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Sunday, 30 July 2023

Biden administration urged to make priority dates current for Indian Green Card applicants

Biden's Europe visit to highlight NATO unity, arms to Ukraine

Washington: A group of US lawmakers has urged the Biden administration to take executive action to make priority dates current for Green Card applicants from India to reduce the 195-year-long wait period which has left them in a constant state of limbo.

Led by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon, the bipartisan group of 56 lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting the administration take executive action to provide relief to high-skilled employment-based visa holders.

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In their letter, the US lawmakers also appealed to the administration to mark all dates for filing of employment-based visa applications in the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ published Employment-Based Visa Bulletin as “current”.

A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently.

The current situation surrounding the seven per cent country cap on employment-based Green Card allocation is causing severe repercussions, particularly for countries such as India, where the backlog has reached an astonishing 195 years, said Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS USA) in a separate appeal to the US President Joe Biden.

This backlog disproportionately affects Indian tech professionals, who constitute a significant portion of the highly skilled STEM talent and US-educated graduates, playing a crucial role in maintaining the United States’ competitive edge in the technology industries, it said.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

However, the backlog has created a significant barrier, hindering these talented individuals from contributing meaningfully to the country’s growth and innovation, the FIIDS observed.

This year, the FIIDS has made several efforts in addressing the concerns of the immigrant Indian community, in particular those related to Green Card and H-1B visas.

“We started efforts to get relief to Indian H-1Bs who are stuck in Green Card processing. We launched a change petition, we are approaching representatives, various other organisations and influencers. We are reaching out to the Bureau of consular services in the state department as well as the USCIS in the DHS to take administrative action to make the priority dates current for green card applicants,” Khanderao Kand from FIIDS said.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The lawmakers in their letter said that marking all dates as “current” would allow employment-based applications to be filed regardless of applicants’ country-based priority date. This would provide relief to thousands of individuals attempting to legally navigate the US immigration system and could potentially also make some eligible for employment authorisation documents to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad to visit family without penalty, it said.

Without this administrative action, which was also used during the administration of President George W Bush, individuals are left in a constant state of limbo and, in some cases, are punished for utilising a pathway of legal immigration by being forced to stay with one company or organisation due to their Green Card status, they said in the letter.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in urging the Biden administration to address bureaucratic delays in our legal immigration system that are holding back our economy while leaving so many families in limbo,” Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said.

“By using its authority under the existing law, the administration can ease this burden while strengthening our economy and helping to create jobs,” he said.

Congressman Bucshon said, unfortunately, due to bureaucratic red tape in “our nation’s legal immigration system, they are caught in the visa backlog and don’t have the flexibility to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad without penalty”.

“I believe that it’s important for the administration to act within the current law to make it easier for these legal immigrants to navigate our immigration system and continue making a positive contribution to our nation and our economy,” Bucshon said.

President of Immigration Voice Aman Kapoor said that “this commonsense measure proposed in the letter by Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Bucshon would be an absolute game changer to provide basic human rights such as the ability to change jobs and travel for nearly one million high skilled immigrants whose status in the US can end at any moment and is entirely dependent upon the whims of their employer”.

The entire basis for this problem is a “discriminatory” immigration system that requires Indian nationals to have to wait “200 years for a Green Card while people from 150 other countries have no wait at all”, Kapoor said.

“We now call on the Biden administration to do the right thing and heed the call of this rare bipartisan letter and give high-skilled immigrants here for over a decade the same rights to work and travel that people being paroled into the US for the first time just this week have,” he said.

“We are no less deserving of basic human rights and fairness than anyone else and we hope the Biden administration will agree,” Kapoor said.

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SC sets aside Calcutta HC order suspending doc’s licence in contempt proceedings

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court has recently said that the power to punish a medical practitioner for “misconduct” rests exclusively with the National Medical Commission.

A bench comprising of Justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol was hearing a special leave petition filed by a doctor against Calcutta High Court’s orders suspending his license to practice medicine in contempt proceedings.

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The High Court order passed on July 14 last year, extended the period of suspension till August 19, 2022. It also issued a showcause notice on why the petitioner’s suspension should not be affected for two more years.

Contempt proceedings were initiated on the application of a private party in a case relating to demolition of an unauthorised structure which was constructed by the appellant in deviation with the Siliguri Municipal Corporation’s sanctioned plan.

“A perusal of the provisions of this Act (National Medical Commission Act, 2019) as well as the now repealed, Medical Council Act, 1956 shows that the power to punish a registered medical practitioner for ‘misconduct’ rests exclusively with the body envisaged under this Act,” the top court said.

Also, it said that in exercise of contempt jurisdiction, court can prescribe prescribe imprisonment of a term upto 6 months or a maximum fine of Rs 2,000, as per the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

The Supreme Court Court said that it has no hesitation in holding that the punishment handed down to the contemnor is entirely foreign to the Contempt of Courts Act and, therefore, unsustainable.

“The judgment (of the high court)… is set aside. The licence of the appellant, to practice medicine is revived,” it said while allowing the appeal.

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First consignment of spare parts for Gokhale bridge girder arrives in the bay

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Saturday, 29 July 2023

CWC tells HC custody of child surrendered by mother handed over to biological father

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Cricket World Cup: Online tickets sales could begin by August 10, physical tickets needed to enter stadiums

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Friday, 28 July 2023

Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja shine as India steamroll West Indies in first ODI

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Thursday, 27 July 2023

Education is key to human dignity and economic development

schools in hyderabad

By Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam

I have always believed that education is the key to economic growth and human development. Quality education is a necessary precondition to advance in social sciences and humanities, science and technology, as well as agriculture and healthcare sectors. It ensures efficient public administration as well as private sector growth. Above all, education guarantees an individual’s right to a dignified life.

This is why we see that ilm (knowledge) recurs as a theme throughout the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions. That knowledge is an absolute value is evident from the very first Qur’anic revelation. Knowledge is so valuable in Islam that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Acquisition of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim.”

Alarming Report

While going through The Economist (July 1), I was startled to find a report on the state of education in India. The report says India’s economic dreams are in danger because of the country’s unskilled, jobless youths. Interestingly, there’s also a story on education in Vietnam, titled ‘Best in class’, where the report on education in India ends. And I was surprised to find that Vietnamese children “go through one of the best schooling systems in the world, a status reflected in outstanding performances in international assessments of reading, maths and science.”

Now the question that comes to my mind is: “Why does Indian education system paint a bleak picture, and what is behind the success story of Vietnam’s education system.”

The report has the answer. First, it appreciates the economic potentials India has and the strides it has made in education.

It says, “India is expanding at an annual rate of 6% and its GDP ranks fifth in the global pecking order. Its tech industry is flourishing and green firms are laying solar panels like carpets. Many multinationals are drawn here … India’s huge youth bulge—some 500m of its people are under 20—should be an additional propellant.”

Then, the report says, “…although India’s brainy elite hovers up qualifications, education for most Indians is still a bust. Unskilled jobless youngsters risk bringing India’s economic development to a premature stop.”

India has done a commendable job as far as building infrastructure is concerned. “A decade ago only a third of government schools had hand washing facilities and only about half had electricity; now around 90% have both. In the last decade, nearly 400 universities have been established in India. Enrolment in higher education has risen by a fifth.”

However, the country is still doing “a terrible job” of making sure that those who go to schools learn essential skills. Alarmingly, less than half of the country’s 10-year-olds— prior to the pandemic— were able to read a simple story despite going to schools regularly. The pandemic has made the situation worse.

What Gives Vietnam an Edge?

Education in Vietnam is a national priority. “Provinces are required to spend 20% of their budgets on education, which has helped regional equity.”

Parents’ commitment to education and a conducive environment fosters children’s propensity to learn. These children “learn more at school, especially in the early years”.

However, the biggest reason that gives a competitive edge to the Vietnamese students is “the calibre of its teachers”. Most of these teachers are “not necessarily better qualified; they are simply more effective at teaching”. They get frequent training and are free to use their discretion to make classes more engaging.

It is interesting to note that the teachers who are posted to remote areas are paid more. Above all, teachers are evaluated on the basis of pupil performance.

Causes of Educational Malaise

The Economist has enumerated a few causes of the educational problems in India, which include jam-packed curriculums with “too little time for basic lessons in maths and literacy”, “poorly trained” and “badly supervised” teachers.

It has also noted that harnessing teachers in unrelated duties, such as administering elections and policing social-distancing rules during the pandemic, has a detrimental effect on education. This is why a large number of families send their wards to private schools, which educate “about 50% of all India’s children”.

How to Fix It?

The magazine rightly suggested that we need to spend more on education. “Last year the outlays were just 2.9% of India’s GDP, low by international standards.” Education system needs to be reformed by taking inspiration from models in other Asian countries such as Vietnam.

The Economist recommends collecting data about “how much students are learning”. It urges politicians to “stop disputing data that do not show their policies in a good light”. And it also asks politicians to stop meddling with textbooks.

Quality of Education Matters

When India enacted the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, I had appreciated the government’s move and written about it. In my article I had expressed some of the concerns that The Economist is raising today.

In my article I wrote that it was a significant legislation that would ensure free and compulsory education to children between the age of six and fourteen. And it would enable people to develop skills, capacity and confidence to strive for realisation of other rights.

However, I wrote, we should also keep in mind that this fundamental right to education does not mean that any education would be sufficient to fulfil our aspirations. I quoted former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Katariana Tomasevski, who said: “education could be meaningful when it was available, accessible, acceptable and adaptable.”

4 A’s in the Indian Context

I described these 4 A’s in the Indian context. Availability means that education is government-funded, free, and there are adequate numbers of schools and trained teachers who may ensure quality education to children in their neighbourhood.

Accessibility means that the education system is accessible to all without any discrimination, but ensures positive steps for the marginalised sections of the society.

Acceptability means that the education curriculum is relevant and of good quality with cultural acceptability for all, especially the minorities.

Adaptability means that the education serves needs of the society and it is suitable to specific contexts like religious education, etc.

Equality of Opportunity

Equality of opportunity to have good quality education must be made available for all and sundry. There must not be any discrimination on the basis of caste, class, region or religion. However, affirmative action and inclusive education should always be part of our educational policy. Education must benefit all, not just small elite.

Therefore, we should pay special attention to students who belong to marginalised and underprivileged sections of the society as well as those with disabilities or special needs. To achieve this end, we have the idea of reservations, which is an Indian version of Affirmative Action.

Empowering women, minorities, Dalits and Tribals through reservations can go a long way in building a peaceful society and powerful economy. Therefore, politicians should rise above party politics and implement the idea more vigorously.

Dealing with Moral Chaos

We always need to remember the purpose of education, which is to equip students with technical skills so that they could have decent income and livelihood. It is also the purpose of education to inculcate students with moral values and socially acceptable habits.

A good grounding in moral values and social skills has to be part of the beginning stages of school as well as home training in order to deal with the present moral chaos.

A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body

Besides focusing on imparting good quality education and moral training, we should also be concerned about our children’s physical and psychological wellbeing.

Parents and teachers must encourage children to eat healthy food and have a daily regimen of exercise. Parents should also focus on raising emotionally healthy kids.

Challenges of AI

In a previous article I have already highlighted the prospects and dangers of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. However, I would like to reiterate that we have to prepare ourselves for the challenges posed by AI.

A large number of people are going to be rendered jobless as AI takes over jobs done by people. Western countries are expected to sustain all the early causality. Thus, they are relentlessly preparing to face the challenges.

We’ll have to make sure that AI does not destroy our society by making rich more richer and poor more poorer and rendering marginalised sections of society further vulnerable.

We have to meet the present-day challenges of unemployed and unemployable youth, economic and social inequality, issues with psychological wellbeing and physical health of our children, moral chaos, and Artificial Intelligence. And there is one answer to all these problems: good quality education and teaching of moral values!

The author is chairman of Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by authors in the opinions section are not supported or endorsed by the organisation. No warranties from our side will be given for the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information.

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Wednesday, 26 July 2023

Manipur strife quite similar to Gujarat riots of 2002: Dipankar

dipankar bhattacharya

Patna: CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Tuesday likened the ethnic strife in Manipur to communal riots that broke out in Gujarat when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the western state’s chief minister.

Addressing a press conference here, he claimed that “politics of ethnic cleansing” in the north-eastern state will become “a major issue” in the forthcoming elections just as the 2002 riots had dominated the discourse during the Lok Sabha polls of 2004.

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“We see lots of similarities between what is happening in BJP-ruled Manipur at present and what took place in Gujarat in 2002. The government in Manipur seems to be following Modi, who had tried to brush aside Gujarat riots by invoking regional chauvinism”, alleged Bhattacharya.

“The one difference between the situation then and now is that these days, with the proliferation of social media, we get to know many things which governments may like to suppress. A case in point is the atrocities suffered by the two women”, said the CPI(ML)-L leader, referring to the video clip of May 4, which recently went viral.

“One of the rape victims in Manipur was married to a soldier who fought in Kargil. Another old woman, who was buried alive, was wife of a freedom fighter. So much for the BJP’s boasts of patriotism”, said Bhattacharya.

“Manipur is just an extreme case of the politics of mob violence that the BJP has promoted across the country, which get reflected elsewhere in lynchings by cow vigilantes”, said the CPI(ML)-L leader.

He also deplored the suspension of AAP MP Sanjay Singh from Rajya Sabha, demanding its immediate withdrawal, and expressed “solidarity with all who had staged a dharna all through the night inside the Parliament”.

“We are also with the popular sentiment which seeks dismissal of Manipur Chief Minister, whose government has drawn flak from the very Governor of that state. We also support the demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation”, added Bhattacharya.

“Above all, we are appalled at the deafening silence the Prime Minister has maintained over the entire episode. When he chose to touch upon the issue, he tried to drag in crimes against women in other states, which were different even though no less reprehensible”, alleged Bhattacharya.

The CPI(ML)-L leader, who has agreed to become a part of the united opposition, also expressed bewilderment over the prime minister drawing parallels between the acronym ‘INDIA’ and East India Company established by British colonizers.

“The PM should know that India that is Bharat is the opening phrase of the very first Article of the Constitution. Though the BJP has always had scant respect for the Constitution. The CAA was a flagrant violation of the ideals espoused in the Constitution’s preamble”, he alleged.

“Nonetheless, the PM should be mindful that India is the very name by which the country is known abroad where he is so happy to enjoy the limelight”, Bhattacharya remarked.

“Overall, the situation in the country seems ripe for a strong mass movement of which we will definitely be a part. We are sure that the politics of ethnic cleansing will become an issue in all elections in the near future just like the communal carnage of 2002 had become in 2004 Lok Sabha polls. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s calls for Raj Dharma had gone unheeded”, said Bhattacharya.

The CPI(ML)-L leader, whose party supports the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar from outside, also said he expected the administration in the state to be more sensitive towards mass protests by teachers’ job aspirants and ASHA workers.

“The government must talk to representatives of these agitators and work out an amicable solution. At the conference of opposition parties in Bengaluru, a resolution was passed in which a commitment was made that the governments in states ruled by INDIA constituents shall be different in terms of style and substance. The Bihar government must walk the talk. Nitish Kumar must live up to his reputation for good governance”, added Bhattacharya.

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Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Govt forms committee to audit charity beds in 430 trust hospitals

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Monday, 24 July 2023

Maha: 22 deaths in Thane, 13 in Palghar since start of monsoon, say officials

Heavy rainfall

Thane: Twenty-two persons have died in Thane and 13 in Palghar district in rain-related incidents since the start of monsoon this year, officials said on Sunday.

Thane Collector Ashok Shingare gave the information about deaths in his district after chairing a review meeting on Saturday.

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He said 300 persons are lodged in shelters in the district.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been station in Kalyan since the region is flood-prone, he said.

Palghar District Disaster Management Cell chief Vivekanand Kadam told PTI 13 persons have died since monsoon began.

He also said 399 houses have been partially damaged, while 79 people had to be shifted to a shelter in Vasai.

“An NDRF team is stationed in Vasai area of the district to tackle monsoon-related emergencies,” Kadam said.

While, two animals have been electrocuted in Palghar, a total of four animals have perished in floods in Thane during this period, officials said.

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Water level in dams improves, but remains lower than last yr

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Waterlogging at airport as torrential rainfall hits Ahmedabad

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Despite IMD’s yellow alert, rain to continue for a week

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Worker electrocuted while cleaning sewage line

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Sunday, 23 July 2023

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Saturday, 22 July 2023

Gurbani telecast from Golden Temple: SGPC asks PTC to continue, Mann says ‘dirty move’ to appease Badals

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Friday, 21 July 2023

Stalin writes to Union Minister; seeks release of Cauvery water by Karnataka

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday wrote a letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, urging him to direct the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for directions to Karnataka government to release the prescribed volume of Cauvery river’s water to the state.

In the letter, the Chief Minister said: “I urge your personal and immediate intervention on this issue and request you to direct the CWMA to issue directions to Karnataka to abide by the monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court and to make good the shortfall.”

He also pointed out to the Union Minister on the risk being faced by the Kuruvai farmers due to Karnataka not releasing the prescribed quantity of water.

The Chief Minister said that the Mettur dam that was opened for Kuruvai cultivation on June 12, have water only to irrigate the fields for 20 days.

He also said that even though the onset of the monsoon was delayed, it has picked up pace in July.

Stalin said that Karnataka, however, has not released any water to Tamil Nadu from the two scheduled reservoirs.

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In a letter to the Union Minister, Stalin further said: “Since the monsoon rainfall in Tamil Nadu is less, the Kuruvai crops depend only on flows from Mettur reservoir, which in turn depends on releases from Karnataka. We have been taking all efforts to manage the crisis with judicious water management.”

The Chief Minister said that the demand and supply gap is very significant and it could be met only by water release from Karnataka.

He said that the CWMA, had in its letter dated July 4, advised Karnataka to ensure the water flow at Billigundalu as per the final award of the CWDT modified by the Apex court.

He also added that even after the CWMA’s intervention, Karnataka has not made any efforts to adhere to the monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court.

The Chief Minister also said that the standing Kuruvai crops could be saved only if Karnataka releases water immediately.

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Kremlin defends Putin’s decision to attend BRICS summit online

Kremlin defends Putin's decision to attend BRICS summit online

Moscow: The Kremlin on Thursday defended its decision not to let President Vladimir Putin travel to South Africa next month to attend the BRICS Summit in person, saying Moscow has done this before and the Russian leader will still be able to exchange views with his counterparts from the grouping online.

“We are talking about full participation. It will be both the president’s address and — if necessary — participation in an exchange of views,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a request to specify the format of Putin’s participation.

BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The association’s 15th summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 22-24.

It will be the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will personally represent Russia at the event. President Putin is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) for alleged war crimes.

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Lavrov has on many occasions represented the country at international events, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, adding that Moscow has adopted this practice in the past.

“It’s up to us to decide and a decision has been made. This practice has been used more than once,” she said, commenting on Putin’s decision not to attend the summit in person.

When asked if the move stemmed from the ICC arrest warrant against Putin, Zakhrova warned against looking for “hidden meanings.” “Russia takes part in many international events this way, like many other countries,” she added.

On March 17, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, alleging that they were responsible for “unlawful deportation” and transfer of population, including children, from Ukraine to Russia.

Moscow has said that since Russia was not party to the ICC Rome Statute, the court’s decisions were legally void for the country.

On Wednesday, South African Presidential Spokesman Vincent Magwenya told Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency that Pretoria and Moscow took into consideration South Africa’s obligations under the Rome Statute when deciding on the form of President Putin’s participation in the BRICS summit in August.

“The commitment to South Africa’s successful hosting of the summit, the historic nature of this upcoming BRICS summit, and a recognition of South Africa’s legal obligations to the Rome Statute guided the deliberations over the participation of Russia during the summit,” Magwenya said in response to a question.

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After Manipur video, NE CMs, leaders speak up: ‘Whole region needs a solution… only Centre can provide it’

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Thursday, 20 July 2023

Merger to enable HDFC Bank to take big exposure in infra projects: CEO

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‘Those accusing govt of budgetary deprivation are hypocrites’: Tripura law minister Ratan Lal Nath

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Cyber fraudsters dupe 2 Hyderabad businessmen of over Rs 1 crore

Hyderabad's HACK Summit 2023: Addressing cybersecurity challenges

Hyderabad: Cybercrime Police Station on Wednesday filed two separate cases of businessmen being cheated by cyber fraudsters to the tune of tens of lakhs.

In the first incident, a businessman from Borabanda received a message from an unknown phone number promising high profits on investment in crypto currency. The man contacted the phone number and followed the directions provided by the fake company executive. He transferred Rs. 47 lakhs to the bank accounts provided by them and waited for the returns. When there was no response from the fake executive, he realised that he had been cheated.

The other person, who was duped over a part-time trade promising huge returns, is a resident of Secunderabad. He ended up losing Rs 65 lakhs, police said. The cyber fraudsters contacted him and assured to provide him guidance to start part-time trading.

Further investigations into both cases are underway, police said.

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Putin to skip BRICS summit in South Africa over ICC warrant

Johannesburg: Vladimir Putin will not personally attend the BRICS summit here next month, sending his Foreign Minister instead, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday, ending weeks of speculation whether the Russian president would be arrested under an International Court of Justice (ICC) warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS — a grouping of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. The BRICS summit will take place between August 22 and 24 in Johannesburg.

The ICC has indicted Putin for war crimes over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children. As a member of the ICC, South Africa is expected to arrest Putin if he sets foot in the country.

The South African government has been under great pressure to arrest Putin and take sides in the Ukraine-Russia war, which it has steadfastly refused to do.

“By mutual agreement between all BRICS member states, President Putin will not be attending the summit. However, Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov,” President Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement.

The president’s office confirmed that Ramaphosa has for several months now held several consultations on South Africa’s hosting of the BRICS Summit, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the leaders of Brazil, China and South Africa.

Putin’s decision of not attending the BRICS summit has ended South Africa’s quandary about complying with the ICC warrant.

Ever since he was indicted for war crimes, Putin has not travelled to any country that is a signatory to the ICC treaty.

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Meanwhile, quoting Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia’s official news agency TASS reported that President Putin will deliver his speech at the BRICS Summit via video conference.

“The President decided to take part in the BRICS Summit in a video conference format. It will be a proper participation,” Peskov said, confirming that Foreign Minister Lavrov will represent Russia at the summit in person.

On Tuesday, the Johannesburg High Court ruled that Ramaphosa has to make public his answering affidavit in a case related to the arrest warrant for President Putin brought by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).

Ramaphosa had earlier argued that the confidentiality of his affidavit was because of the restrictions by ICC laws that prohibited sharing of certain information.

“President Ramaphosa was never opposed to making the affidavits public; it was only in compliance with the ICC directive that the presidency sought to maintain confidentiality on the affidavit,” his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has said.

In his affidavit, which has now been made public, Ramaphosa said that Russia had made it clear that issuing this warrant would mean war.

“South Africa has no capacity to declare or wage war with Russia, nor does it wish to. That much is trite,” Ramaphosa said.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued, the South African President’s office said in the statement.

President Ramaphosa is “confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe,” it added.

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Wednesday, 19 July 2023

Gujarat-origin asset manager nominated to Singapore Parliament

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Bangladesh to launch 3 major infrastructure projects with Indian aid in Sep

Bangladesh PM inaugurates 100 bridges in 25 districts

Dhaka: Bangladesh is set to launch three major infrastructure projects, including a power plant, under India’s financial assistance in September, a senior official said on Tuesday after the Indian High Commissioner here called on the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma called on Prime Minister Hasina at her Ganobhaban official residence and discussed issues such as the Taka-Rupee exchange system between Bangladesh and India, connectivity, and ongoing projects under the Indian Line of Credits and grants.

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During the meeting, both the Bangladesh prime minister and the Indian envoy expressed satisfaction over the state of the bilateral relations, Bangladesh premier’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim said.

“Sheikh Hasina wished India will raise voice, particularly for the Global South alongside the entire world, during the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi,” Karim said.

A spokesman at Bangladesh premier’s office said Verma informed Hasina that two types of credit cards, one Rupee and the other Taka card, will be issued “so the people of the two countries can use the cards for their payments”.

He told Hasina that a large number of Bangladeshis visit India for various purposes and they can use the card.

The official said Bangladesh is set to launch three major infrastructure projects, including a power plant, under India’s financial assistance in September.

The spokesman said the work on the 660-megawatt superthermal power plant and two railway lines would coincide with Prime Minister Hasina’s planned visit to India in September for the G20 Summit.

The power plant would be the second unit of the Rampal power plant in southwestern Bangladesh while the two other infrastructure projects are 65-kilometre-long Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link, Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link.

Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 has been built as a 50:50 joint venture project, while the first unit of the project, also having a 660 MW capacity, was commissioned in December last year, the official said.

The official said the power plant and the Khulna-Mongla Port railway track were constructed under an Indian Line of Credit while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link was built under an Indian grant.

Bangladesh and India last week launched a trade transaction in local currency in their bid to reduce dependence on the US dollar and strengthen regional currency and trade.

It was the first time Bangladesh started bilateral trade with a foreign country in any other currency other than the US dollar, although the two countries stage frontier trading in certain areas called “border hut” in a semi-formal manner where both currencies are exchanged on a limited scale.

Under the formal arrangement from now on, initially, the trade would be transacted in rupee and then gradually in Bangladeshi currency Taka.

According to the latest official data from Dhaka, exports from Bangladesh to India amount to USD 2 billion, while Bangladesh’s imports from India are worth USD 13.69 billion.

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Tuesday, 18 July 2023

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India receives 105 antiques that were smuggled to US

New York: India received on Monday 105 smuggled antiques dating from at least the second to the 18th centuries that were recovered by US officials.

India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that the return of the antiques follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last month during which he had thanked President Joe Biden “for helping the return of the properties”.

“For us, these are not just art but part of our heritage, culture and religion. So when this lost heritage returns home, they will be received with a lot of emotion,” he said.

About 50 of the antiques have religious significance for Hindus, Jains and Muslims, while the rest are of cultural value.

Officials from the Manhattan prosecutor’s office, which played the main role in recovering them, well as federal officials participated in the repatriation ceremony at India’s Consulate General here when the antiques were handed over to Sandhu and Consul General Randhir Jaiswal.

Jordan Stockdale from the prosecutor’s office said, “We are excited to return those priceless treasures to you.”

“We are deeply appreciative of Prime Minister Modi’s kind words at the White House and they reflect the close collaboration, which has led to successful recovery for thousands of Indian antiquities,” said Stockdale, who is the chief of staff of Prosecutor Alvin Bragg.

He said that he expected more of them to be returned to India. He said that some of the antiques were recovered from museums or other collections in New York, Chicago and elsewhere.

Stockdale said that many of the artifacts were smuggled to the US by Subash Kapoor, who ran an art gallery in New York, and his accomplices. Kapoor was sentenced last year by a court in Kumbakonam to a 10-year prison term for the theft of a religious statue from a temple.

He is also facing charges in New York, where some of his accomplices have been convicted.

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Hyderabad: Chikoti Praveen’s ‘private security guards’ sent to jail

Hyderabad: Three private security guards of ‘casino king’ Chikoti Praveen have been sent to jail for using their weapons for security purposes without holding a valid license. On Sunday, the sleuths of the commissioner’s task force took into custody three persons clad in safari dress, who were escorting Praveen during Bonalu festival.

During the search, the task force found that the three persons — Sabavath Sunder Naik (ex-servicemen) of Turkayamjal, Rangareddy district, P Rakesh Kumar (retired CRPF personnel) of Bhupalpally district, and E Ramesh Goud, a private security guard from Mahboobnagar district — were in possession of short weapons including pistols and live rounds.

During the ongoing Bonalu festival, Chikoti Praveen along with the his private security arrived at the Simha Vahini Lal Darwaza Temple and tried to enter via VIP area.

The police investigation revealed that the three persons, after retirement from services, had acquired the weapons and were working as private security guards without any valid license.

The Chatrinaka police have registered a suo-moto case after sub-inspector S Srikanth filed a complaint against them.

The three private guards have been booked under IPC sections 420 (Cheating), 467(Forgery of valuable security), 468(Forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any document) and Sec 25(1),(b)(A) & Sec 30 of Arms Act.

The arrested persons were produced before the Metropolitan courts at Nampally and they have been sent to fourteen days judicial custody

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Monday, 17 July 2023

ISRO shows interest in setting up space museum in Punjab: CM Mann

Guru Ravidass gave message of humanity welfare: Punjab CM

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Sunday said the Indian Space and Research Organisation has evinced interest in setting up a space museum in Punjab and that his government will extend full support.

Mann also congratulated the 30 students of government schools who witnessed the launch of the Chandrayaan III from ISRO’s Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The state government had sent 15 boys and as many girls selected from ‘Schools of Eminence’ to watch the launch of India’s third moon mission.

The CM said it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that ISRO has evinced keen interest in setting up the space museum in the state.

“ISRO has expressed interest in setting up the museum in Punjab and sought a site for it and it will be provided,” he said here.

When this museum comes up, he said, the science culture in the state will get a further boost.

Speaking about students who witnessed the launch of the Chandrayaan III on July 14, Mann said most of them travelled in an airplane the first time. The Punjab government bore the entire expense on travelling, boarding and lodging, he said.

These students and their teachers stayed in the same hotel where accompanying Education Minister Harjot Bains stayed, said Mann.

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He said the ISRO will be conducting space and missile programmes on around 13 projects in the future and more students will be sent.

Mann said the state government lays major thrust on completely overhauling the education system in Punjab.

On July 23, the state government will send two groups of students to Singapore, he said.

Mann said earlier also some teachers were sent to Singapore for the same training, adding the motive is to ensure teachers are able to learn about the advanced practices prevailing across the globe in the education sector.

Due focus is being laid on infrastructure and human resource development to give a fillip to the education in the state, he said.

Mann further said the state government will soon launch a bus service for girl students studying in government schools to ensure they complete their studies, he said.

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Sunday, 16 July 2023

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Saturday, 15 July 2023

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UCC will ensure Modi govt’s departure, claims Badruddin Ajmal

Badruddin Ajmal, President of All India United Democratic Front

Guwahati: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will result in the overthrowing of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government from the Centre, Badruddin Ajmal, President of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), claimed here on Friday.

The Lok Sabha MP from Assam asserted that other northeastern states, including Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur, have “rejected the UCC”.

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“Where will the government put it (the UCC) into practice? The Narendra Modi administration will fall as a result,” he claimed.

According to the UCC, all Indian citizens will be subject to the same set of laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance, regardless of their religion, tribe or other regional customs.

According to the AIUDF leader, there are disparities between the people in the North, South, West and East. However, he claimed that as all Muslims follow one god and one faith, they need not be bothered by the discussions over the implementation of UCC.

“We have one god, one faith, one Nabi, and one Quran. So, I urge the Muslims of Assam not to comment on UCC,” Ajmal said. For many years, the BJP has stated in its electoral manifestos that it wants the implementation of UCC to promote gender justice.

On June 14, the Law Commission began a new consultation process on UCC by seeking opinions on politically sensitive matters from the stakeholders, including the general public and recognised religious organisations.

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Friday, 14 July 2023

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Delhi businesses suffer Rs 200 crore losses due to floods

New Delhi: An estimated Rs 200 crore worth of business has been affected due to rains and flooding in parts of the national capital, a traders’ body said on Thursday.

While appealing to traders to suspend movement of goods from other cities for next few days in view of the rising water level of the Yamuna river, the Chamber of Trade and Industry said that the markets of Old Delhi, Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate, Monestry Market, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Bhagirath Place, Lajpat Rai Market, Kinari Bazar , Fatehpuri, Khari Baoli, Naya Bazar have been affected.

“We appeal to the traders and market associations of old Delhi to halt movement of goods from outside in the next few days,” Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal said.

New Delhi: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel rescue residents from the flood-affected Old Usmanpur village, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 13, 2023. The Yamuna water level touched 208.53 metres on Thursday morning, breaking a 45-year-old record, according to officials. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)

New Delhi: NDRF personnel resuce a livestock at flood-hit at Nigam Bodh Ghat as the swollen Yamuna river floods low-lying areas, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 13, 2023. The torrential Yamuna in Delhi swelled to a staggering 208.48 metres Thursday morning, inundating nearby streets and public and private infrastructure, and causing immense hardships to people living in close proximity to the river. (PTI Photo)

Kashmiri Gate Market President Vinay Narang said that there is a possibility of a loss of more than Rs 50 crore due to 3-4 days of rain, whereas CTI estimated that a business of about Rs 200 crores have been affected due to rains.

“The rising water level in Yamuna is affecting Delhi markets badly. Business has almost come to a standstill. Traders are waiting for the situation to return to normal. The customers coming from nearby cities have also postponed the plan. Railways stopped the movement of trains on the old iron bridge, many train routes have been changed, while some have also been cancelled. Even more traders and buyers are not coming to Delhi,” Goyal said.

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