season events," Cummins was quoted by Cricket.com.au.
by Afghanistan and Pakistan as they lost four games in a row following an unbeaten start, but the 2015 and 2019 finalists held firm, defeating Sri Lanka in their final league match to join India, South Africa, and Australia in the knockouts.
"After here the focus shifts back to Test cricket for a fair while. Probably like we've done in the past, at times white-ball cricket is going to have to shift (as a priority) so we fully focus on Test cricket. There's no end date in sight.
Only two teams have won the Cricket World Cup after staying undefeated throughout the tournament. The West Indies did it in 1975 and 1979, while Australia did it in 2003 and 2007.
Australia PM’s XI red-ball fixture against Pakistan confirmed to happen from December 6-9 Minister to lead the team. “We are looking forward to meeting with the Prime Minister and I’m sure those selected will be excited for the challenge of facing the quality of Pakistan. As the Australian Men's Test team continues to evolve in the short to medium term, the timing of the match comes at an important stage of the summer with five home Tests and two away in New Zealand." "We've seen some strong individual performances to start the Sheffield Shield season and with another round left before the squad will be selected, we are looking forward to seeing players continue to put their hands up for selection. Opportunities to face international opposition like this are rare and taken seriously, and as such we are looking to select a strong and highly talented squad," said Bailey.
Djokovic clinches year-end No. 1 ranking for record-extending eighth time
SPORTS
Kolkata, Nov 14 (IANS) Pat Cummins has expressed his willingness to continue as Australia's ODI captain after the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 while also having an intention to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) auction as he is eyeing off next year's T20 World Cup. Leading the team to seven consecutive victories following a shaky beginning of the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup has positioned the Australians for a shot at their sixth men's ODI title. This streak has also strengthened the argument for him to persist in the role, which he assumed last year following Aaron Finch's decision to retire last year. Asked if he could stay on as ODI captain after this tournament, Cummins expressed a potential interest in extending his tenure but admitted that coach Andrew McDonald and selection chief George Bailey will have the final call. "We've been pretty open, me and Andrew and George around different times in the year you're
"I feel like I've been managed really well and looked after in a really, really busy year where you don't really want to give up any cricket," he added. Cummins also expressed his desire to show he remains in Australia's best side for next year's T20 World Cup by playing in the IPL will also be a consideration. Cummins pulled out of his A$1.34 million IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this year, citing a 2023 schedule that has included an India Test tour, the World Test Championship final, the Ashes and now an ODI World Cup. "I feel like I haven’t played a heap of T20 cricket and in some ways I feel like I haven’t played my best T20 cricket for a little while. "I'm really excited, I'm probably going to go into the IPL auction for next year to try to get some games before that World Cup and push a case to not only make the side but get back to how I feel like I can bowl in T20 cricket," he said. After Finch's departure the captaincy of the T20 side opened up and the Mitch Marsh appears the frontrunner after impressing in the role during the recent
Alcaraz over the course of the 2023 season. The World No. 1 position in the ATP Rankings switched hands seven times this year between the Serbian maestro and the youngster from Spain. Djokovic further solidified his record as the oldest player to secure the year-end No. 1 spot in ATP Rankings history. Two years ago he was the oldest to finish the season in top spot aged 34, and he has beaten his own mark by repeating the feat aged 36, ATP Tour reports.
Turin, Nov 13 (IANS) The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic clinched his recordextending eighth ATP Year-End No. 1 finish when he defeated Holger Rune in his opening match at the ATP Finals. By clinching year-end No. 1,
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Djokovic will enjoy his record 400th week atop the ATP Rankings beginning 20 November. He has spent 25 weeks in top spot in 2023. Djokovic claimed the top spot after a gripping tussle with Spain's 20-year-old Carlos
The Serbian is now two yearend No. 1 finishes clear of Pete Sampras, who stands second on the historic list with six year-end No. 1 campaigns. Djokovic has clinched this honor in eight of the last 13 seasons, showcasing his remarkable consistency and dominance in the sport. A winner of six titles so far in 2023, tied for the most on the ATP Tour with Alcaraz, Djokovic won three of the season’s four majors -- Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
INDIA NEWS
New AI model can map giant icebergs 10,000 times faster than humans: Study used to map icebergs.
London, Nov 9 (IANS) A team of British scientists have trained an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system to accurately map -- in one-hundredth of a second -- the surface area and outline of giant icebergs captured on satellite images. It is a major advance on existing automated systems which struggle to distinguish icebergs from other features in the image. Manual - or human interpretation of the image is more accurate but it can take several minutes to delineate the outline of a single iceberg. If that has to be repeated numerous times, the process quickly becomes time-consuming and laborious, said the team from the University of Leeds, UK. “Icebergs exist in hard-to-reach
parts of the world and satellites are not only a fantastic tool to observe where they are, they can help scientists understand the process of how they melt and eventually begin to break apart,” said Dr Anne BraakmannFolgmann, who led the study while undertaking doctoral research at the Centre for Polar Observation and Monitoring at the University of Leeds. “Using the new AI system overcomes some of the problems with existing automated approaches, which can struggle to distinguish between icebergs and other ice floating on the sea or even a nearby coastline, which are present in the same image,” she added. The team used an algorithm called U-net – a type of neural network -- to “train” a computer to accurately map the outline of icebergs from images taken by Sentinel-1 satellites operated by the European Space Agency. As part of the study, the effectiveness of the U-net algorithm was compared to two other state-of-the-art algorithms
Google was yet to officially comment on the feature. This appears to be a limited serverside test from Google. New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Google is apparently testing a new quick reply interface in Gmail that appears below new emails in the Android app. The chat-like message box appears at the bottom of received emails, similar to instant messaging apps, according to Android Police. The text field in the message box expands and moves to the middle of the screen when tapped,
The new message box under testing replaces buttons for Reply, Reply All, and Forward the email you received. The new message box appears persistently at the bottom of the screen, and you don’t need to scroll to the bottom of an email to see it. Just like a message writing field in an instant messaging app like Telegram or WhatsApp, one can use the chat-like box to reply to
According to the software major Adobe, leaders (93 per cent) and employees (87 per cent) both believe that poor technology tools can hurt productivity. Most workers in India also stated that
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access to technology heavily influences their decision to accept a job offer, with the majority saying it's critical (34 per cent) or a top consideration (50 per cent). When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), about 98 per cent of Indian workers said that generative AI is helpful and miraculous, and 94 per cent said the same thing about automation. While the majority of knowledge workers (88 per cent) and leaders (94 per cent) believe their companies should leverage generative AI, 6 per cent still
expansion of the Universe. Euclid will for the first-time allow cosmologists to study these competing dark mysteries together,” explains ESA Director of Science, Professor Carole Mundell.
The system has been tested on satellite images of seven icebergs, which were all between the size of the city of Bern - 54 km2; and Hong Kong - 1052 km. For each of these icebergs, up to 46 images were used that covered all seasons, from 20142020. Over a series of tests, U-net outperformed the other two algorithms and was more effective in delineating the outline of an iceberg in images taken when environmental conditions were challenging, such as the image capturing a lot of ice structures. On average, the U-net algorithm showed only a 5 per cent lower estimate of the area of an iceberg. In contrast, the k-means and Otsu algorithms returned, on average -- figures for iceberg areas that were 150 per cent to 170 per cent too large, probably because the algorithms including sea ice and even nearby coastline in the calculations.
new emails. One can also use the drop-down on the left side in the message box to change to Reply All, or edit the list of recipients.
Paris, Nov 8 (IANS) European Space Agency's (ESA) dark universe probing Euclid mission has beamed back the first fullcolour images of the cosmos. The first five science images released on Tuesday include views of a large cluster of thousands of distant galaxies, close-ups of two nearby galaxies, a gravitationally bound group of stars called a globular cluster, and a nebula (a cloud of gas and dust in space where stars form) -- all depicted in vibrant colours. The images show the entirety of these celestial objects, while remaining extremely sharp, even when zooming in on distant galaxies. “Dark matter pulls galaxies together and causes them to spin more rapidly than visible matter alone can account for; dark energy is driving the accelerated
remain hesitant. The top barriers hindering its adoption include security concerns, executives' resistance, and a lack of comprehensive understanding, the report found. "The transformative impact of automation and artificial intelligence on work cannot be understated, as they have the power to revolutionise traditional work paradigms," said Girish Balachandran, Senior Director and Head of Digital Media Business at Adobe India.
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The new images include 1000 galaxies belonging to the Perseus Cluster, and more than 100,000 additional galaxies further away in the background. Perseus is one of the most massive structures known in the Universe, located ‘just’ 240 million light-years away from Earth. “This is the first time that such a large image has allowed us to capture so many Perseus galaxies in such a high level of detail,” the ESA said in a statement. One of the first galaxies that Euclid observed is nicknamed the ‘Hidden Galaxy’ -- also known as IC 342 or Caldwell 5. With its infrared view, Euclid has already uncovered crucial information about the stars in this galaxy, which is a look-alike of our Milky Way.
Status ads in any country”. In September, Meta refuted a report which claimed that the Mark Zuckerberg-run company is planning to put ads in WhatsApp, which has over 2 billion users globally, including more than 500 million in India alone.
It can be useful if you’re typing out a long message or replying in great detail, the report said. “The reply setting drop-down and window expansion buttons also moves out of the way to maximize the room available for your text,” it added.
“Euclid will make a leap in our understanding of the cosmos as a whole, and these exquisite Euclid images show that the mission is ready to help answer one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics,” Mundell added.
WhatsApp could introduce ads in Status and Channels: Report
On the right side, you get an expand button which brings up the full-screen message composition window you may be accustomed to.
40% Indian workers set to quit due to poor technology at work: Report New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) As poor technology tools are costing companies up to six months of working hours a year, about 40 per cent of Indian employees are considering quitting their jobs in the next six months because of work technology holding back productivity, a new report revealed on Wednesday.
ESA’s Euclid telescope sends back 1st colour images from ‘dark Universe’
They are known as k-means and Otsu. The algorithms were programmed to identify the biggest iceberg in a series of satellite images.
Gmail testing chat-like message box on new emails for Android users maximising space for text while still keeping the original email visible, the report mentioned.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Reacting to a Financial Times report which claimed that Meta teams were exploring ads in WhatsApp as the social network “seeks revenue boost", Cathcart had said that the report is false. San Francisco, Nov 8 (IANS) Meta-owned WhatsApp head Will Cathcart has reportedly said that the popular messaging platform could show ads in Status, the platform’s Stories-like feature, and channels but not in the main inbox. In an interview with Brazilian media, WhatsApp’s head Will Cathcart said the company is not planning to put any ads in your main chat but can show ads in other places, reports TechCrunch. “There could be ads in other places -- channels or status. For example, channels might charge people to subscribe, they might be exclusive to paid members or the owners might want to promote the channel. But, no, we won’t put ads in your inbox,” Cathcart told Brazilian media.
WhatsApp had explored putting ads in Status earlier but never rolled it out. Earlier reports have claimed that WhatsApp may finally bring advertisements to its platform to monetise it better. Facebook Founder Zuckerberg acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. Unlike Instagram, which Facebook bought in 2012 for roughly $1 billion, WhatsApp doesn’t show ads. WhatsApp Business has surpassed 200 million monthly active users globally, up from 50 million in 2020. Soon, businesses will be able to publish ads directly to Facebook or Instagram from the app and there will be no requirement of a Facebook account, according to Zuckerberg.
A Meta spokesperson said the company is not “currently testing
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
Lack of exercise, more junk food spiking diabetes in young Indians: Docs witnessed a troubling increase in Type 2 diabetes prevalence among young adults, as studies indicate a steady surge in cases among those aged 20-40.
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Shifting lifestyles, with almost zero exercise and increased consumption of junk foods, are the major reasons behind the significant surge in Type 2 diabetes cases among younger populations, both globally and particularly in India, in the last 10 years, said doctors on Thursday ahead of World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day is observed every year on November 14 to raise awareness about the blood sugar condition. India, also known as the diabetes capital of the world, has
A recent Indian Council of Medical Research-INdia DIABetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study showed that a tenth of all Indians have diabetes. The country is home to 101 million diabetics and 136 million pre-diabetic people. The concerning trend poses substantial long-term health challenges involving other functions of the body like the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and more. "In young individuals, potential signs of Type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive hunger, unexplained weight loss, chronic fatigue, blurred vision, slow wound healing, and recurring
infections. These symptoms may indicate elevated blood sugar levels and should prompt medical evaluation. Early detection and management are vital to prevent complications associated with diabetes,” said Dr. Mohit Sharma, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad. He called for continued monitoring as many times, the symptoms tend to go unnoticed. "The number of people suffering from diabetes is continuously increasing. Previously, we used to see diabetes only in the older population but currently we are seeing increasing cases of diabetes in the younger population," Dr. Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.
Daily caffeinated soda can make young kids try alcohol early: Study of caffeinated soda were more impulsive and have a poorer working memory.
New York, Nov 8 (IANS) The trend among younger children to frequently drink caffeinated soda may indicate higher risk of alcohol consumption in the future, new research suggests. In a study of over 2,000 US children, aged between just nine to 10, those who reported drinking caffeinated soda daily were found a year later twice as likely to state they had sipped alcohol. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Substance Use & Misuse, the results of the study also demonstrate that daily drinkers
Although strong associations between caffeinated beverage consumption and future substance use have been well documented in adolescents and adults, the findings are the first to demonstrate similar results in young children. In teenagers, previous research has shown that those regularly drinking energy drinks are five times more likely to use alcohol or marijuana within one to two years. "Our findings suggest that daily consumption of caffeinated soda in children is predictive of substance use in the near future. One possible explanation is that the substances contained in caffeinated soda (caffeine and sugar) could induce a toxicological effect on the brain,
making the individual more sensitive to the reinforcing effects of harder drugs like alcohol," said lead author Mina Kwon, from the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University. To test cognitive functions, the children were given a series of tasks to do while their brain activity was recorded. For example, in one task, participants had to determine whether an object presented to them was the same as that shown in the two preceding trials. The results showed that both high impulsivity and low working memory were significantly associated with daily caffeinated soda consumption. Interestingly, children who regularly drank caffeinated soda also showed distinct brain activity compared to their non-drinking peers.
Ketamine clinics advertising false, misleading health claims: Study New York, Nov 8 (IANS) Hundreds of clinics may be using false and misleading statements in online advertising campaigns by offering off-label and unapproved ketamine to treat a variety of mental health and pain conditions, according to researchers. In the study published in JAMA Network Open, the researchers noted that intravenous ketamine is not approved by the US FDA to treat any mental health condition but is sometimes used off-label for it. Oral formulations are unapproved drugs that are often advertised
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to produce a hallucinogenic experience at home. "These are expensive treatments for which patients generally must pay out of pocket and the evidence base is often not robust for many of the advertised uses," said Michael DiStefano, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. "It is important that people considering these treatments are provided with an accurate and balanced statement of the possible risks and benefits," he added.
For the study, the team identified online direct-to-consumer ketamine advertisers with at least one clinic in Maryland and a website by using six national ketamine databases. They found 17 advertisers operating across 26 locations in Maryland that promoted infusions or ketamine assisted therapy for a wide range of conditions including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and chronic pain. The advertising revealed numerous misleading representations regarding treatment and safety.
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HEALTH
Allergies may up risk of developing long Covid: Study between pre-existing allergic conditions such as asthma or hay fever and long Covid.
London, Nov 9 (IANS) People with pre-existing allergic conditions are more vulnerable to experience long-term symptoms associated with Covid-19, or long Covid, according to a study. Although the data as a whole from the studies suggested that individuals with asthma or rhinitis might be at increased risk of long Covid after SARS-CoV-2 infection, the evidence for these associations was very uncertain. Therefore, more robust epidemiological research is needed to clarify the role of allergy in the development of long Covid, said researchers. The new findings, published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy, were based an analysis of 13 studies, published between January 1, 2020 and January 19, 2023. The analysis included a total of 9,967 participants of all ages with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who were followed for at least 12 months. Four of the 13 studies provided estimates on the association
Pre-existing asthma was associated with an increased risk of long Covid, but the evidence was very uncertain, the authors said. The odds ratio (OR) for preexisting asthma and long Covid was 1.94. In an analysis of three studies that included data on preexisting allergic rhinitis, the condition was significantly associated with an increased risk of long Covid. Only 3 of the 13 studies measured long Covid with physical examinations and comprehensive questionnaires, the authors cautioned. Moreover, among the 13 studies, the researchers found a high risk of bias due to patient selection (mostly hospitalised patients) and loss to follow-up. "We need a better, harmonised definition of what is considered long Covid for epidemiological studies of this sort. Regardless we will be updating our analysis once further studies have been published in the next few months," said corresponding author Christian Apfelbacher, from the Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, in Germany.
Delhi doc claims IVF cycles getting ‘cancelled’ due to air pollution and combined with sperm to form one or more embryos and one or two are placed into the womb as fresh embryos.
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Women trying to get pregnant via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) have become the latest victims of the ongoing air pollution levels in the national capital, claimed a fertility expert on Thursday. While previous research has established air pollution’s effect on declining fertility, it is the first time that IVF sessions are getting “increasingly cancelled” as air quality is affecting health of women, Dr Shivani Gour, Vice President of Delhi State Chapter of Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), told IANS. This comes amidst continuing pollution levels witnessed in the national capital raising cases of asthma, lung problems, red eyes, itchy throat among others. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) on Thursday morning continued to be in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). A cycle of IVF can be explained as - the ovaries are stimulated to produce eggs, these are collected
If any embryos are frozen and used later this is still part of the same cycle. For most women, one cycle of IVF can take between four to six weeks. “On an average daily one session of IVF is getting cancelled as women are suffering from air pollution-related conditions such as cough, bad throat, redness in the eye, among others,” said Dr Gour. “Today in the OPD unfortunately I had to postpone IVF cycle of 2 patients because of air pollution: one had severe cough, irritated throat and inability to sleep at night; the other patient had a redness in the eyes and lymphatic swelling in the neck (which can occur due to common cold),” the doctor said. The doctor told IANS that many of the patients are “young in their 30s, with no other health conditions and those undergoing a frozen embryo transfer (FET)”. FET is a type of IVF treatment in which a cryopreserved embryo created in a previous egg retrieval cycle is thawed and transferred to the uterus.
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
Reading Forugh Farrokhzad in Tehran: An Indian filmmaker’s journey into the heart of Persia
ARTS & CULTURE
Gwalior becomes UNESCO music city 55 New Cities included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Shot in a verite style, the film that has been to around 17 festivals
premiered at Berlinale, says that through her conversations with filmmakers there, she understood that human resistance reigns supreme even when one is being throttled -- you will still gasp, you will still express.
By Sukant Deepak Tree-lined alleys, autumn leaves enveloping the ground beneath, underground gatherings resounding with music and singing, a lone woman protester being pushed by the Police. But what remains constant in this collage of Iran, is poetry -- haunting and evocative. With words, with silence. Filmmaker Sreemoyee Singh’s documentary ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’ screened to a full house during the ongoing Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF), one of India’s finest festivals, goes beyond the young filmmaker’s fascination with Iranian cinema and poet Forugh Farrokhzad, and takes a deep dive into contemporary the Iranian society much divorced from the western gaze at the country. Created as part of a Ph.D. thesis about Iranian new wave cinema, the movie sees the Kolkatabased Singh, who learned Farsi at Tehran University in conversation and singing with master filmmakers like Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Shirvani. “I am a literature student who fell in love with Iranian poetry,
especially by Forugh Farrokhzad, and during my Master’s in Cinema Studies, was completely bowled over by Iranian cinema -- wondering how they managed to navigate censorship and tell human stories that are so lifeaffirming,” Singh tells IANS. Shot in a verite style, the film that has been to around 17 festivals sees the director not just behind the camera and narrating a very personal experience, but never undermining the political, social, and human environment of her characters. The filmmaker admits that the inspiring point was Farrokhzad, who died at an early age of 32 years but continues to be a reference point for feminism, someone who dared to write about feminine desire in the 60s. The director lived in Iran for four years off and on and made a total of five trips to the country. “I started meeting people and my idea was to spend time with filmmakers like Panahi, who is also the central character in the film, and decipher how someone like him continues to make movies despite a 21-year ban. How does he find ways to tell stories that pain him, realize that reality and translate it to cinema?” Singh, whose movie
When she first went to Iran, there was a feeling of deja vu -- the terrain, the atmosphere, and the people. During the first week of filming, when a woman asked ‘Are you filming me’, she decided to change her style. From observational, it became participatory. “Learning Farsi opened many bridges... I became a part of the film. Considering it is also my personal journey, there is my voice-over and not to mention, the singing I did. For decades, women have not been allowed to sing in public there. My journey there affirmed that one must continue expressing and putting up resistance. We must fight every day to retain our art. This holds true for India too -- for art makes us truly free, thus it is paramount to fiercely protect the space that allows us to express,” says the director who also teaches film studies. While she did make it a point to call her mother once a day to inform her that she is fine, and Iran is not what many think of it, Singh takes a long hard gaze at the anti-hijab protests, the consequences of living under a totalitarian gaze, the constant vigil of plainclothes police.
By Devangana Mishra Aristotle was a philosopher and polymath from Greece. He began our journey into ‘Poetics’, the science of poetry, as what we know today. Poetics and the science of poetry has been the central document in the study of aesthetics and literature for centuries, especially during the Renaissance; and in today’s scholarly circles it is still seen as a profound, important act of art. When we go back centuries and study the anatomy of poetry and its value to human society, our insight into the human imagination is better understood. Poetry’s potential into imitation of nature of all kinds becomes easy to see yet inexplicable for its style. Aristotle and Plato’s early work in Greece was important in
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When we read poetry, of any kind, we walk our minds into a field, or a meadow, or uphill a mountain or into a river or a softly running stream or into an imaginary home or a bedroom or into the darkness of the night without being told to but by the simple act of letting our minds go around, crawling into an imagination of its own kind, seeking more or less- to a reader poetry dictates without being asked to. To imagine writing didn’t exist thousands of years ago, we relied on our imagination to communicate through symbols and signs and poignant pieces of art - all important forms of poetics- to build this world we live in today, we used our imagination to give it function and form. Our mind and body that can be rendered futile and sedentary suddenly had an
UNESCO has included Gwalior as the city of Music under the Creative Cities Network (UCCN). 55 cities from all over the globe joined the UCCN. Gwalior was acknowledged for its strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of UNESCO’s development strategies, and displaying innovative practices in humancentred urban planning. The project was led by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board in cooperation with the Municipal Corporation of Gwalior, Gwalior Smart City Development Corporation Limited, Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Arts University, music artists
and other stakeholders. The Network now includes 350 cities in over one hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. Since 2019, continuous efforts have been made including multiple stakeholder consultations and a dedicated feasibility study of the city to map the potential for UCCN membership followed by the drafting of the application. Gwalior serves as an exemplary example of living cultural heritage and it houses one of the biggest annual music festivals of India; The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh to celebrate the rich culture of Madhya Pradesh.
However, what is most important is that she finds hope in every frame -- with haunting poetry, clandestine singing, and alleys forever wanting to snatch happiness.
Poetry’s role in raising awareness about mental health defining poetry and art as useful and good not just for society but for an innate sense of our inner being.
By IANSlife
important task to do because our imagination had charged us forward and our body had the stamina to perform. We created societies and structures and homes and hospitals and roads and cities and modes of transport and human relations and jobs and a civic sense and governments simply by the use of an excellent collective imagination put to good test and utility for a greater cause. To imagine art and poetry to be that lubricant to growth. When we leave all rights and wrongs out of our mind and let our minds conjure up civility and the discivil into poetic nature and form; that's cryptic enough to be only ours but bold enough to be theirs, it turns to collective health and voice. Our mental health can be harmed in a million little and big ways everyday- but, our human grit and emotion, our imagination helps us tide forward, poetry becomes a boat through such times.
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Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Department and Managing Director, MP Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla (IAS) quoted ‘Inclusion of Gwalior by UNESCO under the creative cities network is definitely a big shot in the arm which goes a long way to tell the whole world about the cultural richness of Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior being the city of Tansen, BaijuBawra, the birthplace of Dhrupad Music form and Gwalior Gharana, which are world known for musical practices and traditions which are alive even today, have been very persistently conserved and preserved and now on the occasion of Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, it has been recognised by UNESCO by including Gwalior as a city of music. I am sure the whole world will sit and take notice of the richness and a depth of the cultural diversity, cultural richness of Madhya Pradesh in general and Gwalior in particular. This will also go a long way in boosting international tourism in the city of Gwalior and also
bringing them to showcase best of the architectural and heritage assets. It is a great opportunity for Madhya Pradesh and we are very thankful to UNESCO, Minister of Culture, and Government of India and to the city of Gwalior and all the people who have ever, in anyway associated with Gwalior. As a city of music, It is a massive achievement for everyone who is concerned with music and Gwalior. Joint Director, Planning, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Prashant Singh Baghel highlighted ‘Through the designation to the UCCN, we envision the realisation of the city's goals towards achieving overall sustainable development with music as the key driver. This includes the creation of new economic and artistic opportunities for the local youth; making the city an education hub for music, cultural infrastructure development, linking of the music sector with tourism, urban renewal and mobility and enhancing access to arts and culture.’
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Destinations to visit this Diwali
TRAVEL
Grand unveiling of Rann Utsav – The Tent City PM Modi puts the cultural extravaganza in the spotlight
Festive feasting, wellness classes set the tone for a healthy, prosperous year ahead.
By IANSlife
festivities.
xperiential hospitality company, Evoke Experiences, introduces the eagerly awaited Rann Utsav – The Tent City, set to commence on November 10, 2023. This year’s edition promises an even grander celebration, featuring an ensemble of over 400 luxurious tents and welcoming about 500,000 guests to the tent city throughout the Rann Utsav
Nestled within the expansive Great Rann of Kutch, Dhordo village in Gujarat has gained prominence for hosting the annual Rann Utsav. This vibrant cultural festival serves as a platform to showcase the regions deeply rooted traditional arts, music, and crafts, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the area.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has actively championed the cultural splendor of Rann Utsav and the scenic beauty of Dhordo village. He has shared captivating photos and videos showcasing the mesmerizing allure of the White Rann on his X account (formerly known as Twitter).
being acknowledged globally. He commended the people of Kutch, especially, for their dedication and efforts in achieving this recognition.
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By IANSlife
I
f you feel like escaping the pollution or just spending quality time with the family, we've curated a list of getaways you can visit over the Diwali holidays. Aman-i-Khas, Rajasthan A serene camp on the outskirts of Ranthambore National Park, Aman-i-Khás is a natureensconced paradise in which to create unforgettable seasonal memories with those you love. Early mornings on safari spotting India's elusive tigers segue into relaxed timeout beside the sundappled stepwell swimming
pool and star-canopied evenings around the fire. The seasonal calendar provides unique cultural and gastronomic experiences in between. 12th November - The camp will come alive with the warm glow of hundreds of handcrafted candles, or diyas, illuminating the walls, pathways and gardens. This display symbolises Diwali's essence: the dispelling of darkness (evil) with light (good). The diyas, crafted in-house, serve as a welcoming beacon for Goddess Lakshmi. Join in the Puja offering ceremony dedicated
to Goddess Lakshmi, beginning at 6.45pm. During this time, welcome the Goddess into Amani-Khás, seeking her blessings for the coming year. Following the Puja, indulge in traditional Diwali offerings of sweets and almond milk, followed by a special Diwali menu prepared by Chef Santosh and his team. The men will be seen in traditional white Rajasthani kurtas (long, loose shirts) and turbans. Women will adorn themselves in ghagras (long pleated skirts) and lugdis/odhnis, veils worn over button-up shirts during the festivities.
Reflecting on his visits to Dhordo in 2009 and 2015, PM Modi expressed immense joy at Dhordo's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty
Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, Maldives Soneva Enjoy a dazzling Diwali at the award-winning Maldives resorts. With both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani easily accessed from India’s main travel hubs, reconnect with family and friends and rediscover the Slow Life, surrounded by the beauty of nature. The holiday lineup is designed to delight all
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ages: unforgettable dining that celebrates India’s rich culinary heritage; acclaimed visiting chefs to tempt your tastebuds; funpacked festivities at The Den; and the chance to unwind with daily yoga and sessions with worldrenowned wellness specialists at Soneva Soul. The Soneva Stars programme celebrates the diverse array of guest activities and experiences on offer, ranging from Michelin-
starred chefs to sporting legends and acclaimed therapists.
“We feel privileged to host Rann Utsav with the support of Gujarat Tourism and the Dhordo villagers. We eagerly anticipate contributing to the region’s progress,” added Sheth. Adding to the excitement, the
Bhavik Sheth, COO of Evoke Experiences, revealed, “The mesmerizing visuals shared by the honorable Prime Minister are part of a larger narrative – a story that intertwines Rann Utsav and the Tent City by Evoke Experiences. In fact, these visuals are courtesy of Rann Utsav – The Tent City by Evoke Experiences.”
Dhordo village in the Kutch region recently earned the prestigious title of “Best Tourism Village” (BTV) by the United Nations Best Tourism Village, making it the sole village from India to achieve this recognition.
Culinary - Michelin-starred Spanish chef and restaurateur Maria Jose San Roman Sports - Master fitness trainer Jonathan Owen and Tennis sensation Daniil Medvedev Relaxation - Therapeutic and beauty masseur and physical trainer, Eduardo Sierra specialises in musculoskeletal pain prevention and relief
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
A mesmerizing journey through 30 years of iconic fashion Payal Jain’s ‘Soul of a Woman’ retrospective show
10 ways to style denims From Kareena Kapoor’s power dressing to Alia Bhatt’s glitzy style
By Olivia Sarkar
W
hen putting together a denim ensemble, start by selecting a pair that can be styled By IANSlife
O
n November 2nd, 2023, in New Delhi, fashion designer Payal Jain, marked a significant milestone, commemorating 30 years of groundbreaking artistry with her retrospective show,
'Soul of a Woman.' The show took attendees on a captivating journey through three decades of fashion, art, and sustainability, paying tribute to Payal Jain's iconic career. This extraordinary retrospective
FASHION
show demonstrated her innovative approach to fashion, showcasing her ability to merge materials like metal, wood, paper, and bamboo with textiles, craft, embroidery, and surface ornamentation.
in many different ways. In case you are having trouble making a decision, here's a list of your most fashionable B-town hotties dressed in their denim best.
At the heart of 'Soul of a Woman' lies Payal Jain's fashion philosophy, which posits fashion as a form of art, and textiles as her canvas. She believes in capturing the soul of individuals through clothing, translating their unique essence into shape, form and color. Curatorial advise by Ina Puri played a pivotal role in the event, enriching its depth and significance. Payal shared her powerful vision, saying, “Soul of a Woman is a retrospective of my journey of 3 decades in the world of fashion. Art is my muse and for me, Fashion & Art are deeply entwined. I see myself as an artist who endeavors to bring out the uniqueness of each distinctive personality through his or her own sartorial language. When I create couture, it's about understanding the person who will adorn it, getting into their heart, mind and soul, and creating something special that speaks their language and compliments their unique personality.”
Baggy Jeans It's common to see Kareena Kapoor Khan leaving her house with a cuppa coffee in her hand. Kareena choses to power dress her baggy jeans with an oversized blazer. She finishes off the look with a pair of white sneakers.
Boot-cut jeans Janhvi Kapoor's got her dark blue boot-cut jeans down pat, dressing them up with a pair of heels.
Born into a family deeply immersed in the arts, Payal's love for creativity was cultivated
early in life. Her journey from architecture to fashion was fuelled by her passion for sketching, and her dedication to
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sustainability was inherited from her father. Sustainability was a recurring theme throughout the event, reflecting Payal Jain's commitment to celebrating and preserving the planet's finite
Flared Jeans
Hight waist jeans
Alia Bhatt imagined a carefree splash of colour with an embroidered neon t-shirt that perfectly complemented Gucci's Spring/Summer 2018 collection. She left her mark while keeping the glitz in check with a pair of flared jeans
Anushka opted casual comfort in a short grey sweatshirt and high-waisted denims. Loose locks tumbling over her shoulder keeps the look carefree and playful.
resources. Her unwavering dedication to the use of natural materials and sustainable practices like repurposing and recycling was palpable in every aspect of the show.
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
BEAUTY
Beauty & Grooming Mega Gifting Guide 2023 The beauty revolution of crueltyFrom customised beauty baskets to grooming kits
3. Anastasia Beverly Hills' Crimson Kit Introducing The Crimson Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills—an exquisite offering that perfectly complements the enchanting spirit of Diwali. This curated kit embraces the essence of the festival and showcases Anastasia Beverly Hills' commitment to enhance your beauty experience during the festivities. The centerpiece of The Crimson kit is the Anastasia Beverly Hills, Fall Romance Palette, a remarkable eyeshadow palette adorned with 12 highly pigmented, easy-toblend shades. Enhancing the allure of your eyes, the kit also includes Anastasia Beverly Hills Deluxe Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara adding the perfect finishing touch to your eye makeup. Completing this beauty ensemble is Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze, which ensures your brows remain perfectly in place throughout the day, adding a distinctive elegance to your overall look.
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f all the festivals that invoke a sense of comradeship, Diwali is perhaps the most special. Welcome to a celebration of light, love, and beauty this Diwali with this beauty delights... 1. Makeup Studio Festive Glamour Trio Get ready to shine and dazzle this Diwali with the stunning range of Make-up Studio products. Whether it's the irresistible matte finish of the Lipstick Matte, the powerful eye-enhancing Eye Definer, or the perfect rosy glow from the Cream Blusher, Make-up Studio has you covered. Elevate your festive look and celebrate the Festival of Lights in style with these makeup essentials. Make-up Studio Lipstick Matte priced at Rs.1540/- Make-up Studio Eye Definer Rs.1450/Make-up Studio Cream Blusher Rs.1450/- Available on makeupstudio.in 2. Ayouthveda Signature Diwali Hamper This Diwali, give yourself the
gift of timeless beauty with Ayouthveda's Sparkling Gold range. Whether you're looking to revitalize your skin, promote deep rejuvenation, or simply bask in the golden glow of a healthier complexion, Ayouthveda's Diwali Hamper has it all. So, go ahead, unlock the secret to radiant skin, and celebrate the festival of lights with the luminosity of Ayouthveda. This range includes Sparkling Gold Face Wash, enriched with 24K Nano Gold and Kashmiri Saffron, which purifies and revitalises the skin, leaving it refreshed and radiant. The Sparkling Gold Night Cream, featuring the same precious ingredients, supports deep skin rejuvenation, promoting youthful, glowing skin. Finally, the Sparkling Gold Day Cream, infused with 24K Nano Gold and Kashmiri Saffron, is a velvety elixir that nourishes, repairs and protects the skin, all while imparting a luminous golden allure.
The Crimson kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills is a must-have for Diwali, delivering the ideal combination of opulent eyeshadows, volumizing mascara, and strong brow styling. Celebrate Diwali in style and grace, letting this kit enhance your natural beauty and illuminate your festive spirit. Price at Rs. 12740/- Availability: Sephora, Nykaa, Tira, Tata Cliq, Myntra, Boddess, and ABH exclusive stores in Mall of India Noida, DLF Vasant Kunj Delhi, Phoenix Palladium, Mumbai 4. Radiant Diwali Delights: Laneige Glow All-Day Kit Celebrate Diwali in radiant style with the Laneige Glow All Day Kit, featuring two essential beauty products that will leave you glowing all through the festivities. The Laneige Lip Treatment Balm ensures your lips remain supple and kissably soft, even through the dry winter air, allowing you to embrace the tradition of sharing sweets with confidence. Priced at Rs. 1799/- Availability: All the products are available on Nykaa, Myntra, Amazon, and other leading E-commerce websites 5. Moira's Beauty Festive Glam Introducing Moira's exquisite Diwali kits, a celebration of beauty and radiance that perfectly embodies the spirit of the Festival of Lights. Among the dazzling array of products, the Loveheat Cream Blush in shade 004 'I Adore You' adds a warm, luminous flush to your cheeks, while the Golden Treasure Palette promises to deliver the sparkle and glamour that Diwali is renowned for. With the Double Ended Gel & Liquid Liner in shade 001 'Black,' you can create captivating eye looks that will leave everyone in awe. Available at kikocosmetics.com
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free and natural products
Bid farewell to harmful chemicals and synthetic additives
By Rajat Mathur
I
n today's vibrant, ever-growing beauty industry, our choices as consumers are vital to transforming our well-being and the world around us. However, when it comes to animal welfare and cosmetics, the fight for cruelty-free beauty in India continues to be a complex and evolving journey. As consumers become increasingly conscious of the planet’s well-being and seek cruelty-free products, the need for a complete ban on animal testing is on the rise. Beauty and skincare brands have taken the lead in this area and are now espousing cruelty-free products. A Brief History of Cruelty-Free Beauty The movement towards crueltyfree beauty has been nothing short of remarkable- it is seen by many as a turning point in the beauty cosmos where compassion meets innovation.A glance at the past reveals that the UK led the way in 1998 by becoming the first country to ban cosmetic animal testing. This milestone was achieved thanks to the relentless efforts of various advocates, including passionate campaigners from the beauty industry. India took a significant step forward in 2014 by banning cosmetics testing on animals. This milestone decision was a crucial recognition of the need to prioritise animal welfare and embrace more ethical practices in the beauty industry. One key area of progress in India is consumers' growing awareness and demand for cruelty-free beauty products. People are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact their choices have on animals and the environment. This shift in mindset has led to the rise of cruelty-free beauty brands and the availability of a broader range of ethical alternatives in the market. Brands like The Body Shop have emerged as trailblazers, championing the cause and sparking a revolution that paves the way for a kinder and more ethical beauty industry. The alternatives to cruelty-free beauty: Naturally sourced products as an alternative Mother Earth's botanical treasures are abundant with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory wonders, and an array of
therapeutic virtues. Their enchanting magic lavishes your skin with tender care, addressing common concerns and igniting a transformation from within. And there lies a botanical marvel that rivals the potency of retinol – the Edelweiss flower. Nestled high in the pristine alpine meadows, this exquisite blossom possesses a delicate strength, unlocking the secrets to radiant skin. Bursting with natural antioxidants and powerful rejuvenating properties, Edelweiss presents a gentle alternative to retinol, delivering remarkable results without any potential side effects. This extraordinary flower stimulates collagen production and improves skin elasticity, unveiling a rejuvenated luminosity. The seemingly humble wonder is the definition of flower power, protecting your skin against environmental aggressors and pollution, ensuring radiance always. Ethically sourced products pave the way for balanced beauty Step into a world where beauty meets conscience. Ethically sourced beauty products invite you to embark on a journey of mindful self-care. Imagine the thrill of indulging in luxurious textures and captivating fragrances, knowing that every ingredient has been carefully selected with integrity and respect. It's a beauty experience that transcends vanity and embraces a higher purpose – one that values sustainability, fair trade, and cruelty-free practices. With every application, you also contribute to a global movement of ethical beauty. Environmental Sustainability is imperative Choosing natural alternatives goes beyond personal beauty – it becomes a powerful statement of your commitment to environmental sustainability. Bid farewell to harmful chemicals and synthetic additives that harm our precious ecosystems. By embracing the power of eco-conscious choices, you become an Earth ally, supporting sustainable farming practices and safeguarding biodiversity. You contribute to preserving our planet's delicate balance with every beauty decision.
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INDIA NEWS
Sidhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends an election rally
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
Kurud: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attends an election rally
PHOTO FEATURE
Khargone : BJP national president JP Nadda addresses an election rally in Barwaha of Khargone on Tuesday, November
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, gestures as he meets with China’s President An excavator works on destroyed buildings after Israeli airstrikes in the Southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Xi Jinping
Kolkata : ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match between India and South Africa
Mumbai: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match between Australia and Afghanistan
New Delhi: Army Chief Cen Manoj Pande with Director Meghna Gulzar, producer Ronnie Screwvala and actors Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh at the trailer launch of their movie ‘Sam Bahadur’, at the Manekshah Center in New Delhi, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Photo: IANS/ Wasim Sarvar)
Kolkata: Preparation underway at community puja pandal ahead of Durga Puja festival
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Guwahati: Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck offers prayers during his visit to Kamakhya Temple
Mumbai : Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan waves at his fans who gathered outside his resident ‘Mannat’ to greet him on his 58th birthday
Prayagraj : Indian Air Force Day
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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks during a press conference after the Congress Working Committee meeting
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
INDIA NEWS
TIGER 3
RELEASE DATE: Diwali 2023 LANGUAGE: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu (With English Subtitles)
DIRECTOR: Maneesh Sharma CAST: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi
RELEASE DATE: 8 December 2023 LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles) PRODUCER: Ramesh Taurani,
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DUNKI
RELEASE DATE: 22 December 2023 LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles) DIRECTOR: Rajkumar Hirani
PRODUCER: Yash Raj Films
MERRY CHRISTMAS
NEW RELEASES
CAST: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu
Sanjay Routray, Kewal Garg
SAM BAHADUR
DIRECTOR: Sriram Raghavan CAST: Vijay Sethupathi, Katrina Kaif, Radhika Apte
RELEASE DATE: 1 December 2023 LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)
DIRECTOR: Meghna Gulzar CAST: Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra
PRODUCER: Ronnie Screwvala
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
INDIA NEWS
Sara Ali Khan loses belly fat in just 2 weeks, shares transformation photos B
ENTERTAINMENT
Mouni Roy reveals key to strong relationship: ‘Don’t talk about your ex too much’
ollywood's Gen-Z diva Sara Ali Khan on Tuesday shared her transformation photos after shedding her belly fat in just two weeks. Taking to Instagram Stories, Sara shared a collage of herself, wherein in one picture she is seen sitting on the gym floor, wearing a sports bra, and shorts, and holding on to her belly fat. She is posing for the camera with a sad face. The other two pictures features Sara in ethnic ensembles, in which she is flaunting her toned abs and back. With a perfect physique, Sara is shelling major fitness goals. The picture is from fashion designer Manish Malhotra's recent pre-Diwali bash. The 'Kedarnath' fame actress wrote: "Honestly felt very uncomfortable to upload this top image- but I'm really proud that I got it together in 2 weeks. Weight issues have always been a struggle for me, so really thank you @ dr.siddhant.bhargava and @food. darzee for keeping me on track. Bye bye Holiday calories but most importantly peace out with the guilt". "Fitness is a journey... So just keep going," she added. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara next has 'Ae Watan Mere Watan', 'Metro...In Dino', and 'Murder Mubarak'.
Rashmika thanks Big B for taking a stand for her: ‘I feel safe in country with leaders like you’ Taking to her X, formerly called Twitter, the actress thanked Big B as she quoted his earlier tweet. She wrote, "Thankyou for standing up for me sir, I feel safe in a country with leaders like you." Reacting to the video, Big B had tweeted, "Yes this is a strong case for legal (sic)." Earlier, taking a strong stance against the viral deepfake video of her, Rashmika penned a long note on social media.
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ctress Mouni Roy has shared some important love tips to strengthen relationship. The actress said not talking too much about the former partner and not overthinking is the mantra to a perfect relationship. Here’s what Mouni, the Queen of Hearts from Temptation Island, shared: Take Interest in Your Partner's Interests: Building a common ground is crucial for a thriving connection. Mouni emphasises the importance of sharing interests to engage in activities together and deepen the bond. Don't Talk About Your Ex Too Much: Avoid delving into the past
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ctress Rashmika Mandanna, whose deepfake video went viral earlier, has expressed her gratitude to megastar Amitabh
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Bachchan for taking a stand for her and demanding a legal action for those behind the doctored video.
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Don't Overthink! Overanalysing every aspect of a relationship can lead to unnecessary complications. Mouni encourages going with the flow, allowing connections to develop organically. Don't Forget to Have Fun: Embrace the little joys in relationships. Having fun together strengthens the bond. As Mouni suggests, a touch of playfulness can be a powerful ingredient for a lasting and fulfilling connection. ‘Temptation Island India’ streams on JioCinema.
Patrick Dempsey named People’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive
She wrote, "I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deepfake video of me being spread online. Something like this is honestly extremely scary, not only for me, but also for each one of us who today is vulnerable to so much harm because of how technology is being misused." "Today, as a woman and as an actor, I am thankful for my family, friends and well wishers who are my protection and support system. But if this happened to me when I was in school or college, I genuinely can’t imagine how could I ever tackle this. We need to address this as a community and with urgency before more of us are affected by such identity theft," she added.
excessively. Mouni advises against oversharing about ex-partners, as it can potentially bother the current partner and hinder the growth of a relationship.
the sexiest man alive, the actor participated in a Q&A with the audience while wearing a realistic lizard face filter, followed by a donkey filter on the late-night talk show, reports 'Variety'.
F
errari' and 'Grey's Anatomy' actor Patrick Dempsey has been named as the People's sexiest man alive for 2023. He was revealed as this year's honoree during Tuesday night's broadcast of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'. Prior to unveiling Dempsey as
"I'm glad it's happening at this point in my life," Dempsey told 'People' in the publication's article revealing him as this year's winner. "It's nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive." Asked how he first reacted to the news, Dempsey replied with a laugh, "I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I've always been the bridesmaid!"
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INDIA NEWS
Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
We still need more art around queer narratives: Filmmaker Raghuvir Joshi
ENTERTAINMENT
Sonam Kapoor, Anand Ahuja to host football legend David Beckham in India
Filmmaker Raghuvir Joshi’s movie ‘Sahela’, an Australian production in English, set to make its South Asian premiere at the Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival 2023 is inspired by his own lived experience of having discovered his sexuality post-marriage
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tar couple Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja are hosting football legend David Beckham at their home in Mumbai.
By Sukant Deepak
F
ilmmaker Raghuvir Joshi's movie 'Sahela', an Australian production in English, set to make its South Asian premiere at the Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival 2023 is inspired by his own lived experience of having discovered his sexuality postmarriage. "It was a big milestone In my life and I had to express it through the medium of film. I directed a short film called Yaman a few years ago which then became the proof of concept for the feature film, 'Sahela'," he tells IANS. He however adds that it would be unfair to call the feature film an 'extension' of 'Yaman' as the story and characters, and the milieu itself is very different. "But yes, the emotional core is the same, of love and loss." 'Sahela', shot in Australia, boasts of a cast including Antonio Aakeel ('Eaten by Lions', 'Tomb Raider') and Anula Navlekar ('Brahman Naman', 'BA Pass') in lead roles along with Sheeba Chaddha, Vipin Sharma, Harish Patel, Anita Patel and Nicholas Brown. The film captures the journey of Vir Oza and Nitya Behl, a young married couple residing in Western Sydney. Struggling beneath the weight of Indian familial expectations and ingrained gender norms, Vir and Nitya’s paths intersect at a critical breaking point, propelling Vir to disclose his true sexuality to Nitya. This revelation causes a disconnect between the couple, casting a cloud of societal disgrace over their family's deeply held cultural values. As Vir embarks on a voyage of
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self-discovery, Nitya grapples with the very fabric of her own reality, leading them down pathways of exploration and transformation. Albeit still emotionally tethered to each other, they unearth an alternate perspective on love. "My growth as an artist and a human being in this film has been exponential. I love the process of filmmaking as much as I am passionate about telling stories. Both go hand in glove for me. I feel so invigorated after this experience. I want to make newer mistakes and get better at my craft," he says about the experience of directing the film. Stressing that it was an incredible experience surrounded by some of the best HODs in the world of cinema, from Nialdri Kumar (sitar maestro) to Wayne Pashley (Sound designer, Oscar-nominated for 'Elvis') and the DOP, Michael Mcdermott who shot 'Hounds of Love', he adds, "it was a great learning curve as an artist." Talk to him about the fact that there isn't enough art, literature, or cinema on samesex relationships produced in India and he feels while things have changed for the better in the recent past even in mainstream Hindi cinema and OTT platforms, we still need more art around queer narratives. "We can’t be fatigued by queer films and art just yet. It should not matter if they are cliches or too abstract, mainstream or niche -- so be it. Let there be more ... we need a bigger collective voice around queer films and art in general in our society. Let's keep fighting the good fight, continue to speak truth to power and soon we shall see the rainbow at the
end of the tunnel." For someone who has been living in both India and Australia, it has been an enriching experience straddling these two worlds. Stating that both these cities Mumbai and Sydney - are melting pots of diversity and culture, he adds, "I am lucky to absorb and witness. I value it immensely as it has expedited my growth as an artist."
“David Beckham is in India for his UNICEF commitment as a Global Ambassador and he will be meeting Sonam and Anand during his trip to Mumbai. The powercouple will be hosting David tomorrow when he is in Mumbai and have invited the crème de la crème icons of the city for a dinner at their residence!” said a source. “It is a very private affair. We are
of you and I’ll never forget you. Never. Spread your wings and fly brother you’re finally free. Much love. And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me”. As per The Guardian, Cox also shared one of her favourite moments of her late co-star. The actor, who played Monica Geller, who married Chandler Bing in the show, said she is “so grateful for every moment” she had alongside Perry.
Set to be a co-producer on Dev Patel's upcoming directorial debut 'Monkey Man', he feels lucky to have found producers like Tayyab Madni
"I am also privileged to have found a mentor in Dev Patel. I have learned so much working and assisting him on his projects. The support of this trifecta helped me make the film I wanted to make." The director studied film at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai back in the year 2009, but feels nowadays YouTube is a great way to start learning, doing short courses, masterclasses etc. "We can shoot a film on a phone and send it to film festivals. I think practical, on-ground learning on a film set is way better than going to a film school, to be honest. People management is something you can only learn by working on a film set," he concludes.
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“Let’s look at David now. He is a global icon, his wife too is a fashion icon. Together, they are pop culture shapers of the world. So, there could be more than what meets the eye about this dinner. Let’s wait and watch!” the source concluded.
Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox pay tribute to their late ‘Friends’ co-star Matthew Perry
Joshi, who was a student of Hindustani Classical music as a child, started seriously considering film during his school years. "It started with visualizing stuff I would read. Be it a book or an article in the newspaper. And those visual triggers led me to pursue the medium of film."
and Radhika Lavu who backed his vision.
hearing only 25 people have made the cut for this grand soirée. Sonam and Anand are major entrepreneurs themselves, with Anand being at the top of the heap with business empire. Sonam is Bollywood royalty and a global fashion icon,” the source added.
F
riends’ stars and Matthew Perry’s friends, Matt LeBlanc and Courteney Cox paid tribute to the late actor, sharing their favourite moments with the actor. On Tuesday, more than two weeks on from Matthew’s death, LeBlanc posted a poignant message to his Instagram saying goodbye to his friend, reports The Guardian. Alongside a selection of pictures showing the pair in their roles as Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing in the hit US sitcom, LeBlanc, 56, wrote: “Matthew. It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favourite times of my life. It was an honour to share the stage with you and to call you my friend.” The actor further mentioned, “I will always smile when I think
The actress wrote on Instagram beside a clip from the show: “When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now here’s one of my favourites. To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one-night fling in London. But because of the audience’s reaction, it became the beginning of their love story.” “In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say. He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind,” she added.Other cast members paid tribute after Matthew’s death. Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s on-and-off girlfriend Janice Hosenstein, said in an Instagram statement that she felt “blessed” to have
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Nov 16-30, 2023 - Vol 4, Issue 8
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St Peters Lutheran College offers Prep to Year 12 Christian co-education.
Orion Springfield Central offering major retail shops, restaurants, a movie theatre and food court.
Just 35 minutes away from Brisbane CBD, the interest among buyers has been at a record level, according to Narendran Sinnathamby, the General Manager of Brookwater Residential. Brookwater’s current land release, The Dress Circle, is situated around the first nine holes of the championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. It is the only integrated golf community near Brisbane. “Discerning buyers are recognising that Brookwater is a premium lifestyle destination,’’Mr Sinnathamby said. “The Dress Circle, Brookwater is situated within Springfield City, one of Australia’s fastestgrowing regions. Springfield City sets the standard for world-class master-planned urban environments in the 21st century and has become a blueprint for nation-building,” he added. “The area boasts outstanding schools, and state-of-the-art health facilities, and is now home to the Brisbane Lions AFL Club. Everything you need is within reach.” Within the Springfield City area, there are 12 schools, 22 childcare facilities, and the University of Southern Queensland providing a remarkable array of options for both private and public amenities, making it an ideal choice for growing families. Springfield City is positioned as the gateway to the western corridor of Southeast Queensland. With an expansive area of 2,860 hectares, it is Australia’s largest master-planned city and the first of its kind since Canberra.
Estimated Residential Population
450,000
Health City Springfield Central – home to Mater Private Hospital Springfield, Aveo Springfield and Quest Apartment Hotel.
400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0
2021 Springfield
2026 2031 2036 2041 Greater Springfield Springfield Growth Corridor SOURCE: ECONISIS
- The wider Springfield Growth Corridor including Springfield and Greater Springfield is currently home to 145,300 people. - This is expected to grow rapidly to almost 200,000 people in 2026 and over 435,000 in 2041. - Represents an annual growth rate of 5.6% over the 20 years to 2041.
LARGE REGISTERED HOMESITES FROM $615,000
CALL US NOW AND VISIT THE SALES CENTRE:
07 3814 5177
www.indianews.com.au
3 Birchwood Crescent, Brookwater. Open daily 9am – 5pm
facebook.com/indianewsaustralia
B R O O K WAT E R R E S I D E N T I A L .C O M . A U
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