The Indian Panorama

Year: 2022

  • Opposition, Agitation, Rebellion and Change

    Opposition, Agitation, Rebellion and Change

    AAP would have to, and must remember the People’s temperament pertaining to ‘Opposition, Agitation, Rebellion and Change’.

    By Gurmit Singh Palahi
    English translation by Amarjit Singh Anand

    There has come about an upheaval in the echelons of power, in the strategically significant border-State of Punjab, which has been relegated to a dilapidated condition. In this context, it is noteworthy that many a stalwart veteran political bigwigs have been reduced to a shambles, having tasted crushing defeat in the recent elections. Amongst those who tasted bitter fruit are Prakash Singh Badal (five-time CM) Sukhbir Singh Badal (Supremo o Akali Dal) ‘Raja’ Amarinder Singh (former CM) Charanjit Singh Channi (CM for a couple of months) Navjot Singh Sidhu (State-Congress Chief) and Jasvir Singh Garhi (BSP State-President) while Ashwani Sharma (BJP State-boss) has emerged victorious. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been given a resounding mandate by the populace. Leaders have lost the contest and Punjab has won the battle. Has Punjab actually won, in reality?

                Polling results for 117 seats in Punjab Assembly were declared on March 10. The State has 2.14 crore voters. In 2017, 70% voters had exercised their right to political franchise. This year, 71.95% people voted. Punjab was, apparently, dejected this time, as compared to 2017. A staggering number of 1,10,308 voters opted to accept ‘notes’, in exchange for votes.

                AAP won a thumping 92 seats, BSP got 1, BJP 2, 1 Independent candidate won, Congress 18 and SAD was saddened at having bagged just 3 seats. Others including Leftist-parties, Kisaan Morcha and sundry outfits failed miserably while not evening opening their accounts. Could it be presumed that the overwhelming success of one party is a victory for AAP and the demolition of all other parties is a vote of disappointment against Congress and SAD ? There was noticeable widespread public protestation, anger and a rebellious wave to effect massive change, by bringing about the downfall of ‘the establishment’.  All of these sentiments assumed the form of a volcanic eruption, which outpoured rivers of lava. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his Dy. CM Manish Sisodia visit Hanuman Mandir and then tell their party-cadre that “this is the biggest Inquilaab” (revolution). Is it, truly, a “revolution”?

                  The percentage of votes was as follows : AAP 42, SAD 18.38, BJP 1.77, CPI 0.05, CPM 0.06, CPML 0.03, Congress 22.98, NOTA votes (none of the above) totaled 0.71, RSP 0.01. The maximum % of 42.01 was claimed by AAP which had received only 23.7% in 2017. Congress got 22.98 as against 38.5 in 2017. SAD recorded a fall from 25.2 to 18.38. BJP registered 1.77 compared to 1.5 last time. Out of 69 seats in Malwa-belt, AAP captured 66. In this region, there was a strong presence of Kisaan protestors and a huge dejection against the previous governance by various parties or alliances. The farming community became a catalyst for Punjab’s empowerment and for giving power to AAP. Whether ‘Dera-following’ or caste-politicking or religious machinations, nothing at all could succeed obstruct the wave of massive awareness amongst the people. AAP reaped a rich harvest, on account of strong public resentment against the traditional parties, everywhere including the latter’s bastions. AAP’s slogan of “One Chance” resonated extremely well with the masses and their hearts were touched. Then, there were additional enticements like the National Coordinator’s poll-promises, which included Rupees 1000/-, 300 free units and 24-hour uninterrupted supply of electricity. It was an emotionally charged election.

    After the victory-laps are over, AAP shall have no ordinary, common promises to keep but would have a very special agenda to adhere to, in order to retain the faith and trust of voters who installed AAP at the pinnacle of power. AAP would not benefit from breaching this faith and betraying such trust especially when the Party has promised revolutionary measures for the good of Punjab. Special emphasis would have to be given to the extinction of the era of traditional fashion or trend of lineage-nepotism, as promised by AAP. The general message is that the public wants change in various spheres and desire public-welfare schemes to be implemented. People want to visualize government as public servants and not as monarchs or dictators.

                The political texture had been entangled since long, whereby one privileged and affluent and powerful segment was ruling the roost. ‘Once upon a time’ there used to be governance which was respected by the nomenclature of ‘Divine Kingship’, which was rejected by the people. Then came the era of Principalities, which also vanished. Finally, the era of democratic rule by majority votes came into effect but which was hijacked and misused by aristocrats, affluent ones and the ‘high and the mighty’. The devastatingly excruciating results of such selfish machinations, by vested interests, are verily visible. In 4 States of India, where polls were conducted, continuity and status-quo was maintained in Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The winds of change were experienced in Punjab, where people were exasperated on account of rising rate of unemployment, rampant menace of drugs-influx, unresolved cases of repeated incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, prevalent massive corruption, mal-administration and mafia-rule.

                   People in Punjab are becoming poorer. Farmers are giving up the non-profitable occupation of agriculture and are opting for labor-oriented vocations or they are migrating to other States. The farmers are pained to see their children flying abroad, in search of earning a livelihood. They are unable to envision the fulfillment of their aspirations, in Punjab, whose total annihilation they are pained to see. They are awaiting the manifestation of a miracle-of-sorts, to uplift Punjab out of the doldrums. Their foremost hopes rest on the politicians. For this sole reason, the people used their voting-prowess to ignite the ‘vacuum-cleaner’, instead of merely wielding the ‘broom’. This gave a clean-sweep to AAP, thereby awarding Kejriwal-Mann-combine an unimaginable mandate. Similar power had been given, earlier, to SAD-BJP-alliance, which miserably failed to deliver, despite having 93 seats, that’s 1 more than the seats gained by AAP, on its own. SAD-BJP bigwigs lost their reputation and image. People’s Power of Peaceful Protest was well demonstrated in the electoral arena and the betrayers were uprooted.

    The public rewarded those who were part of the successful year-long strenuous Kisaan-Morcha, on the borders of Delhi, which had forced the Central government to revoke the ‘Three Black-Laws’. Those who appeared to be corrupt and double gamers were rejected outright, by the people. Punjabis have always adored those who lead from the front, those who fight for the people’s rights, those fearless ones who are valiant to face the onslaught of the might of oppressors. Martyr Bhagat Singh and Martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha have always been their role-models. Whenever the Punjabis see someone brave as the Martyrs, they decide to follow and support such leaders. So, AAP is everywhere, and all others have been wiped out, without a trace. However, it remains to be seen whether this trust is respected and if such faith fructifies. Only time shall tell if the victorious leaders, most of whom have been selected from amongst traditional outfits, prove to be loyal to Common-Cause of Public-Good.

               Amongst the people of Punjab, there’s a general air of mistrust in the politicians. Unemployment is eating at their roots. There is intense frustration, irritation and bitterness in their mind, against mal-administration and there is immense resentment against those governing the State. The farmers are increasingly concerned about the fact that agriculture and agro-businesses are running into losses and their landholdings are receding, on account of the rampant influence of corporate-culture, which controls all political parties. Generally, the image of political leaders has been linked with nepotism, corruption, bribery, police-reports, violence, litigation et al. The politicians get votes by giving wind to communalism, fanning sentiments pertaining to religious bias. Would such intentions and policies of politicians change in Punjab?  The people have given their verdict by bringing forward candidates with a clean image, who are expected to work on an agenda of growth, development, progress, to uplift the masses. People have favored the Delhi-model and would like to see it replicated in Punjab.

    Aam Aadmi Partyhas members drawn from various spheres and there are many who give precedence to power, over and above working for public-good. They speak their own language and have their own opinions. Although the people of Punjab are not in any kind of a hurry, but they are, certainly, emotional and have the capability of analyzing those whom they have selected and elected. People shall judge the new government on the parameters of concrete policies, programs, performance, deliverance of results and they would not be content with living on mere minor concessions. The Central government is constantly maneuvering to destabilize the structure of ‘State-autonomous sphere of functioning’. What would be the stance of AAP, on this point? What would be the policy of AAP, on the issue of Punjab’s river-waters? What would be the approach and attitude of AAP, towards mitigating the sufferings of the unemployed youth, thereby ameliorating their condition? What would be the views and measures of AAP, regarding the farming community?

                  For AAP and for CM Bhagwant Mann, the major thrust areas are : presenting a budget whereby public-welfare schemes are offered; decision-making, implementation and functioning, free from the shackles of Central domination; providing an honest and transparent governance; taking effective action on sentimental-issues; giving priority to growth and development projects; working towards having a clean Punjab. These would be some of the major and primary tasks and challenges, for CM and his cabinet and for his party-cadre. Punjab is under severely exorbitant fiscal debts. Would there be effective control exercised over the mafia, ruling the land and construction sector? Would the CM be able to break free from the ‘High-Command-culture’, and work independently, as per the localized needs and requirements? Would the CM bid adieu to the party or be chucked out, just as Sukhpal Khaira, Kanwar Sandhu or Dharamveer met their fate?

              AAP claims that it shall uplift Punjab economy from the throes of financial debt and red tape. Would the CM face a challenge while dealing with leaders drawn from ‘traditional-culture’ parties?

             AAP would have to bravely face the greatest challenge of tackling major emotional issues, including farming, migration and booking the culprits who are guilty of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, with sheer grit and determination. No doubt, AAP has been victorious in Punjab. Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann have risen in stature, nationally. Kejriwal has harbored ambitions of entering Punjab politics and his aspirations have seen fruition. Punjab is a challenge for him, now. Then, the question also arises whether the Delhi-model, especially on health and education, could possibly be replicated successfully, in Punjab. The culture, heritage and lifestyle conditions in Punjab are at variance with Delhi. Punjabis differ in their thought-process, from the folks in Delhi. People in Punjab have, now, started confabulating amongst themselves and have started questioning the politicians, openly and increasingly.  The success of Kisaan-Morcha has effectively impacted the awareness-levels of the common folks in Punjab. People have rejected the ‘Supremo-culture’ of high-handedness, practiced by politicians. People of Punjab are no longer ignorant, indifferent and unaware; they do not refrain from expressing dissent and disagreement, in crystal-clear terms.AAP would have to, and  must remember the People’s temperament pertaining to ‘Opposition, Agitation, Rebellion and Change’.

    (The author is an India based  retired Principal and a well-known columnist. He is President of Punjabi Columnists Patrakar Manch. He can be reached at gurmitpalahi@yahoo.com)

    (New York based Amarjit Anand is a writer, thinker and an Ambassador for Peace. He can be reached at amar1ujagar1pritam@gmail.com)

  • After Round One, what next for Bhagwant Mann & team?

    After Round One, what next for Bhagwant Mann & team?

    By Prabhjot Singh

    It has been a mixed start- more cautious and less controversial- for new Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his AAP government. The new government has gone through the initial Constitutional and ritualistic formalities by following the parliamentary and conventional practices. Swearing in of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, was perhaps the first and the only deviation from the existing practice of holding the solemn ceremony mostly at Raj Bhavan or rarely at a public place, like a stadium. Rest of the Constitutional mandates, including swearing in of members of the Council of Ministers, oath taking by members of new Vidhan Sabha, election of Speaker, and subsequently the opening session of the Legislature where Vote on Account and Interim Budget for first three months of the new financial year were all gone through by the laid down procedures.

    Another deviation, if at all, was to defer debate on the Governor’s address till the next session of the Assembly. The reason given was shortage of time as well as to give time to nearly 80 per cent members making their debut in legislative politics to go through the address and come prepared for debate on it after a break.

    The next session will, in all probability, be held in June to pass the full budget for 2022-2023. The new Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema needs to sit with the senior functionaries of his department and other heads to decide allocations in consonance with the promises the ruling party has made to the electors of Punjab.

    In between, members will meet by the end of the month to complete the formality of electing five new members of Rajya Sabha. The process of nomination has already been completed. It is the filling of Rajya Sabha seats that has evoked criticism of the Opposition parties. The criticism, unanimous and vociferous, veered around naming of “outsiders” as representatives of the State in the Upper House of Parliament. Called the House of “Elders”, Rajya Sabha members from Punjab have traditionally been senior members of major political parties, especially of Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Bharatiya Janata Party.

    This time, AAP, with a landslide mandate, has chosen faces that are mostly new to Parliamentary politics. Two businessmen, two political strategists and a cricketer will now represent the State in the House of “Elders”.

    These nominations bring to focus the role representatives of Punjab had been playing in both the Houses of Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Punjab has the distinction of sending several top political leaders, including Inder Kumar Gujral (who rose to be the Prime Minister of the country), besides several Union Ministers holding important portfolios like Defense, Home and Agriculture. These personal accolades apart, the State has generally remained without Statesmen leaders like Kapur Singh who remained steady and firm on demands and issues of the State. While Inder Kumar Gujral is credited with waiving a part of the debt the State incurred in its fight against terrorism, other major demands, including autonomy t States, for which Punjab witnessed long spells of agitations, both peaceful and armed, were generally swept under the carpet.

    Over the years, or to be precise after Independence, the State has lost control not only of its new capital Chandigarh (that it built after losing Lahore to Pakistan), but also control on its river waters, power projects like Bhakra and Beas dams and institutes like Panjab University, Punjab Engineering College and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research.

    Going by the record of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the pitch for these long-standing demands appears to have been lost. Compromises, generally for power, were made and to fight Centre for backing out of its commitments, including transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab in mid 80s, none of its representatives, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, ever made a sincerely noticeable effort. Even the sacrifice of Darshan Singh Pheruman in support of these demands was ignored.

    No doubt Punjab is an agricultural State, but it does not mean that it does not need industry for its overall economic development. When militancy was at its peak, several incentives, including industrialization, were promised. But none of these promises, including development of Sri Goindwal Sahib, as an industrial hub in the border belt were kept. Instead, the State witnessed a flight of industry to neighboring hilly States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in general. Even at that time, the pitch of the protest raised by Punjab MPs was so frivolous as to be audible elsewhere.

    No one will support outsiders to represent the State in Parliament. The million-rupee question is “Are our political parties and their bigwigs acting at the behest of the State or are just appeasing a section of their loyalists at the cost of the State?”

    Answers may generate an animated debate about the practices followed in the past viz a viz recent action of the first-time ruling group. Whatever be the outcome, the State needs a government that works for finding solutions to its vexed and long-standing demands besides attending to its conjugal problems.

    (Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience covering a wide spectrum of subjects and stories. He has covered  Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics and several major sporting events and hosting TV shows. For more in-depth analysis please visit probingeye.com  or follow him on Twitter.com/probingeye. He can be reached at prabhjot416@gmail.com)

     

  • Yogi Adityanath takes oath as Uttar Pradesh CM; 52 ministers also sworn in

    Yogi Adityanath takes oath as Uttar Pradesh CM; 52 ministers also sworn in

    LUCKNOW (TIP): Yogi Adityanath on Friday took oath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the second term at a mega ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda. Chief Ministers of party ruled states and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar were also present on the occasion.

    Yogi was sworn in along with 52 ministers, including Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak as Deputy CMs, all hand-picked by Modi and Shah keeping in mind regional and caste equations and giving representation to all sections.

    The Yogi 2.0 council has 16 Cabinet ministers, 14 ministers of state with independent charge and 20 ministers of state. There are 31 new faces in the government. Twenty-four ministers from the first term have been dropped.

    While the party has retained top OBC leader Keshav Prasad Maurya despite him losing his seat, several big names, including Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and cabinet ministers Shrikant Sharma and Sidharth Nath Singh, were dropped.

    Shrikant Sharma’s name is, however, doing the rounds for the post of UP state president. The buzz is that after party president JP Nadda completes his term, some names from UP may figure in the organization headed by the new chief.

    PM’s close confidante and former bureaucrat AK Sharma has also made it as the UP Cabinet. The inclusion of AK Sharma, an MLC, is an acknowledgement of his handling of the second wave of Covid-19 in Varanasi/Purvanchal region. Among the new ministers are former Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya and Jitin Prasad, Brahmin leader who quit the Congress last year. Former police officer Aseem Arun and Kalyan Singh’s grandson Sandeep Singh have been included as ministers of state (independent charge).

  • Ukraine and Russia Closer to Ending War as Understanding Reached in Four Areas: Erdoğan

    Ukraine and Russia Closer to Ending War as Understanding Reached in Four Areas: Erdoğan

    NEW YORK (TIP): A March 25 Newsweek report has quoted  the  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as saying that Ukraine and Russia have reached an understanding on four of the six main topics of disagreement, including NATO, partial disarmament, collective security and Russian language, bringing the two warring countries a step closer to resolving the conflict.

    Ragıp Soylu, Turkey bureau chief of Middle East Eye, reported the news in a tweet on Friday. However, there is still no agreement on Crimea and Donbas, two eastern areas of Ukraine that Russia sees as its own territory. In 2014, Russian troops annexed Crimea before claiming it as Russian land. Newsweek said it has contacted the ministries of foreign affairs of both Russia and Ukraine for comment on the peace talks. Turkey has been in contact with the negotiating teams from the two countries. The NATO member shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea and has a strong relationship with both states. Although it has imposed some sanctions on Moscow since the war started on February 24, it has also offered to mediate the conflict. Erdogan was speaking at a press conference following the extraordinary summit of NATO leaders on Thursday and Friday.

    “We will continue our talks with both Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelensky from now on as well,” Erdoğan said, according to a statement from his office. “All our efforts aim to create an atmosphere of peace by bringing together the two leaders.”

    “As is known, there is almost a consensus regarding such issues as NATO, disarmament, collective security and using Russian as official language in the technical infrastructure works during the ongoing process in Belarus,” Erdogan added. “However, there is the issue of Crimea and Donbas, which is impossible for Ukraine to consent to.”

    The Turkish leader called Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s move on Monday to declare that Ukrainian compromises with Russia will be decided on by a referendum was “wise leadership.”

    “Turkey’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty since 2014 is known by everyone. We have stated at every opportunity that we never have and never will recognize Crimea’s annexation, and we continue to do so,” Erdogan said.

    “The destruction and humanitarian tragedy caused by the war are evident. The war-torn cities, hospitals, schools and houses that have nearly turned into wrecks, and weeping refugees, who packed all their assets in one suitcase, have all reminded us once again of the bitter face of wars.” Erdogan is due to tell Russian President Vladimir Putin: “Make an honorable exit in Ukraine and become an architect of peace,” Soylu reported. The Turkish president met with U.S. counterpart Joe Biden and other NATO leaders in Brussels on Thursday to discuss further sanctions on Russia and bolstering the alliance’s eastern flank. Biden will travel to a Polish town near the border of Ukraine later on Friday to show solidarity and show Western resolve against the Russian invasion.

    (Source: Newsweek)

  • First woman US secretary of state Madeleine Albright dies at 84

    First woman US secretary of state Madeleine Albright dies at 84

    US President Joe Biden ordered flags at the White House and other federal buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Madeleine Albright, a child refugee from Nazi- and then Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe who rose to become the first female secretary of state and a mentor to many current and former American statesmen and women, died on Wednesday of cancer, her family said. A lifelong Democrat who nonetheless worked to bring Republicans into her orbit, Albright was chosen in 1996 by President Bill Clinton to be America’s top diplomat, elevating her from the US ambassador to the United Nations, where she had been only the second woman to hold that job.

    As secretary of the state, Albright was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the US government. She was not in the line of succession to the presidency, however, because she was born in what was then Czechoslovakia. Still, she was universally admired for breaking a glass ceiling, even by her political detractors.

    “We have lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend,” her family said in a statement. President Joe Biden ordered flags at the White House and other federal buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff until March 27. Outpourings of condolences came quickly. Biden said, “America had no more committed champion of democracy and human rights than Secretary Albright, who knew personally and wrote powerfully of the perils of autocracy.”  “When I think of Madeleine,” Biden added, “I will always remember her fervent faith that America is the indispensable nation.”

    Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Albright was “a brilliant diplomat, a visionary leader, a courageous trailblazer, a dedicated mentor, and a great and good person who loved the US deeply and devoted her life to serving it.”

    Clinton called her “one of the finest Secretaries of State, an outstanding UN Ambassador, a brilliant professor, and an extraordinary human being.”  “And through it all,” Clinton added, “even until our last conversation just two weeks ago, she never lost her great sense of humor or her determination to go out with her boots on, supporting Ukraine in its fight to preserve freedom and democracy.”

    Former President George W. Bush said Albright “lived out the American dream and helped others realize it…She served with distinction as a foreign-born foreign minister who understood firsthand the importance of free societies for peace in our world.”

    Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US envoy to the United Nations, honored Albright as a “trailblazer and a luminary” in remarks on the General Assembly floor. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded Albright the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, saying her life was an inspiration to all Americans.

    Albright remained outspoken through the years. After leaving office, she criticized Bush for using “the shock of force” rather than alliances to foster diplomacy and said Bush had driven away moderate Arab leaders and created potential for a dangerous rift with European allies.

    As a refugee from Czechoslovakia who saw the horrors of both Nazi Germany and the Iron Curtain, she was not a dove and played a leading role in pressing for the Clinton administration to get militarily involved in the conflict in Kosovo. She also took a hard line on Cuba, famously saying at the United Nations that the Cuban shootdown of a civilian plane was not “cojones” but rather “cowardice”. Albright advised women “to act in a more confident manner” and “to ask questions when they occur and don’t wait to ask”.   “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent,” she told HuffPost Living in 2010.

  • Foreign Secretary Shringla calls for alignment between UN, League of Arab States

    Foreign Secretary Shringla calls for alignment between UN, League of Arab States

    UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Speaking at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States (LAS), Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said India and the Arab world share a “civilizational relationship”, as he welcomed the normalization of relations between countries in the region and reiterated India’s support for a two–state (i.e., Palestine and Israel) solution. Officials said the Foreign Secretary’s visit to the United Nations to attend the meeting was an indicator of the close relations India shares with the United Arab Emirates, given that the session about the U.N. cooperation with the League of Arab Nations is a “signature event” of the UAE ‘s presidency this month at the Security Council.

    However, Mr. Shringla’s visit to New York amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine has fueled speculation that he would also take part in the discussions at the United Nations about the way forward in the crisis.

    At the UNSC meeting on the LAS, Mr. Shringla called for greater policy alignment between the U.N. and the LAS, fostered by regular and frequent consultations. He also suggested comprehensive coordination at the field level and emphasized post–conflict peace building via reconstruction and economic development. Mr. Shringla suggested that all efforts ensure regional stability with a special focus on the welfare of women and minorities. “Both organizations must take concerted efforts to support the reactivation of the Middle East [West Asia] peace process in line with a two–state solution based on the internationally agreed framework and previous agreements between the parties,” Mr. Shringla said. “India welcomes the agreement for normalization of relations between countries in the region, which we believe will contribute to greater peace and stability in the region.” The UAE, along with several other Arab countries, began normalizing its relations with Israel, particularly with the signing of the Abraham Accords — a trilateral agreement among the U.S., the UAE and Israel, signed in 2020, during the administration of (former) U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Even as the UNSC meeting was under way on Wednesday, a parallel session of the UNGA (a resumption of the Emergency Special Session from earlier in March) began. Ukraine introduced a draft resolution, proposed by France and Mexico, “Human Consequences of the Aggression Against Ukraine”, which holds Russia responsible for the crisis in Ukraine. Another draft UNGA resolution, sponsored by South Africa, a BRICS member–country, calls for “an immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties in the conflict”, without naming Russia.

    New Delhi has received a large number of foreign leaders and delegations over the past week, and more are expected to follow, mostly from countries that are part of the sanctions regime against Russia, seeking to shift India’s position on the Russia–Ukraine issue. The Modi government has refused to support any resolution at the U.N. bodies that criticizesRussia and has suggested that it is considering a Russian offer of more oil at discounted prices.

    Diplomatic sources confirmed that the surge in the number of visitors to Delhi by European and U.S. allies was mainly aimed at trying to ensure that the Modi government shifts its position on the Ukraine issue. NATO and the E.U. countries hope that New Delhi will consider voting in favor of at least one or both of the resolutions on the humanitarian situation before the UNGA.

    “A vote in favor of one of the resolutions would be a sign that New Delhi is willing to shift its position,” said a diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, adding that if India remains committed to the U.N. charter, territorial sovereignty principles and a need for a stop to the violence, it must also hold Russia to account for “being the aggressor”. A third resolution, sponsored by Russia, is in the works at the UNSC and faces widespread opposition for not referring to its invasion of Ukraine.

    (Source: The Hindu)

  • Birthday Horoscope-March 21 to March 27, 2022

    Birthday Horoscope-March 21 to March 27, 2022

    By Chirag Daruwalla – Son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla

    March 21 : Ganesha says positive energies are there for you today. You will have a neutral day, relaxing and rejuvenating, you’re likely to go on a sabbatical today. You have been working hard and it has been paying off. Do not feel guilty about spending your money today. Today you get well-deserved appreciation after a long duration of hard work. You are doing so much better than the last few days. You will feel like a new person today as you go through the day full of love light and energy. Your health has finally healed from the consequences of all the bad habits you’ve had for the last few years.

    March 22 : Ganesha says the positive highlight for you today is you will gain a lot of clarity and insight into your love life. You will see your partner and their behavior the way it is and not with your love glasses on like you have been for a while now. You will spend the day feeling content and grateful. Things, where you were stuck before, will start clearing up. Your mental health is doing well, and you will be in a good mood throughout the day.

    March 23 : Ganesha says today your day will be energetic. Today you will focus on your life goals. You’ll have a great day at your home. You’ll get a chance to be a leader of a new project today as well. Everything today will go smoothly. Your strong financial condition will allow you to help your relatives or friends and earn goodwill. You’ll also be ready to take on new challenges on the professional front.

    March 24 : Ganesha says you have a good financial condition and now you are ready to take on all the challenges on the work front as you are equipped with good resources and finances. You may feel good about having your family partner with you in every step of your life. You may plan to buy a new house. You may plan a reunion of all your friends which may bring you back to memory lane.

    March 25 : Ganesha says the day seems to be wonderful. You may feel energetic all day long and the flow of positivity may allow you to do some serious tasks. Your creative ideas and zeal may motivate people around you. This is going to be a fruitful day. You can maintain the balance between personal and professional life by making sensible efforts. Some may experience a surge of spirituality.You may be in a good, outgoing and fun mood today. Many opportunities come your way on many fronts and you are all set to make the most of them.

    March 26 : Ganesha says today your day will be good. You may enjoy your day with your family. You may plan to buy a new home. Your health will be good today. You may get the ancestral property transferred to your name. You and your partner may spend a day together which may make your bond strong. You are in good condition on the health front today, just trying to maintain it. Try to be occupied with any sports which may make you physically healthy and fit.

    March 27 : Ganesha says today you’ll lead the project at work. You may begin new tasks and show a lot of spontaneity in executing them. The day may surprise you with a dinner plan with your partner. Your act of kindness can bring happiness into someone’s life. You make everyone around you realize that we each can bring unexpected joy into one another’s lives no matter your circumstances. You and your partner will enjoy today. You’ll get lots of love from your partner.

  • Weekly Horoscope- March 21 to March 27, 2022

    Weekly Horoscope- March 21 to March 27, 2022

    Shree Ganeshaya Namah!!!

    By Chirag Bejan Daruwalla

    Aries : Ganesha says, this week, you’ll be learning new things. You will gain a favorable understanding of yourself. This is an excellent chance for you to learn more about everything. Avoid conversing with folks who are causing you to have negative ideas. This week, you should be wary of your opponent’s plans, as they may devise a plot to bring you down. Work on yourself and show them how incorrect they are. Your companion will assist you in making the plans you’ve been waiting to talk about. As a result of Venus’s change, your wife/husband will pay greater attention to you. Your health will be in good hands.

    Taurus : This is an excellent week to start a business. Now is the perfect moment to migrate if you’ve been thinking about it. Your family will provide you with a lot of love and comfort. There’s a possibility you’ll be able to spend the afternoon with your buddies. You may have some issues going out as a result of Rahu’s malign influence. Try not to hurt yourself and stay away from dangerous things. Your spouse will be much more at ease in their own personal space. This week, you’ll need to be more outgoing since you’re likely to meet someone who wants to learn more about you. Avoid dining out this week to protect your health.

    Gemini : This week, you’ll be feeling good about your choices. Your confidence will be boosted by those around you. You will be assured of your objectives. This week, you’ll meet new people and learn new things. This is not a good week for you to enter into any sort of conflict. You’ll need to be very careful what you say to your partner or spouse. This week, newlyweds must visit holy sites. This week will be fine for your health. Violent energy must be avoided by your youngsters.

    Cancer : You will have a spectacular week this week. Everywhere you go, you will be treated with courtesy. Wonderful delights are in store for you. You might be able to get into the college of your dreams. In the second half of the week, your overconfidence will lead to setbacks. In your romantic life, things could not go the way you planned. Do not lose hope since there is also good. By the end of the week, Venus will be more visible. In terms of your health, you’ll be OK. Fasting on Thursday will provide positive consequences in the long run.

    Leo : In terms of finances, you’ll have a good week. This week, you may strike it rich with the lotto. This is a great week to spend time with your family and have some fun. You’ll be able to do more in the future. This week, you may encounter some difficulties when commuting. Whenever possible, avoid rushing and drive gently. Your connection will be silky and silky smooth. Your partner’s family will have a discussion about marriage with them. You may feel as though time is flying by, but you have some exciting plans for your romantic life this week. Your health will require attention, especially if you already have respiratory problems.

    Virgo : This week will be ideal for you; your charm and bouncy attitude will attract and fascinate others in your immediate vicinity. You’ll be able to solve all of the important issues that come your way. The week will be enjoyable, and you may make new acquaintances. Your partner will take you to new locations and will be eager to help you launch your business. Laziness may have negative health consequences, so stay active and imaginative to make the most of your lovely week.

    Libra : Your week will begin with a sense of optimism and grandeur. All of your endeavors will be rewarded when you achieve long-awaited achievement. Positive thinking will lead to far greater prospects in the areas that you are interested in. During the week, a tiny amount of ignorance might be detrimental. You may have unexpected obstacles in your personal life, which may leave you feeling hopeless, but this is due to Rahu’s transit through your seventh house. You will feel better during the weekend because you will be blessed. This week will be fine for your health.

    Scorpio : You’ll be pleased with something that occurred in the past this week. You’ll be able to get ahead of schedule and repair the discrepancy that had caused havoc. You’ll be able to build better future plans, bringing happiness and optimism into your life. This week, you’ll be more concentrated. Overthinking may bring up negative ideas and make you feel down in the second part of the week, which will undoubtedly have an impact on your relationship. Control your bouts of depression and fury when you’re down, and your relationship will improve quickly. Your health will suffer a little as a result of the back discomfort you will experience.

    Sagittarius : This week will be all yours, and you will be able to attempt something new. You could run across an old acquaintance and relive some happy recollections. You might be able to resolve an issue that you’ve experienced in the past. Due to the malefic change in the 8th house, you may have to incur additional costs. This week, you may have unwelcome chats with your partner or spouse that may cause you pain; simply dismiss the negative. Things will be looking up in the love department by the end of the week. You’ll need to pay attention to your health since you’ll have a hard time adjusting to the rising temperature or heat.

    Capricorn : This week will be fantastic for you since you will be full of optimism and all good fortune may come your way. Your loved ones will bring you wonderful news. People will admire you for who you are, and you may have the opportunity to spend an unforgettable week with your loved ones. You may become dissatisfied with your everyday routine and consider abandoning everything for good. Be patient and allow things to work out on your relationship fronts as they should, and wonderful results will work your way by the end of the week. your health will not need attention this week.

    Aquarius : This week, you’re probably going to spend your days thinking about how to build prospective arrangements. This week, you will have the opportunity to interact with others around you. You’ll receive a hint from someone who will phone you ahead of time since you’ll be anticipating them to speak with you. By the end of the week, you could hear some unsettling comments, so ignore them and avoid getting into unnecessary conflicts. In terms of your romantic life, go with the flow and allow things to unfold around you. If you’re feeling down, switch your attention to something innovative and significant to maintain your mental wellness. Your physical health will remain excellent.

    Pisces : You’re in for a busy freezy week. While you’re working, the time will fly by, so simply go with the flow. However, you will be incredibly enthusiastic and will do all of your chores with zeal. You might not get to spend time with your family or meet up with a few pals over refreshments. You are likely to feel weary in the second part of the week as a result of stress. You may be disappointed since matters will not go as planned. Your partner will keep you in a good space of mine as they will be all ears to everything you have to say. this week will certainly bring you closer to your companion. your health will be all well this week.

  • History This Week- March 18 to March 24

    “History is a narration of the events which have happened among mankind, including an account of the rise and fall of nations, as well as of other great changes which have affected the political and social condition of the human race.”                 -John Jacob Anderson

    March 18

    March 18, 1974 – The five-month-old Arab oil embargo against the U.S. was lifted. The embargo was in retaliation for American support of Israel during the Yom Kipper War of 1973 in which Egypt and Syria suffered a crushing defeat. In the U.S., the resulting embargo had caused long lines at gas stations as prices soared 300 percent amid shortages and a government ban on Sunday gas sales.

    Grover Cleveland

    Birthday – Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) the 22nd and 24th U.S. president was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. He was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms and was also the only president to be married in the White House.

    March 19

    March 19, 2003 – The United States launched an attack against Iraq to topple dictator Saddam Hussein from power. The attack commenced with aerial strikes against military sites, followed the next day by an invasion of southern Iraq by U.S. and British ground troops. The troops made rapid progress northward and conquered the country’s capital, Baghdad, just 21 days later, ending the rule of Saddam.

    William Bradford

    Birthday – William Bradford (1589-1657) was born in Yorkshire, England. He sailed aboard the Mayflower during its 66-day voyage from Plymouth, England to Massachusetts in 1620. The small ship carried over 100 passengers and a crew of 30. It was originally bound for Virginia but landed far north on Cape Cod. The Mayflower Compact was then drawn up as a form of government. Bradford became the first governor of the new Plymouth Colony, serving a total of 30 years, and was largely responsible for its success.

    David Livingstone

    Birthday – Explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone (1813-1873) was born in Blantyre, Scotland. He arrived at Cape Town, Africa, in 1841 and began extensive missionary explorations, often traveling into areas that had never seen a white man. In his later years, he sought the source of the Nile River. He also became the subject of the famous search by news correspondent Henry Stanley who located him in 1871 near Lake Tanganyika in Africa after a difficult search and simply asked, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

    Wyatt Earp

    Birthday – Wyatt Earp (1848-1929) was born in Monmouth, Illinois. He became a legendary figure in the Wild West as a lawman and gunfighter, best known for the shootout at the O.K. Corral in 1881, in which the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan) fought and defeated the Ike Clanton gang.

    Jennings Bryan

    Birthday – American politician William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was born in Salem, Illinois. He was defeated three times as a candidate for the presidency. He advocated a “free silver” monetary standard through unlimited coinage of silver rather than the gold standard. During a speech at the 1896 Democratic convention, he electrified the delegates, stating, “You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!” In 1925, he was the successful prosecutor in the Scopes ‘monkey’ trial in which a teacher was convicted of violating Tennessee’s Anti-Evolution Bill forbidding the teaching of the theory of evolution. However, he died just 5 days after the verdict.

    March 20

    March 20, 1995 – A nerve gas attack occurred on the Tokyo subway system during rush hour resulting in 12 persons killed and 5,000 injured. Japanese authorities later arrest the leader and members of a Japanese religious cult suspected in the attack.

    B.F. Skinner

    Birthday – American psychologist B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. He pioneered theories of behaviorism and developed the Skinner box, a controlled environment for studying behavior.

    March 21

    March 21, 1918 – During World War I, the Second Battle of the Somme began as German General Erich von Ludendorff launched an all-out drive to win the war. The battle began with a five-hour artillery barrage followed by a rush of German troops. The offensive lasted until April 6th and resulted in the Germans gaining about 35 miles of territory. Allied and German casualty figures for both battles approached 500,000.

    March 21, 1943 – A suicide/assassination plot by German Army officers against Hitler failed as the conspirators were unable to locate a short fuse for the bomb which was to be carried in the coat pocket of General von Gersdorff to ceremonies Hitler was attending.

    Johann Sebastian Bach

    Birthday – Organist and composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was born in Eissenach, Germany. His output included thousands of compositions, many used in churches. Among his best-known works; The Brandenburg Concertos for orchestra, The Well-Tempered Clavier for keyboard, the St. John and St. Matthew passions, and the Mass in B Minor.

    March 22

    March 22, 1972 – The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. Senate and then sent to the states for ratification. The ERA, as it became known, prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender, stating, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” and that “the Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.” Although 22 of the required 38 states quickly ratified the Amendment, opposition arose over concerns that women would be subject to the draft and combat duty, along with other legal concerns. The ERA eventually failed (by 3 states) to achieve ratification despite an extension of the deadline to June 1982.

    March 23

    Patrick Henry

    March 23, 1775 – Patrick Henry ignited the American Revolution with a speech before the Virginia convention in Richmond, stating, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”

    March 24

    March 24, 1934 – The Philippine Islands in the South Pacific were granted independence by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after nearly 50 years of American control.

    March 24, 1989 – One of the largest oil spills in U.S. history occurred as the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound off Alaska, resulting in 11 million gallons of oil leaking into the natural habitat over a stretch of 45 miles.

    Harry Houdini

    Birthday – Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was born (as Erik Weisz) in Budapest, Hungary. He came to the U.S. with his family as an infant and lived in New York City. He began as a Coney Island magician, then became a world-famous escape artist, known for escaping from chains, handcuffs, straightjackets, locked boxes and milk cans filled with water. He died on Halloween 1926 from a burst appendix and was buried in Queens, NY.

  • Renan Lodi wins it for Atleti as Manchester United knocked out

    Expensive mediocrity confirmed: Manchester United’s trophy drought completes a fifth season. The last path to a title was ended at an Old Trafford now accustomed to letdowns as United were knocked out of the Champions League in a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

    In a tight and tense game, it was United defender Diogo Dalot leaving Renan Lodi unmarked at the far post to head in Antoine Griezmann’s cross that made the difference in the 41st minute.

    So often the team’s saviour, David de Gea was beaten. The goalkeeper feels the pain more, being the only starter still in the team from the end of the trophy-filled Alex Ferguson era in 2013.

    “Of course it’s not good enough,” De Gea said. “It’s hard for the club, for us and the fans. This is where we are at the moment. It is a difficult situation, but we have to keep fighting.”

    Cristiano Ronaldo departed Old Trafford before Ferguson retired and the malaise kicked in. The 37-year-old star returned this season — after collecting trophies at Real Madrid and Juventus — to be the difference-maker. Rather than dazzling, as he did with Saturday’s hat-trick against Tottenham, Ronaldo didn’t manage a single shot against the Spanish champions.

  • Golfer Anirban Lahiri breaks into Top 100 World Rankings

    Australia’s Cameron Smith charged to victory at the PGA Tour’s weather-disrupted Players Championship on Monday, carding a closing six-under-par 66 to win by one shot ahead of India’s Anirban Lahiri. Lahiri meanwhile, who had closed to within one of the lead after a birdie of his own on the 17th, then missed a chip in from 41 feet on the last to leave Smith alone at the top of the leaderboard and celebrating a $3.6 million payday. It was, however, a memorable result for the Indian golfer who took a one shot lead into the final day of the Championship after completing the third round with a 5-under 67 on Monday morning. It was only the second time in his career that the Indian held the 54-hole lead as he sought to join countryman Arjun Atwal (2010 Wyndham Championship) as the only Indian to win on the PGA Tour. He was also bidding to become the third Asian to win THE PLAYERS after Korea’s K.J. Choi (2011) and Si Woo Kim (2017).

  • Bumrah breaks into top 5, Kohli slips to 9th in ICC Test rankings

    Bumrah breaks into top 5, Kohli slips to 9th in ICC Test rankings

    Dubai (TIP)-Fresh from his maiden Test five-wicket haul at home, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah jumped six spots to fourth but struggling star batter Virat Kohli slipped to ninth in the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday, March 16. Bumrah, who returned with eight wickets in the Day/Night second Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, climbed past Shaheen Afridi, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, James Anderson, Neil Wagner and Josh Hazlewood in the Test rankings for bowlers.

    Former captain Kohli, who continued his struggle with the bat and could not convert his starts, dropped four places, but managed to remain inside the top-10 just ahead of Rishabh Pant who remained static at 10th.

    Kohli scored 45 in the opening Test in Mohali, while in the second Test he had scores of 23 and 13. He is yet to score a century since his 136 against Bangladesh in November 2019.

    India skipper Rohit Sharma, however, held on to his sixth position to be the best-placed Indian in the batting charts.

    The in-form Shreyas Iyer was rewarded for his match-winning 92 and 67 against Sri Lanka as he took a giant leap, advancing 40 spots to be on 37th position in the batting chart. Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne jumped up to a career best No. 3 after his fighting 107 in the second innings in Bangalore. In the all-rounders’ table, Ravindra Jadeja was displaced from the No.1 position as West Indies’ Jason Holder reclaimed the top spot.

    Jadeja had risen to No. 1 after his 175 not out and nine wickets in the Mohali Test earlier this month.

    Ravichandran Ashwin, Shakib Al Hasan and Ben Stokes rounded off the top five in the all-rounders’ list.

    In the bowlers’ ranking, Mohammed Shami climbed up a spot to displace fellow countryman Ravindra Jadeja to 17th. Pat Cummins, Ashwin and Kagiso Rabada have retained the top three spots among the bowlers.

    Source: PTI

  • ICC Women’s World Cup: Top-order woes again as India lose to England by 4 wickets

    ICC Women’s World Cup: Top-order woes again as India lose to England by 4 wickets

    Mount Maunganui (TIP)-An inconsistent India paid the price for shoddy batting as England infused a new life into their own title defence with a four-wicket win in a league stage game of the ICC Women’s World Cup here today. Inconsistency returned to haunt the Indian batters again as they were bundled out for a meagre 134 by England, who chased down the target in 31.2 overs to record their first win after a hat-trick of defeats. India could get some runs on the board thanks to the previous game’s centurion Smriti Mandhana, who top-scored for the side with a 35-run knock while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh made 33.

    With wickets falling every now and then, England bowled out India in 36.2 overs. Chasing the target, England made a stuttering start, losing both their openers — Danni Wyatt (1) and Tammy Beaumont (1) — cheaply with the scoreboard reading 4/2 in the third over. Wyatt was first to depart in the second over, courtesy a sensational diving catch by Sneh Rana off medium-pacer Meghna Singh (3/26).

    Veteran pace bowler Jhulan Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament, then trapped Beaumont in the second over after India went for a review. It was Goswami’s 250th wicket in ODIs.

    Knight’s day

    England skipper Heather Knight (53 not out) and Nat Sciver (45 off 46) then steadied England’s innings, playing cautiously to reach 34/2 in 10 overs. While Knight anchored the chase, Sciver took the attack to the Indian bowlers, hitting as many as eight boundaries with some exquisite pull shots. With just 135 required for a win, what England needed was a decent partnership after the early blows, and Knight and Sciver provided that by sharing 65 runs for the third wicket.

    Sciver’s innings, however, was cut short by Pooja Vastrakar. It was a soft dismissal and against the run of play as Sciver spooned a length ball to Goswami while looking to go to the leg side.

    Amy Jones (10) then stitched a 33-run stand for the next wicket with Knight before the former fell to a stunning backward-running catch by India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur at mid-on off Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s bowling. By then it was all over for India as England needed just 32 runs more. The Indians picked up two more wickets in the 30th over before England completed the formality. Brief Scores: India: 134 all out in 36.2 overs (Mandhana 35; Dean 4/23); England: 136/6 in 31.2 overs (Knight*; Singh 3/26).

    Source: PTI

  • SC dismisses former Fortis promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s bail plea

    SC dismisses former Fortis promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s bail plea

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed an interim bail plea of former Fortis promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh — accused of misappropriating Rs 2,397 crore of Religare Finvest Ltd in connivance with others. “We are of the opinion that the presence of the accused was not a must..,” a Bench led by Justice MR Shah, dismissing the petition of Singh who had sought an interim bail on “humanitarian grounds” to help his ailing mother to take part in the last rites of his maternal uncle, who died on March 8. The rejection order came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said there was something suspicious about Singh’s plea. “He is accused of Rs 2,400-crore liabilities and a flight risk,” Mehta said.

  • Moody’s slashes 2022 India growth estimate to 9.1%

    Moody’s slashes 2022 India growth estimate to 9.1%

    Moody’s on Thursday, March  16,  slashed India’s growth estimate for the current year to 9.1 per cent, from 9.5 per cent earlier, saying high fuel and fertiliser import bill could limit the government’s capital expenditure. In its Global Macro Outlook 2022-23 (March 2022 Update) titled ‘Economic Growth will suffer as fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine builds’, the rating agency said that India’s growth is likely to be 5.4 per cent in 2023. It said India is particularly vulnerable to high oil prices, given that it is a large importer of crude oil. Because India is a surplus producer of grain, agricultural exports will benefit in the short-term from high prevailing prices. “High fuel and potentially fertiliser costs would weigh on government finances down the road, potentially limiting planned capital spending. “For all of these reasons, we have lowered our 2022 growth forecasts for India by 0.4 percentage point. We now expect the economy to grow by 9.1 per cent this year,” Moody’s Investors Service said.

  • US Federal Reserve hikes rates, signals aggressive turn against inflation

    US Federal Reserve hikes rates, signals aggressive turn against inflation

    Washington (TIP)-The Federal Reserve on Wednesday, March 16,  raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point and projected its policy rate would hit a range between 1.75% and 2% by year’s end in a newly aggressive stance against inflation that will push borrowing costs to restrictive levels in 2023. In a new policy statement marking the end of its full-on battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. central bank flagged the massive uncertainty the economy faces from the war in Ukraine and the ongoing health crisis, but still said “ongoing increases” in the target federal funds rate “will be appropriate” to curb the highest inflation in 40 years.The statement dropped direct reference to the coronavirus pandemic but instead cited the war in Ukraine as creating “additional upward pressure on inflation” and weighing on economic activity. The interest rate path shown in new projections by policymakers is tougher than expected, reflecting Fed concern about inflation that has moved faster and threatened to become more persistent than expected, and put at risk the central bank’s hope for an easy shift out of the emergency policies put in place to fight the fallout from the pandemic. Even with the tougher rate increases now projected, inflation is expected to remain above the Fed’s 2% target, remaining at 4.1% through this year and dropping only to 2.3% through 2024. Economic growth is seen at 2.8% this year, a sharp drop from the 4.0% growth projected in December. The unemployment rate is seen dropping to 3.5% this year and remaining there next year, but is projected to rise slightly to 3.6% in 2024. The new statement said the Fed expects to begin reducing its nearly $9 trillion balance sheet “at a coming meeting,” a topic likely to be addressed further by Fed Chair Jerome Powell in a news conference due to begin at 2:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT). St. Louis Fed President James Bullard was the only policymaker to dissent in the Fed’s decision.

                Source: Reuters

  • Netflix may soon charge a fee for sharing your account

    Popular video streaming platform Netflix is planning to pause password sharing outside a single household by charging users extra for doing so. “While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members,” Chengyi Long, Netflix’s Director of Product Innovation, said in a statement. The main account owner will receive an email with a code, to enable the new sub-accounts. The user must use the code to verify the additional devices are a part of their household. The firm will launch and test two new features in select markets, where members will have to pay an additional $2 to $3 for sharing their passwords with people outside their homes. Netflix recently bumped up its subscription prices for the UK and Ireland. The video streaming giant has around 14 million subscribers in the UK and around six lakh in Ireland, according to Ampere Analysis. The most popular package is the standard subscription, which offers streaming in HD quality to up to two devices. It used to cost $7.82 but has now gone up to $9.13 in the UK. This change applies to new subscribers, while current subscribers will be notified 30 days before the new prices affect their account. In January, Netflix also increased the price of its monthly subscription plans in the US and Canada.

    Source: IANS

  • Asian stocks rally strongly as Fed hike, Ukraine talks boost sentiment

    Tokyo (TIP)-Japan and Hong Kong led a jump in regional stocks on Thursday, joining a rally on Wall Street overnight as potential risks from Federal Reserve monetary tightening to the Ukraine war and a slowdown in China became less murky.Treasury yields eased a little after spiking to nearly three-year highs overnight – with shorter-end yields rising more to flatten the curve – after the Fed raised the policy rate for the first time since 2018. The Fed increased rates by an as-expected quarter point and telegraphed equivalent hikes at every meeting for the remainder of this year to aggressively stamp out inflation. The safe-haven dollar, though, remained on the back foot and oil also stabilized well south of recent multi-year highs amid signs of material progress in talks between Russia and Ukraine to end a three-week-old invasion that Moscow says is a “special military operation” to demilitarize its neighbor. Meawhile, investor concerns about a sharp slowdown for China, which is battling a spreading Covid-19 outbreak with ultra-restrictive measures, were assuaged on Wednesday after Vice Premier Liu He signalled more stimulus to support markets. Japan’s Nikkei soared 3.0% and touched a two-week high in Thursday’s session, while South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.6% and Australia’s benchmark added 1.4%. Chinese blue chips gained 2.1%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 5.2%. An MSCI index of regional shares rallied 2.5%. US stock futures pointed to a 0.3% decline at the restart, but following a 2.2% surge for the S&P 500 overnight.

    Source: Reuters

  • Omicron infection linked with common respiratory illness in children: Study

    Omicron infection linked with common respiratory illness in children: Study

    Infection with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with a common respiratory illness in young children, known as croup, a previously unrecognised complication of COVID-19, according to a study.

    The observational study, published recently in the journal Pediatrics, describes 75 children who came to the Boston Children’s Hospital emergency department (ED) with croup and COVID-19 from March 1, 2020, to January 15, 2022.

    The researchers noted that some cases were surprisingly severe, requiring hospitalisation and more medication doses compared to croup caused by other viruses, adding that just over 80 per cent occurred during the Omicron period.

    “There was a very clear delineation from when Omicron became the dominant variant to when we started seeing a rise in the number of croup patients,” said study first author Ryan Brewster, from Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center.

    Croup, also known as laryngotracheitis, is a common respiratory illness in babies and young children. The illness is marked by a distinctive barking cough and sometimes noisy, high-pitched intakes of breath known as stridor. It happens when colds and other viral infections cause inflammation and swelling around the voice box, windpipe, and bronchial tubes. In severe cases, including some seen at Boston Children’s, croup can dangerously constrict breathing, the researchers said. Previous studies of COVID-19 in animals have found that the Omicron variant has more of a “preference” for the upper airway than earlier variants, which mainly targeted the lower respiratory tract. This may account for the sudden appearance of croup during the Omicron surge, Brewster said. Most of the children with COVID-19 and croup were under age 2, and 72 per cent were boys. Except for one child with a common cold virus, all others were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Although no children died, nine of the 75 children with COVID-19-associated croup (12 per cent) needed to be hospitalised and four of them (44 per cent, or 5 per cent of the total) required intensive care, the researchers said.    Source: PTI

  • Foods to get rid of stubborn belly fat

    Foods to get rid of stubborn belly fat

    Excess belly fat can be more dangerous than we ever thought it was. As we grow older or more sedentary, the risk of us adding this ‘killer fat’ to our waistline goes up. Studies suggest that excess belly fat or visceral fat is very harmful considering it surrounds our internal organs and puts us at great risk of developing numerous health problems – diabetes, heart disease, liver problem among others. There are some foods that could help you achieve your goal of losing belly fat.

     Avocados

    Merely half of one avocado contains 10 grams of healthy mono-saturated fats, which stop the blood sugar spikes that tell your body to store fat around your midsection. Not only do healthy fats in avocado help thwart belly bloat, they also help our bodies better absorb carotenoids, cancer-fighting compounds found in colorful fruits and veggies like tomatoes, carrots, spinach and winter squash. In fact, people who ate salads with avocado had 15 times higher absorption of carotenoids, a study from The Ohio State University at Columbus found.

    Bananas

    The fruit packs 422 milligrams of potassium, a mineral that can help limit the amount of belly swelling sodium in your body.

    Yogurt

    A cup encourages the growth of good bacteria in your gut, throwing out other bugs that can cause bloating. Creamy Greek yogurt is yummy, but it’s also much more than that: Its combo of carbs and protein help stabilize insulin, a hormone that tells your body to store calories as fat when levels get too high.

    Berries

    Antioxidants can improve blood flow, delivering more oxygen to muscles — so ab revealing cardio is easier. Have some yogurt and berries before your workout to get those muscles ready for action.

    Chocolate Skim Milk

    A glass teams carbohydrates with protein to promote muscle building. Drink POST workout to speed recovery. Plus, you are getting that calcium to make your bones stronger. Chocolate milk is not just for kids!

    Green Tea

    Three cups daily may rev up your metabolism and burn 30 calories, a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows. The compound ECGC in the tea makes it easier to burn fat.

  • Appreciate your partner openly

    Appreciate your partner openly

    Who does not like to be appreciated? Human beings thrive on it, and even the tiniest of acknowledgements put wide smiles on out faces. When you are working day in and day out on your relationship, every once in a while it pays to let your partner know he’s appreciated, rather than assuming he already knows it. Here’s why.

    It makes him happy

    People enjoy doing things for others, and in a relationship, partners are no different. When your partner does something or thinks about the smallest detail for you, of course he is happy that he eased your work. This happiness will only multiply if you let him know how much it means to you. Just drop him a text on it, and see him grin away as he reads it.

    He will reciprocate

    When your partner realises that you thank him for every small aspect and always acknowledge his help, he will start appreciating similar things that you do for him. It will lead to a healthier and more communicative bond.

    He will know his opinion matters

    Factoring in his suggestions, asking him for ideas because you trust him, and valuing his inputs will provide him with the impetus to be more supportive. He knows his thoughts matter to you and he will share them in an uninhibited manner.

    It will make his day

    It’s not just about being grateful and showing it. It is also about looking at how he reacts to your gratitude. Leave him a note, send him a text, call him and surprise him in the middle of the day with these thank yous, and just see how his mood brightens up.

    He will know his gestures are not going unnoticed

    If it is not indicated to a person that what he’s doing is making a difference, it will always make him wonder. It will also make him think whether or not it is worth going through all the trouble if you don’t notice it. Tell him, and turn it around.

  • India in history this Week-March 18, 2022, to March 24, 2022

    18 MARCH

    1910  On 18 March 1910, Gopal Krishna Gokhale proposed before the British Legislative Council for the provision of free and compulsory primary education.

    1944  On 18 March 1944, Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose crossed the border of Burma.

    1922  The British court sentenced Mahatma Gandhi to six years in the sedition case in 1922 after the Civil Disobedience Movement.

    2006  In 2006, the United Nations approved the proposal to set up a ‘Human Rights Council’.

    2009  The Union Cabinet recommended imposition of President’s rule in Meghalaya in 2009.

    19 MARCH

    1944  The Azad Hind Fauj hoisted the national flag in 1944 in Northeast India.

    1972  Signed the Friendship Agreement between India and Bangladesh in 1972.

    1998  Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister for the second time in 1998.

    1848  On this day in 1848, Shatapatra Kaulam was started in a newspaper called Prabhakar.

    1935  In 1935, on this day, 20,000 Muslims were fired upon by British Troops.

    1954  On this day in 1954, the first helicopter was operated in the country.

    20 MARCH

    2014  Khushwant Singh, a journalist, writer and historian who was recognized for his impeccable comment, died.

    1351  Muhammad Tughlaq Shah Do died in 1351.

    1921  Doctor Alexander was born in 1921.

    1970  The Satyashodhak Samaj was formed in 1970.

    1992  The great creator Satyajit Rai received the Bharat Ratna.

    1987  The Food and Drug Administration approved the anti-AIDS drug AZT. It was the first drug approved by the US government to treat AIDS.

    21 MARCH

    1836  First public library started in Kolkata, now its name is National Library.

    1858  Rebel soldiers of Lucknow surrender.

    1887  Establishment of Prathana Samaj in Bombay.

    1916  Shehnaist Ustad Bismillah Khan was born.

    1791  British army defeated Tipu Sultan of the then Bangalore.

    1975  The then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared Emergency under Section 352 at the request of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

    22 MARCH

    1882  The deadly infectious disease ‘TB’ was identified.

    1890  Ramachandra Chatterjee became the first person to get off parachute in 1890.

    1972  Mrs. Indira Gandhi resigned as Prime Minister in 1977.

    1964  First rally of old cars held in Kolkata.

    1957  A national calendar based on suspicion was adopted.

    1993  World Water Day is celebrated.

    1969  Inauguration of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited.

    23 MARCH

    1910  Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia was born in Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

    1931  During the 1931 Indian independence movement, revolutionary Bhagat Singh and his associates Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on this day.

    1986  1986 First company of women was trained in Central Reserve Police Force.

    1940  The All India Muslim League demanded a separate country for Muslims in 1940.

    24 MARCH

    1855  Long-distance telegraph message was sent from Calcutta to Agra for the first time.

    1977  Morarji Desai became the fourth Prime Minister of India in 1977 and formed the first non-Congress government at the Center.

    1990  The Indian Army left Sri Lanka and returned home in 1990.

    1999  PN Bhagwati (India) was elected vice-president of the United Nations Human Rights Committee for a second consecutive term in 1999.

    1855  British Cabinet Mission reaches India.

  • China records more local Covid cases this year than in whole of 2021

    China records more local Covid cases this year than in whole of 2021

    China has reported more local symptomatic Covid-19 cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant triggers outbreaks from Shanghai to Shenzhen. Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday.

    That brought the total this year to more than 9,000, compared with 8,378 in 2021, according to Reuters calculations.

    In the past week, new Covid cases have been reported in Beijing and the financial hub of Shanghai – China’s most populous cities – as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast.

    “China’s economy could be severely hit again,” said Nomura in a note, adding that the COVID situation in China had deteriorated at an “alarming” pace over the past week.”The outbreak has now reached alm ost every part of China with significant economic importance,” Nomura said. While the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world, the rapid rate of increase has activated China’s dynamic zero Covid policy, which mandates that infections are quickly identified and stamped out.

    Officials in Shenzhen, China’s Silicon Valley, have temporarily suspended public transport and urged people to work from home as they carry out city-wide testing this week following the surge in new cases.

    Apple suppliers Foxconn and Unimicron

    Technology Corp both suspended operations in the southern city on Monday. Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, said operations would be suspended until further notice, adding it would deploy backup plants to reduce the disruption to production. In the northeastern city of Changchun, currently under lockdown, Toyota suspended production at its joint venture with China’s FAW Group. Including cases arriving from outside the mainland, China reported 1,437 new confirmed Covid cases on March 13, the NHC said, compared with 1,938 a day earlier.

    Source: Reuters

  • Apple ‘dominates’ list of top 10 best-selling smartphones

    Apple ‘dominates’ list of top 10 best-selling smartphones

    Apple dominated the list of top 10 best-selling smartphones in 2021 globally, as seven out 10 smartphones in the list were iPhones, a new report said. According to market research firm Counterpoint, the top 10 best-selling smartphone models contributed 19 per cent to the total global smartphone unit sales in 2021, compared to 16 per cent in 2020. “The share of the top 10 models is increasing YoY, indicating a trend of brands focusing on their leading models and making their portfolios leaner in some cases,” the research firm said in a statement. “With entry-level models facing component shortages in 2021, we also saw faster diffusion of key features in the mid-tier segment,” it added. Apple secured seven spots in the list, its highest ever, while Xiaomi captured two spots and Samsung one. There were more than 4,200 active smartphone models in the global market in 2021.

    The top five models in 2021 were from Apple. The iPhone 12 was the best-selling model, followed by iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 11. The top three models contributed 41 per cent to Apple’s total sales. Samsung’s Galaxy A12, an entry-level smartphone, took the sixth position in 2021. Almost all regions and countries showed strong demand for A12 throughout the year.

             Source: IANS

  • European Space Agency chooses team to make oxygen on the moon

    European Space Agency chooses team to make oxygen on the moon

    The European Space Agency (ESA) announced the winning industrial team that will design and build an experimental payload to extract oxygen from the regolith (lunar soil) on the surface of the Moon.The team is led by UK-based Thales Alenia Space and is tasked with producing a small solar-powered prototype device that will be used to evaluate the prospect of building oxygen-generation plants on the moon. This could be useful for generating oxygen that can be used as a propellant and for astronauts to breathe.

    The compact payload designed by the team will have to extract between 50 and 100 grams of oxygen from the lunar regolith while targeting the extraction of 70 per cent of all available oxygen within the sample. The device will also have to do all this within a period of ten days, which is how long solar power will be available within a single lunar day before the pitch-black and freezing lunar night.

    The payload is also required to be low power and able to fly on many different lunar landers including ESA’s own European Large Logistics Lander, EL3. The winning team that also consists of AVS, Metalysis, Open University and Redwire Space Europe was selected by the ESA’s Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration in 2021 after conducting a detailed study including three rival designs.

    According to David Binns, Systems Engineer at ESA’s Concurrent Design Facility (CDF), the ability to extract oxygen and other useable materials from lunar regolith will be a game-changer for lunar exploration, allowing astronauts to ‘live off the land’ without depending on long and expensive supply lines from the earth.

    It had already previously been discovered that lunar regolith from the moon’s surface consists of 40-45% oxygen by weight. The problem is that this oxygen is bound up with other chemicals as oxides in the form of minerals or glass, making it unavailable for use without processing.

    In 2020, the ESA had set up a prototype oxygen plant in the Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory of the European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, based in the Netherlands. The lab is used to extract oxygen from simulated regolith to fine-tune the process for efficiency.

                Source: The Indian Express