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Trump presents highest military decoration of US to Indian India to act against any kind of aggression: Indian Defence Minister Prime Minister New Delhi/Washington, Dec 22 (IANS): US President Donald Trump has presented America’s highest military decoration, The Legion of Merit, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership and vision under which India’s emergence as a global power has accelerated and for elevating strategic partnership of the two countries.
Hyderabad, Dec 19 (IANS): Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 19 said India is willing to respond to any kind of transgression, aggression or unilateral action on its borders. He was speaking at the passing out parade of various flight cadets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who completed their precommissioning training at Air Force Academy in Dundigul. “You are all familiar with the recent Indo-China stand-off in the northern sector. China’s attitude in times of crisis like Covid shows the intention of that country,� said Singh. He said India demonstrated that it was not weak. Singh also spoke about the western sector and highlighted that our neighbour keeps doing some nefarious activities on the border.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh “Pakistan is fighting a proxy war through terrorism even after (India) defeating them in not one but four wars,� said the Defence Minister.
Official sources said, The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, bestowed on Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the President, is a rarely-awarded, prestigious decoration that can only be bestowed by Trump, typically to heads of state or heads of government of other countries.
The citation with the award states: “For exceptionally meritorious service as the Prime Minister of the Republic of India from May 2014 to August 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s steadfast leadership and vision have accelerated India’s emergence as a global power and elevated the strategic partnership between the US and India, to address global
He said India is taking effective action against terrorists not only within the country but also by crossing the border.
Continued on Page 3
India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, accepted the award on behalf of the Prime Minister from the US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien at the White House.
challenges. Prime Minister Modi’s personal engagement expanded US-India ties across all facets of the relationship, helping to establish a strong foundation for an enduring partnership that is based on shared commitment to freedom, democratic principles, the equal treatment of all citizens, and the rule of law.� Continued on Page 3
Student Visas I SkilledCode Visas I Tourist Visas Australia Economic Strategy report word ‘India’ figures more than 100 times in crucial CCP data leak The report was prepared by the Visas and leaked to an international New Delhi/Canberra, Dec 14 who secretly infiltrated some of Temporary Graduate I Business Migration of CII launched Confederation of Indian Industry bipartisan group, Inter(IANS): ‘India’ figured over 100 the world’s biggest corporations, New Delhi, Dec 18: Shri Piyush Goyal, Indian Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, launched the strategy report “Enhancing India Australia Bilateral Economic and Trade Relationship�, led by former Ambassador Anil Wadhwa.
(CII)Visas in collaboration with timesSpecialist in cryptic code words banks, mediaVisas groups, universities Family stream I Partner Visa I Sponsored KPMG, and led by Ambassador in the leaked database of the and government agencies, were Anil Wadhwa, Former Secretary Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) exposed due to a massive data Job Ready I Skill Assessments I AAT representation East, Ministry of External Affairs and Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation and Chair.
employees embedded in some of the biggest global companies and government agencies.
leak on December 13.
Though the data was reportedly extracted by Chinese dissidents from a server in Shanghai in 2016
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Around two million CCP members
Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), but on December 13 it was shared with the international consortium of four media organisations -- The Australian, the UK’s Mail, Belgium’s De Standaard and a Swedish editor. Continued on Page 3
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COVER STORIES
India to act against any kind of Australia Economic Strategy report of CII launched some of the recommendations and incentives undertaken by opening up of aggression: Indian Defence Minister “India’s presented by the Ambassador to India to create an investment engagement and activities with “By taking effective action against terrorism, IAF in Balakot has made the entire world aware of the strength of the Indian Army and its strong intentions against terror,” Singh pointed out.
out parade at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal near Hyderabad.
The minister termed Goa Liberation War (1961), Indo-Pak War (1965), Bangladesh Liberation War (1971), Operation Meghdoot (1984), Operation White Sea (1999) and the recent Balakot exploits as golden chapters of not only the Air Force but also in the history of our country.
The cadets were also presented with ‘wings’ and ‘brevets’ on successfully completing the flying and navigation training, respectively.
Meanwhile, he called upon the cadets to update knowledge in all technologies and military strategies. “I suggest you to learn from history, know the present and prepare for the future,” said Singh during their combined graduation parade (CGP). He said the IAF is working as a force multiplier and highlighted that the defence forces in Ladakh are equipped with necessary weapons, equipment, clothes and ration with full contribution from the Indian Air Force. Singh was the Chief Guest as well as reviewing officer of the passing
He conferred the ‘President’s Commission’ to the graduating trainees.
‘Wings’ were also presented to officers from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and officers from friendly foreign countries on successfully completing their flying training at the academy. As part of the event, an acrobatic display of SU-30 aircraft, Surya Kiran aerobatic team, Sarang Helicopter display team, Pilatus PC-7 trainer and fly past by formations of PC-7, Kiran and Hawk aircraft have been scheduled. The Autumn CGP term, 206th course, happens to be the 100th course to pass out from the academy. AFA will celebrate golden jubilee in 2021 on completing 50 years of its inception since January 16, 1971.
Trump presents highest military decoration of US to Indian Prime Minister “India is a key partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific, where the two countries are increasing collaboration to ensure freedom of the seas, open and transparent investment and infrastructure development, secure and reliable digital networks, and good governance.” In a glowing tribute, the citation adds: “Prime Minister Modi’s personal initiative strengthened the defence partnership between the United States and India, enhancing the US’ ability to secure joint military cooperation that addressed shared challenges. His efforts to expand India’s economic cooperation with the US have advanced prosperity, investment and job creation in both countries.” “Prime Minister Modi’s superior effort, personal leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing strategic cooperation between the United States and India and promoting global peace
and prosperity reflect great credit upon himself, the Indian armed forces, and his country.” The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander is a domed five-pointed American white star plaque of heraldic form bordered in purplish-red enamel 215/16 inches circumscribing the diameter with 13 white stars on a blue field emerging from a circle of clouds; backing the star, a laurel wreath with pierced, crossed arrows pointing outward between each arm of the star and the wreath. The reverse is engraved with the words ‘United States of America’. In September this year, after a very long gap, President Donald Trump awarded the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed AlJaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait. The decoration was last awarded in 1991.
Australia, is a great morale booster for the entire world, especially during the current crisis,” stated Shri Piyush Goyal. He also stated that the comprehensive report will expand the Australia-India relationship further. Apart from traditional sectors such as mining and resources, India has made significant forays into newer areas such as gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, auto and spare parts, healthcare, agribusiness etc., which have great potential to expand this partnership, he added. Opportunities in newer emerging areas such as space collaboration, defense, education, especially through greater degree of digital engagement, hold great promise for intensifying the bilateral engagement, he stressed. Highlighting that India’s exports to Australia are still at modest levels, Mr. Goyal stated that India is engaging in continuous dialogue to bridge this gap for greater engagement with Australian companies. While stressing on the importance of diversification of supply chains for managing the current transitions in global value chains, he added, “India can provide a core pathway for linking supply chains and provide trusted and reliable suppliers to the world”. Emphasizing the host of reforms
increase trade, investments and tourism between both sides.
Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Government of Australia, in his message said that both the Governments have elevated the Australia-India relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership and that Australia is committed to an upward bilateral and trade trajectory with India”.
Mr Anil Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India stated that the report is significant as the two countries are trying to establish a resilient supply chain initiative and are committed to expand cooperation in various areas, including integrating micro, small and medium enterprises of other countries into the global value chains.
Senator Simon Birmingham further added that cooperation across diverse and new areas such as technology and cybersecurity, AI, quantum computing and robotics, waste management, etc. will give a further heft to the India-Australia bilateral partnership. Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, Chair, Australia Economic Strategy, stated, “Changed geo-political relations offer some great opportunities for both countries.” Initiating a Free Trade Agreement, reviving the CEO’s forum, starting a joint innovation and start-up fund and direct flights between both sides were
Mr A. Gitesh Sarma, High Commissioner of India to Australia, expressed his assurance that the India Australia partnership is long term. He added that the timely release of the report will add new energy to the bilateral partnership.
Mr Rodney Hilton, Deputy Chief of Mission, Australian High Commission, noted that the report is important and timely and will contribute to strategic bilateral relationship. “There are great synergies between the two economies that need to be harnessed” said Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, highlighting that CII is committed to implementation of the recommendations in the report.
Code word ‘India’ figures more than 100 times India Home, Royal Bridge Village in crucial CCP data leak Indian team West Indo-House Apart from the names of around two million CCP members, the leaked database -- exclusively accessed by IANS in India -- has details about their party position, birthdate, national ID number and ethnicity. However, some details are encrypted in the database. Among the companies mentioned in the list are manufacturers like Boeing and Volkswagen, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca, and banks like ANZ and HSBC. As per the documents, around 600 people at HSBC, Standard Chartered banks are CCP members. Citibank, BNP Paribas, Hewlett-Packard, Mitsubishi, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Siemens, Ikea, Mercedes-Benz, Bank of America and other companies are also mentioned. One of the Indian companies, Tata’s Jaguar Land Rover has around 70 employees from the CCP. However, it is not clear from the database whether all these companies are aware of the fact that CCP members are working for them and if it is permissible under their respective code of conduct. But oddly, over 100 references to India, in code words, surfaced in the database as well. Cryptic names such as The Indian Army, Zhu India School, the founding
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friendly business environment, the Minister stated that the Australian companies also have tremendous scope in India. Easing of FDI norms and opening up of sectors such as defense and manufacturing, agricultural reforms, and others will greatly boost Indian engagement with Australian companies, he added.
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of India, India Love Jane, Indian red, Indian eagle, India Xiaofu, Zhang India Tiger, Zhang India, Wei Gen India, India and Peace, Wang India, Inter-Indian steel, Kong Qing India, Sang Jia India, Indian eagle, Lu India sister, India wins, Indian temple root, Pan India Moon, India Xiaolei, India Guoping, India reached, Wang India, Zhou India Dream, IndoIndian, India goes with the clock, Indian rain, Hua India Circuit Board Co., Ltd., appeared in the list. Similarly, India flies far away, Xu India, Indian talent, Indian temple red, India seven sisters, India’s big brother, India little sister, Hooper India, The ageing branch of The Indian Village, Indian comfort army, Ren Shuai India, Money in India, Indian Autumn Jubilee, India is a great country, The King of India, The Indian army is good were also mentioned. The database mentioned Zhou India, India patriotic, Indian autumn celery, India Xiaohua, Indian crane, Indo-Indian, India and China, No.116 Wang India Village, Huang India sister, Indian family, Lin India Moon, India’s foundation, Cheng India macro, India, Qian India village, India comforts the country, India also smells, Indian Army, India’s good talent, Cheng India macro, 72 East
Circle 1, 22 in the East India Circle of Yuqiao village.
However, it was not clear what these references meant and whether these CCP members with names of India code words, were based in India. The government issued no statement on the data leak even as it was published widely abroad. Since ‘Indian Army’ was mentioned a few times in the leaked database, IANS sought a reaction from the officials of the Indian Army in New Delhi. The Army spokesperson said that they have nothing to say right now. Around 79,000 branches of the CCP have been set up within several companies where members, if called on, are answerable directly to the Communist Party and President Xi Jinping, ‘The Australian’ said. “It is believed to be the first leak of its kind in the world,” The Australian journalist and Sky News host Sharri Markson said. “What’s amazing about this database is not just that it exposes people who are members of the Communist Party, and who are now living and working all over the world, from Australia to the US to the UK, but it’s amazing because it lifts the lid on how the party operates under President and Chairman Xi Jinping,” she added.
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Congress party veteran Motilal Vora passes away at 93
Farm laws: Congress party to submit memorandum to Indian President New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): A delegation of Congress party MPs and leaders led by former party president Rahul Gandhi will submit a memorandum signed during a nationwide signature campaign to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on December 24, urging his intervention for annulling the three farm laws enacted in September.
Congress veteran leader Motilal Vora New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): A day after celebrating his 93rd birthday, veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Motilal Vora passed away on December 21 afternoon. He was 93. Vora breathed his last at the Fortis hospital here, where he had been admitted since December 19 with complaints of dyspnea or shortness of breath with altered sensorium and hypotension (low blood pressure). He was admitted under critical care cardiologist Dr Sameer Srivastava. On Monday morning, he complained of hypotension and hypoxemia, after which he was intubated. He experienced a septic shock thereafter and was declared dead at 3.52 pm. His son Arun Lal Vora, a MLA from Chhattisgarh, tweeted, “One of the strongest trees of the Congress family and a jewel of the country’s politics, the body of my revered father will be kept at his Delhi residence from 6 pm to 8 pm for paying last tributes.” Vora, one of the tallest leaders of the Congress, held several key positions, including the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Governor of Uttar Pradesh. He was a Rajya Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh till April this year and held several party positions, including the post of Treasurer. Vora had tested Covid-19 positive in October but recovered and was discharged from hospital on
October 16. He was admitted to the Escorts Hospital on the Okhla Road a few days ago with complaint of urinary infection as well. As soon as the news of his death spread, condolences poured in. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, “Sad to hear that veteran Congress leader Shri Motilal Vora is no more. He was humility personified, and belonged to a generation of leaders who carry their politics with unflinching conviction till the end. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.” In a tweet, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Shri Motilal Vora Ji was among the senior-most Congress leaders who had vast administrative and organisational experience in a political career that spanned decades. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “Vora ji was a true Congressman and a wonderful human being. We will miss him very much. My love and condolences to his family and friends.” Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, “Every leader of the Congress, every worker is feeling personally saddened by the death of Motilal Vora ji. Vora ji was a symbol of loyalty, dedication and patience to the ideology of the Congress.”
The signatures have been collected by the Congress after it launched a nationwide campaign against the three Central farm laws. Addressed to the President of India, the memorandum has been signed by the farmers, farm labourers and other stake holders
opposing these legislations right from the initial stage of introduction of these bills in the Parliament. The Congress General Secretary said that lakhs of farmers are protesting braving chilly winter conditions against the three blatantly anti-agriculture laws aimed at bartering their interests in the hands of select crony capitalist friends of the Modi government. They have been blocked from entering the national capital for the last 27 days, despite prior notice and peaceful intent, he said. The farmers have been urging the government to repeal the
three farm laws since the last few days, sitting on an indefinite strike against these legislations. A number of protesting farmers have lost their lives due to harsh weather conditions and other reasons since the protest began 27 days back. The Congress said that Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders and political parties had vehemently opposed the bills inside and outside the Parliament. Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders also undertook an extensive ‘Tractor Yatra’ across Punjab and Haryana against the farm laws.
Farmer bodies urge government not to amend new farm laws New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Indian Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar said on December 22 that a section of farmers have urged the government not to amend the new farm laws enacted by the Centre. Two separate delegations of farmers’ representatives under the banners of Indian Farmers Union and Kisan Sangharsh Samiti met Tomar at Krishi Bhawan and extended their support to the government on new farm laws. Indian Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Kailash Choudhary was also present during the meeting. Since the protest against new agriculture laws began, the Union Minister had a series of meetings with pro-reform farmer groups who have advocated news laws in favour of farmers. Around 40 farmer unions are
protesting against these laws and demanding a new law for mandatory MSP. The protesters have blocked the several entry points of the national capital. While speaking to reporters after meeting the delegations, Tomar said, some representatives of farmers came whose concern is that the government may amend new farm laws under pressure of the protesting farmers so they requested not to make any change in these laws. There are only a few farmer groups protesting against the new rules, he added The Agriculture Minister is confident to reach a solution of the issues related to the farmers. He said, “We are expecting that protesting farmers unions will reach a consensus to start fresh talks and they will come again... We will soon resolve the matter. Kisan Sangharsh Samiti President
Ajay Pal Pradhan led the delegation of representative of the farmers of Gautambudh Nagar. Rajya Sabha member Surendra Singh Nagar was also present on the occasion. While speaking to IANS, Pradhan said, new farm laws are in favour of farmers and therefore he has urged the Minister not to amend them. Former Minister of Uttrakhand and National President of Indian Kisan Union and Ram Kumar Walia said, “We have read new agriculture acts and found them beneficial for the farmers.” Walia is also the National President of Bhartiya Sarv Samaj Mahasangh. Speaking to IANS, he said, “I urge protesting farmers to come for fresh talks with the government. I have not visited Singhu Border so far, I will go there to convince them.” Both, the farmers’ bodies handed over memorandum in support of new farm laws to the Minister.
Month-long online festival by Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): In a first of its kind, a month-long online ‘The Kashmir Festival’ has been organised by the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora in association with ‘I Am Buddha’ Foundation.
Global Kashmiri Pandit diaspora hosted Minister for Textiles, Smriti Irani, Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge foreign affairs, BJP and Vivek Tankha MP Rajya Sabha for the inaugural session on December 19.
Over a course of one month, starting December 19, 2020 and ending on January 20, 2021, every night at 8 p.m., a series of episodes will be broadcast live on I Am Buddha YouTube and Facebook channels.
The inaugural session was opened by Surinder Kaul, co-founder GKPD, who welcomed the panel and commended community activists and Kashmiri Pandit organizations across board, who have tirelessly devoted themselves to the betterment of the community.
Different aspects of Kashmir and the talent and contributions of its original (currently in exile) inhabitants will be discussed with leading luminaries in various fields like technology, arts, theatre, judiciary, health, food, media, entrepreneurship, sports, music, to name a few.
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“Smriti Irani connected our turmoil to that of the Parsi community and commented that both communities have done exceptionally well and contributed immensely to the world. She offered her continued
support to the community in our resolve to return to Kashmir, our homeland.” Vijay Chauthaiwale lauded the community for being resilient in face of adversity and commended GKPD for organising the festival to showcase their contribution to the world. He said the whole country was with Kashmiri Pandits in their struggle. Vivek Tankha gave an account of the history of Kashmiri Pandits starting from the time when emergency was declared in India to the 1990’s exodus. Despite extreme hardships, community members are holding leading positions across the world. He appreciated the GKPD for organising the festival which will further bring the community together.
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Govt committed to development without religious bias: Indian PM New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on December 22 that his government was committed to ushering in development in the country without any discrimination on the basis of religion. “I assure that nobody will be left out and not discriminated against on religious lines. Everyone will move forward by enjoying the Fundamental Rights given in the Constitution,” Modi said while addressing through videoconference the centenary celebrations of the Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. Modi is only the second Prime Minister to address an AMU function after Lal Bahadur Shastri 56 years ago. The Prime Minister pointed out that during the nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic, the Union government did not discriminate against anyone and gave free food grains to 80 crore poor. He said that the Union government had also got opened 40 crore bank accounts, given houses to 2 crore persons and built toilets for 10 crore others under the ‘Clean India Mission’.
Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi in the last many decades, had now dropped to only 30 per cent due to increase in the number of toilets constructed in educational institutions, he added. During his speech, Modi recalled the AMU’s rich heritage of 100 years. Modi quoted Sir Syed Ahmed Khan -- who set up the Muhammadan-Anglo Oriental College that later became the AMU -- that a person who loved his country will think of the welfare of the people without any prejudice. He said that there may be ideological differences but the new India will offer common ground to all, as was the case during the freedom struggle.
in turn results in economic independence, he pointed out. Modi said that during the pandemic, the AMU served the needy and even donated money in the PM-CARES fund to show their responsibility towards the nation. Hailing the university for promoting diversity, the Prime Minister also said that it was one of the strengths of the country. The AMU had helped India strengthen its relations with Muslim countries and nearly 1,000 foreign students were currently on its rolls. The Prime Minister said that the university should strengthen its soft power. Modi said that the country was moving ahead after the ban on instant Triple Talaq.
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In a surprise move Modi visits Gurudwara Rakabganj New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20 made a surprise visit to the Gurudwara Rakabganj here early morning and paid tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur for his supreme sacrifice, expressing “I felt extremely blessed”.
the special occasion of the 400th Parkash Parv of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji during our Government’s tenure. Let us mark this blessed occasion in a historic way and celebrate the ideals of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji,” the Indian Prime Minister further said.
People of the Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee were surprised to see Modi present in the premises. There was neither any security, nor barricading arrangements made on the roads during the Indian Prime Minister’s unscheduled visit.
Sources say that during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, special care was taken so that the people do not face any inconvenience because on December 20, the number of visitors is quite high. That is why there was no such high-level security as is usually the case, sources say.
Like a common man he moved in the Gurudwara, and shocked everyone by his visit without any pre-scheduled programme. Modi’s sudden visit to the Gurudwara comes a day after the ninth Sikh Guru’s death anniversary was observed on December 19. In a tweet after the visit, the Indian Prime Minister said, “This morning, I prayed at the historic Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, where the pious body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated. I felt extremely blessed. I, like millions around the world, am deeply inspired by the kindnesses of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.” “It is the special Kripa of the Guru Sahibs that we will mark
Modi’s sudden visit to the Gurudwara comes amid the agitation organised by the farmers of Punjab in the national Capital, which may be seen as a move to placate them. However, the BJP leaders say that the PM’s visit is a matter of pure faith and should not be seen from any other perspective. Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect religion and humanity. His martyrdom is remembered every year as Martyr’s Day. On December 19, the whole country observed Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day. Guru Tegh Bahadur preached Sikhism during the 17th century.
UP government to promote organic farming to increase UN Women, Kerala govt collaborate farmers’ income “Developmental issues should not be looked at from the political angle. The new India will shun the narrow political outlook,” Modi remarked. Due to government policies, the dropout rate among Muslim women, which was 70 per cent
The Prime Minister congratulated the university for increasing the number of female students to 35 per cent, adding that the government had provided 1 crore scholarships for such students. Education leads to employment and entrepreneurship which
The Prime Minister also released a postal stamp at the event, where University Chancellor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank were also present.
for India’s first Gender Data Hub New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): The Kerala government and UN Women have collaborated to establish India’s first Gender Data Hub. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in this regard on December 21 in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Ahead of the inking of the MoU, officials of UN Women held a meeting with the state’s Minister for Health and Social Justice KK Shailaja at the UN House in New Delhi, where the broad framework of the co-operation was discussed. The Gender Hub builds on the goals established through the International Conference on Gender Equality held in November 2015, to collect, analyse and use more nuanced data and inform policy formulation in a manner that centre-stages women’s rights. “I am sure that this collaboration will broaden and deepen
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various pioneering initiatives for gender equality and women empowerment launched by the Social Justice Department of Kerala through The Gender Park. We aim to invest in policy and socio-economic initiatives for gender equality, where the Gender Park will work as a South Asian hub for gender-related activities with UN Women,” said Vijayan. While speaking about the collaboration and this initiative, UN Women Deputy Representative Nishtha Satyam said, “We come together as equal partners in the vision of realising the Agenda 2030 and closing the gender gaps across the adopted indicators and targets. What we propose through this collaboration is to work on innovative and tech-enabled solutions to address gender inequalities, strengthen inclusion of women and girls in all their diversities, in the development process.”
as specified in the MoU, will be setting up the Gender Data Centre at The Gender Park, launching the second edition of the International Conference on Gender Equality, and increasing engagement on the global normative frameworks on gender equality and empowerment of women. As a convergence centre for all the gender and development work in the state, the unique facilities at the Gender Park include a Gender Library, Gender Museum and Training Centre on sustainable entrepreneurship, social business and markets for women from economicallybackward social groups.
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Lucknow, Dec 19 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to promote organic farming within a radius of 5 kilometres of the Ganga so as to increase the income of the farmers settled on both sides of the river.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Department along with the Jal Shakti Ministry has already started working on the plan. The farmers will be provided training about organic farming of grains, fruits and flowers along with necessary equipment required for organic farming. Along with this, the government is also looking forward to clean the Ganga as it has decided to ban the usage of chemical fertilisers in the fields within a 5-km radius of the Ganga. With this, the Yogi government is looking to cover three aspects at once. First, it is looking forward to cleanliness of Ganga, secondly it is aiming to increase the income of the farmers and thirdly it is planning to produce large quantity of organic crops in the state. According to officials of the Jal Shakti Ministry, we along with
the Agriculture and Horticulture Department will provide a large market to the farmers for their organic crops so that they get better price for their crops.
A senior official of the Namami Gange Department said the usage of chemical fertilisers is a major reason behind pollution in Ganga. The state government is planning to ban them completely. UP Minister and state government spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh said, “The Yogi government is committed to pollution free Ganga while ensuring the progress of the farmers. The government is introducing the schemes aiming for the same.” He added that apart from prohibiting usage of chemical fertilisers, Peepal, Mango, Jamun and Banyan trees will be planted on both sides of the river to avoid erosion. For this, a ‘Ganga nursery’ will be developed in every district. Geo-tagging of all the trees planted on the sides of the river will be done with the help of the forest department. A campaign will also be launched to remove encroachments on the banks of the Ganga.
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100 Sydney venues named as potential Covid-19 hotspots
Australian economy expected to rebound in 2020-21 Canberra, Dec 17 (IANS): Fewer people relying on government coronavirus payments and booming iron ore exports have driven an improvement to Australia’s federal budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on December 17.
Sydney, Dec 22 (IANS): After the discovery of a new coronavirus cluster in Sydney, officials in New South Wales (NSW) state on December 22 named over 100 venues in the largest Australian city as potential Covid-19 hotspots, instructing anyone who visited them to self-isolate and get tested.
after attending affected venues, with close contacts told to isolate for 14 days regardless if they returned a negative test result.
The Northern Beaches cluster grew to 90 confirmed cases, after eight more people tested positive on December 22, reports Xinhua news agency.
Just three days away from Christmas, Berejiklian said that authorities were monitoring the “evolving” situation closely before deciding on December 23 what restrictions will be in place for the city on December 25.
Health alerts were issued for gyms, bars and cafes, primarily inside the original outbreak area, but also across Greater Sydney. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said despite the remaining risk she was happy to see the number of new cases drop into the single figures, compared with 15 the day before and 30 on December 20. “The threat is there because of the number of venues that have been affected (but) I think to date the policy settings we’ve had in place, coupled with the community’s response, have demonstrated our strategies are working,” she said. Thousands of people were instructed to self-isolate at home
“Even if you’ve had a negative test today you can be positive tomorrow, so it’s incredibly important that you remain in isolation,” NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.
“Obviously the decision would be much easier if it wasn’t this time of year,” she said. “We will try to consider mental health issues, we need to consider what people are going through as part of that decision as well but we also need to consider what it means for 8 million citizens across the state.” The state of NSW currently accounts for 4,789 coronavirus cases and 53 deaths. Australia has so far reported a total 28,198 cases and 908 fatalities.
Australia-India water security initiative launched Canberra, Dec 16: At the 4th World Water Summit in New Delhi on December 16, the Australian Government announced its contribution of $10 million to support cooperation between Australia and India on urban water security. The Australia-India Water Security Initiative delivers on our commitment to strengthen water security cooperation under the auspices of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, agreed by our respective leaders in June. It also reflects the high value Australia and India place on water security – the life blood of our communities, environments and economies. Australia’s funding will support the exchange of the latest tools and technologies for safeguarding water supply to India’s fastest
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growing cities, and will focus on wastewater treatment, recycling and water-sensitive city design. The initiative will pair Australia’s expertise in water and urban design with Indian counterpart agencies and institutes – known as a “twinning arrangement” – to address the increasing challenges associated with providing water and sanitation to cities. The partnership will create opportunities for Australia’s private sector to develop and implement world-leading water management systems. This is another example of Australia and India’s commitment to an ambitious partnership, which is making a vital contribution to human health, environmental management and economic growth in both our countries.
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
Frydenberg made the comments as he released the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), revealing that the government was now forecasting a budget deficit of A$197.7 billion ($149.8 billion) at the end of financial year 2020-21 compared to about A$214 billion projected in October, reports Xinhua news agency. The updated projected deficit is nearly 10 per cent of Australia’s GDP. The A$15.9 billion improvement was attributed to growing iron ore prices and more Australians
being back in work earlier than expected in the wake of strict coronavirus restrictions. It revealed that 1.6 million Australians continue to receive the government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy payment, down from the 2.2 million estimated in the October budget. The program is now forecast to cost the government A$90 billion, down from A$101.3 billion. Unemployment is expected to peak at 7.5 per cent in the first three months of 2021, down from the eight percent projected in October, before falling to 6.25 per cent by the middle of 2022 and 5.25 per cent by 2024. Frydenberg said the Australian economy is rebounding strongly. “With 734,000 jobs created over the last six months, the labour mark has performed better than
we expected.” According to labour force data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday, the country’s unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent in November, down from 7 per cent in October. The number of people in full-time jobs across Australia increased by 84,200 and part-time employment increased by 5,800. The number of total hours worked in Australia increased by 2.5 per cent from October but remained 1.2 per cent lower than at the same point in 2019. Earlier on December 17, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that “getting Australians back in work” was key to balancing the budget, saying that the deficit would be paid down “when Australians no longer need income support from tax payers, and become tax payers themselves”.
PM urged to acknowledge 2nd Covid-19 candidate vaccine Canberra, Dec 13 (IANS): The South Australian developer of a candidate vaccine for the novel coronavirus has urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to fund the “promising” project after research for the first one was halted.
HIV screening tests, leading to a false positive test result.
On December 12, Nikolai Petrovsky, the research director of biotechnology company Vaxine, said that the abandonment of the University of Queensland’s candidate vaccine presented an opportunity for funding to the South Australian firm, reports Xinhua news agency.
Human trials of Vaxine’s candidate, called COVAX-19, began in Adelaide, capital city of the state of South Australia, in July but have received limited support from the government.
The Australian government announced on December 11 morning that the University of Queensland’s research into a possible Covid-19 vaccine which has undergone phase one clinical trials will not be proceeding to phase three, as which has the potential to interfere with some
In response, Prime Minister Morrison announced that the government would acquire an extra 31 million doses of the candidate vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Novavax.
“I would just love Prime Minister Scott Morrison to acknowledge that there is a second Australian vaccine candidate out there that has very promising data and could actually make a difference,” Petrovsky added. Australia’s overall Covid-19 caseload increased to 28,025 on December 13 after 13 more people tested for the virus, according
Prime minister Scott Morrison to the latest figures from the Department of Health. The Department also said that the numbers of locally and overseas acquired cases in the last seven days were zero and 70, respectively. The country’s death toll stood at 908.
Professor Paul Kelly appointed Australia’s new chief medical officer Canberra, Dec 21: The Australian Government has welcomed the appointment of Professor Paul Kelly as Australia’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
the Department of Health, Prof Kelly has ably led the response to COVID-19, including as Chair of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
Prof Kelly has been acting in the role since June 2020, and prior to this was Deputy CMO from January 2020.
His appointment to the permanent role of CMO ensures Australia remains in very capable hands. He was successful after a rigorous and highly competitive selection process conducted by the Department of Health.
Prof Kelly has been intimately involved in Australia’s response to COVID-19 from the earliest days of the pandemic, and on the health response to the devastating 2019–20 bushfires. Since Dr Brendan Murphy’s appointment as Secretary of
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Prof Kelly and his colleagues have been instrumental in our worldleading health response to the pandemic. He has become a familiar and
Professor Paul Kelly reassuring presence on our TV screens. His in-depth knowledge of this virus and its transmission has been invaluable.
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Record investment in home care packages continues Canberra, Dec 16: The Morrison Government will invest an additional $1 billion in funding to help older Australians live at home for longer. Another 10,000 home care packages - at a cost of more than $850 million - will be released as the Government continues to prioritise the needs of older and vulnerable Australians. It adds to the Morrison Government’s record investment in aged care, from $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $21.3 billion in 2019-20. While the population of those aged 70 and over has jumped by 28 per cent since 2012, home care packages have increased by over 200 per cent with funding tripling - or more than 10 times the growth in population of older Australians.
has tripled the number of home care packages and in addition to Budget announcements, we have provided 10,000 additional home care packages at MYEFO every year for the past three years. This commitment continues.” Health Minister Greg Hunt said the new packages are in addition to a $1.6 billion investment for more than 23,000 packages announced in the 2020–21 Budget. It will increase the number of Australians receiving in-home care support to approximately 195,600 by 30 June 2021 – more than three times as many as when the Coalition formed Government. “The latest investment underlines our commitment to help older Australians live at home for longer,” Minister Hunt said.
Estimated funding for aged care will grow to more than $27 billion in 2023-24 – or an average $1.1 billion of extra support for senior Australians each year over the forward estimates.
“It’s an important measure that can be instrumental to overall health and wellbeing and offer reassurance to families that their loved one is receiving appropriate care.”
The latest additional investment means almost 50,000 packages, at a cost of $3.3 billion, have been funded since the Royal Commission’s Interim Report.
The Government continues to build on the reform process for the delivery of care in the home as proposed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was important older Australians received the care they needed. “The health and wellbeing of older Australians is an absolute priority,” the Prime Minister said. “By providing more support to people at home, we are ensuring that Australians, as they age, have greater choices and their families have greater choices. “Our Government has continued to increase funding in aged care every year by more than $1 billion, adding thousands of extra home care packages at every opportunity. “We will continue to address the many challenges there are in aged care, not only by boosting funding but also providing better access to health services to improve physical and mental wellbeing for older Australians. “At every opportunity for the last three years, the Government
Funding also includes: • an additional $57.8 million for aged care under the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response; • $63.3 million to support increased access to allied health services and improved mental health care supports for people in residential aged care, which includes: • $35.5 million to provide access to Medicare subsidised individual psychological services under the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the MBS (Better Access) initiative until 30 June 2022 and to evaluate Better Access. • $12.1 million for additional individual allied health sessions under Medicare chronic disease management plans. • $15.7 million for allied health group services for residents living
in facilities affected by COVID-19 outbreaks. The expansion of the eligibility requirements for the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners is ensuring people living in residential aged care can access suitable mental health support. This will help all aged care residents access the Better Access initiative in the same way as people living in the community. Psychological services will be provided by eligible general practitioners, psychologists, social workers or occupational therapists in accordance with a mental health treatment plan developed in consultation with the patient’s general practitioner or psychiatrist. Financial disincentives for providers to offer services for those living in residential aged care will be removed. The extension of the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response will bolster protection measures, including expert training and support in infection prevention and control for all states and territories. Additionally, the Government is providing $8.2 million to extend the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre until 30 June 2021 to ensure the dedicated scalable support remains in place to rapidly respond to the pandemic and coordinate the Victorian response to outbreaks in aged care. Another $11.1 million over five years will help fast-track the implementation of the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) to protect senior Australians from abuse and neglect. It takes the total investment in the program to $67.2 million. The SIRS will drive improvements in quality and safety at the individual service and broader system level, by requiring residential aged care providers to manage all incidents, with a focus on the safety and wellbeing of consumers and reducing preventable incidents from reoccurring.
Covid-19: National Cabinet undertakes a review Canberra, Dec 11: At the final meeting of the year, leaders discussed Australia’s economic recovery, the COVID-19 response, the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, the Framework for National Reopening by Christmas, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and measures to get the economy moving again. National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues
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and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. National Cabinet received a detailed briefing on the labour market by the Commonwealth Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy and National Skills Commissioner Adam Boyton. Leaders also noted progress on the successful rollout of the JobTrainer program for over 300,000 free or low-cost training positions across the country.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19. There have been more than 28,000 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 908 people have died. There are now around 50 active cases in Australia, all in hotel quarantine. Over the past week there has been no cases of community transmission in Australia. More than 10 million
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tests have been undertaken across the country. Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most countries around the world. National Cabinet noted the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in many countries and the comparative strength of Australia’s effort in addressing COVID-19 compared to most other developed economies. Globally there have been over 68 million cases and sadly over 1.5 million deaths. Globally, average daily cases have now reached more than 600,000. National Cabinet welcomed Australia’s achievement of a goal to reopen Australia by Christmas under a three-step framework agreed by all states, except Western Australia. All states are on track to successfully reopen state borders by Christmas, subject to health precautions. National Cabinet again discussed the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth, states and territories in rolling out COVID-19 vaccines. It is vital that Australians have public confidence in vaccination and its roll out. The roll out plans will continue with a partnership between the Commonwealth and States and territories under the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. National Cabinet welcomed the extension of vaccine purchasing arrangements with AstraZeneca and Novavax, which bolster arrangements with both vaccine suppliers and support Australia’s diversified portfolio of vaccines which also include the Pfizer/ BioNtech vaccine and the COVAX facility. While vaccines are being developed, and treatments for COVID-19 are being improved, an important means to continue to bring about a return to normal economic and community activity is rapid testing, contact tracing, isolation and outbreak management. These measures back up the ongoing need for COVID-safe behaviours such as social distancing and good hygiene. Infrastructure Australia National Cabinet agreed that Infrastructure Australia will now evaluate project proposals which require more than $250 million in Commonwealth funding, an increase from the existing threshold of $100 million. The increase will better focus Infrastructure Australia‘s business case evaluation process on the key projects that will help rebuild our economy and support jobs into the future. All states and territories have advocated for the increase and it is supported by Infrastructure Australia. The increase will be reflected in an updated Statement of
NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA Expectations to be issued by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development, and will take effect from 1 January 2021. Streamlining approvals National Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to implement ‘single touch’ environmental approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) to speed up projects, support economic recovery and create jobs. Leaders agreed the immediate priority was to pass legislation streamlining approval processes and to develop national environmental standards reflecting the current requirements of the EPBC Act. Subsequent phases of reform will build on these streamlining efforts and address any further changes and improvements, including to environmental standards, taking into account the recommendations of the independent review led by Professor Graeme Samuel AC. Automatic mutual recognition of occupational registration All jurisdictions signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Registrations, with the exception of the ACT. The Agreement, which will be subject to revision following consultation and to reflect the legislation agreed by the signatories, will ensure that licenced workers will not bear additional costs to perform the same activities in those jurisdictions and makes it easier to do business across state and territory borders. The ACT will continue to work towards finalising arrangements, with the aim of signing the Intergovernmental Agreement shortly. Seasonal workers National Cabinet acknowledged the importance of Australia’s agricultural sector having sufficient workforce to harvest what is a bumper season across the country. It was agreed that bilateral arrangements will be established between the Commonwealth and jurisdictions based on each jurisdiction’s health protocols for Pacific workers. As a next step, jurisdictions will write to the Commonwealth outlining their health protocols (including for example, onfarm quarantine arrangements similar to the Queensland model, requirements for workers to remain in the jurisdiction etc). The Commonwealth will then be able to facilitate visas for workers under the Seasonal Worker Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme based on these bilateral arrangements. International border arrangements.
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Queensland marks 100 days without community transmission Brisbane, Dec 24: It’s now been 100 days since Queensland last recorded a case of COVID-19 acquired in the Queensland community. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the hard work of Queenslanders has helped to ensure Queensland continues to be in a strong position against COVID-19. “Since 15 September 2020, we haven’t had a single case of COVID-19 acquired in the Queensland community,” Minister D’Ath said.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath
“This is a remarkable achievement, and Queenslanders and visitors to Queensland should be very proud of the personal efforts they have made towards this milestone in the pandemic response.
“I don’t want to see that happen in Queensland, and that’s why it’s so important to practice social distancing when you’re out and about over the festive season so everyone can enjoy their Christmas and New Year.
“We are all in this together, and everyone has a role to play to limit the spread of COVID-19,” she said.
“I continue to encourage you to get tested if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, and make sure any family and friends visiting from interstate know they can get tested too at any of our testing clinics.
Minister D’Ath said since the start of the pandemic, Queensland has responded strongly. “We’ve had to implement some tough measures throughout 2020, but they have been essential to save lives and protect the health of Queenslanders,” she said. “While we still have some restrictions in place, we are slowly and steadily lifting restrictions in a sensible and balanced way. “Now we are able to travel within the state and interstate, enjoy private gatherings in outdoor public spaces up to 100 people, have up to 200 people at a wedding, indoor and outdoor dancing is allowed, and venues with ticketed, allocated seating can have up to 100 per cent capacity,” she said. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said Queenslanders still needed to careful, especially over the festive season as family and friends get together for gatherings and more interstate visitors come to Queensland. “While COVID-19 remains a threat around the globe, we still need to be careful and make sure we don’t undo all our hard work,” Dr Young said. “As we’ve seen in Sydney, clusters can appear almost overnight and it may mean restrictions and even
lockdowns have to be reinstated.
“We want to do everything we possibly can to make sure that we do not get any community transmission here in Queensland,” she said. Hospitality venues such as pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and other venues that serve food and drink are reminded they should now be recording and storing contact details of patrons, guests and staff electronically following changes to the Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No.12). People have been encouraged to use a QR code when checking in to a venue if it is available. If a venue does not have a QR code or you don’t have a smart phone, speak to venue staff so they can record your details in an electronic form. Contact details must be kept electronically so data can be accessed quickly and efficiently to support contact tracing efforts, and to ensure all information is legible at the time of collection. Compliance officers will work with businesses in coming weeks to ensure they understand their responsibilities and comply with Queensland Chief Health Officer Directions.
Queensland government to support future interpreters Brisbane, Dec 23: Queenslanders who rely on interpreters to access essential services will soon have greater assistance with the Palaszczuk Government providing $740,000 over three years to boost the number of Interpreters who are certified by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Training and Skills Dianne Farmer said the funding had the potential to kickstart vital careers.
Working in collaboration with NAATI, an Interpreter Training Boost Program will be launched in 2021 to support people who speak in-demand languages by assisting with their interpreter training and NAATI certification fees.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard said there were more than 180 overseas languages spoken in Queensland and the COVID-19 pandemic had shown an urgent need for interpreters in some languages to help Queenslanders access essential
Minister for Employment,
The Queensland Government has secured a conditional agreement with property group Mirvac for the proposed $670 million
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redevelopment of 200 Turbot Street.
The $2.1 billion Waterfront Brisbane development of the Eagle Street Pier and Waterfront Place precinct has also received development approval from Brisbane City Council. Deputy Premier and Minister for
“We are providing opportunities for up to 100 Queenslanders to gain jobs in the interpreting industry and this investment will ensure Queenslanders have the skills they need to set up employment pathways for the future,” Farmer said.
services in the event of future disasters. “Qualified interpreters are a life-line for those who may find it difficult communicating in English, as we found during the pandemic, and we need more of them, across a wide range of languages,” she said. “They play a vital role in some of life’s most important and sometimes stressful moments – like visiting the doctor and getting a COVID-19 test, obtaining assistance during hailstorms, bushfires and cyclones. Their work is also crucial for English speaking professionals seeking to provide best care and services.”
Queensland government reforms to support public transport operators Brisbane, Dec 22: The Palaszczuk Government has announced it will slash the regulatory burden for bus and other public transport operators, to support the industry as part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery. In a move expected to save operators more than $1.5 million each year and generate business for local automotive shops, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said from mid-2021, inspections would move to an annual basis and light public transport vehicles would have the option to be inspected at local approved inspection stations. For operators in remote areas, the
reforms will allow both heavy and light public passenger transport vehicles to be inspected at a local station instead of TMR inspection centres. The reforms bring the industry into line with personalised transport services like taxis, limousine and booked hire vehicles. “This move adds to our record $26.9 billion road and transport investment program, as well as support measures introduced during COVID-19 as part of a $54.5 million essential transport stimulus package,” Mr Bailey said. To ensure high safety standards are maintained continued onroad enforcement and targeted
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey operations will be used to monitor the condition of the public passenger transport fleet, anytime and anywhere.
Queensland agribusiness a story of resilience in trying times Brisbane, Dec 21: Queensland’s agribusiness and food sector is holding firm in the face of COVID-19 with new data showing the 2020-21 forecast value of primary industries commodities to be $18.4 billion, which is just one per cent lower than for 201920. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said this was remarkable after years of drought and sector wide disruption from the pandemic.
“The impact of the pandemic on Queensland’s primary industries is expected to be a decrease of $87 million at the farm gate in 202021,” Furner said. “But it could have been much worse and some sectors have actually thrived. In 2020-21, Queensland’s bulk commodities and exports of high value products are expected to continue, while nursery sales have surged due to strong interest in home gardening.
seafood producers have had to redirect produce, move into value added products, offer wage incentives such as bonuses and payments above the award rate, and adjust planting decisions. Fruit and vegetables, cut flowers, forestry and fisheries will be the most affected, with a decrease of $179 million. More than half of this is expected to be offset by increased output in production nurseries.
“However, horticulture and
“Looking ahead, forecast rainfall over the Queensland summer holds the promise of good news for the major cropping regions and grazing lands,” Furner said.
State Development Steven Miles said plans for a proposed $670 million redevelopment of 200 Turbot Street in Brisbane’s CBD are one step closer.
“Following a competitive bidding process, the Queensland Government is pleased to have secured a conditional agreement with property group Mirvac for the redevelopment of 200 Turbot Street.
“Redevelopment of the site is conditional on Mirvac securing arrangements that will ensure the site becomes a vital part of Queensland’s commercial sector and stimulates construction activity.
“Queensland is getting on with our economic recovery by supporting job-generating projects,” Miles said.
“The major redevelopment is estimated to support about 360 jobs per year over a proposed three-year construction phase.
Member for McConnell Grace Grace said both projects were a major win for Brisbane’s CBD.
Brisbane CBD set for billion-dollar boost Brisbane, Dec 21: Two redevelopments worth almost $3 billion collectively and set to transform Brisbane city reached significant milestones recently.
NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND
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NEWS FROM VICTORIA
2020 Multicultural Awards: Australian Indians shine among Victorian recipients
Boost to community projects and services in bushfire areas
Melbourne, Dec 17: In 2020, 71 Victorians were recognised from more than 450 nominations across 15 categories, highlighting the passionate work of individuals and organisations that are strengthening multiculturalism. Australian Indians in Victorian community dominated to shine in many categories.
Melbourne, Dec 22: Nine community organisations across the North East and East Gippsland will share in over $465,000 in bushfire recovery grants to support projects that boost resilience, service delivery and community pride. Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville on December 22 congratulated the latest recipients of Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s grants for community facilities, Local Government Authorities, and community service organisations, which include a much-loved community hall built in the 1950s that needs vital upgrades. East Gippsland’s Cabbage Tree Creek Hall hosts community meetings and events, music and dance, a gym for seniors, and more. Funding of $44,139 will upgrade the hall’s sewerage and wiring and build a veranda.
This award recognises the outstanding contributions of a young person, group or organisation that provides leadership, empowerment, and support to young Victorians from culturally diverse backgrounds. Winner is Sarah Ghassali she is a 19-year-old Syrian migrant who fled Aleppo, Syria with her family to Melbourne in May of 2012. Sarah established the youth-led podcast Refugees on Air at the age of 16 with her twin sister Maya as a platform to raise awareness and bring a voice to refugee and migrant stories in the Melbourne community. Highly commended were Ayushi Khillian and Swathi Shanmukhasundaram. Media Award This award recognises outstanding reporting of issues of importance to diverse communities and reporting that contributes to Victorians’ improved cross-cultural understanding. Winners are Stephanie Corsetti: Journalist Stephanie Corsetti is dedicated to giving multicultural communities a voice in media. Her work relays the experience and explores the stigma of family violence in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters Council. On 1 May 2020, the NEMBC launched a Multilingual Radio News Service in seven languages: Spanish, Greek, Hindi, Arabic, Punjabi, Pacific Islander English, and Mandarin. News editors collected and provided news scripts at 8.00am every morning, which were translated and produced as audio files for the morning and daily news. Highly commended were Olivier Nzovu and SBS Radio. Multicultural Police Award Police Annual Multicultural Award was received by Leading Senior Constable Ash Dixit along with 8 others. Ash Dixit has done valuable police liaison work with Punjabi and Sikh community groups in the Cities of Hume and Whittlesea to address family violence. Senior Constable Dixit works across numerous multicultural communities and has been described as a true multicultural champion by community and police alike for his steadfast dedication to ensuring that Victoria remains a safe place to live for those newly arrived persons who seek to call
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Senior Constable Ash Dixit (left) Australia home. Community Response and Recovery Award Sukhvinder ‘Sunny’ Duggal, Sunny Duggal is recognised for his inspiring efforts in supporting communities across Melbourne and East Gippsland during the Victorian bushfires and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Through his incredible work delivering over seven tonnes of food and other essential items to frontline healthcare and emergency services workers, residents of aged care, international students, and other communities in need, Sunny has demonstrated how much impact one person can have on so many. Sunny’s passion and drive to serve the community throughout 2020 has motivated individuals and organisations to follow his lead, as an exemplary model of what support of multicultural communities in Victoria should look like. 6 others also shared this prestigious award with Mr Duggal. Education Award Coordinated by Merri Health, Ready, Set, Prep! is a place-based, collective impact initiative that aims to improve early childhood development and school readiness for pre-school children and their families. Originating in the suburb of Fawkner, the project is currently scaling up across northern Moreland. Though Highly Commended was ECMS, Tarneit Central Kindergarten the Tarneit Central Kindergarten’s Bilingual Early Childhood Language Program provides children with the opportunity to learn in Punjabi. Educators have observed that the children have become more connected with one another and more willing to share aspects of their own culture through the program.
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North East-based APMHA HealthCare received $90,000 to develop the North East Interactive Service Directory, to connect people to ongoing government and not-for-profit support in Alpine, Towong and surrounding shires. The organisation’s CEO, Renee Hayden, said the project was
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Youth Leadership Award
“a top priority for recovery and wellbeing groups in the region”, with the grant funding helping it become “a sustainable product for the community so they always know where to go for assistance – without it, we would not be able to do anything else.” Other recipients of Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s grants for community facilities, Local Government Authorities and community service organisations include: • $144,000 for Parklands Albury Wodonga to deliver Wodonga Regional Park infrastructure and connect seniors into volunteering. • $50,000 for a new playground in Sarsfield next to the community’s hall, which is used by locals as a place to get support and information, come together for meals, and conduct workshops. • $49,731 for the Stanley Landcare Group to improve current bushwalking facilities to encourage visitors and locals to explore the natural landscape. • $47,850 to upgrade the Dederang Picnic Race Club’s rooms, including re-stumping and renovating the original bathrooms. • $25,000 to the Corryong and
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville District Memorial Hall to develop the streetscape around the hall and memorial gardens with public art, information, and a grassed area. • $10,500 for the Bright Art Gallery and Cultural Centre to install solar panels to offset electricity costs. • $4,298 for the Myrtleford Bowls Club to replace their solar inverter and ensure ongoing cost savings. Further funding is available under the grants, jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments as part of the $86 million Community Recovery Package.
Boxing day test to kick off a Covidsafe summer Melbourne, Dec 26: A marvellous summer of cricket got underway on December 26 with the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground signalling the return of major events to the sporting capital of Australia. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula was at the MCG on December 26 to thank all Victorians for their efforts and sacrifice to stop the spread of coronavirus and make events like the Test possible. This was the first time that fans were able to attend any sporting event at the MCG since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final on 8 March. A crowd of up to 30,000 per day will see Australia take on India at the MCG, with strict public health measures to help make
sure the event stays safe. To help ensure fans have a COVIDSafe day out, the Melbourne Cricket Club and Cricket Australia have implemented a comprehensive COVIDSafe Event Plan, ensuring the health and safety of players, spectators and workers. This includes a limit to the crowd size, COVIDSafe Marshals at the venue to ensure physical distancing within the MCG and in queues, allocated and staggered seating to ensure groups are spaced apart, sanitiser stations throughout the precinct and cashless transactions. Those who booked tickets with a New South Wales address have been contacted with a reminder about the current restrictions in place and offered refunds if they are unable to
attend the game. Broadcast in over 100 countries, the Boxing Day Test is an iconic symbol of Melbourne. The Border-Gavaskar trophy is one of the most fiercely contested in cricket, with world number-one Australia seeking to take the trophy back from the Indian side this summer. India won the last Boxing Day Test played between the two sides in 2018. Australia is scheduled to play the Boxing Day Test at the MCG against England in 2021 and South Africa in 2022. The Boxing Day Test kick-starts an actionpacked COVIDSafe summer of cricket, which also includes six Big Bash fixtures at the MCG featuring Melbourne’s own Stars and Renegades in January.
Study to map the health of Victorians through decades Melbourne, Dec 27: Victorian researchers are embarking on one of the largest health studies in the world, tracking a whole generation of Victorians to paint a complete picture of their health and wellbeing, and to help provide answers to complex health issues like asthma, food allergies, obesity, autism and mental illness.
launched on December 27.
Over the next two years around 150,000 children born in Victoria and their parents will have the opportunity to take part in the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Generation Victoria (GenV) project – officially
The opt-in project will explore critical links between environment, genetics, physical characteristics and development milestones later in life. All information obtained in the study will be de-identified and the
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Starting at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital, the project will roll out to all Victorian birthing hospitals throughout 2021, providing families with a baby born between 2021 and 2023 the opportunity to join the longterm study, no matter where they live.
highest privacy provisions will be enforced. The first project of its kind in Australia, GenV will give Victoria’s research community access to a more complete picture of the health and wellbeing of a generation, providing the insight and information needed to make breakthroughs in some of the most complex health problems faced by families. As part of the GenV project, one of the world’s largest bio-banking facilities was recently built at the Royal Children’s Hospital to store and protect bio samples.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
Fresh restrictions in Sydney following latest COVID cluster Sydney, Dec 22: The city of Sydney reintroduced strict restrictions on December 20 as confirmed cases related to a newly-discovered coronavirus cluster has increased to 68.The state of New South Wales (NSW) recorded 30 more locally acquired coronavirus cases on December 19 night, and an additional six cases in hotel quarantine, making the total number of cases related to the cluster in Northern Beaches to 68, Xinhua news agency reported. Among the 30 new locally acquired cases, 28 are linked to the Avalon cluster, while investigations are ongoing into the source of the remaining two cases, both of whom live on the Northern Beaches. After the COVID cluster was found, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on December 20 morning announced several new restrictions to be applied to Greater Sydney from December 20 midnight. Household gatherings will be limited to 10 visitors. One person per 4 square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor settings including hospitality venues and places of worship. A cap of 300 people will apply for hospitality venues and places of worship. Singing
Berejiklian said the government will work with health officials to monitor the development and intend to provide further clear advice for the community ahead of Christmas. Greater Sydney and the Central Coast will join Northern Beaches as the red zone as announced by Victoria, and those from these areas cannot enter Victoria from December 20 midnight. The state of NSW currently accounts for 4,748 coronavirus cases and 53 deaths.
Wipro and AWS inaugurate innovation centre in Parramatta Sydney, Nov 28: Leading global information technology company Wipro Limited and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have jointly launched a new state-of-theart co-innovation centre in Parramatta. The Wipro-AWS Launch Pad is designed to empower Australian businesses to adopt cloud services. At the official opening in Parramatta , Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said, “The Wipro-AWS Launch Pad will offer in-house technical expertise for businesses as well as a physical studio to help enable seamless cloud adoption and improve business operations.” Wipro’s Senior Vice President and Business Head of Asia Pacific & Japan Manoj Nagpaul said Wipro is seeing a rising demand from clients in the Asia Pacific region. “This state-of-the-art centre focuses on delivering the best of Wipro offerings on Amazon Web Services to meet this demand and enable digital transformation for our clients,” Mr Nagpaul said. “Our relationship with India is focused on creating strong pathways for trade and investment, with a particular emphasis on the digital and technology sectors. I’m delighted to see the strength of NSW’s relationship with India celebrated in Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said. He further said Wipro-AWS Launch Pad is built upon the NSW
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New consulate rules could make documentation costlier for local community Sydney, Nov 22: There is widespread concern in the community with new rules introduced by the Consulate General of India in Sydney under which certain documents will now need to be certified by a Notary Public rather than a Justice of Peace ( JP).
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and chanting at indoor venues will not be allowed. Dance floors will not be permitted, except for weddings, when a maximum of 20 from the bridal party will be permitted.
Government’s commitment to help businesses transform and adapt to a new way of working. “We are investing $1.6 billion into a Digital Restart Fund to make NSW the digital capital of the southern hemisphere. Sydney is becoming a global hub, with more than 600 multinational corporations basing their regional headquarters in the city,” Mr Ayres said. AWS Head of Partner Success for Asia Pacific and Japan Corrie Briscoe said there is a huge opportunity for Australian businesses to tap into the combined expertise of Wipro and AWS to accelerate digital transformation. “We are pleased to support Wipro to showcase truly innovative experiences that can be developed on AWS. Wipro’s solutions, coupled with the security and scalability that AWS offers, helps us to effectively problem-solve for customers, bring efficiencies to their operations, and accelerate their move to the cloud,” Ms Briscoe said. Wipro started its journey in Australia more than 15 years ago and now has more than 1000 employees in NSW alone.
NEWS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES
While a JP has a legal obligation to provide their services for free, Notary Publics can charge up to $600 an hour (in 6 minute intervals) to certify documents. Assuming 10 minutes to certify a document, a family of four having their Indian passports certified could be forced to pay nearly $400 including GST to a Notary Public, whereas a JP would have performed this service for free. Certifying a document means that the notary or JP has viewed an original document (such as a passport) and a copy of the original, and confirmed the copy is a true copy of the original document. Witnessing the execution of a document involves the notary or JP confirming that the applicant signed the document in the notary or JP’s presence. The rules released by the Consulate General of India in Sydney effectively state that it is no longer willing to accept copies of documents certified or witnessed by JPs. The Consulate General cites that these rules are based on new guidance from “NSW authorities” that prohibits
JPs from witnessing or certifying copies of overseas documents. However, this is only half-correct. A few more investigations tell a different story. While JPs cannot witness the execution of overseas documents (e.g. a JP cannot witness the execution of a signature on a foreign passport application), this is not a new restriction. Further, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice has clarified that an NSW JP can certify a foreign document as a true copy of an original if they have both the original and copy physically in front of them, meaning there is nothing preventing a JP from certifying a copy of an Indian passport. Despite being made aware of this, the Consulate General insists that those posting in documents to VFS Global (which manages Indian passport and visa applications) must have those documents certified by a Notary Public, or otherwise visit VFS
in person despite the ongoing pandemic. Mr Salimath confirmed that the new guidance issued by the Consulate was based purely on guidelines issued to the Consulate General by the Department of Communities and Justice, rather than a policy implemented independently by the Consulate General. According to Mr Salimath, no legal advice has been sought by the Consulate General. Given the increasing pressure on household incomes due to COVID-19, especially amongst migrant families, the Consulate General has a critical role to play in ensuring that the notarial services it requires remain as accessible as possible, within the scope of the law.
NSW Government: Calling all businesses to the jobs capital Sydney, Dec 20: Domestic and international businesses looking to relocate or expand their jobs footprint are encouraged to apply for assistance such as payroll tax relief, with the $250 million Jobs Plus Program now open. Premier Gladys Berejiklian unveiled the program in November as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget, which is designed to provide support to private and non-government sectors seeking to invest in job creating projects, proposals and partnerships. Ms Berejiklian said the program would see the commitment to create or support up to 25,000 jobs by 30 June 2024. “This is about putting NSW centre stage in supporting investment and creating jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We want to attract businesses from around the world and across the country to make NSW their new home as we set our state up for a dynamic recovery.” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet called on all eligible businesses
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to apply, with a suite of support measures available to make it easier than ever to relocate to NSW. “This is $250 million of government funding to turbocharge private sector investment in NSW and accelerate the creation of sustainable jobs,” Mr Perrottet said. “NSW is still the nation’s economic powerhouse and we want to not only keep it that way, but build our economy back up better and stronger than ever.” Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the program would provide support to businesses committed to job creation. “This program is the first of its kind, providing support such as payroll tax relief for newly created jobs, fast-tracked planning approval pathways and advice, a one-stop-shop Jobs Plus Concierge, subsidised training programs aimed at building specialised skills and access to
NSW Treasurer Dominic free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation,” Mr Ayres said. The NSW Government is committed to supporting the jobs of the future by laying the foundation to build world-class industries supported by physical and digital infrastructure. Sydney and NSW are the most attractive locations in the Asia Pacific to set up growth businesses in a post-COVID world. This program is a clear signal to the world that we want your business and investment.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13 Prime Minister Scott Morrison
SEASON’S GREETINGS
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER CHRISTMAS 2020 If there's one overwhelming feeling we have this Christmas, it's one of thankfulness. This year has not been easy for any of us. Some of us have faced the loss of loved ones. Others, the loss of jobs and their livelihoods. Separation from family. Isolation during lockdowns and lost gatherings with those we love. For all of us this year has been a time of stress and a lot of uncertainty. Yet through it all, once again, we have rallied to each other, together. Australians are an amazing people with an amazing spirit. This year the Australian spirit has shone brightly again. Though we had to be distant socially, emotionally we connected and turned to each other. With everyone playing their part. Even now in Sydney, on the Northern Beaches, everyone is still there doing their bit to keep all of us safe right across the country. No matter where you are in Australia, this Christmas is one where, as Australians, we can once again count our blessings as a country. And in our very Australian way, resolve once again to share those blessings with others wherever we can. We give thanks this year for our Christmas because our blessings outweigh our struggles. For all of us, those who are Christian and those who are not, this Christmas is again a time of great hope. My prayer for Australia this Christmas comes from the great verse: "Let us not grow weary of doing good. For in due season we shall reap a harvest, if we do not give up." So stay safe. Stay COVIDSafe. May God bless you and your family at this Christmas.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
SEASON’S GREETINGS
“Work will be only five minutes from my home” -- Dr Amrita Dhital Australia’s largest integrated health and wellness precinct, Greater Springfield Specialist Suites, is set to welcome Dr Amrita Dhital to its facility in the New Year. Dr Dhital, a Springfield Lakes resident and general practitioner (GP), has lived in area for two years with her husband, also a GP, and two sons aged 13 and 7. The Greater Springfield Specialist Suites, suitable for health professionals, specialists, commercial office users and ground floor retail, is the perfect place to work for Dr Dhital and her husband, who said living and working in the area was a perfect combination. “Work will be only five minutes from my home,” Dr Dhital said. “We were looking at setting up a practice somewhere, and thought let’s go for it. “Being part of the community we live in, and having friends and family around us was part of the decision making process. “Being part of the community is special. For us it’s more than just a practice.” Located within Health City Springfield Central, the facility is directly adjacent to the Mater Private Hospital Springfield as well as AVEO Springfield, Quest Apartments and childcare which are under construction. Having worked in regional areas, Dr Dhital said it was important to have a rapport with her patients. “It really makes a big difference in people’s lives,” Dr Dhital said. The suites will include primary
care, skin cancer treatment, and allied health professionals, she said. “I think having these services in one place, and then the specialists in the building and the patients able to come here, will be so much easier to access these services. “I’ve noticed some people take a day off to see a doctor, so to have this service around the corner will make a huge difference to people’s lives.” Dr Dhital and her husband built an investment property in Greater Springfield, however this is now being turned into the couple’s dream home with their plans to work at the Greater Springfield Specialist Suites. With a hub of world-class medical services available Dr Dhital said quality education facilities were nearby providing a lifelong learning environment with tertiary, schooling, training and childcare educational services.
Dr Amrita Dhital (right)
Health City executive chair Dr Rob Stable said having a comprehensive facility like the Greater Springfield Specialist Suites would provide more services to the ever-expanding population in the region. “Comprehensive health services are critical elements of a master planned city,” Dr Stable said. “This facility will save people from driving or catching public transport to Brisbane for specialist care.” A healthy and vibrant lifestyle is the mantra of Greater Springfield therefore accessing the Greater Springfield Specialist Suites
will only be a short trip for local residents, Dr Stable said. “Unfortunately, people get sick and having access to a range of specialists locally is practical for
many,” he said. “The population of Greater Springfield is such that we can justify having such a diverse range of specialists here.”
For more information on Greater Springfield Specialist Suites go to www.gssuites.com.au
Our team at India News wishes our readers a very Happy New Year. All the support you have given us in the last six months has been a great morale booster to us. So a sincere thank you for all your support. Happy New Year! NE W L AND RELE A SE OF PREMIUM HOME SITE S Located 35 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD and nestled amongst the rolling fairways of the Greg Norman designed Championship golf course, this is fairway living at its finest. With an architecturally-designed home, emerald green fairways on your doorstep and a concierge service on call, the Dress Circle land release at Brookwater is a combination of luxuries that offer a life that’s truly unique. Brookwater is ideally located within 5 minutes’ drive of both private and public schools, major shopping centre and commuter rail to the city. We would like to extend a warm invitation for you to explore the various living options through our Complimentary Experiences. Please contact us directly on info@brookwater.com.au or by phone 3814 5177 to book your experience with us today.
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INDIA NEWS
Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
SEASON’S GREETINGS
New Year greetings from Dr Vagish Singh, President, IMA Australia It is my great pleasure to write to you the final report for the year 2020 and definitely welcome 2021. As we look back 2020 has been a tumultuous year for the profession, and the entire population and in particular our patients. We have had good leadership in Australia that has allowed us to escape the ferocity of the COVID-19 pandemic that is still ravaging the Northern Hemisphere countries. Our profession has made many and untold sacrifices with time, money and ultimately sometimes their lives. Professional safety has been an issue not just here, but around the world.
Our IMA in Australia has done an outstanding job together with various regional organizations in helping students and travellers of all nationalities. Our Virtual Clinics have been an absolute hit in furthering healthcare for the most needy in society. Our IMA members have also contributed to community meetings and written healthcare articles in their respective fields. There is however hope on the horizon with four vaccines almost ready to be approved by February 2021, and two that have had emergency approval. The vaccination strategy for delivery is still in development. There are treatments with antivirals,
monoclonal antibodies that have shown benefit in treating the SARS-COV-2 virus infection. We still need to remain vigilant and rigorously practice social distancing and risk aversion. In Japan the call was to avoid the “three Cs”, closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places open to the public, and close contact settings. This has resulted in lifting of the state of emergency. On another note, with travel not permitted, our profession has soldiered on holding virtual scientific and educational meetings worldwide with relative ease of participation and helping us keep up to date with all
developments in all respective fields. On a cardiac note, the success story has been of SGLT2 inhibitors with multiple trials showing benefit in heart failure, reducing hospitalizations, influencing morbidity and mortality, reducing the progression of chronic kidney disease irrespective of diabetic status, meaning non-diabetics benefit just as much. Another interesting study was the SAMSON trial affirming the myopathic side-effects of statin therapy, but also confirming the nocebo effect of placebo. I wish all of you the best for the festive season, to celebrate the simple things in life, and
substantially better and thriving New Year. Dr Vagish Singh President Indian Medical Association of Australia (Queensland)
Request for community Visa changes and stringent rules for business migrants to Australia announced news, event videos, photos from all states Dear Indian community members, There is always so much happening within the Indian community throughout Australia, but the community news and happenings hardly get the attention they deserve. India News understands that it is not possible for us to report well without the support from and involvement of the community members. From those at the helm of community organisations in all states and territories, we request
editorial information, in the form of periodic press releases, information on upcoming events organised by you, and breaking news stories (along with photos) originating from your organisation. We also need any videos taken of the events and happenings at your oranisation, entity or business house. All editorial information, flyers, event details, videos can be sent to our email: info@indianews. com.au. Editor, India News
The Australian government recently declared that it is planning to reduce business and visa categories from nine to four, in a bid to aid Australia’s postCOVID-19 economic recovery. The changes will be effectively implemented from July 1, 2021.
Currently, the Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP), consists of three visas and nine streams for applicants who have exhibited a track record of success or acumen in business, investment and innovation. However, these streams will now be scaled down to merely four, namely, Business Innovation, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Significant Investor. This is in tandem with Prime Minister Morrison’s latest visa changes that are desirous of boosting foreign investment, which is imperative to the country’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Expressing his optimism regarding the changes, Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge on December 17 commented that with the reformations in the BIIP, optimization of the economic contribution of crucial investors would be imminent. He further said that the migration programme for the upcoming year is evidently laying emphasis on job creators, those in possession of vital skills and migrants who intend to invest in Australia’s future.
Transformations in visa eligibility criteria One of the most noteworthy changes has been made to the eligibility requirements for procuring a Business Innovation visa. This visa permits successful applicants to set up a new business venture or run an already existing one in Australia. However, new applicants will find it much more difficult to
prove their business expertise as the eligibility conditions have been made much more stringent. Moreover, following the changes coming into effect, Business Innovation visa holders will have to possess business assets worth $ 1.25 million instead of the hitherto $800,000 and must record a yearly turnover of $750,000 as compared to $500,000 previously. On the other hand, the minimum $200,000 funding limit which is requisite for Entrepreneur visa applicants will be discontinued from July 2021. Furthermore, new applicants will not be allowed to apply for the Premium Investor, Significant Business History and Venture Capital Entrepreneur visas from the same date. Provisional visas for BIIP migrants who come to Australia will now be valid for five years instead of four thus, giving additional time to fulfill permanent visa requirements.
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China opposes US list of firms with alleged military ties Beijing, Dec 23 (IANS): China’s Ministry of Commerce on December 22 urged the US to stop unilateral and bullying behaviours and said it would take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests
of Chinese enterprises. The remarks came after the US placed 58 Chinese companies on a list of firms with alleged military ties, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Pak drone drops: Hand grenades, AK47, ammunition recovered in Punjab
Modi accepts British PM’s G7 summit invitation New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 16 accepted the invitation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to be part of the G7 meeting chaired by the UK in 2021, seeking to build a wider alliance against China’s growing power.
He called for an ambitious and outcome-oriented 360-degree roadmap covering trade and investment, defence and security, migration and mobility, education, energy, climate change and health, in order to tap the full potential of the bilateral relationship.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab handed over a letter from Johnson, inviting the Prime Minister to the G7 meeting.
Modi also conveyed his keenness to receive Johnson in New Delhi in January, on the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day celebrations. During his visit, Johnson will be just the second British leader since Indian independence to attend India’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi as a guest of honour, after John Major in 1993.
Modi thanked Raab and accepted the invitation, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed in a statement on December 16.
Chandigarh, Dec 22 (IANS): Less than 48 hours after recovery of 11 Arges 84 hand grenades, Punjab Police on December 22 recovered an AK-47 rifle and a magazine with 30 cartridges, evidently a part of the same consignment that was dropped by the Pakistani drone in the border Gurdaspur district. The seizure comes amid concerns raised by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of fresh spurt of efforts by Pakistan-based militants to disturb the border state’s peace. The Chief Minister had recently also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard. According to Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta, an extensive search operation had been launched by the Gurdaspur police in the area where the drone, which was fired at by the police and the BSF, was sighted.
He said the package containing the assault rifle appeared to have been dropped in the wheat fields in the area of Wazir Chak village in Gurdaspur. Gupta said the recovered assault rifle and the magazine with 30 cartridges had also been attached with a wooden frame and lowered from the drone with a nylon rope like the hand grenades which were recovered from village Salach on December 20. He said this package seemed to be a part of the same consignment, which was dropped by the drone on the night of December 19. The spot where the assault rifle was found is just about 1.5 km away from the spot from where the hand grenades were recovered, he said. Gupta said search operations were still continuing as follow-up action.
US Congress green signals $900bn Covid-19 relief package Washington, Dec 22 (IANS): US Congress has passed a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for signing into law, as many Americans were set to lose pandemic relief benefits by the end of the year. The long-awaited relief package was approved late on December 21 by the Republican-majority Senate with a 92-to-6 vote, along with government funding for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2021, reports Xinhua news agency.
can rest assured that more help is on the way, immediately,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, top Republican in the upper chamber, tweeted early on December 22. Following months of deadlock over the size and scope of the next round of relief package, Democratic and Republican lawmakers finally reached a deal on December 20.
The Democrat-led House of Representatives has also passed the package.
The $900 billion relief plan includes another round of direct payments for individuals, federal unemployment benefits, and more funding for Paycheck Protection Program to support small businesses.
“The Senate just passed another major bipartisan, Covid-19 relief package. The American people
It also features hundreds of billions more for schools, testing and the distribution of vaccines.
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WORLD NEWS
The development comes after Johnson’s office earlier announced that it had extended the offer to Indian, South Korean and Australian leaders to take part in the G7 meeting, “delivering the Prime Minister’s ambition to work with a group of like-minded democracies to advance shared interests and tackle common challenges”. Recalling his recent telephone conversation with British PM, Modi stressed the importance of the India-UK partnership in the post-Covid world.
Apart from conveying greetings of Johnson to Modi, the British Foreign Secretary thanked him for participating in the recently held Climate Ambition Summit co-hosted by the UK. Raab also stressed the priority that the UK government attaches to elevating relations with India, based on “shared values and interests and the potential to address common global challenges together”. Britain’s relationship with
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi China has slid to its most confrontational levels in a generation, chiefly because of the national security law Beijing has imposed in Hong Kong and London’s decision to ban 5G network services by Huawei Technologies, which it contends is closely linked to the Chinese government. Increasing concerns over China’s assertive moves in the IndoPacific have also resulted in greater diplomatic efforts in the region by the US, Britain and the European Union - with India, Australia and the 10-nation Asean group at the forefront of their
Vietnam beats coronavirus, poised to make economic recovery New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS): As 2020 draws to a close, Vietnam is going to be one of the few countries which will successfully beat the economic downturn induced by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Led by good management of the pandemic, a successful policy of foreign investment and striking out with friendly countries like India, the small South East Asian country has ensured that it not only beats the virus, but is well positioned to punch beyond its weight. India is very much a part of Vietnam’s economic surge. The International Monetary Fund expects the country to grow 2.4 per cent despite the pandemic, at a time when the economy of other countries is contracting. Vietnam has smartly exploited the disruption of global supply chains, monopolised by China, due to the global spread of coronavirus and the trade-wars. It has attracted companies exiting China. For example, Apple and Samsung have already begun operating in the country. It has even managed to attract Indian companies to invest or increase investment in the country. Just a few days back, one of the top Indian IT companies, HCL announced that it is looking at hiring more than 3,000 employees in Vietnam. It plans to set up HCL Vietnam to tap multinational businesses for sectors like banking, finance, engineering,
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc
infrastructure, healthcare and others. Setting up an office in Vietnam will help it tap domestic and global opportunities in a country where the government is walking the talk in inviting foreign investment.
to China, OVL and Essar still continue with their operations.
Similarly, despite Chinese staring down both India and Vietnam, Indian oil and gas exploration company, Essar is planning to increase its investment in the country. Indian State-owned major ONGC Videsh (OVL) has been exploring in the South China Sea (SCS) for decades despite Chinese opposition as it lays claims to the resource rich SCS. Last year, China had undertaken threatening manoeuvres against the OVL offshore gas field. Chinese coast guard ships had entered Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and stationed themselves near the OVL field. Even the Chinese air force had flown over the site. In a rebuff
Interestingly, Vietnam has been on a stable pathway to attracting foreign investment. Nguyen Tan Dung, former Prime Minister wrote for World Economic Forum, saying that Vietnam’s sociopolitical stability, population structure, along with vigorously renovating the business and investment climate has made the country an attractive FDI site. India and Vietnam have a comprehensive strategic partnership under which the two countries are keen on developing trade relations along with co-operation in cutting edge sciences like emerging technologies, civil nuclear energy, renewable energy and space. India is undertaking quick impact projects, which include seven in water resource management and five on developing educational infrastructure in Vietnam.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
THE WORLD THIS WEEK Contributed by National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru*
By Sourina Bej, Sukanya Bali, Akriti Sharma and Lokendra Sharma
India-Bangladesh restore transboundary railway link
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina What happened? On 17 December, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a virtual meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, thereby attempting to boost the country’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. “To strengthen relations with Bangladesh has been a priority since the first day,” said Modi at the meeting. Both the leaders jointly restored a railway link by inaugurating the trans-boundary line between Haldibari in India and Chilahati in Bangladesh. It is the fifth pre-1965 railway link between the two countries that has been made operational again. A stamp commemorating the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was also released. Modi and Hasina also jointly inaugurated a digital exhibition on Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi to celebrate legacies of both leaders. During the meeting, a press statement released stated that India and Bangladesh had signed seven agreements in the areas of hydrocarbons, agriculture, textiles and community development, during the summit. Hasina, in her address, made strong reference to the Teesta agreement and urged India to expedite the conclusion of the river sharing framework. What does it mean? The meeting adds new momentum to the bilateral relation, especially how India will direct its neighbourhood policies responding to the post-pandemic challenges. India has tactfully chosen the celebration of the Liberation War to strengthen its ties by revoking sentiments rooted in history. The 2021 visit by Modi will serve as an important marker. It comes in the background of the state elections in West Bengal, the federal state where the change of power to Modi’s BJP is much anticipated. The state’s current leader Mamata Banerjee also remains an ardent critic of the Teesta river water agreement, a thorn in India’s bilateral relation
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with Bangladesh. While the connectivity push in this meeting also pushes India’s larger Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) policies, several challenges remain in terms of expediting the road and port constructions such as the Asia trilateral highway or the inland waterways.
China Chang’e-5 success: The lunar missions and the larger space ambitions
China_s Chang_e 5 spacecraft What happened? On 17 December, the Chang’e-5 capsule carrying samples of rocks and soil from the moon landed safely in the northern Inner Mongolia region. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) director Zhang Kejian declared the mission a success. What does it mean? The landing on the dark side of the moon has opened a new historical advent in space exploration. Space will now become a new strategic location for interaction between countries. The US-China competition may spill in space. The timing of Mike Pence’s naming of the space force, the ‘Guardians’, and their role in protecting American interests, may indicate the zero sum outlook of the Trump administration. This may challenge the Biden administration to maintain America’s pre-eminence in space and make space a confrontational or cooperative arena.
ALSO IN THE NEWS Thailand: The UN expresses concern over ‘lese-majeste’ On 18 December, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) expressed concern over the treatment meted out to prodemocracy protestors by the Thailand government. It said in a statement: “We are deeply troubled by the move by Thai authorities to charge at least 35 protesters in recent weeks, including a 16-year old student protester, under Article 112 — the lese majeste provision of Thailand’s criminal code.” New Zealand: Jacinda Arden responds to Greta Thunberg’s criticism
Johnson announced the changes for England at a Downing Street briefing after scientists said a new coronavirus variant was spreading more rapidly.” Also, according to the BBC, the tier-four areas in England will face a “stay-at-home order,” social meeting reduced to meeting only one person in the public space, and all nonessentials will be closed down. The UK: Time closes in for reaching an agreement
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern On 14 December, New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Arden responded to climate activist Greta Thunberg’s criticism of the country’s climate change policies. Earlier, on 13 December, Thunberg had retweeted an article critical of New Zealand’s climate emergency declaration and called it “nothing unique to any nation.” New Zealand had pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in the public sector by 2025 while making the emergency declaration on 2 December. Defending her country’s actions, Arden said: “If it was the sum total of what we were doing, it would be worthy of criticism, it’s clearly not.” India: The UK Foreign Secretary’s visit On 14 December, the UK’s Foreign Secretary arrived in India to discuss the bilateral relationship and strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. A day later, he met PM Modi and discussed cooperation on the Enhanced Trade Partnership, COVID-19 vaccine, cybersecurity, maritime security, and climate change. He conveyed British PM Johnson’s acceptance of the invitation to be a part of India’s Republic Day celebrations in January; he also welcomed India’s return to the UNSC.
On 18 December, the EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier addressed the European Parliament on the Brexit talks situation. He said that it was a “moment of truth” and only a “few hours” were left to negotiate the deal for both the EU and the UK to have a trade arrangement on 1 January 2021. Senior members of the European Parliament made it clear that for any deal to be approved, its text has to be placed by 19 December. The WTO rules will kick in if both sides fail to reach an agreement after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. Issues like fishing rights and “level playing field” remain unresolved. France: Court finds 14 guilty in Charlie Hebdo trial On 16 December, a French court convicted 14 people for their role in the terror attacks on Charlie Hebdo’s office and a Jewish supermarket in January 2015. The attacks left 17 people dead; the police also killed three attackers involved in the shootings. The convicted 14 accomplices were found guilty by the court of providing logistical support and were served varying sentences up to 30 years in jail. The conviction comes after a string of recent terror attacks in France, including the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty.
India: Ninth round of talks with China on the LAC agreed On 18 December, the 20th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held virtually. Both sides reviewed the developments since the last WMCC meeting held in September and agreed to ensure complete disengagement on the friction points at LAC. They also agreed to hold a ninth round of military and diplomatic talks to restore peace and tranquility.
Indian Prime MInister Narendra Modi The UK: Fresh COVID lockdown, as the fear of a new variant grows On 19 December, a new lockdown was imposed, ending the Christmas relaxation that was planned earlier. According to the BBC, “Prime Minister Boris
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Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg The US: Electoral College confirms Biden’s victory On 14 December, the US Electoral College formally elected Joe Biden to be next President of the US. Biden, who needed to cross the 270 votes, secured 306 votes versus Trump’s 232. Hours after his victory, Biden said in a rally: “In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed.” On 15 December, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from the Republican party for the first time acknowledged Joe Biden as president-elect. On 6 January 2021, the US Congress will certify the Electoral College votes in a special session; and Biden will finally take over as President on
WORLD THIS WEEK 20 January 2021. The US: Massive Russian hacking unearthed On 17 December, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an alert warning that the Russian hackers used unidentified tactics in addition to the “SolarWinds Orion software supply chain compromise”. The massive and ongoing suspected Russian intrusion began in March this year, with hackers gaining access into several US agencies including State Department, Homeland Security and Pentagon as well as several private companies like Microsoft. Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State blamed Moscow directly. On 19 December, in an interview, he said: “This was a very significant effort, and I think it’s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity.” The US: Chinese chipmaker blacklisted On 18 December, the US Commerce Department added 60 Chinese companies, including chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) and drone maker SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, to a trade blacklist. The former was added owing to its alleged ties with the Chinese military; the latter over its alleged role in enabling human rights abuses. The Department said in a statement: “This action stems from China’s military-civil fusion doctrine and evidence of activities between SMIC and entities of concern in the Chinese military-industrial complex”. The US: Moderna’s vaccine candidate approved by FDA On 18 December, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine candidate developed by a US-based biotech company Moderna for emergency use. It becomes the second vaccine to be rolled out a week after Pfizer/BioNTech SE’s vaccine was approved. The US will purchase 200 million doses of the vaccine. President Trump tweeted: “Congratulations, the Moderna vaccine is now available!” About the authors Sourina Bej is a Project Associate, Sukanya Bali is Research Associate, Akriti Sharma and Lokendra Sharma are PhD Scholars, at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS. The report has been edited by India News due to space considerations.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
MAKE IN INDIA
Make in India: Emerging Opportunities As world economies restart their engines in a bid to regain lost ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India too shows signs of economic buoyancy and promise. India’s Make in India initiative holds a key to the global economic revival, something that should interest Australian government ministries, corporate sector, entrepreneurs, institutions seeking R&D collaborations and Australia Inc in general, among others. India assumes greater importance as several major world economies including American, Japanese, German, British and South Korean look to move out and diversify their businesses from China. India has jumped to 63rd rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Development 2020 report, and has also been ranked as the 9th largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment destination in 2019 by the World Investment Report 2020 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
18.1M to get jobs in direct selling industry by 2025 New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Direct selling sector is poised to employ more than 18 million by 2025 and as per industry estimates, the Direct Selling industry in India, which currently ranks No. 15, globally, is expected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 4.8 percent to reach Rs 15,930 crore by 2021. This proves that the Direct Selling industry is flourishing and illustrates its potential with the continued rate of growth -increasing at an impressive rate of 12.1% Year-over-Year. Another interesting trend that is noticeable is that the sector has been instrumental in employment generation for nearly 122 million Indians who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Gautam Bali, Managing Director, Vestige Marketing Pvt Ltd., said, “Direct Selling is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India today. Despite these challenging times, the sector has witnessed spectacular growth in the last three quarters. “At Vestige, we have provided an alternative career opportunity to millions during the pandemic period. We are looking forward to 2021 and we hope to continue to be a key player in the Direct Selling Industry’s rapid growth by empowering people.” Initiatives like ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ encouraged Indians to explore the option of buying and selling locally made products via the direct selling route, which entails low investments and high returns. This not only boosted local manufacturing but also established a sense of ownership as well as determination amongst budding entrepreneurs to succeed. In India, the Direct Selling industry has provided additional income opportunities to its people and has significantly promoted microentrepreneurship. In FY 201819, there were 5.7 million direct sellers. These numbers are projected to grow exponentially to 18.1 million by 2025. The sector has also empowered women in a significant way right since its inception. There are almost 2.1 million women today who are at the heart of this industry and have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs.
Daimler India announces competition for start-ups Chennai, Dec 21 (IANS): Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), the Indian commercial
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vehicle subsidiary of the German automobile giant Daimler AG, on December 21 announced a global competition “Startup Sparks” for early stage start-ups. In a statement issued here, DICV said the early stage start-ups have been asked to pitch their ideas in the fields of Electric Vehicles and Alternate Mobility, Connectivity & Servitization, Future Mobility, and Customized Applications & Industrial Products.
to Oracle’s Cloud applications and infrastructure include Omega Healthcare, Nippon Life India Asset Management, GTPL Hathway, IFFCO, Lipi Data Systems, Infocepts, RXIL and ARCIL. “Over the last 4-5 years, we have doubled our overall customer base and have nearly 1,000 strategic partners in our network. All this is a reflection of Oracle emerging as the cloud provider
rated among the most-trusted SaaS vendors, and scored highly on robust data security, high availability, and value. “We have almost minimal spend on maintenance and operations now that we are using Oracle Cloud ERP. We strongly believe that as a long term strategy, this transformation will give us the much needed spur for growth,” said Pradeep Paliwal, CTO, Religare Broking.
Consumer confidence improves in December, says report “As the inventors of the first passenger car, omnibus and truck, innovation is a part of Daimler’s heritage. We’re excited to continue that tradition by launching The Farm, an incubator platform, to drive innovation that offers early-stage entrepreneurs and inventors the chance to turn ideas into reality. Our vision is to develop and evolve mobility solutions to embrace a better life for people and the planet,” said Satyakam Arya, CEO & Managing Director DICV. The competition, which is being held entirely online for this first edition, opened from December 21, 2020 and will continue till January 29, 2021. With mentorship, infrastructure and funding support from DICV, academia and domain experts, participants can mature their ideas to the ‘proof of concept’ stage. According to DICV, the initiative is organised in association with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Invest India - the national investment promotion and facilitation agency.
of choice for our customers,” said Shailender Kumar, Regional Managing Director, Oracle India. Oracle offers enterprise-grade security and performance out of two local Cloud regions in Hyderabad and Mumbai, as well as 29 others worldwide, seen as critical by Indian organisations wanting to accelerate their digital journey and future-proof their business. “We are fully geared up to help organisations of all sizes and from all industries, unlock new value from their data in the New Year, aiding faster innovation and growth recovery, while enhancing their end customer experience,” Kumar said in a statement. Oracle said its nearly 1,000 channel partners in India now play a key role in driving growth in the country, as part of the modernised Oracle Partner Network (OPN 2020) which is enabling channel partners to prepare for a Cloud-first world. “With our cloud migration capabilities and investments in Cloud Adjacent Data Centres, Sify is making it easier for customers to embrace Oracle Cloud Infrastructure led hybrid cloud
New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): As economic activities gather pace and hopes of vaccines to counter the coronavirus pandemic rise, confidence among Indian consumers have also improved. The monthly Refinitiv-Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) for India, has inched up by 2.1 percentage points in December 2020, said an Ipsos statement. The monthly PCSI, which is driven by the aggregation of the four weighted sub-indices, has shown improvement across the four indices, in December. The PCSI Employment Confidence Sub-Index is up by 0.6 percentage points, the Economic Expectations Sub Index, is up by 1.1 percentage points. The Current Personal Financial Conditions Sub-Index and the Investment Climate Sub-Index have increased by 4.2 percentage points and 3.3 percentage points respectively. “The consumer sentiment has further improved in December, which shows there is confidence in jobs, ability to spend and save and there is confidence in the economy,” said Amit Adarkar,
Indian firms get ready for 2nd Gen Oracle Cloud to boost growth New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): Cloud major Oracle on December 21 announced that several Indian businesses like Polycab, Religare Broking and Mphasis have moved on to its second-generation cloud services in the country, amid the rising demand for secure, enterprise-grade Cloud services. Other Indian firms subscribing
adoption in India,” said Sify’s CEO Kamal Nath. In the recent 2020 SaaSPath survey from IDC, Oracle was
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CEO, Ipsos India.
Employment boosting measures, direct
income transfers needed amid pandemic New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): As the pandemic has severely impacted several sectors along with the country’s job scenario, a KPMG report has suggested that the government should take appropriate measures to boost employment along with targeted short-term direct income transfers to vulnerable groups who have been hit hard during these tough times. The report on the impact of the pandemic on potential income and employment in India noted that as per KPMG survey, employment in the country may decline by 11.6 to 31.1 per cent over 2019-20 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. It added that the vastness of the informal sector is likely to cause a disproportionate effect. “Appropriate measures for boosting employment and output in selected sectors need to be taken in addition to targeted short-term direct income transfers to vulnerable groups who are hard hit during the pandemic,” it said. India’s informal sector is the largest in the world, employing almost 90.7 per cent of the total workforce in FY18 and contributing 45 per cent of GDP. Most of these jobs are concentrated in the agriculture, construction sector and smallscale manufacturing and services sectors. For employment generation in agriculture and allied activities, the KPMG report suggested the increase in final demand in the sector through pushing investment or private and government consumption expenditures. “There is a need to share a clear plan on the mode through which Rs 1.5 trillion investment will happen along with the timelines,” it said. It recommended the commissioning of a crisis management construction task force team for fast-tracking some specific projects that are impacted by Covid-19 and suggesting policy interventions without changing the infrastructure targets, among other suggestions across sectors.
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INDIA NEWS “I can hear the roar of women’s silence”, Thomas Sankara once said. Women in every part and corner of the world are now making their mark and setting the bar high. In a patriarchal world they are fighting their
Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13 brings to you inspirational stories of some of the extraordinary women among us displaying grit, kindness and leadership of the highest variant. NAARI is a column envisaged by INDIA NEWS Consulting News Editor Ananya
way to rightful and muchdeserved place on the high table challenging stereotypes. They are changing the world for the better and accomplishing herculean undertakings, where others would not dare to tread. INDIA NEWS
NAARI Dhyani paying tribute to women leaders among us who are changing our world without much salutation that they deserve. It is our humble initiative to say ‘thank you’ to them.
A bond of love with the olive-green uniform Introduction As children, we loved dressing up as jawans (soldiers) for January 26th and August 15th celebrations in India. Donning the uniform with utmost pride was something which many of us did but most of us soon lost interest or outgrew it. Only a select few grew up to join the armed forces, and earned the stripes with the responsibilities that came with it. It takes great conviction, courage and selflessness to join this proud profession, after countless hours of studying and training, and being tested both, physically and mentally. Women in the Indian armed forces are no more a rarity and are marching shoulder to shoulder with their male colleagues, and inspiring millions of young girls. Our Naari for this edition is one such example for true gallantry, steel nerves and epitome of women’s unwavering faith as she stands tall and proud in her olive-green uniform as Lieutenant Swati Mahadik. An ode to love “I was his second love, the army was and is his first love and wearing the uniform is my way of being closer to him”, says a reflective Lt. Swati Mahadik. 17 November 2015, was the fateful day that changed everything for the Mahadik family. An army officer’s wife, a mother and a teacher, Swati like millions of other army wives, always remained prepared for the unforeseen, and yet the events of 17 November knocked the wind out of her. Her husband Colonel Santosh Mahadik was martyred while commanding a search operation against three Lashkare-Taiba terrorists in the Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir. Her husband gained martyrdom doing what he loved the most, defending India’s borders and security. Lt. Swati recalls, “Santosh always reminded me to never mourn his martyrdom in white clothes”, which became one of the reasons for the teacherturned-officer to wear the olivegreen uniform.
“Col. Santosh Mahadik lived and breathed for the Indian Army, and it was beyond everything for him and I love him for that. This is my way of carrying his legacy, and I know he would have wanted this too”, says Lt. Mahadik with a firm resolve on her face. “The Army is everything” It takes a strong heart to be a soldier, a lot of pain and patience, and inspiration that comes from within. The same holds true for Lt. Swati Mahadik when she passed her SSB exam and eleven months later emerged as an army officer from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai. “The one person that I wanted to share this happiness with is not around anymore and studying and training for the job were never as difficult as having to live without him”, says Lt Mahadik hiding her pain . Amazingly, not only did she finish her training at the OTA but also won the best cadet medal along with two stars, testifying her abilities as a remarkable officer. “When it comes to being a part of the army whether you are an officer or a next of kin, each one of us has intense responsibilities and we must honour it whether it is me or my children,” is Lt. Mahadik advice.
Colonel Santosh Mahadik and Lieutenant Swati Mahadik “With great power comes great responsibility” The year 10 Maharashtra state board textbook now even has a chapter on Lt. Swati Mahadik’s exemplary life journey, titled ‘Veerangana’. At being asked how she feels about it, in her unflinching characteristic demeanour she fires back, “I believe in the Indian Army, I believe in my husband and his commendable work in the armed forces, and there is no bigger an honour than inspiring children whilst fulfilling my duties.” The Indian Army is a gender-neutral platform, where you know you
belong when you give your hundred percent. With the rising needs of the Indian armed forces, officers like Lt. Swati Mahadik will inspire other women to follow in her footsteps. Lt. Swati Mahadik is posted at the ammunition factory in Pune, battling to overcome her irrevocable loss, with each passing day by carrying her husband’s legacy forward. India News salutes and applauds the fearless warrior in Lt. Mahadik for her commendable services to the Indian armed forces, her grit and determination in the face of extreme adversity and sees her as an inspirational Naari for our
Lieutenant Swati Mahadik young generation. Jai Hind!
“Fulfilling my duty and his dream” “At the age of 37 when I decided to appear for the Service Selection Board (SSB) of the Indian Army, many thought it was an impulsive response out of shock. Honestly speaking, I was more numb than in shock”, clarifies Lt. Swati Mahadik. She knew that joining the Officers Training Academy at her age with the responsibility of two children was going to be no cake-walk but she remained steadfast in her decision to pay respect to her martyred husband.
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Govt planning to create five crore jobs in next 5 years: Indian MSME Minister New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS): Union Road Transport and Highways and Medium Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) Minister Nitin Gadkari said on December 15 that the government is trying to create five crore jobs in the next five years. He said that the turnover of rural industries is Rs 80,000 crore, which is targeted to be Rs 5 lakh crore in the next five years. For this, work is going on in a planned way in agriculture and rural areas. The Union Minister was speaking at the Agri-Food Processing Summit organised by the Agrovision Foundation through virtual medium. On this occasion, he said that the Central government’s schemes will create employment opportunities in agriculture and food processing in the near future. Referring to the bumper production of food grains in the country, Gadkari said that India has 280 lakh tonne of rice, which we can supply to the world markets. He said that a Rs 2 lakh
Indian MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari crore economy in the agriculture sector will be made up of ethanol, out of which Rs 1 lakh crore will go into the pockets of farmers. The programme, organised through virtual medium, was attended by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Food Processing Industries Minister Narendra Singh Tomar as the chief guest. Gadkari thanked Tomar for approving 37 mega food parks and
starting 21 by the Ministry of Food Processing. Gadkari said that by 2030, India will become the 5th largest consumer country in the world, for which India’s food processing sector is progressing. He said expansion of this area is being planned. Kisan Rail has also become famous, due to which the Railways have got revenue of Rs 1 crore from Vidarbha alone. He suggested developing a special storage system for onions.
India keeps vigilant eye as global tech giants face heat in US, Europe, Australia New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Global tech giants Google, Facebook, Twitter and Amazon are facing the heat of regulatory scrutiny in the US, Europe and Australia which is expected to strengthen the case of Indian regulators in drawing up more stringent rules to rein in the potential abuse of market dominance by these internet behemoths.
Australia has emerged as the first country in the world to finalise plans to make Facebook and Google pay its media outlets for news content, the move aimed at protecting independent journalism has been strongly opposed by the internet giants. But it is definitely going to have repercussions in other countries as well.
Senior officials are of the view that the advanced western countries have a better insight into the working of these tech giants and India will definitely be drawing from their experience in dealing with the issue.
Facebook and Google are also facing court cases in the US for unfair business practices. The fact that these cases have been filed by several state governments only goes to show the serious nature of the issues involved.
The 27-nation European Union has drafted very strict rules that provide for huge fines ranging from 6 to 10% of the annual turnover for Internet giants found breaking the new rules.
India’s IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has indicated that in the proposed data protection bill for the country, the government has maintained that personal data should only be used after the consent of the individual. It bars storing and processing of personal data by entities without the explicit consent of an individual. The bill mandates the processing of critical personal data only in India.
These companies are required to do much more to tackle illegal content such as hate speech and child sexual abuse material, misuse of their platforms that impinges on fundamental rights, and intentional manipulation of platforms, such as using bots to influence elections and public health, according to a Reuters report from Brussels. The companies will be required to publish details of their online advertisers and show the parameters used by their algorithms to suggest and rank information. Independent auditors will monitor compliance, while EU countries will enforce the rules.
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It provides for exemptions to disclose data for “reasonable purposes” such as prevention and detection of any unlawful activity including fraud. The tech giants have been dragging their feet when it comes to discussions on the new laws on the anvil in India. E-commerce giant Amazon, for instance, had sparked a furore by refusing to appear before a joint parliamentary committee looking
BUSINESS & TRADE
Highest economic loss in Delhi due to air pollution in 2019: Lancet New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Air pollution woes have quadrupled for Delhi, as the state suffered the highest per-capita economic loss due to air pollution in 2019, a study in the peer-reviewed medical journal Lancet suggests. For years, northern India -especially New Delhi -- has been battling critical levels of air pollution, which have remained consistently in the hazardous mark, for many days at a stretch, during winters. This air pollution has already taken a big toll on the health of the citizens and rattled the government, forcing it to devise new governance mechanism to address the menace of pollution in the capital. The study said the economic loss due to lost output from premature deaths and morbidity from air pollution was 1.36 per cent of the GDP in India in 2019. In Delhi, the loss due to lost output from premature deaths and illness attributable to air pollution as a percentage of state GDP was 1.06 per cent. Uttar Pradesh recorded highest
loss to GDP at 1.34 per cent followed by Punjab at 1.22 per cent. “Delhi had the highest percapita economic loss due to air pollution, followed by Haryana in 2019, with 5.4 times variation across all states,” said the findings. According to the study, the economic loss per capita was highest in Delhi, which was to the tune of $62.0 followed by neighbouring Haryana at $53.8. The study’s findings suggested that 1.67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India in 2019, accounting for 17.8 per cent of the total deaths in the country. The crude death rate per 100,000 population due to household air pollution decreased in India by 64.2 per cent from 1990 to 2019, due to reduced use of solid fuels, while that due to ambient particulate matter pollution increased by 115.3 per cent and that due to ambient ozone pollution increased by 139.2 per cent.
Indian educationist holds workshop on entrepreneurship for Muslim youth
into the Personal Data Protection Bill. The committee had then cracked the whip and Amazon’s India head made an appearance where he was also asked about details of the company’s revenue earned in India and taxes paid. Representatives of Facebook, Twitter, and Google have appeared before the committee to express their views on data protection and privacy. Investors and entrepreneurs agree that while India needs to attract more foreign investment, it also has to build a clearer regulatory system to safeguard national interest. A balance has to be struck between the need of nurturing local businesses and making India attractive to foreign investment. A committee headed by him on governance of non-personal data is of the view that “allowing the possibility of data monopolies, in a large consumer market such as India, could lead to the creation of imbalances in bargaining power vis-a-vis a few companies with access to large data sets accumulated in a largely unregulated environment, on one side, and Indian citizens, Indian businesses including startups, MSMEs and even the government, on the other.”
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Indian educationist Zafar Sareshwala Lucknow, Dec 18 (IANS): In an attempt to reach out to the Muslim community and counter the anti-minority image of the Yogi Adityanath government, prominent educationist Zafar Sareshwala held a workshop for counselling youths for jobs in the financial sector and enhance their entrepreneurship. Governor Anandiben Patel was the chief guest at the workshop titled “Atmnirbhar Ayodhya Ki Ore” held on Ayodhya on December 24. Youths from the adjoining districts were also invited to attend the programme. The programme was organised under Sareshwala’s banner “Taleem-O-Tarbiyat”. Additional Chief Secretary, Information and MSME, Navneet Sehgal said he requested Sareshwala to organise such programmes in all the 75 districts in the state for promoting the One District One Product programme of the Chief Minister and also traditional art and handicraft.
on this occasion. Sareshwala has been organising such conferences and programmes in different parts of the country to increase education and employment among the vulnerable sections of the society, mainly Muslims. His organization’s agenda is to spread positivity through education and employment among the vulnerable sections. In small cities like Ayodhya, the young minds, mainly from a humble background, are not exposed to the financial sector and his organisation is bringing financial experts to counsel them on how to become an entrepreneur and also avail the welfare schemes of the state and central governments. Sareshwala has been working among Muslims, mainly to shape the careers of the youth of the community by counselling them not to indulge in contentious and sensitive matters and instead, focus on their career and education.
Sehgal also gave a special lecture
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BUSINESS & TRADE
Partnership Summit 2020: CII conducts annual flagship event on digital platform The CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Partnership Summit, CII’s yearly flagship event was organized for the first time on a virtual platform this year with the theme being “Partnership for lives, livelihood and growth”, from 15th December to 18th December, 2020. The event, which was chaired by Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Railways, Government of India and cochaired by Uday Kotak, President CII and Managing Director and CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, marked a special occasion as CII celebrated its 125th anniversary this year. The Partnership Summit 2020 captured perspectives of leading experts across a wide array of major fields, namely, geopolitical and strategic developments, international trade and multilateralism, economy and finance, investments, technology disruptions, socio-cultural and sustainability aspects, and cooperation in healthcare. Government welcomes industry input for a unique budget Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government is seeking growthinducing big ideas and inputs derived from introspection by industry, which would be used for creating a ‘budget as never before’. Speaking at the CII Partnership Summit 2020, Sitharaman said that the next Union Budget will help India emerge as the engine for global growth and economic resurgence. The minister noted that health and investment in health would be the top priority for the government in near future. This would entail more funding not only for buildings and infrastructure but also for creating capacities for front line workers such as doctors, technology and skills for use of telemedicine, among others. The budget would take note of all the inputs received from the health sector to take this forward, she said. She further said that India was fortunate to have the facility and capacity to not only produce the vaccine but also export the same for humanity’s sake. She invited private participation to help the health sector scale up, by investing in medicinal R&D, biotech, and pharma R&D, among others. Doors open for greater FDI in India Addressing the inaugural session of CII’s Partnership Summit 2020, Indian Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal invited foreign investors to be a part of India’s growth story. The Minister said continuing on an open path; India has been systematically
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opening up new sectors of the economy. He said that FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) flows in India have been continuously growing.”During the first nine months of this year, at the peak of Covid-19 pandemic, our FDI has grown. We have one of the most facilitative FDI policies in the world. During the AprilSeptember period, FDI inflows are at $40 billion, which has been higher than last year by about 13 per cent,” he said. In 2019, India announced one of the most attractive tax rates available anywhere in the world at 22 per cent tax for businesses in India and 15 per cent tax for new manufacturing units. Goyal cited that a number of new schemes have been introduced, including ‘Production-Linked Incentive’ scheme to attract industries to come to India.”India is introducing conducive reforms and facilitation measures to encourage greater global involvement in our V-shaped recovery. I invite you to board the bus of development, growth and prosperity that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is crafting for the people of India,” said Goyal. Security, stability and peace in Indo-Pacific vital for world
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Speaking on the session “Future Construct of the Indo-Pacific”, at the Partnership Summit 2020, Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar highlighted the global significance of security, stability and peace in the IndoPacific region. Defining the Indo-Pacific construct, he stated that the Indo-Pacific signifies the confluence of the Indian and the Pacific Oceans that can no longer be handled as distinct spheres. Commenting on India’s IndoPacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) which was announced during November 2019 at the East Asia Summit, he asserted that the global initiative aims to foster practical cooperation and is underpinned by the seven critical pillars of maritime security, maritime ecology, maritime resources, capacity building and resource training, disaster risk reduction and management, science, technology and academic cooperation, and finally trade, connectivity and maritime transport. Emphasising that India will be a driving force for all the areas identified under IPOI, the Minister added that India is seeking partnerships with like-minded countries and that countries including Australia, Japan and ASEAN member states have already expressed willingness to work with India in these areas. Promising future for IndoJapanese ties Speaking about the collaboration between India and Japan during pandemic times, Shigehiro
Indian Minister of Railways and Commerce Piyush Goyal Tanaka, Vice Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan, said that India presented a huge market for Japan in trade and investment because of the availability of local talent, growing digital literacy, human resource development, diversification of supply chains and the potential for trilateral export promotion. He was speaking at a session on “Promoting India Japan Strategic and Economic Cooperation
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during COVID and Beyond” during the CII Partnership Summit 2020.Tanaka further delineated the three initiatives being pushed by the Japanese Government in the context of India namely, digital cooperation, which was necessary to accelerate transformation through internet of things in medical care and education; industrial competitiveness partnership and human resource development in the manufacturing sector, for
which Japan agreed to train 30,000 Indian workers over the next 10 years in the Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing; and forming economic trilateral alliances. In this case, the Asia Africa Growth Corridor served as a cooperation mechanism for India and Japan to jointly drive economic prosperity and sustainable development in the continent.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
Anil Wadhwa-led Australia Strategy initiates Jugalbandi with Peter Varghese’s India Strategy
The much-awaited India’s Australia Strategy led by former Indian diplomat and Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa is released. Commissioned by the Confederation of Indian Industries, in conjunction with KPMG and the Ministry of External Affairs, the Australia strategy was launched on December 18 in New Delhi. Speaking at the launch of the strategy report entitled, “Enhancing India Australia Bilateral Economic and Trade Relationship”, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said, “India’s opening up of engagement and activities with Australia is a great morale booster for the entire world, especially during the current crisis.” The report is expected to complement the Peter Varghese led “An India Economic Strategy to 2035: Navigating from potential to Delivery” launched in November 2018. The Wadhwa report comes at a critical time when both sides have been grappling with tensions with China and desperately looking for alternative ways for not only bolstering business and trade ties but also ensuring a safer Indo-Pacific. Compartmentalised into seven broad chapters the report is expected to boost India’s business and trade engagements in gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, auto and spare parts, healthcare, agribusiness, apart from the mining and resources sector. It is also expected that the new strategy will deepen collaborations in space, defence and education and emphasises on the diversification of supply chains for managing the current transitions in global value chains. What is interesting is that the report recommends integrating Micro Small and Medium Enterprises of other countries into the global value chain to insulate global trade from disruptions as witnessed in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak. Minister Goyal noted that “India can provide a core pathway for linking supply chains and provide trusted and reliable suppliers to the world”. It should not be lost to the readers that both reports have been led by two remarkable diplomats who have shaped diplomatic, trade
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and business engagements during their illustrious careers and are also masters of global politics. They understand the pulse of global trade and diplomacy and have an acute sense of timing and delivery. Their rich experiences have informed the two incisive strategies which auger well for companies, traders, agriculturists, entrepreneurs, educationists among others in opening up new vistas of trade, supplies, research and development and investments opportunities. At the launch of the report a buoyant Simon Birmingham, former Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment observed that the new strategy will bolster exchanges in technology and cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing and robotics and waste management and thereby catapult the “comprehensive strategic partnership into an upward bilateral and trade trajectory with India”. He had led a trade delegation to New Delhi in February, before the lock down, and as tensions grew with China he said, “Australia must look into alternative markets in the European Union and India.” The report assumes greater salience as Australian looks to diversify businesses from China. The historic virtual summit on 4 June between the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Narendra Modi proved a shot in the arm for the Strategic Partnership, now upgraded as “comprehensive”. Both sides have formalised over 20 MoU last June covering some of these areas during the Modi-Morrison virtual summit. Their two-way trade has risen from $13.6 billion to $30.4 billion in 2018, but it is still below their full potential. By 2035, both sides aim to double their bilateral trade and Australia seeks to bring India in its top 5 trading partners (currently 8th). Ambassador Anil Wadhwa has very aptly provided the context for the report saying, “Changed geo-political relations offer some great opportunities for both countries.” But there should be no doubt that the two reports provide only the board road map and since bulk of the recommendations in both reports are based upon the preCOVID-19 geopolitical and global settings, some recalibration and adjustments will be required on both front across several sectors. There is much to be achieved in terms of ironing out differences over Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, but the finalisation of the two strategies is a potent symbol of prevailing mutual understanding for taking bilateral ties into a higher orbit. Rapidly altering geopolitical realities are only making it more urgent.
EDITORIAL
India’s Australia Economic Strategy report: Heralding historic opportunities By Ambassador (retd) Anil Wadhwa* I am personally delighted that the Australia Economic Strategy report, which I have been working on along with the CII and KPMG teams over the past two years, was released on 18 November 2020 in the presence of the Ministers Piyush Goyal, and Simon Birmingham and several stakeholders in the bilateral relationship. It complements the Australia India Economic Strategy led by Peter Varghese in 2018. The Australia strategy is informed by 100s of think tanks, states, government ministries, businesses and universities in India and Australia. It has identified 12 key sectors namely mining, services and startups, pharmaceuticals, health care and medical technologies, education and skills, agribusiness, infrastructure, power and renewable energy, railways, gems and jewelry, automotive spare parts, and tourism, witnessing collaboration already. It crystal gazes for opportunities in emerging areas like labor intensive services, defense, sports, textiles and textile designing, digital gaming and animation, water management and commercial ferries/ shipbuilding, space and education technologies – all of which are expected to gain increased relevance. The altered regional and global geopolitics presents excellent prospects for enhancement of bilateral economic ties in some critical areas. Disruptions in global and regional value chains are a potent reminder to rely on trustworthy partners believing in the Rule of Law. Ministers Piyush Goyal and Simon Birmingham announced a Resilient Supply Chains initiative with Japan on 1 September. In this context, in India, the pandemic has underpinned a number of reforms, and incentives have been announced for boosting manufacturing. These will attract further investments from Australia and bolster trade. The Australia–India agreement on cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths is especially relevant, as these two countries have complementarity of interests; while Australia is keen to find alternative export markets for its minerals, India needs rare earths for its advanced manufacturing sector and for its e–mobility programme. The new mining policy in India will renew the scope for diversification and expansion of the existing resources partnership through mining and processing of critical and strategic minerals. 400 million Indian youth need training by 2022 and Australian VET sector has a huge opportunity in training curriculum, aligning Indian accreditation and assessment to global standards, and improving trainer quality. Opportunities for sustainable solutions for water and water recycling across India and in immunology, vaccine development, circular economy,
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surface coal gasification, and waste-to-wealth processes have emerged for Australian companies. Australia is ideally placed to partner in grains management, rationalization of costs and logistics driven by the ongoing bilateral agribased programmes. Australian Super funds and infrastructure companies can enter the highways and toll roads sector. The defense and space related companies as well as shipyards in Australia and India are buoyant at new opportunities. Australia has announced massive investments in its cyber security wherein India can complement with tech pool as per Australian requirements. The Indo-Australian scientific collaborations in research & development, manufacturing equipment and identifying treatments to face global health emergencies is expanding. Australian investments and technology have been identified for collaborations in food technology and processing in the dairy sector. 100% FDI has now been permitted in India for renewable energy projects, which can be availed by Australian companies. India needs to pumped storage projects to manage large scale integration of RE and grid balancing which will be of deep interest to Australia. Australian investments in India’s heritage and religious tourism, eco and coastal tourism and hospitality can secure huge returns once global travel normalizes. Both can also collaborate to integrate e-learning solutions into existing curriculums and in enabling teachers to develop online curricula. Australian businesses will benefit immensely from opportunities and market in India for scaling up technologies in med tech, health tech, Edu tech and EdTech. Australian and Indian companies should collaborate in digital gaming and animation, textile designing, sports technologies and equipment, auto components, renewable energy and power, healthcare, and clinical trials. India has reduced corporate tax rate to 25%, and rolled out the production Linked Incentive (PLI) in electronics and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), as well as Phased Manufacturing Plan (PMP). PLI has now been extended to 10 more sectors including battery manufacturing, auto components, network products, textiles, food processing, solar photovoltaic cells etc. Genomics, artificial intelligence, 5G, robotics and drones are all on the radar. Overall, India has identified 24 focus sectors in manufacturing in which Australian companies can collaborate. But the following steps are now necessary. First, under the directions and supervision of the two Ministers of Commerce and Industry and Trade, both sides need to form a special working group comprising officials from foreign and other ministries and organizations to
Ambassador (retd) Anil Wadhwa review implementation of the two reports on a 6-monthly basis. Their task will be to identify trade and investment barriers, facilitate businesses engagements across federal and state levels, and ministries. This will also include looking at issues like easing of visas and other consular issues, taxation, banking, phytosanitary and other regulatory barriers. Second, relevant departments in both countries must be committed and supportive, allocating requisite funds for dissemination of information and contents in the reports. This report contains several pointers and recommendations for action by various ministries in India. Third, India and Australia should seriously look at their Free Trade Agreement negotiations, stalled due to RCEP. There are huge mutual gains from its realization and will also help them align their Resilient Supply Chains initiative with Japan. Fourth, big businesses on both sides must explore the investment route to drive trade traffic. The business-to-business linkages need strengthening through periodic meetings between trade bodies and associations, and sector specific, specialized business dialogues. The CEOs Forum between the two counties must be revived with the right partnership and specific working groups to operate during the intersessional period with recommendations. Fifth, we recommend that à la Australia India Strategic research fund, both sides should start a joint start up and innovation fund as well as a humanities and social sciences collaboration fund with a modest contribution of US $10 million by each side over 5 years for each of these funds. Sixth, post-pandemic, both should diligently work towards starting direct flights between major commercial and tourist hubs which will help increase trade, investments, and tourism. Finally, India must strengthen manpower in the Indian Embassy and Consulates, explore opening new Consulates in Adelaide and Brisbane, strengthen CII’s presence, and revive Indian tourism offices in Australia to lend institutional push to the implementation and follow up on the report’s recommendations. *Ambassador Anil Wadhwa has served as Secretary (East) in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and as Ambassador to Italy, Thailand, Oman and Poland. He is the Chairman of India’s Australia Economic Strategy Report task force.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Is Kashmir’s terror heartland turning its back to militancy? By Ahmed Ali Fayyaz New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): Southern Kashmir’s Tral in Pulwama district has for long retained several dubious distinctions in the last 31 years of armed insurgency in the valley. This was the crucible from where Burhan Wani to Zakir Musa, and scores of top-notch militants emerged. Wani’s death in an encounter in July 2016 led to a four-month-long street turbulence in which over 70 demonstrators and arsonists got killed and thousands, civilians as well as security forces personnel, sustained injuries.
years later, Dadsara is singing to a different tune. On December 8, three local cadres of ‘Albadar’ outfit-Merajuddin Lone, Umer Ali and Owais Farooqwere killed in an encounter with Police and security forces at Tiken in Pulwama. One of them was a resident of Dadsara. The bodies were buried as per the Covid-19 protocol in the distant Baramulla area in northern Kashmir. Unlike on scores of similar killings and encounters in the past, Dadsara and all other villages in Tral were calm in the morning after. Hardly anyone
Dadsara, a village in Tral, is said to have created the maximum number of militants among all villages and towns across the valley. It was because of the people of Dadsara and other villages that a two-lakh strong procession gathered to form Wani’s funeral procession. Four
gathered to offer condolences to the militant’s family and nobody demanded burial the dead body at the local cemetery, let alone an effervescent funeral procession and a gun salute at the tombstone. There was no shutdown in Tral. The voter turnout was thinner in Pulwama and its contiguous
district of Shopian as compared to eight other districts in the valley in the District Development Council elections. However, the scenes of defiance, demonstration and protest, that marred over a dozen elections after 1990, were nowhere there across Kashmir. The residents of Pulwama still remember the separatists’ anti-election campaign, coupled with terror attacks, which subverted several democratic processes in the past 24 years particularly in that district. “In many elections, we saw militants attacking the polling parties. Even in 2014, a polling party returning with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) was subjected to a fatal attack. I remember senior Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Abdul Gani Lone reaching here with their Police guards armed with AK-47 rifles like the Ministers’ escorts and provoking the people to fail the elections. Several times, I remember, there were violent demonstrations and teargas shelling by Police. Not a single such incident has been reported from anywhere in the valley during the DDC elections.” One-odd incident of a militant attack occurred in Srinagar where some unidentified gunmen shot dead the personal security officer of the People’s Democratic
Party activist Haji Pervaiz. This is not the only manifestation of change in the last over one year. It has been widely noticed that many of the Twitter handles and Facebook accounts, which used to bully, troll and intimidate anybody not toeing the Pakistani line until May this year, have silently disappeared. While hundreds of such accounts have been removed by their users after the Cyber Cell of the Jammu and Kashmir Police began filing FIRs over ‘anti-national’ and ‘subversive’ content, many others have deleted objectionable and intimidating posts. According to senior Police officials, the security and the intelligence agencies had, immediately after the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in a car bomb attack, identified all the vehicles used by the “militants and their Pakistani handlers”. “First of all, we called or detained temporarily some of such elements after August 2019. Secondly, we shut down the internet for a purpose. We knew about their plans to create a mayhem like 2016, 2010 and 2080. Thirdly, we let them off but made it clear that the age-old practice of running an anti-India tirade alongside armed insurgency wouldn’t be tolerated any more. Most of them responded positively and stopped indulging in subversive and anti-Indian activities,” said an officer. The officer referred particularly to the Twitter accounts of two women activists, one a journalist based in Mumbai and another a
Kashmiri scholar in Jawaharlal Nehru University ( JNU), to prove his point that the world was “misled” by the social media, as well as the foreign press, with regard to the “real situation” in Kashmir after August 5, 2019. “For months they ran a tirade that we had jailed and tortured thousands. They reported that the Kashmiris were defiant, and thus suppressed, and that there was lockdown and curfew. As a matter of fact, we had detained less than 4,000 persons of proven subversive history. We have released almost all of them. Our lockdown was for less than two months. In October, November and December 2019, there was a shutdown sponsored by the separatists and the terrorists. They gunned down wholesalers and fruit dealers and spread a wave of terror to ensure that the signs of normalcy do not go out. This election called their bluff and exposed everybody,” said the same officer. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
Decoding recovery path of the Indian economy Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani No one ever thought of the scale and magnitude of disruption that was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the aftermath, the resurgence would be equally trying especially in a country like ours with a complex economic framework. However, we need to applaud the government for paving the way for an impressive recovery, with a judicious mix of spending and structural reforms. The outcome of the efforts visible in the Q2 numbers which showed a single-digit economic contraction of 7.5 per cent as compared to 23.9 per cent in Q1. The figure beats the global average, where according to an analysis, 49 economies declined at an average of 12.4 per cent. The jubilations and optimism mirrored in the financial markets, business houses, and the government. If the current optimism and rally gets carried unabated then as per the official and unofficial forecasts, India’s economy is likely to return to the pre-Covid levels by the end of the current fiscal year which is a much shorter timeframe than expected. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) prediction of a positive growth in the H2 FY21 is substantiated by the fact that in the recently published Q2 data, the manufacturing
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PMI is above 50 for the fourth straight month which is only 11 percentage points lower than pre-Covid-19 levels. It is worth noting that unemployment levels are currently on a decline; the 6.7 per cent the unemployment rate for September was lower than the pre-Covid-19 level of 7.6 per cent in February. Like always the world has taken notice of the positives and showed faith in India’s story once again as visible in the growth numbers of segments such as foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign policy investment, and corporate bond market inflows. It all points to strong investor faith in India’s economic resilience. Besides, upwards revisions by rating agencies in India’s GDP forecast are all repeating the same story that we have kicked in the rebound phase. The ripple effect The unleashing of structural reforms and the stimulus packages announced by the government did take effect in various sectors as the fiscal response has been calibrated to reap maximum benefit. The one that stands out is the extension of the 100 percent credit guarantee scheme to 27 stressed sectors. Besides, fiscal stimulus and tax rebates for growth-critical sectors, such as housing, would
have spill-over effects, thus indirectly boosting demand-led growth. Reforms and timely fiscal interventions in other critical sectors are already showing positive results: the Gross Value Added (GVA) for three sectors-agriculture, manufacturing, and utilities-- has been positive in Q2, as compared to just one, the agriculture sector, in Q1 this year. Similarly, the expansion of production linked incentive (PLI) schemes --that give incentives to firms-- worth?1.46 lakh crore for 10 new sectors will give a boost to the manufacturing sector, and result in long-term benefits for the economy. The liberalization of the notoriously rigid formal labour market would expedite India’s upward movement in the ease of doing business rankings, and attract further investments., India has moved up 79 positions in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business’ rankings since 2014. Fears of fiscal deficit The stimulus packages and therefore, additional nonbudgeted spending --along with falling tax revenue,-- by the government to wean off the COVID crisis has led to pushing India’s budget gap wider to 8 percent of GDP in the current financial year, more than double the targeted 3.5percent. The
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expanded support package-- to rescue companies and save jobs amid the pandemic--given by the government amounts to 15 per cent of the economy, adding to the global stimulus that has touched $12trillion. The fear that the fiscal deficit will loom large on the government in the future to manage fiscal prudence is not unfounded. However, the finance minister has assured time and again that fiscal deficit fears won’t derail government spending as government spending is important to bring the economy on track. The forthcoming union budget will focus on public spending on Infrastructure to ensure sustainable economic revival. There is a dire need to reinstitute Infrastructure Development Bank for long term funding of infrastructure projects. Globally countries that have committed to stimulus spending as high as 20 per cent of their GDP is now resorting to additional taxation, helping fuel a recovery in the economy. In India, the government is finding other routes to keep fuelling the economic engine as the FM said that the government will push PSUs to accelerate spending as the government can’t afford to curb spending at this juncture of economic crisis.
Authorities to the rescue A multipronged policy response -- the efforts and intelligent balancing act done-- by the apex bank in India, the RBI, during the Covid crisis is praised by the government and the people of India, equally. The reduction of key interest rates along with the restructuring of outstanding loans, moratorium of given to the borrowers and extension of on-Tap TLTRO to 26 stressed sectors under the Emergency Credit Linked Guarantee Scheme(ECLGS 2.0) are some of the strategies that has helped the businesses tide over the crisis. The way RBI is trying to resolve the shadow banking crisis that has plagued the country since 2018 has found many takers including the government. The government on the other hand is rooting the idea of privatising a couple of state-run banks that have received cabinet approvals. Conclusion The year 2020 may not have belonged to India, but the future certainly belongs to this nation for its resilience, faith, and sheer optimism. (The author is the national president of the industry body, ASSOCHAM and NAREDCO. The views expressed are personal.)
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ENERGY & RESOURCES
‘Atmanirbhar’ initiative to give pvt coal power plants more liquidity: Report
India likely to be Australia’s next big trading partner
New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): The Centre’s ‘Atmanirbhar’ package, along with Coal India’s credit move, may improve liquidity of private sector coal-based power generators (gencos) by up to Rs 40,000 crore this year, Crisil Ratings said in a report on December 22.
Brisbane, Dec 21: Adani Australia has welcomed India’s trade roadmap, the Australia Economic Strategy Report, outlining Australia’s path to its next economic boom by partnering with the world’s fastest growing large economy.
The report cited liquidation of overdue receivables from state power distribution companies (discoms) due to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ package and Coal India Ltd allowing thermal power plants to avail credit period for purchasing coal as factors that might improve liquidity of private sector coal-based power generators. The central government announced a Rs 1.2 lakh crore loan scheme under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ package to enable discoms to pay for outstanding dues to gencos. The scheme required the first tranche, accounting for half of the total package, to be disbursed immediately and the balance upon discoms committing to operational improvements. The scheme was much needed, with state discoms delaying payment to gencos due to their weak financial position, the Crisil Ratings report said.
As per the report, weakening of cash flows during Covid-19-led lockdowns further stretched the cash flows of discoms. This has ratcheted up overdues to private gencos to Rs 59,000 crore as of October 2020, the report said. “To reduce the overdues, discoms have already begun signing into this scheme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package. As of end-November, nearly half of the first tranche has been disbursed. Given the policy thrust, we expect full disbursement by the end of this fiscal,”said Nitesh Jain, Director, Crisil Ratings. “Private coal-based power plants should see a liquidity relief of about Rs 30,000 crore, given that half of the overdues are owed to them.” In addition, gencos received relief from their principal coal supplier - Coal India Ltd - which caters to 80 per cent of their coal requirements. “Coal purchases form nearly three-fourths of gencos’ operational costs. As against cash advances for these coal purchases, Coal India has begun allowing letter of credit facility of 90-180 days,” the report said.
India is currently Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade exceeded $22 billion in 2018 and Australia has the potential to strengthen and diversify its international trade and investment portfolio by lifting India into its top three export markets. Adani Australia CEO and Country Head, Lucas Dow said India offered tremendous trade and investment opportunities for Australia, which could result in significant uplift to our domestic economy. “According to the United Nations, India’s population will grow by 287 million people between 2018 and 2050, and by 2025 one-fifth of the world’s working population will be Indian,” Mr Dow said. “That population growth means substantially more people who want affordable energy, education, technology, health care, employment and other commodities that ultimately provide for a better lifestyle.
for countries like ours to help India deliver new products, infrastructure, resources, and improved living standards for its people, while also creating a growth catalyst for our own national economy,” he said. The Australia Economic Strategy Report was written by Ambassador Anil Wadhwa for the Confederation of Indian Industry, in response to Australia’s own trade report – An Indian Economic Strategy to 2035, which was authored by Peter Varghese for the Australian Government in 2018. The Report said two-way trade between the two countries has grown in value from $9.3 billion in 2007 to $ 30 billion in 2019, well below the true potential of the relationship. Key recommendations are subsequently made that encourage better awareness of private sector business opportunities on both sides and trade policy reform that drives economic growth across the two international markets. Mr Dow said Adani’s own operations in Australia are a clear example of the potential that the burgeoning trade and investment relationship holds between the two nations.
already invested billions of dollars in our local mine, rail, port and renewable energy assets, which will result in lasting infrastructure and commercial ventures that benefit regional communities for generations to come,” Mr Dow said. “Yet the potential stretches so much further than the energy and resources sector. There are major export opportunities available in education; food and agribusiness; mining equipment, technology and services; tourism; infrastructure; health care; defence, and advanced technology. “We have the skills, capability and resources in Australia to deliver in these areas and seize on opportunities provided by India’s willingness to improve policies and regulation that encourage bilateral trade and investment. “The timing and conditions are ideal for Australia to capitalise on India’s rapid development trajectory and ensure our own economy gets the welcome boost it needs off the back of the global pandemic impacts. “I encourage government agencies, industry and entrepreneurs to read the Australia Economic Strategy Report and see the potential benefits for both yourselves and our country as a whole,” he said.
PM Modi lays foundation stone of India’s largest New rules to foster consumer renewable energy park empowerment in Indian power sector New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS): India’s largest renewable energy generation park will come up in Gujarat with a generation capacity of 30 gigawatts (GW). The foundation stone of Hybrid Renewable Energy Park near Vighakot village in Gujarat’s Kutch district was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 15, the PMO said. During his day-long visit to his home state, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of a desalination plant and a fully automated milk processing and packing plant in Kutch, the statement added. The Renewable Energy Park will be spread over 72,600 hectares, and have dedicated zones for wind and solar energy storage as well as an exclusive zone for wind park activities. Harnessing its vast coastline, Gujarat is taking a significant step to transform seawater to potable drinking water with the upcoming desalination plant at Mandvi, Kutch. The plant with capacity of 10 crore litre per day (100 MLD) will strengthen water security in Gujarat by complementing
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the Narmada Grid, Sauni network and treated waste water infrastructure. It will be an important milestone for sustainable and affordable water resource harvesting in the country. Nearly 8 lakh people across the regions of Mundra, Lakhpat, Abdasa and Nakhatrana talukas will receive desalinated water from this plant, which will also help in sharing the surplus with upstream districts of Bhachau, Rapar and Gandhidham.
It is one of the five upcoming desalination plants in Gujarat -- Dahej (100 MLD), Dwarka (70 MLD), Ghogha Bhavnagar (70 MLD), and Gir Somnath (30 MLD). Modi also laid the foundation stone of the fully automated milk processing and packing plant at Sarhad Dairy Anjar, Kutch. The plant costing Rs 121 crore will have the capacity to process 2 lakh litres per day. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was present on the occasion. The Prime Minister also undertook a visit to the White Rann, followed by participation in a cultural programme.
“With that national drive and ambition comes opportunities
“Since commencing operations in Australia in 2010, Adani has
New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): Indian Ministry of Power has introduced new rules laying down the rights of consumers, a first initiative towards consumer empowerment in the power sector.
connection and modification in existing connection, Metering arrangement, billing and Payment, Disconnection and Reconnection, Reliability of supply, Consumer as Prosumer, Standards of Performance of licensee, Compensation Mechanism, Call Centre for Consumer Services, Grievance redressal mechanism.
Issuing the rules Minister of State for Power R.K. Singh said that these shall empower the consumers of electricity. These rules emanate from the conviction that the power systems exist to serve the consumers and the consumers have rights to get the services and reliable, quality electricity, he said. Distribution Companies across the country are monopolies -- whether government or private -- and the consumer has no alternative. The new rules empower consumers through a system of laid down rules and a system for enforcement of these rights. Under the new rules covered under Electricity (Rights of consumers) Rules, 2020, codes have been specified establishing rights of consumers and Obligations of Distribution licensees. It had also defined ways for Release of new
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The new rules also established that it is the duty of every distribution licensee to supply electricity on request made by an owner or occupier of any premises in line with the provisions of Act and it is the right of consumer to have minimum standards of service for supply of electricity from the distribution licensee. The rules have also specified Maximum time period of 7 days in metro cities and 15 days in other municipal areas and 30 days in rural areas identified to provide new connection and modify an existing connection. It also had provisions for advance payment of bills by consumers. The distribution licensee shall supply 24x7 power to
all consumers. However, the Commission may specify lower hours of supply for some categories of consumers like agriculture, the rules suggests. It has also given power to consumers to set up Renewable Energy (RE) generation unit including roof top solar photovoltaic (PV) systems -either by himself or through a service provider. The rules also provide for Compensation amount to be paid to the consumers by the distribution licensees for violation of standards of performance. A Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) including consumer and prosumer representatives had also been provided. The consumer grievance redressal has been made easy by making it multilayered and the number of consumer’s representatives has been increased from one to four. The licensee shall specify the time within which various types of grievances by the different levels of the forums are to be resolved. Maximum timeline of 45 days specified for grievance redressal.
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TRAVEL
Offbeat experiences New Year Resolutions: Make in desi locales 2021 the year of adventure December 19, 2020 (IANSlife): One-of-a-kind activities designed and hosted by locals gives you a feel of the destination like nothing else can. Airbnb Experiences go beyond the activities themselves and offer a deep-dive into the local host’s world through their passion. Hosts offer their guests special knowledge, unique skills, and inside access to local places and communities that guests couldn’t find on their own, creating lasting connections and treasured memories.
Kalimpong coffee or Darjeeling tea will follow before you make your journey back. Bangalore Desserts Safari – Bengaluru
Hilloferry - A guided Bike Ride in Dharamshala
In this 3 hour tour, you will be taken around to the choicest spots in Bengaluru to sample the tastiest desserts. You will also learn about what goes into making them, the different techniques used, the different variants of the same dessert across countries and so on. This will include a walk in the alleys of Bangalore parking your sweet tooth at best desserts cafe on the way tasting both local Indian and international desserts. Experience the joy of riding a mountain bike amidst beautiful views of Dhauladhar ranges, enjoy sight-seeing, cherish the nature closely and explore hidden treasures. One will be provided with a well-equipped mountain bike, suitable costume for cycling and helmet for safety. Witness beautiful landscapes close to nature and beautiful tea gardens! Colonial Walking tour in Pondicherry – Puducherry The Colonial Walking tour has been created to give tourists the real French colonial experience in the Pondicherry. France is still in the food, the architecture, the games of boules played by local Tamils and the language French is spoken widely in the city. Know more about local history, food, festivals, customs, street names, connections with French with this mind blowing experience. Himalayan village hike & Nepali lunch - Kalimpong These handpicked walks will take you through the adjoining villages and introduce you to the rural, rustic and peaceful life beyond the hustle-bustle of cities. You get to interact with the local communities and gain tremendous traditional knowledge on their lifestyle, history, culture besides learning more about the flora and fauna of the surrounding landscape. The walks are of different levels of difficulty, from easy to moderate, and can be tuned to your needs and preference. You will be served with a sumptuous Nepali vegetarian lunch prepared just for you using fresh local produce.
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Kayaking’s Sal Backwaters in Goa This popular and celebrated excursion on flat dammed up waters, takes you on a winding journey through narrow waterways deep in the mangroves, sighting different birds, fish, otters and exotic local plants like cashew, bamboo and mango. Red and white lotus and migratory birds, make this a must do trip for all ages. Learn Honey Beekeeping in Himalayas – Bhimtal At Silent Valley-Alchauna, observe the sophisticated structure of bee civilization. From the guards at the hive entry, to the nurses tending the little, to the “energetic females” and “lazy males,” to the glaring elusive queen, each bee has a place inside this complex community. A memorable experience to “suit up” in a beekeeping suit, and get up close and intimate with the bees for a thrilling experience and a great photo opportunity.
December 28, 2020 (IANSlife): 2021 brings with it the promise of a vaccine on the horizon, and a sense of freedom and adventure as the world is eager and hopeful of travelling and returning to normalcy once again. After a year of staying home, travellers are looking to stretch their limbs and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. South Africa, with over 3000 adventure activities, is undoubtedly the adventure capital of the world. The country has options across shark-cage diving, zip lining, bungee jumping, quad-biking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting – and just about any other extreme sport you can name, all supported by dedicated and authorized operators. In addition, attractive currency exchange rates make South Africa a lucrative, value for money longhaul destination – especially when it comes to adventure activities. Must Do Adventure Activities Big Rush Big Swing, KwaZuluNatal It has been officially named
the world’s tallest swing by the Guinness Book of Records since May 2011. Not your average swing, the aptly named Big Swing allows you to take the thrilling leap swinging out into a massive 220m arc where you soar into the center of the stadium. Bloukrans Bridge Bungee, Eastern Cape
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The highest commercial bridge bungee jump in the world at the Bloukrans Bridge has a 216 meter gorge below. It is one of the ultimate activities to feature on any adrenaline seeker’s bucketlist while visiting South Africa. The growing popularity is evident by the fact that 12000 Indians jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge in 2017, making Indians the 3rd highest participating nationality for the activity Abseiling from Table Mountain, Western Cape The 7th Natural Wonder of the World offers a spectacular view of the Mother City with its bustling city life and the blue ocean. Abseiling from the top of Table Mountain gives you a view of the city that you will never see without indulging in the activity. One can also opt for cable car or trek. Shark-cage diving Great White Shark spotting is one of the biggest draws to South Africa. A trip to Rainbow Nation is incomplete without attempting the hair-raising shark-cage dive. In fact, Indians are the top 3rd
places. Gorge Swing, KwaZulu-Natal The highest gorge swing in the world is located on a waterfall cliff in the Oribi Gorge in southern KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Lowveld is full of adventure highs and Graskop’s gorge swing takes the cake. Prepare to freefall 68 m, plummeting 0 - 160km/h in 3 seconds, swinging out like a human pendulum across the gorge – the views are spectacular and so is the after-rush. Helicopter Ride, Western Cape South Africa also offers luxurious helicopter rides. Helicopter flips in Cape Town allow travelers the joy of a bird’s eye-view of the beauty that the Mother City in South Africa is. Take a helicopter flip for a change of scenery and enjoy a view of the entire countryside in a single trip before choosing your drive-to destination, or swoop low over the ocean on a coastal flip and watch the dolphins at play in the breakers below. Helicopter tours with a destination beyond Cape Town might include wine tasting or whale watching, while a similar trip in KwaZulu-Natal offers a visit to the scenic midlands or a Drakensberg helicopter tour to visit exotic and breathtaking destinations like Cathkin Peak, Vultures’ Retreat, Cleft Peak and the Organ Pipes.
nationality to undertake Sharkcage diving in South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal is often credited as a hub for shark-cage diving, with shark cage-diving outfits operating out of Durban and from the stunning coral reef – Aliwal Shoal. You could also explore options at Simon’s Town, Mossel Bay, Dyer Island, Seal Island, and Port Elizabeth, among other
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ARTS & LITERATURE
Befitting that Military BLBA 2020 winners stress on need Literary Fest is conceived for public libraries for children in Punjab: Rajnath Chandigarh, Dec 18 (IANS): Indian Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 18 dedicated the Military Literature Festival (MLF) 2020 to all the great warriors who have made supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland. Inaugurating the festival virtually, he said it is only befitting that the MLF has been conceived and conceptualised in Punjab, the land of heroic martial traditions. Regretting his inability to attend the gala event last year due to the extended Parliament session, the Defence Minister congratulated the organisers and expressed great satisfaction to see the platform developing into a steady and meaningful means of enhancing greater understanding about matters military among the public at large. MLF, a joint initiative of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who is also a military historian, and Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore in collaboration with the Western Command, has steadily earned brand presence in the region since its inception in 2017. Lauding the wide ranging topics chosen for MLF 2020, including ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’, self-reliance
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in defence field and Bollywood, the Defence Minister expressed confidence that the platform would keep providing stimulating conversations for greater regional and national significance. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Governor Badnore said given “the rich martial traditions of Punjab, it comes as no surprise that this region is a treasure trove of military events since times immemorial”. Lt Gen T.S. Shergill (retd), a senior advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister, lauded the Western Command for providing immense support in organising the MLF.
Manmohan was preoccupied with saving coalition: Pranab Mukherjee in memoirs New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Manmohan Singh was preoccupied with saving his coalition during his second stint while Narendra Modi was “autocratic” in his first term as Prime Minister, India’s former President Pranab Mukherjee wrote in the fourth and concluding volume of his memoirs to be posthumously published next month. He also doesn’t subscribe to the theory that the Congress would not have been drubbed in the 2014 general elections had he been made the Prime Minister in 2004 but says the Congress “lost focus” after he was elevated to President in 2012. Laying bare his thoughts on his relationship with the two Prime Ministers he worked with, who belonged to two parties and who were (and are) fiercely opposed to each other, Mukherjee writes in ‘The Presidential Years’ (Rupa), “I believe that the moral authority to govern vests with the PM. The overall state of the nation is reflective of the functioning of the PM and his administration. “While Dr Singh was preoccupied with saving the coalition, which took a toll on governance, Modi seemed to have employed a rather autocratic style of governance during his first term, as seen by
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the bitter relationship among the government, the legislature and the judiciary. Only time will tell if there is a better understanding on such matters in the second term of this government.” He is also frank about the reasons for the dismal showing of the Congress in the 2014 general elections, admitting candidly, “Some members of the Congress have theorized that had I become the PM in 2004, the party might have averted the 2014 Lok Sabha drubbing. “Though I don’t subscribe to this view, I do believe that the party’s leadership lost political focus after my elevation as President. While Sonia Gandhi was unable to handle the affairs of the party, Dr Singh’s prolonged absence from the House put an end to any personal contact with other MPs.” Mukherjee also brings the reader closer to the inner workings of the Rashtrapati Bhavan as he reveals a minor diplomatic issue that arose during the visit of US President Barack Obama in 2015 when the US Secret Service insisted that Obama travels in a specially armoured vehicle that had been brought from the US, and not in the car designated for the use by the Indian head of state.
New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANSlife): Subhadra Sen Gupta and Rajiv Eipe, winners of this year’s Big Little Book Award (BLBA) that recognizes and honours significant contribution of authors and illustrators to children’s literature in Indian languages, say that there is a desperate need to provide free libraries for children in communities where all they see are textbooks, as these spaces nurture an environment that encourages the joy of reading and exchange of ideas among children.
Instituted by the Parag initiative of Tata Trusts, this was the fifth edition of the Big Little Book Award. The chosen language this year was English. In the previous years, the award considered children’s literature in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Kannada. Sen Gupta, who has written over sixty books, a majority of them for children, was awarded the Bal Sahitya Puraskar of the Sahitya Akademi in 2014. She has a special interest in history, and has authored popular books like ‘The Constitution of India for Children’, ‘The Secret Diary of the World’s Worst Cook’, ‘History Mystery Dal Biryani’, among
Winners of BLBA 2020 Rajiv Eipe and Subhadra Sen Gupta many. Asked what excites her about writing for children, Sen Gupta, winning author, BLBA 2020 said, “Children make the best readers and I love opening the world of history to them. They read carefully and keep the books to go back to them again and again. I find it very important to be talking to children about important things that they have questions about and we can also answer. What I do is, I mention my email in my books. I get emails from children every week. They share questions about history and questions about anything that’s bothering them. It’s like I have this circle of friends who come back to me after they have read a
book, and even come back to me when they don’t like something. Children are involved in a way that adults never are in a book.” On how access to reading and learning spaces has taken a massive hit due to Covid-19, she said: “COVID-19 is a problem that would hopefully go away. Our problems are deeper. We desperately need to provide free libraries for children in communities where all they see are textbooks. Children of plumbers, electricians and labourers would attend it. All they had seen were textbooks. So, having interesting, bright books, games, and computers was like a magic place for them.”
Book on Mirza Ghalib opens a new window to the renowned poet New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS): Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib was born in Agra in the closing years of the 18th century. A precocious child, he began composing verses at an early age and gained recognition while he was still very young. He wrote in both Urdu and Persian and was also a great prose stylist. He was a careful, even strict, editor of his work who took to publishing long before his peers. His predilection for writing difficult, obscure poetry peppered with complex metaphors produced a unique commentary tradition that did not extend beyond his work. Commentaries on his current Urdu ‘divan’ collection of poetry) have produced a field of critical writing that eventually lead to the crafting of a critical lens with which to view the classical ghazal. The 19th century was the height of European colonialism. British colonialism in India produced definitive changes in the ways literature was produced, circulated and consumed. Ghalib responded to the cultural challenge with a far-sightedness that was commendable. His imagination sought engagement with a wider community of readers. His deliberate switch to composing in Persian shows that he wanted his works to reach beyond political boundaries and linguistic barriers.
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Ghalib’s poetic trajectory begins from Urdu, then moves to composing almost entirely in Persian and finally swings back to Urdu. It is nearly as complex as his poetry. However, his poetic output in Persian is far more than what he wrote in Urdu. More important is that he gave precedence to Persian over Urdu. Ghalib’s voice presents us with a double bind, a linguistic paradox. Exploring his life, works and philosophy, “Ghalib: A Wilderness at My Doorstep” (Penguin) by Mehr Afshan Farooqi, an authoritative critical biography of the poet, opens a window to many shades of India and the subcontinent’s cultural and literary tradition. Mehr Afshan Farooqi grew up in Allahabad. A well-known translator, anthologist and
columnist, she is the editor of the pioneering two-volume work “The Oxford India Anthology of Modern Urdu Literature”. More recently, she has published the acclaimed monograph “The Postcolonial Mind: Urdu Culture, Islam and Modernity in Muhammad Hasan Askari”.
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SPORTS
Ashalata aims to inspire Budget for 2022 Olympics hiked by 22 per cent next generation of Indian footballers New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): India captain Ashalata Devi, who will be getting an opportunity to play in the AFC Asian Women’s Cup scheduled in 2022 in front of her home fans, wants to inspire the next generation of women footballers in the country. “It will be a huge honour to represent India on such a big stage. The whole team is excited about it and we are preparing really well for it. We saw the U-17 World Cup in 2017 and the kind of support that the team got. We are hopeful of getting the same support,” said Ashalata as per the-aiff.com. “I hope the two tournaments that we are hosting next year - AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 inspire new girls to take up football. When they see us playing in front of packed stadiums, it will definitely motivate them,” she added. According to Ashalata, it is important for footballers to start at a young age as it helps in formation of a player and learning the basics. “I started playing football when I
Indian women’s football captain Ashalata Devi was 12 or 13 but you have players starting at 7 or 8. Those 4-5 years are really important in the formation of the player and learning the basics.” The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently launched its bid for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and the 27-year-old is optimistic about India’s chances of winning the bid. “We have the infrastructure and would have already hosted a few big tournaments by then. It will also be a great chance for other Asian fans to see India and the passion that the country has for football. I hope we can pull this off,” said Ashalata.
Iconic Australian yacht race called off due to Sydney Covid concerns Sydney, Dec 20 (IANS): Australia’s iconic yacht race, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, has been canceled, the first time in its 76 years of history, due to concern about a Covid-19 cluster that recently occurred in Sydney. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) announced the decision with “great regret” on December 19 night, just six days from the start of the race. “We are bitterly disappointed to cancel the race this year especially considering the plans and preparations we had put in place to have a Covid safe race,” said CYCA Commodore Noel Cornish in a press release. The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, also known as “The Hobart,” sees competitors racing from Sydney Harbour via the Tasman Sea’s unpredictable waters to the city of Hobart over 1,000 kilometres south. This year, the race planned to go ahead even though many international competitors could not contest due to ongoing global restrictions. However, a Covid-19 cluster occurred in the Northern Beaches of Sydney recently. As confirmed cases continued to grow, Tasmania’s government, where Hobart is located, listed Greater Sydney as a “medium
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risk” area, and anyone who wants to enter Tasmania from Greater Sydney needs to undergo a 14-day quarantine. It is reported that about 150 sailors, about a third of the fleet’s crew, live in the Northern Beaches and were affected by the restrictions. “Following the announcement by the Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, it is now impracticable for the CYCA to conduct the Race under prevailing Covid-19 restrictions,” the press release said. CYCA said alternative races had been carefully considered; however, as the state of New South Wales urged all residents to limit their non-essential travel and interactions with others, it was felt that there were no other options that would allow for a Covid safe replacement race.
Tokyo, Dec 22 (IANS): The final budget for the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been increased by 22 per cent to 1.64 trillion yen (15.8 billion US dollars) because of the postponement of the Games.
billion yen (about 2.83 billion US dollars), with the operational cost for the delay 198 billion yen (about 1.91 billion US dollars), and the Covid-19 countermeasures cost of 96 billion yen (about 920 million US dollars), Xinhua news reports.
per cent.
The Tokyo 2020 organising committee said at a news conference on December 22 that the additional cost caused by the postponement is about 294
Of all the costs, Tokyo 2020 will cover 45 per cent, the metropolitan government 43 per cent, and the Japanese central government will account for 12
The Tokyo Olympics, postponed by one year due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, will be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
High time India’s coaching staff needs to be made accountable New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): Ever since Ravi Shastri and his support staff took over the reins of the Indian cricket team in August 2014, following India’s disappointing loss to England in the Test series, the national team’s overseas performance -- in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, also known as SENA in cricket parlance -- has continued to be unsatisfactory as earlier, despite their 2-1 historic win in Australia in 2018-19. Together with the two wins on their last tour of Australia, India have won just four of their 19 Tests since August 2014, when the Shastri-headed support staff took charge of the team. Although Anil Kumble was head coach of the team between mid-2016 and mid-2017, India did not tour any of these countries under his stewardship for Test matches. India’s other two wins in the period in the SENA nations have been one in England and one in South Africa. As against that, Sri Lanka have notched up two wins (both in South Africa) in 16 matches and Pakistan have won three (all three in England) in the SENA countries, deemed to be the toughest for south Asian nations. For the Indian cricket board, with such vast resources and talent pool, a world class T20 league where the world’s best current and former Test cricketers like Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, Trent Boult, Ricky Ponting etc. feature and guide youngsters, this record makes for a poor reading. This, especially
when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is targetting the ICC World Test Championship final in 2021. If India are to call themselves as the world’s best, the team needs to show up with results across all countries, especially the SENA nations. The latest debacle in the first Test at Adelaide recently when India squandered away a strong position from the second day onwards summarised the problems India are facing in all three departments and how the coaching staff has failed to help the players sort out issues. India failed with the ball, allowing the last three wickets get 80 vital runs, they failed on the field dropping catches, including that of Tim Paine who took Aussies to within 53 runs of India’s lead on the second day, and then the batting collapsed for 36 on the third day. Previously, batting coach Sanjay Bangar was replaced with Vikram Rathour after favourites India failed to reach a modest 240-run target. But it does not seem to have made any improvement. The team has now failed to get to 250 runs in the last six innings. It managed 165 and 191 in the first Test at Wellington and then 242 and 124 in the second Test at Christchurch during the tour of New Zealand in February-March. The visitors made 244 in the first innings at Adelaide but were shot out for 36 in the second. No wonder India lost all the three matches.
R Sridhar is India’s fielding coach and Bharat Arun the bowling coach. Madan Lal says there is no excuse for dropping catches and, adds that you have to plan to get the tail. India have had problems with catching throughout this tour, dropping close to 20 catches in seven international games, including four in Adelaide Test’s first innings. They also dropped catches in New Zealand, England and South Africa prior to that. They have got stuck into tail in all the countries with Sam Curran of England holding them off multiple times on the 2018 tour. The Kapil Dev-headed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) had renewed Shastri’s contract in 2019 till 2021 world T20. However, the new CAC, which includes Madan Lal, can only decide or review only if they get any intimation from the BCCI. “We can’t take any decision on the coach. It is outside our purview. It comes to the CAC only after the BCCI decision,” added Lal. Key members of India’s support staff: Head coach: Ravi Shastri Bowling coach: Bharat Arun Batting coach: Vikram Rathour Fielding coach: R Sridhar Manager: Girish Dongre Throwdown specialists: D Raghavendra, Nuwan Seneviratne. Three-member medical team, physiotherapist etc are also there.
India needs to do something magnificent to overcome 1st Test loss: Tendulkar
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New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): The only way out for the Indian cricketers to overcome the crushing defeat to Australia in the first Test is to “fight it out” and do “something magnificent” in the remaining three matches that would change negative thinking, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has said in an exclusive interview with IANS.
players. The batting maestro, who aggregated 34,357 runs and 100 centuries in international cricket, says it were technical flaws that impacted the top-order batsmen. He, particularly, noticed one big shortcoming in most frontline batsmen -- absence of a solid forward defence, a technical flaw that became more pronounced by the lack of a big stride forward.
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Failure of top-order batsmen was largely responsible for India’s eight-wicket mauling in Adelaide, but Tendulkar, 47, doesn’t feel that it was due to pressure on the
Also, Tendulkar points out that it would have been better if India would have started the tour with the T20I series, then played the ODIs, and finally the Test series --
“This race has a long and proud history, and we look forward to continuing this exciting tradition next year,” Cornish said.
The cost for Covid-19 countermeasures will be paid by the two governments, with the central government covering 58 per cent and the Tokyo government 42 per cent.
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with the last match being with the pink ball. That would have been an ideal transition from white ball to red ball to pink ball. But India began the Test series with a pink ball day-night encounter, which Virat Kohli’s team India lost by eight wickets, and now trail 0-1. But there are three more matches to go in the series for India to stage a comeback and retain the BorderGavaskar Trophy. In 2018-19, India had won the previous series 2-1 -- their first ever on Australian soil.
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SPORTS
India men at 4th spot in latest India shouldn’t be satisfied with 1-2 FIH rankings, women at 9 medals in 2028 Olympics: Sports Minister New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that India should not be satisfied with only one or two medals at the 2028 Olympic Games and instead aim to be in top 10 at the Los Angeles Games.
Lausanne, Dec 21 (IANS): The Indian men’s hockey team is placed at the fourth spot in the latest FIH team rankings while the women’s team is placed at the ninth position. Belgium men and the Netherlands women finished the year at the top of the rankings, confirmed the International Hockey Federation. In the men’s rankings, reigning world and European champions Belgium (2496.88 points) sit at the summit in front of Australia (2nd place - 2385.70), Netherlands (3rd place - 2257.96) and India (4th place - 2063.78). Olympic champions Argentina (1967.39) are in fifth, followed by Germany (6th place - 1944.34), England/Great Britain (7th place 1743.77), New Zealand (8th place 1575.00), Spain (9th place - 1559.32) and Canada (10th place - 1417.37). In women’s rankings, The Netherlands (2631.99 points) are 457 ranking points ahead secondplaced Argentina (2174.61), with Germany (2054.28) occupying third position, climbing one place following their Pro League results against Belgium in September. Australia (2012.89) finish the year in fourth place, with England/ Great Britain (1952.74) and New Zealand (1818.98) fifth and sixth respectively. Spain (7th place
- 1802.13), Ireland (8th place 1583.09), India (9th place - 1543.00) and China (10th place - 1521.00) complete the top ten. In January, FIH had introduced its new match-based model for the calculation of the world rankings, with the Pro League matches that were played in early part of the year seeing regular fluctuations in the standings before the Covid-19 global health pandemic brought the competition - and all international hockey - to a standstill in March. The brief return of the competition between September and November saw further exchanges of points between the men’s and women’s national teams of Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Great Britain. The Indian men’s hockey team’s campaign in the ongoing Pro League is scheduled to restart on April 10 and 11, 2021 with a tie against Argentina away from home. They will then play Great Britain away from home on May 8 and 9 before travelling to Spain where they play on May 12 and 13. They then face Germany away on May 18 and 19 and will finally play a home tie on May 29 and 30 against New Zealand. The Indian women’s team is not part of the Pro League tournament.
Table tennis world team championships canceled amid Covid-19 Seoul, Dec 22 (IANS): The 2020 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships was cancelled amid the COVID-19 resurgence in South Korea, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) announced on December 22. The ITTF executive committee met on December 21 with representatives from the continents to cancel the championships, originally scheduled to take place in March in Busan, the South Korean southeast port city, Xinhua news reports. The competition was already postponed three times in 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The daily number of infections here have hovered around 1,000 in recent days, raising the total cases to 51,460 as of midnight December 22. President of the Korea Table Tennis Association (KITA) Ryu
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Seung-min was informed by the South Korean authorities that it would not allow major international sporting events over the next few months. The ITTF said in a statement that the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships will be held after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying it will announce the finalised details of the event in January. In addition, the ITTF executive committee approved the 2021 world rankings, the document of which was made public recently together with an event schedule for the first part of 2021 leading up to the Olympic Games. The ITTF said the new world rankings will see the WTT Grand Smash events have equal world ranking points to the Olympic Games and World Table Tennis Championships.
“The central and state government has to work together and we will provide all necessary financial assistance so they develop with proper infrastructure and manpower, sports science, high quality training and so on. We cannot be satisfied with only one-two medals, we have to be in top 10 in 2028 Olympics,” Rijiju said on December 22. He made these comments while virtually inaugurating eight Khelo India State Centres of Excellence
(KISCEs) across the country.
Stadium, Aizawl
“This is a very important day for sports in India and it is a very important beginning to develop sports culture and excellence in the country. The youth in India is looking for initiatives from the government of India and the state governments,” said Rijiju.
5. Odisha - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar
The Sports Ministry had identified sports facilities in the following eight states to be upgraded to the KISCE. The centres identified are: 1. Nagaland- State Sports Academy, IG Stadium Kohima 2. Manipur - Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal 3. Arunachal Pradesh - Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, Chimpu Itanagar 4. Mizoram - Rajiv Gandhi
6. Telangana - Regional Sports School Hakimpet 7. Karnataka - Sh. Jayaprakash Narayan National Youth Centre Bangalore 8. Kerala - GV Raja Sr. Sec. Sports School Thiruvananthapuram With a vision to make India one of the top 10 countries in 2028 Olympics, the KISCEs would ensure that athletes proficient in a certain sport can be given the world-class specialised training and these centers become the best facilities in the country to train athletes in the priority sport for which they have been earmarked, as per the sports ministry.
Indian spinner asks for removal of name from Ferozeshah Kotla stand New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Bishan Singh Bedi, the legendary leftarm spinner and former India captain, has asked the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to remove his name from a stand named at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium, just a little over two years after he was honoured at an impressive function. Bedi, who captained Delhi to two Ranji Trophy titles in late 1970s, has also renounced his DDCA membership. “I pride myself as a man of immense tolerance and patience, but all that, I’m afraid, is running out. DDCA has truly tested me and forced me to take this drastic action. So, Mr President, I request you to remove my name from the stand named after me with
immediate effect. Also, I hereby renounce my DDCA membership. I’ve taken this decision with sufficient deliberations,” the 74-year-old wrote in an 841-word long letter emailed to DDCA president Rohan Jaitley late on December 22 night. The Kotla stadium has been renamed the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium. Bedi is disappointed and angry at the way the DDCA is functioning under its current president Rohan Jaitley, son of late Arun Jaitley, who was also a DDCA president and against whom Bedi had contested -- and lost -- for the DDCA president’s post in 1999. The proverbial last straw seems to be the manner in which the Delhi senior selectors for the 2020-21
Legendary left-arm spinner and former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi season were chosen recently, through a process that was far from transparent, particularly the bar on the upper age. The age bar of 60 years ruled out former Delhi Ranji Trophy-winning captain Kirti Azad, 61, who had applied for the job. Azad is close to Bedi.
Messi surpasses Pele to become top goal scorer for a single club Barcelona, Dec 23 (IANS): Star striker Lionel Messi has set yet another all-time world record as he has moved past the legendary Pele to become the highest goal scorer ever for a single club. Messi achieved the feat during Barca’s 3-0 win against Valladolid on December 22 evening. The Argentine ace has now scored a staggering 644 goals, all wearing a Barcelona FC shirt, across 17 seasons and 749 games. That surpasses the 643 goals that Pele scored for Santos, until now the world record and one that few people thought would ever been broken. “When I started playing football I never thought I would break any records. And even less the one I achieved today,” Messi posted on Instagram shortly after the game. “I can only thank all those who helped me over the years, my teammates, my family, my friends and all those who support me every day,” he added. Pele had earlier congratulated
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Messi when the latter had equalled his record. “When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path. Like you, I know what it’s like to love wearing Star striker Lionel Messi the same added. shirt every day. Like you, I know Pele, who played his last game for that there is nothing better than Santos in 1974, is counted among the place we feel at home,” Pele one of the greatest players ever to had said in an Instagram post. grace the game. “Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona. Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately, will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much,” he had
There’s another Pele record that Messi has in his sights. The 77 goals that the Brazilian scored for his country are still a South American record. But Messi has 71 for Argentina, and needs just six more to equal that number.
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Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY 2019-20
From ignominy to triumph: Rise of a captain extraordinaire By Vijay Lokapally The triumph of Melbourne should bury the ignominy of Adelaide. It must have been tough for fans of Indian cricket to counter the jibes following the humiliation of being bowled out for 36. It was bizarre and it was obviously unthinkable, given the fabulous batting line up that Virat Kohli commanded. The debacle hurt, and it really hurt the team to an extent that they just worked with one aim – to hit back hard at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was a venue that had been kind to the Indians on their previous visits to Australia and it was no different this time too. A thumping victory meant that parity was restored and India could look at the remaining Tests with some sense of confidence. It can never be easy to come back from a situation that one saw at the end of the Adelaide Test. Some former cricketers made snide remarks about India’s capabilities to make it a competitive series. Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Brad Haddin and former England captain Michael Vaughan dismissed India after the crushing defeat at Adelaide. “Told ya…India are going to get hammered in the Test series… #AusvInd# 4-0,” was Vaughan’s view. Even Waugh had a “4-0”
result in Australia’s favour. They must have been shocked at the turn around. Ravi Shastri described the MCG show as one of India’s finest. “I think this will go down in the annals of Indian cricket - no, world cricket - as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the game. You know to be rolled over for 36 and then three days later to get up and be ready to punch was outstanding. The boys deserve all the credit for the character they have shown. Real character.” The team was not as bad as the 36 all out collapse suggested. But Ajinkya Rahane was handed a team that was low on morale. It was the greatest challenge of his career as he walked out for the toss. Losing the toss was not the best start for Rahane was replacing Kohli as the captain. The team was without Mohammad Shami and lost the experienced Umesh Yadav in the second innings to an injury after he had bowled just 3.3 overs. The team had debutants in Shubman Gill, for Prithvi Shaw, and Mohammed Siraj for Shami. The experienced Wriddhiman Saha made way for Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja came in as a batting all-rounder in place of Kohli. Four changes in the
playing XI were going to test the character of the team. It was not surprising that Indian cricket found a winning combination at the MCG. “We had a lot of positives in Adelaide but at the end of the day it is the result that counts. We were blown away in the second innings in one hour. So when you are blown away, you are blown away,” said Shastri at the end of the recovery at MCG. He had to thank Rahane and the likes of Jadeja and Siraj, not to forget the wily off-spinner R. Ashwin, for the resilience at MCG. Rahane earned praise for his leadership. His composure in testing situations was an innate quality built over years of patience. It was remarkable that Rahane stepped into his new role with such ease. He has never looked flustered on the field but his exceptional calmness at MCG was a confirmation that he was well prepared for the assignment. “A bowler’s captain” was how Ishant Sharma had described Rahane and the Mumbaikar proved it with his firm control over the team. The faith that Rahane had in his bowler comes from his nod to the field they would ask for. In Ashwin’s case, the leg-side trap, and the bowler coming into the
attack within the first hour of play, was a throwback to the era when spinners led the attack. “I liked the line of attack that Ashwin pursued,” remarked spin great Bishan Singh Bedi. Kapil Dev had praise for Siraj. “For a debutant he was exceptional. He can be lethal when the conditions suit him but I was impressed with the fact that he knew his limitations and bowled well within them. Jadeja’s contribution as a batsman lent the balance to the team and the icing on the cake was Rahane with his captaincy and batting. His knock was so crucial in the victory.” Shastri also analysed Rahane’s role aptly. “He is a very shrewd leader, has a good understanding of the game. I thought his calm composure out there helped the debutants as well, helped the bowlers as well. There was a calming influence. In spite of losing Umesh (Yadav), he did a great job.” Rahane indeed did a splendid job and reconfirmed the fact that India does not lose a Test when he scores a century. He has 12 Test centuries along with Gundappa Viswanath’s 14 and Sourav Ganguly’s 16. India never lost the Test in which Viswanath and Ganguly hit a century.
Adelaide was an aberration. “Once in fifty years,” was former India all-rounder Madan Lal’s comment on the collapse in the first Test. He should know since he was part of the team which was bowled out for 42 by England at Lord’s in 1974. The Lord’s episode was remembered in the media as India hit a new low. Having started 2020 with two Test defeats in New Zealand, it was good to see India sign off on the dreadful year on a high with the win at Melbourne. Can they repeat the feats at Sydney and Brisbane? Indian fans look forward to such gifts from their heroes. Mr Vijay Lokapally has been a sports journalist for four decades. He writes for The Hindu and Sportstar.
Pujara’s troubles against Warner names Cummins a ‘concern’ , says Zaheer himself ‘ICC Male Tiktoker of the Decade’
Melbourne, Dec 30 (IANS): David Warner posted a photo of himself being named in the ICC Awards of the Decade for the ‘Sir G.P. Muthu Award for ICC Male Tiktoker of the Decade’ on his Instagram handle and said that he thought he would be a joint winner with India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. “No, sir, you the best,” Chahal said in an equally tongue-in-cheek reply on the post. Warner became an Instagram and Tik Tok celebrity due to the videos he posted on the social media platforms with his family when the cricket calendar was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic this year. Most of the videos were of the family dancing to Telugu songs, in tune with him being the captain of SunRisers Hyderabad whom he
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was supposed to be playing for in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at that time of the year. The IPL was, however, postponed due to the pandemic and was held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10. Warner made it to the ICC’s team of the decade for ODIs and and Tests as an opener along with Rohit Sharma and Alastair Cook respectively. He, however, missed out on individual awards while his Australia team mate Steve Smith was named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Decade. After missing out Australia’s first two Tests against India due to a groin injury, Warner is set to return for the third Test that will be played in Sydney from January 7.
Melbourne, Dec 30 (IANS): Australian speedster Pat Cummins having the upper hand over Indian batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara is an area of concern for India but it is also symptomatic of batsmen finding it difficult to score runs throughout the series, former fast bowler Zaheer Khan has said. Pujara, who scored 521 runs at an average of 74.42 on India’s previous tour of Australia in 2018, has been dismissed three out of four times by Cummins in the first two Tests of the four-match series. The batsman is yet to score a half-century. “There is no doubt that it is a topic of concern. But it is similar to the way we were talking about Steve Smith, that he will get the feel, he said he found his grip in the one-dayers,” said Zaheer on Sony Sports Network. “He has to figure out that thing because it was the same attack against whom he had scored three centuries in the last series. Yes, the angle of Cummins’s deliveries are troubling him and somewhere or the other I feel this is formrelated.” Zaheer said that Pujara may have to reconsider his trigger movement and could be helped by revisiting the 2018/19 tour. “It could be the trigger movement; he might have to go back down memory lane and think about it. He just has to get that feel,” he said. “Yes, if Pat Cummins had not played in the previous series and
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not exploited his weakness like this, then it would have been a different thing but he has played him in the last series and scored centuries when he was there.” Commentators have often observed that Pujara has been felled by extremely good deliveries from Cummins, who is
the top ranked Test bowler in the world. Zaheer feels that it is only a matter of time before the India’s Test batting stalwart comes good. “I think it is a matter of time. We should see it from that viewpoint but at this moment, you can say that it has become a slight area of concern,” he said.
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Akshay, Sara, Dhanush shoot in Agra for ‘Atrangi Re’
CIU to probe Hrithik Roshan’s ‘impersonation’ case Mumbai, Dec 14 (IANS): The Mumbai Police has transferred a complaint of stalking and impersonation lodged four years ago by Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, to the Crime Branch, officials said here on December 14. In the complaint against an unknown person, Hrithik had said the accused was allegedly speaking with actress Kangana Ranaut on his behalf from an email ID. Following a request by Hrithik’s lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani and Gunjan Mangla to the Mumbai
Agra, Dec 22 (IANS): Shooting for the last schedule of the film ‘Atrangi Re’ featuring Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush continued for the second day in local marketplaces, after a stint at the Taj Mahal on December 21. Actor Akshay Kumar was seen dressed up as emperor Shah Jahan during the shoot. A big crowd followed the actors when they were shooting at the city’s Ghatia Market on December 22 morning. Agra has emerged as a favoured
shooting locale for a number of filmmakers in the past couple of years. In October 2019, ‘Rooh Afza’ starring Janhvi Kapoor was shot here. Sources said that due to favourable conditions and open invitation from UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, a number of films are likely to be shot in and around Agra. The Greater Noida film city project has also drawn positive reactions from the film fraternity.
India to host Global Film Summit in 2021: Indian Broadcasting minister New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS): India will host a Global Media and Film Summit next year and it will also set up a special pavilion at Cannes in 2022 on the occasion of Cannes Film Festival’s 75 years celebrations, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said on December 16. Javadekar made the announcement while addressing the CII Big Picture Summit through video conferencing in which he mentioned that “we are a country where growth of communication technology is phenomenal and this presents a tremendous scope for entertainment and media industry”. The minister remarked “Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) is a sunrise sector and our experts are providing back-end support to top filmmakers of the world”. He added that it was time that these professionals started doing more of this for our own films so that the use of animation and graphics in Indian films grows manifold. Javadekar also announced that the government is forming a Centre of Excellence in cooperation with IIT-Bombay where courses in AVGC will be provided. Moreover, he said, the Centre will undertake initiatives to promote
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entrepreneurship and encourage start-ups in the sector. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Amit Khare referred to amendment in allocation of business rules in November saying the idea behind the change was to bring content at one place while keeping platforms at another place. Khare also said that the media and entertainment industry has grown and we must facilitate the industry. This pandemic, he said, has opened new avenues like educational technologies and Indian gaming which also have an export potential. With the year 2022 being the 75th year of India’s independence, celebrations of which will take place within the country and outside, the secretary invited the industry to help project India’s soft power through media and entertainment. Khare also invited the participants of the summit to the 51st IFFI which will be celebrated in a hybrid mode.
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Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, the case will now be probed by the elite Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Crime Branch. In the past, the police forensic experts could not ascertain any facts about the email ID which was located in the US and hence filed a nil report in June 2017. Hrithik’s lawyers pointed out to Singh that despite the Magistrate’s order directing the police to return the actor’s laptop and mobile phone submitted for the probe, he had not collected it yet to enable the police to
complete the probe and catch the real culprit. Officials are hopeful that with the case now having been handed over to the CIU, the real culprit may be traced in the case.
Gal Gadot hints at crossover between Wonder Woman and Black Adam Los Angeles, Dec 22 (IANS): Hollywood actress Gal Gadot says she would be keen on her superhero avatar Wonder Woman teaming up with Black Adam, soon to be portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. In an interview to MTV News, Gadot teased a crossover between Wonder Woman and Black Adam, reports dailymail.co.uk. “I think that first of all, let’s give Black Adam the respect of Black Adam. I don’t want to come and steal anybody’s thunder. It’s The Rock, come on, I can’t steal his thunder. But maybe in the future, who knows,” said the 35-year-old. Gadot will soon be seen with Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in “Red Notice”, and admitted that she enjoyed reuniting with her co-stars after working with them on previous projects. She played the role of Gisele Yashar in three “Fast & Furious” movies. She has shared that there are no plans for her character to
Hollywood actress Gal Gadot make a return to the franchise. Asked about returning to the franchise, the actress said: ‘Oh wow, I don’t know. I have no idea. Right now it’s not on my to-do list.” At the moment, she is excited about the release of Wonder Woman 1984. She said she never thought women could
be superheroes when she was growing up. “When I grew up, there weren’t many strong female characters to look up to. I remember being a kid and a scaredy cat. I was afraid of the dark, and whenever I thought a thief was going to come, or whatever, my dad, Superman, was going to save the day,” she said.
Katrina Kaif champions right to education Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS): Bollywood star Katrina Kaif on December 22 posted a video emphasising on right to education and increased access to quality education without discrimination.
“Let us do our bit so that more and more children can fulfil their dreams. Considering the tough times we are in, it is even more important to be there for one another,” she added.
In the Instagram video, Katrina urges everyone to come forward and contribute towards creating classrooms, so that children coming from underprivileged homes can access quality English medium education.
Katrina has extended a helping hand to a school in Madurai, Tamil Nadu that has actively been working towards educating children, especially girls, since 2015.
“So proud to present to you all, the school built from the ground up by my mom and her charity. Since 2015, Mountain View School in Madurai has actively been working to provide quality English-medium education to lesser privileged children. They currently teach two hundred students, have classrooms up to grade four and need to add 14 more,” Katrina captioned the video.
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“Educating children has many positive effects. They have the power to transform society and shape mindsets. Educating boys will help bring about a shift in their attitude towards girls. Education is empowering. It makes you confident and selfreliant. I have always seen my mother actively engage in causes related to the upliftment of the underprivileged and she has always motivated me to do my bit,” said Katrina.
The school currently has classrooms up to standard five. They are now in need of 14 more rooms, which include 10 classrooms that will take the school to standard eight, besides a teachers’ room, a computer lab, a science lab and a library. As a part of the campaign by Relief Projects India, Katrina has urged to make donations so that the school can continue its work towards providing education to underprivileged village children. The actress will join hands with Relief Projects India and Mountain View School to work towards an increased level of education for children of the village community and a higher level of awareness on issues such as female infanticide and foeticide, and the importance of the girl child.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Mona Singh opens up on journey from New Jersey Senate and General Assembly honour Dharmendra ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’ to ‘Black Widows’ New York, Dec 22 (IANS): Bollywood veteran Dharmendra was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the State of New Jersey in the United States, by a Joint Legislative Resolution passed by the Senate and the General Assembly.
Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS): Actress Mona Singh has opened up about her journey from Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin in the 2000s, to her latest series, Black Widows. She says the common thing between the two shows is that both were adaptations that released in over 100 countries.
Both houses of the Legislature approved the Resolution recognising the actor’s immeasurable contribution to Hindi cinema over the course of his career of six decades and across 300-odd films in which he appeared.
“The common thing between the two shows is that both were adapted and released in 119 countries,” Mona said. Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin was adapted from the show Ugly Betty, featuring America Ferrera, while Black Widows is a remake of a Nordic series of the same name. Black Widows follows three best friends who are in abusive marriages, and whose lives are in for a twist when their husbands die suddenly. Mona says her journey has been incredible.
Indian TV actress Mona Singh “I never looked back after doing ‘Jassi’. I am fortunate enough to keep getting good roles and things that challenge me, I have done theatre, I have done hosting and now OTT. I’m completely enjoying this space, and I’m also
happy about the fact that people have been kind to OTT platforms and are watching different kinds of shows and content. It is very satisfying for an actor as well as a viewer,” she said.
New normal shoots feel like operation theatres, says Raveena Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS): Actress Raveena has resumed studio work in the city, after returning from a marathon shooting schedule in Himachal Pradesh recently. She jokingly says that life in the studios amid the new normal takes some getting used to. This is because the atmosphere in the studios, with crew dressed in PPE
gear, looks more like an operation theatre! Raveena was at a dubbing studio when she made the observation. She posted a picture from inside the studio, where one can see crew members in PPE suits. Raveena clicked a selfie wearing a mask. Along with the selfie she also posted a few pictures seemingly
from an ethnic photo-op. “Back to Mumbai and getting used to working ,#thenewnormal way. Seems like operation theatres more than a dubbing theatre. But then, the show must go on and we all need to learn to be safe and adapt,” she wrote on her verified Instagram account with the images.
Radhika Apte: Won’t opt for work out of pressure anymore New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS): Actress Radhika Apte has realised she was doing a lot of work just because of the fear of missing out (FOMO), and says she is now determined not to take up work under pressure. The realisation dawned on her when the world was under lockdown due to the Covid-19 crisis. “I realised that I’m grateful to get a lot of work and I have chosen work only when I wanted to do it. But there were a lot of other things I was doing with work, which are part of work and are a part of my job. I was doing these just out of FOMO,” Radhika told IANS via zoom call. “I did so just because I didn’t want to miss out or just because others were doing it. In this time, when no one was doing anything, I was really chilled. I didn’t want to do it either,” she added. The actress continued: “I realised, ‘Oh, I wanted to do it because others were doing it. If others don’t do it, I don’t want to do it’. So, just to distinguish between what you really want to do and what you’re doing out of pressure -- that’s what I’ve learned in these few months and I don’t want to do things out of pressure anymore. Let’s see how long that lasts.” Radhika entered the industry with
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a small role in the 2005 release “Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!”, and went on to do films like “Shor In The City”, “Kabali”, “Phobia”, “Badlapur” and the short film “Ahalya”.
Acknowledging the award, Dharmendra thanked Bollywood Insider, and said: “I am extremely happy with this honour and proud to receive this one-of-a-kind award.” The award was conferred upon the veteran actor via a zoom event organised by Bollywood Insider, a premier publication of Hindi cinema in the United States. Dharmendra was considered “for the first ever historic award by a US State Legislature for an Indian actor, for his contribution to bringing international recognition to Indian cinema, through tens of millions of his fans around the world,” said its publisher Varinder Bhalla. Initial plans to invite the actor to receive the award at the New Jersey Senate were shelved due to Covid-19 related travel restrictions. Senator Michael Doherty, who
Radhika is currently seen in “A Call To Spy”, the international production capturing the story Bollywood actress Radhika Apte of three female spies that you can watch. It’s just during World War II. In the film, literature and photographs. She Radhika plays British spy Noor is a very unique personality, not Inayat Khan, also known as Nora just because of a geographical Baker, who served in the Special diversity, but because of a Operations Executive during the spiritual inclination, and her war. philosophy, and her reasons Looking back at the challenges of behind participating in the war.” playing the role, Radhika shared: The spy drama is directed by “The biggest challenge is when you are trying to portray a real life Lydia Dean Pilcher, written and produced by Sarah Megan person. It is so difficult because Thomas, who also stars in the you have a huge responsibility, film along with Stana Katic. The you can’t just come up with film released in India on Amazon things. So, it was difficult because Prime Video. there are no clips or anything
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Ambassador Jaiswal thanked Senator Doherty for leading the Resolution in the New Jersey Legislature to honour “a timeless hero and a great son of India, which was not only a matter of pride for Dharmendra and his family but also for India”.
Society, cinema, media played praiseworthy role in pandemic too: Indian minister New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS): Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on December 14 said that the government, society, cinema and media in India have played a commendable role with courage, commitment and caution during the coronavirus pandemic.
The actress is credited for breaking the stereotypical image of the Bollywood heroine with her roles in “Phobia”, “Badlapur”, “Manjhi: The Mountain Man”, “Lust Stories”, “Sacred Games”, “Pad Man” and “Ghoul”.
Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra introduced the Resolution in the Senate joined India’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Randhir Jaiswal, Bollywood Insider publisher Bhalla, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, publisher of News India Times, and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula to confer the award to Dharmendra via zoom conference. Senator Doherty announced that the Resolution was unanimously passed by all 40 Senators and 80 members of the General Assembly.
In his address at the “International Coronavirus Short Film Festival” at the New Delhi Municipal Corporation Convention Centre, he said that short films played a crucial role in making the people aware of challenges of the corona pandemic. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, renowned film personalities, diplomats, journalists, intellectuals and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. More than 2,800 films from 108 countries are participating in the festival and are based on cure, safety measure and lives during the pandemic. In his address, Javadekar said that the idea of organising a film festival to celebrate short films made on coronavirus was wonderful.
Naqvi said that due to the corona pandemic, shooting of films had largely been postponed for a long time. During this crisis, short films not only entertained the people but also made them aware of corona challenge. Different channels, be it news channels, entertainment channels, sports or business channels, all played a praiseworthy role regarding spreading awareness, he added. He said that history is a witness to the fact that whenever there is a crisis in the country, the government, society, cinema and media all have together performed their respective responsibilities with complete honesty in national interest and human welfare.
Indian Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
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