Indian Abroad July 16-31, 2021, Vol 1 Issue 11 by IndianAbroad

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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India logs 41K Covid cases New Covid assistance package & 581 deaths in 24 hours announced for New South Wales Photo Courtesy: Hindustan Times

Photo Courtesy: Kabar24

Sudha Manian: A melodious musical journey -Page 5

Sikh Community, NSW government reach consensus on rules for donning kirpan -Page 9

‘Yeh mera deewanapan hai..’: Dilip Kumar’s incomparable acting, inspiring life -Page 7

Need to enlighten youth on ‘Arsha Dharma’ ethics: TTD -Page 20

New Delhi, July 15: India reported 41,806 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, and 581 deaths due to the coronavirus, said the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Thursday. There has been less than one lakh new coronavirus cases for the last 37 days. The active cases have now come down below 5 lakh. The country has 4,32,041 active cases presently and has witnessed a total of 4,11,989 deaths so far. According to the Union Health Ministry, a total of 39,130 people were discharged in the last 24 hours, taking the total discharge to 3,01,43,850 till date.

The Ministry said that a total of 39,13,40,491 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 34,97,058 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 43,80,11,958 samples have been tested up to July 14 for Covid-19. Of these 19,43,488 samples were tested on Wednesday. On July 6, India recorded 553 deaths -- lowest since April 6. This was after May 23 when India saw record fatalities with 4,454 deaths in 24 hours at the peak of the second wave. The first death in the country due to the pandemic was reported in March 2020.

Australian unemployment falls to decade low Photo Courtesy: News Track English

Food & Cusine: Coconut Laddoo & Mathari Page 28

Why India is a spiritual tourism hub -Page 30

Sydney, July 13: The government of Australia's New South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday announced an economic support package worth over A$5 billion, aiming to help businesses and people across the state amid the current Covid-19 lockdown. The commitment will be up to A$5.1 billion, including the funding from the Commonwealth as part of a business and employee support program, reports Xinhua news agency. The business grants program announced two weeks ago has been expanded, with grants between A$7,500 and A$15,000 available to

Canberra, July 15: Australia's unemployment rate fell to 4.9 per cent in June from 5.1 per cent in May, the lowest level in about a decade, according to the labour force data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday. It marks the eighth consecutive month that the rate has fallen and the lowest unemployment figure since December 2010 despite that Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria state, spent early June in a coro-

navirus lockdown, reports Xinhua news agency. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the data was a testament to the "resilience" of the Australian economy. "It doesn't, however, take into account the New South Wales (NSW) lockdown -- a reminder of the challenging days ahead," he said. NSW on Wednesday announced to extend the lockdown on the Greater Sydney and surrounding areas for at

least another two weeks. The number of unemployed Australians actively looking to work fell to about 679,000 in June compared to a peak of 1 million in July 2020. Youth unemployment dropped half a percentage point to 10.2 per cent, which was 1.4 percentage points below the rate at the start of the pandemic. However, the total number of hours worked by Australians fell 1.8 per cent in June from May. "Hours worked data continues to provide the best indicator of the extent of labour market impacts from lockdowns," Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said in a statement. "Hours worked in Victoria fell by 8.4 per cent in June, compared with a 0.3 per cent fall in employment. This highlights the extent to which people in Victoria had reduced hours or no work through the lockdown, without necessarily losing their jobs."

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

Finally yes to dressing up again, yet no to trends? -Page 33

Taapsee Pannu: There is no industry without competition, stress today -Page 35

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Wimbledon: Ex-cricketer Ashleigh clinches title in three sets London, July 11: World No.1 Novak Djokovic defeated Italy's Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final on Sunday to clinch his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam crown overall. The Serb celebrated his victory by chewing on the grass from the hallowed centre court. By winning the title on Sunday, the Serb top seed joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the other two members of the Big Three, as the players with the most number of Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era. Continued on page 26

London, July 10: World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia won the women’s singles title at the Wimbledon Championships here on Saturday, beating eighth seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in three sets 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes.

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eligible businesses. Thousands of employees will also be protected with NSW committing a new business and employee support program to be delivered together with the federal government. Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium, and residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants can apply for a grant or land tax reductions depending on their circumstances. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the package has three key aims

- protecting business, saving and keeping jobs through the lockdown, and ensuring people had support during an uncertain and difficult time. "While our health and medical staff are fighting Covid-19 on the frontline, this comprehensive support package is aimed at saving jobs and protecting businesses until the lockdown is over," Berejiklian said. The fund will also be used to support sectors such as micro businesses, performing arts, accommodation and mental health.

NZ suspends quarantine free travel with Victoria Photo Courtesy: Pexel

Wellington, July 15: Quarantine free travel between New Zealand and Australia's Victoria state will be suspended from Friday, a Minister announced here on Thursday. In a statement, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the decision followed updated public health advice from New Zealand officials and a growing number of cases and locations of interest, Xinhua news agency. The suspension will last for at least four days and be subject to further review on July 19, he said. "As with previous pauses, we acknowledge the frustration and inconvenience that comes with

any interruption to Trans-Tasman travel, but given the ongoing level of uncertainty around transmission in Melbourne, this is the right action to take," the Minister said. The suspension means anyone who has been in Victoria after 1.59 a.m. on Friday cannot travel to New Zealand from any state in Australia until further notice, he said. Quarantine free travel from Australia's New South Wales state remains paused and managed return flights are still in place meaning travellers will have to go into managed isolation for 14 days after arriving in New Zealand, Hipkins said.

India's 1st Covid patient turns positive again Thiruvananthapuram, July 13: The country's first Covid positive case was a medical student who had arrived from Wuhan in China to her hometown in Thrissur in January last year. One and a half years later she has once again turned positive, as per reports on Tuesday. According to the medical authorities, she wanted to make an air trip to Delhi and for that she underwent

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the Covid test. Much to everyone's surprise she tested positive. According to the authorities she is yet to take her first vaccine shot. The medical authorities said that there was nothing to worry about and she is asymptomatic as of now. After her return from Wuhan, she has not gone back and had been continuing her classes online, from her home.

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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LEAD STORIES

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

COVID IN INDIA

Centre directs states to regulate crowded places to avoid 3rd wave Photo Courtesy: IANS

Ganga is Covid-free: Scientists Photo Courtesy: IANS

Lucknow, July 8: The Ganga River has been declared Covid free. The finding bears significance in the backdrop of the fact that BSIP scientists had earlier found traces of the SARS-CoV2 virus in the water of Gomti river in Lucknow. After a two-month research by medical and genetic experts of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, it has been found that the Ganga river has no trace of the pandemic causing coronavirus. BSIP scientist Niraj Rai, who heads the Covid Lab at the institute, said: "Our team extracted RNA and performed an RT-PCR test for all the

samples with a true positive and negative sample. Surprisingly, none of the samples collected from the Ganga showed any trace of the viral RNA. However, samples collected from river Gomti did show the presence of viral RNA." RNA (RiboNucleic acid) extraction is the purification of RNA from biological samples. This procedure is complicated by the ubiquitous presence of ribonuclease enzymes in cells and tissues, which can rapidly degrade RNA. Prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey of the department of zoology, BHU, said: "A joint team of BHU and BSIP investigated possible presence of the coronavirus in the Ganga as many

experts had expressed contrasting views after human bodies were found floating in the river during May 2021." He said that to investigate possible traces of the virus in the Ganga, the team collected two samples every week for seven weeks from Varanasi city, beginning May 15 to July 3. The sample collecting point as well as the process to test the sample was the same every time. He stated that his team had found presence of the virus in the Gomti water even after the treatment of sewage water at two sewage treatment plants (STPs) of Lucknow. "The virus was found in Gomti last year (September 2020) as well as this year (May 21)," he added. The finding is also important as it has been conducted amid apprehension that water of river Ganga may have been contaminated after several bodies were found floating in rivers Ganga and Yamuna. A large number of bodies were also buried on their banks during the peak of the pandemic. Prof V.N. Mishra of the BHU's department of neurosciences, one of the key contributors of this study, said: "The finding implies that Ganga water has some exceptional property due to some natural 'phage viruses' present in the water. We are exploring more to understand this phenomenon."

2,020 families to get compensation for Covid deaths on poll duty

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Lucknow, July 14: Families of 2,020 government employees who died of Covid during the Panchayat poll duty will receive Rs 30 lakh each in compensation from the Uttar Pradesh government. Additional Chief Secretary (Panchayati Raj) Manoj Kumar Singh said that 3,092 applications had been received under revised protocols for determining death on duty from Covid and 2,020 cases were recommended as eligible for compensa-

tion. "There are an additional 10 to 20 cases which will be forwarded to the state advisory board on Covid. Once they confirm the eligibility, their families will also receive compensation," he said. Under the earlier definition of 'death on duty', the government had identified 74 government employees who died of Covid and non-Covid reasons. The rules stated that compensation

would be given only if the employee died on duty or during travel to and from place of duty, which factored in a day or maximum two, depending on how far the employee travelled. However, various employees' associations protested and claimed that more employees had succumbed to Covid while on duty. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the chief secretary and Panchayati Raj officials to request the Election Commission to amend rules to reflect the impact of the pandemic. The state cabinet on May 31 approved the changed rules under which ex-gratia would be granted if Covid death took place within 30 days of the date of election duty. Those who tested negative, but died of post-Covid complications within a timeframe would also be considered for compensation. The government has considered a positive RT-PCR or antigen test, blood report or CT scan of the chest as evidence of Covid infection. In the cases forwarded for review to the advisory board, Singh said, RT-PCR or antigen reports were missing, but doctor's prescription, blood tests showing high CRP value and proof of treatment as Covid presumptive case were attached.

New upskilling initiative focuses on Covid widows, survivors

Photo Courtesy: IANS

n a bid to help women from families that have lost their breadwinners to Covid-19 in the recent surge in India, the IC3 Institute, a U.S. non-profit, will enable them with training and employment opportunities. These women will be trained as career counselors and connected with full-time employment opportunities within IC3's global network of high schools, says

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the Institute. "The battle against Covid-19 is far from over as communities grapple with the socio-economic aftermath of the diseases such as hunger, poverty, and unemployment. One such challenge is the loss of the breadwinner in many families. The recent mortality analysis of Covid-19 deaths indicate a higher number of male deaths than females. This results

in the possibility of death of a male member in the family, who in the case of traditional Indian families, is often the breadwinner. Women have lost their husbands, daughters have lost their fathers and parents have lost their sons- perhaps the sole earner of the family. We came across countless stories of such women and their unimaginable suffering because of the pandemic in India. After losing loved ones, they now stand at the brink of imminent poverty, a cycle it will take them a couple of generations to come out of. "The roles and responsibilities of many of the women from these families have changed overnight. With no breadwinner in the family, these women need to find employment and provide for their families or else the family will be pushed into poverty. Interim relief measures provided by the government and community organizations can provide tempo-

New Delhi, July 14: The central government on Wednesday asked all states and the Union Territories (UTs) to issue strict directions to district and other local authorities concerned to regulate the crowded places and take necessary measures for management of Covid-19. The direction comes in the wake of "blatant violations" of Covid norms in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and hill stations at a time when third wave of the deadly virus has already started in various countries and there is possibility that it will hit India if people fail in following appropriate safety measures specified by the government. In an advisory to Chief Secretaries of all states, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made it clear that the officers concerned should be made personally responsible for any laxity in strict enforcement of Covid appropriate behaviour. The advisory sent by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also advised that orders issued by the respective state governments or UT administrations, district authorities in this

regard should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for their proper implementation. Referring to MHA's June 29 order issued for the implementation of targeted and prompt action for Covid-19 management in line with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisory dated June 28, Bhalla mentioned there is need to ensure if the norms of Covid appropriate behaviour are not maintained at any establishment, premises, markets, such places shall be liable for the re-imposition of restrictions. The advisory made it clear that such actions are necessary for containing the spread of Covid-19, and that "the defaulter shall also be liable for action under the relevant laws". The MHA advisory came after reports of massive crowds thronging the marketplaces violating norms of social distancing and consequently increased in 'R' factor (Reproduction number) in some of the states -- a matter of concern. The advisory warned that "any increase in 'R' factor above 1.0 is an indicator of spread of Covid".

"Therefore, it is important that authorities concerned shall be made responsible for ensuring Covid appropriate behaviour in all crowded places, such as shops, malls, weekly markets, market complexes, restaurants and bars, mandis, bus stations, railway platforms or stations, public parks and gardens, gymnasiums, banquet halls, sports complexes, as well as areas identified as hotspots for transmission of Covid-19 virus." Emphasising that the second wave of Covid is not yet over, Bhalla writes, "We ought to remember that while the reach of vaccination is increasing considerably, there is no room for complacency and hence Covid appropriate behaviour must continue in line with our philosophy of "dawai bhi, kadai bhi (medicine as well as restrictions)." The Home Secretary stressed that the testing needs to be continued with the same vigour, as adequate testing is extremely essential in terms of checking the virus and early identification of cases. "You would appreciate that we must guard ourselves against complacency and laxity, which creep in as positivity declines. Instead, during the periods of low positivity, efforts must be stepped up to prevent any probable future surge." The advisory also stressed on the need for continuous focus on the five-fold strategy for effective management of Covid-19 -- Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour. The Home Ministry issued the advisory a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags crowding issue while interacting with chief ministers of northeast states, saying "the crowds at hill stations and markets where people are not wearing masks or following Covid-19 protocols are a matter of concern".

'Flight Commander' Scindia takes control of Civil Aviation Ministry Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 9: India's Civil Aviation sector got a new commander to manoeuvre the industry out of the Covid turbulence, as Jyotiraditya Scindia took charge of the ministry on Friday. Accordingly, the Union Minister took charge of the ministry headquartered at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here. He succeeds Hardeep Singh Puri who has now got the Ministry of Petroleum and retains the Urban Affairs Ministry. Besides, former Army chief-turned-politician General V.K. Singh (retd), the Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and rary comfort, but is nowhere close to being a sustainable and long-term solution. Without any employable skill/training or a livelihood opportunity, how will these women provide for their families in the long run," the Institute told IANSlife. According to Ganesh Kohli, Founder, IC3 Movement and Chair, Board of Trustees, IC3 Institute, through the initiative, women from distressed families will be provided financial aid and welfare, training and education to become career counselors, upskilling to prepare them to join the modern workforce, and socio-emotional counseling and life skills training, and will be linked to schools in their region to ensure sustainable employment opportunities.

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Highways, is also the new Minister of State for Civil Aviation. The sector is one of the hardest impacted by the Covid pandemic. At present, airlines and airports are running into massive financial and job losses. However, the sector, despite the eco-

nomic fallout, has successfully been able to transform its image from elitist to essential. The two ministers will now face the daunting task of Air India's divestment as well as reinvigorating the sector via infrastructure development.

"As the second wave raged through the country, naturally, the focus for most funders and SPOs (Social Purpose Organizations) was directed towards providing relief. But, dialogues and a changing narrative on how to provide sustenance and ensure sustainable livelihood to the affected families must begin," he says. "The training will be provided in a blended learning format, with a mixture of online and in-person learning. The cost of their travel, accommodation, and food for the week of in-person training will be covered by the IC3 Institute. As the training proceeds, we will connect them to schools in their region to ensure sustainable employment opportuni-

ties," says Kohli. The IC3 Institute is currently raising funds to mobilize this initiative. The goal is to enable and empower 500 such women from underserved backgrounds that have lost their family earners to Covid-19. "We plan to achieve this number over a period of 2 years. We have already identified 50 such women with the help of our Advocacy Partner Covid Widows (#RiseAgain). We are starting the training program from September 2021 with the first batch of 150 women. Parallelly, we are also speaking to school stakeholders to create and offer full time employment opportunities in their schools for these women," says the non-profit.

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Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

PM Modi praises Yogi for 'unparalleled' handling of Covid crisis Photo Courtesy: IANS

Varanasi, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday termed the handling of the second wave of Covid by the Yogi Adityanath government as 'unparalleled' and said that the state had stood up and battled the pandemic efficiently. He said that the Covid management in Uttar Pradesh was worthy of praise. Modi, while addressing a gathering on his one-day visit to Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, also expressed his admiration for the Corona-warriors and frontline officials and said that whenever he made midnight calls to learn about the situation, he found concerned

officials on duty. The Prime Minister also hailed Uttar Pradesh for "the maximum number of vaccinations in the country". "Uttar Pradesh has built up medical infrastructure in a record span of time during the pandemic. More than 550 oxygen plants have been set up. Medical facilities have reached the rural interiors and this will help in the future too," he said. He also pointed out that there had been a four-fold increase in the number of medical colleges in the state. The Prime Minister's praise of the Yogi Adityanath government is significant since it comes at a time

when the state government has actually faced widespread criticism over its handling of the pandemic. Talking about his constituency, the Prime Minister said, "Kashi does not stop, does not show weariness even in adversity. Kashi and UP have fought back valiantly in adversity." Announcing projects worth Rs 1,500 crore for Varanasi, he said that development was taking place with the blessings of Lord Shiva. "At the moment, work is going on in projects worth Rs 8,000 crore. From a 100 bed hospital in BHU, 50 bed addition in district hospital, eye hospital, national highways, over bridges, underground wiring, drinking water facilities -- we are focusing on all sectors," the Prime Minister said. Modi also said that special focus was being made on improving tourist facilities. He said that LED and information boards were being put up on the ghats of the Ganga river and people would be able to watch the 'Ganga aarti' and the 'aarti at Kashi Vishwanath Dham' from anywhere. He also announced better facilities for boatmen.

PM Modi inaugurates 'Rudraksha' in Varanasi Photo Courtesy: IANS

Drone spotted and destroyed over Jammu Air Force Station

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Jammu, July 15: Another drone was spotted in the area of Air Force Station in Jammu city which was jammed and destroyed by using anti-drone technology by the Air Force. The drone was detected in the early hours of Thursday. Drones have been spotted in Jammu city over military installations and near the International Border in Jammu district ever since two drones used by the terrorists damaged an office building and caused injuries to two personnel at the Air Force station in Jammu on June 27, 2021. Air Force Station drone attack in Jammu is being probed by the NIA. Defence sources said the armed forces have already equipped military installations and other sensitive locations with anti-drone facilities which were recently acquired.

There are forces at work with a very different agenda in Afghanistan: Jaishankar

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 14: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the future of Afghanistan cannot be its past and the world is against seizure of power by violence and force and it will not legitimise such actions. In his address at the meeting of the SCO foreign ministers' contact group on Afghanistan in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Jaishankar also emphasised the need for ensuring that Kabul's neighbours are not "threatened by terrorism, separatism and extremism". "The challenge is to act seriously and sincerely on these beliefs. Because there are forces at work with a very different agenda. The world is against seizure of power by violence and force. It will not legitimise such actions," Jaishankar said. He also called for ceasing violence and terrorist attacks against civilians and state representatives and pitched for settling conflict through political dialogue, and by respecting the interests of all ethnic groups. The EAM said the world, the region and the Afghan people all want an "independent, neutral, unified, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation". "Peace negotiation in earnest is the only answer. An acceptable compro-

mise that reflects the Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process is essential. The future of Afghanistan cannot be its past," he tweeted. "A whole new generation has different expectations. We should not let them down," Jaishankar added. The Doha process, Moscow format and Istanbul process are separate frameworks for dialogue to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to

Tajikistan on the invitation of Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin to take part in the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. The meeting discussed the achievements of the organisation as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its formation this year. It will also assess the preparation for the upcoming SCO Council of Heads of States on September 16-17 2021 in Dushanbe and exchange views on the current international and regional issues.

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Varanasi, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated 'Rudraksha', an International Cooperation and Convention Centre that offers a glimpse of the cultural richness of the ancient city of Kashi. Constructed with Japanese assistance, the state-of-the-art centre will make Varanasi an attractive destination for conferences, thus drawing more tourists and business community to the city. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that 'Rudraksha' was an amalgam of Kashi's ancient heritage as well as its modern outlook. He said that the project was also a symbol of Indo-Japanese friendship that has stood the test of time. The Prime Minister said that Varanasi needed a convention centre with modern amenities in view of its cultural and economic importance. "Kavi sammelans that are a part of Kashi's culture can be held here," he said. Meanwhile, as many as 108 Rudraksha have been installed at the convention centre and its roof is shaped like a Shivaling. Officials further said that the entire building will glow with LED lights at night and will be an environment-friendly building, fit for level 3 of Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA). The two-storied convention centre has been built in Sigra area on 2.87 hectares of land and has a seating capacity of 1,200 people. The officials said the project aims to provide opportunities for social and cultural interactions between people at the international convention centre in Varanasi. This is expected to strengthen the city's competitiveness by developing its tourism sector. It is ideal for holding international conferences, exhibitions and music concerts and other events and the gallery is done up with murals depicting Varanasi's art, culture and

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music, officials said. The Japan International Cooperation Agency-assisted Varanasi International Cooperation and Convention Centre's (VCC) main hall can be partitioned into smaller spaces when needed.

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The VCC will be equipped with adequate security and safety systems. It will have a regular entrance, a service entrance and a separate VIP entrance, making it an ideal destination for holding all types of international events.

DESI ACHIEVERS

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

SUDHA MANIAN

A melodious musical journey

egarded as one of the finest sitar players in all of Queensland, Sudha Manian has performed at numerous festivals throughout Australia, including the Brisbane International Jazz Festival , Festuri Festival, Shepperton Music Festival among others. As a solo artist in Australia, Sudha has performed traditional Indian classical music on a number of platforms and has collaborated with other diverse artists to compose, create and perform fusion music. Let us read her life’s story in her own words. Could you throw some light on the kind of childhood that you had in your home country? I grew up in a typical middle class Tamil Brahmin family with mum, dad and my older sister in Secunderabad. I was taught to value the smallest of things, work hard and make something of my life. It was in 1982-83, at the age of 8 years, my dear parents introduced me to this magnificent world of Sitar and Bharatnatyam. It was more so my father’s desire to see me play the Sitar. My Sitar guru Shri. G.V Shreeramulu was a very colourful Hyderabadi who was entrusted with this upheaval task of teaching me Sitar. How he dealt with me as a somewhat grumpy 8-year-old and started teaching me the nuances of Hindustani classical music would have been a feat on its own. So, the journey began where I spent many years taking lessons from Gurus in Sitar and Bharatnatyam. Furthermore, I also took Sitar and dance exams offered by Akhil Bharitya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and I kept up my performances and participation in competitions too. You have mentioned that you learned the sitar mainly at your parents’ insistence. When did you yourself begin to love it? I lived the next eight years of my life as though I was in a cocoon. I saw very little outside of school, Sitar and Bharatanatyam. I did enjoy what I did; however, when I sit back and think about it now the reality is I did it all just to keep the peace in the house. I don’t think I have admitted this in the past but this is the reality. A large part of my drive was actually to not upset my father. I started playing Sitar because my father wanted me to and not because I hail from some musically accomplished ancestry. My father, a mechanical engineer ran the house with an iron fist. As loving as he was, he certainly commanded respect from everyone and insubordination was never tolerated. He would sit in the room next door whilst I practiced my Sitar with my tabla master and throughout my session, I knew he was listening to every note being played. Little did I know at the time just how critical a role Sitar and arts would play in the later part of my life, in my late 20’s in Australia; that it would be my solace, my saving www.indianabroad.news

grace; something to call my own. What was the biggest turning point of your life? How did it affect you? The winds were favourable for a while and life just seemed to keep sailing on until one evening in March (1992). It was a hot summer’s evening and I had my head buried in my books studying for my upcoming Grade 11 exams. I heard a shrill shout from the room next door and I ran out breathless and confused to see what had happened. I saw my father on the bed with his hands clenched to his chest. The look on my mum’s face was sheer panic and she yelled for me to get help. I ran out frantically into the street, to my neighbours asking for help. The next few hours were chaos. Dad had suffered a heart attack. He did not survive it. He was 52 and I was 16. Life was not the same again. It’s difficult to explain that feeling of dread and despair that overcame me. There was no bread earner and there was no time for mother to recover from this shock. With little to no choice she was forced to the forefront of managing the house, finances and a 16-year-old. I wanted to help mum financially! That was my new-found goal. I felt helpless, but my desire did not falter. I was young and naïve at the time and I resolved within myself that it would be quicker for me to make an income if I gave up on the idea of becoming a Doctor and rather shifted my focus to Accounting and Business. Convinced as I was, I enrolled into a Chartered Accounting Foundation Course. You had a long hiatus before you picked up the sitar again. What or who inspired you to do so? The learning curve was so steep and overwhelming that I decided to stop Sitar and dance. The reality was my Sitar master was more concerned about my decision to stop music than I was. The noble soul that he was, he did everything to convince me otherwise; why wouldn’t he have? I know he saw potential in me. I had only just qualified in the All India Radio audition and I had started giving live performances on the radio. I would get compensated for my performances but not enough to even refuel my fuel-guzzling Ambassador car. The world of Sitar and dance was behind me by now. Word on the street was that the finance exams were one of the toughest and only a handful of students saw themselves make it through to the top. What was unfortunate was that I was seen by many close peers and friends as a young 16-year-old who did not have the capability or the intellect to make it very far in life. It felt demoralising and hurtful at first but this negativity was a blessing in many ways. A nudge from the Divine. My life for the next six years was riding my motorbike to and from college, studying endless hours, many litres of coffee

and exams, but no music or dance. I passed my finance exams with flying colours! Fast forward a few years later, I got married and my in-laws gifted me a Sitar to help revive my music. The desire to play Sitar was not there in me. Perhaps unpleasant memories of the past still haunted me. It was not till my daughter Sanchia at 7 years asked me “Amma what are you doing with your training in music?” That was a very simple question but so meaningful and profound, I picked up the Sitar that night and played Raag Yaman Kalyan and I have not looked back since. I can say I am living a dream, I am supported by my lovely family, my mother, friends and my guru Shri Indrajit Banerjee. Recognising the gap in my learning Shri Indrajit ji took me under his tutelage in 2013 – we are the modern day “skype” guru-shishya concept. You were a featured artist at the Commonwealth Games 2018. How did you feel about it? To be the featured artist for Asia at the Commonwealth Games 2018 and to play alongside the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for the Parade of Nations on April 4, 2018 is a testimony; all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. My eyes swelled with tears when I heard them say Asia and the athletes walked out into the glittering stadium, who would have ever imagined that shy girl back in Hyderabad would one day be sitting with her Sitar representing her home land India in her new adopted home Australia. To perform the Sitar on many stages in Australia and opportunity to work with many talented artists has allowed me to grow as a musician and human-being. Music is the universal language of mankind and to be able to speak this language through Sitar and dance here in Australia is an honour and privilege. I am forever grateful to my Gurus-past and present and, elders for their continued blessings and guidance. Music as they say is strongest form of magic. My music and dance is inspired by my kids and is an ode of respect to my mother for her efforts, faith and love in me. It completes me as a person and life seems to go on effortlessly when I have music with me!

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Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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DILIP KUMAR 1922-2021

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

TRIBUTE TO THE “TRAGEGY KING”

'Yeh mera deewanapan hai..': Dilip Kumar's incomparable acting, inspiring life D

ebuting on screen in British India, appearing in some of Indian cinema's greatest classics and present in the hearts of a vast multitude of fans for over eight decades, Dilip Kumar was not just Bollywood's oldest living star but also an Indian institution. The "Tragedy King" who excelled in broad comedy too, could play a prince or a peasant, a betrayed lover or a stern patriarch or with equal ease, display profound intensity or a jaunty nonchalance with the same skill, Dilip Kumar, who passed away on Wednesday, repeatedly reinvented himself as both an actor and a person. "Taqdeeren badal jaati hai, zamana badal jata hai, mulkon ki tareekh badal jaati hai, Shahenshah badal jaate hai, magar is badalti huyi duniya mein mohabbat jis insaan ka daman thaam leti hai, wohi insaan nahi badalta..." he said, as Prince Salim in one of his most memorable roles. And this might describe Dilip Kumar's own long, inspiring life but not his acting. For just over two decades later after masterfully playing the rebellious son facing-off a stern and dutiful father in "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960), he could take on the latter role in "Shakti" (1980) with same intensity, though not the bombast of Prithviraj Kapoor. That was the calibre of Mohammed Yousuf Khan, alias Dilip Kumar, a natural actor using the "method system" before it was even named in a career lasting over half a century. A Pathan boy who got personally picked by then Bollywood reigning diva Devika Rani to debut opposite her in "Jwar Bhata" (1944), he went on to become the tragedy face of Bollywood's first trinity – where he outlived and - arguably outperformed - Raj Kapoor's naivety and

Dilip Kumar's demise saddens locals in Peshawar Peshawar, July 8 (IANS): Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, has been in grief and sadness since news of the death of Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar. Locals say they are sad over the demise of their city's favourite son. Dilip Kumar 98, was born in Peshawar in 1922 as Yousaf Khan. He migrated to then Bombay in 1930 along with his family, where he became a legendary actor. The news of his death was received with grief in his ancestral city, where funeral prayers in absentia were offered at his home located in Mohallah Khudadad area. Candles were also lit at his old residence while his funeral in absentia was attended by a large number of his fans, relatives, and locals. Fawad Ishaq, his nephew, said that Dilip Kumar became the identity of his native city. "My uncle has not only ruled the world of cinema, but also the hearts of his fans. He was a true lover of humanity," he said. "He was a consummate talker and well versed in different subjects. His death was not only a loss for Peshawar but the whole subcontinent," he added. Ishaq said he was glad that the pro-

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vincial government had acquired the ancestral residence of Dilip Kumar to turn it into a museum. Shakeel Waheedullah Khan, an activist, who has been celebrating the birthday of Dilip Kumar since 2009, said his demise is a huge loss for the people of Peshawar. "I came into contact with Dilip Kumar as part of the people-to-people contact initiative to reduce tensions between both countries and tried to solidify such contacts by engaging Peshawar origin Bollywood artistes," he said. "Dilip Kumar was kind enough to agree to be part of the initiative. We used to celebrate his birthday

every year since 2009. Either he or his close relatives and family members would attend the celebration through a live call," he added. Khan said Dilip Kumar's death is a great loss as an actor and a human being like him would never be born again. Kamran Khan Bangash, the spokesperson of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa government, expressed sorrow over the demise of Dilip Kumar, stating that he "was a Peshawari and had great love for his ancestral city". "The government is going to set up an open museum in his ancestral residence to keep his memory alive," he said.

Dev Anand's cheerful insouciance. All subsequent superstars from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan would owe him a debt. But there was more to his career than we know. For one, of the "shy 22-year-old son of a Pathan fruit merchant", born and raised in Peshawar, played a Muslim in only one of his 60-odd films -- in "Mughal-e-Azam", while the Abdul Rahim Khan of "Azaad", 1955, was a guise for Kumar alias Azaad, and was more likely to be named Shankar (or Ram and Shyam, or Vijay or Kundan). Above all, he "single-handedly refined histrionics" and refining acting "to an art form of exalted brilliance", says his wife Saira Banu in her introduction to his memoirs "Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow". And this was despite having no plans of joining the profession but believed - by his grandmother especially - to be destined for fame, following a faqir's prediction. Then

his father Ghulam Sarwar's decision in the 1930s to shift his business and family near then Bombay in the late 1930s and his own independent streak, all in their way, led to Yousuf Khan becoming Dilip Kumar. Far too many remember him for his "brooding" roles. But while he performed these with a restrained and refined subtlety, from the fatal modern triangle of "Andaz" (1949) to the pre-modern "Devdas" (1955) or even "Yahudi" (1957) set in Ancient Rome, down to "Mashaal" (1984) and "Karma" (1986) respectively, he had a much-varied palette. If he could play the lovelorn Prince Salim, he could also be the bouncy and swashbuckling Jai Tilak of "Aan" or more outgoing Yuvraj in "Kohinoor", match portrayals of the rustic Gungaram of "Ganga Jamuna" (1961) or Sagina Mahto (in both the eponymous Bengali film and its Bollywood remake) with those of city slickers like ebullient prankster Vijay Khanna of "Leader" (1964) or the rich, spoiled twin Sanjay in "Bairaag".

But, Dilip Kumar also symbolised newly-independent India in all its diversity and promise of a bright future, showcased in films like "Naya Daur" (1957), as Lord Meghnad Desai argues in "Nehru's Hero: Dilip Kumar in the Life of India" (2004), but also his personal life. While Saira Banu relates her husband could give a mellifluous azaan or quote from the Quran, but also from the Bhagvad Gita and the Bible, celebrates Diwali with the same fervour as Eid, he had also, as Sheriff of Bombay in the 1980s, presided over the breaking of the arduous 30-day fast of Jain children. And he had no airs. My father Vijay Datta, who worked for liquor company Mohan Meakins, recalls as Dilip Kumar, as a director, was a frequent visitor to the plan at Ghaziabad, Solan and Lucknow, where would cheerfully interact with all in chaste Urdu or "theth" Punjabi and was remarkably self-effacing. It has been a 'Suhana Safar' for Dilip sahab.

With Dilip Kumar's demise, curtains on Bollywood's original 'Punjabi Troika'

Mumbai, July 8 (IANS): With the passing of the legendary actor Mohammed Yusuf Khan -- who ruled hearts as Dilip Kumar -- the original 'Punjabi Troika' of Indian film industry has faded into oblivion. The trio -- Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor -- all unmatched maestros in their art -- symbolized what is regarded as the 'Golden Era' of the Hindi film industry. Hailing from Punjab in the undivided India, they opted for a career in the then fledgling Indian film industry in distant Bombay (now, Mumbai), and excelled, often par excellence. This was the the strange, menacing, unforgiving, big, bad city called Bombay where another legend Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, revered now as Dadasaheb Phalke', sowed the first seeds of film making at a building in Dadar, in 1912. Later, Phalke scripted screen history with his first full-length black-andwhite film, "Raja Harishchandra" (May 03, 1913) - heralding the birth of Indian Film Industry, which has blossomed into the biggest in the world, 77 years after his death (February 16, 1944), bagging even Oscars en route. It was in this very 'Mayanagri' that many dreamy-eyed youngsters -boys and girls -- descended from all

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over, and continue to do so till date -- for their 'tryst with filmy destiny'. Many trooped here harbouring ambitions to become heroes, heroines, villains, vamps, directors, producers, cameramen, singers, dancers, music-directors, or one of the many departments of film-making. Peshawar neighbourhood friends Dilip Kumar (b. 1922) and Raj Kapoor (b. 1924) also came here and even Dev Anand (b. 1923) from Gurdaspur followed suit -- all three overcame huge hurdles before getting a toehold in the magical world of celluloid -- splashing their own 'Punjabi tadka' to the Bollywood potboilers! Raj Kapoor started as a child star and then broke into big league with "Neelkamal" (1947), Dilip Kumar launched with "Jwar Bhata" (1944), and Dev Anand in "Hum Ek Hain" (1946) -- all after the great Phalke had departed from the scene. After the initial hiccups, there was no looking back for the 'Troika' and generations around the country looked up to it for whipping up a feast of wholesome, memorable, musical entertainment. Between the 1950-1970s, they lorded over the film industry with their 'larger-than-life' images, their distinct personalities, characters they enacted, unique styles or manner-

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isms, their onscreen or even offscreen chemistry with many of the dream-girls of that era who rotated with them in different films, etc. Though they remained professional rivals, they were great pals full of camaraderie in their private lives, unknown to the masses. Each of them became immortal with their signature performances - Raj Kapoor ("Awara" - 1951), Dilip Kumar ("Mughal-e-Azam" - 1960) and Dev Anand ("Guide" - 1965) - though the trio has left behind a treasure chest of hundreds of other great films. Surprisingly, Dilip Kumar worked with both Raj Kapoor ("Andaz" 1949) and Dev Anand ("Insaniyat" - 1955), though Kapoor-Anand never worked together, nor did the trio feature in any film jointly. Subsequently, there were others who carved a niche for themselves like Ashok Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Balraj Sahni, Jeetendra Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmedra Deol, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, and more recently the Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and many more. Nevertheless, the glowing legacy of Dilip Kumar (98), Dev Anand (88) and Raj Kapoor (63) will continue to inspire many future generations of actors and film-makers for decades.

COMMUNTIY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

HE Vohra pushes for resumption of Indian students' campus education

ndia's High Commissioner Mr. Manpreet Vohra during a virtual meeting on July 12 with Mr Iain

Martin, Vice Chancellor, Deakin University, stressed on formulation of an effective and transparent action

plan for the resumption of on-campus education of enrolled Indian students in Australian universities.

INDIA DAY FAIR

coming: Poster Launch G

OPIO Queensland team launched the poster of their yearly big event, India Day Fair, to be celebrated on the 15th of August at a new venue Southbank Piazza in Brisbane.

Indian High Commissioner Mr. Manpreet Vohra

IDP to take over IELTS service of British Council India for £ 130 million

DP is all set to take over the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) services of British Council in India and the deal has been finalized for £ 130 million. IDP Ltd. which is an Australia-based entity, facilitates the entry of international students aiming to pursue tertiary level education in western countries having English as the first language. IELTS is the most popular English language test which is taken by numerous students across the globe aspiring to enhance their educational qualifications in English-speaking countries. The IELTS scores known as bands are taken as an eligibility criteria to check the language proficiency level and confirm the admission of students to universities in countries such as Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. The £ 130 million deal has been locked on a debt-free, cash-free

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basis. The formalities which are to be completed by August 2021 would also pave the way for the transition of all British Council employees to IDP. This will also not cause any inconvenience any student as the transition phase will be quite smooth with virtually no interruptions in the flow of services. IDP has sought legal counsel from an international law firm Simmons & Simmons and DSK Legal, an Indian law concern. Kate Ewart-Biggs, the Interim CEO of British Council feels that conducting IELTS via IDP would not only simplify the whole system but would also enhance the customer experience of the IELTS test takers. She also added that there will be no change in the excellent services provided by IDP in India which it has already been doing so for quite some time now. In India, the IELTS exam was pre-

viously being conducted by two entities namely, IDP and British Council. However, following IDP buying out British Council India, the former will become the only entity to conduct the much sought after English language test in India. This has also raised questions about the deal being of a contentious nature and open to potential arbitration before the Competition Commission of India, according to the Association of Australian Education representatives in Australia. Education agents are also concerned that even though IDP has assured that it does not share IELTS candidates’ personal details with the IDP placement services, it is still highly likely that IDP might directly approach students for placements thereby taking them away from the education agents. Thus, the general worrying factor is that IDP could begin to monopolize the student placement opportunities and wipe out all competition.

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COMMUNTIY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Indian student with life-threatening Man from Jalandhar becomes Australia’s judge with Indian roots ailment repatriated from Australia first Barrister Pardeep Tiwana of Kot Kalan village in Jalandhar who has been 25-year-old Arshdeep Singh, suffering from chronic renal failure landed in India on July 5 after lots of trials and tribulations.

appointed as the judge of Victorian County Court created history by becoming the first ever Australian judge whose family hails from India.

antas Airlines arranged a special flight with medical equipment for the Indian student who had arrived in Australia for pursuing higher studies in 2018. Arshdeep had been admitted to St. Vincent hospital in Melbourne on June 8 and was diagnosed with last-phase of chronic renal failure for which he needs dialysis and constant medical attention. When stringent restrictions were imposed on flights between India and Australia in the wake of the second wave of the pandemic in India, it became extremely difficult to arrange a much-needed repatriation flight for the gravely ill Arshdeep. His widowed mother, Inderjeet Kaur had been constantly seeking assistance from the Indian government and even filed a petition in the Delhi High Court appealing for government intervention in granting her permission to visit her son in Australia. She had also approached the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Australian High Commissioner in India via a letter

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asking for their help and coordination in helping her reunite with her son. Arshdeep’s brother-in-law Kunwar Anand commented that the family had to face immense ordeals to get visa approvals because of the restrictions which were in place as per the Covid-19 safety protocols and they felt helpless for it was apparent that their chances of boarding a flight to Australia to bring back the ailing Arshdeep were slim. However, their efforts at last bore fruit when after several refusals Qantas at last agreed to airlift Arshdeep with paramedic equipment on board. In order to ensure his successful repatriation, the Indian and Australian governments joined hands while the Consulate General in Melbourne facilitated booking of the air-ticket on the Qantas flight. Arshdeep’s mother was issued a travel exemption visa to Australia by the Ministry of External Affairs, Oceania division and also assisted in coordinating immigration and protocol support at the airport when he arrived. Indian

Ambassador to Australia Manpreet Vohra expressed his delight at successfully sending Arshdeep home. Indian World Forum played an instrumental role in the matter. Puneet Singh Chandhok, President of Indian World Forum said that he was happy that the Forum’s efforts in pushing for Arshdeep’s repatriation had succeeded and was happy that despite his vulnerable condition, the proper coordination among his doctors, the Australian government and its Indian counterpart had at last materialized in sending Arshdeep back home. Immediately after landing, he was taken to a hospital in Gurgaon where he is now undergoing dialysis for his renal condition. The doctors at St. Vincent in Melbourne where he was admitted initially had stated that an organ transplant was imperative to save his life. Arshdeep’s family has expressed gratitude for the Indian government, Australian government as well as Qantas whose timely help facilitated Arshdeep’s safe return to India.

ven though he was born in England and migrated to Australia in 2006, he has always stayed connected with his Indian roots. He not only speaks Indian languages Hindi and Punjabi fluently but also travels to India almost every year to spend quality time with his relatives. The 51-year-old Tiwana whose work entailed prosecuting and defending trials on a routine basis served as a criminal barrister in the UK after procuring his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Wolverhampton in 1993. Having completed his barrister study from the bar school of Lincoln’s Inn, he went on to become the youngest applicant to get a law degree as a barrister. Following the completion of a three-month-long law course from Melbourne University, he commenced working as a criminal lawyer in Australia in 2006. Prior to migrating to Australia, Tiwana had a successful run as a criminal lawyer in England for 12 years. His elevation to a promising

position in the field of Law is a story of success and inspiration for many immigrants who can take a page from his book and aspire to touch the heights of success. Tiwana along with three judges was appointed to the County Court of Victoria recently with a view to accelerating the court proceedings still pending for several cases. This backlog had accumulated due to the pandemic restrictions but with the arrival of new judges

but it is being hoped that the case hearings will now be fast-tracked. Judge Tiwana will preside over the proceedings of criminal offences. Although none of Tiwana’s family members or relatives resides in Kot Kalan, the villagers celebrated the good news of his appointment and wished for his prosperity by conducting a religious prayer and by distributing sweets.

Sikh Community, NSW government reach consensus on rules for donning kirpan The NSW government and prominent members of the Sikh community have agreed to formulate broad guidelines governing the safest way to carry kirpans in schools.

Photo Courtesy: Sikh Press Association

ollowing an alleged attack in May by a kirpan-wielding baptized Sikh school boy on his bully, the NSW Education Minister had imposed a ban prohibiting the carrying of the kirpan by school students. While consulting with the NSW government the representatives of the Sikh community have cooperated on several aspects but have refused to compromise on the length and structure of the blade as that would tantamount to violation of the Sikh principles. As per the proposed guidelines, the kirpan’s total length comprising of the blade and handle should not be more than 16.5 cm. Also, it is also necessary that the blade should be blunt to reduce the risk of injury and it must be secured with a chain. In addition the ceremonial knife must be hidden from view and must not be carried on person when indulging in any sort of activity such as playing sports. Students donning

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the kirpan are expected to follow the guidelines stringently. While the new guidelines have helped clear the air between the NSW state authorities and the members of the NSW Sikh community, these rules are yet to be finalized. Previously when the decision to ban kirpans in schools was taken by the Education Minister it had not gone down well with the Sikh community members who felt that the government had no right to take a unilateral decision without consulting with them. Many had even gone to the extent of voic-

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ing concerns about the state being virtually autocratic in the matter of denying freedom to follow and practice any religion to certain members of the community. In the wake of the hastily imposed ban, representatives from various Sikh community groups had joined hands and rallied for more conducive and flexible reforms. In fact, the present state of affairs where a feasible solution seems to be on the horizon also materialized because of the dogged efforts of the various community groups.

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Cabinet reshuffle: Full list of ministers in Narendra Modi’s government

Photo Courtesy: FirstPost

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 8: Modi Government Cabinet Reshuffle: Ahead of the rejig, 12 ministers resigned including Ravi Shankar Prasad, Harsh Vardhan, Prakash Javdekar, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Santosh Gangwar. Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi effected a major overhaul of the Union cabinet, Mansukh Mandavia was appointed as the new Health Minister and bureaucrat-turned-politician Ashwini Vaishnaw the new Railway Minister on Wednesday. Jyotiraditya Scindia has been made the Civil Aviation Minister, while Home Minister Amit Shah has been given the charge of the newly-created Ministry of Cooperation. Piyush Goyal will now be the Minister of Textiles, while Dharmendra Pradhan has been given the portfolios of Education Ministry and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Kiren Rijiju will be the Minister of Law and Justice while Hardeep Singh Puri will be the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister. Among the new ministers who were inducted into the Union Cabinet are BJP’s Narayan Rane, Sarbananda Sonowal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ajay Bhatt, Bhupender Yadav, Shobha Karandlaje, Sunita Duggal, Meenakshi Lekhi, Bharati Pawar, Shantanu Thakur and Kapil Patil; JD(U)’s R C P Singh, LJP’s Pashupati Paras, and Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel. The seven ministers of state who were promoted are Anurag Thakur, G Kishan Reddy, Paroshottam Rupala, Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Singh Puri, Mansukh Mandaviya and Raj Kumar Singh. Meanwhile, ahead of the much-anticipated reshuffle, twelve ministers resigned. Among the big names to resign are IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Labour

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Minister Santosh Gangwar. Other ministers who are out of the Cabinet are Babul Supriyo, Sadananda Gowda, Debasree Chaudhuri, Rattan Lal Kataria, Sanjay Dhotre, Thawarchand Gehlot, Pratap Chandra Sarangi (MoS) and Ashwini Chaubey (MoS). Here is the complete list of ministers who were newly inducted into the Union Cabinet on Wednesday: Narendra Modi Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; All important policy issues; and All other portfolios not allocated to any Minister CABINET MINISTERS: 1. Raj Nath Singh Minister of Defence 2. Amit Shah Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation 3. Nitin Jairam Gadkari Minister of Road Transport and Highways 4. Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs 5. Narendra Singh Tomar Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 6. Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Minister of External Affairs 7. Arjun Munda Minister of Tribal Affairs 8. Smriti Zubin Irani Minister of Women and Child Development 9 Piyush Goyal Minister of Commerce and Industry; Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of Textiles 10. Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of Education; and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 11. Pralhad Joshi Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines 12. Narayan Tatu Rane Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

13. Sarbananda Sonowal Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; and Minister of AYUSH 14. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Minister of Minority Affairs 15. Dr Virendra Kumar Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment 16. Giriraj Singh Minister of Rural Development; and Minister of Panchayati Raj 17. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Minister of Civil Aviation 18. Ramchandra Prasad Singh Minister of Steel 19. Ashwini Vaishnaw Minister of Railways; Minister of Communications; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology 20. Pashu Pati Kumar Paras Minister of Food Processing Industries 21. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Minister of Jal Shakti 22. Kiren Rijiju Minister of Law and Justice 23. Raj Kumar Singh Minister of Power; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy 24. Hardeep Singh Puri Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs 25. Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of Health and Family Welfare; and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers 26. Bhupender Yadav Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Minister of Labour and Employment 27. Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey Minister of Heavy Industries 28. Parshottam Rupala Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying 29. G Kishan Reddy Minister of Culture; Minister of Tourism; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region 30. Anurag Singh Thakur Minister of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports MINISTERS OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

1. Rao Inderjit Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs 2. Dr Jitendra Singh Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space MINISTERS OF STATE 1. Shripad Yesso Naik Minister of State in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism 2. Faggansingh Kulaste Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development 3. Prahalad Singh Patel Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries 4. Ashwini Kumar Choubey Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 5. Arjun Ram Meghwal Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture 6. General (Retd) V K Singh Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation 7. Krishan Pal Minister of State in the Ministry of Power; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries 8. Danve Raosaheb Dadarao Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways; Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Mines 9. Ramdas Athawale Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 10. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development 11. Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying 12. Nityanand Rai Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs 13. Pankaj Chaowdhary Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance 14. Anupriya Singh Patel Minister of

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State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 15. S P Singh Baghel Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice 16. Rajeev Chandrasekhar Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 17. Shobha Karandlaje Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 18. Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 19. Darshana Vikram Jardosh Minister of State in the Ministry of Textiles; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways 20. V Muraleedharan Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs 21. Meenakashi Lekhi Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture 22. Som Parkash Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 23 Renuka Singh Saruta Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs 24. Rameswar Teli Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment 25. Kailash Choudhary Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 26. Annpurna Devi Minister of State in the Ministry of Education 27. A Narayanaswamy Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 28. Kaushal Kishore Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs 29. Ajay Bhatt Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism 30. B L Verma Minister of State in the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Cooperation 31. Ajay Kumar Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs 32. Devusinh Chauhan Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications 33. Bhagwanth Khuba Minister of State in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers 34. Kapil Moreshwar Patil Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj 35. Pratima Bhoumik Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 36. Dr Subhas Sarkar Minister of State in the Ministry of Education 37. Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance 38. Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education 39. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 40. Bishweswar Tudu Minister of State in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti 41. Shantanu Thakur Minister of State in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways 42. Dr Munjapara Mahendrabhai Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development; and Minister of State in the Ministry of AYUSH 43. John Barla Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs 44. Dr L Murugan Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 45. Nisith Pramanik Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

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What the cabinet looked like till July 6 Name Ministry Narendra Modi Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Atomic Energy Department of Space All important policy issues and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister Rajnath Singh Ministry of Defence Amit Shah Ministry of Home Affairs Nitin Gadkari Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Nirmala Sitharaman Ministry of Finance Ministry of Corporate Affairs Narendra Singh Tomar Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Ministry of Rural Development Ministry of Panchayati Raj Ministry of Food Processing Industries Ministry of Law and Justice Ministry of Communications Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Ministry of External Affairs Ministry of Education Arjun Munda Ministry of Tribal Affairs Smriti Zubin Irani Ministry of Women and Child Development Ministry of Textiles Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Science and Technology Ministry of Earth Sciences Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Piyush Goyal Ministry of Railways Ministry of Commerce and Industry Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Dharmendra Pradhan Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry of Steel Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Ministry of Minority Affairs Pralhad Joshi Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Ministry of Coal Ministry of Mines Mahendra Nath Pandey Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Giriraj Singh Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ministry of Jal Shakti Ministers of State (Independent Charge) Name Ministry Ministry of Labour and Employment Rao Inderjit Singh Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry of Planning Shripad Yesso Naik Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) Jitendra Singh Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Kiren Rijiju Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Prahalad Singh Patel Ministry of Culture Ministry of Tourism Raj Kumar Singh Ministry of Power Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Hardeep Singh Puri Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry of Civil Aviation Mansukh L. Mandaviya Ministry of Shipping Ministers of State

WHAT’S ON

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Sharmila goes on fast, Ruins of ancient Sun temple demands jobs for unemployed in UP gets govt's attention Photo Courtesy: IANS

ployment day', Sharmila reached Tadiparthi in Wanaparthy district and consoled the family of an unemployed youth who recently committed suicide. Sharmila, sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, broke down while consoling Kondal's family members at their house. She offered some financial assistance to the family. The YSRTP leader later sat on fast at Tadiparti bus stand. Speaking on the occasion, she slammed Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for his indifference to the burning issue of unemployment. The daughter of late chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said that her protest is to wake up KCR from the deep slumber. She alleged that the problem of unemployment was driving many youth to suicide. Sharmila, who launched YSRTP last week, said the government should take immediate steps to fill 1.90 lakh vacancies in various government. She said the government need to

recruit over 3 lakh people to fill the vacancies and the posts created with the formation of new districts. She said 54 lakh unemployed have submitted applications for jobs to Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC). She earlier announced that till the government fills the vacancies, her party will observe every Tuesday as unemployment day. She said every Tuesday she will console the family members of unemployed who died of suicide and sit on day-long fast near their house. This is the first public protest launched by Sharmila after launching her political party on July 8. She vowed to bring back 'Rajanna Rajyam', a reference to the welfare rule of her late father. Rajasekhara Reddy had implemented several pro-poor and welfare schemes when he was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.

"The NDA government has continued to pretend that the concern about price rise is a false concern and, if the government ignores the issue, the issue will go away. The Congress party condemns the callous negligence of the government on the issue of price rise," he said. He said, "The food inflation is at 5.58 per cent. Pulses inflation is at 10.01 per cent, fruits inflation is at 11.82 per cent, transport inflation is at 11.56 per cent. Fuel inflation is at 12.68 per cent, and oils & fats inflation is at 34.78 per cent. "This inflation has not been caused by a spurt in demand. On the contrary, private consumer demand is low. This inflation has not been caused by excess liquidity or too much money in the hands of the people. This inflation has been caused by the wrong policies of the government and its inept management of the economy," said Chidambaram. "The price of petrol in Delhi on Tuesday was Rs 100.91 per litre and that of diesel was Rs 89.88 per litre. In Mumbai, they are Rs 106.93 per litre and Rs 97.46 per litre, respectively. LPG price in Delhi is Rs 835/ cylinder, in Patna it is Rs 933/cylinder. None of these prices is justified by the price of crude oil which is around USD 75 a barrel. When crude oil price was USD 125, the UPA gov-

ernment was able to provide petrol at Rs 65 a litre and diesel at Rs 44 a litre. "The sole reason for the exorbitant prices is the levy of cesses by the government. Total cesses levied by the Central government on petrol and diesel are Rs 33/litre and Rs 32/ litre respectively. Through these cesses alone the Central government collects approximately Rs 4.2 lakh crore every year and keeps all that money to itself. This is exploitation and greed of the worst kind," he said. While adding that Modi's government has increased the import duties on a wide range of goods, Chidambaram said that despite a downward trend in the value of the rupee, these increased duties remain. The result is higher prices of a large number of intermediary goods as well as essential goods such as palm oil, pulses and household items, he said. "The government continues with multiple rates of GST as well as high rates of 12 per cent or 18 per cent on an array of items including toothpaste, toiletries, processed food, other food items, home appliances, etc. GST is an indirect tax and by definition it is a regressive tax. High rates have the tendency to push up the prices of the final goods and services," he said

Yogi keen to repeal 'outdated' laws

Gram panchayat libraries to be turned into digital classrooms in K'taka

Hyderabad, July 13 : YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Y.S. Sharmila on Tuesday went on a fast in Wanaparthy district of Telangana demanding the state government to fill the vacancies in government departments. A day after announcing that every Tuesday will be observed as 'unem-

Modi govt responsible for high inflation, fuel price hike: Chidambaram Photo Courtesy: The Economics Times

New Delhi, July 13: The Congress on Tuesday attacked the Narendra Modi government over inflation and rising fuel prices and demanded immediate relief by reducing taxes on petroleum products and import duty on various items. Addressing a press conference here, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said, "Inflation, even in a normal time, would be intolerable. The present is not a normal time. A pandemic is raging across the country. The pandemic has resulted in jobs being axed, unemployment rising to 8.1 per cent and incomes/wages being cut for millions of working people. In such a situation of widespread distress, inflation has broken the back of the people, and we hold the Central government under Shri Narendra Modi directly responsible for the high inflation. "Let me caution the government, the issue of high inflation will not go away if you pretend it does not exist."

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Pratapgarh (Uttar Pradesh), July 9: Plans are afoot to revive a 8th century Sun temple, located in a Uttar Pradesh village in Pratapgarh district. A joint team of the state tourism department and Uttar Pradesh Project Corporation Limited has conducted a survey for the revival plan of the Shivganj temple. The villagers, under the banner of Bhayharan Nath Dham Kshetriya Vikas Sansthan, began the initiative by preserving idols, pillars and structures of the ancient Surya temple. They even removed encroachments near the temple site. Samaj Shekhar, general secretary of the Sansthan, said that the team of tourism department picked up the ancient Sun temple after the state government moved the proposal to develop areas associated with ancient saints and sages in the state. Shekhar said that a group of villagers had initiated steps to revive Sun temple built in the eighth century, and even held a series of meetings with the officials concerned. "Majority of the people do not even have the knowledge of the existence of the Sun temple in this remote village of Pratapgarh district. Our

Lucknow, July 13: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is now preparing to repeal laws that are 'outdated' and an impediment in the ease of doing business and ease of living. The Chief Minister, on Monday, held a review of Minimising Regulatory Compliances Burden and directed officials to take action in a time bound manner. He said the government wants to implement ease of doing business and ease of living so that industrial processes can be facilitated.

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According to the government spokesman, the Chief Minister said that "Industrial development leads to employment generation. Therefore, unnecessary laws and rules should be done away with. Laws which can be repealed should be ended at the earliest." Infrastructure and Industrial Development commissioner Arvind Kumar said the Centre had initiated the reduction of the regulatory compliance burden in September 2020 with the aim of encouraging ease of doing business and ease of living.

to follow the rules under the Antiquities and Art Act, 1972. The ASI had said the temple dated back to the pre-medieval period. Puneet Pandey, supervisor (Pratapgarh), Uttar Pradesh Project Corporation Limited, said that there are plans to develop the area as a religious tourist spot and a work plan is being prepared for the same.

Barmer villagers dance on streets to celebrate water supply

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Jaipur, July 9: Villagers in Rajasthan's water-starved Barmer district broke into a dance after they got regular water connections. For the five villages, getting water was a long trudge away from home. Internationally renowned dancer Madanlal won a lot of hearts when he came to dance on the streets to celebrate the fact that each house of his village had been allotted a tap connection.

"It is a proud moment for me as my village has been included among the first five villages of Barmer to be served by the Jal Jeevan Mission," Madanlal said. Even at a time when there was no festival around, these villages wore a festive look. Their residents were seen singing folk songs and dancing to the tune of enchanting music on the streets.

Ramaram, an elderly villager, discribed it as a historic moment, and said, "All this dancing is our way of expressing our joy at having got water." Earlier, the villageshave had to walk for miles to get water for their daily use as Barmer is in a historically arid zone. Getting regular water supply indeed has beenra distant dream for this parched district. Under the Har Ghar Jal Scheme, launched by the newly formed Jal Shakti Ministry, water is no longer that unattainable dream. In fact, the five Barmer villages now get tap water in every home. By December 2024, all villages will be get tap water connections, informed the Public Health Engineering Department's superintending engineer, Suresh Chandra Jain. Each village of the district is being connected with the Jal Jeevan Mission, Jain said, promising that water scracity will soon become a distant memory.

PNB scam: Mumbai court grants bail to Dhanesh Sheth, close aide of Choksi

Mumbai, July 13: A trial court here has granted bail to Dhanesh Vrajlal Sheth, the managing director of three firms accused in the multicrore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case and a close aide of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi. Sheth's lawyer Vijay Aggarwal argued during the case hearing on Monday that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was trying to "fire from the shoulder of the judge". He said that in this matter a supplementary charge sheet was filed by the CBI, summons were issued by the court and cognizance was taken on June 15 this year. He argued that summons were also issued by the court to Sheth, managing director of Nakshatra Brands Ltd. and pursuant to such summons he appeared and filed bail application before the court. Aggarwal vehemently argued that the investigation was completed in the present case and a charge sheet has been filed without the arrest of

the accused person, which depicts that there was no need for custodial interrogation of Sheth. Aggarwal also brought light to the fact that a company cannot be represented till an application under section 305 CrPc is not filed. He emphasised that 'it has been three years since the accused persons have not been arrested, and now the CBI is trying to fire from the shoulder of the judge'. Aggarwal said that the judge granted bail to the accused person on a surety of Rs one lakh. This comes forth as another relief to the accused as Nitin Prem Shahi, Assistant Finance executive of Gitanjali Gems Ltd and Aniyath Shivraman Nair, AGM Gitanjali Jewels were also accused of being actively involved along with the main accused in getting LOU's issued from PNB without having sanctions. They were granted bail in 2018, while Choksi continues to be in custody in Dominica. Last month, the CBI, in its supplementary charge sheet in the PNB scam, charged Choksi with criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and cheating. Choksi is currently in the custody of the Dominican Police on charges of illegal entry into the Caribbean nation. He was granted bail by

Dominica HC on Monday on medical grounds. The CBI charge sheet also revealed that Choksi had told his associates that they might get into trouble with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This was two months before he fled India in January 2018, months before a case was registered against him and his nephew Nirav Modi. It further stated that Choksi conspired with employees of the PNB for the issuance of 165 LoUs (Letters of Undertaking) and not 142 LoUs as alleged by the bank in its complaint, says the charge sheet. The CBI charge sheet claimed that none of these LoUs were ever entered into the bank's core system since bank employees were bribed by Choksi and his associates. The CBI also found that 347 FLCs (foreign letters of credit) were issued to overseas banks on behalf of Mehul Choksi's firms between 2014 and 2016. The charge sheet pointed out that 88 of these FLCs were issued in 2014, followed by another 143 in 2015 and 116 in 2016. The FLCs were issued in favour of Choksi's firms Gili India Ltd, Gitanjali Exports Corporation Ltd, Nakshatra Brands Ltd and Asmi Jewellery India Ltd.

It is being planned to utilise 5,766 Gram Panchayat libraries across the state by installing devices for educational purposes. Those children who cannot afford to have mobiles or television to attend classes could be included by this measure. Talks are

on with the Rural Development and Panchayath Raj department officers, Minister Suresh Kumar explained. It came to light in a survey conducted by the Department of Public Instruction that as many as 31 lakh students out of 93 lakh students

studying SSLC do not have a smartphone. The survey also revealed that there was no television or radio in the houses of 8 lakh children.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Bengaluru, July 13: The Karnataka government in an attempt to reach out to the children who are not able to take online classes and do not have access to television is contemplating turning Gram Panchayat libraries into digital classrooms. Education Minister S.Suresh Kumar had already held meetings with educational experts and advisor to the government of Karnataka on academics Prof. Dore Swamy and Prashanth Prakash, who is advisor to the Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in this regard for faster implementation of the project. "It has become imperative for the government to reach out to the children through digital formats such as online classes in a new environment after Covid Crisis. Hence, necessary action will be taken to provide education to the left out children using libraries of Gram Panchayats in the state," said Minister Suresh Kumar.

Sansthan came forward to apprise people about the ruins of the historical edifice and sought their assistance to develop and maintain the area in and around the temple," he told reporters. According to sources, a team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had visited the spot in 2011 and registered seven of its remains, directing gram panchayat of Gaura

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INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Sighted over PM Modi's residence, Mumbai centre to track UFOs

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Mumbai, July 2: Opening up an exciting field of scientific study, a Mumbai-based scientist has formed a centre to study the mysteries and suspense shrouding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) -- once sighted above Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in New Delhi -- to coincide with the World UFO Day2021 (July 2), here on Friday. It also marks the release of a major report in June 2021 by the US Department of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, acknowledging the existence of UFOs, and how the Pentagon Report failed to explain 143 of the 144 UFOs sightings investigated in the past decade. "Against this backdrop, the Indian Astrobiology Research Foundation has launched the 'IARF-Centre of

Excellence for UFOs (ICEU)," IARF Head and scientist Pushkar G. Vaidya, told IANS. To begin with, the ICEU will create an authentic, searchable database, cataloguing all UFOs sightings reported in the Indian media, and others that were ignored. It will provide people a credible platform to submit their own UFO sightings which would be independently verified by the ICEU and its expert teams. "The ICEU will conduct primary research and surveys on UFOs across the country and involve the people and international scientists on UFO discussions within the scientific parameters," explained Vaidya, 40, who is a scientist with over 25 years in astro-biology and related aspects. Explaining the philosophy behind

Dead man walking: To remarry wife as he turns 28 again

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh), July 1: Lal Bihari 'Mritak', the man who made headlines when he fought a long battle to prove he was 'alive', after being declared 'dead' in government records, is in news again. 'Mritak' is now planning to remarry his 56-year-old wife Karmi Devi because it has now 27 years since he turned up alive again. He was

declared alive on June 30, 1994. "I was reborn in government records 27 years ago. The marriage ceremony will be held in 2022, when I will turn 28 after my rebirth in government records," Lal Bihari told reporters. Mritak has three children-two daughters and one son -- all of whom are now married. Lal Bihari, now 66-years-old, said that he wanted to remarry his wife and draw the attention of the people towards the plight of the 'living dead'. "Though I fought and won my case, not much has actually changed in the system. I remained 'dead' in government records for 18 years.

There are still people who have been declared dead and their land has been usurped by relatives in connivance with government officials. I have been helping such victims in the past decades but the campaign must continue," he said. Lal Bihari is a resident of Amilo village in Azamgarh district and was officially declared dead in 1975. During his legal battle to regain his identity, he added 'Mritak' (deceased) in his name. He even formed a Mritak Sangh to highlight the cases similar to his. Filmmaker Satish Kaushik has made a film 'Kaagaz' on his life and actor Pankaj Tripathi essayed the role of Mritak.

One mango tree with 121 varieties of the fruit

the ICEU, he said that UFOs have been spotted in Indian skies since long and recorded since the 1950s, though there have been no reports of genuine UFO landings or crashings, or alien creatures seen scurrying about anywhere. "The World UFO Day is celebrated this day (July 02) to commemorate the controversially famed UFO crash on July 2, 1947 at Roswell, New Mexico in the USA Since then, UFOs have grabbed public imagination and led to lot of interest even among the global scientific communities," Vaidya said. Although UFO sightings are being reported from various parts of India since 1954, the most famous one was in November 1996 when a group of aeronautical engineers witnessing UFOs for several days above the Kandivali suburb of north-west Mumbai. "Interestingly, in June 2018, a UFO paid a visit to the PM's official residence in the capital, which was widely reported by the media and sent the Indian intelligence agencies into a tizzy," smiled Vaidya who authored a book "In Search Of Aliens" (1997) when he was 16 years old. Prior to that, worried Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force brass wrote to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012, detailing over 100 UFO sightings near the famous Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. "We plan to investigate in detail all such past and present events to get to the truth of the UFOs, their possible origins from alien civilisations, the implications for the country and humanity as a whole," Vaidya added. Besides, there have been stray UFO sightings reported from Thane (adjoining Mumbai), Bengaluru, Kerala, Assam by individuals and now there are several amateur groups of 'UFO Hunters' in India who track and scout for such objects in space. On the relevance of ICEU in the Indian context, Vaidya said: "The subject of UFO falls squarely within the stated definition of astro-biology which concerns the study of the origins, evolution and distribution of life in the universe, including the search for hitherto unknown or undetected intelligent extraterrestrial life."

Everyone has to follow law of land: New IT Min Vaishnaw

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separate nursery in-charge was appointed to take care of the tree. Now different types of mangoes are found on this tree including Dussehri, Langra, Chaunsa, Ramkela, Amrapali, Saharanpur Arun, Saharanpur Varun, Saharanpur Saurabh, Saharanpur Gaurav and Saharanpur Rajiv," said a local official. Besides these, other varieties of mangoes including Lucknow Safeda, Tommy at Kings, Pusa Surya, Sensation, Rataul, Kalmi Maldah

Mango, Bombay, Smith, Mangifera Jalonia, Gola Bulandshahr, Laranku, LR Special, Alampur Benisha and Asojia Deoband are also growing on this tree. Researchers say that work is continuing on new species, so that better varieties of mangoes can be produced. Officials say that those who are fond of mangoes can do similar experiments in the trees planted in their farms or kitchen gardens.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Bengaluru, July 8: Amazon on Thursday announced that it is all set for its annual Prime Day event in India on July 26 and 27 that will deliver deals and savings across categories, including smartphones, consumer electronics, TVs, appliances, etc. It will also include Amazon devices, fashion and beauty products, home and kitchen, furniture, everyday essentials and more to Prime members, along with new launches, entertainment benefits and much more. Through the two-day event, the company will continue its efforts to empower and support lakhs of Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) to bounce back from the economic disruption owing to the second wave of Covid-19. "We dedicate this Prime Day to lakhs of SMB sellers on Amazon.in. We are humbled by their resilience, and grateful for the opportunity to

support their rebound during these hard times," Amit Agarwal, SVP & Country Manager, Amazon India, said in a statement. "We are also excited to offer our Prime members a unique opportunity to discover joy with two days of best deals and savings, hundreds of new product launches, blockbuster entertainment and more, all from the safety and convenience of their homes," Agarwal added. Prime members can shop from millions of unique products offered by SMBs and avail offers. SMBs across the country witnessed great success during the last edition of Prime Day in India.

Cognizant to donate tabs, laptops worth Rs 6.7 cr in 6 states Pune, July 7: Cognizant on Wednesday announced plans to donate tablets and laptops worth Rs 6.7 crore to students and teachers of government schools across six states in the country, as part of the companys employee-led volunteering programme. The Cognizant Outreach's "Digital Schools" project will be implemented by Nirmaan Organization in four phases and will help over 3,700 students and over 180 teachers of government schools across six states in India. The company donated 865 tablets and 40 internet-enabled laptops worth Rs 1.53 crore to government schools in Mumbai and Pune. The initiative will benefit over 860 students of classes 9 and 10 and over 40 teachers of government schools in the region. Cognizant Outreach and Nirmaan volunteers will conduct programmes to train the students on using the equipment effectively and will also monitor usage to ensure positive educational outcomes. Volunteers will also conduct training sessions for faculty members to empower them with digital skills and techniques to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. The devices were presented to the schools at a function held at New English School in Pune. "The ‘Digital Schools' initiative is our effort to ensure that rural schools that serve underprivileged commu-

Photo Courtesy: Social News XYZ

nities overcome the extraordinary disruptions and digital inequalities brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and continue imparting education," said Sandeep Rane of Cognizant at the event. "We have been working to ensure that children's education does not stop during the pandemic. We developed the ‘Digital Schools Programme' to strengthen digital infrastructure in rural schools and create teacher training programmes to equip faculty members with the knowledge to harness digital technologies," said Mayur Patnala, CEO, Nirmaan Organization.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

34% of urban Indians claim to have played online fantasy sports

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), June 30: Saharanpur, a district mainly known for its hand carved furniture, has now become famous for something else -- a unique mango tree that has 121 varieties of fruits growing on it. Unbelievable though it may sound, this mango tree is in the Company Bagh area and is 15 years old. Horticulturists began this unique experiment on the tree about five years ago and the purpose was to develop new varieties of mangoes and experiment with their taste. Rajesh Prasad, the then Joint Director of Horticulture Experiment and Training Centre, planted 121 varieties of mango branches on a single mango tree. "Different varieties of mango cuttings were planted on the branches of the indigenous mango tree. A

Amazon announces Prime Day sale on July 26-27 in India

New Delhi, July 8: New Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday did not waste any time to make it crystal clear how he wants things to pan out in the ongoing Twitter-Centre face off as he assumed office as the Union Minister for Railways, Communication, Electronics & IT. "Everyone has to follow law of the country," Vaishnaw said during his first visit to the party headquarters after being made cabinet minister in the Modi government. When questioned about Twitter not complying to the new IT law, the Minister hinted that everyone have to follow new guidelines. He thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation as Union Minister. "There is no words to say thanks to the Prime Minister for giving me such a big opportunity to serve the country," the Minister said.

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New Delhi, July 9: A third of urban Indians claim to have played online fantasy sports for money in the past one month, out of which, the participation of female players has been almost equal to men (35 per cent men vs 32 per cent women), a report said on Friday. According to data by YouGov's Gambling Profiles, nearly three in 10 (28 per cent) urban Indians said they are likely to play fantasy sports for money in the next 30 days, with just above a quarter of women saying this (26 per cent). "Gambling is such a major industry that brands and partners deserve to have accurate and always-on data at their fingertips," Oliver Rowe, YouGov's Global Sector Head of Leisure & Entertainment, said in a statement. "With the advances in technology, seismic impact of Covid-19, and the contrasting changes in regulation around the world, YouGov Global Gambling Profiles represents the most comprehensive, in-depth and valuable dataset in the market," Rowe added. Apart from fantasy sports, online casino slot games and online poker seem to be popular among urban Indian women, with roughly a quarter of them saying they played these games for money in the past month (23 per cent for each). When asked about the online gam-

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ing apps used in the past week, Dream11 emerged as the most used app by women to play money games online. Usage of the app is almost equivalent among men and women (43 per cent vs 39 per cent). However, compared to men, consumption of apps such as Spin Casino, Spin Samba and Casino Midas is more among women. In India, on average, a third of the female fantasy gamers spend smaller amounts (up to Rs 1,000) on fantasy sports games every month (33 per cent). Almost one in five (21 per cent) said they spend between 1K-10K, while only 16 per cent claim to spend more than 10k on online fantasy gaming. The data is built upon more than 500,000 interviews per year, with new data collected and updated monthly.

INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

healthcare services J&K COMING BACK Routine to resume in Kashmir TO NORMALCY Photo Courtesy: IANS

Surge in optimism as tourist arrivals rise in Kashmir

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Srinagar, July 10: For the first time since the beginning of the year, tourist footfalls have started going up in Kashmir, raising hopes all over again in the local hospitality industry. Tourists can be seen lining up at the ticketing counters of the historic gardens of Srinagar -- Mughal, Nishat, Shalimar and Chasme Shahi. Elsewhere, too, the hospitality industry had reasons to celebrate. "It now takes over an hour to cross the Wayil Bridge on the Srinagar-Leh highway in the evenings," said Jan Mohammad, who runs a restaurant near this famous bridge. "Vehicles returning with tourists from Sonamarg are lined up on the northern side of this narrow bridge waiting for their turn to cross over," he said.

Shikarawallahs, who earn their livelihood taking visitors across Dal Lake on joy rides, have started getting their first customers this year. "There has been a gradual increase in the number of tourists coming to visit Dal Lake," confirmed Abdul Salam, a shikarawallah in the Gagribal area of the Lake. "I expect the flow to pick up and increase till the end of the summer tourist season," Salam added. Reports are equally encouraging from hoteliers and tour operators in Pahalgam and Gulmarg. "We had bookings for the spring, but those were cancelled because of the second wave of COVID-19," said the manager of a Pahalgam hotel. "Now we have started getting guests and also bookings for the coming months."

Gulmarg, the most sought-after tourist destination in Kashmir, has been getting tourists in good numbers for the first time after the winter tourist season. "All of us, from the taxi operators to pony owners, trekking guides and hoteliers, have started getting back our clientele," said Shabir Ahmad, a ski trainer in Gulmarg. "If all goes well, we will get a good number of tourists in Gulmarg by the end of this month," Ahmed said. The main worry for the the administration is the absence of strict compliance with the Covid-19 protocols among the tourists coming into the Valley. "We have to keep on reminding the visitors and the local people accompanying them that the pandemic is still around," a Srinagar police officer said. "As a deterrent we impose fines on those not wearing masks or those who wear them in the most casual manner. A word of caution followed by a fine has been working, but both tourists and tour operators are duty-bound to keep the pandemic at bay. This message is being delivered at every place where we check tourist vehicles," the official said. The hospitality industry, while trying its best to follow the Covid-19 protocols, is not letting such fears cloud their optimism. Steadily growing footfalls through the rest of the tourist season is just what they need to lift their businesses out of the extended slump.

Story behind Srinagar signboard 'Javed Sheikh & daughters' Photo Courtesy: IANS

Srinagar, July 7: An old sign board, hung outside an old dilapidated building in uptown Koker Bazaar market of Srinagar city, has brought back memories of a famous Kashmiri family and a loving father who was proud of his daughters. 'Javed Sheikh & daughters, Koker Bazar, Maisuma, Srinagar'. This signboard has recently gone viral as it stands to prove that the countdown on gender bias had started in Kashmir at least 51 years back.

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Javed Sheikh was the son of one of Kashmir's most respected and renowned businessmen, Sheikh Mohammad Amin. The family had a timber empire in Kashmir and Javed was its sole owner. The family had palatial houses in Jammu city and in Srinagar. A glimpse of the family's wealth lies in the lavish use of Italian marble in their Jammu house which was built much before Independence. Javed Sheikh was married to Dil-

shad Begum Sheikh in 1969. She is the youngest sister of Bollywood actor, Feroze Khan. Her other two brothers are, actor/producer, Sanjay Khan and Akbar Khan. Dilshad Begum is a known socialite in Kashmir and Delhi. She started her own clothing line called 'Chosen Few'. The reason why she chose the name, according to Feroze Khan's son, Fardeen Khan, is because she is very selective about who she sells her clothes to. Javed died in the mid 1980s. The couple has three daughters, Shahala, Sabah and Sheba. Shahala stays with her mother in their uptown Rajbagh house in Srinagar during the summers and the two move down to Delhi and Mumbai during winters. Shahala is the owner of famous furniture company 'Woodfort'. She is also an interior decorator and deals in high end Walnut furniture. Sabah is an entrepreneur of a candle company called 'Illuminati' while Sheba is a housewife and mother of two kids.

Srinagar, July 9: Authorities on Friday ordered resumption of routine healthcare services across the Kashmir Valley in view of the decline in Covid-19 cases. Director Health Services, Kash-

mir issued an order to resume the services in view of the decline in Covid-19 cases being reported in Kashmir division and a drastic decrease in the number of hospital admissions and also since a DRDO hospital has come up for coronavirus patients. "It is enjoined upon all chief medical officers, medical superintendents and block medical officers under the administrative control of this Directorate to resume OPD, surgeries and other routine healthcare facilities services in all the health institutions under their respective jurisdictions forthwith in the interest of better

patient care", the order said. The officials said the Directorate has ordered that few separate wellequipped oxygenated beds should be kept available for emergency purposes including gynaecology/obstetrics and paediatrics. In addition, the officials said, the standard operating procedures and guidelines laid down by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time must be adhered to in letter and spirit. The OPD and other routine services in the hospital across the valley were stopped when the second wave of Covid-19 hit J&K.

J&K plans helicopter service to connect tourist spots Srinagar, July 9: The tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir is set to get just the kind of tail wind it needs for a thrust forward with the proposed helicopter service connecting the tourist destinations within the Union Territory. In a move meant to cater to highend tourists, the UT government has also decided to launch an air safari and air rides over tourist attractions such as the Dal Lake and adjoining areas. These plans were revealed during a meeting chaired by Basheer Ahmad Khan, Adviser to the Lieutenant

Governor, and attended by senior officials on Friday. Khan said the plan would boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir by making a visit to its many scenic destinations that much more interesting. The UT government was also looking at helicopter services to develop connectivity between important destinations in order to attract more visitors, Khan said. He directed the officers present to identify destinations in both Jammu and Kashmir where helicopter services could be started to test out the idea.

The officials present discussed the possible locations and heard Khan direct them to start the preparatory work so that the plan could take off. Khan said the exercise was meant to change the face of travel and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and open up new destinations in farflung places. The Adviser reminded the officials that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had given clear directions on mapping out the tourist destinations that are best suited for the proposed helicopter services.

JK govt gives nod to implement market linkage support scheme 'PARVAZ' Photo Courtesy: IANS

Srinagar, July 8: The Jammu and Kashmir government has accorded sanction to the implementation of 'PARVAZ', a market linkage support scheme for shipment of agriculture and horticulture perishables being harvested in J&K through air cargo, officials said on Thursday. As per a government order, a provision of 25 per cent subsidy on perishable fruits harvested in Jammu and Kashmir for shipment through air cargo will be notified separately. Further, subsidy shall be provided on air cargo charges inclusive of airport handling charges for shipment through one or more empanelled airlines by the government from time to time, and in the DBT mode to the farmers/FPOs/SHGs and registered intermediaries. Subsidy shall also be paid in the reimbursement

mode as per the original invoices/ bills of the concerned airlines in offline mode only till August 31, 2021, the order said. Thereafter, the support shall be paid through online medium in DBT mode by creating a platform involving the Directorate of Horticulture

and the concerned Airlines. The order further said that the scheme could be adopted by animal, sheep husbandry and fisheries departments for milk-based perishables and Trout fish, subject to availability of funds.

J&K govt to give priority to check smuggling, counterfeiting Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 9: Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Jammu and Kashmir government, said on Friday that illicit trade is a grave concern, which undermines the nation's economy , affects the health of the citizens and needs to be addressed on an urgent basis. Addressing a webinar on 'Policies and Strategies to Prevent Counterfeiting and Smuggling' organised by FICCI's Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE), Thakur said that adequate priority needs to be placed across the government departments in J&K, be it enforcement, training, or consumer awareness, while addressing the issue. Mohd Akbar, Joint Director, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, J&K government, said, "Large scale consumer awareness through the help of print and electronic media needs to be created which will sensitise the public on this menace." Irfana Ahmed, Deputy Drug Controller, Jammu and Kashmir, while sharing the initiatives of the department to address this issue, stated that in the last few years, almost 23 drugs were found to be spurious in the UT and 70-80 per cent cases were prosecuted.

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Laeeq Ahmad, Deputy Director (Prosecution), Crime Headquarters, Jammu & Kashmir Police, said, "In 2020, we seized around 3,87,000 intoxicated capsules, fake injections and syrups. In the year 2018, 2019 and 2020, 15, 24 and 26 cases were registered under the copyright act, respectively, at various police stations of Jammu and Kashmir." Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE, said, "Illicit products have infiltrated everyday avenues of commerce, making their way into supply chains and consumers' homes, thereby threatening manufacturers'

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competitiveness, undermining consumer confidence and posing a threat to individuals' health and safety." Applauding the efforts of the enforcement authorities, he said, "While smugglers and counterfeiters are exploiting the current situation by supplying illicit alternative of products, the alert enforcement authorities in J&K have uncovered and arrested people engaged in illicit trade of liquor, cigarettes, currency, drugs, sanitisers and much more."

AUSTRALIA

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Sydney sees highest caseload Australians under 40 could be in months despite lockdown eligible for Pfizer, Moderna vax Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 8: The Australian city of Sydney has recorded its highest daily rise in Covid-19 cases in months, despite being nearly two weeks into a lockdown. The city in the state of New South Wales reported 38 cases on Thursday - taking its outbreak of the Delta variant to about 370 cases, the BBC reported. Authorities say household visits and meet-ups between friends were still driving the virus' spread. They have pleaded with residents to follow the rules more strictly. "We just need people to stop

interacting for this lockdown to work," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Thursday, which saw the highest figures in a day in the last 14 months. "Please stop visiting people indoors, outside your family, your household. Your immediate family means those you live with, it doesn't mean extended family or friends," she said. She added that people with symptoms moving around the community were also fuelling the virus' spread. Australia's biggest city, home to five million people, is under a stay-athome order until 17 July. The neighbouring Blue Mountains, Central

Coast, Wollongong, and Shoalhaven regions are also affected. Under the direction, people are allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons like shopping, exercise and care-giving. Businesses such as restaurants offering takeaway and many retail shops remain open. Earlier this week, authorities were forced to extended the lockdown by a week based on the continued trend in case numbers - at around 18-35 new infections per day over the past week. While a majority are being found in household contacts of infected people already in isolation - there are still a concerning number in those moving freely in the community. "Those numbers are too high. We need to get those numbers down," said Berejiklian. "We don't want to prolong the lockdown, we don't want to see Sydney going in and out of lockdown until we have the vast majority of our population vaccinated. It is up to all of us to step up, as difficult as it is." Sydney's Delta outbreak and scares in other cities last week has sparked public anger over the federal government's slow vaccine rollout.

Canberra, July 7: Australians under the age of 40 could become eligible for the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccines around September or October, a top official announced here. Following a meeting with authorities on Tuesday Lt. Gen. John Frewen, who heads the federal government's Covid-19 vaccination task force, revealed that the country expects to have enough doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines to make them available to people under the age of 40 from September to October, reports Xinhua news agency. "On the current supply forecasts that we have, I think that's when we are getting closer to having greater choice," Frewen told reporters. "But I won't tie myself to specific dates at this stage." Frewen said that younger Australians could be given a choice about which mRNA vaccine they receive when there is enough supply available.

"When we have adequate supplies I think that's a logical step, but for now we have to prioritise because the supplies of one of the vaccines is limited," he said. Till date, about 8.4 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Australia, including approximately 8,000 younger Australians who have received the AstraZeneca jab.

"AstraZeneca is open to under 40s with informed consent with their GPs," Frewen said. "We're seeing demand right now in that group of people to take AstraZeneca now rather than wait for an alternate later in the year." Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been 30,832 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia, with 910 deaths.

Small businesses in Sydney hit hard Medical body calls for nationwide mask mandate by new lockdown Photo Courtesy: IANS

Canberra, July 6: Australia's peak medical body on Tuesday called for a national mask mandate in response to growing complacency. According to a national survey published by research agency Canstar recently, 55 per cent of those polled will only wear masks if told to do so by their state or territory government, reports Xinhua news agency. Only 7 per cent of respondents said they wear masks when sick and 8 per cent said they voluntarily wear one on public transport. Chris Moy, Australian Medical Association (AMA) vice president, urged the federal government to institute a national mask mandate.

Mask rules have been determined by state and territory governments since the start of the pandemic but Moy said uniform rules were needed across the country. "The government making mandatory rules is quite critical," he told News Corp Australia. "They also need to help people understand that living with mask-wearing is another building block to living with the virus and all its variants." In Victoria state, which has endured the strictest coronavirus restrictions in the country, 46 per cent of respondents said they would only wear a mask if required, while in

New South Wales, which is currently battling fresh Covid outbreak, it was 48 per cent. Moy said that masks should be made compulsory for anyone who is sick, all commuters on public transport and everyone who cannot socially distance indoors regardless of coronavirus outbreaks. "It would slow down the spread of Covid," he said. "It would be so much easier if we mandated it across the board, it would reduce the confusion." Australia has so far reported 30,803 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 910 deaths.

Sydney, July 10: With the hope for a faster containment of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, Australia's most populous city of Sydney entered a new stricter lockdown, delivering another devastating blow to local small businesses. Sam Sullivan, who runs a gym in Sydney's inner west, told Xinhua news agency on Saturday that the gym lost at least 30 per cent of its members since the start of the lockdown about two weeks ago. "When we first went into lockdown, we tried using the local park, but it seemed almost redundant. We are exposing ourselves to even more people by going to the park, so we retreated from the park and went to the carpark next to our building," Sullivan said. With outdoor public gatherings further limited to two people under the new restrictions announced by the state authorities on Friday, it is almost impossible for the gym to continue operation. She is just one of Sydney's small business owners who have struggled to adapt to ever-changing guidelines and lockdown uncertainty, which often leave small businesses in the dark. Morgan Stanley and AMP estimated that Sydney's two-week lockdown will cost the economy A$2 billion ($1.5 billion), or about 0.1 per cent of the annual GDP, a bill that is likely to run up as the lockdown drags on past those two weeks. To make matters worse, the lockdown coincided with the school holiday in New South Wales (NSW), an important time for small businesses to increase tourism and families spending time out in the communi-

ty. Margy Osmon, Chief Executive Officer of Australia's Tourism and Transport Forum, said the lockdown will decimate Australia's mid-year holiday period. "Our data show that in the equivalent 2019 school holidays over 1.7 million Australians travelled domestically, but we are predicting the Sydney lockdown will see that number drop drastically by 73 per cent to just over 460,000 travellers," she said. The NSW government already announced measures to help impacted businesses, including grants of up to A$10,000. Small business owners are coming up with other ways to adapt to the restrictions. Faye White, the creative director at Wayward Brewery in Sydney's west, told Xinhua that experience from previous lockdowns had made them more prepared for this one.

"I feel like we learnt a lot in the previous lockdowns so we had some initiatives ready to go. We have had to pivot to doing takeaways only, (and) we have also removed our delivery fee to encourage people to use this option," White said. On Friday, the NSW Health recorded 44 new local cases, its highest oneday increase in the latest outbreak, which prompted the authorities to further tighten restrictions, dashing any hopes that the lockdown would end on time. Sullivan told Xinhua that she believes the loss of new customer intake and retention will have an even greater ripple effect even after the lockdown ends. Though some claimed that snap lockdown is key to preventing longterm impacts on the economy, CEO of the Business Council of Australia Jennifer Westacott told local media that each lockdown would make it harder for small businesses to return.

NZ puts on hold managed return flights from Aus Photo Courtesy: IANS

Wellington, July 9: Due to the rising Covid-19 cases in Australia's New South Wales (NSW), New Zealand on Friday put on hold the return of managed flights from the state, a Minister announced here. "Case numbers in Sydney show no sign of plateauing and NSW has today ramped up restrictions again," Xinhua news agency quoted Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins as saying to reporters. New Zealand has moved to act on new advice to hold off on managed return flights from the state for three more days, Hipkins said. As a result, work is underway to stage flights from July 13 to Auckland and Christchurch airports only. Fourteen days at managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQ) will be a temporary requirement for www.indianabroad.news

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travellers from NSW from Tuesday, he said. "This was a difficult decision but we consider it is necessary given the heightened risk in NSW," he added. New Zealand is "strongly advising people not to fly to Sydney unless they normally live there and are returning home", the Minister said,

adding the quarantine free travel bubble pause with NSW remains in place. Managed return flights from Australia's Queensland will continue as planned from midnight Friday, and indications are that the quarantine free travel pause with Queensland will lift early next week, he said.

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AUSTRALIA

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

PM announces increasing supply of Covid vaccines Photo Courtesy: IANS

Canberra, July 9: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday announced that 4.5 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine due to arrive in the country in September could now be available in August. Up to 1 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine will arrive in Australia every week from July 19, up from about 350,000 per week currently. "We've done a lot of catch up in particular over the month of June,

and that's seen us now hitting the levels we need to get this job done and have everyone offered a dose by the end of the year," Xinhua news agency quoted Morrison as saying to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The deal will increase the number of Australians who can get inoculated during the winter months and will help fight the fresh ongoing outbreak in Sydney.

"We've also got 1,300 additional GPs (general practitioners) coming on stream this month, to deliver those Pfizer doses that are coming through," Morrison said. As of Thursday about 10 per cent of Australians over the age of 16 had been fully vaccinated, with two doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine, which were approved for use in the country by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) . In June, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ATAGI) advised that the AstraZeneca vaccine be administered to people aged 60 and over, rather than those aged 50 and over as was previously recommended, due to the very rare TTS (thrombocytopenia syndrome) condition, which put pressure on the rollout. As of Friday, there have been 30,905 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia, while the death toll stood at 910. On Friday morning, the health department in Australia's most populous state, New South Wales (NSW), reported 44 new locally acquired cases, two days after it announced extending the two-week lockdown by until July 16.

NSW authorities warn against complacency despite dip in cases Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 13: Health authorities in Australia's most populous state of new South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday warned against complacency a there was a slight drop in Covid-19 cases following a triple-digit peak, saying it does not necessarily indicate a downward trend. On Tuesday, the state recorded 89 new locally acquired cases, compared with the 112 infections registered a day ago, reports Xinhua news agency. A total of 767 locally acquired cases have been reported in the outbreak. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the one-day drop should not be a cause for complacency. "One day is not a trend. The numbers will keep bouncing around, we have to say that." she said. Of the newly reported cases, 21 were infectious in the community and a further four remain under investigation. Berejiklian said in order for the

lockdown to be lifted on Friday this number would need to be near to zero. The authorities would announce the decision on Wednesday or Thursday. Of the 89 new cases in NSW, 64 were recorded in Fairfield in Sydney's south-east, the current epicentre of Sydney's latest outbreak. Meanwhile, the NSW Health reported the second death related to the recent outbreak, a man in his 70s in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The authorities imposed some new rules for the area including mandatory testing for people going out of the area for essential working. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro warned that restrictions may be further strengthened in some local government areas if the situation goes worse. The state's Chief Health Officer, Kerry Chant also raised concerns about the geographical spread of the virus, after an essential worker who

travelled to the regional NSW town of Goulbourn for work, 195 km south west of Sydney, tested positive for the virus. "It does highlight why people cannot be complacent about the risk anywhere," said Chant. At the same time, the state of Victoria recorded three locally acquired cases after a family travelled from Sydney, while the state of Queensland recorded two local cases.

Sydney lockdown almost impossible to be lifted: NSW Premier Photo Courtesy: The Gaurdian

Sydney, July 12: Following a triple-digit rise in daily Covid-19 cases on Monday for the first time in over a year in New South Wales (NSW), the Australian state's Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the scheduled lifting of the lockdown in Sydney this week is "almost impossible". "Where the numbers are, it is not likely, in fact, almost impossible, for us to get out of lockdown on Friday," Xinhua news agency quoted Berejiklian as saying to reporters here.

The state recorded 112 new locally acquired cases on Monday, which increased the the total number of infection in the latest outbreak to 678. It is the first time that more than 100 cases have occurred in a single day in NSW since April last year. Among the new local cases, the source of infection for 48 cases remains under investigation, while 34 were transmitted in the community. The NSW government announced it would further ramp up its vacci-

nation drive, with the AstraZeneca jab to be made available to all people aged over 40 at NSW mass vaccination clinics. Teachers and aged care workers in the Fairfield, Canterbury Bankstown and Liverpool local government areas where there is greater concern of Covid-19 transmission will be prioritised. NSW has also approached the federal government to ask that any unused Pfizer vaccines be redirected to NSW health hubs. These changes will be complemented with the opening of three new mass vaccination centres and a large vaccination clinic in the coming weeks, adding to the 100 NSW Health vaccination clinics and outreach locations across the state. At the same time, customers and businesses are reminded that from Monday the use of the NSW government's Covid-Safe Check-In will be mandatory at most workplaces and retail businesses in the state. Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said check-in information from these additional venues is critical to supporting the work of NSW Health contact tracing teams in the fight against the highly contagious Delta variant.

Australia-Singapore travel bubble delayed Canberra, July 12: Australia's travel bubble with Singapore has been delayed until the end of 2021, a Minister confirmed here. On Sunday, Dan Tehan, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, confirmed that the travel bubble, which will allow quarantine-free travel between the two countries for the first time since March 2020, has been delayed as a result of Australia's interrupted vaccine rollout and the Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, Xinhua news agency. The scheme was set to open in July or August. "When it comes to when we were looking at a bubble, it has been put back due to the third wave of the virus," Tehan told Nine Entertainment newspapers. "It's very difficult to put a time frame on it but when you look at the plan that Singapore has put in place, and you put it alongside the plan that the prime minister has announced, the hope might be towards the end of the year that you could look at a travel bubble with Singapore." More than one third of Singaporean adults have been fully vaccinated

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Photo Courtesy: Pexel

against Covid-19 compared to just 10 per cent of Australians. Tehan flagged that vaccine passports would become a reality for years when Australians are again allowed to leave the country freely. "If we are able to open up next year,

you would expect that you're probably looking at 12 months or two years where this is going to be part of what you're doing, it could be like the little yellow booklet for yellow fever," he said.

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WORLD NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

The confused US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Russian, US envoys see Syria deal as 'important moment' for ties Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: The Sentinel Assam

he recent attacks by Taliban in Baghlan, Farah, Kunduz, Herat, Takhar, Helmand, Ghazni and Badakhshan provinces and the capture of Dahla dam which supplies water to Kandahar town should be a curtain raiser for those who ardently watch the story unfold in Afghanistan. As on May 1, 139 pro-government and 44 civilians had lost their lives in just a week alone. On April 14, 2021, President Joe Biden promised to end the "Forever war" by announcing a full US pull out on September 11, 2021, largely out of symbolism to commemorate the 20th year of Global War on Terror (GWOT). But soon after the announcement, it is becoming apparent that the US has not thought through the larger implications of this decision. It is quite apparent that even the US army is surprised by the sudden turn of events. The confusion in the US army is compounded by the contradictory statements emerging from the US military leadership. "It's not a foregone conclusion, in my professional military estimate, that the Taliban automatically win and Kabul falls," said General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , while speaking at the Pentagon on 6 May 2021 even as Afghan Army causalities began to mount in Taliban attacks within the week. He even came out in support of the ANDSF and their capabilities announcing that "I'm a personal witness -- that the Afghan security forces can fight," Milley, who had previously served in Afghanistan, added.

"We've been supporting them, for sure, but they've been leading the fight." That is not how a former US commander who crafted US strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus assess the situation. In an interview he said, "I do fear that two to three years from now we are going to look back and regret the decision to withdraw the remaining 3,500 US troops," enthusing no confidence in the abilities of the ANDSF to stabilise Afghanistan post the withdrawal. In fact he even predicted the return of ISIS and believed, "This is not going to end the endless war in Afghanistan; it is going to end the US and the coalition involvement in that war militarily" and warned of resurgence of Daesh. For instance, the recent Taliban attacks have seen desperate calls for the Afghan Air Force to assist the ground troops in fighting the Taliban. The Afghan Air Force is almost entirely dependent on the US for its force sustenance and would be ineffective unless this support is assured. The US has indicated that it would be capable of supporting operations from its air bases in close proximity of Afghanistan like the Middle East and has been actively courting Uzbekistan as a possible destination. But that does in no way mitigate the problems of keeping Afghan Air Force in the air. Gen Mark Milley accepts that "[M] aintaining logistic support to the Afghan Air Force is a key test that we have to sort out", and even hinted that some contractors could return to Afghanistan after the withdrawal is complete.

In fact the SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction) report released on April 30, 2021 stated that the Afghan Air Force could be grounded "within months without the current level of contractor support".(italics mine). The SIGAR report is more candid as it quotes US military leadership expressing their reservations and concerns at the capabilities of the ANDSF to defend Afghanistan. Consider these statements in the run up to Biden's speech of April 14, 2021. On February 20, 2021, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin linked the US withdrawal to a reduction in Taliban attacks. "The violence must decrease now." The same day, on February 20, 2021, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, in a meeting with Pakistani officials, warned that an early US pullout could risk the collapse of the Afghan government. On March 13, 2021, the commander of US and allied forces in Afghanistan, General Austin Scott Miller, expressed concerns at the capabilities of the Afghan air force saying that "When you start talking about removing our presence... certain things like air, air support, and maintenance of that air support become more and more problematic". On March 25, 2021, General Richard Clarke, Commander, US Special Operations Command accepted the Taliban have not upheld their end of the Doha accord and said: "It's clear the Taliban have not upheld what they said they would do and reduce the violence. It is clear they took a deliberate approach and increased their violence since the peace accords were signed." On April 20, 2021, the Commander of US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, while testifying at a House Armed Services Committee stated that, "Everyone will leave. All US defence contractors will leave as part of the withdrawal." The contradictions are visible. Violence has climbed by 37 per cent in the first quarter as compared to last year. With reference to Gen Kenneth McKenzie's statement, it is now clear that as many as 17,000 contractors, approximately 6000 of whom are US citizens are in Afghanistan will be permitted to renegotiate their contracts. The Economic

Times comments that the Pentagon was toying with the option of turning over some contracts , particularly maintenance contracts presently effected by US contractors to Afghan control. Even the CIA Director William Burns acceded during a hearing that "[W]hen the time comes for the US military to withdraw, the US government's ability to collect and act on threats will diminish... That is simply a fact." Even the Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, released as recent as April 9, 2021 and tabled before Biden's announcement, assessed that the possibility of the success of an intra-Afghan deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban "will remain low during the next year," and that "theTaliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan Government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the Coalition withdraws support." The Report expressed serious reservations about the capabilities of the ANDSF and concludes that the ANDSF "continues to face setbacks on the battlefield, and the Taliban is confident it can achieve military victory." Almost as if on cue, and in complete synchronisation with the US, NATO too ordered its drawdown from Afghanistan, clearly aligning their interests with the US and showing how bereft EU is of an independent Afghan policy as well as the limitations of its military reach and capabilities. Almost immediately after Biden's announcement, on the same day, at a joint press conference NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO ministers "decided that we will start the withdrawal of NATO Resolute Support forces by May 1... We plan to complete the drawdown of all our troops within a few months." Clearly, the military leadership did not approve of or never sensed the impending announcement by the President. In any case, if indeed they made a pitch to the President, he obviously has overruled their advice. The US withdrawal, as it unfolds at the present, is confusing and portends ill for the future of Afghanistan.

United Nations, July 10: The Russian and US Ambassadors to the UN are of the opinion that the adoption of a Resolution on Syria by the Security Council is an "important moment for their countries' relations. The Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a Rsolution on the re-authorisation of the cross-border aid mechanism for Syrians after Russia and the US reached a compromise in last-minute talks, reports Xinhua news agency. By Thursday, the Security Council was set to vote on two competing draft resolutions: one tabled by Ireland and Norway, the co-penholders of the issue, and the other tabled by Russia. The Ireland-Norway text seeks a 12-month extension of the cross-border mechanism, while the Russian text would allow an extension of only six months. Russia and the US were able to bridge the differences in the two drafts and jointly tabled the final text together with Ireland and Norway. This is the first time since 2016 that the Security Council acted unanimously on the Syria humanitarian file. On Friday, Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described the deal as a historical moment. "Today, we are witnessing a historical moment. For the first time, Russia and the US not only managed to find an agreement, but to present a joint text, which was supported by all our colleagues in the council. "We expect that this kind of day would become a turning point that

Biden nominates close ally Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti as envoy to India

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New York, July 10: US President Joe Biden has nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, his close political ally and a former Navy intelligence officer with Indo-Pacific experience, to be the ambassador to India. The White House also announced on Friday that Biden was nominating a career diplomat, Peter Haas, as the ambassador to Bangladesh. Both of them will have to be confirmed to their posts by the Senate. Garceti tweeted, "Should I be confirmed, I'll bring this same energy, commitment, and love for this city to my new role and will forge partnerships and connections that will help strengthen Los Angeles' place on the world stage." Global Indian diaspora organisation

www.indianabroad.news

Indiaspora's founder M.R. Rangaswami said, "It speaks volumes to the importance of the US-India relationship that a close and trusted ally of President Biden may be America's point person in Delhi." The New Delhi ambassadorship is considered an important position and most US ambassadors have been political appointees. Garcetti was a co-chair of Biden's election campaign and served on the panel that vetted candidates to be his vice president. With Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy envisaging a key role for India in the region, Garcetti brings 12 years of experience as an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserve having served under the US Pacific Fleet Commander and in the De-

fense Intelligence Agency. Garcetti has been a champion of climate action, a pillar of Biden's agenda, which he will be expected to promote in India. The White House said, "He is the current Chair of C40 Cities ï¿½ a network of 97 of the world's biggest cities taking bold climate action ï¿½ (and) has led the organisation's engagement and expansion in India, as well as C40's global response to the Covid pandemic through the sharing of best practices and resources." New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkotta and Mumbai are active members of C40 Cities. In New Delhi, Garcetti will face the daunting task of reconciling Washington's priority of reconciling India's role as a regional power and a major defence ally in the Indo-Pacific region where it confronts Beijing's aggressive posture with differences over trade, human rights issues and India buying a Russian missile defence system that the US opposes. Biden offered Garetti a cabinet post, which he turned down saying at the time, "My city needs me now." When his name surfaced in May for the New Delhi job, his spokesperson said, "We're 100 per cent focused on ending the Covid pandemic and passing a justice budget for the city." The city has since adopted a $10.6 billion budget and brought the Covid-19 pandemic under control. But Garcetti, who was elected to the first of two terms in 2013 as the mayor of the nation's second-largest city, is barred by law from running for a third term when his tenure

ends next year. Winning the 2028 summer Olympics for Los Angeles with a successful international campaign was one of his major accomplishments as mayor. Garcetti has a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University and was a Rhodes Scholar. He has taught international affairs at the University of Southern California and diplomacy at Occidental College. His academic research centred on nationalism in Southeast Asia and Northern Africa. He is of the Jewish faith and a Latino of Mexican descent who has been active in ethnic organisations as the founding Chair of the Latino Alliance of Mayors and a member of the Board of National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. The last US ambassador was Kenneth Juster, a political appointee of former President Donald Trump who resigned in January when Trump left office. Since then there have been two acting heads of the US embassy in New Delhi. Daniel Smith, who was appointed the charge d'affaires in April, was succeeded on his retirement by another senior career diplomat Atul Keshap, who was named in June. Fifteen of the 23 ambassadors in New Delhi have been political appointees and included distinguished personalities like former governors Richard Frank Celeste and Chester Bowles (who served twice), former

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members of Congress like Kenneth Keating, Sherman Cooper and William Saxbe, and public intellectuals John Kenneth Galbraith and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who had also been a senator. Earlier this month Garcetti accompanied the Los Angeles baseball team, Dodgers, to a White House reception honouring their last year's World Series championship victory. Biden, who hosted them, said cryptically in jest, "I don't know, man. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle Garcetti if you win twice. I mean, it's going to be hard ï¿½ really hard." If that were to happen, Biden, a fan of the rival Philadelphia team, the Phillies, now wouldn't have to suffer put-downs from Garcetti. In Dhaka, Haas is set to succeed another career diplomat, Earl Miller, who took charge in 2018. Haas worked in South Asia as the consul general in Mumbai. Haas, who obtained a master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics as a Marshal Fellow, has specialised in trade and business diplomacy at the State Department. He is an acting assistant secretary of state and concurrently the principal deputy assistant secretary for economic and business affairs. Earlier, he had been a senior advisor and deputy assistant secretary for trade policy and negotiations and deputy permanent representative of the US at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.

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not only Syria will win from this, but the Middle Eastern region as a whole, and the world as a whole," he told the Security Council after the vote. "We are grateful for this to all members of the council. We're grateful to our American colleagues who were working in the spirit of the agreements achieved during the Geneva summit between Presidents (Vladimir) Putin and (Joe) Biden." Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador, said Friday's deal was an important moment in her country's relationship with Moscow. "I certainly see it as an important moment in our relationship. And it shows that what we can do with the Russians if we work with them diplomatically on common goals. And this was a common goal that we were able to come to an agreement on. "And I look forward to looking for other opportunities to work with the Russians on issues of common interest to our two governments," she told reporters after the adoption of the Syria Resolution. The UN welcomed the statements from the two envoys. Asked for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' comment on this issue, Stephane Dujarric, his chief spokesman, said: "There is nothing that we'd like more than close, positive and productive cooperation between members of the Security Council, between the permanent members of the Security Council, and between the US and the Russian Federation."

EU confirms 47.5 bn euros owed by UK in post-Brexit settlement

The UK is liable to an amount of 47.5 billion euros ($56.4 billion) to the European Union (EU) and the calculation is final, a European Commission spokesperson said here on Friday. The amount includes outstanding commitments made prior to January 1, 2020; contributions to the EU's pension and sickness schemes; as well as other minor items, according to Balazs Ujvari, the Commission's spokesperson for budget and human resources, the Xinhua news agency reported. The calculation was made in line with the provisions of the Brexit deal, Ujvari said. The total amount will be paid over several years in installments. For 2021, the UK will have to pay 6.8 billion euros. The June installment has already been paid in full. The next bill will be sent in September. Asked to comment on a reported discrepancy with the UK's calculation, Ujvari said that the EU's figure was final, but he refrained from commenting on speculations that the payments might fall short of the EU's expectation. "So far, everything that has to be done was done. Therefore, we have no indication whatsoever that the overall figure will be contested," Ujvari said. The UK joined the EU in 1973 but announced its withdrawal in 2016 after a referendum. It officially left the bloc on January 31, 2020.

WORLD NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Microsoft giving each employee 52 killed, over 100 missing in massive Rs 1.12 lakh as pandemic bonus Bangladesh food factory blaze Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

San Francisco, July 9: Microsoft is giving all its employees a $1,500 (over Rs 1.12 lakh) pandemic bonus, in recognition of a challenging fiscal year that the tech giant just completed. According to The Verge which has seen an internal memo, Microsoft is gifting the bonus to all staff below corporate vice president level that started on or before March 31, 2021.

It will also include part-time workers and those on hourly rates. "Microsoft's chief people officer, Kathleen Hogan, announced the gift to employees today, and it will apply to all eligible employees in both the US and internationally," the report said on Thursday. Microsoft has 175,508 employees worldwide. However, employees of its subsidiaries LinkedIn, GitHub and ZeniMax are not eligible for the pandemic bonus, the report added. "It's a gift of around $200 million, or less than two days' worth of profit for Microsoft".

Earlier, Facebook gifted its 45,000 employees $1,000 each and Amazon gave $300 holiday bonus for frontline workers. Microsoft has announced to delay the reopening of its offices till September, after it stated to slowly reopen Redmond, Washington-based headquarters and nearby campuses from March 29 with a six-stage hybrid workplace strategy. Currently, Microsoft work sites in 21 countries have been able to accommodate additional workers in its facilities - representing around 20 per cent of its global employee population.

Taliban militants surround major Afghan cities Photo Courtesy: IANS

Kabul, July 9: The Taliban militants the US has spent two decades battling are now pushing towards the provincial cities in Afghanistan, bringing their battle with the Afghan security forces ever closer to the regional capitals, CBS News reported. Afghan commando units were back on patrol Thursday in the capital of Badghis Province in western Afghanistan, just a day after they beat back Taliban militants who tried to storm the city.

Unverified videos posted on social media appeared to show Taliban fighters speeding towards the centre of the Qala-i-Naw city on motorcycles. Amid the chaos, there was a jailbreak at the local prison. The report said that with heavy gunfire still ringing out, the provincial governor tried to reassure residents: "Keep your composure and I promise you, we will defend the city." The battle was the closest the Taliban has come to toppling a provin-

cial capital since 2015, and it was part of an offensive that has seen the insurgency advance across the country at a lightning speed, the report said. Amid widespread surrenders, desertions and mass retreats by Afghan army soldiers -- including more than 1,000 who fled across the border to neighboring Tajikistan -National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib insisted earlier this week that his troops had begun returning to their posts. "They are being brought back. People are standing. There is war, there is pressure. Sometimes things work in our way, sometimes they don't," he told reporters. Defense officials told CBS News that the Taliban militants are surrounding provincial capitals like Qalai-Naw for now, waiting it out until US troops are gone for good, and the threat of immediate airstrikes coming to the Afghan forces' rescue is diminished. The Afghan troops have been redeployed to defend the cities, setting the stage for a showdown.

Armed Afghan women take to the streets against Taliban

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Kabul, July 9: Women have taken up guns in northern and central Afghanistan, marching in the streets in their hundreds and sharing pictures of themselves with assault rifles on social media in a show of defiance as Taliban militants make sweeping gains nationwide, The Guardian reported. One of the biggest demonstrations was held in central Ghor province, where hundreds of women turned out at the weekend, waving guns and chanting anti-Taliban slogans. They are not likely to head to the frontlines in large numbers any time soon, because of both social conservatism and lack of experience. But the public demonstrations, at a time of urgent threat from the militants, are a reminder of how frightened many women are about what Taliban rule could mean for them and their families, the report said. "There were some women who just wanted to inspire security forces, just symbolic, but many more were ready to go to the battlefields," said Halima Parastish, the head of the women's directorate in Ghor and one of the marchers, adding: "That includes myself. I and some other women told the governor around a month ago that we're ready to go and fight." The Taliban has been sweeping across rural Afghanistan, taking dozens of districts including in places such as northern Badakhshan province, which 20 years ago was an anti-Taliban stronghold. They now have multiple provincial capitals in effect under siege. In the areas they control, the Taliwww.indianabroad.news

ban militants have already brought in restrictions on women's education, their freedom of movement and their clothing, say activists and residents of those areas. In one area, flyers were circulating demanding that women put on burqas. Even women from extremely conservative rural areas aspire to get more education, greater freedom of movement and a greater role in their families, according to a new survey by a group whose voices are rarely heard. Taliban rule will take them in the opposite direction, the report said. "No woman wants to fight, I just want to continue my education and stay far away from the violence, but conditions made me and other women stand up," said a journalist in her early 20s from northern Jowzjan, where there is a history of women fighting, the report said. She attended a day's training on weapons handling in the provincial capital, which is currently besieged. She asked not to be named in case it falls to the Taliban. "I don't want the country under the control of people who treat women the way they do. We took up the guns to show if we have to fight, we will," she said. She said there were a few dozen women learning to use guns with her, and despite their inexperience they would have one advantage over men if they faced the Taliban. "They are frightened of being killed by us, they consider it shameful," she said. For conservative militants, facing women in battle can be humiliating. ISIS fighters in Syria were reportedly more frightened of dying at the

hands of female Kurdish forces than being killed by men. It is rare, but not unprecedented, for Afghan women to take up arms, particularly in slightly less conservative parts of the country. Last year, a teenager, Qamar Gul, became famous nationwide after fighting off a group of Taliban who had killed her parents. The militants included her husband. In Baghlan province, a woman called Bibi Aisha Habibi had become the country's only female warlord in the wake of the Soviet invasion and the civil war that followed. She was known as Commander Kaftar, or Pigeon. And in northern Balkh, 39-yearold Salima Mazari has recently been fighting on the frontlines in Charkint, where she is the district governor. The Taliban shrugged off Afghanistan's historical precedents, claiming the demonstrations were propaganda and men would not allow female relatives to fight. "Women will never pick up guns against us. They are helpless and forced by the defeated enemy," said a spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, adding: "They can't fight." As per the report, the provincial governor of Ghor, Abdulzahir Faizzada, said in a phone interview that some of the women who came out in the streets of Firozkoh, the provincial capital, had already battled the Taliban, and most had endured violence from the group. The Taliban's conservative rules are particularly unwelcome in Ghor, where women traditionally wear headscarves rather than covering themselves fully with the burqa, and work in fields and villages beside their men, Parastish said. The Taliban has banned women even from taking care of animals or working the land in areas of Ghor they control, she added. They have closed girls' schools, ordered women not to leave home without a male guardian and even banned them from gathering for weddings, saying only men should attend.

Dhaka, July 9: A massive blaze tore through a food processing factory in an industrial town near Dhaka, killing at least 52 as workers trapped by flames in the multi-storey building were forced to leap for their lives from the fourth floor. The blaze broke out at the Shezan Juice Factory in Rupganj, an industrial town 25 km east of the capital, on Thursday afternoon 5 p.m (local time) and was still burning nearly 25 hours later, Fire Service's Director Operation, Lt Col Siddique Mohammed Zulfiqar Rahman told IANS on Friday afternoon. President Abdul Hamid and Prime minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow over the tragedy. Rahman also told IANS the fire rapidly spread because highly flammable chemicals and plastics had been stockpiled inside. About 30 people were injured and more than a hundred are missing, said the awaited relatives. Hundreds of distraught relatives and other workers waited anxiously as emergency services brought out bodies from the burning building. Rahman said that many of the workers injured had leapt for their lives from the upper floors in the complex. It was not confirmed how many people were trapped inside. "Once the fire is under control, we will conduct a search and rescue operation inside. Then we can confirm any further casualties,"he said. Anwarul, a factory worker who escaped the fire, said there were dozens of people inside when the blaze began. He also claimed that the fourth floor of the food processing factory was locked, and that is why most of the workers could not get out. The 49 bodies were recovered from the fourth floor of the factory, officials added. The relatives of the workers also said that the workers at the spot informed them, over mobile, about the fire and that they were helpless as the gate was locked by the authority. "On the third floor, the gate on the only stairwell was locked. Other colleagues are saying there were 48 people inside. I don't know what happened to them. "A dozen other workers ran to the roof after the fire broke out on the ground floor and black smoke covered the whole factory. Then the firefighters brought us down by using ropes," worker Dildar Mia told IANS. Most of the workers of the factory were adolescent girls, including his two daughters, said Billal Hossain, father of Mitu and Ritu, who worked there. While bodies of two women and a man who died after jumping out

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from the multi-storied building were recovered from outside, 49 burnt bodies were found inside and taken to the mortuary. The duty officer of the mortuary of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) told IANS that the relatives

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of the deceased failed to identify the dead bodies, and only DNA tests can prove their identity. The bodies were taken to the mortuary in a fleet of ambulances amid anguished shouts and tears from people watching in the streets.

ART & CULTURE

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Film shooting consent process in world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway goes digital

he Indian railways authorities have initiated the process to give permission digitally to make films and documentaries on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is also known across the world for its fascinating journey through the hills of Himalayas in narrow gauge toy trains. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Subhanan Chanda said that the decision of online process of scrutinising applications and to give permission in a digital mode was taken to facilitate and encourage making more films on DHR, which was included in the World Heritage Site list in 1999. He said that before the new online initiative, officials of the film production houses or documentary film makers from different parts of the country and abroad had to come physically several times to NFR headquarters in Maligaon near Guwahati before finally going to

Darjeeling for shooting. "Sometimes they had to reschedule a pre-fixed shooting programme also. In order to mitigate the issue, the NFR has now provided a link in their official website (https://nfr. indianrailways.gov.in/). "Any film producer or enthusiast from any part of India and abroad keen to undertake film shooting either using the toy train or railway premises in DHR can now apply online without physically coming to the shooting sites or NFR offices," Chanda told IANS. "Film producers can also deposit the requisite fees required to be submitted before undertaking the shooting online. Fees are required if the shooting is to be done for commercial purposes and there will be no charges if the shooting is to be undertaken for non-commercial, academic and awareness purposes." The new system would facilitate the filmmakers of India and other countries to plan for shooting within a much shorter time period than

earlier, the CPRO said adding that as the entire process can also be monitored by the applicant, it brings about transparency and ease of doing business with railways. Giving details of filming in DHR, the official said that over the decades, shooting of a large number of Bollywood, Tollywood and other Indian states films was done in Darjeeling areas. Some of the famous Bollywood films which were shot in Darjeeling include Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), China Town (1962), Aradhana (1969), Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Parineeta (2005), Barfi (2012) and Jagga Jasoos (2017). "Lots of short films and television serials were shot in DHR over the decades. In January this year, a documentary film on Nobel laureate Mother Teresa was also shot on-board a toy train from Siliguri junction to Kurseong," the NFR official said. He said that although the complete section of DHR is a cherished location for shooting of films and documentaries, some of the most preferred locations on DHR are Batasia Loop, Agony Point, Ghoom Station, Darjeeling station, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary between Sukna and Rongtong stations. Attracting tourists from all over the world who don't want to miss the mesmerising romance of the toy train ride through the hills criss-crossing the Hill Cart road, the DHR also helped people to earn money for their livelihood. Chanda said that the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, at its 23rd session held at Marrakesh in Morocco on December 5, 1999, decided to inscribe DHR on its World Heritage Site list. Work on the narrow gauge DHR, which covers 88 km from West Bengal's New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, was completed between 1879 and 1881. The NFR, one among the 17 railway zones in India, operates fully and partially in six of the eight northeastern states, excluding Meghalaya and Sikkim, and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

Need to enlighten youth on 'Arsha Dharma' ethics: TTD Photo Courtesy: IANS

irumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) additional executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy on Tuesday said there is an urgent need to enlighten youth on the ethics embedded in 'Arsha Dharma' after the recitation of 'Ravana Samharam' from 'Yuddhakanda' here. "Sri Mahavishnu took the human incarnation of Sri Rama to show the world that when Dharma is followed evil cannot survive. All his life Sri Rama followed Dharma and killed the powerfu demon king Ravana," said Reddy after the recitation at Vasantha Mandapam.

Appreciating the efforts of the priests, SVBC and garden wings of the temple body, the additional executive officer said a similar setting of 'Vishwaroopa Darshanam' of Sri Krishna will be laid on the last day of Bhagavat Gita recitation. On Tuesday, as part of Ravana Samharam, 270 'slokas' were recited. Chapter 111 chapter consists of Rama

killing Ravana. "The setting of war between Rama and Ravana stood as a special attraction. By offering Nakshatra and Kumbha Harati the event completed which was telecast live for over three hours starting from 8:30 a.m. onwards for global devotees," said an official.

This Kerala student draws using her hands, feet and mouth Telangana's Ramappa temple, Photo Courtesy: IANS

ere is an artist in Kerala who has mastered the skill of drawing caricatures simultaneously using both her hands, feet and mouth. E.V. Divya is a third year general nursing student hailing from Thrissur and though not an artist, the boredom during the lockdown last year, made her think on how best to utilise her free time after her online class.

"It was then I tried to draw caricatures and soon I got interested in it. When I felt I could draw reasonably well, I thought of using my left hand and soon that became a success. Then I tried with both hands, again I became successful," said Divya to IANS. The whole of last year she did the same in her free time and she got the full support of her father, who is a driver by profession, while her mother works in a private firm. She has a younger sister too, and all of them gave her moral support. "This year, I tried to re-invent and put a marker pen on my right foot and started to scribble and then soon I realised I could do it. Later on put another marker pen on my left foot and that too turned out well," added Divya. "Last month, I decided why not put one marker pen into my mouth and here too I could come out with very good success. Since last month I

have been using five marker pens and drawing the same picture of a person, but in different styles," added Divya. "The first caricature I drew using five marker pens was of actor Jayasurya and it came out well and I was extremely happy when he responded to me after I shared his picture that I drew. That was a great boost and since then I have drawn others also," said Divya. And when asked who she is planning to draw next, pat came the answer, "Superstar Mammootty. For me to draw a person, I first draw the picture of him using my right hand. Once I am sure the picture has come out well, I use five marker pens. It takes me around four hours to finish one caricature. When I did it first it took me six hours. Now I want to do it in even lesser time," noted the artist and is excited about drawing Mammootty, which she has said will do next week.

Closure of Jhansi museum: Ex-Union minister leads protest

Photo Courtesy: IANS

delegation of theatre artistes, writers and social activists, led by former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya, staged a protest at the gate of Jhansi Museum to mark the beginning of demonstrations against the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to close the museum. The protesters, on Wednesday evening, submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister through District Magistrate Jhansi Andra Vamsi. The protesters have announced to host cultural activities like plays, www.indianabroad.news

concerts and 'nukkad nataks' in the museum campus on a daily basis as a mark of protest. Former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya said, "Tourists evaluate the history of a country or city from the articles displayed in its museums. Jhansi has always been on the international tourist map because of the valour of Rani Laxmibai. People come here to see the articles associated with her. The closure of the museum is an attempt to shut out history." Terming the government's decision as a step towards subduing the Bundeli culture, Jain said that he and his team members were even ready to shelve out money from their pockets to pay the salaries of the staff but the district administration should reopen the museum.

Almost the entire staff of the museum has already retired and its deputy director, Asha Pandey, will also retire at the end of this month, he said. The museum, situated near the historic Jhansi Fort, opened in February 1996 when it was inaugurated by then Governor Motilal Vora. Its foundation stone was laid by former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi in 1982. The museum has been fighting for its existence due to a shortage of staff as most of its employees have retired with no new recruitments being made. Of the 16 galleries, 10 have been closed while the remaining six were looked after by the lone staffer who has also now retired", Aditya said.

Dholavira city nominated for World Heritage List

Photo Courtesy: adsdesi

he cultural sites of Dholavira, a historical Harappan city, and the glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways – Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple in Telangana, are India's nominations for the UNESCO World Heritage List, and are among the global sites to be reviewed by the World Heritage Committee’s 44th session slated to be chaired from Fuzhou (China) from July 16-31. On July 16, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will take part in the opening of the session, during which the World Heritage Committee will notably examine the state of conservation of 255 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List, 53 of which also figure on the List of World Heritage in Danger, says UNESCO. The World Heritage Committee has inscribed 1,121 sites in 167 countries on the World Heritage List to date, says UNESCO. India currently has 38 properties inscribed on the prestigious list, ranging across the cultural, natural and mixed sites. The cultural sites, along with the

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year in which they were inscribed, include Agra Fort (1983), Ajanta Caves (1983), Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016), Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989), Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004), Churches and Convents of Goa (1986), Elephanta Caves (1987), Ellora Caves (1983), Fatehpur Sikri (1986), Great Living Chola Temples (1987,2004), Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986), Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984), Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987), Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013), Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017), Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993), Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019). Also included are Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986), Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002), Mountain Railways of India (1999,2005,2008), Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993), Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014), Red Fort Complex (2007), Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003), Sun Temple,

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Konârak (1984), Taj Mahal (1983), The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016), The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010), and Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018). For the natural sites, those included from India are: Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014), Kaziranga National Park (1985), Keoladeo National Park (1985), Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985), Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988,2005), Sundarbans National Park (1987) and Western Ghats (2012). The Khangchendzonga National Park (2016) is a mixed site from India on the List. The session this year will combine current work and issues left outstanding since last year, when the annual meeting was postponed due to COVID-19. Starting on 24 July, the World Heritage Committee will start inscribing nominated sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, beginning with nominations that could not be reviewed last year. World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Places as diverse and unique as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Taj Mahal in India, the Grand Canyon in the USA, or the Acropolis in Greece are examples of the natural and cultural places inscribed on the World Heritage List to date.

ART & CULTURE

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Renaissance of Indian mythology, courtesy graphic novels Graphic novels seem to have rekindled interest among young children in ancient Indian history and literature, even though the pandemic situation did shove spanner in the works, says Aena Malhotra

he genesis of all things Indian, perhaps, lies in the very heart of its scriptures and mythologies. The ancient words of wisdom and truth embedded in these manuscripts are revered in almost every Indian household as the true essence of life, and their followers look up to these manuscripts for decoding the trials and tribulations of everyday human life. The reading and interpretation of scriptures dates back to the origin of our civilization and continues in the majority of households even today. Of course, these practices have not been left unfazed by the vagaries of modern life that include disintegrated family systems, hectic schedules, and the unending lure towards technology, not to talk of the current pandemic. However, there still exists a major

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portion of the population that continues to make space for the reading, interpretation, and following of the holy books almost religiously. It is on account of these devout and dedicated adherents that Indians still continue to be in touch with the very essence and soul of Indian-ness and its cultural richness. Indian mythology has since times immemorial been an eclectic mix of the innumerable cultures and practices that it has been encompassing, and the modern Indian intelligentsia, therefore, looks up to knowing and interpreting the gamut of ideologies and schools of thought included therein. One major medium of spreading this religious and spiritual treasure of knowledge and wisdom has been literature. Holy scriptures in the form of printed literature have influenced and enlightened generations of Indians through their guidelines, teachings, and lessons year after year. Every Indian born and bred in the 20th century can effortlessly recollect countless childhood memories when one’s grandparents or parents educated them about these life-teachings and inculcated good moral values in them through a devout reading of the scriptures on almost daily basis. However, the winds of change have begun to have an impact on almost every sphere of human life, and with the declining interests of modern generation towards reading or other time-consuming activities, the custodians of our rich cultural and spiritual heritage seem to have rightly sensed the need to come up with suitable and less time-consuming options that would ensure people’s continued association with the ancient mythologies and scriptures. As an antidote to this problem, technology, that happened to be the most fierce detrimental factor in retaining people’s association with the scriptures due to a plethora of lures that it provides, was brought in to curb the growing disinterest. What followed was the birth of a new era in literature – that of graphic novels. Graphic novels seem to have rekindled the popular interest in ancient history and literature in an unprecedented manner, even though the pandemic situation did shove spanner in the works. It is a welcome change to witness young children trying to get their heads around classic stories derived from epic scriptures such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. The publishing industry has definitely walked an

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extra mile to ensure that the literary heritage of our country doesn’t get fizzled out in the sparkling aura of tantalising Western literature. In today’s world, if one wishes to delve deep into the fascinating realm of history and mythology, there’s no dearth of options. From Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman, Ahalya, Chaar Saahibzaade to Sita’s Ramayana, Arjun: The Warrior Prince, Shiva: The Legend of the Immortal, the combination of text with illustrations seem to have won the hearts of the younger minds in the country. Of course, it is refreshing to see a classic work of literature get transformed into a graphic text. Ancient mythology in modern avatar into the reading arenas is, therefore, effortlessly welcomed by parents and children alike. For parents, it becomes a cakewalk to supplement growing minds with cultural nuances and mythological facts that inadvertently pave way to a child’s social, religious, and cultural psychology, while for children, it’s an explicable joy of taking imaginative flights into the realms of heroes that they see being talked about and worshipped in their everyday lives. Their curiosity is met with the food for thought that is needed to fuel and, perhaps, cement their cultural leanings in which they are born and brought up. This retelling of Indian mythology in graphic novels is attracting more and more young minds towards our culture’s exotic and fertile heritage. With the coming of attractive subtitles such as Draupadi: the Fireborn Princess, Krishna: Defender of Dharma, and Ravana: Roar of the Demon King, reader’s passion for exploring these characters is escalating, along with an almost effortless retention due to the easy and interesting words and phrases that they come packaged in. Thanks to graphic illustrations, children of the present generation are far more well-versed about the finer details of mythology than their fathers or forefathers. One hopes that this innovative literary form is here to stay and enlightens many more generations with its unparalleled sheen and glory. --Ends-Pullquote Holy scriptures in the form of printed literature have influenced and enlightened generations of Indians through their guidelines, teachings, and lessons year after year.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Creators smile as Indians warm Cryptocurrency-related cyberattacks grew by 192%: Report up to new crypto form NFT Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 3: As high-networth individuals (HNWIs) continue to invest in cryptocurrencies and seek to diversify their portfolio, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are slowly gaining asset-class credibility. Indians are also warming up to this new digital asset that has given creators and collaborators a fresh platform to earn better moolah while generating more value for their work. NFTs allow people to buy and sell ownership of unique digital items in cryptocurrencies, and keep track of who owns them using the Blockchain. NFTs can technically contain anything digital, including drawings, artworks, tweets, animated GIFs, songs or even video games. TV host and actor Vishal Malhotra collaborated with artist Ishita Banerjee to release an NFT which was sold last week for 2.5 Ethereum ($5,500) -- five times the listed price. On the NFT marketplace by WazirX, India's biggest cryptocurrency exchange in terms of trading volume, a unique NFT, which was a collaborative artwork between pop icon Ritviz and visual artist Santanu Hazarika, was sold for $391.8 within 10 sec-

onds of going live. WazirX has sold more than 160 pieces of digital art on its platform for NFTs within month of its launch. The crypto company on June 1 rolled out South Asia's first NFT Marketplace with 15 creators hailing from diverse categories such as space 3D artists, digital artists, muralist photographers, canvas artists, street artists and visual artists. The platform came without any listing price and extended 50,000 WRX (WazirX tokens) as bonuses for the community. "More artists and collectors across the globe are today tapping the power of NFTs. NFTs ensure the exclusivity of ownership and can be seen as a way to digitise artwork and other collectible items," said Sandesh B Suvarna, VP, WazirX NFT Marketplace. According to Hazarika, the global NFT market is slowly becoming a crucial promotional tool for all artists to monetise their work and uniquely engage with their community of collectors and fans who value art. "With NFTs, artists are now open to working with anyone," he said.

The WazirX NFT Marketplace is powered by the Binance Smart Chain, which brings the gas fee -- a sum required to mint the NFT via a blockchain -- down from $60-$100 to about $1. Since the NFTs are interoperable, anyone can later transfer the NFT to a different cryptocurrency such as Ethereum. An exhibition featuring the artworks of Bengal-born artist, Lalu Prasad Shaw, certified using NFTs is on view at Terrain.art till July 31. "Terrain.art is delighted to be one of the first blockchain powered platforms in India to register artworks using NFTs, presenting new works and those with prior histories through curated exhibitions," said its founder Aparajita Jain. On the global stage, digital artist Michael Winkelmann or Beeple sold one of his NFT arts for nearly $70 million earlier this year. An NFT artwork by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden was sold for more than $5.4 million in April. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey even sold his first tweet as an NFT for over $2.9 million. According to Capgemini's World Wealth Report (WWR), with the current stock market surge, HNWIs are seeking to diversify their portfolio with alternative investments. "Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) are becoming more popular, while non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are slowly gaining asset-class credibility," the report noted.

Terror financing surges amid Covid, rampant use of cryptocurrency Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, June 30: Terror financing and money laundering have blossomed in the last one year as countries and governments across the world directed their focus only on battling the Covid 19 pandemic. The new age digital asset in the form of crypto-currency has also boosted terror financing. Crypto currencies are witnessing a surge in their market value despite the sharp contraction in economic activities worldwide due to the pandemic. The sudden change in the pattern and scale of financial transactions in the wake of the pandemic has provided an opportunity to criminals and terrorists, sources told India Narrative. "Unlawful activities and terror financing may have shot up significantly as countries continue to battle Covid 19. Pattern and sources of financing have undergone a massive shift due to pandemic related stress. This has made it very difficult for authorities to track the quantum or the source of inflow of money," BK Singh, Retired Joint Commissioner Crime, Delhi Police told India Narrative. Though terror financing and money

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laundering are different activities, both are interlinked as they unlawfully leverage the weaknesses and lacunae of the financial system to carry out criminal activities. Singh added that crypto currencies which typically are not regulated by governments and authorities are also being extensively used by the non-state actors. "Why should the value of bitcoins surge? One of the reasons could be the extensive use of this asset form for illegal and criminal activities. The crypto currency space must be watched out. At present it is not regulated and this provides an opportunity to terror groups," Singh said. Meanwhile, the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) retained Pakistan in its ï¿½grey list' for failing to weed out terror financing and money laundering. FATF noted that while Pakistan completed all but 1 of 27 items, but in its Counter Terror Financing (CTF) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) effort, it has failed to adequately investigate and prosecute senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups. "The FATF has retained Pakistan in the grey list and this is a clear indication that even closer home terror financing has continued despite Covid," another analyst who did not wish to be identified said. While the ghastly terror attacks in Mozambique Palma on March 24 did not attract global attention, he source said that it is a wake-up call for the world. The pandemic and its fallout on financial dealings have provided an

opportunity to several terror groups such as the Islamic State (IS) to re-organise and re-boot with a new hub, sources said. FATF in a report noted that the near 360 degree change in behaviour due to the pandemic- "whether the behaviour of individuals, companies or governments ï¿½ have in turn presented criminals with new opportunities to commit crimes and launder the proceeds." The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pointed out that money laundering and terrorism financing activity in one country can have serious cross-border and even global adverse effects.

New Delhi, June 29: As the price of bitcoin increased by almost 400 per cent, cryptocurrency-related email compromise attacks increased by 192 per cent between October 2020 and May 2021, a report said on Tuesday. According to cloud-enabled security solutions provider Barracuda Networks, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the opportunities this creates for them to trick potential victims and increase the profits they can make from their attacks. "The digital format of cryptocurrencies make them decentralised in nature and without any regulations, they have become the currency of choice for cybercriminals," Murali Urs, Country Manager, Barracuda Networks-India, said in a statement. "It fuelled and enabled a multi-billion economy of ransomware, cyber-extortion and impersonation.

These attacks are targeting not just private businesses, but also critical infrastructure, so they increasingly pose a national security risk," Urs added. Urs also said that the recent high-profile attacks on organisations like Colonial Pipeline and JBS in the US are likely to bring greater interest in the government's intervention and regulation of bitcoin. Hackers use bitcoin to get paid in extortion attacks where they claim to have a compromising video or information that will be released to

the public if the victim does not pay to keep it quiet. While this scheme has been around for some time, as the price of bitcoin climbed, cybercriminals started including it as part of their business email compromise attacks impersonating employees within an organization. They target and personalize these emails to get their victims to purchase bitcoin, donate them to fake charities, or even pay a fake vendor invoice using cryptocurrency. Due to the rapid growth in the perceived value of bitcoin, ransomware attacks have also become more damaging than ever. In 2019, ransom demands ranged from a few thousand dollars to $2 million at the top end. By mid-2021 most demands were in the millions, with a significant number over $20 million.

Zomato’s IPO opens on July 14, price band fixed at Rs 72-76 Photo Courtesy: INDIA new England News

New Delhi, July 8: Zomato Ltd will open its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on July 14, and will close it on July 16. A company statement said that the price band of the offer has been fixed at Rs 72 to Rs 76 per equity share. Bids can be made for a minimum of 195 equity shares and in multiples of 195 equity shares thereafter. The IPO consists of fresh issue aggregating up to Rs 9,000 crore (fresh issue) and an offer for sale by Info Edge (India) Ltd aggregating up to Rs 375 crore (offer for sale). This offer includes a reservation of up to 65 lakh equity shares for purchase by eligible employees, on a proportionate basis and such portion not exceeding 5 per cent of the post offer equity share capital of the company. The company may, in consultation with the selling shareholder and the managers, allocate up to 60 per cent of the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) portion to anchor investors on a discretionary basis in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, out of which one-third shall be available for allocation to domestic mutual funds only.

Further, 5 per cent of the QIB Portion (excluding the Anchor Investor Portion) shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to mutual funds only, and the remainder of the QIB portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to all QIB bidders other than anchor investors, including mutual funds, subject to valid bids being received at or above the offer price. However, if the aggregate demand from mutual funds is less than 5 per cent of the QIB portion, the balance equity shares available for allocation

in the mutual fund portion will be added to the remaining QIB portion for proportionate allocation to QIBs. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Ltd, Morgan Stanley India Company Private Ltd and Credit Suisse Securities (India) Private Ltd are the global co-ordinators and the book running lead managers (GCBRLMs) to the issue. BofA Securities India Ltd and Citigroup Global Markets India Private Ltd are the book running lead managers (BRLMs) to the offer.

MSME registration now allowed for wholesalers, retailers: RBI to banks New Delhi, July 7: Days after the government announced that wholesale and retail trade would come under the ambit of micro, small and medium enterprises, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has written to banks that wholesale and retail traders are now allowed to be registered on the Udyam Registration Portal and get classified as an MSME. Udyam Registration Portal is the official portal to register an MSME. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through an office memorandum had said that retail and wholesale trade would be classified as MSMEs for the limited purpose of priority sector lending and they would be allowed to be

registered on Udyam Registration Portal. The beneficiary segments of the change in norm would be wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, wholesale trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles and retail trade except of motor vehicles and motorcycles. Citing the National Industrial Classification Codes of the three segments, the RBI circular said: "The Enterprises having Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM) under above three NIC Codes are now allowed to migrate to Udyam Registration Portal or file Udyam Registration afresh." UAM is a one-page registration form

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which constitutes a self-declaration format under which the MSME will self-certify its existence, bank

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account details, promoter's Aadhaar details and other required information.

Photo Courtesy: IANS

SCI-FI

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

48MP & above rear camera Facebook app head Fidji Simo joins Instacart as CEO demand grows globally: Report

San Francisco, July 9: Fidji Simo, Vice President and Head of the Facebook app which reaches billions of people every month, has quit the social network and is joining online grocery leader Instacart as its CEO effective August 2, ahead of its IPO. Over the last decade at Facebook, Simo oversaw the development and strategy for the Facebook app, including News Feed, Stories, Groups, Video, Marketplace, Gaming, News, Dating, Ads and more.

Apoorva Mehta, Instacart's Founder and current CEO, will transition to Executive Chairman of the Board, and will also report to Instacart's Board of Directors, the company said in a statement on Thursday. Mehta founded Instacart 10 years ago with an ambitious vision to bring an entire industry online and over the years he's built and scaled a phenomenal business that supports the entire grocery ecosystem.

San Francisco, July 8: Apple is expected to release its first OLED iPad in 2023, the Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) said in its newest quarterly OLED Shipment Report. Apple will enter the market with a 10.9-inch AMOLED ?iPad?, which prior sources have suggested could be an iPad Air. There have been multiple reports about Apple's work on an OLED ?iPad?, and the sheer number of rumors all but confirm that the technology is in development, reports MacRumors. Right now, OLED displays are limited to Apple's iPhone lineup, the Apple Watch and the MacBook Pro Touch Bar, but Apple has been working to bring OLED to Macs and loads, the report said.

The Elec recently said that Apple will release a 10.8-inch ?iPad? with an OLED display in 2022 and back in March, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple is expected to start using OLED next year. DigiTimes has also predicted a 2022 release for an OLED ?iPad?, as have sites like ETNews, which rely on supply chain data. Kuo also said that Apple's first OLED ?iPad? would be an ?iPad Air? rather than an iPad Pro, with Apple continuing to use mini-LED technology for the ?iPad Pro? lineup. Several reports about the OLED ?iPad? haven't specified that the device will be an ?iPad Air?, but that's the general expectation as Kuo often has reliable insight into Apple's plans. OLED technology is expensive,

"I'm excited to work with the talented teams at Instacart, as well as our retail partners, to reimagine the future of grocery, and create a world where everyone has access to the food they love and more time to enjoy it together," said Simo. Simo has spent more than 15 years leading the operations, strategy and product development for some of the world's leading businesses. "I believe that with Simo at the helm, we'll be in an even stronger position to seize the incredible opportunity in front of us," said Mehta. Simo was also a core driver of Facebook's mobile monetisation strategy and led the team in charge of architecting Facebook's advertising business and developing ad formats for mobile. She also made video a critical part of the Facebook experience, from rolling out videos that autoplay in News Feed, to building and launching Facebook Live and Watch. Prior to Facebook, Simo joined eBay in 2007 as part of the company's Strategy team. While at eBay, she helped build out the company's local commerce and classified-advertising initiatives.

Apple's 1st OLED iPad coming in 2023: Report which is a factor that has thus far limited it to smaller devices like iPhones and Apple Watches. When adopted in the ?iPad?, it will bring improved brightness, higher contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles, the report said. The DSCC report also suggests that Apple will "cancel the Touch Bar" in the future, which is in line with MacBook Pro rumours. The new MacBook Pro models expected in 2021 will do away with the OLED Touch Bar, with Apple instead returning to a standard function row of keys.

Battlegrounds Mobile India partners Musk's Tesla for game

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 8: The camera resolution in smartphones continues to grow and for the rear main camera, demand for 48MP and above resolution returned to growth, collectively accounting for 38.7 per cent of total smartphone shipments in Q1 2021, says a new report. According to market research firm Counterpoint, for the front main camera, the share of 16MP and above megapixel counts edged down to 33.2 per cent, down 0.7 percentage points from Q4 2020. "With 5G capability spreading to lower price segments, the cost of a smartphone RF front-end subsystem alone has increased by 50 per cent with additional frequency band support," Alicia Gong, Research Analyst, said in a statement. "The increase in bill of materials (BoM) cost, particularly for low-end to mid-end smartphones, had temporarily slowed down the resolution improvement in Q1 2021," Gong added. However, according to the report, the demand for high-resolution main cameras will continue to increase. According to the findings from Counterpoint's Smartphone Camera Tracker, Q1 2021, the shipment share of 108MP jumped to over 3.4 per cent in Q1 2021. The demand for 64MP continues to increase as it has become a sweet spot for the wholesale price band of $300-$499.

This resolution also expands its share in lower price segments like $200-$299 and even $100-$199, although the shift to 64MP from 48MP slows down due to the BoM cost increase, particularly in 5G smartphones. The 50MP share temporarily declined primarily due to the decrease in Huawei's premium smartphone shipments. However, the research firm expects the share to return to growth from Q2 2021 as more Android brands start equipping their flagship models with big-pixel and large-area image sensors. With a good cost performance balance, 48MP is taking much of shipments across multiple price segments, the report said. Within the $100-$199 price band, the

collective share of 48MP and 64MP reached 46 per cent in Q1 2021. Both resolutions are becoming mainstream and will have a long-lasting impact on the rear camera design. There is little room left for the 20MP-44MP zone and the proportion of 16MP also tends to decrease. Regarding 13MP and 12MP, the two still commanded the largest shipment share in Q1 2021 with 25.5 per cent and 24.6 per cent, respectively. The resolution of the front-facing camera is also improving continuously to shoot super-clear selfie images. In Q1 2021, the collective share of 20MP and above resolutions was back above 20 per cent and the high demand will continue with widespread adoption across multiple price segments.

Google Meet gets fun filters and masks on iOS, Android Photo Courtesy: IANS

San Francisco, July 9: Google has rolled out an update for the video calling app, Meet, that could make personal calls more enjoyable. The Meet app for Android and iOS now has filters and masks you can play with -- simply tap the sparkle button at the bottom right corner of your video call to bring up the Effects options. You'll find Blur effects and backgrounds in there as you would on enterprise and education accounts, but you'll now also find "Styles" and "Filters" among the options in the carousel, Engadget reported. Under Styles, you'll see lens flare effects and color overlays you can apply to your video. If you want to see the truly fun options, though, look under Filters for cute animal masks and virtual accessories you can virtually put on your face and head. These new effects are already live and based on our tests, they're available for use even if you start a meeting through Gmail instead of through the Meet app itself, the report said. As 9to5Google notes, Google has been releasing several features that would make the service a more veri-

table Zoom rival. This time, the tech giant is hoping to win over personal users with a feature that could convince them to use Meet for calls with friends and family. The publication previously reported that Google will eventually replace its Duo app with Meet entirely. This move could be a step towards that, as well, seeing as some of Meet's new masks and filters came straight out of Duo's library, the report said.

Cisco elevates Daisy Chittilapilly as India, SAARC President

Photo Courtesy: IANS

New Delhi, July 13: Battlegrounds Mobile India developer Krafton on Tuesday announced that its partnership with Elon Musk's EV maker Tesla will allow players to drive a Tesla Model Y and can experience the autopilot feature available in the game. With a new update for the game after its official launch, players can enter the Gigafactory and watch the production of a Tesla Model Y from start to finish. They can then drive away in their new car and also experience the ground-breaking autopilot feature available in all Tesla vehicles, the company said in a statement. A self-driving Tesla Semi will also spawn randomly on rural roads and automatically run along specific routes. Players can deal damage to the Semi to force its supply boxes to www.indianabroad.news

drop and obtain combat supplies. The game's classic mode has also been updated to include an all-new weapon, the MG3, as well as a new feature to toss medical items to your squad mates in those clutch situations. The MG3, which can take up to a 6X scope and no other attachments, is a light machine gun that may be obtained by airdrops while playing classic maps apart from Karakin. Instead, the M249, which was previously airdropped, will now appear directly on the map for loot. A multitude of features has been introduced the make the gameplay better. For the first time, gyroscope sensitivity can be changed, Third Person Perspective (TPP) camera angles can be tuned, and ammo indicators

allow for more finesse in strategy. The company said that 90FPS is now supported on a host of new devices, while a graphical option lower than smooth has been added for low-end devices. Krafton also announced the Royale Pass Month system, RPM1 for the inaugural month, for Battlegrounds Mobile India in this update. The new Mission Ignition mode will have six major places on the Erangel map which will be transformed into research and energy facilities. Players will be able to enjoy a whole new method of tactically manipulating the game with the addition of combat features such as patrol robots, information collectors. The automatic Hyperline which transports players is another eye-catching feature.

Bengaluru, July 13: Networking giant Cisco on Tuesday announced to elevate Daisy Chittilapilly as President of its India and SAARC operations from August 1. Chittilapilly, Managing Director for Cisco's Digital Transformation Office, will replace Sameer Garde, who recently announced his decision to join the social sector after four years at Cisco. "With businesses across the region looking to capture the economic rebound, her wealth of experience and knowledge in digitally enabling organisations and developing Cisco's go-to-market strategies around software and services will help propel Cisco, our customers, and partners to the forefront of the digital economy," said Dave West, President, Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan & Greater China. As President of the India & SAARC, she will be responsible for strategy and sales, operations, and investments to drive long-term growth in the region.

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With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, Chittilapilly was also the leader of software and services sales at Cisco and worked with partners to accelerate Cisco's transition towards software and subscription-based offerings. "I am excited about the possibilities we can shape for India's people and businesses, and I look forward to

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working closely with our customers, partners, communities, and the government to bring these possibilities to life," she said. Before joining Cisco, Daisy worked with Wipro across multiple sales management roles and has served as Co-Chair on the FICCI National Committee for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation.

LITERATURE

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

'Philip' a moving account 'Historical fiction gives of two contrasting lives unencumbered access

Photo Courtesy: IANS

his is the story of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh -- the longest-serving consort to the longest-reigning sovereign in British history. It is an extraordinary story, told with unique insight and authority by Gyles Brandreth, a multi-talented author who knew the prince for more than 40 years. Philip -- elusive, complex, controversial, challenging, often humor-

ous, sometimes irascible -- is the man Elizabeth II once described as her "constant strength and guide". Who was he? What was he really like? What is the truth about those 'gaffes' and the rumours of affairs? This is the final portrait of an unexpected and often much-misunderstood figure. It is also the portrait of a remarkable marriage that endured for more than 70 years. Philip and Elizabeth were both royal by birth, both great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria, but, in temperament and upbringing, they were two very different people. The Queen's childhood was loving and secure, the Duke's was turbulent; his grandfather assassinated, his father arrested, his family exiled, his parents separated when he was only ten. Elizabeth and Philip met as cousins in the 1930s. They married in 1947, aged 21 and 26. "Philip: The Final Portrait" (Hodder & Stoughton) tells the story of two contrasting lives, assesses the Duke of Edinburgh's character and achievement, and explores the nature of his relationships with his wife, his children and their families -- and with the press and public and

those at court who were suspicious of him in the early days. This is a powerful, revealing and, ultimately, moving account of a long life and a remarkable royal partnership. Gyles Brandreth is a writer, performer, former MP and Government Whip, now Chancellor of the University of Chester and probably best known these days as a reporter on BBC1's The One Show and having been a regular on Radio 4's Just a Minute. On TV he has featured on Have I Got News For You, QI, Room 101, Countdown, and This is Your Life. As a journalist he writes for the Telegraph and Daily Mail and is a columnist for The Oldie. The founder of the National Scrabble Championships, his books about words and language include four best-sellers, "The Joy of Lex", "Word Play", "Have You Eaten Grandma?" and "Dancing by the Light of the Moon". His novels include seven Victorian murder mysteries featuring Oscar Wilde as his detective and he has published two volumes of diaries and two acclaimed royal biographies. In 2020 he published "The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes".

An all-encompassing view of Kashmiri ethos and culture Photo Courtesy: IANS

erhaps the most enigmatic region in the world, Kashmir has a special place in the Indian subcontinents history. Over the several centuries of being ruled by kings from diverse faiths and cultures -- Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Afghans, Sikhs and Dogras -- the region has undergone various cycles of social, cultural and religious changes. Since Independence, the Kashmir Valley has received more media and government attention than any other state. The reasons have been mostly political than for its natural beauty, its contribution to Indian literature or its exuberant flora and fauna. Writer, politician and social worker Khem Lata Wakhlu's 'A Kashmiri Century - Portrait of a Society in Flux' (HarperCollins) is a one-of-akind book that delves deep into the human side of living in the Valley, an aspect often missing in the cold political treatises on Kashmir. It offers a rare glimpse into the lives of Kashmiris-Hindus and Muslims alike -- and how their existence revolved around the simple pleasures of life, even as they dealt with the many changes of the past one hundred years. As a native Kashmiri, Wakhlu has seen the socio-political landscape change like few others. The stories in the book provide a glimpse of the Kashmir that her generation and her grandparents and parents grew up in. The all-encompassing view of Kashmiri ethos and culture brings a fresh outlook that is much needed in our times. "Millennials and those unfamiliar with Kashmir will get a unique perspective on the lives of the people, and how they have retained their humour, their spiritual ethos and their resilience, even in the face of centuries of hardship," Wakhulu says of her powerful, personal compilation of stories that reflect the human side of the Kashmir conflict. Sachin Sharma, Senior Commissioning Editor, HarperCollins India, says: "If you look at books on Kashmir, "A Kashmiri Century" would stand out on its own. While most books on the subject are political in nature, this one provides a poignant, human side of what it is to live in Kashmir. For more than five decades, Khem Lata Wakhlu has been serving the valley as a social worker and politician. She provides a rare perspective on Kashmiri ethos and culture, something often missing in mainstream media. Here is a book that is not to be missed." The book has been widely lauded. "Here is an intimate insider's look at an interesting and transformative century of Kashmir. Wakhlu belongs to a distinguished Kashmiri Pandit family and her stories explore their inner world as the social and political life changed from relative harmony to the violence of the last www.indianabroad.news

few decades. An illuminating read," says performer and activist Mallika Sarabhai. "Story and history revel together to reveal the joyful intimacy of Kashmiri life. 'Sambandh', the bond that ties us, reigns supreme, whether licit or illicit, loving or traumatic, invoking courage or cowardice, horror or wonder, bringing tears of sorrow or joy. You will be touched, you will be moved. These are the magical stories of a beautiful people whose sweetness made the land wondrous until one day the music died," says Rakesh Kumar Kaul, author of 'The Last Queen of Kashmir' and 'Dawn'. "Through a series of well-narrated stories covering a century of Kashmiri history, Khem Lata Wakhlu has covered an era of remarkable, and unprecedented, changes in the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In her inimitable style, she demonstrates that, at our deepest level, all of us -- irrespective of which faith we may belong to -- seek honesty, fairness and compassion from the people we interact with. Through her stories, Khem Lata has brought to life our innate desire to live by our highest human values," says Anu Aga, former chairperson, Thermax Ltd and Teach for India. "A Kashmiri Century" is a very interesting chronology of almost a century of socio-economic changes with political overtones in Kashmir. A beautifully written narrative, interwoven with interesting events and personalities and with a dash of humour; yet, it bears malice towards none. An excellent reading," says Pran Kishore Kaul, Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi awardee. "Written with sensitivity and compassion, Wakhlu's book gives us a panoramic view of the ethos and culture of the gentle people of Kashmir, spanning a hundred years. The gripping stories serve as beautiful reminders of the core humanistic values that we all cherish -- values that are needed now, more than ever before. Khem Lata is an extraordinary woman, who has shown her grit and merit, whether in captivity or in freedom. A true heroine, and a torchbearer for Indian womanhood," says Lila Poonawalla, Padma Shri awardee; former CMD, Alfa Laval; founder chairperson, Lila Poonawalla Foundation.

"Khem Lata Wakhlu's imaginative rendition of an era elevates the staid telling of a family memoir into a racy, suspenseful novel. Written with perception and sensitivity, she brings to life the people and incidents of a tumultuous era that her family lived through in Kashmir. It is like an epic unfolding, spanning a century of the remarkable history of the people of Kashmir," says filmmaker and television personality Siddharth Kak. Wakhlu has devoted the past 45 years to improving the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She has held important political positions in the National Conference, the Awami National Conference and the Indian National Congress, and has served as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for twelve years and as the minister of tourism in the state from 1984 to 1986.

to art of storytelling' Photo Courtesy: IANS

s one walks through the ruins of Nalanda, every stone speaks of a bygone era that asks to be kept alive in our collective consciousness, says the multi-faceted Shivani Singh of her captivating historical thriller that is a fascinating tale of how one of the worlds most ancient universities got destroyed. "As an academic, media professional and film maker, it did not take long for me to conclude that every event is fundamentally, a story - and history is a narrative waiting to be told, Singh told IANS in an interview of her third historical fiction, "Nalanda" (Amaryllis), which could pan out as a trilogy. "My journey has thrown up a form and metier for my novel writing. All three novels employ the suspense format, with 'Secret of Sirikot' and 'Nalanda' fitting more precisely in the murder mystery genre. While both these books are historical fiction, even 'Lonely Gods', a fantasy, gravitated in this direction. "The fiction format gives unencumbered access to the art of story-telling and when it is history, this access can be liberating. Also, I think in pictures, so that part came easy," Singh explained. How did "Nalanda" come about? "Ever experienced the otherworldliness of a Buddhist monastery? Shrouded in mystery, how can it not be a story waiting to be written? And Nalanda, if you walk through its ruins even today, every stone speaks of a bygone era that is asking to be kept alive in our collective consciousness," Singh explained. Siddhartha, a young Buddhist monk studying at Nalanda, is catapulted to the brink of history by the university's senior teachers. They command him to aid the royal investigation of a suspicious death on campus. Mahipala, the King of Magadha, believes the death is actually a murder.

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Mahipala's royal officer in charge of the investigation is none other than Siddhartha's brother Aditya Raj. The brothers are forced into an uneasy alliance. Between them are played off the un-foretold forces that wiped off Nalanda from the historical map of India. As the fate of Nalanda is sealed, strange deaths occur in quick succession. Plagued by misery and doubt, Siddhartha unwittingly stumbles upon a secret. It makes him question his faith, his rationality and, finally, his own existence. In the end, Nalanda is razed to the ground. This is fact. However, the narrative is a climactic context of many other elements of alternative history and speculative spirituality. It's a shocking disclosure of esoteric practices, involving the divine feminine, never divulged to the masses for reasons unknown. Venturing into historically virgin territory and, in many ways, picking up from where Dan Brown left with "The Da Vinci Code" and it successors in the genre, "Nalanda" exposes a reality that is devastating, mind-altering and yet, somehow, liberating. "The narrative is a climactic context of many other elements of alternative history and speculative spirituality. It's a shocking disclosure of esoteric practices, involving the divine feminine, never divulged to the masses for reasons unknown. 'Nalanda' exposes a reality that is devastating, mind-altering and yet, somehow, liberating," Singh explained. Even today, the how, why and when Nalanda was sacked is hotly debated to the point of controversy. "The gaps in historical evidence allow space for alternative history, and I have used it just because I can. Especially because esoteric practices around the divine feminine is truly history's best kept secret. Those

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who 'know' don't usually talk about it, and those who talk don't 'know' much about it. Again maybe because it's literature is too obtuse to be deciphered. For those who know, the esoteric is a code that needs to be broken. And breaking codes is always liberating," Singh elaborated. The research for the novel wasn't easy. "By way of facts, there's practically nothing out there. The research was like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. A lot of content is extrapolation of extant practices that drew from the Nalanda tradition, because there's nothing left of Nalanda. Not even the date of its sack, or the reasons behind it. So in the novel, a world was constructed out of scraps. The esoteric aspects of the book were tougher not only to research but also to write because of the ephemeral and experiential nature of the material," Singh said. "Nalanda" is really a book within a book. How did she come adopt this format? "The book is essentially a manuscript written in the first person and unearthed a thousand years later. Book within a book evolved over the course of writing as a necessary tool. Just as a standalone, the manuscript seemed out of context, without a timeline and background continuity, awkward somewhat. Also the complexity of the plot necessitates a sequel. Book within a book facilitated that as an artifice," Singh elucidated. Speaking about her previous novels, and how they came to be translated and published in Romanian and Portuguese, she said: "'Secret of Sirikot' took full advantage of poetic license created by the unbridled imagination of a young girl. Retelling of history happened through her prismatic experience. 'Lonely Gods' was an experimental post modern effort to demystify the esoteric." Both found an audience in Europe perchance, when the translators and publishers reached out to her. "The Romanian publisher has shown intent in publishing 'Nalanda' in Bucharest and Italy, so we hope that 'Nalanda' too will reach Europe," she said. For Singh, "'Nalanda' has turned out to be a "palimpsest, its story unravelling even after publishing, showing more complexity, hidden layers. Truly the toughest book I ever wrote". Never one to rest on her laurels, a sequel to "Nalanda" is on the cards "because it's looking like a trilogy. I am also exploring untold aspects of Rajput history", Singh concluded. May the Force be with you, Shivani Singh!

OPINION

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

No dogma, just pure science, please By Devashish Chakraborty he events of the last two years have made me think after going through the madness and frenzy of media reports related to the pandemic. Hasn’t everyone paused to think at least once and perhaps several times, just as I can’t help thinking, what is going on? The pandemic is not merely the issue; the madness around it is what is jarring. Are we moving to the dark ages? Let me explain what I mean. I begin with media. What on earth are they doing? Journalism is nowhere to be seen. Facts and fiction, opinion and reality have all intertwined wherein it is impossible for a layman to make sense of anything that is going on. Social media are creating too much noise at the expense of sanity. Mainstream media have lost themselves to considerations of economics and politics. The story ends there for media in general. Nothing worthy of mention is there to be written about. Social media and mainstream media alike are in the business of peddling fear and catching eyeballs distorting facts to the core. And now I must turn to science. All the successes of science are laudable indeed, but what we are seeing and applauding these days is the great emergence and advancement of applied science alone, pure science has been relegated to the background. Agreed, applied science came only from the principles of pure science, but how far is science pure and how much of it is now dogmatic is for people to decide on their own, laymen and scholars alike. Every culture in the past had its own science or else people belonging to that culture would not have survived. Rationality and rational thinking is not the monopoly of so-called modern science alone. Past philosophies of many cultures have been based on solid rationality. Just because they used a different approach to doing science and encountered

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and studied many phenomena that we now reject or ignore in modern science because these phenomena do not fit the paradigms of modern science, does not mean there is only one way of doing science. The subject of alien visitation has given us the needful impetus to think that a consciousness-based science would be most appropriate, that would be all-encompassing and that was the one being pursued by many great civilizations and cultures of the past. The materialistic, reductionist approach to doing science is one approach and could very well be accommodated within a consciousness-based science. Alien visitations remind us that there may be many galactic civilizations that have evolved to live within the very fabric of cosmos as conscious forms or as forms of consciousness. The materialistic, reductionist science which recognises the existence of things only the basis of what can be measured may just be pushing the world towards dark ages. A holistic approach to doing science welcoming different ways, methods and modes of doing it, where the materialistic, reductionist approach is just one of them, must be encouraged leaving aside the arrogance of a modern scientist/physicist that our approach is the best and is the only approach. We must undertake an endeavor to search and find other ways of doing science as well. I believe dogma is more dangerous and detrimental to the interest of one and all, even more harmful than superstition. For superstition comes from half-knowledge or lack of understanding of what may have been an act of science at a certain point of time practiced by knowledgeable people. On the other hand dogma is perpetuated deliberately out of sheer arrogance and in fulfilling one’s material interests that could be harmed if their laws and principles are challenged by the emerging science itself.

I, therefore, feel believing in one’s God whosoever they may be, should not be stopped or changed. When one feels the urge to pray to God of one’s own belief, it is the work of a higher power, intelligence and/or consciousness reaching out to our level and connecting with us. There may be from our vantage point negative gods and positive gods depending upon what type of galactic civilization or galactic consciousness is in touch or in connection with us. Atheists are also impacted by a galactic consciousness that makes them reject and not believe in any of the gods of all religions. They find solace and power in materialism, narcissism and reductionist science. Their rationality cannot go beyond the confines of a materialistic, reductionist approach to whatever they think and practice. But even an atheist is welcome because this is how he is being impacted by a higher power, energy, force or influence, whatever you may like to call it. Therefore, we have all kinds of people, with their individual idiosyncrasies. This takes me to the point where I reckon that everything my grandmother did may have been superstition from the standpoint of modern science to which we all in the contemporary world belong; but in all her superstitions and acts thereof, there is a hidden science beckoning and challenging us to rediscover it. In pursuit of money, power and status we have gone too far to proclaim our paradigm is the only scientific paradigm, ours is the only protocol to be followed. In other words, this is the only science, the rest is hocus-pocus, nonsense, pseudoscience and to be denounced and even considered utterly dangerous, and everyone ought to be warned to stay away from it. While my granny would experiment and never be contented with her knowledge, though superstition they may be for us today, she was never arrogant

insofar as she never professed that her knowledge was final. Modern day scientists have gone too far in not admitting that much of what they profess is just one way of the many ways of looking at things/phenomena, and that they can also be dogmatic many times. And anything that brings harm to someone, be it superstition or dogma, must be discontinued. In a nutshell, what I have come to understand is that had my grandmother been alive today, I would have let her pray to god of her

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choice. If my grandfather were alive today and wanted to pursue materialistic, reductionist science, I would have let him pursue his line of thought and action. If he wanted to be an atheist, fair enough. The problem would be if my grandfather were to insist my grandmother leave her god and take to practicing his materialistic, reductionist science. Even through her superstitions my grandmother would have reached to an understanding of science in her own way in the course of time. But that science need not be all that

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modern science or physics teaches us as being the only science that is really science. My grandfather would have had to be conscientious enough to realise his materialistic, reductionist science is not final. That there may be other ways of doing science and science may itself have to extend and expand to accommodate much more than it currently does. There are many phenomena that cannot be brushed aside because they do not fall within the paradigm of modern science.

SPORTS

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Tokyo Olympics will be held Super Nova-k: Djokovic without spectators at venues wins Wimbledon, his 20th

Photo Courtesy: The Newyork Times

Tokyo, July 8: The upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo will be held without spectators. All the stakeholders involved in organising the Games on Thursday came to this conclusion after the Japan government announced an emergency in and around Tokyo until the end of the Games that will be held from July 23-August 8. With the government of Japan virtually barring spectators' entry into the stadiums, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) supported the decision, thus sealing the fate of the Olympics as 'closed games'. In June, the Japan government had announced possibility of allowing a

limited number of local spectators into the stadia. A decision to not allow foreign spectators was taken a few months ago. On Thursday, Japan's Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa made the announcement following discussions with officials and organisers. A state of emergency in Tokyo will run throughout the Games, to combat the coronavirus. Japan is experiencing a new surge in cases and according to reports, on Wednesday 2, 180 new cases were reported in the country. Some 920 of those were in Tokyo, up from 714 last week and it's the highest since 1,010 detected on May 13. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo that the state of emergency would run from July 12 and remain in place until

August 22, thus impacting the start of the Paralympic Games, which will start on August 24 and run till September 5. The big announcement by the Japan government got the five stakeholders into a huddle and they came out with a joint statement supporting the move. "The GoJ today decided to announce a state of emergency in Tokyo. The state of emergency in Tokyo is being implemented as a measure aimed at suppressing the flow of people in order to prevent the spread of infection now, because the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remains high and the number of people infected with variant COVID-19 strains in Tokyo is increasing," the joint statement said. "In response to the state of emergency, stricter measures with regard to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have also been decided by the three Japanese parties. No spectators will be allowed into any venues in Tokyo during the Olympic Games. Under this policy, in areas where emergency measures are not in force, local government authorities will meet and decide specific measures in consultation with the local governors based on the situation in each area," the IOC statement said. It was decided on Thursday that a call on allowing spectators at the Paralympic Games will be taken after the Olympic Games.

Aussies eye Indian women cricketers for Big Bash League

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 8: The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) of Australia is hoping to tap Indian viewership for its seventh edition as it looks up to Indian women stars to participate in the league scheduled to run from October 14 to November 27. With uncertainty surrounding the availability of England women players as they will be busy in a series in Pakistan in early October and quarantine rules may force them to miss a part of WBBL, Cricket Australia is hoping that the touring Indian women players like Shafali Verma will fill in the overseas numbers. "[Shafali Verma] is on everyone's list, no doubt," Lisa Sthalekar, former Australia woman cricketer and Syd-

ney Sixers franchise list manager, told Australian media on Thursday. Shafali is being linked to Sydney Sixers, who are leading the race to include the Indian batter in their squad. The 17-year-old from Rohtak is the world's top-ranked T20I batter and she hit 96 on her Test debut recently. She is being linked to Sydney Sixers along with left-arm spinner Radha Yadav. "She loves Australian conditions, we saw that in the T20 World Cup. Each club will have some vacancies and (there may be) an Indian player there that could fit that role ... I am sure that they are picking up the phone and making those calls," added Sthalekar.

"It helps that they are in the country and they have already done the two weeks' quarantine." India will tour Australia in September and October to play a one-off Test and a T20 International series. The two series will be played in the first half of October. The third and final T20I will end on October 11, just three days before the start of WBBL. Last year, the WBBL franchises had eyed Indian players but they weren't available. Sydney Thunder, who were eyeing Smriti Mandhana last season may sign up the left-handed batter this season. Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Poonam Yadav also likely to be in demand. Sydney Thunder WBBL list manager Alex Blackwell said they will look at local talent as well. "I think we always want to attract the best overseas players and we have certainly been in conversations with some very exciting prospects and will in due course, confirm those players," Blackwell said on Thursday. "[But] it's not just about the overseas players, I think one of the strengths of Sydney Thunder is that they've developed and grown players from New South Wales and country areas, and I think the core of the squad is fairly stable with a great mix of young players coming through."

Australia's oldest living Olympian turns 100 Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 8: Frank Prihoda, known as Australia's oldest living Olympian, is celebrating his 100th birthday on Thursday in his home town of Thredbo village in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. "Frank is a true pioneer of winter

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sport. He's paved the way for many Winter Olympians and the truly amazing winter team we have today," said Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll in a statement. Prihoda was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia -- now capital of Czech Republic -- in 1921. After Czechoslovakia turned into a communist country in late 1940s, Prihoda left with a pair of skis and moved to Australia. He tried his hand in business but his passion for skiing took him to Victoria Alps. He gave a glimpse of his talent there which led to his selection for the Winter Olympics of 1956 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Another proud moment arrived when Prihoda carried the Olympic torch in Thredbo in 2000 and lit the cauldron in the village.

"Arriving in Australia in what I image would have been a very difficult time in his life, finding connection with his new nation through sport and helping to build the foundations of alpine skiing are outstanding achievements on their own. His decision to represent Australia in the 1956 Winter Olympic Games and solidifying his connection with our nation, was a great milestone for the Australian Olympic movement and a tremendous step for the sport in Australia," said Carroll. Prihoda's centenary birthday celebration will have Olympic alpine skier Jono Brauer giving a presentation on his life. The team at Thredbo Resort has organised a special flare run down the mountain performance by ski instructors, ending in a fireworks show.

Grand Slam crown Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, July 11: World No.1 Novak Djokovic defeated Italy's Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final on Sunday to clinch his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam crown overall. The Serb celebrated his victory by chewing on the grass from the hallowed centre court. By winning the title on Sunday, the Serb top seed joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the other two members of the Big Three, as the players with the most number of Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era. Djokovic came back after losing the first set in the tiebreaker and dominated the proceedings, breaking his Italian r'val's serve at crucial junctures in the next three sets. Though Berrettini, playing his first Grand Slam final, started tentatively, he recovered to take the first set into

the tiebreaker as Djokovic made an indifferent start. This was the first set that Djokovic lost after winning 18 in a row. However, the Serb fought back, found his rhythm in the second set, and slowly ground down his opponent. Though at 34 he is nine years older than Berrettini, Djokovic relied on his supreme fitness to subdue an opponent who had come into the final with an 11-match winning streak after winning the title 't Queen's Club here. Though both players won nearly equal points on their first serve, Djokovic attacked 'errettini's second serve -- he had a higher conversion rate as compared to his rival. As usual, Djokovic returned well and committed only 21 unforced errors as compared to 48 by Berrettini. This was Djokovic's third Wimble-

don title (2018, 2019, 2021; there was no event in 2020) in a row and this Grand Slam title of the year after winning the Australian Open and at Roland Garros. He has now set himself up perfectly for a calendar Grand Slam -- winning all four majors in the same calendar year, a distinction that was last achieved by Australian legend Rod Lever in 1969. Though it appears from the scoreline that the last three sets of the four-set encounter were easy for Djokovic, the Serb said it was not. He said it was more than a tough battle, though Berrettini was playing his first Grand Slam final. "It was more than a battle. Tough match today. He's got a very powerful game, a true Italian hammer, an Italian hammer and I felt it on my skin a few times today," said Djokovic. Explaining what this trophy means to him, Djokovic narrated the story he has often told previously -- of dreaming of winning the Wimbledon by making a replica of the trophy in his room when he was seven years old. "Winning Wimbledon was my biggest dream as a kid. I will repeat this story just to remind myself how special this is and not take this for granted," Djokovic said at the prize distribution ceremony. "A seven-year-old boy preparing Wimbledon trophy with improvised material in his room, and today standing here with my sixth Wimbledon trophy, it's incredible."

Wimbledon: Ex-cricketer Ashleigh clinches title in three sets

Photo Courtesy: IANS

London, July 10: World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia won the women's singles title at the Wimbledon Championships here on Saturday, beating eighth seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in three sets 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes. Ashleigh, who had become the first world No. 1 in five years to reach the final at SW19, is the first Australian woman player in 41 years after Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1980) to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish. This is her second Grand Slam title after the 2019 French Open. In what was the first Wimbledon women's final since 2012 to stretch to three sets, Ashleigh got off to a flying start, winning the first 14 points and four games in a row before clinching the first set 6-3. She also led 3-1 in the second set but Karolina fought back to take the set to tie-breaker and win it. Ashleigh, at one point in time, was even serving for the second set. Karolina committed errors in the final set as Ashleigh won it with ease.

The tie was evenly matched. While the Aussie sent down seven aces, her opponent managed to fire six. Interestingly, Ashleigh could win only 65 per cent of the points on first service as against 67 per cent by her 29-year-old opponent. The 25-year-old converted six of the eight break-points she got as against four out of five by Karolina. For Karolina, this is the second loss at a Grand Slam final. Her previous loss came during the 2016 US Open

final when she went down to Angelique Kerber of Germany, also in three sets. Ashleigh, who began playing tennis at the age of five, has also been a cricketer. She represented Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League in 2015-16 when she was on a break from tennis. However, failing to make much impression - 68 runs in nine matches -- she returned to tennis in 2016.

2021 Australian Grand Prix and Moto GP cancelled Photo Courtesy: IANS

Sydney, July 6: Australia's state of Victoria on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the 2021 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian MotoGP citing low rates of vaccination that has made it impossible to stage the events. The F1 Grand Prix, normally held in March in Melbourne's Albert Park, was initially postponed to November in the hope that the state would be ready for an international event by then, reports Xinhua. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that it would be hard for Melbourne to host the event given that vaccination rates are not at the "critical mass" needed. "Running big international events is very challenging, but until that point [of vaccinations] we have to do everything we can to safeguard not bringing the virus in," said Andrews. The cancellation was confirmed by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) on Tuesday afternoon. AGPC chairman Paul Little shared his disappointment that the events will be cancelled for the second year in a row. "We're deeply disappointed. We appreciate the challenge Australia faces with current international travel

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restrictions and the importance of vaccinations," Little said. The cancellation is a huge blow to Melbourne's economy and Victoria's tourism and sport events industry, but organisers and authorities are now looking towards 2022. "We are getting to work on plans for 2022 immediately and can't wait to welcome the world's best drivers and riders and all motorsport fans back to Albert Park and Phillip Island," said Victoria's Minister for

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Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula. Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo said: "It's a huge disappointment for all of the drivers that we won't be coming down to Australia in November, but we understand the reasons. "For me personally, I can't wait to have the chance to race at home again, and it'll be even sweeter when we do because it's been so long. Fingers crossed things can change for 2022."

OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Olympic countdown: Can Sindhu take the shuttle to glory again Photo Courtesy: IANS

or nearly a decade, India's hopes on the badminton courts have centred around two extremely-fit women athletes -- Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. To say that they became household names in the country would be an understatement. At the packed Siri Fort Sports Complex on the final day of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Saina was unstoppable. Amid the deafening roar of spectators in between points, the then world No. 3 conjured up magic, which left her Malaysian opponent in a daze as the Indian went on to win her maiden gold in the Commonwealth Games. Two years later, at the 2012 London Olympic Games, Saina was again the toast of the nation, becoming the first shuttler from the country to bring home an Olympic medal -- a bronze. As luck would have it, Saina will not be on the flight to Tokyo as her dream of qualifying and bowing out in a blaze of glory was shattered by a season marred by the pandemic. Saina and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth's hopes of making it to the Olympic Games ended late in

May after the sport's global governing body BWF said that no more qualifying tournaments would be played due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Four Indians - 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu, Sai Praneeth and the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty -- have qualified for the Olympics and the country would be hoping for Sindhu to recreate the magic of five years back to bring home another medal. However the pandemic, and how much it has impacted the preparations of the four shuttlers, will decide how far they progress at the Games. While 27-year-old Spain's Carolina Marin, Sindhu's nemesis in the 2016 Rio Olympics final, has withdrawn from the Olympics after tearing a ligament in her left knee, it doesn't make the 2019 World Championship winner's progress through the draw any easier. While Sindhu is unlikely to be threatened before the round of 16, the draw beyond that is littered with the likes of Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, world No. 1, Chinese-Taipei's Tai

Tzu-Ying, and Chen Yufei of China. The pot of gold for the world No. 7 lies once she crosses these hurdles. Sindhu said on Friday that, "It's a good draw in the group stage. The Hong Kong girl (Cheung Ngan Yi) plays well and it'll be a good match. Everybody is going to be in top form, I hope I do well. Every match is important so I will take it match by match. This is the Olympics and it is not going to be easy, each point is very important." The 13th seed B Sai Praneeth has a tricky group, which also has All England Open semi-finalist Mark Caljouw of the Netherlands. If he gets past the group stage and Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long Angus in the Round of 16, he will meet the top seed and home favourite Kento Momota. Things will be even tougher for the men's doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy as they are placed in Group A alongside the top-seeded Indonesian pair and world No. 1 Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon,. But India's doubles coach Mathias Boe feels his boys are capable of creating a few upsets. "It's a very even group which means even if you lose a match, you are still in the game because nobody knows what will happen. We'll focus on preparing as much as possible in the last few weeks. We will attack on court and hopefully, we get good results. I am positive, it's a good challenge for us." Whether a third consecutive medal in badminton at the Olympics is made possible will not just depend upon the players' ability to withstand the challenges thrown at them by their rivals but also on the yearlong preparations they have made in lockdowns, with very few competitions to test their progress.

Shooters aiming high again T he 15-member Indian shooting contingent will have the legacy of the likes of rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra and pistol marksman Vijay Kumar to live up to when they compete at the Tokyo Olympics, beginning July 23. There is no gainsaying that Bindra, winner of the first individual gold for India at the Olympics in 10m air rifle, set the marker for future generations to follow, and thousands of marksmen took up that challenge across the country, which is bearing fruit now. As India sends it biggest ever shooting contingent to the quadrennial games, there is hope of not just a couple, but a handful of medals from the sport, which has brought the country four medals since the 2004 Athens Olympics. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore stood rock solid in the face of nerve-wracking challenge from the best in the business to clinch silver in Athens, Bindra attained ultimate glory in Beijing, which was followed by rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar's silver and rifle marksman Gagan Narang's bronze at 2012 Photo Courtesy: IANS

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London. The 2016 Rio Olympics was a huge disappointment, with Bindra coming within a whisker of clinching a medal, but finally finishing fourth after losing a shoot-off in his swansong. The current Indian contingent, comprising mostly of youngsters barring two seniors -- rifle shooter Sanjeev Rajput and skeet marksman Mairaj Ahmad Khan -- is both motivated and committed. Their unhindered two-month practice-cum-competition schedule in Croatia should make them a force to reckon with at the Olympics given their pedigree as most of them are world championships, world cup, Asian Games and world record holders. The list includes the likes of the young pistol shooters Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary who have been in peak form, winning mixed team gold - a new discipline being introduced in Tokyo -- by the dozen besides cornering glory in the individual category as well. Young Divyansh Panwar, the 10-metre rifle shooter who retained the world No. 1 spot for close to six months and is ranked No. 2 now, is

one of the leading medal contenders, along with the reigning world No. 1 in air rifle, Elavenil Valarivan, while there are high expectations from the shy Saurabh Chaudhary, who won the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold and has never let his guard down in every competition he has taken part so far. If anything, the contingent has the backing of a support staff, which is unrivalled. Rifle coach Suma Shirur is a former world record holder, while pistol coach Samaresh Jung was the hero of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, where he won five gold medals. But the biggest influence in shaping the careers of the young pistol shooters has been Russia coach, Pavel Smirnov. Not only did he shape Vijay Kumar's journey to the 2012 London Olympics silver, he has moulded the careers of the Tokyo-bound pistol shooters with his cool demeanour. Vijay Kumar, one of the best pistol shooters India has produced, said he had high hopes from the contingent and that it would be a disappointment if they didn't get less than six medals. "While I can't predict anything, I'll say that everyone is a world-beater. Some mixed team events have also been introduced in Tokyo, which have increased the probability of medals," Vijay, a Dy Superintendent of Police posted in Himachal Pradesh, told IANS from Solan. "Our team has been provided the best facilities. For the last 2-3 months they have been training abroad without any disturbance, so that will give them a lot of advantage. If you are competing and training internationally for 2-3 months and are in competitive mode for a long time, it gives you the advantage. "Saurabh has been really doing well, Manu has been doing wellï¿½it all now depends on how they are able to keep their calm at the particular moment in time. But I suppose the Indians will have no such issues as they have competed at the big stage all these years. "If we evaluate the performance of the last four years, from the 2016 Rio Olympics onwards, both the rifle and pistol shooters are equally capable of winning medals, unlike earlier

Guns and glory: facts and figures about shooting Photo Courtesy: IANS

at Zagreb in Croatia in 2006, and two years later, at Beijing, became the first to clinch an individual gold for India at the Olympics. Ever since, Indian shooting has become a force to reckon with and there are several current and former world record holders in the country. While India may have won only four medals at the Olympics -- gold, silver and two bronze -- but every time the country's marksmen take aim at the showpiece event, they have nothing but bullseye in sight. Here's a look at the sport of shooting over the years: The shooting competition in the Tokyo Olympic Games will be held from July 24 to August 2, 2021 at the Asaka Shooting Range. Here is a look at the discipline: 1896: Shooting was one of only nine disciplines at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens. 1900: Live pigeons were used during the Games, but the practice was discontinued and pigeons were replaced with clay targets. 1932: When the sport was reintroduced in 1932, it consisted of just two events. The number steadily increased until it reached a maximum of 17 at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. 15: The number of competitors India is sending to Tokyo, which is the highest ever by the country. 110: The United States has won the maximum number of medals in shooting at the Olympics. This includes 54 gold, 29 silver and 27 bronze. 34: India stands a distant 34th with four medals – one gold, two silver and a bronze. Mixed team competition is making its debut in Tokyo, where four Indian pairs – two in air rifle and two in air pistol – will compete for medals. 15: Total gold medals on offer in Tokyo Olympics -- six each for men and women and three mixed 66 nations have won medals in shooting competitios in Olympics so far 817 : total medals won in the Olympic Games so far. This includes 273 gold, 273 silver and271 bronze medals

ankind's love for guns has ensured that shooting sport has been part of every single Games -- barring 1904 and 1928 -- since the birth of the modern Olympic movement in 1896 in Athens. The sport, which started with military pistols and rifles, is today one of the most technical games on the Olympic curriculum with specialised, highly-sophisticated pistols, rifles and shotguns being used to assert superiority at ranges across the world. Despite having royal patrons such as Maharaja Karni Singh of Bikaner -- who earned world fame with his

exploits in shotgun shooting -- and former Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Randhir Singh of Patiala, India came to the party late. First India took the Commonwealth Games by storm, winning nearly half of the 30 gold medals won at Manchester in 2002. Then came the Olympic silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics when Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore crowned himself in glory in double trap, an event which has now been discontinued at the Olympics. The reticent Abhinav Bindra made Germany his permanent training base, and with a single-minded determination, first went on become the world champion in 10m air rifle,

when rifle marksmen used to be the favourites. I'm sure, rifle and pistol should bring between 2-3 medals apiece," said Vijay. "The shotgun shooters might not have that kind of commanding performance, still it's the Olympics and you never know who rises to the occasion and wins a medal," added Vijay. He said that coach Pavel will be a calming influence for the pistol shooters. "Pavel is one of the most dedicated coaches in the world. He has been in India since 2007 and guided me to silver at the 2012 London Olympics. He has played a huge role in my achievement because he is always making shooters aware of the latest techniques and also takes the players' inputs." While there are several motivating factors in the team, one of the key reasons they would want to do well is to salvage the reputation of Indian shooting, which took a beating in 2016 Rio -- the country returned empty-handed. Indian contingent (Discipline-wise) Women: 10m air pistol: Manu Bhaker, Yashaswini Singh Deswal 25m sports pistol: Rahi Sarnobat, Manu Bhaker 10m air rifle: Apurvi Chandela, Elavenil Valarivan 50m rifle 3-position: Anjum Moudgil, Tejaswini Sawant. Men: 10m air pistol: Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma 10m air rifle: Divyansh Panwar, Deepak Kumar 50m rifle 3-position: Sanjeev Rajput, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar. Skeet: Angadvir Singh Bajwa, Mairaj Ahmad Khan Mixed team: 10m air rifle: Divyansh Panwar-Elavenil Valarivan and Deepak Kumar-Anjum Moudgil 10m air pistol: Saurabh Chaudhary-Manu Bhaker and Abhishek Verma-Yashaswini Deswal.

Divyansh Panwar, always on the mark

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Photo Courtesy: IANS

n athlete's commitment to his sport can be gauged by the hunger and the hard work he is willing to put in, in order to achieve his goal. And, 18-year-old 10m air rifle marksman, Divyansh Singh Panwar, has shown it in ample measure in the last two years. At just 17 years of age, he became the world's top-ranked rifle shooter on the back of a string of medal-winning performances in the world cups in 2019. While until 2018, he was dominating the junior scene, the tall youngster wasted little time in making a mark at the senior level with three mixed team and an individual gold and silver during the 2019 world cups. Then, when things became extremely difficult for training during the Covid-enforced lockdown, the Japiur boy -- who all along stayed in a rented apartment in Surajkund, Faridabad away from his family due to its proximity to the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges -- approached his coach, Deepak Dubey, for help. "Divyansh was at the lowest ebb in his competitive career and I had to do something to get him back to full training," recalled Dubey. The coach turned his apartment, which was close to Panwar's house,

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into an international-level range for his ward, and after spending 14 full days without practice, Panwar doubled down to begin his training, practicing 10-12 hours each day under the watchful eyes of Dubey, himself a former national-level shooter. The supply of lead pellets, which are imported from Italy and Germany, was not a problem. Panwar used the few tins judiciously and the sports ministry's Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) scheme took care of his expenses and fresh pellet stocks. Son of a senior nursing staff at the Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur, Panwar was the fourth marksman from the country to clinch the Olympic quota after rifle shooters Anjum Moudgil and Apurvi Chandela, and pistol sensation Saurabh Chaudhary, when he won silver at the 2019 ISSF World Cup in Beijing. He has never looked back since.

FOOD & CUSINE

v Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi COCONUT LADDOO & MATHARI

ello friends School holidays are here snd we all want to have some snacks ready in our pantry , so when children ask for something special , we can offer it to them . Therefore today I decided to make two snacks . One savoury and one sweet . For sweet we are making COCONUT LADDOO INGREDIENTS ( for about 30 pieces ) - 300 gms tin of condensed milk - 1/2 cup roasted almond chopped

- 2 cups dedicated coconut - 1/2 cup mixed seeds , Pepita seeds , sunflower seeds . - one tea spoon ilaichi powder ( which is green Cardmom powder) METHOD - Put a big saucepan on the stove on a low to medium heat . - Add condensed milk , - Now add half the coconut and all the seeds .

- stir and mix well . - Turn the heat off - Add ilaichi powder and nuts. - transfer it on to a big plate . - wet your hands with water and try and roll this mixture into small golf sized balls , while they are still warm - Roll them in the rest of the coconut -Let it cool. Store it in an airtight container and Enjoy.

MATHARI (deep fried crispy plain flour and semolina snack ) INGREDIENTS: making dough for about 30 mathari - 2 cup plain flour - 1/4 cup fine semolina ( sooji ) - salt to taste - 1 tea spoon ajwain seeds - 3 table spoon oil - water to make dough METHOD - Firstly we have to make a firm dough using all the above ingredients . Take every thing in a big mixing bowl . The key point is to use little water at a time and you don’t have to knead it too much . You should fold it using pressure with both hands , until there are no cracks in the dough . Leave it aside covered . FRYING and ROLLING - in a big deep wok or frying pan take enough oil to fry few mathari at a time . - Divide the dough in two portions - use one portion to make about 15 round balls - Rollthem in to round shape ( photos provided for guide line) - The oil must be hot by now - Bring it to medium heat and slide your rolled mathari in the oil very very carefully ( not to splatter oil ) - Fry on medium to low heat until it’s light golden color and crispy on both sides . - Take it out on a paper towel

- Repeat the same process with the rest of the dough - let it cool

- store in an air tight container - serve straight from container with afternoon tea or a snack . - Enjoy !!! It is really very nice .

Why Switzerland is a Traditional blends to boost immunity naturally heaven for chocolate lovers! D

alling sick is not a risk you want to take, especially not now, and it is always better to be safe than regretful. However, it should also be noted that our bodies do not build up immunity overnight; one needs to balance their food habits and eat healthy, homecooked meals over a period of time. But you can also incorporate some immunity-boosting drinks to your diet. Alphinah Ashinai, Food and Beverage Manager at Vana Dehradun, India, shares healthy immunity boost drinks:

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Kadha Recipe Type: Decoction * Preparation Time: 6 minutes * Serving Time: 7 minutes * Servings: 2 Ingredients: * 250 ml water * Black pepper 6-8 nos * Clove 5 - 6 * Cinnamon bark 1 mm * Ginger chopped 1 tsp * Fresh Tulsi leave 6 -- 8 nos * Licorice (optional) * Honey (optional) Instructions: * Put all the ingredients together except honey and give one boil and in gentle simmer it for another 5-6 minutes and serve.

Mint, lemongrass and white tea concoction * Recipe Type: Concoction * Preparation Time: 5 minutes * Infusion Time: 4 minutes * Servings: 2 Ingredients: * 1tsp white tea * 1tsp chop lemongrass * A sprig of fresh mint leaves * 250 ml water Instructions: * Take 250ml of water boil it in a pan. * Add white tea and lemongrass in it and steep it for 4 minutes or add all the ingredients and boil it for 2-3 minutes. * Strain it and serve warm. Benefits: * Alleviates fatigue and improves immunity Orange, papaya agua fresca * Recipe Type: Mixology * Preparation Time: 4 minutes * Servings: 2 Ingredients: * 4 cups peeled, deseeded ripe papaya * 1 ï¿½ cups freshly squeezed orange juice * ï¿½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice * 1 ï¿½ cups water * 2 tablespoons honey (optional) * Orange slice Instructions: * Put papaya, orange juice and lime juice in a blender, blend it until smooth. * Strain mixture through a finemesh sieve into a pitcher or large glass jar. * Discard solid parts, add water and stir it, add honey (optional). * Pour into a glass and serve, garnish with orange. Benefits: * Cleanse the digestive system and improves immunity

id you know that your favourite chocolate brands like Nestle, Lindt, Toblerone are all Swiss? Chocolates from this beautifully diverse country are famous across the world for a few reasons. Here they are: Sweet History The nation has a long history of excellence in chocolate making that goes back 200 years when Francois-Louis Cailler opened the first mechanized chocolate factory in Vevey in 1819. He put into practice all the tricks he'd learnt as a trainee in Ticino with Italian chocolatiers. That was the start of Switzerland's love affair with chocolate that continues even today with local chocolatiers still using traditional recipes handed down from generations. Though the Swiss chocolate industry is founded on tradition, it is always looking to break new ground which is one of the secrets of its success. In 1887, after many attempts, the Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter, created the original formula for what was to become the first successful milk chocolate in the entire world. Peter called his product, "Gala" from the Greek, which means, "from the milk". Before this, Chocolate was not considered a delicacy. It was more of a nourishing and medicinal food because of its bitter taste. Apart from this, the Swiss have taught confectioners several new and important techniques like tempering of chocolate and conching to texture and flavour the chocolate that creates a melt-in-the-mouth experience. Passionate Chocolatiers Last year, one of the oldest Swiss chocolatiers in the world -- Lindt, launched the 'Home of Chocolate' in Zurich. This 65,000 sq. ft., threefloor, multi-functional museum space dedicated only to chocolate, is devoted to the history and production of one of Switzerland's most delectable exports. The space also houses the world's largest 'Chocolate Fountain' which stands tall at 9m at the entrance of the building, as well as the world's largest Lindt chocolate shop, a Lindt cafe, and a Lindt

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Chocolateria for people who like to make their own chocolate creations. An ode to chocoholic's world over, this chocolate haven is yet another reason why we all need to add Switzerland to our travel bucket lists! Chocolate Tours Across Switzerland, travellers can experience different chocolate tasting tours in Zurich, Bern and Basel. One of the more unique and fun chocolate tours takes guests through Lavaux. On this route, travellers can go on a hike to learn more about the history of this sweet temptation while also savouring the delights of Grand Cru pralines en-route! One can also head to the Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken to discover the art of chocolate making. The Club provides visitors with aprons, a chef's hat and all the ingredients needed to step into the shoes of a real chocolatier and create a personalized Choco masterpiece! In addition to the tours, the Montreux-Berner Oberland railway has dedicated a whole train to the world's most irresistible temptation. The Chocolate train runs between Montreux and the Cailler-Nestle chocolate factory at Broc and is a 'must-do' for those who want to satiate the 'sweet tooth' as well as for the railway and travel enthusiasts.

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With such an abundance of chocolate available across the country, it is not difficult to imagine that the Swiss are the biggest consumers of chocolate than any other nation in the world. They eat a record 11kgs of chocolate a year! No wonder then that they are a happy lot. Chocolate is known to have extremely soothing properties and is a known brain stimulator. So, the best thing to take your mind off morbid news and thoughts these days would be to grab a bar of Swiss chocolate, uplift your spirit and relax! In the meanwhile, until you plan your next holiday to Switzerland, you can tease your taste buds and take a virtual tour of the Lindt museum here: https://youtu.be/e2fOpOsAAdo

HEALTH

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

A look at how Doctors maintain their Scientists find how immune system reacts to Covid variants mental health amidst the pandemic

Photo Courtesy: IANS

ody's natural immune response following Covid infection is sustained for up to seven months, but these antibodies are not sufficient against contemporary variants of the virus, finds a study suggesting the importance of vaccines against the infectious disease. The study, published in the PLOS Medicine, also stressed on the need to invest in new vaccine designs

to keep pace with emerging Covid variants. Researchers analysed the serum of 233 individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 over seven months and found that the level of immunity over time is dependent on disease severity and the viral variant. Further, the antibodies developed during the first wave also had reduced effectiveness against six vari-

ants, ranging from those observed in the second wave in Australia through to three variants of concern that have driven the global pandemic in the UK, Brazil and South Africa. "We can learn a great deal from these people who were infected in the first wave in Australia as they were infected with the same variant that our current vaccines are based on," said Fabienne Brilot, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. "While the approved vaccines are showing good responses, our study highlights the importance of continued vaccine development, especially taking into account the differences in variants," Brilot added. The study was conducted to investigate the level, breadth and longevity of the immunity generated from Covid-19 infection and whether mutation of the virus compromises immunity. The team examined the effect of 10 Covid-19 strains and variants of concern/ interest including the first known classified SARS-CoV-2 strain (D614), Alpha (B117), Beta (B1351), Gamma (P1) and Zeta (P2).

Evidence points to natural origin of Covid, not lab-leak: Scientists Photo Courtesy: Pexel

n international team of scientists in a new study has claimed that evidence points to the natural origin of Covid, debunking the theory that Covid-19 leaked out of a Chinese laboratory. The team, which includes Australian Nobel laureate Professor Peter Doherty, also has scientists from the UK, the US, China, Canada, New Zealand. The study was released on open-access repository Zenodo, ahead of peer review. The study stated that coronaviruses have long been known to present pandemic risks. Covid-19, which was caused by the SARS-CoV-2, is the ninth documented coronavirus that infects humans. It is also the seventh identified in the last 20 years. The scientists refuted the lab leak theory citing there is no evidence. While viruses have been known to leak from labs in the past, there is no data to suggest the Wuhan Institute of Virology had SARS-CoV-2, or any virus close enough to evolve into it, to be able to leak it, they said. "Aside from the 1977 A/H1N1 influenza pandemic that likely originated from a large-scale vaccine challenge trial, there are no documented examples of human epidemics or pandemics resulting from research activity," the scientists claim. "No previous epidemic has been caused by the escape of a novel virus and there is no data to suggest that the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) -- or any other laboratory -- were working on SARS-CoV-2,

or any virus close enough to be the progenitor, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. "Viral genomic sequencing cell culture, which was routinely performed at the WIV, represents a negligible risk as viruses are inactivated during RNA extraction and no case of laboratory escape has been documented following the sequencing of viral samples," they stated. Moreover, despite extensive contact tracing of early cases during the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been no reported cases related to any laboratory staff at the WIV and all staff in the laboratory of Dr. Shi Zhengli, also known as the batwoman, were reported to be seronegative for SARS-CoV-2 when tested in March 2020. "Epidemiological modeling suggests that the number of hypothetical cases needed result in multiple hospitalised Covid-19 patients prior to December 2019 is incompatible with observed clinical, genomic, and epidemiological data," they said. Further, the team of scientists said that genetic evidence points to the natural origin of Covid -- that the virus jumped from animals to humans. "All previous human coronaviruses have zoonotic origins, as have the vast majority of human viruses. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 bears several signatures of these prior zoonotic events," the scientists said. "It displays clear similarities to SARS-CoV that spilled over into hu-

mans in Foshan, Guangdong province, China in November 2002, and again in Guangzhou, in 2003," they added. Both the events were linked with markets selling live animals and involved species, particularly civets and raccoon dogs, that were also sold live in Wuhan markets in 2019 and are known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The scientists also found that animal traders working in 2003, without a SARS diagnosis, were documented to have high levels of IgG to SARSCoV (13 per cent overall and less than 50 per cent for traders specialising in civets). Subsequent serological surveys found nearly 3 per cent positivity rates to SARS-CoV related (SARSCoV) viruses in residents of Yunnan province living close to bat caves, demonstrating regular exposure in rural locations. "Although it is impossible to fully exclude a lab accident, there is no evidence at the moment that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology," lead author Professor Edward Holmes, a virologist at the University of Sydney, was quoted to The Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday. The paper "provides a point-by-point rebuttal of questions raised to support the 'lab leak' hypothesis," the Australasian Virology Society said in a statement. "This review presents plausible explanations to support the case that SAR-CoV-2 is likely a zoonosis (a disease that has jumped from animals to humans) similar to SARS and MERS." However, the paper failed to address concerns Chinese researchers may be hiding relevant evidence, Professor Nik Petrovsky, a Covid-19 vaccine researcher at Flinders University in Adelaide, was quoted as saying. "They completely ignore the fact that WIV has taken all data on its viruses offline," he said. "This paper adds nothing to the origins debate. "The truth (is) that this is a completely open verdict where neither possibility can be proven or refuted."

ADVERISE WITH US

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New Delhi, July 1: On National Doctor's Day we take a look at the toll the pandemic has put on out healthcare systems and doctors who have to deal with it. After being in the crosshairs of the COVID-19 for nearly two years now, the crisis is a test for one's mental health, especially, the doctors and frontline workers. They face an immense level of stress daily, which has gradually put their mental health in jeopardy; they are experiencing symptoms of depression, insomnia, and psychological distress. "Doctors not only suffer the anxiety of caring for the patients, adhering to the ever-changing medical protocols, but they also put themselves in a situation where they voluntarily isolate themselves from their families for months," says Dr. Deepak Verma, Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones." The erratic work schedules, risk of exposure to infection and limited interaction with family members and loved ones have made frontline healthcare workers suffer from anxiety, depression, burnout, insomnia and stress-related disorders. Therefore, it becomes essential to work towards the lessening of their mental health problems. Keeping in touch with their families and loved ones is the what most doctors say help them stay calm even after working non-stop for long hours. "Even though burnout and depression are quite common among doctors, they are taking small steps to deal with the issue. Staying in touch

with their families even during duty also helps them calm down. While these medical workers are working relentlessly to save people's lives amid the pandemic, very little has been done to provide them with institutional support so that they can seek out mental health treatment." Dr. Verma shares. Dr. Aswati Nair, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility, New Delhi have similar views. She says: "When you are going through such challenging times, it's essential that as a healthcare professional taking care of myself can better equip me to take care of others. We make sure that we are connected with our family and friends through social media, phone. It's not only the healthcare workers who are facing the brunt. Everyone in society is going through the same mental health conditions. So, when we counsel a patient or a family member through phone calls or video chats, it's also making us feel less isolated. We also perform some stretching exercises in the middle of our OPDs." Many doctors say that to unwind, they take small breaks in between

and a stroll inside the corridor of the hospital while taking care to adhere to all public health protocols. "Doing indoor exercises like yoga and running on the treadmill also help the doctors improve their mood and sleep quality. Some doctors also practice mind-calming exercises such as mindfulness and meditation are some that help them avoid stress during such unprecedented times," Dr Verma shares. Dr Manisha Ranjan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Noida feels that even doctors can work upon their mental health by taking care of their own health, doing meditation and taking a break from the news on media and social media. "Enabling doctors to communicate effectively, providing them tangible support from the administration/ seniors, mental health problem screening, making quarantine/isolation less restrictive and ensuring interpersonal communication and proactively curtailing the misinformation/rumour spread by the media are some of the potential measures," she concludes.

Yoga and the resurgence of life From common men to celebrities, everyone seems to have immersed in the ever-deepening deluge of yoga and its countless benefits, says Aena Malhotra

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

or as long as one can remember, India has been the land of moksha – the ultimate liberation from the circle of life and death and the final destination of every living being. People from everywhere in the world since the dawn of civilization have looked up to our country as an oasis for the forlorn, dejected, or spiritually hungry humans. Places like Kashi or Banaras, Pushkar, Allahabad, and Bodh Gaya are revered the world over by pilgrims and people looking forward to embark on a meaningful quest for life. One indispensible ingredient of the ever-evolving and effortlessly resurgent lifestyle that Indian has been emanating to the world is yoga. Though the birth of yoga dates back to over 5000 years ago during the Indus-Sarasvati Valley civilization wherein it was conceptualized and nurtured by brahmans and rishis with an aim to refine the quality of human life and existence, the world is gradually waking up to its benefits now. The credit for re-awakening the zeal towards yoga worldwide in the recent times may be credited to Baba Ramdev, a notable spiritual leader who has created a distinguished niche for himself in the revival of two of world’s most beneficial ancient practices, ayurveda and yoga. The past decade has witness a never-before fervour towards yoga in Australia and the innumerable health benefits that it offers. Such has been the appeal of yoga among people from all walks of life that enthusiastic yoga groups have cropped up in all major cities in Australia. From young children to the elderly, homemakers to working professionals, almost everyone has been mesmerised by the yogic ways of staying healthy and fit. From common men to celebrities, everyone seems to have immersed in the ever-deepening deluge of yoga and its countless benefits. India has been fortunate to have a prime minister who realises the long-term benefits of propagating and popularising this practice and has tried ensuring that it reaches it percolates down to the masses in the most ade-

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quate and effective manner. Despite the pandemic, the world this year also witnessed the grandeur celebrations of the International Yoga Day on June 21, which gripped all and sundry under its appeal, from politicians, school teachers, students to elderly, physically handicapped, policemen, doctors and even filmstars. However, it is not surprising to see the revolutionising appeal and mass public support that yoga is garnering for itself throughout the world, given the string of health and intellectual benefits that it offers to the human body. A regular practice ensures weight loss, stress relief, improved immunity, enhanced inner peace, increased energy, better

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posture and other health benefits, in addition to finer benefits that include better intuition, improved relationships, greater tolerance, and greater awareness of life forces. Come to think of it, what else does one need to a peaceful and beautiful existence? So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to embark on a spiritual roller-coaster that is bound to make you feel more alive, rejuvenated, and empowered. --Ends-Pullquote The recent decade has witness a never-before fervour towards yoga and the innumerable health benefits that it offers. Such has been the charisma among people

TRAVEL

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

A glimpse into Seychelles A

tender nation of merely 250 years, the Seychelles Islands harbour a wealth of heritage, stemming from the continents of Africa, Europe and Asia. Blending into what is now known as the Seychellois Creole culture, this melting pot captivates onlookers with its diverse history, art, cuisine, dance, and language. First settled in the 17th century, the islands have held much intrigue throughout the years. Today, beyond its crystal-clear waters and pearly white beaches, the pristine islands’ authentic charms are sure to enchant its visitors. With roots sprouting from three continents, the Seychellois creole culture still reflects its origins. Immerse yourself in rhythms of the past African influences are still present in the rhythm of creole music, with vivacious beats telling stories of their slave ancestors who used music to escape the day’s troubles. Guided by the blaze of a bonfire, African slaves would find themselves moving to the beating of drums and belting of notes, a practice which has been passed on and can occasionally be witnessed across the islands. The “moutya” and “sega” are some of the most popular bonfire dances inspired by their African ancestors, followed by the European-influenced body of more formal “kanmtole” dances such as the “kontredans”, “kotis”, “mazok” and “valz”. Accompanying dynamic dances are vibrant rhythms of instruments accented by percussions and strong, steady vocals, staples of creole music which has kept much of its original influences. Still alive today, you can find yourself mesmerised by the rhythm and movements along sandy shores during the golden hour and at cultural events such as the annual Festival Kreol in October. Take your palate on a gastronomical voyage Dance and music aren’t the only elements that tantalise travellers; creole cuisine creates a lasting impression on one’s palate, tantalising the tastebuds with flavours bursting with warm spices and fresh ingredients. Creole cuisine is something that remains one of the most exciting aspects of the local culture. Around every corner of the island, local bites can be relished as one

Traditional Moutya Dance

explores some of the archipelago’s many natural wonders where many of the ingredients for the creole dishes can be found. Historical sites such as the Jardin du Roi even offer such tours which ends with homemade dishes at a quaint café surrounded by the blissful whispers of nature. Discover creole creativity At the heart of every culture lies art and the creole culture is no different. Whilst Seychellois dance, music and cuisine can easily be considered art, one must give special recognition to the creole artisans who have engraved the islands’ history in many of their works. Galleries showcasing local artwork invite you to an immersive experience in a world of vivid strokes and brushwork whilst heritage and craft villages such as Domaine de Val de Près and souvenir shops scattered across the islands display handcrafted accessories which serve as reminders of the easy-going island life once you return to your daily routines. Travel through time Voyagers can wander beyond the natural wonders of the archipelago, leaping through time into the past by visiting some of the islands’ historical sites such as the slave children’s

Finland allows easier entry for fully-vaccinated travellers Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: Voyages Afriq

school and cemetery at Venn’s Town at Sans Souci, the Domaine de Val des Près and why not the Seychelles National History and Natural History Museums which echo ancestral tales. National monuments, such as the lighthouse on Denis Island, some 90 kilometers north of Mahé, also bear witness to these islands’ past, when only hardy seafarers could navigate the archipelago’s wild oceans. Welcome home With a unique ethnic blend, the Seychellois heritage has given the creole community a special talent for making you feel right at home. Travellers from the most unlikely places are sure to catch a glimpse of their own heritage when exploring

the creole culture of the tiny island paradise. Creole Food variety

Creole Food variety

Photo Courtesy: Finding the Universe

Photo Courtesy: SeyVillas.com

Helsinki, July 7: Travellers fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or with proof of having recovered from the disease, can enter Finland without any additional tests from Monday, the Finnish government said at a press conference on Tuesday. Besides, people from countries and regions defined by Finland as "safe" can enter the country without testing as of Monday, too. The temporary changes on entry policy are valid until mid-October, said the government. Travellers without the required full vaccinations, nor with documents showing recovery from the disease, must be tested upon their arrival in Finland. A person coming with a negative Covid-19 test result less than three days old can enter the country, but must be tested within three to five days. Persons with only one dose of the vaccine must be tested on the border as well, said the government. The revised legislation on border health security, on which the new entry policy is based, was passed

by the parliament last Friday and signed into law by President Sauli Niinisto on Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported. According to a list published at the government website, the countries and regions eligible as safe from Monday would be Australia, the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR, Iceland, Israel, Malta, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, New Zealand, the Vatican and several municipalities in Norway. Though Finland is well in progress with the first dose of vaccinating, it is under the European Union average in the full vaccination progress, said Taneli Puumalainen, head of the Department of Safety and Health at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Puumalainen said that two doses are necessary for combatting the Delta-variant of the novel coronavirus, therefore a strict approach is necessary, adding the "safe" region list will be reviewed in August.

Why India is a spiritual tourism hub

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: reetu k photography

ndia is the perfect destination for a spiritual soul with a wanderlust. From the edge of land at Kanyakumari to the where the earth touches the skies in the Himalayan ranges, It is abundantly speckled with spiritually magnetic places, people and practices. It is the mystical traditions of this land and its inhabitants that have surpassed the test of time to immortalize our

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age-old practices that draws people from the far corners of the globe who wish to quench their spiritual curiosity. Grand Master Akshar shares kinds of practices that are popular with people arriving in India for spiritual tourism: Spiritually Charged locations From the foothills to the highest

peaks, the Himalayan mountains have a mesmerizing and magnetic power that draws people from across the globe to it’s glorious ranges. This land is the origin of Yoga, the true source of knowledge. With Rishikesh and Haridwar at the foothills being the capital for Yoga to the snow-capped peaks of Himachal Pradesh, these vast mountains are brimming with spiritually charged

venues. People from across the globe travel here for spiritual rejuvenation surrounded by the natural beauty and powerful vibrations of these spiritual hubs. Yoga: The truth behind the trend Yoga is now a lifestyle trend across the globe. The curiosity of people has been sparked and they can now see the impact of this every day practice on their physical fitness, their mental health and their emotional balance. This has piqued their interest in deepening their knowledge and broadening their experiences. Yoga is more than physical postures and breathing techniques, it is a holistically healthy approach to everyday living, the method to living life to perfection, to be the best version of ourselves and ultimately be one with the universe. To bask in the happiness of a physically fit and mentally peaceful life is the most attractive quality that draws people to the birthplace of Yoga. Ayurveda: the scripture for Life Ayurveda teaches us everything we need to know about living our lives in a manner that brings us the most health and happiness. Every human body is defined by the five composite elements namely, Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Space. Ayurveda is the science of manipulating these elements within our bodies through various external practices to bring about a balance. Much like the saying goes, there is no plant that grows on this land which is not of some benefit to the health of human kind. Ayurveda can account for every single plant, fruit, flower or herb that benefits the body to not just bring about everyday health but to even cure a myriad of illnesses. Such

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Photo Courtesy: reetu k photography

rejuvenating experiences where the body and mind are cleansed are opportunities that people truly need and greatly look forward to. Human curiosity: our mental and

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spiritual evolution The human mind is ever searching for something more, something to give our existence meaning.

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Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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BEAUTY

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Skincare hacks W with superfoods

When it comes to skin care, handcream should be top priority

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

e’ve all heard the term “Superfood”, but do you know that some superfoods can help improve the quality of your skin. Since they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, they have the power to refresh, hydrate, and nourish the skin. In today’s world, it is common knowledge that we are what we eat, so if you want ‘food for your skin’, superfoods are it. Loaded with compounds such as fiber, good fatty acids, and antioxidants, these are vital to replenish and strengthen your skin from within. Dolly Kumar, Cosmetic Engineer and Founder & Director at Cosmic Nutracos Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the

parent company to skin care brand Skinella, suggests some superfoods to be included as part of your skincare routine and how to use them: Goji Berries These lovely little berries pack a big punch. They contain more beta carotene than carrots and more Vitamin C than any other fruit. It also contains a host of vitamins and amino acids that could give you youthful, elastic skin. Here’s how you get the best out of it: DIY Mask: Place 3 Goji Berries in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water and let it soak for around 15 minutes. Mash it and then add ½ teaspoon of raw honey. Apply it on your face and rinse off after 15 minutes.

Face wash: Free radicals can wreak havoc on your skin. Thus it’s important to wash your face with a gentle face wash that contains natural Goji berry and Vitamin C. However, make sure you dab on a toner to close the open pores. Camu Camu When you think of skin brightening, think Camu Camu. It contains more Vitamin C than oranges. This combined with B3 Vitamins fights pigmentation, fades skin discoloration, and reduces spots by clearing dead cells. This makes it a great ingredient in sunscreen. So, don’t forget to use a Camu Camu sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays. However, make sure it’s nothing less than SPF 40. Green Papaya Apart from having carotenoids that fight free radical damage, green papaya also prevents collagen and elastin from breaking down. Meaning, it helps to fade wrinkles. Plus, green Papaya contains lycopene that makes your skin look radiant and smooth. Also, a green papaya peel-off mask could be great at tan removal, getting rid of stubborn dirt, blackheads, whiteheads, and excess oil that are difficult to remove.

ith most Skincare routines today, the focus is usually on the face while the hands are subjected to a secondary treatment or an afterthought. We must remember that each time we wash our hands, they lose moisture, become dry and dehydrated. In our current altered lifestyle, life without perpetual handwashing and sanitizing is unfathomable. Here’s why investing in a good hand cream is the absolute need of the hour. Hydrating: The skin on the back of our hands is thinner and has fewer oil glands, making it more prone to dryness. In comparison, the skin on our palms is a lot thicker, so for moisture to penetrate this area, it is advisable to use a hand cream that uses efficacious formulations that are infused with the goodness of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid and promises hydration with anti-bacterial properties. Cleansing: Hands are undeniably the most precious assets that are used to access and communicate with the world. More often than

not, they are often subject to invisible bacteria and germs. Excessive use of hand wash or sanitizer may damage the sensitive skin of your hands; thus, it is recommended to opt for a high-quality anti- bacterial hand cream that can serve the dual purpose of hydration and protection against germs. Combat Ageing: What the face conceals, the hands give-away, holds true when it comes to matters of age. Our hands spend just as much time exposed to external elements as our faces and when we neglect to care for them, we leave them defenseless against the effects of aging. A dermatologist recommended hand cream will help boost moisture levels and skin elasticity, while combatting pigmentation, dehydration and premature wrinkling. Therapy in a tube - The ritual of applying a hand-cream can prove to be a peaceful experience and a quick escape from a hectic day. The gentle of act of massaging the hands as they soak in all the hydration is known to calm the nerves, alleviate

The 5 minute 'No Make-up Look'

Photo Courtesy: Pexel

anxiety and unclog mental pores. This short ‘me-time’ break lends us a moment of self-reflection that can do wonders not just for our hands but also our mind. Happy Cuticles: The area around nails is designed to protect our nails from bacterial infections. The process of excessive handwashing can make cuticles dry and flaky, making them vulnerable to bacterial infections. Photo Courtesy: Pexel

Why Vitamin C is beauty's new buzzword Photo Courtesy: Pexel

f you pick up any skincare products – peel-off mask, day cream, face wash or serum – which promises to brighten the skin and hydrate it as well, you will likely find Vitamin C or ascorbic acid in the ingredients list. Vitamin C has become an essential part of skincare, especially now, when natural extracts are all the rage. Perhaps the most popular natural remedy for skin woes, Vitamin C has several incredible benefits for the skin. It is not surprising, then, that it has become the absolute buzzword in the beauty category. Vishal Kaushik, Founder & MD at Upakarma Ayurveda lists the multifarious benefits of Vitamin C for your skin. Undoing sun damage When you go out in the sun, UVA and UVB rays from the sun wreak havoc within minutes of exposure. This can cause skin ageing, dullness, and many other skin troubles. Enter: Vitamin C. Photoprotection is one of the best benefits of Vitamin C. This means, when your sunscreen contains Vitamin C, you are better protected from the harsh rays of the sun due to its strong antioxidant properties. This is why several day creams with SPF are also enriched with Vitamin C. Not just for pro-

tection, Vitamin C can also undo previous damage caused by the sun, giving you hydrated and supple skin. Reduces hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation presents as changing skin colour in patches or spots. This can happen due to a lot of reasons including age or sun damage. However, it can be reversed or lightened with Vitamin C which inhibits melanin production in the skin. This is why several brightness products contain Vitamin C – it reveals naturally brighter and eventoned skin. Prevents fine lines The very first signs of skin ageing, fine lines can cause a lot of stress. However, with regular use, Vitamin C serums can help to fade away these lines so you can smile without fretting about them. This is because

Vitamin C boosts the skin’s collagen and elastin production, which in turn makes the skin firm and plump. Goodbye, fine lines! Reduces Inflammation A powerhouse of antioxidants, Vitamin C can also soothe skin inflammation and help with conditions such as psoriasis and acne. Signs of inflammation like rashes, redness or irritation can also be reduced with Vitamin C-based products. However, since Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient, it is best to consult a doctor before using it for inflammatory conditions. Hydrating effect Modern skincare focuses a great deal on hydration. Well-hydrated skin remains youthful and problem-free much longer. A great benefit of Vitamin C is that it penetrates the skin and locks in moisture. This essentially means that Vitamin C deeply hydrates the skin and also helps it retain moisture. While Vitamin C is a miraculous product for the skin, it takes a little while to start showing discernible effects. So, regular use is the key to derive maximum benefits from your Vitamin C based products. With patience and correct usage, you will get the smooth, radiant and youthful skin of your dreams. So, is Vitamin C worth the hype? Definitely!

Why Vitamin C is your skincare's holy grail Photo Courtesy: Pexel

hether you are a skincare fanatic or have just started your journey towards creating your own beauty regime, you would have come across a multiplicity of ingredients on skincare product labels that often leave you wondering what's a good fit for you.The most versatile yet tricky amongst those is Vitamin C. Most people get a fair dose of this vitamin from the food, fruits, and vegetables they eat. It is a legendary supplement required to keep our immune system robust and fortify our bodies against diseases. It has also played a crucial part in our fight against COVID-19. With countless benefits internally, the vitamin has equal, if not more, dermatological advantages. Arushi Thapar, Senior Marketing Manager, Plum, PurePlay Skin Sciences Pvt Ltd. shares more on the new 'in' natural additive. C the advantage! : Vitamin C is a www.indianabroad.news

potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals, but what does that mean for your skin? Vitamin C is known to be a difficult ingredient to develop and work with owing to its fragility and photosensitivity. With advancements in research, we know that the potent L- Ascorbic acid or also known as the most stable form of Vitamin C which can effectively reduce dark spots, protect from sun damage & treat dull skin. With age and due to sun exposure, collagen synthesis in the skin decreases, leading to wrinkles- once again Vitamin C is the only antioxidant proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, minimize fine lines, scars, and wrinkles. Therefore, its important to understand the make of such a potent concoction with multifold benefits. Many skincare products on the market today, deep dive into the skincare science and highlight the vitamin C derivatives, which is an important part for consumers to understand and choose the right Vitamin C serum. Products with the right concentration, formulation and other mix of ingredients like Japanese Mandarin and Kakadu plum that boost the performance of the Vitamin C, are important factors to take into consideration before purchasing a Vitamin C serum.

Why Plum Mandarin & Vitamin C serum should be your holy grail: Make sure your Vitamin C serum checks these boxes before purchasing or using them.A greater absorption of skin is possible with the use of vitamin C in serum-based formulations. The concentration should be between 10-20% with the sweet spot at 15%- any higher nullifies the benefits and could damage your skin. Another important aspect to pay attention to is the pH value. Human skin tends to have a pH value between 4-5 hence, the serum should have a similar value to be effective. Other factors to consider while adding Vitamin C to your beauty shelf include packaging, colour, and smell. As mentioned before, Vitamin C is photosensitive; i.e its properties change with exposure to light. It is, therefore, important for the serum to be packaged in a dark or amber coloured bottle. Store away from sunlight and in a dry environment. Be mindful of the colour and smell- ideally any skincare product should be free of artificial colours & fragrances. A change into a yellow, orange, or brown colour means it has oxidised; a sour or rancid smell means the product has lost stability and its use must be discontinued.

hile we all enjoy trying out the latest makeup trends and getting dolled up for an evening out, there's something to be said for a natural, fresh-faced look. The no-makeup look has remained popular for good reason: it is flattering on everyone, super easy to achieve, and insanely quick. It's one of those makeup looks you see on the runway as well as walking down the street, and it always looks great. Delhi-based professional make-up artist Gitanshi Dua shares a few tips to achieve the look: Start with CTM Begin with a strong skincare routine. Having a good regimen (that you stick to on a daily basis!) is essential for nailing the no-makeup makeup look because it keeps your skin healthy and glowy without the addition of makeup. Your skincare routine should always begin with a good cleanser. This step establishes the tone for the rest of your application process. Use a complete regimen, including a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturiser that are appropriate for your skin type and address your skin concerns. Apply concealer for blemishes and dark circles Choose a lightweight concealer and apply it only to the areas that require it. To conceal dark circles, apply a full coverage creamy/hydrating concealer. Having an even tone

around your eyes will make them pop and define their shape. Always remember that use a concealer that is matching to your skin tone. Blend with your fingers – the heat from your skin causes the product to melt right in! You can also use tinted moisturisers, BB and CC creams to hydrate your skin. Lock your base To prep your face, apply a translucent setting powder or compact. Apply a thin layer of setting powder all over your face using a large fluffy makeup brush. It absorbs any makeup or excess oil produced by your skin. Including setting powders in your makeup routine, no matter how much or how little time you have for makeup, is a great idea. Get yourself a high-quality setting powder that will keep your base in place all day. Apply some shimmer on your eye lid Choose some shimmer for a pretty, natural eye makeup look. For natural look, apply a light shimmery shadow all over your eyelid. After applying your blush, use a flat eyeshadow brush to sweep a shimmery whitish-gold powder across your eyelid for a sheer wash of colour with a gold cast. Isn't it true that your daily makeup routine isn't complete without grooming your lashes? Use an eye lash curler to curl your lashes and

then a defining mascara to separate them. Next is contouring Just because you're going for a no-makeup look doesn't mean you can't contour. Contouring can be done in a very subtle way that no one notices. Sticking to liquid products this time, apply tiny dots of contour on your cheekbones and bronzer underneath. Blend this in thoroughly so that it does not appear as if someone has drawn a line on your face. Apply a small amount of concealer underneath the contour diagonally to make it look slightly sharper. Apply blusher or tint A cream blush or tint gives the cheeks a natural flush. For your cheeks, choose a rosy pink or an earthy peach tint; use a small amount of the product to achieve a stained, rosy effect. A little goes a long way with this one as well, and fingers are the best application tools. Apply highlighter Also apply a small amount of highlighter under your brow bone, bridge of your nose, inner corner of your eye, Cupid’s bow, and diagonal to your cheekbone. This is an important aspect of the no-makeup look. Apply lipstick or lip tint Finish it off with a nude lipsticks or a tint that will give you a natural look. Find a nude that complements your skin tone, because nude is a tone that matches your lips, not a colour.

Photo Courtesy: Pe

For a refreshing summer skin

dding to its existing range of Ayurvedic products, beauty brand Kama Ayurveda has launched a steam-distilled toner ‘Pure Neroli Water’ that helps tone

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and smoothen the skin. The product’s floral and citrus notes have a relaxing and uplifting effect and helps in tone the skin, hydrates and sooth, minimize the appearance

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of pores and gives natural glow of the skin. How to use it: Spritz 2-3 times over cleansed face. This also preps the skin to absorb the moisturizer better. Add it to natural face packs. Spritz 2-3 times before doing makeup to hydrate & prep skin. Spritz on the go to refresh & energize. Daily skin routine for all skin types including sensitive, aging, acne prone or dry skin. Priced at Rs 345 for 50 ml and Rs 1,195 for 200 ml, the new product will be available across all Kama Ayurveda stores and online at: www. kamaayurveda.com.

FASHION

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Arohi X Ekaya SS'21 Collection, Finally yes to dressing up a modern twist on tradition again, yet no to trends?

Photo Courtesy: IANS

By Sujata Assomull have missed dressing up, just wearing an easy summer dress putting on some mid heels (am not ready for the for those towering stilettos as yet, and I am not sure if I will ever will be again), layering on a few necklaces and pulling out my favourite envelope clutch is such a treat. Fashion brings joy to many of us, you feel good when you wear something that makes you feel good. As renowned Professor of psychiatry Raphael Bonelli said, “An interest in fashion and personal appearance is a sign of mental health. Psychiatrists are able to infer changes in mood from changes in their patient’s clothing.” It is a scientific fact-fashion is therapeutic! It is this very feeling that many fashion brands bank on, and it's the reason ultra-fast fashion has gained such momentum as we come out of lockdowns. Our time at home should have taught us, the never ending trend cycle is putting too much pressure on us and on the earth. It was back in 2015, that Anna Wintour declared that “Trend is an Ugly Word”. There is no denying that the very nature of fashion is cyclical but the whole process had gone on “speed”. Fashion is an enemy of the environment. I shall not list the statistics, we should all be aware of them and know by now that fashion is the second most polluting industry. Hopefully, now we understand the need to be more conscious. The never ending cycle was also hard work, keeping up with trends meant your wardrobe always needed an update. It was an exhausting process. But on the flip side is the joy that dressing up brings. So how does one balance them both? Thirty eight year old Delhi based Amrita Thakur is a fashion designer and also fashion influencer says, “I know I will now make smart choices when I shop.” She says during this time she has made develop a penchant for jewellery, and currently has her eyes on a dainty emerald necklace she can wear on a daily basis. “It does seem like you can have a longer partnership with jewellery than a dress.” As a designer, the lockdown made her realise that she needs to have a “seasonless” approach to fashion. “I have missed dressing up but I know I want beautiful things I can wear every day, that do not date. A client does want to buy something, and then find that just a few months later as things are opening up that piece no longer works.” Sanjana Rishi, 30, a lawyer by training and a well-known conscious clothing advocate, is happy to admit that she loves fashion. “This time has made me aware of what I already own, to cherish the things I have bought already that are in my cupboard. I look forward to

he Arohi X Ekaya SS'21 collection is a modern and versatile selection of handwoven saris, chic suits, bias-cut skirts, and pop-colored organza co-ord sets inspired by contemporary art, bold colour play, and clean construction. Ekaya collaborates with young designer, Aarohi Shah, from the Fashion Institute of Technology New York, to create a range of experimental textiles and silhouettes keeping in mind the ever-growing demand for easy to wear, modern saris, and ready to wear, combining craftsmanship and attention to detail. The textiles of this collection comprises experimental and youthful saris exuding an artful sense of texture and pattern along with timeless cord sets with fluid silhouettes and vivid colours. It features 25 – 30 pieces, including colourways, priced between Rs 15000 to 40000 and is available at Ekaya stores.

exel

Rahul Mishra's artistic magnificence at Paris Haute Couture Week 2021

Photo Courtesy: IANS

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

wearing them again. They could be pieces from H&M or Zara, but they are pieces I bought and I love, so I cannot wait to wear them again.” Rewearing and Restyling will be her new mantras and one of her top tips is to take dupattas or scarves

and turn them into fun tops for the summer. A strong ‘vocal for local advocate’ any future fashion choices will come from homegrown brands that take a conscious and ethical approach to fashion.

Wear 2021’s hottest colour trend

hile countries slowly open their borders, Rahul Mishra’s Couture Fall Collection 2021/22 ‘The Shape of Air’ is reminiscent of adventure to the Aegean Sea and inspires one to look forward to a season of beauty, elegance and travel. Mishra, the first ever Indian designer to be invited to showcase his collection at the Paris Haute Couture week delight with this showing of creative genius. The designer showcased an ensemble of artistic expressions in couture. The digital show featured a recollection of the overall experience, of how a physical space is perceived by the eyes and felt by a soul. Inspired by a

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holiday to Santorini before the pandemic, the designer found himself answering questions that we had forgotten to ask ourselves-- about simple things that seem to bewilder only a child, which overwhelm one to observe the unseen details that make up experiences. The line-up featured five elements —earth, water, fire, air and space, combined in right proportions: a physical space. The designer recreates the city of Santorini with its elements into clothing. The glistening blue sea, bathing in the bright sun, the salty wind and pink bougainvilleas and sewed and woven into ensembles in a formidable artistic voice.

“Intricate details rendered in hand embroidery—hand cut and individually tacked on the bright hued, ombre surfaces. Pinched, gathered and sheered lengths of tulle representing air and water in their different interpretations gives volume and movement to the otherwise sculptural silhouettes. Some of the other applications include dramatic draping of sheer fabric, to create a fluid bubble around the garments,” said the designer in his note. Mishra an advocate of sustainable and slow fashion continues to promote its values with this collection. As the world recognises the value of slow fashion, Mishra states he, “feel(s) elevated confidence in our intentions and pride, for our entire team of artisans, weavers and embroiderers that wholeheartedly contribute to the realisation of our dreams, come what may.”

very season, among a slew of trends, there’s one that’s hard to ignore. In case you missed it, green took over the international runways this season, and subsequently, our Instagram feeds. From industry insiders to street-style stars, the refreshing hue has made a comeback in wardrobes everywhere. Whether it’s rekindling our love for nature or breaking away from hot pink and orange, green is the way to go for a summer closet update. Dominating spring/summer 2021, with iterations in every shade from the coolest labels, here are the season’s most-wanted picks available Nykaa Fashion: Unsurprisingly, going monochrome or popping accessories work equally well with green. While punchy shades like emerald and parakeet catch the eye, softer mint and sage are perfect in transitional weather. Get ready for days under the sun in saturated tones by Forever New, Mati, Baise Gaba or Ada or go easy in Forever 21, Kanelle or Shrinkhla. Don’t forget to accessorize your neutrals with pieces from San Calpa, Tanned or The Cai Store. And while you grab every green that speaks to your sensibilities, make sure to add some versatile shirts.

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Photo Courtesy: Nyka

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

Hrithik-Deepika starrer 'Fighter' to Shweta Tripathi: Fortunate to have work when industry is struggling be India's first aerial action film

Photo Courtesy: Google

he Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone-starrer "Fighter" will be India's first-ever aerial action genre film.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film will be shot using the latest technology and filming techniques, and at locations across the world.

"Fighter" is slated for release in 2022. "'Fighter' is a dream project and I am glad to have someone with Ajit's vision to be partnering this with me. With this film we aim to put Indian films on the map for action-loving global theatrical audiences who crave for spectacle and the big screen experience," said director Anand about Viacom18 COO Ajit Andhare's participation in the project. The film will be produced by Viacom18 Studios, Mamta Anand, Ramon Chibb and Anku Pande. Speaking about the project, Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios, said: "An aerial action film offers a unique cinematic experience. It has never been done in India. Being a 'Top Gun' fan, I have been looking for a script for years that explores aerial action and has a story rooted in India. 'Fighter' is the answer. Siddharth understands this genre and brings a unique flair to his films. I am excited to collaborate with him in building this franchise."

Ayushmann: I use my social media to draw attention to future disruptors Photo Courtesy: IANS

ctor Ayushmann Khurrana says he follows a lot of young poets, singers, performing artistes and dancers who are yet to burst onto the scene and tries using his social media to draw attention to these artistes. "I follow a lot of incredible young poets, singers, performing artistes, dancers who are yet to burst onto

the scene and I'm always awed by their talent. So, I try and use my social media to draw attention to these really fantastic artists who I feel are the future disruptors. The reason for doing so is rooted in my past," said Ayushmann. He has been doing this since 2019, and has used the pandemic to actively discover and endorse such

talent. "When I was looking to make a name for myself, I didn't have the power of social media to put myself out there. I didn't have the ways to get the opportunities I could have got years back. So, I feel if we all can use our social media as a platform to bring out some of the best talents, we would be doing right by our country and the genius it has to offer," he said. Ayushmann believes India has a wealth of talent that needs to be discovered more aggressively. The actor said: "There is a need to constantly find brilliant new artists because they will be shapers of future. Their honesty to the craft and passion make my day. Anywhere you look, you will find raw talent in our country. Let's share and celebrate their skills and bring out the future generation of artists from the house next door." Meanwhile, Ayushmann will soon be seen in "Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui" directed by Abhishek Kapoor, "Anek" directed by Anubhav Sinha and "Doctor G" directed by Anubhuti Kashyap.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy: "Toofaan" songs are like emotional roller coaster

ce Bollywood composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are back with "Toofaan", and the trio that has been together since 1997 recently saw the release of the title song of the Farhan Akhtar-starrer boxing drama. "The title song 'Toofaan' has really picked up. For us, it's been a musical release after one year. Our fans were looking forward to it," Ehsaan Noorani told IANS. The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar's production house Excel Entertainments and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Farhan plays the lead role in the film opposite Mrunal Thakur. After "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", "Toofaan" happens is the second sports film of Farhan and Rakeysh with the trio. The trio has composed six tracks in the film: "Toofaan" (title track), "Star hai tu", "Purvaiya", "Ananya", "Dekh toofaan aaya hai" and "Ganpati Vandana". The lyrics of the songs are by Javed Akhtar. "'Toofaan' is a sports film and the boxing element is the background,

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Photo Courtesy: Instagram

but it's also an emotional and beautiful love story. We tried to capture the human essence in the song called 'Toofaan' written by Javed saab. People who are hearing it seem to like it very much. They are all getting inspired. It's really affecting them emotionally which is a good feeling," said Shankar who has sung the song "Purvaiya" while Arijit Singh has sung "Ananya".

He added: "The songs of 'Toofaan' are almost like an emotional roller coaster. 'Purvaiya' is a very pure rock qawwali that talks about different aspects of life. 'Ananya' is a beautiful romantic song with an acoustic guitar. Farhan sings this song for Mrunal Thakur's character Ananya in the film. 'Star hai tu' is about a small celebration happening in the bylanes of Dongri. 'Dekh toofaan aaya' is a funky culmination rap song. The whole album ends with the 'Ganpati Vandana'." The trio is known to introduce new singers. "The new singers in 'Toofaan' are Himani Kapoor, Meenal Jain and Divya Kumar," told Loy Mendonsa. The trio has had a long relationship with director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra. They have been working with the director since his advertisement days. They then went on to compose music for "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag". "Rakeysh is pure love. It's a delight to just be with him in the studio. He is a man of total ease and no stress.

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ctress Shweta Tripathi feels fortunate and grateful to have work at a time when the industry is struggling owing to the pandemic. Shweta has been shooting throughout in locations such as Benaras and Manali when many states were going into lockdown due to the second wave of Covid-19. She also managed to successfully wrap up the shoot of her upcoming series "Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein" before all shooting was halted. "My hands are full but I feel extremely fortunate to have work when the industry is struggling so much due to the pandemic. During lockdown I've been watching such great content from across the world that now I am really hungry to perform," she said. She currently is busy with "The Gone Game 2" and "Escaype Live", for which she has to be away from home for two months. The actress added: "Even though I'm going away from family and friends

for two months, I'm happy doing so. I'm excited to go back to work and

shoot for not just one but two fantastic back-to-back shows."

Akanksha Puri couldn't stop cuddling Himansh Kohli during Kashmir shoot

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ctress Akanksha Puri who along with Himansh Kohli went to Kashmir to shoot for their upcoming music video says she just could not stop cuddling her co-star even after the director said "cut". "Finally someone made me romance on screen and agar Kashmir mein romance nahi kiya toh kya kiya (if not in Kashmir, where would one romance)? I enjoyed like never before, especially when it's cold, it's windy and you are in your co-star's arms, what else you want! There were shots when, even after the cut, I didn't want to leave Himansh as I was completely enjoying those hugs and cuddles up there! I couldn't be happier to have Himansh opposite me as we are good friends and we share an amazing chemistry, which definitely you will see once the song is out. I would definitely love to collaborate with him again," said

Complaint of cheating against Salman Khan, sister Alvira, six others

Akanksha. This is the second time Akanksha and Himansh star in a project and

the first time they are working opposite each another. The untitled track is scheduled to release this year.

Yami Gautam 'to enchant all with her charm' as Maya in Bhoot Police

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

Photo Courtesy: IANS

ctor Salman Khan, his sister Alvira and six others have been summoned by the Chandigarh police, after a local businessman filed a complaint of cheating. According to Arun Gupta, he had opened a store under the name of Being Human Jewelry in 2018 and had spent Rs 2- 3 crore on it. However, neither promotion commitments were fulfilled nor were the goods delivered to his store. Those who have been called for inquiry on July 13 to verify the complain include Being Human Foundation CEO and officials of Style Qutient (licensee of Being Human Jewelry), according to Zee News. The complaint also said that the office, which was used for collection of goods, was shut from February 2020. Gupta also said that he was assured that Salman Khan will come for inauguration of the store but instead his brother-in-law Ayush Sharma turned up. Gupta has requested to file an FIR.

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ctress Yami Gautam offered a glimpse into her character, Maya, in the upcoming horror comedy "Bhoot Police". Yami shared a photo on Instagram where she can be seen standing in a cave at night holding a torch. Fire from the burning torch lights up her face in the dark. "To enchant all with her charm arrives MAYA, in #BhootPolice. Coming soon on @disneyplushotstarvip," the actress captioned the photo.

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Yami recently tied the knot with "Uri: The Surgical Strike" director Aditya Dhar. "Bhoot Police" will be her first release after wedding. The Pavan Kirpalani directorial also features Saif Ali Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Arjun Kapoor in the lead. Produced by Ramesh Taurani, Akshai Puri and co-produced by Jaya Taurani, "Bhoot Police" is slated to release on Disney+ Hotstar.

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Taapsee Pannu: There is no industry Kirti Kulhari: Don't want to play a badly-written character without competition, stress today Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ctress Kirti Kulhari says it is her conscious choice to do intense characters on screen and that the only thing she does not want to do is play badly-written roles. "It is a very conscious choice. I want to play all kinds of characters and the only character that I don't want

to play is a badly written character," Kirti told IANS. Kirti rose to fame with her work in the film "Pink" in 2016. She then worked in films such as "Indu Sarkar", "Uri: The Surgical Strike", "Mission Mangal", "The Girl On The Train" and "Shaadisthan". She has also been seen on OTT

shows such as "Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors", "Bard Of Blood" and "Four More Shots Please!" "I want to represent so much. I think I am doing that with every project," she summed up. Kirti is now gearing up for the medical thriller web series "Human".

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ctress Taapsee Pannu says there is no industry without competition and stress today. Talking about life in Bollywood being fastpaced and how it takes a toll, Taapsee tells IANS: "It is a very competitive industry, just like other industries. Just that our competition comes in front of the camera for the world to judge. So, it becomes slightly more stressful, but everyone knows about it when they get into it." She agrees it is a part and parcel of an actor's life. "It's not like somebody forced us into it. We were aware of the fact that we will be in front of the camera and people would want to know more and more about us, so we were aware of that when we entered. So, something in return of that unconditional love we get from the audience is a price we pay. That attracts stress and it's a part of every competitive industry," the actress said.

Esha Deol to make digital debut in Ajay Devgn's 'Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness'

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

ctress Esha Deol Takhtani will make her digital debut in the Ajay Devgn-starrer series "Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness". The series reimagines the globally successful British series "Luther". "I look forward to working with Ajay Devgn after a long time. He has been a fantastic co-star to me in many films. As an actor, I believe in working on projects that would let me explore something new and engage me as a viewer as well. This series is a fresh take on the quintessential cop drama with a grey overtone, something which has not been explored in the Indian context before. With the resounding success of the OTT space, I am charged up for my digital debut with this one," Esha told IANS. The actress was last seen in the 2019 short film "Cakewalk". She has earlier worked with Ajay in films such as "Main Aisa Hi Hoon", "LOC Kargil" and "Yuva". "With Esha Deol Takhtani joining the star cast of 'Rudra: The Edge of Darkness', we are certain that her presence will take the series a notch higher and add more spark to the story. Building on the long-standing relationship with Disney+ Hotstar VIP, we are looking forward to the creation of this remarkable series," said Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, producers of the Hotstar Specials series in association with BBC Studios India.

Neha Marda credits her father for making it as an actress Photo Courtesy: Instagram

elevision actress Neha Marda, who plays Shubra in the show "Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti", says acting was never on her mind. It was her father's guidance

and encouragement that set her on the path. "I never really wanted to become an actress, I wanted to be a performer. But when I got the opportunity,

my father convinced me to give it a shot. Coming from a non-entertainment family, I had no idea about the industry and how it worked. Had my father not been there to guide me, I wouldn't have made it till here. I also guess it is because of dance, I was noticed, otherwise nobody would have ever seen my potential," Neha tells IANS. The actress is a trained classical dancer and has learnt multiple dance forms. She learnt Bharatnatyam for nine years, Kathak for seven years and took training in jazz and salsa for four years. The actress owes a lot to dancing. "I have always been a performer and that is something which reflects my childhood. I feel blessed to have had the chance to learn different classical forms of dance, which has not only made me a good dancer, but also helped me improve my core strength. In fact, I owe my acting career to dance as well. I was performing at a dance competition show, when I got noticed by a producer, who then called me for telly soap opera," she says. Besides Neha, "Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti" also stars actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi. The show airs on Zee TV.

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Jimmy Sheirgill: I'm offered a lot of cop roles, I pick the ones I really like

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ctor Jimmy Sheirgill has had quite a journey in Bollywood, since his first film "Maachis" in 1996. A thread that binds together most of his popular films is his avatar as a cop. Right from his powerful demeanour as inspector Arif Khan in "A Wednesday" to his remarkable roles in "Special 26" and "Fugly", the actor has delivered notable cop roles in around 10 films. "I am offered a lot of cop roles. I pick and choose the ones I really like. I pick the character that has the scope of being portrayed in a different light," Jimmy told IANS. The actor is back with a cop role in his latest film "Collar Bomb". He plays the character of a high-ranking Inspector Manoj Hesi. Directed by the award-winning filmmaker Dnyanesh Zoting, the film is about a hill-town school where the kids are held hostage by a human bomb. The key to solving the mystery to save the kids lies in Manoj Hesi's unpleasant past. Jimmy was approached for the film before the pandemic and the actor took his time to sign the project. "Quite a few months before Covid-19 came I was given a script that I www.indianabroad.news

really liked. But there were certain inputs that I wanted to give, which I felt were important, as it was a thriller and they wanted it to be a race against time," Jimmy said. He added: "In the middle of the pandemic I was sent the revised script. I was very happy to read it, as now it was a nice crisp thriller. I felt they did a good job." "We started shooting the film post opening of the first lockdown. In mid-October, we went up in the mountains to shoot," he said. "Collar Bomb" features Jimmy with Asha Negi, Rajshri Deshpande, and Sparsh Shrivastav in key roles. The actor has a fondness for thriller stories and that can be witnessed in his selection of films such as "Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster". He said: "I am fond of thrillers. If it's a well-written thriller I take the project." Jimmy's filmography also consists of light-hearted franchise films like "Tanu Weds Manu" and "Happy Bhaag Jayegi", where his roles have been equally applauded. "I have tried to do light-hearted roles in a slapstick way, but I believe people like the serious kind of thing more," he said.

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For Jimmy, script is the hero of the film. "It's always about a good script. If it's a good story it will find its audience. In a good film, you will come across a lot of good characters and that is what makes a good story. All these characters end up becoming lovable. The audience starts enjoying them," said Jimmy. The actor strongly believes in cohesive teamwork that makes a film successful. "A film's success is all about teamwork. I don't think single-handedly I portray the roles that I do. There is a lot of homework that goes into all these characters by the writer, director, and the team," he concluded.

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Vol 1, Issue 11, July 16 -31, 2021

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