The Supreme Court of India will hear a plea today against the High Court order banning the sale, purchase and use of all firecrackers in West Bengal.
Earlier, the High Court of West Bengal had banned firecrackers during Kali Puja, Diwali and other festivities.
A special bench of justices A. M. Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi would hear the plea.
Image source: Supreme Court – India – Wikipedia.
The plea claims that the October 29 order passed by the high court was “patently erroneous.”
The Supreme Court has allowed the use of green firecrackers within permissible limits across all states.
The plea filed by the chairman of a West Bengal-based firecracker association and another group notes:
“The high court failed to appreciate that green crackers with reduced emission by a minimum of 30 percent have been introduced in the local market. These are environment friendly.”
Image source: Calcutta High Court – Wikipedia.
In its order, the High Court had said that the expression “firecrackers” will cover all types of sparklers as well as other similar materials.
“The state should ensure that there is no use or display or bursting of firecrackers of any type at all during Kali Puja, Diwali celebrations as well as Chhath Puja, Jagadhatri Puja, Guru Nanak’s Birthday and Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations this year.”
The high court has ordered the police to maintain a strict vigil and take appropriate measures against those found violating the order.
It has also added that only wax or oil-based diyas may be used for the occasions.
Image source: Wax diyas.
The current plea requests ex-parte interim stay on the operation of the high court order.
“The high court failed to appreciate that the firecrackers manufacturers under the supervision and guidance of the competent authorities of both the central and state government are now engaged in manufacturing only green crackers which conform to permissible smoke and noise levels in terms of the directions of the apex court and the National Green Tribunal.”
The petitioners represent the interest of about seven lakh families who are involved in the fireworks industry.
Due to this ban on the sale and use of firecrackers people have suffered irreparable losses which may lead to the shutdown of the firecracker industry.
William Shakespear; Image source: Shakespear - Wikipedia
At the start of the 19th century, Bengal became the home for the Shakespear family of Calcutta, whose ancestry dated back to close relations of William Shakespeare.
In Calcutta’s South Park Street Cemetery, one can still find two Shakespear tombs.
One of them belongs to John Talbot Shakespear, born in 1783 to John and Mary Shakespear in England; the other belongs to his wife Emily.
Image source: Shakespear tombs in Calcutta’s South Park Street Cemetery – author’s photograph.
Shakespear arrived in Calcutta during the early 1800s as an East India Company official, marrying Emily Amelia Thackeray in 1803.
She was the eldest daughter of William Makepeace Thackeray senior, who was the grandfather of the more famous Calcutta-born author William Makepeace Thackeray.
Image source: William Makepeace Thackeray – Wikipedia.
Emily’s brother, Reverend Francis Thackeray, married John Talbot Shakespear’s sister Mary Anne.
Another brother, Richmond, arrived from London around the same time to become the Secretary to the Board of Revenue. He married Anne Becher and their son, William Makepeace Thackeray, was born in 1811 at Thackeray House in Alipore.
Clearly, the eminence of the Thackerays seems to have overshadowed the lineage of the Shakespearean relative in their midst.
Thus, Thackeray’s father’s name Richmond also became the name of the youngest son of John Talbot and Emily Shakespeare, Sir Richmond Campbell Shakespear.
He would later acquire renown as an agent to the Governor-General of Central India and a Companion of the Bath. Another son of John Talbot and Emily was named William Makepeace Shakespear.
Image source: Extract from John Talbot Shakespear’s will specifying burial in a grave he had purchased next to his wife’s IOR/L/AG/34/29/37 p.46.
But what do we know about John Talbot himself, and how does his ancestry trace back to Shakespeare?
John Talbot Shakespear was appointed by Richmond Makepeace Thackeray as the assistant to the Collector of Birbhum. John’s brother Henry also served in the Bengal Civil Service. John’s own successful career at the East India Company was truncated by his death at sea onboard the Rose in 1825, a few months after the death of his wife.
Image source: Memorial inscriptions for John Talbot and Emily Shakespear from South Park Street Cemetery recorded in The Bengal Obituary (Calcutta, 1851).
We cannot ascertain whether the Thackerays knew about John Talbot’s illustrious relative.
The oldest recognizable discovery of John Talbot’s lineage dates back to George Russel-French’s Shakspeareana Genealogica (1869), later reproduced by Charlotte Carmichael Stopes in Shakespeare’s Family (1901).
Despite the variant spelling of this ‘Shakespear’ branch (without the ‘e’), it belonged to the Stepney (or Shadwell) Shakespeare. They had either descended from William Shakespeare’s brother Gilbert, or his uncle Thomas.
Russel-French claimed that this family tree was supplied to him by Lieutenant Colonel John Davenport Shakespear, a nephew of John Talbot.
Key evidence to the linkage between the Shakespeare and Shakespear families was two-centuries-old ‘drawing on a parchment of a coat of arms, pronounced by an eminent herald’ which is exactly the same as the coat of arms granted to William Shakespeare’s father in 1596. John Davenport Shakespear possessed this in the 1860s.
India has been generous to Shakespeare, adopting his works.
However, John Talbot has not been recognised, as his and his wife’s tombs languish in oblivion.
Image source: Former British prime minister David Cameron – Wikipedia.
Recently, there have been reports of former British prime minister David Cameron’s lineage dating back to John Talbot Shakespear. But historians are yet to take note of the Shakespear in question being a significant leaf on a stem of the bard’s family that branched out to India.
(This article was first published as “William Shakespeare’s family in Calcutta“ in the British Library’s ‘Untold lives blog‘)
Author: Arup K. Chatterjee teaches at OP Jindal Global University, India, and is the author of The Purveyors of Destiny: A Cultural Biography of the Indian Railways (2017), The Great Indian Railways (2018), Indians in London: From the Birth of the East India Company to Independent India (2021) and The Great Indian Railway Saga (2022).
Indian International Students: Picture Source: @CANVA
In its plan to revive the billion-dollar international education sector which was left devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victorian Government is set to welcome back international students.
Image source: Lisa Singh, CEO – AII.
Former Australian Senator and currently the CEO of the Australia India Institute, Lisa Singh tweeted: “Indian students most welcome.”
Excited to share that international students and graduate researchers will to return @UniMelb for the start of 2022 academic year! Their presence will help reinstate the vibrant student community spirit. Looking forward to welcoming them to @AIinstitute@cgimelbourne 1/2
This has been endorsed by the Australian Government to provide a safe pathway for a limited number of international students to arrive in Victoria each week.
“These places will be prioritised for university students who urgently need to return to Victoria to do practical work, such as health and medical students, and postgraduate research students.”
This plan will enable international students and graduate researchers to return to the university campuses for the start of the 2022 academic year.
Image source: University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell.
“We acknowledge the Victorian Government for supporting the safe return of international students and thank the Australian Government for approving the plan.”
According to the latest plan, only a small group of international students will be able to return to the University of Melbourne each week.
Ten vice-chancellors have signed a letter of support for the government’s plans.
University administrators are optimistic that a large proportion of new or returning international students will be studying on campus in 2022.
Image source: Professor Michael Wesley, the University of Melbourne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International).
“International students and graduate researchers make a significant contribution to university life, and we have badly missed them.”
Image source: Deakin University Vice-chancellor Iain Martin.
Deakin University Vice-chancellor Iain Martin told the Age said this plan would send the strongest signal that Australia was opening up to the rest of the world.
“We are delighted there’s a plan and a path forward. Symbolically, it is incredibly important to say to the rest of the world, ‘Australia is open’.”
The universities are working closely with the Victorian Government on specific details of the plan.
Image source: The Conversation.
International student visa holders enrolled with a Victorian university are encouraged to wait for their respective university to contact them.
“If you have not been contacted, it means you have not been selected yet.”
As per this plan, Victoria’s universities will provide funding towards the additional quarantine places (A$5,000) for students in the first stage of the plan. While students will cover the costs of their flight.
Image source: The Conversation.
More than 17,000 Indian students are outside while 48,000 are studying inside Australia during the pandemic.
This plan would allow for about 2,100 additional students in Victoria before the first semester.
Australian children aged five to 11 could begin receiving the Pfizer vaccine by the end of November, with the nation’s regulator currently reviewing the health and safety data.
Pfizer submitted a partial application to Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) this week and will supply the remaining data over the next two weeks. The TGA will then review all the information and make a decision about whether to approve the vaccine for use in this age group.
Barring any issues, TGA head John Skerritt expects a decision will be made by the end of November. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), will then advise the government on the timing of the rollouts.
So what does the data say so far on safety and efficacy? And what are the benefits of vaccinating children aged five to 11?
Children will soon get vaccination; Picture Source: @CANVA
Why vaccinate children?
While the risk of severe COVID in children is low, a small proportion of children who are infected will become severely unwell, and some of them will die from the virus.
As Delta case numbers rise, so too will the number of serious cases and fatalities. In the United States, children represented more than six million (16.4%) of the total COVID reported cases (8,208 cases per 100,000 children). More than 23,582 US children have been hospitalised and 558 children died (0.01% of child COVID cases).
Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported in children following COVID infection. This can cause multiple parts of the body to become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, eyes, brain, kidneys, skin and gastrointestinal system.
Since May 2020, 5,217 cases of MIS-C have been reported in the United States, with a median patient age of nine years; 46 children have died from the condition.
Children will soon get vaccination; Picture Source: @CANVA
Thankfully, although MIS-C can be serious, most children who are diagnosed with MIS-C recover with medical care.
The long-term effects of COVID are still unknown. In adults, even mild infection can cause a range of ongoing symptoms of long COVID. These include fatigue, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pain, loss of smell, chest pain and problems with memory, concentration and sleep.
Data from the UK found 9.8% of children aged 2–11 years reported at least one long COVID symptom five weeks after, with other research suggesting they rarely last more than 12 weeks.
However, data from Russia which is yet to be peer-reviewed found one-quarter of children discharged from hospital had symptoms more than five months later.
Even if a small proportion of children have long-term symptoms, this is of concern, and further studies are required.
There are also other factors to consider. With children under 12 completely unvaccinated, these children can potentially spread the virus to older, vulnerable people.
Children will soon get vaccination; Picture Source: @CANVA
This may be a particular risk where the extended family lives together or older relatives care for younger family members.
When approved, children will receive a reduced dose (one-third of the adult dose) and will receive two doses, at the same schedule as adults: approximately three weeks apart.
In order for the new vaccines to gain approval for a new use, they must undertake their own trials to show they are safe and effective in that population specifically.
A recent submission to the FDA showed a robust immune response following the vaccine. It also provided a good safety profile, with side effects comparable to those seen in a study of 16-25-year-olds.
So far, no cases of myocarditis or pericarditis (inflammation of the heart and around the heart) have occurred among the children aged 5-11 in the three months after their second dose.
However, as the vaccination is rolled out to larger groups, there is a small risk of myocarditis and pericarditis.
But the benefits of being vaccinated – in preventing severe disease, hospitalisation and death – outweigh the risk of the rare inflammatory heart conditions, as you can see in the data below.
While the initial studies were not designed to measure efficacy, they showed the vaccine regimen was 90.7% effective at preventing COVID infection.
Of the vaccinated children who developed COVID, symptoms tended to be very mild and didn’t include a fever. Non-vaccinated children generally presented with headaches and fever.
What about the other vaccines?
Early data on Moderna, another mRNA-based vaccine, found it was safe and induced strong antibody responses in 6-11-year-olds. Children aged 6-11 were given half the adult Moderna dose, twice, 28 days apart.
As with adults and adolescents, the most common side effects in children aged 6-11 from Moderna were fatigue, headache, fever and pain at injection site; the majority were mild or moderate.
Moderna plans to submit the data to the FDA, European Medicines Agency, and other regulators in the near future.
Children will soon get vaccination; Picture Source: @CANVA
The protein-based vaccine Novavax, (currently under evaluation by the TGA), has plans to evaluate its use in younger children, however, the necessary trials are long from completion. So far, no preliminary data is available.
A study evaluating the AstraZeneca vaccine in children was paused due to safety concerns about blood clots and is unlikely to continue.
Should I vaccinate my children?
Given the strong safety and efficacy of the vaccines, and the increasing risk of children contracting COVID as the only remaining population of unvaccinated people, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.
Vaccination will also play an important role in ensuring vulnerable children can continue to participate in social and educational activities with their peers, and reduce their role in spreading the virus.
It’s OK for parents to have questions about the vaccines. If you do, talk to your GP who can listen to your concerns and discuss the evidence and how that relates to your circumstances.
Direct Flights between India And WA; Picture Source: @AirIndia
Air India is set to resume operations in Delhi- Sydney-Delhi sector with a thrice-a-week service from 15th Nov ’21.
“Bookings open from 5:30 PM AESDT today through Air India Website, Booking Offices, Call Centre & our Authorised Travel Agents.“
#FlyAI : Air India is set to resume operations on Delhi- Sydney-Delhi sector with a thrice-a-week service from 15th Nov '21.
Bookings open from 1200 hrs IST today through Air India Website, Booking Offices, Call Centre & our Authorised Travel Agents. pic.twitter.com/qx7k7E77cv
Air India told The Australia Today, “Currently no flights are scheduled to/from Melbourne. We will update you as soon as we get information regarding flights to/from Melbourne.”
Earlier, Qantas has announced it will start flights to the Indian capital New Delhi on 6th December 2021.
“Hello Delhi! For the first time in almost a decade, we’re flying direct to India. Flights from Sydney to Delhi take off before Christmas.”
While announcing direct flights to India Prime Minister Scott Morrison reminded about the fact that how important it was for the Indian Australian community to reunite children with their grandparents.
Hello Delhi! For the first time in almost a decade, we’re flying direct to India. Flights from Sydney to Delhi take off before Christmas.
PM Morrison said, “I know, particularly in our Indian community, that (Uniting with parents) has been a very important issue for them, and I know that will be welcome, and Alan and the team will be flying them here with these wonderful new services going through Darwin. That’s great news for the Northern Territory as well.
Manish an IT consultant told The Australia Today, “As soon as my wife heard of the announcement of direct flights, She has called everyone back home informing that we will make it to the function.”
“Of course we are very excited, so are my parents who have not met their grandchildren for two years,”
said Mr Sonewal.
However, Before you plan your travel please ensure eligibility regarding entry into your destination.
Indian Australian Family: Picture Source: Supplied
An IT consultant Manish Kumar Sonewal has been planning to go to India for a few months as his parents will be celebrating their 50th marriage anniversary in December and his family has planned a big birthday party to celebrate.
He knew getting a travel exemption for his wife and two kids for this occasion was not possible under government regulations.
However, today he is scrambling to find out a suitable flight that can take them to New Delhi, India’s capital.
Manish told The Australia Today, “As soon as my wife heard of the announcement of No exemption required to leave the country, She has called everyone back home informing that we will make it to the function.”
“Of course we are very excited, so are my parents who have not met their grandchildren for two years,”
said Mr Sonewal.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Morrison Government was committed to easing restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians, in line with soaring vaccination rates and the National Plan to transition Australia’s COVID-19 response.
“Our first priority is Australian citizens and permanent residents and today we are delivering on that by removing restrictions on fully-vaccinated Australians travelling out of Australia.
The easing of these restrictions is possible thanks to our impressive national vaccination rates, and I thank all those who have done the right thing and rolled up their sleeve,”
Minister Andrews said.
Minister Andrews argues “Our system of border exemptions has kept Australia free from widespread COVID transmission for more than 18 months.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said these changes have been made on medical advice regarding the protection provided by COVID-19 vaccination for travelling Australians.
“Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a TGA approved or recognised vaccine, with the second dose occurring at least seven days prior to travel.
These changes will also facilitate travel by children under 12 years of age,”
Minister Hunt said.
“We want Australians to be able to reunite with their loved ones, whether it’s for births, weddings or just to visit family. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our community against COVI D -19 and I’d like to thank every single Australian who has come forward and received a COVID-19 vaccine, which has helped us get to this point.”
People who do not meet these eligibility requirements will continue to require a travel exemption to travel overseas and will be subject to current passenger caps and quarantine arrangements (managed by states and territories) when returning to Australia.
However, Someone wanting to travel overseas should also familiarise themselves with state and territory quarantine arrangements.
New changes to the Human Biosecurity Determinations also clarify the arrangements for incoming international travel by creating clear exemptions for medical evacuation flights and people who are ‘persistent shedders’ of the COVID-19 virus.
“I look forward to further easing restrictions over coming weeks and months as more and more Australians become fully vaccinated. Before the end of the year, we anticipate welcoming fully vaccinated skilled workers and international students,”
Minister Andrews added.
New rules also simplify the pre-flight testing requirements to be three days (rather than 72 hours) and ensure that decisions on exemptions to testing are taken on the basis of recent medical advice.
More information on pre-departure testing and requirements for masks during the flight is available on the Department of Health website
The Indian Diaspora is among the fastest-growing ethnic groups in Australia.
In fact, according to the census, 1 in 25 Australians now has Indian heritage.
India is also the largest source of permanent migrants who are largely professionally successful and well respected in Australia.
This is is also reflected in the number of Australia’s CEOs who are joining a growing number of global business leaders of Indian origin.
Image source: Ted Baillieu – Wikipedia.
Former Victorian Premier and the Chair of the Australian Heritage Council Ted Baillieu told BOSS:
“The Indian Diaspora here are well tuned to education and to commerce. You put the two together and inevitably the cream will rise to the top.”
Stockland’s Tarun Gupta, Orica’s Sanjeev Gandhi, Link’s Vivek Bhatia, Pact’s Sanjay Dayal, Newcrest’s Sandeep Biswas, and Cleanaway’s Vik Bansal have done the hard yakka and made it in Australia.
These CEOs are a shining example of Indian migrants’ resilience and adaptability and also the rising influence of India on Australia’s trade policy.
Today, India has been amongst Australia’s top 10 trading partners and things are improving for the good.
Tarun Gupta, Stockland
Sanjeev Gandhi, Orica
Tarun Gupta, CEO of Stockland, who came to Australia to study in the 1990s says:
“India makes you quite resilient and adaptable.”
He is not surprised to see the rise given the determination and sacrifices most Indian business leaders have faced to reach the top in Australia.
Son of a respected police officer, as a student in Newcastle, Gupta even worked as a kitchen hand and a tandoori chef.
“The manager asked me what I wanted to do and I said, ‘I want to be the CEO,’ and you could see the smile on his face.”
Vivek Bhatia, Link
Sanjay Dayal, Pact
Link’s Vivek Bhatia also came to Australia in 1999 and did jobs in sales and call centres.
He soon joined KPMG and was then promoted at Wesfarmers and after this became the head of the NSW government’s workers’ compensation insurer icare.
“You know that you have come here to prove a point. You know you have sacrificed, staying away from your family and friends and if you have done that sacrifice, then you might as well make the most of it.”
Sandeep Biswas, Newcrest
Vik Bansal, Cleanaway
InfraBuild CEO Vik Bansal came to Australia from Delhi in the early 1990s to study electrical engineering.
He sold ads for a local newspaper as a telemarketer and applied for jobs. He was advised that to land a good job in Australia he must shorten his Indian name.
“I met a headhunter who gave me some frank advice to shorten my name to Vik. My first interview, the manager asked me what I wanted to do and I said: ‘I want to be the CEO’ and you could see the smile on his face.”
Son of a lawyer father and teacher mother, Bansal has ” an unparalleled appetite for education” and is “highly competitive.”
However, earlier this year, due to some issues at the company Bansal resigned from Cleanaway.
“I was there almost six years. It was the highest point of my career and to some extent the lowest. It hurts you as a human being, as a parent, as a leader [but] you have to learn and move on. …
My lessons in this area have been in the public domain, which is personally disappointing. But what’s most important is to learn, reflect, grow, stand-up, and move on.”
Orica’s CEO Sanjeev Gandhi spent 26 years with German chemical giant BASF SE. He worked in India, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Pact’s CEO Sanjay Dayal spent a decade at Orica. He was hired to rebuild confidence in the then-ailing packaging group Pact.
Newcrest’s Sandeep Biswas, originally from West Bengal, obtained a degree in chemical engineering degree from Queensland University and soon joined Mt Isa Mines.
The story of an Indian-origin CEO in Australia is definitely inspiring but it is dominated by men. It would be fair if more Indian-origin women were given an equal opportunity on the boards of Australian companies.
Image source: Hansel Gracias, Commissioning Engineer, and Jaskaran Singh, Installation Supervisor from Siemens Energy - Transgrid
Specialist engineers from Siemens Energy in India have arrived in Australia for the pre-commissioning of critical technology.
QNI Project Director Colin Mayer said:
“Transgrid has worked closely with authorities to make sure that we have the international expertise we need, while complying with COVID-19 requirements.
We now have three experts from Siemens Energy in Australia to begin this specialised process.”
Transgrid enables the smooth operation of over 13,000km of high voltage transmission wires and 110 substations in NSW and the ACT, with connections to Victoria and Qld.
The two Indian engineers will help deliver vital equipment for the project to help keep the grid stable.
Hansel Gracias, Commissioning Engineer, and Jaskaran Singh, Installation Supervisor from Siemens Energy, have started working at the Transgrid Dumaresq substation.
Specialist engineers have arrived from @Siemens_Energy in India for the pre-commissioning of critical technology to be used on the Transgrid Queensland-NSW Interconnector (QNI) upgrade project.
They'll help deliver vital equipment for the project to help keep the grid stable. pic.twitter.com/Vh308J9Gg8
Sharing this news, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell AO tweeted:
The two Indian engineers have travelled from Goa and Delhi.
Hansel Gracias says:
“Australia is beautiful, especially Dumaresq, where the land is probably like it was hundreds of years ago. It’s not like Delhi.”
They completed a 14-day quarantine period in Adelaide, flying into Brisbane Airport, followed by a five-hour drive to accommodation near the substation.
Jaskaran Singh who is excited to be in Australia and looking forward to seeing some Kangaroos says:
“Coming from Delhi, which is the capital of India and very crowded, to Dumaresq – where there are not many people – has been very interesting. My kids keep on asking me to ‘please, send some photos of kangaroos!’ But, unfortunately, we haven’t seen any yet.”
Siemens Energy has 91,000 employees who are part of the world’s most valued energy technology company.
WATCH VIDEO: International experts arrive to assist on Queensland -NSW Interconnector QNI
Indian consumer goods giant Dabur has withdrawn an advertisement showing a same-sex couple celebrating Karva Chauth.
This advt was for Dabur’s Fem Creme bleach and was criticised by a section of social media users.
The advt shows two young Indian women preparing for their first Karva Chauth festival, while one is applying bleach on the other’s face. Both are discussing the significance of the Indian festival. Soon, the audience sees the women facing each other dressed in sarees with a sieve and a decorated plate with water in front of them. This is the moment that shows the people that the two women are actually partners.
The last shot is of Fem’s logo on the screen and the voiceover says, “glow with pride.”
This advt went viral on social media platforms with users giving an array of reactions and comments to a same-sex couple celebrating Karvachauth.
Some social media users appreciated the advertisement for its inclusivity and progressive depiction of Hindu marriage.
India doesn’t allow same-sex marriage yet. Karvachauth is celebrated by married couples. Even if the product is regressive (fairness cream), the overall messaging is good to bring about a progressive change. So well done, @DaburIndiahttps://t.co/dNyOPxvBOG
Social commentators felt it was a good way to bring some understanding about same-sex couples. However, the LGBTIQ community slammed Dabur for using queer representatives to promote a ‘regressive’ ritual and racist product.
Twitterati called it an endorsement of “colourism” and a “patriarchal tradition” which demeans the LGBTIQ pride.
oh fuck off, stop using queer rep to make your stupid regressive 'festivals' seem progressive https://t.co/CuCeyti65H
whats the point of this pride when you're endorsing colorism AND PATRIARCHAL TRADITIONS??
KUCH BHI KAROGE MATLAB THIS IS NOT THE QUEER REPRESENTATION WE ASKED FOR WE DONT NEED REPACKAGED PATRIARCHY, COLORISM, AND OTHER PROBLEMATIC IDEALS https://t.co/Fd9MNRb1Ye
— CHEEKOO// we got the amount ly all (@anugayeah) October 23, 2021
Another person who identified with the LGBTIQ community said, “I do not want such kinds of queer representatives.”
i don't think this is the kind of queer rep i would want. it's cute but it's still promoting that patriarchal tradition and colourism. hmm https://t.co/1aTklI1bT2
What is wrong with these guys at #Dabur ? Why do you have to bring #karvachauth into this ? Is it because Hindus don’t react and everything is ok ? Let’s not meddle personal choices of few with traditions that millions follow. No Gyan pls #DaburAdhttps://t.co/bmeO8F7ePA
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra in a press conference objected to Dabur’s advt and said he has directed the DGP to ask the company to withdraw the advertisement.
Issuing an “unconditional” apology, Dabur India said:
“Fem’s Karwachauth campaign has been withdrawn from all social media handles and we unconditionally apologise for unintentionally hurting people’s sentiments.”
Fem's Karwachauth campaign has been withdrawn from all social media handles and we unconditionally apologise for unintentionally hurting people’s sentiments. pic.twitter.com/hDEfbvkm45
“Our intention is not to offend any beliefs, customs and traditions, religious or otherwise. If we have hurt he sentiments of any individual or group, it was unintentional, and we apologise.”
This is the third Indian advt this year that has seen social media backlash.
Earlier, FabIndia was criticised for a collection named ‘Jashn-e-Riwaaz’ and CEAT Tyres was criticised for advising people not to burst crackers on Diwali.
In 2019, Indian media reported that Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar “expects India to have jurisdiction over POK one day.”
“Our position on PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) has always been and will always be very clear. PoK is part of India and we expect one day that we will have the physical jurisdiction over it.”
Further, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, stated that “the Modi government is now aiming at retrieving parts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir to make them part of the Indian mainland.”
With this also came a statement by Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, that the Indian Army is “ready” (to “capture” Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir) and waiting for a political decision, raised hopes amongst Kashmiris.
These Kashmiris, in spite of the fear of Pakistan-trained terrorists and their calls for “Azadi,” have always supported India – 1947, 1965, and 1999 – by informing the authorities about enemy movement.
The question that begs to be raised is how are people in the West unaware of Pakistan’s invasion and pillage of Kashmir in October 1947
These people are well aware of Pakistan’s role in sponsoring and spreading terror in the region and other parts of the world.
Image source: Wikipedia.
In the West, thanks to a dedicated band of Pakistan-origin and -sponsored activists, politicians, academics, and journalists, people are unaware of PoK – Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Only these groups who follow Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir are allowed to visit PoK and report to the West the fake narrative that Pakistan has built around its illegal occupation of the valley.
These sponsored groups have lobbied aggressively to push Pakistan’s narrative on the status of J&K in their respective countries.
A good example is the British All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir (APPGK), consisting of MPs from the Labour, Conservative, and Pakistani heritage, which received money (USD 17,917 approx) from Pakistan for a visit to PoK.
In return, Labour MP Debbie Abrahams has been extremely critical of India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 and constantly points to human rights abuse in J&K while keeping silent on Pakistan’s support to jihadists and human rights abuses in PoK.
Such people have actually made Pakistan appear as a champion for Muslim Kashmiris while presenting India’s Hindutva force suppressing calls for ‘Azadi in J&K.
PoK mainly comprises two regions: Portion of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan – a territory occupied by the Pakistani military.
According to Arif Jamal, a US-based journalist, and author, these areas are used to train Kashmiri jihadists such as Hizbul Mujahideen and Jamaat ud-Dawa/Lashkar-e-Taiba against India.
“Most Kashmiri jihadist groups have their training camps in mainland Pakistan as well as in the Pakistan-ruled Kashmir.”
Image source: Wikipedia.
Pakistan government’s official position is that it is merely administering PoK until a United Nations-sanctioned plebiscite takes place.
With this plebiscite, the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will be able to determine whether they will join India or Pakistan.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) cannot enforce such a plebiscite as the resolution requires that Pakistan must withdraw its forces from J&K for it to happen.
For India, J&K is legitimately its territory as Maharaja Hari Singh acceded on 26 October 1947.
Here’s my thread on today’s significance in Indian History 26th Oct 1947: Maharaja Hari Singh signs on accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India pic.twitter.com/2jAKbz5Mq2
Earlier this year, India even rejected the elections held in PoK. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India lodged a “strong protest” with Pakistan on a “cosmetic exercise” to hold elections in PoK.
In 2019, even the New York Times journalists who were granted access to PoK noted suppression of rights and frustration amongst people who want freedom from Pakistan.
In fact, PoK rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza in 2020 raised a demand at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to merge PoK with India.
She pointed to how the world seems to be “hypnotised by the fake narratives spun by the Pakistani government” and the people are “desperate to gain freedom” from the hands of the Pakistani occupation.
Image source: Kashmir Archives – Twitter.
Traditionally, Pakistan-sponsored Kashmiris and their sympathisers have observed October 27 as a Black Day to mark the landing of Indian troops to fight Pakistan-backed Pashtoon tribal invaders.
However, since last year, Kashmiris who recognise India’s legitimacy over J&K have started marking October 22 as Black Day to highlight Pakistan’s illegal invasion and occupation of the valley.
This year on October 22, the Kashmiri Community in Washington DC has shared their stories observing the day as ‘Black Day.’
Unlike PoK, J&K as one of the states in the Indian Union provides Kashmiri people the same constitutional rights as the rest of India.
Scholars working in this area are well aware that Pakistan wants to keep the Kashmir dispute alive by sponsoring academics and activists alike to justify its huge defense spending. It further aims to receive large concessions and payments from the US and other powers under the ruse of neutralising terrorists.
After Afghanistan, Pakistan stands naked and alone on the world stage as a prominent supporter of the Taliban.
While India’s government relentlessly tries to improve things and work on development, the state of J&K has once again become a target of Jihadist attacks.
There is no surprise that the targets are Kashmiri Hindus, local Muslims who support India, and people from other states of India who have come for employment or business – reminding Kashmiris of the exodus of Pandits from the valley.
Once again, people are requesting the Indian government to take strict action before the situation becomes volatile with interference from the Pakistan-trained Taliban who is now waiting to enter Kashmir and destabilize India.
While Kashmiris mark 22 October Black day all over the world, a call for a tough stance against Jihadist elements present in J&K appears as the need of the hour.
Australian shares rallied for a third week in a row with Macquarie Bank hitting a record price of $199.06, just a whisker below the $200 mark.
More importantly, the Australian market gained in four out of five trading days last week, even as miners tried to weigh down on the index with lower iron ore and energy prices.
The Volatility Index known as VIX has fallen all week last week and hence signals that the market is getting closer to more settled trading conditions.
With iron prices going lower it was a tough week for mining giants BHP which fell by 2.2% and Rio which saw its value reduce by 1.8%.
Australia also entered its reporting period last week with Lynas reporting a decline of 35% in quarterly sales. The world’s largest rare earth producer outside China immediately fell 8.1% after the news.
The Travel stocks continued to get bought as Qantas said it is preparing to bring forward a restart of flights.
There is a lot of optimism on economic recovery and growth post -lockdowns and investors have been buying Blue chip stocks on optimism. Woolworth, Wesfarmers, CSL have all been beneficiaries of investor optimism.
Having said that we believe we will see a bit of up-and-down this week with uncertainty surrounding the Evergrande property group in China continues to be a worry.
Australia relies considerably on exports to China and any offshore defaults from Evergrande will impact the Australian market more than any other global market.
The news that Evergrande had come up with cash to pay a bond payment due over the past weekend did settle investors’ nerves. At the time of writing, this report Evergrande did make a last-minute payment and the news should provide the boost on Monday morning.
In regards to gold, gold surged to its highest levels in 6 weeks, lifted on a weaker US Dollar and a pick-up in inflation expectations bolstered demand for the safe-haven asset.
A second consecutive week of decline in the US dollar index also bolstered the appeal of gold by making it less expensive for buyers holding other currencies.
There is a perception in the market that Federal Reserve is behind the curve when it comes to tackling inflation and is not doing enough to slow inflation. Many investors view gold as a hedge against inflation and with inflation being the talk of the town at the moment gold may find some more support.
With Atlanta, US Fed President Raphael Bostic said he expects high inflation to persist into 2022 the investors will be focusing on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments in a panel discussion on Friday.
Oil extended the gain for a ninth consecutive week, thus recording the longest stretch of weekly gains since 2015, as US crude supplies shrink and OPEC+ continues to remain cautious with the supply.
oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva
US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Americans should expect high gasoline prices to continue next year because of supply being withheld by OPEC and other foreign oil producers.
With no signs in the market that OPEC+ is going to come forward with any meaningful amount of additional crude oil in the near future, oil soared to its highest price since 2014 on concerns that rising consumption is racing ahead of supply. The shortage of natural gas and coal globally is also triggering extra demand for oil products.
With OPEC+ nations, however, refusing to increase supply as they believe the Coronavirus pandemic is not over and the lockdowns may return have bolstered the imbalances between supply and demand in recent months.
In regards to the local currency, the Australian Dollar rallied for a fourth consecutive week with soaring equities reflecting the risk-on mood that backs the Aussie.
The Australian Dollar has been tracking momentum in Wall Street’s higher and firmer gold prices also supported the commodity-driven currency. Also providing a boost to the local currency was easing of COVID restrictions across Australia.
Australian-Dollar; Picture Source: @CANVA
COVID restrictions are easing around across Australia with Victoria recently coming out of the world’s longest lockdown. Last time when this happened in Quarter 4 last year the GDP saw a strong pickup. Analysts believe it will be the same this year thus providing favourable conditions for the Aussie.
This week the currency traders will be keeping a close eye on Australia’s CPI numbers, due Wednesday. The CPI numbers will provide important information on the impact of lockdown on economic activity. Retail sales figures are also due on Friday.
For the Indian currency, it was a mixed week. The higher oil prices and inflation fears pushed the Rupee lower to reach 75.65 against the US Dollar. However, as the week progressed INR reversed its losses with INR bulls cheering one billion COVID vaccinations at home.
Indian-Rupee; Picture Source: @CANVA
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the promise of jabbing the majority of the nation’s population and taming the virus risk also added to Rupee optimism.
The Rupee, however, lost against the Australian Dollar as the risk-on sentiment was more in favour of the Australian currency. With inflation fears continuing in the market, the INR traders will wait for the US PMIs due later in the week.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the week went by saw Bitcoin price reaching a new all-time high around the US $67K. The week also saw the approval of the first-ever futures BTC ETF in the US, an 87% flash crash on BinanceUS due to an algorithm error, and a correction towards US$60,000.
Altcoins also followed suit with Bitcoin rising and coming to a couple of dollars away from marking an all-time high. However, they failed to do so as markets corrected by almost 10-12%.
Bitcoin; Picture Source: @CANVA
All in all, we feel the time-to-time corrections in the Crypto world are important as not everyone in the market can make money. As such when there is too much greed or fear where almost everyone is either long or short market often changes directions to flush people out. It was the same instance here. The recent 10-12% correction that we saw towards the close of the week was necessary for the healthy price rise of Bitcoin.
The crypto market had been in the greed stage and many times such corrections come to flush out overleveraged traders. It seems the current correction may have brought greed levels to an acceptable number.
Agriculture; Picture Source: @CANVA
In agricultural products, wheat has continued to rally higher amid tight supply and food shortage concerns. Adverse weather conditions in Russia, the world’s largest wheat exporter, and a rise in Russian export taxes have raised serious concerns about food shortage in the coming months and have been pushing the price of grains higher.
A slow US corn and wheat harvest progress with both sectors falling well behind last year’s pace has provided another bullish catalyst to both wheat and corn.
Agriculture; Picture Source: @CANVA
Adding to the bullish run for the food grains last week was the confirmation of a strong week of soy and corn exports from the US to China. China bought 2.9 million tonnes of soybean from the US recently and has added more confidence for soybean demand.
Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs a business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone who is interested in starting on their trading journey how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.
Disclaimer:
The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.
We strongly recommend that you perform your own independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.
Victoria will reach its 80 per cent double dose vaccination milestone almost a week ahead of schedule, on Friday 29 October. And the state will reach a 90 per cent double dose milestone – predicted to be as early as 24 November – a significant easing of all major restrictions will occur.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews announced that on Friday 29 October at 6:00 pm, Victoria will move forward in opening up and more restrictions will fall away.
Regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will unite and move forward on the same restrictions, enabling people from Melbourne to travel to regional Victoria and interstate again.
Festivals after 29th October
Dhanteras on Tuesday 2nd November Choti Diwali- Kali Chaudas on Wednesday 3rd November Diwali- Laxmi Pooja on Thursday 4th November Govardhan Pooja on Friday 5th November Bhaiya Dooj on Saturday 6th November
Up to 10 people (including dependents) per day will be able to visit homes in metropolitan Melbourne.
To ensure this is done safely, it’s highly recommended that Victorians only permit people aged 12 years and over who are fully vaccinated to visit them at home.
Up to 30 people including dependants can gather in public outside.
Most indoor settings, including restaurants, pubs, gyms, and hairdressers will open with no caps subject to a DQ4 (1 per 4sqm) limit if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated. Most outdoor settings will remain at DQ2 (1 per 2sqm) limit up to 500, where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
These indoor and outdoor settings will also apply to weddings, funerals, and religious gatherings if all attendees are fully vaccinated. Caps of 30 people will apply for weddings, funerals, and religious gatherings if vaccination status is unknown.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “We made a deal with the Victorian community – we asked them to get vaccinated and promised that when they did, we would open up and begin to live alongside the virus. Today we are delivering on that promise.”
“Victorians have met this challenge beyond any of our expectations and these vaccination rates are an incredible achievement. We’re on our way to being one of the most vaccinated – and therefore one of the safest – places in the entire world,”
added Premier.
Entertainment venues will reopen. For indoor seated venues including cinemas and theatres, there will be a 75 per cent capacity or DQ4 up to 1,000 people and for non-seated indoor entertainment venues, there will be a DQ4 limit with no patron cap.
Outdoor seated and non-seated entertainment venues including stadiums, zoos, and tourist attractions will be open with a DQ2 limit of up to 5,000 where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.
Events – such as music festivals – will be able to host up to 5,000 attendees, subject to any restrictions related to the venue.
The Chief Health Officer may also grant approval for larger crowds for significant events and venues under the Public Events Framework.
Masks will remain mandatory indoors but are no longer required outdoors. It is highly recommended you continue to wear a mask outdoors where you cannot physically distance, such as busy streets or outdoor markets.
The next milestone in the Roadmap will be when Victoria hits the 90 per cent double dose vaccination target for Victorians 12 years and over – predicted to be as early as Wednesday 24 November.
At this point, caps or density quotients will be removed for all settings, and masks will only be mandatory indoors in some high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care, public transport, and justice and correctional facilities.
There will be no restrictions for indoor and outdoor events provided they follow COVID Safe rules including vaccination requirements.
Events with significant numbers of children may not be able to operate at full capacity while vaccines remain unavailable for children. There will be some caps for religious ceremonies, weddings, and funerals where vaccination status is unknown.
If you haven’t booked your appointment, please book it today. Over the next week, there are 123,000 first and second-dose appointments available. Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their GP or pharmacist.
Australia beats South Africa in nail-biting thriller; Picture Source: T20 WorldCup
Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis played a knock of 24 runs as his side defeats South Africa by five wickets in a nail-biting thriller match here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Both the teams played the first Super 12s match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Chasing 119, Australia started off at a low pace with skipper Aaron Finch being sent back by Anrich Nortje without scoring a single run.
Following Finch, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh also lost their wickets and by the end of the 7.5 overs, Australia was 38/3.
Steve Smith played an innings of 35 runs in 34 balls and kept the hopes for his side alive. But at the end of the 15.2 overs, Smith and Glenn Maxwell were also sent back, leaving the team’s total to 81/5. It was Stoinis, who in partnership with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, ended the match with a boundary and took Australia home.
Earlier in the match, South Africa lost early wickets, with Australia’s Josh Hazelwood and Adma Zampa scalping two wickets each. The South African skipper Temba Bavuma was the first wicket, which was followed by Van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock. Batter Aiden Markram then smashed 40 runs off 36 balls and brought his side to a decent total of 118/9.
Aiden Markram's great diving catch Adil Rashid’s economical spell Akeal Hosein’s spectacular caught and bowled
Needed bit of luck to go our way and it did, says Aaron Finch
“The dugout was relaxed than I was. Quite stressful, and I was nervous. Stoinis and Wade showed a cool head to get us over the line, and that is what a bit of experience can do. Maxwell did a really good job with the ball. We knew he had good catchups in the power play. Our whole bowling unit was outstanding,” said the Australian skipper in a post-match presentation.
“We have some world-class players back in our side now and experienced players count in a World Cup. SA are as good a fielding team as anyone in the world. They are quick, bowl with discipline. We needed a bit of luck to go our way and it did,”
he added.
Finch also called praised bowler Josh Hazlewood for his breakthrough performance in the nail-biting thriller.
“Ideally I would have loved to push Hazlewood for a third over in the power play. He is a world-class bowler. He has accuracy and on a wicket providing variation, it can be tough. We understand that at different points guys need to rest and it gives others opportunities,” said Finch.
Australia will now be facing Sri Lanka for their next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash on October 28 in Dubai, while South Africa will be going against West Indies on October 26.
Brief scores: South Africa 118/9 (Aiden Markram 40, Kagiso Rabada, 19; Anrich Nortje 4-21); Australia 121/5 (Steve Smith 35, Marcus Stoinis 24; Josh Hazelwood 2-19)
Dartmouth College student Maha Hasan Alshawi ; Picture Source: @OpIndia
While Indian Americans in the United States are all set to celebrate the month of October as Hindu Heritage Month, a strange case has come to light targetting Hindu professors of a prestigious college just because of their religious affiliation.
Earlier, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has earlier said in the House of Representatives that recognising the contribution and work of Hindus in America is important.
“Hindus in the United States include physicians, lawyers, scientists, economists, philosophers, artists, academics, business leaders, government officials and Members of Congress.”
He had added that this was important, especially “given the disturbing rise of prejudice and racism in this country, including Hinduphobia.”
Aggressive axis of Leftists-Muslims on US campuses hound Hindus. Hinduphobia against not just students but also professors. Accused of belonging to RSS. No support from @rammadhav_rss or anyone else? https://t.co/31GgZmhrpi
Now, the student-led Twitter account Hindu on Campus informed about an attempt by a former computer science Ph.D. student named Maha Hasan Alshawi to unsuccessfully target and oust three Hindu professors.
THREAD: Did you know that a student filed a complaint against Hindu professors at @Dartmouth just bc they were Hindu?
Along with these claims, Maha Hasan Alshawi had initially alleged that her research advisor Dr. Alberto Quattrini Li entered her office without permission in 2019 and touched his private part twice for 20-30 seconds in her presence.
Last year, she also launched a 24-day hunger strike to push the college to investigate her complaints.
She soon ended the hunger strike as the school agreed to open an external investigation.
— Justice For Maha Hasan (@justiceformaha) August 1, 2020
However, the first investigation report cleared Prof. Li of any wrongdoing and noted that he was not even present in the Upper Valley when such an incident occurred.
The investigators’ report also found that Maha Hasan Alshawi, who is no longer a graduate student at Dartmouth, did not disclose that she had made nearly identical claims against a former professor of hers in Egypt at the American University in Cairo.
“We find that there is insufficient evidence to support … a finding that (professor Alberto Quattrini Li) engaged in any conduct that would constitute Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment or Retaliation.”
She further accused her three professors from the Computer Science Department, namely, Deeparnab Chakrabarty, Amit Chakrabarti, and Prasad Jayanti of ‘retaliation’ and ‘discrimination on the basis of religion’ for complaining against her research advisor Li.
Maha Hasan Alshawi alleged that Professor Amit Chakrabarti did not continue as her research advisor and ‘forced’ her to find a new supervisor before April 3, 2020.
During the investigation, the Director of Institutional Diversity and Equity (IDE) Antonio Ferrantino noted that Maha Hasan Alshawi had made obscure remarks about the religious identity of Hindu professors in an email dated June 16, 2020.
“As I said before, (Respondent) Jayanti, (Respondent) Amit (Chakrabarti), Professor Deeparnab (Chakrabarty), and (Student 3) all belong to the same religion (Hindu), and they are all friends and colleagues.”
She added in her email:
“I think they were helping [Respondent] Jayanti in abusing me because I am a Muslim. Why do you think they abused me by threatening and penalizing me but they didn’t abuse anyone else?”
Although the IDE Director again asked her to provide specific information about the alleged harassment, the complainant refused to give any information.
“She said she believed that Hindus like seeing Muslims being tortured but there were no specifics. It was just her belief.”
Maha Hasan Alshawi also alleged that “Professor Prasad Jayanti was a member of an ‘Anti-muslim organisation named Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).”
“As to the report that Respondent Jayanti was a member of an anti-Muslim organisation, there was insufficient information to support that allegation. Respondent Ferrantino noted that the sole basis for the allegation was Complainant’s statement that she heard about Respondent Jayanti’s membership “online by an individual who lives in India.”
The report notes that she refused to provide further information about the Indian source and her allegations could not be ascertained with certainty.
External investigators retained by Dartmouth College cleared the three Hindu professors of any wrongdoing.
Despite the investigation report exonerating the Hindu professors, all have come under the attack of radical Islamists who tweeted in support of Maha Hasan Alshawi using the hashtag #justice4mahahasan.
Suhag A. Shukla, the Executive Director of Hindu American Foundation (HAF) observes that “This incident exposed by @hinduoncampus predated #DGH, but is exactly what it perpetuates.”
This incident exposed by @hinduoncampus predated #DGH, but is exactly what it perpetuates.
Any Hindu, anywhere in academia or private sector, could be targeted anytime with allegations of being a supporter of “Hindutva.”
What happened to the Hindu professor was harrasment of the highest order only because of his religon. Imagine if a Muslim professor was targeted like this…
@dartmouth I am Hindu, and is there a problem? How can students collectively target each other and professors in your institution for simply being and belonging to a particular faith. Don't you find it absurd and disturbing. Anyone playing victim doesn't necessitate an oppressor.
— Shrikanth Iyer श्रिकांत आइयर ஸ்ரீகாந்த் ஐயர் (@Shrikanth__) October 22, 2021
— Stop Hindu Hate Advocacy Network (SHHAN) (@HinduHate) October 22, 2021
Please read this whole thread. As a Hindu professor who teaches at an academic campus of a top university, I am shocked at how easy it is to make such an allegation and to force a witch hunt based entirely on innuendos and without an iota of evidence. https://t.co/75C1mMygYa
The majority of Maha Hasan Alshawi’s complaints were made against Jayanti and Chakrabarti, she also accused two employees with the Title IX office — Gary Sund and Kristi Clemens — as well as Associate Dean for the Sciences Daniel Rockmore and former Director of Institutional Diversity and Equity Antonio Ferrantino of all failing to properly investigate her claims against Li.
Investigators’ decision, released on the Dartmouth College website, is the final of two reports released this year.
Dartmouth College spokeswoman Diana Lawrence declined to comment to the media on the outcome apart from writing.
“This is the final report and the investigation is now closed.”
The report is from Maureen Holland and Peter Lim, of the Philadelphia law firm Cozen O’Connor, and who work with institutions dealing with allegations of sexual harassment and abuse.
Australian mainstream media outlets just silenced six days of jihadi terror attacks against Bangladeshi Hindus sparked off by a false allegation of blasphemy on 13 October 2021.
On Thursday, The Australia Today reported police had identified the primary suspect, Iqbal Hossain. CCTV footage of Hossain shows him leaving Darogabari (shrine) after 2 am on 13 October 2021.
It shows him carrying a book like the ‘Koran’ later found in the lap of Bhagwan Hanuman at Nanua Dighir Par Durga puja pandal. He is captured leaving with a mace identical to one found missing from the Bhagwan Hanuman murti in the morning.
The Financial Express reports today that police arrested the suspect at Cox’s Bazar on Thursday 21 October at 10 pm.
Citti media interviewed ISKON Vice President and spokesperson Radharamn Das of Calcutta last night for the first time since the attacks.
Mr. Das said calls to ‘behead anyone who dishonours their book’ leading up to Hossain’s arrest only ceased once the culprit was found to be ‘a member of their own community and ‘not a kaffir.’
The Financial Express says Kotwali Police were called to remove the text from the murti on 13 October but video of the officer holding the text went viral on social media coupled with hate speech to attack Hindu sites for desecrating a book.
Das recounts that soon after, a mob of around 500 entered the temple and brutally attacked devotees during lunch at 2 pm. Footage on social media documented violent men tearing down the Durga puja pandal outside the temple. Das says they beat the devotees inside, killing one and abducting another before murdering him and throwing the body into a pond. The deities were destroyed, while the murti of Srila Prabhupad and the temple’s books were burnt before looting.
Silence in the media, and the removal of accounts uploading footage for no good reason by Twitter, compromised citizen justice efforts to share news as violence spread across Bangladesh in a series of about 282 incidents. The Financial Express reports Police have arrested 450 culprits over 72 of the cases.
Concern over delayed responses expressed by Das indicates bureaucratic malaise coupled with likely media suppression. ISKON had immediately contacted the Indian Government, who Das says, told ISKON they were in talks with Bangladesh counterparts. ISKON wrote to the United Nations who took three days to reply before the Dhaka official finally condemned the attacks over Twitter.
Das says no media paid attention until Hindus got on the streets and protested. Reports in America showed opposing protests calling for justice on blasphemy.
Bangladesh news reports on SBS Australia were the only mainstream source here and are strictly Bangladeshi Government approved content. A lack of subtitles made these reports inaccessible and SBS did not report anything in English.
No reporting from the Australian National Broadcaster, ABC, the Sydney Morning Herald nor the Age. In fact, it was not only crickets but cricket from SBS News on 17 October 2021 in a search by date for Bangladesh news.
Some commentators fear this uniform silence is a sign of collaborative pressure to cover up atrocities or a sign of imminent Hindu Genocide. The ISKON spokesperson Radharamn Das takes the combined factors of failure to condemn and stop the attacks, media silence, and shutdowns as a red flag for Hindu safety all around. The same picture is seen across international responses.
Das called upon Hindus to wake up, to become physically fit and fight for their human rights. He urged Hindus to learn from their perpetrators and realise they cannot rely on the police and the government to protect them.
He said Hindus were treated as outsiders in their own country and he recommended they take responsibility for their own safety.
Strategic Planning is vital to the resilience of Research and Teaching; Picture Source: Supplied
The last two years have been trying times for the students and Universities under the impact of COVID-19. The compelled transition from face-to-face to online/blended mode of teaching has taught new lessons to not just students but to the entire academia.
There has been the closure of schools and tertiary institutions that has made to think towards adjusting teaching pedagogy and research craft.
During the course of these pandemic restrictions, the schools and universities around the world must be making strategic plans to show their resilience in terms of research and teaching that can make a meaningful difference in the years to come. This op-ed discusses the importance of Strategic Planning among Universities.
Strategic Planning
“Strategic planning is a management technique that helps organizations set future goals and objectives to achieve more stable and predictable growth” (Hall, 2013). This planning establishes the future roadmap by identifying the strength and weaknesses of the current institution to grow and excel in the future.
The provides a strong sense of directions and outlines the measurable goals. This includes strategic thinking to assess the constraints and evaluate the institution’s vision as well as a mission to strengthen the current practices to achieve your goals.
Recently, I got the opportunity to be a part of similar strategic planning at my employer’s platform. This was the College of Humanities and Education Workshop, [Fiji National University] co-sponsored by Civic leaders for Clean Transaction (CLCT)- Integrity Fiji. The relevant theme was “Facilitating Integrity in Research and Teaching & Learning predicated on Humanities and Education”.
This was only made possible by the thinking tank of the college’s Dean Prof. Unaisi Nabobo-Baba’s farsighted vision to get together with all academic leaders of college with HOS, HODs, and prominent leaders in their respective expertise to get together to discuss the issues of past researches profile and teaching and learning framework to lead the future years in line with FNU 2021-2026 strategic planning. Integrity Fiji reflected the values of CHASE: Care, Honesty, Authenticity, and Sincerity, led by Dr. Joseph Veramu to enlighten the constructive work done by their organization.
The opening remark was given by the Minister of Education, Heritage, and Arts [MEHA] Hon. Premila Devi Kumar on the theme of working together on “Quality Education and the Integrity of Teachers. MEHA’s expectations of the CHE, FNU and areas of mutual collaboration”.
Hon Excellency set the platform vision for the university to work in partnership with the ministry to mutually coordinate among each other as long-term strategic planning. Issues of quality teaching, Curriculum management, transition towards digital world, focus areas of research and teaching, versatile programs constructive discussion were held.
This shows the leader of the nation coming down to the University level to show their support towards the vision and mission of Fiji’s National University.
These workshops may be held in most of the institutions in Australia, the Pacific and across the world, they are finding new pathways for future academic growth. In regard to research profile, the researchers have not held back during a pandemic but they have transformed themselves into online data-based research where physical fieldworks were not possible.
They have used webinars, online research forums, e-conferences, and discussions to adopt a vision for research. Similarly, in teaching and learning, the tertiary institutions have developed their new curriculum without compromising on the quality. This has been a change from quantity to quality teaching and learning. These changes have set a milestone and made the world understand the life does not take a pause, it is always clicking.
Conclusion
A pandemic may have made things slow and halted the research, teaching, and learning processes, but strategic planning holds the key for making future goals that are enabled by the people to have local, regional, national and global influences.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Victoria has removed quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated international arrivals from 1 November as it powers towards its 80 per cent double-dose vaccination rate.
Fully vaccinated international travellers will be able to enter Victoria without spending 14 days in hotel quarantine as part of the Victorian Government’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan.
There will no longer be a cap on fully vaccinated returning Australians wishing to enter Victoria, and the opening of borders to Victorians coming home will reunite families and friends and boost states vaccinated economy.
International arrivals will need to demonstrate their vaccination status to the Commonwealth with a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
TGA recognised vaccines are:
Pfizer (Comirnaty) AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) Coronavac (Sinovac) Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India)
Arrivals will also be required to test negative to COVID-19 within 72 hours of their departure and will be required to undertake testing within 24 hours of arrival in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews says, “Victorians have achieved something incredible, and I couldn’t be prouder. Thank you, Victoria.”
“Today’s welcome news was made possible because of the hard work Victorians did to get vaccinated. With our first-dose vaccination rate at 90 per cent, we’ll open Victoria’s vaccinated economy – and we can’t wait to welcome the rest of the world,”
added Premier Andrews
In line with Commonwealth protocols, children under 12 arriving with fully vaccinated parents and people with a valid medical exemption will be considered fully vaccinated.
Any person who tests positive for COVID-19 once in Victoria, or their primary close contact, will be required to isolate at home just as in any other case in the community, while unvaccinated international travellers will be subject to mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine unless they can prove their vaccination status during their quarantine period.
Melbourne; Picture Source: @CANVA
International travellers in hotel quarantine as of 1 November who have had their vaccination status verified on the Australian Immunisation Register and who have returned a negative test will be released regardless of whether they have completed 14 days’ quarantine.
From 1 November, Victoria will cap the number of unvaccinated or unverified international travellers at 250 a week.
While Victoria is opening, international arrivals will still need to comply with Commonwealth visa requirements that currently restrict entry to Australian citizens or residents, unless there is an exemption.
As these changes are made, COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria will have an ongoing role in safeguarding the health of those in quarantine.
This includes international arrivals who don’t meet the new entry criteria, as well as frontline workers and the hundreds of other Victorians currently in CQV hotels because it’s unsafe for them to quarantine where they live.
The Commonwealth’s new quarantine facility at Mickleham is under construction and is on track for becoming operational in January to house unvaccinated arrivals, as emergency accommodation following natural disasters such as brushfires or for use in future pandemics.
With Victoria’s first-dose vaccination rate at 90 per cent and growing every day, these changes will help to return Australians come home safely while preserving the health system and ensuring Victorians can still get the healthcare they need when they need it most.
The date 1 November also coincides with the date Victorians will be permitted to travel internationally without having to seek an exemption from the Commonwealth Government.
Victoria came out of lockdown at 11.59 pm last night after hitting 70 per cent double-dose vaccination. The next milestone in the Roadmap will be when Victoria hits the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, which is predicted to be the first week of November.
If you haven’t had your first dose, please get it today. From now and until Sunday 31 October there are more than 140,000 first and second dose appointments available. Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their trusted GP or pharmacist.
Parents of Rekha and Senthil; Picture Source: Supplied
Friday morning bought good news for Melbourne residents Senthil and Rekha on two fronts. First, Melbourne is lockdown free and second, they will be able to reunite with their parents after a gap of two years.
From today, parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for a travel exemption, for travel to Australia from 1 November 2021.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the changes would reunite many families separated by the pandemic.
“For more than 18 months, many families with parents overseas have missed weddings, funerals, the birth of grandchildren, and other significant events.
I thank these families for their patience and their sacrifice over this period,”
Minister Andrews said.
In a Sydney program while announcing direct flights to the Indian capital New Delhi Prime Minister Scott Morrison reminded about the fact that how important it was for the Indian Australian community to reunite children with their grandparents.
Hello Delhi! For the first time in almost a decade, we’re flying direct to India. Flights from Sydney to Delhi take off before Christmas.
PM Morrison said, “I know, particularly in our Indian community, that (Uniting with parents) has been a very important issue for them, and I know that will be welcome, and Alan and the team will be flying them here with these wonderful new services going through Darwin. That’s great news for the Northern Territory as well.
Rekha is already collecting all the necessary documents required to apply the exemption for her parents.
My parents missed seeing the kids for almost two years given the International border closures. Having parents here creates such an excellent vibe for my kids and I get to relax a bit too
She told The Australia Today, “My twin boys are very eager to reunite with their grandparents.”
Minister Andrews rightly says, “With today’s change, parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents can reunite in Australia; they can once more hold their grandchildren and gather in-person to share life’s significant milestones.”
In line with Australia’s National Plan, as the national vaccination rate continues to climb Minister for Home Affairs intends to further ease travel restrictions over the coming weeks and months.
A variety of parental relationships are recognised for exemption, including biological, adoptive, legal, step-parent, and parent-in-law.
It is required when you apply for a travel exemption, you must provide the Department with evidence of your relationship.
Examples of evidence that you can provide
You need to provide evidence of your:
immediate family member’s Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or
immediate family member of a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia.
Evidence that you can provide include:
Australian passport, Australian citizenship certificate and/or Australian birth certificate
evidence of New Zealand citizenship and usual residency in Australia; and
you must provide evidence of your relationship to the Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen who is usually resident in Australia.
Parent of an adult Australian citizen or permanent resident can provide following as evidence for eligibility:
Evidence that your adult child is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, such as:
Evidence of your parental relationship with the Australian citizen or permanent resident, such as:
birth certificate
adoption certificate
marriage certificate
family status certificate or family book if officially issued and maintained.
Spouse
Examples of evidence that you can provide include:
marriage certificate or other evidence that your marriage is valid in Australia
evidence of a mutual commitment between the parties to the exclusion of all others, such as combined personal matters. This could include, but is not limited to, shared bank statements, loan agreements, utility bills, property contracts
evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship, including documents that verify the length of the relationship
evidence of a shared household showing that the individuals are living together, or don’t live apart permanently. This could include, but is not limited to, documents that show living arrangements or household bills are in both names
shared responsibility for care and support of children.
Parents of Australian citizens and PRs are now eligible to apply for a travel exemption, for travel to Australia from 1 November 2021. Applications can be made through the Department of Home Affairs Travel Exemption Portal: https://t.co/1RnEFvly5Vpic.twitter.com/ofgVQcw2Ns
Examples of evidence that you can provide include:
evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship over a substantial period of time, including documents that verify the length of the relationship
evidence of a mutual commitment between the parties to the exclusion of all others, such as combined personal matters. This could include, but is not limited to, shared bank statements, loan agreements, utility bills, property contracts
shared responsibility for care and support of children
evidence that the relationship has been declared to and accepted by other government bodies, public institutions and authorities, including the date it was declared
evidence of a shared household, the individuals are living together, or don’t live apart permanently, including the timeframe they have been living together. This could include, but is not limited to, documents that show living arrangements or household bills are in both names.
Dependent child
Examples of evidence that you can provide for children under 18 years of age include:
identity documents that prove the relationship between the dependent child and the Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen who is usually resident in Australia, such as a birth certificate
adoption papers or court orders, if applicable
proof of sole custody, if applicable.
Examples of evidence that you can provide for children who are 18 years of age or over include:
evidence demonstrating that the child who is 18 years of age or over is completely or substantially reliant on their parent(s) for assistance, including:
financial
food, clothing and lodging
medical and educational costs
evidence demonstrating dependence on parents has continued for a substantial period of time
evidence from a medical expert demonstrating dependence on parent(s), if applicable.
Parents and Legal Guardians of dependent children
A guardian, in relation to a child, is a person who has responsibility for the long-term welfare of the child and has all the powers, rights, and duties vested by law or custom in the guardian of the child, and may also have:
the right to have the daily care and control of the child, and
the right and responsibility to make decisions about the daily care and control of the child
Evidence in the form of your child’s birth certificate or legal documentation relevant to your case may be provided.
Things to consider when supplying evidence
When assessing exemption requests, the following information will not be considered in your favour:
false or misleading information and documents representing circumstances that never existed or no longer exist
inappropriate images.
Providing ineligible, irrelevant, unreadable, and/or duplicate information will delay the assessment process.
Information and documents should be written in English or accompanied by appropriate English translations.
Chat logs and/or social media posts may not, on their own, be enough evidence of co-habitation and may not prove a mutual commitment to an ongoing relationship. Applicants should consider providing other kinds of evidence to prove those matters.
Applications for a travel exemption can be made through the Department of Home Affairs Travel Exemption Portal, for travel to Australia from 1 November 2021.
Parents must also have a valid passport, visa, and proof of vaccination for travel to Australia.
However, all international travellers remain subject to state and territory quarantine arrangements of their disembarking airport.
Indian Australians at airport, Picture Source: Gaura Travels
International travellers from the UK, Europe, the Middle East and seven more countries, even if tested negative, will have to quarantine for at least a week
International borders are slowly opening up for travellers, students and workers, but there are still restrictions in place. While for some countries quarantine is mandatory even for fully vaccinated people, some countries exempt travellers from it on being presented a negative RT-PCR test.
The Union Ministry for Health & Family Welfare issued guidelines for international arrivals, based on the increasing evidence that new powerful variants of COVID-19 were driving the pandemic
There are two sets of guidelines. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for all international travellers and additional procedures for those coming from the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
Delhi-Airport; Picture Source: @CANVA
SOP for All International Travellers
Before travelling, the passengers must submit a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal and upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours prior to the scheduled travel. People who are travelling owing to a death in the family will be exempted from the RT-PCR test, but they will have to seek such exemption on the portal 72 hours before boarding.
Also, the travellers will have to give an undertaking on the portal or otherwise to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation saying they would abide by the appropriate government authority’s decision to undergo home quarantine/self-monitoring of their health as warranted.
On arrival, a thermal screening shall be done and passengers found to be symptomatic shall be immediately isolated and taken to a medical facility.
Delhi Airport; Picture Source: @CANVA
The passengers who are travelling owing to a death in the family will be prioritised for sample collection and allowed to exit the airport. Those who submitted a negative RT-PCR negative report on the portal will be allowed to leave the airport or take their transit flights.
Additional Procedures
Originally, only the travellers coming or transiting from the UK, Europe and the Middle East had to follow these additional procedures. Later, on August 31, 2021, a memorandum was issued to include South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe to the list.
Before travelling, people coming or transiting from the above-mentioned places will have to follow all the SOP other travellers will. Additionally, they will also have to declare their travel history for the past 14 days in the self-declaration form. They will also have to specify in the form if they plan to disembark at the arrival airport or take further flights to reach their final destination in India.
On arrival, the passengers will be additionally mandated to get a self-paid test done. Those taking connecting flights will have to spend a minimum of 6-8 hours at the arrival airport. They should book the connecting flights accordingly. The airport will make arrangements for passengers waiting for test results. Passengers can also book the test online on the Air Suvidha portal.
India Travel; Melbourne Airport; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Those exiting at the arrival airport will be allowed to leave after giving their samples and the IDSP will follow up with them.
Even if tested negative, the passengers will be advised to quarantine at home for a week. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has been tasked with following up with these passengers after a week and conducting another test. If again tested negative, they will be released from quarantine and asked to continue monitoring their health for another week.
If Tested Positive
If anyone is tested positive, either at the airport or during the home quarantine period or their contacts who turn positive, they will be taken to and treated in an institutional isolation facility coordinated by the respective state health authority. Also, their positive sample will be sent to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) Labs.
If the sequencing is consistent with the current SARS-CoV-2 virus genome circulating in the country, the person, if not a severe case, may be sent for home quarantine. But if the infection is severe, they will be treated at the facility.
Delhi-Airport; Picture Source: @CANVA
If the genomic sequencing indicates the presence of a new variant, the patient will continue to remain and be treated in a separate isolation unit. They will again be tested 14 days later and will be kept in the isolation facility till the sample is tested negative.
Co-passengers of the patients seated in the same row, three rows in front and three rows behind along with identified cabin crew will also be sent to institutional quarantine centres. They will be tested on the seventh day or early if they develop symptoms.
People arriving through seaports/land ports will also have to undergo the same protocol. And, travellers should also check the regulations of the destined state to be well informed about any additional requirements.
Image source: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg - screenshot.
The tech giant, Facebook, is planning to announce a rebrand that may result in changing its company name, according to The Verge.
This move, as per the sources, would see Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, put under an umbrella company with a new name.
It would be very similar to the structure of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.
The report says that Facebook’s founder and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, plans to discuss the rebrand at the company’s Connect conference on Oct. 28.
The rebranding follows explosive testimony earlier this month from a whistleblower urging lawmakers to regulate Facebook.
Image source: Former Facebook project manager Frances Haugen – Screenshot.
Former Facebook project manager Frances Haugen told a Senate subcommittee the social network “put their astronomical profits before people.”
To those news organizations who would like to move beyond an orchestrated ‘gotcha’ campaign, we are ready to engage on the substance. – John Pinette, VP Communications
“At the heart of these accusations is this idea that we prioritize profit over safety and wellbeing. That’s just not true.”
According to the news report, the rebrand is aimed at reflecting Facebook’s push into the metaverse.
Image source: screenshot Facebook.
The idea of Metaverse was first coined in a dystopian novel and is very popular in Silicon Valley.
Metaverse is a new way to connect people online leveraging augmented and virtual reality.
The Verge reports that the new name for the holding company could be linked to Horizon.
This word has been used in at least two virtual reality products that the company is developing.
Facebook is developing a social virtual reality platform called Horizon Worlds as well as a virtual-reality meeting service called Horizon Workrooms.
Image source: Shankha Basu, associate professor of marketing at the University of Leeds – Twitter.
Shankha Basu, associate professor of marketing at University of Leeds, told Reuters:
“Having a different parent brand will guard against having this negative association transferred into a new brand, or other brands that are in the portfolio.”
Mark Zuckerberg launched his company as Facebook 17 years ago.
Today it has just under 2.8 billion daily users and its shares have performed strongly this year, up 25% since January.
Earlier this month, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram went offline for five hours after routine maintenance went wrong.
In a statement, Facebook said, “it does not comment on rumors or speculation.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with India 1 billionth dose resipiant: Image Source: Twitter @PIB
In a landmark achievement, India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossed 100 crore doses on Thursday.
A total of 1 Billion (100 crores) vaccine doses have been administered so far to eligible beneficiaries, as per the CoWin portal of India on Thursday morning.
The feat was achieved in over 10 months of the starting of India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16. Today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “India scripted history” and expressed his gratitude to doctors, nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat.
“India scripts history. We are witnessing the triumph of Indian science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians. Congrats India on crossing 100 crore vaccinations. Gratitude to our doctors, nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat. #VaccineCentury,”
PM Modi tweeted.
However, the journey of the COVID-19 vaccine in India started soon after the first case of viral infection was reported in December 2019 in China’s Wuhan.
By March 2020, the world witnessed the collapse of numerous industries, closure of international and local borders, and disrupted global supply chain, after some of the biggest economies in the world were forced to go into lockdown.
Researchers worldwide raced against time to develop a vaccine against the deadly virus that was claiming the lives of millions across the globe.
As per a report of the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, as of December 2020, there were more than 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the development stage across the world, of which, at least 52 candidates were undergoing human trials.
To inoculate the country’s huge population of some 900 million people, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave the green light to Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine–Covishield (manufactured under licence by Serum Institute of India) and Covaxin (India’s indigenous vaccine developed locally by Bharat Biotech), on January 3, 2021.
In phase 1 of the vaccination drive which was launched on January 16, all health care and frontline workers were eligible to take jabs.
On March 1, the next phase of the inoculation programme started, making the population over 60 years, and those above 45-years of age with co-morbidities eligible for vaccination. The programme was extended to all above 45 years of age on April 1.
On April 13, the DCGI also approved the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine (manufactured under license by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories).
The national immunisation programme against the COVID-19 vaccine was expanded for the entire adult population, that is everyone above the age of 18 on May 1.
With this, India became one of the first countries in the world to allow all adults to seek a vaccine.
Since then, India has also granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to three other vaccines by Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Zydus Cadila.
On October 12, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the drug regulator also recommended granting an emergency use authorization to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children aged between 2-18 years as well.
The latest addition in India’s vaccines basket is Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D. The Ahmedabad-based pharma company announced has received EUA from DCGI for the country’s second indigenous vaccine, and the world’s first plasmid DNA vaccine–ZyCoV-D on August 20.
Indian Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the citizens of India on crossing 100 crore COVID-19 vaccination coverage and attributed the achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Congratulations India! This is the result of the able leadership of visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi. #VaccineCentury,”
Mandaviya tweeted in Hindi
PM Modi said, “Today, this day of October 21, 2021, has been recorded in history. The nation now has strong armour of 100 crore Covid vaccine doses to combat this biggest pandemic in 100 years. India has crossed the 100 crore vaccine dose mark sometime back.”
The Prime Minister further said that this achievement belongs to every citizen of India.
“I express my gratitude to all the vaccine manufacturing companies of the country, workers engaged in vaccine transportation, health sector professionals engaged in vaccine development,”
Prime Minister Modi added.
World lauds India’s landmark achievement of 100 cr COVID-19 vaccinations
Ravichandran Ashwin, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma were the standout performers as India defeated Australia by eight wickets in the warm-up match of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here at the ICC Academy Ground on Wednesday.
While Ashwin took two wickets, Rahul and Rohit played knocks of 39 and 60 respectively as India chased down the target of 153 quite comfortably. Suryakumar Yadav also chipped in with an innings of 38 runs.
Chasing 153, India got off to a steady start as openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma put together 42 runs inside the first six overs. Both batters stitched together an opening stand of 68 runs and it finally ended in the 10th over as Ashton Agar had Rahul (39) caught at the hands of David Warner.
Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav did not let the asking rate creep up, and the duo kept on registering boundaries at regular intervals, keeping India ahead. Both batters ensured that India does not suffer from more hiccups, and with the side 26-run away from the target, Rohit decided to retire hurt after playing a knock of 60.
Rohit Sharma; Picture Source: @BCCI
In the end, India registered a comfortable victory with Suryakumar (38) and Hardik Pandya (14) remaining unbeaten at the crease.
Earlier, Steve Smith and Marcus Stoinis played knocks of 57 and 41 respectively as Australia posted a total of 152/5. Opting to bat first, Australia got off to the worst start possible as David Warner (1), Aaron Finch (8) and Mitchell Marsh (0) lost their wickets cheaply. Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Warner and Marsh while Ravindra Jadeja sent Finch back to the pavilion, reducing Australia to 11/3 in the fourth over.
Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith then got together at the crease and the duo revived the innings for Australia. Both batters put on 61 runs for the fourth wicket, but as soon as Australia started gaining an upper hand, Rahul Chahar dismissed Maxwell (37) in the 12th over, reducing Australia to 72/4.
Marcus Stoinis then joined Smith in the middle and the duo accelerated the innings for Australia. Smith went on to bring up his half-century in the 17th over of the innings. In the final two overs, 21 more runs were scored and as a result, Australia posted a total of more than the 150-run mark.
Look out, off-spin bowlers! Australia's players tell us what they love the most about their calm (and sometimes grumpy) skipper, Aaron Finch #T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/hQShEGltUP
Brief Scores: Australia 152/5 (Steve Smith 57, Marcus Stoinis 41; Ravichandran Ashwin 2-8) vs India 153/2 (Rohit Sharma 60, KL Rahul 39; Ashton Agar 1-14).
Spoiler alert: we are not winning the global war on terror. If the past 20 years of fighting terrorism by military means have shown us anything, it is that going to war makes things worse.
The direct costs in terms of human suffering – lives lost, societies destroyed and trillions of dollars spent – are multiplied by unintended consequences and cascading problems.
Invading Iraq in 2003 created a vacuum quickly filled with violent insurgencies that led directly to the rise of the Islamic State and indirectly to a devastating decade of civil war in Syria. It did not make sense at the time and it certainly does not make sense now.
Launching a military campaign in Afghanistan weeks after the attacks of September 11, however, started out looking like a sensible response. Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda had planned and directed the attacks from the mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
It was there in the late 1980s, during the struggle of the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviet military, that al-Qaeda – “the base” – had been formed to support foreign mujahideen. The mission was to further radicalise and equip them to take jihad to the world.
The initial US special forces operation, which then Prime Minister John Howard insisted Australia join, had the goal of capturing or killing bin Laden and the al-Qaeda leadership. It also aimed to deny al-Qaeda a safe haven in Afghanistan to launch further attacks.
The Taliban regime that had come to power in Kabul five years earlier chose to protect al-Qaeda and suffered the consequences. Mullah Baradar and other Taliban leaders yielded power in Kabul in November, much more quickly than anyone had anticipated. They then staged a strategic retreat to insurgent mode.
In 2002, mission creep saw an international coalition doing what many said should have been done a decade earlier when the Soviets left. For a moment, nation-building seemed to be working, but then attention turned to invading Iraq.
Even without the distraction of marching on Baghdad and sinking into a rapidly expanding quagmire of our own making, pretty much every mistake in counter-insurgency and nation-building that could be made in Afghanistan was made. A brittle, corrupt, incompetent and highly centralised government in Kabul presented opportunities on all fronts to the Taliban insurgency.
Even after a massive military surge early in the second decade of the 21st century that saw 140,000 International Security Assistance Force NATO troops enter the conflict, the patient Taliban remained. Then, after the sharp drawn-down of international troops in 2014, the Taliban insurgency expanded.
Long story short, the war on terror, and fighting terrorism by military means, has been a largely unmitigated failure. Even in Africa, where failing states and jihadi insurgencies have demanded military responses, victories have been short-lived. At best, as in Somalia, they have resulted in costly stalemates.
Military interventions have been costly and counter-productive
This is not to say the struggle against global terrorism has been complete without result. Elaborate terror plots targeting cities around the globe, first by al-Qaeda and then by IS, have been defeated and prevented on an impressive scale. But this has been achieved primarily by police-led counter-terrorism intelligence operations, working with communities, intercepting communications in terrorist networks and disrupting plots.
Military successes, such as the destruction of the IS caliphate in Syria and Iraq, have come not only at an enormous cost but also as corrections to problems created by military interventions.
Not only that, the original success in defeating jihadi terrorism is also at an end, with the return of the Taliban and the success of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan project.
Developments in Afghanistan will be significant for at least three key reasons.
First, the triumph of the Taliban after two decades of struggle against the combined forces of NATO and the US is being seized on as evidence of divine approval for the global jihadist cause.
Ironically, although declaring a global war on terror proved to be a monumental mistake, jihadi movements such as al-Qaeda, the Taliban and IS are defined by their commitment to what they claim to be a holy war. That is why the success of the Taliban, after 20 years of struggle, resounds around the world. And that is why, for all of their post-victory rebranding and social media information campaign, the Taliban, as a jihadi movement, remains bound to al-Qaeda.
Second, the mountains of Afghanistan will once again become home to mujahideen from across Asia and around the world. Jihadi camps in Afghanistan will return to making a significant contribution to the recruitment, radicalisation, training and networking of new generations of jihadi fighters and movements in South-East Asia.
The mountains of Afghanistan will again become training grounds for jihadi terrorists from around the world. AAP/Australian Department of Defence handout
The Taliban regime in Kabul (or Kandahar) will, despite the Taliban’s existential commitment to global jihad, likely seek to distance itself from such camps. It will exploit plausible deniability, as it focuses on rehabilitating and reinventing its international reputation and securing the long-term viability of the Islamic emirate. This will potentially have the not insignificant benefit of restraining the Taliban from some of the brutal excesses of the past, particularly with respect to the oppression of women and the persecution of minority groups like the Hazara.
But it will also contribute to a third, more insidious challenge. As world powers like China and Russia, neighbours like Iran and Pakistan, and Muslim nations like Indonesia and Malaysia seek to engage with the emirate in order to moderate the Taliban regime, local Islamist groups will exploit the opportunity to push the boundaries of the permissible in South-East Asia. This is already on display with statements congratulating “our brothers the Taliban” from radical Islamist political groups such as the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).
The threat in southeast Asia
Over the past two decades, jihadi extremism with origins in the Afghan alumni – mujahideen trained and radicalised in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s, and groups formed in Afghanistan such as Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group – has been foundational to violent extremism in our region. This was amplified by a new generation of South-East Asian mujahideen returning from Syria and Iraq.
The stage is set for a new era of terrorist growth in South-East Asia and around the world. The IS motto of “remaining and expanding” rang hollow in the wake of the destruction of the caliphate.
Now, as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is set to eclipse the caliphate in scale and longevity, the jihadi catch-cry appears to have been met with divine vindication.
Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University
Over the past almost two years, Victoria, like so much of the world, has been engaged in the battle of our generation. Beating COVID-19.
With the state reaching the 70 per cent double dose vaccination milestone, victory is in sight.
I want to thank each and every Victorian for the incredible job you’ve done.
Again and again, Victorians have stepped up. Thank you to all Victorians who have had a double dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – and to those who have a first or second dose booked in.
I welcome Premier Andrews’ announcement to safely reopen as part of the National Plan.
Bringing down state borders and bringing down the international border.
Reuniting families and friends. Getting businesses going again. Firing up jobs.
And I look forward to the safe easing of more restrictions across Victoria as the vaccination rate continues to surge.
Victorians have sacrificed so much over the course of extended lockdowns.
Crucially, you’ve rolled up your sleeves, with a first dose vaccination rate of almost 90 per cent – that’s higher than the United Kingdom.
If Victoria was a country it would be the 12th most vaccinated in the OECD on first doses.
Having reached 70 per cent double dose – a critical early mark of the National Plan – you’re about to start reclaiming your lives.
It’s a new chapter, as you begin to open up safely. And stay safely open.
We’ll see relaxations for the fully vaccinated at restaurants, cafes, cinemas, gyms, religious gatherings, weddings, and funerals.
Children are heading back to school.
Next month, when the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target is met, Victorians will enjoy even more freedoms.
We’re taking our lives back.
And it’s been achieved by Victorians – and Australians and their governments from all states and territories – signing up to the National Plan.
Working together.
The Morrison Government rolled up its sleeves with significant vaccine supply and record economic support.
We have provided Victorians with more than 10.8 million COVID-19 vaccines, including almost 685,000 doses that were brought forward to deal directly with outbreaks
Our Government has provided Victorians with over $51 billion in economic support to date, the highest per capita support of any state.
Over $28 billion in JobKeeper Payments, over $5 billion in Coronavirus Supplement, and to combat the impact of Delta, over $3.7 billion in COVID-19 Disaster Payments and over $2.4 billion as our half of Business Support Payments.
We’ve saved lives and livelihoods the Australian way, and now Australians are reclaiming their Australian way of life.
Whether you’re in Victoria or NSW, Queensland or Western Australia, we can feel proud.
We have now administered more than 33 million vaccines around the country.
That’s over 85 per cent of eligible over 16s who have had a first dose and the 70 per cent double dose mark now also achieved nationally (70.01 per cent).
Australia’s double dose vaccination rate has surpassed the United States, and over the coming month, we are on track to overtake Israel, France, and Germany.
And with first doses administered to around two-thirds of 12 to 15-year-olds, thank you to all those parents and kids for responding magnificently to the challenge.
I can understand in Victoria how tough the lockdowns have been.
However, vaccinations are clearly winning the fight.
The vaccines are doing their job. The vaccines are working.
As a result, freedoms are very close for every state or territory that has at some stage been subject to lockdown, or for those states locked in and wanting to see loved ones interstate.
Planes are ready for take-off again, as we prepare to reignite international travel and bring Australians home.
All of this has been achieved by following the National Plan, and Australians getting vaccinated at record rates.
We understand that every state is starting at a different point, but we all want the same ending – to bring our country together again, and join the rest of the world.
I know all Premiers and Chief Ministers want this. It’s what the National Plan that we agreed to is all about.
For locked-down states, it’s been about winning freedoms back.
For others, it’s about protecting the freedoms you’ve been fortunate to enjoy by safely reopening as a nation.
But for everyone, it’s about getting back to living our lives as we once did, as best we can.
The vaccine supply is there for everyone. Right now.
So please, go and get your second jab. If you haven’t already, please get your first dose. Encourage your friends and family to also get vaccinated.
Victoria, you know this has been the battle of our generation. It’s been long and tough. There have been many sacrifices.
We can’t be complacent. We still have to take one step at a time safely and ensure we always put that safety goal first as we reopen our country.
So thank you again. For rolling up your sleeves, not just in terms of getting the vaccines, but for the sacrifices you’ve made and the resilience you’ve demonstrated.
And thank you to the thousands of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and health care workers who have cared for us protected us, and vaccinated us.
Let’s bring this home – that 70 per cent has to become an 80.
And most importantly, ensure that we are back together with our families, friends, and loved ones this Christmas.
Making this Christmas the best ever.
Written byScott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia
Police have identified the culprit behind the Comilla incident that sparked violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, according to a report published in Dhaka Tribune.
Image source: Twitter.
ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical.
We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice. pic.twitter.com/ZpHtB48lZi
The miscreants set fire to a Hindu house in Banik Para in front of Sultanpur Jayanti Sangh in Raozan upazila of Bangladesh this noon. pic.twitter.com/HUmKfu56h8
Seven people were killed, temples and puja pandals vandalized, hundreds of Hindus lost their homes and businesses following the Comilla incident.
In total, 101 Hindus religious sites were desecrated and 181 Hindu shops or establishments were attacked all in the timeframe of just 6 days.
Image source: Comilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Farooq Ahmed
Comilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Farooq Ahmed has told the local media that a man named Iqbal Hossain, 35 yo, son of Nur Ahmed Alam from the Sujanagar area of the city has been identified through CCTV.
Here is the CCTV footage of suspected culprit Iqbal Hossain
Iqbal Hossain, a Muslim, places Quran on Puja idol in Bangladesh.
– Several Hindus killed/raped in targeted violence – Hundreds of Hindu homes burnt down – Hindu businesses torched Hindu temples vandalised & set on fire – Durga Puja venues destroyed
In the CCTV footage, it was seen that Iqbal took the Quran from a mosque and walked to the Puja venue. Later, he was seen walking away with the Hindu God Hanuman’s club in his hand.
Comilla SP confirmed that Iqbal is absconding and could not be arrested as of Wednesday.
Image source: Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has earlier said that authorities had identified the person behind the Comilla incident.
“I hope the prime suspect in the Comilla incident will be arrested soon… he has been changing locations frequently to avoid getting caught. We’ll be able to unfold the Comilla incident once he’s arrested.”
Meanwhile, Dipu Moni, the most powerful minister of the Hasina government has hinted at Pakistan’s hand without taking its name. She told the media:
“These attacks were pre planned. It is very evident that foreign players are trying to conspire against us, sitting there. But, we have to be vigilant”.
"These attacks were pre planned. It is very evident that foreign players are trying to conspire against us, sitting there. But, we have to be vigilant".
Till now, police have filed four cases over the Comilla incident and arrested 41 people. The arrested includes four of Iqbal’s known associates.
Police arrested another person Md Foyez Ahmed, 41 yo, on October 13. He had posted a Facebook live from the Puja venue on that day.
Based on allegations of defamation of the Holy Quran at a Hindu puja mandap, violence broke out at several districts in Bangladesh during the Durga Puja celebrations.
Iqbal’s family stated that if Iqbal was really guilty, then he should be punished.
2020 Presidential candidate & former Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard, has condemned “hate and violence directed towards devotees of God in their temples in Bangladesh.”
(1) It broke my heart to see such hate and violence directed towards devotees of God in their temples in Bangladesh. For these jihadists to believe it’s pleasing to God to burn and destroy temples and the murti of such a saintly person … pic.twitter.com/ZJUzlJTGJq
Meanwhile, Twitter has suspended/deleted the official accounts of ISKCON Bangladesh and ‘Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council’.
Many people believe that this step was taken as they posted gruesome and horrific images and videos of violence against Hindus.
Image source: Twitter.
Many social media users have tweeted their disappointment on Twitter.
It is really appalling @twitter that Islamists mobs attacked the Iskcon temple in Bangladesh – for NO FAULT of theirs – and killed innocent ascetics and now you have taken away their Twitter handle, their one tool to tell the world about how they are being attacked! @jack
Well-known writer Tasleema Nasreen tweeted in astonishment “victim Iskcon’s account was deleted”!
Twitter deleted Iskcon Bangladesh account. All the accounts of jihadis who attacked Iskcon are not deleted but victim Iskcon's account was deleted! BD govt doesn't want the world to see the truth! So Iskcon became the victim of censorship & media became the victim of blackout.
The way ISKCON is organizing a global protest against the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, is amazing. I never thought they had such good network worldwide.
I had never seen any Hindu organization networking so well globally.
7000 devotees from several countries -Australia, France, South Africa, England, America, Russia, China, Italy, South Korea, Japan assembled at the global headquarters of ISKCON at Mayapur, Nadia to protest against the violence in #Bangladesh@RadharamnDas@iskcon@IskconKolkatapic.twitter.com/SRj6zH2V4g
“Officers attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command commenced an investigation yesterday [on Tuesday] after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident alleged to have occurred on Tuesday 12 October 2021,”
NSW Police said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Following inquiries, detectives attended a home at Manly about 9.20 am and spoke with a 51-year-old man. He has since been arrested and taken to Manly police station,” the statement added.
Mr. Slater was scheduled to be one of the Prime commentators for the upcoming Ashes series between Australia and England. However, this dogma of Domestic violence accused will not his case.
People close to Cricket Australia have hinted that it’s very unlikely Michael Slater will be seen in the commentary box this summer.
Slater played in 74 Test matches and 42 One Day Internationals for the men’s Australia national cricket team. During his test career which lasted for close to a decade, he smashed 5,312 runs before his 2004 retirement.
Susmita Dutta and Shruti Haldea; Image source: Apple Inc/Handout
Tech giant Apple unveiled its next line-up of MacBook Pro with new M1 chips, next-generation AirPods, and other products.
This was also the time for Apple to celebrate the contribution of its Indian-origin women techies.
Image source: Apple CEO Tim Cook – Apple.
Apple CEO Tim Cook set the tone of the show detailing its latest products and services during the ‘Unleashed’ event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.
Image source: Apple Unleashed – Apple/Handout.
The new M1 chips have helped propel Mac sales, which were up 32% to $26 billion in the first nine months of Apple’s fiscal 2021.
Image source: Apple’s Susmita Dutta – Apple Inc/Handout
After Cook, Susmita Dutta who is the engineering program manager for SoC (system-on-chip) for audio products, introduced the next-generation AirPods.
Dutta’s Linkedin profile says that she is a Madras University graduate in engineering and joined Apple nearly four years ago as a system test design lead.
Prior to this, she had worked at GE Healthcare for more than seven years as a lead system designer (ABUS Ultrasound) in California.
Image source: Apple’s Shruti Haldea speaks about the MacBook Pro – Apple Inc/Handout
After Dutta, Shruti Haldea from the Mac team joined the stage with top company executives.
She presented Apple’s new and all-powerful MacBook Pro with next-gen M1 chips.
She took the audience through the machine that is meant primarily for developers, filmmakers, creators, and innovators.
Haldea has been working at Apple for more than 12 years.
An MBA from Harvard Business School, she joined Apple as a global supply manager and became product line manager for Pro Mac in 2019.
In April 2021, Navpreet Kaloty had presented iMac at Apple’s ‘Spring Loaded’.
A Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo, Kaloty is an engineering programme manager at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.
This was a proud moment for Indian people and many took to Twitter to show their happiness.
Federal Multicultural Minister Alex Hawke is in the middle of a social media storm for allegedly omitting ‘material facts’ about Indian International student Vishal Jood’s departure from Australia.
Vishal Jood boarded a flight for India on Friday 15 October, after which Minister Hawke released a statement and wrote on his social media account on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. Many in the Indian Australian community believe the statement and posts were not in good taste and allegedly had many insinuations towards the Australian Hindu community.
First, let’s understand Vishal Jood’s saga.
Australia is home to over 50,000 Indian International students among which majority live in two big cities Sydney and Melbourne. A large number of these Indian international students come from the State of Punjab and Haryana.
People who have studied in Universities in India or Australia and lived away from home know most students have their own large groups based on like-unlike, University, course, region, religion, language, filmstar, cricketer and these days politics.
Here in Sydney within the last year and a half, two groups of students originating from the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana fought among themselves and with each other over “Girls and regional supremacy in India.”
Vishal Jood was also part of one such group, out of six fights Vishal’s group was involved in they were dominant in five fights and suffered in one of them.
These fights and their results became a matter of social media humiliation on “TicTok.’ Just like Bollywood movies, both groups were putting traps on lonely opposite side members coming back from University and work. One step further a honey trap was also drawn by a Punjabi origin group to lure a Haryanvi boy, which resulted in an online video of him being thrashed.
Late last year when the Indian government introduced ‘New Farm laws’ new groups emerged on the basis of their family support on the issue. It is very important to point out that a lot of Haryana groups were opposing Farm laws along with Punjabi groups.
However, when Khalistani elements of Sydney entered the protests on Indian Farm Law’s things changed for Haryanvi student groups. Haryanvi groups requested to keep protests against Farm laws rather than against India, But Khalistan supporters made it a point that protests be a tool to their propaganda against India and its elected government.
Khalistan supporters were disrespecting India tricolour in Canada, Britain, the USA, and Australia during Indian Republic day week. And the incident at Delhi’s Red fort disgusted most Diaspora members.
Indian Australian groups organised the “Tiranga Rally” to show their support for the Indian national flag in multiple cities of Australia. However, the Sydney rally got maligned by the nexus of actors from academia, media, and politics.
At the end of this rally, Vishal Jood was attacked by a group of people who were allegedly abusing India, the Indian Prime Minister, and the Indian flag. Video of this attack on Mr. Jood was circulated on social media.
The spin masters of Sydney Indian Diaspora with the help of a section of local media and few manipulative politicians painted the participants of ‘Tiranga Rally’ with some sinister motive.
There was no proof to their claims but still, their propaganda was treated as the only truth.
Vishal Jood was arrested and slapped with eleven charges by NSW police. Which made headlines in Australia as well as Indian.
Besides Vishal two other international students of Punjabi background were arrested by NSW police, they are also facing the same charges but no one cared to report on them.
Australian and Indian media claimed in their reports that Vishal Jood attacked Sikhs due to his religious hate. This was proved as a fake claim in NSW Court, Magistrate Price rejected any such charge.
“The learned magistrate did not accept that Vishal’s conduct was motivated by animosity towards Sikhs.”
Anyway, in a plea bargain, Vishal pleaded guilty to engaging in a fight that had nothing to do with the Sikh community but was a young boy’s street fight.
He pleaded guilty to being armed with a weapon (a baseball bat) with intent to commit an indictable offense and damaging property (the car window).
“The learned magistrate found that these offences were below the medium range of objective seriousness.”
Social commentators said that in Australia generally, such street fights result in nothing more than community service sentences but in Vishal Jood’s case, he was sent to jail.
Few media outlets still tried to portray that he pleaded guilty to attacks on Sikhs, they can potentially be sued for defamation.
Vishal Jood was released on the morning of 15 October 2021.
He was interviewed by Australian Immigration officers after his release. As at the time of his release Vishal’s Visa had expired Immigration officers offered him a ‘Bridging Visa’ so that he could get time to apply for an appropriate visa for himself.
Vishal Jood refused bridging Visa and told immigration officers that he intend to return back to India immediately. He was provided a Visa that legalised his status in Australia.
Vishal traveled to India from Australia while on that visa.
His Lawyer Barrister Amendra Singh told The Australia Today,
“Everyone should know that Vishal Jood was not deported from Australia.”
Australia’s Federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke is an MP from Sydney’s electorate of Mitchell. His constituency has a large population of Indian Australians both from Hindu and Sikh backgrounds.
What did Multicultural Minister Hawke say?
Minister Hawke issued a statement that read, “Attempts to undermine Australia’s social cohesion will not be tolerated.”
“I am pleased that this unfortunate event has seen our resilient local Hindu and Sikh communities unite. In particular, I want to thank community leaders who have worked hard to support their communities in the face of these unfortunate events. Their efforts to build cross-community unity and resilience against the attempts by a small minority to incite discord and disharmony have demonstrated the importance and benefit of our nation’s strong social cohesion,” the statement further reads.
A lot of Australian community members objected to this statement. One of them wrote on social media calling it “Casual racism to create social disharmony and drive a political wedge because they see votes in this dog-whistling.”
Minister Hawke didn’t stop there, he posted a link on his Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin account from a website whose story was full of inaccuracy about Vishal Jood’s case and departure from Australia.
Twitter account of Minister Alex Hawke
I thank community leaders who have worked to build cross-community unity and resilience against attempts by a small minority to incite discord and disharmony, demonstrating the importance and benefit of our nation’s strong social cohesion.
Federal Multicultural Affairs Minister Alex Hawke’s actions resulted in a social media storm of misinformation and accusations towards the Australian Hindu community.
Vishal Jood’s Lawyer Amendra Singh said, “It is incumbent on a Cabinet Minister issuing a statement to provide a complete, balanced and objective account of the issue he is communicating about.”
Mr. Singh also said Minister Alex Hawke’s approach to this issue is highly unusual. As Minister Hawke…
Tweets a link from private news portal carrying a picture of Vishal Jood.
States that Vishal was an unlawful non-citizen at the time of his arrest.
States that “attempts to undermine Australia’s social cohesion will not be tolerated.”
Refers to an “unfortunate event that has seen our resilient local Hindu and Sikh communities unite”
Here is are the screenshots of misinformation published in the article shared by Minister Alex Hawke.
Federal Multicultural Minister Alex Hawke has a responsibility and duty of care towards the Indian Australian community still, he chose to amplify factually and legally inaccurate information to his thousands of followers on social media platforms.
Vishal Jood receiving threats and abuse
Barrister Amendra Singhsays, “Hundreds have now joined the dots in the Minister’s tweets and are using it to conclude that Vishal was convicted of hate crimes against Sikhs and was deported because of this. He is receiving threats and abuse, and is being called names such as “terrorist.”
Mr. Singh says what the Minister omits to tweet is more significant.
That Vishal Jood was not dealt with by the court on the basis that his actions were motivated by animosity towards any community.
That Vishal Jood did not leave Australia because he was deported for committing criminal offences.
Only Minister Hawke can answer why he posted an article with inaccurate information on his social media accounts.
The Australia Today has seen a notice which Vishal’s solicitors have sent to Minister Alex Hawke inviting him to clarify his position.
The Australia Today wrote to Minister Alex Hawke for his response, he has not provided it at the time of publishing this article. We shall update the article once we receive his reply.
Image source: Dr Sunny Patel, Joy Basu, and Dr Aakash Shah - White House Fellows 2021-22 - Linkedin.
The US President’s Commission on White House Fellows has announced the appointment of 19 young emerging leaders as its class of White House Fellows for 2021-22.
This includes three Indian Americans: Dr Sunny Patel, Joy Basu, and Dr Aakash Shah.
Image source: White House – Wikipedia.
According to the White House:
“The prestigious White House Fellowship program embeds professionals from diverse backgrounds for a year of working as a full-time, paid fellow for White House staff, Cabinet Secretaries, and other senior government officials.”
The President’s Commission on White House Fellows described it as the most diverse class in the history of the programme.
Image source: US President Joy Biden – Wikipedia.
Selection into the program is based on a record of professional accomplishment, evidence of leadership skills, the potential for further growth, and a commitment to service.
Image source: Dr Sunny Patel – Linkedin.
Placed at the Department of Homeland Security, Dr Sunny Patel is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and public health physician.
He has an MD from the Mayo Clinic, an MPH from Harvard, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and physiology, respectively, from UCLA with college and departmental honors.
Dr. Patel has recently completed his fellowship at NYU and volunteered as a palliative care physician at Bellevue Hospital and his adult psychiatry residency at Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School.
He also launched a comprehensive mental health response for thousands of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheaded health interventions for vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad, including in India, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic.
Dr. Patel has served as a resident tutor in medicine at Adams House of Harvard College and his research has been published in numerous journals and informed policy initiatives, including work presented at the United Nations General Assembly.
Image source: Joy Basu – Linkedin.
Joy Basu from San Francisco has been placed at the White House Gender Policy Council.
Joy earned her BA in Public Policy and Economics from Duke University and JD and MBA from Stanford University with a certificate in public management and social innovation.
While at Stanford, she served as co-president of the Women of Stanford Law, as an Arbuckle Fellow, and as a leader of the Afghanistan Legal Education Project.
Earlier, she served as a senior adviser to innovative businesses seeking authentic and impact-integrated growth. She was also the first chief of staff at TPG Growth.
She has served as The Rise Fund’s global sector lead for food and agriculture; a consultant at McKinsey & Company; and a project manager to the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Agriculture.
She currently serves as a trustee for the Heifer International Foundation and a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Image source: Dr Akash Shah – Linkedin.
Dr. Aakash Shah has been placed at the Department of Health and Human Services.
He is a practicing emergency room doctor at Hackensack Meridian Health and has helped treat some of the earliest confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic in the US.
Dr. Shah also serves as the Director of Addiction Medicine and the Medical Director of Project HEAL at Jersey Shore University Medical Center as well as the Medical Director of New Jersey Reentry Corp.
He previously served as the Founder and Executive Director of Be Jersey Strong and as an adviser to several locals, state, and federal campaigns and policymakers.
The prestigious White House Fellowship program was created by President Lyndon B. in 1964, to give the Fellows first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal Government.
This open letter is written by an international student who is away from his family hasn’t seen them for years because of this situation and border closure.
He requests PM Scott Morrison to treat temporary residents with the same rules as Australian citizens and permanent residents.
“Dear PM Scott Morrison Sir, Do you care about an international student from India who is studying for 3 days and working the rest of the week vaccinating at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne to make the Australian community safe and help people on the way to their freedom?
Yes, I am talking about myself, my name is Ujjwal. I am an international student who hasn’t seen his mum for 3 years now. I am literally in tears writing this letter to you. Let me tell you what I do. My work is as an Enrolled Nurse Vaccinator at ***** Hospital, Melbourne helping in the COVID-19 clinic.
In the last few months, I have looked after so many people and interacted with them while vaccinating duties.
There are many people with multiple perspectives. Some drive me crazy when they say “throw the vaccine in the bin and update it in the system that you jabbed me.” Due to coronavirus circumstances, many people are mentally unwell as they share their stories with me.
At certain points, I also struggle with my mental health and consult with internal support persons. I am fully vaccinated and doing my part to help Australia in vaccinating community.
However, Respected Prime Minister sir, you made a statement that from 1st November all fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can travel anywhere in the world. What about temporary visa holders? Are we more prone to coronavirus than Australian citizens or permanent residents?
Why this discriminatory treatment to us?
I don’t think this is fair to a person who is working with no days off to help everyone to be safe and take them towards freedom from lockdowns.
“I also have family like citizens and permanent residents. I also have feelings for them. I am speechless now I don’t know, I can’t continue writing this as I am crying now.”
Sir, I get bruises on my nose and ears due to the mask and other PPE I wear for my 8-10 hours shift. I don’t mind these bruises and tell myself I am a healthy soldier and they are my badge of honor.
My mother who lives in a small village in India tells me over the phone, “Do everything to help your chosen country Australia to be proud of you.”
But, It looks like you are still not satisfied with our hard work or you just don’t care about us.
As I am in this situation so many other people are as well. That’s why I want to make all anti-vaxxers and protesters think about the health staff and families of those who suffered from this situation.
I want to say to them that there is NO CHOICE, you must be vaccinated to secure your jobs and to go out. DO NOT DELAY IT you need it today or tomorrow. Please understand, no matter what you need vaccines to be safe and free.
I urge each and every eligible Australian to get vaccinated as soon as possible do not delay and do not worry about side effects as COVID is worse than side effects.
And think about health care workers like me, if you just want freedom then we temporary Visa holders also want the same to see our mother and father. It will only happen when everyone is vaccinated.
I request everyone with my folded hands and the last word I would say is “LET’S GET IT DONE”
The New South Wales government has unveiled a record support package of $484.3 million for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Image source: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet – Twitter
In a statement detailing the record investment, Premier Dominic Perrottet said:
“Everyone has a right to live a life free from violence and abuse, a right that is far too often callously eroded by those who perpetrate domestic violence.”
Premier Perrottet announced a nearly half a billion dollars package which will be delivered over the next four years to achieve the following:
$426.6 million – to expand “Core and Cluster” arrangements and to deliver and operate an additional 75 refuges for women and children escaping domestic violence.
$52.5 million – to the Community Housing Innovation Fund partnership with community housing to provide about 200 sustainable and affordable houses for women suffering domestic violence.
$5.2 million – to trial dedicated support for accompanied children and young Australians – in two districts – at risk or experiencing homelessness.
In addition to counselling, legal assistance, education and employment support to women and children escaping DFV, the core sites mentioned in the plan will also provide meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment for court appearances, kitchen facilities and playgrounds.
Image source: Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor – Facebook.
Revealing that nearly 40 per cent of people who accessed specialist homelessness services in NSW from 2019-2020 has experienced domestic abuse, Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said:
“One of the most important things we can do in government is to ensure that when a victim-survivor makes the courageous decision to leave a violent home – a time when she actually faces the greatest risk – that there’s a secure, supportive environment waiting to help her.”
Image source: Mark Speakman – Twitter.
Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Mark Speakman said the trial – outlined in the package – would help support an additional 3,200 children and young people who he said were often the silent victims of DFV.
Image source: Chair of Domestic Violence NSW Annabelle Daniel – Twitter.
Chair of Domestic Violence NSW Annabelle Daniel welcomed the NSW government’s investment.
“We are pleased to see this new funding announcement recognising the urgent need for refuge supports in rural, regional and remote area and across NSW.”
NSW Police are called to more than 140,000 domestic and family violence (DFV) incidents per year.
Meanwhile in Australia, on average one woman is killed every nine days by a former or current partner.
Fabindia, an Indian traditional garments retailer, faced severe backlash online for its latest Deepavali collection called ‘Jashn-e-Riwaaz’ (celebration of custom).
Image source: Wikipedia.
This new collection has also been featured by the popular magazine Vogue.
“As we welcome the festival of love and light, Jashn-e-Riwaaz by Fabindia is a collection that beautifully pays homage to Indian culture.”
The advertisement depicted several male and female models donning sarees and kurta pyjamas.
Image source: Fabindia – Twitter.
Many social concentrators said that with missing bindis and tilak on the foreheads of the models, one thing is clear that Fabindia is not celebrating a Hindu festival but it’s secularised version.’
Puzzled also by their aversion to bindi – none of the models in that Jashn-e-Riwaz ad are wearing bindi. Don't they know – a bindi completes a look like Jerry completes Dorothy.
A woman's forehead without bindi is like mysorepak without ghee or sambar without drumstick. WDTT https://t.co/H0CjlXFtaR
Few even claimed it is a deliberate attempt to appropriate Hindu festivals by a lobby that is working in India and overseas to undermine everything Hindu.
Wow @FabindiaNews great job at de-Hinduising Deepawali! Call it a ‘festival of love and light’, title the collection ‘Jashn-e-Riwaaz’, take Bindis off foreheads of models but expect Hindus to buy your overpriced, mass produced products in the name of ‘homage to Indian culture’! https://t.co/S47g1ArUbB
Some users pointed to FabIndia’s audacity of not even mentioning the word Diwali or Deepavali in their latest promotional campaign.
In fact, they just referred to it as the ‘festival of love and light.’
Image source: Tejasvi Surya, Twitter.
Indian ruling political outfit Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader and National President of BJP Yuva Morcha (Youth Wing), Tejasvi Surya, took to Twitter and objected to the clothing brand’s ad campaign.
Deepavali is not Jash-e-Riwaaz.
This deliberate attempt of abrahamisation of Hindu festivals, depicting models without traditional Hindu attires, must be called out.
Image source: Chairman of Manipal Global Education, Mohandas Pai – Twitter.
Chairman of Manipal Global Education, Mohandas Pai, also slammed the brand for its choice of words.
“Maan you do not get it! Use of Alien terms for a Hindu festival is a deliberate attempt to take away our heritage and subvert it! You can use any brand name you want post-Diwali but at this time, linking it to Diwali shows a perverted mindset!”
Australian Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra, PM Scott Morrison; Picture Source: Facebook @ScoMo
NSW government advice to new Premier Dominic Perrottet is that Australia needs two million migrants over the next five years.
This was revealed by an Australian newspaper that had accessed a “top-secret, politically sensitive” advice written by top NSW bureaucrats.
Image source: Premier Dominic Perrottet – Twitter.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Perrottet confirmed he wanted immigration increased.
“I think that’s important – I’m somebody who believes in a big NSW, I think that provides greater opportunity and prosperity for people right across the state.”
The advice prepared by the Department of Premier and Cabinet as part of an incoming premier’s brief encouraged “an aggressive resumption of immigration levels as a key means of economic recovery and post-pandemic growth.”
The document further stated:
“An ambitious national immigration plan similar to Australia’s post-World War II approach would ensure Australia would benefit from skills, investment and population growth.”
This explosive post-World War II-style immigration is needed to rebuild the economy and address labor shortages as NSW emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image source: Peter Shergold, chancellor of Western Sydney University – website.
Peter Shergold, the Chancellor of Western Sydney University, told AFR:
“There is a need to return to higher levels of migration across the board, both in terms of skilled migration and being more generous to people coming in under specialist humanitarian visas and, indeed, international students returning on temporary visas.”
Image source: Dick Smith – screenshot.
However, speaking to Sky News businessman Dick Smith said it was a “ridiculous” plan.
“No one wants 100 million, it’s an arid country, we’d be crazy to go to that size.”
Image source: Simon Kuestenmacher, Co-Founder & Director at The Demographics Group – Screenshot.
Simon Kuestenmacher, Co-Founder & Director at The Demographics Group, told 3AW Drive that this intake can work on just one condition.
“Infrastructure growth must keep pace with population growth. And we haven’t done this.”
The NSW government’s advice advocated for a “doubling” of pre-Covid immigration levels for the next five years.
Mr. Perrottet clarified to reporters that the first priority was on bringing home stranded Australians and then international students.
“What’s the next stage after returning Australians? You move to tourism and you move to labour, and immigration will be a key focus.
I want to have those conversations with the federal government as quickly and as early as possible. The earlier we have those discussions the brighter our future will be.”
Net overseas migration reached 240,000 in 2018-19, before falling sharply to around 194,000 in 2019-20.
Australian shares rallied for a second week in a row with travel stocks taking off after New South Wales announced the resumption of international travel from 01 November.
With COVID 19 restrictions starting to ease and the US entering into earnings season with solid profits from Morgan Stanley and Citi group it seems that the capital markets are picking up steam as we head into the Christmas period.
A heavily oversubscribed Judo Bank was also welcomed positively by the investors as ASX recorded its first week-on-week gains since September. The SME lender is listing on 01 November and set a record in bidding value.
The announcement by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet also put a spring up in travel stocks with Flight Centre jumping 3.77%, Regional Express rallying 6.12%, Webjet gaining 4.05%, Corporate Travel Management lifting by 2.69% and Qantas rising 1.97%.
Qantas also added that it would also bring forward the restart of its international flights by two weeks to November 1.
Even though Prime Minister Scott Morrison somewhat spoiled the party by clarifying it would be only Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family members who would be allowed in, rather than tourists, students and skilled workers, it did not reduce the momentum.
The travel stocks in Australia have been rising for a couple of months in Australia anticipation of the opening of international borders and we believe they may continue their journey North as more and more restrictions are eased.
The week also saw a rise in mining giants BHP and FMG as iron prices continued to firm again. Rio Tinto however missed out on rally and dropped after posting its third-quarter production results and downgrading its full-year Pilbara shipping guidance. Rio Tinto also cut guidance on iron ore production in Canada.
The banks also recovered after dips in the week before. With inflation being the talk of the town any increase in interest rate rise should be beneficial for banks and thus we can see any dips in banking prices to be quickly bought up by investors looking to bag a blue-chip stock on discount.
The investors will be keeping a close watch on banking stocks with three of the four banks reporting annual results end of this month, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia will provide its quarterly update in November.
Moving forward continuing progress in the battle to contain COVID-19 infections and opening up further will be vital in helping to continue the market momentum.
In regards to gold, it was another week of aggressive swings. A dip in US Dollar Index and falling Treasury bonds helped gold gain ground during the start of the week. As the week closed, however, gold’s historical investment function, as a hedge against inflation, returned to relevance to pull the yellow metal down.
With investors lacking conviction during the start of the week gold found buyers around $1760 region and briefly went above US$1800/ounce. However, a rebound in US bond yields as the week closed and a surprise increase in September retail sales dented traders confidence in the precious metal.
As per Phillip Streible, chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures in Chicago ‘Gold has everything going against it. Real rates are rising, equities are higher, so is Bitcoin.”
Reduced stimulus and talks of interest rates rise also go against the bullion as the opportunity cost of holding the precious metal goes up. Moving forward, investors will be keeping a close eye on the physical gold market and hoping that the festival season in India will bolster the demand for gold and in return flip the prices back up for gold.
Oil extended its gains for an eighth consecutive week, to reach new multi-year highs. The eight straight weeks of gains also marked the longest streak of weekly gains for the black gold since 1999.
Image source: mines.gov.in
A massive shortage of coal and natural gas in Asia and Europe has left the power plants reluctantly having to choose crude oil over natural gas. This is a pattern not seen in over a decade and a stark reversal from the foregone conclusion of natural gas being the preferred fuel for power generation.
The current increase in oil demand from power producers has further squeezed the already tight oil supplies. With OPEC nations in no hurry to increase oil prices, Valendara Energy Partners have forecasted that crude oil prices to test US $90 level or higher by next month.
Given the rise in natural gas prices recently they believe even if crude oil prices climb above $100 per barrel, they would still be more economical than natural gas. Thus exerting upward pressure on oil prices.
Many analysts believe that even if oil output is further ramped up in the coming months the oil market will remain undersupplied by roughly 1 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter. With Northern Hemisphere entering into the winter months this should continue to boost oil prices shortly.
In regards to the local currency, the Australian Dollar rallied for a third consecutive week as investors were buoyed by easing COVID restrictions.
Despite another disappointing Australian labour market report, the commodity-based currency was able to capitalise on increasing risk sentiment. The labour report might have been disappointing, however, the traders were looking at the future and with Australia now unwinding restrictions and moving forward with reopening we should see more upward movements in the Aussie dollar.
Having said that the situation remains fluid as COVID cases continue to be on the rise. A reintroduction of lockdowns in case the delta cases explode could derail the optimism. The Australian currency is one of the most sentiment sensitive currency can be left vulnerable if lockdowns make a comeback.
Moving forwards traders of Australian currency will keep a close eye on Chinese GDP data, due this week. China is Australia’s largest trade partner and softer growth for China negatively impacts the Aussie. Having said that power crisis in Asia has meant that China has started to buy Australian coal again. While Australia is also capitalising on coal demand from India to combat power shortages.
For the Indian currency, the week has not been as positive. While the Rupee did make a mild gain against the US Dollar on risk-on sentiment, it fell against a basket of other currencies such as the Euro, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar and Pound Sterling.
As per the data released by the government, India’s trade deficit widened to record levels in September, reaching $22.6 billion as crude oil and gold imports surged.
The widening trade deficit however has currently been cushioned by an inflow of foreign funds in the stock market and IPOs in India, thus keeping the Reserve Bank of India calm.
However, rising oil prices continue to impact the Indian currency. India has about 77% dependency on oil imports and rising oil prices have resulted in Rupee falling about 3.3% against the US Dollar since 1st September. Other major Asian currencies have depreciated only about 1% against the greenback during the same period.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the cryptocurrencies surged for the second week in a row to go past the $2.5 trillion mark after expecting to green light from the US regulator.
Bitcoin blazed through the US $60,000 and hit highs of $63,000 on Saturday before falling back slightly. It however was enough to move the combined cryptocurrency market to over $2.5 trillion, thus returning to its May peak.
With Bitcoin, Ethereum and most other altcoins rocketing higher, the analysts are predicting a ludicrously strong rally through the rest of 2021.
As per Nick Spanos, creator of Bitcoin Centre NYC and co-founder of Zap.org, Bitcoin is expected to hit $100,000 before the end of the year. Mr Spanos also expects Ethereum price to more than double to between US$10,000 and $20,000.
Last week also saw Ripple, move back over the US $1. XRP has endured major losses recently and has amassed immense hate from the SEC. It was also shown the door by many exchanges. Despite this, the citizens of the UK invested heavily in Ripple. As per a report published by Finance Magnate, Ripple was the most sought after cryptocurrency in the UK, followed by Cardano.
In agricultural products prices of wheat has continued their record march higher as drought fears in the Northern hemisphere continue to bite. Iran placed an order to buy a record 8 million tonnes of wheat after its domestic crop was hit by drought.
Bread is a staple in Iran and jumps in food imports and high global grain prices are expected to hit the country finances hard. The country is currently suffering its worst drought in 50 years and continue to reflect global food security concerns fuelled partly by economic hardships caused by COVID.
With supply in Russia also hit by drought-like conditions, and the arrival of La Nina conditions the food prices across the globe are now at their highest in 46 years.
September 2021 was Earth’s fifth warmest September since record-keeping began in 1880. This also brought with it drought-like conditions in Russia and Canada, two of the largest wheat producers in the world. As such the 2021 harvest is not expected to meet consumption requirements in 2021/22 thus keeping the price for food grains higher in the foreseeable future.
Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs his own business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone interested in starting on their trading journey on how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.
Disclaimer:
The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.
We strongly recommend that you perform your independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.
It is reported that the skit was performed by first-year MBBS students near the hostel quadrangle at the AIIMS campus on the occasion of Dusshera.
In the contentious skit’s opening act, the student playing Bhagwan Ram could be heard as saying: “I am committed to Sita for life. If you (Shurpanakha) are so lustful (tharki), here is my brother.” A girl playing Shurpanakha goes on to objectify Laxman on the tune of a popular Bollywood song: “Tu cheez badi hai mast mast.“
ONE MORE PART of same Patheic Play of Delhi AIIMS by Soyeb Aftab. SHAME ON @unacademy For sponsoring this Vile Anti Hindu Mockery of our Holy Book Ramayan. Is this the kind of education that is being taught to students at #Unacademy ?? #AntiHinduUnacademypic.twitter.com/vE6lls1TTq
While the actors mocked the Hindu epic of Ramayana, AIIMS students watching the skit merely cheered and hooted in unison rather than standing up and stopping the disrespectful act.
Many social media users demanded strict action against the students for the ‘disrespectful portrayal’ of Hindu gods and goddesses.
AIIMS Student Association apologised in a tweet:
“A video clip of a Ramlila skit done by some students of AIIMS has been circulating on social media. On behalf of the students, we apologise for the conduct of this skit which was not meant to hurt anyone’s sentiments. We will ensure that no such activity takes place in the future.”
The first-year student who played Bhagwan Ram in the mockery of Ramayan released a video apologising for his “childishness.”
“I and all of us want to apologise and assure that something like this will never happen again. It is being said that the AIIMS is Hinduphobic and that here Hindu festivals are not respected which is not true.
We celebrate all Hindu festivals here with grandeur….so it’s not true that we are against Hindus. We respect all our gods and goddesses.”
The student who played Ram in mockery of #Ramayan made at Delhi #AIIMS. If everyone was disappointed and angry on you about that skit then how and why did you people upload it to YouTube? Despite being a Hindu yourself why didn't you feel a little bit of regret before doing it? pic.twitter.com/kkfljMB562
Hindu Festival of Karva Chauth: Picture Source: @CANVA
Victoria is set to hit its 70 per cent double dose vaccination target in the Roadmap nearly a week early as a result significant restrictions are set to be eased.
Premier Daniel Andrews says this week state will hit a significant milestone on the Roadmap, with 70 per cent of Victorians 16 years and over having received both their vaccine doses.
At the movement, Victoria’s first dose vaccination rate is at almost 90 per cent,
From 11.59 pm on Thursday 21 October, Victoria will move forward in opening up and more restrictions will be eased. Festivals which you will be able to celebrate with friends and family at home.
Karwa Chauth on Sunday 24th October Ahoi Ashtami on Thursday28 October Dhanteras on Tuesday 2nd November Choti Diwali- Kali Chaudas on Wednesday 3rd November Diwali- Laxmi Pooja on Thursday 4th November Govardhan Pooja on Friday 5th November Bhaiya Dooj on Saturday 6th November
Up to 10 people (including dependents) per day will be able to visit homes in both regional and metropolitan Melbourne.
To ensure this is done safely, it’s highly recommended that Victorians only permit people aged 12 years and over who are fully vaccinated to visit them at home.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “Victorians have sacrificed so much to protect their families, friends and the whole community from coronavirus – and have saved countless lives because of it.”
“The milestone we’re about to hit marks a new and hopeful path for the whole state – allowing businesses to reopen and Victorians to get back to things they love.”
In metropolitan Melbourne,
The curfew and the 15km travel radius will be lifted, however, movement between regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne will only be allowed for permitted reasons. This is to ensure Melburnians don’t spread the virus further into regional Victoria while we push to our 80 per cent double vaccinated target.
People in metropolitan Melbourne must continue to work from home if they can. Anyone on the authorised workers’ list is required to have had at least one dose of the vaccine in order to work on-site.
Childcare will be open to children who are already attending, as well as children whose parents or guardians are fully vaccinated.
The return to school plan will also be brought forward in line with the rest of these settings, with the start of the staggered return of Grade 3 to Year 11 in metro Melbourne commencing on Friday 22 October.
Religious gatherings, weddings and funerals: Will be able to take place with up to 50 people outdoors and 20 people indoors subject to density limits and only if all attendees are fully vaccinated. Or, if vaccination status is unknown, 10 people are permitted indoors for funerals, weddings and religious gatherings.
Most outdoor settings – outdoor cafes, cinemas, and physical recreation facilities like pools – will open with up to 50 people per venue but are subject to density limits and only for those fully vaccinated.
Indoor settings – Restaurants and cafes will be able to reopen with up to 20 people indoors with density limits, and only if all attendees – including workers – are fully vaccinated. This is a higher cap than planned in the initial Roadmap and the change has been made after discussions between the sector and the public health team.
Large scale construction sites will increase to 100 per cent capacity but only if all workers are fully vaccinated.
Masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors for all Victorians.
In regional Victoria:
Indoor settings – like restaurants, cafes and gyms – will increase from 10 to 30 people per venue, if everyone is fully vaccinated.
Outdoor venues will increase from 20 to up to 100 people per venue, but only if everyone is fully vaccinated. If vaccination status is unknown, the venue can only have a total of 20 people.
The next milestone in the Roadmap will be when Victoria hits the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target, which is predicted to be the first week of November.
Minister for Health Martin Foley said “The rate at which Victorians have been getting vaccinated is nothing short of incredible, but if we want to ensure our health system isn’t overwhelmed and our hospitalisation rates aren’t too high as we open up, we need to keep that momentum going. Today is the day to book that vaccine appointment.”
If you haven’t booked your appointment, please book it today. Over the next week, there are 52,465 first and second dose Pfizer appointments available, 6,244 first and second dose AstraZeneca appointments available and 15,477 first and second dose Moderna available. Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their trusted GP or pharmacist.
Sikhism Rejects Caste System, Sikhs Follow; Picture Source: @velivada
Let us venture to dwell on this caste malaise prevalent in the Sikhs, both in India as well as abroad. It is noteworthy that the origin of Sikhism started with their Gurus from Nanak Saheb to the tenth Guru Gobind Singhji aka Gobind Rai Ji.
Guru Nanak Ji (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539) was the founder of the lineage or religion of Sikhism; was born in the Hindu Khatri family of the Bedi clan and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He preached equality of all humans including women and irrespective of any societal discrimination.
When in the Middle East, the West and the rest of Asia – slavery, varna/class and race discrimination was rife and respect between the different classes and caste was at low ebb, Guru Nanak preached against discrimination and prejudices due to race, caste, status, etc. More at: http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak
The tenth Guru was Gobind Singhji aka Gobind Rai who ultimately laid the foundation of “Khalsa Panth (the Granth and the Panth)” and had also declared that the Holy Book called “Guru Granth Sahib” will be their final Guru and guide from now on, i.e. after his departure; there will be no more human Guru. This is their ‘Panth’ i.e. the ‘path’ to follow.
The meaning of Khalsa translates to “Sovereign/Free”. Another interpretation is that of being ‘Pure’. A Sikh who has been initiated into the Khalsa is titled Singh (males) and Kaur (females) and commonly referred to as Amritdhari.
Guru Nanak Ji (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539) Picture Source: @CANVA
Sikhs believe that no matter what race, sex, or religion one is, all are equal in God’s eyes. Men and women are equal and share the same rights, and women can lead in prayers.
The traditions and philosophy of Sikhi were established by ten specific gurus from 1469 to 1708. Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion.
It is noteworthy that Guru Nanak was born in the era when the cruellest and barbaric Mughal invader Baaber aka Baabur was repeatedly inflicting his tyrannical atrocities to expand his empire in the Indian subcontinent from present-day Uzbekistan. Baabur also had a great passion to kill people, cut heads of people and create pillars out of the cut head. He claimed to have created several such pillars in his autobiography. More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babur
Prof. Baldev Singh ‘Panthi’ has expressed it fairly well in his long researched essay in these words, “The issue of caste in Sikhism is quite complex, always inviting a diversity of impassioned opinions. One thing we can be certain about is that Guru Gobind Singh had abolished all caste inequality with the inception of Khalsa on 13 April 1699 and with the institution of Khanday-Ki-Pahul or the Baptism of Sword.”
Golden Temple, India: Picture Source: @CANVA
“Faithful Sikhs do not practise caste discrimination but this is not to say that all Sikhs necessarily act following their faith. Consequently, the caste does exist in Sikhism, though in a diluted form than found in the rest of Indian society.”
“But at the outset one thing can be confidently stated which is that there is no clearly defined caste hierarchy in Sikh society, leave alone a vertically ordered one. Any layperson or author giving a clearly ordered Sikh caste hierarchy is himself mistaken or is purposefully misleading others.”
This statement is self contradicted by Baldev Singh himself in his same article. We shall refer to it later. As regards misleading is concerned, it is the same concern that has prompted me.
Sikhism and beginnings of Caste curse:
During those days in Asia as well as in Europe, the local kings and rulers used to fight among themselves for most of the time on one or the other pretexts. This was also the case in the lifetime of the evolution of Sikhism in just less than a century and a half of the lives of their ten Gurus.
Prof. Baldev Singh ‘Panthi’ has written a long document elaborating extensively on the castes in Sikh society. Here are some extracts from his essay.
“…the Sixth Guru and his successors found that most of the Rajputs of their time were only interested in petty fights and intrigues and had all but abdicated their responsibilities as Kshatriyas. While they toadied up to the Mughal rulers to protect their petty fiefs, they not only did not defend the rank and file of the Hindu society but were often themselves engaged in the oppression of lower caste Hindus.
Sant Ravidas ji; Picture Source: Dalit Sikh Panth De Rakhe
Having failed to get the desired response from Rajput rulers after prolonged diplomacy and persuasion, the tenth Guru finally decided to institute a new Order in which each initiated Sikh could play the role of all the four castes. As a Shudra, a Sikh is to believe in the dignity of labour. As a Vaishya, Sikh is meant to engage in commerce with honesty and work for the prosperity of society. As Kshatriya, the Sikh is meant to carry weapons and not shy away from a just fight. And finally, as a Brahman the same Sikh – who has simultaneously all varnas in his being – is to recite Sri Guru Granth Sahib and also play a priestly role whenever needed.
… Fighting for both one’s life and faith was the greatest need in the era of Gurus. Therefore, the Kshatriya part of Sikh’s identity got more highlighted in Sikh society but it does not mean that the Shudra, Vaishya and Brahmin aspects of his personality were to be devalued. The dignity of labour is the cornerstone of the Sikh faith and Maryada (prestige or honour). Each Sikh is to take pride in doing service or Seva.”
It is this very assertion by Baldev Singh that is self-contradictory to his earlier boastings above as regards the caste issue. At the same time, it also proves my contention that Sikhs were forced to bifurcate out from their Hindu community to protect them from the atrocities by invading Islamic plunderers and nomadic barbarians. It is certainly disappointing to see that the same class of people who once acted as protectors of Hindus have become disaffected and turned their back against the parent society.
All of the Sikh Gurus were born in the Khatri caste. Guru Nanak’s father Mehta Kalu was also a shopkeeper and he tried his best to make his son follow his caste profession of shopkeeping.
Baldev Singh further extends his apologia, “The reasons for such petty arguments about each others’ relative social status are unfortunate and are to be seen in the backdrop of the colonial era when the trading castes like Khatri and Baniya were perceived to be usurers and exploiters of the misery of indebted farmers from these landowning and agricultural castes. British policies also played some role in fostering already existing schisms among the Indian castes.
For some reason, British army recruiters considered all of these mercantile castes unfit for military service. Khatri Sikhs were sometimes recruited when they happened to have taken up farming and sometimes because of their knowledge of Pashto, which came in handy to the British to deal with the unruly Pathans… While Bhatias mostly did not even find a mention in recruitment manuals of Royal Indian Army, the Aroras were contemptuously dismissed with comments… by the likes of Barstow: “The Arora, whether Sikh or Hindu, is generally unsuited for military service, and men of this class should never be enlisted except under special circumstances.”
Professors Niranjhan Singh and Baldev Singh ‘Panthi’ have both done extensive research on this sensitive issue of castes in Sikhs as well as they also mention its ramifications in other religious communities e.g. Muslims and Christians. However, the work done by Baldev Singh appears more extensive than Vis a Vis Niranjhan Singh. Both have given their detailed accounts in their separate works independently. Both of them have first segregated the various major castes in Sikhs; then enlisted the various subcastes in alphabetical order.
It counts in thousands and is mind-boggling.
It is bewildering that in Sikhism, which is now claimed to be a religion, in such a short period of mere three centuries, the caste in Sikhs is far more deep-rooted than Hindus. Baldev Singh has tried to extend various excuses, apologias and causes for this caste practice in Sikhs; hideously incriminating the British Raj politics also. It certainly was a major factor indeed.
Baldev Singh and Niranjhan Singh have painstakingly tried to enumerate the groups and subgroups in Sikhs, which will be briefly elaborated on herewith.
Various castes and subcastes in Sikhs:
Sikh castes have been grouped under nine major heads altogether with thousands of further subgroups. Anyone interested in detailed bifurcation is requested to ctrl+click on the hyperlinked names which direct to their respective webs with extensive names of various castes and subcastes.
As originally enunciated by Guru Nanakji, it should have been a casteless society. By the time of Guru Gobind Singhji, only in a span of one hundred and forty years, it became imperative for the last Guru Gobind Singhji to accept and perpetuate the four Varna systems as enunciated in ancient Hindu tradition which got corrupted over the time.
Baldev Singh mentions a debate on castes in Sikhs and states, “There has been a vibrant debate within the Sikh Panth on the issue of the caste since late 19th century. Generally, this debate has been shaped by two broad lines of argument.” (1) Castes Exist But All Castes Are Equal. (2) Caste Should Not Exist At All.
Who would disagree on it?
This is a helpless cry towards an indirect debilitating apologia while accepting the caste malaise and suggesting remedies simultaneously. But the remedies have been tried by the Hindus also over centuries, if not millennia; nay there have been painstaking hard societal battles fought by many Hindu socio-political and religious reformist leaders with sincere intention to eradicate it without any fruitful results.
The causes have been both intrinsic as well as extrinsic from the vested interests of the few powerful institutions or individuals or groups whose benefits were/are linked in its perpetual maintenance. The interests may have been either direct fiscally linked or predatory conversions indirectly or for continuing the clandestine rule by divide et impera.
Thus the very existence of caste and its multipronged bewildering subdivisions in small Sikh and Jewish communities could be a very good module to study, first the existence of castes; next to evolve the effective means to eradicate it.
Caste and subcaste groups in Sikhs:
I have been able to access two leading Sikh scholars on this issue; I shall try to briefly touch on their descriptions separately. Both are going to overlap each other slightly.
Professor Niranjhan Singh: Anyone wishing to peruse details of his descriptions is requested to peruse the hyperlinked name. He states the various castes under the following heads.
1. Brahmin surnames: Under two alphabets B and R – 2castes
2. Kshatriya surnames: Under alphabets A, B, C, K, M, S – 21 castes
3. Jatt surnames: Under A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y, – 949 castes
4. Ramgharia surnames: Under B, C, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, S, V – 42 castes
5. Chimba, Darsi, Thank-Kshatriya and Halvyi surnames: Under B, D, G, J, N, T, V – 9 castes
6. Chamaar, Lohaar and Churrah surnames: Under B, D, G, K, R, S – 20 castes. This section also has one separate group with ‘M/L i. e. Moonlighters’ who are counted as a higher class in this otherwise low caste group.
It totals 1043 (One thousand and forty-three) names of castes.
Niranjhan Singh thinks that Gobind Singhji abolished the castes in Sikh communities and it restarted from the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Missls (from the Persian word “misl” meaning “similar” or “alike” generally refers to the twelve sovereign states in the Sikh Confederacy). However, his statement is at variance with the view held by Professor Baldev Singh ‘Panthi’.
Baldev Singh feels that the four castes/Varnas were started by Guru Gobind Singhji. He thinks that caste was banned by Guru Nanak Devji from its very inception. But for certain reasons beyond his control, Guru Gobind Singh himself created this system in Sikhs during his lifetime like the four Varnas in Hindus as explained earlier.
Professor Baldev Singh ‘Panthi’ states in the introductory section of his essay under the section of “Major Sikh Castes and Subcastes” e.g. Arora, Khatri, Ramgarhia, Jat, Saini, Kamboh, Mahton, Chhimba, Mohyal, Chamar, etc. Each caste has its sphere of influence and specialization (same as in Hindus – Author). The order of castes… has been randomly mentioned one before the other.
Commercial Castes: Arora, Khatri and Bhatia Sikhs
Aroras and Khatris
In the cities, Khatri and Arora dominate the sphere of business activities. Khatri and Aroras are essentially identical caste and are primarily a caste of traders, shopkeepers and accountants. Sometimes people belonging to these castes are called “Bhapa Sikhs”.
Bhatias
Another minor Sikh commercial caste is that of Bhatias. Bhatias claim origin from Bhati Rajputs who had taken to shopkeeping.
Zamindar and Agriculturist Castes
Following Sikh castes are essentially agricultural and landowning castes: Jat, Kamboh, Mahton and Saini. In the estimation of the British, only these Sikh castes were temperamentally and physically suited for active military service and warfare like the hardy Scottish Highlanders back home who also made excellent soldiers. The glorious Sikh Regiment, the most decorated regiment of the Indian Army, consisted of these castes primarily, although Labanas and Kalals were also sometimes recruited.
Artisan Castes
Ramgarhia is also a prominent Sikh caste. According to McLeod, the present-day Ramgarhias are a caste formed by the merging of Nais (barbers), Raj (blacksmiths) and Tarkhans (carpenters). They are primarily expert carpenters and blacksmiths.
Brahman Sikhs
Brahman, supposedly the highest caste among Hindus, does not have the same rank in Punjab, especially among Sikhs. In rural areas, most of them are ordinary farmers and generally not as prosperous as Jats, Mahtons and Sainis etc. They also used to work as cooks in villages… In the urban area, they also do shopkeeping.
Nomadic and Wandering Castes
Another caste within Sikhs worth mentioning is that of Saansis. It is not a Sikh caste with significant numbers but they have produced one of the greatest Sikh personalities, i.e. Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This is a caste of vagabonds and gypsies. They claim origin from Bhati Rajputs and were enlisted as a criminal tribe by the British.
Labana is another Sikh caste. They were considered to be akin to Banjaras or gypsies but a considerable number of them are also settled in agriculture. Labanas engaged in agriculture are also called Labana Jats.
Service Castes
Among the Dalit caste groups are prominent ones –Chamars and Chooras. Both communities are called Mazhabi Sikhs. The word Chamar is derived from Charmakar or leather tanner. They used to be expert shoe-makers. Some poor men and women of this caste also work as labourers on the farms…
Discrimination against them as stated before unfortunately still exists in Sikh society. For this reason, Mazhbi Sikh brethren are extended reservation as scheduled caste in India. Mazhbi Sikhs have in the past made a sterling contribution to Sikhism both as mystics and soldiers.
Bhagat Ravidas belonged to the Chamar caste but is accorded the highest respect in Sikhism with his poetry being included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. In recent times Sardar Buta Singh is a well-known Mazhbi Sikh politician.
Baldev Singh makes a detailed dissection and the above extract does show the real menace on account of castes in the Sikh community. Here is a brief list of the Castes he further dwelt upon in his next section in Sikh Caste Names.
2. Jat Sikh subcastes: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y – 995 castes. This group is the largest of all, perhaps due to their agriculture profession.
9. Saini Sikh subcastes: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, S, T, U, V – 193 castes
All these numbers add to a staggering figure of 2643 (Two thousand six hundred forty-three). This is no mean figure. Thus this menace of caste curse is as bad in the contemporary Sikhs as it is in any other society. It should be noted that Baldev Singh spells ‘Ramgarhia’ while Niranjhan Singh has spelt it ‘Ramgharia’ and both are the same except for the individual variant in its spelling. Perhaps my inclination would be for Baldev Singh’s spelling.
It is pointed out that Sikhism is only a toddler in religious history. Jews are only a few million in number and are fighting for their establishment in Israel; yet both have, more or less, been stung by the hornet of castes. One only needs to stretch their imagination to think of an order vibrantly flourishing since times immemorial, for countless millennia despite being persecuted from time to time by rapacious savage profligates of barren deserts and beyond.
Author: Dr O. P. Sudrania
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
This article was first published in The Chakra and we have republished it with their kind permission.
Filed Under: Dharmic Insight, Hinduism Tagged With caste all religions, casteism, castes, castes in all religions, Hindu castes, Hinduism, religion castes, Sikh caste, Sikh castes
Faf du Plessis’ 86-run knock backed up by a spirited bowling performance helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 27 runs in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
With this, MS Dhoni’s lineup won the IPL trophy for the fourth time, having previously won the tournament in 2010, 2011, and 2018.
Chasing 193, KKR got off to a rollicking start as the opening duo of Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill put on 55 runs inside the first six overs.
Iyer continued with his form and he brought up his half-century off just 31 balls in the 10th over of the innings. It seemed like the opening stand was finally broken by Ravindra Jadeja as he had Gill caught, but the replays showed the ball hit the ‘spider-cam’, and hence it was deemed as ‘dead ball’ and the batter got a reprieve. At the halfway mark, KKR’s score read 88/0.
We are the Chennai boys… Making all the noise… Everywhere we Gooo…
— Chennai Super Kings – Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) October 15, 2021
However, Iyer (50) was finally sent back to the pavilion in the 11th over by Shardul Thakur and the 91-run opening stand came to an end. In the very same over, Nitish Rana was dismissed for a duck, and KKR was reduced to 93/2, still needing 100 runs for the win from 54 balls.
The next to fall for KKR were Sunil Narine (2), Shubman Gill (51), Dinesh Karthik (9), and Shakib Al Hasan (0) and the innings quickly derailed with Eoin Morgan’s side left at 120/6 in the 15th over, still needing 73 runs for the win. In the end, the task proved too much for KKR, and CSK ended up winning the IPL 2021 title.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis brought his A-game to play a knock of 86 runs and help CSK post a total of 192/3 against KKR.
Sent into bat, CSK got off to a steady start as openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis put on 50 runs inside the first six overs. During this course, Gaikwad went on to leapfrog KL Rahul to become the leading run-scorer in this year’s IPL.
The much-needed breakthrough to KKR was provided by Sunil Narine as he dismissed Gaikwad (32) in the 9th over, ending the 61-run opening stand.
Faf du Plessis continued on his merry way and he completed his half-century in the 11th over of the innings with CSK nicely poised at 97/1. Robin Uthappa scored 31 off 15 balls and he proved a perfect foil to Faf and the duo put on 63 runs for the second wicket.
However, Narine once again got among the action as he dismissed Uthappa in the 14th over, reducing CSK to 124/2.
Moeen Ali next came out to bat and he also played the very same way and KKR bowlers were left searching for answers. In the final three overs, CSK managed to add 39 more runs, taking the score past the 190-run mark. For Dhoni’s side, Moeen remained unbeaten 37.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad held the Orange Cap, while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowler Harshal Patel took the Purple Cap in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 24-year-old Gaikwad registered a total of 635 runs in 16 matches in the IPL 2021. On the other hand, the 30-year-old Harshal scalped 32 wickets in 15 matches of this IPL season. During the course of this season, Harshal tied the record of CSK bowler Dwayne Bravo of taking the most wickets in a single IPL edition.
RCB ended its IPL 2021 campaign in third place with 18 points on the points table. RCB lost against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Eliminator game of IPL 2021 on October 11.
Brief Scores: CSK 192/3 (Faf du Plessis 86, Moeen Ali 37*; Sunil Narine 2-26) vs KKR 165/9 (Shubman Gill 51, Venkatesh Iyer 50; Shardul Thakur 3-38).
Indian International student who entangled in a vicious conspiracy of Khalistan supports in Sydney will finally be united with his mother.
Sources have confirmed to The Australia Today that Vishal Jood is onboard a flight to Singapore accompanied by two Australian Border officers for his safety.
One of the officers who was closely working on the case told The Australia Today on the condition of anonymity that Mr Jood was immediately sent back to India as per the legal requirements.
Vishal Jood was lodged in a Sydney jail after he was accused by Khalistanis, He was released from custody earlier today.
Vishal Jood: Picture Source: The Australia Today
“Vishal Jood’s lawyer Amendra Singh from @OpalLegal tweeted, “I am pleased to advise that Vishal Jood is currently onboard a flight to India.”
The Australia Today has reported how Khalistani elements attacked Indian International students including Vishal Jood for opposing insulting Indian tricolour.
Ravi Jood brother of Vishal told The Australia Today, “My mother is looking forward to seeing him as he is the eldest son who fought for the pride of India.”
“This Diwali will be special, our whole village is preparing to welcome him. We will decorate every house to showcase our respect for Vishal.”
Sandeep a social activist told The Australia Today, “We are organising three welcome programmes for Vishal Jood on Sunday, 17 October.”
We will start from Panipat, the second stoppage will be Karnal and finally reach Kurukshetra for a community meeting where Vishal will expose Khalistani conspiracy.”
In a most barbaric and shocking incident, the body of a 35-year-old unidentified man was found near the main stage of protesting farmers at Singhu Border near Kundli in Haryana’s Sonipat district.
The man was brutally murdered, his left wrist chopped off and his body left hanging from a barricade near farmers’ protest site.
This is at Singhu border today
Thanking Nihangs who k!lled this man for allegedly insulting Sikhism, Nihangs saying let's bu₹n Modi along with Raavan.
These hooligans are there to protect constitution? Peaceful protest? Law and order?
The incident has caused outrage among the various farmers’ groups who were initially not allowing the police to visit the protest site.
The officials of the Kundli police station were allowed to take the body to the nearby civil hospital.
Image source: Twitter.
According to available reports, the Nihangs beat the young man to death for allegedly on suspicion of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikhs’ holy book.
Nihangs who are considered armed groups within the Sikh religion are being accused of murdering the young man.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), umbrella body of over 40 farmer unions leading the agitation against the three new farm laws, distanced itself from the entire incident.
Earlier this year in March, two police officers were seriously injured in a brutal incident in Sur Singh village of Punjab’s Tarn Taran district.
Image source: YouTube.
According to police, this confrontation had erupted after police received information that two Nihangs had entered the area after carrying out a murder in Maharashtra.
In this incident, the Nihangs attacked the cops and were shot dead eventually.
The Kundli police have not yet commented on the gruesome incident that has just happened at Singhu border.
Nihang Sikhs MURDER a youth at SINGHU BORDER
They first chopped his hands, then beheaded him, then hanged him in front of the entire so called Farmers protest. pic.twitter.com/hzaq4pq89Y
However, this incident has taken the social media by storm.
As always people in India are hopeful that the really perpetrators will be soon arrested by the police. However, they are asking who will bring to justice those masterminds who have enabled this lawlessness under the ruse of farmers’ protest?
The real freedom for NSW residents comes from 1 November. NSW Government will remove all quarantine requirements and caps for overseas arrivals who the Federal Government recognises as fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine.
The NSW government has not provided advice about testing requirements for arrivals. However, Health authorities will be provided with a separate guideline about it in the coming days.
Fully vaccinated travellers already in quarantine will also complete their quarantine requirements on November 1, even if it is less than 14-days.
International travellers who are not fully vaccinated will be capped at 210 people per week and will be required to undergo mandatory 14-days hotel quarantine.
However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has clarified this opening of unrestricted International travel is only for Australian citizens, Permanent residents and close family members.
Travel within NSW:
Travel between Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast) and Regional NSW will also be permitted from 1 November, to allow people in the regions more time to receive their second vaccine.
To support regional businesses likely to be impacted by this change the NSW Government will defer the second taper of the JobSaver program until October 31.
“Eligible regional businesses will receive 30 per cent of weekly payroll, before tapering payments to the scheduled 15 per cent from November 1.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the easing of restrictions and return of overseas travellers would help reunite families and be a significant boost for the economy.
“We have reached this vaccination milestone quicker than anyone thought we could, and that is a testament to the hard work of people across the State turning out to get vaccinated,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Welcoming back fully vaccinated travellers will not only mean families and friends can be home in time for Christmas, but it will also give our economy a major boost.”
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the tough decision had been made to delay travel between Regional NSW and Greater Sydney, by 1 November, it’s expected more than 77 per cent of regional LGAs will be fully vaccinated.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres welcomed the 80 per cent reopening and recognised it as an important step on the road to recovery.
“We are opening up locally and we are opening up to the world. Now is a time for people to come together in a safe way whether it be returning home from overseas or enjoying your favourite local venue.”
All premises continue to operate at one person per 4sqm indoors and one person per 2sqm outdoors.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW community had done an extraordinary job to reach the 80 per cent double dose vaccination target and was leading Australia out of the pandemic.
“The people of NSW have pulled together to achieve this fantastic outcome and bring us closer to life as we knew it before the pandemic, but we’re not there yet,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We can’t forget that COVID is still circulating amongst us in NSW and we need to keep getting vaccinated to push the double dose rates even higher. We want to get as close to 100 per cent double vaccination as possible to keep everyone safe.”
NSW residents will still need to comply with COVID-Safe check-ins and provide proof of vaccination to staff in most settings.
More restrictions will be relaxed on 1 December, as previously announced in the Reopening NSW Roadmap.
To find out how to download a copy of your vaccination certificate visit the Services Australia website. If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
For the latest information and to view the 80 per cent Roadmap and lifting of restrictions, visit nsw.gov.au
Khalistani's attack Hindu leader Yogesh Khattar's business in Sydney; Picture Source: The Australia Today
President of New South Wales Arya Pritinidhi Sabha Yogesh Khatar’s business in Sydney’s North Mead is allegedly attacked by Khalistani elements.
Mr Khattar told The Australia Today, “I generally work till late at my business but left a little early yesterday. looks like the attackers didn’t find me so angrily destroyed our vehicles.”
But why would someone attack a Hindu leader?
The story goes a few months back when violent Khalistani elements of Sydney attacked Indian International Students for opposing their propaganda.
Mr Khattar helped and supported one such student Vishal Jood to fight his legal case who got entangled in a conspiracy of Khalistani elements.
After a successful plea bargain, Vishal Jood is supposed to be released from NSW Prison on 15 October and the whole Khalistani gang is angry about it.
Mr Khattar told The Australia Today, “On Wednesday 13 October afternoon I received a call from NSW Police Multicultural liaison officer about a video floating on a social media platform.”
“I told her on the phone that I had no idea about any video and have not seen it.”
“This video apperently had appeal for a ‘Victory rally’ on Vishal Jood’s release. And surprisingly it had my picture and phone number,”
added Mr Khattar.
“I am mostly aware of what’s going on in the community but if other community leaders and I didn’t know about this video that means someone has purposely made it to malign the Hindu community,” explained Mr Khattar.
Mr Khattar told NSW Police’s multicultural community liaison officer that he had no plan to organise any victory rally however requested her to look into who has uploaded and who were circulating such a video.
Representative Picture of NSW Police; Picture Source: @NSWPOLICE
After consulting with his lawyer Mr Khattar has already filed a Police complaint about maliciously using his phone number and photo in the alleged video.
“These Khalistani elements are vicious, they plan, plot and execute to propagate their hate-filled agendas. This time they tried to trap me the way they did to Vishal Jood,”
said Mr Khattar.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the story.
Mr Khattar suspects the ‘extremist Khalistani gang’ is doing the mischief and targeting him to physically harm.
Representative Picture of Khalistan; Picture Source: @CANVA
Ramesh Singh (name changed) is a Hindu community activist in Sydney. He told The Australia Today, What if these people would have found Yogesh Khattar at his business and attacked, their agenda to spread hate and animosity between communities would have been successful.
This fear is not unfounded, Khalistani elements have attacked multiple Indian International students in Sydney who opposed them during the peak of the Farmers protests in India. Many are still being investigated by NSW Police.
Representative Picture of NSW Police; Picture Source: @CANVA
Mr Khattar says,
“I and my family are living in fear of an imminent attack. I suspect my business was also attacked by the same Khalistani group.”
Parramatta Police Commander had a meeting with Mr Khattar this morning where he was assured that extra vigilance will be done and Petrol car frequency will be increased around his business.
Police Commander has also deputed an IT team to urgently look into the digital footprints of the Video.
Ramesh Singh says unless NSW police take strict action against these extremist Khalistani elements community will not feel safe.
Indian men's hockey team clinch bronze, win medal after 41 years; Picture Source: Hockey India
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningobam has written to International Hockey Federation telling that Hockey India is disappointed with the reaction shown by some of the national associations on Indian athletes being handed by FIH Hockey Stars Awards.
Earlier, International hockey’s European bloc, led by the Belgium federation, criticised the sport’s global governing body (FIH) and its voting system over the choice of winners for this edition’s FIH annual awards where Indian players swept the top honours across different categories.
Mr Gyanendro Ningobam said in a statement, “I write to you today on behalf of the Hockey India Executive Board that is very disturbed by the reaction of some National Associations and athletes to the announcement of the Indian nominees as the winners of the recently announced FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2021.”
“We believe that the public statements of displeasure at the announcement of the Indian winners is highly disrespectful and not in the spirit of sportsmanship and the sport of Hockey,”
said the Hockey India President in his letter.
The Indian athletes and Coaches were nominated by a panel of their peers and are just as deserving of the awards as any of the other nominees. The criteria for the selection of the winners of the awards were clearly shared with all National Associations including Hockey India along with the nominees.
‘Hockey India made great efforts to ensure good participation across all categories from our country and now feel publicly penalised for the full-hearted participation and support of the Indian nominees,” he added.
FIH Hockey Stars’ ceremony handed out awards to Gurjit Kaur (FIH Player of the Year, Women), Harmanpreet Singh (FIH Player of the Year, Men), Savita (FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, Women), PR Sreejesh (FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, Men), Sharmila Devi (FIH Rising Star of the Year, Women) and Vivek Prasad (FIH Rising Star of the Year, Men).
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) October 6, 2021
“It is disappointing that the Belgium Federation would prefer to question the voting system and the legitimacy of the Indian winners then actually take responsibility for not encouraging more voting and supporting their athletes in the first place. There is no doubt that any of the nominees would have been suitable winners however the voting system has been clear from the start and those that had put in the effort to vote have made their preferences clear,” wrote Ningobam.
“The core of the matter is that these national associations need to first introspect to see their actual level of participation and interest right from the start instead of now questioning the system once results are announced not in their favour. lt has already been stated by FIH that the Asian continent facilitated by the Asian Hockey Federation was very active in ensuring their “National Associations” vote counted,” he added.
Hockey India President also said that it is quite shameful to see European Hockey Federation sitting quiet and not taking any responsibility for the lack of seriousness in voting.
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) October 6, 2021
“lt is shameful in contrast that the European Hockey Federation is sitting quiet and not taking responsibility for the lack of activation and seriousness in voting by that their Member Associations while also allowing their athletes and Member Associations undermine the results and showing disrespect to the winners,” said the Hockey India President.
The Indian athletes have legitimately won the polls, in most cases across all three categories yet the shine of winning has been totally undermined by such negative comments by fellow athletes and National Associations. ls it fair that the hard work and efforts of these athletes are being scrutinised and they are being put through such harassment and mental intimidation because they and their National Association made a full commitment to the market and promote themselves,” he stated further.
Congratulations to all winners of the Women's Awards! #HockeyStarsAwards
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) October 6, 2021
Signing off, the Hockey India President stated: “We are with this letter requesting the FtH CEO, Thierry Weil to either kindly request the Belgium Federation to issue an official public apology for the demeaning comments on the achievements of the Indian athletes and coaches on social media and if not then refer this matter to the FIH Governance Panel for a thorough investigation into what is discrimination.”
AFIC describes itself as the peak group representing Muslims in Australia.
Image source: AFIC website.
AFIC was holding the event on Saturday (16th October 2021 at 5.30 pm ADST) to discuss the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Muslim diaspora.”
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the extremist outfit Taliban’s official name for their country amid the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces.
Australians have raised concerns over this online session and condemned AFIC for supporting it online.
These events cannot be ignored. Such subtle lobbying to humanize the Taliban (by an Aus gov funded org) is not only appalling but a threat to Australian security too. It also sends a message that women's rights/equality aren't respected with 0 women participation. @m_culturalnswpic.twitter.com/fBa1zuKlOg
Hi @ACNC_gov_au, are charities allowed to provide platforms to government representatives who have terrorised their way into power, who do not allow girls to go to schools, women to work and are not recognised by Australian government? – @AFIC_Islam is hosting such an event.
A senior member of the Muslim community told The Sydney Morning Heraldthat this event “throws the whole Muslim community under the bus just to get some attention.”
This is absolutely disgusting @AFIC_Islam that your all male “stellar” panel includes 2 men that actively espouse & support terrorism. Your board should resign. There should be no place for this opportunity to spread this ideology. #auspol#pve#natsec#aficpic.twitter.com/Zfbd8WrWqH
It’s outrageous & very much alarming to Ausie Muslims & the future of Australian security. If Taliban sheer violence can inspire potential violence in the US, don’t be surprised if @AFIC_Islam followers r inspired to take it to Australian streets one day. https://t.co/qLQlbeViKM
— Jawad Zawulistani | جواد زاولستانی (@zawulistani) October 13, 2021
Over 150000 signatures. Please add your name to demand an apology for all Australians for the heartless AFIC attempt to platform the Taliban in Australia on Facebook. https://t.co/u4tCFRhyeK
“AFIC has brought together a stellar panel of speakers for an online forum on the future of Afghanistan and our role regardless of whether we are in favour or against recent developments.”
Image source: Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari – AIIC.
Among the “stellar speakers” were AFIC’s President Rateb Jneid and Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari.
“What is the Afghan community doing in silencing this event and having it cancelled? How can we let another corrupt organisation like AFIC give these terrorists a platform?”
Some have cliamed to even reported AFIC’s event to the National security hotline.
Image source: NSW Labor’s police and counter-terrorism spokesman Walt Secord – Twitter.
NSW Labor’s police and counter-terrorism spokesman Walt Secord has called the online event “irresponsible.”
Speaking in the NSW Parliament, Secord said:
“This event looks like a road map to radicalisation. I am absolutely disgusted that any organisation in Australia would provide a platform to the Taliban and their primitive views.”
Image source: One Nation Leader Mark Latham – One Nation.
One Nation Leader Mark Latham told Sky News it is “completely unacceptable” that the AFIC is promoting such a forum.
“Australian soldiers lost their lives combatting them, they seem to be unrepentant in terms of the sort of discrimination and oppression they force upon their own people in Afghanistan and we don’t want those messages coming into Australia.”
He added that “Someone’s got to step in and bring some common sense to it.”
Image source: Nazeem Hussain – Wikipedia.
Well-known Australian comedian Nazeem Hussain commented on a Facebook post promoting the event:
“Ummm … Is AFIC hosting a Zoom call with the Taliban? Or is this a joke post?”
Broadcaster Justin Smith told Sky News that the Taliban speaking at an AFIC event is “not a free speech issue.”
“These are some of the worst people in the world. This is a little bit like if a Christian organisation decided to get three members of the KKK to speak at an event.”
AFIC Chief Executive Officer Keysar Trad has defended the event citing the ‘Taliban’ as the recognised government of Afghanistan.
“Our members have serious concerns about and for the future of Afghanistan. We have many members who are Afghan-Australians and they want to hear directly about what the future holds.”
He further claimed that the vast majority of community members support this online event.
Recently, a group of 80 Indians who live in New Zealand either on migrant or student visas staged a protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
In a tweet, the protestors claim that despite paying thousands of dollars and having a valid work visas, Indian offshore migrants are fighting for their rights.
“Because The PM of New Zealand @jacindaardern and Immigration Minister keep ignoring these migrants for more than 19 months.”
For the past 18 months, these people have been stranded in India as New Zealand has suspended travel from India due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Image source: NZOffshoreMigrants – Twitter.
The group is led by Jagdeep Singh who worked at a healthcare logistics company in New Zealand.
Jagdeep Singh has been stuck in India since 2020 following a family visit with his newborn daughter.
“I had come with my wife and daughter after the baby’s birth, but then got stranded here due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, our temporary visas expired, and now neither the Indian nor the New Zealand government are helping us return to our homes.”
Jagdeep Singh told the media that all of those who returned to India for various personal reasons are now in a similar situation.
“Many of the protesters are students who are unable return to complete their education. Our entire lives, work, properties, everything is there,” said Mr Singh.
“Eighty per cent of people’s temporary visas have expired in the last one year, and the New Zealand government has closed all offshore file processes,”
added Mr Jagdeep Singh.
The protestors have written to written to both the Indian and New Zealand governments but but no one has bothered to resolve their problem.
Image source: NZOffshoreMigrants – Twitter.
Rini Mohandas has tweeted that due to the delays in opening borders between India and New Zealand, many migrants and students’ visas have expired.
“Many of us visas are expired including split families, post study wrk visas due to border closure for no reason. Other valid visa holders are stuck. We are suffering for mor than 20 months now.”
Another protestor, Harpreet Singh, has tweeted to the leaders of India and New Zealand highlighting his despairing situation.
“Life is destroyed, disturbed and depressed due to corona virus.”
In his tweet, Pritpal Chopra has summed up the frustration felt by these stranded migrants.
“We are migrant not virus. Allow us back.”
The protestors tweeted that the NZ Government and Immigration promotes work rights after study and an easy residency pathway after study. However, the reality of New Zealand immigration is very different.
“In reality, they are fighting for rights but didn’t get a single word from @jacindaardern or @KrisinMana for 19 months.”
Image source: New Zealand PM Jacinda Arden – Twitter.
In a statement, the protestors said that they will continue to protest every day until they get some assurance from these governments.
“Please understand every migrant stuck offshore has worked hard and paid lots of taxes for the growth of the New Zealand economy.
So please give us the same respect, value and support as the New Zealand government has given for current onshore migrants.”
The protesters demanded that the New Zealand government immediately allow them to return.
Afghanistan Cricket team; Picture Source: ACB Media
Cricket Australia is all set to officially postpone the one-off Test Afghanistan later this week.
“We’ve made our position very clear that we support cricket as a sport for both women and men,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley as saying.
“We’ve been trying to get clarity on what the situation is. It’s obviously a difficult, complex, and challenging situation,” said Mr Hockley.
“It’s most likely we’ll postpone the Hobart Test match until such time that there is greater clarity, and we’ll be making some announcements in the coming days,”
he added.
Sydney based Mr X (Who doesn’t want to reveal his identity) is a security consultant working closely with multiple agencies on the Afghanistan situation.
Afghanistan Cricket team leaving for T20 world cup officials; Picture Source: ACB Media
He told The Australia Today, “Cricket Australia has been briefed on potential asylum applications in Australia by a large part of Afghanistan’s test team and support staff once they finish the one-off Test in Hobart.”
“In light of ICC’s go-ahead to Afghanistan to participate in upcoming T20 World Cup, I think this briefing will have a big a role on Cricket Australia’s decision about Hobart Test,”
explained Mr X.
On Sunday, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Acting CEO Geoff Allardice had said that the apex cricket body is keeping a table on change of regime in Afghanistan, however, he confirmed that Afghanistan will indeed take part in the T20 World Cup.
“They are a full member of the ICC and their team is preparing for the T20 World Cup. In terms of their preparation for the event, it is proceeding as planned,”
he added.
“Yes, when the change of regime took place in Afghanistan in August, we have been in regular contact with their cricket board, our primary involvement is to support cricket in that country through the member board, we have said all along that we are waiting to see how things unfold under the different regime in that country,” said Allardice.
Melbourne based lawyer Molina Asthana is the Founder of Multicultural Women in Sport. She told The Australia Today, “I think sport should take an active role in upholding human rights considering the international reach most sporting codes have.
“If the opportunity presented itself to a sporting code or the government to support players seeking Asylum, it should be embraced. We have seen that with the massive effort made by Craig Foster and others to evacuate the Afghan female athletes and resettle them in Australia,”
said Ms Asthana.
Afghanistan Cricket team; Picture Source: ACB Media
Earlier, Cricket Australia (CA) had said that the planned men’s Test match against Afghanistan in November would not go ahead if the country does not support women’s cricket following the Taliban takeover.
“Driving the growth of women’s cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia. Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level,” Cricket Australia said in its official statement.
“If recent media reports that women’s cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to be played in Hobart,” it added.
In view of the improved COVID-19 situation in India, the Government of India has decided to commence issuing Tourist visas.
The visas will be issued for tourist groups from 15 October 2021 and for individual tourists from 15 November 2021.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official statement says:
“All Covid-19 protocols and norms notified by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to be adhered to by foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into India, and other stakeholders at landing stations.”
The Indian government has also announced that the first 500,000 visas would be issued free of charge.
Further, from November 15, tourists could travel via non-chartered flights, particularly those run as part of Vande Bharat Mission or under ‘air bubble’ arrangements with different countries.
Popular Indian tourist destinations such as Goa, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Sikkim have vaccinated 100% of their populations with the first dose.
Earlier, in interaction with Goa’s political leaders and health workers Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said:
“Travel and tourism stakeholders will be given loans of up to ₹10 lakh with a 100% guarantee by the government. Tourist guides are being given the facility of taking a loan of up to ₹1 lakh.”
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners were suspended last year.
The Indian government had slowly lifted restrictions on most categories of foreign visas, such as diplomats and businesspeople.
This would be good news for many Indian-origin citizens of Australia, Canada, the US, the UK, and other countries who do not have an OCI card and rely on tourist visas to travel to India.
Shree Saini, a 25-year-old from Washington State, has become the first Indian-American to win the crown of Miss World America 2021.
Her family has various business ventures including Shree’s Truck Stop.
Shree has studied journalism at the University of Washington, and non-degree courses in acting at Yale School of Drama, non-profit management at Harvard and social entrepreneurship at Stanford University.
After winning the contest, Shree wrote on Instagram:
“I am the first American of Indian origin and first Asian to be crowned Miss World America.”
Shree’s story is very unique amongst the pageant winners to be crowned.
Image source: Shree Saini – Facebook.
She was born in Ludhiana and has lived in the United States since the age of 5.
Shree is an advocate for heart health as she herself has had a permanent pacemaker since she was 12.
According to her website, Shree began dancing at age 3 and continued to dance, even after receiving a pacemaker at 12.
“To regain her strength, Shree took extra dance classes and danced up to 6 hours a day for years. Shree is trained in ballet en pointe, contemporary, jazz, clogging and she even danced in her college hip hop team.”
Apart from being bullied as a child for her ethnic background, in her freshman year of college, Shree also overcame a major fatal car accident which left her with burns all over her face.
At the young age of 15, Shree with the help of her family created a non-profit dedicated to advocating and raising money for heart health, mental and emotional health.
“My parents really helped me in that moment of adversity. They told me to constantly choose resilience. And I think in our life, we are going to be always, be met with hardships but what truly defines our life is our choices that we make.”
Image source: Shree Saini – Facebook.
In addition, Shree holds the prestigious position of “MWA National Beauty with a Purpose Ambassador.”
Image source: Shree Saini – Facebook.
This is a position that Shree earned by working tirelessly to help those less fortunate and in need.
In 2021, Kittitas County commissioners announced April 21 as “Shree Saini Day” as a way of honouring her community service.
In her statement after winning Shree Saini said:
“I am happy and quite nervous. I can’t express my feelings (in words). All the credit goes to my parents, especially my mother because of whose support I am here. Thank you Miss World America for this honour.”
“We are certain Shree will continue to immaculately embody Beauty With A Purpose, and no doubt will be successful in raising awareness and attention to the Miss World America mission. Stay tuned and follow the Miss World America 2021 journey!”
Shree says being Miss World America was her childhood dream and she wishes to inspire others to rise above their challenges.
“My family is an immigrant family and we know the amount of resources, love and opportunities America has to offer. Truly, anyone can come here and start from the bottom and really go after any dream they aspire to.”
She was crowned Miss India Worldwide 2018 at a pageant held in the Fords City of New Jersey.
Image source: Screenshot – ABC.
Indian beauty queen and Bollywood actor Diana Hayden crowned Shree Saini at the event, which was held at Miss World America headquarters in Los Angeles.
WATCH VIDEO: Miss World America 2021 Shree Saini on ABC!
Amitabh Bachchan -Kamla Pasand Masala controversy; Picture Source: Twitter @harit_hk
Bollywood’s veteran Super Star Amitabh Bachchan on his 79th birthday announced his withdrawal from the advertising campaign of pan masala brand Kamla Pasand.
He said that he wasn’t aware that it ‘falls under surrogate advertising’
In a recent blog post, Mr Bachchan revealed that he stepped down as the face of a paan masala brand as he was “unaware” of some of the details.
The statement shared on his blog said “From the office of Mr Amitabh Bachchan”, read, “Kamala Pasand … a few days after the commercial was aired, Mr Bachchan contacted the brand and stepped out of it last week.”
The statement continued,
“Upon checking why this sudden move – it was revealed that when Mr Bachchan became associated with the brand, he wasn’t aware that it falls under surrogate advertising Mr Bachchan has terminated the contract with the Brand, has written to them his termination and has returned the money received for the promotion.”
This move comes weeks after India’s national Anti-tobacco organisation had reportedly requested him to refrain from endorsing pan masala as it could help prevent youngsters from getting addicted to tobacco.
Earlier Mr Bachchan replied to the organisation, “If some people are getting benefits from an industry, we should not think as to ‘why am I getting associated with it?’ If it is an industry, then we too should think of it as our industry. Now, you may think that I should not be doing it, but I get paid for it.”
Social commentators in India were against Mr Bachchan’s stand and were running social media campaigns against the celebrities endorsing such products.
Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor has been busy hosting the new season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. Speaking of films, he will be seen in ‘Good Bye’, ‘Brahmastra’, and ‘The Intern’ remake.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
A team of eight Indians created a new world record for the ‘largest number of people with disabilities to scale the world’s highest battlefield, the Siachen Glacier.
History was created when these eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet on 11th September 2021.
This group was trained and led by Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW), a team of Special Forces Veterans from the Indian Armed Forces. The expedition was actively supported throughout by the Indian Army, helping make this unique and powerful expedition, a success.
The Champions
This expedition known as ‘Operation Blue Freedom’ included Havilder Ajay Kumar, Mahesh Nehra, Lobzang Chospel, Pushpak Gawande, Chhonzin Angmo, Akshat Rawat, Maj Dwarakesh and Irfan Ahmed Mir, who have created history with their incredible achievement.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
1- Pushpak Gawande is a right-hand amputee from Nasik, Maharashtra. He lost his right hand to an electric shock at the age of 12. After being hospitalised for over four months, for the next two years he was not able to come out and face society. With his family’s support, he finally decided to step outdoors and test himself. Since then, he has never stopped. Pushpak has been a junior national football player, a state athlete in hurdles, 400m, and 200m. This gave him the confidence and belief that he is no less than anyone else.
“I just lost a hand, not my courage,”
SAYS PUSHPAK GAWANDE.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
2- Lobzang Chospel is a resident of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre in Ladakh. He is 100% blind. Yet, one of the happiest persons on earth. His disability has not stopped him from doing things that he loves. Lobzang is a candle maker, a massage therapist, and a music lover who walks around with his radio, listening to music and humming his songs.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
3- Mahesh Nehra: A 36-year-old right-hand amputee from Rajasthan lost his hand during a machinery accident in the year 2015. After the accident, he worked very hard with just one hand and went on to become the first-ever disabled PTI Physical teacher in Rajasthan. He has trained over 3000 disabled students over the past few years. He joined this expedition with only one goal in his mind- to achieve the world record and motivate and help other disabled children achieve great things in their lives.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
4- Chhonzin Angmo: A 25-year-old from Himachal Pradesh, lost her eyesight at the age of 8. But this braveheart never let her disability stop her from exploring her life to its fullest. As an avid adventure seeker and a para-athlete, she completed her Basic Mountaineering Training and two-cycle expeditions from Manali to Khardung La. Ms Angmo is also a national judo player.
”My blindness is not my weakness, it’s my strength,”
says Chhonzin Angmo.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
5- Akshat Rawat from Uttarakhand is a solo traveller and an artist. He lost both his hands in an accident. He is living his life without prosthetic hands for the last 13 years. Despite innumerable challenges and difficulties, Akshat didn’t lose hope and started doing everything in his own way. He is a determined 19-year-old, who did what only a few could ever do, by climbing the world’s highest battlefield- Siachen Glacier.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
6- Havildar Ajay Kumar from Haryana is a Gallantry award-winning soldier who suffered a leg amputation due to grievous injuries in combat while protecting the nation. But his amputation has never deterred him from pursuing his dreams or his duties as a soldier standing guard for the country.
A true son of India and a pure expression of the power of human determination, he was one of the fastest and fittest in the expedition team, despite being the only participant with a leg amputation. He wishes to convey the power of human will to everyone through his ability to overcome his own disability, his heart and mindset.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
7- Maj Dwarakesh hails from Tamil Nadu. He sustained injuries in an accident early in his career which led to complete loss of eyesight in both eyes. He remains the first officer in the Indian Army to be retained in service with 100% physical disability. Besides proving his mettle in academics at par with his able-bodied counterparts, he has been actively involved in office administration with the help of hi-tech assistive gadgets.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
His tenacity to overcome hurdles on account of injuries sustained has not only made him stand on his own feet but has empowered him to be the first visually impaired army officer to undergo training at the Army Paralympic node. Today, he heads an office under the aegis of the Army Welfare Placement Organisation. He aspires to motivate people by action. “I am a soldier, I will always be one. There is no defeat unless you accept one”
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
8- Irfan Ahmed Mir who hails from Jammu and Kashmir lost his eyesight in his childhood. He learnt about ‘Operation Blue Freedom’ through social media and immediately decided to join the expedition team for the Land World Record at Siachen Glacier exemplifying grit courage and determination. He is also a national level blind cricketer.
The expedition team climbed a total distance of 60 km atop the Spine of the Siachen Glacier over a period of five days from 7th Sept to finally reach Kumar Post on 11th Sept. The team ascended 4,000 ft, gradually, while scaling the Glacier. The route involved crossing several deep crevasses, icy glacial water streams, hard-ice stretches and undulating rocky moraines.
This not just tested the physical endurance and mental stamina, but also the ice-craft skills of the participants, like – use of ice axe, crampons, ladder crossing and rope skills. The expedition of 60kms from Siachen Base Camp to Kumar Post tested the mental and physical limits of the expedition team.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
The extremely rough, rocky and undulating terrain along the moraines of the glacier made the climb particularly challenging for the visually impaired and the leg amputees. They displayed phenomenal grit despite the challenges. The participants with hand amputation had to constantly work on their balance, managing the rope and work on adaptations for emergency rescue procedures.
The nerves of steel and sheer will displayed by the people with disabilities on the expedition moved the soldiers who saw them in action along the Siachen Glacier. At all the intermediate camps where the expedition team stayed en route, the soldiers displayed pure love and affection born out of respect after seeing them in action along the obstacle-ridden moving block of glassy ice.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
Besides the ever-emerging icy obstacles, the expedition team had to face erratic and fast-changing weather challenges too. Dry throats as a consequence of Glacier winds, dehydration owing to constant sweating, alternating scorching sun and bone-chilling cold conditions kept the expedition team on tenterhooks.
With the weather changing faster than cricket scores, the team had to constantly adjust the protective clothing while on the Glacier march
The expedition team had to climb roughly 15 km on the Glacier each day to reach the next camp en-route, where they would halt the night before resuming the march on the next day. Built atop glassy hard ice, these en-route camps are the only logistical pit-stops on the glacier for all survival needs of food, shelter and water.
Eight champions reached Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 15,632 feet; Picture Source; Team Conquer Land Air Water (CLAW)
Time was the next challenge that needed deft planning and careful execution to overcome the speeding glacier winds. One has to wake up early, start the march on time and complete the day’s route before 4 pm to evade the bone-chilling glacier winds.
Operation Blue Freedom is proud to have been a catalyst for the Indian Army’s Operation Sadhbavna by enabling this rare opportunity for the people of Kashmir to undertake the World Record Expedition to Siachen Glacier.
Participants – Operation Blue Freedom
Team C.L.A.W and ‘Operation Blue Freedom’
Team C.L.A.W is a team of Indian Special Forces veterans, set upon a global mission to shatter the common perception of pity, charity and inability associated with people with disabilities and recreate it to one of dignity, freedom and ability.
With this goal in mind, they launched ‘Operation Blue Freedom’ in 2019. It is founded by Major. Vivek Jacob (Retd) served with the Indian Army’s elite Parachute Regiment – Special Forces for 14 years.
Team Claw aims to create a triple world record on land, air, and water. They created their historic world record on land on 11th September 2021 with the largest team of People with Disabilities climbing the Siachen Glacier.
Their next missions will be to have the largest team of People with Disabilities to Skydive (Accelerated Free Fall) in Dubai, UAE and have the World’s Largest SCUBA Occupational Therapy and skill training programme for People with Disabilities (Adaptive scuba diving) in the Maldives.
Team CLAW expressed gratitude to Team Mahindra for their unflinching support for this expedition and thanked Exxon Mobil and Car India for walking strong with Team CLAW on Operation Blue Freedom.
IndVsAus Women Series 202; Picture Source: @BCCIWomen
Australia landed a crushing blow to India as visitors failed to finish the tour on high after suffering a loss by 14 runs in the third and final T20I here at the Metricon Stadium in Carrara on Sunday.
With this victory, Australia claimed the multi-format series 11-5. India wasn’t able to chase the target of 150 in the allotted 20 overs after a spirited performance from Australian bowlers.
Nicola Carey scalped two wickets while Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Annabel Sutherland returned with one apiece.
Earlier, put in to bat first, it was again a crucial inning of Beth Mooney (61 off 43) and Tahlia McGrath (44* off 31) that proved the thorn in India’s side, propelling Australia to a competitive total of 149/5.
— Australian Women's Cricket Team (@AusWomenCricket) October 10, 2021
Chasing the target of 150, India had a horror start as Shafali Verma was dismissed in the second over of the innings by Ashleigh Gardner. Smriti Mandhana was then joined by Jemimah Rodrigues on the pitch and the duo made sure the visitors don’t lose any more wickets in the power play.
After six overs, India’s score read 28/1.
The duo continued with their cautious approach as India score read 54/1 at the halfway mark in the innings. However, Jemimah Rodrigues was removed by Georgia Wareham in the 11th over of the innings. Rodrigues walked back after scoring 23 off 26 balls.
Meanwhile, India’s most consistent batter this series, Smriti Mandhana brought up her half-century (off 46 balls) with a lovely lofted paddle over the head of a short fine leg in the 15th over. Later, in the same over of Nicola Carey, the Indian opener walked back to the dressing room after scoring 52 off 49 balls.
Hosts then completely gained the momentum of the match as wickets kept falling on the other end for India. Harmanpreet Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar and Harleen Deol were back to hut in space of 10 balls for India. With 41 runs needed off 12 balls, visitors managed to gather 26 runs in the last two overs.
Lanning: India really tested us and gave us a great challenge
Australian skipper Meg Lanning said the Indian side tested and challenged the hosts during the multi-format series.
“We were looking forward to today, knew India would come back hard. Been a great series, both sides have had momentum. India has really tested us and given us a great challenge,”
said Lanning after the win.
“Tahlia McGrath, Player of the Series, is a great effort to dominate the series and a number of young players have contributed at different times,” She added.
Brief Scores: Australia 149/5 (Beth Mooney 61, Tahlia McGrath 44*; Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2-37) vs India 135/6 (Smriti Mandhana 52, Richa Ghosh 23*; Nicola Carey 2-42)
Image source: Professor Giriraj Singh Shekhawat and Dr Deepti Domingo - Flinders University
A new pilot study aiming to assess the use of HD-tDCS – a type of non-invasive brain stimulation – to reduce the white noise levels of tinnitus is underway at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia.
This study is led by Indian-origin researchers – Professor of Audiology Giriraj Singh Shekhawat and postdoctoral fellow Dr Deepti Domingo.
According to experts, many people will experience some sort of short-term tinnitus at least once in their lives.
It affects about 15% to 20% of people and is especially common in older adults.
This is usually after a loud music concert or following exposure to a sudden loud noise.
In rare cases, as per experts, tinnitus can also occur as a whooshing sound, often in time with a person’s heartbeat.
Image source: Tinnitus – The Conversation.
According to Eldre Beukes who is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Audiology at Anglia Ruskin University this could lead to depression and other issues.
‘People with tinnitus are found to be at higher risk of lower emotional wellbeing, depression and anxiety, possibly because of people’s frustration with their inability to escape or control the condition.
Tinnitus may also make it difficult to sleep and concentrate, which can affect daytime functioning.’
For one in six people in Australia tinnitus is constant and very limited research has been done to find solutions.
Professor Adrian Linacre OAM has been coping with constant buzzing in his ears for almost three years.
‘It began at home one evening when I started to hear a buzzing noise. After a while, it dawned on me that the sound was internal in my head.
I hoped it would disappear but with tinnitus the constant buzzing white noise continues every moment of every waking day.”
Professor Shekhawat has 15 years of audiology research experience at University College London and the University of Auckland.
In addition, he has valuable clinical experience in the US, Singapore, and India.
Professor Shekhawat observes:
“Our inner ear has thousands of hair cells that transfer sound energy into electrical impulses to our brain via the auditory nerve.
Any damage along this pathway will disrupt or dull the sound signal reaching the brain – which then tries to compensate by essentially listening harder.”
In an attempt to work hard to pick up sound, overfiring neurons within certain networks in the brain can result in error signals being interpreted as additional sound.
This happens even when no sound is present around a person and thus results in ‘ringing’ that tinnitus sufferers hear.
Image source: Dr Deepti Domingo – Flinders University.
Dr Domingo who relocated from rural South Australia to pursue her love of science completed a PhD in 2020 from the University of Adelaide.
She says:
“Hearing impairments can make learning difficult and negatively impact the overall quality of life for people at all ages.”
She is hopeful that their pilot study has the potential to bring long-term relief to tinnitus sufferers around the world. She adds:
“Given tinnitus is caused by disrupted neural networks, through this trial we are aiming to use a safe, low amplitude direct current stimulation to the brain, to correct those networks.”
Funded by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and Rosetrees Trust in the UK, the three-year pilot study includes research partners in the UK, Europe, and the US.
Further supported by neurological experts at SAHMRI, the study is being conducted at Flinders University’s Health2Go clinic and the University’s Tonsley campus.
Market Mantra: Australia makes Home loans difficult; Picture Source: @CANVA
Australian shares rose for the first time in five weeks powered by iron miners on the back of firm iron prices. Bullish sentiment following the United States reaching a truce on debt ceiling also helped with stock optimism.
While the US effectively kicking their debt ceiling crisis down the road till December wasn’t the most positive news for investors, it was enough to lift the mood of global investors.
Also helping the mood for investors in Australia was news from New South Wales where Sydney reached its important milestone in loosening COVID-19 restrictions.
As per Kunal Sawhney, CEO of Kalkine Group “Stock market optimism appears to have returned ahead of easing of coronavirus restrictions starting Monday.” Stay-at-home orders in Sydney are due to be lifted after NSW hit the 70% target of fully vaccinated adults.
Firming of iron ore prices through the week, surging energy prices and coal prices meant that BHP and Rio were some of the best-performing stocks for the week. Energy sector which analysts believe is the only segment in the Australian equity market which is undervalued also benefited from rising energy prices.
Collins Food also rallied almost 10% after striking a deal to run KFC in the Netherlands. With a plan to open almost 130 new stores over the next 10 years the investors lapped up the shares.
On the downside, however, EML’s share fell sharply by almost 14% after Ireland’s central bank issued regulatory warnings related to its Irish business.
Moving forward this week investors in Australia will be keeping a close eye on the speech from Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Guy Debelle. On climate risks and the Australian Financial System.
September jobs data and business and consumer sentiment and inflation expectations may also impact the Australian equities market this week.
Looking overseas both US and China inflation numbers are out this week and will impact global risk sentiment. With China, Evergrande worries are also not settled yet the volatility may return on slight bad news.
In regards to gold, the precious metal gave up gains during the start of the week to end the week lower after US September employment results disappointed.
While the analysts were expecting the US economy to have created 500,000 jobs in September the data from US Labor Department revealed that the US economy created only 194,000 jobs. The news usually would mean that it would be harder for Fed to taper with interest rates and send the gold higher.
The gold investors however took into account that pricing pressure in the US is still elevated and it seems taper announcements is still happening in November. A rise in US Treasury yields rising to their highs not seen in months also made gold lose its appeal during the week.
A rising yield usually undercuts buying the gold because the strength in the currency can make gold more expensive for overseas buyers. After US employment data the Treasury yields strengthened thus sending the precious metals lower.
Oil rallied for a seventh consecutive week, gaining nearly 5% for the week after touching highs of US $80 per barrel in almost seven years while natural gas also touched a 13 year high.
Even though Russian President Putin announced on Wednesday that Gazprom would increase natural gas exports to Europe, sending oil prices lower, US officials however indicating no intention to release crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Marshal Steves sent oil prices back up.
Natural gas also rallied to the highest close since 2008 last week with European inventory levels standing at historical lows ahead of winter heating season. With the energy crunch also in China, India and Europe analysts understand that global crude and natural gas inventories are running tight and the production growth may not be able to meet the growth in demand.
More importantly, there are three reasons why prices in oil look like will continue to keep growing.
First, the oil production from OPEC countries is still restrained. The oil-producing nations continue to be extremely conservative in adding to oil production for fear of another COVID related slowdown.
Second, the economies in the US and Europe continue to recover and open. The consumption in the US is back to pre-pandemic levels with Europe also catching up the demand is back to pre-pandemic levels.
Finally, the production growth in US shale is still not fast enough to reach the 2019 levels as investments in the new well is significantly lower.
All in all, given the increasing demand for oil, the winter season in Northern Hemisphere, plus restrictive OPEC+ production policy means the oil prices may continue to rally until years end. Having said that rising oil prices may prompt the US authorities to release some of the strategic oil reserves.
In regards to the local currency, the Australian Dollar rallied for a second consecutive week as investors moved towards risk assets following the news that US Senate has agreed on the debt limit.
The Reserve Bank of Australia also had a monetary policy meeting on Tuesday. While the interest rate in Australia remained at a historic low of 0.1% the accompanying statement showed the policymakers remain committed to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions.
The central bank also expressed views that the economy will bounce back in the final quarter of the year on the back of higher vaccination rates. The statement was quite encouraging and provided further support to the Aussie.
Technically speaking the daily AUD/USD chart offers a bullish stance for the local currency as the pair moves above 20 SMA. The longer-term trends, however still maintain a bearish slope.
With AUD trading between 38.2% and 50% Fibonacci retracement levels, measured between 0.7477 and 0.7169 the traders would need to capture the 0.7360 levels for bulls to take control. A failure for bulls to take control may result in bears taking the Australian currency back to falls below 0.7250.
The week, however, was not so positive for the Indian Rupee, as rising oil prices weighed on investor sentiment to take the Indian currency below 75.00 level against the US Dollar.
Handsome gains in domestic equities were also not enough to boost the falling Rupee. A rise for the seventh consecutive week in oil prices and US policymakers refusing to release strategic oil reserves weighed heavily on Rupee which registered its worst weekly loss since April 09. The Reserve Bank of India also had their meeting on Friday and decided to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 4%.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, it was a green week across all crypto land as positive sentiment and big gains returned to the market. Leading the scene was Bitcoin which surged 25% to reclaim the mid-May highs.
Bitcoin reached the high of US $56,000, the mark we have not seen since the middle of May, shortly after the all-time high and right before the huge 50% crash. Many analysts believe that this marks the end of the bear trap and validates the continuation of this year’s bull market.
The rally in crypto land mainly happened on the back of positive news from the United States where The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Gary Gensler, confirmed that they have no plans of following China in banning Bitcoin.
The positivity managed to spread across the entire cryptocurrency market. The most impressive performer however was Shiba Inu which rallied 290% and topped the US $18 billion in trading volumes.
Bitcoin also managed to reclaim the $1 trillion market cap and will be testing resistance between the $56,000 and $58,000 mark. Once that mark is broken there is not any considerable resistance until the previous all-time high of $65,000. A rise in Bitcoin is expected to flow across to other crypto assets.
Given the meme coins were first to break out of the bearish cycle we are relatively confident in Shiba Inu continuing the rally and should be a good addition for investors looking to diversify their coin holdings. Algorand is another coin we have a positive bias towards.
Algoand has traded between the range of $0.10 and $3.56 during the past 52 weeks and with it reclaiming mid-year high of $2.38 on the back of news that it has made a strategic partnership with El Salvador to build a blockchain infrastructure for the remittance dependant Latin American nation, it seems Algorand is likely to recapture its previous highs.
Having said that when it comes to the crypto world there is nothing guaranteed and it has historically been known to catch investors unawares especially when everything seems great.
In agricultural products prices of wheat reached a seven-week high on global demand. Tightness in the supply of food grains and speculation that Russia, the world’s largest wheat exporter could add further curbs on exports as it battles domestic inflation further sent wheat prices higher.
The tightness of the food supply also flew into other edible grains and soy and corn also followed wheat higher. Moving forward traders will be keeping an eye on harvest reports from the US where weather has been favourable for production in the Corn Belt and as such may help reduce some of the supply concerns.
Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs a business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone interested in starting their trading journey on how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.
Disclaimer:
The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.
We strongly recommend that you perform your independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.
In the modern world, we communicate with a touch of a button to friends, relatives and family members; the postal letters have lost some space to be the sole medium of conversation with the near and dear ones. Some consider them as an old fashioned method, but they carry their own charm and vital significance.
Postal letters had a history of connecting the people before the technological revolution. They have been operational for many centuries and made practical innovations.
Therefore, every year on 9 October, World Post Day [WPD] commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. The UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan, proclaimed it World Post Day in 1969.
An Indian delegate known as Anand Mohan Narula had submitted a proposal. Since then, nations all around the globe have joined in the festivities to organise WPD on an annual basis.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
Many nations’ post offices utilize the occasion to launch or promote new postal goods, products and services. Many special stamps exhibitions are also organized to commemorate this day. WPD raise awareness of the importance of the postal sector in the lives of people and in national growth.
The day is celebrated in over 150 countries, as many nations issue new stamps. WPD in 2021 has adopted the theme of “Innovate to recover”. The op-ed makes a synoptic overview of the postal letters history and its current usefulness. Before the digital revolution, it was a tedious task to communicate letters and packages worldwide, but the postal services made a charisma to give a solution to the world, and this continues forever.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
Innovate to Recover: COVID-19
Postal services had spearheaded to communicate and connect people worldwide during the lockdowns enforced due to COVID-19. There has been a disruption of many global postal letters due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has shown resilience and began the recovery mode to resume the services.
Thus they adopted new innovative ideas to sustain and grow, creative ways of delivering mail were adopted, and adoption of e-commerce. As postal services began with personal and official letters and essential papers to make innovation towards e-commerce and online shopping packages due to the digital revolution. Postal services have shown resilience in serving the communities with their creation.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
Besides communicating the information, postal letters have stamps that carry historical significance. As on many occasions, stamps are issues of historical personalities, events, heritage, national symbols and others.
Before the coming of the postal letter system, Egypt, in 3000 BC, employed pigeons for pigeon posts, where the birds used to carry the information and remember the direction to come back to their nest when left away from their original homes.
The messages were wrapped to their legs and were released, and these pigeons returned to their own nests. These pigeons also acted as spy pigeons, but postal letters gradually gave the entire world a more authentic and regular means of communication. There have been reforms in the postal system with the course to time, as the distance determines the cost of postal letters from sender to recipient.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
The postal system also saw changes like “government monopoly (partial or complete) over postal delivery, universal coverage of post offices throughout settled territories, and cheap pre-paid postage with uniform rates” (Rogowski et al., 2016). The national government subsidised the mail services and extended its services to provide rapid and dependable written communication. This displaced the long private mail system and temporary means of correspondence.
There came the pre-printed envelopes and sticky postal stamps, where the sender paid the amount of mail-carrying charges. During the industrial revolution, the mail system played a pivotal role. Rogowski et all (2016) stated coming of the postal system reduced transaction costs, facilitating contracts and establish business relationships; facilitated the diffusion of new ideas and technology; made a contribution to the development of social capital.
Development of modern form of transport, i.e. railways and air transport of mail, while coming of the Internet gave a stiff competition to physical mail but coming of Internet shopping gave the new business to mail to deliver the products bought through online shopping.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
History of Postal Letter
Postal letters are the iconic symbol of a global communication revolution. Mail word comes from the English word male, which refers to a travelling bag or pack. The word began to be used in the 17th century about containing letters “bag full of letter”. Later the word ‘Post’ was derived from French, which means ‘to lay down or place’.
The history of postal letters began from the time when people began to communicate via writing. The process of the postal system is a systematic way of transferring the letters, birthday cards, official documents, greetings and private documents around the globe after the pasting of the stamps.
The origin of postal services can be traced back to ancient Egypt, about 2500 BC, when their rulers began to use couriers to distribute their decrees across their state. References of oldest existing mail dated back from 255 BCE.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
Further, Iran (Persia) made claims for the creation of the first genuine postal system in 550 BCE, several other claims were made to be the earliest postal system during that time, as many believe that mail may not be the reason behind starting of the postal services, but it was to maintain a system of intelligence and gathering information led to the origin of a postal system. Later uses of horses were made to carry the mail in a speedy manner from one location to another to enhance the performance and delivery time.
Mauryan empire in ancient India began to develop early Indian mail services, and mail chariots were brought underused. There was a systematic postmaster as the head of intelligence to overlook the courier services.
The beginning of the printing press and the expansion of education made a drastic reform in the postal system. In the late 18th century, India had a functioning postal system that was totally modernized by the establishment of British rule in India.
World Postal Day; Picture Source: @CANVA
Similarly, many civilizations used courier services to send letters, news, messages, greetings, private information and other valuable parcels around the globe. This transformed into a modern concept of the mail system.
Conclusion
The postal letters have been a part of our lives for centuries now that need to have rejoiced and remembered forever through WPD and their innovations amid COVID-19. The historicity of postal systems, post offices and postmen need to be remembered due to their unforgettable contribution of connecting the people around the globe to their near and dear ones, and social, economic and national growth.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Indian Acharyas Controlled Epidemics in China earlier; Picture Source: esamskriti.com
Coronavirus, a disease has terrorised the world struggling hard to find its cause and remedy. It emerged suddenly, infected lakhs and even killed thousands. The media brings shocking news, every day. Thousands in critical condition are to be treated; medical facilities are crumbling; the world is up in arms to stop the contagious disease trying hard to find causes behind it.
Destruction of ecological balance, violation of ozonosphere, shortage of freshwater, and extinction of biological species is endangering human existence. The world accepts that following the western philosophy of accepting man as master of nature, we have damaged the fabric of nature and have even intruded into the animal world.
It is a world of scientific advancement with an open mind. Let us pause and think if there was or can be any possibility of any solution in the Eastern mode of thought and practice. The question is— are there any leads to researches to find remedies in such situations.
When I received a message from a friend in Singapore that people in Chinese monasteries are performing homam to contain the disease, felt duty-bound to write this article as an answer to the question— do we need to have faith in Indian medical science, its scientific culture, practices, and connect between science and spirituality.
Where science stops spirituality begins to work. Many scientists are doing research on ancient Indian practices, mapping them scientifically, and showing positive results, acknowledging ancient Indian ways and means to protect the environment to save humanity from infections and viruses through havan/homa, planting specific trees and plants, boosting immunity to fight diseases through pranayama and yoga etc.
The list is long but here I am focusing on the Chinese historical chronicles that acknowledge Indian sciences and scientists controlling contagious diseases and epidemics.
DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS
There has been a dialogue among civilizations over the past centuries. Chinese historical chronicles refer to curing diseases, stopping storms and epidemics, protection from fatal strikes of lightning etc. by Indian Buddhist masters.
It happened with the entry of Buddhism which was taken to China to mitigate suffering and make the people happy wiping tears of agony and distress from the eyes of the people.
Apart from sowing the seeds of love and compassion, meditation and enlightenment, democracy and equality, social reforms and imperial virtue, cheering up the downtrodden, introducing temple culture and monastic structure, medical science penetrated deep into the Chinese system.
INDIAN BUDDHIST ACHARYAS CONTROLLING EPIDEMICS IN CHINA
An Indian Acharya presented a perfume to the Chinese Han Emperor Wu during 2nd-1st century BC. At first, the Emperor was not much attracted to the egg-like presents. Just then a severe epidemic broke out in Ch’ang-an taking away many lives.
The Indian asked the Emperor to burn that. Its fumigation stopped the epidemic and even resurrected the dead. Its perfume spread to an area of 50 kilometres and its effect lasted for three months.
The Emperor was grateful, conferred great honours on the Indian guest, presented a special dinner, and bid farewell to him. This is given in the “Collection of Information on Things of Universe” written by Zhang Hua (232-300AD).
A Chinese historical record “General Records of Buddhist Patriarchs” was compiled in 1296. It gives details of the activities of Indians in China. According to it a monk from India, Hala Haraka/Hari Vikrama helped the Chinese to stop a terrible epidemic with medicine and charms/mantras in Loyang, an Imperial city of Northern China in 287. It stopped a devastating epidemic in the Imperial capital Chang-an and saved thousands of lives. Such events indicate a great reputation of Indian perfume medicine and fumigating with them in ancient China.
INDIANS CURING INCURABLES IN CHINA
An Indian Acharya Jivaka went via sea route and arrived in Loyang. He became famous as a doctor who could cure incurable diseases around 306 AD. He treated the Governor of Hengyang province Teng Yongen. He was not able to walk because of a problem in his foot being paralyzed for many years.
This is detailed in the historical work “Biographies of Eminent Monks”, an important work on Indo-Chinese relations. It contains information about 257 monks, both Indian and Chinese who played a key role in the dissemination of Indian culture to China.
Apart from curing incurable diseases, there are references to Indian magicians performing rejoining of the severed tongue, spitting fire, swallowing a knife and rejoining broken cloth.
CURING CHINESE SUFFERING OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Another Indian Acharya Buddhchinga was a great doctor, an astronomer and an astrologer. Looking at his capacities he was known as a magician. He had studied in Kashmir under famous Buddhist masters. He could recite scriptures in millions of words. He had reached the then capital of China Loyang in 310 AD.
At that time the ruler Shi Le was helped by Buddhachinga to win battles and get his army cured suffering from a contagious disease. When he cured Shi Le’s army of infectious disease people were so impressed that they embraced Buddhism en masse.
Shi Le appointed Buddhachinga as Rajya Guru. Shi Le’s successor was bestowed even greater honours and patronage on him. He used to attend court sessions, crown prince and top courtiers used to escort him, was given a standing ovation when entering the court and was offered a seat by the side of the Emperor. Courtiers used to address him as a great monk. There was so much enthusiasm that Buddhaching could build 893 temples in North China. The Chinese historiography remembered him as “Shengsheng” meaning ‘divine monk’. His disciples actively worked in China following the footsteps of their guru.
FUMIGATION BY INDIAN ACHARYA IN CHINA SAVED MANY LIVES DURING AN EPIDEMIC
Indian perfumes began to enter China in 98 BC when the Kushana Empire presented a magic incense to the Imperial court of the Han Dynasty.
A guest from India to China presented three pieces of incense that resurrected many dead to life in the capital of Ch’ang-an during an epidemic. Chinese began to use Chandan calling it zhantan; turmeric and coriander became a part of Chinese cuisine. Turmeric was called yujinxiang meaning fragrance that gathers gold.
In Chinese Buddhist literature Buddha’s country is called ‘fragrant land’.
Buddhism introduced the ritual of incense burning and filled Chinese life with the concept of fumigation. Buddhist temples were designated as ‘houses of fragrant fire’ (=havan) and Buddhist organizations as ‘society of fragrant fire’ (hotri sangha). Money donated by people was called ‘money of fragrant fire’ (=havan nidhi).
Chinese began to burn incense for a good cause. The expression ‘fragrant for burning fiercely’ indicated ‘thriving religious activities’ and ‘fragrant fire extinguishes’ meant religious activities coming to a halt.
Pilgrims, donors and lay disciples engaging in religious activities were called ‘having a date with fragrant fire’. People addressed each other as ‘brothers in the fragrant fire’. There is a clear indication of performing havans, acceptance of their impact and popularity in China.
INTRODUCTION OF AYURVEDA IN CHINA
Medicine in India was a well-developed science and it reached China.
Great Indian acharyas translated medical texts and prescriptions from Sanskrit into Chinese.
Acharya Dharmarksha edited and translated ‘Classic on Four Hundred and Four Diseases of Human Body’ and ‘Classic on the Path to Cultivation’. He also recorded the pathogenesis theory of Buddhist medicine. It was followed by several other works including those compiled by Chinese Emperor Wu.
The Indian masters were welcomed because of their curing skills.
China had developed its medical system and it could be benefitted from the Indian prescriptions extensively. Wang Tao (670-755 AD) compiled ‘Important Secret Prescriptions’. During Sui and T’ang Dynasties many Indian medical theories reached China.
Chinese were impressed by the Indian treatment of cataract extraction with needles often performed by Brahmana monks, meaning non-Buddhist. Poet Liu Yuxi even wrote a poem in praise of a doctor when he was treated for his eyes.
AYURVEDIC TEXTS ON MEDICAL SCIENCE
The Discovery of Sanskrit manuscripts called Bower Manuscripts from Kucha, now in the Chinese Xinjiang region opened up a new path of researches in Central Asia.
It is a fifth-century medical manuscript written on birch bark in Brahmi script in the Sanskrit language. The second is on predicting the future by dicing- Pashak Kevali and the third is on remedy from a snake bite – Mahamayuri-vidya-ragyi. Like Jivaka Pustaka and Siddhasara Bower manuscript also plays an important role in researches on Chinese medicine.
Astro-medicine was practised in India and travelled abroad. It is still practised by Tibetan doctors. In the period of the Northern Dynasty, the Chinese Dharma Branch translated 20 volumes of Brahmana Astronomy.
A volume in Book of the Sui Dynasty describes ten medical texts of India including four volumes of Prescriptions by Nagarjuna, 23 volumes of ‘Medicinal Prescriptions of Fairies in the Western Regions’, One volume of Catalogue, ten volumes of ‘Medicinal Prescriptions of None Fairies of Fragrant Mountain’. China has preserved a long history of acceptance of Indian prescriptions.
MEDICINAL VALUE OF AROMATIC PLANTS – FROM INDIA TO CHINA
Chinese medical science solicited the Indian supply of fragrant plants from very early times. Indian Buddhist monks carrying aromatic plants and plant products were known as men of skills of curing and healing people from incurable and contagious diseases.
Knowledge about aromatic plants reached China when Indian medicinal texts were taken and translated over the centuries. They played an important role in the development of Chinese medicine. It resulted in Indian Acharyas being revered as gurus and even worshipped gods.
In China saffron was used for medicines, flavouring and colouring during religious ceremonies. It could expel all foul odour, and get rid of impure air, and diseases in the body.
Itsing, a Chinese pilgrim to India describes that haritaki grew mostly in the west, saffron grew in the north and the west abounded in asafetida. He has also recorded many fragrant medicines and cardamom. Kashmir was famous for dragon stud horses, saffron, fireballs and herbs.
Garuda
LAW OF GARUDA
The Indian myth of Garuda was prevalent in China because of faith in its power of protecting from calamities and diseases.
There is a chapter on the ‘Law of Garuda’ in a Buddhist text of Arya-manjushri-mulakalpa. It was popular in China for many centuries.
One of the Chinese pilgrims, coming to India in search of scripture, Itsing translated it. Dharmabhadra, an Indian acharya of the tenth century and several others also translated it. Garuda became a symbol in Chinese painting. One can see it painted in the Yonghe Palace temple in Beijing. Many Ming dynasty temples have also preserved this theme. The ruling elite liked to subsume the power of Garuda to strengthen the political authority.
BOOKS ON PRESCRIPTIONS
The Annals of Sui Dynasty mentions that a book entitled “Prescriptions of Bodhisattva Nagarjuna”, a text on astronomy and Indian medicine were presented to the T’ang Emperor Xuangzong I in 719 AD by an envoy from Kapisha.
A famous classic on Chinese medicine contains a discourse on Indian medical theories and prescriptions. It states that prescriptions given by Brahmanas were quite attractive for the Chinese. In 752 AD Wang Tao collected all the available prescriptions that were used till then. They were meant for curing diseases of ears and eyes and could turn grey hair into black.
Annals of the Sung Dynasty are valuable to search India’s contribution to Chinese science and technology. It was the time when contacts between Cholas and Sung China were at their peak. It has a chapter specifically on Cholas.
There are other books i.e. calendar by Gautama Siddhartha, a treatise written on a pulse by Jivaka, sixty-four question answers by him, a treatise on eye diseases, important prescriptions, and treatise on the entrails. This was a time of much interaction.
Even Indian games like throwing dice and others reached China. Itsing has mentioned prescriptions to cure diseases like deafness and blindness using lotus herbal ointment. In some prescriptions, basil leaf, green cinnamon, and sweet gum are mentioned with other herbs.
There is a lot of archival material to search and translate into Hindi and English to highlight India’s contribution to containing epidemics and contagious diseases. It may be helpful in future.
Author, Prof. Dr SHASHIBALA, is DEAN, CENTRE OF INDOLOGY, BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN, New Delhi.
This article was first published in the May 15, 2020 issue of the Bhavan’s Journal and we have republished it from esamskriti.com. The article is courtesy and copyright Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai 400 007.
Indian Australia family celebrating Diwali; Picture Source; Manoj Mansukhani
As Hindu festivals seasons starts today with the nine-day long ‘Navratri’ festival, Australia’s third-largest religious community is worried. The festive season is one of the busiest times in the calendar year for Hindu community members, businesses and temples.
However, lockdown and restrictions on movements in COVID19 hit states of Victoria and NSW are worrying for them as they might miss out on the festivities.
Victoria restrictions at the time of festivities:
Navratri: All nine days up to Ashtami and Navami celebrations are to be done within a Home setting with no visitor allowed. There can be no Garba gatherings as no outdoor activity is allowed other than up to 5 fully vaccinated adults meeting in a park or other outdoor settings.
A stay-at-home curfew is in place for Metropolitan Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, City of Greater Shepparton and Mitchell Shire: Between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am, you cannot leave your home.
1- Social gatherings are permitted outdoors between two people from a maximum of two households. 2-Up to five people can socialise outdoors (excluding dependants), from two households, if every person over 18 years is fully vaccinated.
Manoj Mansukhani is National Manager with a multinational company in Melbourne. Every year his two daughters look forward to this time of the year to explore their Hindu identity.
Mr Mansukhani told The Australia Today, “Looks like this year too we are going to miss the festivities the way we know them. My older daughter wants to go to Garba programs and my younger one wants to see ‘Ravan-Dahan’ at Sri Durga Temple.”
“We understand the necessity of these restrictions but all the planning by the governments is around Christmas without even thinking or considering other cultural religious communities needs.”
He is not alone a three hundred thousand strong Hindu community (from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore etc.) in Victoria is working out the ways to celebrate their festivals within the guidelines of the state government.
Victoria is expected to reach 70% (16+) fully vaccinated at the current rate on 13th October.
VijayDhasmi – Dussehra on Monday 15 October Karwa Chauth on Sunday 24th October Ahoi Ashtami on Thursday28 October Dhanteras on Tuesday 2nd November
Metropolitan Melbourne: 1- No Home visit is allowed. 2- Out-Door Public gatherings: Up to 10 fully vaccinated people allowed to meet. 3- Hospitality venues can open outdoors only to up to 50 fully vaccinated people, with DQ4. 4- Religious services will be allowed outdoors only with DQ4 limits and a cap of 50 people if fully vaccinated.
Regional Victoria: 1- Home visits or Private gatheringsnot permitted – intimate partner visits and single-person bubble visits are allowed. 2- Out-Door Public gatherings: Up to 20 fully vaccinatedpeople outdoors will be allowed. 3- Religious services will be allowed outdoors only with DQ4 limits and a cap of 50 people if fully vaccinated.
Victoria is expected to reach 80% (16+) fully vaccinated at the current rate on 3rd November after which the following festivals will come.
Melburnians should finally be free to travel anywhere within Victoria.
Choti Diwali- Kali Chaudas on Wednesday 3rd November Diwali- Laxmi Pooja on Thursday 4th November Govardhan Pooja on Friday 5th November Bhaiya Dooj on Saturday 6th November
Metropolitan Melbourne: 1- Home visits allowed: Up to 10 people including dependants. Vaccination status is not mentioned in the roadmap 2- Out-Door Public gatherings: Up to 30 fully vaccinated people are allowed to meet.
Diwali parties are also a possibility as up to 150 fully vaccinated people will be allowed indoors with DQ4 and 500 outdoors, DQ2 at any hospitality venue.
Regional Victoria: 1- Home visit or Private gatherings permitted: Up to 10 fully vaccinated people including dependants. 2- Out-Door Public gatherings: Up to 30 fully vaccinated people outdoors will be allowed.
NSW restrictions at the time of festivities:
As NSW is currently on: 70.32% fully vaccination level on Navratri Fully vaccinated NSW residents will be able to enjoy Navratri a bit more from Monday, 11th October.
1- The new changes will allow up to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) to a home. NSW residents will be allowed to have nine girls for their ‘Kanya pooja for Durga Ashtami (13 October) and Navami (14 October) during Navratri.
2- If you are planning an outdoor gathering you can have up to 30 people for a small Garba celebration.
Bhavna Patel an Architecture student who lives in Sydney’s western suburb told The Australia Today, “We are in talks with our local community centre to organise Garba in parking space from Monday night.”
“At least we can have four Garba night festivities this year. Ma Durga is kind to us as most of my family and friends are fully vaccinated.”
3– Hindu weddings can also have up to 100 people (Not counting children 12 and under).
Bhavana says, “I don’t have any weddings to attend but it’s good for people who have been waiting for months to tie the knot.”
VijayDhasmi – Dussehra on Monday 15 October 2021
The setting for Dussehra will remain the same as Navratri because the state is predicted to hit 80% fully vaccinated status in the next 10 days on October 18.
Karwa Chauth on Sunday 24th October
Women will miss by one day for large gatherings as the new changes will come into force only on the next day. However, 10 visitors in home settings (Not counting children 12 and under) can celebrate the festival together. In case you can arrange an outdoor facility up to 30 people are allowed to come together.
On Monday 25th October: One week after the State clears the 80% double vaccination hurdle following restrictions will be relaxed for fully vaccinated people only.
Ahoi Ashtmi on Thursday 28 October Dhanteras on Tuesday 2nd November Choti Diwali- Kali Chaudas on Wednesday 3rd November Diwali- Laxmi Pooja on Thursday 4th November Govardhan Pooja on Friday 5th November Bhaiya Dooj on Saturday 6th November
1- You will be able to have up to 20 visitors (excluding children 12 and under) to a home. 2- Up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors.
For the Diwali Mela organisers, rules have been set.
Up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events. Masks will no longer be required in office buildings. All these freedoms are for fully vaccinated people only.
All school students will also now return to on-site learning with a range of COVID-safe measures in place by October 25.
Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will still return to face-to-face learning on October 18, with all other years now returning one week later on October 25.
NSW’s Premier Dominic Perrottet said the common-sense changes would help life return to normal as soon as possible.
“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,”
Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW is putting in the hard yards and it’s important people continue to turn out in droves to be vaccinated.”
Karthick Thanigaimani, a firefighter with Point Cook Fire Brigade, a part of the Country Fire Authority (CFA), is completing his first-ever Firefighter Stair Climb in 2021.
The annual Firefighter Stair Climb, titled “MILLION STEPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH,” will raise funds for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), depression and suicide.
According to MFSC, 3 million Australians are living with depression and anxiety and 3,046 Australians lose their lives to suicide each year.
“So we are asking you to climb at least 3,046 steps over the next month…together we will climb a MILLION STEPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH…together we will make a difference…Whether it be your back steps, some stairs at the local park or even a milk crate in the lounge room we are asking you to “step up”…”
This year has an overall fundraising goal of $500,000 to donate to Lifeline, Fortem Australia and the 000 Foundation.
These funds will be used to improve support services, research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of Mental health issues like depression, Post Traumatic Stress Injury and suicide, especially for those within the Emergency Service and Defence communities.
Image source: Karthick Thanigaimani – CFA – Facebook.
Karthick is setting a goal of completing 5,000 steps on his step ladder every day of the month and hopes to raise more than $1,000.
“First responders are involved in a lot of challenging – and sometimes traumatic – incidents.”
Karthick adds that firefighters understand the importance of mental health and are ready to create awareness.
“Everyone at our brigade understands the importance of mental health and we do everything we can to debrief after certain incidents and be open with each other. It’s important we continually generate broad awareness about all mental health issues across our emergency services and the community.”
He advises that during COVID times, it’s been increasingly important for people to speak up and connect with their family, friends and colleagues they trust.
“The pressures and challenges associated with the restrictions across Victoria has made it hard for people, but we must focus on what makes us happy and reach out to those we trust.”
So far, Karthick has raised $1,055 of his $1,000 fundraising goal and has completed 44,321 steps towards his overall goal of 1,000,000 steps.
Image source: CFA – Facebook.
Usually, 600 personnel would have climbed the 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel wearing 25kgs of turnout gear and breathing apparatus.
Unfortunately, the current COVID restrictions in Victoria prohibit this year’s Stair Climb event from taking place as it normally would.
The virtual Firefighter Stair Climb that started on 11 September will end on 10 October 2021.
British PM Boris Jonson: Picture Source: Twitter @nbenotman
Fully vaccinated Indian travellers will not require to be quarantined in the United Kingdom, starting from October 11.
The British Government had earlier tweaked its travel rules from October 4 and did not mention Covishield in the list of its accepted vaccines.
Then the UK government accepted the Covishield vaccine but did not accept India’s vaccine certificates, generated by CoWin.
It must be noted that certification after coronavirus vaccinations in India is a centralised national system managed through the CoWIN app and portal.
This platform is entirely compliant with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
The UK’s regulation meant Indian travellers vaccinated with both doses of Covishield have to undergo the mandatory quarantine in the UK.
India’s foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla called the UK government’s decision “discriminatory” and one that impacts the travel of Indians.
Image source: British High commissioner to India Alex Ellis – Twitter.
British High commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted a video on Thursday thus bringing an end to the ongoing India-UK tussle over recognition of vaccination against Covid-19.
“Good evening! From Monday, 11th October, travellers from India to the UK, double jabbed by Covishield or any other vaccine recognised by the UK regulator does not have to quarantine. So it will easier and cheaper to enter the UK. This is great news.”
Alex Ellis also thanked the Indian government for the continuous cooperation with the UK government.
No quarantine for Indian travellers to UK fully vaccinated with Covishield or another UK-approved vaccine from 11 October.
Alex Ellis added that the UK is open for Indian travellers for months and has also processed thousands of visas to students, business travellers and tourists.
“Some of the noise about this issue in the last few weeks just shows how keen people are to travel to the UK and I am delighted by that… Let’s open up more flights between the countries…”
This is the result of several rounds of talks held between India and the UK government to recognise India’s vaccine certificate.
Meanwhile, India has also imposed a similar restriction on people coming from the UK to India.
Indian men’s hockey team clinch bronze, win medal after 41 years; Picture Source: Hockey India
Further, the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams pulled out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham citing coronavirus concerns and discriminatory quarantine rules for Indians in the UK.
In response to Alex Ellis’ video, Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, tweeted: “So standing up to Britian worked.”
Referring to a clear win by Narendra Modi-led Indian government, Rishi Bagree, a political observer, tweeted: “This is new India.”
A British High Commission spokesperson told Indian media that the decision was taken “after close technical cooperation between our ministries taking public health factors into account”.
International student at Airport; Picture Source: CANVA
International students will start returning to Victoria by the end of the year under the Victorian Government’s Student Arrivals Plan, which has been submitted to the Commonwealth for approval.
The Plan provides a graduated, safe return to study in Victoria for international students, and a pipeline for continued arrivals through 2022.
Students arriving under the plan will be in addition to Victoria’s existing international arrivals cap, which means they will not displace returning Australians.
The first stage of the plan: A- 120 places will be available each week for Victorian university students, prioritising those who need to undertake practical work to continue or complete their degrees, such as health and medical degree students, as well as postgraduate research students.
International student at Airport; Picture Source: CANVA
B- Universities will provide funding towards the extra quarantine places for student visa holders, with students required to cover the cost of their flight to Melbourne. Students will be quarantined in dedicated accommodation managed by COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria.
Victoria’s Minister for Trade Martin Pakula said “This sensible plan will progressively get students who are enrolled at Victorian universities, TAFEs and colleges safely into Victoria so they can undertake their studies.”
Airport; Picture Source: CANVA
“A gradual return of international students means we can keep Victorians safe and not affect places for returning Australians,”
added Mr Pakula
The second stage: This will enable more places with larger-scale international student arrivals from across the sector, including those enrolled in TAFEs, English-language courses, private education providers and secondary schools.
Over 75,000 international students from 100 countries are currently studying in Victoria, around 47,000 more are enrolled with Victorian education providers but remain offshore while Australia’s international borders are closed.
The Airport; Picture Source: CANVA
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne Professor Duncan Maskell says “Victorian universities have been working collaboratively with the Victorian Government on a plan to facilitate the return of international students to the state.”
“We are pleased the plan has now been submitted to the Federal Government – we look forward to Minister Tudge reviewing and approving the plan as soon as possible.”
International education is a critical services export and jobs provider for Victoria, contributing a peak of $13.7 billion to the state’s economy and supporting around 79,000 Victorian jobs prior to the pandemic.
More information is available at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/international-student-arrivals-plan.
United Kingdom’s (UK) Home Secretary Priti Patel’s has made reference to her job as “Sewa” during her speech at the Conservative Party’s annual conference.
Image source: Priti Patel – Twitter.
During her keynote speech in Manchester, Priti Patel said:
“Our (Conservative Party) values embody service before self and this can be clearly defined by the Hindu word ‘sewa’, which can mean service, commitment and dedication to others.
Ensuring that the best interests of our country come first is what drives me every day. That is my responsibility and that is my service and that is our party.”
While Priti Patel received praise from dharmic-minded people, her political opponents, Hinduphobic academics and many supporters of the violent separatist Khalistan movement have leapt on this opportunity to ridicule her on social media platforms.
Well-known Indian journalist Chandra Prakash pointed out in his tweet how “Khalistanis are going mad over this statement of Priti Patel” as “they think that the Sewa of ISI and Christian missionaries is the only true service.”
Making fun of the slight slip in Priti Patel’s speech, Amandeep Madra OBE, the founder of the UK Punjab Heritage Association, tweeted: “Oi buddy, do you speak Hindi?”
Labor MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi quoted Madra on Twitter, highlighting how Sikhs are angry with her for using “Sewa” as a Hindu concept:
“Her comment is just so wrong on so many different levels. No wonder many Sikhs and others are outraged by it!”
A Sikh gentleman even tweeted that Priti Patel doesn’t know what “Sewa” actually means?
Another Indian-born Labor MP Preet Kaur Gill tweeted in similar vain:
Many Indians are delighted that Priti Patel had highlighted the Hindu concept of “Sewa” in her speech.
For the ill-informed, Anil Bhanot, Interfaith director of the Hindu Council UK, highlighted that that “Sewa” is a Hindu word in the same way as “dharma”.
“Sewa is an ancient Hindu concept of the Vedas. It is selfless service without expecting any recognition, and it is performed by Nishkam Karma, as mentioned by Bhagwan Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita.
It is a Sanskrit word, not Hindi. Hindi did not exist then. Sikhs do langar sewa but the concept originated in Hinduism. Many Hindus do sewa.”
Although the Sikhs claim that their spiritual tradition is separate from Hinduism, any learned scholar of religious study can tell that Sikhism was a movement born within the Hindu tradition.
Guru Nanak, a Punjabi Hindu Khatri by birth, belonged to the Sant tradition of northern India. So, many of his early ideas are clearly from Hinduism, including the concept of “Sewa.”
Sant tradition itself drew heavily on the Vaishnava bhakti which presented “Sewa -dharma” and “Sewa-bhava” as the ultimate or most superior form of devotion to God.
The Hindu concept of “sewa,” considered as one of the biggest dharma or religious duty, is not a religious obligation and is based on total anonymity.
The selfless action of “Sewa” in Hinduism should be performed without any hopes of monetary benefits or material awards.
British Indians Voice tweeted thanking Rt Hon Priti Patel for her “Seva” and pointed to how it is related to the Hindu concept of “Karma.”
WATCH VIDEO: “Hindu concept of Sewa drives me in my work every day”: Priti Patel
Tokyo Olympics: Indian women's hockey team make history, beat Australia 1-0; Picture Source: Twitter @HockeyIndia
The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams have decided to pull out of the Commonwealth Games 2022, which is set to be held from July 28 to August 8, 2022, in Birmingham, England.
Hockey India says, England’s policy to not recognise Indian Vaccination is discriminatory and 10 days quarantine requirement for vaccinated sportspersons will have negative effects on their performance.
Speaking about the decision taken to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games, Gyanendro Ningombam, President, Hockey India said,
“The Asian Games 2022 is certainly a very important tournament for us since it’s a continental qualification event for Paris Olympics 2024.”
It is a priority for the teams to win the gold medal at the Asian Games 2022, thus securing direct qualification for the Indian men and women teams for the Paris Olympic Games and allowing the teams almost 2 years to fully prepare for the Olympics.
The teams have decided to put their full focus on the Asian Games 2022, which will be hosted at Hangzhou, China, from September 10-25, 2022.
Since the Asian Games is a continental qualification event for the Paris Olympics 2024, the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will need to be at their very best when they take part in the Asian Games in September 2022.
Tokyo Olympics: Indian women’s hockey team make history, beat Australia 1-0; Picture Source: Twitter @HockeyIndia
“The Indian men’s and women’s teams have to play at their optimum level and therefore it was important for us to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games 2022, which is being held just before the Asian Games 2022.
After a scintillating performance by both the Indian teams at the Tokyo Games, we are focusing on producing even better results at the Paris Olympic stage,” he added.
Image source: Atul Keshap with Mohan Bhagwat - Twitter.
David Trone, a USA Congressman (House of Representatives), has been criticised for writing a letter protesting former US Ambassador to India Atul Keshap’s meeting with India’s social and cultural organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Hindu Human Rights activists and Former Student President at the University of Oxford, Rashmi Samant pointed to David Trone’s ignorance highlighted via his own letter.
Actually, Democrat David Trone represents the 6th District of Maryland which has the tenth highest number of Muslims of all US states.
Image source: David Trone – Facebook.
Liquor retailer and politician David Trone in his letter said that he is writing on behalf of his constituents who have raised concerns over RSS’ ideology.
“As you know, the RSS has long promoted principles of Hindu nationalism, an ideology which threatens the Muslim community and other communities in India.”
Indian-origin US Ambassador has met with the RSS Chief to conduct a wide-ranging discussion.
“Good discussion with @RSSorg Shri Mohan Bhagwat about how India’s tradition of diversity, democracy, inclusivity, and pluralism can ensure the vitality and strength of a truly great nation.”
David Trone in his letter calling RSS a “radical nationalist” organisation adds:
“By engaging with RSS officials and discussing their ideology, the United States could lend legitimacy to this controversial group and further jeopardize the communities that the RSS has targetted.”
Image source: PAKPAC.
Under the influence of his constituents, David Trone has been critical of the RSS and BJP in the past too.
In 2019, David Trone had made statements that were critical of India’s use of “national security tropes to trample human rights” in Kashmir.
The same year, David Trone who was also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee gave a speech at Pakistan American Political Action Committee (PAKPAC) meeting.
The Congressman this time spoke on the need for “increased trade” with Pakistan.
Prior to this, he had even established a fund to provide legal assistance to local Muslims who were affected by the Trump Administration’s travel ban.
Former President Donald Trump has issued Executive Order 13769, titled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, to temporarily ban the entry of Muslims in America.
Image source: Twitter.
Atul Keshap, who was the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy, held a series of farewell meetings with prominent Indian leaders and heads of organisations as his tenure came to an end.
Before his departure, Atul Keshap said in a statement:
“The U.S.-India relationship has never been better. Working together, our two great democracies will continue to advance human happiness around the world for years to come.”
Reprentative Picture of Hindu Rituals; Picture Source: @CANVA
Early in March of 2021, a group of Hindu students,from across the US, Canada, and the UK, started a Twitter handle @HinduOnCampus (HOC) documenting the repeated incidents of Hinduphobia by Professor Audrey Truschke.
The students asked Rutgers university to take action against the professor, in an open letter that was sent to the University President. The letter meticulously documented the pattern of how Audrey Truschke, a tenure track professor, has used her platform to push Hinduphobia, and how Truschke painted Hindu texts and deities as inherently violent and misogynistic; something that practising Hindus have refuted over and over again.
Any protest by Hindus was silenced by Audrey Truschke by crying Hindutva. HOC rightfully asked the University to protect the minority Hindu Students on their Campus from bullying caused by the misrepresentation of their religious beliefs.
HOC’s efforts mobilized a broad spectrum of Hindus who had experienced similar Hinduphobia but had previously stayed silent, due to the repercussions of speaking out or being labelled Hindutva. Efforts to recognize Hinduphobia had been going on for a long time, however, many who had stayed in the margins joined the fray seeing their children speaking out.
Audrey Trushke in the meantime stalked Hindu students and their parents and called them Hindutva fascists. Even as incidents kept escalating, Rutgers University used the excuse of upholding Academic Freedom to try and silence the Hindu Students. Audrey Truschke is a tenured track professor who was under no threat of being silenced.
Hindu students in the West, on the other hand, are from a micro-minority community with little institutional support and have suffered years of silencing and Hinduphobia in their public universities and schooling. In her study scholar, Dr Yvette Rosser found that:
“When asked to list the topics that were emphasized in the study of India, most of the students listed these, enumerated by this American born student of South Asian heritage who had recently graduated from a high school in Houston, “Wars, disease, population, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, female infanticide, flooding, and starvation.” “India,” stated another student was “only thought of as a third world country–considered inferior and totally ignorant of world events.” Several students mentioned that the “economic backwardness of India” was “blamed on the superstitious and polytheistic nature of Hinduism.”
This essentialist presentation of Indic Civilization can be summarized as the standard pedagogic approach which runs quickly from the “Cradle of Civilization”–contrasting the Indus Valley with Egypt and Mesopotamia–on past the Aryans 3, who were somehow our linguistic (and/or racial!) ancestors–to the poverty-stricken, superstitious, polytheistic, “caste-ridden” Hindu “way of life”. . . and then somehow magically culminates with a eulogy of Mahatma Gandhi.
A typical textbook trope presents standard Ancient India Meets the Age of Expansion Approach with a colour photo of the Taj Mahal. There may be a sidebar on ahimsa or a chart graphically explaining samsara and reincarnation, or the four stages of life, or the Four Noble Truths, and amid the dearth of real information there may be found an entire page dedicated to a deity such as Indra or Varuna, who admittedly are rather an obscure vis-à-vis the beliefs of most modern Hindus.”
Dr Rosser found that American Universities were presenting Hinduism and India with a White Gaze that depicted Hindus as stereotypically caste-ridden backward people in need of civilizing and the Hindu Students attending these universities had little power to change the way their faith was being represented.
Dr Audrey Truschke’s claim, that her academic freedom was being impinged, is baseless as the power structures in American Universities are essentially tipped in her favour.
Across the pond in the UK, another Hindu Student, Rashmi Samant, had been bullied into stepping down from her Student Union President position at Oxford University over 5-year-old Social Media posts and her usage of the phrase “celebrating women, trans women, men who support us”, due to their perceived offensiveness.
Rashmi explained in an interview given to SheThePeople, that this was due to cultural differences between India and the West and apologized for it. Unfortunately, the critique of Rashmi Samant didn’t stop at her Social Media but went on to denigrate her parents and her religious beliefs. One Oxford staff member, Dr Abhijit Sarkar, attacked her parents and their Hindu religion which caused her to step down completely and leave the UK temporarily.
“In the chain of unfortunate events since what hurts me the most is that my parents were dragged into it in the most insensitive manner by a member of the university. Their religious sentiments and regional background were insulted in the public domain.
The fact that I am a Hindu in no way makes me intolerant or unfit to be the President of Oxford SU. Contrary to this, I understand the value of diversity in its true sense though my exposure to the intricacies of the developed world is limited,”.
Even the Oxford India Society, an organisation that is supposed to represent and protect Indian Students, failed to support Rashmi Samant. They whitewashed the role that White Supremacy continues to play at Oxford, a university that is still struggling with its legacy of Slavery while continuing to keep the statue that lionizes Cecil Rhodes, a man who is known to discriminate based on Race and Gender.
These events against the Hindu students led Hindu scholars Dr Indu Viswananthan and Dr Parth Parihar to work with a Hindu Student-led group called Hindu Student Council to organize the Understanding Hinduphobia conference where they generated a working definition of Hinduphobia and made history by having the definition be accepted officially by the Rutgers Student Council.
#BREAKING: Rutgers University becomes the first U.S university to institutionally recognize Hinduphobia through its student assembly #UnderstandingHinduphobia2021
“Hinduphobia is a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours towards Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may manifest as prejudice, fear, or hatred.”
Hinduphobic rhetoric reduces the entirety of Sanatana Dharma to a rigid, oppressive, and regressive tradition. Prosocial and reflexive aspects of Hindu traditions are ignored or attributed to outside, non-Hindu influences. This discourse actively erases and denies the persecution of Hindus while disproportionately painting Hindus as violent. These stereotypes are used to justify the dissolution, external reformation, and demonization of the range of indigenous Indic knowledge traditions known as Sanatana Dharma.
The complete range of Hinduphobic acts extends from microaggressions to genocide. Hinduphobic projects include the destruction and desecration of Hindu sacred spaces; aggressive and forced proselytization of Hindu populations; targeted violence towards Hindu people, community institutions, and organizations; and, ethnic cleansing and genocide.”
Back in the UK, a study released by the 1928 Institute, showed that a majority of British Indians experienced prejudice because of their Hindu Faith.
Hindus who have experienced Hinduphobia for generations were finally being heard and getting some institutional recognition for their experiences. Western Academics who had been free to peddle Hinduphobia, like Audrey Trushke, were finally being held accountable by their students and the wider community for silencing Hindus and erasing our experiences of genocide.
Hindus had made a small measure of progress towards being treated as actual human beings, rather than being treated as people in need of Civilizing.
However, Colonial institutions rarely give up their power without a fight. The Dismantling Global Hindutva Conference is White Supremacist Colonial Institutions exerting their dominance to re-silence Hindus. They wish to disenfranchise and isolate us from the larger society so that our voices become whispers again.
As Edward Said argued in his seminal book Orientalism,
“The production of knowledge cannot be viewed independently of the power equations inherent in the production of such knowledge.”
This is the context in which the DGH conference needs to be understood. It’s an exertion of power to uphold the West’s hegemony over knowledge production about Hindus so their colonial project of destroying Hinduism can go on.
Leading up to the DGH conference, its sponsors insisted to Western Media outlets like the WashingtonPost and to anyone who would listen, that their conference was not about Hinduism but only about Hindutva. Hindus protested by sending over 1 million letters and emails and contacting their representative, and asking for congressional support because as soon as the community looked at the DGH conference’s actual statements we understood that this was about Destroying Hinduism as it actively erased the genocide of Hindus and our experience of Hinduphobia.
In an open letter signed by 8 Hindu Scholars, Dr Viswananthan and Dr Parihar quoted the DGH conference webpage as saying,“individual cases of discrimination, no matter how painful, do not amount to Hinduphobia since Hinduphobia rests on the false notion that Hindus have faced systematic oppression throughout history and in present times.”
This assertion actively erased Hindu genocide in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir, and Afghanistan, in addition to erasing the experience of millions of Hindus who live in Western countries and face daily harassment and bullying due to their religious beliefs.
The conference also asserted that Anti-Hindu bias and anti-Hindu violence are not linked, and lastly anyone who disagrees with their assertions is Hindu Supremacist or Hindutva. The Hindu scholars unpacking this explained,
“Such an assertion is disturbing, and dangerous when put forth by those with academic credentials. As this scholarly definition notes, “outright denying or accusing Hindus or any people of inventing or exaggerating the persecution of Hindus, including genocide,”constitutes Hinduphobia.”
The Conference leaders continued to maintain that this was about Hindutva and not Hinduism. A post-conference analysis, however, proved the Hindu Scholars and Hindu community right. The conference was really about Dismantling Hinduism and not Hindutva.
Speaker after speaker at the Dismantling Global Hindutva conference made it clear that, in their view, Hindutva can’t be separated from Hinduism, if they wanted to Dismantle Hindutva, they insisted that Hinduism must be dismantled.
BREAKING: Didn't attend the @dghconference? Don't worry, our research team did!
Was the conference about Dismantling Hindutva or Hinduism? See for yourself.
None of this is new of course. As Dr Arvind Sharma showed in his book Ruler’s Gaze, Western Academics produced Orientalist “knowledge” about Hinduism going back to the 1800s German Indologists and British Indologists. It’s just that Orientalism and Hinduphobia have found new homes in Western South Asian Departments where the same colonial theories get pushed with Brown faces.
Hindus, like other marginalized people, resisted this oppression by simply being Hindu. By wearing a Bindi, by going to the temple, by calling out Hinduphobia, by sending letters, or by teaching our kids about Hindu Dharma and in a million big and small ways.
We resisted and we made ourselves heard.
However, these institutions that have upheld white supremacy for 200 years will always seek to silence us. What we need to do is continue to empower our people with knowledge to combat this Hinduphobia.
Tell out stories as Sankalp Gilda did. Advocate for equal treatment, protection, and recognition of our persecution from our political leaders at every single level. Lastly, we as Hindus need to build allyship with other marginalized communities in the lands we have chosen to immigrate to.
In the West, that means forming allyship with Black, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, and Indigenous communities and listening to their stories. It means showing up at school boards meetings and congressional hearings and town council meetings at every level! That means becoming allies against White Supremacists institutions that harm marginalized communities every day.
The Dismantling Global Hindutva conference is a call to action for Hindus around the globe, especially in the diaspora, to take a stand against Hinduphobia and keep speaking our truth.
Sneha is a Hindu American first-generation immigrant to the US. She moved to the US when she was 13 and has struggled with issues of Hinduphobia and Assimilation into the larger American culture. After becoming a mother, she started deeply examining the ways in which American culture can be harmful to Hindu children. She found that Hinduphobia and Appropriation of Hindu Culture deeply affected her as a teenager growing up in the US. Sneha started working on articulating and writing about these issues on her social media and is now a contributor to Shaktitva and Hindus for Decolonization Group.
This Oped was first published on the India Facts, We have republished it with kind permission.
Disclaimer: The author is solely responsible for the views expressed in this Oped. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the Author, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
Further Reading
1 – Altman, M. J. (2017). Heathen, Hindoo, Hindu: American Representations of India, 1721–1893 (1st ed.). Oxford University Press.
2 – Sharma, A. (2017). The Ruler’s Gaze: A Study of British Rule over India from a Saidian Perspective (1st ed.). HarperCollins.
British Indians took part in a silent vigil as part of an appeal to and violence against minorities in Pakistan.
According to reports, these peaceful protests especially highlighting forced conversions of Hindu girls in Pakistan were held across 40 towns and cities of the UK.
On October 2, People gathered in major cities such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Salisbury, Cheltenham, Derby, and Slough to just name a few.
They distributed pamphlets about the allegedly forced conversion of Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls in Pakistan.
Image source: Insight UK – Facebook.
These protests were organised by Insight UK, a movement of British Hindu and Indian communities.
This human rights organisation now has a strong grass root presence in more than 100 towns or cities of the UK.
Image source: Insight UK – Facebook.
The organisers told TOI:
“The situation of Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan is increasingly dire. They face regular kidnappings, forceful conversion, attacks and persecution.”
The organiser added:
“Each year over 1,000 minor Hindu girls are abducted, forced to convert, married to people twice or thrice of their age or pushed into the sex trade. Some seminaries teach that forcibly converting Hindu girls is equivalent to the greatest religious duty. Minorities in Pakistan face the threat of blasphemy laws.”
In 1947, Pakistan had a minority population of about 31%. Of these, around 24% — or 7.5 million — were Hindus.
Today, after 75 years, the minority population has been reduced to 4%, of which Hindus account for 1.6% or 2.5 million people.
Insight UK is lobbying with British MPs to raise its concerns with Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia.
The organisers want the UK government to raise the allegedly forced conversion of Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls with Pakistan.
It is also urging the Indian government to ensure fast-track citizenship applications of Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from Pakistan.
You may not either be a teacher or may not remember your teachers’ role in your life, but teachers are the ones who make the human capital for the nation.
Teachers devote their lives to teach the lessons of life to children, understand knowledge and grow into mature responsible citizens of a nation. They educate students of various ages, from young children to adults, in a wide range of subjects to make a difference in the life of many.
They act as a guardian, counsellors and mentors to give way to the passion of students and groom them to achieve their respective career.
Teaching is a noble profession; although it may not be financially attractive it gives a sense of satisfaction and impact society as a whole. A day is dedicated to honour, appreciate, support, recognise and celebrate the nation’s educators through World Teachers’ Day.
History of WTD
Thus, every year on October 5, World Teachers’ Day [WTD] is celebrated to honour all teachers throughout the world. It marks the 50th anniversary of adopting the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation related to the Status of teachers that emphasis the teachers’ rights and responsibilities.
As per UNESCO,
“This recommendation sets forth the rights and responsibilities of teachers as well as international standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, teaching and learning conditions.”
Since 1994, the WTD has been observed, as UNESCO had made inaugural of this day. WTD is co-hosted by UNICEF, International Labour Organisation and Education International. 2021 WTD remember the teacher contribution to recover the education system during and after the COVID-19 phase.
Global events are organised to highlight the impact of a pandemic on the teaching profession and the promising response of the teachers to bring the education back to normal.
Celebrating WTD
WTD should not be taken lightly, as the teachers make the future of the upcoming generations, appreciation of teachers effort only on a day seems a bit injustice to their contributions, as it should be celebrated throughout the year.
The celebration of 2021 World Teachers day is done at Fiji National University, led by the intellectual dean of the College of Humanities and Education, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.
Similar events are celebrated across the world to understand the context of teachers contribution in the education sector and society at large.
Prof. Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, Dean of College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Appreciation of the teachers and their incredible role in the profession is the motto behind celebrating WTD.
The objective is to appreciate, assess and improve the conditions of educators around the globe. Thus addressing the issues of teachers and teaching through observing WTD. Different ceremonies and awards are bestowed to the teachers all around the globe to the outperformed teachers.
They make a difference in society by their contribution beginning from classroom to community service. The goal of this day is to enhance educational quality by increasing awareness of the importance of teaching and contemporary problems impacting the teachers.
WTD is commemorated with a new topic every year, as determined by UNESCO. WTD’s 2020 theme was “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future’ whereas 2021 is ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’. Their contribution towards the students and society has become the pillar of development and growth.
COVID-19 has been a challenge for teachers and students, as there has been unprecedented closure of schools, where teachers contributed to the transition of teaching pedagogy from face-to-face towards virtual teaching.
Teachers role has been outstanding in continue the journey of teaching and go beyond their official duties to support their children. Despite have huge workload stress and reducing their family time.
Conclusion
After reading this op-ed, you may recall your favourite teacher that has moulded your future and encourage you to achieve your goals. An appreciation towards them in the best possible manner shall help to achieve the motto behind celebrating WTD.
Your word of appreciation shall make a difference. You may not be in touch with them, but a simple call to say ‘Thank you with a smile will bring an emotional touch and a smile on their face to give you a blessing that they had been given you since you were a student in their class.
Disclaimer: Dr Sakul Kundra is a Head of Department, Social Science and Assistant Professor at College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University. PhD History from JNU, and Gold Medalist in PGD in Education, USP. The views expressed are his own and not of this newspaper or his employer. For comments or suggestions, email. dr.sakulkundra@gmail.com
Australian shares dropped to their lowest level in four months on persistent worries about rising inflation in Europe and the USA and uncertainty surrounding Chinese property giant Evergrande.
The Australian shares recorded a fourth consecutive week of decline the local market has pretty much given away all the gains it has made since early June.
A slew of weak economic data from China and the surprise resignation of Gladys Berejiklian due to the ICAC investigation added to uncertainty. Historically the month of October has seen some of the most famous market routes and the start of October this year was no different with the unwelcome fall of 2% on Friday accounting for most of the 2.1% weekly fall last week.
Australia’s biggest trading partner, China, is also in the middle of a power crunch which resulted in a surprise decline in Chinese factory activity in September. This, in turn, is expected to impact the resources and minerals sector in Australia which rely heavily on the demand for raw materials from China.
A softening property market in China amidst Evergrande missing another $180 million payment o foreign US bondholders also dealt a fresh flow to Australian shares with both financials and miners feeling the pain.
The ill-timed surprise resignation of the NSW Premier on Friday have also added to uncertainty in Australian markets. With NSW in the middle of a crucial re-opening phase, it will be important for the new Premier to hit the road running.
However, amongst all the gloom there were some bright points with the Australian PM announcing Australia’s opening plan. The announcement sent travel stocks higher with Hello World leading the rally. The power shortage in China has also helped push the price of thermal coal to record high, thus helping coal miners in Australia. Whitehaven Coal was the biggest benefactor of rising coal prices and added a handy 4% to its value.
The Australian gold miners also ended in the positive as gold prices rose on inflation fears. Newcrest Mining, Northern Star Resources and Evolution all rose healthily throughout the week.
Looking ahead at this week will be a big week with the Reserve Bank of Australia meeting on Tuesday. While no change is expected to historic low-interest rates of 0.1% the investors would still be on edge to hear about the Board’s view on the Australian economy. Other important data that will impact market movement this week will be the job advertisements, construction data, car sales data, jobs and wages data, services data and finally Reserve Bank’s semi-annual Financial Stability Review.
While it seems this week the market will try and recover some of its recent losses there still seems to be a lot of uncertainty regarding Australia’s economic reopening plan amidst rising Covid-19 cases.
In regards to gold, worries about rising inflation and risks to global growth helped the yellow metal record its first weekly gain since 03 September. Gold is often seen as a hedge against the inflation and falling stocks in Asia and Europe on inflation worries and a possible slowdown in growth sent investors back into precious metal.
Market Mantra:Gold; Picture Source: @CANVA
A dip in the US Dollar against a basket of other currencies and lower bond yields also added to appeal for gold. The continuing rise in energy prices in China and Europe and growth concerns in China will support gold. However, prospects that the US may wind down on fiscal stimulus this year may yet pressure gold.
Oil continued to rally for a fifth consecutive week with international oi benchmark Brent Crude hitting US$80 per barrel for the first time since October 2018. With both US Crude and Brent recording another week of gains, oil has now added more than 50% in prices for 2021.
There is a persistent supply deficit with OECD countries not increasing supply even as economies open up have aided oil prices. As oil continues to rally, Goldman Sachs hiked its target price for Brent from $80 by the end of the year to $90 by the end of the year.
In April 2020 when the pandemic hit and oil prices moved into negative territory, OPEC countries announced historical cuts in oil productions and removed nearly 10 million barrels per day from the market. However, with most economies now opening up the OPEC nations continue to hold back oil production. As such while demand for oil has since recovered the supply remains constrained.
oil price going up; Picture Source: @Canva
The rise in oil prices and supply concerns have also forced nations to switch to other energy sources to meet the demand and have thus resulted in a rally in gas prices with Natural Gas Futures reaching their highest levels in the last 7.5 years. The price of Natural gas is up 40% alone in September with gas usage expected to increase as Northern Hemisphere heads into the winter season.
In a volatile week for the local currency, the Australian dollar hit a four week low before steadying during the end of the week and rallying on Friday to close the week on a high. A 6.6% rise in building permits in August, a 0.6% rise in a month on month Private Sector Credit and the announcement that NSW will ease restrictions for fully vaccinated persons earlier than expected all combined to improve sentiment towards the Australian Dollar.
However, with retail recording, a fifth consecutive monthly decline and uncertainty due to rising delta cases the Australian growth is expected to have a major hit. Traders will be waiting for GDP data to analyse the state of the local economy. It is widely expected that the GDP for the September quarter will show negative growth, which it does will start another decline for the Australian dollar.
In regards to the Indian Rupee, the rising oil prices resulted in Indian currency slipping against other major currencies. While Indian factory data expanded in September signalling economic recovery the employment data showing firms reduced headcount at the fastest pace since May.
India has a 77% dependence on oil imports and a rise in oil prices impacts the rupee negatively. With oil prices rising to their highest prices since October 2018, the Rupee slid below the 74.00 mark against the US Dollar.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the crypto investments picked up once again with investors buying the dip. Even though China once again reiterated that all crypto-related activities are illegal, a report from IMF stating investments in cryptocurrencies are growing at an unbounded rate, especially in emerging countries helped cryptocurrencies recover some of their recent losses.
While September had not been a good month for the cryptocurrencies with Ether recording a 16% decline for the month and Bitcoin losing 7%, the pullback is expected in light of the rally over the last 12 months.
Ethereum alone have added roughly 830% to its value in the last 12 months and the 9% rally on Friday night signals the currencies are ready to enter a bullish cycle again after the recent dip.
Market Mantra: Bit Coin; Picture Source: @CANVA
With Ethereum though still struggling with high transaction fees and slow network speed, we feel that some of the other coins such as Cardano or Solana dubbed as Ethereum killers may provide a better value for crypto investors.
Solana, which as per its company website processes 50,000 transactions per second compared to Ethereum which is limited to 13 transactions per second have already rallied 4,800% since September 2020. For investors looking to diversify from Bitcoin and Ethereum, we feel Cardano, Solana, Matic, Polygon and Tezos provide a great alternative.
Market Mantra: Dollar turn; Picture Source: @CANVA
In agricultural products, it was a mixed week. Wheat futures climbed to a six week high on tight supply concerns. Corn followed wheat higher. Soy however dropped after US data showed larger than expected soy inventories in the US.
With wheat stocks at a 14 year low in the US as per the report from USDA and also a decline in production wheat is in very tight supply and could lead the gains in grain prices till a new cycle of crops is available for exports.
Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs a business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone interested in starting their trading journey on how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.
Disclaimer:
The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.
We strongly recommend that you perform your independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.
This investigation highlights secretive offshore finance and accounts of world’s wealthiest.
It includes revelations about the secret deals and hidden assets of more than 330 politicians and high-level public officials in more than 90 countries and territories.
ICIJ shared the files with 150 media partners, that includes more than 600 journalists in 117 countries and territories.
This is claimed to be the broadest collaboration in journalism history with nearly 3 terabytes of leaked data.
Even bigger than the Panama Papers investigation conducted five years ago, which was based on a leak from a single law firm.
Image source: ICIJ – Pnadora Papers 2021.
The data include spreadsheets, tax declarations, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, emails and company records listing directors and shareholders.
It also include suspicious activity reports, sanctions lists, due diligence reports, know-your-customer forms, passports, utility bills and photos.
According to ICIJ, experts say owning an offshore company is legal but can give rise to other illegalities.
“While owning an offshore company is legal, the secrecy it provides can give cover to illicit money flows, enabling bribery, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorism financing and human trafficking and other human rights abuses.”
Not surprisingly, the Pandora Papers contain names of over 300 Indians and 700 Pakistanis.
This includes many former Indian Member of Parliaments as well as names of former associates of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to a Guardian, prominent Pakistani politicians named in the expose include both civilian government and military leaders such as Wagar Masood Khan and Chaudhry Moonis Elahi among others.
A spokesperson for PM Imran Khan told media that if any of his ministers or advisors had offshore companies, “they will have to be held accountable.”
For these rich South Asians, Samoa, Belize or the Cook Islands are some of the preferred tax havens, apart from larger tax havens like the British Virgin Islands or Panama.
According to Indian Express that was part of the investigation, Anil Ambani who had declared bankruptcy in a UK court has 18 asset holding offshore companies.
The report states that Sachin Tendulkar asked for the liquidation of his entity in the British Virgin Islands three months after Panama Papers.
Tendulkar’s attorney told ICIJ:
“the cricket player’s investment is legitimate and has been declared to tax authorities.”
The Pandora papers have also revealed that Bollywood star Jackie Shroff was the prime beneficiary of a trust set up in New Zealand by his mother-in-law.
The report added that Nirav Modi’s sister also set up a trust a month before he fled India.
Further, Biocon promoter Kiran Mazumdar Shaw’s husband set up a trust with keys to a person who has been banned by the SEBI for insider trading.
I appears that the revelations from Pandora Papers would once again help restart debate over the fairness of the Indian and international tax system.
WATCH VIDEO: Pandora Papers: An unprecedented leak exposes the inner workings of a shadow economy – ICIJ
Victoria recorded 1,377 new COVID19 cases today with a seven-day average now at 1,211. The state government has already announced a detailed roadmap about what happens when different vaccination milestones are achieved.
To understand and make an informed decision about the real situation in Victoria here are some numbers. New Cases in Victoria over the past 14 days are 12,718.
Victoria Cases over the past 14 days by LGA 1- Metro: 12278 (6190 Unknown Source) 2- Regional: 440 (140 Unknown Source)
Victoria Active Cases by Age: 0-9 years: 703 Boy 654 Girl 10-19 years: 1094 Boy 959 Girl 20-29 years: 1537 Man 1323 Woman 30-39 years: 1038 Man 948 Woman 40-49 years: 696 Man 708 Woman 50-59 years: 538 Man 530 Woman 60-69 years: 288 Man 280 Woman 70+ years: 178 Man 226 Woman
% of cases in the last 14 days tell us the real story. 29% of the new cases are from the cohort of under 19-year-olds. Under 9-year-olds are 12 per cent new cases and 10-19-year-olds had 17% new cases in the last 14 days.
IT consultant, Sunnayna Sahu is a resident of Melbourne’s Northern suburb Craigieburn. As per the Victorian government’s roadmap, her 8-year-old daughter is supposed to attend school on 18th October.
She told The Australia Today, “I am fully vaccinated and working from home at the movement and there is no push from my employer to go back to the office once 80% vaccination is done.”
“How, can I send my 8 year old child with no vaccination to school while cases are surging in our area,”
said Ms Sahu.
She is not alone, a lot of parents are still contemplating whether to send their child to school or not as per the roadmap announced.
Rehbar Mumtaj is a long term resident of Truganina, a western suburb of Melbourne. Her four children go to Al-Taqwa college which was in the middle of a coronavirus outbreak.
Mumtaj told The Australia Today, “My 12 and 14-year-old daughters will have their first vaccine dose on 11th October. So maybe, I am thinking to send them to school.”
“But my under 12 year daughter and son can’t have any vaccine that’s why my husband doesn’t want to send them to school in the first few week,”
said Ms Mumtaj
The following chart tells us that only 13.80% of 12-19-year-olds have received both vaccines as of yesterday 3rd October.
16+ Australian population vaccine rollout progress on 4th October 2021: First Vaccine to 79.36% population and both Vaccine (fully vaccinated) to 56.52% population.
According to the current rate% (16+) Australians will be fully vaccinated in the next 18 days – that is on 22nd October 2021. However, 16+ Victorians will be 70% fully vaccinated in 22 days that is on 26th October 2021.
Another landmark will be of % fully vaccinated 16+ Australian population: This will be achieved at the current rate in 32 days time on 5th November 2021. Victoria will achieve this fully vaccinated 80% population tag in 35 days on 8th November 2021.
However, Victorian health departments data shows that 12+-year-olds will be 80% fully vaccinated in43 days on 16th November 2021.
The bigger question is around the safety of under 12-year-olds as there is no COVID19 vaccine available for them.
As per the Victorian government’s roadmap for a return to school schedule:
Prep will return on Monday 18th October for two days a week (Monday-Wednesday) Year 1-2 will return on Monday 18th October for two days a week (Thursday-Friday) Year 3-4 will return on Tuesday 26th October for two days a week (Tuesday- Wednesday) Year 5-6 will return on Tuesday 26th October for two days a week (Thursday-Friday) Year 7 will return on Tuesday 26th October for all five days of the week. Year 8-9 will return on Tuesday 26th October for two days a week (Tuesday- Wednesday) Year 11 will return on Tuesday 26th October for all five days of the week. Year 12 will return on Wednesday 6th October for all five days of the week. All students will be attending face to face learning every weekday on 5th November 2021.
Victoria has 585 active exposure sites as of today out of the 146 are tier-1 and 435 are tier-2.
Dominant Indian girls shake hand with Australian Captain Lanning; Picture Source: Twitter @AusWomenCricket
The one-off pink-ball Test between India and Australia ended in a draw after Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning shook hands in the final session of Day 4 at the Carrara Oval in Queensland on Sunday.
With this draw, both teams will get two points each. The multi-format series after the ODIs and a Test currently stands at Australia 6 – India 4.
The Pink Test saw fine performances from Smriti Mandhana with the bat in the first innings, Shafali in the second, with the ball – Jhulan was outstanding and the others chipped in.
For Australia, again it was Ellyse Perry who came to the team’s rescue with the bat while Stella Campbell on debut impressed with her attitude to charge in and try at all times.
Resuming the third session at 106/2, Georgia Wareham removed Shafali Verma quickly. And shortly after just 7 overs in the final session, Mithali Raj declared the second innings of India with a lead of 271, with 32 overs left in the match.
India enjoyed a great start in the final session as Jhulan Goswami bowled Alyssa Healy in the third over of the innings. It was a short ball outside off and Healy played a lacklustre shot as the ball hit the toe-end of the bat and back onto the stumps.
Meg Lanning then joined Beth Mooney on the pitch and started stabilising the ship for hosts. However, Pooja Vastrakar struck in the 10th as she dismissed Beth Mooney after Aussie edged to Gayakward at fine leg.
After five overs, just as they were walking away for some drinks, Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning came together and agreed that it was enough for the day.
Smriti Mandhana rates her 127-run knock in pink-ball Test as ‘top three’
Indian cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score a century in a pink-ball Test and on Australian soil on Day 2 of the Test. She has rated her 127-run knock as one of the top three.
Mandhana was adjudged player of the match for her triple-figure mark. During the post-match presentation, she said: “It’s definitely in the top three (asked to rate this hundred). First time playing a day-night Test, really happy that I gave good pace (start) to the team.”
“Most nervous night I have ever had – after the first day. Lucky with that no-ball on 80. That sort of cleared my mind after that. To wear whites and go into the field is the top-most thing. The different situation today to bat than the first day and that happens only in Tests.”
“To bat with slips, the gully is a different feel. We just have three days before the T20s. Rest for a day and get back to business with the T20s coming up,” she added.
India played really well and put us on the back foot, says Meg Lanning
Australia skipper Meg Lanning admitted that the hosts were put on the backfoot by the Indian team in the one-off pink-ball Test.
“We certainly came to win as did India. India played really well and put us on the back foot, we had to fight it out. They ran in hard and gave it their all. We fielded every day in this Test,”
said Lanning during the post-match presentation.
The match was hampered by the rain several times and Lanning feels if not for the weather, the pink-ball Test would have witnessed the result.
“Without the weather, we would have got a result in four days,”
said Lanning.
It was a mixed feeling: Mithali Raj
Indian captain Mithali Raj expected the new ball to move quite a bit in the day-night Test as she described her experience of playing the first pink-ball game.
Interacting with the media in the post-match press conference, Mithali Raj talked about the positives from two Tests that the team has played this year.
“In England, we were on the verge of losing and the lower-order put on a brave performance. Coming to Australia Smriti has played well, her hindered was fabulous. Seamers have bowled well. Jhulan is obviously an experienced player and she has been in a good rhythm. Along with her [Jhulan] the two young seamers has stood out,” she said.
“It was a mixed feeling. I expected quite a movement with the new ball but it didn’t happen. In the latter half of the 1st innings, there was a bit of a movement. For my first experience, I thoroughly enjoyed being on the ground,”
said Indian captain.
Raj also opened about the last-minute change of the call at the toss against Meg Lanning as she said, “You know with the history of me losing the toss I don’t want it to become my legacy.”
“And the way the girls have been pulling my legs for that so I thought let me change [the toss call] but clearly I think I need to take a cue from MS Dhoni regarding how to win the toss,” she quipped.
Brief Scores: India 377/8 d and 106/2 (Shafali Verma 52, Punam Raut 41, Ashleigh Gardner 1-31); Australia 241/9 d and 36/2 (Meg Lanning 17, Beth Mooney 11; Jhulan Goswami 1-8)
The latest report entitled “Muslim BrotherHood Arrives In India” published by thedisinfolab.org details how the Muslim Brotherhood has launched a campaign targeting India.
The Society of Muslim Brotherhood (Jami’at al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun), also known as the Muslim Brotherhood or Muslim Brothers, was born in 1928 in Egypt.
It has projected itself as democratic but in reality, is responsible for many attacks and sowing deep hatred among a large part of the Muslim population.
The report notes that the Muslim Brotherhood was conceived as a mimicking instrument to ‘infiltrate’ Western society to provide an intellectual framework to its radical Islamist discourse.
“The objective has been to monopolize the discussion of Islamic world and Muslim affairs by drowning the other voices. It has done so by adopting the ‘appearances’ and ‘mannerisms’ of the western world, including Western costumes (though essentially men).”
The Real Target of this MB led and QTP (Qatar-Turkey-Pakistan) executed slander campaign is Saudi Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS).
Image source: Saudi Prince Mohammed Bin Salman – Wikipedia.
However, according to the report, the #BoycottIndianProducts hashtag was widely shared on Twitter as part of including India in this campaign.
This hashtag was started after an eviction drive by Assam Police against illegal encroachers.
This drive had turned violent as illegal encroachers attacked the police.
Soon after, Twitter accounts from Pakistan and middle eastern countries launched the social media campaign to boycott products made in India.
According to DisinfoLab, the Assam incident was a mere excuse to run the campaign which was being planned since 2018.
“While on the face of it, the #Boycott_Indian_Products felt like it was a reaction to the most unfortunate and condemnable incident in Assam (and we hope that the culprit be brought to justice soon), it became apparent that the trigger wouldn’t have mattered.”
DisinfoLab report clearly states that most of the prominent handles promoting a campaign against India were directly related to the Muslim Brotherhood.
These accounts posted several videos and images that were unrelated to real incidents and aloes debunked by reputed fact-checkers in India.
The report further claims that many major news portals such as Al Jazeera, TRT World, Rassd News Network, Arabi21, Al-Araby News, and Watan Serb promoted the biased campaign by tweeting about it.
“AJ’s perspective towards India has been less than transparent, to say the least. It has had a history of sharing fake news, particularly targeting India. The anti-India slant of AJ was also visible, where it did not show the J&K as part of India, which is followed by all media houses publishing in India.”
According to the report, this social media trend was interesting, as it reminded of a similar campaign launched through trending #IslamophobiaInIndia in 2019, in the aftermath of the Tablighi Jamaat incident.
“The Pakistani info-war machinery had impersonated scores of prominent Arabic royal families, including women, and creating fake handles in their name, was pushing this coordinated campaign.”
The report observes that no amount of argument or fact-check would be able to counter this sponsored fake agenda of Islamists.
As the key idea behind it all is to keep repeating the lies until it becomes an established narrative.
“The idea is to flood the media space with so much content that it would look ubiquitous. This will create an impression of large-scale violence.”
A good example of this is the success of #IslamophobiaInIndia campaign, a narrative that is still being cited by well-known journalists and academics.
The report clearly points to Pakistan’s role, especially its ministers, ISI, journalists and strategic analyst, in fake social media campaigns against India.
Image source: DisinfoLab Report 2021.
The worrying trend is that most of these fake handles, accounts or bots are newly created in 2021.
Image source: DisinfoLab Report 2021.
The report notes that at present Twitter hashtag trend is the single biggest instrument for information warfare and Twitter doesn’t seem to have any measure or even care about such fake anti-India propaganda.
Image source: PM Narendra Modi – Twitter.
It concludes that this fake propaganda and social media war should be a wake-up call for the govt of India as well as for Indian social media users.
“With arrival of Muslim Brotherhood openly in South Asia, this could mark a watershed moment for info-war in South Asia, for which India seems rather ill-prepared.”
The report publisher DisinfoLab.org has been created with the motive of unveiling fake news and propaganda that intend to create turmoil among people in Asia.
Their previous report entitled ‘Kashmir Inc: a Conflict Industry’ had indicated that Qatar-Turkey-Pakistan nexus with the blessings of the Muslim Brotherhood is becoming the new hub for radical Islamists.
India’s Narcotics Control Bureau has detained Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan. He will be questioned today by the (NCB) after a cruise rave party was busted on Saturday night off the Mumbai coast.
The drugs raid was carried out by NCB officials onboard the Cordelia Cruises’ Empress ship and several people were taken in for questioning.
According to local media reports, the Zonal Director of NCB, Sameer Wankhede said that Aryan Khan has not been arrested or taken into custody yet. The anti-drug agency has only brought him in for questioning.
#WATCH | Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) detained at least 10 persons during a raid conducted at a party being held on a cruise in Mumbai yesterday
The videos on the incident where the NCB office was seen taking in youngsters for questioning are going viral now.
The NCB reportedly got information about the cruise party that was set to sail at 2 pm on 2 October and return to Mumbai around 10 am on 4 October. The raid was carried out by NCB officials led by zonal director Sameer Wankhede after they received a tip-off.
It is learnt that the NCB team disguised themselves as passengers and boarded the cruise in order to carry out the raid. The team revealed that the rave party began as soon as the cruise reached mid-sea.
Reports suggest that Aryan’s phone has been seized for the NCB to investigate the chats in connection with the case.
Eight persons — Aryaan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, Munmun Dhamecha, Nupur Sarika, Ismeet Singh, Mohak Jaswal, Vikrant Chhoker, Gomit Chopra — are being questioned in connection with the raid at an alleged rave party at a cruise off Mumbai coast said NCB Mumbai Director Sameer Wankhede.
NCB chief SN Pradhan told ANI, “It’s a result of a painstaking investigation that went on for two weeks. We acted on specific intelligence inputs, involvement of some Bollywood links has come to light.”
Meg Lanning and Jhulan Goswami; Picture Source: @BCCIW
Indian bowlers put on a spirited display on Day 3 to put the visitors in control in the one-off pink-ball Test against Australia here at the Carrara Oval on Saturday.
At stumps, Australia’s score read 143/4 after 60 overs in their first innings — trailing the visitors by 234 runs with six wickets in the bag.
Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner were unbeaten on 27 and 13 respectively. The Aussies are still 85 runs behind the follow-on target.
The third day started with India adding 101 runs to their overnight score in the first session (thanks mainly to Deepti Sharma’s 66) and the visitors declared shortly after the dinner break. From there it was all about the veteran Jhulan Goswami. The experienced campaigner thrived with the pink ball under lights.
— Australian Women's Cricket Team (@AusWomenCricket) October 2, 2021
Dismissing both openers, Jhulan (2-27) led the way for India, before Pooja Vastrakar (2-26) followed her lead, showing excellent control throughout an extended spell. Both finished the day with an economy rate of fewer than two runs per over.
Resuming the third session on 69/2, the Aussies moved with caution as Lanning and Perry gathered 11 runs in the first seven overs of the session.
However, in the 32nd over of the innings, Pooja Vastrakar struck to get the big wicket of the Australian captain. Lanning was given LBW after the ball nipped back late and tapped her bang on the pads. But replays suggested there was a slight inside edge. Lanning was not happy but there is no DRS in this Test match.
Tahlia McGrath then joined Perry in the middle and steadied the ship for hosts. Australia crossed the 100 runs mark in the 42nd over of the match.
With the stand between both Aussie players going strong, Vastrakar struck again in the 50th over as she sent back Tahlia McGrath. The Australian walked back to the dressing room after scoring 28 off 68 balls.
Ashleigh Gardner then joined Perry on the pitch as the Aussie duo ensured no more wickets fell for the hosts on a penultimate day.
Brief Scores: India 377/8 d (Smriti Mandhana 127, Deepti Sharma 66; Sophie Molineux 2-45) vs Australia 143/4 (Meg Lanning 38, Alyssa Healy 29; Jhulan Goswami 2-27, Pooja Vastrakar 2-31).
FIji Hindu Idol broken: Picture Source: The Australia Today
Indo-Fijian Pastor Rajesh Goundar of El-Shaddai Assemblies of God Church in Lautoka is seeking forgiveness for his actions in demolishing a Hindu God’s idol from a home.
A video of this incident has gone viral in Fiji where some people can be clearly seen breaking and removing the idol of ‘Bhagwan Hanuman.’
Image source: Poster.
Pastor Goundar told Fijivillage the owner of the house, a new convert to Christianity, gave him the consent to demolish the Hindu idol.
He added that the Hindu woman was sick for a while and she asked him to pray for her.
Image source: President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Sarju Prasad.
The President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Sarju Prasad has condemned the act labelling it as “shameful and intolerable.”
He further adds that if the Hindu idol was not acceptable to the owners of the property, they should have not destroyed or caused it to be destroyed.
“Even if such an act was committed by a person in a private property and authorised by that person (by whom the deity was installed) – I would have thought that that person would have asked a person of Sanatan faith or those who are devotees of Hanuman ji to take that deity away and install in somewhere else. But to do such a shameful act is beyond tolerance.”
Speaking to FBC News, the owner of the house in Lautoka, Veena Wati, claimed that proper rituals were followed before they decided to remove the idol.
“I had prayed over the idol before following the proper procedures of releasing it. However, prior to that, we tried to remove it but the foundation of the statue was so strong that we had to break it.”
Hindu leaders have requested the Fijian government and other religious leaders to take this act as an attack on humanity.
Image source: Ashwin Raj, the Director of the Fijian Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission.
Ashwin Raj, the Director of the Fijian Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, has urged all religious leaders to foster respect and tolerance.
The Fiji Police Force has told local media that they have yet not received any official complaints on the matter of demolishing of Bhagwan Hanuman idol.
By the constitution, Fiji is a secular state and everyone has the freedom to follow and practice their own religion.
Image source: Girmityas – Wikipedia.
Hindus first arrived in Fiji as indentured labourers in 1879.
After a period of persistent coups and persecution, which included burning of Hindu homes and arson of temples, Fiji witnessed a wave of emigration of Hindus to countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
According to the census, at present, most Indian Fijians, who account for 37 per cent of the total population, are Hindu, while an estimated 20 per cent are Muslim and 6 per cent Christian.
Smriti Mandhana -- her maiden Test ton Vs Australia in Pink Test; Picture Source: Twitter @BCCI
The first session on Day 3 has ended with #TeamIndia making 359-7 after 142.3 overs. Earlier, persistent rain once again forced play to be called off early on the second day of the pink-ball Test as India ended on 276/5 against Australia at the Carrara Oval on Friday.
Riding on a brilliant hundred from Smriti Mandhana — her maiden Test ton — the visitors are clearly calling the shots in the D/N Test.
At stumps, Deepti Sharma (12) and Taniya Bhatia (0) were unbeaten at the crease. For Australia, Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, and Sophie Molineux picked a wicket each on the second day.
India scored 45 runs in the second session before play was suspended due to persistent rain. The game was eventually called off as no play was possible due to the weather.
Resuming the second day on 132/1, Mandhana and Punam Raut continued with their A-game as they frustrated the Australian bowling attack. The first big highlight of the day came when Mandhana was caught by Beth Mooney at a score of 80. But turned out it was a no-ball from Ellyse Perry.
After that gift by hosts, Mandhana continued taking the attack to the opposition as she reached the three-figure mark in the 52nd over of the innings after smashing two fours off Ellyse Perry.
After the centurion was dismissed, India lost wickets quickly as Punam Raut, skipper Mithali Raj, and Yastika Bhatia all failed to score big. Interestingly, Raut decided to walk back even though the umpire hadn’t raised the finger.
Speaking at the end of the game, Mandhana said Raut has earned a lot of respect after her decision to walk.
“First we reacted, like, ‘Oh, why did she do that?’ But, then, of course, it’s something that we all respect a lot. I think she has earned a lot of respect from all the teammates that she actually walked out,”
Mandhana said.
“And I don’t know how many people would actually do that in cricket at the moment — men’s or women’s. “Nowadays people walk out because there is DRS. But when there is no DRS and to walk out… I don’t know.
“So, definitely, she has earned a lot of respect from us.”
The incident took place in the 81st over of the India innings when Sophie Molineux’s delivery took a thin edge and landed into keeper Alyssa Healy’s gloves. Not only was the appeal from the Australian placers weak, but also the umpire didn’t raise the finger. But Raut decided to walk off.
Brief Scores: India 276/5 (Smriti Mandhana 127, Punam Raut 36; Sophie Molineux 2-28, Ashleigh Gardner 1-26) vs Australia.
Mahatma Gandhi; Picture Source: Twitter drawing by Rahul
UN celebrates 2nd October as International Day of Non-Violence, and in this regard, the whole World is about to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of the most admired political and spiritual personalities of the twentieth century named Mahatma or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi.
Due to his stature, he is venerated and admired by the greatest personalities of the world i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Aung San Su Kyi, Einstein and also contemporary leaders like Barack Obama consider Gandhi as an inspiration.
He is a source of inspiration and spread the message of equal rights for their people, human life and human rights. His principle of global peace, harmony, respect for all beliefs and respect diversity.
He practised the principle of Satyagraha which comes from the Sanskrit word Satya (truth) and Agraha (holding firmly to, or adherence or insistence) or “holding fast to the truth”. He dedicated his life to discovering truth or Satya, his message was “God is truth. The way to truth lies through ahimsa (non-violence)”.
He believed Satyagraha as a means of self-control and an effective mean used as a social force against oppressors.
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong,”
He stated.
He used three forms of Satyagraha i.e. non-cooperation, civil disobedience and fasting during the freedom struggle in India. This article gives glimpses of Gandhi’ vision and principles that have inspired millions.
Principles that Inspire
Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”. His basic principles that changed the lives of countless people were truth, non-violence, Satyagraha, morality and religion, and Sarvodaya (rise or welfare of all).
Gandhi applied the principles of nonviolent civil disobedience in the freedom movement in India against British domination and showed resistance against the oppressor and injustice, with his method of non-cooperation and peaceful means in both countries i.e. South Africa and India.
His principles of non-violence include affection, sympathy, mercy, tolerance, forgiving, mutual aid and constructive programme. His message to resist injustice was through non-cooperation. Due to his contribution, Gandhi is honoured in India as the father of the nation. He inspired many on the principles of truth and non-violence (Ahimsa). His personality reflects many facets of Patience, perseverance, principled, peace lover and pious golden rules.
Simplicity or inheriting a simple way of way was preached by Gandhi, he renounced the western lifestyle and advocated the use of homespun cloth (khadi), and adopted the practice of weaving own clothes from a threat he spun on charkha which was the principle of Swadeshi movement. He wore dhoti which is a sign of simplicity and believe in self-sufficiency.
Further, he promoted fasting as a means of exerting mental control over base desires; practised strict vegetarianism and abstaining from alcoholic drinks and tobacco. His views on sanitation, decentralization of power, women empowerment, education for all and equality for all are followed by countless people.
Priority to Human Rights
Gandhi fought for the rights of women and the untouchables. He was against poverty, rights of workers and believed in self-reliance based on cottage industry. He condemns politics based on religion as he believed in the equality of all religions.
He believed,
“True knowledge of religion breaks down the barriers between faith and faith”.
The priority was given to individual dignity and rights, a supporter of dignity of every human being irrespective of person’ religion, economic status or caste. He considers untouchability as a major social evil.
He was a great social reformer and raised his voice against social evils through this speeches and writing, as he edited three journals i.e. Indian Opinion, Young India and Harijan. He had a vision of his writings. His writing reflects his stand for truth, his wrath against injustice, and his defender of self-respect.
He strongly denounced child marriage and detested the dowry system. His humanism means the devolution to the human welfare and benefit of the human race which he believed to be the service of God and humanity. He was a man of substance and had a vision of farsightedness. He said, “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty”.
Conclusion
Despite some criticism of his principles and vision from different corners, millions still admire him as one of the greatest world leaders of the last century. His multifaceted principles reflect his vision to be an ardent admirer of human rights. His principles are of utmost importance not just in the last century but also in the contemporary era.
In the current scenario, Gandhi words suits appropriately “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind”, so “peaceful coexistence, economic independence, respect for women, child-centred education and basic education for everyone, universal brotherhood” are the principles that is the cradle of humanity for better tomorrow.
I shall sum up with Gandhi inspirational two quotations “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” and “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Australia's Trade Minister Dan Tehan and his Indian counterpart Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; Picture Source @PIB
Australia and India have agreed to conclude the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2022 during the 17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission meeting. The announcement was made at the end of a meeting between Australia’s Trade Minister Dan Tehan and his Indian counterpart Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Hailing the development as a big day for the economic partnership between the two countries, Minister Tehan said, the two sides agreed on a roadmap towards finalizing the FTA after the discussions.
Speaking to the media, Mr Tehan affirmed the 2022 deadline for the conclusion of the FTA.
Key issues included the expeditious negotiation of a bilateral CECA, resolution of tax-related issues faced by Indian software firms in Australia, ensuring increased two-way trade and the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO scheduled to be held at the end of this year.
Both India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to conclude a CECA, including to reach an interim agreement by December 2021 to liberalise and deepen bilateral trade in goods and services, and to conclude the negotiations on a full CECA by the end of 2022.
Australia’s Trade Minister Dan Tehan and his Indian counterpart Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; Picture Source @PIB
The Joint Ministerial Commission detailed the areas that will be covered by the interim agreement consistent with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, including goods, services, investment, energy and resources, logistics and transport, standards, rules of origin, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Ministers also agreed to explore government procurement.
It was agreed that there would be an exchange of offers by the end of October 2021.
Looking to build on the progress made by both countries on earlier bilateral negotiations, both Ministers agreed on the need for a balanced trade agreement that encourages expanded trade and investment flow to the benefit of both of our economies, and that reflects a shared commitment to the rules-based international trading system.
Australia’s Trade Minister Dan Tehan and his Indian counterpart Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; Picture Source @PIB
India-Australia bilateral trade exceeded AUD$24 billion last year. Major Indian exports to Australia are petroleum products, medicines, polished diamonds, gold jewellery, apparel etc, while key Australian exports to India include coal, LNG, alumina and non-monetary gold.
In services, major Indian exports relate to travel, telecom and computer, government and financial services, while Australian services exports were principally in education and personal related travel.
In 2020, India was Australia’s seventh-largest trading partner and sixth largest export destination, driven by coal and international education.
Article 24 of the World Trade Organization (WTO) allows countries to form customs unions (CUs) or FTAs under two conditions. First, members should eliminate, substantially all internal barriers to trade inside the union, second, external trade barriers should not be increased on average.
Indian Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; Picture Source @PIB
Speaking at the joint press briefing in Indian Industry Minister Mr Goyal stated that the deal leverages the complementarities between the two countries and would unlock the trade potential between them.
Responding to a question on India’s decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, RCEP, the Minister said that India did not join RCEP because it was not in the economic interest of RCEP.
The development comes days after the Prime Ministers of the two-nation, Scott Morrison and Narendra Modi met in Washington as part of the QUAD leaders meet.
Representative image of Airport; Picture Source; @CANVA
Australia is ready to take its next steps to safely reopen to the world, with changes coming to the international border. Within weeks, large parts of the country will be moving to Phase B and then to Phase C of the National Plan to safely reopen Australia.
Under Phase C, International travel is on track to reopen safely to fully vaccinated Australian travellers. Many countries around the world have now safely reopened to international travel and it will shortly be time for Australia to take the next step.
To enable fully vaccinated Australians to travel, the Morrison government is finalising new arrangements.
Following completion of home quarantine pilots in New South Wales and South Australia, it is anticipated that states and territories that are ready to do so will roll out:
PM Scott Morrison; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Seven day home quarantine for Australian citizens and permanent residents fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved for use in Australia or ‘recognised’ by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
14-day managed quarantine for anyone not vaccinated or vaccinated with a vaccine not approved or recognised by the TGA.
Australian citizens and permanent residents who cannot be vaccinated – for example, if they are under 12 or have a medical condition – will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel.
States and territories will begin this program at different times given their varying vaccination rates but it is expected that the system will commence in November.
Under Phase B and C of the National Plan, 14-day managed quarantine caps apply to unvaccinated arrivals. These will return to previous levels at Phase B of the National Plan. The federal government will work with states and territories to remove all travel caps on vaccinated Australians.
The Government’s intention is that once changes are made in November, the current overseas travel restrictions related to COVID-19 will be removed and Australians will be able to travel subject to any other travel advice and limits, as long as they are fully vaccinated and those countries’ border settings allow.
Border settings and quarantine requirements in other countries continue to change and the government strongly encourage all Australians to closely monitor DFAT travel advice, available on smartraveller.gov.au.
“These changes mean there will be no travel restrictions if you are a vaccinated Australian entering or leaving Australian shores.”
The federal government will also work towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand when it is safe to do so.
Picture Source: Facebook page Sydney Airport
Testing is expected to continue to be a requirement of international travel, but subject to further medical advice, Rapid Antigen Tests may be used.
Australians who want to travel overseas once restrictions are removed will be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document in the coming weeks to prove their vaccination status abroad.
The proof of vaccination for international travel will include a QR code that is readable globally and will comply with the standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Engagement with commercial airlines and foreign governments has already begun to ensure they are familiar with the system.
“To maximise the number of Australians who can return, the government is also offering facilitated flights into any state or territory that agrees to commence seven day home quarantine trials for returning Australians.”
Australian citizens and permanent residents who have been vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine overseas can already visit their GP or local pharmacist in Australia to have their COVID-19 vaccination status updated in the Australian Immunisation Register, to be able to show proof of vaccination in Australia.
In the coming weeks, the government will finalise the processes for people to be able to show their vaccination status if they have had a TGA ‘recognised vaccine’. People who have received vaccines not recognised by the TGA, or who are unvaccinated, will be required to undertake 14 days of managed quarantine on arrival.
In addition to the four COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved and registered for use by the TGA – Pfizer (Comirnaty), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna (Spikevax) and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen – the TGA has also been reviewing other vaccines in widespread use around the world for the purposes of determining ‘recognised vaccines’.
Indian Covid Vaccine , Picture Source: Twitter MHA
Mr Morrison says we need to ensure that we keep Australians safe without creating unnecessary obstacles to people who have been fully vaccinated overseas from coming to our country.
Today, the TGA has published its initial assessment of the data on the protection offered by the Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines and has advised that these vaccines should be considered as ‘recognised vaccines’ for the purpose of determining incoming international travellers as being appropriately vaccinated.
Declaring certain COVID-19 vaccines as ‘recognised vaccines’ is separate from a regulatory decision on whether they are approved for use for vaccination in Australia, which has not been made by the TGA.
The recognition of these two additional vaccines is a major milestone towards more Australians vaccinated overseas getting home sooner.
The TGA will continue its assessment of other vaccines for the purpose of determining ‘recognised vaccines’ based on the available data and data that is provided.
In the coming weeks, the Minister for Health will consider updates to the Biosecurity Act Emergency determinations to facilitate some of these changes for fully vaccinated Australian travellers as the government moves forward on the National Plan to get Australia back to normal and reopen the country safely.
Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews; Picture Source: The Australia Today
The Victorian government will make it mandatory for all on-site authorised workers to be vaccinated by mid-October, as the state has recorded 1,143 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths.
Premier Daniel Andrews said we will see more pressure on our health system than we ever have. It is still crucial we continue to protect our health system from being overwhelmed.
“Our nurses, doctors, ambos and all of our health workers are working their guts out to be there for us and they need us all to do our bit.”
“All workers – in Melbourne and regional Victoria – on the Authorised Worker list will require their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by Friday, 15 October in order to continue working on site. They will need to be fully vaccinated by 26 November.“
The advice from the Burnet Institute and Victorian public health officials is that vaccination remains the best protection. As authorised workers are currently moving around Victoria the most, it’s vital they get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and all of Victoria.
Victoria COVID 19 Vaccination; Picture Source: Twitter @VicDHS
The 15 October deadline will not apply to workers who already have existing requirements under CHO directions – groups like construction, freight, healthcare, aged care and education will still have to comply with previous advice.
To help ensure these workers can receive their vaccine in time, the government is expanding GP and pharmacy grant program to priority LGAs in regional Victoria and doubling the number of grants available for the existing LGAs – providing more to primary care network with $4,000 and $10,000 grants to boost their hours and staff and ultimately, get more vaccines into the arms of Victorians.
A walk-up Moderna blitz from 4 October to 10 October will be conducted at the following sites:
Melton Vaccination Hub (Bunnings)
Sunshine Vaccination Hub
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Royal Exhibition Building
Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centre
Frankston Community Vaccination Hub
Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre
Dandenong Palm Plaza
Former Ford Factor Campbellfield
La Trobe University site in Bundoora
St Francis Xavier College Officer Campus
As there is a need to ensure the virus does not travel further into regional Victoria, which is why businesses that are open in regional Victoria – restaurants or beauty, for example – must continue to check the IDs of everyone they serve.
“Over the next week, there are 13,000 first dose Pfizer appointments available and 8,000 first dose Astra Zeneca appointments available through the state-run system.”
Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their GP or pharmacist where many more appointments are available.
Victorian pharmacists are now also offering the Moderna vaccine, which is a safe and effective mRNA vaccine. This vaccine is now also on offer at select state sites for anyone aged 12 to 59.
GPs and pharmacies are now providing both Pfizer and Moderna to all ages, including those above aged 59.
To book a vaccination through state-run centres – or to see links for how to book at your local GP or pharmacy – visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine
COVIDSafe Reopening For Victorian Construction
Restrictions on the Victorian construction industry will ease from 11.59 pm on Monday, 4 October, with a Construction Sector Roadmap setting a way forward for the sector to stay open and keep the community safe.
Highlights:
1- In order to work onsite, all workers will need to continue to carry an Authorised Worker Permit and have had at least one vaccine dose. 2- Every construction site in Victoria must also have a designated fully trained COVID Marshal to ensure compliance with the Chief Health Officer‘s directions. 3- Prior to reopening, operators will be required to attest that they have implemented the CHO directions and every site will need to have an up to date vaccination register available for compliance checks at all times.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews; Picture Source: The Australia Today
An online portal will soon be available on the Service Victoria website so these documents are accessible for both the operator and compliance teams.
Crib facilities may be used for the consumption of food and drink with strict density requirements and additional ventilation.
Up to five workers and a supervisor will be able to work onsite for small scale construction projects, and large scale sites can have up to 25 per cent of workers on site. If crib rooms meet best practices and the entire workforce is fully vaccinated, large scale construction sites can have up to 50 per cent of workers on site.
Projects on the State Critical Infrastructure list will operate at 100 per cent as long as crib rooms follow best practice guidelines.
Subject to continued high levels of compliance by the industry, workforce caps will progressively increase. At Victoria’s 70 per cent double dose milestone, large scale construction can return to 100 per cent of its workforce.
Caps will be removed when Victoria reaches its 80 per cent target, and in addition, all onsite workers must be fully vaccinated by 13 November.
Fully vaccinated workers can travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria in order to work onsite.
Workers on state critical projects or large scale construction can also travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria if they have had a single dose, take an initial test before their first travel, then test twice per week until fully vaccinated.
To allow all sites to remobilise, workers who have had at least one vaccination dose will be able to enter a site prior to 5 October in order to undertake crib facility improvements, participate in a reinduction or receive deliveries.
As part of the re-opening, we expect the construction industry to comply with directions in full.
Teams of Authorised Workers will conduct checks to enforce directions, and penalties will be in place for builders and site operators that do not comply – including site shutdowns for significant or repeated breaches.
Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas said, “We’ve worked really hard with the industry to ensure they can reopen safely – but the message is clear: we won’t tolerate it operating in a way that puts the rest of our community at risk.”
Small Pacific nation Papua New Guinea’s Police Commissioner David Manning has recently denied permission to Hindus from organising Durga Puja prayers.
Image source: Image source: Ben Peckham – Twitter.
Manning is also PNG’s designated COVID19 Pandemic Controller and his letter addressed to Mr Puspendu Maity, President of Port Moresby Durga Puja Committee, says:
“Your request has been considered and we note that this is a form of idol worshipping which is morally inappropriate and against our Christian values. As such, approval is not granted to host this event.”
The above letter signed by Manning was shared by Ben Peckham, Foreign affairs and defence correspondent of The Australian.
PNG does not have an official state religion. Although, the preamble to the PNG constitution pledges: “to guard and pass on to those who come after us our noble traditions and the Christian principlesthat are ours now”.
After criticism, Manning has issued an apology letter, terming his earlier statement “a grave and unfortunate error” and claiming that he is not the author of the first letter.
Image source: Ben Peckham – Twitter.
In his apology letter, Manning says:
“I humbly seek your forgiveness for this unfortunate error and I hope that you accept this was not in any way deliberate.”
Manning has now asked the Hindu organisation to send further details of the proposed Durga Puja event so he can “personally make another assessment”.
He further claims to have ‘disciplined’ the author of the original letter.
Image source: Wikipedia.
Prior to this, in August 2021, Manning has also banned all flights from India citing “deception” on the part of the Indian Government.
PNG claimed that Indian authorities helped unauthorised passengers, including four people who were infected with Covid-19, arrive in Port Moresby.
“India must respect Papua New Guinea as a sovereign nation, and not participate in actions involving unscrupulous people, to violate our laws and undermine public health and safety measures.”
High Commission of India in Port Moresby strongly denied this claim and said in a statement:
“All foreign national passengers onboard the aircraft destined for Port Moresby held valid SOE [state of emergency] approvals, COVID PCR test and vaccination certificates. Passengers were only given tickets once they had provided the SOE approval, in line with the prescribed guidelines set out by the controller.”
Diplomatic relations between India and PNG, both Commonwealth countries, were established when the latter got independence from Australia in 1975.
As part of the Regional Assistance Initiative for Pacific Island countries, the Indian government offers grants-in-aid, humanitarian aid and disaster relief to PNG.
PNG has a total population of nine million with 3000 Indians who are mostly working in the LNG sector.
Sasindran Muthuvel celebrating the Hindu festival
In 2016, Sasindran Muthuvel became the first Indian-origin Governor for West New Britain Province and a Minister of State-Owned Enterprises in PNG.
He was also awarded the ‘Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award’ by the Indian Government in 2012.
Aus W v Ind W, D/N Test; Picture Source: Twitter @ICC
Rain played spoilsport at the Carrara Oval even as India opener Smriti Mandhana showed glimpses of her capability to take the attack to the opposition on the opening day of the pink-ball Test against Australia on Thursday.
The first day ended with India on 132-1 and Mandhana and Punam Raut unbeaten on 80 and 16 respectively. The only wicket that fell was of Shafali Verma in the opening session.
The rain had forced an early call for tea before the day was eventually called off. The remaining days of the ongoing pink-ball Test will begin 30 minutes earlier.
Resuming the second session at 101/1, the visitors managed to add 13 more runs before rain once again interrupted play. No more play was possible in the second session and the players had to remain off the park for the rest of the day.
Earlier, India openers Mandhana and Shafali brought out their attacking game to the middle to frustrate Australia in the opening session.
Sent into bat, the visitors got off to a rollicking start as openers Shafali and Mandhana put on 43 runs inside the first ten overs.
Mandhana made full use of wide deliveries being bowled to her and she kept on dispatching the loose balls for boundaries. She kept on marching ahead and brought up her half-century in the 15th over of the innings.
This was Mandhana’s third score of fifty-plus in Test cricket. In the first two overs, Australia’s fielding was dismal, to say the least, as they dropped quite a few chances and both openers got quite a few reprieves.
The 93-run opening stand finally came to an end in the 26th over as Sophie Molineux sent Shafali (31) back to the pavilion. In the end, Mandhana and Raut ensured that the visitors do not lose any more wickets before the interval.
Brief Scores: India 132/1 (Smriti Mandhana 80*, Shafali Verma 31; Sophie Molineux 1-18) vs Australia.
Image source: Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, DCNS - Twitter.
On 29 September 2021, Australian and Indian navy has signed the ‘Terms of Reference for the Conduct of Navy-to-Navy Talks between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.’
The signing ceremony was held virtually between Rear Admiral Jaswinder Singh, ACNS (FCI), IN and Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, DCNS, RAN.
Image source: Twitter.
Prior to this, on 18 August 2021, the Chiefs of the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) had signed ‘Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy to Navy Relationship’ document.
Images source: Twitter.
The ‘Joint Guidance’ document sets forth the Navy to Navy (N2N) Talks as the ‘Principal’ medium for the guiding the bilateral relationship.
Image source: Twitter.
The press release notes that the bilateral defence relations between India and Australia have strengthened over the years.
“‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, conduct of trilateral Maritime Security Workshop and RAN participation in Exercise MALABAR are significant milestones which underline the role played by both Navies in bolstering this relationship in recent times.”
This document would be pivotal in consolidating the shared commitment to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo – Pacific region.
Image source: Twitter.
Since the inaugural Navy-to-Navy Talk, held in 2005, the two nations and Navies have continued to grow closer at all levels.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell AO, tweeted about the signing of this important document with hashtags: #Dosti#HarKaamDeshKeNaam.
Both India and Australia, with over a decade of bilateral talks in this area, remain committed to strengthen and deepen this important Navy to Navy relationship.
“The document underpins the broad objective of deeper mutual understanding, trust and transparency, improved goodwill and understanding of each other’s concerns and future directions, and provides detailed guidance for the conduct of IN – RAN N2N Talks.”
This signed document also provides flexibility to both India and Australia for implementation of separate agreements based on the specific outcomes of the Talks.
Victoria COVID data; Picture Source: Twitter @covidbaseau
On a day when Victoria recorded a shocking 1438 COVID19 new cases and 5 deaths, the Victorian Government has decided to shorten the interval between Pfizer doses to reach double dose targets faster.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced that the Pfizer interval will be reduced to three weeks – commencing 4 October.
This means that anyone who has received their first dose of Pfizer will be able to bring forward their second dose – if they choose to.
“Changes in the vaccine booking system will be made overnight on 3 October and on 4 October people will be able to make a second dose booking from three weeks after they had their first dose,”
said Premier Andrews.
Premier argued that being fully vaccinated is the best defence against this virus. Unfortunately, there are limited appointments available in our state system due to supply – so we encourage anyone wanting to book an appointment to check with their GP and pharmacy too.
Melbourne’s Northern suburb Craigieburn’s resident Sandeep Narayan Singh’s 17-year-old daughter had her first Pfizer Vaccine on 18 September 2021 with Victorian state health systems.
He told The Australia Today, “We waited almost 10 days for Premier Andrews to reduce the second dose interval before booking it for 20 October.”
“We called our GP for booking the second shot of the vaccine, they told me they got spots and vaccine but can’t book an earlier day for my daughter as rules don’t permit,
Said Mr Singh
“I don’t understand how can they play politics over vaccines, it’s like putting someone’s life in danger. Put your differences aside for once and work together to save lives,” Mr Singh said.
Victoria has achieved the 80 per cent first dose milestone yesterday.
The next threshold in the Roadmap will be reached when Victoria hits its 70 per cent double dose vaccination target, which was projected at or around 26 October without the reduction in dosage interval.
Reported yesterday: 1,438 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas. – 34,323 vaccines administered – 65,497 test results received – Sadly, 5 people with COVID-19 have died
There will continuously be first dose appointments released into the system to make sure that everyone who wants to get vaccinated and receives the associated freedoms and benefits – is able to do so.
Premier Daniel Andrews said,
“We reached our first stop on the Roadmap, but we need to keep the momentum going and today’s change will help us reach those double dose targets as soon as possible.”
Over the next week, there are 10,479 first dose Pfizer appointments available and 8,856 first dose Astra Zeneca appointments available through the state-run system.
Premier Andrews stressed that If you haven’t booked your appointment or are waiting for a particular vaccine, do not wait – the best vaccine is the one you can get today.
Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their GP or pharmacist, and many more appointments are available.
Victorian pharmacists are now also offering the Moderna vaccine, which is a safe and effective option for any Victorian under the age of 60. This vaccine is also on offer at select state sites.
To book a vaccination through state-run centres – or to see links for how to book at your local GP or pharmacy – visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine
Recently, a 19-year-old Pakistani terrorist arrested by the Indian Army during an operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri Sector on September 26 was shown to the media.
Ali Babar Patra admitted that he was paid Rs 20,000 by his Pakistani handlers to cross over to India for arms supplies.
“I took a job in a garment factory in Sialkot where I met Anas who used to recruit people for the LeT. Due to my situation, I went with him. He paid me Rs. 20,000 and promised to pay another Rs. 30,000 later on.”
Image source: Twitter.
Babar said he lost his father seven years ago and had to drop out of school due to financial constraints.
He claimed that ISI handlers, take advantage of the poor young men in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir and send them to India.
Image source: Twitter.
In the video, Babar pleads with his Pakistani handlers to take him back to his mother, the way he was sent to India.
“I appeal to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) area commander, the ISI and the Pakistan Army to take me back to my mother just like they sent me here (India).”
Pakistani terr0rist Ali Babar Patra from #Okara, #Pakistan surrendered in Kashmir admitting that Pakistani army trained him with many others & infiltrated into Kashmir for terrorist activities. His father was in Pakistan Army Check the big glass of TEA pic.twitter.com/utKscZNHxS
Babar can also be seen sitting in a chair with two microphones and a tall glass of tea.
This picture of tea kept near the terrorist has now elicited hilarious reactions from netizens.
Social media users are asking Pakistan Army: “How’s the tea?”
In February 2019, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistani authorities, a day after the Balakot airstrikes.
Image source: Wikipedia.
At that time, Pakistani netizens have trolled India with “Tea is fantastic” comments.
This was clearly a reference to the IAF brave pilot’s reaction when he was asked how the tea was served to him by the Pakistani army.
He: what's ur name? #Abhinandan: #AbhinandanVarthaman He:u are from which place in India? Abhi: am frm down south india He: are u married? Abhi: yes He: how was the tea? Abhi:tea is fantastic He: which aircraft u fly? Abhi: am not supposed to tell u thatpic.twitter.com/rkrVwUgJU0
Now, Babar in his video message has said that the Pakistan Army, the ISI and the LeT were spreading lies about the situation in Kashmir.
“We were told that the Indian Army is carrying out a bloodbath, but everything is peaceful here. I want to tell my mother that the Indian Army has taken good care of me.”
Babar added that the behaviour of the officers and jawans of the Indian Army, unlike the Pakistani army and ISI handlers, with the locals who visit the camp where he was lodged was extremely good.
“I can hear the azaan (call for prayers) on the loudspeakers five times a day. The behaviour of the Indian Army is completely opposite to that of the Pakistan Army. This makes me feel that there is peace in Kashmir.”
MOPLAH HINDU GENOCIDE, 1921: 2500 HINDUS SLAUGHTERED; Picture Source: Hindu Genocide
Perpetrator: Moplah/ Mappila Muslims of Kerala Year: 1921-22 Number: 2500 Hindus slaughtered, at least 26000 fled as refugees, at least 2500 forcibly converted, sexually assaulted, and more than 100 Hindu temples destroyed.
The Moplah Hindu Genocide, or the Malabar Rebellion, or the Mappila Rebellion, or the Moplah Riots refer to a series of incidents in the history of mankind, where Hindus were not only butchered, but the entire incident was either wiped out from history in entirety or twisted to fit a pre-decided story.
The Moplah Rebellion of 1921-22 was a rebellion gone wrong, where the rebels targeted Hindus, apart from attacking the British Establishment.
It is important to know who were Mappilas, how and why the Malabar Rebellion started, and why it went wrong.
Who Were Mappilas?
The term “Mappila” is from Malayalam and translates to “honoured/great child,” referring to all the “guests” or invaders to Kerala, especially in the Malabar region. Mappilas were some of the earliest Muslims settled in South Asia, and had a direct connection with Arabs, through spice trade routes with the Gulf. Till 1498, the Mappilas lived & grew their trades in the region, due to the tolerance shown by Hindus. During this period, inter-faith marriages between Hindus & Muslims were common, and many Hindus converted to Islam due to marriages (whereas there is no account of Mappilas converting to Hinduism).
On the arrival of Europeans like Vasco da Gama in 1498, Mappilas were sidelined, their trade & commerce squeezed, and Arab trade routes curtailed. Mappilas were not entitled to inherit any lands, which were owned by Hindus. Mappilas were shown no tolerance by European imperialists, who persecuted them commercially and otherwise, leading to a growing animosity in the Mappilas towards Hindus, who they started to see as their rivals, as well as towards Europeans.
“The Portuguese attitude reflected the medieval European tradition, and was well represented by the governor of Goa, Afonso Albuquerque (d 1515), who dreamt of destroying Mecca and who bitterly persecuted his Mappila opponents.”
The Supreme Muslim Council: Islam Under the British Mandate for Palestine , p 459, Uri M. Kupferschmidt
This brand of “pepper politics” shown by Portuguese, then Dutch (1656), then British (1662), then French (1775), led to militancy and religious fanaticism in Mappilas, who were now landless & poor & persecuted by Christian lords. During the reign of Hyder Ali (1782) and Tipu Sultan (1799), the Mappilas gained some prominence, but the hatred towards Hindus, sown by Islamic invaders, took permanent ground. When the British gained full power (1792), the hopes of the Mappilas to prosper were squashed, and they were more bitter than ever before.
During the period 1821-1921, there were 51 militant outbreaks of the Mappilas. These outbreaks were not fueled just by agrarian discontent or commercial interests but were waged in the spirit of Jihad, against everyone they saw as their opponents–be it Christian rulers or Hindu landlords (jenmis).
Khilafat Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement Instigated The Moplah Rebellion
The Khilafat movement was an uprising of Indian Muslims in support of the Islamic caliphate, in the wake of World War I. It was aimed at Islamic dominion over India, by destroying the British empire, with support from the Ottoman Empire (which was eventually exterminated in late 1922).
The Khilafat Movement, led by the Ali brothers, had the full support of M. K. Gandhi, who promised the support of Hindus as well to the Ali brothers—Shaukat Ali, Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Abul Kalam Azad—knowing fully well that they would attack Hindus should they fail to support them. The Ali brothers had clearly informed M. K. Gandhi that if the Afghans invaded India to wage “holy war” or Jihad, they would fight not just the British, but the Hindus as well. Gandhi agreed to this and asked Hindus to support the Khilafat Movement and to submit to the dictates of the Mohammedans in matters of controversy.
“The Imperial Government have knowingly flouted religious sentiments dearly cherished by the 70 millions Mussalmans…If the Mussalmans of India offer non-cooperation to Government in order to secure justice on the Khilafat, it is the duty of every Hindu to cooperate with their Moslem brethren.”
M. K. Gandhi’s speech to 20,000 people. Moplah Rebellion 1921, C. Gopalan Nair, p 19-22
Khilafat Movement gained force in Malabar as well, due to his patronage, and fueled the Malabar or Moplah Rebellion.
“Last month Gandhi wrote in Young India: “For himself he can clearly see the time coming when he must refuse obedience to every single State-made law, even though there may be a certainty of bloodshed.” The Ali brothers, who were kept under restraint during the Great War and the Afghan War, for being in traitorous correspondence with our foreign enemies—a crime for which they should have been tried and punished—have been set free, and openly state that they would do all they can to help the Afghans in the event of a Jehad against the British in India, calling upon all true Muhammadans to do likewise. They have been allowed to preach that doctrine in Malabar in spite of the protest of the District Magistrate, who was not allowed to prohibit the seditious meetings. Can there be any reasonable doubt that this was the main cause of the Mapilla rebellion?”
Extract of letter by Sir Michael O’ Dwyer to Daily Telegraph.
The Congress, under the leadership of M. K. Gandhi, supported the Khilafat Movement, under the garb of the non-cooperation movement, which spread to Malabar.
“The Congress had adopted the principle of non-co-operation; Khilafat and non-co-operation movements were indistinguishable;…Every Moplah centre had a Khilafat association, with a Moplah president, a Moplah secretary and a majority of Moplah members.”
Moplah Rebellion 1921, C. Gopalan Nair, p 19
The Moplah rebels were armed with knives and ammunition and had planned the attack on the British, and Hindus, lest they fail them. They asked the Hindu landowners to give them weapons, and the trusting Hindus, not knowing what was headed their way, gave them knives that would eventually slit their own throats.
Mappilla Rebellion—An Outcome Of Jihad
Many scholars have argued that the Mappila rebellion (and earlier outbreaks) were an outcome of agrarian troubles and economic distress. But this was not the case. If that were so, Hindus who were working as peasants had the same opportunity and motive to rebel against the jenmis, or against the earlier Islamic rulers while they were in power and oppressed Hindus. But instead, Hindus of Malabar had fled and abandoned their homes during the reign of Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan.
“Agrarian grievances were obviously not sufficient to spark violence in the rural Malabar among the Mappillas, or the agricultural population in general. It is the Islamic character of the Mappilla outbreaks that suggests why they cannot be tied to the eviction rate, and why none occurred among the Hindu population. All of the outbreaks, even those that had agrarian grievances as the immediate cause, were conducted in an unmistakable Islamic idiom – the Jihad. Each was expressed as a religious act because the Mappillas were inspired by the militant teachings of a small group of Mappilla religious leaders.”
Dale, S. (1975). The Mappilla Outbreaks: Ideology and Social Conflict in Nineteenth-Century Kerala. The Journal of Asian Studies, 35(1), 85-97. doi:10.2307/2054041
The Mappilla rebellion was a bigger catastrophe for Hindus than the earlier outbreaks because it was an organized movement, amplified by the Khilafat movement, which made it a planned crime, rather than discrete outbreaks by discontent religious militants.
“…in 1921, the Khilafat movement added the crucial elements of ideology and organization to the pre-existing traditions of religious militancy and social conflict. It was this addition, more than anything else, that distinguished the Mappilla rebellion from all the earlier outbreaks.”
Dale, S. (1975). The Mappilla Outbreaks: Ideology and Social Conflict in Nineteenth-Century Kerala. The Journal of Asian Studies, 35(1), 85-97. doi:10.2307/2054041
The Moplah Rebellion Gone Wrong
The few Hindus of Malabar who had joined the non-cooperation movement were not prepared for the violence & wreckage the Mohammedans had planned.
“Distressed by the violence, most Malabar Hindus withdrew from the struggle, which, by default, became the Mappila revolt.”
The Supreme Muslim Council: Islam Under the British Mandate for Palestine by Uri M. Kupferschmidt, p 459
Hindus withdrew from the Malabar rebellion almost as soon as it broke out. This incurred the wrath of the Jihadi Mapillas on the Hindus apart from the British, who were trying to contain the troops of rebels.
The rebellion continued for 6 months, during which period, atrocities of every kind were meted out to Hindus. It had severe fallout for the Mappilas as well. More than 200 Mappilas were executed, 502 were sentenced to life imprisonment, and approximately 50,000 were imprisoned or exiled to Andaman, and heavy fines were levied on them by the British government. The zealotry exhibited by the Mappilas was shocking, and it was evident that their war was not just for liberation from the British, but for Islamic dominance.
Atrocities On Hindus In The Moplah Rebellion
During the entire Moplah Rebellion, unspeakable, unimaginable atrocities were committed against Hindus, which is why it should rightly be called the Moplah Hindu Genocide. By not doing so, a severe injustice is done to those who gave their lives and livelihoods due to the Islamic Jihad waged on them.
The total figure of at least 2,500 Hindus brutally slaughtered, and another 2500 forcibly converted, is quoted in several accounts. Other brutalities include violating the modesty of women, butchering children, and forcing Hindus into submission and death. These atrocities were reported in international news dailies and accounts of the district magistrates and other police officials.
“In the Arya Samaj registers alone 1766 cases of forced converts have been recorded and if the figures from all relief committees were collected, their number is sure to exceed 2500.”
Pandit Rishi Ram’s Letter, Moplah Rebellion 1921, C. Gopalan Nair , p 119
It was confirmed on an international level that the Moplah Rebellion was, indeed, a “holy war” or Jihad, in accordance with the Khilafat movement.
“The Malabar Rebellion. Primarily a Holy War.
Allahabad, Sunday Morning— The Malabar rebellion is primarily a holy war. Green flags have been planted and there is forcible conversion of Hindus. Wholesale arson and looting is continuing and more murders have been committed. The non co-operation fanatics are proclaiming a complete swaraj and a famine is threatened consequent on the great destruction of the lines…”
Hindus were exterminated systematically, to the shock of the British officers as well. They did not anticipate such mass violence against Hindus by the Moplahs.
“Malabar Rebellion
Moplah Atrocities
Allahabad, Wednesday. At Kuttipuram, 200 Moplahs, with swords and knives, raided the police station and wounded five constables. Diabolical atrocities are reported. Hindus being forced to dig their own graves before they are butchered. One was flayed alive for helping the troops, and two policemen were hacked to death near Nilambur.
Refugees are pouring into the troop centres, but there are difficulties in provisioning even for the military. They report that the extermination of Hindus is proceeding systematically but favoured women and girls are retained.”
World (Hobart, Tas. : 1918 – 1924), Friday, 7 Oct, 1921. Retrieved via http://bit.ly/2XE4cbd
Moplahs committed every type of atrocity on Hindus, from slaughtering their cattle, to murder, arson, loot, and sexually assaulting women.
“Moplah Rebellion. Reckless Butchery.
Hindus Refusing Islam. Allahabad, Thursday
“….The rebels are conducting a reckless butchery of all Hindus refusing Islam. Some districts are empty of Hindus…”
The situation for Hindus kept getting worse, as the days progressed.
“Malabar Rebellion
Slaughtering Hindus | Unrest at Madras
Allahabad, Friday—Calicut is overflowing with refugees reporting that the Moplahs are now not offering the choice of conversion, but are slaughtering Hindus indiscriminately. A reinforcement for the British troop guard is arriving…”
World (Hobart, Tas. : 1918 – 1924), Monday, 10 Oct, 1921. Retrieved via http://bit.ly/2XEMCnw
The Moplah rebellion turned most of the Hindus in that region into refugees. As the rebellion progressed, more and more Hindus were internally displaced and took refuge in the refugee camps or in the jungles.
Malabar Rebellion | Hindus Forcibly Converted
Lahore, Monday— The number of refugees in the various camps on the Malabar coast is now nearly 10,000, and they are still arriving. Native troops reconnoitering killed six rebels…Ernad refugees report that 31 Hindus were seized, and 23 forcibly converted to Islam, while one was killed…”
World (Hobart, Tas. : 1918 – 1924), Wednesday, 9 Nov, 1921. Retrieved via http://bit.ly/2XD3tHt
The total number of Hindu refugees is estimated at more than 26,000. Accounts of Arya Samaj, which arrived in Kerala to provide relief to Hindus, reports a number of 26,000 in their relief camps alone.
“From October, Concentration Camps were formed with kitchen relief in Calicut and rice doles in the mofussil. As the numbers of refugees increased, day by day, new camps were opened. Within a few weeks there were 22 camps in all with about 26,000 refugees of all castes and creeds.”
Moplah Rebellion 1921, C. Gopalan Nair, p 96
But the Moplah atrocities were not limited to butchering Hindus. Moplahs made it their mission to defile and destroy every Hindu temple in the Malabar region.
“No statistics have been compiled, but the number of temples destroyed or desecrated must exceed 100. The number is probably large, but for obvious reasons the Government have purposely refrained from attempting to collect accurate figures.”
Legislative Council interpellation, November 14th ’22, quoted in ‘Moplah Rebellion 1921,’ C. Gopalan Nair, p 88
No village was spared, and all temples in the area were either razed to the ground or defiled.
“There is hardly a village that has not its own temple, in the majority of villages there is more than one, and almost every temple in the rebel area has been desecrated.”
Moplah Rebellion 1921, C. Gopalan Nair , p 89
The women of Malabar wrote to the Countess of Reading, apprising her of the ruthless butchery of Hindus and religious defilement of Hindu temples and places of worship.
“Your Ladyship is not fully apprised of all the horrors and atrocities perpetrated by the fiendish rebels: of the many wells and tanks filled up with the mutilated but often only half dead bodies of our nearest and dearest ones who refused to abandon the faith of our Fathers; of pregnant women cut to pieces and left on the roadside and in the jungles, with the unborn babe protruding from the mangled corpse; of our innocent and helpless children torn from our arms and done to death before our eyes and our husbands and fathers tortured, flayed and burnt alive; …of thousands of our homesteads reduced to cindermounds out of sheer savagery and wanton spirit of destruction; of our places of worship desecrated and destroyed and of the images of the deity shamefully insulted by putting the entrails of slaughtered cows where flower garlands used to lie, or else smashed to pieces; of the wholesale looting of hard earned wealth of generations, reducing many who were formerly rich and prosperous to publicly beg for a pice or two in the streets of Calicut…”
Memorial submitted by Hindu women of Malabar to Countess of Reiding, quoted in Moplah Rebellion 1921, C. Gopalan Nair
There is no shortage of accounts of Hindu refugees reporting their plight, of lives, destroyed, of a kind, lost, of religion, defiled. It is incontrovertible that the Malabar Rebellion of Moplahs, was, indeed, the biggest assault on Hindus in the history of British India yet.
The volunteers of Arya Samaj performed the sincere task of reconverting those Hindus who were forcibly converted by Moplahs. A simple “prayaschitta” was given to them by the priests of Arya Samaj, upon which they were once again accepted back as Hindus. But the wounds of the deadly Hindu Genocide take longer to heal, and leave scars. The demography and turmoils faced by Kerala, along with the irreligious sentiment of many Hindus of Kerala, is, in some ways, related to the gory history of Malabar and attacks on Hindus.
Author:Arti Agarwal is a Writer, Researcher, Author and Data Analyst. This Oped was first published on the #HinduGenocide, We have republished it with kind permission.
Disclaimer: The #HinduGenocide is solely responsible for the views expressed in this Oped. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the Author, and neither The Australia Today News nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
Victoria Lockdown; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Victoria recorded 950 new local cases of COVID19 today and 7 people have died. This is 87 cases more than what NSW recorded. In the 24 hours to 8:00 pm, yesterday NSW’s locally acquired COVID-19 cases number is 863 cases and 15 deaths.
Both states recorded the highest daily number ever in terms of daily deaths due to the current outbreak. This brings the number of deaths from the third wave in Victoria to 36.
Due to the soaring new infections, today’s 950 is the highest number ever recorded in a single day in Victoria. It is in line with projections over the next month, with a peak expected in late October.
VICTORIA COVID Hospitalisations as of Today, 371 in hospital (-4) 81 in ICU (+0) 55 on a ventilator (-6)
Acting CHO Ben Cowie says 88% of people in Victoria who have contracted COVID-19 since July 12 were unvaccinated. 98% of people admitted to Victorian intensive care units with COVID-19 during the same period were unvaccinated.
10.1% of active cases in NSW are in the hospital. 2% of active cases are in ICU. 15 deaths today, total at 331.
Victoria’s Latrobe Valley in the middle of a COVID outbreak
All 22 cases in the Latrobe Valley are linked to an illegal gathering over the AFL grand final weekend. The cases are spread across 19 households.
Earlier yesterday Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer declared that the City of Latrobe to enter a seven-day lockdown commencing at 11:59 pm, 28 September. And same restrictions were imposed as those in metropolitan Melbourne.
In the daily press conference, Victoria’s Health Minister Martin Foley apologised for the short notice, saying the situation “deteriorated quite rapidly”.
Minister Martin Foley also said they are waiting for the Federal Government to confirm Pfizer supply for the last week of October before they reduce the time between vaccines from 6 weeks to 3. That announcement is expected on Friday.
In a triumph to contact tracing, 99.7 per cent of positive cases in Victoria are being contacted within 24 hours.
If you have not forgotten the ugly scenes of protests at CFMEU Head Office by the construction workers. Another bad news came when CFMEU Head Office was declared a COVID-19 tier-one exposure site.
16+ population Australian Vaccination rollout progress 29/09/2021
Already had First Vaccine = 76.68% Already had Second Vaccine = 52.57%
80 % fully vaccinated at current rate:
National: 39 days – Nov 7 NSW: 17 – Oct 16 VIC: 41 – Nov 9 QLD: 62 – Nov 30 WA: 64 – Dec 2 SA: 56 – Nov 24 TAS: 38 – Nov 6 ACT: 23 – Oct 22 NT: 54 – Nov 22
Doherty modelling clearly says there may be a need for lockdowns beyond 80% vaccination unless we have the “low” level rules ongoing Which mean crowd restrictions, so industries like entertainment or hospitality stay affected for a while.
Anti Hindu Delhi Riots were preplanned Conspiracy, Delhi High Court; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Delhi High court while rejecting the bail application of Mohd Ibrahim (one of the accused in the Delhi riots case relating to the murder of Police Head Constable Ratan Lal) said riots “evidently did not take place in a spur of the moment.”
Hon Justice Subramonium Prasad observed that the riots which shook the national capital of India in February 2020, “the conduct of the protestors visibly portrays that it was a calculated attempt to dislocate the functioning of the Government as well as to disrupt the normal life of the people in the city”.
The single-judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad further observed that the systematic disconnection and destruction of the CCTV cameras also confirms the existence of,
“a preplanned and pre-meditated conspiracy to disturb law and order in the city”.
The bench said this was evident from the fact that innumerable rioters ruthlessly descended with sticks, dandas, bats etc. upon a “hopelessly outnumbered cohort of police officials.”
The court was of the opinion that even though the petitioner was not seen at the scene of the crime, he clearly was a part of the mob for the sole reason that,
“the Petitioner had consciously travelled 1.6 km away from his neighbourhood with a sword which could only be used to incite violence and inflict damage.”
In light of this, the court also rejected Ibrahim’s stand that he was brandishing a sword in personal defence and for the safety of his family. The court observed that this was doubtful as he was at least 1.6 km away from his place of residence and was in no imminent danger.
With regard to the right to personal liberty and the right to protest, the court said that in a democratic society “individual liberty cannot be misused in a manner that threatens the very fabric of civilised society by attempting to destabilise it and cause hurt to other persons.”
With regard to the right to personal liberty and the right to protest, the court said that in a democratic society “individual liberty cannot be misused in a manner that threatens the very fabric of civilised society by attempting to destabilise it and cause hurt to other persons.”
Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal, who was killed in the Anti-Hindu Delhi Riots 2020
The court also said that the footage of the petitioner with the sword is “quite egregious”, and is therefore sufficient to keep the Petitioner in custody.
“In view of the facts and circumstances of the cases, without commenting on the merits of the matter, this Court is of the opinion that the Petitioner is not to be granted bail,”
said the Court.
Eleven accused had filed bail applications before the Delhi High Court in the same case.
On September 14, the court had granted bail to Shahnawaz and Mohd Ayyub and dismissed the bail application of Sadiq and Irshad Ali also accused in the same case.
The facts leading to the case are that on Feb 24, 2020, at about 01:00 PM, the protestors had mobilized near the Chand Bagh area and 25 Futa Road, and were moving towards the Main Wazirabad Road.
When they assembled near Main Wazirabad Road, it is stated that the complainant and other police officers present attempted to convince the protestors to not move towards the Main Wazirabad Road.
It is stated that though the ACP Gokalpuri and DCP Shahdara warned the protestors via loudspeaker of a government vehicle, that lack of adherence to legal warnings would necessitate strict action against the crowd, some people amongst the crowd started pelting stones and beat them with weapons that had been hidden.
This resulted in injuries to several police officers on duty and one of the Head Constable Ratan Lal succumbed to injuries.
The Court was of the view that the sole act of protesting should not be employed as a weapon to justify the incarceration of those who are exercising this right. Disclaimer: With kind inputs from @LiveBeat
Would you like to see a India vs Australia Hockey match in Kashmir?
India’s Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has said that the Modi government has allocated Rs 2 Billion (AUD37 Million) for the developing sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Thakur is in J&K as part of the Government’s Public Outreach Programme – Khelo India.
“#KheloIndia programme is a Govt. of India initiative to strengthen the sports ecosystem by encouraging mass participation and promotion of excellence.”
Mr Thakur made the announcement while addressing a gathering of sportspersons, players, and students at Budgam.
He informed that the investment will be done to create one highly equipped indoor stadium in each district.
There is no dress code for fitness. There is no trial run in life.
You live once. Play your game.
Take up a sport you’re comfortable in and play your heart out.
The Minister added that the government is going to start procedures for the upgradation and renovation of all existing sports infrastructure at par with international standards.
Image Source – Anurag Thakur in J&K – Twitter.
He stressed the training of youth on scientific patterns to achieve desired results.
“Our players shall not feel disappointed on account of non-availability of sports infrastructure.”
Mr Thakur also e-inaugurated three highly equipped indoor stadiums in Budgam, Pulwama and Anantnag.
He said that he aims to visit each district in the UT and personally assess the requirements on the ground.
वादियों से एक नया पैग़ाम है, पलती हसरतों को मिला अंजाम है। देखेगी दुनिया अब हमारे बढ़ते कदम, नए कश्मीर का ये नया ऐलान है। pic.twitter.com/u6Hsi8pxWy
Mr Thakur appealed to people of other states to visit J&K and enjoy the beautiful green pastures, clean atmosphere and hospitality of the people of Kashmir are not to be missed.
Image Source – Anurag Thakur in J&K – Twitter.
People from Kashmir shared on Twitter a video of the sports festival in Srinagar.
“The youth of Kashmir embracing the opportunities and moving forward towards better future and progress.”
An additional 70 occupations will be open to applicants currently residing offshore from Tuesday 28 September 2021.
This announcement is made to manage South Australia’s COVID recovery response.
However, to maintain the quality of applicants minimum requirements for state nomination will include at least 8 years work experience in the occupation or closely related occupation and a proficient plus English level.
For South Australian state nomination, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements, state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation that is available on our Skilled Occupation List.
Offshore applicants meeting the minimum published requirements can lodge a Registration of Interest (RoI) from 10 am, ACST, Tuesday 28 September 2021.
Full details of South Australia’s state nomination requirements can be viewed here.
The statement provided by MigrationSA says state nomination is a competitive process. There is no guarantee of receiving an invitation to apply for state nomination after lodging an RoI, even if the minimum requirements are satisfied.
NSW Freedom Roadmap: Picture Source: @NSW Government
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that from the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow a number of freedoms to those who are fully vaccinated.
1- Up to 10 people will be able to visit homes, 2- Participate in community sport and, 3- Access hospitality venues (where drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors).
All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 80 per cent roadmap will also remove the limit of fully vaccinated guests for weddings and funerals, and remove customer caps for personal services such as hairdressers.
“I know people are counting down the minutes until we reach 70 per cent double dose and the freedoms that will provide, and today we are providing further certainty by announcing the 80 per cent roadmap and future settings,”
Ms Berejiklian said.
“Vaccination remains our ticket to freedom so we need to work even harder to get jabs in arms, to help stop the spread, minimise outbreaks and ensure people are protected when we open up,” She added.
NSW Premier’s COVID-19 update; Picture Source: The Australia Today
Updated health advice, adjustments have been made to the 70 per cent roadmap.
Regional travel will now not be allowed until 80 per cent (fully vaccinated only), and a booking cap has been introduced for hospitality venues of 20 people per booking.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government is considering changes to incoming international arrival caps, so more people can return home for Christmas.
“The NSW Government’s 70 per cent roadmap lifts fully vaccinated people out of lockdown and when we reach 80 per cent, restrictions will ease even further,”
Mr Barilaro said.
“I must also clarify that travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will only be permitted when the state reaches 80 per cent double dose.”
This is necessary to give some regional areas the time they need to increase local vaccination rates.
NSW’s 80 PER CENT ROADMAP
Under the Reopening NSW roadmap at 80 per cent, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons).
Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces
Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and
under)
Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings
Up to 200 people can attend COVID Safe events
Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events Community sport permitted
Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
Retail stores can operate at one person per 4 sqm (those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to only have access to non-critical retail via click-and collect)
Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage) can operate with one person per 4 sqm (uncapped)
Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed. Group bookings will be limited to 20 people. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class.
Major outdoor recreation facilities
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme
parks and zoos can operate with one person per 4 sqm, capped at 5,000
people (or by exemption).
Entertainment, information and education facilities
Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 4 sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger)
Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries and museums) can operate with one person per 4 sqm
Amusement centres and nightclubs will remain closed. Working from home
Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home, if reasonably practicable
Employers must require employees who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable. Education
Return to school with COVID Safe measures on 25 October (as previously announced).
Weddings, funerals and places of worship
One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing. Those who are not fully
vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no receptions)
One person per 4 sqm (uncapped) for funerals. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people
Churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4 sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed.
Travel
Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted
Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate, including for those who are not fully vaccinated
Carpooling is permitted. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household.
Masks
Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except children under 12
Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors
CHANGES FROM 1 DECEMBER 2021 On Wednesday 1 December 2021, the following settings will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status:
Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces
No limit on the number of visitors to a home
Density will shift to one person per 2 sqm for indoor and outdoor settings
No limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings
COVID Safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people
Community sport permitted for all people.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
Retail stores can operate at one person per 2 sqm
Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2 sqm
Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2 sqm inside and outside, with no seating required for eating and drinking
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2 sqm (uncapped)
Intimate services can open with one person per 4 sqm
Major outdoor recreation facilities
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sqm.
Entertainment, information and education facilities
Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 2 sqm
Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums and galleries) can operate with one person per 2 sqm
Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4 sqm.
Working from home
Working from home will be at employer’s discretion.
Education
All year groups return to face-to-face learning.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship
One person per 2 sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing
One person per 2 sqm for funerals
Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2 sqm, with singing permitted.
Travel
Domestic travel, including trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW
Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate
Carpooling is permitted
Quarantine settings for vaccinated arrivals will be altered. A cap on unvaccinated travellers may remain.
Masks
Masks wearing will be mandatory while travelling on public transport, on planes and at airports, and for front-of-house hospitality workers
Mask wearing is not required when outdoors.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard thanked the people of NSW for their sacrifices.
“It’s the dedication of our health workers which allows us to ease some of the restrictions again and to begin the process of opening up the state,” Mr Hazzard said.
It is currently estimated at Monday 11 October will mark 70 per cent double dose vaccination for NSW. This will allow some opening and lifting of restrictions for those who are vaccinated.
Up to 5 visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship
Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
Churches and places of worship to open subject to 1 person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms
Hospitality venues can reopen subject to 1 person per 4sqm inside and 1 person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
Retail stores can reopen under the 1 person per 4sqm rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5 clients per premises.
Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the 1 person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities
Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5000 people.
Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with 1 person per 4sqm or 75% fixed seated capacity.
Travel
Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
Carpooling will be permitted.
Masks
Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
The roadmap may be fine-tuned by NSW Health as we monitor the COVID-19 situation over the coming weeks.
If you are not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
Image source: PM Narendra Modi at Central Vista Project - Twitter.
Less than 24 hours since his return from the US, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to the construction site of the new Parliament building.
This visit was to a first-hand look and inspection of the construction status at the Central Vista Project site.
PM Modi addressed the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly and attended the first in-person Quad summit meeting.
PM Modi addressed the UNGA session and cautioned about countries with “regressive thinking” that are using terrorism as a “political tool”.
He also held bilateral and multilateral engagements, including with US President Joe Biden, US vice president Kamala Harris and his Australian and Japanese counterparts—Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga—respectively.
After his discussions at the QUAD meeting with leaders of the United States, Japan and Australia, PM Modi tweeted:
The US visit marked the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On his return, Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju, tweeted:
“The sudden visit of Prime Minister @narendramodi ji at the Central Vista site just after returning from his US visit will motivate the engineers and the whole team who are working day and night.”
The Centra Vista Avenue redevelopment project was announced by the Centre government on September 13, 2019.
It aims at redeveloping 86 acres of land in Delhi with a new triangular Parliament building, a common Central secretariat, revamping of the 3-km Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, new Prime Minister’s residence and office, and a new Vice President Enclave.
The estimated cost of the Central Vista Project has been revised to Rs.20,000 crore.
Image source: Central Vista Project – Wikipedia.
PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project on December 10, 2020.
PM Modi arrived at the Central Vista Project site at 8.45 pm without much security details.
He spent almost an hour at the under construction parliament building.
In the photos from the site, PM Modi could be seen wearing a safety helmet and interacting with the engineers.
Before visiting the site, PM Modi attended more than twenty official meetings with USA government and Fortune 500 CEOs.
Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had earlier described that PM Modi’s visit to the US has been “very successful.”
Australian shares marked a third consecutive weekly decline as property developer Evergrande’s debt crisis continued to capture attention worldwide and spark concerns of a fallout in China’s financial systems and other markets.
Evergrande, China’s second-biggest property developer, missed an interest payment on Thursday and has entered a 30 day grace period. World markets have been on tenterhooks all week on debt payment obligations for Evergrande, crumbling under $400 billion mountain of debt.
Investors are concerned that a failure to pay their debt by Evergrande will result in a slowdown in China which in turn will impact commodity prices. As such Australian miners, who are dependent on Chinese demand for raw materials were heavily sold down with BHP, Rio and FMG leading the losses.
Concern over whether distress could spill into the broader economy continues to hover over the markets as this week opens. In a clear sign of worsening liquidity crisis in other parts of Evergrande’s business, the property developer has warned that its electric car unit faced an uncertain future unless it got a swift injection of cash.
Last week on Monday alone, Australia suffered its biggest single-day loss since February. The markets, however, recovered most of the losses once Evergrande committed to making bond payments on Thursday. However, the markets again got jittery once the news came on Friday that the property giant has missed its payments on Thursday.
With supply chains under intense pressure, labour markets not in the healthiest condition and the virus still laying waste to some economies the Evergrande situation could act as a catalyst that could damage market optimism.
The construction sector in China accounts directly for almost half of all steel consumption. There will be some spillover effects on commodity prices going forwards and the iron miners in Australia such as BHP and Rio may continue to suffer in short term.
We also think a weakness in the property sector will spill over to other related sectors such as furniture and electronics. A lower iron price is also expected to leave a big dent in the Australian economy and cause significant pain for not only the Australian miners but also government budgets.
This week Australia will enter into the final quarter of the year with a heap of data that will provide information on the damage from continuing lockdowns in our two largest states. Retail sales are expected to show a decline, however, it is Core Logic’s home value index that will be most awaited by traders in Australia. The data is expected to show the impact of ongoing lockdowns on property prices.
In regards to gold, US Federal Reserve’s plans on reducing stimulus to the US economy ensured the bullion recorded its third straight week of declines.
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell last week said that the tapering process could conclude around the middle of next year, as long as recovery remains on track. The US central bank policy statement last week also suggested it may lift interest rates earlier than expected. Thus pushing the yellow metal down.
Gold is often seen as a hedge against higher inflation, however, a Fed rate hike increases the opportunity cost for holding gold, which pays no interest. Gold could remain under pressure in the near short term with the US Dollar index also rising against a basket of other currencies.
Oil climbed for a fourth consecutive week to settle at a nearly 3-year high. Oil continued to soar high as data from the US revealed a drop in US crude inventories to their lowest levels since 2018, along with strong refinery demand, as crude production continued to see a slow recovery in the US following Hurricane Ida which landed on the Louisiana coast on 29th August.
With another storm, Sam, expected to become a major hurricane in the Atlantic the long term track for oil is still uncertain at this point. As such with the uncertainty of storms in the long term we expect the energy market to maintain its strength until more clarity is achieved. Several forecasts also call for a much colder winter in several areas of Europe and the North American continent which could further lift energy demand.
The Australian Dollar also declined for the week as Evergrande’s failure to pay its bond interest weighed on the local currency. According to ING, Australian currency is the most Chinese dependant currency in the G10 and hence is most exposed for any spillover from a potential Evergrande default.
A collapse in the real estate market in China would further raise demand concerns in the iron ore market, generating another sell-off in commodity’s prices and the Australian dollar.
Technically speaking the latest price action on the daily chart suggest that a bearish engulfing candle may be forming for AUD/USD pair. We would need a close below 0.7245 to confirm its validity. If that is to happen the price is expected to go down to first support at 20 September low of 0.7219. A decisive break of this support could see the Australian dollar fall further to a 2021 low of 0.7105.
The Relative Strength Index also continues to point lower thus supporting the downtrend.
In regards to the Indian Rupee, with market sentiment dwindling amid anxiety over Evergrande, Indian Rupee too declined against the greenback.
The comments from China’s National Development and Reform Commission suggesting power to control rising raw materials also dented trader confidence in risk currencies such as the Indian rupee.
At home in India, rising coronavirus cases where the official numbers were back above 31,000 cases a day and an increase in Covid led deaths also contributed to Rupee’s sluggish performance.
In the world of Cryptocurrencies, the week gone by turned into a complete rollercoaster following yet more fear, uncertainty and doubt coming from China.
The week before last week Bitcoin consolidated by 3% and was sitting close to $49,000. Then on Monday as fears from Evergrande fears started to take shape Bitcoin started plummeting and fell as low as USD 40,000 on Wednesday.
The bulls then started recovery for the digital currency to pull it back to $45,000 before China announced more regulatory efforts to crack on BTC mining to send it back to $40,000. At the time of writing this report, the cryptocurrency recovered back to about $42K.
This was the fate of almost all altcoins as well with most of them charting notable weekly losses. Etherium was down about 19%, Cardano about 7%, Ripple recorded a fall of 15% and so forth.
It is interesting to see how China clamping on cryptocurrency has an impact on the currency market compared to other news. Previously too China has made efforts to clamp down on cryptocurrencies and every time it does the price of digital coins go down. Whereas other news such as Twitter announced this week that users can now send tips over the social media using BTC, which was a huge case for cryptocurrencies, does not have much impact.
In agricultural products, it was a mixed week. Wheat recorded its second consecutive weekly gains driven by concerns about tighter global supplies due to adverse weather conditions. Corn declined on US harvest pressure and soybeans remained flat for the week.
Abnormal weather conditions in Russia, Canada and European Union raised concerns about grain supplies as wheat production takes a hit.
Moving forward global grain supplies stemming from adverse weather may continue to push grain prices higher.
Author: Ateev Dang is a trader and trading coach by profession. He runs a business called Glow trades Pty Ltd where he teaches anyone interested in starting their trading journey on how to trade. He can be contacted at adang@glowtrades.com.au.
Disclaimer:
The writers’ opinions in the above article are their own and do not constitute any financial advice whatsoever. Nothing published by The Australia Today constitutes an investment recommendation, nor should any data or content publication be relied upon for providing any investment activities.
We strongly recommend that you perform your independent research and/or speak with a financial advisor or qualified investment professional before making any financial decisions.
Yastika Bhatia and Shafali Verma played knocks of 64 and 56 respectively as India defeated Australia by two wickets in the third and final ODI here at the Harrup Park on Sunday.
With this defeat, Australia’s unbeaten 26-match run in ODI cricket came to an end. However, the hosts won the three-match ODI series by 2-1.
Chasing 265, India got off to a steady start as opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on 59 runs for the opening wicket. However, the stand did not last long as Ashleigh Gardner dismissed Mandhana (22) in the 11th over.
Yastika Bhatia next joined Shafali in the middle and the duo did not let the momentum drop for the visitors.
Yastika was the aggressor of the two, while Shafali played the second fiddle. Both batters brought up their respective half-centuries as India was poised well in their chase at 153/1 by the end of the 28th over. A 101-run stand for the second wicket came to an end in the 30th over as Sophie Molineux bowled Shafali (56).
Richa Ghosh (0) and Bhatia (64) fell shortly after and India was reduced to 180/4, still needing 85 runs to win from 96 balls. Mithali Raj (16) and Pooja Vastrakar (3) departed in quick succession, and the hopes of India’s victory rested on Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana’s shoulders.
Deepti was sent back to the pavilion after playing a knock of 31 runs, but Sneh Rana kept India in the game. However, the right-hander was dismissed in the penultimate over after playing a knock of 30 runs and India needed 4 runs from the final over to register a win. Jhulan Goswami (8*) showed her experience to finally take the visitors over the line.
Earlier, Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney played knocks of 67 and 52 respectively as Australia posted a total of 264/9. Opting to bat, opening batters Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy put on 41 runs for the opening wicket, but this stand was broken in the ninth over as Jhulan Goswami dismissed Haynes (13).
Indian bowlers then managed to get on top of Australia as Meg Lanning (0), Healy (35), and Ellyse Perry (26) departed in a matter of few overs and the hosts were reduced to 87/4 in the 25th over.
Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner then got together at the crease and both helped the hosts in retrieving the innings. Both batters went past their respective 50-run mark and put up a fifth-wicket stand of 98 runs. India was finally able to break the partnership in the 40th over as Sneh Rana got the better of Mooney (52), reducing Australia to 185/5.
Gardner (67) was eventually sent back to the pavilion by Pooja Vastrakar in the 45th over and hopes of Australia reaching a score of more than 250 relied heavily on Tahlia McGrath. In the end, McGrath did not disappoint scoring 47 off just 32 balls, helping the hosts post a score of more than the 260-run mark. For India, Jhulan and Pooja scalped three wickets each.
We, the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, convened in person as “the Quad” for the first time. On this historic occasion, we recommit to our partnership, and to a region that is a bedrock of our shared security and prosperity—a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is also inclusive and resilient.
Just six months have passed since our last meeting. Since March, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused continued global suffering; the climate crisis has accelerated; and regional security has become ever-more complex, testing all of our countries individually and together. Our cooperation, however, remains unflinching.
The occasion of the Quad summit is an opportunity to refocus ourselves and the world on the Indo-Pacific and on our vision for what we hope to achieve. Together, we recommit to promoting the free, open, rules-based order, rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
We stand for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values, and territorial integrity of states. We commit to working together and with a range of partners.
We reaffirm our strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and we underscore our dedication towards working with ASEAN and its member states—the heart of the Indo-Pacific region—in practical and inclusive ways. We also welcome the September 2021 EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Since our first meeting, we have made considerable progress in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and critical and emerging technologies.
Our partnership on COVID-19 response and relief marks a historic new focus for the Quad. We launched the Quad Vaccine Experts Group, comprised of top experts from our respective governments, charged with building strong ties and better aligning our plans to support Indo-Pacific health security and COVID-19 response.
In doing so, we have shared assessments of the state of the pandemic and aligned our efforts to combat it, reinforced shared diplomatic principles for mitigating COVID-19 in the region, and actively improved coordination of our efforts to support safe, effective, quality-assured vaccine production and equitable access, in close collaborations with multilateral efforts including the COVAX Facility.
In addition to doses financed through COVAX, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States have pledged to donate more than 1.2 billion doses globally of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
And to date, we have delivered nearly 79 million safe, effective, and quality-assured vaccine doses to countries in the Indo-Pacific as part of those commitments.
Thanks to the Quad Vaccine Partnership’s financing of increased manufacturing capacity at Biological E LTD, additional production in India will come online later this year. In line with our March announcement, and recognizing the continuing global supply gap, we will ensure this expanded manufacturing is exported for the Indo-Pacific and the world, and we will coordinate with key multilateral initiatives, such as the COVAX Facility, to procure proven safe, effective and quality-assured COVID-19 vaccines for low- and middle-income countries. We also recognize the importance of open and secure supply chains for vaccine production.
We have accomplished much to date despite months of pandemic hardship throughout the region and world. The Quad leaders welcome Biological E LTD’s production, including through our Quad investments, of at least one billion safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.
We are proud to announce an initial step towards that supply that will immediately help the Indo-Pacific and the world to end the pandemic. The Quad also welcomes India’s announcement to resume exports of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, including to COVAX, beginning in October 2021.
Japan will continue to help regional partners purchase vaccines through $3.3 billion of COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan. Australia will deliver $212 million in grant aid to purchase vaccines for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In addition, Australia will allocate $219 million to support last-mile vaccine rollouts and lead in coordinating Quad’s last-mile delivery efforts in those regions.
We will also strengthen our Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation in the areas of clinical trials and genomic surveillance so that we can accelerate our efforts to end this pandemic and build better health security. We are committed to aligning around shared global targets to help vaccinate the world, save lives now, and build back better, including by strengthening global health security financing and political leadership. Our countries will also conduct a joint pandemic-preparedness tabletop or exercise in 2022.
We have joined forces to tackle the climate crisis, which must be addressed with the urgency it demands. Quad countries will work together to keep the Paris-aligned temperature limits within reach and will pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. To this end, Quad countries intend to update or communicate ambitious NDCs by COP26 and welcome those who have already done so.
Quad countries will also coordinate their diplomacy to raise global ambition, including reaching out to key stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region. Our work is organized across three thematic areas: climate ambition, clean-energy innovation and deployment, and climate adaptation, resilience and preparedness, with the intent to pursue enhanced actions during the 2020s, contributing to the aim of achieving global net-zero emissions preferably by 2050, and taking into account national circumstances.
We are pursuing nationally appropriate sectoral decarbonization efforts, including those aimed at decarbonizing shipping and port operations and the deployment of clean-hydrogen technology. We will cooperate to establish responsible and resilient clean-energy supply chains and will strengthen the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and climate information systems.
Quad countries will work together for successful outcomes at the COP26 and G20 that uphold the level of climate ambition and innovation that this moment requires.
We have established cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, to ensure how technology is designed, developed, governed, and used is shaped by our shared values and respect for universal human rights.
In partnership with the industry, we are advancing the deployment of secure, open, and transparent 5G and beyond-5G networks, and working with a range of partners to foster innovation and promote trustworthy vendors and approaches such as Open-RAN.
Acknowledging the role of governments in fostering an enabling environment for 5G diversification, we will work together to facilitate public-private cooperation and demonstrate in 2022 the scalability and cybersecurity of open, standards-based technology. Concerning the development of technical standards, we will establish sector-specific contact groups to promote an open, inclusive, private-sector-led, multi-stakeholder, and consensus-based approach. We will also coordinate and cooperate in multilateral standardization organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union.
We are mapping the supply chain of critical technologies and materials, including semiconductors, and affirm our positive commitment to resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains of critical technologies, recognizing the importance of government support measures and policies that are transparent and market-oriented.
We are monitoring trends in the critical and emerging technologies of the future, beginning with biotechnology, and identifying related opportunities for cooperation. We are also launching today Quad Principles on Technology Design, Development, Governance, and Use that we hope will guide not only the region but the world towards responsible, open, high-standards innovation.
Going forward, we will not only deepen our cooperation in these critical areas, but we will broaden it to new ones. Building upon each of our regional infrastructure efforts, separately and together, we are launching a new Quad infrastructure partnership. As a Quad, we will meet regularly to coordinate our efforts, map the region’s infrastructure needs, and coordinate regional needs and opportunities.
We will cooperate to provide technical assistance, empowering regional partners with evaluative tools, and will promote sustainable infrastructure development. We support the G7’s infrastructure efforts and look forward to cooperating with like-minded partners, including the EU. We reconfirm the G20 Quality Infrastructure Investment Principles and will re-energize our efforts to provide high-standard infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.
We reaffirm our interest in continuing our engagement with the Blue Dot Network. We emphasize the importance of supporting open, fair, and transparent lending practices in line with international rules and standards for major creditor countries, including on debt sustainability and accountability, and call on all creditors to adhere to these rules and standards.
Today, we begin new cooperation in cyberspace and pledge to work together to combat cyber threats, promote resilience, and secure our critical infrastructure. In space, we will identify new collaboration opportunities and share satellite data for peaceful purposes such as monitoring climate change, disaster response and preparedness, sustainable uses of oceans and marine resources, and responding to challenges in shared domains. We will also consult on rules, norms, guidelines and principles for ensuring the sustainable use of outer space.
We are proud to begin a new chapter of educational and people-to-people cooperation as we inaugurate the Quad Fellowship. Stewarded by Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative, and with generous support from Accenture, Blackstone, Boeing, Google, Mastercard, and Western Digital this pilot fellowship program will provide 100 graduate fellowships to leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduate students across our four countries.
Through the Quad Fellowship, our next generation of STEM talent will be prepared to lead the Quad and other like-minded partners towards the innovations that will shape our shared future.
In South Asia, we will closely coordinate our diplomatic, economic, and human-rights policies towards Afghanistan and will deepen our counter-terrorism and humanitarian cooperation in the months ahead following UNSCR 2593.
We reaffirm that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterate the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan. We denounce the use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial or military support to terrorist groups which could be used to launch or plan terror attacks, including cross-border attacks.
We stand together in support of Afghan nationals and call on the Taliban to provide safe passage to any person wishing to leave Afghanistan and to ensure that the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and minorities are respected.
We also recognize that our shared futures will be written in the Indo-Pacific, and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that the Quad is a force for regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity. Towards that end, we will continue to champion adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas.
We affirm our support to small island states, especially those in the Pacific, to enhance their economic and environmental resilience. We will continue our assistance with Pacific Island countries on responses to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and on quality, sustainable infrastructure, as well as a partner to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, which poses especially serious challenges for the Pacific.
We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea by United Nations Security Council resolutions and also confirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees. We urge North Korea to abide by its UN obligations, refrain from provocations.
We also call on North Korea to engage in substantive dialogue. We are committed to building democratic resilience in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We continue to call for the end to violence in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including foreigners, engagement in constructive dialogue, and for the early restoration of democracy.
We further call for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. We will deepen our cooperation in multilateral institutions, including at the United Nations, where reinforcing our shared priorities enhances the resilience of the multilateral system itself. Individually and together, we will respond to the challenges of our time, ensuring that the region remains inclusive, open, and governed by universal rules and norms.
We will continue to build habits of cooperation; our leaders and foreign ministers will meet annually and our senior officials will meet regularly. Our working groups will continue their steady tempo to produce the cooperation necessary to build a stronger region.
At a time that tests us all, our commitment to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific is firm, and our vision for this partnership remains ambitious and far-reaching. With steadfast cooperation, we rise to meet this moment, together.
Indian PM Narendra Modi meets US President Joe Biden; Picture Source: Twitter @POTOUS
Eyes of the global diplomatic community were on Indian PM’s three-day visit to the United States. The bilateral meeting of Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden to address the world with issues of significance and strengthen bilateral relations between two nations.
Indian PM talked in Hindi that was translated into English for the media, which reflect the patriotism of using the mother language at this vital juncture. If you have noticed Indian PM’s communication style closely, before and during his visit to the US, the readers must have realised the sophisticated manner of the Indian PM to address the Indian diaspora in all his opening remarks.
The media usually asks tough questions during the interviews, and usually, these questions are not extempore goes through series of preparation. This op-ed highlights the significance of different interviews methodology that is used to conduct interviews
Interviewing: A sophisticated art
Interviewing is considered to be the most crucial part of extracting the information from the guest. It is verbal interaction with others to gather information from them. Interviewees’ replies to the interview are an essential source of primary information rather than the interviewer’s views.
Kavle (1996) stated, “interview seeks to describe and the meaning of central themes in the life world of the subjects. It aims to understand the meaning of what the interviewees say”. Interviews are useful to know the story behind a participant experiences and the interviewer can try to find in-depth information around the topic (McNamara, 1999).
The interviewer should have basic general traits knowledge, structuring, clear presentation, gentle, steering, critical, remembering and interpreting. Preparation for an interview is highly imperative, that has some sequence pattern of questions and procedure of conducting an interview. Interviews as art can usually be divided broadly into four categories: Structured interviews, Semi-structured interviews, unstructured interviews and lastly, non-directive interviews and informal conversational interviews.
Structured Interviews
It is known as a standardized interview. During this process, interviewers ask set patterns and structures of questions from every respondent. They cannot do any modifications in these questions. The tone of the voice while asking questions is mostly maintained the same in order to maintain objectivity. To ask questions from the individuals, they prepare an interview schedule which is a kind of valuable tool used to collect the information.
Interviewer set pattern of questions, either open-ended or written questions in written form are prepared by the interviewer\s, and they use any mode of communication, e.g. face to face, telephonic or any other electronic media to gather the statistics. The purpose of this interview is to aggregate the interviewees’ replies and questions that are usually very specific and there is a fixed range of answers. The structured interview has some rigidity where probing can be a problem area, and respondents may hear and interpret the questions in a different manner. The positive point of this kind of interview is that interviewer has complete control over the topic and format of the interview.
Semi-structured interview
It is non-standardized and mostly used for analysis. It is a kind of interview during which different questions are prepared by the interviewers, but they may not deal with some questions during the time of the interview in order to assemble the information about some problems or issues.
The interviewer has a list of themes, questions and issues to be covered. The sequence of questions can be varied, as additional questions can be asked. It’s not necessary for the interviewers need to follow the set pattern of asking the questions; they may change the order of the questions according to the situation. During this type of interview, the also interviewer gathers the information by preparing notes or using recorders during the time of the interview. This interviewer gets the opportunity to probe for views and opinions of the interviewee and through probing, new answers can be derived.
The interviewer of semi-structured interviews is freer than a structured one. In a semi-structured interview, the interviewer has the liberty to do a detailed interview guide. This helps the interviewer to explore, probe and ask questions that will elucidate and illuminate that particular subject. The interviewer can prompt and probe deeper into a given problem. An interviewer can explain the questions if the interviewee is not able to understand any questions.
Unstructured interviews
This interview pattern is a non-directed, flexible method and more causal. By its name, an unstructured interview means there is no set pattern or structure to conduct the interview from the individuals. During this process, the interviewer is flexible to follow any structure and use any content. They also have the freedom to formulate their questions and ask the questions in any way they want from their respondents. Interviewees in this method can speak openly, frankly and in a detailed way. The interviewer does not receive professional training for conducting unstructured interviews.
Informal conversational interviews
Non-directives interviews are used to do an in-depth investigation about the topic and in this form, interviewers do not prepare pre-planned questions. In this, interviewers have the freedom to answer the questions around the issue. During this type of interview, it is the work of the interviewer to check on the unsure points and try to rephrase the answers to make them more understandable and accurate.
An informal conversational interview is a process the interviewers use to ask open-ended questions from the respondents. They start by asking some general questions and freely generate more questions as further development in the interview.
Conclusion
Indian PM has been an expert orator, and a leader who knows the sophisticated art to reply as per the nature of the question and his facial expression says volume during the interview. Overall, the interviewer needs to do his/her homework to conduct an objective interview, especially when taking of leaders like the status of Indian PM.
Lastly, the interviewer must keep aside personal biases and interview on merit. Interviewers do not emerge from a vacuum, as they have some predefined notions, but a rational professional will use interview methodology as a powerful weapon to discern the truth.
Author: Dr Sakul Kundra, A.HOD Department of Social Science, College of Humanities and Education, Fiji National University.
Victoria is set to hit its first vaccination target and as a result, modest easing of restrictions will be able to occur this week. The state has reported 779 new COVID-19 infections and two deaths today.
On Tuesday, Victoria will pass its first threshold on the Roadmap with 80 per cent of Victorians having received their first vaccine dose.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that at 11.59 pm on Tuesday 28 September there will be a modest easing to restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
In regional Victoria,
1- Outdoor settings for restaurants and cafes will have their outdoor venue cap increase from 20 to 30 people. 2- Masks may be removed if the service requires them in hair and beauty salons, so facials and beard trimmings can recommence.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews
Residents of metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas in lockdown will be able to undertake ‘contactless’ recreation at outdoor facilities, such as boating, tennis or golf.
The gathering size outdoors can increase to up to five adults, from two households, if all adults are fully vaccinated.
The 10km radius will also expand to 15km – so exercise and shopping can take place up to 15km from your home.
Personal training will be able to take place with five fully vaccinated people outside plus a fully vaccinated trainer.
The additional restrictions on playgrounds will be lifted – normal public gathering limits apply, and masks can be removed to eat and drink at the playground.
Melbourne Lockdown; Picture Source: Twitter
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “We’re about to hit our first stop on the Roadmap, which is a fantastic achievement – but we need to keep the momentum going. Today is the day to book that vaccine appointment.”
Separately, Premier Andrews announced that the City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire can exit lockdown at 11:59 pm tonight, 26 September – with public health teams confident that caseloads, which are largely contained to existing contacts, can be well managed by the local public health unit.
Mitchell Shire – Will remain in lockdown due to its close proximity to areas of highest concern in metropolitan Melbourne.
The next milestones in the Roadmap will be when school begins to return to onsite learning on 5 October and when Victoria hits that 70 per cent double dose vaccination target – in late October.
Representative picture of regional Victoria: Picture Source: Ravi Singh
Vaccinated Economy Trials
Up to 20 vaccinated economy trials will test systems and support in the fortnight before Victoria is aiming to reach the key 70 per cent full vaccination mark on 26 October, triggering greater freedoms for vaccinated people.
Scheduled to start from 11 October, it is anticipated the trials will cover hospitality, hairdressing, beauty services and tourism businesses, and events such as race meetings, community celebrations and concerts – allowing higher patron numbers with all attendees confirmed as being fully vaccinated.
As regional areas with high vaccination rates and low or no COVID-19 cases the Bass Coast, Greater Bendigo, Pyrenees, Warrnambool, Buloke and East Gippsland municipalities will be the first invited to participate in the trials.
Reported yesterday: 779 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas. – 34,280 vaccines administered – 46,322 test results received – Sadly, 2 people with COVID-19 have died
The Government will work with local councils and industry bodies to help identify suitable businesses and events for the important fact-finding exercises.
The trials will confirm the best processes for establishing vaccination status, with work underway on how Commonwealth vaccination data can be best integrated with the Service Victoria app.
Pending the outcomes of the first phase, a second phase of trials using 80 per cent double dose settings will be held, prior to Victoria achieving that threshold.
The progress of these trials will be subject to health advice and ensuring the safety of regional communities from any potential COVID-19 infections. These trials will be used to hold larger events in metropolitan Melbourne to test the systems and technologies with larger crowd sizes.
Training for staff, supports for business owners and public communication of vaccine requirements will also be part of the trials. Support officers will be deployed on the ground to ensure trials run smoothly and participating businesses receive the assistance they need.
As Victoria reaches the key vaccination thresholds of 70 per cent and 80 per cent double dose in Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, greater numbers of fully vaccinated people will be able to participate in many settings including outdoor gatherings, funerals, weddings, religious gatherings and entertainment and hospitality venues.
In regional cafes and restaurants, the patron cap increases to 30 people for indoor spaces and 100 people for outdoor spaces once they reach the 70 per cent double dose vaccination – on the basis that all patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.
Without confirmation of vaccination status, there is no change to existing settings.
Premier Andrews urged, “Getting vaccinated has never been more important – it reduces the risks to you and your family of serious illness from COVID-19 and it allows greater freedoms for all Victorians as we re-open together.”
“These trials are an important step as we move towards a vaccinated economy, supporting businesses to open safely and recover strongly and individuals to play their very important part.”
If you haven’t booked your appointment or are waiting for a particular vaccine – do not wait. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today. Over the next week, there are 3,495 Pfizer appointments available and 6,984 Astra Zeneca appointments available at state hubs.
Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their trusted GP or community pharmacist by visiting www.health.gov.au – and it’s important to remember Victorian pharmacists are now also offering the Moderna vaccine, which is a safe and effective option for any Victorian under the age of 60.
For more info on the Roadmap, or to book a vaccination, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
Women of Colour missing from sport light; Representative picture source; @CANVA
We are two women. Both women of colour, both lawyers, both who have collectively put in a couple of thousands of hours of volunteer work for our communities.
Both have had to work hard to create a space for themselves. One is the first woman of South Asian background to be elected the Vice President of any Law Society and the other had the potential to be the first Federal Parliamentarian of Vietnamese heritage.
Yet we are struggling to shatter the double-glazed glass ceiling that women of colour face. Many women of diverse backgrounds like us are well qualified, hard-working, conscientious and community-minded. But we have to work doubly hard to prove ourselves, our mistakes are picked up and scrutinised more so than others and our efforts are constantly undermined.
We are not often directly told to go back to where we came from. These kinds of racist attacks mostly happen on the street, by an unknown person, and not in the professional legal, board and political circles that we frequent through work. But what happened last week, without really saying that, meant exactly that.
Molina Swaroop Asthana and Tu Le; Picture Source; Supplied
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s comments are a testimony to the devaluation of the talents of women of colour in discounting them as well-meaning intentions that cannot ‘ever get there. So if we can never get there because we are not good enough compared to our more privileged compatriots, where does that leave us? Should we just pack our bags and go back home to achieve our ambitions? But wait, this is home.
When we have such rhetoric from a former Prime Minister, it validates, albeit, unfound, sentiments of many who think we are incompetent, inferior and unworthy of leadership positions. This is not the first time it has happened. We are constantly excluded from contributing to anything meaningful, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unconsciously.
We are continually sidelined for leadership opportunities. If we raise issues, we are trouble-makers, if we bring a diverse viewpoint, we are not considered team players, if we seek a leadership position, we get comments about spreading ourselves too thin and our competence is constantly scrutinised.
Crixtover Edwin, A young black visual artist from Lagos
Achieving diversity targets means more than just replacing white men with white women. The excessive focus on gender equality creates greater inequity for women of diverse backgrounds. Whereas quotas and targets are set for gender equality, there are no such quotas for cultural diversity. Institutions may appear to have met their goals for diversity if they have appointed enough women in leadership positions, but that completely ignores the need for an intersectional approach to diversity.
No matter how much you sympathise, you can’t equate acquired experience with lived experiences. It is similar to the distinctions made between ‘Asia capable leaders’ and leaders of Asian background. The former has acquired theoretical and perhaps limited practical knowledge whereas the latter has lived and breathed the experiences.
To suggest that the level of understanding of issues facing the Asian communities is the same for both, is preposterous and delusional, particularly for political representation that also requires a certain level of connection with the community you represent.
On the topic of political representation, the imposition of an Anglo-Celtic candidate who does not reflect the community they seek to represent and has little to no connection to that community is an added level of privileged arrogance stemming from the belief that marginalised minority communities lack the evolution to understand what is best for them.
But unfortunately, this is not the first time local voices have been stymied by so-called faceless men, nor will it be the last (for any party). Till a commitment is made to move away from the monochromatic view of diversity, it is unlikely that we will see this double-glazed glass ceiling for women shattered.
We often hear, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see”. But we’ve been invisible for too long. We’ve been underrepresented, sidelined and underestimated. We may not feel a small ripple, but no one can miss a tsunami. The waves of change will continue to smash the hegemonic systems that have been stacked against us women, particularly women of colour, for centuries.
It will take all of us to keep fighting. Together, we will ride the wave into a better and brighter future for all women and girls from all walks of life.
“We are not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from our own.”
Authors: Molina Swaroop Asthana: Commercial lawyer and Co-founder and lead Victorian Convenor of the Asian Australian Alliance. Tu Le: Program Director at Migrant Employment Legal Service, the Co-Founder of The Youth Co-Lab, and a Youth Leader at the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association.
Disclaimer: This Oped was first published in Women’s Agenda. We have republished with the kind permission of the author.
It is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian democracy that has stopped the region of Jammu & Kashmir from resembling Taliban occupied Afghanistan said British Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman during a discussion on a motion on the Indian union territory of Jammu & Kashmir in UK Parliament.
The debate proposal was tabled by Parliamentarian Debbie Abrahams and Pakistan-origin MP Yasmin Qureshi in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Speaking in the debate in the House of Commons, Pakistan sympathiser British Labour MP Tahir Ali and Imran Hussain called upon the UK to take action against India by barring the Indian High Commissioner from Parliament.
Hussain said the UK and other countries needed to speak up and end their silence because of the military occupation of Kashmir.
Claims were destroyed by Imran Hussain’s fellow Labour MP Barry Gardiner. He even pointed out the terrorist camps that have been nurtured by Pakistan to destabilize the Kashmir region.
“Over the years Pakistan has harboured Taliban leaders and the ISI, their security services, provided other forms of support to them and to other terrorist organisations.”
The Minister for Asia in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Amanda Milling, responded to the debate on Thursday by reiterating the UK government’s unchanged stance on Kashmir as a bilateral issue.
Further, the British government expressed its dismay at some of the language used by participating MPs, specifically Pakistani-origin or Pakistan sympathisers.
The Indian High Commission in London condemned the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted Kashmir’s status as an integral part of India.
“As on previous occasions, the High Commission of India reiterates that any assertion made in any forum on a subject related to an integral part of India needs to be duly substantiated with authentic verifiable facts.”
BIG: UK Parliamentarian @BobBlackman in House of Commons says, Islamist Forces will Eliminate Democracy in Jammu & Kashmir like we saw in Afghanistan if Indian Troops are Withdrawn. Only Indian Army has stopped Jammu & Kashmir in India from becoming Taliban’s Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/jsHIvcb4As
However, in the whole debate hearts were won when Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman spoke about India’s democratic credentials.
He flagged the completion of local elections in Kashmir last December despite pandemic-related adversities.
“We should remember that while Kashmir Valley may be probably Muslim (dominated), Jammu is predominantly Hindu and Ladakh predominantly Buddhist. And the fact is, historically persecuted religious minorities of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, women and children have unfortunately suffered in the Valley.”
Blackman added that it is because of the Indian military that the region of Jammu and Kashmir has not resembled Taliban-occupied Afghanistan as yet.
“It is only the Indian Army and the sound footing of the Indian military democracy that has stopped the region of Jammu & Kashmir resembling Taliban occupied Afghanistan … the region is legally and rightfully an integral part of the Republic of India.”
British MPs during the debate raised concerns on the terror attacks in Kashmir by Pakistan based terror groups such as Jaish e Muhammad, Lashkar e Tayyiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The key person behind this debate, Debbie Abrahams was deported from India for travelling to the country on an invalid visa.
It was also highlighted that her organisation APPG on Kashmir (APPGK) allegedly received money from Pakistan Government between £31,501 (Rs 29.7 lakh) and £33,000 (Rs 31.2 lakh) on February 18, 2020, for a visit to Pakistan.
Many Indians origin residents living in Australia have not been able to travel home to see their families and friends in India for almost two years.
They have been requesting both the state and federal governments to ease their tough border measures.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made some highly questionable comments about international borders possibly reopening in Australia.
Indians who live in Queensland have in the past appreciated her efforts to prevent extended lockdowns like in NSW and Victoria.
In May 2021, Palaszczuk Government even donated $2 million to the Australian Red Cross on behalf of all Queenslanders to aid the response to the COVID-19 crisis in India.
However, her recent comments are loaded and ignore the real sentiments of Indians.
More than 74,000 Queenslanders were either born in India or have Indian heritage and many are waiting eagerly to see their loved ones.
Pooja Manchanda who hasn’t been home to see her family in nearly three years told ABC:
“Just to pinpoint one nation out of the others, I don’t think that was really called for, and in a position like hers.”
In a statement to the media, a spokesperson for the Premier’s office said Ms Palaszczuk was highlighting “the problem of approving international travel anywhere.”
“As general examples of countries, which unfortunately have had high levels of COVID cases, she mentioned India and Japan, but there are many countries with COVID outbreaks which would similarly make travel problematic.”
Akashika Mohla is Brisbane based Head of Media Diversity Australia – Asian Chapter. She says, “Looks like Premier has forgotten the pains her family experienced being torn apart as migrants. Unfortunately, Her insensitivity towards Indian Australians wishing to meet their loved ones is bordering hate and discrimination if not racism.”
“These Queenslanders of Indian heritage are saving lives every day -Doctors, nurses, paramedics, Police, aged care workers. We deserve better treatment from Premier of the state.”
This is not the first time Ms Palaszczuk has used such a tone and words. In the 2017 campaign, she smeared the entire India accusing Indians of taking jobs from Australians.
Image source: Augnes Joy and Teresa Joy, Facebook.
Do you know all the words to Jana Gana Mana or Advance Australia Fair?
Augnes Joy and Teresa Joy, Indian-origin Brisbane-based sisters have created a new record by singing the national anthems of the 193 sovereign states in 100 languages by heart.
All the countries selected are members of the United Nations and the sisters went in alphabetical order.
Their six-hour attempt took place at an event organised by held by the United Nations Association of Australia at St John’s Cathedral to mark International Day of Peace.
This day is also known as World Peace Day and is celebrated every year on 21 September.
Image source: Poster – Facebook.
21-year-old Teresa and 18-year-old Augnes shared in their social media post that they have been researching the national anthems of all the countries of the world for the past 9 years.
They have been singing the national anthems of all the countries of the world off-by-heart to promote world peace and a heightened sense of humanity.
The sisters called their special international event ‘Salute the Nations’.
Image source: Teresa and Augnes with Clem Camphell (Order of Australia), past president of United Nations Association of Australia – Facebook
Originally planned for 2020, the sisters decided to cancel the event due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The proud sisters have now been presented with a ‘Record Breakers’ certificate from the Australian Book of Records.
In addition, Teresa and Augnes have also been awarded a 2021 Word Record certificate from the Universal Records Forum.
The family originally hails from Cherthala in Kerala’s Alappuzha district.
Teresa and Augnes’s father Joy is a filmmaker and her mother, Jaqueline, is a nurse in Queensland.
The sisters run Augnes and Tersa Peace Foundation and all proceeds from this event will go to charitable activities run by the United Nations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met with US Vice President Kamala Harris, a day ahead of his highly anticipated bilateral meet with US President Joe Biden.
This was PM Modi’s first in-person meeting with Ms Harris after she made history by becoming the first Indian-origin person to become the Vice President of America.
During the meeting Vice President Kamala Harris “suo moto” referred to Pakistan’s role with regard to terrorism and agreed on the need to rein-in and closely monitor Islamabad support for terror groups, informed Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.
Harris acknowledged the presence of terror groups in Pakistan, said Shringla when asked whether the issue of Pakistan emboldening Taliban came up during the discussion between PM Modi and the US Vice President.
“In that context when the issue of terrorism came up. The Vice President suo moto referred to Pakistan’s role in that regard. She said that there were terror groups working there. She asked Pakistan to take action so that these groups do not impact on US security and that of India,”
the Foreign Secretary said during a special briefing.
“She agreed with Prime Minister’s briefing on the fact of cross-border terrorism and the fact that India has been a victim of terrorism several decades now and the need to rein in and closely monitor Pakistan’s support for such terror groups,” he added.
Pakistan has been accused of providing overt and covert support to the Taliban. Early this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that Pakistan has “harboured” members of the Taliban including the terrorists.
PM Modi praises Kamala Harris as ‘source of inspiration’, invites her to India
“Your election as Vice President of USA has been an important and historic event. You are a source of inspiration for many across the world. I am confident that under President Biden and your leadership our bilateral relations will touch new heights,” PM Modi said in a joint press conference with Harris after the two leaders met.
“Continuing on this journey of victory, Indians would also want you to continue that in India and therefore they are waiting to welcome you. I extend you an invitation to visit India,”
PM Modi added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington for his much-touted US visit. He had earlier addressed the Global COVID-19 Summit called by US President Biden.
Biden is scheduled to host PM Modi at the White House on September 24. This is going to be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after Biden took over as the US President on January 20.
Biden will host the first-ever in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit, which will be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
PM Modi’s US visit will conclude on September 25 with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues.
PM Modi is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and senior officials.
The high-level session of the UNGA began on Tuesday in New York. The theme for this year’s General Debate is ‘Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations.