Blocking of Iran-linked websites does little for efforts to revive n-deal and reverse sanctions
The U.S.’s decision to block dozens of Iran-linked websites at a time when both countries are trying to revive the nuclear deal is unnecessary provocation. The U.S. has accused the sites, including Iran’s state-owned Press TV, of spreading disinformation. In the past, the U.S. had cracked down on Chinese and Iranian media over similar allegations. The move comes days after Iran elected Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric, as President. The election of Mr. Raisi, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. for his alleged role in the execution of political prisoners and other rights violations, has already escalated tensions between the two countries. Iran’s sharp response to the move on the websites, has been that the U.S. was trying to “muzzle free speech”. Even if one ignores Iran’s rhetoric, the U.S.’s move hardly serves its declared purpose of fighting disinformation. When America seized the website of the semi-official Iranian news agency, Fars, in 2018, it switched to an Iranian domain and was back online. The U.S. should not act like despotic regimes that take knee-jerk actions towards media platforms with critical coverage. The way to fight disinformation campaigns is to promote information and strengthen independent journalism. Besides aiding the Iranian narrative that America remains hostile, the U.S. decision could also create hitches in the diplomatic process under way.
The Biden administration had hoped for reaching an agreement with Tehran on reviving the nuclear deal before the June 18 Iran presidential election. After multiple rounds of indirect talks in Vienna, along with other world powers, a final agreement has not been reached, but all parties have expressed faith in talks. The Biden administration had shown a willingness to reverse Donald Trump’s maximum pressure policy and revive the deal that would cut off Iran’s path towards the bomb in return for lifting sanctions. Iran, embattled by sanctions, economic woes and protests, has responded positively to the U.S.’s overtures. But there have been bottlenecks. One, when the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions, Iran started rebuilding its nuclear programme with higher-level fuel enrichment and production of centrifuges. Now, the U.S. wants Iran to return to the terms of the original agreement, while the Iranians want the sanctions lifted first. Two, the Biden administration also wants to discuss Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its regional activities. Mr. Raisi has rejected such demands outright. Known for his hardline domestic and foreign policy views, he would take over the presidency in early August. Mr. Biden’s best chance to revive the nuclear deal is to do it before then. Both sides should focus on the diplomatic path, aimed at achieving a pragmatic agreement first that addresses the most critical issues — Iran’s expanding nuclear programme and America’s sprawling sanctions regime.
Will refurbish democratic credentials of Indian State
The two-year-long hiatus, the sad interregnum in democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, seems to be getting over finally, with the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the Congress and others deciding to attend the Prime Minister’s all-party meeting today. The Home Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Lieutenant Governor have, obviously, put in an effort to restart the democratic process in the troubled state. They deserve to be applauded for appreciating the ground reality, albeit late, and for identifying the real leadership of the people of J&K. The District Development Council elections in December last year were no substitute for political activity, though they proved yet again the extent of the grassroots connect of the mainstream parties.
The PAGD could have won more than its tally of 110 seats had the parties contested separately, particularly the National Conference. Just as it did for New Delhi, the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state gave an opportunity to the people of J&K to understand who their real representatives are. The mainstream leaders suffered stoically long incarceration and seemingly interminable indignities for a cause and the people could see an octogenarian — always ridiculed by the separatists — holding up and not giving in. When so-called separatists got tamed overnight and even began talking of health and civic issues, the much-maligned politicians stuck to their demands. The vindication of mainstream politicians — who have braved the militants’ bullets, agencies’ shenanigans, intellectuals’ vilification and the ignominy of electoral reverses — is the validation of Indian democracy. These are the people who had held the Indian flag high in the Valley and the hills, who stood against the Islamist theocratic enterprise founded and funded by the neighbor’s army. Now, when they meet the Prime Minister, he should patiently listen to them and offer them statehood. The restoration of statehood would only refurbish the credentials of the Indian State. The Centre should also offer concessions. All political prisoners who have not indulged in violence or terrorist activities should be released immediately.
Indian Government’s J&K moves may be part of a more complex regional game involving India’s security interests
By Suhasini Haidar
The Government’s repeated assertion that its August 5 decision on J&K was an “internal one” has also been put to a rigorous test. Despite considerable exertions by the Ministry of External Affairs and its missions worldwide, J&K has now been discussed in more capitals, including the U.S. Congress, Parliaments in the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU) and the Nordic countries, than ever before.
Two years after its dramatic decision to reorganize Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Government appears to be rethinking some of the objectives it announced then as Prime Minister Narendra Modi engages the erstwhile State’s former leadership to discuss the future of the political process there. Mr. Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken of three specific objectives in the move to amend Article 370 on August 5, 2019, apart from ending terrorism and violence in J&K: flooding the region with development initiatives and investment from other parts of the country; reclaiming those parts of the territory now occupied by Pakistan and China (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, or PoK, and Aksai Chin), and ending the rule of political “dynasties” in J&K — that they claimed had held the progress of the State hostage — in favor of a “Naya Kashmir” polity. Above all, the Government underlined, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar undertook a series of visits abroad to explain its nuances, the decision was purely an “internal” one, and did not affect India’s ties with any other country.
Objectives and reality
While two years may not be long enough to truly judge the success of its intentions, particularly given the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, it is certainly fair to say the Government has failed to make headway with most of those objectives. Incidents of terrorism and violence have no doubt decreased since 2019, but that has come at the cost of massive privations to the people in the name of security. More than 5,000 people were arrested, the longest Internet shutdown in any democracy was instituted for 213 days, and the deployment of troops still remains at peacetime highs. The plight of the ordinary Kashmiri, battling daily intimidations from security forces, the closure of schools and online education for their children, and diminishing sources of income, can only be imagined. Attempts to convince investors that this is a lasting peace have floundered thus far, and while the Government claims it has more than 400 memoranda of understanding from businesses nationwide promising to invest in the Union Territory, this can only be tested once the money actually comes in, given the state of the national economy, even prior to the pandemic.
Border situation
Mr. Shah’s claim in Parliament that his government was willing to “sacrifice lives” to ensure the return of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin, appears a much more difficult proposition in the face of the Chinese aggression at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since April 2020. Chinese actions, and the failure of military and diplomatic talks to ensure the restoration of status quo ante have been coupled with the growing threat perception, articulated by the Indian Army Chief, that any future conflict at the LAC would need to account for a two-front “situation” with Pakistan at the Line of Control as well, and vice versa. Even the United States is unlikely to countenance any military maneuver involving PoK now, given its proximity to the Afghanistan theatre, and the U.S.’s pullout and the increasing strength of the Taliban will add to the risk calculus in Delhi against such actions.
Finally, the outreach to 14 leaders from J&K, many of whom were arrested for months, indicates that the Government’s plan for a “Naya Kashmir” polity is not drastically different from the previous polity — that the Home Minister referred to derisively as the “Gupkar Gang” — despite intervening attempts at building a new party (Apni Party), sidelining the main parties during consultations and even promoting “District Development Councillors” as the new Kashmiri leadership during meetings with foreign diplomats.
Hardly an ‘internal’ issue
The Government’s repeated assertion that its August 5 decision on J&K was an “internal one” has also been put to a rigorous test. Despite considerable exertions by the Ministry of External Affairs and its missions worldwide, J&K has now been discussed in more capitals, including the U.S. Congress, Parliaments in the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU) and the Nordic countries, than ever before, while several delegations of EU parliamentarians, Ambassadors and United Nations diplomats have been escorted to the valley to elicit their approval for the situation there. It is ironic that countries which were openly supportive of the Modi government’s military action in PoK in 2016 after the Uri attack, and of the Balakot strikes by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack in 2019, have even so, chosen to be so critical of a political and internal move. In addition, the J&K dispute has been discussed at least three times at the UN Security Council, which had not touched the issue since 1971.
Dialogue with Pakistan
What is more galling is the notion that the decision to engage the previous leadership, to discuss the restart of a political process and the reversal of the August 5 decision to downgrade the State to a Union Territory, comes not from domestic considerations alone. In the past few months, it has been made clear that a backchannel dialogue between India and Pakistan is discussing assurances on J&K that would enable a broader bilateral dialogue. Pakistan too has climbed down considerably from its previous demands of plebiscite and UN resolutions to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s more recent statements that he would be willing to talk if there was a reversal in some of the August 5 steps, or if the Modi government proffers a “roadmap” on J&K. Even Pakistan’s insistence on the restoration of Article 370 was a turnaround from the days when it rejected the Article’s validity. Both the downturn in Pakistan-backed violence in Jammu-Kashmir as well the softening of rhetoric suggest a flexibility borne out of international pressure as well as the sustained threat of a (Pakistan) blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force. Such compromises by hawkish establishments in Delhi and Islamabad (and Rawalpindi) do not come from an internal rethink by themselves, and it would seem obvious that external prompting from the U.S., keen to complete its Afghanistan pullout and its negotiations with the Taliban, as well as nudges from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, of the kind publicly referred to by the UAE envoy as “mediation”, have been at work as well. The recent disclosure by the Qatari special envoy that Indian officials have engaged the Taliban leadership in Doha is also part of that matrix. The Government’s decision to shut down operations at two of its Afghanistan consulates, in Jalalabad and Herat, which was earlier described as a temporary move due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, is clearly linked to safety concerns in the phase after the U.S. pullout.
The U.S. factor
In the broader geopolitical context, as the drumbeats to a U.S.-China confrontation grow louder, India’s global strategies will be further put to test. The U.S.’s expectations of cooperation from India to its East, on China and the Indo-Pacific, have clearly not been commensurate with New Delhi’s expectations that America would reduce India’s threats to its west, from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Instead, it would seem, the Government’s attempts to sever the Gordian knot in Jammu and Kashmir with its moves two years ago, are being drawn into a more complex game of regional dominoes, where India’s security interests are increasingly in play.
“The US and Europe have fundamental contradictions with regard to China and Russia. While the US faces an immediate threat from China, many European countries have extensive economic ties with China and no security concerns. For Europe, the more immediate threat is from Russia, a perception not fully shared by the US. Several European countries weren’t happy that the US (and NATO) resources would be drawn away from Moscow to a more distant China.”
President Biden’s initiatives would strengthen transatlantic unity and build on resetting relations with Russia, isolating China. It may even embolden some of Xi’s critics at home to question whether his wolf warrior diplomacy had yielded any positive results for the country.
President Biden’s first foreign visit to Europe from June 9-16 will be remembered for how he tamed dissenting and doubting allies and rejuvenated the transatlantic alliance to convey a message of strong unity and resolve to an aggressive China (and a combative Russia), which is trying to challenge the international order for unilateral gains. China was the dominant theme during his discussions with G-7 leaders at Cornwall, UK (June 11-13) and EU and NATO leaders (June 14-16) at Brussels and Geneva and the underlying theme in his discussions with President Putin on July 16. The final G-7 communiqué is dominated by the US with several paras aimed directly and indirectly against China (and some against Russia), such as eradicating the use of forced labor in global supply chains (reference to Xinjiang and Tibet), collective approaches to challenge unfair trade policies, use of technologies to promote democratic values and fundamental freedoms. The G-7 supported President Biden’s initiative of “a timely, transparent, expert-led and science-based WHO-convened phase-2 Covid-19 origins study in China”. It is going to rile China as its senior diplomat Yang Jiechi had urged the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in his phone conversation on June 11 to “not politicize the source of the virus and focus on global cooperation in the fight against the disease”. The group’s formulation on China’s human rights abuse in Xinjiang, respect for fundamental freedoms and a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong is a compromise as the mention of genocide which the US wanted was dropped to accommodate the concerns of Germany, France and Italy. The US and Europe have fundamental contradictions with regard to China and Russia. While the US faces an immediate threat from China, many European countries have extensive economic ties with Beijing and no security concerns. For Europe, the more immediate threat is from Russia, a perception not fully shared by the US. Several European countries were not happy that the resources of US (and NATO) would be drawn away from Moscow, their primary threat, to a more distant China. They were also worried that taking a hard line on China would make her less receptive to cooperate on more pressing multilateral issues such as climate change, control of pandemics and trade. For the first time, the G-7 took a united stand against China on an issue of core interest to her, i.e., Taiwan, and in support of the US by agreeing on the “importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and peaceful resolution of cross-strait disputes”. The G-7 unveiled a new initiative known as “Build Back Better World” (B3W) to give an alternative choice to the developing countries in building infrastructure to spare themselves from China’s debt trap projects. The group has agreed to provide one billion doses of coronavirus vaccines in 2021-22 and more later. At Cornwall G-7 meetings, India was more deeply engaged at the ministerial and PM’s level. PM Modi spoke of the need for democratic societies to strengthen each other’s hands to respond to new challenges, India’s efforts to share its development partnership with other developing countries, its readiness to work with B3W partners and its engagement with WHO, G-20 and G-7 countries for dealing with the current pandemic and preparing for future pandemics.
NATO leaders’ 79-point statement devoted three paragraphs with 10 mentions castigating China’s behavior. It said: “China’s stated ambitions and assertive behavior present systematic challenges to the rules-based international order”. China is investing heavily in new disruptive technologies such as autonomous systems, facial recognition and artificial intelligence and putting these into new weapon systems, which are changing the nature of warfare never seen before. China should act responsibly in the international system, including in space, cyber and maritime domains, in keeping with its role as a major power. President Biden’s meeting with President Putin at Geneva (June 16) was another high point of this visit. It reflected his desire to focus on the escalating rivalry between the US and China by reducing tensions with Moscow. He improved the atmospherics by calling Russia as one of the two Great Powers (other being the US and not China) and President Putin a worthy adversary, which would have been music to Putin’s ears. Though the results of the meeting were modest (establishment of bilateral strategic stability dialogue for control of new and dangerous weapons, limitation on the use of cyber weapons and return of Ambassadors) it is expected to promote a dialogue between the two countries on other issues of mutual concern, reducing current hostility and tensions.
China would be disappointed as it had always thought that the huge dependence of the US’s European and Asian allies on her would never allow emergence of a unified transatlantic bloc aimed against Beijing. Though some differences remain on the economic issues, President Biden has been able to rally his disparate allies together. The EU has frozen the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment hurriedly concluded by Beijing in December 2020 before President Biden’s takeover.
President Xi Jinping had tried to forge a united front with Russia by deputing his senior diplomat Yang Jiechi to Moscow but that ploy has not worked. Chinese official media has grudgingly admitted that the “Geneva meeting shows that both sides have the will to stop the worsening US-Russia relationship. President Biden wants to ease the tensions with Russia to focus on dealing with China now”.
President Biden’s initiatives would strengthen transatlantic unity and build on resetting relations with Russia, isolating China. It may even embolden some of Xi’s critics at home to question whether his wolf warrior diplomacy had yielded any positive results for the country. It would add increasing pressure on Xi to defend himself as he rallies the Chinese Communist Party to celebrate 100 years of its foundation in July 2021 and is likely to temper China’s aggressive behavior toward its neighbors.
The callous, insensitive and prejudiced Modi government has made a mockery of governance and exposed the Indian nation and its people to the hydra of inflation, unemployment, crippling economy, a debilitating trade deficit and failing and a sinking health care system.
The Modi government’s seven-year tenure is riddled with abject failures, both short term as well as long term. The most glaring and the most recent being his catastrophic mishandling of the COVID Pandemic. A quick comparison of COVID related deaths in India versus the USA makes it clear that our leadership has entirely failed us in our collective battle against the disease.
According to the latest statistics from New York Times, India’s COVID related deaths have been significantly higher when compared to other regions of the world and neighboring countries. At the peak of the pandemic, the number of weekly average deaths was 4454. On June 12, it was 3303. In the United States, the average was 370 deaths on June 12. Since the population of India is roughly 4 times of the USA, the death rate in India should have been 4×370 or around 1600. This means the death rate in India has been twice that of the USA, despite aid pouring from all over the world to save Indian lives. A quick look around the neighborhood and put Indians to shame. On June 12, the weekly average death rate in Bangladesh has been 30. India’s population is about 8.7 times larger than Bangladesh, which implies that India’s weekly average death rate should have been just 330 by this metric. At the peak death rate in Bangladesh on April 23, the average figure was just 981 which implies that the peak weekly average death rate in India should have been 850. For Pakistan, the peak weekly death rate was 140 on April 28 and on June 12 it was 61 deaths. Since the population of India is 6 times that of Pakistan it implies that as per Pakistan’s standard, the peak weekly deaths in India should have been 850 and on June 12 it should have been 360. It is clear that India, with its far larger economy, has been performing ten times worse than its immediate neighbors in handling Covid deaths.
The GDP Debacle
On the economic front too, India’s performance has been dismal. As per the latest data, the growth rate of India has been -7.3% for the fiscal year 2021 (. The US and China are much bigger economies than India and suffered the pandemic at an equal scale. However, their economies grew at the rate of 2.6% and 8.4% respectively. It is clearly the total failure of the Modi government and his regressive economic policies that this difference exists.
Another issue of major concern is the alarming Balance of Trade deficit with China as a cause of sluggish GDP growth of India. According to Chinese customs data, it is being touted that, “trade between China and India soared 70.1% in US dollar terms in the first five months of this year to $48.16 billion.” Specifically, Chinese exports to India grew 64.1% year-on-year from January to May, while imports surged 90.2%., the tabloid Global Times reported. The trade deficit during the same first five months of 2021 has been $45 billion, which is 1.5% of India’s GDP. Since GDP = Consumption + Investment + Government Expenditure + Balance of Trade, India’s GDP is down by 1.5% in just five months of trade with China. Taken annually, at this rate of trade deficit with China, 3.6% of India’s GDP would be taken away by China.
It is very surprising that the Modi Government seems oblivious to this drain on India’s economy. President Trump imposed heavy import duties on China in the year 2018 and that has been continued under the Biden administration, but the Indian Government is not even realizing this problem. Where is the competence of our finance and commerce ministries? Under Modi’s rule, with India-China trade volume being $87.6 billion in 2020, China overtook the US to become India’s largest trading partner, despite a bloody conflict along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the rising anti-China sentiment among Indians. All the Asian tigers, including both China and Japan have achieved miracles because of trade surpluses, but Modi’s government does not even realize that India’s wealth is being drained by the Chinese. Even the richest and the most powerful country, the United States, could not survive the economic drain on US GDP caused by trade deficit with China. This issue must be looked at urgently and discussed openly and vigorously in parliament.
Inflation and Unemployment
Not just GDP setbacks, India’s inflation for the year 2020 was 6.2% — far above the stated goal of 4%. The Government’s failure on unemployment reduction too is stark. Over 10 million (1 crore) Indians have lost their jobs because of the second wave of Covid-19, and around 97 per cent of individual household income has declined since the beginning of the pandemic last year. The total figure of unemployed workforce has risen to 3.5 crores.
Besides this, the abysmally short-sighted policies of the government have accentuated the problem of stagflation. India has experienced the worst of both the worlds because of the current regime. The relationship between inflation and unemployment has historically been inverse in many parts of the world, including in India under Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government. But India under Modi has seen higher inflation and higher unemployment. This means stagflation is a special gift of this government to us because of its disastrous economic policies.
The Inequality Monster
Inequality is on the rise. Only two business families in the country – the Adanis and Ambanis have been accumulating wealth by exploiting the rest of India. As already discussed, 97% of Indians have become poorer while the wealth of Mukesh Ambani has tripled since Modi was elected in 2014. Gautam Adani’s wealth has increased by about 30 times. As per Forbes records, Gautam Adani’s wealth was just $3.5 billion in March 2016, and jumped to $75 Billion on June 13, 2021.
The callous, insensitive and prejudiced Modi government has made a mockery of governance and exposed the Indian nation and its people to the hydra of inflation, unemployment, crippling economy, a debilitating trade deficit and failing and a sinking health care system.
The present Government still has three more years to go before it faces the people in a general election. It is time for some serious course-correction by the Modi Government, for the sake of its own survival and but more importantly, for the people of India. Let us hope that the Modi Government shakes off the ignorance and arrogance that it is becoming known for and strategizes by putting the people of India first to perform with heart, mind and muscle in the second half of their thus far catastrophic tenure.
(The author, holder of 3 masters – MBA (Marketing), MBA (Finance) and MS Computer Science, has worked extensively in the financial industry in New York. He is a veteran community leader associated with many Indian Organizations)
NEW YORK (TIP): Indian American Tara Srinivas, a class of 2020 graduate of Brown University, has won a 2021-22 Fulbright award to conduct neurodevelopment research at the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute in Spain. She is among 27 Brown University students who have received Fulbright awards to teach English or conduct independent research projects in 17 countries around the world. For the native of Broomfield, Colorado, the second time was the charm, Providence, Rhode Island based institution noted. Srinivas first applied to the flagship international fellowship program during her senior year, with the hope of conducting neurodevelopment research at the cutting-edge research center located outside of Barcelona, Spain. She was successful, but the Covid-19 pandemic put a wrench in her plans: Because of international travel restrictions and public health protocols, her fellowship period would be cut from the typical year to just five months. “I just knew that I wouldn’t be able to get my research project done in that time,” Srinivas was quoted as saying.
Without the option to defer, Srinivas took a gamble. She turned down the award, proposed the same project for the 2021–22 cycle, and crossed her fingers while embarking upon a master’s in physiology, development and neuroscience at the University of Cambridge in the UK.
The wait was nerve-wracking, but Srinivas’s risk paid off when she was named a winner, once again, this spring. “It’s surreal that it’s finally happening,” she said. “I’m beyond happy.”
At the institute, Srinivas will use patient-derived stem cells to study the role that epigenetic factors — elements (in this case, RNA molecules) that influence the expression of genes without altering their DNA sequences — play in Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental condition that affects brain development. “There’s so much left to explore in epigenetics,” Srinivas said. “My hope is that using it to study Rett syndrome will contribute to our understanding of the condition and help researchers develop new therapies, if needed and desired by patients.”
The project will build upon her studies at Brown, where she concentrated in neuroscience and served as an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Eric Morrow, whose work seeks to better understand the genetic factors that contribute to conditions on the autism spectrum.
“At Brown, I learned so much about how to become an independent researcher,” she said. “I’m looking forward to expanding upon these skills while in Spain — to continuing to learn how to formulate and test my own hypotheses and to employ new techniques in the lab.”
Srinivas’s Fulbright fellowship will also offer her an invaluable opportunity to live and work within a culture that she has been studying for nearly a decade, she said.
She began studying Spanish language as a middle schooler, but her interest in the language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries deepened when, as a high schooler, she had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica, Ecuador and Argentina with her family.
“It was the first time I had ever used Spanish outside of the classroom,” she said. “I just became enamored with the power of language, and the power of Spanish in particular.”
While at Brown, Srinivas deepened her understanding of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries, pursuing coursework in the Hispanic studies department while completing her neuroscience degree.
She said that spending a year in Spain as a Fulbright fellow will allow her to heighten her Spanish language skills while developing a nuanced appreciation for the country’s diverse culture — including in Barcelona, whereas many people speak Catalan as they do Spanish.
“Being able to really immerse myself in the language will be an amazing opportunity,” Srinivas said. “And I’m really excited to learn more about Spanish culture from the community I’ll live in and from fellow Fulbrighters who are studying the humanities and arts.”
After completing her Fulbright, Srinivas plans to begin medical school. She said she looks forward to seeing firsthand the impact that scientific research has on patients — something she first witnessed when shadowing Morrow on his clinical rounds during her time at Brown.
“Getting to meet families who are affected by these conditions really helped me explore the questions: Why am I in the lab? Why am I studying these conditions? And what does my research mean to these patients and their families?” she said. “The impact of that experience is definitely what drives me to continue this research now.” Founded in 1946, the Fulbright program promotes international peace through intellectual and cultural exchange. Applicants are selected based upon their academic and professional records, the quality and achievability of their proposals, and their capacity to engage culturally with their host communities.
The program funds approximately 2,000 recent college graduates and current graduate students to teach and research for a full academic year in 140 countries around the world.
NEW YORK (TIP): When New York City based Sikh American activist and lawyer, Gurjot ‘Jo’ Kaur and her husband Richie found out that their baby boy Riaan had been diagnosed with a severe condition giving him an average life expectancy of five years, their world came apart. Their son suffers from Cockayne Syndrome. An extremely rare condition, it’s part of a family of progeria-like diseases, and includes a phenomenon known as premature aging.
Children typically die of respiratory distress or kidney failure. There are only a few hundred cases reported in medical literature. Currently there exists no cure for the disease.
However, amid this life-altering crisis, Kaur who is well-known for her community-based activism decided not to buckle down. In a few months, Kaur with her unrelenting attitude has been able to launch the Riaan Research Initiative.
The initiative is a research advocacy organization directed at accelerating the development of a treatment for this ultra-rare and fatal neurodegenerative condition.
Riaan Research Initiative is one of the few women of color-led patient organizations and one of the first known Sikh-led rare disease patient advocacy organizations.
Talking about this initiative Kaur said, “We’re organizing to fight this disease with everything we’ve got. While significant advancements have been made regarding identifying disease-causing genetic mutations, older rare diseases like Cockayne Syndrome continue to silently lurk, wreaking havoc on families and killing children across generations.”
“Any possible treatments for ultra-rare diseases like Cockayne Syndrome often remain neglected in the dustbins of laboratories and/or sit comfortably for decades as conceptual subjects of stale science papers. We’re going to change that,” she said.
In March this year, the parents received the devastating news that there were no treatments or cures, and that all they could do was manage their child’s symptoms.
The symptoms of this lethal disease include vision and hearing problems, failure to thrive, microcephaly, an impaired ability to sit, walk, eat, or speak/communicate, as well as failures in multiple body systems, including pulmonary function, liver, kidney, and cardiovascular systems.
The disease is so rare that there are only a few hundred cases reported in medical literature.
After speaking with experts and other patient advocacy organizations, Riaan’s family learned that while treatment did not exist for their son, the primary reason there was not a cure for this devastating disease was the lack of research funding.
The family pored over research and met with engaged and optimistic scientists who believe a breakthrough is possible through gene replacement therapy.
Three months after their son’s diagnosis, Riaan’s family founded Riaan Research Initiative. Its first project is to establish a program for gene replacement therapy for Cockayne Syndrome (CSA mutations). Riaan Research Initiative is working with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the lab of Dr. Miguel Sena Esteves on this multi-year, multi-million-dollar project.
The CSA gene therapy program will be led by Dr. Rita Batista, and include Dr. Sena Esteves, international gene therapy pioneer Dr. Terence Flotte, and Dr. Alisha Gruntman.
Ajit Singh, a board member of Riaan and partner in Artiman Ventures, says, “Genetic disease can impact members of any community or background, whether they’re Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, white, Black, brown, rich or poor.”
“Many times, there are no cures for these vicious diseases not because it is scientifically impossible to develop one, but because no one has created a research team and put in the resources to do so!”
“Riaan Research Initiative was founded to create a path to treatment for diseases like Cockayne Syndrome, and with the community’s financial support, we can push the research ecosystem to develop groundbreaking treatments to save children’s lives.”
Kaur says, “We request the community’s support to help us meet our ambitious fundraising goals. Gene therapy programs cost millions of dollars, and rely on private funding.”
“We aim to raise one million dollars by Riaan’s birthday in December 2021 to fund the research and development of a viable gene therapy.”
WASHINGTON (TIP) June 23: US Vice President Kamala Harris has cast her tie-breaking vote in the bitterly divided Senate to confirm the nomination of Indian American Kiran Ahuja as the head of the Office of Personnel Management, a federal agency that manages the country’s more than two million civil servants.
An American lawyer and activist, Kiran Ahuja, 49, is the first Indian-American to serve in this top position in the US government. Kamala Harris announced to cast her vote in favor of Kiran Ahuja on Tuesday after the Senate vote on this resulted in 50-50 votes on party lines.
“The Senate being evenly divided, the Vice President votes in affirmative,” Kamala Harris said. With this, she has so far cast the 6th tie-breaking vote as the Vice President this year. Senator Dianne Feinstein said Kiran Ahuja has more than two decades of experience in public service and the philanthropic sector, including a senior role in OPM under former president Barack Obama.
“She has a breadth of knowledge and experience that will serve her well in the role,” she said.
“In particular I’m looking forward to working with her to resolve a critical pay disparity issue between state and federal wildland firefighters. State firefighter salaries can be as much as double that of their federal counterparts, making it difficult to hire and retain skilled federal wildland firefighters,” she added. Representing the view of the opposition Republicans, Senator James Lankford said he did not believe the head of HR of the federal government should be so outspoken in favor of abortion and pushing the need for critical race theory training.
“OPM has been plagued with paperwork backlogs, survivor benefit delays, cyber-security issues, and more. The leader of OPM should focus on addressing those issues, not divisive social justice policies and abortion,” he said. Kiran Ahuja served as the Chief of Staff to the Director of the US Office of Personnel Management from 2015 to 2017. She currently serves as the CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, a regional network of philanthropic institutions.
She began her career as a civil rights lawyer at the US Department of Justice, litigating school desegregation cases, and filing the department’s first student racial harassment case. From 2003 to 2008, Kiran Ahuja served as the founding executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, an advocacy and membership organization. During the Obama-Biden Administration, she spent six years as executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, leading efforts to increase access to federal services, resources, and programs for underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
Kiran Ahuja grew up in Savannah, Georgia, as a young Indian immigrant in the wake of the civil rights era and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College and a law degree from the University of Georgia. “Throughout her career, Kiran Ahuja has built a tremendous record of championing federal personnel matters & remains a strong advocate for women of color,” said Senator Raphael Warnock.
ILLINOIS (TIP) JUNE 24: Illinois Institute of Technology has named Indian American Rajagopal “Raj” Echambadi as its 10th president “to lead its efforts to empower students from different backgrounds to achieve their potential.” Echambadi, currently Dunton Family Dean at D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University, will take over the top administrative spot at the university on Aug. 16. “Under Echambadi’s leadership, Illinois Tech will further its legacy of excellence by educating the next generation of innovators and creators who will fuel Chicago’s rise as a global destination for technology and entrepreneurship,” it said announcing his selection on June 16. After an extensive nationwide search, the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve Echambadi on June 14. He would replace President Alan W. Cramb, who announced his retirement from the post in December 2020.
“One of the most meaningful parts of the Illinois Tech ethos to me is the commitment to accessible and affordable technology education,” Echambadi stated.
“My career has been dedicated to inclusive and collaborative innovation, and Illinois Tech’s commitment to creating pathways and infinite possibilities for a vast diversity of students not only brings greater representation to technology but also drives the greatest innovation.”
“We have tremendous opportunities to serve Bronzeville, Chicago, and the world,” says Echambadi. “Illinois Tech has the requisite capabilities—intellectual, cultural, and social capital—and the right values embodied by our entire community to build upon our historic strengths, to chart a vibrant future, and to strengthen our role as a leading technological institution. My family and I are delighted to be part of this exciting journey and to be calling Illinois home again.”
Prior to joining Northeastern, Echambadi served as the Alan J. and Joyce D. Baltz Professor and the senior associate dean of strategic innovation at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a driving force behind the University of Illinois’s scaled online MBA (iMBA) program, Echambadi has been instrumental in helping to provide increased access to an innovative education to students across the globe.
The iMBA program has been lauded as a breakthrough in graduate education and one of the best disruptive innovations of the past decade.
A leading academic research expert in organizational strategic innovation, Echambadi has developed new and forward-looking academic programs designed to empower student success in a dynamic marketplace.
The majority of his academic research has focused on strategic innovation within organizations and how companies should balance current and future opportunities.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Anna University in India and a doctorate in marketing from the University of Houston. His research on employee entrepreneurship won the prestigious Academy of Management Journal Best Paper Award.
“Raj’s experience in attracting strong researchers, corporate and philanthropic partners, and most importantly diverse students and faculty is undeniable. Throughout his career, he has delivered extraordinary innovation with broad impact and has demonstrated a deep commitment to higher education as a mechanism for creating access and economic mobility,” said Michael P. Galvin, chairman of the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees.
“Raj’s authentic connection with Illinois Tech’s founding mission to empower students from all backgrounds and points of view to drive a more just and sustainable world through technology made him the perfect candidate for Illinois Tech’s next president.”
At Northeastern, Echambadi created the Office of Student Engagement, Affinity, and Inclusion and helped to launch its Building Belonging Fellows, Pathfinders, and Peer Affinity Cohorts to empower students from diverse backgrounds to utilize entrepreneurial skills to become change makers, while cultivating a more supportive and inclusive on-campus experience for all students.
“As Illinois Tech continues to further its reputation as a vital driver of innovation and economic impact in Chicago and beyond, I know that Raj’s ability to inspire an entrepreneurial mindset in all of our students will help further elevate Illinois Tech as Chicago’s premier technology-focused university,” said Alan W. Cramb, Illinois Tech president.
“While I am proud of the progress we have made toward meeting our mission of creating a more vibrant and inclusive technology ecosystem, I know that under Raj’s leadership, Illinois Tech’s future is in very capable hands.”
The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (Tisa Chang, Founding Artistic Producing Director) presents a special virtual event: “NuWorks 2021,” the annual experimental series of self-created work from innovative artists exploring an eclectic range of genres and techniques using poetry, text, dance and music. Featuring six new works by diverse artists Annie Ngar-Lai Cheung, Shebana Coelho, Tyler Dobies, M.J. Kang, Jo Shui and Shigeko Sara Suga.
Shebana Coelho (Photo:panasianrep.org)Tyler Dobies (Photo :panasianrep.org)Shigeko Sara Suga. (Photo : panasianrep.org)
NuWORKS 2021* is curated by playwrights Damon Chua (“The Emperor’s Nightingale”), Richard Chang (“Citizen Wong”), and Project Directors Ernest Abuba and Chongren Fan.
PROGRAM: NuWORKS 2021
All screenings available beginning Monday, June 21, 2021 at 5:00PM
Available on demand through Wednesday, June 30, 2021
“Once I was a Stone,” “una piedra,” “ek pathar”
Created and Performed by Shebana Coelho
A solo work about a stone lost at sea that finds its way home, only to face a new world that upends old notions of race, place and purpose. The play is a mixture of poetry, monologues, and dance drawn from flamenco, kutiyattam and bharatanatyam – in English with fragments of Hindi and Spanish. Running time: 45 minutes. To learn about Shebana Coelho, visit shebanacoelho.com
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“Shop In Peace”
Written and Directed by Jo Shui
Featuring Ariel Estrada, Emma Lipschutz, Trevor Swann and Jen Yip.
Dramaturg: Weldon Wong Powers
“Shop In Peace” is a compilation of scenes exposing the pervasive racism that Asian Americans face even while doing something as routine as shopping. Running time: 20 minutes
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“We Must See These Things”
Created and Performed by Tyler Dobies
Videographer: John Quincy Lee
“We Must See These Things” is a conglomerate of stories made from existing in a world that doesn’t see you (or sees you too much?) told through spoken word and verbatim performance. Running time: 34 minutes. To learn about Tyler Dobies, visit tylerdobies.com
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“Asians Dating”
Written and Directed by M.J. Kang
Featuring Eva Ding, Barron Leung and M.J. Kang.
Stage Manager: Katie Scibelli
Dramaturg: Hayley Silvers
“Asians Dating” is a light-hearted portrayal of two recently divorced professionals who are trying to navigate love, life and cats while being Asian. Running time: 21 minutes
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“DOTS”
Created and Performed by Annie Ngar-lai Cheung
Teetering dangerously between tragedy and comedy, Annie takes you into the high-achieving but insecure world of a lawyer turned actress.
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“Une Saison en Enfer”
Selected poetry from “A Season in Hell” by Arthur Rimbaud
Performed in English with dialogue in French and songs in Spanish
Adopted and Directed by Shigeko Sara Suga
Featuring Dinh James Doan, Zach Lusk, and Shigeko Sara Suga
A love affair gone wrong – Arthur Rimbaud’s agony after being shot by his lover Verlaine and to be ostracized by the whole literary society in France. To learn more about SS Suga, visit shigekosuga.com.
TICKETS
A one price pass ticket is available that will allow access to all six performances. Virtual performances begin Monday, June 21, 2021 at 5:00PM and will be available on demand through Wednesday, June 30, 2021. To make a reservation, visit panasiannuworks2021.eventbrite.com A link will be sent with confirmation of purchase. Additional information is available at panasianrep.org
NuWORKS 2021
NuWORKS 2021 is curated by playwrights Damon Chua (“The Emperor’s Nightingale”), Richard Chang (“Citizen Wong”), and Project Directors Ernest Abuba and Chongren Fan. To learn more about the artists and for more information, visit panasianrep.org
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PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE
Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, celebrating its 44th Milestone Season, is the most veteran Asian American theatre company on the East Coast. To learn more, visit panasianrep.org,
info@panasianrep.org
Twitter & Instagram: @PanAsianRep
facebook.com/panasianrep
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT PRODUCTIONS
By Mabel Pais
SPRING 2021 WRAP UP
JUNE 28 @ 2 PM
REPEAT ZOOM PERFORMANCES ON JULY 10 & 11
FOOD FOR THOUGHT PRODUCTIONS (FFTP), now in its 21st year, continues celebrating the oft-neglected one-act play and theatre at its best with Award-winning actors, writers and directors, with two plays that revolve around…secrets.
Tennessee Williams’ “Something Unspoken” is a brilliantly humorous vignette of the social maneuvers of a wealthy Southern Spinster. Set in a hair salon, Susan Charlotte’s “The Hairdresser” tackles such significant issues as mortality, aging, and loss, with much deeper secrets revealed as the emotionally charged interchange progresses.
The shows will be directed by FFTP’s resident director Antony Marsellis, and there will be a Q&A following with the cast and led by FFTP Founder/Playwright Susan Charlotte. Special ‘Zoom’ guests include Louise Lasser – who performed in a production of “The Hairdresser” with Stephen Schnetzer; and one of the most recognizable voices on NY and national airwaves, as well as an outspoken advocate in alerting and educating women on the perils of ovarian cancer, Valerie Smaldone.
The June 28th, 2:00pm performance will be available live via Zoom as well as a limited in-theatre ‘audience’ who will be part of a documentary being filmed on FFTP.
For those who can’t make the performance on June 28, the program will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday July 10 & 11.
TICKETS
For more information on COVID health and safety precautions and tickets, contact FFTP at info@foodforthoughtproductions.com or call 646 366 9340.
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HISPANIC YOUTH PAY HOMAGE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON
By Mabel Pais
Youth performer. (Photo : Courtesy NJPAC)
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts the 35th Anniversary Hispanic Youth Showcase on Tuesday, June 29, at 7:00 p.m. Recommended for viewers ages eight years old and up.
This year’s showcase pays homage to Newark native, international superstar Whitney Houston. Get a glimpse of the best singers, actors, and dancers of tomorrow as children and young adults present show-stopping performances. This is a FREE Virtual event that can be seen LIVE on NJPAC’s Facebook Page at facebook.com/NJPAC
The guest emcees are Arlene Ng Acosta, an actress, singer, and six-time Hispanic Youth Showcase winner, and Rafael Toro, Public Relations Director at Goya Foods.
This annual multi-disciplinary performance shines a spotlight on young performers and offers the audience a chance to vote for your favorite artists! Those selected as winners will receive scholarships and other prizes.
To learn more, visit NJPAC.org
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EMERGE III: NJSO CONCERT FILM
By Mabel Pais
EMERGE III, the final concert film premiere has been rescheduled to June 30 from its original June 23 date.
EMERGE: An NJSO Concert Film Trilogy
A musical journey without boundaries.
EMERGE Part 3: An NJSO Concert Film
Wed, June 30, at 7:30 pm
The paths to grace are before us, if we embrace our liberty of spirit. Now is the time to renew our love for life, nature and one another.
Xian Zhang, conductor
Daniil Trifonov, piano
Anderson Romero, trumpet
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Yuri Alves, director
Igor Alves, producer
DreamPlay Films
Tim Martyn, audio producer
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 1
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4
This film features the NJSO and Daniil Trifonov on stage with riveting images inspired by and filmed in New Jersey. Presented in 4K Ultra HD.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO)
To learn more about the concert and NJSO, visit njsymphony.org
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness.)
“It’s been a challenging time for filmmakers, storytellers, and actors, and we’re so proud to honor the perseverance and dedication many of them displayed while working through the many obstacles that arose as a result of COVID-19,” said Cara Cusumano, Festival Director and Vice President of Programming. “Each of these recipients truly embody the spirit of our creative Community.”
GAYATRI PARAMESWARAN with others receives Storyscapes GRAND JURY PRIZE for “KUSUNDA”
Kusunda Shaman Lil Bahadur with granddaughter Hema. (Photo : TFF2021)
The 20th annual Tribeca Festival on June 17, 2021 awarded the winning storytellers in its competition categories at this year’s awards ceremony at Spring Studios. Awards were given in the following competition categories: U.S. Narrative, International Narrative, Documentary; Short Films, Immersive, the Nora Ephron Award, and the first-ever Podcast and Games categories.
The awards ceremony honored the most diverse line-up of creators in Tribeca’s 20 year history and awarded $165,000 in cash prizes. The Festival, which had the honor of welcoming back in-person audiences, concluded on June 20th.
The top honors in feature films went to “The Novice” in U.S. Narrative, “Brighton 4th” in International Narrative, and “Ascension” in Documentary Competition.
Chanel James and Taylor Garron won the Nora Ephron Award and a $25,000 prize for “As of Yet.” The award, created nine years ago, honors excellence in storytelling by a female writer or director embodying the spirit and boldness of the late filmmaker.
Tribeca honored innovation in storytelling with its Storyscapes Award for the Immersive section, which went to Felix Gaedtke and Gayatri Parameswaran for “Kusunda.”
The inaugural Tribeca Podcast honors for the Non-Fiction Narrative Award went to “Guardians of the River,” and the Fiction Narrative Award went to “Vermont Ave.”
In the Games category, the first-ever Tribeca Games Award was given to “Norco,” created by Geography of Robots and published by Raw Fury.
A special Virtual Award Winner Screenings series was available for U.S. audiences via Tribeca at Home on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20.
In addition to cash awards and in-kind services provided by sponsors, some award winners received the unique Tribeca Festival Art Award. World-class artists donated work to honored filmmakers. The winners of the Audience Awards, determined by audience votes throughout the Festival, can be found at tribecafilm.com/festival
The winners, awards, and comments from the jury who selected the recipients are as follows:
U.S. NARRATIVE COMPETITION
The Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature Film: “The Novice,” directed and written by Lauren Hadaway. Produced by Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker.
Best Actress in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film: Isabelle Furman, “The Novice,” directed and written by Lauren Hadaway. Produced by Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker.
Best Actor in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film: Matthew Leone, “God’s Waiting Room,” directed and written by Tyler Riggs. Produced by Tyler Riggs, Suvi Riggs.
Best Cinematography in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film: Todd Martin, “The Novice,” directed and written by Lauren Hadaway. Produced by Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker.
Best Screenplay in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film: Hannah Marks, “Mark, Mary, and Some Other People,” directed and written by Hannah Marks. Produced by Hannah Marks, Pete Williams, Jon Lullo, Brendan Walter, Jonathan Duffy, Kelly Williams, Stephen Braun.
Special Jury Prize for Artistic Expression: Director Nana Mensah, “Queen of Glory,” for opening audiences up to an intimate and personal story, exploring cultural identity and family, with delicate nuance and humor and heart.
INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE COMPETITION
Best International Narrative Feature Film: “Brighton 4th,” directed by Levan Koguashvili, written by Boris Frumin, Levan Koguashvili. Produced by Irakli Rodonaya, Olena Yershova, Michel Merkt, Kateryna Merkt.
Best Actress in an International Narrative Feature Film: Bassant Ahmed & Basmala Elghaiesh, “Souad,” directed by Ayten Amin, written by Mahmoud Ezzat, Ayten Amin. Produced by Sameh Awad. Best Actor in an International Narrative Feature Film: Levan Tediashvili, “Brighton 4th,” directed by Levan Koguashvili, written by Boris Frumin, Levan Koguashvili. Produced by Irakli Rodonaya, Olena Yershova, Michel Merkt, Kateryna Merkt.
Best Cinematography in an International Narrative Feature Film: Elisabeth Vogler, “Roaring 20’s,” directed by Elisabeth Vogler, written by François Mark, Elisabeth Vogler, Noémie Schmidt, Joris Avodo. Produced by Laurent Rochette.
Best Screenplay in an International Narrative Feature Film: Boris Frumin, “Brighton 4th,” directed by Levan Koguashvili, written by Boris Frumin, Levan Koguashvili. Produced by Irakli Rodonaya, Olena Yershova, Michel Merkt, Kateryna Merkt.
Best New Narrative Director: Nana Mensah, “Queen of Glory,” directed and written by Nana Mensah. Produced by Jamund Washington, Kelley Robins Hicks, Baff Akoto, Nana Mensah, Anya Migdal.
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
Documentary Competition winner (Photo : TFF2021)
Best Documentary Feature: “Ascension,” directed by Jessica Kingdon. Produced by Kira Simon-Kennedy, Jessica Kingdon, Nathan Truesdell. Best Editing, Documentary Feature: Shannon Swan, “The Kids,” directed by Eddie Martin. Produced by Shannon Swan. Best Cinematography, Documentary Feature: Bing Liu & Joshua Altman, “All These Sons,” directed by Bing Liu, Joshua Altman. Produced by Zak Piper, Kelsey Carr, Bing Liu, Joshua Altman.The 2021 Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director: Jessica Kingdon, “Ascension,” directed by Jessica Kingdon. Produced by Kira Simon-Kennedy, Jessica Kingdon, Nathan Truesdell.
THE NORA EPHRON AWARD
The 2021 Nora Ephron Award: Chanel James & Taylor Garron, “As of Yet,” directed by Chanel James, Taylor Garron. Produced by Ashley Edouard, Taylor Garron.
SHORT CATEGORIES
Best Narrative Short Award: Rongfei Guo, “Girl With a Thermal Gun,” directed and written by Rongfei Guo. Produced by Du Yating.
Best Animated Short Award: Reza Riahi, Navozande, “The Musician,” directed and written by Reza Riahi. Produced by Eleanor Coleman, Stéphanie Carreras, Philippe Pujo.
Short Documentary Award: Ryan White, “Coded,” directed by Ryan White. Produced by Christopher Leggett, Jessica Hargrave, Conor Fetting-Smith, Rafael Marmor, Marc Gilbar.
Student Visionary Award winner. (Photo : TFF2021)
The 2021 Student Visionary Award: Robert Brogden, “Six Nights,” directed and written by Robert Brogden. Produced by Robert Brogden, Kelley Zincone, Izrael Lopez.
PODCAST AWARD
Inaugural Podcast winner. Photo / TFF2021
Podcast Non-Fiction Award: House of Pod and Wild Bird Trust, “Guardians of the River”
Podcast Fiction Award: James Kim and Brooke Iskra, “Vermont Ave.”
TRIBECA X AWARD
Tribeca X Award: Best Feature: “Dear Santa,” Director: Dana Nachman; Brand: The United States Postal Service
Tribeca X Award: Best Episodic: “Black Owned,” Director: Rodney Lucas; Brand: Square
Tribeca X Award: Best Short: “Chinese New Year-Nian,” Director: Lulu Wang; Brand: Apple
First-Ever Winners for New Award Categories: Geography of Robots Receives Tribeca Games Award; “Vermont Ave.” and “Guardians of the River” Honored for Podcasts
IMMERSIVE COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Best Immersive Narrative Competition Award: Michèle Stephenson, Joe Brewster, Yasmin Elayat, “The Changing Same: Episode 1”
Best Creative Nonfiction Competition: Annie Saunders, “Current”
Storyscapes Award: Felix Gaedtke, Gayatri Parameswaran, “Kusunda”
The Tribeca Festival
Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center, Tribeca celebrated its 20th year, June 9 – 20, 2021. For more information, visit tribecafilm.com/festival.
(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness.)
Ganesha says you will feel appreciated this week for your efforts in making those around you happy. You won’t face any major problems in your life this week. Your partner will be very supportive of you whether it’s your health or your work, discuss with them the issues that you have been having with certain aspects of your professional life, your partner will be able to help you regarding that as well. Your health will be spectacular this week and you will have a lot of fun.
Taurus
You will be appreciated by your family, focus on that a lot this week. Your love life is taking a highly positive turn and you are about to discover new ways to express your sentiments towards the person you love this week. This is the week you will realize how to get your act together and finally stop being disappointed in yourself and get some work done this week.
Gemini
Just another beautiful week for you. You seem to be going on a positive streak these days. Relish the positive energy you have been experiencing and use it to be as productive as you can be. If you want to start a new venture now this week you have the perfect time. You will feel at a very safe place in your relationship this week and it will progressively get better. Although things will go way too fast for you this week, it will all feel like a fairytale for you.
Cancer
As you notice that your wellbeing improves over this week, challenges and changes arrive in your relationships. It’s nothing that you can’t handle if you chose to remain calm and peaceful. Focus on being kind caring and gentle and make way for a very long-lasting relationship this week. There is a possibility of financial gain through investments this week. You will also become very successful in accumulating money this week as your credibility will make your business look like it is on the verge of a successful breakthrough and will attract a lot of clients this week.
Leo
Negative energies are non-existent for you this week. Your stars are all aligned to help you be the happiest person this week. Apart from minor inconveniences, you will have a better week than you’ve had in a while. Your health is better this week because you have worked towards it. It will regress faster if you put yourself in stressful situations this week.
Virgo
You will have a lot of confidence this week that’ll guide you to a lot of success and appreciation from your colleagues. Although this confidence won’t be appreciated by your partner as till the end of the week your behavior might change into being quite egoistic and borderline rude. Your love life will be somewhat rocky this week due to your behavior. The fights and rifts this week can be avoided if you take time and reflect on your behavior this week. This week will be a significant day for your partner to determine how well you can handle success.
Libra
Your business will demand all of your time and attention this week. You will need to pull out all the stops to get out of the trouble that you’re in this week. If you are not able to finish the task before the deadline it is very likely that you’ll lose your client. Hence do everything you can to finish off the work this week. Your health will bother you a lot this week. Expect a headache of stomachache this week. Your health needs a little bit of your attention. Your health will be fine if you take time out to be physically active.
Scorpio
You will need to face financial responsibilities and you even will need to book some investments in this week itself. People in love should really take care and should avoid arguments or else it will lead you to ruining your good week. In mid of the week Saturn and moon will be at your doorstep. Things will slowly get under control. You will again be able to control your mind properly which will help you from zoning out at work. You will work hard, and hard work will reward you with very satisfying results.
Sagittarius
This week is going to be too exciting for you as a result of lots of fun and adventure. Your destiny has very great plans for you this week. You will be bound to take many decisions and accordingly you will achieve great success. Sooner you are going to increase your sources of happiness and that will allow you to gain better standard of living from within. Your past issues with your partner are going to get under control.
Capricorn
You will be able to make some great decisions of important business issues with the help of right guidance this week. Your cooperation and convincing skills will be appreciated this week. You will make some investments in the share market which will bring you good gains later. You will not be able to spend more time with your family due to t less burden of work this week. Strictly prohibit yourself from funding into a very large venture and lending on the last day of the week. In the middle of the week, you will be able to execute your plans and gain effective results.
Aquarius
Your week will start with excitement and happiness as a result of transition of moon. You are likely to make lots of great memories and feel like a king. Your work productivity will also increase. Your love life will bloom. You will confess your feelings to your partner and they will accept your proposal. You may have some issues in your married life due to difference of opinion with your spouse but things will be totally alright. It’s a good week to channelize your funds in construction business and share market.
Pisces
This is the week of redundant hard work for you which will definitely be difficult but will help you get through your life very easily. A lot of learning will happen this week, in your professional as well as personal life. This knowledge will take you very far in life and your career as well. Pay attention, take notes if you have to, but make sure to implement whatever advice you have been given today as it will work out a lot in your favor.
Ganesha says you will have to focus on becoming the best version of yourself today. You need to understand that today marks a pivotal change in your behavior and actions and you need to take into consideration that you’ve been very relaxed and complacent in the past few days and today you need to take it upon yourself to change.
June 29
You will spend a lot of time with your loved ones today. It won’t be over the top fun or adventurous you’re likely to stay home. But it’ll be a nice warm and cozy day for you. You will have a lot of confidence today that’ll guide you to a lot of success and appreciation from your colleagues. Although this confidence won’t be appreciated by your partner as till the end of the day your behavior might change into being quite egoistic and borderline rude.
June 30
Your love life is progressing at a very great rate hence it might give you a lot of assurance and joy about whether this relationship will work out, rest assured that it will. Today is all about practicing calmness for you. Use today to express your gratitude towards your partner by planning a nice surprise for them.
July 1
Your optimistic nature and leadership skills will help you move past any hurdles without much effort. You will feel as if you’re being tested in strength and character as well as patience by your partner. Use the tremendous energy you have today to focus entirely on yourself which is your health, spirituality, goals and aspirations. Although you will be annoyed by your partner, you have the will and strength today to ignore them and focus on yourself.
July 2
You need to work on calming your negative thoughts today especially regarding your relationship. A lot of unexpected obstacles will also arise due to big mistakes of your employees hence today your temper will be tested as well. Being angry at your employees will ruin the work even more hence no matter how hard it is, learn to be kind.
July 3
You will have a lot of luck today that’ll guide you towards achieving everything that you want which will lead you to receive appreciation from your colleagues as well as the higher authority. A great day for you simply because of your luck today.
July 4
Today is a great day for your love life because you will feel amazing and confident by yourself which has a positive effect on your health. You need to focus on your partner as well today even though you will only feel like being alone today; you will also enjoy spending time with your partner today.
With Neymar in fine form and scoring a goal that took him past Ronaldo on the country’s all-time goals list, Brazil scored early in the game and then got three more in a commanding second half to defeat Peru 4-0 in their Copa America clash on Thursday, June 17.
The result means Brazil are the first team in the tournament to win both their first games, and immediately go to the top of Group B, two points ahead of Colombia, who drew 0-0 with Venezuela earlier in the day.
The reigning champions won their opener 3-0 against Venezuela on Sunday but although coach Tite rotated their line-up, giving starts to Ederson, Alex Sandro, Thiago Silva, Everton and Gabriel Barbosa, it still took them only 12 minutes to get the opener when Alex Sandro volleyed home a cut back from Gabriel Jesus.
Peru, who reached the final of the last Copa America only to lose 3-1 to Brazil, were not overawed but they simply could not match a team who were sharper, quicker and more resilient. Source: Reuters
Japan is set to announce a decision Thursday to ease a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and six other areas this weekend, with new daily cases falling just as the country begins making final preparations for the Olympics starting in just over a month.
Japan has been struggling since late March to slow a wave of infections propelled by more contagious variants, with new daily cases soaring above 7,000 at one point and seriously ill patients straining hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka and other metropolitan areas.
Daily cases have since subsided significantly and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to downgrade the state of emergency when it expires on Sunday to less stringent measures. Despite concerns by medical experts and the public over the potential risks of holding the Olympics, Suga has said he is determined to hold a “safe and secure” Games starting July 23. Holding the Olympics before elections in the fall is also a political gamble for Suga, whose support ratings have tumbled over dissatisfaction with his handling of the pandemic, a slow vaccination drive and a lack of explanation how he intents to ensure the virus doesn’t spread during the Olympics.
The Lake Palace of Tripura or the Neermahal is the largest palace of its kind in the entire Indian Subcontinent. This architectural beauty rightly derives its name from its location, i.e. the middle of Rudrasagar Lake. It is one of the two water palaces that our country has. The former royal palace is an outcome of King Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur’s great perspective. It was the summer palace for king and his family. Even today, its highly ornated structure showcases the glorious past. The surrounding lawns and flower beds add seven stars to the beauty of this place.
The evenings at Neermahal are spent watching the light and sound show. It makes people familiar with the cultural heritage of the place and its owners. The historicity comes with a tint of adventure too. Yes, the palace premises also include some water sports activities. This makes it a perfect combination of antiquity and thrill. Moreover, the palace has even gained fame for its ‘Neermahal Water Festival.’ A huge flock of people visit the mahal only to take part in the boat races organised by the board. This architectural marvel has a lot to give to its visitors. Therefore, whenever in Agartala make sure to turn your ways towards this gem of North-East.
History
Neermahal is the realisation of Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur’s idea of constructing a summer residence in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake. It was in 1921 when he appointed the British company Martin and Burns to build the massive palace for him. The palace took 9 years of hardwork and dedication for its formation. The king of Manikya Dynasty, Maharaja Bir Bikram was a progressive ruler who worked for blending the tribal community with modernity by building great infrastructure. Neermahal stands to be his most wonderful creation. The baffling beauty of this palace even today leaves each of its visitor spellbound.
Architecture
The majestic palace is a beautiful amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built on the lake; the palace looks more enchanting during the night time when the lights are switched on, and its reflection is made in the water. Sandstone and MArble have been extensively used in its construction. The profusion of balconies, pillars, rooms, ornated walls, bridge, and pavilions make Neermahal an architectural splendor. It is divided into two parts, the Andar Mahal and an open-air theatre. Where the former lies in the west, the latter occupies the eastern part of the palace. Andar Mahal was formed for royal family’s private times. Drama, dance, music, and other cultural events took place in the open area. It has 24 rooms and 2 stairways. These staircases are built in such a way that they land onto the Rudrasagar Lake. Back then boats were used as a mode f transportation between the mahal and other parts of the land.
Neermahal Water Festival
Based on the palace’s location, every year in the months of August and December, the Government organizes a three-day long ‘Neermahal Water Festival.’ The celebrations are so massive that people from nearby states visit the palace to witness each and every event. Boat Race and Swimming competition observe the highest footfall. Alongside these small cultural programmes also take place. It lets you enjoy the festivities in both the summer and the winter season. Amazing food, enthusiastic surrounding, and the beauty of palace assure you moments to cherish for life.
Things to Do
Besides praising the elegance of Neermahal, you can watch the light and sound show or indulge yourself in some motorboat riding. Costing 1.20 crore; the light and sound show was installed in 2003 by a Finnish Company. Furthermore, coming to boating, you are charged INR 30 per person if you take a sharing boat and INR 450 if you reserve the whole boat for yourself. Not only this but you can also catch glimpses of migratory birds in the Rudrasagar Lake.
How To Reach
Situated almost 50 km from Agartala in Rudijala, Neermahal is well connected by road. You can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the palace. Bus services are quite active in Agartala hence travelling here is easy. It takes an hour and a half to arrive at the palace.
Teenager Shafali Verma etched her name in the record books by notching up the highest score by an Indian woman cricketer on Test debut. Shafali achieved the feat on Day 2 of the one-off Test match against England at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday, June 17. Shafali broke the record of Chanderkanta Kaul who had scored 75 on her Test debut.
Shafali missed a well-deserved century when she was holed out in the deep for 96 off Kate Cross.
The right-hander, rode her luck in the final session of the second day and hit 13 fours to put India in a strong position in the Test match.
The 17-year-old not only presented the straight bat for defence with grace, she also hit a six off Nat Sciver with remarkable ease.
She also became the first Indian women cricketer to hit a six on Test debut. It was only the second six hit by an Indian woman in Test cricket.
Shafali and her opening partner Smriti Mandhana who too looked set for notching up her maiden Test ton put together India’s highest opening partnership – 167 – in Tests. They went past the 153-run partnership between Gargi Banerji and Sandhya Agarwal against Australia in Mumbai in 1984.
This year, Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Monday, June 21
Nirjala Ekadashi is the most important and significant Ekadashis out of all twenty four Ekadashis in a year. Nirjala means without water and Nirjala Ekadashi fasting is observed without water and any type of food. Nirjala Ekadashi Vratam is the toughest among all Ekadashi fasting due to strict fasting rules. Devotees abstain not only from food but also from water while observing Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat.
This year, Nirjala Ekadashi falls on Monday, June 21, 2021.
Devotees who are unable to observe all twenty fours Ekadashi fasting in a year should observe single Nirjala Ekadashi fasting as fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi brings all benefits of twenty four Ekadashi fasting in a year.
Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi or Bhimseni Ekadashi or Bhima Ekadashi due to one legend associated with Nirjala Ekadashi. Bhimsen, the second Pandava brother and voracious eater, was not able to control his desire of having food and was not able observe Ekadashi fasting. Except Bhima, all Pandava brothers and Draupadi used to observe all Ekadashi fasting. Bhima, being upset due to his weak determination and doing a dishonor to Lord Vishnu, met Maharishi Vyasa to find some solution. Sage Vyasa advised Bhima to observe single Nirjala Ekadasi fasting to compensate for not observing all Ekadashi fasting in a year. Due to this legend Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.
Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on next day of Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
NIRJALA EKADASHI STORY
The Nirjala Ekadashi vrat Katha or Nirjala Ekadashi story is from the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana. Nirjala Ekadashi vrat ki Katha comes through in a conversation between Bhimasena, better known as Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers of Mahabharata, and the grandson of great Sage Vyasadeva or Sage Veda Vyasa (grandfather of the Pandavas).
Bimasena asks Vyasadeva whether it is possible for His soul to transcend to the spiritual realm even if all the rules of the Ekadashi vrat/fast are not followed strictly. Bhimasena or Bhima was extremely fond of eating and it is said he could eat huge quantities of food. So, in the Nirjala Ekadashi ki Kahani, Bhima tells Vyasadeva that his mother Kunti, his wife Draupadi and his other brothers, i.e. King Yudhistira, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva observe the Ekadashi fasts meticulously and have many times suggested to him to observe the Ekadashi vrats.
But it was impossible for him to think of fasting for 24hrs; Bhima says that the mere thought of abstaining from eating food is scary and makes him shiver, as he was not able to control his hunger. Bhima says that he can easily do any amount of charity and worship Lord Vishnu with lavish offerings but fasting (vrat) was unthinkable for him.
Bhimasena pleads to his grandfather to tell him of another way to earn the merits of Ekadashi in the easiest way without fasting. On hearing his grandson’s request, Sage Vyasasena tells Bhima about the many merits one can earn on observing Ekadashi fasts strictly and above all get abundantly blessed by Lord Vasudeva. But understanding the plight of his grandson, Sage Vyasasena said that observing only the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat/fast by maintaining a nirjala vrat (dry fast), along with not eating any food would make it possible to earn all the merits equivalent to that earned by observing fast on all the other Ekadashis. He further specifies in the Nirjala Ekadashi Katha that if anyone observes the Nirjala Ekadasi by following all the specified rules and by being completely immersed in chanting the name of Lord Vishnu/Krishna and sings praises of the Lord on the day and throughout the night of Nirjala Ekadashi, that devotee is sure to be liberated and secures a place at the Lotus feet of Lord Vishnu at his eternal abode Vaikuntha. Hearing the Nirjala Ekadashi kahani (story) and benefits of nirjala fasting from the great Sage Vyasasena, the Pandava Prince Bhima was satisfied and agreed to observe at least the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat on the auspicious Nirjala Ekadashi.
NIRJALA EKADASHI VRAT VIDHI
The Nirjala Ekadashi ki vidhi is specified in the ancient Hindu texts and have been specified by Lord Sri Krishna while answering King Yudhishthira’s (the eldest Pandava brothers from Mahabharata) query. The Nirjala Ekadashi benefits are actually innumerable if the nirjala fast/upvas is observed sincerely and with pure intention.
– Observe a waterless fast or Upavas. The fast begins on Ekadasi sunrise and ends on the next day (Dwadasi) Sunrise. However, fasting for two days is not possible for everyone. One may fast on the 1st. June, Tuesday, beginning at Sunrise and ending it between 6:00 AM and 12:04 PM on 2nd June (Wednesday). For advanced devotees, they may fast from 2nd June (Tuesday) onwards until the morning of 3rd. June and the Nirjala Ekadashi fast breaking time is during Nirjala Ekadashi Parana time between 6:03 AM and 8:39 AM.
– Early morning of Nirjala Ekadashi, the devotee should have a bath and should intend on keeping the fast meticulously.
– Perform Achamana but be careful not to put more than just one drop of water to sprinkle in the mouth during Achamana as then the purpose of observing Nirjala Ekadashi is not going to be served.
– You should visit Lord Vishnu/Krishna temple and offer prayers. If a temple is not around, you can worship him at your home in the early morning. The idols of Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with sandalwood, flowers, fruits, lighting pure Cow’s ghee Lamp, and light a dhoop as well. You can worship Lord Vishnu by using energized Vishnu Yantras. Offering delicious Bhog to the Supreme Lord Vishnu is a part of the Nirjala Gyaras/Ekadashi vrat vidhi.
– You can simply meditate on Lord Vishnu and chant His mantra: “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. Sage Narada gave this powerful mantra to Dhruva Maharaja as described in the Bhagavata Purana (4.8.54). You can also chant the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra on the Tulsi bead.
– You should offer flowers and chant Vishnu Sahasranamam (Thousands name of Lord Vishnu). Chanting a thousand names of Vishnu or Vishnu Stotram has a purifying effect on the mind and the body. You can also play it in the morning while you engage in daily work.
– You should also perform a Vishnu Sahasranama Puja under qualified Brahmins. It is highly recommended on this day. The puja includes Vishnu- Lakshmi Abhishek and Pujan, Vishnu mantra Japa- 1100 times, Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra followed by Homa and Aarti.
Microsoft Corp on Wednesday, June 16, named Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella as its new chairman, in place of John Thompson.
Nadella, who took over as CEO in 2014 from Steve Ballmer, has been instrumental in scaling up its business including billion-dollar acquisitions like LinkedIn, Nuance Communications and ZeniMax.
The company said Thompson, who took over as chairman from the software giant’s co-founder Bill Gates in 2014, will serve as lead independent director.
The top-level executive change comes just over a year after Gates stepped down from the board, saying he would focus on philanthropic works of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the world’s biggest charities.
The company had last month said it conducted a probe into Gates’ involvement with an employee almost 20 years ago after it was told in 2019 that he had tried to start a romantic relationship with the person.
Microsoft had declined to comment on whether its board had decided Gates should go.
The company also declared a quarterly dividend of 56 cents per share payable September 9.
The announcement of the DOGE-1 mission — a collaboration between Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the futurist Geometric Energy Corporation (GEC) — was hailed as the start of the cryptocurrency space race. Dogecoin, the popular meme cryptocurrency, was chosen as the unit of account between SpaceX and GEC, giving Doge a claim on the first unit of space commerce.
However, it is not the only space currency. The initial press release mentioned a number of organisations involved with GEC, several of which are cryptocurrency projects. So, how do these fit in? The answer is space art.
With the astronomic rise in projects tying art to cryptocurrency, it seems that the GEC is looking to test what happens to the value of art — or advertising — when it is strapped to the side of a CubeSat and fired towards the moon.
The article mentioned additional payload space to be dedicated to art in the form of space plaques provided by Geometric Labs and Geometric Gamin Corporation, and since then, four new cryptocurrency projects underwent a low-key release, and rumours began to circulate that the tokens were related to the Doge-1 mission. Their names are Rho, Beta, Kappa and Gamma. Later a fifth project, Xi, was launched.
They have yet to be officially associated with GEC, but a set of websites for the tokens appeared unannounced. Are these tokens part of the space art, and can they be directly tied to GEC? A little digging into the websites and the code for the tokens themselves appear to confirm it.
The websites of the tokens claim they are indeed part of the mission, and that each token will be involved in how the art is displayed on the side of the CubeSat, opening up the possibility that the art could be programmable, changeable or even streamed back to Earth.
Pointblank is collaborating with GEC to build the CubeSats for the mission, and have recently tweeted the hashtags for some tokens. The Pointblank website contains in its source files a picture of one of the tokens.
The man behind GEC is Sam Reid. He launched a new TG group centred around the tokens. This is effectively the missing piece: GEC have now laid claim to the tokens.
A small gesture by star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo at a pre-match press conference — ahead of the Euro 2020 clash between Portugal and Hungary — has left a big dent in Coca-Cola’s market value.
At the pre-match press conference, Ronaldo pushed aside a couple of Coke bottles that were kept in front of him. The 36-year-old moved the bottles out of the frame and then went on to display a water bottle in front of the press gathered for the conference.
Ronaldo also said “agua” — which means water in Portuguese — after holding up the bottle of water as a sign of endorsement. His gesture soon went viral on various social media platforms and was shared widely across the globe.
Hours later, Coca-Cola, which is one of the official sponsors of Euro 2020, saw its market value dip by a whopping $4 billion.
Coca-Cola’s stock price dropped 1.6 per cent, down from $56.10 to $55.22 after the footballing star’s gesture. The market value of the popular beverage brand dipped $4 billion from $242 to $238 billion.
Issuing a statement on the matter, Coca-Cola said, “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences.”
Coca-Cola further said “everyone is entitled to their drink preferences” and that everyone has different “tastes and needs”.
It is no secret that Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers in the world, follows a strict diet and avoids sugary drinks. Even at 36, the Portuguese captain can give younger players a run for their money on any given day.
With automation taking place at a much faster pace across industries especially in the tech space, domestic software firms that employee over 16 million are set to slash headcounts by a massive 3 million by 2022, which will help them save a whopping USD 100 billion mostly in salaries annually, says a report.
The domestic IT sector employs around 16 million, of them around 9 million are employed in low-skilled services and BPO roles, according to Nasscom. Of these 9 million low-skilled services and BPO roles, 30 per cent or around 3 million will be lost by 2022, principally driven by the impact of robot process automation or RPA.
Roughly 0.7 million roles are expected to be replaced by RPA alone and the rest due to other technological upgrades and upskilling by the domestic IT players, while it the RPA will have the worst impact in the US with a loss of almost 1 million jobs, according to a Bank of America report on Wednesday. Based on average fully-loaded employee costs of USD 25,000 per annum for India-based resources and USD 50,000 for US resources, this will release around USD 100 billion in annual salaries and associated expenses for corporates, the report says.
“TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, Tech Mahindra and Cognizant and others appear to be planning for a 3 million reduction in low-skilled roles by 2022 because of RPA up-skilling. “This is a USD 100-billion in reduced salary and other costs, but on the flipside, it offers a likely a USD 10 billion boon for IT companies that successfully implement RPA, and another a USD5 billion opportunity from a vibrant new software niche by 2022. Given that robots can function for 24 hrs a day, this represents a significant saving of up to 10:1 versus the human labor,” says the report.
Robot process automation (RPA) is application of software, not physical robots, to perform routine, high-volume tasks, allowing employees to focus on more differentiated work. It differs from ordinary software applications as it mimics how the employee has worked instead of building a workflow into technology from ground up and thus minimising time to market and greatly reducing cost over the more traditional software-led approaches.
Offshoring helped domestic IT sector to grow from around 1 per cent of GDP in 1998 to 7 per cent today, a highly strategic sector for its economy and has alsoc significantly outgrown their Western peers (mainly Accenture, Capgemini and Atos) with an annual revenue growth of 18 per cent between 2005 and 2019. Another key reason for the RPA-driven job loses is that many countries that had offshored their work in the past are likely to bring the jobs back to their own home markets.
Marking a major change in India’s favorite investment option, “mandatory” hallmarking of gold jewellery kicked off on June 17 in a “phased” manner from 256 districts of the country.
However, watches, fountain pens and popular style of jewelry such as ‘kundan’, ‘polki’ and ‘jadau’ are exempted from hallmarking. Small jewellers with less than Rs 40 lakh annual turnover are also exempted, BIS Director-General Pramod Kumar Tiwari said.
Women having traditional and old jewelry can also sell without going through the process. Old jewelry can be hallmarked as it is, if feasible by the jeweler or after melting and making new jewelry, he said. Jewelry for international exhibitions and for government-approved B2B domestic exhibitions will also be exempted from mandatory hallmarking.
Exposure to the virus that causes common cold can protect against infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus behind Covid-19, according to a study.
The research, published on Tuesday, June 5, in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, found that rhinovirus, the common respiratory virus, jump-starts the activity of interferon-stimulated genes.
These genes trigger early-response molecules in the immune system which can stop reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, within airway tissues infected with the cold, the researchers said.
Triggering these defenses early in the course of Covid-19 infection holds promise to prevent or treat the infection, said senior study author, Ellen Foxman, assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine in the US.
One way to do this, Foxman said, is by treating patients with interferons, an immune system protein that is also available as a drug.
“But it all depends upon the timing,” she said.
Previous work showed that at the later stages of Covid-19, high interferon levels are associated with worse disease outcomes, and may fuel overactive immune responses.
However, recent genetic studies show that interferon-stimulated genes can also be protective in cases of Covid-19 infection.
The researchers wanted to study this defense system early in the course of Covid-19 infection.
They decided to study whether rhinoviruses would have a beneficial impact against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The team infected lab-grown human airway tissue with the virus and found that for the first three days, viral load in the tissue doubled about every six hours.
However, the researchers found that reproduction of the Covid-19 virus was completely stopped in tissue that had been exposed to rhinovirus.
If antiviral defenses were blocked, the SARS-CoV-2 could reproduce in airway tissue previously exposed to rhinovirus.
The same defenses slowed down SARS-CoV-2 infection even without rhinovirus, but only if the infectious dose was low.
Hyaluronic acid is turning out to be one of the most talked-about and researched ingredients in skincare science, but what comes along with it are the most frequently asked questions revolving around the same. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that occurs naturally in the body, including the skin, eyes, and joints. The primary function of hyaluronic acid is to provide moisture to these areas of the body. The reason that it is loved and recommended so much to everyone, lies in its seemingly magical ability to retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid is amazingly good at bonding with moisture, thereby making it a good treatment for someone with dehydrated skin which is the root cause of a huge amount of skin concerns and damages.
– Retains moisture: Hyaluronic acid helps replenish and hold cell moisture, leading to hydrated, plump skin.
– Reduces the appearance of wrinkles: Since dehydrated skin is one of the main causes of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid replenishes lost moisture and helps reduce the appearance of any fine lines.
– Fast absorbing: Unlike some skincare products, hyaluronic acid quickly absorbs into the skin, meaning you lose less product.
– Non-irritating: For the most part, hyaluronic acid is non-irritating and safe for use with all skin types.
There is, however, a word of caution while using this treatment. You should avoid using it on completely dry patted skin, the skin needs to be slightly damp for it to work with full potency. If used on dry skin it can pull the moisture from deep within your skin, making it duller and more dehydrated. Additionally, if you are living in a dry/ less humid place because this ingredient is a humectant, it derives moisture from the environment to hydrate the surface of your skin, but if there isn’t sufficient moisture available in the environment, it will pull the moisture from deep within your skin, thereby making the problem worse. So just keep these two things in mind and you will be good to go. Source: India.com
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