The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED’s) power to issue summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) does not include the power to arrest a person and does not arise as a natural corollary of requiring a person’s attendance, the Delhi high court has said, while holding that authorities “cannot take a person into custody on their whims and fancies”.
The observations, made in a judgment on Thursday, comes at a time when the Supreme Court is contemplating a review of certain provisions of the PMLA. The top court in July last year, in the Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary case, upheld ED’s powers relating to summons, arrest, property seizure and searches – a ruling that has since been challenged.
The high court bench of justice Anup Jairam Bhabhani was of the view that ED’s power to issue summons “is different and distinct from the power of arrest”. The power relates to Section 50 of the PMLA that deals with summoning witnesses and requiring them to give true information since providing false information attracts punishment under Section 63.
The 2022 judgment was criticised for a disquieting erosion of the safeguards to rights to life, liberty, property and against self-incrimination, especially at a time when a spate of ED raids and other actions against opposition leaders has mired the federal financial crime agency in allegations of politicisation.
Month: October 2023
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Section 50 of PMLA does not give ED power to arrest: HC
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Nithari killings: UP govt will approach SC if needed: Dy CM
The Uttar Pradesh government will review the Allahabad High Court’s order in the Nithari serial killings case and approach the Supreme Court if required, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said on October 19.
The high court on October 16 acquitted domestic help Surendra Koli and his employer Moninder Singh Pandher in the sensational 2005-06 case in which they were facing death sentence, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt “beyond reasonable doubt” and that the investigation was botched up.
The judgment in the case brought back memories of the chilling crime targeting young children that came to light with skeletal remains being found behind a Noida bungalow, near Delhi, with the families of the victims claiming injustice.
“Certainly, the type of crimes that were registered in this case and the type of advocacy that should have been done by the government were done,” Maurya told reporters during an official visit to Gautam Buddh Nagar.
“Certainly it (the Allahabad HC’s order) will be reviewed at the government level and if necessary, the government will approach the Supreme Court,” the deputy chief minister added.
Reversing the death sentence given to Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in two cases, the Allahabad High Court noted that the prosecution has failed to prove the guilt of both the accused “beyond reasonable doubt, on the settled parameters of a case based on circumstantial evidence and the probe was nothing short of a betrayal of public trust by responsible agencies.”
Source: PTI -
INTERNATIONAL SENSATION SINGER-PERFORMER LIGHTS UP DEBUT DISNEY DIWALI DANCE FEST
Raghav (Credit : Jashn Productions) By Mabel Pais
Multi-talented singer-performer, Raghav Mathur, internationally & popularly known as Raghav will create magic at the Walt Disney World® Resort this month. He will take center stage as he illuminates the much-anticipated Diwali Dance Fest on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Orlando, Florida.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is set to illuminate the Walt Disney World®Resort as the sensational performer, Raghav, closes out the highly anticipated Diwali Dance Fest.
Raghav, the internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, is renowned for captivating audiences worldwide with his mesmerizing performances and hit singles. Drawing from his rich cultural heritage and infusing modern elements, Raghav will be closing out the 2.5-hour Dance Showcase set to be held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Diwali Dance Fest will be the 1st Ever Youth Event Celebration of Diwali at Walt Disney World® Resort! The festival promises to be a magical event filled with vibrant colors, stunning costumes, and incredible performances by dancers from around North America. The event will feature an official parade at Disney Springs®, a dance showcase at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, and a VIP party to follow.
“We wanted to make sure that the 1st Ever Diwali Dance Festival was going to be a memorable one for all those that will be attending,” said Jeanie Beri, Director of Jashn Productions. When I saw my daughter dancing to Raghav’s new hit “Desperado” I was reminded of myself when he had come out with “Teri Baaton” & “Angel Eyes” some years ago and I said to myself, he’s the perfect fit for our event. We can’t wait to experience the energy he will bring to the Walt Disney World stage.”
Raghav’s performance will feature a blend of his popular chart-topping hits along with traditional and contemporary dance routines, making it a spectacle that promises to enthrall both Indian and international audiences. With his dynamic stage presence and soulful voice, Raghav is sure to leave a lasting impression, creating cherished memories for attendees of all ages.
“I’m looking forward to this gig more than any in recent memory, the magic of Diwali combined with Disney magic,” said Raghav. “It’s going to be very special. I’m privileged to have been invited and thank Jashn Productions for both organizing this one-of-a-kind event and thinking of me.”
TICKETS
For more information and Tickets, visit shopdiwalidancefest.com
Jashn Productions
Jashn Productions (jashnproductions.com) was created by dancers for dancers, bringing mainstream exposure and opportunities for South Asian performing artists. Jashn is led by Jeanie Beri, an award-winning South Asian American dancer with over 35 years of dance training and teaching from her New Jersey-based studio Rhythmic Arts to her various credits including Walt Disney World, NBA, and the Broadway stage!
Raghav
Raghav is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and dancer known for his fusion of various musical genres and his ability to captivate audiences with his energetic performances. Born in India and raised in Canada, Raghav’s music reflects a diverse cultural background and has garnered him a massive global fanbase.
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INNOVATIVE MUSICAL THEATER CELEBRATES ANCIENT INDIAN EPIC
Ram, Laxman, Sita. (Credit : suratifpa.org) By Mabel Pais
‘Ramaavan – A Musical,’ after a successful NYC debut last year, returns to New York City and Jersey City in October 2023.
The pathbreaking musical based on the ancient Indian epic ‘Ramayana’ will be performed October 20-22 in Jersey City & October 25-29 in New York City.
‘Ramaavan – A Musical’ is an innovative dance and musical theater experience adapted from the celebrated ancient Indian epic ‘The Ramayana,’ that has been loved and revered for centuries.
The evolving musical, written in English verse, has enthralled audiences of a variety of backgrounds and tastes. They have called Roy’s interpretation of the ancient epic bold, innovative and universal in appeal. The treatment crosses boundaries of race, bias and preconceived societal notions as well as of traditional genres of dance and music in retelling one of India’s greatest epics.
Founder and Artistic Director of Surati, Rimli Roy says, “I always wanted to bring a uniquely international sensibility to the epic of Ramayana. Finding talent that represented a diverse oeuvre of artistic talent that met my expectations was one of the biggest challenges. All actors are trained dancers and singers who perform live in this show.” “We are very happy and excited to be co-presenting Rimli Roy’s ‘Ramaavan – A Musical.’ Surati’s interpretation of the great Indian epic ‘The Ramayana’ embodies a universality never before seen in other interpretations of the ancient classic. In its diverse cast, inclusion of a wide range of performing art forms, and the message of peace and love inherent within, Surati’s Ramaavan perfectly aligns with the goals and aspirations of IAAC,” said IAAC board member Rajeev Kaul.
Performers of different races and ethnicities from different backgrounds are cast and accorded the liberties to explore each character through the lens of their own learnings and beliefs. The families shown are multi-racial, the costumes and props are introduced from various sources, and the artisans creating them come from equally wide-ranging societies. The music and dance blend different styles seamlessly to offer an unforgettable experience to the audience. The multi-hued spectacle ranges from ragas of Indian classical music to Hip-Hop, Opera and Jazz; from Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kathak classical Indian dance to Ballet and Flamenco.
It is worth noting that the actors come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities, and have traveled from all over the US and India as well. While some of them are familiar with the story of Ramayana and how it is linked to the story of Diwali, many of them heard about it for the first time.
SCHEDULE
Oct 20-22: Jersey City
Margaret Williams Theatre, NJCU, Jersey City, NJ
Oct 25-29: New York City
Cullum Theatre, American Theatre for Actors, NYC, NY
TICKETS
For more information and Tickets, visit suratifpa.org/ramaavan
Surati for the Performing Arts
Learn more about Surati for the Performing Arts at suratifpa.org
The Indo-American Arts Council
Learn more at iaac.us
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)
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Shiva and Shakti
In the Tantric cosmology, the whole universe is perceived as being created, penetrated and sustained by two fundamental forces, which are permanently in a perfect, indestructible union. These forces or universal aspects are called Shiva and Shakti.
The tradition has associated to these principles a form, respectively that of a masculine deity and that of a feminine one. Accordingly, Lord Shiva represents the constitutive elements of the universe, while Shakti is the dynamic potency, which makes these elements come to life and act.
From a metaphysical point of view, the divine couple Shiva-Shakti corresponds to two essential aspects of the One: the masculine principle, which represents the abiding aspect of God, and the feminine principle, which represents Its Energy, the Force which acts in the manifested world and life itself.
Shakti here stands for the immanent aspect of the Divine, that is the act of active participation in the act of creation. This Tantric view of the Feminine in creation contributed to the orientation of the human being towards the active principles of the universe, rather than towards those of pure transcendence.
Therefore, Shiva defines the traits specific to pure transcendence and is normally associated, from this point of view, to a manifestation of Shakti who is somewhat stronger (such as Kali and Durga), personification of Her own untamed and limitless manifestation.
Owing to the fact that in a way, Shakti is more accessible to the human understanding (because this regards aspects of life that are closely related to the human condition inside the creation), the cult of the Goddess (DEVI) has spread more forcibly.
Shaktism on Shiva and Shakti
Shaktism’s focus on the Divine Feminine does not imply a rejection of Masculine or Neuter divinity. However, both are deemed to be inactive in the absence of Shakti. As set out in the first line of Adi Shankara’s renowned Shakta hymn, Saundaryalahari (c. 800 CE): “If Shiva is united with Shakti, he is able to create. If he is not, he is incapable even of stirring.” This is the fundamental tenet of Shaktism, as emphasized in the widely known image of the goddess Kali striding atop the seemingly lifeless body of Shiva.
Broadly speaking, Shakti is considered to be the cosmos itself – she is the embodiment of energy and dynamism, and the motivating force behind all action and existence in the material universe. Shiva is her transcendent masculine aspect, providing the divine ground of all being. “There is no Shiva without Shakti, or Shakti without Shiva. The two […] in themselves are One”.
The 5 Powers of Shakti
There are many aspects, forms and names of shakti who is the mother of all. In creation she distinguishes herself, or through the will of Siva, into three basic aspects:
– para-shakti (transcendental energy),
– apara-shakti (immanent energy) and
– para-apara-shakti ( an intermediary energy).
In the texts of Shaivism we also find a reference to five supernatural powers of shakti, awakened in himself by Siva. Their permutation, combination, concealment and manifestation is believed to be responsible for the multiplicity, plurality, diversity and duality of the beings and objects and their forms and shapes in the manifested worlds. The five aspects of shakti manifested by Siva are:
– chit-shakti or the power of consciousness,
– anada-shakti or the power of bliss consciousness,
– iccha-shakti, the power of desire or will,
– kriya-shakti the power of action and
– jnana-shakti or the power of knowledge
Siva unleashes these five powers in the beginning of creation and withdraws them back into himself at the time of dissolution. In between he employs these energies for the purposes of creation (srishti), preservation (sthithi), samhara (destruction or modification), concealment (tirobhava) and revelation (anugraha).
Shiva Shakti Story
The legend of the marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married for the second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri – the Night of Lord Shiva.
The Legend goes that once Lord Shiva and his wife Sati or Shakti were returning from sage Agastya’s ashram after listening to Ram Katha or story of Ram. On their way through a forest, Shiva saw Lord Rama searching for his wife Sita who had been kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka. Lord Shiva bowed his head in reverence to Lord Rama. Sati was surprised by Lord Shiva’s behavior and inquired why he was paying obeisance to a mere mortal. Shiva informed Sati that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sati, however, was not satisfied with the reply and Lord asked her to go and verify the truth for herself.
Using her power to change forms, Sati took the form of Sita appeared before Rama. Lord Rama immediately recognized the true identity of the Goddess and asked, “Devi, why are you alone, where’s Shiva?” At this, Sati realized the truth about Lord Ram. But, Sita was like a mother to Lord Shiva and since Sati took the form of Sita her status had changed. From that time, Shiva detached himself from her as a wife. Sati was sad with the change of attitude of Lord Shiva but she stayed on at Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.
Later, Sati’s father Daksha organised a yagna, but did not invite Sati or Shiva as he had an altercation with Shiva in the court of Brahma. But, Sati who wanted to attend the Yagna, went there even though Lord Shiva did not appreciate the idea. To her great anguish, Daksha ignored her presence and did not even offer Prasad for Shiva. Sati felt humiliated and was struck with profound grief. She jumped into the yagna fire and immolated herself.
Lord Shiva became extremely furious when he heard the news of Sati’s immolation. Carrying the body of Sati, Shiva began to perform Rudra Tandava or the dance of destruction and wiped out the kingdom of Daksha. Everybody was terrified as Shiva’s Tandava had the power to destroy the entire universe. In order to calm Lord Shiva, Vishnu severed Sati’s body into 12 pieces and threw them on earth. It is said that wherever the pieces of Shakti’s body fell, there emerged a Shakti Peetha, including the Kamaroopa Kamakhya in Assam and the Vindhyavasini in UP. Lord Shiva who was now alone, undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. Shakti took a re-birth as Parvati in the family of God Himalaya. She performed penance to break Shiva’s meditation and win his attention. It is said that Goddess Parvati found it hard to break Shiva’s meditation but through her devotion and the persuasion by sages and devas, Parvati, also known as Uma, was finally able to lure Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism. Their marriage was solemnized a day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun. This day of union of God Shiva and Shakti is celebrated as Mahashivratri every year. There is no Shiva without Shakti and yoga is a realization of the unity of all things. That is not to say that everything in tantrik texts is figurative; many describe practices which are said to bring about this realization. Source: Templepurohit -
Chittorgarh: City of pride and honor
Located in South-Eastern Rajasthan, Chittorgarh is known for Chittorgarh Fort, the largest fort in India built on a hilltop, spreading over an area of around 700 acres. The capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar, the magnificent fortress will always be remembered for the courageous self-sacrificing Jauhar performed by Rani Padmini to thwart the conquest of the fort by Alauddin Khilji. Chittorgarh stands at the helm of Chattari Rajput pride and is remembered in the pages of history for its glorious battles, especially the siege of Alauddin Khilji. Once known for its grandeur and opulence, today, Chittorgarh has left its tales of bravery and betrayal far behind to catch up to commercialization. It takes a few hours to cover the fort complex on foot. Wear comfortable footwear and keep a water bottle handy.
Rana Kumbha Palace is the largest structure in Chittorgarh fort, and while it is now a mere tumbledown structure of broken walls and piles of stones, it was once a magnificent three-storied palace with gigantic pillars, maze-like underground tunnels and intricately designed architecture. The most famous attraction in Chittorgarh fort is the Padmini Palace, named after Queen Padmini herself. Replete with roof pavilions and water moats, the story of Queen Padmini’s valour rings out loud in every corner of this dilapidated building.
Chittorgarh Fort
Built by local Maurya rulers (often confused with imperial Maurya Rulers) in 7th century A.D, the Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan is one of the largest forts in India. The Chittorgarh Fort, plainly known as Chittor is spread majestically over a hill of 590 feet in height and is spread across 692 acres of land is a fine example of the popular Rajput architecture. The imposing structure of the fort has many gateways built by the later rulers of the Maurya clan. Chittorgarh Fort was previously the capital of Mewar and is now situated in the city of Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh Fort reverberates with tales of heroism and sacrifice and displays the Rajput culture and values in the real sense. Owing to its magnificent edifice, the Chittorgarh Fort was declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in the year 2013.
Padmini Palace
Padmini Palace is the palace where Rani Padmini lived after she married Rawal Ratan Singh, the ruler of Mewar Kingdom who ruled between 1302 and 1303 CE. The majestic palace is a historical monument related to the self-sacrifice of Rani Padmini after Chittorgarh was attacked by the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji. The two storey monument stands rather strong right at the centre of the Chittorgarh Fort elevated on rocky terrain. The fort is surrounded by a lotus pool which adds to the charm of the monument. One can imagine how glorious this site would have been when the royal ladies used it, the pool having colourful lotuses depicting grace and beauty in the rugged Chittor Fort. Those exploring Chittorgarh Fort must visit the Padmini Palace.
Rana Kumbha’s palace
Rana Kumbha palace is where Rana Kumbha lived and spent his royal life. Its charming and artistic architecture makes it a must visit for tourists visiting Chittorgarh.
Lord Shiva temple in the nearby and light and sound show in its complex makes it an unforgettable experience.
Kalika Mata Temple
It is one of the most important temples of Chittorgarh and the city’s tour isn’t complete without a visit to this temple. The splendid sculpture of the temple is what attracts most tourists. It is dedicated to Kalika an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The entire temple, built on a platform, boasts of Prathira architectural style. The ceiling, pillars and gates all have intricate designs. Even though the temple is partially in ruins, one will still marvel at its architectural credibility. Source: Holidify -
Williamson back, Southee to sit out
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will play his first match of the World Cup against Bangladesh but fast bowler Tim Southee will continue on the sidelines, the 33-year-old batter said on October 12. Williamson missed their wins over defending champions England and Netherlands to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury he suffered in March that required surgery.
Experienced fast bowler Southee has been recovering following surgery on his fractured right thumb.“Tim’s progressing well, but won’t be playing tomorrow’s game,” said Williamson. “As for my recovery, it’s been quite a journey but largely a good one.” -
India-Pak fever, hospitals turn into hotels
AHMEDABAD (TIP)- Cricket fever has gripped Ahmedabad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup group stage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan and a visit to the hospitals near the venue of the match in the western Indian city clearly shows the degree of excitement. Quite a few of the hospitals have seen a sudden influx of patients booked in for check-ups involving a night’s stay to coincide with the most anticipated match of the World Cup.
Several doctors told local media the rush for check-up ‘packages’ was an ingenious way to find affordable accommodation as hotel costs have soared up to 20 fold ahead of the match.
“We have come across some cases of people coming to watch the India-Pakistan match also taking an appointment for health check-ups and staying in hospitals,” said Tushar Patel, president of the Ahmedabad Medical Association.
The Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association has discouraged its members from accommodating such fans. “We have asked our members not to entertain such requests. Hospitals are not meant for non-patients,” its president Bharat Gadhavi said. The first batch of tickets for Saturday’s game were sold out within an hour of going on sale in August, prompting BCCI to release another 14,000 earlier this month.
Ahmedabad resident Hemish Patel and his friends, after several days of failed attempts, grabbed four tickets, each costing Rs 6,000.
“We logged into the site with multiple devices,” he said. “We constantly kept on refreshing the site and were able to book within 10 minutes after the sale of tickets began.”
Patel was one of the lucky few. Tickets are fetching up to 25 times face value on resale and city police arrested four youths on Tuesday for selling fakes.
Airfare has surged up to four times and Indian Railways will run a pair of super fast trains linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Source: Reuters -
Dominant South Africa thrash lacklustre Australia by 134 runs
Lucknow (TIP)- South Africa reaffirmed their status as serious contenders as their pacers fired in tandem after Quinton de Kock’s blazing century, paving the way for a dominant 134-run win over Australia in the World Cup here on Thursday, October 12. If de Kock showed his class with a masterful 109 off 106 balls to take the Proteas to 311/7, the fast bowlers were at their ruthless best, bundling Australia for 177 in 40.5 overs for their second consecutive win. The South Africans entered this game after a comprehensive victory in their opener against Sri Lanka. Australia, on the other hand, bowled without a plan, looked equally clueless with the bat — losing wickets in clumps — and were sloppy on the field, dropping as many as five catches.
The loss will severely dent their confidence. They were also outplayed by India in their opener and sit second last in the 10-team table.
De Kock, who will retire from the format after the World Cup, oozed confidence while scoring his second consecutive century with the help of eight boundaries and five maximums while Aiden Markram smashed 56 off 44 to help the team post the highest ODI total in Lucknow.
The South African quicks were relentless with the new ball and bowled with accuracy to essentially finish off the match before the 18th over of the Australian innings, with Pat Cummins’ side tottering at 70/6. Lungi Ngidi (1/18) set the tone with some incisive bowling. Marco Jansen (2/54) backed Nigidi and reaped the benefit as he removed Mitchell Marsh (7) without much trouble. David Warner looked to get going but Ngidi struck for a wicket-maiden seventh over. Kagiso Rabada (3/33) joined the party with the vital strikes of Steve Smith (19) and Josh Inglis (5) off consecutive overs.
As the ball hit Smith’s pad Rabada looked unsure, but de Kock insisted on appealing. To South Africa’s delight and Smith’s disbelief, the umpire was forced to change his decision as the ball tracking technology showed it was hitting the leg stump.
The ball seamed for Rabada as he came back to finish Josh Inglis’ nascent innings.
Australia’s trouble with left-arm spin continued as Keshav Maharaj (2/30) caught Glenn Maxwell (3) off his own bowling.
Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Mitchell Starc (27) stitched a fighting 69-run stand for the seventh wicket but that was not enough to change the course of the match.
Earlier, De Kock paced his innings well and troubled the Australian bowling attack, which cut a sorry figure, on a difficult Ekana pitch. The rub of the green also went the Proteas’ way as the Australians were guilty of spilling numerous catches. Off-spinner Glenn Maxwell (2/34) was their most successful bowler while the others managed to get some wickets at the fag end of the innings. After a rather sedate start, De Kock, who calls this stadium ‘home’ during the IPL, put a move on things. He used Mitchell Starc’s pace to flick one over deep backward square leg to get the first six of the match in the fifth over.
Both Temba Bavuma (35) and de Kock skilfully nullified the early threat that the Australian pacers generally pose. In fact, skipper Cummins was at his wit’s end and kept shuffling between all his bowlers to find a breakthrough. After playing the role of the sheet anchor with 35 off 55 balls, Bavuma decided to pull the trigger.
He had survived twice before — a top edge which Adam Zampa failed to judge and then when sub Sean Abbott caught the ball on the rope and lost balance. Abbott threw the ball towards a waiting Strac, but his throw was inaccurate.
The South African skipper attempted a sweep but the ball found David Warner.
The back-to-back maximums off Josh Hazlewood over fine leg, and the majestic six over midwicket for his hundred, were the highlights of de Kock’s innings. The wicketkeeper-batter eventually fell to a freak dismissal as the ball deflected from the back of his willow into his chest and onto the stumps. Markram, who was dropped on 1 by Cummins off his own bowling, clobbered seven fours and a six. Source: PTI -
Hockey: Indian men continue to sweep continental titles and Asian Games are the latest
By Prabhjot Singh
Those who had written Indian hockey off a couple of years ago are now forced to eat their words. India is back and back with a vengeance. In the past one year, Indian men have been making a clean sweep of all continental tournaments. And the just concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou is the latest. In August, India won the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.
It not only makes India a direct qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Hockey competition, but also makes former Olympic champions an undisputed leader of the continental hockey.
India exhibited great team effort and played superbly throughout the tournament scoring 58 goals and emerging the only unbeaten team in the tournament. India’s arch-rival, Pakistan, however, could not end the tournament the way it wanted. Though Pakistan ended on a winning note defeating Malaysia in the playoff for the fifth and sixth position, it expected to finish a little higher, at least on the podium.
Now previous champions Japan, Korea, China, Pakistan and Malaysia will have to go through the rigmaroles of playing the Olympic Qualifying tournaments for a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Though initially Pakistan had offered to host one of the Olympic Qualifier Tournaments in Lahore, but it was taken away by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) quoting internal strife in the country as the reason. The tournament will now be held in Oman, the new hockey center of the continent after Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
India’s return to the top was the culmination of a long-drawn effort that saw it making a clean sweep of continental tournaments it played this year.
It added its sixth title to its kitty by defeating defending champions Japan 5-1 in the Asian Games final. Earlier in the pool matches India recorded its biggest ever win (10-2) over arch rivals Pakistan.
India started with a style by notching up 16-0 win over Uzbekistan in the opener followed by 16-1 win over Singapore. After taking a comfortable 3-0 lead against Japan in the next match, India conceded two goals in the closing stages of the game to end with a 4-2 win over defending champions Japan. After a record 10-2 win against Pakistan, India had little trouble in defeating Bangladesh 12-0 in its last pool game to finish at the top of the table.
In the semi-finals, South Korea put up a splendid fight but it was not enough to upset the rhythm of the Indians looking for glory. India won the semis 5-3 for a place in the gold medal match. Pitted against the 2018 champions Japan in the final, India reiterated its supremacy to prove that earlier 4-2 win in the pool games was no fluke. India ended the summit clash with an impressive 5-1 win.
India’s title triumph was also a personal gratification for the team captain Harmanpreet Singh, a drag flicker. Though in the last FIH World Cup for men hosted jointly by Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, one of reasons attributed for India’s poor ninth finish, was fewer goals from Harmanpreet than expected. He proved he is still the best as he scored in every match of significance. Even in the final, two of five goals came from his lethal drag flicks.
India’s return to top position after a gap of nine years has warmed the cockles of the hearts of Indian hockey fans the world over. Now the focus will be on the bigger challenge, the summer Olympic Games. Harmanpreet had incidentally played sheet anchor when India returned to podium at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games by remaining one of the top scorers. And in Hangzhou he proved beyond doubt that he is still the number one.
Earlier this year, the FIH Hockey5s Asia Cup in Oman, India recorded a 2-0 win in a penalty shootout after a 4-4 draw with Pakistan in the final. Only a week earlier, Indian women had won the gold medal at the same venue.
Never before in the history of hockey any team had won so many continental titles in a row. As of today, India is the winner of Asian Games for men, Asia Cups, both for men and women, Asian Champions Trophy for men and Asia Cups, both for junior men and women.
After the Asian Games title triumph, India has joined the hosts France, Australia men and women and the Netherlands men and women, as direct qualifiers for the 2024 summer Olympic Games. Later this month, Pan Am Games in Santiago will decide the teams, both men and women, that will represent Americas in the Paris Olympic Games.(Prabhjot Singh is a senior journalist. Read his articles at www.probingeye.com)
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Gap between US income taxes owed and paid is set to keep growing, IRS says
NEW YORK (TIP)- The amount of tax money owed but not paid to the IRS is set to keep growing, according to projections published by the federal tax collection agency on Thursday, October 12. For tax years 2021 and 2020, the latest to receive such IRS estimates, the projected gross “tax gap” soared to $688 billion and $601 billion, respectively. That marks a significant jump compared to years past — with gross tax gap projections standing at $550 billion for 2017-2019 and $496 billion for 2014-2016.
One of the IRS’s biggest challenges is making sure that people actually pay their taxes. While agency data shows that the vast majority of Americans pay their taxes voluntarily and on time, hundreds of billions of dollars in unpaid taxes pile up each year — and tax gap estimates keep getting bigger. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said that the rising tax gap estimates “underscores the importance” of more compliance efforts. Part of the $80 billion the IRS received from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is being used for that purpose. “We are adding focus and resources to areas of compliance concern, including high-income and high-wealth individuals, partnerships and corporations,” Werfel said in a statement. “These steps are urgent in many ways, including adding more fairness to the tax system, protecting those who pay their taxes and working to combat the tax gap.” The tax gap could also be bigger than expected. Some prior-year projections have already been revised higher. The gross tax gap for 2017-2019, for example, was initially expected to be $540 billion, but climbed $10 billion in later estimates. Estimates for 2021 assume that noncompliant behavior hasn’t changed since the most recent 2014-2016 audit, IRS officials noted in a call with reporters — meaning that current projections don’t reflect filing behavior seen in the pandemic.
Source: AP -
Mukesh Ambani reclaims top spot on Forbes list of India’s 100 Richest
New Delhi (TIP)- In a dramatic shift in the pecking order at the top, Mukesh Ambani has reclaimed the No 1 position on the 2023 Forbes list of India’s 100 Richest. The collective wealth of India’s 100 Richest is at $799 billion this year. India is on a high after hosting the G20 Summit in New Delhi this September and becoming the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the moon. Reflecting this sentiment, India’s stock market rose14 per cent since fortunes were last measured. However, that jump, tempered by a weaker rupee, was not reflected in the collective net worth of India’s 100 Richest, which flatlined at $799 billion. Mukesh Ambani, who transformed his Reliance Industries into a diversified conglomerate, reclaimed the No1 spot with a net worth of $92 billion.
The fortune of infrastructure magnate Gautam Adani, who rose meteorically to overtake Ambani as India’s richest person for the first time last year, reversed dramatically after a report by US shortseller Hindenburg Research in January sent his group’s shares tumbling. Source: IANS -
India’s factory output growth rises to 14-month high of 10.3% in Aug
India’s industrial production growth rose to a 14-month high of 10.3% in August, mainly due to good show by the manufacturing, mining and power sectors, according to the official data released on October 12. The factory output growth measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) had contracted by 0.7% in August 2022.
The previous high was recorded at 12.6% growth in June 2022. The IIP growth for July has been revised to 6% from 5.7% provisional estimates released last month.
During April-August 2023-24, the IIP growth works out to be 6.1%, down from 7.7% in the corresponding period a year ago. “The growth rates over the corresponding period of the previous year are to be interpreted, considering the unusual circumstances on account of the Covid pandemic since March 2020,” an official statement said.
As per the IIP data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the manufacturing sector’s output grew 9.3% in August 2023 against a contraction of 0.5% a year ago.
Power generation rose 15.3% in August 2023 compared to 1.4% in the year-ago period. Mining output rose by 12.3% during the month under review against a 3.9% contraction a year ago.
India’s inflation eases to 5.02% in September
Retail inflation declined to a three-month low of 5.02% in September, mainly due to easing of food prices, according to the government data released on Thursday, October 12.
The inflation has come back to the Reserve Bank’s comfort level of below 6% after a gap of two months. The inflation based on the consumer price index (CPI) was 6.83% in August and 7.41% in September 2022.
The previous low was in June this year when the reading stood at 4.87%.
According to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the inflation in the food basket came down to 6.56% in September from 9.94% in the preceding month.
The Reserve Bank of India mainly factors in retail inflation while arriving at its bi-monthly monetary policy. -
Sample from asteroid Bennu rich in carbon and water: NASA
An initial study of the samples of asteroid Bennu brought back to Earth has revealed evidence of high carbon content and water. This indicates that the building blocks of life on our planet can also be found on the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) made the announcement from its Johnson Space Center in Houston. Scientists and leaders from the space agency showed off the asteroid material for the first time since the OSIRIS-REx mission dropped it to Earth.
“The OSIRIS-REx sample is the biggest carbon-rich asteroid sample ever delivered to Earth and will help scientists investigate the origins of life on our own planet for generations to come. Almost everything we do at NASA seeks to answer questions about who we are and where we come from. NASA missions like OSIRIS-REx will improve our understanding of asteroids that could threaten Earth while giving us a glimpse into what lies beyond. The sample has made it back to Earth, but there is still so much science to come – science like we’ve never seen before,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a press statement.
The objective of the OSIRIS-REx mission was to collect 60 grams of asteroid material from Bennu and bring it back to Earth for analysis. NASA experts have spent more than ten days carefully disassembling the hardware used to return the sample. When the lid of the sample canister was first opened, scientists discovered “bonus” material covering the outside of the collector head, lid and base. There was so much material that it slowed the collection process, according to the space agency.
Scientists began with a “quick-look” analysis of the initial material, where they collected images from a scanning electron microscope along with infrared measurements, X-ray diffraction and chemical element analysis. They also used X-ray computed tomography to produce a 3D computer model of one of the particles. This early “quick-look” gave evidence for the abundant presence of carbon and water in the sample. -
Earth’s solid inner core is surprisingly soft like butter, study suggests
Scientists recently discovered that Earth’s inner core, which was long thought to be hard like a solid metal sphere, might be a lot softer – more like butter. A new study, led by the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in China, suggests that this surprising softness may be caused by hyperactive atoms that move around within their molecular structure much more than we realised. Scientists believe that this finding could now help explain some of our planet’s long-standing mysteries, like why Earth’s magnetic field constantly defies expectations.
It is impossible to directly sample the Earth’s inner core because of its extremely high temperatures and pressures. So scientists re-created the intense pressure within the inner core in the lab and observed how the iron atoms behaved under these conditions. They then fed this data into a computer-learning program to create a simulated virtual core that they dubbed the “supercell”. Using the supercell, the researchers were then able to see how the iron atoms moved within their supposedly rigid structure.The results suggested that the atoms inside the inner core can “move much more than we ever imagined,” study co-author Jung Fu-Lin said. The researchers explained that the supercell simulations show that some of these atoms can move around in groups – like guests moving around a dinner table, per the press release. This type of movement is known as “collective motion”.
“This increased movement makes the inner core less rigid [and] weaker against shear forces,” Mr Lin said. This could explain why the inner core is “surprisingly soft,” he added.
Separately, co-lead author Youjun Zhang, who is a professor at Sichuan University, explained that this atomic movement could explain why seismic measurement of the inner core shows an environment that’s much softer and malleable than would be expected at such pressures.
“Seismologists have found that the centre of the Earth, called the inner core, is surprisingly soft, kind of like how butter is soft in your kitchen,” he said.
“The big discovery that we’ve found is that solid iron becomes surprisingly soft deep inside the Earth because its atoms can move much more than we ever imagined. This increased movement makes the inner core less rigid, weaker against shear forces,” Zhang added.
The researchers believe that the new findings could reveal new insights into other inner core mysteries, like how it helps to generate Earth’s magnetic field. “Now, we know about the fundamental mechanism that will help us with understanding the dynamic processes and evolution of the Earth’s inner core,” Lin said.
Source: NDTV -
CERT-In issues high severity vulnerability warning for Google Chrome; advises users to apply updates
CERT-In has issued a high-severity rated warning cautioning against “multiple vulnerabilities” in popular web browser Google Chrome, which could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause denial of service condition on targeted system.
In a vulnerability note, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) said a remote attacker could exploit certain vulnerabilities by sending a specially crafted request on the targeted system, and advised users to “apply appropriate updates as mentioned by the vendor”.Giving technical details, it said the software affected are “Google Chrome versions prior to 118.0.5993.70/.71 for Windows” and “Google Chrome versions prior to 118.0.5993.70 for Mac and Linux”.
“Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Google Chrome which could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause denial of Services (DoS) condition on the targeted system,” CERT-In said on its website, which lists and updates users with vulnerability notes and advisories. CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they strike. -
ISRO to launch first unmanned test flight for Gaganyaan on October 21
National space agency ISRO will launch the unmanned first test flight on October 21 in preparation of India’s human space mission Gaganyaan in 2024. There will be two preliminary missions before the actual human mission goes up to space late next year.
“The launch of Gaganyaan Test Vehicle Space flight, that is, “Gaganyaan” Test Vehicle Development flight (TV-D1) is scheduled on 21st of this month,” Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology; and MoS PMO and Space, Jitendra Singh said at a gathering to felicitate ISRO scientists associated with the Chandrayaan Mission here today. ISRO will also test the efficacy of the crew escape system which is the crucial part of “Gaganyaan” mission.
The tests will be conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Crew module will carry the astronauts during the human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan to outer space in 2024. The test involves launching a crew module to outer space and bringing it back to earth safely and recovering it after touchdown in the Bay of Bengal.
Indian Navy personnel have already started mock operations to recover the module, Singh said. The success of the test will set the stage for the first unmanned “Gaganyaan” mission and ultimately manned mission to outer space in low Earth orbit, informed the Minister. Before the ultimate manned “Gaganyaan” mission, there will be a test flight next year—a second precursor mission—which will carry “Vyommitra”, a female robot astronaut, the minister said.
Gaganyaan project envisages demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a human crew to an orbit of 400 km and bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters. The prerequisites for Gaganyaan mission include development of many critical technologies including human rated launch vehicle for carrying crew safely to space, Life Support System to provide an earth like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew. -
Prolonged antacid use linked to higher dementia risk: Study
Long-term use of certain medications to treat heartburn and acid-related disorders is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, new research shows.
The research, published in the journal Neurology, examined data from more than 5,700 participants who initially did not have dementia and found that those who took proton pump inhibitors for about 4½ years or more had a 33 percent higher risk of developing dementia than those who did not take the medications.
The study did not say these medications cause dementia — only that there was an association between using the drugs and a higher risk of developing dementia.
The researchers did not find a higher risk of dementia linked to shorter-term use.
“Patients taking these medications should talk to their doctor before making any changes to discuss the best treatment for them,” Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, senior author of the study and a professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, wrote in an email. “Stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms.”
Proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, including Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium, are used to help manage symptoms of acid reflux and a more serious form called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, in which the stomach contents move back up into the esophagus. The conditions can cause, among other symptoms, heartburn, nausea and regurgitation, which can lead to more serious complications such as trouble swallowing or bleeding in the digestive tract.
People with GERD are also at a slightly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Source: Washingtonpost -
Parkinson’s disease may be detectable 20-30 years sooner than clinical diagnosis
It may be possible to detect signs of Parkinson’s disease 20-30 years before symptoms appear, according to researchers in Australia. A biomarker called F-AV-133, used in combination with PET, or positron emission tomography, scans can help diagnose Parkinson’s disease and accurately track neurodegeneration, the researchers from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, said.
F-AV-133 is an imaging agent and has shown promise as a PET tracer for detecting and monitoring neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder characterised by tremor and impaired muscular coordination.
According to the researchers, the disease, often thought of as an illness of old age, in fact, starts in midlife and can go undetected for decades.
“Parkinson’s disease is very hard to diagnose until symptoms are obvious, by which time up to 85 per cent of the brain’s neurons that control motor coordination have been destroyed. At that point, many treatments are likely to be ineffective,” said Kevin Barnham, professor at The Florey and lead researcher of the study published in the journal Neurology.
In their study, 26 patients already diagnosed to have Parkinson’s disease and a control group of 12 people were scanned, along with 11 other people having Rapid Eye Movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), a strong indicator of the disease. All of them undertook two PET scans two years apart.
The researchers found that the PET scans showed a significant loss in the nerve cells or neurons in three key regions of the brain in individuals with the disease, even as no significant changes in their clinical symptoms were seen according to currently available diagnostic assessments. The findings suggest that F-AV-133 is a more sensitive means of monitoring neurodegeneration than what is now available, the researchers said in their study. Source: PTI -
Working night shifts messes up appetite and food habits: Study
Scientists reveal how working night shifts interferes with appetite, hunger and food habits, sometimes resulting in weight gain. The disruption in the body’s biological clock, or circadian misalignment, brought about by working night shifts affects the hormones which regulating appetite, the team of scientists, led by the University of Bristol, UK, said. Circadian misalignment is also commonly associated with the phenomenon of ‘jet-lag’.
The team focussed on the adrenal gland, situated near the kidney, which produces hormones that control many physiological functions including metabolism and appetite, called glucocorticoid hormones. A misalignment between light and dark cues led to a disturbance in the functioning of these hormones that then affected the appetite of the jet-lagged group of animals, driving an increased desire to eat significantly more during the inactive phase of the day, the scientists said in their study published in the journal Communications Biology.
They said that their findings reveal how circadian misalignment can profoundly alter food habits much to the detriment of metabolic health and that they could help the millions of people that work through the night and struggle with weight gain.
The glucocorticoid hormones in the adrenal glands directly regulate a group of brain peptides controlling appetitive behaviour, with some increasing appetite (orexigenic) and some decreasing appetite (anorexigenic).
A misalignment between light and dark cues led to a disturbance in the functioning of these hormones that then affected the appetite of the jet-lagged group of animals, driving an increased desire to eat significantly more during the inactive phase of the day, the scientists said in their study published in the journal Communications Biology.
They said that their findings reveal how circadian misalignment can profoundly alter food habits much to the detriment of metabolic health and that they could help the millions of people that work through the night and struggle with weight gain.
The glucocorticoid hormones in the adrenal glands directly regulate a group of brain peptides controlling appetitive behaviour, with some increasing appetite (orexigenic) and some decreasing appetite (anorexigenic). “For those who are working night shifts long-term, we recommend they try to maintain daylight exposure, cardiovascular exercise and mealtimes at regulated hours. “However, internal brain messages to drive increased appetite are difficult to override with ‘discipline’ or ‘routine’ so we are currently designing studies to assess rescue strategies and pharmacological intervention drugs,” said senior author Becky Conway-Campbell, Research Fellow at Bristol.
Source: PTI -
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Ingredients
1 whole cauliflower ( try to pick a large one )
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 packet of baby corn
1 packet of mushrooms
3 spring onions
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
6-7 pods of chopped garlic
salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Cut off all the leaves and the stem of the cauliflower and chop it up into smaller pieces. Wash thoroughly in case of any dirt or worms.
2. Add the cauliflower bits in batches into your food processor or a dry grinder. Blitz till they become crumbly. Do not add any water at all to the cauliflower this is a dry grind or else it will be a disaster.
3. Once you have the cauliflower into this fine crumbly rice or cous cous like texture leave it aside and chop all the other vegetables and ingredients.
4. Heat some oil in a pan or wok and add the cauliflower so you can cook/roast it for about 5-7 minutes. Keep stirring. The cauliflower won’t take very long to cook.
5. Add the chopped garlic and let it cook a bit, then add the spring onions, the whites and some of the greens, keep some greens to garnish later and mix it all together.
6. To this add the peppers and baby corn. Sprinkle a little salt n pepper on the peppers and baby corn to season them. Mix all the ingredients and cauliflower together.
7. Add the mushrooms and again season them with salt n pepper before they cook. Once they cook and start to release their water mix it into the other ingredients. The reason we season the ingredients separately first is because we don’t add salt to the cauliflower as eventually we will add the soy sauce that has plenty of salt but the vegetables will not catch the flavour so we need to season them slightly.
8. Mix everything together and lastly add the soy sauce. As mention since we’ve added the soy sauce there is no need to add extra salt but if you taste it and feel you need to please go right ahead.
9 Once it’s all mixed together, garnish with the leftover spring onions, serve hot. -
Caring for curly hair: Tips and tricks
Unlike straight hair, curly hair tends to lack moisture and dry out easily, making it more difficult to care for. The amount of curl in your hair is influenced by your hair follicles. People with curly hair tend to have more oval or asymmetrical follicles. This, of course, is determined by your genetics.
If you’re looking to add more bounce and shine to your natural curls, we break down the tips and tricks you need for keeping your hair healthy.
If you have very coarse or curly hair, you may want to try using a pre-shampoo treatment.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to condition only after cleansing. You can use a conditioner both before and after you shampoo.
Coarse, curly hair tends to lose moisture very quickly. Using a conditioner before shampooing in theory helps to protect the hair strand so that the shampoo won’t strip the hair of its natural oils.
Hot water tends to strip moisture from hair and leave it dry. Washing hair with cold water and avoiding hot water will help you retain moisture and strength.
Avoid over-shampooing
Shampooing every day isn’t a good idea for people with curly hair. Shampooing can strip the hair of its much-needed natural oils.
You may need to experiment with a cleansing schedule to see what works best for you. In general, try shampooing every other day or every 3 days.
Choose the right brush or comb
Curly hair is often dry and brittle and can break easily when combed or brushed. Try brushing or combing curly hair in the shower to avoid breakage.
Start with a wide-tooth comb to break up any knots. You can also comb while the conditioner is still in your hair to make it easier and to ensure the conditioner coats all your strands.
When choosing a hairbrush, invest in a high quality brush with natural bristles instead of plastic. A boar bristle brush can help spread natural oils from the scalp through the ends of the hair.
Another option is to not use a brush or comb at all. If you have particularly springy curls, try applying a leave-in conditioner and then raking through wet hair with your fingertips.
Heat styling curly hair
Most stylists will recommend that you let curly hair air dry because using a blow-dryer can make it frizzy and damage it.
If you want to use a blow-dryer or straighten it every once in a while with a straightening iron, it’s important to use some sort of heat protecting spray or treatment before you do so. Look for a spray containing silicone or keratin to seal the cuticle and make it more resistant to heat damage.
When blow-drying, researchers suggest that you keep your hair dryer 6 inches or moreTrusted Source from the surface of your hair.
You can add a diffuser attachment onto your blow-dryer to help limit how much direct heat hits your hair.
Source: Healthline.com -
Ways to make your ‘all black’ outfits look stylish than ever
Are you one of those females who can never seem to have enough black in her wardrobe? Don’t be concerned! You are not by yourself! Every fashion girl knows that this colour can make you look fab for every event. But, you can’t that deny too much of anything gets a little boring and monotonous. So, we are here with a bag full of amazing tips to wear all black, without looking boring at all. Go rock this sexy color like a boss!
Classic Monochrome
Create a sleek and sophisticated look by wearing all black from head to toe. Opt for a well-fitted black blazer or leather jacket, paired with black trousers or jeans. Complete the outfit with a black shirt or top, and accessorize with black shoes and minimalistic black accessories like a belt or a watch.
Edgy with Leather
Add some edge to your all black ensemble by incorporating leather pieces. Try a black leather biker jacket paired with black skinny jeans and a black graphic t-shirt. Finish the look with black ankle boots or high-top sneakers. You can also accessorize with a black leather backpack or a studded black belt for extra flair.
Textured Layers
Experiment with different textures to add visual interest to your black outfits. Combine a black knit sweater or cardigan with black leather leggings or black denim. Layer a sheer or lace black top underneath for a touch of femininity. Finish off the look with black ankle boots or heeled boots for an elevated touch.
Sporty Chic
For a casual yet stylish look, try a sporty black outfit. Pair black joggers or leggings with a black oversized hoodie or sweatshirt. Add a pop of contrast with white sneakers and accessorize with a black baseball cap or a backpack. You can also layer a black windbreaker or bomber jacket for extra versatility.
Minimalistic Elegance
Embrace a minimalistic approach by combining black pieces with clean lines and simple silhouettes. Wear a black tailored jumpsuit or a black midi dress. Complete the look with black pointed-toe flats or heels for an elegant touch. Keep the accessories minimal and sleek, like a black clutch or delicate black jewelry.
