tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26643409765122546172024-03-27T12:08:10.428+05:30Voice of an Indian Citizen Issues that make me wonder, or those that may provoke you into some thought, reaction or action. Some knowledge that surprised me or may have missed you.Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-55232576634935737852023-09-05T08:33:00.004+05:302023-09-05T08:38:37.569+05:30Aarogya Maitri<span style="font-family: helvetica;">In a groundbreaking development, India has introduced the 'Aarogya Maitri Cube,' the world's first portable disaster hospital, designed to sustain 200 survivors for 48 hours. This revolutionary creation has been conceived under the 'Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri' (BHISHM). In February 2022, a dedicated task force under the Ministry of Defence was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. As per the brief given, Air Vice Marshal Tanmoy Roy, head of the task force told Media that BHISHM had to make something original and innovative. Being a doctor himself, along with 6 of his colleagues Roy understood what is required during a medical emergency of any kind and might, and how important it is to be well equipped and deploy aid at the right time. This led to the indigenously developed Aarogya Maitri Cubes.</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In January 2023, at the the Concluding Leaders’ Session of the two-day virtual ‘Voice of Global South, PM announced the ‘Aarogya Maitri’ project under which India would provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crisis. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">The idea of February 2022, was announced in Jan 2023 and</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529;"> already 'Aarogya Maitri Cubes' have been donated to Myanmar as a goodwill gesture</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiviU4gxXbH2RChVmKZf5gdmEMRQQNlwB-rUGNHgH9xzgormXiMiqCk4xXpEXAMjBVMjzuq3_MiVrQ1WRYiyMIgouidxrq6cBQepweSXsyyRykhdv1G3imY4W5aPEg2g43mPKnkwbL_pAAvp7DqEzREPz8lwVrDbzTK9voCF84diSJ3v9K0yflvj9zPYd4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiviU4gxXbH2RChVmKZf5gdmEMRQQNlwB-rUGNHgH9xzgormXiMiqCk4xXpEXAMjBVMjzuq3_MiVrQ1WRYiyMIgouidxrq6cBQepweSXsyyRykhdv1G3imY4W5aPEg2g43mPKnkwbL_pAAvp7DqEzREPz8lwVrDbzTK9voCF84diSJ3v9K0yflvj9zPYd4" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: justify;"><i>In the picture above, Indian High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka presented state-of-the-art Arogya Maitri Cube to Sri Lanka</i><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; max-width: 100%; text-align: left;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; max-width: 100%; text-align: left;">The 'Aarogya Maitri Cube' is composed of three frames, with each accommodating 12 mini-cubes. </span></span><span style="text-align: justify;">The portable hospital consists of a four wheeled cage that encloses a total of 36 </span><span style="text-align: justify;">mini-cubes that suffice for a 100 survivors, for a period of 2 days/48 Hours, this arrangement is called a master cube. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">The design of the master cube is such that it can adjoin a similar master cube, to encompass a total of 72 mini cubes, catering to 200 survivors.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; max-width: 100%; text-align: left;">These cubes can handle various severe injuries, from bullet wounds to spinal fractures, providing critical medical support in the most challenging circumstances. Each Aarogya Maitri Cube comprises an operation theatre, mini-ICU, ventilator, blood test equipment, X-ray machine, cooking station, food, water, shelter, power generator, and more, all compactly packed into 72 cubes. These cubes, ingeniously designed for flexibility, are an innovative approach to disaster response. </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529;">The contents of the cubes can be tailored to specific needs, whether it's responding to natural disasters, war zones, epidemics, or challenging terrains. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529;">This wholly Made-in-India product is affordable, costing less than Rs 2.5 crore for 72 cube boxes and can be airlifted.</span></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The multifaceted aid kit proves to be helpful for astringent as well as the most severe injuries. It includes Forty bullet injuries, Twenty-five major bleeds, 25 major burns, around 10 long limb fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries or fractures and chest injuries. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.news18.com/india/aarogya-maitri-cube-india-builds-worlds-first-portable-hospital-to-keep-200-survivors-alive-for-48-hrs-8560481.html">https://www.news18.com/india/aarogya-maitri-cube-india-builds-worlds-first-portable-hospital-to-keep-200-survivors-alive-for-48-hrs-8560481.html</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many details are available here </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://asianatimes.com/worlds-first-portable-hospital-india-triumphs/">https://asianatimes.com/worlds-first-portable-hospital-india-triumphs/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2023/07/amrit-sarovar.html">Amrit Sarovar</a></span></div></div><p></p></div>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-89984446641595434642023-07-29T14:03:00.004+05:302023-09-05T08:37:17.503+05:30Amrit Sarovar<div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #060e2f; text-align: justify;">The objective of </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: justify;">Mission Amrit Sarovar</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #060e2f; text-align: justify;"> under the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: justify;">Ministry of Rural Development</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #060e2f; text-align: justify;"> is to develop at least 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district of the country during Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. The Mission was launched 24th April, 2022 with a view to conserve water for the future through rain water conservation and harvesting by renovating Amrit Sarovars which have reached the verge of extinction and constructing of new Amrit Sarovar. These would become the centre of local community activities. A user group is formed for each Amrit Sarovar for there community ownership and maintenance. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #060e2f; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="color: #060e2f;">The target was set to build 50 thousand Amrit Sarovar by August 15, 2023, this has been achieved ahead of schedule. As per their press release of 10th May 2023, 50,071 Amrit Sarovar have been completed. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #060e2f; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #060e2f;">The aim is to conserve water for the future generations with the combined efforts of district administration, Panchayat Raj officials, public representatives, panchayats, voluntary organizations, various institutions and public participation in states and union territories. In this on-going project, over one lac sites have been identified.<br /></span><span style="color: #060e2f;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #060e2f; font-family: helvetica;">So far 59,282 user groups have joined Mission Amrit Sarovar for maintaining the Sarovar and generating their livelihood from it. Public participation has converted this mission into a mass movement. So far, 1784 freedom fighters, 684 families of martyrs, 448 families of freedom fighters, 18173 senior members of panchayats and 56 Padma awardees have participated in the mission.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #060e2f; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span><span style="color: #060e2f;">An android application is used for inspection of all Amrit Sarovar that are built across the country. </span></span><span style="color: #060e2f;">There are several media reports on the status or planning towards achieving the targets. A report from Nashik, Maharashtra, can be read here </span><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/2l-people-to-benefit-from-131-amrit-sarovars/articleshow/100780760.cms"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/2l-people-to-benefit-from-131-amrit-sarovars/articleshow/100780760.cms</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Like so many of the other government schemes, there is regular updationof status which can be seen here; <a href="https://amritsarovar.gov.in/login">https://amritsarovar.gov.in/</a>. The current completion as on 29th July 2023 is 63,860</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #212529; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2023/09/aarogya-maitri.html">Aarogya Mantri</a></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Previous: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2023/06/jal-jeevan-mission-update.html">Jal Jeevan Mission : An update</a></span></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-17140998448210894512023-06-08T16:12:00.005+05:302023-07-30T17:35:45.190+05:30Jal Jeevan Mission - An update<p> Government of India's Jal Jeevan Mission, envisioned providing safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in <b>ALL</b> rural India. It has various components - recharge and reuse, water conservation, rain water harvesting etc.. Details of this programme can be seen here.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/">https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/</a><a href="https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/">https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had posted about this earlier, (<a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-is-further-to-earlier-post-on.html">Jal Jeevan Mission and Goa's success</a>), now thought of looking at the present position. As on 15th August 2019, out of over 19.45 crores of rural households, only 3.24 crores - just 16.63% of rural households got water. In less than four years since then, 8.89 cr rural households have been provided water connections, taking the present statistics to 62.84% - a fourfold increase in such a short time. Thus it took over 70 years to reach 16% and another 4 years to do another 48% of rural households in India. Though behind schedule, yet what a fantastic performance.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintIYSCkbIGORwafT2yEmDbUJaxT_xdAImyRMIDfEmJPGoe5rs7_lmmiFJmzraCkV4RalPbhEdNEQ8LLjkUH2hgnu1HIUAAo6W29Rp0jGINshQWI3U1zKbtvCkt1jzHs_nAQLwrKi6VSQaTvj7iRpYvjR-rFshepeI7mfme2l61v4ujO9cRNK_R9HatA/s1713/IMG_0131.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1713" data-original-width="1179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintIYSCkbIGORwafT2yEmDbUJaxT_xdAImyRMIDfEmJPGoe5rs7_lmmiFJmzraCkV4RalPbhEdNEQ8LLjkUH2hgnu1HIUAAo6W29Rp0jGINshQWI3U1zKbtvCkt1jzHs_nAQLwrKi6VSQaTvj7iRpYvjR-rFshepeI7mfme2l61v4ujO9cRNK_R9HatA/s320/IMG_0131.jpeg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The position is updated daily and can be seen here</div></div><p><a href="https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx">https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx</a></p><p>100% connection has been achieved by Goa (the first to do so), A&N Islands, Dadra &...., Haryana, Gujarat, Puducherry, Punjab, and Telengana. The laggards in decreasing order of achievement are Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Lakshadweep is at 0%</p><p>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2023/07/amrit-sarovar.html" style="font-family: helvetica;">Amrit Sarovar</a></p><p>Previous : <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/06/slow-progress-in-regard-to-enemy.html">Slow progress in regard to Enemy Property</a></span></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-85806269777870011222022-06-11T13:51:00.008+05:302023-06-08T16:14:38.953+05:30Slow progress in regard to Enemy Property<p>Evacuee and or Enemy property is that left behind by nationals/
residents of Pakistan or China (or any other country who performed external belligerence
against India) and who have moved out of India. During the two wars with Pakistan in 1965 and
1971, the Indian government took over many properties owned by those who had
opted for Pakistani citizenship, to ensure that profits accruing from that
property or business were not channeled to Pakistan to help it fight the war.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Delhi about 3,500 built-up evacuee properties were
transferred by the rehabilitation ministry to the municipal corporation of
Delhi for slum clearance, during the period of 1962 to 1974. Another 10,000
bighas of agricultural land was also transferred by the ministry of
rehabilitation to the DDA for land and building development.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pakistan sold off all such property in 1975, Due,
inter-alia, to various Indian court decisions the Act in this regard was last
revised in 2017. <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/06/evacuee-andor-enemy-property.html">Read more here</a>. The guidelines for the disposal of properties
were amended in 2019, to facilitate ‘usages of enemy property by the state
government exclusively for public use’. Various committees have also been set
up and surveys undertaken.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Reasons for the amended Bill:</u></b></p><h2><o:p></o:p></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The term “Enemy” was widened to include legal
heirs irrespective of the citizenship.</span></li><li>The sale of enemy property cannot be performed
by the enemy/ heirs, the Law of Succession will not be applicable.</li><li>The Government can exclusively use the enemy
property for public use.</li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Civil Courts cannot entertain matters related to
enemy property, only High Courts and Supreme Court will be having jurisdiction.</li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The Custodian becomes the owner of enemy
property retrospectively from 1968 and will have all rights to evict, get
encroachments removed and sell enemy property.</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An issue raised against the amendment is that it applies retrospectively
and impacts the rights of an earlier purchaser of such property<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b><u>Extent of Properties</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>An estimated 7 million left for Pakistan after the partition/
communal clashes, and 5 million migrated from West Pakistan to India. Of the
total then estimated 9,406 enemy properties in India, 9,280 were left behind by
Pakistani nationals and 126 properties by Chinese nationals. Also shares worth
about 3000 crores (Feb 2019). Amongst the former, 4,991 are located in Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal has 2,735 and Delhi 487. Properties left by Chinese
nationals is in Meghalaya (57), West Bengal has 29 such properties and Assam
seven. These properties were estimated to be valued at over rupees one lakh crores,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Nov 21, it was reported that there are 12610 number of
Enemy Properties (belonging to Pakistan Nationals and Chinese Nationals), which
have been declared and are vested in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b><u>Some recent developments</u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hyderabad Oct 2021 : <span lang="X-NONE">The single largest enemy property in India is on the outskirts of
Hyderabad spread over more than 650 acres in Shamshabad </span>M<span lang="X-NONE">andal Ranga Reddy district.. CEPI
has been pursuing the case with the state government due to the threat of
encroachments looming large as land sharks set </span>eyes<span lang="X-NONE"> on it</span>. The encroaches apparently include
some prominent and politically well-connected individuals and cover over 540
acres</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/cepi-cracks-down-on-shamshabad-squatters/articleshow/86899239.cms">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/cepi-cracks-down-on-shamshabad-squatters/articleshow/86899239.cms</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Goa Oct 2021 - <span lang="X-NONE">The state identified 3.5,00,00 square metres of land as enemy property.
</span>O<span lang="X-NONE">ver 40 apartments
and 30 shops across seven buildings 19 residential bungalows and several
commercial houses had come up </span>in<span lang="X-NONE"> part of this enemy property in one area alone</span>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/3-5l-sqm-of-enemy-property-identified-will-conduct-resurvey-if-needed-cm-to-house/articleshow/87144774.cms">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/3-5l-sqm-of-enemy-property-identified-will-conduct-resurvey-if-needed-cm-to-house/articleshow/87144774.cms</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Kanpur May 2022 : - Notices have served on 30 people of the city following
a campaign to remove people living in enemy properties for years.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/91479129.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/91479129.cms</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ghonda June 2022: The district administration has freed a
56-bigha enemy property from encroachers in Akauni village, Gonda, UP when a team
along with heavy police force, operated a tractor over the sugarcane crop which
was planted on the said piece of land, and destroyed it, a case was registered
against four encroachers.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/national/56-bigha-enemy-property-freed-in-gonda-news-194593">https://www.outlookindia.com/national/56-bigha-enemy-property-freed-in-gonda-news-194593</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>This issue recently came into limelight in regard to the
riots that too place in Kanpur early this month. It was found that stone
pelting etc. was done from several storey high buildings that were built on
enemy property</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2023/06/jal-jeevan-mission-update.html">Jal Jeevan Mission - An update</a></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Previous : </o:p><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/06/evacuee-andor-enemy-property.html" style="font-family: helvetica;">Evacuee and/or Enemy property</a></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-13225432911792453882022-06-11T11:14:00.002+05:302022-06-11T13:55:41.838+05:30Evacuee and/or Enemy property<p>By an Act of 1950 any person who, for fear of disturbances,
had left for a place outside India, or become a resident of Pakistan was an “evacuee".
And “evacuee property" was of an evacuee (held in any capacity), as also any
property obtained from an evacuee. Such evacuee property was deemed to have been
vested in the Custodian for the State.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The evacuee property legislation was actually a predecessor
of the current Enemy Property Act. The office of the Custodian of Evacuee
Property appropriated buildings and land worth crores of rupees while also
using the properties to provide shelter to those who moved to India after
partition, as the evacuee property law allowed a migrant’s family to reclaim,
in the country they settled in, the value of their forsaken property. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Enemy Property Act, enacted in 1968, provided for the
continuous vesting of enemy property in the Custodian of Enemy Property for
India (CEPI). The central government, through the Custodian, is in possession
of enemy properties spread across many states in the country. With the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971,
people migrated from India to Pakistan. The Government of India took over the
properties and companies of those who took Pakistani nationality. These “enemy
properties” were vested by the central government in the Custodian of Enemy
Property for India (CEPI). The same was done for property left behind by those
who went to China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Tashkent Declaration of January 10, 1966 included a
clause that said India and Pakistan would discuss the return of the property
and assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict. <b><i>However,
the Government of Pakistan disposed of all such properties in their country in
the year 1971 itself.</i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These properties were initially managed by the home ministry
but shifted to state governments in 1989. Subsequently, evacuee land and
properties were transferred to them for management and disposal.</p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Some Courts decisions and subsequent actions </u></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Courts initially supported CEPI orders but later verdicts
hampered their powers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The estate of the erstwhile Raja of Mahmudabad, declared
enemy property, was claimed by his son and after a long legal battle, an SC
bench on October 21, 2005, ruled in favour of the son. If the “Enemy” dies,
then the property will be transferred through succession and it will no longer
be enemy property, if the successor is a citizen of India. Also the enemy can
sell the property. In another case, the Bombay High Court held that the power
of the CEPI does not include the eviction of an occupant in the unauthorized
occupation, without following the proper procedure such as filing of the suit
or filing a suit for recovery."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On July 2, 2010, the then UPA government promulgated an
Ordinance that restrained courts from ordering the government to divest enemy
properties from the Custodian. The 2005 SC order was thus rendered ineffective,
and the Custodian again took over the Raja’s properties. The Bill was referred
to the Standing Committee and thereafter lapsed</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On January 7, 2016, the President of India promulgated The
Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance, 2016, which was replaced
by the Bill that became law in 2017. The Act was amended in 2017 to ensure that
the successors of those who migrated to Pakistan and China, will have no claim
over the properties left behind in India.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 2017, Parliament passed The Enemy Property (Amendment and
Validation) Bill, 2016, which expanded the definition of the term “enemy
subject”, and “enemy firm” to include the legal heir and successor of an enemy,
whether a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The amended law provided that enemy property shall continue
to vest in the Custodian even if the enemy or enemy subject or enemy firm
ceases to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or
change of nationality, or that the legal heir or successor is a citizen of
India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-enemy-property-in-india-and-how-has-the-government-dealt-with-it-6231854/">https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-enemy-property-in-india-and-how-has-the-government-dealt-with-it-6231854/</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Next :<a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/06/slow-progress-in-regard-to-enemy.html"> Slow progress in regard to Enemy Property</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/recent-interesting-decisions-on-waqf.html" style="font-family: helvetica;">Recent Interesting Decisions on Waqf Property</a></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-43029026672553982332022-05-22T14:41:00.003+05:302022-06-11T11:17:56.867+05:30Recent Interesting Decisions on Waqf Property<p>While the relevance of the Waqf Act might be questionable, there is also the the problem of illegal land encroachment. Establishments such as the Central Waqf Board could be illegally gaining control of land by terming them as waqf properties. These Boards have time and again been accused of acquiring lands and public places by fraudulent means. </p><p>On the other side, are the majority of Mutawalis / custodians and religious leaders working hand in glove with Muslim politicians in grabbing Waqf land? In Telangana reportedly more than 2/3rd of Waqf property has been encroached.</p><p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/a-sordid-tale-of-encroachments-and-inaction/article37062875.ece">https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/a-sordid-tale-of-encroachments-and-inaction/article37062875.ece</a> </p><p>The (M.P., Karnataka) High Courts have held that when an appeal is made against any decision to the Tribunal and the decision of the Tribunal is final then the jurisdiction of the Civil Court is dismissed.</p><p>In February 2022 the Supreme Court observed that the Waqf Board can determine the nature of the property as Waqf only after conducting an enquiry as prescribed under section 40 of the Waqf Act. </p><p>Also in Feb 2022 - SC upheld Telangana govt’s right over 1654 acre Hyderabad land claimed by Wakf Board. The Telangana government had leased out the land for setting up a university etc., township and other institutions of repute. The state government had appealed to the Supreme Court after losing out before the Andhra Pradesh HC in April 2012. The state had claimed that as a result of the HC ruling, it would be required to pay a huge sum running into thousands of crores of rupees as compensation to the Telangana Waqf Board.</p><p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-upholds-telangana-govt-s-right-over-1654-acre-hyderabad-land-claimed-by-wakf-board-101644258721835.html">https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-upholds-telangana-govt-s-right-over-1654-acre-hyderabad-land-claimed-by-wakf-board-101644258721835.html</a> </p><p>In a judgement related to Rajasthan, in April 2022, the Supreme Court held that in the absence of proof of dedication or "grant" (the disputed area) cannot be recognised as a religious place for offering namaz.</p><p><a href="While the relevance of the Waqf Act has remained questionable, there is also the the problem of illegal land encroachment. Establishments such as the Central Waqf Board could be illegally gaining control of land by terming them as waqf properties. The same board has time and again been accused of acquiring lands and public places by fraudulent means. On the other side, are the majority of Mutawalis / custodians and religious leaders working hand in glove with Muslim politicians in grabbing Waqf land? In Telangana reportedly more than 2/3rd of Waqf property has been encroached. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/a-sordid-tale-of-encroachments-and-inaction/article37062875.ece The (M.P., Karnataka) High Courts have held that when an appeal is made against any decision to the Tribunal and the decision of the Tribunal is final then the jurisdiction of the Civil Court is dismissed. In February 2022 the Supreme Court observed that the Waqf Board can determine the nature of the property as Waqf only after conducting an enquiry as prescribed under section 40 of the Waqf Act. Also in Feb 2022 - SC upheld Telangana govt’s right over 1654 acre Hyderabad land claimed by Wakf Board. The Telangana government had leased out the land for setting up a university etc. , township and other institutions of repute. The state government had appealed to the Supreme Court after losing out before the Andhra Pradesh high court in April 2012. The state had claimed that as a result of the HC ruling, it would be required to pay a huge sum running into thousands of crores of rupees as compensation to the Telangana Waqf Board. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-upholds-telangana-govt-s-right-over-1654-acre-hyderabad-land-claimed-by-wakf-board-101644258721835.html In a judgement related to Rajasthan, in April 2022, the Supreme Court held that in the absence of proof of dedication or "grant" (the disputed area) cannot be recognised as a religious place for offering namaz. https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/waqf-act-dilapidated-structure-cannot-be-recognised-as-a-religious-place-for-offering-namaaz-without-proof-of-dedication-supreme-court-197919 In 1998, Irfan Bedar, a businessman in UP’s Firozabad, approached the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board with the appeal to register Taj Mahal as a waqf and appoint him muttawali or custodian of the property. Since the monument is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the board didn’t register it as a waqf but sent a notice to ASI. Bedar then moved the high court who directed the board to take a decision - the board then registered the Taj as a waqf property. The ASI directly moved the SC and a stay was put on the waqf board’s order. The Court asked for a waqfnama – or a deed – to prove that Shah Jahan had meant the property to be a waqf. There is another interesting angle to this case – if it had been declared a waqf property, whose was it - The Mughals were Sunni, but Mumtaz was Shia and the Taj was built for her! https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-troubled-taj-whose-monument-is-it-anyway/story-H1JvoNaK0RRFLyBBpnb6eM.html ">https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/waqf-act-dilapidated-structure-cannot-be-recognised-as-a-religious-place-for-offering-namaaz-without-proof-of-dedication-supreme-court-197919 </a></p><p>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/06/evacuee-andor-enemy-property.html" style="font-family: helvetica;">Evacuee and/or Enemy property</a></p><p>Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/on-waqf-property.html">On Waqf Property</a></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-8278843674173055802022-05-21T09:49:00.006+05:302022-05-22T14:57:07.123+05:30On Waqf Property<p>A waqf is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable purposes with no intention of reclaiming the assets. Any person believing in Islam can dedicate or give his or her property in the name of God for religious and charitable purposes, such property is Waqf property. This is an irrevocable and permanent dedication /transfer. A non-Muslim cannot transfer property as Waqf unless he or she believes in Islam. </p><p>While there was the Waqf Act 1954, Waqfs in India are now governed by the Act of 1995. A survey commissioner under the Act lists all properties declared as Waqf by making local investigation, summoning witnesses and requisitioning public documents. </p><p>A Waqf Board is a juristic person with power to acquire and hold property. Each state has a Waqf Board headed by and with Muslim personal on it - recognised scholars of Islamic theology.</p><p>Section 40 Waqf Board Act mentions that any property in India can be claimed as Waqf Board Property. And under Section 52: The Waqf Board can, after the inquiry, ask the local Collector to deliver the possession of the property.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_dtAdg0Kc2IIW1m0Ea_hgJhAdaUo93Rt55R34yq29B2mKTbDGmb-vh0rx7fwvj0MFVRxslKPlaw9hQ_a9dDwqnWzPux9AVBqb9et4BWiHHUsNMHxw5gy-7l9MCzFWv_Eg0JhJh4aDkbTIEuC3owlmfQkS_ZrlV_I3kzK5F1BDLX6vKxvc5EUPZ8S9Bg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="904" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_dtAdg0Kc2IIW1m0Ea_hgJhAdaUo93Rt55R34yq29B2mKTbDGmb-vh0rx7fwvj0MFVRxslKPlaw9hQ_a9dDwqnWzPux9AVBqb9et4BWiHHUsNMHxw5gy-7l9MCzFWv_Eg0JhJh4aDkbTIEuC3owlmfQkS_ZrlV_I3kzK5F1BDLX6vKxvc5EUPZ8S9Bg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>While most of them are Sunni Waqf Boards, the country does have some Shia Boards too. For any dispute with the Waqf Board, one must appeal to the Waqf Tribunal. The Wakf Act was amended in 2013, making it mandatory for States to constitute a three member Tribunal which would include one person knowing Muslim Law. There are huge and multiple Waqf properties in India, thus for e.g. the Jama Masjid in Delhi, the two Imambaras in Lucknow are Waqf properties. </p><p>Incidentally, the board also takes 7% of the income from waqf property – 1% for the Central Waqf Council, and 6% for itself.</p><p><a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/what-is-waqf-act-and-who-owns-the-waqf-land-in-india-567556.html">https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/what-is-waqf-act-and-who-owns-the-waqf-land-in-india-567556.html</a></p><p><b><i>The issue really also is - no civil court has any jurisdiction. So an aggrieved person would have to approach a High Court. And how many would have the wherewithal to do so is a *big* question. And would he/she consider the effort, money and time worth it?</i></b></p><div>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/recent-interesting-decisions-on-waqf.html" style="font-family: helvetica;">Recent Interesting Decisions on Waqf Property</a></div><div>Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/hippocratic-oath-and-charaka-shapath.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; text-decoration: none; text-size-adjust: auto;">Hippocratic Oath and Charak Shapath</a></div>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-22743189564685846322022-05-18T13:00:00.007+05:302022-05-21T09:54:21.695+05:30Hippocratic Oath and Charak Shapath<p>The Dean of Madurai Medical College was removed on May 1 2022 after a batch of new students were administered an oath in Sanskrit attributed to the ancient Indian sage Maharshi Charak instead of the traditional Hippocratic Oath in English.</p><p>NMC (which replaced the Medical Council of India as the regulatory body for medical education and practices) recently suggested that medical colleges may allow their students to take ‘Charak Shapath’ instead of the Hippocratic Oath, historically taken by physicians the world over. This oath is attributed to Hippocrates, a physician from the Greek island of Kos, from the classical period (4th-5th centuries BC). The earliest available fragments of the original oath date back to the late 3rd century AD.</p><p>Charak Shapath or Charak’s oath is a passage from the 'Charak Samhita' which is a guideline by the acharya (or a teacher) to medical students. A part of the Shapath comes as a sermon by the Acharya. Charak was one of the principal contributors to Ayurved and was the editor of the medical treatise entitled ‘Charak Samhita’. The compendium serves as one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda. Like many sages in ancient Indian history, Charak’s historicity is unknown. The Samhita however is a pharmacopoeia dating back to the 1st-2nd centuries AD. Charak Shapath or Charak’s oath is a passage from the 'Charak Samhita' which is a guideline by the acharya (or a teacher) to medical students. A part of the Shapath comes as a sermon by the Acharya.</p><p>The incident triggered a controversy with the language being a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu. The State govt. “will oppose and defeat the efforts to “impose” languages like Hindi and Sanskrit”. Their Health Minister Subramanian said that deans of all medical colleges in the state have been asked to stick to the Hippocratic Oath. </p><p>Undergraduates at All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) — the country’s premier institute for medical education — have been administered the Charak Shapath during their annual convocation for several years now, at least since 2013. The AIIMS oath includes: “Not for the self, not for the fulfilment of any worldly material desire or gain, but solely for the good of suffering humanity, I will treat my patient and excel well”.</p><p>Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reportedly “assured that Charak Shapath will be optional and will not be forced to replace the Hippocratic Oath”.</p><p>On May 4, the State Govt. reinstated the Dean of the Madurai Medical College.</p><p><i>My opinion : Tamil Nadu Govt seems to consider itself closer to a Greek Island than to that within India.</i></p><p><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/education/tamil-nadu-charak-shapath-row-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-differ-from-hippocratic-oath-article-91257708 ">https://www.timesnownews.com/education/tamil-nadu-charak-shapath-row-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-differ-from-hippocratic-oath-article-91257708 </a></p><div>Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/on-waqf-property.html">On Waqf Property</a></div><div>Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/katchtheevu-and-indias-territorial-sea.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #888888; font-family: helvetica; text-decoration: none; text-size-adjust: auto;">Katchtheevu and India's Territorial Sea Rights</a></div><div><br /></div>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-77991214059916931162022-05-14T11:39:00.002+05:302022-05-18T13:01:39.696+05:30Katchtheevu and India's Territorial Sea RightsTerritorial sea extends to a limit of 12 nautical miles (approx. 22 kms) beyond the coastal landline with full sovereignty over the air space, above the sea, over the seabed and subsoil. Other countries have right of innocent passage through the territorial sea but not of air space.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Katchatheevu is a 163-acre uninhabited island located between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka and Rameswaram, India - traditionally used by fishermen of both countries, and presently administered by Sri Lanka. The island used to be a part of the Ramnad Kingdom in Madurai which, during the British rule, became part of the Madras Presidency. Ownership of the island has been controversial as during the British rule, the island was administered by both countries. In 1921, both Sri Lanka and India laid claims to Katchatheevu.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1974, then PM, Indira Gandhi ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka under the "Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement". Another agreement of 1976 was on fishing rights.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sri Lankan Navy came into the picture during their Civil War to control the smuggling of weapons by LTTE. With depletion of fish and aquatic life in the Indian continental shelf, more fishermen poached into the Sri Lankan sea area. In 2010 the Sri Lankan government issued a notice to Tamil Nadu government saying the Indian court cannot nullify the 1974 agreement.</div><div><br /></div><div>The island is important to fishermen of Tamil Nadu and has led to some agitations. The legality of the transfer was challenged in the Supreme Court since the recognizing was not ratified by the Indian Parliament (as provided in the agreement) nor was the State Govt consulted. In June 2011 the CM Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, filed a petition in the Supreme Court that the declaration of the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka on ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka were unconstitutional. The matter is still sub-judicial.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, the Indian government had stated, "No territory belonging to India was ceded nor sovereignty relinquished since the area was in dispute and had never been demarcated" and that the dispute on the status of the island was settled in 1974 by an agreement, and both countries took into account historical evidence and legal aspects.</div><div><br /></div><div>This island Katchatheevu was "gifted" by Indira Gandhi to Sri Lanka in 1974 and is still a matter of dispute with Indian fishermen getting arrested or even killed. Apart from the issue of fishing rights etc. there is, in my view, also the issue of territorial sea extending about 22 km beyond the land, the sovereign rights to the airspace, over the sea and the seabed below. Distance from India to main Sri Lanka is 55 kms but to Katchatheevu merely 25 kms.</div><div><br /></div><div>So who has territorial sea rights over the sea between?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/katchatheevu-island-a-gift-to-sri-lanka-is-now-causing-fishermens-conflict-564430.html">https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/katchatheevu-island-a-gift-to-sri-lanka-is-now-causing-fishermens-conflict-564430.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/hippocratic-oath-and-charaka-shapath.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Hippocratic Oath and Charaka Shapath</a></div><div>Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-kendriya-vidyalaya-sangathan-aims.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Kendriya Vidyalayas</a></div><div><br /></div>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-45122941638387008542022-05-01T08:05:00.004+05:302022-05-14T11:40:45.212+05:30Kendriya Vidyalayas<p>The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan aims to set-up & manage schools under CBSE, for the children of transferable employees of the Government of India, floating populations & others including those living in remote & undeveloped locations of the country. All Kendriya Vidyalayas are co-educational, composite schools. The quality of teaching aims an appropriate teacher-pupil ratio. There is no tuition fee for boys upto Class VIII, girls upto Class XII and SC/ST students and children of KVS employees.</p><p>Even today, it's mission statement reads “to cater to the educational needs of children of transferable Central Government including Defence and Para-military personnel by providing a common programme of education”;</p><p><a href="https://kvsangathan.nic.in/about-kvs/mission">https://kvsangathan.nic.in/about-kvs/mission</a> </p><p>Seems anyone and everyone had quotas. Previously, for e.g. an MP was allowed to recommend two admissions in an academic year, increased to five in 2011, six in 2012, and 10 in 2016. 5 seats in each section of class 1 were filled by the children of sponsoring agencies. The Union Education Minister was allowed to recommend admission of 450 students under a separate ‘discretionary’ quota. There were many other “entitlements.” This year’s recommendations apparently exceeded 60,000 with demands for more seats</p><p>We in the public sector would recall that admission for our kids, to Kendriya Vidyalayas, was well nigh impossible – our transfers were not recent enough or frequent enough to make us entitled. </p><p>These quotas have now been generally scrapped. 👏👏👏 This is expected to free over 40,000 seats in the centrally-funded schools across India. Some criteria have been added or continue.</p><p>KVS will now be having seats for children who have been orphaned due to the covid-19 pandemic. There is provision for single girl children. There are quotas for Armed Forces</p><p>Children of serving KVS employees will also be considered for admission but for class 9, the child has to clear the admission test. No admission to the wards of retired persons.</p><p>Children of central govt employees who died in harness, children of recipients of various gallantry wards, meritorious sports children etc can get admission.</p><p><a href="https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/kendriya-vidyalaya-admissions-mp-edu-ministry-quotas-gone-covid-19-orphans-added-check-new-rules-for-kvs-5062075.html">https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/kendriya-vidyalaya-admissions-mp-edu-ministry-quotas-gone-covid-19-orphans-added-check-new-rules-for-kvs-5062075.html</a></p><p>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/katchtheevu-and-indias-territorial-sea.html">Katchtheevu and India's Territorial Sea Rights</a></p><p>Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/04/global-centre-for-traditional-medicine.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Global Centre for Traditional Medicine</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-66322516775964813022022-04-23T14:26:00.003+05:302022-05-01T08:09:01.768+05:30Global Centre for Traditional Medicine<p>In general, in India, all of us have grown up using home remedies coming from traditional knowledge. To us it is neither unusual nor spectacular. In developed countries however, such usage is limited. A classic example is of the attempt to patent the use of haldi. As also, in part, that of Neem or Basmati rice. These gave all of us quite a shock. </p><p>On 19th April this year, PM Modi, along with WHO DG Dr Ghebreyesus and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth laid the foundation stone for the WHO Global Center for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar in Gujarat. The first of its kind, the GCTM will be a global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world</p><p>"When India is celebrating 75 years of its Independence right now, this ground-breaking ceremony for this centre marks the beginning of a new era of traditional medicine in the world during the next 25 years," Modi said on this occasion. "Looking at the increasing popularity of holistic healthcare, I am confident that traditional medicine and this centre will help thought become very important for each and every family of the world after 25 years, when India will be celebrating 100 years of independence</p><p>The GCTM is a knowledge centre for traditional medicine. As part of WHO’s overall traditional medicine strategy, it has a strategic focus on evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity, and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health and sustainable development. At the same time, respect for local heritages, resources and rights is a guiding principle.</p><p>The WHO anticipate that harnessing the potential of traditional medicine would be a game changer for health when founded on evidence, innovation and sustainability. India’s support for establishing the Centre as a global good and in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam: the world is one family.</p><p><a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/25-03-2022-who-establishes-the-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-india">https://www.who.int/news/item/25-03-2022-who-establishes-the-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-india</a></p><p>Jamnagar already has the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, (ITRA). Established in 1967, ITRA or Gujarat Ayurved University is the first university to offer education and training in the field of Ayurveda across the world. The institution was formed by an act approved by Gujarat State legislative Assembly in the year 1965. It is devoted to Ayurvedic studies and Research and is administratively associated with the Health Ministry at State and Centre level. This university is a self-governing institution supported by the Government of Gujarat State.</p><p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/foundation-stone-for-who-traditional-medicine-centre-laid-in-jamnagar/article65336264.ece">https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/foundation-stone-for-who-traditional-medicine-centre-laid-in-jamnagar/article65336264.ece</a></p><div>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-kendriya-vidyalaya-sangathan-aims.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Kendriya Vidyalayas</a></div><div>Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/10/endometriosis.html">Endometriosis</a></div>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-54917008665148407422021-10-01T09:17:00.002+05:302022-04-23T14:30:17.025+05:30Endometriosis<p>Amrita is a very close friend of my daughter since their school days. She recently underwent endometriosis excision surgery but to get there has been a very long and painful journey. She has written about it in the hope that it spreads awareness about this debilitating condition that affects hundreds of millions of women around the world.</p><p><a href="https://medium.com/@amritarajagopal/is-this-thing-on-e0681392ba85">https://medium.com/@amritarajagopal/is-this-thing-on-e0681392ba85</a></p><p>Do read the link</p><p>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2022/04/global-centre-for-traditional-medicine.html">Global Centre for Traditional Medicine</a></p><p>Previous: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/08/issues-with-halal-certification.html">Some Issues with Halal Certification</a></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-50211935032607241702021-08-31T14:39:00.003+05:302021-09-04T11:06:44.622+05:30Some Issues with Halal Certification<p>This is in continuation of the earlier post. Halal (from the
Quran) means “permitted” or “lawful” and is used for food and other consumables
that are permissible for consumption by Muslims, based on Islamic Shariah law. It
may be recalled that the government body, FSSAI doesn't give halal
certification in India. Halal certification is given by Muslim private
bodies, and their guidelines do not permit non-Muslim employees to be engaged
in any part of the slaughtering process which has to conform to the
intrinsically Islamic practice including reciting verses from the Quran.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The trend of Halal certification for meat / other food and
non-food products is continuously increasing. While Halal meat is said to be healthy, the anti-halal lobby claim that Halal
certification is also a business model that makes others pay for the Islamic
beliefs; Muslims call this Islamophobia.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ever since I became aware of the Halal Certification
process, I have become more alert. I am a vegetarian and am happy to say that
none of the products I consume, whether food items or cosmetics etc. have this
certification. However, my readings on this topic have thrown up some issues especially
related to meat consumption.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In Jan 2021, APEDA amended their manual and clarified
that govt does not mandate that only meat slaughtered by Halal method as per
Islamic Shariyat, has to be exported, it is the requirement of the majority of
countries importing the meat*. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/dropping-of-word-halal-from-apeda-manual-wont-hurt-trade-say-meat-exporters/article33503622.ece">https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2021/01/05/apeda-drops-halal-certification-in-red-meat-manual-says-no-govt-role-needed-for-exports.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A well-known boarding school in India specified
Halal certified meat only in their tender. This was objected to on grounds that
the tender for Halal meat is an insult to other students and community.</li><li>In Indonesia, a Muslim body was taking steps to
provide Covid vaccine with halal certificate, in their endeavour to boost
immunization process in the Muslim-majority country. </li><li><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Some of Delhi’s Municipal
Corporations recently mandated that meat shops and restaurants to display
whether meat sold by them is ‘Halal’ or ‘Jhatka’ on grounds that</span><i><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #747474;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">that halal meat is prohibited in
Hinduism and Sikhism</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">.
</span></li><li><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Christians in Kerala decided to
boycott Halal meat and products saying they cannot consume meat offered to
other gods.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ahead-of-christmas-christians-in-kerala-decide-to-boycott-halal-meat-hindu-group-extends-support/695123">https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ahead-of-christmas-christians-in-kerala-decide-to-boycott-halal-meat-hindu-group-extends-support/695123</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I now leave some questions open to all, more specifically
the non-vegetarians.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">1.<span> </span>How comfortable are you in eating meat
where the animal has been slaughtered while reciting verses from the Quran? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span> </span>While </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">buying from meat shops or eating meat
in roadside dhabas, restaurants or even five star hotels – how frequently do
you ask if the meat is Halal or Jhatka? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span> </span>Have you ever checked if there is a Halal
certificate on any of the products you buy?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">4. <span> </span>What is the quality certification given for Jhatka meat?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">5. <span> Should Halal certification apply to vegetarian eatables, cosmetics, packaging etc.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;">(* The following paragraph was removed from the manual, “The animals are slaughtered by halal system under strict vigilance of (a) recognised and registered Islamic body as per the tenets of Islamic Shariyat. The certificate for halal is issued by the representative of registered Islamic body under whose supervision the slaughter is conducted in order to meet the requirement of (the) importing country.”)</span><br /><br />Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/08/halal-certification.html">Halal Certification</a><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-40024317723416303662021-08-23T15:19:00.002+05:302021-08-31T14:43:52.078+05:30Halal Certification<p>In respect of meat, we have all heard of the two methods of
killing the animal. In Halal, the animal is slaughtered slowly with complete
draining out of the animal's blood, while following practices of Sharia law. In Jhatka (swift), the animal’s head is severed in
one single blow and the animal dies instantly. Muslims eat only Halal meat believing
it is healthier as the animal is not given a shock, whereas Sikhs are said to
prefer Jhatka meat. However, the matter does not end here.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If products are to be sold to countries following Sharia Law,
they require Halal certification. This has important implications:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">a) <span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The certification is not restricted to meat /
food products only, and can be obtained for non-alcohol beverage,
pharmaceutical and health care products, traditional herbal products, cosmetics
and personal care products, etc. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">b)</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The process of halal involves a laid down
procedure which can generally be done only by Muslims. Butchers across
the country mainly follow this. There are facilitating firms that help in the audit of the business
which also comprises obtaining the certification compliant with Halal
requirements, Halal systems requirements and Halal staffing requirements. The implications
are that Halal requirements are to complied with, in all aspects, including raw
materials, packaging etc. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">c) </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The certification has a cost implication – both one
time as well as repeated, and is not given by any GOI body but by private Halal
certification bodies. Government of India has its
FSSAI certification which can be seen on almost all the processed foods.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/how-to-get-halal-certification-in-india/">https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/how-to-get-halal-certification-in-india/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Halal marks vary and might also have the countries name - eg India or America, but might look like this</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnZ1leSRV6kq_wr2InDyJh7xlY81eT9OiStvC37biUoXCdm0G8XoQG5mW_vWoZHt2OhdKseXwAJgZqyFe6K7lR6Pafdeqg4ytk_TtXcMMGjfxr5bKDu1s2jW_1BgXTJZmTFG8jhRSAcbh/s1076/Screenshot+%25287%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="1076" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnZ1leSRV6kq_wr2InDyJh7xlY81eT9OiStvC37biUoXCdm0G8XoQG5mW_vWoZHt2OhdKseXwAJgZqyFe6K7lR6Pafdeqg4ytk_TtXcMMGjfxr5bKDu1s2jW_1BgXTJZmTFG8jhRSAcbh/s320/Screenshot+%25287%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Many well-known Indian brands are embracing halal-certification to get a better foothold in markets of other countries. Fresh meat brand Licious says that they have decided to supply only Halal meat as business policy, apparently KFC and McDonalds serve only halal products.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The implications of this extend to vegetarians too if they
buy halal certified products – in that Sharia Law has been followed/Quran
verses might have been recited somewhere along the process. And that costs
might include some money being paid to Halal Certification Authorities – the whole practice is something
which personally I am not comfortable with.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.opindia.com/2019/10/halal-certification-of-vegetarian-products-its-no-longer-about-choice-but-making-others-pay-for-your-beliefs/">https://www.opindia.com/2019/10/halal-certification-of-vegetarian-products-its-no-longer-about-choice-but-making-others-pay-for-your-beliefs/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a long post which I have split in two, the next on
recent developments and protests, will follow.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/08/issues-with-halal-certification.html">Some Issues with Halal Certification</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Previous : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/06/manipulated-media.html">Manipulated Media</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-55912120972006221352021-06-17T11:19:00.007+05:302021-08-31T14:47:47.846+05:30Manipulated Media<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is indeed unfortunate that well-known TV personalities
and journalists have taken to spreading false news and deliberately faking
videos, to spread misinformation, in a very big way, across the country and
abroad. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two of my earlier posts on fake news are </span><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/fake-news-by-our-media.html" style="font-family: verdana;">Fake News by our Media</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and </span><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/more-fake-stories.html " style="font-family: verdana;">More Fake Stories</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two issues were raised in the past week, both related to UP which is headed for polls next year. The first was on purchase of some land by Ramjanam Bhoomi Trust on which enough clarifications have been given.
The second, which, to me is of greater concern, is the </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">deliberate</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">falsification </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">of a
video in the attempt to inflame passions (of Muslims and the world).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The video was posted - why sans any audio soon became
clear. It showed a few youngsters, beating up an old Muslim man Sufi Abdul Samad
Saifi, and cutting his beard. The subsequent narrative given by the victim, apparently
in the presence of Umed Idris, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">a leader of the Samajwadi Party was that this was done (at
gun point?) to force him to chant “Jai Shri Ram”. Turns out that Saifi used to
sell </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">tabeez </i><span style="font-family: verdana;">and the wife of one of the buyers, who wore the tabeez, suffered an abortion. In
their anger some guys (both Muslim and Hindu) thrashed the man and chopped off his
beard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And what was made of this incident – totally fabricated and
totally meant to fan communal hatred? And done by <b>muting the video </b>so that
truth would not surface!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News has himself
accepted that the videos he had posted is false and that he has deleted his
tweets/ videos. But this tweet and this video was retweeted by many
including the famous – or rather infamous - Rana Ayyub, Salman Nizami, Dr. Shama
Mohammed, Maskoor Usmani, Saba Naqvi, The Wire, The New Indian Express, HT
Delhi to name a few. There are several others including Rahul Gandhi who apparently also
tweeted about this incident.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD10QifilohIFPdw_PONVvFZAcem2NcXOS1ZSAEiO6QtggZlEBNwZoFDMSlIJ0K9BBljfaxdXJ0P-jPgYXm4Mdi9TIp1virUf7WWinfiDvdVmXh9T3b51gMPD7mLsBYjYx_hRFqaINgSu/s2160/Screenshot_20210617-081528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD10QifilohIFPdw_PONVvFZAcem2NcXOS1ZSAEiO6QtggZlEBNwZoFDMSlIJ0K9BBljfaxdXJ0P-jPgYXm4Mdi9TIp1virUf7WWinfiDvdVmXh9T3b51gMPD7mLsBYjYx_hRFqaINgSu/s320/Screenshot_20210617-081528.jpg" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://twitter.com/zoo_bear/status/1404836394371977216?s=1005">https://twitter.com/zoo_bear/status/1404836394371977216?s=1005</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It may be recalled that Twitter had marked Sambit Patra's tweet on Congress’s toolkit – as "Manipulated Media" on the strength of </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">a <i>fact check</i> by Alt News</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">. But v</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ery obviously Alt News is a questionable source – creating their own falsities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">More details can be read here: <a href="https://www.opindia.com/2021/06/thequint-withdraws-its-cartoon-defaming-jai-shri-ram-chant-after-ghaziabad-hate-crime-turns-out-to-be-fake/">https://www.opindia.com/2021/06/thequint-withdraws-its-cartoon-defaming-jai-shri-ram-chant-after-ghaziabad-hate-crime-turns-out-to-be-fake/</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Care: Op India is pro the current Govt).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">#Altnews #FakeNews</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/08/halal-certification.html">Halal Certification</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previous : </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-distant-view-on-indian-judiciary.html">A distant view on the Indian Judiciary</a></span></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-83101200800312224142021-05-11T10:47:00.007+05:302021-06-17T11:26:04.311+05:30A distant view on the Indian Judiciary<p>I received a forward on WhatsApp today which I am reproducing below as I feel it is extremely well written and raises some very pertinent issues. However I have deleted the name of the person this is attributed to, as I have not been verify this, the rest is reproduced exactly. It is a long write-up but very relevant. </p><p>किसी ने यह पढा है? सच तो कह रहे हैं जज साहब। आप पढ़ें।</p><p>Hon’ble Lordships,</p><p>There is a India beyond Delhi.</p><p>This shouldn’t come as a surprise to your Lordships as many of you have practiced in different courts across the country and have been a part of various High Courts as Hon’ble Judges and even Chief Justices. You have been a part of not only the judicial framework but also a part of the culture of the States wherein you resided during such tenure. And there is no doubt that with every High Court, you have dispensed justice as if it was your parent High Court and the people, your own.</p><p>However, the Covid-19 crisis and the Delhi centric hearings taking place before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court and the Hon’ble Supreme Court make us wonder if Delhi is little more Indian than rest of India. And such fears may not be misplaced.</p><p>Statements such as ‘Delhi Represents the Nation’ and ‘Delhi must be given its oxygen quota [fixed by Court] by whatever means’ may have been off-the-cuff and unintentional but do convey a sense of priority for Delhi. The direction, no matter how conveniently worded, to the Centre was to ensure 700 MT of oxygen to Delhi at any cost.</p><p>There was a special preference given to Delhi which was not available for other States. It was indicated that Delhi is more entitled than others.</p><p>Let us take this example, Madhya Pradesh, like Delhi, has no oxygen producing units of its own. However, with proactive coordination with industrialists and transport traders, it was able to secure few plants, containers, transport and continuous supply. It was proactive in making request for Oxygen Express. While it is still touch and go for Madhya Pradesh, the government acted in the nick of time.</p><p>In Delhi, the High Court and the Supreme Court have directed the Central Government to bring oxygen to Delhi’s border. No such privilege was extended to Madhya Pradesh.</p><p>Hopefully, the Centre will let us know if the same was at the cost of another State that was proactive in booking transport and supply and did not have the privilege of being Delhi. In fact, a report suggests that Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand are likely to be affected by such diversions of oxygen supply to Delhi on behest of Hon’ble Courts. Maybe we all are equal, but Delhi residents are little more equal than others.</p><p>Similarly, Uttar Pradesh has been battling with shortage of oxygen and Remdesivir injections.</p><p>There was a shortage of oxygen in Manipur (which was attended to by Assam in the spirit of cooperative federalism).</p><p>There have been incidents reported in Rajasthan where Remdesivir has been out of stock in entire districts. In fact, Rajasthan has been asked by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to wait till next Monday to plead its grievances.</p><p>The severity of the oxygen crisis in Punjab is apprehended to be underreported. Chhattisgarh has seen high levels of positivity rate.</p><p>The crowding of senior citizens outside vaccination centers in Mumbai may be more dangerous than political rallies, considering the age group is more vulnerable.</p><p>Yet, the hearing before the Hon’ble Supreme Court was limited to Delhi. There is urgency only for Delhi. This reminds me of a political slogan that may be suitably modified- Delhi is India and India is Delhi.</p><p>To be fair to the Hon’ble Supreme Court, they did refer to Mumbai briefly, another Metropolitan to commend its ‘Model’. However, the commendation rebels against the fact that Mumbai was the epicentre of second wave, the deaths are highest in Maharashtra and that there are enough statistics to show that Mumbai allowed the second wave to go unchecked for months with its alarmingly low testing. I will believe that the model being referred to was limited to utilisation of oxygen.</p><p>However, maybe a mention of Assam which has almost become self-sufficient in oxygen through prompt coordination with industries or Odisha, which has supplied oxygen to many States would have been better.</p><p>But then, maybe these States are a victim of tyranny of distance and are not as glamorous as the ‘City That Never Sleeps.’ Maybe, their Lordships are guided by the limited reading of a section of media.</p><p>Individually, these instances may not mean much. Collectively, they indicate that the Hon’ble Courts are governed by the factors of proximity and self-preservation.</p><p>They are likely to react when the deaths are closer to home and have more attention of the media. And there may not be anything extraordinary about it. The Hon’ble Justices are humans as well. They are affected by what they see, hear and read in the media. The closer the calamity, swifter the response. However natural, the swift reaction may cause harm to the interest of other States who are reeling under the same pressure.</p><p>There is a difference between seeking all possible resources and all resources. The hearings do indicate that ‘all resources’ are meant for Delhi and other States, have to divide whatever is remaining. This cannot be allowed to continue; not the hearings, rather the perception. The perception that Hon’ble Courts in Delhi will prioritise Delhi at the cost of others will only damage the institution more.</p><p>Maybe the situation could have been different, had there been regional benches of the apex Court and such regional benches would have been seized of the region-specific concerns.</p><p>Maybe it could have been different if the Hon’ble Courts in Delhi were not accessible to only a select few lawyers. Maybe it would have been different if Courts did not let their territorial jurisdiction get better of the need to be fair and equitable to other States. The states may compete in the spirit of cooperative federalism, courts shouldn’t.</p><p>Post-script</p><p>I have not spoken of the inherent problem of Courts directing and micro-managing day to day affairs of the Executive.</p><p>I will not speak of the fact that lawyers have decided to replace the wisdom of doctors in managing the pandemic.</p><p>I will not speak of the discussion in a High Court (and not ICMR) as to whether Dexamethasone is an alternative to Remdesivir.</p><p>I will not speak of the fact that government officials are spending more time before the Courts rather than actually working to save lives. Because these are issues concerning a larger debate on judicial activism and whether it has reached a destructive stage.</p><p>I have not spoken of the much-required audit of the Courts to determine how judicial delay has added to the misery in the pandemic.</p><p>The unilateral offer of a corporate to produce 1000MT of oxygen per day was delayed by 5 crucial days on account of Hon’ble Court’s indecisiveness. To put things in perspective, such quantum of oxygen is 300 MT in excess of the per day requirement of Delhi.</p><p>There are numerous roads, highway and public infrastructure projects in abeyance due to judicial battles and processes. Maybe, and just maybe, the flow of oxygen and medical help could have been better with better means of transport and supporting infrastructure.</p><p>There are hundreds of undertrial prisoners suffering in jail attributable to judicial delays and are now at the mercy of the pandemic in overcrowded jails. Yet again, these are matters of judicial conduct that require a larger debate and maybe better times.</p><p>I have specifically not referred to the Bengal violence escaping the attention of the Courts and the otherwise hyperactive Bar. I will not go into the fact that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has refused to even list the petition on Bengal violence for hearing.</p><p>As I stated above, maybe the proximity of courts determines the value attached to deaths. Yet, I have to remain silent. I know the moment I seek to draw attention to the same, the concerns will be dismissed as political. I can only hope that the Courts will use their discretion equitably, and equally.</p><p>There is a lot to be spoken. However, in an ideal world, such criticism would call for a debate and not contempt. We are not in ideal world. Therefore, the author issues her/his unconditional apology for any feelings that may have been hurt and any disrespect that may have been inferred. There is no intention to lower to the majesty of the Hon’ble Courts or commit any contempt.</p><p>Praying for a safe and happy vacation for Hon’ble Lordships.</p><p>Yours faithfully,</p><p>A non-Delhi resident </p><p>Next : <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/06/manipulated-media.html">Manipulated Media</a></p><p>Previous: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/feeding-poor-during-lockdown.html">Feeding the poor during Lockdown</a></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-39827502082846430912021-02-19T08:45:00.004+05:302021-05-21T07:30:11.079+05:30Feeding the poor during lockdown<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>There has been internal criticism over the sudden lockdown
at the start of the pandemic. And about the poor migrants mainly from Delhi and
Maharashtra (and students from Kota, Rajasthan) who, in great distress, had immediately
to go back home. There is no talk of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna
Yojana (PMGKAY) - a subset of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)
relief package of Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore announced to minimize the impact of
Covid-19 lockdown on economy and to help alleviate the plight of the poorest
segments of India's 130 cr/1.3 billion population. </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">The package, inter-alia had
cash payments directly into bank accounts of the poor.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PMGKAY, initially rolled out in March 2020, involved the <b>free </b>distribution of five kilograms of rice/ wheat to approx. 80 crore Indians,
and one kg of pulses per family per month - this over and above the entitled regular
5 kg of grain per month under the National Food Security Act.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span>PMGKAY, implemented through the States, was thereafter extended till the end of November. <b>The
Govt has provided free ration for the last 7-8 months to about 80 crore </b></span><b><span>(800 mn) </span><span>poor – this number is about 2.5 times the US population, 12 times that of
UK, and twice that of the EU</span></b></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> - the number is absolutely
mind-boggling.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/world-s-biggest-free-ration-scheme-just-got-bigger-modi-s-helping-hand-to-80-crore-indians/614311"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/world-s-biggest-free-ration-scheme-just-got-bigger-modi-s-helping-hand-to-80-crore-indians/614311</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Data shows that around 33-35 lakh MTs of rice/wheat were distributed per month under this scheme. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><a href="https://annavitran.nic.in/avPMGKY?month=11&year=2020">https://annavitran.nic.in/avPMGKY?month=11&year=2020</a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite efforts I could not find any article commenting on the
success or otherwise of this scheme – which, like all schemes of the current
govt does not look into the religion or caste of the beneficiaries. There do
seem to have been some logistic issues in the initial period but no comment
thereafter, except for seeking further
extension of the scheme. By this I conclude that the scheme has indeed been a success!!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/extend-implementation-of-pm-garib-kalyan-anna-yojana/article33235316.ece"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/extend-implementation-of-pm-garib-kalyan-anna-yojana/article33235316.ece</span></a></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/05/a-distant-view-on-indian-judiciary.html">A distant view on the Indian Judiciary</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previous: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/houses-for-all-pmay-gramin.html">Houses for all - PMAY Gramin</a></span></p>
Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-11708042265548835642021-02-16T08:28:00.008+05:302021-02-19T09:35:06.909+05:30Houses for all - PMAY Gramin<span style="font-family: verdana;">A housing scheme for rural poor has been in existence since long but implementation was poor and stuck in red-tape. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India whose department performs the Central Audit had found non-assessment of housing shortage, lack of transparency in selection of beneficiaries, low quality of the house, lack of technical supervision, loans not availed by beneficiaries and weak mechanism for monitoring were limiting the impact and outcome of the programme.<br /><br />Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin was launched in Nov. 2016 with the aim of providing housing for all in rural areas. The scheme subsumes the earlier Indira Awaas Yojana and has a target was 2.95 cr (29.5 mn) by 2022. PMAY-G aims at providing a pucca house which includes amenities like water, gas, toilet and electricity supply in all the households and a hygienic cooking space. Unskilled labour is provided from MGNREGS and, with houses being constructed using New Technologies, the time for construction has reduced from 314 days to 114 days with direct benefit transfer (DBT) of funds. Here the accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yojna would have been really helpful - it also eliminated the middlemen, much to their anger 😁😁<br /><br />A constraint of lack of sufficient skilled masons is addressed by a pan-India training programme of masons. For timely construction, the scheme also provides tagging a PMAY-G beneficiary with a field level Government functionary and a Rural Mason.<br /><br /> <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">http://www.businessworld.in/article/-Target-of-construction-of-2-95-crore-houses-under-PMAY-G-expected-to-be-achieved-by-March-2022-Centre/25-07-2020-301244/</a><br /><br />The status of the scheme is available on the website of Ministry of Rural Development and, I must say, I am absolutely in awe – data is current. Excluding the 72 lakh houses under Indira Awaas Yojna which have been completed, the status is: Target 2.23 crs houses, sanctioned 1.90 crs and already completed 1.29 crs. – so they are well on track. Their site is otherwise too, amazingly informative. As is the linkage with banks and financiers.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><a href="https://pmayg.nic.in/netiay/home.aspx">https://pmayg.nic.in/netiay/home.aspx</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">When being updated this site is sometimes not available . The source site of the Ministry is:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><a href="https://pmayg.nic.in/netiay/home.aspx">http://ruraldiksha.nic.in/RuralDashboard/PMAYG_New.aspx </a><br /><br />Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/feeding-poor-during-lockdown.html">Feeding the poor during lockdown</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previous: <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Houses for all - PMAY Urban</a></span></div>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-56947356924952049142021-02-14T09:13:00.002+05:302021-02-16T08:30:23.454+05:30Houses for all - PMAY Urban<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aims at providing
affordable housing to all in urban cities and rural areas. Initiated for the urban
poor in 2015, the target date was 2022. The initial focus is 500 Class I cities
as per willingness of States/UTs, in three phases to cover 100, 200 and
thereafter all remaining Cities. </span></p><p><a href="https://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/urban-poverty-alleviation-1/schemes-urban-poverty-alleviation/pradhan-mantri-awas-yojana-housing-for-all-urban"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/urban-poverty-alleviation-1/schemes-urban-poverty-alleviation/pradhan-mantri-awas-yojana-housing-for-all-urban</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p>The scheme is in public/private partnership and undertaken
jointly with State Govts. Eligibility criteria is income, age etc. and covers
economically and socially weaker sections. There is central assistance per
house besides interest subsidy as also technical support. It also envisages
slum rehabilitation. This scheme converges with other schemes to ensure houses
have a toilet, Saubhagya Yojana electricity connection, Ujjwala Yojana LPG gas
connection, access to drinking water and Jan Dhan banking facilities, etc.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Houses constructed under the mission would be allotted in
the name of the female head of the household or in the joint name of the male
head of the household and his wife. Funds are credited directly to beneficiary's account, thus eliminating middlemen and based on actual progress of construction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The task was initially estimated at 2 crore houses but based
on survey of States by integrating Aadhar number, Jan Dhan Yojana account
numbers or other identification, the demand for about 1.12 cr. (11.2mn) houses was
validated.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Under PMAY-U, 41 lakh (4.1 mn) houses have been completed so far
while construction is in various stages in more than 70 lakh (7mn) houses.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jan/21/centre-approves-construction-of-over-168-lakh-houses-under-pmay-urban-2253182.html">https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jan/21/centre-approves-construction-of-over-168-lakh-houses-under-pmay-urban-2253182.html</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PMAY (Gramin) in rural areas will come in a separate
post.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">NEXT: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/houses-for-all-pmay-gramin.html">Houses for all - PMAY Gramin</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previous: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/sensex-bombay-stock-exchange.html">Sensex, the Bombay Stock Exchange</a></span></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-75174939282709613822021-02-09T08:33:00.007+05:302021-02-14T11:27:55.676+05:30Sensex, the Bombay Stock Exchange<p><a name="_olk_signature" style="font-family: verdana;">One
indication of how the economy is doing are the indices of Bombay Stock
exchanges (BSE Sensex) and the National Stock exchange (NSE Nifty). The BSE
Sensex, which is based on 30 stocks only, had a base of 100 on 1 April
1979. It was at 5,000 points in early 2000, rose to 50,000 in Jan 2021. It
had crossed the 25,000 mark for the first time in May 2014 when Narendra Modi
came to power – and since has nearly doubled.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In early 2020, due to the Covid-19
pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, the Sensex had crashed. As cases rose,
there was a massive global selloff. Small businesses and individuals at the
bottom of the pyramid were worst hit by the pandemic. But the stimulus measures
and steps taken by the government led to record foreign portfolio investors (FPI)
inflows. A system flush with liquidity, low interest rates, and impressive
corporate results in the second and third quarters resulted in the continuously
rising Sensex. The BSE mid cap index has risen over 80%, and the small cap
index by over 95%. Almost all major sectors have participated in the rally.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/sensex-at-50000-explained-for-investors-7156561/">https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/sensex-at-50000-explained-for-investors-7156561/</a> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">FPIs are expected to bring more funds
into Indian equities in the coming financial year as global interest rates
remain low and India’s economic fundamentals make the country an attractive
investment destination. However, the markets are trading high, and negative
news may lead to a correction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">India's stock market is now the seventh
biggest </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the world</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, up three spots, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">as total market capitalization increased to $2.7 trillion. It is </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">now bigger than Canada, Germany and
Saudi Arabia and may overtake France to become the sixth biggest in the world. Total
market capitalisation of France now stands at $2.86 trillion. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is also the second-best performer among the top 15 countries in 2021.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/business-economy/markets/article/indias-stock-market-now-7th-biggest-in-the-world-as-bse-m-cap-surges-to-2-7-trillion/717342" style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.times</a><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/business-economy/markets/article/indias-stock-market-now-7th-biggest-in-the-world-as-bse-m-cap-surges-to-2-7-trillion/717342" style="font-family: verdana;">nownews.com/amp/business-economy/markets/article/indias-stock-market-now-7th-biggest-in-the-world-as-bse-m-cap-surges-to-2-7-trillion/717342</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/houses-for-all-pmay-urban.html">Houses for all - PMAY Urban</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Previous: </span><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/more-fake-stories.html " style="font-family: verdana;">More Fake Stories</a></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-86668725471783756432021-02-05T07:39:00.007+05:302021-02-09T08:37:28.285+05:30More Fake Stories<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The recent major focus of fake news was on Rajdeep Sardesai - who did not learn even </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">after having to issue an unconditional apology</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">in Court</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> in 2019, for false reporting in another case</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When aggressive and violent farmer protestors
entered Delhi on January 26</span><b style="font-family: verdana;">, in violation of their agreed and written agreement</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">,
tractors were also seen racing to mow down policemen on duty. One such tractor,
when racing, turned turtle, the driver fell off and died. Rajdeep Sardesai, a journalist of India Today, in his tweet, claimed that protester Navreet
Singh died because of being shot by the Delhi Police. There was also a video
where, in a dramatic style, Sardesai put two fingers to his temple and indicated
the spot where the bullet had entered the head. The police released a video about
the tractor’s racing mishap and later, Sardesai apologized and deleted his tweet. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But the fake story did not end here as it was retweeted by several others - </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shashi Tharoor and journalists, Mrinal Pande of National Herald, Zafar Agha, The Caravan’s Paresh Nath, and Anant Nath. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">FIRs were filed against Sardesai and others charging them with sedition, promotion of enmity, criminal conspiracy and spreading</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">spread “false and misleading information”</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some of them have approached the court for relief against FIRs.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/republic-day-violence-shashi-tharoor-rajdeep-sardesai-move-sc-against-firs/article33738148.ece">https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/republic-day-violence-shashi-tharoor-rajdeep-sardesai-move-sc-against-firs/article33738148.ece</a>
<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In spite of the post-mortem
ruling out any bullet injuries, The Wire (yes the same The Wire that had
carried the fake story of Chinese aggression in Arunachal Pradesh, <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/fake-news-by-our-media.html">mentioned in my earlier post</a>) continued with the story going to the extent of quoting the
violators, the victim's family and the post-mortem report by an </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">unknown</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> doctor. Concerned doctors have denied
this.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://thewire.in/rights/autopsy-doctor-told-me-hed-seen-the-bullet-injury-but-can-do-nothing-as-his-hands-are-tied">https://thewire.in/rights/autopsy-doctor-told-me-hed-seen-the-bullet-injury-but-can-do-nothing-as-his-hands-are-tied</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A case has also been filed against The Wire's editor Siddharth Varadarajan - the American who was earlier editor of The Hindu and is now with The Wire.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/police-case-against-wire-editor-siddharth-varadrajan-over-tweet-on-farmers-death-at-tractor-rally-2360741">https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/police-case-against-wire-editor-siddharth-varadrajan-over-tweet-on-farmers-death-at-tractor-rally-2360741</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While the consequences on the others have perhaps been comparatively
mild, Rajdeep Sardesai was immediately taken off-air by India Today and it is
reported that he is no longer with them - did he quit or was he politely shown
the door? Or was this action a consequence of the letter from the
President’s Office on another of his fake tweets? On 23 January, the 125th
birth anniversary of the freedom fighter, President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled a
portrait of Bose at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. And Sardesai, Barkha Dutt amongst others, falsely alleged that the portrait was not of Bose, but that of the Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee dressed as the freedom fighter for the 2019 film </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Gumnaami</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/subhas-chandra-bose-portrait-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-not-of-bengali-actor-who-played-netaji/591917/">https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/subhas-chandra-bose-portrait-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-not-of-bengali-actor-who-played-netaji/591917/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next: <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/sensex-bombay-stock-exchange.html">Sensex, the Bombay Stock Exchange</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Previous: </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/fake-news-by-our-media.html">Fake News by our Media</a></span></span></p><p></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-16322703331262831902021-02-03T12:45:00.012+05:302021-02-06T11:29:49.992+05:30Fake News by our Media<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The month of January 2021 has been in the limelight for several reasons. And perhaps the most shocking is the deliberate attempt to fool the people of India - or, in my opinion, to ignite negative passions and incite violence. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I start with the story that came from the fertile imagination of Vishnu Som of NDTV - a channel that, to me, has become known for fanning negative news about India on any grounds. The story created was that the current govt was caught napping when the Chinese entered into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh, and built a whole village. And there were even photos/video to prove the story!! Only Vishnu Som, the journalist, did not bother to check that, though the area was indeed a part of Arunachal Pradesh, it had been under occupation of the Chinese since 1959 - in the time of Jawaharlal Nehru!!!! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When the truth came out, Vishnu Som did not even care to apologize.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://twitter.com/VishnuNDTV/status/1351101693103104001?s=19">https://twitter.com/VishnuNDTV/status/1351101693103104001?s=19</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Immediately, The Wire had also carried this story. In fact The Wire also carried out China’s justification in an article which also carried their tweet, as also their own for posting this (fake) story but did not say why they had not checked their facts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://thewire.in/external-affairs/construction-on-own-territory-normal-says-china-on-report-of-arunachal-village">https://thewire.in/external-affairs/construction-on-own-territory-normal-says-china-on-report-of-arunachal-village</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But NDTV and The Wire succeeded in doing what perhaps they had set out to do - that day's twitter trend had lakhs of such horrid remarks about our PM and his weakness, his inability to prevent the Chinese from entering our own country but wanted to bully the poor farmers. Hashtag was #StopChinaNotFarmers Such hate was absolutely unimaginable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>A</span>nyway, here is a link to a YouTube video of Mr. Shekhar Gupta - well known critic of Narendra Modi - exposing the fake story by Vishnu Som and by The Wire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://youtu.be/hPPhTSdWa8U">https://youtu.be/hPPhTSdWa8U</a><br /><br />But where were/are the troubled reactions questioning the intent of this fake story, I wonder. And this when our social media immediately requires, nay even demands, tolerance of fake news. Such is the present status of our Opposition Parties and their supporters. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do expect <a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/more-fake-stories.html">another post</a> on Fake news. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Addendum - I am shocked to hear Atishi of AAP fame continue the untruth in today's 9 o'clock debate on TimesNow, when she questioned <i>'a govt who allowed intrusions into Arunachal Pradesh'</i> - ill-informed or ill-intended? - I leave it to the reader to decide)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/more-fake-stories.html ">More Fake Stories</a></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Previous: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/solar-energy-in-india.html ">Solar Energy in India</a></span></span></p><p></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-21633295928338827512021-02-01T09:47:00.008+05:302021-02-06T11:32:40.890+05:30Solar Energy in India<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">India stands third in Asia and fourth in the world in terms of solar power production - about 38% of its total capacity of renewable energy. India’s National Solar Mission, launched in 2010 when just 10MW of solar power was installed, had a target of 20GW for the end of the decade. However, with significant activity over the following years, installed capacity actually reached 37 GW – i.e. almost double the target.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Bhadla Solar Park, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is said to be the largest solar power plant in the world. Other big solar plants in India are Shakti Sthala solar power project in Tumakuru, Karnataka, Ultra Mega Solar Park in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Then Rewa Solar Power Project in M.P. and Kamuthi, in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/largest-solar-power-plants-india/">https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/largest-solar-power-plants-india/</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Power demand touched an all-time high of 187.3 GW in January 2021, up from 170.97 GW during January last year. India now aims to achieve 100GW of solar power capacity by 2022.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Concerns being raised are: mining of minerals for panels and batteries, depriving huge areas of sunlight and water for long, land used for pasture being taken away etc. Large-scale solar projects are exempted from environmental processes on grounds of their mitigating carbon emissions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-to-power-modi-govts-rooftop-solar-mission-7167165/">https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-to-power-modi-govts-rooftop-solar-mission-7167165/</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other applications such as solar lamps, solar street lights and solar pumps have been promoted. Individual rooftop solar panel are being incentivised and, in our own complex too, one has been set-up over our club house. Solar plants above drains and canal are also being constructed. The world's largest floating 600 MW solar energy project at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river in Khandwa. M.P. Pradesh will begin power generation by year 2022-23.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/fake-news-by-our-media.html ">Fake News by our Media</a></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Previous: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/01/highways-and-road-construction.html ">Highways and Road Construction</a> </span></span></p><p></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-81478445718321603122021-01-28T14:43:00.003+05:302021-02-06T11:35:18.532+05:30Highways and Road Construction<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first major step towards improving roads and highways was taken by AB Vajpayee in 1999 with the projects of the Golden Quadrilateral (connecting the four cities of Delhi, Mumbai. Chennai and Kolkata), and the two corridors - East-West (Porbandar, Gujarat – Silchar, Assam) and the North-South (Srinagar, J&K – Kanya Kumari, Tamil Nadu) corridors. And this had a spill-over effect on many parts of the country.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">India has the second largest road network in the world, spanning almost 60 lakhs (6 million) kms. Since 1999, highway construction has been regularly taking place, though at varying pace. The percentage of rural roads has also crossed 70% now which is very impressive indeed – wonder if there is any reclassification here 😊. The length of national highways increased from 70,934 km in 2010–11 to 132,500 km in 2019. Progress has really picked up in the time of the current government - It was 7 km/day in April ’20, and is rapidly increasing - it even touched a high of 33 km/day in Jun ’20. Thereafter it did dip as the Covid19 crisis resulted in acute shortage of workers etc. with movements back to their home towns; pace is now again very high.</span></p><p><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-highway-construction-touched-76-km-a-day-in-january-second-week/articleshow/80315589.cms" style="font-family: verdana;">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-highway-construction-touched-76-km-a-day-in-january-second-week/articleshow/80315589.cms</a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Government is working on policies to attract significant investor interest. The recent addition is the Bharatmala Pariyojana – 50 new National corridors, and connecting 550 districts of the country through NH linkages.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/02/solar-energy-in-india.html ">Solar Energy in India</a></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Previous: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/01/waste-management.html ">Waste Management</a></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2664340976512254617.post-13075215373925416712021-01-27T13:10:00.004+05:302021-02-06T11:38:26.749+05:30Waste Management<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While per capita waste generated by India is low, in absolute terms we are the largest generator. Efforts at management have been made by various govts but significant success is yet to be achieved.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Solid Wastage Management Rules of 2016 shifted the responsibility to the generators in partnership with the local bodies – individuals like us, hospitals, market associations, hotels etc. Waste to be segregated, brand owners to collect back the non‐biodegradable packaging waste. A bin made compulsory for street vendors. Guidelines cover landfills, waste processing and treatment, monitoring, also the informal sector workers (rag-pickers, kabadiwallahs) - the latter’s life is expected to improve with private players entering waste management.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Efforts of partnering with informal sector in Pune, Maharastra, and source separation of waste in Panaji, Goa, have been appreciated. There have also been pockets of private efforts in some other parts of the country. The new rules promote Waste-To-Energy plants. Composting has increased. Plastic waste in road construction started in 2016 with a small replacement in bitumen. Plastic being recycled into bricks is another attempt.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/columns/article/segregating-india-s-waste-management-woes/683231">https://www.timesnownews.com/columns/article/segregating-india-s-waste-management-woes/683231</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For us in Noida, the rules became mandatory from 31/12/19. Segregation has started (not only in our residential complex but also in the village across the road) and the कूड़ेदान / dumpsite across our complex is now a beautiful lawn with flowers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But this certainly is one area where we still have a long way to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/01/highways-and-road-construction.html">Highways and Road Construction</a></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Previous: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sahaas.blogspot.com/2021/01/survey-of-clean-cities-swachh-survekshan.html ">Survey of Clean Cities - Swachh Survekshan</a></span></span></p><p></p>Anju Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06590263201040729228noreply@blogger.com1