The Indian Panorama

Month: November 2021

  • Wrong Time for the Flu, Right Time for the Flu Shot

    Wrong Time for the Flu, Right Time for the Flu Shot

    By Dr. Dave A. Chokshi

    Flu season is just beginning in New York City, and already my two-year-old daughter, my wife, and I have all received our seasonal flu vaccination. I encourage everyone to join us, to protect yourself and your community.

    Every year, the Health Department works to make the flu vaccine easily available because the influenza virus can cause painful, and potentially life-threatening, symptoms—even in healthy people. In a typicalflu season, roughly 2,000 New Yorkers die from influenza and pneumonia, and some of them are kids.

    That is why we are recommending all New Yorkers ages six months and older to get the flu shot, especially people who are most likely to get sick, including adults ages 50 and older, pregnant people, children ages 6 months to 5 years, and people with chronic diseases like diabetes. The flu vaccine is safe and effective: Scientific evidence shows that it reduces the risk of illness between 40% and 60%, according to the CDC. If you’re 65 or older, ask your doctor about the high-dose flu vaccine.

    I was proud to see a record number of adult New Yorkersget the flu vaccine last year. Over 1.4 million adults got vaccinated—the most ever. Our goal this year is to have another record-breaking year, and we are well on our way with 1,039,787 adult New Yorkers already vaccinated.

    But despite our progress, we are still seeing troubling gaps in coverage. This is due in part to misinformation about the flu vaccine and mistrust in medical advice. I want to make clear to New Yorkers that the flu vaccine willnot give you the flu. Young and healthy people can become severely ill. And getting a flu shot will not increase your risk of getting COVID-19.These are common myths, and we know we must address them in order to instill trust in the vaccine. In addition, not enough children are getting vaccinated.Our data show that only 67% ofchildren ages 6 months to 5 years were vaccinated last year, and this year’s numbers are also looking low.With children returning to schools and families out and about in our city again, it’s even more critical than ever to protect our littlest New Yorkers. The flu vaccine is now widely available across the city for free or low-cost and regardless of immigration status. New Yorkers can find out where to get vaccinated at NYC.gov/FLU. And if you still haven’t gotten a COVID-19 vaccine, you can get one at the same time as the flu vaccine.Remember that the flu vaccine doesn’t protect you against COVID-19, and the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t protect you against the flu. You need both!

    Serious reactions to the flu shot are extremely rare. Common reactions may include mild pain, redness or swelling at the injection site or headache, fever and muscle aches.

    As a doctor and a father, I wouldn’t ask New Yorkers to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. Flu activity usually starts as early as November and continues through late spring, and it takes a couple of weeks for your vaccine to kick in with immunity. Now is the right time, so go get that flu shot today.

  • ICYMI: EMERALD ISLE IMMIGRATION CENTER ANNOUNCES THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF THEIR KATONAH AVENUE CENTER

    ICYMI: EMERALD ISLE IMMIGRATION CENTER ANNOUNCES THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF THEIR KATONAH AVENUE CENTER

    Over $1.5M in funds allocated by Council Member Danny Dromm to add a third floor and more than double the program space

    BRONX, NY (TIP):  On November 19 Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC) announced the renovation and expansion of their community center located at 4275 Katonah Avenue in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. The project, which is anticipated to break ground in Spring of 2022 will add a third floor to the building, renovate currently unused second floor space and add an elevator to make all levels fully accessible. The renovated building will boast four newly renovated floors of program, office and community space, including a training lab and library, offices and private client meeting rooms, a large flexible community space and new finishes and furniture throughout. “The Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC) is one of the best service providers in New York City,” said NYC Council Finance Chair Daniel Dromm. “They work with many Irish immigrants, helping them to obtain citizenship and to navigate the complicated United States immigration system. They are equally competent helping any person from any country who walks through their door. This new construction will allow the EIIC to expand its services so many more folks can take advantage of them. I am proud to have allocated over $1.5 million toward this expansion and am confident EIIC will continue to provide high quality services for years to come.” In addition to $1.55M in City Council funds, designated by Council Member Danny Dromm, support for the project has been received from The Irish Government, The Irish Institute, The Tara Circle, The Dormitory of New York, and private funders.

    “We at the Emerald Isle Immigration Center are extremely proud of this project and how it will enable us to build on our strong legacy of helping the Irish and all immigrants achieve citizenship and the American Dream,” said John Tully, Chairman of the Board of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center. “We are deeply grateful to all our individual supporters and funders, especially our long-time champion, Council Member Danny Dromm, as well as the Government of Ireland, The Dormitory Authority of New York, The Irish Institute, The Tara Circle and the many private funders who have gotten us to this point.” Emerald Isle Immigration Center provides free programs and services to the Irish Diaspora and immigrants from over 70 countries. These include Citizenship & Immigration Legal Services, job readiness and employment coordination, family legal services, immigrant rights workshops, Meals-on-Wheels, health access services such as insurance enrollment and senior mental health screenings, Covid-19 public health Information and outreach, free tax preparation, senior services, cultural programming such as Irish language classes, meet-ups, traditional knitting, genealogy workshops and more. Emerald Isle reaches approximately 35,000 clients annually between the Queens and Bronx locations.

    “The Irish Government has been a supporter of the work of the Emerald Isle Immigration Centre for many years; we are seeking to build stronger partnerships with other communities in the U.S, drawing on our work in support of comprehensive immigration reform,” said Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland in New York The EIIC is a valued partner in this work, and we are proud of that, in addition to our support of the programming work of the center, through our Emigrant Support Program, we have also committed $400,000 to ensure the EIIC has a premises fit for purpose that can serve all members of the community in the years to come.”

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    About the Emerald Isle Immigration Center:

    The Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC) is a not-for-profit entity founded in 1988 in Woodside, Queens. Its mission is to exercise and protect the privileges and interests of the community; to foster a healthy interest in the civic affairs of the community, to help immigrants acquire US citizenship, and to inquire into civic abuses and seek reformation thereof. The Bronx office was opened in Woodlawn in 1993.

  • NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EXPANDS PRIMARYCARE-CENTERED DIABETES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

    NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EXPANDS PRIMARYCARE-CENTERED DIABETES MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

    Health system’s average A1c control rates return to pre-pandemic levelsamong patients enrolled in diabetes management programs

    NEW YORK (TIP):  NYC Health + Hospitals, on November 24, expanded the diabetes management programs available to approximately 66,000 New Yorkers with diabetes who receive care in the City’s public hospitals and community-based health centers. The health system’s diabetes management programs utilize alternative methods to more easily adjust medications and new technologies to help patients remain in control of their diabetes in addition to traditional in-person appointments. The expansion includes integrating clinical pharmacists in each of the health system’s 11 hospitals and four Gotham Health community clinics city-wide, having the capacity to complete more than 10,000 teleretinal screenings annually due to machines being available system-wide, and offering peer mentoring and remote monitoring opportunities for many patients with diabetes. NYC Health + Hospitals’ A1c control rates, or blood sugar levels, have returned to pre-pandemic levels among patients enrolled in these diabetes management programs. “For patients with diabetes, controlling their diabetes can be difficult and there is not one solution that works for all patients. Our health system’s multifaceted approach to diabetes programs makes it easier for patients to not only manage their blood sugar levels, but do it in a way that works best for them and their needs,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer Nichola Davis, MD. “With the help of our expert, passionate, and diverse clinical teams – that spans chronic disease nurses, clinical pharmacists, nutritionists, peer mentors and more – we will continue to extend these programs that allow New Yorkers to live healthier, fuller lives.”

    NYC Health + Hospitals has expanded primary care-centered diabetes management programs to include:

    Clinical Pharmacists in Primary Care – A total of 28 clinical pharmacists were added to each of the system’s 11 hospitals and four were added to Gotham Health community clinics to work as integrated members of primary care teams with a focus on medication management. Clinical pharmacists act as part of patients’ care teams but operate independently to help patients, in this case with uncontrolled diabetes or complicated diabetes medication regimens, to manage their medications between primary care visits. Since the inception of the program, approximately 3,000 patients seen by clinical pharmacists have had an average change in A1c of -1.86 percent. Teleretinal Screening in Primary Care – Primary care sites across the city now offer teleretinal screenings as part of a routine primary care visit for patients with diabetes. A number of the system’s Gotham Health community clinics and the system’s hospitals have teleretinal machines, helping achieve more than 10,000 screenings annually for the health system. Patients are able to get their preventive care in a more convenient way instead of having to schedule a separate ophthalmology appointment. Annual retinal screening is an important component of comprehensive diabetes care. Those with consistently uncontrolled diabetes are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in U.S. adults aged 20-74. Diabetic retinopathy may not cause symptoms immediately; therefore, early detection through screening is the best way to prevent vision loss in patients. Peer Mentors a Phone Call Away – Patients with diabetes have the opportunity to speak to peer mentors on the phone to help enhance their diabetes self-management. Peer mentors are patients who are successfully living with diabetes who are trained to help other patients who are struggling with their diabetes. This remote workforce of peer mentors helps address each patient’s barriers related to the social determinants of health while inspiring healthy lifestyle behavioral changes. Once a patient is referred to InquisitHealth by their primary care doctor, they are matched with a culturally appropriate mentor, scheduling regular check-ins and touching base more frequently as needed. The peer mentoring program is offered at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, Elmhurst, Kings County, Lincoln, Metropolitan, North Central Bronx, and Woodhull, as well as NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Cumberland.

    A Coach in Your Pocket Smartphone App – Patients with diabetes have access to an app that provides real-time, individualized coaching, reminders, and support, as well as diabetes educational tools that are actionable and personalized for each patient to monitor and manage their type-2 diabetes. The app helps to bridge the gap between patients and their providers outside of the clinic visit. With integrations to devices and apps, patients can connect to their pharmacies for medication tracking, blood glucose meters, labs, and activity trackers. Based on the collected information, the app provides patient feedback, guidance and education for better patient self-management and clinical decision support. The app also provides diabetes articles and videos, healthy recipes and access to the user’s own care team via the app. The app is available for patients receiving care at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Lincoln, Metropolitan, North Central Bronx, Queens, Woodhull, as well as NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur and Morrisania.

    Text Messages and Support for Insulin Adjustment – Multiple facilities continue to offer a text-based program that optimizes insulin dosing for patients with diabetes who are on insulin. This program has been ongoing at NYC Health + Hospitals since 2012 with significant success. Eighty-three percent of patients enrolled meet their anticipated goals, and patients report feeling better connected with their care teams through the program

    “Being able to work one-on-one with Clinical Pharmacist Nick Niceforo really made the difference for my diabetes,” said a 58-year-old NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens diabetes patient enrolled in the clinical pharmacist program. “He was able to explain medication administration, their purpose, and the proper way to use it that led to lowering my A1c levels to a healthier rate. But his work went further, also helping me understand how foods affected my blood sugar levels that helped me control my sugar even more.”

    “Once in a while, a patient will come along that sticks with you. For me, it was a male schoolteacher who had chronically elevated A1c levels in the double digits – extremely dangerous,” said Chronic Disease Nurse Chinye Uzor at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur. “With our support, we helped this patient enroll into multiple diabetes control programs, including our clinical pharmacist program, peer support groups, and he was referred to a nutritionist for further one-on-one work. Now, he is able to control his A1c levels and live a healthier life.” “For years, my office has worked towards building a healthy Bronx through the creation of our #Not62 campaign and different health initiatives,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must invest in our health, and the expansion of primary care-centered diabetes management programs will do just that. I commend NYC Health + Hospitals for their on-going dedication to tackle critical health issues in The Bronx and New York City.”

    Patients with diabetes receiving care at NYC Health + Hospitals who have A1c levels that are uncontrolled (usually A1c 8.0 or higher) are typically referred to the hospital’s suite of supportive diabetes services. Depending on their needs, a patient can be referred and enrolled to more than one program to achieve better controlled A1c levels. Hemoglobin A1c is a simple blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months, which reflects diabetes control.”.

    In addition to these programs, NYC Health + Hospitals offers expert diabetes care at all acute health facilities and neighborhood health centers, which may include education classes, one-on-one sessions, and patient support groups. NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Jacobi, Lincoln, Metropolitan, North Central Bronx, and Queens, as well as NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Sydenham, are accredited for providing high-quality, evidence-based education for patients with diabetes.

    The prestigious accreditation from the American Association of Diabetes Educators or the American Diabetes Association verifies that the hospitals’ programs meet national standards for diabetes self-management education, which have been shown to be cost-effective and improve clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life.

    Nearly one million New Yorkers have diabetes, and about 19 percent are undiagnosed. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause blindness, and kidney disease, and lower extremity amputations in adults. Obese New Yorkers are two times more likely as other adults to have diabetes. Adults living in high-poverty neighborhoods are also at least twice as likely to report having diabetes compared to adults living in low-poverty neighborhoods. The average medical expenditures for people with diagnosed diabetes are about $16,752 per year, with about $9,601 of this being attributed to diabetes management directly.

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    About NYC Health + Hospitals

    NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthandHospitals or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.

  • New UN Women data confirms violence against women has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic

    New UN Women data confirms violence against women has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic

    The report launch kicks off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, under the theme, “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), a new report released by UN Women highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s safety at home and in public spaces. The report shows that women’s feelings of safety have been eroded, leading to significant negative impacts on their mental and emotional well-being. The report comes as the world kicks off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign, “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”

    “Violence against women is an existing global crisis that thrives on other crises. Conflict, climate-related natural disasters, food insecurity and human rights violations all contribute to women and girls living with a sense of danger, even in their own homes, neighborhoods, or communities. The COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated isolation and social distancing, enabled a second, shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls, where they often found themselves in lockdown with their abusers. Our new data underlines the urgency of concerted efforts to end this,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

    Report findings

    The new UN Women report, “Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women during COVID-19”, based on survey data from 13 countries [1], shows that almost 1 in 2 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced a form of violence since the COVID-19 pandemic. Women who reported this were 1.3 times more likely to report increased mental and emotional stress than women who did not.

    The findings also revealed that about 1 in 4 women are feeling less safe at home while existing conflict has increased within households since the pandemic started. When women were asked why they felt unsafe at home, they cited physical abuse as one of the reasons (21%). Some women specifically reported that they were hurt by other family members (21%) or that other women in the household were being hurt (19%).

    Outside their homes, women are also feeling more exposed to violence, with 40% of respondents saying they feel less safe walking around alone at night since the onset of COVID-19. About 3 in 5 women also think that sexual harassment in public spaces has gotten worse during COVID-19. Socioeconomic stressors such as financial pressure, employment, food insecurity and family relations stood out as having a significant impact not only on experiences of safety (or violence), but also on women’s well-being overall. However, there is strong evidence that ending violence against women and girls is possible. “Violence against women is not inevitable. The right policies and programs bring results. That means comprehensive, long-term strategies that tackle the root causes of violence, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote strong and autonomous women’s rights movements. Change is possible, and now is the time to redouble our efforts so that together, we can eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030,” rallied UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

    Background

    Efforts to address and eliminate this ongoing challenge include the Generation Equality Forum, convened by UN Women last July in Paris. Following on the unprecedented USD 40 Billion in commitments for gender equality announced in Paris, the Action Coalition on Gender-based Violence brings together youth, civil society, faith-based institutions, philanthropy, private sector, international organizations and Member States around concrete financial, programmatic and policy commitments to move the needle on gender-based violence. If fully resourced, the Coalition’s ambitious 5-year plan intends to:

    Ensure 550 million more women and girls live in countries with laws and policies prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence

    Support 55 more countries outlaw child marriage

    Increase investment in evidence-driven prevention strategies by USD 500 Million

    Build law enforcement capacity in 100 countries to address gender-based violence

    The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, the only global grant-making mechanism dedicated to ending and preventing all forms of violence against women, has just marked its 25th anniversary, with the crowdfunding challenge #Give25forUNTF25. Over the past 25 years, the UN Trust Fund has supported 609 initiatives in 140 countries and territories. In the past five years alone, its grantees, mostly locally based women’s rights organizations, have led projects that reached nearly 55 million people, including more than 150,000 survivors of violence. Also, in the lead-up to the International Day, the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative – the largest-ever targeted global effort to end violence against women and girls – presented its Impact Report 2020-2021. The report estimates that 650,000 women and girls were provided with quality essential services despite COVID-19-related constraints and lockdowns. USD 148 million were delivered to civil society, women’s and grassroots organizations to ensure their survival and continued comprehensive service delivery to the hardest-to-reach women and girls.

    #OrangeTheWorld: 16 Days of Activism around the world

    In New York, the official UN commemoration event today gathered high-level officials and dignitaries calling to end violence against women and girls through increased investments in proven solutions. Participants included UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, UN Women Regional Goodwill Ambassador Cindy Bishop, leaders and commitment makers of the Action Coalition on Gender-based Violence and representatives of civil society organizations, amongst others. The event also celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, a civil society-led initiative, launched by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.

    Around the world, dozens of events organized during the fortnight period will aim to rally action to ensure a brighter future free of violence for women and girls, symbolized by the color orange. In Iceland, a candlelight march will be organized to shine a light and envision the end of this scourge, and in Malawi, a sports tournament will demonstrate that boys and girls are part of the same team to fight gender-based violence. A 16-day mobile exhibition under the title: “We say it, we share it” will take place in Palestine, and in Panama the online campaign “Ya es Ya” will highlight findings, statistics and promising public policies.

    Using art to raise awareness on the issue, Daaraj, a famous group of singers and rappers from Senegal will create a special song and video; a Gender Equality Fairy tale reading will be held at Vietnam; and art therapy sessions for women survivors of violence will be organized in Moldova. As in previous years, iconic buildings around the world are expected to be lit in orange during the 16 Days, including the Grand Place City Hall in Brussels, Belgium, the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, the Monastery Church in Rubik, Albania, the National Theater of San Salvador, El Salvador, and the One UN Building in Liberia.

    [1] Albania, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Paraguay, Thailand, Ukraine.

    Join UN Women on social media and speak up against gender-based violence using #OrangeTheWorld and #16Days. Learn about the issue with “Expert’s take” videos on @unwomen TikTok and Instagram. Follow the conversation on @UN_Women and @SayNO_UNiTE on Twitter. Download and share GIFs, illustrations, slogans, data cards and more, available in this social media package in English, French and Spanish.

    Check out and share UN Women stories and multimedia content available in English, French and Spanish: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2021/11/in-focus-16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence

    (Press Release)

  • Elon Musk has now sold more than half the stock he vowed on Twitter

    Elon Musk has now sold more than half the stock he vowed on Twitter

    After a few days’ break, Elon Musk resumed selling shares in Tesla Inc., now coming more than halfway to making good on his promise to offload 10% of his stake in the electric-car maker.

    The billionaire sold an additional 934,091 shares for $1.05 billion, according to regulatory filings late on Tuesday U.S. time. He also exercised 2.15 million stock options, and the sales were made to cover the taxes related to that transaction, the documents showed.

    With the most recent disposals, Musk now has offloaded 9.2 million shares and collected about $9.9 billion of proceeds since he conducted a Twitter poll asking whether he should sell 10% of his Tesla stake. A chunk of that money will go to taxes.

    To reach the 10% threshold, Musk would need to sell some 17 million shares, or about 1.7% of the company’s outstanding stock. If his exercisable options are factored into his overall ownership, he’d need to sell even more.

    Musk has exercised millions of options since the Twitter poll, all of which were less than a year from their expiration date. In September, he established a pre-arranged trading plan to carry out “an orderly sale of shares related to the exercise of stock options,” filings show. The Nov. 6 Twitter poll didn’t disclose the existence of that plan.     Source: Bloomberg

  • China regulator seeks to avoid US delistings of Chinese firms

    China regulator seeks to avoid US delistings of Chinese firms

    HONG KONG (TIP): Chinese authorities are working with U.S. counterparts to prevent Chinese companies being delisted from U.S. stock exchanges, a Chinese regulatory official said on Thursday, as a lengthy dispute about auditing standards rumbles on. U.S. authorities are moving towards kicking foreign companies off American stock exchanges if their audits fail to meet U.S. standards.

    The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and U.S. policy makers have long complained of a lack of access to audit working papers for U.S.-listed Chinese companies. Citing national security concerns, Chinese authorities have been reluctant to allow overseas regulators to inspect working papers from local accounting firms.

    “We don’t think that delisting of Chinese firms from the US market is a good thing either for the companies, for global investors or Chinese-US relations,” Shen Bing, director general of the China Securities Regulatory Commission’s department of international affairs, told a conference in Hong Kong.

    “We are working very hard to resolve the auditing issue with U.S. counterparts, the communication is currently smooth and open. There is a risk of delisting of these companies but we are working very hard to prevent it from happening,” he added.

    In December 2020, during the last weeks of his administration, President Donald Trump signed a law aimed at removing foreign companies from U.S. exchanges if they failed to comply with American auditing standards for three years in a row.

    A map on the organisation’s website showed China as the only jurisdiction that denied the PCAOB “necessary access to conduct oversight”.

    Speaking at the same conference, Ashley Alder, CEO of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission said he feared Sino-U.S. tensions could prevent a solution.

    “Sometimes politics can interrupt technical solutions that are sensible and achievable, and I pick up a degree of political attitude within the U.S. establishment that is not necessarily conducive to a better outcome.”

    Hong Kong previously faced similar problems with access to mainland China audit working papers, but Alder said the SFC’s relationship with the CSRC and a 2019 agreementhad helped resolve these.

    Hong Kong has benefitted from the Sino-U.S. spat, as a string of U.S.-listed Chinese companies have carried out secondary listings in the city in recent years, partly as a back up in case the companies are deslisted from the Nasdaq or NYSE, say market participants.

    The Hong Kong stock exchange, last week, confirmed it would proceed with rule changes to make it easier for overseas-listed Chinese companies to carry out secondary listings, and for companies to change a Hong Kong secondary listing to a primary one.

  • BigBasket opens 1st physical store, targets 800 in 5 years

    Tata Group-owned e-grocery BigBasket has entered offline retail with the opening of its first brick-and-mortar store in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The store, branded Fresho, sells fresh fruits and vegetables. BigBasket co-founder & CEO Hari Menon said the plan is to clock Rs 12,000 crore in sales from 800 Fresho stores across 10 tier-1 cities by the 2026 fiscal.

    “The penetration of fruits and vegetables in an organised format just doesn’t exist in the country other than in Chennai. We thought there was an opportunity for us,” he said.The company, in which the Tatas acquired a 64% stake earlier this year, has tie-ups with 20,000 farmers and operates 60 collection centres. “About 85% of what we sell comes directly from farmers and that piece has scaled up very well for us. We will give access to some 50,000 products through a click-and-pick model, where customers can order online and then pick up the order from Fresho outlets,” Menon said.

  • Govt inks deal with US to phase out equalisation levy

    Govt inks deal with US to phase out equalisation levy

    Signing a pact for the transition from equalisation levy, India and the US on Wednesday agreed for a transitional approach on equalisation levy or digital tax on e-commerce supplies beginning April 1, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday, November 24. “India and the United States have agreed to the same terms … shall apply between the United States and India with respect to India’s charge of 2 per cent equalisation levy on e-commerce supply of services and the United States’ trade action regarding the said Equalisation Levy. However, the interim period that will be applicable will be from April 1, 2022, till implementation of Pillar One or March 31, 2024, whichever is earlier,” the Ministry said in a statement. “This compromise represents a pragmatic solution that helps ensure that countries can focus their collective efforts on the successful implementation of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework’s historic agreement on a new multilateral tax regime and allows for the termination of trade measures adopted in response to the Indian equalization levy,” the US government said in its statement.

  • US banking regulators to clarify banks’ crypto role in 2022

    WASHINGTON (TIP):  US banking regulators intend to clarify in 2022 what role traditional banks can legally play in the cryptocurrency market, they said on Tuesday.

    In a statement, regulators said they plan to make clear what sort of activities banks can engage in involving cryptocurrency, including holding it on their balance sheets, issuing stablecoins and holding crypto assets and facilitating crypto trading on behalf of customers, among other currently murky areas.

    The joint statement from the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is an update on work done by an interagency “sprint” team convened earlier this year.

    While not providing details, the agencies said the rapid growth of cryptocurrency presents “potential opportunities and risks” for traditional banks. They said regulators want to provide “coordinated and timely” clarity to the institutions they monitor.

    “The agencies have identified a number of areas where additional public clarity is warranted,” the agencies said. “Throughout 2022, the agencies plan to provide greater clarity on whether certain activities related to crypto-assets conducted by banking organizations are legally permissible, and expectations for safety and soundness, consumer protection, and compliance with existing laws and regulations.”

    Agency officials have been working on identifying risks facing banks engaging in crypto activity, as well as whether existing regulations must be updated to account for that activity.              Source: Reuters

  • Robots now wipe tables, sort trash, open doors at Google offices

    Robots now wipe tables, sort trash, open doors at Google offices

    San Francisco (TIP): Signalling an era of machines slowly taking over human work, a fleet of more than 100 robots are autonomously performing a range of useful tasks around Google offices in the US, like wiping tables, sorting trash, grasping cups and even opening doors for visitors.

    Google’s parent company Alphabet has announced that its ‘Everyday Robots’ project — a team within its experimental X labs — has moved some of its robot prototypes out of the lab and they are doing useful tasks around Google’s Bay Area campuses.

    “We are now operating a fleet of more than 100 robot prototypes that are autonomously performing a range of useful tasks around our offices,” said Hans Peter Brondmo, Chief Robot Officer.

    “The same robot that sorts trash can now be equipped with a squeegee to wipe tables and use the same gripper that grasps cups can learn to open doors,” he said in a statement.

    Over the last few years, Alphabet has been building an integrated hardware and software system that is designed for learning, including transferring learning from the virtual world to the real world.

    The robots are equipped with a mix of different cameras and sensors to take in the world around them.

    “Using a combination of machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning, collaborative learning, and learning from demonstration, the robots have steadily gained a better understanding of the world around them and become more skilled at doing everyday tasks, the company informed.

    Over the coming months, Googlers who work in Mountain View may catch glimpses of the robot prototypes wiping tables after lunch in the cafes, or opening meeting room doors to check if the room needs to be tidied or if it is missing chairs.

    “Over time, we will be expanding the types of tasks they are doing and the buildings where we operate and look forward to sharing updates from our journey over the coming months and years,” said Brondmo.

    Today, a single robot learns how to perform a complex task such as opening doors with a 90 per cent success rate with less than a day of real-world learning.

    “Even more excitingly, we have shown that we can build on the algorithms and learnings from door opening and apply them to a new task: straightening up chairs in our cafes,” he added.        Source: IANS

  • WhatsApp tricks you should try right now

    WhatsApp tricks you should try right now

    WhatsApp offers a lot of features and the messaging platform recently added quite a few features too. There are chances that you might not be aware of some of the tricks, so we have created a list of the features that you can try right now. Some of these features will also improve your messaging experience. Read on to know more.

    Use WhatsApp on multiple devices without your primary phone

    WhatsApp is running a multi-device beta program, which is visible in the settings > Linked section. With this, WhatsApp users will be able to use linked companion devices without keeping their phones connected. One can link up to four devices to their account, which includes browsers and other devices. One should note that you will be able to use WhatsApp Web, Desktop, and Portal even when the main phone didn’t have an active internet connection. However, if the main device remains disconnected for over 14 days, the linked devices will be automatically logged out.

    Create customised stickers in app

    WhatsApp now lets you make your own custom stickers using the newly added sticker maker tool. The feature is easily accessible and one will find it in the sticker section of the platform. One just needs to open any WhatsApp chat, click on the paperclip icon, and then click again on the “Sticker.” You can then upload a photo to create your custom sticker. WhatsApp lets you add an outline, crop the photo into a sticker and add emojis, stickers or text to it. This feature is currently available for the web version of WhatsApp and the company has plans to release the Custom Sticker maker feature for the desktop version in the coming weeks.

    Download WhatApp images directly on PC

    If you have received a bunch of images on WhatsApp and want to store them directly on your PC without going through any extra process, then you can do that using WhatsApp Web. Just open the WhatsApp Web link on your PC or laptop and go to any chat. Click on the name of the sender or group name and the platform will then show you the “media” section. After that, move your cursor on a photo, click on tick mark and then select all the photos, after which you can download those.

    View Once Media

    WhatsApp has a View Once Media feature, which basically disappears photos once the receiver opens it and leaves the chat. This feature was launched in August this year and WhatsApp confirmed that any photo or video you send using the ‘View Once’ feature will not be saved to the recipient’s Photos or Gallery.

    But, you will have to select View Once media each time you want to send a view once photo or video. It should be noted that once you send a View Once photo or video, WhatsApp won’t be able to show it again. In addition to this, the platform won’t allow you to forward, save, star, or share photos or videos that were sent or received with View Once media feature. One will only be able to see if a recipient has opened a View Once photo or video if they have read receipts turned on.

    Manage notifications

    There are times when you don’t want to see WhatsApp message notifications. You can do this by going to settings > Notifications > turn off Use high priority notifications. Once you disable this, your smartphone will not show WhatsApp notifications on top of the notification menu. You can also visit your phone’s settings section and turn off notifications for WhatsApp. After this, your device will never display WhatsApp notifications and you will have to open the app to check for messages.

    Configure auto-download

    By default, WhatsApp automatically downloads the images over your cellular connection. If you are in a group that sends a lot of unnecessary images and videos, then you can turn off auto download option to save storage space on your smartphone, which is better than cleaning storage on a daily basis. To configure automatic photo, video or audio downloading, you can simply go to WhatsApp > tap on the three-dotted button > Settings > Storage and data > Media auto-download. Here, you can choose when WhatsApp should automatically download media.

                    Source: Indian Express

  • Chip shortage hitting entry-level smartphones the most

    Popular entry-level offerings from leading smartphone brands such as Redmi, Oppo and Vivo, are in short supply across India, indianexpress.com has found. Several retailers blamed the global semiconductor chip shortage for the unavailability of budget phones, forcing many brands to either increase prices of popular budget phones or entirely shift their focus towards those models where profit can be made.

    “For the past six months, we have not been getting supplies of budget phones from Mi, Oppo, Vivo and Samsung,” said the store manager of a Delhi-based retailer who did not want to be named. The phones that are hard to come by in retail stores are the ones priced between Rs 7000 and Rs 10,000, which are aimed at entry-level consumers or first-time smartphone users. “There was a time when we used to get 10 units of a popular phone model and now we are not getting a single unit,” the manager said, adding that a popular Chinese smartphone brand has put out a condition that if we sell a certain number of its mid-range phones and if we meet the target, then only the company will restock in-demand budget phone models.

    “There was a time when brands put pressure on us to sell a phone costing Rs 7000 now that same phone is unavailable for Rs 8500. I haven’t seen this situation before,” another retailer told indianexpress.com.

    Employees of several specialised retailers dealing in smartphones repeated the story of low stock and infrequent shipments, with little guidance from phone companies as to when things might get back to normal. The current chip shortage has disrupted the supply chain and smartphones are affected by it, especially low-end models that don’t necessarily generate cash but help increase unit sales for the brand.

    Source: Indian Express

  • Raveena Tandon unveils trailer of Aranyak

    Raveena Tandon unveils trailer of Aranyak

    She ruled the 1990s with her effortless performances and swept the audiences off their feet with her dance moves, and now actress Raveena Tandon is all set to make her digital debut with Netflix’s upcoming crime thriller Aranyak, where she will be seen playing a police officer. The series spotlights the hardships and prejudices female officers’ face as they try to strike a balance between their work and personal lives. The over two-minute-long trailer was unveiled in Lonavla. Set in the dense forest, Raveena plays a local cop, who all her life waits for a “big case” and one fine day a news of a teenage tourist’s murder shakes her up and she joins forces with her city-bred replacement, Angad, played by Parambrata Chatterjee, to solve the case. As the two struggle to find the serial killer, a forgotten folklore is revived. The trailer also features Ashutosh Rana, Meghna Mali and Zakir Hussain.

    The 47-year-old actress will be seen playing a ‘fierce’ officer named Kasturi Dogra and says her “character in itself is so strong she would reach out to you anyhow.”

    Raveena added: “She’s a fiercely independent, super-talented cop, who is waiting for an opportunity to excel in her life. She’s surrounded by her male counterparts, wants to achieve something in her career and the way we women juggle our career, lives, emotional support that we get or don’t get from home.”

  • Jennifer Lawrence Say ‘Don’t Look Up’ Leonardo DiCaprio brings More Box Office

    Jennifer Lawrence Say ‘Don’t Look Up’ Leonardo DiCaprio brings More Box Office

    Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence are currently gearing up for the release of their Netflix film, Don’t Look Up, in which the duo joins forces to save the world. A recent report by Variety stated that Lawrence was paid $25 million for her work in the film, while Leonardo DiCaprio was paid $5 million more than her. Lawrence opened up about the pay disparity during her interview for the December issue of Vanity Fair and stated that she was ‘extremely fortunate and happy’ despite it all. The 31-year-old actor opened up about the wide-ranging issue and mentioned that her co-star ‘brings in more box office’ than she does. Lawrence stated that she was ‘happy’ with the deal she had secured for the film. She also mentioned that there have been other situations in the film industry when she or other female stars have enquired about pay disparity and they have been told that the decision was taken irrespective of their gender, but not given a reason for the difference in pay. Jennifer Lawrence mentioned that although she is not getting paid the highest salary, she requested for the billing to reflect that she was first on the call sheet. Vanity Fair reported that the actor’s name appears first in the credits and also lingers on alone, before Leonardo DiCaprio’s name appears in Don’t Look Up.

    Netflix recently released the trailer of the upcoming film. The trailer saw DiCaprio take on the role of an astronomy professor, Dr Randall Mindy and Lawrence playing his student, Kate Dibiasky.

  • Kangana in trouble again; FIR against actress for  ‘spreading hatred’

    Kangana in trouble again; FIR against actress for  ‘spreading hatred’

    Kangana Ranaut never escapes legal trouble or trouble in general. A new FIR has been filed against the troublemaker actress Kangana Ranaut at Khar police station Mumbai regarding her Instagram Story over spreading ‘hate speech’ for Sikhs in her story. A delegation of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee led by its President Manjinder Singh Sirsa met senior police officials in Mumbai on Monday. The delegation briefed officials that time and again Kangana is involved in hurting Sikh sentiments and that legal action should be initiated against her.

    An FIR directly under section 295A has been registered against the Manikarnika actress for her spreading hate on social media. Kangana Ranaut, has a following of 7.9M people on Instagram where she posted ‘khalistani terrorists may be arm twisting the government today but let’s not forget one woman, the only woman prime minister ne inn ko apni jhutti ke niche crush kiya the…’. She was referring to Indira Gandhi who launched the operation Blue Star at Golden Temple Amritsar in the year 1984’

    This post offended Sikhs in millions and later she had to face repercussions of the hate speech she had spread. Akali Dal leader and spokesperson, Sirsa said that Kangana doesn’t deserve Padma Shri and this honour should be taken back from her by the President of India. He added that the actress should either be in jail or a mental hospital for making such statements against the Sikh community.

  • Keanu Reeves reacts to rumors of joining Marvel Cinematic Universe

    Keanu Reeves hasn’t worked with Marvel Studios yet. However, rumours have been doing the rounds that he might soon make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. The Matrix star has now said that he is open to joining the universe. Keanu Reeves expressed his wish to star in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film during an interview for his upcoming film, The Matrix Resurrections. Speaking with Esquire, the actor was asked if he would consider joining MCU. “It would be an honour. Some really amazing directors and visionaries. They’re doing something no one’s ever really done. It’s special in that sense, in terms of the scale, the ambition, the production. So it’d be cool to be a part of that,” he said.

  • Amid split rumors, Priyanka Chopra ‘roasts Nick Jonas family’

    Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas took a dig at the rumours of her split with popstar-husband Nick Jonas by sharing a clip from their Netflix comedy special “Jonas Brothers Family Roast”. On Monday, November 22, Priyanka dropped her surname, along with her husband’s last name, from all social media handles.

    Her move led to speculation that the 39-year-old actor was splitting with the American singer-songwriter, who she married in 2018.

    Taking to Instagram late Tuesday, Nov 23, evening, Priyanka shared a clip from the show, where she was seen roasting Nick (29).

    “Brought my husband and his brothers a nice roast for dinner. Perks of being a Jonas,” she wrote with a cheeky, tongue-out emoticon.

    In the clip, the “Dil Dhadakne Do” star is seen poking fun at the duo’s 10-year age gap.

    Priyanka said the couple teach each other a lot of things: while Nick showed her how to use the social networking service TikTok, she quipped, “I showed him what a successful acting career looks like.”

    She also joked about being the most famous Jonas in the family.

    “Also, have you guys noticed how much content the Jonas Brothers post online? Like, they’re forever on Instagram, always on their phone. It’s so cute. I’ll tell you why. Because all of them combined still have less followers than me.”

  • Thanksgiving: Celebrating harvest and other blessings of past year

    Thanksgiving: Celebrating harvest and other blessings of past year

    Marked as a national holiday on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, Thanksgiving celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year. It is believed that Thanksgiving is modelled on a harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people in 1621. This American holiday has many legends and rituals attached to its name. Additionally, a traditional Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. It is one of the busiest holidays as families get together and celebrate this day with a hearty meal. This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

    Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of the holiday season. It is also celebrated in Germany, Brazil, Canada, Japan and other countries. Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October in Canada.

    Thanksgiving is celebrated to say thanks and recognise the sacrifices and blessings of the past year. The annual celebrations honour the first Thanksgiving feast shared between the colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts, later known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag Indians.

    On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln had proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26.

    The holiday was annually proclaimed by every President thereafter. However, after a joint resolution of Congress in 1941, President Franklin D Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1942 designating the fourth Thursday in November (which is not always the last Thursday) as Thanksgiving Day.

    Later, with more urbanisation, Thanksgiving became a day for people to get together with their friends and family to celebrate the day with a scrumptious feast. They also decorate their homes to get right into the festive spirit. The holiday moved away from its religious roots to allow immigrants of every background to participate in a common tradition.

    Turkey is central to the Thanksgiving festivities in America. The bird is included in the traditional feast. Moreover, every President of the United States of America follows a ritual every Thanksgiving. They pardon the Thanksgiving turkey on the morning of the celebration.

    The holiday was annually proclaimed by every President thereafter. However, after a joint resolution of Congress in 1941, President Franklin D Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1942 designating the fourth Thursday in November (which is not always the last Thursday) as Thanksgiving Day.

    Later, with more urbanisation, Thanksgiving became a day for people to get together with their friends and family to celebrate the day with a scrumptious feast. They also decorate their homes to get right into the festive spirit. The holiday moved away from its religious roots to allow immigrants of every background to participate in a common tradition.

    Family Celebration

    Thanksgiving Day is a day for people in the US to give thanks for what they have. Families and friends get together for a meal, which traditionally includes a roast turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, gravy, and pumpkin pie.

    In some cities and towns, there are parades during the Thanksgiving weekend. In most areas, these festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season.

    Long Weekend in 20 States

    The Day After Thanksgiving, also know as Black Friday, is a holiday in more than 20 states. It’s common to take trips and visit family and friends during the long weekend.

    Many Have the Day Off

    Most government offices, businesses, schools, universities, colleges, and other organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many offices and businesses allow staff to have a long four-day weekend for Thanksgiving, so these offices and businesses are also closed on the Day after Thanksgiving Day. Public transit systems usually do not operate on their regular timetables.

    Thanksgiving Day is one of the busiest periods for travel in the USA. This can cause congestion and overcrowding. Seasonal parades and busy football games can also cause disruption to local traffic.

    US Holiday Since 1863

    Thanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the United States since 1863. However, not everyone sees Thanksgiving Day as a cause for celebration.

    Beginning in 1970, a group of Native Americans and their supporters have staged an annual protest for a National Day of Mourning at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day. American Indian Heritage Day is also observed at this time of the year.

    There are claims that the first Thanksgiving Day was held in the city of El Paso, Texas, in 1598. Another early event was held in 1619 in the Virginia Colony. Many people trace the origins of the modern Thanksgiving Day to the harvest celebration the Pilgrims held in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. However, their first true thanksgiving was in 1623, when they gave thanks for rain that ended a drought. These early thanksgivings took the form of a special church service, rather than a feast.

    In the second half of the 1600s, thanksgivings after the harvest became more common and started to become annual events. However, they were celebrated on different days in different communities and in some places there were more than one thanksgiving each year. George Washington, the first president of the United States, proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789.

    History of Thanksgiving Day

    While the tradition is mainly connected to the feast of the Pilgrims, the Puritans started the tradition before coming to the New World. The Catholic Church had instituted so many special days of remembrance, thanks, feasting, fasting, and resting that the Puritans wanted to remove all holidays and only celebrate Days of Thanksgiving or Days of Fasting. These were observed after an act of special providence, which was a disaster or threat of disaster that the Puritans believed was as a result of judgment from God. Events observed with Days of Thanksgiving include the English conquering of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the 1606 Gunpowder Plot catastrophe.

    While the American tradition is believed to have origins with the Pilgrims’ meal at Plymouth in 1621, this event was not given proper documentation and many do not wish to involve the relationship of the settlers with the Native Americans on this holiday, given the two groups’ violent history. The story goes that after the Pilgrims’ Plymouth colony had a difficult winter filled with disease, starvation, and death, the colony received assistance from Squanto and his Patuxet tribe. The Native Americans allegedly taught the pilgrims to grow their own crops and other methods of survival in the New England environment, in particular, the method of using fish to fertilize corn crops. After their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims celebrated with a feast at which Squanto and members of his tribe were in attendance.

    Squanto and The Settlers

    However, this story is widely debated, as similar stories originate from Spanish settlements and other groups of settlers. Due to this, the story is widely regarded as a cultural myth. In fact, it is believed that Squanto knew how to communicate with the settlers because he was previously enslaved by John Smith and taken on several voyages back to England before returning to his homeland to find the Patuxet tribe eliminated through disease, which was spread by the settlers. With no home tribe, Squanto, also called Tisquantum, settled with the English at the Plymouth colony, later serving as a guide and translator for the settlers as they visited Native American tribes. But many of these tribes distrusted Squanto for his allegiance with the settlers. The holiday’s true origins are attributed to the Puritan Feast of Thanksgiving, a tradition which many pilgrims observed in the New World.

    Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States used to differ according to state. It was traditionally celebrated on the last Thursday of November in the early 1800s. Sarah Josepha Hale is a writer known for campaigning for an official date for 40 years through letters to political leaders. In 1863, President Lincoln issued a proclamation that all states will celebrate Thanksgiving on this day. This act was an effort to unite the North and the South, but due to the rebellion of the North’s authority, the holiday was not consistently celebrated on the same day until after Reconstruction. A joint resolution was signed by Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941 to change the holiday to the fourth Thursday of November rather than the last, believing the earlier economic boost to be beneficial to the United States economy.

    Traditions of Thanksgiving Meal

    There are many foods associated with the holiday of Thanksgiving, including turkey and cookies. Other common foods and drink include:

    Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate, Custard, Candy Canes, Buttered Rum

    Ham, Egg Nog, Fruit Cake, Plum Pudding, Mixed Nuts, Stuffing, Dumplings, Fudge, Pies

    There are a few Thanksgiving traditions besides the meal. Many churches hold a special Thanksgiving Day service centered on giving thanks to God. At the meal, many families observe the ritual of going around the table to express what each member is thankful for. Some family members will travel long distances to attend this yearly reunion.

    During the meal, the family may break the turkey wishbone. Whoever pulls away the larger piece is granted a wish. The President of the United States also traditionally pardons a live turkey, meaning the turkey will live on a farm without threat of being eaten.

    Some will observe the holiday through charity work. Common activities include serving and preparing meals at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, organizing food and clothing drives, and participating in community outreach programs. Many cities hold large festivals or parades to honor Thanksgiving. One of the largest is New York’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is currently called Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade begins in the morning and goes down Central Park West to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th street. It started in 1924 and over two million people attend the parade annually and is second-oldest Thanksgiving parade with Detroit’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade behind the Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.

     International Celebrations

    Many countries all over the world celebrate a day of thanks, many of which center on a successful harvest season:

    Canada’s Thanksgiving is very similar to the American celebration, marking the successful harvest of French settlers in modern-day Canada. This celebration takes place in October when the weather is warmer.

    Germany celebrates the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival in October, which, like American celebrations, consists of feasting and religious traditions.

    The Japanese observe Labor Thanksgiving Day, has roots with harvest celebrations but now celebrates labor, production, and thankfulness.

    The Netherlands observes a Thanksgiving Day service to honor the Pilgrims that lived in Leiden before continuing on to Plymouth.

  • India in history this Week- November 26 to December 2, 2021

    India in history this Week- November 26 to December 2, 2021

    26 NOVEMBER

    1949       The supreme law of the country adopted our constitution.

    2009       The Constitution of India adopted the Constitution.

    1960       Telephone STD service started between Lucknow and Kanpur for the first time in India.

    2012       Arvind Kejriwal formed a new political party called Aam Aadmi Party.

    1948       National Cadet Corps was established.

    2008       The terrorist attack in Mumbai left 164 people dead, more than 250 injured.

    27 NOVEMBER

    1001       The Hindu Shahi ruler Jaipal was defeated by the invading Mahmud Ghazni.

    1795       The first Bengali drama was staged.

    1907       India’s famous poet and writer Harivansh Rai Bachchan was born in Allahabad city of Uttar Pradesh.

    2011       The famous Indian classical musician Sultan Khan died.

    2008       Uttar Pradesh became the first state in the country to pay the Sixth Pay Commission.

    1881       India’s famous historian and internationally renowned scholar of archeology Kashi Prasad Jaiswal was born.

    1888       Famous freedom fighter and first Speaker of Lok Sabha Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar was born.

    1978       India’s famous social reformer Laxmibai Kelkar passed away.

    28 NOVEMBER

    1997       Prime Minister IK Gujral resigned from his post.

    1962       KCde, the famous blind singer of Bengal, died.

    1996       Captain Indrani Singh became the first woman to command an Airbus A-300 aircraft.

    1927       Famous Indian physician Pramod Karan Sethi was born.

    1890       India’s great thinker, social worker and revolutionary Jyotiba Phule died.

    29 NOVEMBER

    1993       Industrialist Jahangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata died.

    1759       Assassination of Emperor Alamgir II of Delhi.

    1961       Yuri Gagarin, the world’s first astronaut, came to India.

    1970       Haryana became the first Indian state to achieve hundred percent rural electrification.

    1989       The then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi resigned.

    1869       The famous Indian Thakkar Bappa was born for his service.

    1913       Famous poet Ali Sardar Jafri was honored with the Jnanpith Award.

    30 NOVEMBER

    2000       Priyanka Chopra became Miss World.

    2010       Indian scientist and Swadeshi movement pioneer Rajiv Dixit died

    2012       Former Prime Minister Indra Kumar Gujral died.

    1759       Emperor Alamgir II of Delhi was killed by his minister.

    1965       Gudiya Museum Delhi was founded by the famous cartoonist ‘K.K. Shankar Pillai ‘.

    1831       Indian historian Romila Thapar was born.

    1944       Famous Hindi writer Maitreyi Pushpa was born.

    2010       Indian scientist and Swadeshi movement pioneer Rajiv Dixit died.

    1909       Ramesh Chandra Dutt, the famous writer of English and Bengali language, died.

    01 DECEMBER

    1962       Major Shaitan Singh, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, who played an important role in the India-China war, was born.

    1963       Nagaland became the 16th state of India.

    1965       The Border Security Force was established.

    1933       Air service started between Calcutta and Dhaka.

    1991       AIDS Day began.

    2006       Nepal approved the new national anthem, which does not even have the name of the king.

    1990       The sister of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the female freedom fighter Vijayalakshmi Pandit died.

    1962       Major Shaitan Singh, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, who played an important role in the India-China war, was born.

    1974       Sucheta Kripalani, the Indian freedom fighter and the first woman Chief Minister of India (Uttar Pradesh), passed away.

    1977       The first children’s cable channel “The Pinwheel Network” (later called Nickelodeon) has been launched.

    02 DECEMBER

    1911       Gateway of India was built in memory of his arrival at Bombay (now Mumbai), the first king of Britain to visit India, George V and Queen Mary.

    1918       Gurudas Banerjee, the leading educationist and the first Indian Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, died.

    1942       Sri Aurobindo Ashram School was established in Pondicherry (now Puducherry), which was later known as Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education.

    1999       Private sector investment was approved in the insurance sector in India.

    1937       Renowned politician, former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi was born.

    1918       India’s leading educationist Gurudas Banerjee passed away

    1989       Vishwanath Pratap Singh became the seventh Prime Minister of the country.

  • November 26 New York & Dallas E-Edition

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    Lead Stories:

    1. FIA’s Dance Pe Chance 40th edition thrills and entertains – FEBRUARY 10, 2024 TRENTON, NJ (TIP): FIA’s Dance Pe Chance competition, held on February 10, 2024, at Patriots War Memorial…
    2. The Indian Panorama’s 18th-year gala Celebrates Talent, Commitment, Community – Four persons to be honored for their singular achievements February 16, 2024 By Parveen Chopra HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP):  The Indian…
    3. Tom Suozzi wins the special election for Congress – The Indian Panorama was one of  the first newspapers to endorse Tom February 13, 2024 NEW YORK (TIP): Tom Suozzi…
    4. New York State Governor Hochul signs legislation making Diwali a holiday in NYC public schools – Says “New York City is rich in different religions and cultures, and we’re taking an important step to recognize and…
    5. Biden’s asylum restrictions for migrants may remain in place, federal appeals court rules – WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): A federal appeals court panel Thursday, August 3, approved the Biden administration’s emergency request to keep its…
  • Lucknow : The city of Nawabs

    Lucknow : The city of Nawabs

    Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, lies in the middle of the Heritage Arc. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern. It is home to extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and oriental architecture.

    There are many beautiful gardens, interesting museums and grand historical places to visit in Lucknow, the city of Nawabs. Among these, the Bada Imambara, Kaiserbagh Palace complex, British Residency and State Museum are of prime importance. You can also admire the beauty of the Rumi Darwaza, built by Awadh’s ruler Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784, capture the magnificent architecture of The Constantia in your camera or relax in the beautiful old gardens of the city. Remember to spend a day with your kids at the famous Lucknow Zoo and Kukrail Picnic Spot. Begum Hazrat Mahal Park and Kaiserbagh Palace complex are some of the other major heritage sites in the city.

    CONSTANTIA

    Now a part of the famous La Martiniere College in Lucknow, the Constantia is a grand creation of a Frenchman called General Claude Martin.Martin started the construction of this structure in 1785, with the intention of building a palatial residence in India. However, he couldn’t live long enough to live in the house and died in the year 1800. The construction could finally be completed only two years of his death. The building was named after the main principle of Martin’s life, which was ‘Labore et Constantia’ (energy and persistence). Before he died, he made a will stating his desire to use the property as a centre of learning and thus, Constantia became an integral part of the college. The architectural grandeur of this majestic building will remind you of the bygone era.

    RUMI DARWAZA

    An exquisite example of Awadhi architecture, the Rumi Darwaza is a 60-foot-tall gateway located close to historical landmarks such as Bada Imambara and Chota Imambara in the city of Lucknow. The exquisite arch-shaped doorway is as central to Lucknow, as India Gate is to Delhi or Gateway of India is to Mumbai. Built in the 18th century, Rumi Darwaza is famed for its intricate carvings, architectural beauty and the vantage point on its top which offers panoramic views of the city (though entry to the topmost point is restricted mostly). This striking gateway is also known as the Turkish Gate, because of its resemblance with the entrance gate in Istanbul.

    BEGUM HAZRAT MAHAL PARK

    Situated in the heart of the city, the Begum Hazrat Mahal Park was built in the memory of the beautiful Queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal. Though the garden and monument were constructed by the Indian government to commemorate her contribution to the 1857 revolt, it is also immensely popular with couples now. This impressive garden in the Hazratganj region has striking wellsprings, beautiful trees and stone pathways. The greenery and serenity around the garden draws couples in large numbers.

    KAISERBAGH PALACE

    One of the most-visited tourist attractions in Lucknow, Kaiserbagh Palace complex is truly an architectural marvel. It was built by the Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah between 1848 and 1850. In the later years, the palace acted as a stronghold of Begum Hazrat Mahal during the 1857 mutiny. A major part of the palace was destroyed by the British forces after the Revolt of 1857. Though the palace is in ruins now, it remains a prime tourist hotspot in the city. Visitors can still see the pediments, lanterns, Moorish minarets and banisters here. Moreover, the tombs of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan (the fifth Nawab Wazir of Awadh) and his beloved wife Khursheed Zadi, rest on the northern terrace of palace’s courtyard, which is another major highlight of the place. With its splendid architectural style, Kaiserbagh Palace is a must see attraction in the city.

    JAMA MASJID

    Built entirely in sparkling off-white sandstone, Lucknow’s Jama Masjid is considered to be one of the most beautiful mosques in India. Constructed in the 15th century, this architectural wonder will leave you spellbound with the calligraphy on its walls, its picturesque domes and striking minarets. Standing tall with 260 pillars, the mosque has 15 arched domes complete with exquisite carvings and stone work. Still used for daily prayers, the mosque is decorated on special festivals such asId-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha. Located towards the north-west of Chota Imambara, the mosque is an important landmark in the city of nawabs.

    CLOCK TOWER

    Also known as Hussainabad Clock Tower, Clock Tower is a 67 m tall structure constructed by Nawab Nasir-ud-din Haider in the year 1881. Displaying the finest works of art, the tower was built to commemorate the arrival of Sir George Couper, the first Lieutenant Governor of United Province of Avadh. Situated close to the famous Rumi Darwaza, the tower is a magnificent example of English architecture, and displays Victorian and Gothic structural designs. The mastermind behind the creation of this gigantic clock tower was none other than the famous royal clock maker, James William Benson. So do make it a point to visit this impressive building while you’re in the city.

  • Sex ratio: Number of women surpasses men for first time in India, shows survey

    Sex ratio: Number of women surpasses men for first time in India, shows survey

    New Delhi (TIP): In welcome trends that signal a decline in adverse sex selection, the ratio of women to men has crossed the 1,000 mark for the first time.

    Sex ratio of India’s total population — defined as the number of women per 1,000 men — stands at 1020, according to the latest round of the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS). This represents an improvement of 29 points at the national level from 991 in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) to 1,020 in 2019-21 (NFHS-5).

    Disaggregated data further show that rural India is leading the preference for girls with 1,037 women as against 1,000 men. The ratio in urban India is 985.

    Haryana and Punjab, societies with traditional preference for sons, have powered the gains at the population level with sex ratio in Haryana improving by 50 points between the two surveys — from 876 to 926.

    Punjab has registered a gain of 33 points in the sex ratio, which is now 938 as against 905 in 2015-16.The trend of improvement in sex ratio (25 to 50 years) holds across India expect in five states and UTs — Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chhattisgarh.“Sex ratio at the population level has crossed 1,000 for the first time. This trend is normally common in developed nations. The indications are that national women’s empowerment programmes are moving in the right direction, with the acceptance for girls increasing and adverse sex selection trends reversing,” said ministry officials.              Source: TNS

  • Cabinet approves bill to repeal farm laws; bill to be tabled in Parliament

    Cabinet approves bill to repeal farm laws; bill to be tabled in Parliament

    New Delhi (TIP): Five days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to repeal the three contentious farm laws against which the farmers had been protesting for a year, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, Nov 24,  cleared the bill to be taken up in the upcoming Parliament session to roll back the laws.

    The bill, now approved by the Cabinet, will be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, beginning next week.

    Making the announcement, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said that the “formalities” to repeal the three laws — Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 — has been completed in the first meeting of the Cabinet since Modi’s announcement last week. “Today (Wednesday), when the Cabinet met under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we completed the formalities to repeal the laws,” Thakur said. “In the upcoming session, it will be our priority to repeal the three farm laws,” Thakur said.

    However, he did not answer questions if the government will bring a law to guarantee Minimum Support Price, which has been another major demand of the protesting farmers. The Cabinet Wednesday also approved an extension of the Prime Minister Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme till March 2022.

    Thakur said the cabinet has decided to extend the PMGKAY for a period of four months — December 2021 to March 2022 — under which over 80 crore people of the country are entitled to get food grains like wheat or rice free of cost every month.

    “Since the beginning of the scheme in March 2020, crores of people have benefited from it,” Thakur said.

    He added, “There will be an expenditure of Rs 53,344 crore for the scheme during the next four months.”

    “The free food grains under the PMGKAY will be provided to beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme over and above their entitlements,” Thakur said.

    At the time of the launch of the scheme, the government’s focus was to ensure that no family remains hungry during the Covid-19 pandemic. “India is the only country in the world which has provided foodgrains to 80 crore people for months. Till now, 600 lakh metric tonne foodgrains have been allocated and 541 lakh metric tonne foodgrains have been distributed. It has been provided to people across all the states and Union Territories. There will be a total expenditure of Rs 2.60 lakh crore on this scheme, including for the extended period of four months,” Thakur said.

  • Key Bills likely to be tabled during winter session of Parliament

    Key Bills likely to be tabled during winter session of Parliament

    New Delhi (TIP): The government has listed 26 Bills for introduction in Parliament’s winter session starting on November 29. Here is a look at some of the proposed laws:

    –              Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, is scheduled to be tabled following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement last week for rolling back the three farm laws that were enacted last year and triggered protracted protests.

    –              The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021, seeks to create a framework for official digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

    –              The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021, is slated to be tabled to replace an ordinance promulgated in September. It seeks to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to correct a drafting error.

    –              The Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021, seeks to amend the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, which provides for the constitution of a Central Vigilance Commission to conduct inquiries into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

    –              The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021, seeks to replace an ordinance promulgated on November 14. It seeks to amend the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

    –              The Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants, and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021 aims to reform and speed up a disciplinary mechanism.

    –              The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021, aims to strengthen and streamline the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

    –              The Cantonment Bill, 2021, seeks to provide for “greater democratisation, modernisation and overall improvement” in the governance structure of Cantonment Boards.

    –              Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2021, aims to empower the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command of Inter-Services Organisations in respect of persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957, and the Air Force Act, 1950, for discipline and proper discharge or duties.

    –              The Indian Antarctica Bill, 2021, aims at providing a policy and regulatory framework for India’s Antarctic activities.                 Source: HT

  • New South Africa Covid variant triggers alert in India

    Hours after South African authorities announced they had detected a new variant of the novel coronavirus with a “very unusual constellation” of mutations, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday directed states to rigorously screen and test travellers coming from or transiting through three countries in which the variant had been confirmed — South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong. In a communication to all states and Union Territories, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has informed the government that “multiple cases of a Covid-19 variant B.1.1529 have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Hong Kong (1 case)”. “This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel,” Bhushan said.