Delhi’s Air Quality Improves To ‘Poor’ From ‘Very Poor’ Category

The air quality in the national capital improved to ‘poor’ from the ‘very poor’ category on Monday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 262, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

Meanwhile, with the AQI at 323, the air quality in Noida remains in the ‘very poor’ category.
The air quality in Gurugram is in the ‘poor’ category with AQI at 201.

As per the government agencies, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. (ANI)

Weekly Update: The Flyover PM; Putin’s Khrushchev Moment; Political Petri Dish

Prime Minister Modi’s attempt to do a flyover visit in Punjab and get stuck over a flyover is a skit for satire if it wasn’t for real. The repercussions are still going around the social media with all sorts of threats, counter threats and allegations. The Prime Minister himself, who no doubt could easily get a job in Bollywood were he to lose his current role as ‘leader of India’, was as dramatic as ever.

‘Tell the CM I made it live to the airport’. Precisely who was threatening him is also a mystery. ISI? ISI don’t know what to do with a target if it was standing in front of them. They only work through ‘underground agents’ after coasting the target over weeks, if not months. ISI likes ‘clever’ games. It is a habit. Besides, that would have led to a war and ISI, for all its anti-India activities, isn’t quite ready for a war. Let us rule ISI out.

Sikhs? Why would Sikhs want to kill him? They just won the farmer protest having damaged him beyond repair. Modi is like a dead man walking in Punjab. Punjabis don’t respect losers. He lost and no point on inflicting more on him. His very presence is their victory. Some farmers simply obstructed his path and told him ‘Delhi wapas ja Bharava’ Go back to Delhi brother.

A Congress wallah? The Congress only kills people through the police and Army. They did enough in the 1980s and 1990s. They don’t do Jhatka, i.e do the work themselves.

It seems the only people threatening the beloved Modiji were Modi Bhakts. There was a bus load who were suddenly elated that they came almost face to face with their god and collectively said several times. ’Modi ji ki Jai’.

Modi ji, who doesn’t even give press interviews or face people directly and only speaks at big rallies through a bullet proof glass wall, was suddenly physically confronted by the sight of his worshippers in close proximity. He was obviously unnerved. This was a new situation for him since becoming PM. They are meant to be behind ropes and barriers, clamouring to touch his feet, not two yards away on a flyover. He misread their adulation as threats.

But what was Modiji doing in Punjab? After the protests ended in November, there were no hugs or stuffing laddoos in each other’s mouths. He took back laws. The Punjabis are still suspicious. A committee has been formed. But he decided to go over to Punjab. He probably thought to say, ‘No hard feelings’. The farmers probably thought he has come over to show that he is still Boss.

For a seasoned politician, it seemed a bit naïve to think that he could go over to Punjab and be greeted with garlands. The protestors had occupied several roads to stop any Modi Bhakts to get to the ground where he was going to speak. But they got lucky and managed to stop Modiji himself from getting to the ground, which was going to be mostly empty anyway.

For a ‘helicopter’ PM who flies everywhere, travelling on an Indian Road must have been an experience itself. And then getting caught over an India made flyover with no opportunity for a helicopter to ‘save’ him from his Bhakts, must have been another nightmare.

Instead of complaining about the hapless Punjab Chief Minister who had made all arrangements for Modiji to get to his empty ground by helicopter, Modiji needs to haul his transport minister and order him to build better flyovers. Flyovers where a helicopter can land and whisk the dear leader off, away, from his fans. Meanwhile his statement, ‘Buch je agya hun’ (I have come back safely), is causing roars of amusement in Punjab, further denting his muscular profile. ‘Kis se Buch ke ayaa hae bhai’ (who did you save yourself from? Who was threatening you?)

Putin’s Khrushchev moment

Putin has gone into a high stakes poker game with the United States. Having amassed some 100,000 troops and heavy equipment on the borders of Ukraine, Putin is threatening war unless US gives assurance that there will be no deployment of NATO forces in Ukraine and Ukraine won’t be permitted to join EU. Biden and EU are so far refusing. Putin is said to be threatening to install missiles again in Cuba.

This is a rerun of the 1962 Cuban crises. The head of the Soviet, Nikita Khrushchev, decided to install missiles in Cuba, an independent Island country only some 80 miles from Florida, US coast. The US under Kennedy, circled the Island with its Navy and blocked further supplies. A threat of war was looming. The Soviet (now Russia) wanted US to remove its missiles from Turkey in return. The standoff lasted about a month. The Soviet took away its gear. Khrushchev lost face in the Soviet and had to resign for showing ‘weakness’.

Strongman Putin now faces the same dilemma. He started a political poker which will only conclude with him or Biden losing face. For some time Ukraine has been seen as a possible NATO army base. Ukraine has also been openly saying that it will join the EU if permitted. Both are seen as evidence of Russia’s loss of power in that region.

Putin took over the Crimea in 2014 and part of Eastern Ukraine (Donbas) in some swift moves. The Eastern Ukraine is not strictly in Russia but is de facto Russian territory. Putin decided to threaten war and take over Ukraine if it doesn’t give up attempts to join EU and have NATO base. A NATO base is seen as a threat too near Russian border.

Treating Ukraine as a puppet of America, Putin is dealing directly with the US and NATO rather than Ukraine. Putin has said that the situation is similar to the Cuban crises of 1962.

Both US and NATO are refusing to budge citing Ukraine’s sovereign right to chose what it wants. As days go by it seems Putin may have little choice but to either backdown or invade. The west is trying to call Putin’s bluff, trying to see how far it can push Putin’s tolerance.

Sooner or later, Putin will have to chose if there is no movement on the discussions. If he deploys missiles in Cuba, that might be seen as too provocative. If he invades Ukraine it will be very costly for both countries. The economic crises that Russia will face afterwards will weaken him. If he backs down, Putin will be weakened as a political strongman in Russia. Either way, he has problems.

If Putin attacks Ukraine, Biden will face a barrage of criticism in USA from the Republicans. It will distract from the enquiry into the attempted insurrection of Capitol Hill. It will be the second country Biden administration will have failed to live up to a promise of protection (Afghanistan).

All indications are that this is leading to a war barring a last minute diplomatic breakthrough in the talks.

The Political Petri Dish

Look down a petri dish under a microscope and one will see bacteria or other organisms wandering around aimlessly from one end to another. Politics in India seems similar. With no clear agendas except caste, communalism or unachievable promises, the parties have little to differentiate between themselves.

So politicians often see parties as career ladders rather than organisations of conviction and loyalty. So it is in UP. A number of BJP MLAs have defected to Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party. They say that BJP is only interested in working for the big corporate houses and not representing the backward castes or the poor. The BJP in turn is trying hard to woo the backward castes.

So like a petri dish culture, the politicians are crossing from one side to another. So far Dara Singh Chauhan, Swami Prasad Muarya and Dharam Singh Saini and a few others have crossed over from Adityanath’s BJP to Akhilesh’s SP. Dara Singh was in Adityanath’s cabinet.

Soon no one will know which party any candidate is in and what he or she stands for until the morning of the upcoming elections. At least that day the election commission forbids any statements so no point in political promiscuity on election day.

BJP Seeks Postponement Of Punjab Polls Due To Guru Ravidas Jayanti

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday extended its support to the demand of postponing the assembly polls in Punjab to be held on February 14 in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, which will be celebrated on February 16.

“As per the election schedule announced by the Election Commission, the voting for Punjab Vidhan Sabha Elections is scheduled for February 14, 2022. The Gurupurb of Sri Guru Ravi Dass Ji falls on February 16, 2022. The state of Punjab has the substantial population of followers of Guru Ravi Das Ji including the Schedule Caste Community which is about 32 per cent of population of Punjab. On this pious occasion, millions of their devotees would visit Banaras in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the Gurupurb. So it would not be possible for them to participate in the voting process,” says a letter from Subhash Sharma, State General Secretary, BJP Punjab.
“It is therefore requested to your goodself that date of voting may be postponed so that these voters of Punjab could participate in the election process. I am sure that you would consider our demand and do the needful.”

Punjab Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on February 14. The results will be announced on March 10. (ANI)

Stand-Up Comedian Kenny Sebastian Gets Married

Popular stand-up comedian Kenny Sebastian has tied the knot in a private ceremony in Goa.

Thanks to ‘Comicstaan’ fame Aakash Gupta for giving a glimpse of Kenny’s wedding with Tracy Alison.
As per Aakash’s Instagram pictures and videos, Kenny and Tracy had Hindu and Christian wedding ceremonies.

“Mr Handsome Sebastian,” Aakash wrote alongside an image, in which Kenny can be seen sporting a sherwani.

In another story, Kenny and Tracy can be seen walking down the aisle at church.

Kenny and Tracy are yet to officially announce the news of their wedding on social media (ANI)

TN Govt Shuts Schools Till Jan 31: Covid-19

Amid the surge in the COVID-19 cases, the Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday declared a holiday in schools for all classes till January 31.

The State Government has also postponed the exams that were scheduled to be held on January 19.
“Schools have been declared shut in Tamil Nadu for all classes, due to an increase in the number of COVID19 cases in the State. The exams which were supposed to be held on January 19 are now postponed,” read the release from Tamil Nadu government statement.

Meanwhile, there are currently 1,31,007 active COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu. The cumulative death toll of the State stood at 36,967. While the cumulative recoveries in the state stood at 27,47,974. (ANI)

Channi’s Brother To Contest As Independent Candidate

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s brother Manohar Singh Bassi on Sunday announced that he will be contesting as an independent candidate from Bassi Pathana assembly seat in the upcoming polls after Congress did not give him a ticket.

The Chief Minister’s rebellious remarks came after the party has fielded MLA Gurpreet Singh GP from the seat.
“I was a contender for the Bassi Pathana seat, but the party (Congress) has denied a ticket. I will contest the election as an independent candidate. I did the same in 2007 and won the election,” Manohar Singh Bassi said.

Bassi called the party’s decision an injustice to him and the people of the constituency.

Dr Manohar Singh Bassi resigned from the post of Senior Medical Officer at Kharar Civil Hospital, Mohali in August 2021. Bassi Pathan assembly constituency is reserved for the SC category.

Channi’s brother claims that he was posted at Nandpur Kalaur Primary Health Center during COVID-19 and he did a lot of work in the area, but the MLA GP transferred him from there. (ANI)

Nalanda Hooch Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 11

With the death of three more persons on Sunday, the death toll in the Nalanda hooch tragedy has reached 11. Earlier, eight people had died on Saturday after consuming spurious liquor. Following this, security personnel have been deployed in the Chhoti Pahari area.

The district police have launched a combing operation in the area to solve the poisonous liquor tragedy. “During the combing operation, the Chhoti Pahadi has been divided into four parts for better investigation”, said police on Sunday.
The Nalanda district administration admitted, “As per prima facie, 11 people died due to drinking spurious liquor.” District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar has given out all the names of those who died.

“So far, six FIRs have been registered, while five people have been arrested”, the DM added.

“Till far, 184 litres of country liquor, 225 litres of foreign liquor and 34 people have been arrested in Nalanda district”, said District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar.

Meanwhile, the relatives of the deceased claimed that the police are responsible for the open selling of country-made liquor. According to the deceased’ relatives, they had informed the local police station about the hooch which the police did not take the matter seriously. “The Sohsarai police station in-charge Suresh Prasad has been suspended”, SP Ashok Mishra said.

Further probe is on in the case. (ANI)

MP: Man Throws 10 Year Girl Into Well After Trying To Rape Her

In a shocking incident, a man tried to rape a 10-year-old girl in the Dudhlai village of Ichhawar police station area in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district and threw her into the well, police informed on Sunday.

However, the girl was brave and saved her life by holding the wires of the well, police said.
“A 10-year-old girl went to the toilet in the evening yesterday where a person named Ramesh molested her and threw her into the well. The girl informed us about the incident and said that she was thrown into the well where she continued holding the wire for saving her life,” said SP Mayank Awasthi.

Further, police asserted that it has not been confirmed in the medical checkup that the accused raped the minor. However, police registered a case against the accused under Section 376 of the IPC, 376, 307, POSCO act and started the investigation.

The accused is absconding and police have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 on him.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)

Sidharth Malhotra Turns 37

As actor Sidharth Malhotra turned a year older on Sunday, his friends and Bollywood colleagues, including Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Rakul Preet Singh, shared wishes for the birthday boy.

Anushka took to her Instagram handle and shared a Story that had an image of Sidharth. Along with it, she wrote, “Happy Birthday Sidharth! Wishing you love and light always.”

Katrina Kaif’s wished her ‘Baar Baar Dekho’ co-star by penning a sweet message for him. “Happy happy birthday @sidmalhotra may u have all the joy love peace and happiness this year,” she wrote.

“Happy happy bdaayyyy Sidboy!! May you eat lots and lots of Cake! Wishing you a super healthy blockbuster year” read Rakul’s wish for Sidharth.

Rashmika Mandanna who will be making her Bollywood debut opposite Sidharth in ‘Mission Majnu’ wished him by sharing a cute picture of them. With it, she wrote, “@sidmalhotra.. we for sure need to take more pichas together..Happy happy birthday you!”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sidharth, who has been basking in the success of ‘Shershaah’, apart from ‘Mission Majnu’, will next also be seen in ‘Yodha’, and ‘Thank God’. (ANI)

First Time After Taliban’s Takeover ATM Services Resumed In Afghanistan Provinces

ATM services have been resumed in several Afghanistan provinces for the first time since the Taliban took control of the country in August, reported local media.

The reactivation of the ATM machines would further facilitate the banking system, said Da Afghanistan Bank, the country’s central bank.
“Da Afghanistan Bank has been making serious efforts to bring the banking system to a normal level. Reactivation of ATMs was part of those efforts,” TOLOnews quoted Sabir Momand, a spokesman for the bank as saying.

People in Afghanistan have been facing difficulties in withdrawing money from banks as ATMs were closed after the Taliban took control of the country.

“The activity of ATM machines will have two benefits,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, the Deputy Minister of Finance. “It will prevent people from overwhelming banks, and it can speed up the withdrawal of money,” he added.

ATMs of commercial banks have been made available in specific areas to facilitate people.

But the central bank has not mentioned the limit of withdrawal amount as restriction of withdrawing a specific amount is still in place. A person can only withdraw USD 200 per week or 20,000 Afghani, as per the new policy, according to Khaama Press. (ANI)